Compact Pushchair Reviews

A compact stroller that is lightweight will be a great choice for those who frequently travel on public transportation or in a car. These strollers are simple to fold and store and less likely to be damaged by baggage handlers.

These lightweight travel strollers provide modern convenience and are easy to navigate on cobblestones. They also fit in overhead compartments of planes.

Lightweight

The best compact pushchairs are easy to carry, and even more importantly, they are easy to fold. They typically have a one-handed fold and take up less space when folded than larger buggies. This makes them a great option if you have limited storage in your home or are concerned about space limitations when travelling, especially by plane.

Some have a small footprint when they are closed, making them ideal for small spaces. They are a good option if you live in an apartment or just want something nimble and lightweight for your daily walking. They can be uncomfortable for older children who have to extend their legs in order to move around.

There are a variety of different fold types available on the market that are one-handed, while others require a little more effort or two hands to complete. Some are designed to be as compact as they are able to be, which means they can be tucked away in the cabin baggage allowances on many flights or be carried on your back with a handle or strap.

In terms of a very lightweight pushchair walker, our favourite is the Silver Cross Dune. It has all the sophisticated design and innovative features you would expect from this renowned brand however, it comes in a smaller package. It features an easy-to-use fold and, like the Contours Itsy comes fully assembled inside the box. It's a great choice for parents who intend to travel extensively with their infant and can fit into the majority of car boot spaces and trunk spaces.

Another alternative is the Cybex Mios, which straddles both categories of pushchair as a fully-functioning travel system with nimbleness and a small fold. It can be used from birth in parent-facing mode, but then switched to world-facing as your child grows older. It also comes with a comfortable recline that is nap-worthy. It's not as compact as the Libelle but it is smaller and easier to use on flat surfaces. It is not suitable for rough terrain. The price is affordable and pushchairsandprams the durability tests are top-notch.

Easy to store

The Joie Pact Pro makes the perfect travel buggy. It folds so compactly that it can fit into an overhead compartment for luggage and weighs such a small amount that you'll barely be able to tell it's there in your trunk. It is also a good stroller for everyday use. Our test-driver Hollie found that it was easy to steer even while juggling a one-year-old. She was impressed by the adjustable handle as well as the lockable wheels and reclined seat. However, she did note that it wasn't particularly comfortable. It also has a feature where you can add other features like a reversible and washable seat cover, rain cover and a foot muff.

The Babyzen YoYO fold pushchair is another stroller that folds down compactly. It isn't as streamlined as the Cybex Libelle, but it's nevertheless a fantastic package when folded and it can be easily slotted in and out of trunks and car boots. It also offers more options for babies than other buggies for travel, including the option of adding the bassinet or cot for newborns and a custom ride-on board designed for older children and a tandem Maxi-Cosi Lila Duo Kit: Double Stroller - Nomad Grey-seat adapter.

It's not the most compact buggy to drive on uneven or rough terrain, and its small wheels don't perform as well as the other models we've tested. But, it's an extremely maneuverable pushchair and the YOYO is capable of navigating narrow aisles and muddy pathways. It's perfect for a city break or a holiday.

The Cosatto Bee6 offers a remarkably simplified list of features for its price. It can fold down to the size of a large backpack and weighs just 6kg, so it's an easy travel buggy to cart on trains and planes. It's also a breeze to use and our MFM reviewer Matt found it a pleasure to steer even with a heavy toddler on board. The hood is another benefit, since it can be adjusted to provide shade and protection from sun and rain. It's also great for naps. The only downside is that it doesn't have under-seat storage, and you'll have to carry or drape a bag on the handlebar (against our expert advice!). You can also purchase an additional changing bag holder to make this an ideal holiday buggy.

Easy to maneuver

Wheels on compact pushchairs could appear small, but they're often quite adept in navigating narrow aisles and rough terrain. The Micralite is a great example. Despite having tiny wheels, it is able to handle bumpy roads easily and sharply turn on narrow roads and even tackle some light gravel without much difficulty. It features a smooth steering system that is simple to use with just one hand. It folds down into a neat and compact package which fits perfectly inside the carrying case.

The majority of compact pushchairs were created for toddlers or older children. However there are a growing number of them offer an option for lying flat or the option to add a carrycot (or car seat) to allow them to be used from the moment of birth. These clever concertina or Z-fold buggies are usually lightweight at around 6-8kg and are able to be cabin-approved on many airlines, making them ideal for travel. MFM Editor Gemma says she has used it on many occasions and has found it easy to use and to store.

If you're looking for a compact fold, then the YOYO is an excellent option. It was the first buggy that offered this feature. It's still a very popular option, with a lot of parents favouring it over its imitators because of its unique features and its superior performance. It's the ideal option for frequent travelers, especially if you want to avoid the hassle of waiting at baggage collection and instead take your stroller with you on the plane.

The YOYO is also extremely compact and can fit into the bag with ease and having plenty of room. This makes it a great choice for frequent travellers and those who need to carry a lot of stuff in their luggage. It's also extremely versatile. You can buy a variety of optional accessories, including a newborn bassinet for your baby, a custom riding boards and twin travel bundles to turn it into tandem. You can also get a rain cover and hood for added security.

Comfortable

For parents wanting a lightweight compact pushchair that's simple to use and fits in the trunk of their car, our review expert, Hollie, recommends this Silver Cross model. Its maneuverability and reclined seat are among the top in our tests. It has a parent's tray, an storage basket that can fit a small backpack and great sun shade options.

Some compact-folding pushchairs fold down to a size that makes them suitable for air travel in a cabin and are ideal for when you're travelling often or have a small car boot space. They're usually light to make them easy to carry. They are also able to be used in conjunction with a travel system, when you choose a model that has a lie-flat seating option or a newborn "pod".

When looking for a travel stroll, it is important to remember that not all buggy models are made in the same way. Some brands boast that their compact-fold pushchairs are able to fold with just one hand, while others may require a bit more involvement or even a couple of hands to work out how to fold it into the folded position. It's also worth checking whether the seat has a recline. Some are completely flat and others have slight recline, which could be suitable for toddlers, but not younger babies.

Check that the model you pick is suitable for your travel plans. For instance when you're going to a hot destination, you should look for one with mesh fabric that's vented to keep your child cool. If you're heading somewhere that's windy or rainy, you should make sure that your pushchair comes with an appropriate cover. Covers that are generic won't fit and could let water in.