Published: 24.6.19

Updated: 11.7.24

If you’ve come across this article you’re probably wondering what the difference is between 6V and 12V toys and why should you pay more for one than another?

That would be a totally fair question and may even sway your decision on which one you choose to buy.

You may be wondering what the letter “V” means after the 6, 12, 24 or 36 numbers you may have seen? The “V” stands for volts which is a measure of electrical power delivered to run the toy’s motor.

At RiiRoo we sell, 6V, 12V and 24V ride on toys so you have plenty of options to choose from. 6V being the lower powered toys and 24V being the highest power delivered.

What Does 'V' Mean?

Power Voltage

In general terms, a 6V toy doesn’t have as much power as a 12V toy. For example, if your child wanted to go up a steep drive, a 12V and even a 24V toy would provide much more power for your child to do this.

We’re not saying that 6V wouldn’t be able to do this, it would just be much easier for a higher voltage toy to do this due to the power difference.

If your child is quite young and you didn’t want them to have too much power, then a 6V toy is perfect for them. You generally get the same styling and looks as the higher voltage model but with little less power.

How About Price?

There’s not too much difference in price between a 6V and a 12V ride on toy. The 6v toys tend to be a bit cheaper and were the dominant type of toy a few years ago. However, as the years went by, people wanted their children to have a bit more power.

That’s when the manufacturers started increasing the voltage.

So, Which One Should You Buy?

This all depends on your budget and how much power you want to give your child really?

6V Ride On Toys

As I have mentioned, the 6V models are both cheaper and have less power. Because of the power rating and overall speed, these toys would be ideal for indoor use and the pavement.

They should be able to get a decent speed up for this type of use. If they are looking to do a lot more exploring with inclines and hills etc, then you would be better of going for the higher voltage models like 12V or 24V toys.

The lower power rating is perfect for children aged (1-3 years) which means they shouldn’t be too overwhelmed the amount of power speed available.

To summarise, a 6V ride on toy is ideal if:

• You are on a budget and want to purchase good looking cheap ride on toy.

• You are buying a toy for a child aged 1 - 3 years of age.

• The toy will mostly be used indoors or on a paved surface.

Take a look at our 6V ride on toys here - Riiroo.com/collections/6-volt-ride-on-toys

12V Ride On Toys

12V ride on toys is generally more expensive than 6V ones. They are also more powerful and sometimes have twin motors to modulate the speed between different wheels.

These toys are ideal for both indoor and outdoor use and because they have more power are ideal for steep inclines and small hills (ideally they will stick to flat surfaces).

Not only can they be used outside, but they can be used on various different surfaces like fine gravel or grass in the back garden.

Here’s when you should consider a 12V ride on toy:

• If you are looking for a bit more power than a 6V toy. These toys are generally larger and with more toy options.

• If you are buying a toy for a child who is 3+ years of age.

• The toy will be used outside for the majority of the time

• You are happy to pay the extra price for six more added volts.

Take a look at our 12V ride on toys here - Riiroo.com/collections/12-volt-ride-on-toys

Take a look at our 24V ride on toys here - Riiroo.com/collections/24v-ride-on-cars

Comparison of 6V and 12V Ride On Toys

BATTERIES

Funny enough, battery life doesn’t vary too much between 6V and 12V toys. In fact, it all comes down to how much use a toy gets more than the voltage really.

Most toys will last 1-2 hours before they need to be charged again.

When your battery comes to the end of its life, don’t forget to replace it with the correct battery.

If you have purchased your toy from RiiRoo previously, you can find a collection of replacement batteries here - Riiroo.com/collections/spares

Safety Is Everything

At RiiRoo we take your child’s safety seriously. As you can appreciate, all motorised toys have a certain degree of risk associated with them. Unfortunately, none of these toys is 100% safe so it is really important for all parents/grandparents to take precautions.

Hopefully, this guide will help you choose the correct toy for your child.

Whenever you a charging your toy, ensure that you are in close proximity and never leave it to charge overnight. Like any electrical device, the right care needs to be taken at all times (especially when you have pets or children around).

Charging should be done in accordance with the instructions your toy comes with to help maintain efficiency and the life of the battery.

6V vs 12V Ride-On Toys Quiz

Other Interesting Articles:

So, What is the Difference Between 24v and 24v Parallel Ride on Cars?
Can You Put a 24v Battery in a 12V Ride on?

How Fast Do Ride On Toys Go? [A Parents Guide]

How To Pair Your Ride On Car Parental Remote Control

Summary

So there you have it. With any luck, this guide should help you chose between the different voltages of the toys available. Your child's age is a factor as well as how fast and how powerful the toy is.

All of the toys we sell at RiiRoo have been designed for the maximum amount of fun!

RiiRoo™ - getting kids active - is all about providing quality, fun products at the best possible prices.

We're about getting kids outside and off their screens. There's a time and place for iPads, Nintendo and TV and it should come after never-ending summer days, scooter adventures and ride-on safaris around the park.

Check Out Our Other Ride On Cars.