Scooter buying guide

Scooters have become an excellent mean of urban transportation and a source of fun. Both adults and children use their scooters daily to get around town or, in the case of freestyle scooters, to have fun performing all kinds of tricks on ramps and in skateparks.

There are many types of scooters designed for all kinds of uses.
In this guide, we'll help you choose the best scooter for you.

Types of scooters

Children's scooters

3-wheel scooters (the most stable option).

patinete-niño-convertible

Perfect for: toddlers (2–6 years old).

Why choose them: They offer effortless balance and help children learn to turn naturally.

Features:

Very stable.

Adjustable handlebar.

They are usually lightweight.

Convertible models are also available (they convert into ride-on toys).

Three-wheeled children's scooters are the best option for toddlers who haven't yet fully developed their sense of balance. Among these three-wheeled children's scooters, you'll find models that can be transformed into walkers and ride-on toys. These models are therefore designed for children under three years old and are intended to last for many years.

Children's 2-wheel scooters (for more skilled children).

Patinetes infantiles de 2 ruedas

Perfect for: children aged 6–12.

Why choose them: they're a bit faster and more agile, "just like the grown-ups' scooters."

Features:

They require more balance.
They're usually foldable.
Medium or large wheels.

Children's scooters are generally very similar to adult scooters, but smaller. Some have fun designs and colors inspired by animals or comic book characters. Like adult scooters, they are often foldable or have detachable handlebars. You can also find scooters with two or three wheels, ranging from 100mm to 120mm in diameter.

Things to consider when choosing a children's scooter

Handlebar height: Between the navel and chest; adjustable is best.
Maximum weight: Must support the child's weight to prevent breakage.
Foldable: Makes it easier for adults to transport.
Brakes: Must have at least one braking system; those with two (hand and rear) are preferable.
Brand: Greater durability and availability of replacement parts; a better investment (Micro, KRF, Bestial Wolf, Powerslide, Playlife, or Frenzy, among others).

Recommended scooter sizes for children:

AgeHandlebar height*
4-6 y.o.55-65 cm
6-8 y.o.65-75 cm
8-10 y.o.70-80 cm
10-14 y.o.75-85 cm

*The handlebar should be positioned between the waist and the navel.

Freestyle scooters

Patinetes y scooters freestyle

Perfect for:

Children 7 years and older with good balance.
Teenagers.
Park or street riders, amateurs and professionals.

Why choose them: for tricks, jumps, and skill and agility exercises both in the park and on the street.

Features:

The handlebars are not height-adjustable.
They are not foldable.
Medium and small wheels with durable cores. More agile and tougher, built to last.

Things to consider when choosing a freestyle scooter

Handlebar width (approx. shoulder width):

Street (urban): wider for stability.
Park: narrower for quick turns.

Deck size:

Park (air tricks): narrow and short.
Street (grinds, rails): wide and long.
Mixed: intermediate sizes.

Wheels: an aluminum rim will always be more durable and precise than a plastic one.

Brand: these scooters take a lot of abuse, so it's essential that they are high quality. Brands like Bestial Wolf, Slamm, Blunt, Addict, Blazer, Longway, and Lucky are good options.

Recommended sizes for freestyle scooters:

Rider heigtHandlebar height*
140-150 cm85-95 cm
150-160 cm90-100 cm
160-170 cm95-105 cm
170-180 cm100-110 cm
180-190 cm105-115 cm
>190 cm110-120 cm

*Please note that this is an approximate measurement. The handlebars should be positioned between your waist and your navel.

Scooters for adults and youngsters

Patinetes urbarnos para adultos

Perfect for:

Adults who want to get around quickly without a car.
Young people going to school or university.
Anyone looking for an eco-friendly and easy alternative.

Why choose them: They're ideal for short trips around town or for transferring between public transport.

Features:

Very stable.
Very lightweight.
Fast.
Low maintenance.

Things to consider when choosing an adult scooter:

Wheel size: Larger wheels mean more comfortable and faster, but less compact.

Easy folding: Ideal if you'll be using public transport.

Safe brakes: Rear brake or hand brakes, depending on the model.

Scooter weight: If you'll be carrying it, choose a lightweight model.

Maximum load: Each scooter and urban scooter has a maximum weight capacity that varies by model.

Adjustable handlebars: So you can adjust them to your liking.

Brand and warranties: Look for brands that offer after-sales service, spare parts, and reliable quality, such as Frenzy, KRF, Powerslide, JDBug, and Micro, to name a few.

Recommended scooter sizes for adults:

Rider heightHip heightHandlebar height
<110 cm50-55 cm55-60 cm
110-120 cm55-60 cm60-65 cm
120-130 cm60-66 cm65-70 cm
130-140 cm66-72 cm70-75 cm
140-150 cm72-78 cm75-80 cm
150-160 cm78-84 cm80-82 cm
160-170 cm84-90 cm80-85 cm
170-180 cm90-96 cm85-90 cm
>180 cm96-105 cm90-100 cm
  • *Please note that this is an approximate measurement. The handlebars should be positioned between your waist and your navel.

Inflatable or all-terrain wheel scooters

Patinetes y Scooters de rueda inflable o todo terreno

Perfect for:

Children and adults with good balance.
Riding on hard-packed sand.
Being pulled by a dog or mushing.

Why choose them: They are ideal for riding on dirt roads or in the countryside. Some models can even handle rocky paths. If you have to travel on rough asphalt or dirt roads, they are the best option. They are also ideal for walking your dog.

Features:

Larger inflatable wheels.
Safer bicycle-style brakes.
Suspension, in some cases.
Very stable and safe.

Size: Same as adult scooters (see previous point).

Quick summary to help you choose the right scooter

✔ If the user is a young child between 2 and 6 years old → 3-wheel scooter.
Stable, safe, and easy to use. Ideal for beginners.

✔ If the child is between 6 and 12 years old → 2-wheel scooter or mini freestyle scooter.
More agile. Adjustable handlebars.

✔ If they want to do tricks in parks and on ramps → Freestyle scooter.
Fixed handlebars, very sturdy. Choose the size according to their height.

✔ If it's an adult/teenager for getting around town → Urban scooter with large wheels.
Comfortable, fast, and foldable.

✔ If they want greater comfort on uneven terrain → Scooter with inflatable wheels or suspension. 

Perfect for cobblestone streets or long journeys.

Components of scooters

Partes de un patinete o scooter freestyle
Partes de un patinete urbano

Handlebars: The handlebars (or bar) are the part where you place your hands on the scooter and are responsible for steering. On urban or recreational scooters, they may be height-adjustable, foldable, or detachable. On freestyle scooters, they are usually a single piece for added strength and their height cannot be adjusted.

Fork: The fork is responsible for holding the front wheel and then connecting to the scooter's base by passing through the head.

Deck: This is the part of the scooter where your feet rest and on which all the other parts are mounted.

Steering System: The steering system (or headset) is a part that is inserted into the head of the base and its function is to allow the handlebars and fork to rotate. It contains bearings, and depending on its quality, the steering will be smoother and/or more precise.

Clamp: The clamp is the part that connects the fork and handlebars, allowing them to rotate together. They can be shorter or taller and use two to four bolts to securely fasten the fork and handlebars.

Wheels: The wheels of scooters are one of their most important components. Entry-level or budget scooters usually have plastic rims, while mid-range to high-end scooters typically use aluminum. Their diameters range from 100mm to 120mm for freestyle scooters or up to 250mm for urban or leisure scooters. The urethane (the outer rubber) provides traction and road feel.

Compression System: The compression system connects the handlebars to the fork, preventing them from separating. There are several compression systems, such as HIC, ICS, and SCS. The type of system used will depend on the quality of the scooter and even personal preference.

Brake: The brake is mounted on the rear of the scooter and is activated by pressing it with your foot. The scooter slows down when the brake makes contact with the wheel. They are usually either flex or spring-loaded. Flex brakes are more durable, although slightly harder to operate, and are typically found on freestyle scooters. Spring brakes are smoother to operate, although somewhat more delicate. They are usually found on urban or leisure scooters. On urban or off-road scooters, you may find brake levers on the handlebars that brake the wheels using brake pads or discs.

Bearings: The bearings are housed inside the wheels and are responsible for their rotation.

Grips: The grips are located at the ends of the handlebars and help you hold the scooter better and more comfortably.

Buying an urban scooter for adults - What should we look for

Comprar un patinete urbano para adultos - En qué debemos fijarnos

Adult scooters have become a phenomenon in recent years. Whether used for urban commuting or as a way to connect with public transport, adult urban scooters are a great invention. Add to that their portability and generally affordability, and their purchase is more than justified.

Below, we'll show you the key points to consider when buying an adult urban scooter:

Maximum weight: Each urban scooter has a maximum weight capacity. It's important to ensure the scooter you want to buy can easily support your weight plus the weight of anything you usually carry with you.

Adjustable handlebars: We're not all the same height. The handlebars shouldn't be too high or too low, so it's important to know the maximum and minimum handlebar heights to adjust them to your liking.

Wheel size: Larger wheel diameters mean more speed and a smoother ride, but they can make turning more difficult. A scooter with large wheels will also likely be larger and might not be easy to carry if portability is important to you.

Folding: Most adult urban scooters are foldable. If possible, check this feature and see how easy or difficult the folding and unfolding mechanism is.

Brakes: Adult urban scooters may have a lever brake at the rear and, in some cases, a brake lever or levers on the handlebars that activate brake pads or discs. Brake levers are always preferable.

Weight: The weight of a scooter can vary considerably from one model to another. Depending on your intended use, this may be a more or less important factor.

Brand and warranties: There are countless brands of urban scooters for adults, but very few that are high-quality and offer good after-sales service. Trusting a reputable brand is the best way to ensure a more reliable scooter and to always have spare parts available when needed. Examples of trusted brands include Frenzy, KRF, Powerslide, JDBug, and Micro, to name a few.

How to choose the best scooter for children - What points are important

Cómo elegir el mejor patinete para niños - Qué puntos son importantes

Scooters are ideal for children of virtually any age.
Typically, children can start using a scooter from the age of two. However, there are several factors to consider to determine which scooter is best for your child:

Two- or three-wheeled scooters: There are many types of scooters for children on the market. For children under four, three-wheeled scooters are more advisable because they find it easier to balance and have a lower center of gravity. From the age of four, a child can continue using a three-wheeled scooter appropriate for their weight and height, but they may prefer a two-wheeled one, as these tend to be more agile and fun.

Handlebar height: Your child's height will largely determine the type of scooter you should buy. The handlebars shouldn't be too high or too low, so we'll need to check that they reach approximately between the height of their navel and chest. With most children's scooters, we won't have to worry too much about this, as they usually have height-adjustable handlebars.

Maximum weight: Most children's scooters indicate the maximum weight they can support. If we buy a scooter for our child that can't support their weight, it can become deformed or even break, with the dangers that entails.

Foldable: A foldable scooter is more of an advantage for parents than for children. Being able to fold it allows for easier transport, both by hand and, for example, in the car.

Brake: Most children's scooters have a lever on the rear wheel. More sophisticated models also include a brake lever. The more braking options, the better!

Brand: It can be very tempting to buy cheap children's scooters at large stores, which often feature designs of our children's favorite cartoon or comic book characters. However, once again, you get what you pay for. A good brand-name scooter not only guarantees that it will last much longer, allowing a younger sibling to inherit it, but also ensures that you can get replacement parts if needed. Without a doubt, investing in a good brand-name scooter is a wise investment. The most popular brands are: Micro, KRF, Bestial Wolf, Powerslide, Playlife, and Frenzy, among others.

Convertible (accessories): Some children's scooters, especially the 3-wheeled models from Micro, offer several very interesting accessories to convert them into a walker or even a ride-on toy. This can be especially useful for young children under 3 years old.

Choosing the best freestyle scooter or ramp scooter

Elegir el mejor Scooter freestyle o patinete de rampa

Freestyle scooters, or ramp scooters, are all the rage among young people and adults alike. They're similar to regular scooters, but much more durable and robust.
There are countless models and brands available at every price point. Here are the most important factors to consider when buying a freestyle scooter:

Handlebar height: Unlike regular scooters, freestyle scooters don't have adjustable handlebars. Therefore, you should choose a scooter that's appropriate for your height or your child's. It's important that the handlebars are roughly at waist height, although this is just an approximate measurement.

Brand: This is another crucial point. Freestyle scooters are likely to take a lot of hits, so good quality is essential, not only for durability but also to prevent injuries if, for example, they break or crack during a jump. Therefore, it's well worth investing in freestyle scooters from reputable brands like Bestial Wolf, Slamm, Blunt, Addict, Blazer, Longway, Lucky, and many others available in our physical and online store.

Wheels: Wheels are an important element of freestyle scooters. Basic models typically have plastic rims, while higher-end models use aluminum. An aluminum rim is always more durable and precise than a plastic one.

Deck size: The deck is the area where your feet are placed, and its ideal length and width will depend on your height. When you find a freestyle scooter that's the right height for you, the deck will be proportionate.

Price: Price is always an important factor to consider. However, due to the huge success of freestyle scooters, many Chinese brands have released products that look like freestyle scooters but lack the design and materials necessary for safe and reliable ramp skating. Therefore, it's not worth saving a few euros if the scooter won't perform as expected.

Accessories and add-ons for scooters

Accesorios y complementos para patinetes y scooters

There are countless accessories for scooters, whether for urban scooters, children's scooters, or freestyle scooters. Here's a brief summary of the scooter accessories we consider most interesting or even essential:

Protective Gear: Once again, protective gear is undoubtedly the essential accessory, for both urban and freestyle scooters. Among the protective gear we can use, the helmet is the most important piece of protective equipment. If we intend to go to a skatepark with a freestyle scooter, using knee pads, elbow pads, and gloves is highly recommended. Other highly recommended protective gear for use with our freestyle scooter are ankle and shin guards.

Lights: Especially on urban scooters, using lights and reflective elements is very important, particularly if riding at night.

Bags: Since scooters are often used as a means of transportation, having a bag for carrying them once we reach our destination is very practical.

Straps or belts: There are several types of straps or belts. Some are used to pull our children when they become too weak. Others are designed to carry the scooter, allowing you to sling it comfortably over your shoulder.