Your guide to this review today is by product expert Nick Bulanda
Published January 21, 2020
CONTENTS
It's never really too early to get your little one started with their very own electric ride on car, especially with the vast variety available today. There's no doubt that you'll be able to find the perfect option for your one year old child, but with such a huge selection, it can take time to narrow it down to the right picks. We've taken the liberty of creating a guide to review and help you find the best ride on cars for one year old kids, starting with our very own top 5 recommendations before moving on to a buying guide to help you understand our decision making process.
Ride on cars were popularized in the 80's and 90's with the rise of the Power Wheels brand, but there are so many more choices available now. While we do have one Power Wheels toy on our recommended list, you shouldn't be surprised to see a few other options on there as well.
We here at Ride Toy Zone believe there is real value in ride on cars, both as a way to teach young kids basic motor skills and the physics of our world, and as a way to start developing their driving skills early. It's never too young to start learning!
Now, we'd like to share with you our list of our 5 favorite ride on cars that are great for kids as young as one!
Top 5 Ride On Cars for One Year Old
Our pick as the best choice of all the electric cars for one year old kids you can find online is this Mercedes-Benz replica from Uenjoy that perfectly brings together great pricing, tons of features, safety and style into one amazing package. It's not too large for a one year old, which should be a major consideration while shopping (we'll get to more of those later!), and it jumps out right away with its bold red color and sleek Mercedes-Benz design.
As with all of the cars on our list, the SL500 features a remote control option that is great for allowing parents to control children who may be too young to get themselves around. There's a speed lockout option as well that keeps the vehicle down to about half of its max speed for young kids, and then as they get a little older you can take the lockout off and let them enjoy the full power of the dual 12V motors powering this toy.
It includes LED lights, a music system that can be hooked up to a device through either USB or wireless Bluetooth, and a comfortable molded seat with an adjustable safety belt and lockable doors. With its modest mid-range price point, we think this little vehicle has it all, and it was easy to proclaim this as our best choice in the category.
Key Features:
Remote Control Option
Speed Lockout Option
Seat Belt Included
Recommended for Ages 1-5
Specification:
Brand: Uenjoy
Model: B07H1SL3P4
Weight: 38 lbs.
Our premium pick is a step up in price but you should find a lot more luxury features to your liking if it can fit in your budget. In addition to many of the same awesome elements found in the previous model like LED lights and music connectivity, this Roadster from Moderno Kids includes leather seating, a luxury five-point seat belt, and blue light-up wheels.
Other safety features you'll find include rubber traction bands on the wheels, an electric brake system, and soft start that ensures your child doesn't go zooming off right away. You'll find lavish floor mats with the Moderno Kids logo waiting for the child inside, and side mirrors that give them the feel of what it's like to drive in a real car!
The battery life is comparable to many other brands out there, with about 8-10 hours of charging time amounting to about 2 hours of play time. All you have to do is leave the toy on the charger overnight and it will be ready to go once again the next day! If you have the room in your budget for this toy, you'll find plenty to enjoy for your child.
Key Features:
Remote Control Option
Leather Seating w/ 5-Point Safety Belt
Dual 12V Motors
Recommended Ages 1-3
Specification:
Brand: Moderno Kids
Model: B01KJIZUBQ
Weight: 45 lbs.
Our best value pick is another model from Uenjoy, this time a sports themed ride found at an amazing price point. By utilizing dual 6V motors as opposed to the dual 12V motors of our first two options, Uenjoy was able to keep the cost down on this model without taking away many of the awesome features that kids love.
Inside this model, you'll still find great add-on features like working audio (via auxiliary cable), LED headlights, lockable doors and more. It also has a number of impressive safety features that should convince you this is a worthy buy, like anti-skid wheels, an adjustable safety belt and parental remote control.
The battery life is slightly lacking due to the lower battery capacity, but you should still get a solid hour of play time out of this toy before it needs to go back on the charger. A small price to pay for such a great deal, and that's why we feel confident and comfortable placing it as our best value pick on the list.
Key Features:
Remote Control Option
Adjustable Seat Belt
MP3 Capable
Recommended for Ages 1-5
Specification:
Brand: Uenjoy
Model: B07P8RF6YX
Weight: 27,4 lbs.
Want your son or daughter to drive around in one of the most sleek rides ever created? If so, you're in luck, as you can get them hooked up with a McLaren F1 of their very own for under $300. This stylish ride includes many of the same attractive features mentioned before, such as music functionality, LED lights, and a remote control with 50 ft. range.
Kids will immediately be drawn to the flashy orange color and the upward-opening doors, making this stand out from your average ride on car. There's not as much information out there on this model as some of the other included options on our list, but the reviews it does have are excellent, and you simply can't match the looks of an F1. Try one today and let us know how your little one likes it!
Key Features:
Remote Control Option
MP3 Audio and LED Lights
50 ft. Remote Range
Built-In Sound Effects
Specification:
Brand: First Drive
Model: B07BSCWSZ7
Weight: 52.8 lbs.
Last up on our list, we have something a little bit different: a Harley-Davidson motorcycle made by industry leader Power Wheels. Don't worry, though! The vehicle features a stable three-wheel design that only replicates a motorcycle, meaning it will work just as fine as other cars for one year old kids.
If you're a motorcycle lover, or your child has expressed interest, they'll love taking a ride on this and playing pretend for a little while. It's a great way to teach them the basics of steering and how to ride a bike, and it is perfectly sized for small children around the age of 1.
It lacks some of the extra features found on other models, but the reliability of the Power Wheels brand and awesome design of the vehicle land it a place on our coveted list.
Key Features:
Stable Three-Wheel Design
Officially Licensed Harley-Davidson
Power-Lock Brake System
Recommended Ages 1-4
Specification:
Brand: Power Wheels
Model: CLG99
Weight: 23.6 lbs.
Ride On Cars for One Year Old Kids Buying Guide
Factors of Focus
When you're shopping around for cars for one year old kids to drive, it seems obvious to us that safety should be your primary consideration, followed then by other elements like style, battery life and more. Safety is always key, and you should make sure to keep an eye out for seat belts, remote control function and other safety features to make sure the child is as protected as can be.
After safety is taken into consideration, then start thinking about the other elements of a good buy, like battery life. Most often on these vehicles, you can expect the battery to last between 1 and 2 hours before it requires recharging, and recharging can take anywhere from 6 to 12 hours. Pay attention to customer reviews and product information to find out more about the battery life of any given model.
Once you have considered those elements, the rest all comes down to pricing and personal preference. Like most things, you can generally expect the higher the price the more features you'll find, but in some cases you'll be paying a premium for reliability like in the case of Power Wheels. Pay close attention to lists of features in product descriptions, and always be sure to check out included photos so you can know exactly what you're buying!
Closing Thoughts
There are many different replicas of existing vehicles that you can find, and we have showcased some of them here for you today. There are so many different options you can find out there that it can quite often be overwhelming. We hope that we've been a help in finding you the perfect ride on cars for 1 year old kids, and let us know if you have any other thoughts down below in the comments!
