The Best Balance Bikes (Review) in 2023 | Autance

Kicking off our list is this Strider bike. This lightweight toddler balance bike is the perfect way to help your child learn the ropes when it comes to cycling. At under seven pounds in weight, it’s the perfect option for younger children, aged 18 months to five years. Thanks to an adjustable seat, the bike is able to grow with your child, allowing them to practise their balance gradually and naturally.

It’s also comfortable to ride – an ergonomic seat and padded handlebars mean that kids can keep playing for hours on end. Made from durable painted steel, this bike is built to last, too. Thanks to its puncture-proof tires, there’s no need to worry about damage or complicated maintenance. The handy bike can be put together without tools, so your new cyclist can get started right away. Parents agree that the bike’s sturdy frame gives them peace of mind, and noted that it’s incredibly easy to put together. Overall, it’s the ideal first bike for practically any kid, standing them in good stead for future cycling adventures. Available in seven different colors, you’re sure to find an option that your child will love.

The next option to earn a spot on our list is this affordable and versatile balance bike by Retrospec. The sturdy design helps budding cyclists to develop their confidence and balance, for better long-term results than training wheels or tricycles. Thanks to its step-through frame, the bike is easy for youngsters to mount and ride. It’s not too heavy either, for simple manoeuvrability.

The bike is just as easy to maintain as it is to ride – its maintenance-free design and puncture-proof tires mean that all you need to do is set things up and watch your kids go. With its adjustable seat and handlebars, the bike is able to grow as your child develops – there’s no need to replace the bike after a dramatic growth spurt! Thanks to this nifty feature, the bike is suitable for children aged between 20 months, and five years. Available in a staggering 17 different colors, your tot is sure to find the bike of their dreams among Retrospec’s collection.

Banana Bike have also earned themselves a spot on our list with their own kid-friendly bike without pedals. The new and improved model boasts better bearings, stronger metal, a more comfortable seat, and a quick release seat bracket. Its unique banana shaped frame makes it easy for kids to mount and get started – the bike’s seat height starts as low as 12.2 inches, so it’s suitable for children as young as 18 months old.

With its lightweight design, tipping the scales at under 10 pounds, the bike is easy for kids to tow around by the handle, helping them to go further than they could on a scooter or tricycle. It also features puncture-proof foam tires, so there’s no need to worry about the hazard of blow-outs. In this latest iteration, the bike is easier to assemble than ever before, so you and your youngster can get started on their cycling journey straight away. Available in three eye-catching colors, the bike is suitable for toddlers of the most discerning taste. At under $70, the Banana Bike is also one of the best value options on the market right now.

The next balance bike to make it onto our list is by Chicco. Their Red Bullet model boasts a lightweight and ergonomic design, which makes it easy for kids to find their balance at the start of the cycling journey. Its height and size is suitable for children aged around three years and up. Thanks to its adjustable seat and handlebars, the bike can grow with your child, for an impressively long lifetime. In fact, the seat can be positioned at any height between 13 and 15 inches.

For easy maintenance, the bike also features puncture-resistant tires, so there’s no need to worry about blow-out. Thanks to rubber grips on the bike’s handlebars, and a padded saddle, the bike is also extremely comfortable for kids to ride. Parents across the board agreed that the durable bike is an excellent alternative to trikes and training wheels, which makes it easy for kids to find their balance.

KaZAM have also earned themselves a spot on our list, with their unique balance bike design. Unlike other bikes on the market, KaZAM’s model features a patented step-in frame, with an integrated footrest located in a natural position. This footrest helps kids to transition between gliding on the balance bike and coasting on a bike with pedals. Featuring a padded saddle and handlebars, it’s comfortable for kids to ride – even for long stretches of time.

This unusual configuration makes it easy for kids to find their balance, easing the often challenging beginning of their cycling journey. Thanks to its adjustable seat and handlebars, the bike can accommodate kids aged up to five years; growing as they do. Meanwhile, puncture-proof EVA tires ensure that the bike requires little to no maintenance, while both seat and handlebars can be adjusted without the need for tools. Available in 10 striking colors, the bike is suitable for virtually any taste.

This Schwinn balance bike has also earned a spot on our list. Featuring a BMX style frame, this handy bike helps cool kids to find their balance before starting out on a regular bike. Thanks to its low centre of gravity, the bike makes it easier to balance than other models. Meanwhile, a quick-release adjustable seat allows the bike to grow as your child does, keeping it in service for many years to come.

Unlike many options on the market, the bike features air-filled tires. Although they’re not puncture-proof, these tires do make for a smoother, more comfortable ride. The bike also features a ball bearing headset, which makes for easy steering, while chrome-finished handlebars ensure an attractive finish. With conveniently placed footrests, the bike also helps kids to place their feet in a natural position for coasting, helping to smooth the transition to a regular bike with pedals. Whatever your kid’s style, Schwinn are here to accommodate – their balance bike is available in 11 different colors. Customers say that the bike is highly durable, and easy for kids to ride. It comes already assembled, and includes a limited lifetime warranty, so you can rest assured it’s built to last.

Cruzee have also earned themselves a spot on our list, thanks to this cute and lightweight balance bike. Suitable for toddlers aged between 18 months and four years, this model is the ideal first step in your kid’s cycling journey. Each bike is constructed from totally rust-proof anodized aluminum – not only can this durable material stand up to corrosion, it’s also incredibly lightweight, helping your kid to handle the bike all on their own.

In fact, Cruzee say that this bike is the lightest of its kind in the world, helping kids to keep on playing for hours at a time. Thanks to its low centre of gravity, the bike can significantly improve your child’s balance, helping them to develop their confidence in time for taking to the pedals. With its wide seat and padded handlebars, the bike is as comfortable as it is fun to ride. It also features puncture-proof foam rubber tires, which combine grip and comfort. Featuring a lifetime warranty, you can rest assured that this handy bike is built to last.

The next balance bike to earn a spot on our list is the Glide & Go model by Radio Flyer. This bike is the perfect option for budding cyclists, helping them to develop their sense of balance and learn to handle a conventional bike. It’s a great option for bumpier terrain, thanks to the addition of traction tread tires, which hug the road for a better grip.

To help your new cyclist to learn road etiquette, the bike also includes a real bell, which is fun to use, too. The bike is also built to last, thanks to an adjustable seat that can be raised to keep up with your child’s growth. Parents say that kids love to ride the bike, which makes progress easier than training wheels or tricycles. Founded in 1917, Radio Flyer have been helping kids to have fun for over 100 years, and continue to do so from their Chicago-based headquarters. At under $70, Radio Flyer have managed to produce a great bike at a surprisingly affordable price point.

For slightly older children, this balance bike by Glide Bikes could be the perfect option. Its unique design closely resembles a regular bike, thanks to the addition of footrests, positioned where the pedals would be on a grown-up model. These simple pegs can also be removed, and put back into place when your little cyclist is ready. Fitted with an adjustable seat and handlebars, the bike can be altered to accommodate your child’s growth. This allows the bike to be comfortably ridden by children aged between five and seven years.

Unlike the bikes on our list for younger riders, the bike also features fully operational hand brakes – this gives your child more control over the ride, fostering confidence that can be easily translated to a pedal bike. Made from a light but durable steel alloy, the bike can ensure the wear and tear associated with everyday use. Meanwhile, composite Mag wheels fitted with all-terrain tires help your budding biker traverse even tricky terrain. Each bike includes a handy kickstand, and can be had in six eye-catching colors.

Last, but not least, comes this wooden balance bike by Radio Flyer, earning the brand a second spot on our list. If you’re searching for a bike that looks a little more traditional, this could well be the perfect solution. The adorable, pedal-free design helps kids to develop their sense of balance, helping them make an easy transition to a ‘big-kid’ bike when the time is right.

The bike’s premium wooden frame is built to last, and offers the charmingly rustic look that only wooden toys can deliver. Meanwhile, a comfortably cushioned seat makes the bike easy for kids to ride for hours at a time. Its 12 inch air tires also ensure a smooth ride, helping your child to traverse tricky terrain. Soft touch hand grips also help to ensure a comfortable experience. Each bike also features an adjustable seat, which can grow with your child.