Top 6 Picks for 2021
As a kid, there are few things cooler than getting to ride an electric scooter! Having your own? Well, that’s a dream come true. As a parent, buying a kids electric scooter can be tough. Not knowing what to look for, what makes a scooter the best, and trying to weigh up safety concerns in your mind is a lot to balance.
Foldable models are amongst the most popular and are the topic at hand today. Let’s look at the essential features of a foldable electric scooter for kids.
Buyer’s Guide: Features of Foldable Electric Scooters for Kids
Age Suitability
The debate over what age kids can safely operate an electric scooter is a case-by-case matter. Some six-year-olds may have a natural flair for it, and some 13-year-olds could be a liability. Generally speaking, most electric scooters are aimed at kids ages eight and above, although there are many excellent models built specifically for toddlers and the under six bracket.
As long as you consider safety and choose a model appropriate to the age of your child, there is no reason a six-year-old can’t ride. Two main things determine what age an electric scooter is for:
Maximum Speed
The max speed is vital to know when deciding what scooter to buy. The average model can reach a speed of 10 miles per hour, with some of the most expensive push to 15 miles per hour. 15 MPH is too powerful for an inexperienced rider and could be potentially dangerous.
For younger kids, there is no reason to have a top speed of anywhere over 7.5 mph.
Maximum Weight
The weight capacity of an electric scooter is a helpful guideline for parents for two reasons. Of course, you don’t want your child to be over the weight limit as this puts strain on the motor and battery, which reduces the scooter’s performance level. While an electric scooter is unlikely to break entirely just because the maximum weight capacity is exceeded, the lifespan is likely to be shortened by quite some time.
The second thing the weight limit tells you is what sort of size of the child the machine is meant for. For example, if the rider weight can be up to 2o0 lbs then your 40 pounds five-year-old might struggle to handle it. 100-120 lbs is the usual weight for a young kid’s scooter, with bigger models able to hold almost double.
Bear in mind, however, that heavy school bags count toward the total weight, so it’s worth having a little wiggle room.
Durability
When buying a scooter for your kids, especially older kids, you want to know it’s going to last. That applies to the duration of the journey your child is making, and to the many years you hope they can enjoy it for.
Short-Term
The key to this is battery life. Check the specifications of how long the battery takes to charge, what ride time a fully charged battery can provide, and the rough distance you kids can expect to cover before the scooter runs out of juice.
Batteries can take anything from two to 12 hours to charge depending on the size of the battery. The best electric scooter models can last for roughly an hour over a distance of around ten miles. You ideally don’t want anything less than 7.5 miles for kids over eight.
The estimates shown are based on the scooter being used at a maximum speed, so they can last longer if taken a little slower.
Long-Term
A higher watt motor provides more power and helps electric scooters ride smoother for longer. Powerful motors mean bigger scooters and higher speeds, so this doesn’t apply so much to little kids, who grow far too fast anyway to worry about long-term use. Tweens and teens, however, can benefit hugely from a good motor and can get years of enjoyment out of their scooter.
A chain-driven motor is more reliable over time than its belt-driven counterpart. The metal has far more potential for longevity, so is a good option for an electric scooter for over 12s.
Safety
No matter what age your kids are, safety is always a primary concern. A good quality deck, frame, and fork go a long way to avoiding malfunctions, but the braking system is the most vital of all. Most scooters have a rear foot brake and a hand brake for flexibility, which is advisable. Also, check if the brake system is connected to the back or front wheel; a rear-wheel connection is far superior. Some have front and rear controls, which is also good.
Top Six Folding Electric Scooters for Kids 2021
1. Hiboy S2 Lite: Hiboy S2 Lite is the best electric scooter for teenagers. The high-tech LED display helps track speed and battery, which can last for more than ten miles.
2. Razor Power Core e90 Electric Scooter: The Razor Power Core e90 Electric scooter, is the best electric model for eight-year-olds to early teens up to 120 pounds. The battery lasts for 80 minutes of continuous ride time with top speed 10 MPH. The retractable kickstand is a handy feature, and the lightweight carbon steel frame makes for easy travels.
3. Swagtron Swagger 8: The crowning glory of the Swagtron Swagger 8 is the cruise control feature. The push-button and kick-start features allow for a smooth ride, comfortably reaching a speed of 10 MPH.
4. Razor E100: The Razor E100 is a great kids’ electric scooter for the eight to 12 age group, with a weight limit of 120 lbs. It has a sleek look and is a smooth ride. Max speed on the Razor E100 is 10 MPH, compared to its big brother, the Razor E300, which has a max speed 15 MPH- more suited to age 13+.
5. Gotrax GKS: Great for beginners, the Gotrax GKS is all about safety and style. This smooth ride scooter caps out at seven and a half miles per hour and can be adjusted to suit ages six through 12.
6. Segway Ninebot Kick-Scooter Zing E8/E10: The Segway Ninebot Kick-Scooter Zing E8/E10 is ideal for six to ten-year-olds, with fun LED lights and a maximum speed of around eight MPH. It has an easy-to-use rear fender brake and a twist grip throttle for easy use.
Safety Tips for Riding a Two-Wheel Electric Scooter
There are a few simple steps you can teach your child to help them stay safe, and have fun! An electric scooter is not a toy, and kids need to remember that. The last thing on your child’s mind when they see their brand new scooter is not going to be “how do I stay safe”, so it’s up to you to show them the ropes.
- Regularly inspect the frame, deck, and wheels for damage. Air-filled wheels and a sturdy, intact body keep things running smoothly.
- Before heading out, test all the brakes.
- Most scooters don’t come with a bell, so consider buying one.
- Do not push the speed further than your capabilities it can be scary to suddenly not feel in control.
- Look behind you before slowing down.
- Don’t leave anything with loose straps sitting on the deck; if they tangle around the wheels, you could get hurt.
- Avoid squeezing hard on the front-wheel brake. Stopping suddenly in that manner is a sure-fire way to end up in trouble.
- Never ride without a helmet!
The last point cannot be repeated enough times. The speed some of these scooters can reach is more than enough to have a nasty accident, so wearing a helmet should not be optional. Look for a helmet with an inner adjustable band so it sits snuggly on your child’s head. The chin strap should also be adjustable and tight but comfortable. Shock absorbent head protection is vital and always go for substance over style.
Here are three of the best children’s helmets with all the requirements. It helps that they also come in kid-friendly colors!
Lerujifl Kid’s Helmet– Age five to 13, comes in eight colors.
XJD Toddler and Kid’s Helmet– Age three to eight, comes in seven colors.
Exclusky Skating and Scooter Helmet– Age five to 13, comes in seven colors.
Conclusion
Luckily, there are a few key features that all the best electric scooters have, and if you focus on them then the rest falls into place.
