Choosing Strollers Pushchairs

If you frequently take public transport or travel via plane, a lightweight and comfortable pushchair is crucial. Choose models that fold flat and compactly, and is machine-washable to deal with spilled drinks and leaky nappy staining.

We love strollers that glide easily across pavements and can be mounted on kerbs ease. Find car seat attachments that install themselves, and the handlebar that can be adjusted to suit parents of all heights.

User-Friendliness

There are a variety of strollers pushchairs to suit every budget and lifestyle. Some are lightweight and compact, and easy to fold and transport, while others feature a sturdy frame that is more durable for long walks as well as use on rough terrain. A lot of them come with a basket to carry your shopping or a bag for changing clothes so you'll have everything you require. Some are designed to be used in urban areas, whereas others are intended for traveling or country living.

Strollers can be used as early as birth. They allow the baby to lie flat, which is great for developing the spine and lungs. Some can also be connected to a carrycot that is compatible with a car seat, making them travel systems and suitable from birth to toddlerhood. Some models have extra design features, such as an adjustable handbar that can be adjusted for height with different heights or a large basket or rain cover that can keep your baby dry.

Three-wheeled pushchairs tend to be more suited to city dwellers since they are lightweight and agile. They are also easy to maneuver. Four-wheel pushchairs are more durable, which makes them ideal for families that live in rural areas or plan to spend a significant amount of time in the open air. Check out reviews from parents who express their opinions on how easy the pushchair is to use - like the weight of the pushchair or how easy it will be to steer. Also, take into consideration the dimensions of the base and whether your child feels stable in it, especially in the event that you plan to use the pushchair on rough terrain or off-road.

Safety

Strollers and pushchairs must be safe for infants or toddlers to avoid getting trapped. Look for a wide base that doesn't easily tip and be sure to test the safety harness by putting weight on it, or hanging bags over it, to test how stable it feels. Verify that the leg openings on the stroller aren't enough so that a child's legs won't slip through. Also, make sure the handlebars are at waist level or slightly below for an ergonomic use. Another important feature is brakes that lock the rear wheels and is simple to use. Find one that has brakes integrated into the wheels, rather than only on the frame, since this can help keep them free from pinch points and choke dangers.

Many strollers come with seats that recline into an upright position, which makes them suitable for babies. To control breathing and head movement, it is recommended that infants lay flat for the first few months. Some pushchairs can be described as having a reclined seat, but they don't. Check carefully.

The stroller should be equipped with an adjustable five-point harness (two straps for the shoulders, two straps for the thighs and one for the crotch) Similar to the straps found in car seats. This is vital to protect the child from falling out of the pushchair and prevents them from being pulled over or out by cars or other pedestrians.

Make sure that the stroller is equipped with an easy parking brake to use and locks the front two wheels. This will stop the stroller from moving away when you are unloading or loading a child, or stopping to rest.

Comfort

When you're pushing your child around or lugging a shopping bag full of nappies and a takeaway coffee, you'll want to feel comfortable when out and about. This can be achieved by selecting a stroller that is large, sturdy, puncture-proof tires that glide over rough terrain. It should also have a super-smooth and smooth suspension.

A pushchair that is compact and folds easily can help. It can be a struggle to fit the bulky stroller in and out of the car's boot, or struggle up flights of stairs - especially with a growing toddler in tow. It's also worth considering what you'll use it for and what the weather is likely to be like. Hence, choosing a stroller that has an hood that completely shields your child from wind, rain and sunbeams is an excellent idea.

The last factor that affects comfort is the ease to steer and control the stroller. Be sure to check out our reviewers' feedback on maneuverability. This includes things like how well the stroller pirouettes over different surfaces, and how it is able to be easily pushed up hills.

Many pushchairs include accessories that can help keep your baby cool or warm like footmuffs and fans. Certain brands come with their own nappy bags designed to aid in travel with baby.

A travel system provides greater flexibility. It comprises a stroller chassis (called the chassis), a seat unit which can be positioned either parent-facing or forward-facing as well as a bassinet or carrycot. It is simple to remove and put the car seat back on the chassis without waking your baby. This is a great solution for those who are constantly on the move and need to alter their journey plans.

Style

Although the jargon surrounding strollers pushchairs, prams and buggies can be confusing, there are certain things that all have in common. The most important thing to remember is that they're made to get your baby from A to B. Consider how you'll be using it and then look for features that will suit your life style.

If you intend to walk on uneven surfaces, such as sand and muddy fields, you may need a pushchair with all-terrain wheels that are puncture proof. They should also have a suspension system to make the stroller more comfortable for your child. If your baby gets hot during long walks, you may need to think about a shade that can shade them from the sun's rays or a cooling device to keep them cool.

Some pushchairs allow you to choose to have your baby facing you for safety, or outwards to explore the world. Some have a carrycot or seat unit that can flip to face you or away from you, and some have the full lie-flat recline, which is ideal for infants. Some have an adapter for cars, Isofix compatibility or 3 in 1 systems that can be used from the time of birth.

A twin pushchair easy fold enables the transport of both children at once. There are models that have one or two independent seat units, are lightweight and compact, with plenty of storage space, bigger canopies and more maneuverable wheels. A few of our test participants loved the idea of a dual-pushchair but found some handbar adjustments difficult to use using just one hand. Some adjust by rotating around a pivot point, which caused many to push their hands against the frame. Certain systems that allow parents to telescopically enter and out of the frame were simpler to use by taller parents.

Stores

The amount of storage space available in a stroller could affect your decision to purchase it. Take a look at the space under the seat, in the footwell and in the large basket to see how much you can fit. If you intend to purchase any additional accessories for your pushchair, such as a tray for parents or a travel changing pouch, this will be a major consideration.

A parent tray can make it easier to use the stroller, as it provides extra storage space for snacks and other necessities. However, it could also add weight to the stroller and increase its folding size, making it awkward and bulky. It is important to keep in mind that most parent trays feature shallow cup holders. This can cause items to fall off the tray when traveling or walking.

If you are planning to carry a baby from birth, you should consider buying a full-sized stroller that can accommodate a bassinet. These strollers come with more space for storage baskets, canopies that cover the entire area and reclining seats. However, they typically come with a price tag that's significantly more expensive than a lightweight or compact stroller.

The ability to maneuver is a crucial feature of a stroller. It determines how easy it is to steer even when empty and how well it rolls over different surfaces like pavements or grass. It's worth noting that this quality degrades over time as your child grows and you add more weight to the pushchair.

Some pushchairs are designed as a complete travel system, which means they can be used with an infant car seat, and converted to an adult pushchair by using adapters. This can help ease the transition from pram to stroller as your child grows older, which is particularly helpful if you're short on storage space at home.