9 Best Kids Ride

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. Why Trust Us?

From simple to sophisticated, these four-wheeled freedom machines will give your kids a taste of the (not so) open road.

Everyone's excited about electric cars nowadays—but as far as the preteen set is concerned, the rest of us are late to the party. Battery-powered ride-on cars have been a hit with kids for a couple of decades now, and they’re only getting better with age. Whether it's a Barbie-branded Power Wheels ride-on for young children or an electric drift kart for the more daring set, it's safe to say that most children have at least a passing interest in steering a powered vehicle around the driveway—or the neighborhood.

If your kid is ready to take to the open road this spring, start shopping now for the ultimate ride-on machine. Here's what to look for in a kids’ electric car.

Speed and Age Limit : Just like kids, these ride-on electric cars come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. While it can be tempting to get something a child can "grow into," there are serious safety risks involved with putting your kid on something they can't easily control. It's best to follow the manufacturer recommendations for age and weight. It's also better to get a car that is too slow, which will only lead to some mild frustration, rather than one that is too fast. The slowest electric car on our list doesn't exceed 1 mph; the fastest tops out at 9 mph. Some cars offer multiple speeds, such as those with parental controls or that offer a reverse function.

Types of Ride-On Electric Cars: Kids’ ride-ons come in four flavors. "Side-by-side" cars, or SxS, have two seats in parallel. "ATV" (also called "four-trak") ride-ons have the rider straddling a center seating position with a foot on either side of the body. "UTV" are single-seat, upright-seating variants of side-by-sides. Motorcycles are what you’d expect, but most toddler-oriented "motorcycles" have two permanently affixed balance wheels to keep the machine upright.

Batteries and Power: The majority of these vehicles are powered by rechargeable six- or 12-volt batteries that require some skill and tools to replace if they fail. The length of time they will run on a single charge varies widely, and over time all of them will lose some power. While the traditional Power Wheels and similar ride-on toys use an automotive-style lead-acid or AGM battery similar to what you’d find under the hood of a standard car, some newer designs use advanced lithium-ion batteries that are smaller, lighter, and more powerful, but require more effort to replace. If you’re looking to get only a year or two of use out of your new toy, however, you probably won't have to think too much about this.

Extra Features to Look For: Some of these ride-ons offer parental control of speed. A few offer a full-fledged remote control feature, using a video-game-style remote. Is this really necessary for low-speed electric cars? It depends on your child's needs—and, more forthrightly, your needs. As with the adult-sized cars they emulate, today's ride-ons are increasingly likely to have modern features like Bluetooth, USB, or AUX ports to play music. Others have flashing lights, working doors, seatbelts, or horns. Want something more unusual? One of the vehicles in our test has a removable Frisbee; another has twin water cannons.

We looked for simple, fun machines from established manufacturers with a track record of safety and low recall counts. Ride-on cars come in a wide variety of features, price, and speed, so we've included both high-value and high-feature examples. In a few cases, we selected a product from a new manufacturer based on consumer experiences and published reviews. When in doubt, we gave the nod to the vehicle that just looked more fun than its competition; isn't that what toys are all about?

Power Wheels all but invented this kind of toy, and the company continues to define the segment. The BBQ Jeep provides what parents have come to expect from a traditional side-by-side seating electric car and adds a few unique features.

A Jeep-branded Frisbee mounts on the hood; remove it on a whim for a quick game. Out back there's a play barbecue set complete with pretend food for the big game. Aimed at younger children, this is a low-speed choice that will liven up the dullest afternoon.

Interested in a less outdoorsy-looking option? Power Wheels offers the same capabilities for a few dollars more in the Disney Princess Jeep Wrangler, or the Disney Frozen Jeep Wrangler, which does not claim any additional ability to handle wintry cul-de-sacs.

Truck-crazy parents know that GMC's Sierra Denali HD is designed to win the tow-rig bragging battle, and this miniature version seems poised to do the same in driveways across the country.

Like the full-sized, three-ton vehicle it resembles, this truck is fully loaded with features: a horn, the ability to play MP3 tracks via a USB slot, external lights, and a two-speed gearbox. Unlike the real thing, this Denali lets parents control it via a remote app. It even has seatbelts!

This SUV-style ride-on car is officially licensed by Land Rover and is essentially the miniature version of the Land Rover Discovery.

Since it comes equipped with AUX input for tunes, working LED headlights, a horn and start-up music, it's very comparable to the real deal and will provide your kid with a more official riding experience.

The two-wheel suspension and treaded tires allow for a smooth ride and can handle a little bit of rough terrain. Your child can drive manually, or you can guide them with the 2.4GHz remote control when needed.

This Wiggle Car runs with a lot less effort compared to other electric cars. Just turn on, press the foot pedal, and go. It will automatically slow down into manual mode when the pedal is released, so if your child is younger and still learning they won't have to fuss with brake pedals or handles. If it runs out of battery, it becomes a manual swing car, so you can still get uses out of it before the next charge.

The PU wheels allow for better shock absorption for a smoother ride, too. It has a weight limit of 150 pounds, so the car can grow with your kid.

Tesla's groundbreaking "Cybertruck" won't be available for years—unless you’re a 3-year-old, in which case you can drive one now.

Like the real thing, this has futuristic features, including a remote control so parents can drive the vehicle themselves while their children ride. Available in five color schemes, including a police-livery variant, the MX Truck has two motors (like the better Teslas!) and can play music via your Bluetooth-paired device.

John Deere's Gator is a common sight everywhere from hobby farms to major agriculture—and now it can be part of your child's life, as well. This ride-on Gator bears an uncanny resemblance to the original, right down to the classic green-and-yellow color scheme and long-travel suspension.

It also features something you can't get on the full-sized Deere at any price: twin water bazookas! Does that make it a "technical," like the trucks seen in the Middle East? Hard to say—but with the MP3 input jack, you can play "Ride of the Valkryies" as often as you like.

A six-volt battery and an exceptionally low overall weight of 38 pounds means this is well-suited for younger children.

The Broage Bumper Car is a very different kind of ride-on car; it's designed to be bumped into other Broages. To keep things safe, this is a very slow vehicle that is ringed by a rubber impact structure.

It should be reasonably safe to use indoors and would be a good choice for children who are tentative about a traditional ride-on. A parental remote keeps everything in check, and a safety belt keeps would-be bumper-car battlers from falling out.

Parents may feel a wave of nostalgia looking at the Razor Dune Buggy; it's similar to the lawnmower-engine-powered specials that were common in California and elsewhere 50 years ago.

This one's electric, and capable of 9 mph on light off-road trails. The padded bucket seat has a safety belt. There's also a rear disc brake, a rare feature on a kid's electric car and one that can also be used for slides and spins. A thumb trigger controls the variable speed. While this Razor won't conquer actual dunes, it should scoot over the occasional lawn with ease.

Kid Trax offers several low-speed, low-seat-height ride-ons for toddlers. We’re partial to the "Fix and Ride," a hot-rod-looking contraption with removable "engine parts." But there's also a "Dinosaur Quad" with a straddle-ride form factor, and two "motorcycles" with permanent balancing wheels.

A simple push button brings your toddler up to speed, which in this case is a low speed. These should be compatible with indoor use in most environments, but they obviously won't be capable of climbing major hills outdoors.

Amber is the Digital Content Producer for Popular Mechanics, Runner's World and Bicycling, where she covers a range of tasks for the commerce team. She also writes fashion and beauty content for Best Products. Her work has been featured across all of the Enthusiast Group sites. In her free time you can likely find her watching horror movies, reading a good thriller book, or listening to a comedy podcast.

Can Tesla Make Motors Without Rare Earth Metals?

Fueling Up With Cheap E15 Gas? Read This First

Tesla EVs Getting Written Off, Too Pricey to Fix

Tesla: Self-Driving Software May Cause Crash

7 Handy Electric Vehicle Accessories for 2023

Will Tesla's Sweeping Price Cuts Increase Sales?

Why EVs Experience Reliability ‘Growing Pains’

The Best EVs of 2023

YouTuber Wrecks New GMC Hummer EV After Nine Miles

BMW's $1.7 Billion Bid to Become an EV Powerhouse

The Best Electric Vehicles of 2023

VW Reveals Charging Hub That Reuses EV Batteries