The 8 Best Kick Scooters

Teens and adults who want one scooter for short trips should start with the Razor A5 Lux. Its big urethane wheels roll over sidewalk seams that would jolt a child's model, and Razor builds the aluminum frame to carry an adult. One latch folds it for a bus or a closet, and a kickstand holds it up when parked. The folding latch is the usual gripe: it can be stiff at first or work loose and need tightening.

The Swiss company that started the folding aluminum scooter craze builds the Micro Classic for grown-up commuters. A tall handlebar lets an adult stand upright instead of hunching, and large urethane wheels keep the ride smooth on city pavement. It folds slim enough to tuck under a desk or a train seat. The deck is short, so riders with big feet have little room to shift, and it's pricey for a simple push scooter.

Tall riders and anyone whose route crosses rough pavement get the most from the Razor A6. Its extra-large wheels ride over cracks and pebbles with less shudder, and the handlebar rises high enough for a six-footer to stand straight. Doubled bearings in each wheel help it coast farther between kicks. The trade-off is bulk: it's heavier to haul up stairs, and the fold can be stiff enough that some riders struggle to collapse it.

For a teen or adult who wants to try scooting without spending much, the LaScoota Aqua covers the basics well. Big urethane wheels and a small front shock soak up bumpy sidewalks, and the seller rates it for adult riders. The handlebar adjusts from child to grown-up height, so a family can share one. The release button for the fold can be hard to press, and the brand lacks the long record of the older names.

A child can start on the Micro Sprite at about six and keep riding it into the teen years. Micro rates the frame for adult riders too, so a parent can borrow it for a quick errand. It's light enough for a young child to carry, and a kickstand keeps it upright in a hallway or on a bus. Its wheels are small, so rough pavement buzzes through the bar, and tall adults will find the handlebar too low.

Young kids learning to push and steer can start on the Razor A3, which Razor recommends from age five. Its wheels are a step up from the original Razor A's, which helps on rougher sidewalks, and a wheelie bar at the back invites small tricks. The aluminum frame folds flat for the car. It's built for children, not grown-ups, and the fold joint can develop a wobble that needs tightening after months of use.

Kids who have outgrown a toddler scooter but can't yet balance on two wheels fit the Micro Maxi. Two wheels up front and one behind keep it upright, and the rider steers by leaning, which builds the balance a two-wheeler needs later. Micro aims it at ages five to 12, and the bar raises as they grow. This version doesn't fold, so it rides home in the trunk whole, and it's pricey for a child's scooter.

A toddler's first ride is what the Micro Mini Deluxe is for, and Micro sizes it for ages two to five. The low deck lets a small child step on without help, and the bar adjusts as they grow. Turning works by tipping their weight rather than twisting the bar, which feels odd to some at first and then clicks. Most kids outgrow it by kindergarten, which makes it a costly few years of riding.