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Does your child have a need for speed? Do they watch race cars zoom by longingly? Do they ask if they can drive your car? If so, their next big gift should be the very best go kart for kids!
At a Glance: The Best Go Kart for Kids to Buy
We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product.
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Best for 3 Year Old
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Best for 3 Year Old
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Best for 5 Year Old
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Best for 5 Year Old
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Best for 6 Year Old
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Best for 6 Year Old
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Best for 8 Year Old
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Best for 8 Year Old
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Best for Teenagers
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Best for Teenagers
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View on Amazon → |
What is the best go kart for kids? “The best” depends on your kid! What works for one speedy racer may not work for another.
Thus, we’ve come up with a list of our top picks of pedal go karts, electric go karts, and gas-powered go karts to help you find the one that will be “the best” in your household!
We have also included a practical buying guide that can help narrow your search and gain the necessary information to make an informed purchase.
You will be sure to find the best go kart for kids who want to race around with friends, siblings, and sometimes even parents.
This article is for those kids who want to feel the wind whipping through their hair, as they round the bend and whoosh down that final stretch, crossing over the finish line by a nose! On your marks, get set, GO!
Best Pedal Go Kart: Our Top Picks
Pedal go karts are a fun and speedy way for kids to get some extra activity and exercise.
These pedal karts work almost like a bicycle, as the wheels move in accordance with the rider’s pedaling.
Pedal go karts are great for kids ages 3-8, as they are safe and controlled by the child.
These go karts also allow the child to drive backwards by pedaling in reverse, which is always a hit with kids! Pedal karts are a great way to teach valuable coordination and driving skills, as kids learn the basics of a moving “vehicle.”
Berg Toys Junior Buddy
This Berg Toys Junior Buddy is the best pedal go kart for kids ages 3-8. They can use it for years to come, since it offers three seat settings for different heights.
It also has incredible durability to stand the test of time (kid-tested proof).
Its frame is made from powder coated tubular steel, which makes it strong and durable but still lightweight.
The entire product only weighs about 40 pounds, and it was made to be stored on its back so it won’t take up a lot of room in the garage!
It has a BFR hub: brake, forward, and reverse. The pedals follow the direction your child wants to ride, so they can speed up, coast, brake, go in reverse, turn, and more.
The pneumatic tires create a controlled ride with great traction on all sorts of terrains, making pedaling even easier for kids.
Parents love that it can go fast, but not too fast. Kids are never out of control on their Berg Toys Junior Buddy pedal go kart.
Plus, it has easy assembly and comes with all of the necessary tools. A parents’ dream just as much as a kids’!
Razor FlashRider 360
The name of the Razor FlashRider 360 says it all: this pedal go kart is speedy and slick with bright red or blue colors and inclined rear caster wheels.
This kids’ go kart turns and drifts (with a cool light up Spark Bar feature).
This means that they can spin and turn quickly by pulling on the side bar! Kids love to spin and spin and spin with these back wheels, and the high-impact front wheel is flat-free, guaranteed not to lose its glide as your child spins in place!
The handle bars spin in tandem with a double crown fork design, which makes it comfortable for kids to move and groove on this awesome pedal go kart.
The Razor FlashRider 360 is a unique and cool choice for a child who loves go karts, but prefers the agility of the ride as opposed to the speed.
Hauck Lightning – Pedal Go Kart
Slick, sleek, and stylish, this red and black Hauck Lightning – Pedal Go Kart is made for a speedy race.
The pedals move as quick as your child’s feet can fly, and the wheels are made of real rubber to get that real tire-on-ground racing effect.
And these 12” rims are pretty neat too. This kart has a 3-point steering system for quick maneuvering around those tough bends of the neighborhood.
Don’t worry, there is a ball style brake for safety, and the adjustable bucket seat works as an outer barrier to hold kids inside.
Best for kids age 3-7, and its speed makes it better for outdoor driving as opposed to inside. This Hauck Lightning – Pedal Go Kart is the best pedal go kart for the kid looking to be the hot shot of the kids’ racing world!
Best Electric Go Kart: Our Top Picks
Made for older children than the pedal toys, electric go karts are the next rung up on the racing go kart ladder.
Electric go karts are powered with a battery and motor, and they can go to speeds 8-12mph and have an average battery life of 35-40 minutes.
Our three best electric go karts for kids are all from the same brand, Razor. Razor is an American culture icon, starting with the traditional Razor scooter and now working their way up to bigger and “badder” toys for kids.
They have a serious focus on high-quality materials, innovative technology, and great products for the best riding experience.
After a lot of research on quality and reviews, Razor kept popping up time and time again for best electric go karts for kids. As Razor says, these products “embody the spirit of freedom and fun.”
Razor Dune Buggy
This Razor Dune Buggy is compact but powerful. With a 350-watt electric motor, it can reach speeds of up to 10mph!
It has a durable steel frame and 8-inch pneumatic tires for great aerodynamics and a clean ride.
This is one of the best electric go karts because it is comfortable, easy to use, and super duper speedy!
It can work on almost all terrains, holding out at roughly the same high speeds no matter the ground!
There’s no major assembly, so kids can hop on and race away in no time!
The bucket seat with footrest allows your child to settle in and enjoy the ride. The Razor Dune Buggy is best for kids ages 8 and up, with a max weight of 120 pounds. For a full Razor Dune Buggy review, click here.
Razor Force Drifter Kart
As the name suggests, this electric go kart is made for the cool and fiery drifter and speed racer.
The Razor Force Drifter Kart has super-slick rear wheels and a race-tuned chassis, made specifically for drifting and pulling around those tight turns.
It has a chain-driven electric powered motor that can go up to 12 mph! It can run for 40 continuous minutes before the two 12V batteries need another charge.
It has a hand-operated rear brake so your kids always have control over their racing.
It also has a thumb trigger acceleration, helping them to learn motor skills and control. Your kids are sure to have the speediest and best electric go kart on the street with this fast and furious Razor Force Drifter Kart.
Razor Ground Force Electric Go Kart
This Razor Ground Force Electric Go Kart is a favorite among kids because it runs—and looks—like lightening. With a sleek, silver steel frame and small aluminum wheels (with 4 1/2 inch tires), this kart has a futuristic look.
This electric go kart for kids is almost a time travel machine, reaching speeds up to 12 mph on a quiet, variable-speed chain-driven motor.
Kids love the flag in the back with the fiery lightning decals—parents love it so they can always see where their child is in the neighborhood race!
Ages 8 and up, it supports up to 140 pounds and can run for approximately 45 minutes of drive time per charge.
The Razor Ground Force Electric Go Kart is truly a strong and powerful force, ready to take your kids to new speeds and dimensions.
Gas Powered Go Karts: Our Top Picks
Gas powered go karts do not use a rechargeable battery as electric ones do, but they instead use, as the name suggests, gas.
They have an engine and transmission, as well as a “range” that explains how far the kart can get on a single tank of gas.
We prefer automatic transmission and clutch, because you want to have the kart running as smoothly as possible without any room for kid-booboos.
In our list, we are focusing on a smaller engine, ranging from 49 to 79.5 cc. This engine is best for kid-speeds, which are fast but also safe.
The average speed of gas powered go karts for kids is 18-23mph, however they can get up into the high 20s or even low 30s ranges!
This is safe for kids, with the proper helmet, gear, and safe practices, which will be discussed further in the buyers’ guide below. Some of the vehicles look more like a go-kart, some others look more like dune buggiess (we have a dedicated post on kids’ dune buggies right here – just a tip.)
MotoTec MT-GK-10 Black SandMan Go Kart
This MotoTec Black SandMan Go Kart is one of the fastest, coolest, and toughest gas powered go karts for kids on the market! Depending on weight, it can reach speeds up to 30mph and go for 20 miles per tank!
It has an automatic clutch with chain drive and a finger throttle, so speed is always right at the fingertips!
It has a 49cc 2-stroke engine that is EPA approved, so it is made especially for those high speeds and this vehicle size.
The max weight is approximately 170, and this tends to be for older kids who can handle themselves at such high speeds.
But parents, don’t fret, it slows down around curves and the large 8” traction tires enable stability and durability.
Plus, there’s a seatbelt and a safety flag. Kids absolutely love the style of the MotoTec MT-GK-10 because it looks like a grown-up go kart—and that’s because grown ups love it too!
TAO Taotao EK80 Electric Go Kart
With an incredibly unique design, the TAO Taotao EK80 Electric Go Kart will make your kids stand out from their racing buddies with style and speed.
It has an automatic transmission, hydraulic brakes, and an engine displacement that all function together to create a versatile ride.
With a durable tube steel frame, it’s light enough to cut through the air, but strong enough to protect the cargo inside.
It has an engine displacement of 79.55 cc and a rated power of 2.5 hp, so it reaches speeds of about 18mph.
It’s about 28 inches from the seat to the pedals, so it is better for taller kids to operate—but even younger, taller ones can too!
The TAO Taotao EK80 Electric Go Kart is a safe and fun ride for kids of all ages, where they’ll blend right into the background as they zoom on by you!
Coleman Powersports 196cc/6.5HP
This Coleman Powersports 196cc/6.5HP has a black frame with fiery decals that will make your kids feel like they are on a real-life racetrack!
It has a heavy-duty overhead valve engine, which makes it great for quick acceleration! It also has super grip tires and a padded steering wheel for a cushiony journey.
This gas go kart for kids also has a protective roll bar and formed bucket seat with seat belt, so you’ll never have to worry about your child flying out at speeds of up to 15mph!
It has an engine displacement of 79.5cc, rated power of 2.5 hp, and an automatic transmission with pull starter.
This Coleman Powersports 196cc/6.5HP is perfect for 7-11 year olds who are ready to take their racing to a hardcore level!
The Ultimate Go Kart Buyers’ Guide
There are three main types of go karts for kids: pedal go karts, electric go karts, and gas powered go karts. Each of these has their own features and necessities, so it is important to first determine which type is right for your child. Pedal go karts tend to be for younger children, while electric and gas powered go carts tend towards an older, more controlled crowd of kids. However, some products can swing back and forth in either direction, so it is important to look at various factors and questions when making your decision:
Pedal Go Karts for Kids
- What is the recommended age to use the product?
- What is the maximum (and minimum) weight it can carry?
- Will it drive backwards if pedaled in reverse?
- Will the pedals move when coasting down a hill, potentially hurting the child?
- Is the seat and steering wheel adjustable?
- What is the distance from the seat to the pedals?
- Will the child be able to ride the kart as they grow over the next few years?
- What are the tire types? (We tend to recommend pneumatic tires.)
- What does the assembly look like?
Electric Go Karts for Kids
- What is the recommended age group for the product? Weight maximum?
- What is the motor power?
- What is the top speed? Are there different levels of speed?
- Does it go in reverse?
- How is acceleration controlled? (We tend to prefer a thumb trigger for simple and controlled acceleration.)
- Is it made for drifting? (Not all kids want drifting, but some absolutely request it!)
- On what surfaces can the tires ride? Does it have all-terrain traction?
- What is the battery’s capacity to hold a charge? How long does it take for the battery to recharge?
- Is it made of a steel frame to ensure stability?
- Does it have a safe and comfortable bucket seat?
- Is there a seatbelt included?
- Does it have a safety flag?
- Does the look match your child’s personality?
Gas-Powered Go Karts
- What is the recommended age of the product?
- What is the maximum speed?
- Is this speed safe for your age child?
- What is the range? How much usage can you get out of a tank?
- What is the engine ranking?
- Is it an automatic transition?
- How do you turn it on? Is it a pull start?
- What is the wheel type and size?
- Can it be ridden off-road and on-road?
- Is there a bucket seat with a secure belt included?
- Are there any cushioning or protections on the frame?
- Does it have any decals? Does it have a safety flag?
Overall Buying Guide for the Best Go Karts for Kids
Of course, you also want to consider the financial implications of each model. The best pedal go karts can be a lifelong memory, but kids tend to grow out of them quickly. Kids often want to move on to bigger and faster karts as they get older. Electric go karts use battery power, but they can be a bit pricier and are not easily fixed if broken. Gas powered go karts for kids are fun and super speedy, but you should take into account the cost of refilling the tank with gas.
It is important to always think of your child’s toy needs, location, and safety:
- Where do they usually like to play? Indoors or outdoors? If outdoors, what does the terrain look like?
- Are they looking for speed or spins?
- How fast do they want to go? How fast do you want them to go?
- Do they like a sleek design or a lot of cool decals?
- How long do they play at one time? (How long must a battery hold out, ideally?)
- Are they a manual driver or do they prefer the automatic life? (Most kids prefer automatic transmission etc.)
- How old are they? You’ll notice that’s where we always start. You should always take your child’s age, weight, and height into account when narrowing down your search options.
And of course, the more safety features on our kids’ go karts, the better. This includes seatbelts, safety flags, cushioned bars and steering wheels, steel frame for stability, rounded bucket seats, and automatic braking systems.
Kids’ Go Karts Reviews – The Bottom Line
Although there are three types of go karts for kids, they all have one common denominator: they are fun, exciting, and a blast for the whole family! There’s nothing better than hitting the streets, the driveway, or the yard with a ride that’s made for speed, dynamics, and racing.
With our top picks and the practical guide, you are sure to find the best go kart for kids in your family! We wish you all the coolest and safest rides on your new go kart!
>> Check out all go karts for kids available on Amazon
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