There are many single-seat bike trailers for kids on the market.
But which is the best one for your situation?
I’ve been using single and double bike trailers since my kids were babies, and here’s an up-to-date list of the top 5 best single-seat bike trailers for kids.
This list is based on years of experience using many different bike trailers and teaching others how to get started riding with trailers.
Why should you get a single-seat bike trailer?
You might be wondering why someone would even want a single-seat trailer as opposed to a double-seater.
Isn’t double always better than single?
Not when it comes to bike trailers.
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 a single-seater 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.
I explain exactly how hard it is to pull a bike trailer in this article, as well as give you some helpful tricks to make it easier.
Top 5 best single-seat bike trailers for kids
These five recommended bike trailers are based on years of personal experience, customer reviews, and affordability.
My assumption is that you want the best bike trailer for your money, and these are truly the best bang-for-buck single bike trailers on the market. All of them have high-end features that would normally cost much more than their current price tag.
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 Minnow | $280 (check on Amazon) | Single | No | – Affordable Lightweight (22 lbs) | – No stroller conversion |
2. Burley D’Lite X | $750 (check on Amazon) | Single | Yes | – Stroller conversion – Comfortable seats – Suspension | – Pricey – Folding up is not easy – Seats do not recline much |
3. Schwinn Trailblazer | $130 (check on Amazon) | Single | No | – Acceptable quality – Double and single seats available – Stroller conversion available | – Lower quality materials – No stroller conversion |
4. Allen Sports Deluxe Trailer & Stroller | $140 (check on Amazon) | Single | Yes | – Super affordable | – Small 16-inch wheels – Low-quality mesh cover |
5. Schwinn Echo | $250 (check on Amazon) | Double (with center harness) | No | – Comfortable wide seat with a center harness – Large 20-inch wheels – High-visibility cover | – Plastic mesh cover – No stroller conversion |
1. Burley Minnow
Best overall trailer-only single-seater
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.
The Minnow is a minimalist trailer that offers the best quality that Burley has to offer without breaking the bank. Most of Burley’s bike trailers are much more expensive that this trailer, which makes it a steal of a deal for the quality you get.
I would definitely recommend this trailer if you’re looking for a trailer-only option.
Pros
- Affordable—A low price point for a high-quality Burley trailer
- Lightweight—Weighs just 22 lbs, which is half the weight of some trailers
Cons
- No stroller conversion—It’s a minimalist, lightweight trailer
2. Burley D’Lite X
Best overall trailer & stroller single-seater
Price: Around $750 (check on Amazon)
Seats: Single
Stroller Conversion: Yes
Weight Limit: 75 lbs (34 kg)
The Burley D’Lite X is a high-end bike trailer designed for all types of riding. From gravel riding to mountain riding to strolling, this trailer can do it all.
You can tell that Burley put a lot of thought into the comfort of this bike trailer, from the incredibly comfortable seat to the rare suspension for added comfort.
Comfortable seat
Both the single and double versions of the D’Lite X come with a sturdy bench-style seat that has an excellent five-point harness and headrest. It is rather rare to find a seat of this quality and comfort.
The D’Lite X seats also recline, which is a notable feature not found on cheaper trailers. However, the seats do not recline very far, so it’s a bit unfortunate.
Suspension for added comfort
Not many bike trailers come equipped with suspension. If you plan to do any type of gravel or mountain riding with your bike trailer, then a trailer with suspension is highly recommended. The suspension is located under the wheels to add comfort when riding over rough terrains.
Pros
- Stroller conversion—an excellent stroller with large wheels
- Comfortable seats—for added comfort
- Suspension—for an extra smooth ride
Cons
- Pricey
- Folding up is not easy—expected on a non-stroller trailer
- Seats do not recline much—a nice feature to have, but the seats do not go very far back
3. Schwinn Trailblazer
Best budget trailer-only single-seater
Price: Around $130 (check on Amazon)
Seats: Single
Stroller Conversion: No
Weight Limit: 40 lbs (18 kg)
For budget-minded families that also want a bike trailer with great reviews, the Schwinn Trailblazer is hard to beat at under $150! 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 that model on Amazon here.
Pros
- Acceptable quality—for a budget trailer
- Double and single seats available—few trailers give both options
- Stroller conversion available—only on the double version
Cons
- Lower quality materials—budget trailer
- No stroller conversion—on the single-seater
I wrote a full review of using the Schwinn Trailblazer, which you can check out here.
4. Allen Sports Deluxe Trailer & Stroller
Best budget trailer & stroller single-seater
Price: Around $140 (check on Amazon)
Seats: Single
Stroller Conversion: Yes
Weight Limit: 50 lbs (22.6 kg)
The Allen Sports Deluxe is an incredibly affordable budget bike trailer that surprisingly comes with stroller conversion and a single or double option.
Although I wouldn’t recommend this trailer to most people due to the overall lack of quality, it does make for an acceptable trailer that gets the job done at an incredibly low price.
One thing that stands out is that the double and the single are about the same price, which is uncommon for bike trailers. Typically, the double version is about $100 more expensive.
If you’re looking for a budget trailer that gets the job done, then you can consider the Allen Sports Deluxe trailer.
Pros
- Super affordable—the most affordable stroller-convertible bike trailer
Cons
- Small 16-inch wheels—not as smooth as 20-inch wheels
- Low-quality mesh cover—not ideal for getting in and out of the trailer
5. Schwinn Echo
Best single & double budget trailer
Price: Around $250 (check on Amazon)
Seats: Double
Stroller Conversion: No
Weight Limit: 80 lbs (36 kg)
I know—this bike trailer is not exactly a single-seater! But, if you take a closer look, you’ll see that the Echo 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.
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.
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
Conclusion
Although there are many single-seat bike trailers on the market, these five are the best bang-for-buck trailers that you can get for your money.
They all offer something unique for every situation, whether you’re looking for the best overall or for a budget option.
If you can swing for a higher budget, I would highly recommend either the Burley Minnow (trailer only) or the Burley D’Lite X (stroller conversion).
Still 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!
