Best balance bikes for kids, tried and tested

There's a huge variety of balance bikes to choose from: some cheap and cheerful; others much more pricey and made to super-high specs. And some balance bikes also come with pedal attachments, so that you can turn it into a pedal bike later. We've tested loads of them – and come up with a top 15 list of really great balance bikes at a range of price points.

While price is, obviously, a key factor, do bear in mind that if you have several children, a more expensive balance bike may end up being great value for money if it can be passed down from sibling to sibling. Plus, it's definitely worth considering some key technical details before you buy, which we've outlined below.

Best balance bikes at a glance

• Best balance bike for starting out: Kinderkraft Rapid 2, £69 £56
• Best balance bike for a lightweight smooth ride: Hornit AIRO, £139
• Best balance bike for easy height adjustment: Strider 14x Sport, £238
• Best toddler balance bike with rear brake: Frog Tadpole, £230
• Best for design patterns and personalisation: LIFERYDER Vogue Balance Bike, £89
• Best value toddler-to-preschooler balance bike: Kidvelo Rookie 12, £130.00
• Best lightweight 2+ balance bike with rear brake: Squish 12, £180
• Best balance-to-pedal bike for older children: LittleBig Bike, £195 (with pedal kit)
• Best balance bike for taller toddlers: Raleigh Balance Banana Bike, £74.39 £69.99
• Best vintage-looking balance bike with a basket: Bobbin Gingersnap, £115.00

Jump to:

• What to consider when choosing a balance bike
• How to get the right-size balance bike for your child
• Best balance bikes for toddlers and preschoolers

Best balance bikes for toddlers and preschoolers

1. Kinderkraft Rapid 2, £56

Age: 2+ | Weight: 3.7kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 33.5cm to 41.5cm | Max child weight: 35kg

Pros:

• Inexpensive
• Lightweight
• Large wheels

Cons:

• Design might not be for everyone

The Kinderkraft Rapid 2 is the latest model in their Rapid line of balance bikes. It is sturdy yet lightweight, and it’s ideal for children coming to cycling for the first time as its limited-turn handlebars stop little ones careering out of control while they find their confidence. The low frame also helps smaller and younger children to feel a bit more secure. It’s also a wallet-friendly option, along with other bikes in the Kinderkraft range.

"It seems very durable and could be used for multiple ages due to the changing height of the seat," said Kayleigh, mum of our child tester, of the original Kinderkraft Rapid model. "My son hadn’t been on a balance bike before but he took to it really easily as we could move the seat to suit him perfectly."

Available at: Kiddies Kingdom

2. Hornit AIRO, £139

Age: 18 months to 5 years | Weight: 2.95kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 29cm to 44cm | Max child weight: 30kg

Pros:

• Very lightweight
• Available in a great range of colours
• Suitable for large range of heights and ages
• Minimal assembly required

Cons:

• Wheels small for children at upper end of age range
• Pricey

A very lightweight toddler balance bike, the Hornit AIRO comes in a range of bright and beautiful colours – Hammer Yellow, Orca White, Magma Red, Flamingo Pink, Mavericks Blue and Tuvalu Turquoise. It has a height-adjustable saddle that spans 15cm, grip-taped footrests, handlebar grips, padded stem cover, thick air-filled tyres and wheels with sealed bearings. The Hornit AIRO comes with a lifetime warranty (on frame and forks).

The seat goes very low, making it suitable for 18-months+ riders as they can comfortably put their feet on the ground. Plus the padded seat and easy-to-grip handlebars show the bike is absolutely built with smoothness and comfort in mind.

Available at: Amazon and Hornit

3. Strider 14x Sport, £238

Age: 3 to 6 | Weight: 5.7kg without pedals; 6.9kg with pedals | Brakes: Yes - in pedal bike mode | Wheels: 14in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 38cm to 55cm | Max child weight: 36kg

Pros:

• Converts from balance to pedal bike
• Easy to adjust height of saddle and handlebars
• Suitable for large range of heights

Cons:

• Wheels large for children at lower end of age/height range
• Very pricey

This steel-frame balance bike has an easy-to-move, height-adjustable padded seat and handlebars, plus safety grips, footrests with grip tape and big, bouncy air-filled tyres. Its standout feature is an additional pedal kit (sold separately) that transforms the Strider 14x Sport from balance bike to first pedal bike.

It comes in Blue, Green, Tangerine and Pink. It's also available in a 12 Sport version (£129.99) which isn't convertible but it's a bit cheaper and suitable from 18 months to 5 years.

It's easy and comfortable to ride, especially in balance bike mode, and fitting the pedal kit was straightforward. For the money, the bike has plenty of play value with the added flexibility of adding pedals when your child is ready.

Available at: Amazon

4. Frog Tadpole, £230

Age: 2 to 3 | Weight: 4.17kg | Brakes: Yes, rear only | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 34cm to 42cm | Max child weight: 120kg

Pros:

• Excellent 'fit' for younger children
• Bell included
• Rear brake included

Cons:

• Very epensive for a bike designed to fit a narrow age/height range

An aluminium-frame toddler balance bike with height-adjustable saddle, Tektro rear brake, pneumatic tyres and locking headset, the Tadpole comes with a bell and is available in Electric Blue, Green, Orange, Pink, Red, Spotty White, as well as Yellow. It's also available in other sizes: Mini for 18 months+ and Plus for 3 to 4 years.

Available at: Leisure Lake Bikes, Frog Bikes and The Little Bike Company

5. LIFERYDER Vogue Balance Bike, £110

Age: 2+ | Weight: 3.5kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 32cm to 45cm | Max child weight: 30kg | Awards: Gold, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2023

Pros:

• Optional name personalisation
• Lots of pattern designs
• Sturdy yet light
• Easy to build
• Colourful design

Cons:

• Wheels big for children at lower end of age range
• No bell included

For a fun first experience on two wheels, Vogue from LIFERYDER is a brightly patterned kids' balance bike that is made in the UK. As well as a host of safety features, it will grow with your child.

Safety is a key consideration with this bike, which has an anti-jackknife steering mechanism that restricts the handlebars from fully rotating, reducing the risk of accidents. Combined with soft child-size handlebar grips, the bike provides a stable and secure platform for children to develop their balance and co-ordination on two wheels.

The sturdiness and quality of the frame and wheels is fantastic. The patterns available online mean there's so much choice when it comes to choosing your design to showcase your child's personality. The bike came with his name on, which really made Flynn feel so special and that it belonged him. Great touch!

Available at: Amazon and Liferyder

6. Kidvelo Rookie 12, £130.00

Age: 18 months to 4.5 | Weight: 2.89kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 30cm to 48cm | Maximum child weight: 30kg

Pros:

• Bell included
• Great range of seat heights
• High upper weight limit

Cons:

• Wheels small for older/taller riders
• Pricey

With a sturdy frame, bouncy air-filled tyres, bell and angled footrest, this well-built bike will last for years. Thanks to a seat post that can be adjusted with a lever and handlebars that can be rotated with an Allen key (included) to alter the reach, it can be perfectly adjusted to fit a growing rider. The saddle drops low enough for a child with an inside leg measurement of 30cm, making it suitable for first riders, while the upper weight limit of 30kg means a child could ride it for years and at least until they're old enough to transition to a pedal bike. It comes in Green, Blue, Red and Pink. It's also a previous Gold MFM Toy Awards winner.

Chester is able to hold his bike up on his own and pick it up to tackle kerbs, meaning he can be more independent and have more fun. He also love ringing the bell to let everyone know he's coming.

Available at: Kidvelo

7. Squish 12, £180

Age suitability: 3.5 + | Weight: 3.8kg | Brakes: Yes | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 33cm to 42cm | Maximum child weight: 20kg | Awards: Gold, MadeForMums Toy Awards 2023

Pros:

• Seat design allows your child to stand easily and feel confident
• Handy carry handle for parents
• Sticker set included

Cons:

• Pricey

The Squish Balance Bike is a colourful and lightweight first bike that helps to build confidence and also makes parents' lives easier. This brightly coloured bike is decorated with distinctive paint splodges and for further personalisation, a Squish sticker set is included. To encourage kids to get moving, the frame is designed to be low enough to stand over with confidence, but high enough to sit on. It is constructed of a lightweight alloy that makes it easy to use and scoot around on, and the handlebar grips are designed to make it easier for little hands to hold.

I do think the bike is worth the money, it’s the best balance bike we have tried for my son. I like the colourful and attractive design, it’s lightweight and a really good quality build. It has a really useful handle, which is great when their little legs get tired, and we end up carrying the bike!

Available at: Argos

8. LittleBig with pedal kit, £195

Age: 3 to 6 | Weight: 4.9kg to 6.6kg | Brakes: Yes, front and rear | Wheels: 14in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 37cm to 55cm | Max child weight: 40kg

Pros:

• Front and rear V-brakes included
• Large tyres give a stable and smooth ride
• Optional pedals, great longevity

Cons:

• Heavy for children at the lower end of the height range
• Larger tyres make bike fast for smaller/younger children
• Pricey

For a child starting their cycling journey a little later, this convertible balance-to-pedal bike is ideal it converts in 2 ways, both from a smaller balance bike suitable for riders with a minimum inside leg measurement of 37cm (around 3 to 4 years old) to a larger balance bike suitable for riders with an inside leg measurement up to 55cm (around 6 years old) and to a first pedal bike for riders from about the age of 4. Once they've mastered the art of staying upright, older cyclists will benefit from front and rear V-brakes and pedals, which can be fitted onto the frame with the tools provided.

I can't wait to go to the forest to ride my bike and when I am older, I can use the pedals like the big kids do.

Available at: Little Big Bikes

9. Raleigh Balance Banana Bike, £69.99

Age: 2.5 to 4 | Weight: 5kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 33cm to 41cm | Max child weight: 30kg

Pros:

• Decent height range for riders
• Distinctive design and finish

Cons:

• Heavy for children at the lower end of the height range
• No bell
• Only available in 1 colour

Designed to look like the iconic Raleigh Team Banana road bike, this mini balance bike version boasts a striking black and yellow glossy paint job on its sturdy aluminium frame. It also has air-filled tyres that roll smoothly over small bumps and ridges. The seat post goes low enough to accommodate a rider with a 33cm inside leg measurement, which is average for a 2 to 3 year old, but the 5kg frame and long reach make this a bike ideal for taller (up to 98cm) and stronger children.

I know with Raleigh I'm putting my son in safe hands as it's a trusted heritage brand – and the high quality is obvious straight away. I can tell we're going to be going on a lot of bike rides in the coming months!

Available at: Amazon

10. Bobbin Gingersnap, £109

Age: 2 to 4 | Weight: 5kg | Brakes: No | Wheels: 12in | Tyres: Pneumatic | Seat height: 41cm to 50cm | Maximum child weight: 35kg

Pros:

• Bell included
• Distinctive design and finish
• Premium features including hand-made wicker basket

Cons:

• Heavy for children at the lower end of the height range
• Narrow seat height range, pricey

This beautiful hand-made bike will be the envy of the playground thanks to its solid cream tyres, sturdy steel frame in a classic shape, real wicker basket and vegan leather saddle. The alloy seat post is adjustable and goes down to 41cm. It's available in a chic range of colours, including Blossom Pink, Duck Egg Blue, Cerise, Yellow and Green.

I like the colour of the bike and putting Bunny in the basket then ringing the bell.

Available at: Bobbin Bikes and Smallable

What to consider when choosing a balance bike

• Solid or air-filled tyres? Air-filled or pneumatic tyres make for a comfier, smoother ride but can puncture. Solid tyres – either plastic or rubber, often filled with foam – are a bit bumpier but are cheaper and don’t puncture.
• Brakes or no brakes? The higher-spec balance bikes tend to have brakes, scaled down to child size, either on both wheels or just on the rear wheel. Budget bikes tend not to have them. Opinion is divided on what's best: balance bikes can be stopped perfectly well with feet but some argue that it's good to learn about braking before you venture on to a bike with pedals – and better for your shoe leather. We'd say that, roughly speaking, a child probably doesn't have the hand/eye co-ordination for using brakes until about 2.5 to 3.5 years.
• How heavy is it? Most balance bikes are pretty lightweight, which is handy for a toddler trying to pick it up and a grown-up having to lug it home. But some are definitely lighter than others. And balance bikes that do other things, like turn into pedal bikes, tend to be on the heavier side.
• How adjustable is it? Good adjustability means the balance bike's likely to fit your child better and last longer as they grow. Do check out our tips on How to get the right size balance bike for your child, below. Find out if the handlebars adjust, as well as the seat – and how much they adjust by.

How to get the right-size balance bike for your child

There are no standard sizes for balance bikes, so pretty much every make and model is different – even if they have exactly the same size wheels. And to make things even more complicated, manufacturers often detail different measurements in their technical specifications (as you'll see from our list of the 15 best, below).

So, how do you reliably find the right-size balance bike for your child? You need to know your child's inside leg (or inseam) measurement and you need to know the seat height of the balance bike. What you're looking for is a seat height that's 1.5cm to 2.5cm less than your child's inside leg measurement and will, preferably, adjust higher as your child grows.

How do you measure your child's inside leg? Stand them against the wall (shoes on) with their legs hip-width apart and place a hardback book, spine up, between their legs. Gently raise the book till the spine touches their crotch. Measure from the floor to the spine of the book – and that's the inside leg measurement.

Pictures: Product websites

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