Bike trailers are often seen as an expensive luxury item for energetic young parents.
But many people don’t realize you can get a reasonable bike trailer for under $200, or even under $100 if buying used.
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 too much on our trailer. After all, the main reason I started biking everywhere was to save money.
Here is an up-to-date list of the top 5 best budget bike trailers on the market.
Three things to know before buying a budget bike trailer
Before we get into the trailers, there are a few important things to keep in mind when choosing a budget bike trailer, which is any trailer under $200.
1. Spend a little more for an excellent bike trailer for around $350
If you can swing for a 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 honestly hesitate to recommend any of the bike trailers on this list because I know that spending just a bit more will 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-quality bike trailer for under $200.
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 budget bike trailers!
Top 5 best budget bike trailers for kids
Assuming you have already decided against raising your budget to get an excellent $350 Schwinn Joyrider, then here are the best budget trailers that $200 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.
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. Schwinn Trailblazer | $130 for single, (check on Amazon) or $200 for double (check on Amazon) | Single or Double | Yes on double | – Acceptable quality for a budget trailer – Double and single seats available – Stroller conversion available on double | – Lower quality materials (budget trailer) – No stroller conversion on the single-seater |
2. Aosom Elite | $180 (check on Amazon) | Double | Yes | – Handbrake for safer strolling – Bench-style seats – Large 20-inch wheels – Double-seat capacity – Stroller conversion | – Frame is wider than other trailers |
3. Instep Bike Trailers | $120 to $200, depending on model (check on Amazon) | Single or Double | No | – Affordable price – Available in single and double seats – Easy set-up and attachment – Ample storage space | – Plastic 16-inch wheels – Folding and unfolding the trailer is tedious – Canopy cover is not great quality |
4. Allen Sports Deluxe Steel | $120 (check on Amazon) | Single or Double | No | – Large interior space for a trailer in this price range – Wheels are spoked (not plastic) | – Small 16-inch – Low-quality cover and materials |
5. Allen Sports Deluxe Stroller | $140 (check on Amazon) | Single or Double | Yes | – Stroller conversion – Large interior space for a trailer in this price range – Wheels are spoked (not plastic) | – Small 16-inch – Low-quality cover and materials |
1. Schwinn Trailblazer
Price: Around $130 for single, (check on Amazon) or $200 for double (check on Amazon)
Pros
- Acceptable quality for a budget trailer
- Double and single seats available
- Stroller conversion available on double
Cons
- Lower quality materials (budget trailer)
- No stroller conversion on the single-seater
The Schwinn Trailer is my recommended budget trailer for most people.
For budget-minded families that also want a bike trailer with great reviews, the Schwinn Trailblazer is hard to beat at just around $130 for a single and $200 for a double! There are two other noteworthy trailers that are in the same price range as the Trailblazer: the Instep and the Allen Deluxe.
The reason I would recommend the Schwinn Trailblazer over those two options is simply because of the quality. They just don’t have the same level of durability and safety features that the Trailblazer offers.
The Trailblazer also comes in a double-seat capacity and stroller conversion for around $200. You can check out the double-seat model on Amazon here.
I wrote a full review of using the Schwinn Trailblazer, which you can check out here.
2. Aosom Elite
Price: Around $180 (check on Amazon)
Pros
- Handbrake for safer strolling
- Bench-style seats
- Large 20-inch wheels
- Double-seat capacity
- Stroller conversion
Cons
- Frame is wider than other trailers
The Aosom Elite is truly an awesome budget bike trailer option. It’s my second most recommended budget trailer, after the Schwinn Trailblazer.
It has many features that you would actually expect on a more expensive mid-range bike trailer, like large 20-inch wheels, stroller conversion, and double seats.
You’ll notice that the frame of the trailer wraps around the wheels. The reason for this is to help prevent the wheels from hitting against objects on the riding or strolling.
It also has a bench-style seat! A bench-style seat is a much more comfortable riding experience for kids, as opposed to a hammock-style seat found on Instep trailers.
Handbrake
This trailer is unique in that it comes with a handbrake when using it as a stroller! This feature might come in handy when strolling downhill or jogging. It’s a nice feature to have, but I wouldn’t make a decision solely on that.
3. Instep Bike Trailers
Price: Ranging from $120 to $200, depending on model (check on Amazon)
Pros
- Affordable price
- Available in single and double seats
- Easy set-up and attachment
- Ample storage space
Cons
- Plastic 16-inch wheels
- Folding and unfolding the trailer is tedious
- Canopy cover is not great quality
The Instep Bike Trailer is the most popular bike trailer on the market.
With over 5,600 reviews on Amazon and an average 4.7-star rating, it’s no wonder it catches the eyes of so many parents who are looking for a reliable bike trailer for an affordable price.
But does the Instep really hold up in real life?
I’ve been using the hugely-popular Instep trailer for our family outings, and it definitely gets the job done at a killer price. However, I do believe that there are better trailers available for a similar price that customers just aren’t seeing because Amazon is adding their “#1 Best Seller” label to the Instep.
Any of the bike trailers on this list are better than the Instep in my opinion and in my experience.
I wrote an in-depth review of using the popular Instep bike trailer, which you can check out here.
Variations of Instep bike trailers
The Instep bike trailer has a few variations of the same product in the same price range, which makes it a bit confusing.
The variations are for different seat capacities (single or double) and different colors (blue, light green, red, and light blue). Other than that, all of the variations attach in the same way and have the same overall quality and performance.
Stroller option
The Instep brand also has a stroller version called the Instep Quick-N-EZ. If you’re looking for a budget stroller for under $150, then the Quick-N-EZ is quite appealing.
4. Allen Sports Deluxe
Price: Around $120 (check on Amazon)
Pros
- Large interior space for a trailer in this price range
- Wheels are spoked (not plastic)
Cons
- Small 16-inch
- Low-quality cover and materials
Allen trailers are synonymous with budget options. Any of their trailer options are under $200 and thus considered within the budget price range.
If you’re looking for a truly budget bike trailer that does what it needs to do, then consider the Allen Deluxe Steel trailer. It’s not for everyone, but some who like large interior space and double seats for a very affordable price will enjoy this budget option.
5. Allen Sports Deluxe Trailer & Stroller
Price: Around $140 for double or single (check on Amazon)
Pros
- Stroller conversion
- Large interior space for a trailer in this price range
- Wheels are spoked (not plastic)
Cons
- Small 16-inch
- Low-quality cover and materials
Another budget option by Allen Sports, this trailer is one of the few bike trailers in this price range that also converts to a stroller.
If you’re looking for a double-seater or single-seater that works well as a decent stroller, then you might want to consider this budget option.
Which is better: the Allen Sport or the Instep bike trailer?
Both trailers are very similar in quality and function. But if it came down to it, I would recommend on the side of the Allen trailer because it has spoked wheels (the Instep has plastic) and it has more interior space for the kids. After personally using the Instep trailer, I haven’t enjoyed the quality of the cover and wheels.
Conclusion
In this article, we outlined the best bang-for-buck bike trailers under $200. There are surely many options in this price range to choose from.
If you’re not sure which trailer to go with, my top recommendations for most people definitely be the Schwinn Trailblazer and the Aosom Elite.
However, if you can swing to pay a bit extra for a $350 bike trailer, then I would highly recommend the Schwinn Joyrider, which is our family’s personal trailer of choice. It has all you would need in a bike trailer with double seats, a massive protective cage, and beautiful stroller conversion.
Still need help finding the right bike trailer?
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!
