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We tried out seven additional scooters in late 2022, and our picks remain the same. Urban Scooter Electric Scooters
A good scooter can help a kid learn to balance, turn, and brake—and make neighborhood navigation faster and more fun. After recruiting six kids from 1 to 10 years old to put nine scooters to the test, we concluded that the popular Micro Maxi Deluxe is well worth the investment.
Adjustable-height handlebars and a 110-pound weight limit give it the longest usable life of any kids scooter we tested. Its high-quality build delivers a smooth, responsive ride and will hold up to years of use.
This is the same scooter, with the added convenience of a handlebar that folds down for easy storage or portability and LED lights in the wheels, which help with visibility in the dark. Little kids may find it a bit tough to fold on their own, though.
May be out of stock
The Micro Mini Deluxe provides kids under 5 years old with a stable, smooth ride that builds confidence and skills. Its adjustable-height handlebar gives it longer usability than fixed-height models.
This is the same scooter, with the added convenience of a handlebar that folds down for easy storage or portability (including storing it in a stroller basket) and LED lights in the wheels, which help with visibility in the dark. Little kids may find it tough to fold on their own, though.
The two-wheel Razor A3 has fully rotating handlebars, front-wheel suspension, a wheelie bar, and big wheels that make it faster and better for tricks—but it’s not for preschoolers or inexperienced riders.
We focused on nonmotorized kick scooters intended for kids from 2 years old to tweens.
We looked for models that deliver a smooth ride and are easy to turn and brake.
We favored brands that make it easy to replace broken parts, prolonging the life of the scooter.
Adjustable models allow a growing kid to enjoy the same scooter for many years, so you can justify the investment.
The Micro Maxi Deluxe provides the smoothest, quietest ride of any scooter we tested. Plus, it has the greatest ability to grow with a child, with the stability to help small kids gain confidence, and the skills and agility to keep older ones zipping along joyfully for many years.
It also comes in a foldable version for easy carrying and storage. For the littlest kids we recommend the Micro Mini Deluxe, or its foldable version. And the Razor A3 is our pick for a two-wheel scooter for kids ready to try tricks.
Adjustable-height handlebars and a 110-pound weight limit give it the longest usable life of any kids scooter we tested. Its high-quality build delivers a smooth, responsive ride and will hold up to years of use.
This is the same scooter, with the added convenience of a handlebar that folds down for easy storage or portability and LED lights in the wheels, which help with visibility in the dark. Little kids may find it a bit tough to fold on their own, though.
May be out of stock
The three-wheel Micro Maxi Deluxe and Micro Maxi Deluxe Foldable LED are recommended for kids ages 5 to 12, the widest range of any scooter we tested, and we’ve found that some 3- and 4-year-olds can master riding the Maxi Deluxe as well. Its handlebar can be raised to suit someone who is up to 5-foot-3, and the scooter is rated for kids up to 110 pounds. A fiberglass-reinforced deck and large-diameter polyurethane wheels make it noticeably smoother and quieter than less expensive three-wheel scooters we tested. If anything does go wrong, Micro provides instructional videos and parts for easy repairs. Its scooters also come with a two-year warranty, the most generous we’ve seen. The Micro Maxi Deluxe is not great for doing tricks, however, and younger kids may find it on the heavier side. The original Maxi Deluxe and the folding, LED version come in four colors; and the non-folding version with LED lights in the wheels comes in six colors. Overall, the selection of styles and options is the widest we’ve found.
The Micro Mini Deluxe provides kids under 5 years old with a stable, smooth ride that builds confidence and skills. Its adjustable-height handlebar gives it longer usability than fixed-height models.
This is the same scooter, with the added convenience of a handlebar that folds down for easy storage or portability (including storing it in a stroller basket) and LED lights in the wheels, which help with visibility in the dark. Little kids may find it tough to fold on their own, though.
Toddlers and preschoolers who aren’t big enough for the Micro Maxi Deluxe can satisfy their need for speed with the Micro Mini Deluxe. Like the bigger version, its height-adjustable handlebars give it longer usability than models without that feature, and its three-wheel design and wide platform provide ample stability for younger kids to work on their balance and steering. The Mini Deluxe shares the Maxi Deluxe’s high-quality materials, build, and notable durability; plus, its parts are replaceable, and it has a two-year warranty. The Micro Mini Deluxe has a weight limit of 110 pounds, and with handlebars fully extended, it should fit a kid up to 40 inches tall. Like the Maxi Deluxe, it also comes in a folding version with light-up LED wheels and non-folding one with LED lights. The regular Micro Mini Deluxe comes in seven colors.
The two-wheel Razor A3 has fully rotating handlebars, front-wheel suspension, a wheelie bar, and big wheels that make it faster and better for tricks—but it’s not for preschoolers or inexperienced riders.
New riders will likely find the two-wheel Razor A3 more challenging to balance on than the three-wheel Micro Maxi or Mini Deluxe models, but more experienced ones may love how fast its 120 mm wheels can go and how responsive it is for doing tricks. Razor scooters are known for their durability and, like Micro scooters, have replaceable parts. The A3 comes with a 180-day warranty; unlike the Micro scooters, we’ve found that the wheels on the A3 can start to get worn down and feel rough on the pavement after several years of use, though.
I spent seven hours researching nonmotorized scooters for kids—also called kick scooters or push scooters—and I started by identifying popular models that kids use to travel to school and to explore parks and neighborhoods. I consulted with Lauren Drobnjak, a pediatric physical therapist who practices at The Inspired Treehouse in Ohio. Drobnjak has studied sensory processing and balance, and she uses scooters in her practice. I checked the database of the US Consumer Product Safety Commission to see which scooters had been recalled recently and why. I also interviewed experts at companies that make scooters, among them a then-vice president at Razor and the US distributor of Micro, a Swiss scooter maker.
I’m a science writer with more than a decade of experience interviewing experts in countless fields, including health, parenting, and child development. I’m also the mom of two small guys who were 2 and 4 when I was originally writing this guide. Both boys are avid scooter fans, and—along with their friends and cousins—they raced, weaved, and bumped to help me test the scooters in this guide. In the years since the first version of this guide was published, they have continued to test new models on commutes to school and around our southern California neighborhood. I also wrote Wirecutter’s guides to tricycles and jogging strollers, so I’ve spent some time thinking about kids on wheels.
Scooters are fun. They’re also a good way for kids to get exercise and develop motor skills, and they are an easy and convenient way to speed up the trip to school, a nearby park, or a friend’s house. For kids transitioning from tricycles to bikes, a scooter is an easier and more compact vehicle with which to learn steering.
Kids as young as 1 year old have the ability to successfully navigate a scooter, said pediatric physical therapist Lauren Drobnjak. Parents can look for certain signs of readiness, like being able to transition surfaces when walking—from road to grass, for example, or over a curb. “I’m of the opinion to let them try it, and you’re going to know right away,” she said. “If they’re walking and not falling, you could always try to stand on one foot and see if they can mimic you.”
Skateboarding, surfing, and skiing all use the weight-shifting lean-to-turn technique that kids learn while scootering.
Drobnjak suggests starting with a more stable three-wheel scooter and then moving to a two-wheeler if kids want to be able to do more tricks and zoom faster.
Scooters can improve gross motor development, she said. Riding strengthens the supporting leg and hip and improves balance. The propelling leg also gets stronger through the quadriceps and hamstrings, and scooters give great sensory input through challenging a kid’s sense of balance and spatial orientation.
Drobnjak also pointed out that the skills gained on scooters can apply to other sports. Skateboarding, surfing, and skiing all use the weight-shifting lean-to-turn technique that kids learn while scootering, and the combination of leaning and hand steering translates to biking.
Kids kick scooters fall into two major categories: the trick-ready two-wheelers and the steadier three-wheelers that are especially suitable for toddlers and elementary schoolers. Three-wheelers either have bicycle-style steering, with handlebars you turn to direct motion and two wheels in either the front or back, or a lean-to-steer build, with two wheels in the front and handlebars that are just for balance, not steering. Specialized types of scooters like off-road, trick, caster (powered by twisting your body with feet on the deck), and electric scooters may appeal to certain riders, but we opted to focus exclusively on simpler, nonmotorized models intended primarily for pavement for this guide.
I drew on the experience of Wirecutter parents and conducted an informal survey on Facebook to help determine which scooters were the most popular in different types of environments, comparing small cities, urban areas, and rural neighborhoods. I also looked at the top sellers on Amazon and other retailers, reviewed recommendations from other sites, and came up with an initial list of 14 popular, highly rated scooters.
Based on my research, we determined that a great scooter should:
Grow with the kid: A height-adjustable steering column allows a scooter to grow with the child, and a wide-ranging weight limit allows riding for many years.
Hold up over time: Strong, nonbreakable decks and sturdy rust-resistant materials help a scooter endure the hard wear that a kid will give it and last through multiple kids. It should ideally be easy to replace parts when they wear down.
Provide a smooth, stable ride: Larger, 120 mm or 125 mm polyurethane wheels help riders glide over bumps and cracks in the road or sidewalk, while 98 mm wheels, or those made of plastic, will give a rougher ride. Larger wheels also help you go faster. Stability is enhanced by wider handlebars—keeping arms farther apart helps with balance—and wide decks, especially for new riders.
Be easy to operate: Handlebars should be easy to turn, if required, and brakes should be easy to apply to slow down on hills. A lighter scooter can be easier for a toddler to use, since a pound can make a difference for a younger kid still figuring out how to steer. (And an older kid may find a lighter model less of a literal drag.)
Have a simple setup: Assembly for some models might be as minimal as inserting the T-bar into the deck, while others may require you to put many parts together with tools. Whatever is required, the directions should be clear, and the assembly straightforward.
For our initial round of testing in 2018, we used the above criteria to narrow our initial list of 14 scooters down to seven models to test:
Den Haven (aka OxGord) Scooter Micro Mini Deluxe Micro Maxi Deluxe Razor A Razor A2 Razor A3 Razor Jr. Lil’ Kick
I spent 16 hours evaluating these seven finalists together with my kid riders. To start, I timed the assembly of each scooter, noting any particular frustrations, as well as if extra tools were needed. I also weighed and measured each one to determine ease of storage and carrying.
With my kids, I evaluated the scooters in everyday conditions, using each scooter for at least three neighborhood jaunts. After the first three trips, I eliminated one of the scooters that didn’t perform well and kept using the remainder. I examined how the scooters turned, braked, and held together over different terrains, like grass or bumpy sidewalks. I recorded the scooters to compare their noise—less noise is an indicator of a smoother ride.
I also arranged a testing panel at a park. A group of six kids, ranging in age from 1 to 10, navigated scooters around an obstacle course while we filmed and observed them. They also raced and attempted tricks on the scooters.
In 2019, we tested two new scooters: the Micro Maxi Deluxe Foldable LED, a folding version of our top pick, and the Bird Birdie. My kids, then 3 and 6, used these scooters on their .75-mile commute to school, swerved them on various surfaces in the park, and jumped on them at home to assess durability and quality.
In late 2022, we identified and tested seven additional scooters, again with our original criteria in mind. These included two new scooters from Micro, the maker of our top picks, plus four additional models:
Globber Master Globber Ultimum Jetson Gleam Jetson Jupiter LaScoota Go n’ Glow Micro Maxi Deluxe Pro Micro Mini Deluxe Foldable
We wanted to know how some of the newer scooters in the category rated against our long-term picks. Existing models also had newer features—such as curved handlebars, LED wheels, and folding mechanisms—that we wanted to test. Finally, we wanted to better evaluate how less-expensive scooters compared with our existing picks. Together with my kids, I spent 6 hours evaluating the new test group on sidewalks, streets, and grass around my neighborhood. I also had tweens and toddlers test the bunch, in addition to my own children who were 6 and 9 at the time of this testing.
Adjustable-height handlebars and a 110-pound weight limit give it the longest usable life of any kids scooter we tested. Its high-quality build delivers a smooth, responsive ride and will hold up to years of use.
This is the same scooter, with the added convenience of a handlebar that folds down for easy storage or portability and LED lights in the wheels, which help with visibility in the dark. Little kids may find it a bit tough to fold on their own, though.
May be out of stock
The Micro Maxi Deluxe fits the widest age range of any scooter we tested. It’s stable enough to make younger riders feel confident, and it’s agile enough to keep older riders engaged. A noticeably high-quality construction makes it perform better—and thus more enjoyably—than cheaper models and also makes it more durable. The scooter requires minimal setup and is reasonably convenient to store and haul around. The Micro Maxi Deluxe Foldable LED offers the same build and performance as the Maxi Deluxe, but the T-bar handle folds down, which makes the scooter easier to carry or store.
The Micro Maxi Deluxe is recommended for ages 5 to 12, but many kids can master it at 3 or 4. The Maxi Deluxe’s handlebar extends from 24 inches up to 34 inches from the deck, which accommodates a rider who is 5-foot-3 at the upper limit (the recommended weight maximum is 110 pounds). Micro’s scooters are safety certified by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, according to standards set by ASTM International.
The Micro Maxi Deluxe scooter is sturdy enough to hold up to many years of use. Its flexible fiberglass-reinforced deck flexes just the right amount: It’s not as rigid as the bigger Razor models’ metal decks but doesn’t bend in the middle like the cheaper plastic decks of the Razor Jr. Lil’ Kick or Den Haven scooters we tested. The Maxi Deluxe had the smoothest, quietest ride of the scooters we tested mostly due to the 120 mm polyurethane wheels in the front and that reinforced deck, which together absorb bumps in the sidewalk. The T-bar is made of rust-resistant aluminum and built to last.
The deck has a nonslip coating, which helps with pushing off. To control their speed, riders push down on the brake over the rear wheels. Like its smaller cousin the Micro Mini Deluxe, the Maxi Deluxe was the most-stable and easiest scooter for newbies to learn on. In our tests, a 4-year-old with no prior scooter experience easily picked up riding this scooter. Tall 3-year-olds were equally able to ride this model with the handlebar on its lowest setting. In hours, our testers went from learning to balance to gracefully carving and surfing roadways on the Maxi Deluxe.
The Maxi Deluxe comes in two pieces and took just minutes to set up out of the box. The Maxi Deluxe Foldable LED comes fully assembled. For both scooters, we followed the company’s recommendation to tighten the handlebar clamp to desired resistance using the supplied tool before using it.
The Maxi Deluxe doesn’t fold up, but since it stands on its own, it’s easy to stash away at a school bike rack or in front of a house. It weighs 5.5 pounds (the same as the Razor A3, another model we like for older kids), about a pound heavier than the Micro Mini Deluxe, our pick for toddlers. The folding version basically bends in half, and the handlebar lays flat against the kickboard. This makes it easy to toss in the bottom of a stroller, lug onto a bus, or stow in a car trunk or locker.
The original Maxi Deluxe and the folding version are available in four bright colors. Micro scooters come with a two-year warranty, which is the most generous of any scooters we tested. To support the long-lived usability of its scooters, Micro sells parts and provides videos that show you how to make various repairs. Many online reviewers have noted that Micro’s customer service and parts departments are very easy to work with—which makes the scooters hold their value even longer.
Without a handlebar that can rotate all the way around the deck, the Micro Maxi Deluxe isn’t as much fun for tricks as two-wheel scooters. We have seen these scooters at the skate park, but riders will find it tougher to do advanced moves on them. If you’re looking for a scooter for doing tricks, you may want to consider getting the Razor A3 or a Jetson Jupiter.
A couple of Amazon reviewers complained that the handlebars don’t stay at heights between the minimum and maximum, but this issue is probably because they did not tighten the clamp with the included Allen key before using it, as instructed in the manual. Two other Amazon users wrote that the back wheels of their Maxi Deluxe scooters wore out quickly, but Micro said this is due to heavy use of the brake, and that most kids should get one to two years of wear out of their wheels before needing to replace them.
The hinge of the foldable version of the Maxi Deluxe is quite stiff, and it takes some strength to fold the handlebar down. My kindergartener is nowhere near being able to fold it himself, and some adults may even find it difficult: I have to brace the scooter against my body to get enough leverage to fold it. In our experience, it does loosen up and become easier to fold over time.
The Micro Mini Deluxe provides kids under 5 years old with a stable, smooth ride that builds confidence and skills. Its adjustable-height handlebar gives it longer usability than fixed-height models.
This is the same scooter, with the added convenience of a handlebar that folds down for easy storage or portability (including storing it in a stroller basket). Little kids may find it tough to fold on their own, though. Unlike the folding Maxi Deluxe model, the Mini Deluxe Foldable does not come with LED wheels (though you can choose that option separately).
The Micro Mini Deluxe is a perennial favorite of toddlers and on-the-go preschoolers for good reason: This well-made scooter is, along with its bigger sibling the Maxi Deluxe, the most stable and easy-to-ride model around. It’s usable for several years and can teach important weight-shifting and balancing skills to tots. The Mini Deluxe is as easy to set up and use as the Maxi Deluxe and just as convenient to carry and store. Like the Maxi Deluxe, it also comes in a foldable version with LED lights. The folding mechanism is easy to use, and when folded the scooter is small enough to fit into many stroller baskets, to pack in a suitcase for travel, or to more easily stow in a car trunk or carry onto public transportation.
The Micro Mini Deluxe is suggested for ages 2 to 5, though some kids can successfully master the developmental skills of pushing and steering even younger than that, and an 18-month-old we know was able to successfully ride this scooter—and with so much joy. The Mini Deluxe’s handlebar extends from 17 inches up to 25 inches; the Maxi Deluxe’s starts at 24 inches. We found that many 5-year-olds are too tall for the scooter’s maximum handlebar height; if you’re buying a scooter for an older kid, consider the Micro Maxi Deluxe instead, as you’ll get more years of use out of it. The Mini Deluxe can ferry riders up to 110 pounds, the same as the Maxi Deluxe. We did not test the popular Mini Original because its fixed-height handlebar limits its usable life more than the Mini Deluxe’s adjustable one.
The Mini Deluxe, like the Maxi Deluxe, has polyurethane wheels and a flexible fiberglass-reinforced deck, which give a smooth and quiet ride on various hard surfaces and absorb bumps in the sidewalk. The Mini Deluxe’s deck is shorter and narrower than the Maxi Deluxe’s, and the wheels are narrower, all of which make it lighter and more responsive to a smaller rider. It also has one wheel in the back compared with the Maxi Deluxe’s two side-by-side wheels (which help heavier kids brake).
Even though the Mini Deluxe is built for younger riders with its lower weight limit, smaller deck, and shorter handlebar, it can still move very quickly. Our 1- and 2-year-old testers were able to push off and cruise forward with ease, but they struggled consistently at the beginning to turn and stop—a factor of their development—so parental involvement is needed at the start of the learning process. Most kids stop by putting feet down or bailing into bushes before learning to brake, reviewers noted.
The Micro Mini Deluxe scooter has a folding version, just like the Maxi Deluxe—and the folding mechanism was a little easier to handle during testing, as it has a smaller lever that requires less force to adjust. Folding makes it easy to tote onto a subway or bus—or even put into a suitcase for use on a trip. It’s the lightest scooter we tested, weighing just 4.2 pounds. That makes it easy for a toddler to maneuver, especially if they’re still learning how to steer, and it also makes the scooter easy for a parent to carry in one hand while football-carrying a screaming 2-year-old in the other.
Reviewers noted the Micro Mini Deluxe’s ability to help kids gain confidence in the basics of scootering. “My grandson rips on this,” wrote an Amazon reviewer. “Even takes it to the skatepark and he is only 3. Thinks he is one of the big kids. Even able to execute some ‘tricks’ on it in the park.”
Like other Micro scooters, the Mini Deluxe comes with a two-year warranty, and the company makes it simple to replace parts and provides videos showing how to make repairs. The regular Micro Mini Deluxe comes in seven bright colors, and the Mini Deluxe LED with light-up wheels has a dozen color options.
Some reviewers noted that the adjustable handlebar column needs to be consistently tightened to stay put—but it’s not an issue if you tighten it initially with the included Allen key, as recommended by the company. Other users said the steering is too loose for a young child. We found the deck on the Mini Deluxe is less sturdy than that of the Maxi Deluxe, and it can feel a bit flexy when used by heavier kids.
Some review sites suggest that, given the relatively short window that a child may use the Micro Mini Deluxe, it’s more cost-effective to buy the most-basic Mini model without the adjusting-height handlebar (the adjustable handlebar is the main feature of the Mini Deluxe). We prefer the adjustable-height version because the price difference is only about $10, and the 8 inches of adjustability allows a child to use the scooter for an extra year or two—or let a smaller friend play with it. But if adjustability doesn’t matter to you, the Mini Original is otherwise the same scooter.
The two-wheel Razor A3 has fully rotating handlebars, front-wheel suspension, a wheelie bar, and big wheels that make it faster and better for tricks—but it’s not for preschoolers or inexperienced riders.
The Razor A3 was a hit with our 7- to 10-year-old testers, who were successfully executing tricks within a half hour of climbing aboard. Two-wheel scooters are much less stable than three-wheelers, but they are also easier to race fast. Of all the Razor scooters, this one had the speediest, most-responsive ride and was the most fun. “I think it’s really fast,” said our 8-year-old tester, “and it’s the best because it’s the right size for me, and I really, really like Razors.” The A3’s wheels are larger than on other larger Razor scooters—and the front wheel is equipped with shock-absorbing suspension. The durable aluminum construction incorporates folding handlebars, a rear fender brake, and a wheelie bar for tricks.
The A3 is designed for kids age 5 and older, but its less forgiving two-wheel design and rigid deck make it challenging for new riders to learn on. Kids who have already mastered the balance and lean of scootering and want a bigger challenge will likely enjoy the A3.
The weight limit on the A3 is 143 pounds, so it can be used through many kids’ teenage years—as well as by smaller adults. Like the Micro scooters, it has a telescoping handlebar that extends by about a foot and when fully expanded is just slightly taller than the maximum height of the Maxi Deluxe. The scooter weighs 5.5 pounds, the same as the Maxi Deluxe. The Razor A3 is less expensive than the Micro scooters, and it folds easily for storage.
After several years of use, our older riders found that the wheels had worn down some, and they said that the wheels felt like they needed a little more shock absorption when landing jumps. They also noticed that the sharp edges of the footboard could be painful when picking up the scooter.
Razor scooters come with a 180-day warranty, compared with a two-year warranty for Micro scooters. The company sells replacement parts but doesn’t offer quite as much support for those who wish to make their own repairs. The Razor A3’s frame has an attractively sleek foil-like finish and comes in four accent colors: black, red, blue, and green.
If you like the idea of a kids scooter made in part of recycled fishing net: You may prefer the Eco versions of the Micro Mini Deluxe or Micro Maxi Deluxe. (The Maxi Deluxe Eco is shown above.) They are the same as our top-pick kid scooters but with kickboards made from recycled ocean plastic. Each is available in either a dark teal green or a lighter mint green. We’ve noticed these scooters on sale for a lower price than the regular Maxi Deluxe model on a couple of occasions. If you’re happy with the color there’s no disadvantage to choosing this model.
If you want a comfortable riding stance for longer distances: The Micro Maxi Deluxe Pro has wide wheels and cruiser-style handlebars. The scooter’s chunkier wheels seem to hold the road better than the Micro Maxi Deluxe. The Maxi Deluxe Pro has the same footboard and metal design as the regular Maxi Deluxe, but we found that the addition of bike-style handlebars made the scooter more maneuverable. The wheels are also fatter, which was helpful on turns and curves. The Maxi Deluxe Pro has the same weight and height maximums as the regular Maxi Deluxe, but some of our older testers found it more grown-up and comfortable on their arms—and were more likely to pick it over the straight-handled Maxi Deluxe. The Maxi Deluxe Pro comes in five colors. It doesn’t have a folding option, and it weighs about a pound more than the regular Maxi Deluxe.
If you want a two-wheel, Razor-like scooter but need to spend less: You could consider the Jetson Jupiter, which offers a similar feel for about half the price. We liked the Jupiter’s light-up deck, stem, and wheels. At 4 inches, the wheels are slightly smaller than that of the Razor A3’s; the A3 also has slightly larger weight and height limits. The handlebars go up to 34 inches, which is slightly less than the A3’s 35.5 inches. But the Jetson Jupiter offered a smooth ride and easy maneuverability. Some online reviewers noted problems with the lights—when they went over bumps the batteries at the bottom of the scooter became disconnected—and issues with durability. The Jupiter scooter comes in eight colors and folds up for portability.
If you want a scooter for a younger child similar to the Micro Mini Deluxe but need to spend less: The LaScoota Go n’ Glow has many nice features for about half the price. It was quite similar in terms of its size and age range: The handlebars telescope to 34 inches, and the weight limit goes to 100 pounds, slightly less than the Micro Mini Deluxe. The LaScoota Go n’ Glow comes with light-up LED wheels and a seat that can be affixed to the scooter stem, which is nice when kids want to sit and be pulled around by a parent. However, the materials on the Go n’ Glow felt more plasticky to us, and some of the decals were already peeling after a few weeks of testing, which left us wondering if the scooter would deliver years of service like the Micro Mini Deluxe.
Like balance bikes, hiking baby carriers, and other outdoor sports equipment, used kids scooters can commonly be found for sale in online marketplaces, including Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local parent Facebook groups and Listservs. Our top-pick Micro and Razor scooters in this guide are particularly good options to buy used, as they generally have enough life in them to last through multiple kids.
It’s not uncommon to see used Micro scooters on sale online for less than half their retail price. The fact that you can easily buy replacement parts for all Micro scooters including the Maxi Deluxe and the Mini Deluxe makes buying used a particularly safe option. In many online groups it’s perfectly acceptable to ask for exactly what you’re looking for; another member may have a used Micro Mini Deluxe their kid has outgrown that they haven’t bothered to list for sale or to pass on yet. For more advice on buying used, see our piece on shopping secondhand for big-ticket gifts for kids.
We decided not to test the Micro Mini Original because it costs almost as much as the Deluxe version, our top pick for toddlers, but the nonadjustable handlebar makes it usable for a shorter period of time.
Smaller, 98 mm wheels and crappier bearings make the less expensive Razor A and Razor A2 scooters a rougher ride and harder to learn on than our picks, the Razor A3 or Micro Maxi Deluxe. Small wheels mean bumps in the sidewalk would send riders flying. The Razor A scooter also lacks a wheelie bar.
The Razor Jr. Lil’ Kick feels like a toy instead of a useful vehicle. Though the deck is nice and as wide as that of the Micro Mini Deluxe, the Jr. Lil’ Kick somehow felt less stable than the Micro scooters while also being slow and clunky. The scooter has three wheels but in a more traditional design, with one in the front and two in the back, and it’s the only scooter we tested that lacks an adjustable handlebar.
Bird’s Birdie scooter has many of the features of the Micro Maxi Deluxe, but the kickboard feels saggy, and the wheels are fatter and louder. Since it only has one wheel in the back instead of two, it is harder for heavier kids to brake.
The Den Haven scooter’s materials feel cheap, and it’s less steady and harder to turn than the Micro scooters (this scooter is also sold under the brand name OxGord). The wheels and deck make more noise than those on the Micro Maxi and Mini models, especially when rolling over pavement, and the wheels are also narrower, resulting in a bumpier ride. Reviewers on Amazon note that the scooter frequently broke, especially the rear fender brakes. “I bought this for my youngest son thinking I found a great buy, it cracked only after 2 weeks,” wrote a reviewer.
The Globber Primo has some attractive features, like an adjustable handlebar and a steering lock mechanism that makes the scooter travel straight. It seems to be aimed at a wide age group, but the handlebar height ranges only 5 inches, from 26 to 31 inches, compared with the Micro scooters’ 8- to 9-inch ranges, so its usability is much more limited.
We also considered the Radio Flyer My 1st Scooter, but online reviewers noted that the plastic wheels are best used indoors, the scooter is hard to steer and push, and the overall ride is slow.
The Jetson Gleam is another three-wheel scooter with light-up wheels and a large, sturdy deck aimed at beginners. We found the overall feel to be plasticky, and it was easy to scratch.
The Globber Ultimum and Globber Master are both well-built scooters that performed well in our tests. The company is creating more models to compete with Micro, and these are two of them. We appreciated that the Ultimum has a weight limit of 220 pounds—most adults could ride it—and the Master has a weight limit of 110 pounds. But at more than 10 pounds, the Ultimum is heavier than any of the Micro scooters, and our testers unanimously preferred the Micro scooters to the Globbers. The folding mechanism on the Globber scooters is stiffer than those on the Micros, and the prices are on par with Micro, which is a company that has proven itself to make quality scooters that last for the long term.
Scooter riders should always wear helmets. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Micro, and Razor recommend using knee and elbow pads as well. Pediatric physical therapist Lauren Drobnjak advises that scootering kids always wear good, sturdy shoes—not open-toe shoes—and to aim for a handlebar height that positions a child’s arms at about a 90-degree angle.
To maintain scooters in the best working order, use a damp cloth to wipe down surfaces. Avoid industrial cleaners or alcohol-based cleaners as they may weaken the materials. Clean debris like sticks and rocks from the scooter’s brake area. If gunk isn’t cleaned out, it can damage the wheel and cause the brake to become less effective. Micro also suggests checking bolts monthly, especially if you’re riding over rough terrain that could cause tight bolts to jiggle loose. Regularly applying lubricant to the bearings can help wheels glide more smoothly.
This guide was edited by Kalee Thompson.
Lauren Drobnjak, pediatric physical therapist, phone interview, August 1, 2018
Erin Bitar, global VP of marketing for Razor at the time of interview, email interview, July 30, 2018
Julie Hawksworth, US distributor for Micro, phone interview, June 25, 2018
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E Tricycle Wirecutter is the product recommendation service from The New York Times. Our journalists combine independent research with (occasionally) over-the-top testing so you can make quick and confident buying decisions. Whether it’s finding great products or discovering helpful advice, we’ll help you get it right (the first time).