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Choosing the best kids' bike for your child is just as serious a business as picking out the best road bike for yourself, if not more so. If it's your child's first bike, you want to ensure that their initial cycling experience is a joyful introduction to life on two wheels.
For your child to be comfortable and in total control when cycling it's vital to get the best kids' bike for them, which ultimately means one that fits them. With the cost of bikes and the speed at which children grow, there's a huge temptation for any parent to buy a kids' bike that their child will 'grow into'. But this will backfire and will have your child in tears of frustration as they attempt the impossible task of trying to ride a bike that's far too big and heavy for them.
It's worth noting that many kids' bikes will be branded as off-road or mountain bikes until the wheels start getting to around 650b (more on wheel sizes below). Even if you are the most hardened of road riders, or have never dabbled in the mud yourself, don't let a label put you off! Realistically these are more akin to hybrids, and will provide a child with the ability to experience all kinds of riding. The important thing at this age is to regularly get kids out on two wheels for lots of exploring and adventuring by bike.
You may also want to transport your kids' bikes somewhere quieter to ride, in which case you might need a bike rack for your car to help get their bike and yours to where you want to go.
As availability is quite territory dependent, we've split this guide into USA specific models first and then UK and then by age range for each. Also check out our Buyer's Guide to children's bikes at the bottom of the page for more advice.
Best kids' bikes USA
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USA: Best kids' bikes – balance bikes
Kids can take to balance bikes almost before they can walk and they're a great way to learn to ride a bike. They're a good option to teach older children to ride too. Here are our top three picks in the US, but for more options and advice check out our separate guide the the best balance bikes.
The Rocker platform allows them to ride on the spot indoors
Maybe your child isn't quite ready to hit the sidewalk just yet. In that case, you can still help them feel like a big kid and start them on the right track with this setup.
Strider offers its Sport model in a "Baby Bundle" with a rocker that lets them get a feel for riding from the comfort of their nursery. The ABS plastic rocker holds the bike firmly in place and is easy to remove when they're ready to start striding.
The Trail gives the aspiring Cannondale rider a first experience of the Lefty fork
Cannondale's Trail lets kids keep up with their parents with a lightweight frame and single-sided fork that mimics Cannondale's own Lefty suspension forks. The ultra-short seat tube lets riders lower (and possibly cut down) the seat post to suit very young (and very small) riders.
Cannondale sells models with or without a rear brake and there are also Trail bikes with pedals if they've already got to that stage. The 1.75" tires make for a smooth ride wherever they want to go, off road or on.
Wide tires make for a smooth ride with the Hornit Airo
At 2.95kg, our tester found this bike easy to get to grips with, and their guardian was impressed with the light steering, as well as the saddle and thick tires which made for a comfortable early ride experience. Our tester wanted to ride it straight away, so it won that early battle - and being easy to get on with, it quickly became a cherished you.
The Airo was easy to assemble, though adjustments do need an Allen key, and we did find that the paint scratched quite easily. Otherwise, it was perfect.
Read our review of the Hornit Airo balance bike here
USA: Best kids' bikes – ages three to six
In this age category, bikes will have pedals and a chain to drive the wheels. Gears aren't really needed at this age, as they will add weight and unnecessary complication to the bike.
At this age it's all about learning the basic skills of pedalling and controlled braking, without the added mental challenge of changing gear.
Tyres will often be multi-use and wheel sizes usually measure between 14 to 16 inch, but very occasionally 12 inch.
A good option for kids just progressing from a balance bike, the Cannondale Trail is also available in 16 inch wheel size for slightly older kids. It comes with proportionately sized components so that it's easier to get to learn on, while the stabiliser wheels will suit kids who haven't learned on a balance bike before graduating to pedals.
There's a rear coaster brake so they don't need to learn brake use at the same time and a chain guard to keep clothing safer. Although there are plenty of alloy components, the frame and fork are steel - robust but quite heavy.
The Woom 3 provides simplicity and reliability for youngsters just getting going on a pedal bike.
Wide tires make for a comfortable ride and versatility across terrains, and the fully enclosed chain helps keep clothes and fingers out of the gears. It's adjustable and simple to maintain - and is one of the lighter 16 inch options.
The Riprock Coaster comes with wide 2.3" tyres, so there's plenty of grip if they want to head off into the dirt. As its name suggests, there's a coaster rear brake for stopping power. The bike is made of Specialized's A1 premium aluminium and comes with training wheels to help them if they need a bit more time to learn their balance.
It's another bike with plenty of size options - there's a 20 inch wheel version between this and the 24 inch bike.
USA: Best kids' bikes – ages seven to eleven
Of course, children will grow a lot in this age bracket - and wheel sizes usually start at 20 inches and go up to 27.5 inches - which is the start of an adult bike wheel (commonly referred to as 650b).
Most brands will estimate the wheel and frame size ideal for each age. But clearly children grow at different rates, so check the size guide and ideally organise a test ride so you can be sure the bike fits and is actually the best kids' bike for the rider.
At this age, children have usually started to develop the ability to master more than pedalling and braking, along with the urge to want to explore the world a little more and ability to ride further; it's often the size at which gears will be added.
At the younger / smaller wheel size range of this category it's still worth limiting the amount of multitasking to just including rear gears. These will be more than enough to help negotiate any obstacles and gentle terrain changes.
As the age bracket goes up and wheel sizes increase, additional gears can be added in the form of two chainrings at the front, so they need right and left hand gear shift levers.
At the 24" wheel size, bikes start to resemble adult size, so it's not uncommon to see the introduction of disc brakes and front suspension, although it's worth having a more detailed read of our views on these additions lower down this page before investing in an all-singing all-dancing bike.
The 24" wheels of the Aluminium frameset is a great stepping stone between kids and adult bikes. The lower gearing of 30T chainset and a 11-28 7-speed cassette will is a good introduction to gears to get up the hills without the over complication of a double chain ring.
It's a bit of a pick'n'mix of branded parts, with both Promax and Shimano making an appearance, but you know that with a highly regarded brand such as Cannondale it will be a great bike for any mini shreader.
Like most bikes in the bigger sizes, colours do become limited, and this time it's just to the one - what Cannondale call Acid Red.
If they're more interested in pushing their limits off road than riding around on tarmac, the Specialized Riprock 24 has plenty to offer. That includes big, grippy 24x2.35" Specialized Ground Control Sport tyres and hydraulic disc brakes with 160mm rotors.
There's loads of gear range from the 9-speed 11-42 tooth cassette for both steep unhills and fast descents. The fork is a rigid alloy number which should be fine for an eight year old, as they're still a bit too light for a suspension fork to operate effectively.
The Diamondback Division comes with mechanical disc brakes for more consistent, stronger stopping power than the more normal V-brakes and less maintenance.
It rolls on 24" wheels with a 7-speed drivetrain, but the tyres are that bit wider to handle tougher off-road terrain.
Best kids' bikes UK
UK: Best kids' bikes – balance bikes
Wide tires make for a smooth ride with the Hornit Airo
At 2.95kg, our tester found this bike easy to get to grips with, and their guardian was impressed with the light steering, as well as the saddle and thick tires which made for a comfortable early ride experience. Our tester wanted to ride it straight away, so it won that early battle - and being easy to get on with, it quickly became a cherished you.
The Airo was easy to assemble, though adjustments do need an Allen key, and we did find that the paint scratched quite easily. Otherwise, it was perfect.
Read our review of the Hornit Airo balance bike here
There are three sizes of the Tadpole to suit kids from one to four
Available in a range of colors, Union Jack and the USA stars and stripes paint jobs, the Frog Bikes Tadpole also comes in three sizes. We found the 24cm Tadpole Mini ideal for our kids aged one to three, while the 32cm Tadpole suits riders from two to three and the 38cm Tadpole Blue for those three to four.
Of course, suitability will vary, but size guides are provided. The bikes weigh from 3.46kg to 4.18kg, which we found made it easy to carry and for our little ones to ride. There's an easy-grip Tektro rear brake with an adjustable lever, and we found the quick release seat-post adjustment easy to use.
Read our review of the Frog Tadpole Plus balance bike here
Vitus's direct sales model gives you excellent value
Known for its value for money, the Wiggle house brand Vitus now reaches to the youngest bike riders in the household. Made from cast magnesium, the frameset incorporates an integrated footrest for when the balance glide is cracked by the rider, as well as a useful handle for the adult.
The Smoothy comes in six colors, rolls on 12-inch wheels and a claimed weight of just 7lbs, adjustable height handlebars and saddle make this a really great option.
UK: Best kids' bikes: Ages three to six
Another perfect kids' bike for the grand tour wannabes. Designed for riders around three to five-year-olds, the Vitus 16 Kids Bike is actually the second smallest of the range, which starts at 14", going all the way up to a 26" wheel size bike, with rear gears getting added at around the 20" wheel stage.
The aluminium bike comes with short reach Tektro brakes and All-Purpose Vee Speedster tyres, which Vitus say are equally happy on hard pavement or off-road trails.
A great progression from either a balance bike for a taller little one, or a size up grade from a 14" wheel starter bike, without the overly complicating things and with three class colourways to choose from, there should be an option for every rider.