These Kids’ Electric Scooters Don’t Compromise Safety for Fun

“Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links.”

Whether your kids are heading to school on nice days or cruising around your neighborhood during summer vacation, they’ll have a lot more fun doing it on an electric scooter for kids. These purpose-built gadgets have quickly become a favorite for people of all ages as they make it quick and easy to travel around town at speeds up to 10 miles per hour.

The best electric scooters for kids balance performance and safety, making sure your child is always in control of the vehicle as they travel. Before you buy, ensure you get a scooter that’s an appropriate size for your kids—and that they’re wearing the right protective gear while doing so.

To make shopping a little easier, we’ve rounded up the best electric scooters for kids, including options for all ages and budgets.

For more of the best products for kids, check out our guides to the best science toys, robot toys, and ride-on toys.

Best Kids’ Electric Scooters

What to Consider

If you’re purchasing anything with wheels that your child is going to spend time on, it goes without saying that safety is paramount. With that in mind, pay close attention to the range and speed of the scooter, the size and weight of your child, and how the scooter starts and stops.

Style

There are several types of electric scooters that you may want to consider for your child. Hybrid models can be operated either manually or electrically—handy if the scooter runs out of battery power mid-ride.

There are also Euro-style scooters that have a sit-down design like a Vespa. (Just be sure your child can safely ride a bicycle before putting them on this type of scooter, as they typically don’t come with training wheels and require balance to operate safely.)

For young children, a three-wheeled scooter is often the best way to introduce the toy. These models generally have a lower max speed, and their extra wheel provides a more stable ride as they learn the basics of scootering.

Story continues

Speed

Most children’s scooters top out at about 10 miles per hour, which may not sound very fast—unless your kid hits a stationary object, such as a curb or a parked car. In addition to outfitting your kid with a helmet and other safety gear like elbow and knee pads, it’s also worth supervising your child until you’re certain they have the hang of it.

Range

The range of kids’ scooters varies considerably, with some geared for long rides to school and others better suited to neighborhood adventuring.

Unlike modern electric cars, which are configured with enough extra internal batteries to provide a stable range over years, the battery life for e-scooters declines nominally with each recharge. So, if you have a daily three-mile trip in mind, don’t get a scooter with a range of three miles, because it won’t suffice for long.

Size

It’s generally accepted that electric scooters aren’t designed for most children under the age of eight or so. Some scooters have weight limits: Treat them as gospel. Once your kid outgrows it, pass it along or swap it out for a bigger model.

Adult-sized electric scooters are simply too large to be safely handled by children. As a rule of thumb, the handlebar should be taller than the child’s waist but well below their armpits, like with any other scooter.

Power

There’s no common standard for what makes these scooters go and stop. Some use a twist grip for power, which inexperienced riders should avoid as it’s possible to inadvertently accelerate the scooter during a loss of control.

Others are thumb-operated, which is usually safer for kids because losing a firm grip on the handlebar will also result in the scooter slowing to a stop. Many scooters have a kick-start feature, where you use a firm push to get the scooter moving before it supplies power to the rear wheel.

Brakes

Stopping is even more important than going, so be certain the brake lever is properly sized for your child’s hand. It’s also critical to ensure that your child can get a good grip on the brake and squeeze it tight enough to stop the scooter—part of the reason kids under eight might struggle with e-scooters.

How We Selected

Jack Baruth, the original author of this guide, used his personal experience riding and testing scooters with his son, who was one of the first people to ride a Bird scooter in Los Angeles. He used his expertise to vet his recommendations, keeping an eye out for the features that make an electric scooter great—and those specs that turn them into junk.

We evaluated the specifications and referred to our test results for non-powered children’s scooters from the same manufacturers to ensure we only recommend safe, trustworthy brands. We read hundreds of consumer reviews to learn what’s working in the hands of the owners and what isn’t. Finally, we relied on our experience operating adult scooters to determine what features are most important for safe and enjoyable operation.

E100 Electric Scooter for Kids

Razor is the default choice in the non-powered scooter market, so it’s no surprise that the company makes a good all-around electric scooter as well. It’s sized for children, and the single brake has a reasonably small lever that kids can pull.

The eight-inch pneumatic tires soften the ride, and two 12-volt batteries provide power for up to 6.5 miles. This scooter is on the small side, so consider it best for younger children.

The only drawback to this model is the twist throttle—make sure your child has full control of the scooter before they wander too far afield.

SK1 Kick Start Kids Electric Scooter

If you want a safe and fun electric scooter on a budget, this Swagtron ticks all of the boxes. Kids can get the engine revving by kicking off—at 3 mph, the engine kicks in and speeds go up to 6.2 mph.

The ultra-durable iron frame outperforms plastic and aluminum, and the stem is adjustable, which means your child can use it for years to come. The anti-slip, extra-wide deck is also an additional layer of safety and control for your child’s growing feet.

E9 Electric Scooter for Kids

This electric scooter will grow with your kid. The scooter’s height is adjustable and it allows them to transition from non-electric to electric riding, with two speed modes that max out at 6 and 10 mph respectively.

The battery level is easy to read, with three modes: 100%, 60%, and 20%. The aluminum alloy frame is resistant to compression, is durable, and will last through many happy years of riding. The scooter is powered by a 130-watt brushless motor and can travel for 5 miles on a full charge, or up to 60 minutes of consistent use.

This scooter also wins bonus points for being easy to fold and carry, which is a great option if you want to bring it on the road with you.

Kids Ninebot eKickScooter E10

Segway’s E10 electric scooter doesn’t weigh much—at just over 18 pounds, it’s eight pounds lighter than our best overall pick. It also folds up for travel, which only some e-scooters do, making it an excellent choice for summer vacations.

The solid wheels are low-maintenance and can’t catch a flat, although they don’t ride as well as pneumatic tires—but with the suspension above the front wheel, the E10 still rides smoothly.

In cruise mode, the scooter maintains whatever speed you kick it to—a nice way to learn scooter riding without using a throttle. The thumb throttle is safe, too, and parents can set one of two speed limits: 3.1 or 6.2 miles per hour.

Although it isn’t cheap, Segway’s scooter still offers plenty of value thanks to its durable construction, adjustable speed, and bonus suspension.

Power Core E90 Electric Kids Scooter

If your kids tend to take long rides to school or their friends’ houses, the Razor Power Core E90 has a longer-than-average range, allowing them to travel up to 13 miles on a single charge—that’s up to 80 minutes of ride time.

Designed for kids eight and up, this scooter has a kick-to-start hub motor and rear-wheel drive that delivers great traction, stability, and control. Plus, the hand-operated brake lets kids easily slow their momentum.

Just keep in mind that this scooter is on the heavy side, weighing more than 20 pounds, which means it may be hard for younger children to carry.

Vibe Electric Kick Scooter for Kids

This electric scooter is perfect for bigger kids who can handle speed. The powerful 200-watt motor can reach top speeds of 12 mph, and travel for up to seven miles at a time.

The scooter is designed to hold up to 176 pounds, making it a great option for young teens. The Vibe is equipped with an upgraded LED headlight compared to the last model, so your child can ride around at night, too.

The scooter is foldable, and at 20.9 pounds, older kids will be able to easily carry it. Many riders appreciate the cruise control option: Hold the throttle for 10 seconds and you can ride at a constant speed without adjusting the throttle.

EQ1 Kids Electric Scooter

If your preschooler is ready to hit the road in an electric scooter, this Hiboy is a great one to keep peace of mind and foster your little one’s excitement.

The scooter is versatile, working as both a kick scooter and an electric scooter. To get the engine going, the rider kicks off to push it up to 1.5 mph. From there, they can drive it up to 6.2 mph.

The 9.2-pound scooter is easy and lightweight to carry if you’re hitting the road. Assembly is easy, and every scooter comes with 24-hour customer service and a one-year warranty. Reviewers love this beginner scooter for their preschoolers and kindergarteners.

Power A2 Electric Scooter for Kids

We’re a bit surprised that more electric scooters don’t look (and work) like the Power A2, which is basically a traditional kick scooter with electric power added on. It’s strong enough for a 143-pound rider while weighing just 16 pounds. And if you run out of battery, it can be easily kicked along like a standard Razor.

It doesn’t have a hand brake or any extra features, but it’s an easy transition from a normal kick scooter, and for some people, those are all the options they need.

GKS Electric Scooter for Kids

Concerned about safety and usability for your kid? The Gotrax has a unique system that relies on foot placement: One foot has to be on an activation button at the front of the deck in order for the scooter to begin operation, so it won’t go if your child is unsteady.

The rider kicks the scooter along then places their foot on a second button farther down the deck, at which point the scooter accelerates to 7.5 mph. Moving the back foot off the button causes the scooter to slow down gradually, and there is a traditional foot-operated brake on the rear wheel to bring it to a halt.

Neither fancy nor fast, this Gotrax is an excellent peace-of-mind option for parents concerned about the daredevil potential inherent in these scooters.

Three-Wheel Electric Scooter for Kids

Younger kids can learn the basics of scootering with this ScootHop electric scooter, which has a stable and easy-to-ride three-wheel design. It comes in four different colors and has fun, light-up LED wheels, and it can drive for more than eight miles per charge with a maximum speed of 5 mph.

This scooter has several other kid-friendly features, as well. Its handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights, and you can angle it from side to side, teaching kids how to steer a scooter without the risk of tipping over.

The rear foot brake makes stopping easy, and the scooter can also be used as a push model if the battery isn’t charged.

Pocket Mod Petite Kids Electric Scooter

The Razor Pocket Mod Petite is a sit-down electric scooter, also called a Euro-style scooter. This cute device is suitable for kids ages seven and up, allowing them to travel at speeds up to 8 mph for up to 40 minutes.

It’s easy to operate thanks to a padded seat, twist-grip throttle control, hand-operated brake, and retractable kickstand, but keep in mind that it doesn’t come with training wheels, so kids should be able to comfortably balance on a bike before they take it for a spin.

If you’re looking for a bigger version of this for your pre-teens or young teens, Razor offers the Pocket Mod and Pocket Mod Belleza with faster speeds, longer range, and higher weight limits.

Electric Scooter Safety Tips from Our Expert Jack Baruth

PM: How does a rider’s weight affect the life of an electric scooter, if at all?

J.B.: Heavier riders will cause the battery and motor to generate more heat, shortening the life of these critical components. Additional weight also increases wear and tear on bearings, wheels, and tires. But the real reason most scooters have a weight limit is simple: It’s what the frame or handlebar can support. In general, there’s no reason to pick one scooter over another based on minimum weight, unless your child is likely to exceed that weight during the ownership period. “Heavier-duty” scooters are not necessarily going to live any longer.

PM: I’m looking for a quick-charging battery. What is realistic with today’s e-scooters?

J.B.: Some scooters can get up to 50 percent (or more) of charge in just an hour. That’s about as good as it gets. And this capacity doesn’t improve over time; it degrades. So the scooter that quick-charges in an hour today might need 2 hours to get to the same level after a hundred charges.

PM: Most kids’ electric scooters lack bells or lights, so is it worth adding one or both of these so a child can warn others?

J.B.: A loud, high-quality bell like the ones from Spurcycle and similar manufacturers is a worthwhile and simple addition, as long as your child doesn’t crash trying to operate it. (Yes, this can happen.) Lights, on the other hand, require some expertise to install correctly, and when improperly aimed can actually increase the risk of a crash.

PM: What safety features are must-haves?

J.B.: The minute your child is strong enough to operate a hand brake, it’s worth choosing a scooter with a good disc-type hand brake as standard equipment. Beyond that, most of the “safety equipment” on a scooter is located between the ears of your child. A lot of scooter accidents happen because the difference in speed between a pedestrian and a scooter is too substantial to permit either to avoid an impending collision. Slow down around people; that’s the safest way to ride.

You Might Also Like