Bike trailers for kids are often seen as an expensive luxury item for energetic young parents.
But many people don’t realize you can get a high-quality bike trailer for $300 or lower.
When I first got a bike trailer over 6 years ago to ride together with my son, I saw the bike trailer as an investment, rather than an expense. With that said, I also tried not to spend more than around $300 for our trailer.
Here is an up-to-date list of the top 5 best bike trailers for under $300.
Three things to know before buying an entry-level bike trailer
Before we get into the top 5 trailers, there are a few important things to keep in mind when choosing an entry-level bike trailer, which is any trailer under or around the $300 price range.
1. Spend a little more for an excellent bike trailer for $350
If you can swing for a little higher budget, I would highly recommend the Schwinn Joyrider. The Joyrider is a high-quality double-seated bike trailer that converts beautifully into an excellent stroller. I wrote this in-depth review of the Schwinn Joyrider after using it extensively. It’s my personal favorite to ride with my kids.
I actually hesitate to recommend the bike trailers on this list because I know that spending just $50 more could make a significant difference in the function, features, and quality of your riding experience. If you can save up the cash to pay for a $350 trailer, then I would highly recommend doing that.
But, if you are on a tight budget, then you can’t go wrong with any of the bike trailers outlined below.
2. You get what you pay for (generally)
With bike trailers, you generally will get what you pay for. Meaning, the higher the price tag, the better quality, comfort, and features. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as any of the bike trailers on my list of best overall bike trailers for every situation.
3. Consider buying a used bike trailer
If you do a quick search on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, you might be able to find a high-end bike trailer for under $300.
The best place to purchase a used bike trailer is on a local online marketplace, such as Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay. Since bike trailers can be passed on for many years, you can find a high-quality bike trailer for a good price.
I wrote an in-depth guide on how to buy a used bike trailer, which you can check out here.
Now let’s get into the top 5 best bike trailers under $300!
Top 5 best bike trailers for kids under $300
Assuming you have already decided against raising your budget a little to get an excellent $350 Schwinn Joyrider, then here are the best budget trailers that $300 can buy.
This list is based on years of experience using many different bike trailers and teaching others how to get started riding with trailers.
You’ll notice that there’s only one stroller conversion, and that’s because stroller trailers are often priced above $300. If you’re looking for an excellent trailer that also converts to a stroller, I would recommend the Schwinn Joyrider over the Echo.
If you need help figuring out if your bike is compatible with these trailers, check out my full guide here.
| BIKE TRAILER | PRICE | SEATS | STROLLER | PROS | CONS |
1. Burley Bee | $300 for Double (check on Amazon), $280 for Single (check on Amazon) | Double or Single | No | – Affordable – Burley quality and design – Lightweight (20 lbs) | – No stroller conversion |
2. Schwinn Echo | $250 (check on Amazon) | Double | Yes | – Comfortable wide seat with a center harness – Large 20-inch wheels – High-visibility cover | – Plastic mesh cover – No stroller conversion |
3. Clevr Deluxe | $220 (check on Amazon) | Double | Yes | – Stroller conversion for an affordable price – Sturdy wide seat for kids – Large 20-inch wheels | – Folding up is not easy |
4. Burley Minnow | $280 (check on Amazon) | Single | No | – Affordable Lightweight (22 lbs) | – No stroller conversion |
5. Thule Cadence | $330 (check price here) | Double | No | – Highest quality and durability – Large 20-inch wheels – Large interior space – Affordable for such a high-end brand | – No stroller conversion available |
1. Burley Bee
Price: Around $300 for Double (check on Amazon), $280 for Single (check on Amazon)
Seats: Double or Single
Stroller Conversion: No
Weight Limit: 80 lbs (36 kg)
The Burley Bee is a well-designed, high-quality, lightweight, and budget-friendly bike trailer for frequent riders.
With the reputable Burley brand and high-quality materials, the Burley Bee is one of the best bang-for-buck trailers for anyone looking for a trailer that is just really good at being a trailer.
Pros
- Affordable—A low price point for a high-quality Burley trailer
- Burley quality—A high-quality trailer that might turn into a robot
- Lightweight—Weighs just 20 lbs, which is half the weight of some trailers
Cons
- No stroller conversion—It’s a minimalist, lightweight trailer
I wrote a full review of using the Burley Bee, which you can check out here.
2. Schwinn Echo
Price: Around $250 (check on Amazon)
Seats: Double
Stroller Conversion: No
Weight Limit: 80 lbs (36 kg)
Schwinn really got creative with this one. The Echo is a double-seater with large 20-inch wheels for an extra smooth ride and a high-visibility yellow mesh cover.
If you’re looking for a minimalist bike trailer that gets the job done well, then the Echo is an excellent choice.
There’s one thing that really stands out to me that the average person probably won’t consider: it has three seat harnesses!
Why is that important? Well, it’s not to hold three children, but rather to allow for a child to sit in the middle of the trailer when riding alone. This allows the child to comfortably sit in the center without awkwardly sliding to one side or the other. It also comes with a sturdy bench-style seat, which is more comfortable for kids than a hammock-style seat.
Nice touch, Schwinn.
The Schwinn Echo is a steal of a deal for the extra features that you get. You can check the current price and availability on Amazon here.
Pros
- Comfortable—wide seat with a center harness
- Large 20-inch wheels—20 inches is the gold standard
- High-visibility cover—an excellent color for added visibility
Cons
- Plastic mesh cover—not ideal for getting in and out of the trailer
- No stroller conversion—It’s a minimalist, lightweight trailer
3. Clevr Deluxe
Price: Around $220 (check on Amazon)
Seats: Double
Stroller Conversion: Yes
Weight Limit: 88 lbs (40 kg)
The Clevr Deluxe is an affordable entry-level bike trailer suited for two children converts into a functioning stroller.
There are a few notably impressive features on this trailer for such an affordable price point.
Handbrake
Not many bike trailers come equipped with a handbrake. The brake might come in handy when using the bike trailer as a stroller.
Large front and back wheels
The front swiveling wheel is 12 inches, which is on the larger side of stroller convertibles. A larger front wheel is actually much more preferable when pushing over bumps or through the mud.
The Clevr Deluxe is a rare deal for the extra features, such as the handbrake and larger wheels. You can check the current price and availability on Amazon here.
Pros
- Stroller conversion—a great feature for an affordable price
- Sturdy wide seat for kids—for added comfort
- Large 20-inch wheels—20 inches is the gold standard
Cons
- Folding up is not easy—expected on a non-stroller trailer
4. Burley Minnow
Price: Around $280 (check on Amazon)
Seats: Single
Stroller Conversion: No
Weight Limit: 75 lbs (34 kg)
A high-quality single-seat trailer at an affordable price, the Burley Minnow is recommended if you aren’t looking for a trailer that converts to a stroller.
Why get a single-seater?
You might be wondering why someone would want a single-seat trailer as opposed to a double-seater. Apart from the obvious reason that some families will only be carrying 1 child, the reason a single-seater is a good choice is simply because of weight. The weight of a bike trailer can make or break your riding experience.
For example, if you’re going on a longer ride or climbing lots of hills, then the Burley Minnow will really come in handy. Also, having a single child sit alone in a double-seater is not as comfortable due to the weight distribution.
Pros
- Affordable—A low price point for high-quality features
- Lightweight—Weighs just 22 lbs, which is half the weight of some trailers
Cons
- No stroller conversion—It’s a minimalist, lightweight trailer
5. Thule Cadence
Price: Around $330 (check price here)
Seats: Double
Stroller Conversion: No
Weight Limit: 100 lbs (43 kg)
A lightweight minimalist trailer with the highest quality that Thule has to offer, the Thule Cadence is a steal of a deal at under $350.
If you want the high-quality materials and customer service of Thule without having to pay high-end prices, then the Thule Cadence is a solid option. It does not have the stroller conversion features that I would hope to see on a trailer in this price range, but it is a solid minimalist trailer with large wheels and large interior space.
Pros
- Affordable—for such a high-end brand
- Double seats—wide, spacious bench-style seat
- Large 20-inch wheels—20 inches is the gold standard
- Large interior space—a comfortable amount of space for the kids
Cons
- No stroller conversion—It’s a minimalist, lightweight trailer
- Frame and cover quality—not as good as other Thule trailers
- Harness quality—not as good as other Thule trailers
Conclusion
You can get a excellent bike trailer for under $300. There’s really no need to get a high-end bike trailer for $800+ if you go with any of the options on this list.
Every trailer mentioned above has quality features that you would usually find on more expensive trailers.
If you’re looking for a bike trailer that also converts to a stroller, then I’d recommend either the Schwinn Echo or paying $350 for the superb Schwinn Joyrider (our personal favorite).
Need help finding the right bike trailer?
If you need help finding the right bike trailer for you, my recommended trailer for most people is the Swhinn Joyrider, which is an affordable double-seater that converts beautifully to a stroller. Check out my full review with photos here.
Check out the Ultimate Guide to Buying a Bike Trailer for more help with choosing a trailer. I also have compiled a list of the top bike trailers for every common situation, which you can check out here.
Ride on!
