Top 8 Best Bike Trailers On The Market In 2022 Reviews

Getting out and riding bikes with your kids is great fun. However, until they’re old enough to ride their own bike, this can be a little tricky. But having young children doesn’t mean that yours and your children’s fun has to stop. You can still get out there and enjoy the great outdoors together if you use a bike trailer for your little ones.

These days there are plenty of brilliant options to choose from. Even better, the best bike trailers needn’t cost a fortune or compromise safety because of it. Our list has a wide selection of bike trailers at all price-points.

So, let’s get straight to it and find the perfect option for you and your child…

Top 8 Best Bike Trailers To Consider In 2022 Review

1 Burley D’Lite 1 and 2 Seat Kids Bike Trailer & Stroller – Best Offroad Bike Trailer

This is an excellent option if you like to go more off the beaten track. The adjustable suspension and deep tread, wide 20” wheels make it ideal for taking out on trails or gravel. The great thing is that if you don’t want to use it with your bike, you can also convert it to use when jogging or walking too.

One or two-seat options available…

The Burley D’Lite is a high-quality trailer that comes in either a one or two-seat option. Regardless of which you choose, the dimensions remain the same, at 33.3 x 31.3 x 38.3 inches. For one child, there’s plenty of room, but it does make it a touch cosey for two.

Inside the trailer, there are fully removable seats for easy cleaning, which is a must when small children are involved. The sides of the trailer have internal pockets for the storage of small items. At the rear, there is a good-sized waterproof trunk that’s big enough to keep as many as four or five full-sized soccer balls.

Versatile…

The seats can be tilted to three positions. Plus, if you want to use the trailer for hauling gear rather than your kids, then that’s easy too. The seats can be quickly folded down to give you all the storage you’re probably fit enough to be able to pull behind you.

The trailer is surrounded by waterproof, clear, tinted plastic material. The cool thing is that this is SPF 50 sun rated and can be quickly rolled down when the weather allows.

Safe and sound…

Safety features include plenty of reflective strips on all sides. Additionally, two light mounts at the rear can be used for daytime running lights, which is never a bad idea.

Finally, when you need to pack it away, it’s one of the quickest and easiest to breakdown for transportation.

2 Thule Chariot Cross Multisport Trailer & Stroller – Best Premium Bike Trailer

Thule is a Swedish company specializing in roof racks, bike racks, automobile accessories as well as bike trailers. The quality of their products is exceptional, with premium prices to match.

So, is this bike trailer good enough to match its hefty price-tag?

Let’s find out…

The trailer can be used with your bike for jogging or strolling. However, unlike a lot of bike trailers, the Thule Chariot neatly holds the conversion kit in place, on the side of the trailer, ready for use. This makes it highly versatile for mixed-use. However, it must be noted that these conversion kits are only available by separate purchase.

The Thule Chariot has adjustable suspension and large wheels. To further ensure your children’s’ comfort, there are quality and well-padded seats. These have a five-point harness for safety. What’s more, the seats are also individually reclinable.

Cool as a cucumber…

Inside the trailer, your children will also enjoy excellent all-round visibility. Plus, on days when the screens have to stay up, there are ventilation channels to keep things nice and cool.

The rear of the trailer has a detachable cargo space that can be stored away to either keep the weight down or to increase your kick stride if you fancy a bit of jogging in between your bike rides. The space in the trunk is generous, and you’ll have no problems taking all you need for a fun day out.

Nice and lightweight…

One final thing we like about the Thule bike trailer is the weight. Despite its quality construction, the weight has been kept down to just 32lbs. This is only slightly heavier than the Burley D’Lite. A good achievement and one you’ll be thankful for with a trunk full of gear and a couple of kids on board.

All in all, it feels and looks premium quality, and other than the price, there’s little to criticize.

3 Hamax Outback Reclining Multi-Sport Child Bike Trailer + Stroller – Best Bike Trailer for Tall Child

This is a high-end single-seat trailer. It has an extra-large cockpit, and also because it’s a single-seater, it offers loads of room for your little one. Additionally, the seat is sat relatively high, so it makes it a comfortable ride for taller children.

Other features to help improve your child’s comfort include a plush well-cushioned seat, an adjustable reclining seatback, and shock suspension. The ride quality is undoubtedly up there with some of the best bike trailers on the market.

The view?

Visibility from the inside is also good. The front panel gives an uninterrupted panoramic view whilst still providing high sun protection from above. The Hamax Outback Reclining Multi-Sport Child Bike Trailer also has a bug screen and a built-in rain cover.

If you want to do some jogging, you can convert it by adding an extra wheel. It’s quick and easy, but sadly the conversion kit doesn’t come as standard. If you do use it as a stroller, the jogging kit can be stored in the roomy storage at the rear. Happily, the transition from a trailer to a stroller, or vice versa, takes just seconds.

What do we like most?

One of the top selling points for this trailer is its safety credentials. It has a durable all-around aluminum frame that protects your child in the very unlikely event of it rolling over. Together with the five-point harness, reflective materials, and rear light, it’s easy to see why this is an EN/ASTM certified trailer.

The only real negative is the weight. It weighs 40.7lbs, which frankly is a lot. This is eight pounds heavier than the Thule Chariot Cross and 11.4lbs heavier than the Burley D’Lite. It’s something that might make some of you think twice if you live in a hilly area.

4 Schwinn Joyrider, Echo, and Trailblazer Bike Trailer for Toddlers and Kids – Best Bike Trailer for Quick Trips

Schwinn is one of the oldest cycle manufacturers in the world. This US company has a long and proud heritage. They sell good quality products but at a reasonable price, which makes them a big hit with a large number of consumers.

The Schwinn Joyrider is not one of the least expensive, but it’s undoubtedly still a very affordable bike trailer. For a relatively low price, it offers plenty of value. It’s well built and has features that are often seen on much higher priced trailers.

Let’s take a closer look…

This is a two-seater that uses five-point harnesses, though with less padding than more expensive alternatives. The seats also can’t be tilted or taken out for cleaning. They do, however, offer approximately the same overall width.

The canopy has a bug-screen and a weather-shield. There’s also some good quality ventilation at the rear. Though not as comprehensive as the Thule Chariot, we’d say that the view is still good.

Better on smooth surfaces…

There’s no suspension, but it does have wide 20” wheels and tires. For smoother and sealed surfaces, this is fine. Nevertheless, if you intend to go on trails or the rough stuff, it’s probably going to fall short of being comfortable over long distances.

Cargo space is a little limited but sufficient for most peoples’ needs over shorter journeys. In our experience, these short trips are where the Schwinn Joyrider makes the most sense. For less heavy and less regular use over better roads, it’s a great inexpensive option. This is so long as you only intend to use it with your bike as it cannot be adapted to use as a stroller or for when you’re running.

5 Burley Design Bee, 2 Seat, Lightweight, Kids Bike-Only Trailer – Best Budget Bike Trailer

There’s no doubt that the Burley Bee bike trailer offers a lot for very little money. This is one of Burley’s budget trailers. However, despite the low price, it has plenty of safety features and a surprisingly generous amount of space too.

Can you trust a budget trailer, though?

It has a strong aluminum frame that’s primary purpose is to protect your little ones in the event of an accident. Happily, it’s also lightweight, which helps to keep the total weight down to a very trim 18.7lbs. That’s something you’ll be very thankful for once you hit a few climbs.

Other safety features include tons of reflective strips on all sides. You also get a place to hang rear lights, and a neon orange safety flag is provided. This is a great tool to warn other road users of your presence.

Where does it fall down?

The seats are not as luxurious or well-padded as the Burley D’Lite, but you can add additional padding if required. The seats still use the same five-point harness, and you get the same amount of shoulder width. Plus, the hammock-style seats mean your children are not sat on the floor, which, to an extent, helps to improve their comfort.

Visibility is good and has been improved over the old model. Plus, UPF sun protection, now standard on all sides. An essential feature in our eyes.

Simple storage and transportation…

Packing up the Burley Bee couldn’t be easier. The 20” wheels are quick release, so the trailer can be folded away in seconds. It also folds down into a low profile, which makes both transportation and storage a breeze.

Finally, it should be noted that the Burley bee is only suitable for use with bikes. There are no handles and no conversion kits available. Joggers, walkers, and skiers need to look elsewhere.

6 Instep Bike Trailer for Toddlers, Kids, Single and Double Seat, 2-In-1 Canopy Carrier – Best Cheap Bike Trailer

The next item in our best bike trailers reviews is an absolute steal! This is the least expensive bike trailer on our list. It’s also one of the lightest too, weighing a very leg-friendly 23 pounds. Consequently, it’s great for riding in hilly areas and great when you have to carry it around for transportation or storage. Another cool feature is that it also has the lowest storage profile on our list.

That’s not a bad start…

One of the first features you’ll probably notice is that the Instep Bike Trailer has 16” rather than 20” wheels. It also has mag wheels as opposed to spokes. Neither of these affects the ride comfort, and we’re sure you’ll agree that they do look kind of cool.

There’s no suspension, but since the five-point harness seats are hung from the frame, this takes up some of the worst of the bumps and lumps. It’s not the kind of bike trailer you’d want to take off-road, but it’s still OK on tarmac or smooth gravel.

One recommendation…

Other than a safety flag, there’s nothing else in the way of reflective strips or lights to help you be seen. You will probably, therefore, need to take a trip to your local bike shop and get kitted out with a variety of getting you seen stuff.

There is some storage at the rear, but it’s fair to say that it’s quite limited. It’s enough for a few essentials, and frankly, maybe that’s no bad thing—another inadvertent assist to make your life on the bike a little easier.

Cyclists only!

This is another trailer purely for the cyclists. There can be no doubling up here for walking, jogging, or strolling. You guys will again have to search elsewhere, we’re afraid.

7 Thule Cadence Two Child Carrier Bicycle Trailer – Best Basic Bike Trailer

This is an inexpensive two-seater bike trailer. It has the same width as the more expensive Thule Chariot but with much less weight. The Thule Cadence weighs just 22lbs, which is over 11lbs lighter than its plusher big brother.

A lot of the reduced weight is down to the fact that the inside has less well-padded seats. Additionally, the rear has less space in the trunk. In fact, it has just about the least storage space of any bike trailers across all price points.

More positively…

The cover does provide excellent protection against the elements, with a good level of ventilation available through the side panels. The front window also has a large viewing panel, which can be quickly rolled down in good weather. Overall, the visibility is just about as good as it gets at this price-point.

The seats do recline, but this is only fractional. This means that your little ones will be sitting predominantly upright, which isn’t the most comfortable position. There’s also minimal padding.

Overall, we think the seats could be more comfortable…

To counteract the slightly firm seats, the large 20” quick-release wheels will thankfully provide some cushioning. Though, here again, the lack of any kind of suspension is a bit of a miss when the going gets tough. This is where a variable suspension begins to make sense.

Finally, this is another cycling only dedicated bike trailer.

8 Retrospec Rover Kids Bicycle Trailer – Best Value Bike Trailer for Growing Kids

This is a trailer for the budget-conscious cyclist. It’s the second on our review to feature 16” mag wheels, which, in our opinion, is no bad thing. In our experience, they are just as competent at soaking up the bumps, plus they look cool into the bargain.

For such an inexpensive trailer, it puts others to shame as far as the seats are concerned. The padding and general quality are superior to trailers costing twice this price. The ability to move the harnesses to different anchor points as your child grows is also a massive plus for comfort and safety.

So, is this the best bike trailer?

Sadly, visibility is an area where things are not so good. The window and side panels don’t go as far down as most other trailers. It’s OK, but it could be a lot better. Thankfully, the fly screen, rainproof cover, and ventilation are all much better.

Storage is also surprisingly generous for such a small trailer. It’s good enough to take most of what you’re likely to need for a day on the bike. There’s sufficient room to store a couple of footballs, food, frisbees, and more.

He ain’t heavy…

This little trailer weighs just 22lbs, so it’s nice and light for some easy riding. Since it has no suspension, it’s best to keep it on the smooth stuff. If you also keep it away from the hills, it could be an effortless and pleasant ride for you all.

Like most other trailers at this price point, it can’t be converted for use when you’re walking, jogging, or skiing.

Best Bike Trailers Buying Guide

Seats

All the seats in our review have five-point harnesses. So, from a safety standpoint, we have no complaints. However, we think it’s worth giving an honorable mention to the Retrospec Rover Kids Bicycle Trailer since it has three different positions for harnesses.

The two kinds of seats you can expect to find are either bench style or hammock style. The former is more generally found on premium bike trailers and the latter on less expensive ones.

What’s the main difference?

Bench seats tend to have more padding and are generally more comfortable. Despite this, it doesn’t mean that hammock seats can’t be comfortable. This is perfectly illustrated by the Burley Design Bee. This inexpensive bike trailer has very comfortable seats even though they are hammock style.

Other things to consider when looking at the seats are if they recline and how high your child sits up in the seat. The ideal bike trailer will have individual reclining seats and also allow your child to sit in a more upright position when they prefer.

Suspension

Suspension is a significant boost to comfort and is generally only something that you’ll find on premium trailers from companies like Thule, Burley, and Hamax. It’s not a must-have if you’re only riding short distances and over relatively even ground. However, in any other circumstances, and particularly with smaller children, it’s an upgrade worth having.

Windows

The size of the windows can make a big difference in the comfort of your child. Not surprisingly, it’s the premium trailers that usually offer the best visibility with the greatest amount of window space. The Thule Chariot provides the best window space of all.

The windows should offer adequate levels of ventilation as well as visibility. Additionally, they should be easy to pull up or down. In this respect, the Schwinn Joyrider is an excellent option since it offers all three features.

A final consideration is that the windows should provide protection from the sun. This can be either by using UV filtering or a canopy. The Burley is the clear winner in this category.

Attachments

Although this is a review for the best bicycle trailers, it’s still true that a lot of parents who take their children on bike rides also like to do the same when hiking, jogging, and even skiing. The point is that wherever possible, it’s great to have the flexibility to use the same bike trailer for all of these activities.

The premium bike trailers from Thule, Burley, and Hamax all have converter kits for precisely this purpose. However, unfortunately, they’re all only available by separate purchase at quite a significant cost.

Sporty kids and parents…

We have several reviews for you! So, don’t miss our Best Child Bike Seats, our Best Bicycle Seat Review for adults, the Best Balance Bikes, the Best Tricycles for 2 Year Olds, the Best Bike Helmets, the Best Trunk Mount Bike Racks, and the Best Bike Lights currently on the market.

If you have very young kids (or furry babies), you may also be interested in reviews for the Best Car Upholstery Cleaners, the Best Dog Ramp for SUVs, and the Best Car Vaccum Cleaner you can buy in 2022?

Back to the best bike trailer for kids…

So, what are the Best Bike Trailers?

So, there you have it. If you enjoy going out with your children on your bike, we are sure that most, if not all, of the bike trailers in our review would do a great job. Although they cover a lot of price-points, they all offer high levels of safety. This, we feel, is the absolute most critical feature of all.

We would be happy to take our kids out in any of the trailers, but if we have to choose just one, it will be the…

Burley Design Bee

This is our top pick because not only is it affordable, but it also has very comfortable seats. Plus, it’s got a strong, sturdy frame whilst simultaneously being lightweight and easy to store.

Enjoy your rides!