When it comes to choosing the right Onewheel for your child, there are several factors to consider. The key is age, size, and if they have any previous board experience.
The best Onewheel for kids is the Onewheel Pint X if you want to ride with your kid or the original Pint as it comes at a much lower price. The Pint has some key benefits compared to the older discounted Onewheel XR and comes in way lower than the new Onewheel GT and GT S-Series.
Age, Size, and Skill Level
Firstly, consider the age, size, and skill level of your child. There is no age limit to use an Onewheel, even if the recommended age from the manufacturer is 13 years old for riders. Younger or smaller children may require a smaller, lighter Onewheel, while older or larger kids might handle a larger model better. A lighter rider may experience problems with engaging the footpad sensor, there are tricks to make it more responsive like adding foam feet, but most people can address it by changing the shoes.
It’s also important to assess your child’s skill level. Beginners should start with a basic model that’s easy to balance and control and most importantly the “Simplestop” feature. The Simplestop feature was introduced with the Onewheel Pint and makes the board slow down and stop for a dismount if the rider rides backward. This is why we don’t recommend an older Onewheel XR as a beginner board, especially not for kids.
The Onewheel XR is also way heavier with its 27lbs compared to the 23lbs of the Pint. Also, the added manhandle makes it easier for your kid to carry it around compared to the front handle of the XR which requires some real finger strength to grab for a longer period.
Safety Features
Safety should always be a priority when choosing an Onewheel for kids. That’s why we recommend only the newer boards since the introduction of the Pint. The Pint, Pint X, GT, and GT S-series all have the easy-to-use braking system, Simple Stop.
All Onewheel’s also come with beginner riding modes that can be activated, these modes limit speed and provide a more stable ride for new riders. For the Pint, this mode is Redwood that limits the speed to 12 mph (19 km/h) ideal for kids and the very first mile or two to learn the basic operation of the board.
Top Onewheel Models for Kids
The Onewheel Pint and Pint X is the smaller, more manageable model that’s great for beginners. And second hand Onewheel XR is a larger model that’s suitable for older kids and offers a bit longer range and higher top speed. We still recommend getting the Pint X as it has almost the same range as the stock XR still has the simple stop and is a more refined board altogether.
The Onewheel Pint has an original price of $1,050 but has been lowered to $750 making it a steal as a new board. The Pint X is double the cost at $1,500. For that, you get an increased range from 6-8mi to 12-18mi. It does make sense to get the bigger if you plan to ride a lot of trails and explore with your kid and you have one of the larger boards. Still, there is always the possibility to increase the battery capacity with a range extender for the Pint. The big drawback is that the board loses its neatness and becomes more prone to damage, not something that we would recommend to a kid.
Always prioritize safety and ensure your child is comfortable and confident on their Onewheel.
