9 Best Off-Road Power Wheels

Power Wheels are among the best toys our generation wished we had. These miniature cars promise plenty of fun, adventure, and even help develop a child’s motor skills, so you’re thinking of getting your precious one of these things. You decided you’ll get one that can handle rough terrains, so you’re scouring the internet for advice on the best off-road power wheels.

The top power wheels for off-roading usage are Fisher-Price’s Power Wheels Dune Racer, Jeep Wrangler, and Wild Things, Best Choice Products’ 4-Wheeler ATV and Ride-On Truck, Aosom’s Off-Road Truck, Uenjoy’s Ride-On UTV, Kid Trax’s Yamaha ATV, and Costzon’s Ride-On ATV.

This article will tell you all you need to know about the best power wheels for off-road usage. It will also serve as your buying guide and discuss the things you need to consider when getting power wheels for all terrains.

Things To Consider When Buying Ride-On Cars: Buying Guide

Almost everyone refers to children’s miniature cars as power wheels, but they are named Ride-On cars. Power Wheels is a brand name under Fisher-Price. However, for this article, we will use these two terms interchangeably.

If you’re here, you already know what these cars do. They entertain the kids and help them develop motor skills. They’re these tiny cars that work almost like our big cars, except that you can sometimes override them and use a remote control. So, with plenty of power wheels on the market, how do you know which suits your child the most?

Age

First, you need to know that power wheels don’t come in one size. Children of different ages have different control levels over their movements, and children’s sizes and weights will vary per age. Manufacturers often create power wheels based on age ranges: 1 to 3 years old, 2 to 5 years old, and 5 to 8 years old.

If your child is below two years old, you may want a car that’s easy to operate, such as cars with push-button functions. Your child has yet to develop their motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and balance at this age. So, they will find the ride enjoyable but won’t have much control over their bodies.

Meanwhile, if your child is around two to four years old, you can focus on allowing them to have more fun rather than be too worried that they’ll tip over. Of course, you still need to practice additional safety precautions at this stage, but it won’t be as worrisome. You may want to focus on attractive cars at this point.

On the other hand, if your child is between the ages of five to eight, you’ll most likely find yourself focusing on toy cars with plenty of cool features, such as music, headlights, and many other things. This is the age where kids have better control of themselves, so they’ll tend to seek more excitement.

Size

You should also take note of your child’s size before buying them a power wheel. If the car is bigger than them, they’ll end up thrown around in the vehicle. And if their ride-on is smaller than them, they won’t find it comfortable or may not even fit in it altogether.

Additionally, always ensure that you check the miniature car’s weight capacity specifications. If you allow your child to use it even when they’re past the ride-on’s recommended maximum weight capacity, the power wheel will struggle to take them to places.

Speed

How fast do you want your child to drive? If they’re young, their ride-on’s top speed should be 2.5 mph or 4 km/h, but if they’re older kids, you can go for 5 mph or 8 km/h. You’ll find that most power wheels allow for speed customization. They’ll also come with different gears and speed options, so ensure that you pick the ride-on that suits your child.

Safety Features

It’s always essential that you check a power wheel’s safety features before buying it. Your child could fall, tip over, or hit obstacles, so it’s best to choose a ride-on that prevents injuries and ensures your child is safe as they drive.

Most power wheels possess an automatic braking system but double-check a ride-on for that feature before buying it. Similarly, ensure that the power wheel features a seat belt, shock absorption, and suspension systems. You may also opt for one that grants you an override option should you need to use it.

Battery

Big ride-on cars possess 12V batteries, while smaller power wheels run on 6V. A high voltage equates to high power, so keep that in mind when buying a power wheel. Additionally, consider the battery life. Most miniature cars have a battery life of about 3 hours.

Customization

Toy cars manufactured for bigger children typically offer better optimization. They may come with built-in radios, music options, Bluetooth, LED lights, and many other things. They may look similar to real cars as well. So, if you’re someone who appreciates extra features in things, ensure you check out a power wheel’s customization options before purchasing it.

Other Features To Look Out For

• Suspension: A 4-wheel suspension helps stabilize your child’s ride-on to ensure they can traverse on and across bumpy and uneven surfaces.
• Rear shock absorbers: They guarantee that when your child collides into something, he won’t receive the full impact of the collision; the vehicle’s shock absorbers will control the damage. 
• Gradual acceleration: This is crucial in warranting that your child won’t lurch forward or backward when they move or reverse.
• Battery level indicator: Most power wheels will already possess them, but it’s always wise to check for this feature.

Types of Power Wheels for Rough Terrains

Off-road toy cars come in three types: ATVs or UTVs, SUVs, and buggies. All-terrain vehicles and utility task vehicles are different from each other, but both offer the same features: oversized wheels, a high seat, and handlebars. They’re perfect for boys and girls who love to explore.

Meanwhile, sports utility vehicle ride-ons are similar to SUVs without closed interiors. They’re excellent for children who love attractive-looking cars and appreciate cool features like LED headlights, side mirrors, and music.

Lastly, dune racers or buggies are low-sitting, open-top power wheels meant for off-roading usage across the sand and other areas. Their low center of gravity dramatically suits children who love speed and power on their ride-on.

Now that you know the factors you need to think about when buying ride-on vehicles for off-road usage, you can choose the best power wheel for your child accordingly. So, this section will list nine top ride-ons for off-roading you can buy today.

For an All-Terrain Ride-On: Power Wheels Dune Racer

Fisher-Price started the power wheels craze, so it’s not a surprise that three of their ride-ons occupy this list. Power Wheels Dune Racer is a two-seater that can excellently accommodate two kids aged 3 to 7 as long as their combined weight doesn’t go over 130 lbs (59 kg).

It can traverse across wet grass, hard surfaces, mud, and gravel, and it has a battery life of three continuous hours at a slower speed and two hours at high speed. It also features a reverse gear speed of 2.5 mph (4km/h) and forward speeds of 2.5 mph (4km/h) and 5 mph (8 km/h) alongside a high-speed parental lockout.

You can get Power Dune in neon green, pink, purple, or camo.

Pros

• Modern design with color choices
• High-speed lockout & auto-braking system
• Can handle even wet terrains

Cons

• Battery recharges slowly
• Noisy plastic wheels

For a Cool Ride: Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler

Power Wheels Jeep Wrangler suits bigger children with its build. However, the minimum recommended age is at least three years old, and the maximum weight capacity of two children shouldn’t exceed 130 lbs (59 kg). 

It features the same things the Power Dune does, except that the Jeep Wrangler includes a music radio and a microphone and speaker. So, if your child loves playing pretend announcer or any other related game, they’ll appreciate this ride-on. If you have two kids, one can play with the microphone as the other drives. Your child or children may also find it cool that their ride-on can play out real music.

However, note that the Jeep Wrangler isn’t as powerful as the Power Dune. It would face a hard time trying to traverse grassy areas.

Pros

• Microphone and speaker
• Music radio
• Storage space
• Cool design

Cons

• Hard to use on grass
• Mid-Low music quality

For Advanced Riders: Power Wheels Wild Thing

Wild Thing gets its name from its feature: it spins. Your child can drive it over any terrain, but they can also spin using the Wild Things dual joystick steering control. Besides that, it also features oversized wheels, a wide seat, and an attractive exposed metal structure for a more realistic look.

The manufacturers recommend this power wheel for kids aged five and above with a maximum weight capacity of 100 lbs (45 kg). However, if you’re worried that this will be too fast for you, don’t be. Wild Thing comes with four parent-controlled speeds under its seat. With that, you can customize the ride on’s pace until you’re sure your child can handle a faster speed.

Pavement, grass, and other rough terrains are easily maneuvered through the Wild Thing, too, so you can rest assured that it can function well enough off-road. Moreover, it possesses the same safety features and speed as the Power Dune.

Pros

• Four-Level Parental Speed Control
• Spins
• Comes in great colors

Cons

• Single-seater
• Not for smaller kids

For a Visual Feast With Low Speed: Best Choice Products Four-Wheeler ATV

Next to Fisher-Price, Best Choice Products (BCP) is steadily gaining popularity. It’s turning into one of the most reliable ride-on vehicle manufacturers, so they have two products on this list. Their Four-Wheeler ATV features an accented design perfect for a visual feast, and it’s combined with realistic functionality and large treaded wheels.

It has everything you would expect in a ride-on ATV, and it can traverse off-road on uneven surfaces and short grass. However, its top speed reaches only 3.7 mph (6 km/h). Older kids may not appreciate that, but it’s perfect for younger kids or kids with parents who want to walk alongside them as they drive. 

Additionally, it only supports one child with a maximum weight capacity of 66 lbs (30 kg) since it’s an ATV.

Pros

• Low maximum speed perfect for young children
• Cool accented design

Cons

• Older kids may not appreciate the slower speed
• ATV may find it hard to cross sandy surfaces

For a Remote-Controlled Power Wheel: BCP Ride-On Car Truck

Having the ability to better control their child’s car remotely is a dream come true to most parents. BCP knows that, and they decided to provide parents with the said feature. With it, you can dictate where your child goes and how fast they can go.

Besides this, BCP’s Ride-On Truck features an adjustable safety belt, three-speed options at a maximum of 3.7 mph (6 km/h), and bright LED headlights. It will keep your little one safely secured inside the ride-on and ensure they don’t tip over with their limited speed. Similarly, its LED lights are sure to entertain and amaze your child.

BCP also possesses a built-in AUX outlet for music so that your little one can listen to music as they drive and experience the feeling of actually driving a real off-road vehicle. Like Power Dune, it allows your child to drive across any off-road area, too, be it grass, dirt, or any other uneven surface.

Pros

• Remote Control and Manual Control options
• Low top speed for smaller children
• Plenty of realistic car features

Cons

• Single-seater
• Older kids may not like slower speeds

For an Affordable Power Wheel With Great Features: Aosom Ride-On Car

Aosom is BCP’s contender for a remote-control power wheels with full features. This off-road toy car boasts an MP3 connection, a cool-looking steering wheel, moveable wing mirrors, openable doors, usable storage space, bright head and dashboard lights, and a working horn. It’s also highly affordable and built for durability.

Children aged 3 to 6 years old can drive Aosom’s toy car, and it’s built to withstand rough roads while ensuring your child doesn’t get too bumped or shaken as they drive.

Pros

• Affordable
• Great features
• Remote control and Manual Control options

Cons

• Single-seater

For Young Riders: Uenjoy Off-Road UTV

Uenjoy wants children of all ages to enjoy battery-powered toy cars. Hence, their Off-Road UTV was built for children aged one to five years old. You can allow your one-year-old to drive this vehicle as you control it via remote control. 

Likewise, you can rest assured your little one safely rides as they’re locked down with a seat belt and double-lock doors. You can look forward to an attractive dashboard with Bluetooth connectivity and LED lights. However, you can also use USB, MP3, or TF-Card to play music within the vehicle.

Moreover, Uenjoy UTV possesses a two-seater option, which is great for parents with more than one child. That way, both kids can have fun: one can drive, and the other can play with the ride-on’s other features.

Pros

• Excellent for kids as young as one
• Remote control and Manual Control options
• Two-seater
• Full-featured

Cons

• Not for children older than 5

For Adventure Seekers: Kid Trax Yamaha Kodiak ATV

Kid Trax’s Yamaha Kodiak ATV looks exactly like the real, adult version of its copy. It also features almost the same functions and strives to make your child’s driving session as realistic as possible. It focuses on how much fun a child can have when riding an ATV.

Because of that, it possesses an MP3 player function, horn and engine sound effects, working headlines, and front and rear storage spaces. It also ensures your little one doesn’t get hurt: its suspension and rubber traction strip tires work to maintain a smooth and steady ride.

Your kids will love this if they’re at least 3 to 7 years old with a maximum weight capacity of 88 lbs (40kg).

Pros

• Looks like the real Yamaha Kodiak
• Great, realistic features

Cons

• Single-Seater
• Not for young kids

For a Durable Power Wheel: Costzon Ride-On ATV

If you have your child drive their power wheel on constantly wet surfaces or surfaces that would otherwise damage standard toy cars, Costzon Ride-On ATV should perfectly match you. It’s built to withstand harsh surfaces and heavy usage with its large, wear-resistant, and stable wheels. So, you don’t need to worry over your child crossing rubber tracks, cement roads, dirt, grass, or sand.

You can also rest assured that your little one is safe and comfortable as they drive: Costzon ATV features a safety harness, high back support, and a wide seat contoured for a child’s body shape. Children over three years old can ride this power wheel, but know that its top speed is 5 mph (8 km/h).

Pros

• Highly durable
• 5mph maximum speed
• Safe and comfortable

Cons

• No music function and such

Final Thoughts

The top nine power wheels for off-roading respectively cater to different kinds of needs, such as a ride-on for a young child, an older child, or an adventurous child. Their purposes also differ from one another, as a few can cross all terrain types while others may find it hard to do so.

Ultimately, it’s up to you to choose which specifications fit your child and your needs.