Age range: 18 months - 4 years | Weight: Not stated | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: Airless What we love Weighing it at 2.95kg the AIRO combines a really lightweight bike frame with pneumatic tyres, which means that your Sprog should enjoy a much more comfortable ride than on a cheaper bike with solid tyres. It's been brilliant off-road in the woods and on pavement and he zooms around on it very happily. Another plus is that as the Strider doesn't have air tyres there is less maintenance and no risk of a puncture while out." - Louise

To help keep little ones safe, STACYC’s unique design allows parents to adjust the max speed settings on the bike to prevent kids from riding at unsafe speeds. As kids progress on the bike, parents can raise the max speed to one of three levels to keep the fun flowing. Every bike is also equipped with a hand brake that automatically cuts off the motor when engaged. Specialized bikes. Quite pricy but v light weight and good quality."(Recommended by Mumsnetter CaraDuneRedux) Our verdict To select the best balance bikes, we reviewed guidance from the AAP on how to choose the best helmet and bike sizes for kids, how to get children to wear a helmet, and overall bike safety. We also surveyed 875 parents to learn more about what brands their families love to buy and why. Moreover, we wanted to know their kids' favorite toys, how they play with them, and why they love them. Age range: 18 months (with an inside leg of 30.5cm) to five years (with an inside leg of 50.8cm) | Weight: 2.9kg | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: EVA polymer What we loveIf you're looking to invest in a bike you can sell on, the Islabikes Rothan is hard to beat. How we choose our recommendations Parent testers The Guardian balance bike also features Guardian’s proprietary SureStop braking system, which allows the rear and front rim brakes to be activated by pulling just one brake lever. During our tests, the Guardian provided plenty of top-notch stopping power to keep our little testers safe, but not significantly more than other high-end balance bikes with quality hand brakes. Kidvelo also make larger 14" and 18" wheel balance bikes which convert into pedal bikes, which are a great idea if your child is at that in-between stage and not quite ready for a full pedal bike yet. Available in a choice of six bright, funky colours, the Hornit AIRO looks great and thanks to the height-adjustable seat it’ll last your child for years. There’s even a lifetime warranty available for the bike so it’s a great choice for families who want to be able to pass it on from one child to the next. We asked real parents to put some of the UK's top balance bikes through their paces, letting their young children try out each model and taking detailed notes on a number of points:

I'm sure many of our readers would be surprised if an article about the best balance bikes didn't feature an Islabike. However, opinion is split on the Rothan.

They can be used from as young as 18 months and teach toddlers how to balance and move on a bike without the added complication of using the pedals. They’ll also build their confidence and learn bike control which will make the transition to a full pedal bike almost seamless when they’re older. What to consider when buying a balance bike Safety: Just like the importance of seat belts in a vehicle, a helmet is just as important when riding a bike. While wrist, elbow, and knee pads can save the skin from some serious “boo-boos,” a helmet decreases the risk of head injuries and deaths from bicycle and vehicle accidents. Helmets should cover the top of the forehead, sit parallel to the ground when the head is upright, and stay put if a child shakes their head or moves.

Built for the true off-road balance bike enthusiast, the Dirt Hero balance bike (by Kids Ride Shotgun) lives up to its name and offers an exceptional ride for toddlers and preschooler riding beyond the pavement. FEATURES: Lightweight, durable build, three different speed settings, quality mid-drive motor, removable battery, replacement parts widely availableRunride isn’t just pretty, though. It’s been developed specifically to meet the ergonomic needs of its young riders. Among other features, this sees the brake lever brought closer into the handlebar, making it easier for small hands to grasp. That said, there are balance bikes made for all sizes of toddlers, pre-schoolers, and grade schoolers, so it’s basically nevertoo late to start. Remember… a balance bike will almost always be a better option than a tricycle or training wheels. If your child is at an age when you would consider either of these options, consider a balance bike instead! Age range: Two to four years old (85 to 110cm tall with an inside leg of 40cm minimum) | Weight: 3.8kg | Wheel size: 12 inch | Tyres: Pneumatic What we love

Key specs – Wheel size: 12in; Suggested age: 1.5-5 years; Frame material: Steel; Tyre type: Foam; Weight: 2.9kg; Additional features: Handlebar pad 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. Highly recommend Frog bikes. Nice and light which is what they need. We’ve had quite a few now as the children have grown. My son had a fantastic lightweight plastic balance bike first of all but I can’t remember the brand. Then we discovered Frog bikes and have had those ever since." (Tried and tested by Mumsnet user Jerble) Our verdict 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.We had an Islabikes Rothan for our two, and the youngest had a Toddlebike to start with too. The balance bike made it easy to transition to a pedal bike, eldest three and a bit, youngest getting on for four." - Dominic Specialized say the Hotwalk is designed for "less crashes and more smiles" to help kids get on two wheels with confidence. The bike has a low standover and 12" wheels, so it's a great size for a 3 or 4 year old to get their bearings.