smarTrike Xtend 3 Stage Scooter review

Overall rating: 4.5/5

Price on writing: £130 | Buy now from Amazon

What we like

• Grows with your child

• Extra-large light-up wheels

• Folds for easy transport and storage

• Very easy to assemble

What we don’t like

• Expensive

• Heavier to carry than other scooters

Key specs

Price on writing: £130 | Age range: 3-12 years | Max weight: Doesn't state | Scooter weight: 3.5kg

What Mumsnet users say

“Ours had/ have the smart trike scooters when they were smaller [...] they had a lot of use.” Brand recommended by Mumsnetter NerrSnerr

Our verdict

If you are looking for a scooter to see your little one through their childhood, rather than forking out for a new model every couple of years, then the SmarTrike Xtend 3 Stage Scooter is a great option.

Available in pink, blue and orange, this nifty number has a 3-stage extendable footboard, and an adjustable T-bar, so your child can enjoy their scooter from the age of three right up until they turn 12. It's made of pretty tough stuff, not least the extra-large light-up LED wheels, which tackle tricky terrain with ease. The SmarTrike Xtend also folds for easy transport, but on the downside, it is noticeably heavier than other scooters I have tested.

If you baulk at the £130 price tag, it is worth remembering that you are investing in a set of wheels that, all being well, should give your child a decade of happy scootering, and still be in good enough shape to pass down to siblings. My kids loved it, with my five-year-old confidently declaring it was the best scooter she had ever tested. And who am I to argue?

Read next: smarTrike Xtend Ride-On review: a money-saving set of wheels to see them the through childhood

What’s the smarTrike Xtend Scooter like to assemble?

The smarTrike Xtend Scooter is essentially a three-piece jigsaw - the extendable footboard comes in two pieces that click together before the enclosed Allen keys are used to tighten the screws. The handlebar is slotted into place and secured with screws. The whole process took just a few minutes. Pressing a couple of buttons adjusted the handlebars and footboard to the appropriate height and length and the kids were ready to scoot.

Read next: The Mumsnet guide to scooter safety

What’s the smarTrike Xtend Scooter like to look at?

The smarTrike Xtend Scooter comes in three different colour combinations - blue and black, pink and black, and orange and black. It has three wheels, including two extra-large 142mm light-up LED wheels on the front, which younger children are sure to love. A chunky, foot-operated brake sits on top of the back wheel.

Read next: Best trampolines for kids 2024: tried and tested by parents 

What’s the smarTrike Xtend Scooter like in day-to-day use?

Before setting off, it’s important to make sure the footboard is on the correct setting. It can be adjusted to three different lengths for children aged 3-5 years, 5-9 years and 9-12 years. Both my five and six-year-old found the middle setting just right. My youngest struggled with the 3-5 years setting as she found it hard to operate the brake. So this is something to bear in mind before whizzing out to the shops or on the school run. My eldest felt the scooter would benefit from a bigger footbrake, but her younger sister didn’t seem to have an issue with it.

The scooter picks up speed quickly and kids can travel along at a fairly rapid pace. Both kids found it easy to control and easy to steer.

Inevitably, my kids’ legs got tired after getting to the furthest point from the house. Luckily the Xtend Scooter folds down easily at the touch of the button. There was no stiffness and my six-year-old could do it without any problems.

The Xtend Scooter is heavier than the scooters we have tested previously, including the Maxi Micro Foldable (2.5kg) and the Globber Primo (3kg), and this became pretty apparent on the walk back. This is definitely something to bear in mind before purchasing.

Read next: Best balance bikes: teach your preschooler to ride with confidence

Is the smarTrike Xtend Scooter easy to clean?

The smarTrike Xtend Scooter is easy to clean, and any mud or dirt can be easily wiped away with a cloth. The dark colours mean that dirt does not show up easily, which will be a relief to all parents of mini muck-magnets.

Read next: Best kids’ bikes for 2024: top picks for children of every age

Is the smarTrike Xtend Scooter good value for money?

At the time of writing (April 18th, 2024), the smarTrike Xtend Scooter retails at £129.99 - the equivalent of £14.44 for every year of use between the ages of three to 12. When presented with those figures, it is hard to argue that the smarTrike Xtend does not offer good value for money. The scooter is robust and built to last, so it can be passed down to younger siblings, meaning you will get even more bang for your buck, as they say.

Overall, this is a quality scooter that is guaranteed to keep the kids happy - not to mention your bank balance in the long run.

Looking for some first wheels for a toddler or preschooler? Check out our guide to the best trikes and best ride-on toys, as recommended by Mumsnet parents.

How we tested

Laura Cooke is a Content Editor at Mumsnet and lives in Sussex with her two children, aged five and six. Her children took the scooter out to the seafront, to the shops and around the local neighbourhood. The smarTrike Xtend Scooter was scored on how easy it was to assemble, keep clean, transport, store and use.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.