Electric bikes are a fun way of getting your kids comfortable with balancing on their own. E-bikes are a gateway to more fun stuff like dirt bikes and motorcycles. You have to start them young but with safety being priority number one as always! Searching for an electric bike is such a hassle, and you as a parent have enough things to focus on. That’s where we come in to help you out.
In this guide, we get into the best electric bikes for kids, featured in a quick and easy list with individual reviews for each bike. We have broken everything down, each bike’s features, specs, pros, and cons. Do yourself a favor and follow through!
Quick List for the Best Electric Bikes For Kids
| Best Kids Electric Mountain Bikes | Best Kids Electric City Bikes | Best Kids Electric Balance Bikes |
| 1. Swagtron EB-6 Bandit E-Bike 2. AVANTREK Macrunner Electric MTB | 1. Sailnovo 14 Electric Bike | 1. Hiboy BK1 Balance Electric Bike 2. Eclypse Astra Balance Electric Bike 3. BROC USA Balance Electric Bike |
Things To Consider When Buying an Electric Bike For Kids
It’s only natural to get a bit more familiar with the differences between electric bikes for kids. This way you can have a better understanding. Ultimately it will help you choose the best bike and the most useful for your particular needs.
Pros and Cons of choosing an Electric Bike for your Child
Pros
Easy commuting. Biking is a great, and fun way to get around. Typical bike commuting can be slow and tiresome, especially if you live in an area with a lot of elevation. A kid’s E-bike helps make the school commute easier and reasonably faster.
Being environmentally friendly. Just like normal bikes, e-bikes don’t produce harmful emissions into the atmosphere. Since they run on electricity instead of fossil fuels, they are a cheaper, and great way to lower your carbon footprint. Electric bikes are as quiet as your typical bike.
Transitional Skills. You know how the saying goes “you have to ride a couple of ponies to ride with the bulls” that is also true for kids’ e-bikes. When your kids get comfortable with pedaling, balancing, and speed they can use those skills from e-bikes to ride mini dirt bikes or even motorcycles. Safety is always first!
Cons
Cost. While getting around with an e-bike is more economical than getting around with a car, a good quality kids’ electric bike costs significantly more than a typical bike without a motor.
Maintenance. Electric bikes are harder and more expensive to maintain since there are a lot of moving parts and tech put into them. You also have to remember to charge it in a certain way to maintain battery efficiency and store them away from damp conditions.
Physical Activity. It’s a common theme that kids nowadays don’t get enough exercise. Electric bikes use a motor and throttle to accelerate, it takes out a portion of using the body to pedal forward. A typical bike solely depends on the leg pedaling forward to move, which exercises them at the same time.
Legality. Electric bikes are subject to legal rules and regulations, certain motors are too powerful for children at a certain age. It all depends on where you live and how they apply to your kids’ circumstances.
Legality & Class of E-Bikes
The US government has a classification system for electric bikes as an emerging form of transportation. Those are Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3.
- Class 1 e-bikes have pedal-assist only with a max speed of 20 mph with no throttle. The electric motor is activated when you pedal. Class 1 e-bike riders are given permission to ride anywhere like any other bike.
- Class 2 e-bikes have a throttle and max out at 20 mph. The throttle is activated either with a grip-twist or button and accelerates the bike without pedaling. The throttle is limited to a certain speed for safety and regulation reasons. You can ride the class 2 e-bikes anywhere like class 1.
- Class 3 e-bikes have pedal assist and can go over 28 mph. They are restricted from certain bike trails and bike paths because of the high motor power output.
E-Bike sizing vs Traditional Bike Sizing
Just as regular kids’ bikes, e-bikes for kids are sized according to the wheel size. So if your child is riding a 20″ bike, they will likely fit on a 20″ kids electric bike. It is also important to take minimum and maximum seat heights into account as they can vary widely for the same wheel size. They run from 12 inches all the way to 24-inch wheels, after that you’re facing adult-size territory at 26 inches. Check the approximate wheel size to age recommendation below to have an idea.
12 inch and 14 inches: Approximate age: 2 to 4
16 inches: Approximate age: 5 to 8
20 inches: Approximate age: 6 to 10
24 inches: Approximate age: 8 to 12
E-Bike Operating Modes
Electric bikes have 3 major operating modes. They are motor-powered, pedal-assist, and unpowered. Electric bikes may operate in one or combinations of operating modes, it will all depend on the specific bike.
- Powered Bike. The motor powers the bike on its own without your pedaling input. These types of electric bikes may or may not have pedals. While they’re super convenient, they’re as good as the battery charge and become dead weight when you run out.
- Pedal Assist. Basically, the motor provides you with power only when you are pedaling. A sensor on the pedal detects when you’re pedaling and powers the motor to assist. This is easier on the body and lets you cover distances for as long as you have a charged battery.
- Unpowered bike. You are doing things old-fashioned, you pedal the bike with no electric assist or power, you’re the sole source of power. Obviously, you’ll experience more fatigue but improve your health markers.
Motor Power
When looking at an electric bike’s performance consider the wattage and torque. Think of wattage as horsepower in a car. A bicycle with a high-wattage motor will be better at climbing steep hills. Having more torque comes in handy when going on rough terrains, as it makes it easier to accelerate. An electric bike with a lot of torque and a rear-wheel-drive motor is not recommended for kids because of the tendency for wheelies.
Battery Size
Most electric bikes have 36v lithium batteries. Naturally, the higher the battery capacity, the more range your kid will have. Higher capacity lithium cells can discharge at a higher current without degrading the cells. A decent battery with decent weight makes your kids’ bike easier to maneuver.
Frame Material
Electric bike frames are frequently made of aluminum. The greatest option overall is aluminum frames because of their milder bump shock transmission. When it comes to performance, aluminum wheels and forks are unrivaled when it comes to making a terrific all-around wheelset. For many years, steel was the preferred frame material. This robust, long-lasting, and reasonably affordable material was used to construct almost all motorcycles. While steel bike frame production is an established industry, electric bikes for kids are still a relatively new idea.
Brakes
Kids E-Bikes come equipped with brakes and there are 3 types of brakes:
The first bicycle braking mechanism was rim brakes. Rim brakes are portable and lightweight, which explains why they were the standard so widely and for so long. The majority of the time, rim brakes are mounted above the wheel and work by applying friction to the area around the rim.
You’ll slow down because of the increased friction when the wheels turn more slowly. Mechanical disc brakes that slow the bike down by causing friction while a steel wire moves the pistons. The benefit is that they are simpler to maintain at home and work with ordinary rim shifters. The steel cables’ drawback is that they are more prone to deterioration and breaking. Although regular replacements are required, the cost makes it less problematic.
Best Kids Electric Mountain Bikes
1. Swagtron EB-6 Bandit E-Bike
Key Features and Specs:
- Motor: 350W hub motor
- Range: 20 miles
- Top Speed: 18.6 mph
- Frame Material: Aluminum
- Weight: 40 lbs
- Wheel & Tire Size: 20 in
- Gears: 7 speeds
- Brake: Mechanical Disc Brakes
The Swagtron EB-6 Bandit is great for teenagers. It has a range of 20 miles and it can be charged in under 5 hours. It has a top speed of 18.6 mph when using the throttle with an optimal 350-watt motor. With 7-gear speed, it can tackle 25-degree inclines hassle-free, all with a 250 lbs weight capacity.
The cables can be easily detached and moved for convenience, with the battery secured behind the seat. All of these make maintenance very easy. Your kid can use it in any weather condition because of its design and fat IPX4 water-resistant tires and disc brakes. The front suspension system will help your kid go off-roading or mountain biking with very soft bumps and shocks. The gear indicator on the right-hand side makes it easy to shift and look at how much battery is left.
Pros:
- Optimal fat tires for bumpy terrains
- Hassle-free design
- Durable materials
Cons:
- Tad bit pricey
2. AVANTREK Macrunner Electric MTB
Key Features and Specs:
- Motor: 350W Hub Motor
- Range: 40 miles
- Top Speed: 20 mph
- Frame Material: Aluminum, Steel
- Weight: 40 lbs
- Wheel & Tire Size: 20 x 4 in
- Gears: 21 speeds
- Brake: Mechanical Disc Brakes
The AVANTREK Macrunner is another great electric mountain bike for kids. The IPX4 20-inch wheels with 4-inch thickness allow it to go over mud, snow, and sand with ease. The suspension system dampens the bumps and shock while the frame is lightweight and highly durable. It has a maximum capacity of 265 lbs, so even a full-grown adult can ride it.
While the 350W motor allows for a top speed of 20 mph the battery is the real highlight. It can cover up to 20 miles in throttle mode and 32 to 40 miles in pedal-assist mode, making it the best choice if you and your kid are going bikepacking. It has the option to not use any motor assistance, for exercising, and if the battery simply runs dry.
The LED display gives your kid all the information about the bike like speed, battery left, and ability to change gears.
Pros:
- Easy cable management
- Exceptional range
- High weight carrying capacity
- Lightweight
Cons:
- The price tag
Best Kids Electric City Bike
Sailnovo 14 Electric Bike
Key Features and Specs:
- Motor: 450W Stable Brushless Motor
- Range: 28-45 miles
- Top Speed: 18.6 mph
- Frame Material: Steel
- Weight: 30 lbs
- Wheel & Tire Size: 14 in
- Gears: Fixed
- Brake: Mechanical Disc Brakes
The Sail Novo electric bike can be a great option for youths, it’s a great gift idea! They can fold this bike and carry it on public transport because it barely takes space. This model is small yet still has a maximum load capacity of 264.5 pounds and the all-steel frame comes at fairly lightweight.
The removable lithium battery has a decent range between 28 miles in full-throttle mode or 45 miles with pedal assist. While it has a 350W rear-hub electric motor the top speed is only 18.6 mph because the wheels are fairly small.
The mechanical disc brakes are as always a nice touch. It’s very comfortable, it comes with a high-density sponge saddle and a rear shock absorber, to dampen the bumps. The LCD screen is tremendously helpful by showing your speed, distance traveled, and battery capacity.
Pros:
- Great aesthetic design
- Comfortable saddle
- Helpful LCD screen
- Compact & easy to store
- Great gift idea
Cons:
- Small wheels limit speed
Best Kids Electric Balance Bikes
1. Hiboy BK1 Balance Electric Bike
Key Features and Specs:
- Motor: 100W Motor
- Range: 6.2 miles
- Top Speed: 9 mph
- Weight: 17.6 lbs
- Wheel & Tire Size: 12 in
- Brake: Rim brakes
The Hiboy BK1 is a budget-friendly balance electric bike. Your child can turn it on at the press of a button. The flexible handlebars are easy to control and it has a fair bit of range of 6.2 miles at a top speed of 9 mph. You can keep an eye on your kids while they zoom away on this bike! The bike gives them a comfortable ride with its 13.4 inches to 16.5 inches in height.
If you’re out with your child on a summer day, and they’re bound to be sweating, the anti-slip grip handlebar will keep them secured. The bike has fixed platforms on each side so your child won’t drag their feet on the ground. The brakes are decent with easy maintenance, can’t go wrong with rim brakes.
It has 12-inch air-filled tires that can handle gravel, which comes in handy when going to the park!
Pros:
- Budget-friendly
- Great aesthetic design
- Optimal speed
Cons:
- *cricket noise*
2. Eclypse Astra Balance Electric Bike
Key Features and Specs:
- Motor: 18V brushless motor
- Top Speed: 11 mph
- Frame Material: Steel
- Weight: 21 lbs
- Wheel & Tire Size: 16 in
- Brake: Drum Brake
The Eclypse Astra balance electric bike has 16-inch for kids older than 6 years old. It’s a lightweight bike that your kid can control with a reasonable top speed and three-speed modes. It has a robust steel frame. The real highlight is the running time. This e-bike can last over an hour of riding, admittedly it depends on the speed, terrain, and your child’s weight.
Since the wheels are completely pneumatic, it works in all challenging conditions and dampens bumpy roads. It comes in 3 different color models but the price tag for this bike is a bit of a stretch.
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Impressive run time
- Robust frame
- 3 Fun color models
Cons:
- The price tag
3. BROC USA Balance Electric Bike
Key Features and Specs:
- Motor: 100W Motor
- Top Speed: 11 mph
- Frame Material: Steel
- Weight: 28 lbs
- Wheel & Tire Size: 12, 16 in
- Brake: Drum Brake
The BROC USA is a specially designed balance electric bike with a low profile that allows your kid to build their confidence by being able to stop the bike with their legs. The bike has some pretty decent features and it comes in 4 vibrant colors. It also comes with 12 and 16-inch wheel versions to accommodate short and tall children, and a maximum weight carrying capacity between 75 to 110 lbs. The seat is especially comfortable.
The motion riding feature of the kids’ e-bike makes it easy for your kids to learn to push, balance, and ride in the power mode. It’s shaped and functions like a motorcycle! It has a complete packaged chain that is secured for use by the kids. While the thumb throttle increases the speed, the display helps by showing the speed and remaining battery.
Pros:
- 4 different models to choose from
- Low profile design
- Ergonomic & comfortable seat
Cons:
- *cricket noise*
Frequently Asked Questions on E-Bikes For Kids
Q: What is the easiest electric bike for kids to ride?
A: The level of difficulty for a bike solely hinges on your kids’ age and for how long they have been biking. A young child can use an electric balance bike to get used to balancing on their own while moving at a reasonable speed. After that, e-bikes with pedals and more powerful motors are the next choice.
Q: What’s the minimum age for using an electric bike?
A: The answer to this depends on your country and state. If the e-bike is throttle assisted and can be used without having to pedal, then it will probably require a license like a scooter. If it’s pedal-assisted then, to use it on the road, the minimum age can range from 0 to 16 years old depending on where you are located. There’s quite a bit of variation even inside the USA.
Q: Can you ride an electric bike on the pavement?
A: Electric bikes are subject to the same road laws as other bikes. For example, it is legal to ride a bike or e-bike on cycle paths and shared-use paths, as well as on the road if they’re Class 1 or Class 2 E-bikes, according to the state of California.
The Finish line
We would highly recommend the Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike as the best overall because it has the most optimal blend of features, specs, and price. While highly affordable, the INFANS Balance Bike is our best value option if you are looking for the bare necessities. But if you want to step it up, then look no further than JOYSTAR Totem Bike, as it offers you premium features. Fret not because we have included other bikes that might be more to your kids speed!
Bikes for 2-year-olds serve one purpose, teaching your child about movement dynamics. It’s a stepping stone to typical bikes, perhaps as a parent you want to go on long rides with your child, getting them started young is a wise decision. It improves every positive aspect of your child!