Kids bike trailers let parents ride with one or two children from about 12 months to 5 years, carrying them in an enclosed, harnessed cabin behind the bike. The best trailers have a roll cage and five-point harnesses, hitch securely to a wide range of bikes, convert to a stroller or jogger for use off the bike, and fold flat for the car. Here are the four best kids bike trailers of 2026.
Thule Chariot Cross 2
The Thule Chariot Cross 2 is the best kids bike trailer on this list and the one that serious cycling families buy when they want one trailer to do everything. It is a four-in-one: a bike trailer, a stroller, a jogger, and (with a separate kit) a cross-country ski pulk. Each mode has its own included or available attachment, and switching takes under a minute. The Chariot Cross carries two children up to a combined 100 lb in a cabin with an adjustable suspension system that can be tuned to the load, which is the feature that separates it from trailers that ride harshly with one child and bottom out with two.
The cabin has reclining padded seats, individual five-point harnesses, a ventilation system with a mesh front and removable weather cover, and a large rear cargo compartment that holds a full grocery run. The frame is aluminum with an integrated roll bar. The 20-inch wheels have a quick-release and the whole trailer folds flat with the wheels removed. The hitch is Thule's ezHitch, which stays on the bike and lets the trailer click on and off in seconds.
The Chariot Cross includes the stroller wheels and the bike hitch arm. The jogging wheel and the ski kit are separate purchases. Thule also sells an infant sling for babies from 1 month (stroller mode only) and a baby supporter for 6-10 month olds, which extends the trailer's useful life down to the newborn months in stroller mode.
At $1,099.99, the Chariot Cross 2 is the most expensive trailer on this list by a wide margin. For families who ride several times a week, want a trailer that doubles as a premium stroller and jogger, and will use it for two children over five or more years, it is the trailer that holds its value and its resale price. For occasional riders, it is more than is needed.
Best for: Serious cycling families who want one premium trailer that converts to a stroller, jogger, and ski pulk with adjustable suspension.
Capacity: 2 children, 100 lb combined
Modes: Bike, stroll, jog, ski (kits sold separately)
Price: $1,099.99
Burley Bee Bike Trailer
The Burley Bee is the best-value bike trailer on this list and the one most frequently recommended as a first trailer, because it delivers the safety features that matter at a price that does not require a second mortgage. Burley has built bike trailers in Oregon since 1978, and the Bee is their bike-only model: it does not convert to a stroller, which keeps the weight down and the price low, and it carries two children up to 100 lb combined in a cabin with a full roll cage and five-point harnesses.
The Bee weighs 20 lb, the lightest two-seat trailer on this list, which matters on hills. The cabin has a tinted UV-protective window, a mesh front with a roll-down weather cover, and a rear cargo area. The 20-inch wheels pop off with a push button and the frame folds flat in a few seconds without tools. Burley's flex connector hitch allows the bike to tip over without flipping the trailer, which is a safety feature cheaper trailers often lack.
Burley sells a stroller kit and a jogger kit that fit the Bee for families who later decide they want those modes, so the Bee is upgradeable even though it ships bike-only. The fabric is water-resistant and the seats are padded but do not recline. Burley rates the Bee for children 1 year and older who can hold their heads steady in a helmet.
At $399.99, the Burley Bee is the trailer to buy for families who want Burley quality and safety at the lowest price in the brand's lineup. It is the best choice for weekend riders and for families who already own a good stroller and do not need the trailer to replace it.
Best for: Weekend-riding families who want Burley's safety and build quality in a lightweight bike-only trailer at a reasonable price.
Capacity: 2 children, 100 lb combined
Weight: 20 lb (lightest on this list)
Price: $399.99
Hamax Outback Multi-Sport Trailer
The Hamax Outback is the best trailer on this list for families who want most of what the Thule Chariot does at a lower price. Hamax is a Norwegian brand best known for child bike seats, and the Outback is their two-seat multi-sport trailer with adjustable suspension, reclining seats, a stroller mode with the included front wheel, and a jogger mode with the included jogging wheel. Including both wheels in the box is the Outback's value proposition: the Chariot Cross charges extra for the jogging wheel.
The Outback carries two children up to 97 lb combined. The cabin has individual five-point harnesses, a mesh front with a weather cover, and ventilation panels on the sides. The suspension has three settings for load. The 20-inch wheels are quick-release and the trailer folds flat. The hitch is a universal design that fits most bikes, and the hitch arm tucks under the trailer in stroller mode.
The Outback is heavier than the Chariot Cross at 44 lb, and the fold is less compact. The weather cover is a separate piece rather than integrated. Hamax sells an infant insert for stroller use from 6 months, and the seats recline independently so one child can nap while the other sits up.
At $699.99, the Hamax Outback is priced between the Burley Bee and the Thule Chariot Cross. For families who want a true multi-sport trailer with suspension and both stroller and jogging wheels in the box, it offers the most complete package per dollar on this list.
Best for: Families who want a multi-sport trailer with suspension and both stroller and jogging wheels included, at a price well below the Thule.
Capacity: 2 children, 97 lb combined
Included: Bike hitch, stroller wheel, jogging wheel
Price: $699.99
Schwinn Echo Double Bike Trailer
The Schwinn Echo is the best budget bike trailer on this list and the one to buy for a family that rides a few times a season on paved paths and wants a safe, two-seat trailer without spending more than the bike cost. The Echo carries two children up to 80 lb combined, has a steel frame with a roll bar, a two-in-one canopy with mesh and weather shield, and a universal hitch that fits most bikes. It folds flat with the wheels removed.
The Echo's harnesses are five-point, and the cabin has a rear storage pocket. The 20-inch wheels are quick-release. The frame is steel rather than aluminum, so the Echo weighs 30 lb, heavier than the Burley Bee and noticeable on hills. The fabric is less durable than Burley's and the fold mechanism is less refined, but for paved paths and occasional use the Echo does the job.
The Echo does not have a stroller mode, suspension, or reclining seats. Its hitch does not have the Burley's flex connector, so a bike tip-over is more likely to tip the trailer. These are the trade-offs for a trailer at half the Bee's price. Schwinn rates the Echo for children 1 year and up.
At $199.99, the Schwinn Echo is the most affordable two-seat trailer on this list. For paved-path, fair-weather riders who want a safe trailer at the lowest price, it is a reasonable entry point. Families who find themselves riding weekly will want to upgrade to the Burley Bee.
Best for: Occasional paved-path riders who want a two-seat trailer with a roll bar and five-point harnesses at the lowest price.
Capacity: 2 children, 80 lb combined
Frame: Steel, 30 lb
Price: $199.99
How to Choose a Kids Bike Trailer
Bike-only or multi-sport?
Bike-only trailers (Burley Bee, Schwinn Echo) are lighter and cheaper and do one thing. Multi-sport trailers (Thule Chariot, Hamax Outback) convert to a stroller and jogger, which makes them useful every day rather than only on rides, and justifies their price for families who would otherwise buy a separate jogging stroller. If the family already owns a good stroller, a bike-only trailer is the better value. If the trailer will replace a stroller, multi-sport pays for itself.
At what age can a child ride in a bike trailer?
Most manufacturers and the AAP recommend 12 months as the minimum, when the child can sit unsupported and hold their head steady while wearing a helmet. Infant inserts (Thule, Hamax) allow younger babies in stroller mode only, not behind a bike. The vibration and the helmet weight on an infant's neck are the reasons for the 12-month floor. A child wears a helmet in a bike trailer at all times.
What about suspension?
Suspension smooths gravel, root-filled paths, and curb drops, and it matters most on unpaved trails and for children who nap in the trailer. On smooth paved bike paths it is less important. Adjustable suspension (Thule, Hamax) lets the trailer ride well with one child or two; non-adjustable or no suspension (Burley Bee, Schwinn Echo) rides fine with two children on pavement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a bike trailer safer than a child bike seat?
Generally yes. A trailer sits low to the ground, has a roll cage, and does not affect the bike's balance the way a seat-mounted child does. If the bike falls, a trailer with a flex hitch stays upright. A child bike seat places the child at height and a fall takes the child down with the bike. Trailers are wider and less visible in traffic, so a flag and reflective fabric matter. Both are safe when used correctly on appropriate routes.
Will a bike trailer fit my bike?
Most trailers include a universal hitch that mounts to the rear axle or quick-release skewer of a standard bike. Bikes with thru-axles, disc brakes with unusual mounts, or e-bikes with wide hubs may need an adapter. Check the trailer manufacturer's compatibility list before buying. Thule and Burley both sell adapters for most configurations.
Can a bike trailer be used with an e-bike?
Yes, and e-bikes make trailer towing much easier on hills. Most trailer manufacturers approve use with Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes (pedal assist up to 20 mph). Check the e-bike's manufacturer guidance on towing, as some void the warranty. Keep speeds moderate; trailers are rated for typical cycling speeds, not for sustained fast e-bike riding.
