Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

For those who regularly use public transport or travel via plane, a light and comfortable pushchair is crucial. Find a model that folds flat and compactly, and is machine washable to take care of spilled drinks or leaky diaper stains.

We love strollers that glide effortlessly over pavements and can be mounted effortlessly. Look for car seat attachments that seem like they are installed and a handlebar that adjusts to suit parents of all sizes.

Easy to Use

There are a variety of strollers pushchairs to suit all budgets and lifestyles. Some are extremely light and compact, making them easy to fold and carry while others have an extra sturdy frame that's more robust for long walks or use on rough terrain. A lot of them come with a basket to carry your shopping, or a bag to change your clothes in so that you can have everything you require. Some are designed to be used in the city, while others are intended for traveling or for country living.

Strollers can be used from the moment of birth. They allow the baby to lie flat, which is great for spinal and lung development. A lot of strollers can be equipped with an infant seat or carrycot to make them travel systems. They are suitable for infants up to toddlers. Some models have extra features that are designed to be attractive, like the ability to adjust the height of the handbar for parents with different heights or a spacious basket or rain cover that will keep your baby dry.

Generally speaking, three-wheel pushchairs are ideal for urban dwellers, because they're typically light, agile and easy to manoeuvre. Four-wheel pushchairs are more durable, which is why they are perfect for families who live in rural areas or who plan to spend a significant amount of time in the outdoors. Check out reviews from parents who express their opinions on how easy the pushchair is to use, like how heavy it is or how easy it can be to steer. It's also worth noticing how large the base and whether it feels solid enough for your child, particularly if you're planning to use the pushchair off-road or over rough terrain.

Safety

Strollers and pushchairs need to be safe for infants and toddlers to prevent getting trapped. Make sure you choose a sturdy base that isn't likely to tip and be sure to test the safety harness by placing weight on it, or hanging bags over it, to test how stable it feels. Check that the leg openings on the stroller aren't enough that children's legs won't slip through. Also, ensure the handlebars are at waist level or slightly below to allow for a more ergonomic use. A brake that is simple to operate and locks the back wheels is an important feature. Look for a model that has the brakes built into the wheels instead of just on the frame, since this can help keep them safe from pinch points and choke dangers.

A majority of strollers have a seat that can recline to a flat position, making them ideal for infants. It is recommended that babies lie flat for their first few months for breathing and head control. However, some pushchairs are advertised as having a reclining seat but don't actually provide this make sure you check.

The stroller should have a five-point harness that can be adjusted (two straps for the shoulders, two straps for the thighs and one around the crotch) Similar to the straps found in car seats. This is important to protect the child from falling out and being pulled out by vehicles or pedestrians.

Make sure that the stroller comes with an easy parking brake that's easy to turn on and locks the two front wheels. This will stop the stroller from moving when you're loading or unloading your child, or while you're stopping to take a break.

Comfort

You'll want to feel at ease regardless of whether you're pushing a toddler or strollers pushchairs carrying a backpack full of nappies and coffee to take home. Choosing a stroller with big robust, puncture-proof wheels that can glide across rough terrain and have a super-smooth suspension will ensure you have the ability to do that.

Having a pushchair that folds effortlessly and compactly will also help. It can be a hassle to squeeze a bulky pushchair in and out of the car's boot or climb up a flight of stairs, especially with a toddler growing in the back. Think about what you intend to use it for, and the conditions. A stroller with an hood can shield your child from wind, rain and sunbeams.

The last aspect of comfort is how easy the stroller is to control and steer. Be sure to check out our reviewers' opinions on maneuverability, which take into consideration things like how well strollers pirouette across various surfaces and how it is easy to push it up hills.

Many pushchairs come with accessories that can aid in keeping your baby warm or cool like fans and footmuffs. Some brands even have their own nappy bags to make travelling with baby even easier.

For greater flexibility, opt for a travel system - the frame of a stroller (called the chassis) with the seat unit which can be front-facing or parent facing pushchair-facing and a bassinet or carrycot. You can pop the car seat out and put it on the chassis when necessary without having to wake your baby. This is a great solution for those who are constantly moving and have to change their travel plans.

Style

While the terminology used for strollers pushchairs, prams and buggies can be confusing, there are some things that they all have in common. Keep in mind that they're designed to get your baby from point A to point B. Think about how you will utilize it and pick features that suit your lifestyle.

If you intend to walk on uneven surfaces, like fields that are muddy or sand-covered, you may need a stroller with all-terrain wheels that are puncture resistant. They should also have suspension to make the stroller more comfortable for your child. If your child gets hot during long walks, you might want to use a shade to shield them from the sun or a baby fan to keep them cool.

Some pushchairs can be adjusted in their seat positions so you can choose whether your baby is facing you to reassure them or faces the world to explore it. Some carrycots have a seat unit that can flip to face you or away from you and some come with the full lie-flat recline, which is ideal for infants. Some come with an adapter for cars, Isofix compatibility or 3 in 1 systems that can be used from the time of birth.

Another alternative is a twin pushchair which lets you transport two children at the at the same time. You can find models that have one or two independent seats, are lightweight and compact, with plenty of storage space, larger canopies and more maneuverable wheels. A few of our test participants loved the idea of a dual-pushchair, but found some handlebar adjustments difficult to operate with one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point which led some to push their hands against the frame. Other systems that allow telescopically moving in and out of the frame's sides were simpler to use even for parents who are taller.

Storage

The amount of storage space in a stroller will affect the decision to purchase it. Take note of the space under the seat, in the footwell, and the large basket. This will be a big factor if you're planning to buy additional pushchair accessories such as the tray for parents or the travel changing bag.

A parent tray can increase ease of use by providing additional storage space for snacks as well as other necessities. It can make the stroller heavy and difficult to fold. It's important to keep in mind that many of the trays for parents have shallow cup holders. This can cause items to fall out of the tray while traveling or walking.

If you intend to carry your baby from birth, consider purchasing a stroller that is large enough to accommodate a bassinet. These products feature larger storage baskets, canopies that have complete coverage and reclining seats. They tend to be more expensive than a compact stroller or a lightweight stroller.

The ability to maneuver is a crucial aspect of any stroller. It determines how easy it is to steer when empty and how smoothly it moves over different surfaces, like grass or pavements. This quality will diminish as you and your baby grow, and the weight of the stroller increases.

Some pushchairs are made to function as an entire travel system meaning they can be used with an infant car seat, and transformed into a toddler pushchair using adapters. This can make it easier to make the transition easier from pram to stroller as your child ages and more independent, which is especially beneficial if you're short on storage space at home.