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The best balance bike is the Woom 1, because it has an ergonomic seat and handlebar, a handlebar and controlled turning, all of which keep your child safe as they build on their bike-riding skills.
If your little one isn’t quite ready for a bike (or even tricycle), you may want to consider investing in a balance bike. Designed with a narrow wheel base but no gears, pedals or training wheels, balance bikes are a great way to introduce children as young as 18 months to the concept of bikes. They require kids to push their feet off their ground, all while staying balanced on the seat and maintaining an upright position. It sounds like a lot to master, but doing so helps children develop balance, coordination and control, says Kaitlin Rickerd, a pediatric physical therapist and mother of three. What’s more, balance bikes instill the confidence kiddos need to graduate to a true two-wheel gear bike in due time — sometimes bypassing training wheels altogether. But, just like buying a two wheeler, you want to do some research before investing in a balance bike. Especially since they can cost a couple hundred dollars. To make your search a little easier, we’ve shared what you should look for in a balance bike and some of our community’s favorite options on the market — including one that costs less than $100 and one that can be converted into a pedal bike.)How we chose the best balance bikes
While discussing the benefits of balance bikes with Rickerd, we also discussed what features parents should look for when buying a balance bike to ensure it’s a safe and developmentally-appropriate option for their child. Otherwise, it’ll end up in the corner of the garage collecting dust.
We also sought recommendations from four What to Expect staff members who, between them, have eight kids who have ridden many of the balance bikes on our list. We also turned to the What to Expect community to learn what balance bike parents recommend to one another for a variety of circumstances. (For example, is there a balance bike that works better for preschoolers than toddlers?) From these two groups, we also learned what features parents have found make balance bikes easier — and more enjoyable — for their child to use.
Based on the guidance from Rickerd and parents, we ensured all of the balance bikes on the list have adjustable seats to ensure children are able to sit comfortably and safely on their bike. (It also allows your child to ride the bike longer.) Additionally, any bikes for children younger than 4 years of age have controlled turning to prohibit the handle bars from accidentally rotating so far that the bike topples over, which can help new riders stay in the saddle.
From there, we narrowed down the list by prioritizing bikes that included these nice-to-have features that parents think make balance bikes easier to use. This includes: Hand brakes: While many balance bikes rely solely on feet to start and stop, regulating speed with the use of a hand brake can help prime kids to ride traditional two-wheelers. Bonus: Parents find hand brakes help reduce wear and tear on kids’ sneakers, which can take quite a beating when kids drag them along the ground to slow down. Air-filled rubber tires: This type of tire is ideal for gripping surfaces, according to reviews from parents whose children have slipped when riding on tires made from alternative materials, particularly on indoor surfaces. That said, some parents prefer foam or plastic tires because they are lighter than rubber, never need to be pumped, and tend to cost less than air-filled tire bikes.
We then narrowed down the options to six balance bikes that receive rave reviews for quality, value and being lightweight.
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Age range: 1.5 to 3.5 years old
Head to the nearest park or playground, and chances are you’ll see kids of all ages riding a Woom. One of the most popular balance bikes on the market and with What to Expect community members, Woom bikes are designed to be ridden for years, with the Woom 1 being a perfect starter biker.
To start, the Woom 1 has a seat height range of 10 to 14.4 inches, making it suitable for children between 10 months and almost 4 years old. Then there’s the material: The Woom 1 is made of a light but high-quality aluminum that can withstand falling to the ground. It also won’t rust if accidentally left out in the rain.
Then there are the extra features, which Olivia DeLong says were a big selling point.
“We liked the features that would start encouraging our daughter to practice balancing, and eventually get her ready for a real bike,” says Olivia, Sr. Health Editor and mom of a 4-year-old. These features include an ergonomic seat and handlebar to maximize comfort, and a handlebar break to master this necessary two-wheeler skill.
Also cool: Woom offers a 10-year warranty that makes it hand-me-down friendly
The biggest shortcoming, according to Olivia and other parents, is that it can’t be converted to a pedal bike, which would be a good perk for the price.
“The hook that prevents the front wheel from totally spinning 360 degrees is very helpful.”
“ Best toddler bike ever! It’s such a great quality bike and adjustable to our teeny-tiny peanut’s height.”
Age range: 1 to 2 years old
This Amazon best-seller is not technically a balance bike, because it has four wheels to better stabilize your child. But thousands of parents, including What to Expect community members, say this is a great way to get the tiniest riders used to the feel of a bike.
As mentioned, the Sereed balance bike has four wheels that are made of plastic to provide a smoother ride and protect your floors. The 10-inch high seat has a padded, shock-absorbing cushion to keep your toddler comfortable as they sit and scoot around the house. Non-slip handles provide a comfortable grip for tiny hands, while the controlled turning provides for safe steering practice until your little one is ready to graduate to something larger.
Sure, your child may not master the art of balance with this bike, but they will develop fine motor and coordination skills, and gain confidence needed to ride a bike in the future.
“ I love this thing! She loves it too. she's not walking yet so it makes her feel independent lol. I'm sure walking babies would love it too.”
“ My son got this one for Christmas and it is WILD how fast he picked it up! We just set him on it and he zooms around.”
Age range: 1.5 to 4 years old
When your child is ready to move up from the Sereed, Guardian’s balance bike is a great option. At 8.5 pounds, this aluminum bike is light enough for toddlers to easily control, which is key to keeping them safe as they ride. Speaking of safety, the Guardian balance bike has a unique hand-braking system that distributes braking power between the front and rear wheels. This not only helps prevent handlebar-related accidents, but allows the bike to stop faster.
Another standout feature are the 12-inch air-filled tires, which are wider to provide better balance for your first-time rider. That said, because the tires are two inches taller than the average balance bike’s 10-inch wheels and the seat height only goes as low as 12.5 inches, shorter riders might not be as comfortable in the saddle as taller toddlers. Fortunately, if you’re kid doesn’t take to the bike, Guardian offers free returns in the first year, so you can rest assured you’ll recover your entire investment.
Parents rave about the bike’s quality and how easy it is to put together, even without the use of Guardian’s impeccable customer support. It's definitely a worthwhile purchase, especially since your child can ride it until they are 4 years old.
Age range: 1.5 to 5 years old
Parents of pre-K kids opt for the widely popular Strider balance bike. In fact, several What to Expect staff members bought the Strider for their children.
“When comparing it to other bikes we were seeing around the neighborhood, the Strider just seemed to be the sturdiest and highest quality,” says Anne Matthews, Marketing Director and mom of a 3- and 2-year-old. “I was surprised at how quickly my daughter figured out how to use it.”
What makes the bike so easy to use, according to Anne, is the “simple, sturdy and basic design.” Made of lightweight steel and featuring soft handlebars, the bike is easy for young children to maneuver. The bike Strider is also easy to adjust as your child grows.
“I love that there are no tools required to adjust the seat and handlebar,” says Robin Hilmantel, Senior Director of Editorial Strategy and Growth and mom of three. She does note that it can be tricky to get the clamp tight, but otherwise it’s a smooth process that makes it possible to use the bike for years and between multiple siblings as Robin and Anne have both done.
The Strider seat also has one of the widest height ranges at 11 to 19 inches, meaning your child could use this bike until they’re 5 years old — and ensuring you get your money’s worth. If your child is taller, as was the case for Robin and Anne’s eldest kids, they might not be able to use the bike as long.
“[My son is] OBSESSED with his [Strider] balance bike...it does great on all types of ground. I could definitely see him being able to ride an actual bike at a super young age now, too.”
“ Our boy LOVES his Strider! They're pricey but SO well made. We just had another boy this July so we went with quality in hopes it lasts a few years.”
Age range: 3 to 7 years old
Bike weight: 12.5 lbs., 15.1 lbs. with pedals
There’s a reason Strider makes the list twice: These bikes check all the boxes when it comes to durability, ease of use and ease of assembly, and the Strider 14X Sport is no exception. Rickerd calls this convertible balance bike her “go-to” since it both helps younger kids learn to balance and transitions them to pedaling: No new frame needed, so your investment really pays off. Unlike the basic Strider, the 14X Sport is compatible with an add-on conversion kit ($70) that features a chain guard to prevent clothing snags and brakes that are activated by pedaling backward.
While it’s recommended for use among children ages 3 to 7, the bike is “definitely on the heavier and larger side, so slightly older children do better with it,” Rickerd says. Some parents, however, found younger children did just fine with it.
“We used the Strider bike and our son did so well with it,” says Shelley Gingrich, Executive Director of Brand Solutions and mom of a 5- and 2-year-old. “He used it as a balance bike from ages 3-5, and when we finally put the pedals on he picked up riding a bike SO QUICKLY!” This is, again, a testament to Strider bikes’ being simple in design and full of features that are similar to two-wheelers.
Although some parents feel the pedals are too narrow for their kids’ feet to stay on, they generally agree that pedal installation is intuitive, and that kids transition seamlessly to pedaling.
Age range: 1.5 - 5 years old
For a no-frills balance bike that gets your child cruising on two wheels without breaking the bank, the Joystar Roller is a solid option. With a steel frame and 10-inch foam tires, the bike weighs less than seven pounds, making it easy for smaller kids to manipulate. The bike features an adjustable, padded seat for comfort, a footrest to keep feet off the ground when the rider’s really flying and uniquely, a rear tire mudguard to prevent splashes.
Though some parents complain of chipping paint and shoddy handlebar pads, which are prone to splitting upon impact, the consensus is that this bike is well-worth its reasonable price tag. It can supports kids up to 75 pounds, so you can likely use it until they are 5 years old.
“Most balance bikes have very similar features,” says Rickert. So the bike you choose should depend on: Size: To ensure you’ve got the right fit, make sure the seat goes low enough for your kiddo to place both feet on the ground, but high enough that they can comfortably lift their feet off the ground for coasting. Ideally, this positioning enables them to propel off the ground with the entire surface of the bottom of the foot, not just the toes, Rickerd says. (To estimate what height seat is ideal for your child, use a tape measure to determine their pants inseam, the distance between the seat of their pants and the ground.)Budget: With bikes on this edited list maxing out over $200, your budget can help you narrow down which model is right for your child.Bike weight: “Ideally, it should be light enough for them to easily maneuver it themselves without having to contend with the strength of holding up a heavy bike as well,” Rickerd says. Longevity: A bike with a seat that can be raised to accommodate your growing child is ideal; one that comes with an option to convert to a pedal bike is even better. (Worth noting: Kids are typically ready to transition to pedaling a two-wheel bike between the ages of 5 and 7, and younger kids with lots of balance bike experience might be ready to upgrade earlier, according to Rickerd.)
Balance bikes are bicycles with no pedals. They help new riders develop the skills they need to pedal a two-wheeler, in due time, like balance, steering, coordination, and control.
To power forward, the rider uses their feet to push along the ground. The rider steers independently and, depending on the model, uses either their feet or hand brakes to stop.
Once a kid is walking independently—usually between ages 12 and 18 months old, or two to three months after they take their first steps, according to Rickerd — they’re ready to start balance biking. Rickerd says another good litmus test is to see if a child is able to stand briefly on one leg. If they can master this, a skill needed to mount the bike, then they’re ready.
Balance bikes help foster independence while teaching kids coordination, muscle strength, and motor planning, Rickerd says. And then there’s the confidence — and joy! — that comes along with coasting on your own.
Since they are lightweight and low to the ground, Rickerd says balance bikes can be a great option from a safety and stability standpoint — especially for little ones who are nervous about having both feet off the ground on a pedal bike outfitted with training wheels.
To that point: Balance bicycles help children transition directly to big-kid bikes. “Because they really allow a child to explore and learn the balance required to propel and steer it while maintaining their body upright, in midline, the transition to pedal bikes is often easier and bypasses the need for training wheels,” Rickerd says.
Absolutely. “Appropriately fitted helmets should be used anytime a balance bike is used,” Rickerd says.
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