Kids Electronic Dance Mat W0288 vs StepBeat Interactive Dance Mat

Both are fabric-topped kids' dance mats with light-up arrows, music and wireless play, and both target ages 3 and up. The Kids Electronic Dance Mat W0288 is the more structured pick: 6 buttons, 3 game modes, 9 challenge levels and 5 speed settings give a clear difficulty ladder, and it has a two-player battle mode. StepBeat is the simpler, better-reviewed option, with 4.6 out of 5 from 266 ratings, but its listing is thin on game modes and levels. Buy the W0288 for a child who wants to progress and compete; buy StepBeat if you want a straightforward, well-rated mat for free play.

• Choose the Kids Electronic Dance Mat if you want adjustable difficulty, a two-player battle mode and a memory sequence game for a child who will keep coming back to it.
• Choose the StepBeat if you want a simple, well-rated music and movement mat for younger kids and don't need levels or head-to-head play.