Parent Educator's Blog: Best Electric Scooter for Kids Buying Guide

Best Electric Scooter for Kids Buying Guide

An electric scooter can be one of the coolest gifts you can ever give to your kid. It is loads of fun. It lets your kid enjoy a certain amount of feeling free. You are giving him the gift of freedom to enjoy his youth. It is almost as if you are giving him the green light to go on an adventure - even if it is just around your neighborhood. On top of being a fun toy, an electric scooter may serve to develop your child’s learning and observation skills since the activity will give him a chance to overcome challenges like balancing on a scooter, for instance. An electric scooter is one of the best ways to help your child engage in outdoor activities and to develop his social skills by allowing him to play with other kids outside the comforts of your home.

Although electric scooters may be considered as a fun toy in the eyes of the bigger kids, they may actually be quite useful to kids and adults alike. Electric scooters may be primarily used as a mode of transportation, provided that they are built for it. Your kids can use it going to their nearby school. You could use it to drop by the local coffee shop. It is an efficient way of getting around. It is environment-friendly and quite safe even for children use, provided that you pick out the appropriate electric scooter that suits your child.

Most electric scooters for kids may be ridden by children 8 years of age and older. However, age should not be the only qualifying factor to look at, but we’ll get to that later. Children younger than this specified age may have difficulty in maneuvering and balancing electric scooters, and may therefore be at a higher risk of getting into an accident.

Top 5 Best Electric Scooters For Kids Under 10

Before getting an electric scooter, however, be sure to check the local laws regarding the use of electric scooters within your state, especially if you intend to use it to get around. Some states require a learner’s permit in order to drive an electric scooter, while some do not. To be able to operate an electric scooter without a driver’s license, the motor of the electric scooter in question must be below 750 watts. The age limit varies between towns, with some towns setting an age limit that can be as high as 15 years of age. Your town may also have a restriction on where you can use your electric scooter. In some places, electric scooters are not allowed on roads or even on bike paths and sidewalks.

Okay, so you are still set on getting your kid an electric scooter. Or maybe he has got you convinced to get him one, and you are just being an awesome parent by wanting him to have a fun childhood. Either way, how will you know which electric scooter to get? With so many models and brands available in the market, we understand how gruelling it can be to finally just pick one. But you can’t just go to the store and buy the first electric scooter that you see, right? You can’t just pick one. You have to pick THE one. Let us help you. We here at ParentsNeeds HQ have put together this buying guide for the best electric scooters for kids. Are you ready to find out how to choose the best electric scooter for your kid?

What are the things to consider when buying an electric scooter for kids?

● Your child’s weight

That your child is 8 years of age or even older does not automatically mean he is ready to ride just any type of electric scooter. Your child’s weight is an important factor in considering which type to get. Different models of electric scooters are compatible with different weight ranges. You have to consider an electric scooter that is big enough but not too big. Electric scooters that can accommodate higher weight capacities will also be heavier themselves. It might be tempting to get a scooter with an already large weight capacity with the possibility of your child being able to use it even as he grows, but do not give in. Consider if your child can actually handle the scooter. A lightweight child will have difficulty handling a heavy scooter.

● Maximum speed

For the sake of your child’s safety and comfort, it is best to start them out with electric scooters that go no more beyond 10 mph. This is the most suitable speed to comfortably let your child get used to riding an electric scooter. A speed more than 10 mph may be too terrifying for both the child and the parent, especially when the child is a first time rider. Therefore, the best electric scooter to get for your child, and for your peace of mind, should have a maximum speed of 10 mph.

● Throttle start

The latest models of electric scooters feature a throttle start instead of a kick model. Electric scooters with a throttle start feature allows for immediately starting the motor when the throttle is applied from a halted position, unlike with kick models where the user will have to kick a lever before the motor engages. A handful of electric scooter models coming from well known manufacturers even offers a feature where the motor will only engage when the scooter is going more than 3 mph. This type of scooter is perfect for first time riders who have yet to get used to scooting since this feature will allow them to experience the feel of scooting without having to worry about throttles and brakes.

● Build

The build or dimension of the electric scooter contributes to the comfort of your child’s ride. Electric scooters basically come in two forms, stand-on and sit-down. A stand-on electric scooter is perfect for your child who is transitioning from a manual scooter. They will be able to adjust pretty quickly since electric scooters are just like manual scooters, except they are electronically operated. Some models come with a seat, and these sit-down electric scooters provide your child the option to sit down or stand up while riding. They may even come looking like mini motorcycles or mini Vespas. Sit-down electric scooters often have tires that are a few inches larger than usual. These large tires can offer more balance.

● Steering handle

The steering handle is the part of the electric scooter which is used to maneuver the scooter into the desired direction of the rider. It is most often attached to the front wheel of front wheel driven electric scooters. Some models of electric scooters have adjustable steering handles, which may be adjusted accordingly in order to meet your child’s height and arm length. For higher powered electric scooters, however, it is best to do away with adjustable steering handles and just stick with fixed types, which are more robust and sturdy.

● Brakes

Another major difference between manual and electric scooters are the brakes. A manually powered scooter will have a brake pad attached to the rear wheel of the scooter. This brake pad is stepped on by the foot of the rider when he wishes to stop. Brakes on electric scooters are more advanced than those of a manual scooter since electric types travel at higher speeds. Electric scooters have a brake lever, much like the brakes of bicycles, attached to the steering handle. This lever, when pulled, will slow down the engine and rear wheel down with the use of a more heavy duty brake pad. Look for a good electric scooter that has a reliable braking system. It is always safe to get scooters that brake at the rear wheel instead of the front. This set up is much safer for your kids since sudden brakes on the front wheel may only cause the scooter to overturn and cause an injury to your child.

● Plank

The plank or the standing platform is basically the same in an electric scooter as the one in a manually powered scooter. The planks of electric scooter just tend to be wider and longer to make room for the motor and wider wheels. A good electric scooter will have a stable plank for your child to stand on. It is even better when grips are built into the planks to provide more stability.

● Tires

Rubber tires offer far smoother and more comfortable rides than hard plastic tires. Plastic tires also wear out faster than rubber tires. The size of the tires should also be a consideration. Get an electric scooter whose tires will match your child’s size. Smaller tires are advisable for smaller children, where safety is concerned. There are also models of electric scooters that come with three wheels instead of two. With these models, there are two wheels at the front, which are attached to the steering handle that controls them, and one at the back part of the scooter. Three-wheeled scooters have increased steering sensitivity. Another important effect of this feature is that the electric scooter will have more stability and will require less balancing from the rider.

● Battery

A large amount of fun with electric scooters depend upon the battery life. You will want an electric scooter whose battery will not need to get changed every so often. Rechargeable batteries are one good feature of a good electric scooter. This will lessen the frequency of a battery change. Should you choose to go with an electric scooter operated by rechargeable batteries, look for a model that will only require a reasonable amount of charging time and one that will give you the most operating time on a full charge. The average run time of good electric scooters is 40 to 50 minutes.

● Foldable

One feature of some models that might interest you is the ability of the scooter to be folded and packed away. There are a number foldable electric scooters available in the market. Foldable electric scooters are great space savers, plus you can transport them easily, enabling your child to enjoy it anywhere you might go.

How to buy the best electric scooter for kids

It is always wise to do some research before heading out to buy an electric scooter for your kid. Survey the models that are available in the market. Visit their websites and look for their specifications so that you may put them against each other for comparison. Read up on consumer feedbacks and reviews so that you may properly set your expectations.
Test ride the unit before making that purchase. Or if you are buying it online, make sure to buy from a site that will honor consumer rights and fully practice product refunds or replacements. Check for the completeness of the package and the parts of the electric scooter.
Prepare to spend around $100 to $300 dollars for a good electric scooter for kids.

Important things to keep in mind

Read the owner’s manual completely and follow the manufacturer’s safety guidelines. Make sure that your child is within the age and weight specification of the electric scooter.
Supervise your kid during play time especially if he is a new rider.
Make your child wear personal protective gears like a helmet and gloves. Only let your child play when wearing suitable shoes.
Test the brakes before use.
Do not overcharge your electric scooter. Only charge in safe areas, away from any water source or heating equipment.
Do not let your child use a malfunctioning scooter.
Remind your children to play safe and to avoid doing stunts.

Our Recommendation

Electric scooters could be a fun toy for your child. It could be a fun toy for yourself as well, but then you will need a different buying guide for adult electric scooters. For now, let us focus on electric scooters for kids. They could be fun safe toys provided that you get the one that is most appropriate for your child. Let us further help you narrow down your choices by providing you our very own list of Top 5 Best Electric Scooters for Kids Under 10. We have tried and tested the most popular models and have concluded that Razor E100 Electric Scooter deserves the number one spot. We also have tested and come up with the list of Top 5 Best Electric Scooter for Kids Under 15 wherein Razor E300 Electric Scooter tops the list.