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GearBest Bike Trailers for Kids 2026
A bike trailer solves a problem balance bikes and toddler seats can't: hauling a napping kid, two kids at once, or a load of grocery-run cargo behind an adult bike at adult speed. The trade is real — these things are heavy, they eat garage space, and the hitch you choose locks you into that brand's ecosystem.
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- Burley D-Lite X — best overall
- Burley Bee — best budget
- Thule Chariot Cross — best suspension and conversions
- Schwinn Echo — cheapest double
Comparison at a glance
| Trailer | Seats | Weight | Suspension | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burley D-Lite X | 1 or 2 | ~26 lb | No | ~$550 |
| Burley Bee | 1 or 2 | ~21 lb | No | ~$280 |
| Thule Chariot Cross | 1 or 2 | ~33 lb | Yes | ~$650 |
| Schwinn Echo | 2 | ~28 lb | No | ~$180 |
Weights are manufacturer-claimed, empty, for the 2-seat version where offered.
Best overall Burley D-Lite X
The D-Lite X is Burley's mid-tier trailer, sitting between the budget Bee and the sport-focused Chariot line, and it's the one we'd point most families toward. It folds flat for storage — a real advantage over bulkier competitors — ships with a 5-point harness in each seat, and Burley's own hitch attaches to nearly any bike with the included adapter. Manufacturer-claimed combined child capacity is around 100 lb across both seats.
- Folds flat, the best space-saver of the four here
- 5-point harnesses in both seats
- Burley's hitch fits nearly any bike frame with the adapter
- No suspension, so washboard roads transmit some jolt
- ~26 lb empty, awkward to lift onto a garage rack alone
Best budget Burley Bee
The Bee is Burley's entry trailer, and it covers the basics without the D-Lite X's price: a weatherproof cover, a 5-point harness, and the same Burley hitch standard, so upgrading later doesn't mean buying a new hitch. It's lighter than the D-Lite X empty, but the tradeoff is thinner padding and no fold-flat storage — it sits in the garage exactly as wide as it is on the road.
- Roughly half the price of the D-Lite X
- Same Burley hitch standard as pricier Burley trailers
- Lighter empty weight, easier to maneuver
- Doesn't fold flat — takes up its full footprint in storage
- Thinner seat padding than the D-Lite X
Best suspension and conversions Thule Chariot Cross
The Chariot Cross is built for families who'll actually use the conversion kits — stroller wheel, ski attachment, jogging wheel — sold separately for the same shell. It's the only trailer here with real suspension, which matters if your rides include anything rougher than a bike path, and the canopy visibility is noticeably better than the Burley line's mesh windows. All of that costs real money and real garage space.
- Only trailer here with suspension
- Wide range of stroller and ski conversion kits for the same shell
- Best all-around visibility for the kid riding inside
- Most expensive option by a wide margin
- At ~33 lb it's the heaviest to lift and store
Cheapest double Schwinn Echo
The Echo undercuts every trailer here on price and delivers a straightforward double seat with a basic canopy and a coupler-style hitch. Fit and finish trail the Burley and Thule trailers — expect a stiffer ride and thinner harness padding — but for occasional weekend rides rather than daily hauling, it does the job for a third of the Chariot Cross's price.
Hitch type is the decision that locks you in
Burley trailers use Burley's own ball-and-socket hitch, and Thule uses a Thule-specific coupler; both include an adapter arm that clamps to your bike's rear axle or frame, but once you own one brand's hitch, buying a second trailer from the same brand is the path of least resistance. Check your specific bike frame — thru-axle rear wheels and some carbon frames need a particular adapter, which the manufacturer's fit-checker tools list by bike model.
Where trailers fit next to a seat or a balance bike
A trailer isn't competing with a toddler bike seat so much as covering a different job: a seat puts one kid where a parent can reach them on a single bike, while a trailer hauls a napping infant, two kids, or cargo behind an adult riding alone. Plenty of families use a seat for a toddler learning to enjoy riding and a trailer for the infant sibling on the same outing, then move the older kid to a balance bike as soon as they're ready to push themselves.
How to choose
- Weigh the garage space honestly. None of these fold as small as a stroller; the D-Lite X folds flattest of the four here.
- Suspension matters on rough roads, not on bike paths — skip the upcharge if your rides stay paved.
- Check the harness age minimum before buying. Most trailers recommend against carrying infants who can't yet sit unsupported and hold their head up without a car-seat-style insert; follow the manufacturer's minimum age, not a general guess.
FAQ
What age can a child ride in a bike trailer?
Manufacturers typically recommend waiting until a child can sit unsupported and hold their head up, usually around 12 months, unless the trailer includes an infant support insert rated for younger riders. Check the specific model's manual rather than assuming.
Do all bike trailers use the same hitch?
No. Burley and Thule each use their own hitch and adapter arm, and switching brands later usually means buying a new hitch, not just a new trailer.
Bike trailer or a toddler bike seat?
A seat keeps one child close and within reach on a single bike; a trailer carries an infant, two kids, or cargo behind an adult riding alone. See our toddler bike seats guide for the seat side of that choice.
Whoever ends up towed still needs a properly fitted helmet — see our best toddler helmets guide and fit guide, and check the rest of the ride prep against our balance bike safety checklist.