Razor E100

There are plenty of well-regarded electric scooters on the market, but many critics say an inexpensive stand-up model like the Razor E100 is all most kids need. With its chain-driven motor and 10-mph max speed, the E100 is quiet and sedate enough for children as young as 8 to handle.

Rated at about 40 minutes, battery life is considered adequate if not always stellar. We found some complaints about batteries failing to hold a charge; other critics say improper maintenance may be at the root of this issue. The chain guard also tends to scrape the ground during tight right turns, but most owners say they found ways to work around this inconvenience.

The kick-start required to engage the E100's motor doesn't seem to interfere with users' enjoyment. In fact, many parents say they appreciate this feature, which helps prevent younger riders from toppling over in a quick takeoff -- although the throttle merely toggles on and off and takes some getting used to. The weight limit on the Razor E100 is only 120 pounds and there's no seat option, so an upgraded version may suit some riders better. Many moped-style electric scooters also get positive reviews, but cost at least $100 more.

Most of the reviews we found for the Razor E100 come from contributors to retail websites Amazon.com and Walmart.com. Editors at Cheapism.com name the E100 their top value among electric scooters for kids.

At different retailers, you may see variant names E125, E150 or E175, but they're all the same. The owner's manual for each contains all of the above model names, and the replacement parts list -- including the motor and battery pack -- is identical for all E100-series model numbers.