From the cheapest to the best value-for-money go-karts parents can buy, below are the year’s extensively tested top kid’s pedal, electric, and petrol go-karts.
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Kids pedal, electric and petrol go-karts come in all shapes and sizes. And there are many different types to choose from depending on your child’s age, size, and ability.
Some go-karts have pedals like a bicycle, while others are battery-powered with a throttle/accelerator. There are even petrol-powered go-karts for kids!
The best go-kart for your child will depend on their age, size, and what they’re looking for in a go-karting experience.
For more information, see the buying guide below the picks. If you prefer kid’s ride-on cars or motorbikes, check out our article on the best kid’s ride-on cars, the best ride-on cars 24V, or the best kid’s ride-on motorbikes.
Contents
Our Team’s Ride on Go Kart Picks
Best Value for Money Ride on Go Kart – Licensed Abarth Scorpion Pedal Powered Go Kart
Best Cheapest Ride on Go Kart – My 1st Pedal Go Kart
Best Pedal Go Kart – BERG Pedal Car Reppy Racer
Best Electric Go Kart – RiiRoo MaxDriftz™ Electric Go Kart
Best Petrol Go Kart – 80CC Petrol Go Kart Off Road Buggy
Best 2 Seater Go Kart – TecTake Go-kart go-kart go Kart pedal 2 seater outdoor toy racing fun cart
Best Value for Money Kids Ride on Go Karts
1. Licensed Abarth Scorpion Pedal Powered Go Kart
Category: Best Value For Money.
Voltage: N/A.
Ages: For ages 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. on the website (I would say from the age of 4 upwards, personally).
What we like: It has an adjustable seat that means kids of all ages (siblings) can take this go-kart out for a spin
What we don’t: On older models, the chain was a be a bit of a problem as it came off quite easily. However, this seems to have been updated and improved with newer iterations.
Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.
I’ve chosen the Abarth Scorpion Pedal Powered Go Kart as the best value for money since it has an adjustable seat and an integrated handbrake.
This means siblings of all ages up to 8 can have a go. In essence, you can buy one toy, but have brothers and sisters sharing it which is great if you have a large family or they have a lot of friends 🙂
It also has a forward and reverse gear which is unusual for a pedal go-kart. Normally you just reverse the way you pedal, however, with this go-kart, there’s an easy-to-use lever which is great for kids.
It comes in a variety of four colours; red, white, black and pink.
Best Cheapest Kids Ride on Go Karts
2. My 1st Pedal Go Kart
Category: Cheapest.
Voltage: N/A.
Ages: For ages 2 and 3.
What we like: Of course, the price is a bonus and the assembly takes no more than 20mins. It’s really easy to assemble.
What we don’t: Unlike the Abarth, the age range for this go-kart is tiny. That’s because the go-kart is also tiny. It’s a good thing that this is cheap because I don’t think your child will get many years’ use out of this.
Even though this go-kart is the cheapest, it’s not really one I would recommend. I’m not saying it isn’t built well, because it is. It’s just the fact that it’s so small.
It’s really only suitable for kids aged 2 and 3. If your child is on the taller side, I would recommend choosing a different go-kart.
The assembly is easy and it shouldn’t take you more than 20 minutes. It’s also very lightweight so you can easily move it around.
If you can stretch your budget, I would highly recommend opting for a larger more expensive go-kart.
RiiRoo also has a version that is larger than this called “My 2nd Pedal Go Kart.” The specs are pretty much the same, but it’s larger than this one.
Best Kids Pedal Ride on Go Karts
3. BERG Pedal Car Reppy Racer
Category: Best Pedal Go Kart.
Voltage: N/A.
Ages: For ages 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6. on the website (I would say from the age of 3 upwards, personally).
What we like: We love how it’s so hard-wearing and made from really tough heavy-duty plastic. The tyres might put you off initially, but this is the secret to this go-kart outlasting the competition. The tyres are hard-wearing and can take some battering.
What we don’t: For a pedal go-kart, this is pretty pricey. You can buy much cheaper go-karts or even opt for an electric or petrol one which will be much faster. I also don’t like the cable that hangs between the two front axles. If your kid goes off-road, they’re likely to keep snagging this.
Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.
So, why have I chosen the BERG Pedal Car Reppy Racer as the best pedal go-kart on this list?
The hard tyres.
Now, I know this is going to sound strange, but having nice soft pneumatic tyres is great for overall ride comfort. However, I can categorically say that they don’t last as long as the hard plastic tyres that are on the Berg.
You’ll notice this if your kid is spending hours zipping around the garden on their go-kart. The soft tyres will slowly start to lose their shape and eventually, you’ll have to replace them.
With the hard tyres, this isn’t an issue as they keep their shape no matter how much abuse they take.
Another great feature of the Berg is the fact that you can adjust the seat. This means that as your child grows, they can still use the go-kart.
Since this is one of the most hard-wearing go-karts on the market, you should have no problem handing it down from child to child, meaning you get tons of use out of it.
Note: You may need some extra grease on the wheel spindles if you use this go-kart a lot since it doesn’t come with much when delivered.
See the BERG Pedal Car Reppy Racer
4. HOMCOM Kids Children Pedal Go Kart Ride On Racer Braking System Adjustable Seat Green
Category: Best Pedal Go Kart.
Voltage: N/A.
Ages: For ages 3, 4, 5, and 6. on the website (I would say from the age of 3 upwards, personally).
What we like:
What we don’t:
Delivery: Free UK delivery available.
This could quite easily have been the top “best cheap go-kart”, but I understand that £100 is still quite pricey for a lot of households, especially with the inflation rate being what it is. Hence why the “My 1st Go Kart” still holds the number one spot. However, if you have kids that a much too tall for the My s1st Go kart, then this is the next best thing.
Even though the tyres aren’t as hard-wearing as the Berg, they’re still classed as heavy-duty tyres and can take a good battering (they call them textured tyres).
Like the Berg, this go-kart is easy to assemble and should only take you around 15-20 minutes. It’s also pretty lightweight, making it easy to move around.
The main difference between this and the Berg is that the HOMCOM has a handbrake. This is a great safety feature to have since it means your child can slow down or even stop if they need to.
Even though this is pretty straightforward to assemble, like most factory instruction booklets, the instructions are useless.
The seats adjust just like the top-of-the-line models do, there are more gears for a better overall experience, and yes–the variable speed does make a tangible difference!
There isn’t really that much difference between the Berg and this. The only thing that tips the scale is just how hard wearing the Berg tyres are.
If you know in your heart of hearts that your kid will rarely play on this, then go for it. However, if they’re likely to use it daily, the Berg is for you!
As you can tell, I’m a BIG fan of this. Not only is priced competitively, but it’s also feature-packed, meaning your kid will get hours of enjoyment out of it.
See the HOMCOM Kids Children Pedal Go Kart
Best Kids Electric Ride on Go Karts
5. RiiRoo MaxDriftz™ Electric Go Kart
Category: Best Electric Go Kart.
Voltage: N/A.
Ages: For ages 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12.
What we like: If I said, everything, that might seem a bit OTT, but we really do love everything about this go-kart. It’s got a great design, is made from high-quality materials, and can reach speeds of up to 12mph!
What we don’t: Since the motors are so powerful and get a lot of use, they are prone to go wrong. After speaking with RiiRoo, they have assured me that the factory is improving them on the next batch of deliveries.
Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.
If you looked up “fun go-kart” in a dictionary, you’ll see a picture of this RiiRoo MaxDriftz™ Electric Go Kart.
The powerful 2 x 200-watt motors provide enormous torque on a toy that has such a low centre of gravity.
This makes it possible to powerslide around corners with ease. And believe me, your kids are going to love doing this.
Also, the age range says up to 12, but if you have a shorter teenager or an adult who is light, you can easily have a blast on this thing too. Just be careful not to hog it from the kids!
It shouldn’t do, but it also seems to go really well on grass too. I’ve seen videos of people taking it off-road and it just glides over the grass with ease.
With any luck, they’ve sorted out the “motor” issue, because if they haven’t it will be a real shame as this is a brilliant piece of kit.
See the RiiRoo MaxDriftz Electric Go Kart
Best Kids Petrol Ride on Go Karts
6. 80CC Petrol Go Kart Off Road Buggy
Category: Best Petrol Go Kart.
Voltage: N/A.
Ages: For ages 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
What we like: This can be seen as both a positive and a negative, but the seat is very large. So if you have a small child, it might be too big for them. On the other hand, it will last them way into their late teens. Well-built and heavy-duty materials are used in the construction.
What we don’t: The wiring at the back could be a bit tidier. I know, I’m nitpicking here, but when the wiring is so loose, it causes problems later on down the road.
Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.
I’m not gonna lie. This is probably the ugliest-looking go-kart out there, but guess what?
That really doesn’t matter.
What It gives as a negative to looks, It more than makes up for in functionality and durability.
This is one tough go-kart that can take a real beating. And with its 80cc displacement petrol engine, it’s got plenty of power to play around with too.
What really impresses me is the overall build quality. It really is built like a tank and should last for years to come.
The only downside is the seat is quite large, so smaller kids might find it a bit too big for them. But, on the plus side, this means it will last them into their late teens.
All the reviews are 5 stars on this product which means people are really happy with it. And I can see why.
See 80CC Petrol Go Kart Off Road Buggy
Best Kids 2 Seater Ride-on Go Karts
7. TecTake 2-seater outdoor Go-kart
Category: Best 2 Seater Go Kart.
Voltage: N/A.
Ages: For ages 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.
What we like: This is an awesome concept and also unusual. There aren’t many toys that both siblings or friends can enjoy playing with it at the same time.
What we don’t: Not a problem with the product, but this go-kart is constantly out of stock. This is also a very heavy go-kart. Unless siblings are regularly taking this out together it will hardly get used. It’s also very difficult to assemble as there are a lot of parts.
Delivery: Free UK delivery is available. You can pay for next-day delivery.
The competition in the 2-seater go-kart market is tiny. To be honest, you don’t find many of them. It seems as though Tectake has the lion’s share of the market.
It’s a great product if you have two siblings or your child has a few friends.
The fact that it’s quite a heavy product means it’s better suited to flat surfaces instead of uphill or even off-road.
The size of the kids using this is really important. If you happen to have a heavier kid at the back and a lighter one at the front, then the weight distribution will be off.
It is extremely well-built (I guess that’s why it’s so heavy) and will certainly last a long time.
Also, this is definitely an outdoor toy. It’s far too large to be used indoors.
Worst Kids Pedal Go Karts
8. Ferrari Offical licensed Children’s Pedal Go Kart
Category: Worst Go Kart.
Voltage: N/A.
Ages: For ages 3, 4, 5, and 6.
What we like: If you’re a Ferrari fan, this is perfect. I also do like the styling.
What we don’t: Themed product. It generally means you’re paying over the odds for a mediocre product.
Delivery: Free UK delivery is available.
Now, unless your kid is a Ferrari fan, this go-kart is mediocre at best.
It’s definitely overpriced and is more of a branded product than anything else.
The styling is nice, but it’s not worth the money.
Even though the styling is nice, it still looks a bit plasticky and I’m guessing that they don’t sell too many of these based on the dates of the reviews. The newest review dates back to 2020.
There are far better options available like the Licensed Abarth Scorpion. Of course, there aren’t any Ferrari badges and stickers, but it has a lot more features available.
There are no gears and no braking system other than the pressure your kid puts on the peddle.
The seat is quite small and uncomfortable too. So, all in all, it’s not a great product.
See Ferrari Offical license Children’s Pedal Go Kart
Worst Kids Pedal Go Karts
9. BERG Go-kart with XL frame X-ite BFR
Category: Worst Go Kart.
Voltage: N/A.
Ages: For ages 3, 4, 5, and 6+.
What we like: Big chunky wheels really set this off. However, not much of a selling point for a go-kart priced over £650. Oh, and you won’t see any other kid on one of these in your neighbourhood.
What we don’t: This is a big go-kart with, a large XL frame and seat, but a bit senseless. Built for older kids. The only problem is, older kids won’t be interested.
Delivery: Free UK delivery available.
Now, to be clear, this BERG Go-kart with XL frame X-ite BFR is a perfectly reasonable go-kart. It’s built well, backed by the strong Berg brand and most young kids will enjoy riding it.
The problem for me is the price. This is a large mediocre go-kart that doesn’t really offer any more features than the Berg or Abarth Scorpion. Yet, you’re paying an extra £500 for the privilege.
The big chunky wheels might look good, but they don’t really offer anything more than any other go-kart on the market.
It’s a large go-kart and, as such, is more suited to older kids. The only problem is that by the time they’re old enough to want to ride this, they won’t be interested in a go-kart. Not when you have much more powerful electric and petrol go-karts available.
Unless you like the look and the styling of this go-kart, I would opt for a much cheaper model that has more features.
Only one review for this product. It’s 5-star but hardly conclusive.
See the BERG Go-kart with XL frame X-ite BFR
Kids Go Kart Buying Guide
Generally speaking, pedal go-karts are better for younger children as they’re easier to control.
Electric go-karts are more powerful and faster, making them better suited for older kids. And petrol go-karts are the most powerful option and so are only really suitable for experienced riders.
When choosing a go-kart for your child, it’s important to consider their age, height, and weight. You should also think about where they’ll be riding the go-kart.
If they’re going to be riding on grass, then a go-kart with off-road tyres would be a better option.
If you’re still not sure which go-kart is best for your child, then check out our comprehensive go-kart buying guide.
Size
Check the size guidelines on the retailer’s website. Now, to be fair, these won’t always be 100% accurate. However, they will give you a good idea.
I would also recommend measuring your child’s height and weight to be sure. You can find size charts on the websites of most go-kart manufacturers.
Age Range
Most go-karts will have an age range. And, while this is a good starting point, it’s not always accurate.
For example, the My 1st Pedal Go Kart has an age range of up to 3 years of age. However, I would say it’s only really suitable for kids aged 2 and 3. A child of one for example would not be able to use this go-kart.
The main sizes are 2-5 years and 5-10 years. The age ranges can go much higher for the more powerful petrol go-karts but these are not recommended for younger children.
As a rule of thumb, I would say that pedal go-karts are better for younger children while electric and petrol go-karts are better for older kids.
Where possible, try to opt for a go-kart that has an adjustable seat. This means that the go-kart can be used for longer as your child grows.
Most electric and petrol go-karts will have an adjustable seat. However, not all pedal go-karts will have this feature.
Style
This might not sound that important but the overall style and colours available can be a deciding factor for some kids.
Some go-karts are designed to look like real cars while others are more basic in their design. And, of course, there are go-karts that come in pink and blue.
Of course, this is more of a traditional view, but if the range of colours is limited, this might be the deciding factor.
The style is really down to personal preference. However, I would say that the more realistic-looking cars are generally more popular with kids.
Wheels
The type of wheels will also be a deciding factor for some people. There are two main types of wheels: pneumatic and solid.
Pneumatic tyres
Pneumatic rubber tyres are filled with air and offer a smoother ride. They’re also better for off-road use.
Solid tyres
Solid tyres, on the other hand, don’t need to be inflated and so they’re less likely to get a puncture. They’re also better for indoor use.
Most pedal go-karts will have solid tyres while electric and petrol go-karts will usually have pneumatic tyres.
Speed
The speed of a go-kart is another important consideration, especially if your child is quite young.
Pedal go-karts usually have a maximum speed of around 5mph. Electric go-karts can reach speeds of up to 12mph while petrol go-karts can reach speeds of up to 30mph.
As a general rule, the faster the go-kart, the more expensive it will be. And, of course, the faster go-karts are not suitable for younger children.
Safety
Your child’s safety is paramount so it’s important to choose a go-kart that has been designed with safety in mind.
Most go-karts will have a seatbelt and some kind of braking system. And, if the go-kart is for off-road use, then it should also have suspension.
Freewheel
You’ve probably never heard of the term “freewheel”? This means that when your child stops peddling, the go-kart will either come to a full stop based on the child’s force on the pedal.
This also means that your child can control the forward and backward movement based on whether they pedal forward or backward.
Seatbelts
A good rule of thumb is, the faster the go-kart, the more safety features it has. Also, if the child is in full control of the speed based on pedal power, then these go-karts are unlikely to come with seatbelts.
However, the moment you add an electric motor or a petrol motor to the go-kart, then the need for seatbelts dramatically increases.
This is down to the fact that these motors will increase the speed to go-kart can go, which means there is more chance of an accident.
Brake system
The brake system is another important safety feature, especially on the faster go-karts.
Most pedal go-karts will have a handbrake that is operated by the child. And, while this is fine for slower speeds, it’s not really suitable for faster speeds.
The electric and petrol go-karts will usually have a more sophisticated braking system that is operated by either a foot pedal or a hand lever.
And, of course, the faster the go-kart, the more effective the braking system needs to be.
Functionality
After you’ve been dazzled by all the bells and whistles and funky colours. When the dust settles, look to compare the features of the go-kart against the needs of your child.
Some go-karts come with a range of features that might not be suitable for your child. For example, a go-kart that is designed for off-road use is likely to be too much for a younger child.
Also, if you’re looking for a go-kart that has gears and a hand brake, then you’re likely to pay more than a go-kart that doesn’t have these features.
So, it’s important to compare the features of each go-kart against the needs of your child to ensure you’re getting the best value for money.
And, finally, if you’re looking for a go-kart that your child can grow into, then you might want to choose one that has adjustable features such as seat and steering wheel.
Date of reviews
If you look on Amazon, there are a ton of reviews that show 5 stars, however, what you really need to look at is the date of the most recent reviews. This will give you a good indication of whether the go-kart is still being manufactured and supported.
We would recommend avoiding any go-karts that have been reviewed over 12 months ago as there’s a good chance they’re no longer being manufactured. You’ll also struggle to get spare parts if something goes wrong.
Maintainance
Believe it or not, maintaining a pedal go-kart is super simple. Since most of them are made out of toughened plastic you can either use a petrol or electric pressure washer to clean the kart.
On the other hand, electric and petrol go-karts will require more regular maintenance. This is because they have engines that need to be regularly serviced. You won’t be able to use a pressure washer on these, but a damp cloth should be enough to keep the bodywork clean.
The Pros and Cons of Buying a Used/Second Hand Go Kart
Like any product you’re going to buy, a used/second-hand go-kart has its pros and cons.
Here are some things to consider before you buy a used go-kart:
The Pros:
- You can save a lot of money by buying a used go-kart. That’s because a used go-kart has been reduced in price due to the fact it’s not new.
- A used go-kart is also more likely to have been used by a child who has now outgrown it. This means that it’s more likely to be in good condition than a go-kart that’s been sitting in a garage for years.
- A used go-kart is likely to have more “character” than a new one.
The Cons:
- A used go-kart is more likely to have been abused or not maintained as well as a new one.
- A used go-kart will have already lost some of its value, so you won’t be able to sell it on for as much as you paid for it.
- You might not be able to find the exact model of a go-kart that you’re looking for.
- It might be hard to find spare parts for a used go-kart.
FAQs
How fast do kids’ karts go?
The speed of the go-kart will vary. Pedal go-karts are reliant on pedal power, so the child will need to pedal faster to go faster. On the other hand, electric and petrol go-karts have engines that provide power, so the speed is limited by how fast the engine can go. Most electric go-karts have a maximum speed of around 12mph, while petrol go-karts can reach speeds of up to 30mph.
Do go-karts have gears?
Basic kid’s go-karts don’t have gears since the child controls the speed by pressing down on the pedal. The faster electric and petrol go-karts will have gears based on the transmission being used.
Are go-karts safe for kids?
As long as you choose a go-kart that has been designed with safety in mind, then they are generally safe for kids. This means choosing a go-kart with seatbelts, a braking system and suspension (for off-road go-karts).
Can you buy road legal go-karts for kids?
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a road legal go-kart for kids. This is because kids’ go-karts are not designed to be driven on public roads. If you’re looking for a vehicle that your teenager can drive on the roads, then you’ll need to look at something like a quad bike or a mini motorcycle.
Can you buy go-kart kits?
There are a few online retailers that offer go-kart kits. However, these kits are usually only suitable for experienced go-kart builders. If you’re not confident in your ability to build a go-kart from scratch, then it’s probably best to buy a ready-made go-kart.
Can you get go-kart spares easily?
There are a lot of online websites that sell go-kart spares. However, it can sometimes be difficult to find the exact spare part that you’re looking for. If you’re struggling to find the right spare part, then it might be worth contacting the go-kart manufacturer directly. They should be able to point you in the right direction.
Do go-karts have differentials?
No, go-karts don’t have differentials. This means while one tyre is cornering, the other one is sliding. This can cause the go-kart to lose traction and spin out. A differential would add both weight and centre of gravity to the go-kart, which is why they are not used.
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