Kid's Electric Scooter Buying Guide 2021
If you want to know more about kid’s electric scooters, then you’ve come to the right place. This is Pure Electric’s kid’s e-scooter buyer’s guide, which highlights the key features of e-scooters for children and things to look out for if you’re on the lookout for one.
Designed for children
Although it may seem obvious, but kid’s e-scooters are designed from the ground up specifically for children. This means that they have a number of features that make them suitable for youngsters and teenagers, and safe to ride.
While kids e-scooters are subject to the same laws as privately-owned adult models, these models are designed by manufacturers primarily for fun and enjoyment – more as toys and playthings – than tools to get from A to B.
There are three-wheeled or seated designs that provide greater stability, as well as multiple colourways and light-up versions for added personality and style.
How they work
Kid’s e-scooters work just like adult models: you push off and activate a throttle to engage the motor. This can take a bit of practice, but most kids catch on very quickly.
Usually, the throttle is located on the handlebars, but on some models (like the Bug Q5) the accelerator is positioned in the deck and must be stepped on to be activated.
Braking can come from a lever-operated system or via a step-on brake, and this is usually determined by how powerful they are. Less powerful kid’s e-scooters are safe with just a footbrake, while others benefit from having a mechanical lever to activate either a drum or electronic brake.
Smaller sizes
Kids e-scooters are effectively downsized versions of adult e-scooters, designed to be easy to ride, with smaller frame sizes a key giveaway in their appearance. This extends across the entire e-scooter, so you’re likely to find smaller motors, batteries, wheels, decks, handlebars and so on.
It’s definitely worth paying attention to how big your child is now, and if they’re growing fast! Any parent will know how much of a challenge it can be keeping up with how quickly they grow, but it might be a good idea to choose an e-scooter that they could grow into a little.
Manufacturers provide suggested age ranges, which we recommend should be followed.
Maximum loads
While some adult e-scooters can carry in excess of 100kg, there is no need for kid’s e-scooters to meet that kind of load bearing ability. Instead, the highest that you’re likely to see is around 50-60kg.
Just like the height of the youngster you’re buying for, also consider their weight and factor in some leeway for growth. Riding an e-scooter beyond its load limit can be dangerous (and slow them down), so just like adult e-scooters, we strongly recommend sticking to them.
Safe speeds & lower ranges
Kid’s e-scooters feature slower top speeds. For example, many adult e-scooters top out at 25km/h, but the Razor Power Core E100 – one of the more powerful models for youths – can hit a top speed of 16km/h in its most powerful mode, just like the Ninebot Zing e10.
At the same time, smaller batteries are fitted to kid’s e-scooters, so with shortened ranges (again, the Power Core E100 can go a claimed maximum of 16km when used on the most economical mode) they can’t go too far. However, you can still enjoy a good amount of time on one before it needs recharging, helping to keep them occupied!
Assembly & storage
Kid’s e-scooters are designed to be easy to assemble out of the box – in many cases, a simple unfold, fitting of some screws to fasten the stem, pumping up of any air-filled tyres to recommended pressures (and charging it up, of course) is all it takes to get going.
They also pack away easily too and thanks to their smaller size and ability to fold down, they don’t take up much space either. Kid’s e-scooters can fit easily in a porch, garage, car boot, away in the playroom or in the garden shed.
Price
Kid’s e-scooters are available for a wide range of prices, but the most popular models cost well under £200, including the Razor Power Core E90 and E100, which shows off the attention to detail that you’d expect from a fully-fledged adult model, starts from just £219 RRP.
For many people, this makes a kid’s e-scooter an ideal gift, and is markedly cheaper than, for example, the latest games consoles! Take a look at our full range of kid’s e-scooters.
Added accessories
Of course, we want youngsters to ride in safety, so we highly recommend also investing in a helmet and additional lights (which can also be used on their bike too!). Check out our selection of helmets including kid’s models now.