Kids Electric scooters are not something new for kids today but choosing for the right one among the many models exist in the market, can be quite a daunting task.
So instead of letting you wandering around stores and guessing which electric scooter is the best one for your kids, let me help you out by giving some insights.
There are some key factors you need to consider when selecting your electric scooter, but first of all, perhaps you need to ask yourself for what purpose you will use the scooter.
Do you need it as a vehicle for your kids to ride to school? Or is it just for a toy your kids can play with and cruise them around the neighborhood?
These questions will help you determine the features you will want for the scooter.
Let’s start it with speed.
An electric scooter can make a nice vehicle to ride with, similar to a bicycle but more practical, easy to carry and to store. Why speed is an important matter is because they are not yet allowed to drive, therefore they need a moderate speed which they control to keep them safe. An electric scooter normally provides an appreciable speed, which is fast enough for a fun ride, but not fast enough for a crazy racing. It is certainly much more than just a simple mobile toy since it is machine operated, but since you would probably share the same road or streets with other vehicle users (especially if you are going to use it as a vehicle), a good speed is probably needed to get you to your destination on time.
You need to find scooters with the speed which is suitable for the age of your kids. Older kids can work with faster scooters as they are able to control the speed with the existing hand-brake and other features like an accelerator, etc. Some electric scooters I know have the speed which is ranging from 10 to 15 miles per hour, such as the Razor E100, which is designed for ages 8 and above, and E300, which is designed for kids around 10 years old and up.
Next is safety; you will want your kids to have a safe vehicle to ride either for recreation or as a daily vehicle to get them to school. Compared to bikes, scooters are actually safer, especially because they are composed of stronger materials such as reinforced metal or carbon fiber. Most electric scooters have safety measures like good emergency brakes which are less likely to fail compared to those in automobiles. Scooters are particularly nimble if you compare them with bikes, they are easier to control as long as speed and handling are involved.
Regarding safety, you must also notify the local or states regulations regarding the use of scooters. Some regulations don’t allow the scooters riders to ride them on certain roads, especially busy roads. The riders are also recommended to wear safety equipment during the ride such as helmet, elbow pads, and knee pads in order to avoid the riders from unwanted incidents. Scooter riders can bear a similar risk to another vehicle rider, especially when they are sharing the same street as cars and motorbikes. Therefore, they must pay attention to the safety regulations to avoid hazards.
If you are about to let your 8 year-olds (or younger) riding an electric scooter, make sure you keep an eye on them. Make sure they are able to control their balance on the 2 wheeled scooters as well as the speed and brake of the scooter. Most scooter riders actually need a basic ability to ride regular bicycles in order to keep the balance, so make sure your kids are able to ride a bike before buying them an electric scooter.
Also, consider the durability of the scooter, pay attention to the weight it could bear. Normally the manufacturer mentioned the maximum weight the unit is designed for. Sometimes the maximum weight isn’t directly related to whether the standing board will break or not if your weight is over the required maximum weight. It is more related to the life of the battery, as heavy riders will decrease the battery life and possibly wear out the motor over time.
Pay attention to the battery life of your scooter. Most of them will last at least for 40 minutes of the continuous ride, while the length of time needed to recharge the battery is around 8 to 12 hours per charge. Initial charging normally takes about 12 hours. You also need to notice your battery life if you are going to take your scooter for a long ride, you wouldn’t like it when your scooter loses its power while you’re not even arrived at your main destination. Therefore, the best time to charge the battery of your scooter is at night before you go to bed so you can have it fully charged on the next day.
Lithium batteries are the stronger and longer-lasting kinds of battery for electric scooters compared to the common sealed lead-acid type. The lithium batteries are also more expensive than the sealed lead-acid. Regardless of the material, all types of batteries generally have about 250-400 charges in them before they need to be replaced. The same rule applies to cell phones battery or any other rechargeable batteries.
As you are going to ride an electric scooter, tires are an important feature for your comfort in ride. Many electric scooters have pneumatic tires as the front wheel or both front and rear wheels. For the models which have pneumatic tires at the front, normally their back tires are the one-piece non-inflatable ones. This kind of tire is actually cheaper than the pneumatic ones, but they don’t perform as well and also wear out quicker especially when used in nonflat surfaces.
Larger tires offer more ground clearance, as well as go smoother on rocky surfaces. Big tires also work great for bigger or heavier riders that they will have no problem while riding the scooter on bumpy surfaces.
Regarding the operating system, you may like the ones with throttle start. It means the scooter will be good to take off if you apply the throttle from a standstill. However, not all electric scooter comes with this feature, some of them require a small kick, such as Razor E100. You need to kick them to about 3 mph before the motor starts up. The one which doesn’t need an initial kick is Razor E300, you only need to apply the throttle before riding the scooter.
Designs can be something you need to consider as well as scooters are available in various models and designs. I saw one scooter from Razor which is resembles a Vespa, but in a smaller size, like a miniature of the conventional scooter. The model is called Razor Pocket Mod, which is suitable for kids age 13 and up. The model is quite stylish for kids that it can make them think that they are actually riding a conventional scooter that fits their size. The Pocket Mod model is a seated scooter, not like another scooter which requires the rider to stand while riding.
Various designs can also mean various color, you can find the colors which is your kid’s favorite. Such as dark and bold ones for boys, and the floral or lighter tones for girls. You can also buy them the helmet which matches the color of their ride, so they can have a stylish riding with the vehicle.
Here are some recommendations for an electric scooter for you to consider. So far, Razor is the leading brand of the best scooters of both electric and the regular kick scooters; it has won the Parents Choice Award and more acknowledgment as the products of this brand are truly made of good quality and design.
My Recommendation for Kids Electric Scooters
Razor E100Razor E100 & E125
Both these modes can run with the speed up to 10 miles per hour and with the use of up to 40 minutes non-stop after a 12 hours charge of the battery. They require a kick start and are operated by a high-torque, chain-driven motor. The front tire is an 8-inch pneumatic wheel, as the rear wheel is the 125mm made of urethane. With the twist-grip acceleration control, you can enjoy a fun yet controllable ride. The E100 is available in red, pink, and sweet pea, while the E125 is only available in red-black. This model is designed for age 8 and above.
Top #2 Recommended Kids Electric Scooters
Razor E300Razor E300
This model is slightly more advanced than the previous one, especially as it is made for age 13 and above. This scooter runs with the speeds up to 15 miles per second, for up to 40 minutes of continuous use after the battery charged for about 12 hours. Both of its tires, front and back are made of the extra-wide 10-inch pneumatic tires for a smooth ride. It also comes with the twist-grip acceleration control for a safe and comfortable ride, especially since it has a super-sized deck and frame for all sizes of riders. Razor E300 is only available in blue, while the black one can be purchased on Amazon at a special price.
Other Recommended Kids Electric Scooters
Razor E200
Made for age 13 and above, this scooter has a full-size deck as well as a frame that the rider can comfortably ride for up to 12 miles per hour for up to 40 minutes of continuous use. You need to charge the sealed lead acid battery for 12 hours in order to have the scooter performed to the max. It is operated with a high-performance chain-driven motor, plus a twist-grip acceleration control for a comfortable yet safe ride. It is completed with 8-inch pneumatic tires for a smooth ride. This model is only available in green.
Razor Pocket Mod
This model has been praised in Newsweek, Time and Teen Vogue, for its unique design which resembles a conventional scooter which is vintage-inspired. It even has a storage compartment under the seat which allows your youngsters to keep a couple of things there. This model is designed for age 13 and above, since it speeds up to 15 miles per hour, and can travel up to 10 miles on a single charge. By charging the sealed lead acid battery for 12 hours, you can enjoy up to 30 minutes ride non-stop. Just like the previous Razors, this one is also completed with twist-grip acceleration control. As for the size of tires, the big and fat 12-inch pneumatic tires shall offer you a smooth ride on any kind of surface. Like a real scooter for adults, this miniature scooter also has a retractable center mount kickstand for a parking position. The scooter is quite sturdy as it is designed for riders up to 170 lbs. This model is very unique and comes with a couple models and colors: Purple Betty, Pink Sweet Pea, Black Vapor, White-Pink Hello Kitty, and the Red-Black Hot Mod, which is an Amazon Exclusive product.
Razor A2 Kick Scooter
This is actually not an electric scooter. I mention it here as a recommendation of a good kick scooter, which is not a motor operated. Considering its good quality and design, I do think this scooter is worth to be considered as the alternative to electric scooters. Besides, for a kick scooter, this model is actually quite advanced, especially since the springless front suspension and wheelie bar feature is included.
This model shall work great for kids age 5 and above, just like any other kick scooter. It is really made of a quality material that is the aircraft-grade aluminum t-tube and deck which is sturdy and sleek. The wheels are urethane equipped with ABEC-5 bearings. The adjustable handlebars allow riders with any size to ride on, and also allow an easy fold to store at small spaces, and to carry as it is very lightweight. The model is available in clear/black, blue, red, green, and purple.
As the electric scooters come with various prices and features, you better do a small search about certain models you think suitable for your kids. A kick scooter is obviously cheaper than the electric one, therefore you may want to make sure whether your purchase is backed by guarantee or not. For kids electric scooters, normally the manufacturer doesn’t provide spare parts for you to purchase, which is probably the downside of the products. But to make sure about this, you better contact its online customer service so you can get the information you need regarding your purchase. Hope this review helps you in determining the best electric scooters for your kids.