Best 4-in-1 Smart Trikes vs Radio Flyer vs Little Tikes Trikes – Which is the Best

Peter Simms // Last Updated on September 27, 2023

While choosing a new tricycle, you may be hesitant about which type of tricycle you should buy. To help you find the answer, we’ll outline a comparison guide about 4-in-1 smart trike vs radio flyer vs little tikes trike.

So what are the key differences among them? The smartTrikes and little Tikes 4-in-1 models have a more cuddly & kiddish look, while the 4-in-1 radio flyer trikes have a sleek and simple design. The Little Tikes have three color choices: pink, blue and teal, where the Radio Flyer model has two colors: red and pink.

Besides, they have many differences considering sizes, styles and weights. Today we’ll come  with our thorough research to help you out, and when you’ll compare them yourself, we hope you will find the solution.

Quick Comparison Table: Smart Trike vs Radio Flyer vs Little Tikes Trike

Product

Safety Features

Weight Limit

Dimension

Foot Rest

SmarTrike Vanilla Plus 4 in 1 Multi-Stage Trike

3-point harness & safety bar

12 pounds

14.57 x 6.97 x 15.83 inches

Foldable

SmarTrike Zoom 4-IN-1 Tricycle Push Bike

3-point harness & safety bar

14.47 pounds

37 x 17.7 x 40.2 inches

Foldable

Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike

3-point harness

16 pounds

28.7 x 22 x 41.3 inches

Removable

Radio Flyer Ultimate 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike

3-point harness

16 pounds

28.7 x 22 x 41.3 inches

Removable

Little Tikes Perfect Fit 4-in-1 Trike

5-point seat belt harness

20 pounds

58 x 25 x 33 inches

-

Little Tikes 5-in-1 Deluxe Ride & Relax, Reclining Trike

5-point

16 pounds

11 x 23.34 x 16 inches

-

Smart Trike vs Radio Flyer vs Little Tikes Trike: An Overview

A. Best Smart Trike (2 Products Reviews): Best 4 in 1 Trikes Option 1:

Smart Trike is a self-balancing electric trike that is one of the most popular models on the market. We have included below Smart Trikes 2 products that have been reviewed across the web.

Want to know more about cars for kids to drive? Check out the post right here and make your kids happy with a fun ride.

1. SmarTrike Vanilla Plus 4 in 1 Multi-Stage Trike

If you are looking for a tricycle designed to promote child growth and learn new skills, then investing in smarTrike Vanilla plus wouldn’t be a wrong choice. It’s a 4 in 1 Multi-Stage Trike that helps your child to explore the world.

One of the special things that you would, of course, love is its safety features. With a safety bar and triple point harness, it ensures a safe ride while on the move.

Also, it comes with ample storage space, a foldable footrest, and a parent control button, which gives it a modern look. Most significantly, it features a sun canopy that protects your child from sunshine. Overall, we hope you would love this easy-to-together tricycle for your 1, 2, 3-year-olds.

Highlighted Features:

  • 4 in 1 Multi-Stage Trike
  • Easy touch steering technology
  • Dual-stage training pedals
  • Front-wheel shock absorbers

2. SmarTrike Zoom 4-IN-1 Tricycle Push Bike

Another Tricycle from smarTrike is the smarTrike Zoom Push Bike, which is also designed to develop your childs’ confidence, balance, and motor skills. It also grows with your children, making it perfect for boys or girls up to 15 to 36 months. 

One of the special things you would love in this tricycle is its touch screening technology, enabling you to control the ride with one hand. Besides, it comes with a “parent control” option that makes it our favorite.

Throughout this option, you can change the child and parent control in no time. Overall, it would be an excellent starter trike that gives your child a good transition from stroller for shorter walks. 

Highlighted Features:

  • 4-in-1 Toddler Tricycle for long time drive
  • Parent control button
  • Award-winning and multi-patent Tricycle
  • Sunshine protection canopy

B. Radio Flyer Trike (2 Products Review): Best 4-in-1 Tricycle (Option 2)

1. Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike

The Stroll 'N Trike could be one of the best tricycles for your 1 to 5 years toddlers. This is a 4-in-1 toddler trike by the Radio Flyer brand. Besides, it comes with 4 ways to ride that makes it compatible with childs’ growth. With a cup holder, it features a removable wrap around the tray.

When it comes to safety, the 3 point harness and adjustable sun-blocking canopy play a significant role. Most significantly, the larger rear wheels ensure a quiet ride.

The adjustable seat and steel frame construction make it durable and long-lasting. But the downside is that you need to go through too many steps to assemble this trike. Overall, we prefer to ride this trike over strollers.

Highlighted Features:

  • 4 growing stages toddler tricycle
  • Removable accessories
  • UV protection canopy
  • High-density foam tires
  • Parent control steering

2. Radio Flyer Ultimate 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike, Red

Another  Trike by Radio Flyer is the Ultimate 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike that grows with your child by different riding stages. The speciality of this trike is that you can easily change learn-to-ride-trike, infant trike to a steering trike and a classic trike.

Besides, you will find it awesome with its removable footrest and a rear storage basket. Your kiddos will love this trike because the pedals are too low to take it off. Finally, it would be a perfect gift for 9 months to 5 years.

Highlighted Features:

  • Adult Steer & Stroll adjustable push handle
  • The canopy is adjustable and can block UV rays
  • Triple point harness for security
  • The footrest is removable
  • Steel frame construction

C. Little Tike 2 Products Review: Best 4-in-1 Tricycle (Option 3)

1. Little Tikes Perfect Fit 4-in-1 Trike, Pink

This 4-in-1 Trike by Little Tikes could be a dream choice for on-the-go journeys. As It grows with your child, we hope you would find it suitable for your 9 months to 5 years child.

The most prominent thing to us in this trike is its foot platform that can protect your feet and full shade canopy that can block UV rays from all angles.

On the other hand, the most noticeable downside of this unit is its assembly system which is a bit hard. Besides, it isn’t easy to maneuver around.

Highlighted Features:

  • Pink colored 4-stage baby trike
  • The back sit is high enough for ensuring safety and comfort
  • Spacious storage bucket
  • Safety bar plus a cup holder
  • Material: Rubber, Plastic, and Polyester

2. Little Tikes 5-in-1 Deluxe Ride & Relax, Reclining Trike

The 5-in-1 Deluxe Ride & Relax Reclining Trike is our favourite because it grows with a toddler from a stroller to a trike. We would be happy to announce that this reclining trike is ideal for ages 9-months to 4-years.

Most consumers find it best to buy for their money because of its easy assembly, sturdy construction, and safe riding features. It's indeed a fashionable and functional tricycle for the money.

Highlighted Features:

  • 5-in-1 Deluxe Ride & Relax toddler trike
  • Triple positioned reclining seat
  • Modern soft seat cover
  • Removable push handle
  • Full shade canopy and foot platform

Main Differences: Smart Trike vs Radio Flyer vs Little Tikes Trike

For caring parents, smart trikes, radio flyers and little tikes trikes are considered excellent for the child. But unlike the name, they have some dissimilarity on offered features, mechanism, and so on. That’s why it would be better if you know the details about smart trike vs radio flyer vs little tikes trike to choose the suitable one.

Here on, we discuss some points on the difference and some additional things to make a choice easy for you.

Thorough Research: Smart Trike vs Radio Flyer vs Little Tikes Trike

A Guide To Smart Trike:

Tires: Usually, the smart trikes come with air-filled tires or pneumatic tires. The key benefit of using this type of tire is it can absorb the unevenness of the road. Besides, with pneumatic tires, a smart trike will offer a smoother ride to its rider.

N.B. pneumatic tires = less bumping and shaking

Handle: The smart trike has great fame for its removable parent handle technology. You just need to touch the parent handle to move and control the baby trike.

Note: While researching, we found a user who claims that the handle of a smart trike (for example, 4 in 1 Adjustable Tricycle Push Stroller Bike) for the parent should be wrapped up it’s a plastic portion (2 pieces plastic) because it can hurt users' hands.

Storage: Usually, a smart trike comes with a huge storage space which allows your child to carry all they need during strolling. Also, you’ll find a large toy basket, storage bag, or parent required console to carry bottles, keys, phone and other items.

Seat: Though you’ll find this smart trike very pretty and cute, but the small seat makes this less comfortable. Also, you may find it less enjoyable and cozy, especially when you walk with it for more than10 min.

Padded seat cover: The padded seat cover of the smart trike gives it a fashionable look. Besides, you’ll find some padded seat covers equipped with high head or back support, which makes the baby trike more functional than others.

Suncanopy: One of the most significant things you’ll find in this baby tricycle is its sun canopy which can keep your child cool. Besides, it will keep your baby safe and ensure extra comfort while strolling in the open air.

Safety bar: With a safety bar and 3-point harness, the smart trike tricycle is our favorite for those who want a smooth ride on the way. Along with these features, you’ll find front wheel shock absorbers in this series of tricycles which ensure a safe ride.

Age: According to the manufacturer’s recommendation, the ideal age of a smart trike is around 15 months to 3 years.

A Guide to Radio Flyer:

Tires: The Radio Flyer Toddler Tricycle comes with high-density foam tires that keep the trike’s interior quiet. Also, this type of tire is good for avoiding punctures. According to expert’s thought and manufacturing technique, foam tires are long-lasting than air-filled tires.

Handle: Usually, the Radio flyer Tricycle series comes with push handles that are removable. The push handles of these trikes are pretty sturdy and comparatively easy to maneuver. Besides, with this height adjustable parent handle, you can easily control the baby trike.

Storage: The extra storage space is essential to make any ride great. This Radio flyer trike is equipped with an easy rear storage basket that allows your child to attend every adventure with their favorite toys.

Seat: When it comes to your child's safety, you’ll find a high back seat system in the trike by Radio Flyer. Besides, the seat is highly adjustable, which ensures that it will last for a long time.

Note: You may find seats of some trikes by Radio flyer are a bit slippery, which allows kids’ butt go forward. Also, a slippery seat isn’t ideal for sitting straight.

Sun canopy: Like other trikes, the Radio flyer Toddler Tricycle comes with a canopy that protects your child from UV rays. Usually, this sun-blocking canopy is adjustable.

Age: The Toddler Tricycles by Radio flyer is ideal for the age of 1 year to 5 years. Radio flyer manufactures toddler trikes for 4 different stages of childhood. For example, the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike comes with the following categories:

  • Classic trike: 4 to 5 yrs
  • Learn-to-ride trike: 2 to 3 yrs
  • Steering trike: 18 to 24 months
  • Toddler trike: 12 to 18 months

A Guide To Little Tikes Trike:

Tires: The little trike comes with a classic tough tire that makes it an excellent balance trike out on the market. With this tough tire, this trike will offer Your little racer hours of freewheeling fun!

Note: To provide excellent traction and durable wear, you will find some trikes by little trikes with unique and special front tires.

Handle: The toddler trikes by little trike have a parent push handle which is suitable for parent and toddler. Besides, the handle is adjustable, so you can set it at different heights.

Storage: With a parent push handle, you’ll find a tray and a large storage basket in a tricycle by little trike. So, when it comes to carrying bottled water, snacks, mobile phones, and extra stuff for babies, then the trike by little trike is best.

Seat: With a high back trike seat, the little trike ensures maximum comfort and stability. The 5 point seat belt harness is designed to ensure safety, comfort and non-slip pedal while riding. Besides, the trike seat is effortless to adjust.

Sun canopy: Unlike other tricycle brands, the little tikes also provide a full shade canopy to their toddler trikes. The speciality of this brand is their given canopy can protect your child from any angles. Besides, the canopy of this company is removable, which makes it convenient.

Age: The Tricycles by little tikes are ideal for the age of 9 months to 5 years. Little tikes also produce a 4 stage toddler trike which grows with your child and is suitable for on the go journey.

The Possible Downsides: Smart Trike vs Radio Flyer vs Little Tikes Trike

Smart trike: What we don’t Like

Usually, the most common negative  thing you may experience in smart trike series is its handle bar. The bar equipped in this trike to make it like a stroller is flimsy and the handlebar is too small.

Note: You may find different issues in different models of smart trike series.

Radio Flyer: What We Don’t Like

One  of the most significant downsides you may experience in this trike is its cheap plastic made tires. When it comes to walking on rocky roads, you wouldn’t find it best due to plastic construction.

Little tikes trike: What we don’t Like

One downside of the trikes by this brand is, you will find them un-foldable. Some users claimed that they found the steering handle of these trikes by Little Tikes pretty wobbly and less sturdy. It’s a bit difficult to steer.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Smart Trike vs Little Tikes vs Radio Flyer Trike

1. How Easy is It to Push a Smartrike?

Answer: The smarTrike comes with a parent push handle to control the ride. According to the users’ experience and recommendation, you will find it effortless and smooth to push smarTrike toddler trike.

2. Is a Smart Trike Easy to Store?

Answer: Yes, the smart trike is easy to fold, store and open. As the smart trike is known as a fully foldable tricycle,  you can store this trike even in a carrying bag.

3. Can You Take a Smart Trike on a Plane?

Answer: We know that the smart trike is a super foldable tricycle that needs no assembly while opening. With its compact folded mode, you can carry it easily and effortlessly in any car. Most significantly, the smart trike toddler tricycle is designed in such a way that you can carry it inside of your luggage and take it on a plane.

4. How Does the Smartrike Grow With Your Child?

Answer: The smarTrike designs and produces award-winning toddler trikes. The innovative technology of smarTrike allows your child to grow with this trike. It comes with 4 unique configurations, which are ideal for every stage of your child’ growth.

Note: The smarTrike grows with your little girl or boy from the age of 15 to 36 months.

5. Can You Steer A Smart Trike?

Answer: Smartrike is a familiar name in the baby tricycle arena due to providing effortless manoeuvring. This baby tricycle is patented under Touch Steering Technology. You can see a convenient handle to ensure a smooth ride.

Hopefully, the riding mechanism won't be a matter of headache for you because of the ease. To activate this tricycle, you need to press the red button and then turn the wheel. After that, a sound like “click” will come out, and thus you can activate the steering handle.

So, as you successfully activate your kid’s handlebar for steering, the question is can you steer your kid’s smart trikes.

As the answer, the push tricycle offers a parent handle to control the navigation, and also, your kid can pedal and steer simultaneously. But it will be better not to provide full control until the third stage.

6. What Age is a Trike For?

Answer: Generally, a child can’t perfectly control a two-wheel bicycle due to a lack of balance and muscle condition. But when they become seven, controlling will become easy for them. So, when you wish to present a bike to your toddler, a trike will be perfect for him, which your kid can start as early as age one.

The kids who are six months, one or above years old can ride babies trike. Moreover, if your child has already learned walking or is on the way to learn, it indicates your child is ready for riding a trike.

Nevertheless, if your toddler is younger enough, you can give him a push trike. Besides, the older toddler has better start riding a peddle trike that will help them to uplift their coordination. Here the mechanism lets your toddler push forward with feet; also, the parents can push from behind.

That mechanism will help your kids gain confidence, and then they gradually catch the method of balancing the trike. More precisely, when your kid becomes three years old, your toddler may become perfect for trying pedalling.

7. Joovy Tricycoo Tricycle Vs. Radio Flyer 4 In 1 Stroll: What Are the Differences

Answer: Like the name, these two kid vehicles have some identifiable differences, and you could see detailed discussion herein.

The latest joovy tricycoo 4.1 will be a great combination with your toddler as the first vehicle. It will help your kid to be perfectly introduced with not only balance but also coordination.

Joovy tricycoo offers a padded seat and bigger canopy as the seat and the weight is a little bit heavy. Interestingly, the canopy is featured with UVF that will offer a sun protection facility.

This tricycoo offers a push handle for the parents to handle, which is adjustable and can extend more than 5 inches. If you wish to carry any supporting items for your kids, you can easily do that through its offered safety tray.

Hopefully, that handle lets you get full control over the vehicles. Moreover, you can get a smooth riding experience when you get up to speed. Finally, if you wish to present such a kid vehicle to your toddler, you need to expand a bit more.

On the other hand, the radio flyer offers a plastic seat, which seems to be slippery. Like the joovy, radio flyer 4-in-1 trike also offers a parent steering handle that you can remove whenever you want. You can use this toddler tricycle either as strollers by locking the pedals or as an independent tricycle.

This shiny steel made tricycle is considered suitable for age 2.5 up to about 4 even 5. That’s why the older kid won’t find it as smooth and easy to start as the joovy. Finally, when you wish to get such a nice kid vehicle, you have to spend a bit less than the joovy.

8. Some Noticeable Differences: Smart Trike vs Radio Flyer?

Answer: Similar to the name, smart trike and radio flyer have some noticeable differences. We precisely enlist those in a table to inform you. Hopefully, the following discussion assists you in easily choosing one of these two kid vehicles. Let’s enjoy the comparison table: smart trike vs radio flyer.

Smart Trike

  • The smart trike offers a sleek and straightforward design.
  • This model is built to serve a short time.
  • Smart trike’s last stage will serve 30 to 36 months (6 months).
  • The size and weight are a little bit higher.
  • The smart trike offers two color options: red and multicolor.

Radio Flyer

  • This kid vehicle comes with a kiddish and cuddly look.
  • Here used sturdy material to ensure a good life span.
  • Radio flyer's last stage (4th) will serve 3-5 years (2 years) old.
  • The radio flyer is a little bit slighter than the smart trike.
  • Radio Flyer also offers two types of color options: red and pink.

Final Verdict: Which Trike Model is Best?

We come to the end of our comparison guide regarding“smart trike vs radio flyer vs little tikes trike”. Practically, the tricycles are popular as an excellent balance bike for the kids of one year to five years old. These trikes are more stable than the average two-wheel bikes. Although the kids ride these trikes slowly, but they can’t lose their balance on it.

Fortunately, here in this comparison guide, we discussed some models of tricycles by three different brands (Smart trike, Radio flyer and Little tikes trike).

If you have children ages 9 months to 5 years old and you’re looking for one of the Best 4 in 1 trikes for the money, we would like to recommend you to choose the Little Tikes Perfect Fit 4-in-1 Trike. Also, we love this trike because it works excellent as your baby’s dream beginners’ tricycle.

On the other hand, the Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Stroll 'N Trike could be the best choice for an old child aged 1 to 5 years. Besides, this trike by Radio Flyer would be perfect for enjoying outdoor adventures with the entire family.

Our final recommendation goes to smarT trike vanilla plus 4-in-1 adjustable baby and toddler tricycle. It could be your perfect push stroller trike with a canopy, especially for 15 months to 3 years of a child.

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