Choosing a Fold Up Pushchair

Fold-up pushchairs are a breeze to transport on public transportation or to fit in the back of your car. They also tend to be extremely light and compact which makes them perfect for travel by plane.

This UPPAbaby model has one of the most appealing compact folds we've seen. But it comes with some limitations, such as a tiny canopy and a lack of storage.

Folding is easy

Think about where and how you will use the pushchair makes before deciding one. If you're taking your child on planes or train, a lightweight and compact buggy is a good alternative. It will fit in the overhead luggage compartments and is small enough to be able to be carried over the shoulder. You should choose an infant stroller that folds easily with one hand while you hold your child. It must also have a handle that is height-adjustable to ensure that caregivers and parents of different heights are able to use it comfortably. If you're planning to go hiking with your baby, a swivel-lock wheel is essential for maneuvering over uneven terrain. Be sure to look for features like an extended recline that allows for a comfortable nap while on the move and an extended sun canopy.

Many pushchairs claim to fold in one hand but it's important to test this out prior to purchasing to make sure it's feasible while being able to hold your child. Our testers found the UPPAbaby G-Luxe to be particularly good thanks to its innovative mechanism that combines to a slimmer, sleeker package than an umbrella. It has a pocket that can store keys and phones as well as a recliner seat that can be adjusted by one touch.

Some of the smallest fold-up pushchairs and buggies are made to be used starting at birth, and include an easy-to-leap seat or an option to add an additional carrycot, which means they're ideal for young babies who need to sleep during the daytime. If you plan to use your travel system right from the beginning, a simple click attachment system for an Infant Car Seat is a must.

The smallest of the group, the Cybex Libelle, is an ideal choice for families who travel and folds smaller than the YOYO2 (only 4cm smaller) and weighs less than 6kg, making it extremely light to carry. It is also very easy to use, with a one-hand fold, and the seat reclines to allow for naps for toddlers. This model is a great option for hikers, as it has a large front swivel tire that is able to be able to handle any terrain.

One-Handed Folding

It's always recommended to have a folding pushchair, whether you are going for a walk or taking public transport or flying to a distant country with your child. It's not ideal to fold a complicated travel system and manage a child as well as all of their essentials, like keys, shopping bags, and other items. This is why pushchairs and strollers (www.assembble.com) that can be folded one hand are the most preferred option for parents.

One-handed fold pushchairs can be folded by pressing one or more buttons. Some models require a bit more effort or even two hands, but the ease of the process means that they are still easy to handle and stow away. They are also lighter, making them simpler to transport around or fitting in tight spaces.

The G-Luxe model from UPPAbaby is an excellent example. This model is among the most simple to fold using one hand in our roundup. It's all it takes is pulling a lever on the chassis. It also stands on its own, making it ideal to store in a corner of a café or a foyer.

The Bugaboo Bee is another model which folds easily using just one hand. It's one of the first compact-fold pushchairs. While it's larger than other options, this model still has an easy and compact fold. It also has a range of excellent features, such as a deep reclining seat and an expandable UPF50+ canopy to keep your child covered on sunny days.

Some of these compact-folded pushchairs are only designed for older babies and toddlers. However there are other options that can be used right from birth. These pushchairs have a seat that can be fully or partially lied-flat and some come with a baby car seat. MFM's Gemma has traveled with her son in a Babyzen YOYO, one of the first buggys of its kind. It is still a favourite. It has a slightly smaller fold than others, but it's still very easy to handle and fits in the allowance for cabin luggage on a majority of airlines.

Lightweight

When a pushchair folds down, it occupies a small space, and is usually very light too. This is especially true of umbrella-folding pushchairs that typically weigh less than 20 pounds. They're ideal for short strolls on flat surfaces and pavements and for a quick transfer between your car and the homes of others. They're also a good choice when you don't wish to purchase an all-terrain buggy and are happy with your pushchair on flat surfaces.

Think about getting tyres that are air-filled for use with your compact fold-up pushchair on uneven terrain, on sand or on slippery surfaces. They're a little heavier than regular tyres however they'll provide better grip and traction. The extra weight will add to the overall size of the pushchair though it's crucial to think about this.

Many lightweight pushchairs were designed for toddlers and older infants who can sit independently However, there are more that are suitable from birth. Models like the Mamas & Papas Airo have an area that can be laid flat and can be combined with a car seat for infants or a carrycot (sold separately). Some compact-fold pushchairs are designed to be used in conjunction with a stroller board, transforming into a double buggy - ideal to take Grandma or Grandad along too.

A lot of the top lightweight pushchairs are simple to use. Some are open and closed with the push of a button, while others feature more complicated mechanisms, but they all take up very little space. Some even have a strap on the wrist that lets you your grip on the pushchair even when it's folded, and this could make a significant difference to the ease of maneuver.

While some lightweight pushchairs can be very stripped down and uninspiring, the 3D Lite from Contours is a fantastic illustration of how a small stroller can be loaded with of features. There's a decent-sized basket and plenty of padding adjustable height of the handlebar (for tall and short parents) as well as a reclining seat and a huge canopy to protect. Plus, it's very lightweight and comes with a handy carrying bag.

Compact

When selecting a stroller, you should think about the size of the stroller when folded. Some models are very compact to fold while others are more spacious, depending on their overall size and what features they have.

The compactness of a pushchair can be an important factor in the event that you are planning to travel with it. There are models that fold to a very small size and can even be folded into a pouch, which means they can be easily stashed away in the back of a car, or taken on an airplane as baggage in the cabin. This is perfect when you plan to travel often or live in an urban area, where you won't be able to use a larger stroller daily.

The best pushchairs have an easy, simple fold process. The Babyzen YOYO was the first of its kind and has since been copied however it stands out thanks to its innovative design and superior functionality.

The Babyzen YOYO features an impressively compact fold and is slightly larger than the size of most hand luggage allowances, which makes it perfect to travel with. It can even be taken to the gate and used between the boarding process and getting your flight.

For a more spacious and compact pushchair, look at the Mamas and Papas Airo. This is a fantastic seat that reclines fully and offers a good amount of padding to ensure your child is comfortable. It can be used at birth, if you want to, with the addition of a newborn cocoon pack or carrycot (not included).

The Ergobaby Metro+ is another ideal choice for a day-today lightweight stroller that folds into a very compact fold and can be stood upright when it's not in use. However it's not as straightforward to use as other models and can produce lots of noise when you adjust the canopy, which can wake up your baby.