The Best Kids Scooters of 2020

Micro Kickboard is one of the most popular scooter brands right now, and it’s no wonder. These scooters are solidly built, provide a smooth ride, and they’re pretty cute, too. The Micro Maxi Deluxe is best for ages 5 to 12—it supports up to 110 pounds—and features an adjustable handlebar to grow with your child. A rubber grip handlebar and an intuitive lean-to-steer design make it easier for newbies to learn to ride. We found that younger kids took a few days to adjust to using the rear step brake—often they would just drag their feet to stop the scooter—but once they figured it out they were able to safely and effectively slow and stop the moving scooter.

The Maxi Deluxe is super easy to set-up—all we had to do was insert the handlebar—and my kids loved the motion-activated light-up wheels (I liked that it doesn't require any batteries). The Maxi Deluxe comes in a variety of different colors, and it felt durable enough to hold up to use from more than one kid. One thing to note, however, is that the Maxi Deluxe does fade quickly when left out in the sun. To maintain the bright color of your child's scooter for as along as possible it's best to store it out of the elements. The Micro Maxi Deluxe comes with a two year warranty, and all the parts are replaceable.

For kids younger than 5, the Mini Deluxe offers similar design and functionality, but it's sized for smaller children.

The Jetson Jupiter is a classic metal two-wheeler with the addition of over 100 LED lights on both the body and the wheels. The Jetson Jupiter is lightweight and easy to fold, so it wasn't hard for my kids to pick it up and carry it when they got tired of scooting (which inevitably happens). The price of the Jetson Jupiter is comparable to that of its popular alternative, the Razor Original A scooter, but we liked it better. We also liked that the rear foot brake is easy for kids to access, an important feature when first learning to ride or cruising down hills. The one drawback to the Jetson Jupiter is that it requires three double-A batteries in order to activate the lights. Available in pink, blue, and black, the Jupiter has an adjustable handlebar and is best for ages 5 and up.

The Globber Elite Deluxe scored just a hair lower than the Micro Kickboard model, but the Globber has a lower price point. It’s a fantastic value for the money, and we loved it. The Globber Elite Deluxe Light’s ride is just as smooth as the pricier Maxi Deluxe LED, but it folds up for easy storage, making it a great choice for families who are short on space. The feature that really sets the Globber apart is the design of the T-bar. It easily clicks into place, and with just the push of a button and a half turn, the bar folds flush against the foot board. It has a four-position adjustable handlebar, dual color hand grips, and, of course, it features light-up wheels (no batteries required). The Globber Elite Deluxe is perfect for kids ages 3 and up, and it comes in lots of bright colors.

Known for its adult scooters, Bird brand’s Birdie scooter is a cool-looking three-wheeler for ages 3 and up. It’s a great entry model for young preschoolers due to its large wheels. Unfortunately the larger wheels aren’t as quick and smooth as the Micro Kickboard and the Globber. The lean-to-steer design functions just as well as our top scooters, though, and the Birdie also features a rear stomp brake. While the sleek design of the Birdie will definitely appeal to parents with a minimalist aesthetic, the no-frills scooter didn't win any points with our young testers. The Birdie comes in black, white, and pale pink, but there are no light-up wheels or bright primary colors. The Birdie has a height-adjustable handlebar, and a maximum weight limit of 110 pounds.

The Radio Flyer EZ Glider is a step up from the aforementioned My 1st Scooter, but it’s still not fantastic. Its urethane wheels aren’t smooth like the high-quality ones on our top picks, so it doesn't glide as easily. It does have an adjustable handlebar and foam-padded handles, but with a weight limit of only 60 pounds, your child is likely to age out of the Radio Flyer pretty quickly. While the Radio Flyer does feature lean-to-steer technology, our testers found that it was difficult to maneuver and had a pretty dismal turning radius. Another drawback: aesthetically, it’s not as appealing as the other models we tested, and it doesn't have wheels that light up.

The Y-volution Neon Ghost was popular with our testers; it’s comfortable to ride, a manageable weight, and it looks very cool. One of the most unique features of the Neon Ghost is that the lighting is customizable. With 10 different colors and three different modes—pulse, strobe, or solid—the rider can program the look of their scooter with just the push of a button. The Neon Ghost has an adjustable handlebar, anti-slip handlebars, and a wide rear brake, making it both safe and fun for young riders. It should be noted, however, that over time the wheel began turning independently from the handles, which brought this model down in the ranks.

The Razor Original A is a classic scooter model, and a very popular one. We found the metal frame to be a bit wobbly, and watch out for the deck swinging all the way around when you lift it up (this is how I hurt my ankles all the time on my own Razor). The Razor has an adjustable handlebar, but some of our testers found that it didn't extend high enough to work for taller riders. It does set itself apart by being lightweight and easy to fold, which makes The Razor a great pick for kids who take public transportation. The urethane wheels provide a fast, smooth ride, and the rear fender brake was easy for experienced scooter riders to utilize. Overall, a Razor scooter is a solid pick for the money.

The gold color of the Fuzion X-3 was popular with my testers, and this model is sturdy but not too unwieldy. It’s a great option for older kids who are beyond an entry-level scooter and want to start getting into scooter tricks at the skate park, especially because it looks "cool" and not "cutesy". We liked that the Fuzion X-3 came ready to ride when it arrived—we just had to tighten a few bolts with the included wrench before hitting the streets. The wider-than-average handlebar makes it ideal for learning to do tricks, and the rear brake is squeak-free. With a weight limit of 220 pounds the Fuzion X-3 can handle heavy use from kids to teens and beyond.

My husband had fun testing the Mongoose Rise Pro 100; its heavy-duty frame make it the sturdiest scooter we tried. The ultra-wide handlebars can be hard for little kids to manage, but this scooter is perfect for bigger, stronger kids and teens. This is not a scooter for beginning riders—it's designed for kids ages 8 and up—but if you have an older child who wants to take their scooting to the next level, they'll love the Mongoose. Alloy pegs mean the Mongoose is ready for stunts, and it has a weight limit of 220 pounds, but if your rider is on the taller side, they may find the handlebar too short.