12V 360 Degree Ride On Bumper Car for Toddlers, Parental Remote with Stop, Soft Bumper and Safety Belt, 55 lb Limit, Pink

A toddler of 18 months cannot work a wheel with one hand and a pedal with one foot. Everything built for a three year old is the wrong shape, and a push toy is not what they are asking for.

This one spins on the spot with two driving wheels and two castors, so there is no steering to learn. A padded bumper runs all the way round and the maker rates it from 18 months with a 55 lb limit.

The shape of it

A round shell on a black padded ring, with a lit strip circling the base. There is no bonnet and no long nose, so a toddler steps over the low side and sits down in the middle.

The two numbers that decide it

55 lb weight capacity and 18 months and up. The car itself is 26 by 27 by 16 in, which is small enough for a living room. The maker's own badges for ASTM and CPSIA sit on the same panel.

How fast and how long

0.75 to 1.25 mph, which is a slow walk at most. Two 25 W motors on a 12 V 4.5 Ah battery, charging in 8 to 12 hours. The 360 degree spin is what the two castors at the back are for.

The handset

Forward, back, left, right, three speed levels and a stop button. On a toy meant for an 18 month old, that stop button is the feature that matters most.

Two driving wheels and two castors let it turn on the spot rather than needing room to steer.

A padded ring around the whole base, which takes the knock when it meets a skirting board.

A belt across the seat, shown in the maker's own safety panel next to the bumper.

Three speed levels, full steering and a stop, so an adult can end a run from across the room.

0.75 to 1.25 mph. Slower than a walking toddler, which is the point at this age.

Colour changing lights, a wireless connection, USB and AUX ports, a battery indicator, volume control and a horn.

Ships from a Canadian warehouse. Free shipping on orders over $150. Some remote areas, PO boxes and surcharge regions may be excluded or cost extra.

Return within 14 days of purchase, unused, in original condition and packaging.

Covered directly by the manufacturer under their warranty terms for material and manufacturing defects.

The maker's stated start is 18 months, which is unusually young for a powered toy, and the speed is set to match.

26 by 27 in and a padded bumper means a basement or a playroom works. Watch furniture legs and door frames anyway.

A remote with a stop button beats shouting across the room, and it works from the sofa.

What we stand behind

• The age, the 55 lb weight capacity, the speed, the battery, the motors and the charge time are all the manufacturer's published figures.
• The manufacturer states this car is ASTM compliant and CPSIA certified. That is their claim, and no certificate number is published, so we quote none.
• No run time per charge is published, so none is stated.
• No remote control range is published, so none is quoted.
• A toy for supervised play. Never on a road, a sidewalk or a bike path.

Is 18 months really old enough?

That is the manufacturer's own stated starting age, and the published top speed of 1.25 mph is slower than a toddler walks. What makes it work at that age is the remote: an adult can drive and stop the car while the child simply sits with the belt on.

What is the weight limit?

55 lb. Children usually pass that around six or seven years old, so the limit rather than the age is what ends its life.

Can it be used indoors?

Yes. It is 26 by 27 in with a soft bumper right around the base and PP and PVC wheels that the maker lists for indoor and outdoor use. Hard floors are fine; deep carpet will slow it down.

How long does it charge?

8 to 12 hours, published by the manufacturer. No run time per charge is given for this model, so we will not guess at one.

Does the remote steer as well as stop?

Yes. Forward, backward, left, right, three speed levels and a stop button are all on the handset.