10 Best Power Wheels For Kids 2024 in the United States

The possibility of employing electric-powered cars on a worldwide scale is gaining momentum. They’re more efficient than gas-powered cars and also produce much less or even no carbon emissions. But, in 1984, the toy giant Fisher-Price started its line of battery-powered toy cars, Power Wheels. They’re intended for children between the ages of 3-7 and usually travel no faster than 6 miles per hour. The different Power Wheels options for kids teach them the basics of driving: speeding up, slowing down, going forward, and in reverse!

But there is a great variety in the styles of Power Wheels vehicles. And there are other competing brands that make vehicles with similar specs. There are stylish cars with famous movie-themed designs, as well as dune buggies, jeeps, ATVs, and more! We’ll go through some of the features of the different Power Wheels in the MSN Best 10. You’re sure to be able to find something that suits your children!

(You can also check out other cool kids’ toys and recreational products among the MSN buying guides.)

What are the Advantages of Buying a Power Wheels Vehicle?

Power Wheels cars run from $200 to $300, with some higher-end models being as much as $450. That might seem a bit steep for a toy for children ages 3-7. However, it can be safer than a comparably priced kids’ bicycle.
And it can give your child confidence sitting behind a wheel, managing speeding up and braking. As we’ll see, there are safety precautions that you should take. But, they can give your child (or children) several years of outdoors fun!

What Types of Power Wheels for Kids Are There?

• Car: You can find electric cars for children that mimic brand-name sports cars! The uhomepro Licensed Lamborghini, besides trying to be an accurate replica of the original, also has LED headlights, a horn, and two speed options!

Uhomepro Licensed Lamborghini

• Dune Buggy: There are also dune racers by Power Wheels. Their Power Wheels Dune Racer Extreme can manage hard surfaces, wet grass, and rough terrain. Even though it only goes at a maximum of 5 mph, it still has metal sidebars for hand support.

Power Wheels Dune Racer Extreme

• Trucks: Power Wheels even has a truck version! Their Power Wheels Ford F150 Raptor has more bulk, making it more expensive than the other Power Wheels. But it has larger tires, enabling it to travel over mud, wet grass, and uneven terrain.

Power Wheels Ford F150 Raptor

• Jeeps: Power Wheels also makes a small two-seater jeep. An example is the Jeep Wrangler Red & Black Ride-On Vehicle. It has a realistic look to it, with even a compartment in the back for storage. Its weight capacity is 130 pounds, which is perfect for your child to ride along with a friend! It also has a remote control, so that you can supervise your child so that they don’t get into trouble.

Jeep Wrangler Red & Black Ride-On Vehicle

Power Wheels also make the Wrangler Willys Black Ride-On with two seats.

Wrangler Willys Black Ride-On

• ATV (= All-terrain vehicles)–These are also called “quad bikes”. You ride them in a position much like riding on a motorcycle, but they have 3 or 4 wheels. An example is the Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer. It’s for a single rider only, weighing no more than 65 pounds. It’s suitable for children ages 3-7 and can achieve a speed of up to 6 mph forward and 3 mph in reverse. There's also a Power Wheels Racing ATV Ride-On Vehicle, without the fancy dinosaur theme, for substantially less. 

Power Wheels Jurassic World Dino Racer and Power Wheels Racing ATV Ride-On Vehicle

• UTV (= Utility Terrain Vehicle): A real UTV is more for work purposes, as opposed to an ATV, which is more for recreation. Alician makes a 4-Wheel Off-Road UTV with a plastic-covered metal frame and an elevated roof to make it feel like a real UTV!

Alician 4-Wheel Off-Road UTV

What Are Some Features of the Best Power Wheels?

Here are some features of the best Power Wheels vehicles, that you should look for when deciding on a purchase:

• Speeds: There are cars that are capable of traveling both forward and in reverse. Usually, the reverse speed is half that of the maximum forward speed. Traveling in reverse will help your child master maneuvers such as a three-point turn and the like!

• Remote control: You’ll want to be able to supervise your child while they ride in one of these vehicles. Many are supplied with a remote control unit. While your children drive the car using a foot pedal, you can make sure they’re okay by handling the remote control!

• Automatic braking: It will take some time for a child to master two separate foot pedals, one for accelerating and the other for braking. Instead, many cars have an “automatic braking” feature when they take their foot off the accelerator pedal. That’s one of the nice features of the Power Wheels Dune Racer Extreme Blue Ride-On Vehicle.

• High-speed lock-out: Most Power Wheels vehicles are capable of two speeds, such as 2.5 and 5 mph. But you don’t want a three-year-old driving at the faster speed before they’re ready. For this purpose, there is a parent-controlled high-speed lock-out to ensure that your child stays at the lower speed until they’re ready.

• Weight limit: Pay attention to the weight limit on the vehicle that you buy, especially if you get a two-seater. Typical weight limits will be around 130 pounds for a two-seater and 65 pounds for a single-seater.

• Suitable surfaces: Take note of the types of surfaces that your Power Wheels can handle. Some have real ATV capability, being able to drive on wet grass or mud without slipping or getting stuck.

What are Some Tips for Selecting a Power Wheels Vehicle?

There are some tips and features that are worth investing in when buying a Power Wheels vehicle for your child:

• Assembly: You can assemble the vehicle yourself, even though they also offer professional assembly for a fee of $99. Customers who bought the Jeep Wrangler Spiderman-themed Power Wheels said that it took them around 90 minutes to assemble the jeep. Some parts, like the fenders, are a bit big and took two people to install properly. Fortunately, all of the screws are the same, so you don’t have to use different screwdrivers to put the thing together!

• Battery: Be very careful to charge the battery properly. Many Power Wheels cars have to be charged for at least 14 hours prior to use, but charging the battery for more than 30 hours may actually damage it. Customers suggest charging it while connected to a timer so that it doesn’t overcharge the battery. Overcharging may shorten the battery’s life. Some models, such as the Moderno Kids Explorer Truck have a smart charger with “auto shutoff” when the battery is fully charged.

Moderno Kids Explorer Truck

• Safety precautions: It’s recommended that you take the proper safety precautions when your child drives a Power Wheels vehicle, especially those intended for unpaved terrain. Even though the models have improved greatly with time, there is always the risk that they might tip over. Your children should wear a bike helmet, and knee and elbow pads, just in case. Also, a seatbelt is not a necessity, but insisting on wearing one in a ride-on car will develop a proper habit in your child when they drive a real car!

• Themes on certain models: Some Power Wheels vehicles are themed after a favorite kids’ movie, such as “Frozen”, or a superhero, such as Spiderman. Some parents were a bit disappointed since these themes are at times no more than a few stickers that you affix to the car. It’s an extra expense that can be invested elsewhere.

• Music and storage space: Some models are equipped with an MP3 player to provide music. Others have a small trunk in the back to store away toys and other goodies!

Wrap Up

We surveyed the various offerings in the MSN list of the 10 best Power Wheels for kids. You’ll have to decide whether you want to seat one or two children, as well as the style of vehicle that best suits your child. A Power Wheels car is a great way to introduce your child to the different reflexes and coordination that they’ll need for driving!