Compact Pushchair Reviews

If you're using public transport or frequently travelling via car, a light compact stroller is a great choice. These strollers pushchairs are easy to fold and store and less likely to be damaged by baggage handlers.

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

Lightweight

The most compact pushchairs fold up easily and are easy to carry. They typically have a one-handed fold and take up less space when folded than full-size buggies. They are a good choice when you don't have lots of space in your home, or if you're concerned about space limitations when traveling.

Some also have a very tiny footprint when closed, which allows you to walk through tight spaces. These are the best choice if you have an apartment, or want something lightweight and agile for walking around. They aren't ideal for older children who need to extend their legs to move around.

There are a myriad of types of folds to choose from, some can be completed with just one hand and others require two hands or more effort. Some are designed to fit within the baggage allowance for cabins on many flights, and can be carried over your shoulder using straps or handles.

Silver Cross Dune is our favorite lightweight pushchair. It comes with all the innovative design and innovative features you would expect from this renowned brand however in a more compact package. It has an easy-to use fold and, like the Contours Itsy comes fully assembled inside the box. It's a good choice for parents who are planning to travel extensively with their baby, and fits into the majority of car boot spaces and trunk spaces.

The Cybex Mios is another option. It straddles the two types of pushchairs and is a fully-functional system that is nimble. It can be used in parent-facing mode right from birth and switched to world-facing mode as your child gets older. It also comes with an adequate recline feature that's suitable for napping. It's not as compact as the Libelle but it is smaller and easier to use on flat surfaces. It's not ideal for rough terrain, though. The price is very affordable and the durability tests are top-notch.

Easy to store

The Joie Pact Pro is the ideal travel stroller, folding down so small that it fits into an overhead luggage compartment and is so light that you'll barely feel it in your car boot. It's also a great stroller to use for everyday use. Our test subject Hollie found that it was easy to steer even when trying to manage a toddler. She loved the Adjustable Handle Pushchairs handle, lockable wheels and the reclined seat. However, she did note that it wasn't particularly comfortable. However, she also appreciates the possibility to include extras like an reversible, washable seat liner, rain cover, and an muff for the foot.

The Babyzen Fold pushchair from YOYO is another compact folding stroller. It's not as sleek as the Cybex Libelle but it's still a great product that can be easily slid into trunks and car boot. It also gives more options for babies than other buggies, including the option to add a bassinet or newborn cot as well as a custom ride-on board for older kids and a tandem double seat adapter.

It's not the most compact buggy for driving on uneven or rough terrain, and its tiny wheels don't perform as well as some other models we've tried. But, it's an extremely maneuverable pushchair, and the YOYO is capable of navigating narrow aisles and muddy trails. It's ideal for a city break or a holiday.

The Cosatto Bee6 offers a remarkably simplified list of features for its affordable price. It folds down to the size and weight of a big bag and is easy to transport on planes and trains. It's also a breeze to use and our MFM reviewer Matt found it enjoyable to steer even with a heavy toddler in the. He also liked the hood that slides low enough to shield from the sun and rain and help with napping. Its only drawback is that there's no storage under the seat, and you have to carry or carefully hang your bag over the handlebars (against the advice of an expert!). You can also buy a separate changing bag holder to make it a fantastic holiday buggy.

Easy to Manoeuvre

Wheels on compact pushchairs could appear small, but they're often quite adept at navigating narrow aisles and rough terrain. The Micralite is an excellent example. Although it has small wheels, it can handle bumpy pavements easily and sharply turn on narrow roads, and take on a bit of gravel with ease. It features an easy-to-use steering system that is easy to use with only one hand. It folds up into an attractive and compact box that is easily stored inside the carrying case.

The majority of compact pushchairs are designed for toddlers and older infants however, an increasing number of them offer a lie-flat seat or the option of adding an additional carrycot (or baby car seat) to allow them to be used from birth. These Z fold buggies are typically very light and weigh between 6 and 8 kg. They are also accepted for use in cabins by a variety of airlines. MFM Editor Gemma says she has used it on numerous occasions and has found it easy to use and store.

If you're in search of a truly compact fold, the YOYO is the pinnacle of the compact category and was one of the first buggy models of this type. It's still a highly sought-after choice, with many parents favouring it over its imitators due to its innovative features and its superior performance. It's a great option for frequent travelers particularly if you wish to avoid the stress of waiting at baggage collection and instead take your stroller along with you.

The YOYO also comes in a compact size, fitting into the bag with ease, and even enough space. It is a great option for frequent travelers, particularly those who have to pack a lot of things in their luggage. It's also extremely versatile. You can purchase a variety of optional accessories, including a newborn bassinet for babies, a bespoke riding board and twin travel bundles to transform it into a tandem. You can also purchase an umbrella and rain cover for added peace of mind.

Confortable

Hollie, our reviewer, recommends the Silver Cross model to parents looking for a lightweight compact pushchair. It's user-friendly and can be tucked away into the trunk of your car. Its maneuverability and reclining seats are among the best we've seen in our tests. It has a parent's tray as well as an storage basket that can fit the size of a backpack, and fantastic sun shade options.

Some compact-fold strollers fold down so small that they're suitable for use in air travel. This is a great advantage if you travel often or pushchairs from birth have a limited space in your car boot. They're typically light and compact, making them easy to carry around and can be used with a travel system if you choose a version that features a lie-flat seating unit or comes with an optional newborn pod or one of two luxurious foldable carrycots.

The most important thing to remember when choosing a travel buggy is that not all models are in the same way. Certain brands claim that their compact fold pushchairs can be folded with one hand, while others might require more involvement or a couple of hands to work out how to get it into the folded position. Check if the buggy's seat reclines. Some are completely flat, whereas others have a slight recline. This might be fine for toddlers, but not suitable for infants.

It's also important to determine whether the model you're looking at is designed specifically for the kind of travel you're doing, such as if you're going somewhere hot you should look for one that has a vented mesh fabric to keep your little one cool. If you're going somewhere rainy or windy, ensure that the pushchair you buy comes with an appropriate cover to go with it - generic covers won't fit properly and could let water in.