The Best Balance Bikes of 2025

We test the year’s best balance, strider, and push bikes for your 1, 2, 3, and 4+ year-old toddlers and preschoolers

Collage of the best balance, strider, and push bikes for 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 year old toddlers and preschoolers.

Balance bikes are simply the best way to teach your toddler or preschooler the joys of riding on two wheels. But with so many options on the market, finding the best balance bike for your needs can be a daunting task. Luckily, we’re a bike-obsessed family and also bring more than 10 years of professional bike industry experience to our recommendations. Read on to see our top balance bike picks of 2025.

How We Choose the Best Balance Bikes

As a former kids’ bike buyer and mechanic at one of the nation’s largest outdoor retailers, we know what to look for in a balance bike. And as a dedicated biking family, we’re out on the trail or road every single week, regularly putting all sorts of bikes through their paces.


Best Balance Bikes for 1- and 2-Year-Old Toddlers

These balance bikes fit babies and toddlers with 10- to 15-inch inseams who are 23- to 40-inches tall.

Best Overall Balance Bike

woom 1 Balance Bike

Blue woom original 1 balance bike profile in park with fall leaves.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $249 MSRP
Fits Height: 31 – 40 inches
Fits Inseam: 11 – 15 inches
Wheel Size: 12 inches
Seat Height: 10.4 – 14.4 inches
Steering Limiter: Yes
Brakes: Yes
Weight: 6.6 pounds

Pros: 
– Very light and low seat height are a great match for young toddler.
– Hand brake and air-filled tires add comfort and control.
Cons:
– Expensive (but you get what you pay for).
– Really hard to find a fault.

Why it’s Great

How it Compares

Shop the woom 1 at:


Best Budget Balance Bike

Chillafish Charlie 10″ Balance Bike

Silver Chillafish Charlie 10 lighweight balance bike profile on cement in park with green grass in the background.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $50.99 MSRP
Fits Height: 31.5 – 41.3 inches
Fits Inseam: 11.5 – 15.5 inches
Wheel Size: 10 inches
Seat Height: 11 – 14.5 inches
Steering Limiter: No
Brakes: No
Weight: 5.5 pounds

Pros:
– Affordably priced at about $50.
– Very lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Cons:
– Build quality can’t match the woom 1.
– Lacks premium features like brakes and air-filled tires.

Why it’s Great

How it Compares

Shop the Chillafish Charlie 10″ at:


More Top Balance Bikes

Frog Tadpole Mini Balance Bike

Green Frog Tadpole Mini balance bike side.

Price: $300 MSRP
Fits Height: 23 – 30 inches
Fits Inseam: 10 – 13 inches
Wheel Size: 10 inches
Seat Height: 9.5 – 12.3 inches
Steering Limiter: Yes
Brakes: Yes
Weight: 7.6 pounds

Pros:
– The smallest balance bike with the lowest seat height.
– Rear hand brake and air-filled tires for added comfort and safety.
Cons:
– A bit heavier than expected.
– Limited seat height adjustment.

Why it’s Great

How it Compares

Shop the Frog Tadpole Mini at:


Retrospec Cricket Baby Walker Balance Bike

Blue Retrospec Cricket Baby Balance Bike Walker profile inside house sitting on hardwood floor.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $49.99 MSRP
Fits Height: 26 – 35 inches
Fits Inseam: 9 – 13 inches
Wheel Size: 5.75 inches
Seat Height: 8.5 inches
Steering Limiter: Yes
Brakes: No
Weight: 4 pounds

Pros:
– Four wheels and tires add stability for the youngest of riders.
– At 4 pounds, it’s the lightest balance bike on this list.
Cons:
– Seat height is not adjustable.
– Will quickly be outgrown.

Why it’s Great
How it Compares

Shop the Retrospec Cricket Baby Walker Balance Bike at:


Best Balance Bikes for 2- and 3-Year-Old Toddlers

These balance bikes fit toddlers with 11- to 20-inch inseams who are 30- to 45-inches tall.

Best Overall Balance Bike

woom 1 Balance Bike

Blue woom 1 Original balance bike with seat at full extension.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $249 MSRP
Fits Height: 31 – 40 inches
Fits Inseam: 11 – 15 inches
Wheel Size: 12 inches
Seat Height: 10.4 – 14.4 inches
Steering Limiter: Yes
Hand Brake: Yes
Weight: 6.6 pounds

Pros: 
– Checks all the boxes for a high-quality balance bike.
– Hand brake and air-filled tires offer great comfort and control.
Cons:
– Might be a little small for tall 3-year-old toddlers.
– Expensive.

Why it’s Great

Simply put, the woom 1 is the best balance bike for your 2 or 3 year old toddler and has everything we look for in a premium model. To start things off, the woom 1 is incredibly lightweight, weighing just 6.6 pounds, making it incredibly easy to maneuver. Next up are the air-filled tires, as opposed to foam, which offer more comfort and traction on all types of surfaces. The woom 1 also has a very short minimum seat height of 10.4 inches, which is lower than most other offerings, yet it extends all the way up to 14.4 inches, allowing a very wide range of rider heights and ages.

How it Compares

Shop the woom 1 at:


A Close Second (with better braking)

Guardian Balance Bike

Profile of blue Guardian Balance Bike sitting in driveway.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $149 MSRP
Fits Height: 33 – 40 inches
Fits Inseam: 11.5 – 15.5 inches
Wheel Size: 12 inches
Seat Height: 11.4 – 14.6 inches
Steering Limiter: Yes
Hand Brake: Yes
Weight: 8.5 pounds

Pros:
– SureStop braking system greatly reduces stopping distance.
– Very competitive price.
Cons:
– Much heavier than our top pick.
– Tall minimum seat height will be too big for small toddlers.

Why it’s Great

How it Compares

Shop the Guardian Balance Bike at :


Best Budget Balance Bike

Strider 12 Classic Balance Bike

Strider 12 Sport balance bike profile on cement in park with fall trees in the background.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $109.99 MSRP
Fits Height: 30 – 44 inches
Fits Inseam: 12 – 20 inches
Wheel Size: 12 inches
Seat Height: 11 – 16 inches
Steering Limiter: No
Hand Brake: No
Weight: 6.5 pounds

Pros:
– Adjustable seat and handlebar fit a very wide range of children.
– Lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Cons:
– Rigid foam tires provide minimal cushion and grip.
– Hard to turn handlebars.

Why it’s Great

How it Compares

Shop the Strider 12 Classic at:


More Top Balance Bikes

Early Rider Big Foot 12 Balance Bike

Raw Early Rider Big Foot 12 balance bike profile on singletrack trail.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $269 MSRP
Fits Height: 33 – 44 inches
Fits Inseam: 13 – 17 inches
Seat Height: 12.2 – 16.1 inches
Wheel Size: 12 inches
Steering Limiter: Yes
Hand Brake: Yes
Weight: 8.3 pounds

Pros:
– Grippy and high-volume tires excel off-road.
– Hand brake and steering limiter add safety and control.
Cons:
– Mountain biking features are overkill for some toddlers.
– You’ll be jealous of your kid’s bike.

Why it’s Great

If you’re a mountain biking family or if your toddler prefers to ride off-road, then the Early Rider Big Foot 12 balance bike should be at the top of your list. The Big Foot 12 is a premium balance bike with all the features to back it up. What sets the Early Rider apart, however, is the oversized 2.25-inch knobby mountain bike tires, which really excel on trails and dirt paths. However silly they may seem, the extra-wide tires provide tons of extra traction and cushion over smoother or smaller versions found on other balance bikes. Other noteworthy features include a hand brake for added safety and control, as well as a steering limiter to help prevent sharp turns and potential accidents.

How it Compares

Shop the Early Rider Big Foot 12 at:


Prevelo Alpha Zero Balance Bike

Red Prevelo Alpha Zero balance bike propped up in park.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $239 MSRP
Fits Height: 31 – 40 inches
Fits Inseam: 12.5 – 16.5 inches
Wheel Size: 12 inches
Seat Height: 11.4 – 14.6 inches
Steering Limiter: No
Hand Brake: Yes
Weight: 7.4 pounds

Pros:
– Checks all the boxes of a high-quality balance bike.
– Trade-in program saves you money on future bike purchases.
Cons:
– Heavier and not quite as refined as the woom 1.
– Rear brake location interferes with toddlers’ feet while striding.

Why it’s Great

How it Compares

Shop the Prevelo Alpha Zero at:


Best Balance Bikes for 3- and 4-Year-Olds

These balance bikes fit toddlers with 14- to 23-inch inseams who are 35- to 50-inches tall.

Best Overall Balance Bike

woom 1 Plus Balance Bike

Yellow woom original 1 plus balance bike propped up in park.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $299 MSRP
Fits Height: 37 – 43 inches
Fits Inseam: 15 – 19 inches
Wheel Size: 14 inches
Seat Height: 14.4 – 17.9 inches
Steering Limiter: Yes
Hand Brake: Yes
Weight: 9.5 pounds

Pros:
– Feature packed and very lightweight.
– Grippy tires work well on pavement and off-road.
Cons:
– Handlebars are a little tall for smaller riders.
– Not as off-road ready as the Dirt Hero listed below.

Why it’s Great

How it Compares

Shop the woom 1 Plus at:


A Close Second (for $80 less)

Strider 14x Balance Bike

Orange Strider 14x Pro balance bike profile on cement in park with green grass in the background.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $219.99 MSRP
Fits Height: 37 – 49 inches
Fits Inseam: 16 – 23 inches
Wheel Size: 14 inches
Seat Height: 15 – 22 inches
Steering Limiter: No
Hand Brake: No
Weight: 12.5 pounds

Pros:
– Adjustable seat and handlebar easily grow with your child.
– 14 inch air-filled tires provide cushion and comfort on rough roads.
Cons:
– 3 pounds heavier than the woom 1 Plus above.
– Doesn’t have any brakes.

Why it’s Great

How it Compares

Shop the Strider 14x at:


More Top Balance Bikes

Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero 14″ Balance Bike

White Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero balance bike side.

Price: $459 MSRP
Fits Height: 37.4 – 43.3 inches
Fits Inseam: 14.4 – 22.5 inches
Wheel Size: 14 inches
Seat Height: 13.6 – 21.5 inches
Steering Limiter: No
Hand Brake: Yes
Weight: 10.3 pounds

Pros:
– Mountain bike geometry inspires confidence on the trail.
– Knobby tires provide loads of control and traction on dirt.
Cons:
– Very expensive.
– Overkill for riding on pavement.

Why it’s Great

How it Compares

Shop the Kids Ride Shotgun Dirt Hero at:


Best Balance Bikes for 4- and 5-Year-Olds

These balance bikes fit toddlers and preschoolers with 16- to 25-inch inseams who are 35-to 50-inches tall.

Best Overall Balance Bike

Strider 14x 2-in-1 Bundle Balance Bike

Strider 14x balance bike with pedal kit attached profile on cement walkway with a bridge in the background.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $289.98 MSRP
Fits Height: 37 – 49 inches
Fits Inseam: 16 – 23 inches
Wheel Size: 14 inches
Seat Height: 15 – 22 inches
Steering Limiter: No
Hand Brake: No
Weight: 15.1 pounds

Pros:
– One of the few balance bikes that can convert to a pedal bike.
– The 2-in-1 kit cuts down on overall cost in the long run.
Cons:
– A bit heavy, especially for smaller kids.
– No hand brakes.

Why it’s Great

How it Compares

Shop the Strider 14x 2-in-1 Bundle at:


Best Budget Balance Bike

Bixe 16 Pro Balance Bike

White and blue Bixe 16 Pro balance bike profile on cement in park with green grass and fall trees in the background.
Photo: Erik Nilson

Price: $114.99 MSRP
Fits Height: 40 – 50 inches
Fits Inseam: 19 – 25 inches
Wheel Size: 16 inches
Seat Height: 18.25 to 22.4 inches
Steering Limiter: No
Hand Brake: No
Weight: 14.9 pounds

Pros:
– A nice budget option to get your 4- or 5-year-old started riding.
– Air-filled tires are comfortable on rough roads.
Cons:
– No brakes.
– Build quality is lacking.

Why it’s Great

How it Compares

Shop the Bixe 16 Pro at:

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Published by Erik Nilson

Erik Nilson, founder of Cascade Gear Reviews, boasts a decade-long journey in the outdoor industry. He began his career at REI, excelling in marketing, merchandising, and product development. Later, at Switchback Travel, Erik managed cycling content. With multiple Pro podium finishes in mountain biking, he's not just an industry expert; he's an active participant. Whether testing gear, capturing photos, or crafting reviews, Erik's hands-on approach defines his dedication. Based in Winthrop, WA, he brings experience, expertise, and passion to outdoor gear reviews.