What is a balance bike?
A balance bike is a kids' bike without pedals, cranks or a chain. Instead of pedalling, children move along by pushing off the ground with their feet, gradually learning how to balance and steer at their own pace.
As their confidence grows, they begin to lift their feet and glide, which helps them develop the core skills needed for cycling. Because they focus on balance first, many children find it easier to transition straight to a pedal bike later on, often skipping stabilisers altogether.
What age is best for a balance bike?
Most children can start using a balance bike from around 18 months, depending on their height, confidence and coordination. They are typically suitable up to the age of three or four, though some children continue using them until five.
The key is ensuring the bike is the right size - your child should be able to sit with their feet flat on the ground. Starting early can help build confidence and familiarity with riding, but balance bikes can also be a great introduction for older toddlers who are just beginning their cycling journey.
Related: Trike vs balance bike: Which one is right for your toddler?
Are balance bikes worth it?
While some parents choose to start with a traditional bike and stabilisers, balance bikes are considered to be a more efficient and effective way to introduce young children to cyclin, according to research.
Because they can be used from around 18 months, balance bikes allow toddlers to focus on the fundamentals first - learning to balance, steer and control their speed without the added complexity of pedalling. This often helps children build confidence more quickly, as they can keep their feet on the ground whenever they need reassurance.
By mastering these core skills early on, many children find the transition to a pedal bike much smoother, often skipping stabilisers altogether. For many families, that makes balance bikes a worthwhile investment in both confidence and long-term cycling ability.
What to consider when buying a balance bike
Weight: Lightweight is key. Even a kilogram of difference between bikes could represent a significant proportion of your child’s body weight, which could make the bike difficult to ride and negatively impact their first impression of cycling.
You want to make sure your bike doesn’t weigh more than 30 percent of your child’s bodyweight so that they're not forced to work too hard or forced to become frustrated. 3kg tends to be a good marker for most toddlers.
Also bear in mind that you’ll probably have to lift your child’s bike in and out of the car boot or, at the very least, carry it should they get tired, so you’ll thank yourself later for going that little bit lighter.
Size: Cycling UK advises that your child should be able to sit comfortably on the balance bike, knees slightly bent and feet flat on the floor.
You’ll want to check the size of the tyres to ensure that the bike you’re getting your 18-month-old isn’t better suited to a four-year-old. Most start at 12 inches and stop at 16, although you can find bigger or smaller models if needed.
We’d always advise that you take a close-up look at the bike you’re interested in at a local bicycle shop or high street retailer, if only to check that it fits your child.
You may also want to go for a balance bike with decent adjustability so it can grow with your child, ideally spanning two to three years. Some bikes allow both the seat and the handlebars to be fitted to size so you’ll also want to check how easy it is to adjust them.
Wheels: There are two common types: EVA foam or pneumatic rubber tyres with an inner tube.
EVA polymer wheels are better suited to smaller riders who tend to stick to pavements and are less likely to need servicing, while pneumatic tyres are generally more comfortable and have better traction on bumpy ground.
Steering: You want to be sure that the handlebar is responsive and unlikely to need a great shove to get turning. To help with this, look for ball bearings in the hubs of the balance bike’s wheels.
Brake: A handbrake is an optional choice on a balance bike as a child will instinctively use their feet to stop, at least at first.
However, many balance bikes do offer rear brakes, which could be helpful as kids develop into speedy riders much later on. This could also go a long way to aiding their confidence and also protecting their shoes.
Quality of build: Make sure that the bike you end up with is sturdy and finished to a high standard. This could indicate how well it’s built, how durable it is and how much maintenance it needs.
The saddle should also, ideally, be in a ‘scoop’ shape to deal with the amount of weight targeted towards the centre of the saddle and to aid positioning.
Cost: Balance bikes start at around £20 and go into the hundreds which means that you'll find a fairly decent bike for most budgets.
Consider how often your child is likely to use it, how long you'd want it to last and if it could be resold later or passed down to a younger sibling.
Related: The best ride-on toys for young children
What’s the best balance bike to buy?
Choosing the best balance bike comes down to finding the right mix of quality, thoughtful design and value for money. After reviewing expert advice, parent feedback and hands-on testing, we’ve found that the Hornit Airo stands out as the best overall option for most families in 2026. Its 12-inch wheels - widely considered the ideal size for toddlers - offer a great balance between stability and control, helping young riders navigate small bumps while still feeling confident and in charge.
The Airo’s lightweight frame makes it easy for children to handle and for parents to carry when needed, while air-filled tyres provide a smoother ride than foam alternatives. Thoughtful details like contoured footrests support comfortable gliding, and the adjustable seat means it can grow with your child over time. Available in a range of bright colours and backed by a lifetime warranty, it’s a practical, durable choice that’s well suited to everyday family life and early cycling confidence.
About the author
Poppy O'Neill is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and a mother of two. She's been researching and reviewing baby and child products for 2 years, with a particular focus on baby essentials, toys and books for toddlers and outdoor play equipment. From potties to paddling pools and bunk beds to bedtime stories, she loves to deep-dive into research and find the best products out there.
Poppy is also an award-winning, best-selling children's and parenting author of books such as Don't Worry, Be Happy, The Extraordinary Book That Makes You Feel Happy and Mother Power. She specialises in children's mental health and her books are used by therapists, teachers and SENCOs across the UK. She won a The Week Junior Book Award in 2023, her books have been translated into several languages and she's been featured in The Guardian, The Sunday Times and The Sun.