Balance bikes are one of the best ways to prepare your child for regular bikes. These bikes do not have peddles. Children who start walking enjoy these bikes the most. They help build a steady foundation and are generally inexpensive, but you cannot compromise on features and qualities.
After many types of research and personal experiences, we bring you the best balance bikes on the market. Each bike in the product reviews below is one of the best balance bikes of its time.
To help you get the best balance bike, we ave compiled the best balance bikes reviews and buying guide in detail.
Contents
Best Balance Bikes Comparison Table
| Products | Material | Adjustability | Footrest | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Also Great Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike  View Price | Material Steel | Adjustability Seat and Handlebar | Footrest Yes |  (4.8 / 5) |
Also Great Swagtron Balance Bikes  View Price | Material Aluminum | Adjustability Seat | Footrest No |  (4.5 / 5) |
Also Great Bixe Pro Balance Bike  View Price | Material Steel | Adjustability Seat | Footrest No |  (4.6 / 5) |
Also Great Strider Sports Balance Bike  View Price | Material Aluminum | Adjustability Seat and Handlebar | Footrest No | (4.8 / 5) |
Also Great Joystar Balance Bike  View Price | Material Unspecified | Adjustability Seat | Footrest Yes | (4.5 / 5) |
Also Great Chillafish Bunzi Balance Bike  View Price | Material ABS Plastic | Adjustability Seat | Footrest Yes | (4.5 / 5) |
Also Great Retrospec Balance Bike  View Price | Material Unspecified | Adjustability Seat and Handlebar | Footrest Yes |  (4.7 / 5) |
Best Choice Glide Balance Bike  View Price | Material Metal | Adjustability Seat and Handlebar | Footrest Yes |  (5 / 5) |
Also Great Puky Balance Bike  View Price | Material Unspecified | Adjustability Seat and Handlebar | Footrest Yes | (4.8 / 5) |
Also Great Aodi Balance Bike  View Price | Material Steel | Adjustability Seat | Footrest No | (4.5 / 5) |
Top 10 Best Balance Bikes To Buy In 2023 Reviews
1 Strider 12 Sport Balance Bike
The Strider 12 sports balance bike is great for your toddler. It comes in several different colors so your child makes his own choice. The size is a standard size of 12 inches of wheel size. However, we need to see the other factors to ensure this works for your child.
Let us talk about the construction first…
The construction material of the Strider balance bike is steel. Steel is slightly heavy but it is quite sturdy and reliable. Let us see if the material affects the weight of this balance bike.
Standing at a weight of only 3 kg, this bike is not heavy at all. The lightweight makes it more suitable for toddlers. Even if they fall, the bike will not injure them with its weight.
What about the tires?
The tires of this bike are almost magical. They never go flat to help with maintenance. Moreover, the bike assembles without any tools to make it user-friendly.
There is more to this…
The seat is adjustable on this bike. This feature helps it last longer for children as they age. Moreover, to ensure the proportion does not go out, the handlebar is also adjustable in height.
Speaking of handlebars….
The handlebars are small so your child can grip them entirely. Moreover, there are pads to create cushioning on the handlebars for safety and comfort.
One of the best things about this bike is there are footrests. Footrests make a safe space to hold the feet when your child pushes. This feature helps reduce pain in the legs as well.
The strider 12 sport balance bike comes separately with a baby bundle as well. The baby bundle fits the bike into the rocker to help your child get used to the movement and balance.
(4.8 / 5)Pros
- Adjustable handlebars and seat.
- Lightweight for easy management by a toddler.
- Tires require no maintenance.
- No tools assembly and adjustment.
- Small handlebar for better grip.
Cons
- The seat does not have cushion.
- Does not come with a brake.
2 Swagtron Balance Bikes
The Swagtron Balance bike is another one of the best balance bikes you will find for your baby. It comes in two colors only. The bike has tires of a stand a standard 12 inches.
Let us see what other features it has…
The material of the frame is reinforced aluminum allow. This material is resistant to rust to make it last longer. Moreover, aluminum is strong, reliable, and lightweight. It works better than steel and other materials.
The aluminum frame helps this bike keep lightweight so your child has full control over it. The weight of this bike is a little over 3 kg that makes it perfect for young ones.
The assembly of this is very easy. You can do it in three steps without the help of a professional. Everything you need to assemble this bike, is in the box.
What about the tires?
The tires are a crucial part of balance bikes. The tires for this balance bike are air tires. These types of tires give more cushioning for comfortable riding. Additionally, air tires give better traction for more control over the bikes.
What happens when the child grows?
Children grow very fast. Hence, you cannot throw the bikes away as they grow. To ensure this bike comes to full use, there are some features. The seat is adjustable in height to adjust as per the child’s needs.
Here’s more…
The front fork angle of this bike is a major convenience. It helps reduce the weight on the front tire so the toddler maneuvers with ease.
The front space between the seat and the handlebar is enough to help the child learn at the perfect angle. These features make riding smoother and give a better practice for the real bikes.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Adjustable seat so that the bike grows with the child.
- Easy three-step assembly.
- Air tires for more traction and cushioning.
- Aluminum material for lightweight and strength.
Cons
- No proper footrest.
- The handlebar is not adjustable for the proportion.
3 Bixe Pro Balance Bike
The Bixe Balance Bike is another one of the best ones out there. Consumers love them and rely on this bike for the best experience. It looks like a regular bike at the first glance.
The frame material is steel. This material is quite sturdy and reasonable. However, it brings a little extra weight to the table. Standing at about 5 kg, this bike is neither light nor heavy too. It makes a good size for little older toddlers.
Speaking of the size, we need to look at the ties…
The tires of this bike are 16 inches. The size clearly shows this bike is not for the small kids. It works well with children 5 years of age and more. The bike can take up to 150 pounds of weight, which is a great feature.
What about adjustability?
The standard size of tires works with a certain age group. However, children grow and bikes need to grow with them. The seat of this balance bike is adjustable. It has several options to pick the one that fits your child. You do not need any tools to adjust the height of the seat.
Speaking of tools…
This bike comes more than half assembled. You do not have to do much to it. The rest of the assembly is without tools and very convenient. However, you still have to inflate the tires.
Let us learn about the tires…
The tires of this balance bike are rubber air tires. These wheels need protection from staying outside in the sun for long hours. However, they provide good traction and control.
(4.6 / 5)Pros
- Easy to assemble without tools.
- Adjustable seat.
- 16 inches of tires for growth room.
- Weight capacity is up to 15 pounds.
Cons
- Rubber tires are prone to bursting.
- No footrest.
4 Strider Sports Balance Bike
This bike is slightly different from the other one. However, it still has the same great reviews and reliability. This bike comes in eight different colors to select the best one.
Let us see the other features it brings to the table.
The frame material of this balance bike is Aluminum. Aluminum is safe from rusting and the weather. It works well in terms of strength. Yet, the best part of this material is, it is light in weight despite the robust features. The weight of this stands at only 3 kg with the aluminum frame.
What is more…?
One of the best features of this bike is, it grows with your child. Children can start using it at the age of 18 months and use it for up to 5 years. How is this possible? The seat is adjustable and you can lift it with the height of your child. To ensure the proportion does not go out, you can also lift the handlebar as per the child’s needs.
The wheel size is 12 inches that are perfect for children of this age group.
More of the wheels below…
The tires of this bike are foam tires. These are light in weight and work well for balance. However, the best part is, these tires never have a flat. This feature helps reduce the maintenance to a T.
There is so much more than this bike offers. The best thing is the assembly does not require any tools. Anything you need comes in the box.
The handlebar has a small grip as well. The small grip helps children hold the bars perfectly. To help them further, there is cushioning on the handlebars.
You will also find inbuilt footrests for comfortable rides on this balance bike.
(4.8 / 5)Pros
- Adjustable seat and handles.
- No flat tires.
- Easy assembly without tools.
- Aluminum material.
- Lightweight frame.
- Comes in eight different colors.
- Inbuilt Footrest.
Cons
- Foam tires have weak traction.
- Does not have turn control.
5 Joystar Balance Bike
The Joystar Balance bike has a unique design to make it even more convenient and safe. We will not know the true picture until we dive into the details. However, before the details, let us see the basics. There are seven different colors on this bike. The handlebar and the seat are the same brown color as all the bikes.
Let us now begin with the tires…
There are two size options. You can choose the 10 – inch tires or the 12 – inch tires. Generally, the 12 inches are the best. However, for smaller children, you can even opt for the 10 inches ones.
The tires are EVA polymer Foam tires. These tires are extremely light in weight and reduce the overall weight of the balance bike. Additionally, these tires are puncture-proof that makes them low maintenance. They are air-free tires too.
What about the assembly?
The assembly of this bike is one of the best things. It takes about 15 minutes to bring this bike together. It comes partially together, which makes all the difference in the world.
What is more?
This balance bike brings a lot more to the table. The footrests are wide and inbuilt for the perfect balance. They help ride without floating your legs. They are at the spot of peddles to practice keeping your leg there when you ride a regular bike.
To help the bike grow with the child, the seat is adjustable. Additionally, to ensure the proportion does not go out, the handlebars are also adjustable.
The material of this not specific. However, it seems like solid steel. The weight has a slight disadvantage over the material. However, strength has the upper hand.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Adjustable seat and handlebars.
- Inbuilt footrests.
- Different colors and sizes are available.
- Puncture-proof tires.
Cons
- Weight is not very light.
- The handlebar is quite thick.
6 Chillafish Bunzi Balance Bike
The Chillafish Bunzi Balance Bike is quite a different one from the rest of the bikes. This bike has three wheels and comes in seven different colors. Some of them are patterns more than they are colors.
Let us see if it is appealing in terms of features too.
The construction material of this bike is plastic. This plastic is quite sturdy and strong. Plastic also makes this very light in weight. At a weight of less than one kg, this bike is the perfect fit for your toddlers. One of the best things is the body allows you to carry this anywhere. The simple carrying handle to pack this bike up and take them on adventures.
What about the wheels?
There are three wheels in this balance bike. Hence, it is more of a balance tricycle. The best part is, you can easily switch this to two wheels when you think your child is ready.
The material of the wheels is hard rubber. Children can ride it indoors without worrying about scratches. They can ride it outdoors without worrying about punctures.
There is more…
The seat is adjustable to ensure the bike grows with the child. You do not need tools to do anything to this bike. If you lift the seat, you will find it in a hidden pocket. Your kid can store anything like their toys or snacks when they go out.
Usually, ABS bikes make a lot of sounds. This bike is unlike others. It is silent which is why it suits indoors as well.
Overall, this balance bike works well for children from the ages of one to three years. It also has a weight capacity of up to 55 pounds.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- ABS plastic silent material.
- Rubber tires for a skid-free experience.
- Turns into a tricycle and back easily.
- Hidden pocket in the seat.
Cons
- No footrests.
- Not an adjustable handle.
7 Retrospec Balance Bike
The Retrospec Balance Bike is a very colorful balance bike for your children. Parents love this bike for balance and many other reasons. It comes in eight different multicolor options to help your child pick their favorite.
One of the best things about this bike is, it is a CPSC compliant with the safety of your child and the satisfaction of parents.
The frame material of this bike id not specified. However, the material is still quite strong and rugged and lightweight. Standing at a weight of only 1 kg, this bike works wonders for tiny cyclists.
Another great thing about this construction is, it lies low. The low-profile frame allows young cyclists to climb and sit independently. These features make this suitable for children from 20 months to 5 years.
What about the tires?
The tires of this are special too. These air-free tires have great traction. Traction helps stability and control on the road. The tires are also lightweight and allow the bike to have that weight.
Air-free tires do not get flats as well. Overall, the tires help in making the bike free from any maintenance.
What is more on this bike?
There are inbuilt footrests on the bike as well. These are in the place of peddles of regular bikes for practice.
To help the bike grow with the kid, the seat is adjustable. You do not need tools to adjust the height of this balance bike. Moreover, to ensure the range remains steady, you can also adjust the handlebars on this bike.
The bike requires no assembly at all.
(4.7 / 5)Pros
- This bike weighs only about one kg.
- Adjustable handlebar and seat.
- Low profile for easy on and off.
- Inbuilt footrest for regular bike practice.
- Air-free and no-pop tires.
Cons
- No turn limit control.
- Quite thick handlebars.
8 Glide Balance Bike
The Glide Balance Bike is another one of the best balance bikes you will find in the market. These balance bikes have a lot of positivity and love from their parents.
We look at the construction first…
The material for this bike is alloy steel. This type of steel has all the ruggedness of solid steel. However, it still comes in lightweight. The frame of this bike is not very heavy. Let us see what adds to the weight of this bike.
The wheels of this balance bike are air tires and add some extra weight. Perhaps this is why the bike is about 5 kg in weight. However, these wheels are composite mag wheels. They do not puncture or require much maintenance. They also give great traction for balance and safety.
This is just the beginning….
To help this bike grow with your child, it has an adjustable seat. You can also adjust the handlebar to match the height for the right control. The bike overall comes in several different sizes in terms of tires.
There is a footrest on this bike as well. It looks exactly like peddles but does not work like them. This type of footrest helps prepare as close as possible for the real bike experience.
To keep the bike in place there is a side stand as well. It is easy and safe to use for your child to learn how to park their bikes.
The best is for last…
One of the best features of this bike is its brake system. Even though the major brakes come from the feet, they slow down the speed the cable brake system works best.
(5 / 5)Pros
- Adjustable seat and handlebars.
- Cable braking system.
- Peddle like a footrest.
- Side stand for parking.
- No puncture air tires.
Cons
- Quite thick handlebars.
9 Puky Balance Bike
The Puky Balance Bike is a sleek looking attractive balance bike. This balance bike has several positive and satisfactory reviews from parents.
The body is an unknown metal. However, the weight is very light. Let us talk about it later.
This bike has a top coating, which makes it suitable to resist rust, corrosion, and even bulkiness. The weight is only 3.5 grams of this bike. The lightweight of this bike allows children to have full control of this including lifting it where they go.
It comes in only one color that is lilac with a sky-blue touch.
One thing about the body is, it’s not your regular bike. This bike is a cross between a scooter and a bike. The reason for this feature is so your child can learn better balance and have more control over the vehicle.
What about the wheels?
The wheels of this bike are very glossy. These tires are foam type, which is one of the reasons why the bike weighs quite less. Foam type tires do not have punctures in them. They are low maintenance for parents too.
There is more…
Since it is a scooty type, this bike has a unique footrest. However, the functionality does not affect the different footrest.
There is also a crash pad on this so if the bike falls, children are not injured. The whole body is also shockproof to avoid as many injuries as possible.
On top of everything, this bike does not go to waste when your kid grows. The seat is adjustable along with the handlebar. Both come together to ensure the right comfort while riding.
(4.8 / 5)Pros
- Very lightweight, only about 3.5 grams.
- Foam wheels for low maintenance.
- Adjustable seat and handlebar.
- Shockproof body.
- Crash pads on the side.
- Inbuilt footrest.
- Scooty plus bike style.
Cons
- Does not have color options.
- Does not have turn limitations.
10 Aodi Balance Bike
The AODI is the last but not the least on our list. This balance bike works well with parents. It has a standard wheel size of about 12 inches. This size suits children from 18 months to up to 6 years easily. The bike comes in two different colors and plenty of different features. Let us look at what it brings…
Let us talk frame first…
The frame of this bike is simple steel. Steel ensures durability and ruggedness. However, it adds to the weight. With this material, the weight of this vehicle stands at about 4 kg.
You need to assemble this bike. However, everything you need for assembly is in the box. There is nothing extra you need as it is quite easy to use.
Speaking of assembly…
The adjustability of this bike is without tools. You can adjust the seat to fit your children for up to 6 years.
What about the tires?
The tires of this bike are rubber pneumatic tires. When the box comes, you have to inflate these tires. These work well on almost any surface easily. They provide a good grip and do not cause slipping. Moreover, these tires are very light. Just make sure not to spend a lot of time under the sun with these tires.
What is more?
One of the best things about this bike is, it accommodates even chubbier children. This bike has a weight capacity of about 110 pounds.
(4.5 / 5)Pros
- Anti-flip tires.
- Adjustable seat.
- Comes in two different colors.
- Easy assembly with everything in the box.
- The weight capacity is 110 pounds.
Cons
- Tires prone to bursting.
- The handlebar is not adjustable.
Best Balance Bikes Buying Guide
Buying the best balance bike is an important decision for your child. Getting the best one makes all the difference for your child’s bike riding experience. Let us see the different aspects of the best balance bikes to ensure you find the most suitable one.
Choose the Right Size
The first thing to do is to ensure you get the right size. You need to know the right height of your child for the right size.
Usually, the wheel sizes help determine the size of the bikes. Wheels with a diameter of 12 inches are the most common. However, for older children, you can opt for 14 inches and 16 inches as well.
Another way to get the right size is with the seat. The best height of the seat is 1 inch than your child’s inseam. However, to make it even more efficient, choose an adjustable seat. Since children grow fast, it is important to give them room to grow with their bikes.
Choose the Weight
To ensure the bike does not fail when riding, you need to take charge of the weight as well. For the best balance, the bike’s weight should be 30% more than the child’s weight. The only concern for weight against balance is if your child is on the plump side. Aside from that, a bike under 10 pounds is best for kids.
Lightweight bikes are not cheap and can go to the expensive side. They still work better than the heavyweight ones because they are safer.
Choose the Correct Tires
The tires are the only part that has direct contact with the ground. Hence, their selection is very important too.
Balance bikes have two types of tires:
The first type is the foam type of tires. They do not lose air or have a puncture in them. However, they do not provide cushioning. Moreover, they do not have a lot of traction so they have a better freehand during riding.
The other is the air type. Air tires have great traction and even have to cushion. However, they stop with some extra resistance. These tires are also heavier than the foam ones and may add to the weight of the bike.
Material
Getting the right material is very important for the satisfaction of the mind. It also helps with other factors like weight.
The most common material for balance bikes is aluminum. This material is light in weight, sturdy, resistant to corrosion, and overall reliable.
Another option is steel frames. If they have the right coating, they are also resistant to rust. They are also a cheaper option. However, the material is heavier and bulkier.
The cheapest option is wood. However, wood is not the best. The weight depends on the quality. It is not necessarily safe from the weather at all.
Add-Ons
A few add-ons on the balance bikes make them safer and better. The first thing is the brakes. Generally, balance bikes do not have brakes because you have to stop them with your feet. However, this process makes your child prone to injuries. Brakes help control the speed and make it easier for the bike to stop.
Foot stands are another add-on. These are not very common. However, the balance bike with these stands proves efficient. The biggest advantage is, there is a proper place to rest feet. Moreover, they help ride a real bike better.
Turning limits is another additional feature that parents will find to increase safety in the balance bikes. These limitations reduce the full revolving of the bike. The steering limitation helps reduce sharp turns. Sharp turns cause more falls. Hence, turning limitations work well for safety.
Conclusion
Getting the best balance bike is slightly overwhelming. You need to look at so many things including your child’s safety. Remember that balance bikes do not work without supervision. Do not get it to make your child independent. It is just to help kick-start how to learn to ride a bike without tricycles. Moreover, it helps in exercising and balance.
Out of all these, our favorite is the Glide Balance Bike. Even though the weight is a major disadvantage, this bike has everything right. It come with stands, it has adjustability, and it comes in many different sizes. The footrest in this bike is close to the real deal as well. With this feature, your child will have a better chance to learn the original bike type.
Do you agree with us? Which one do you think suits your child’s needs the best?