15 of the best pushchairs to buy in 2024: buggies and strollers for growing toddlers reviewed

The best pushchairs that are light to lift, easy to fold, and a dream to steer

A selection of the best pushchairs for 2024
Nuna, iCandy, Joie, Ickle Bubba and Mamas & Papas are among the best pushchairs we tested
(Image credit: Future)

With so many models now available, finding the right pushchair, buggy or stroller can feel like a bit of a daunting – not to mention expensive – task.

Do you want one that is forward- or world-facing, or both? Do you need something that’s sturdy or light? Compact or compatible with a travel system? There are so many decisions to make but they usually come down to two things: your lifestyle and your budget. While some pushchairs cost the same as a second-hand car, there are great affordable options too and, in this guide, we’ve including a range of strollers to suit all budgets and lifestyles, whether you live in a flat in the city or a farm in the country. 

Making an informed choice on the pushchair you buy will make those first couple of years much easier, so we’ve included buggies with a range of features, including reversible seats, off-road wheels, adjustable handles and even LED lights. Read on to decide what features you'd consider essentials or just extras, and to find the best pushchair for you and your baby.

You can also find out how we test and review products to learn more about how we selected the best strollers to feature in this guide.

Best pushchairs - our top pick

We think the Nuna Triv is the best overall pushchair you can buy. It's robust yet impressively light and compact, so it's a practical option if you use public transport frequently or expect to be lifting it in and out of your car boot. It's also a good travel option. 

Beyond that, the Nuna Triv is a clever combination of a sturdy, versatile travel system with all the perks of a lightweight buggy. We love that it has a reversible seat unit, so you can choose whether your baby faces you or the direction of travel. It's also super easy to fold and has great suspension to cope with all sorts of terrain from muddy parks to uneven pavements.

The best pushchairs 2024 as reviewed by our testers

Many of the pushchairs in this line-up have a compatible carrycot attachment or a reclinable, lie-flat seat, so they’re suitable for use from birth right through to toddlerhood. 

Our panel of mums tested these pushchairs over a period of several weeks with their babies aged between two months and two years old.

The Nuna Triv Pushchair - our pick of the best pushchair overall

Credit: Nuna
(Image credit: Nuna)

1. Nuna Triv Pushchair

Best pushchair: a sturdy yet light and compact travel system that folds easily

Specifications

Weighs: 8.8kg
Age range: Birth - 22kg
RRP: £600

Reasons to buy

+
Travel system meets a compact stroller
+
Seat unit is reversible and easy to adjust 
+
Thoughtfully designed

Reasons to avoid

-
Light to lift but a little heavy to push uphill

Tested by: Katie Archer and her son Rory, aged seven months.

With a reversible seat unit and a compact, lightweight frame, this pushchair converts easily to a travel system with the addition of the carrycot or one of the compatible car seats. It has a leatherette height-adjustable handlebar – handy for parents of different heights – plus all-wheel suspension and front swivel wheel locks for a smooth ride on all types of terrain. 

"We both loved the Nuna Triv, which offers the best of a traditional travel system and a compact city stroller," says our tester Katie. "You can tell it's a premium pushchair from the quality of the materials and the design details but it doesn't just look good – it's also incredibly easy to use. It really delivers on its promise of being compact and easy to fold one-handed. It's light to lift and feels much sturdier than other compact strollers. It's marketed as a city stroller, but it feels much more capable of taking on bumpy parks or countryside walks than other products in this category. It has great suspension and tough wheels, so it tackled potholes and uneven curbs with ease. Rory loved being able to face me and seemed very comfortable in the padded merino wool insert."

Our tester's favourite features are the sturdy, extendable sun canopy and the huge shopping basket. She also rates the rain cover, calling it the best she's seen because of a cleverly-designed pocket which folds over the pushchair frame to protect it from splashes. 

Although pricey, we feel the Nuna Triv is worth the investment for such a robustly-designed travel system that ticks every box in what we look for in a buggy, and is one which can carry you through many years of use.


The iCandy Lime Lifestyle - our choice of the best premium pushchair

Credit: iCandy
(Image credit: iCandy)

2. iCandy Lime Lifestyle Pushchair and Carrycot Bundle

Best premium pushchair - a super-stylish, high-quality travel system

Specifications

Weighs : 7.5kg
Age range: Birth - 3 years
RRP: £755

Reasons to buy

+
Integrated ride-on board for toddlers
+
Stylish design
+
Carrycot suitable for overnight sleeping

Reasons to avoid

-
Carrycot feels quite big for a newborn

Tested by: Emily-Ann Elliott, mum to two-year-old Betty and two-month-old Ted.

This stylish travel system is available to buy as a complete bundle consisting of the pushchair frame with seat unit (which can be parent-facing or front-facing) and carrycot, as well as a changing bag and cosy foot muff. It also comes with rain covers, car seat adaptors (so you can easily attach a car seat to the chassis) and elevator adaptors, which allow you to position the parent-facing seat closer to you. It folds compactly compared to other travel systems, which is handy for fitting it neatly in your car boot or storing it at home when it's not in use.

"It's very stylish and everything feels really well made and easy to use – it's sturdy to push, without being too heavy, and the suspension makes it easy to manoeuvre on rough ground," says our tester Emily-Ann.

Our tester's standout features are the integrated ride-on board – brilliant if you have two little ones because a tired toddler can hop aboard – and the fact that the carrycot can be used for overnight sleeping. "That saved us having to take an extra cot with us when travelling away overnight," she says. "I also love the big shopping basket, and the fact that the changing bag can be carried as a backpack."

This is an ideal travel system for busy parents who want a high-quality pushchair that's built to last and which can adapt as your family grows – it's a great choice for a first baby if you're hoping to have another baby in the not-too-distant future. 


The Joie Versatrax Pushchair - our choice of the best budget pushchair

Credit: Joie
(Image credit: Joie)

3. Joie Versatrax Pushchair

Best budget pushchair - great value and highly versatile

Specifications

Weighs: 11.7kg
Age range: Birth to 22kg (approx. 4 years)
RRP: £340

Reasons to buy

+
Versatile design with reversible seat
+
Large basket, accessible from front and back
+
Rubber tyres suitable for different terrains

Reasons to avoid

-
It's a little heavy to lift

Tested by: Emily-Ann Elliott, mum to two-year-old Betty and two-month-old Ted.

This versatile 4-in-1 pushchair can be used in multiple modes. The lie-flat pushchair seat can be used rear-facing or parent-facing, and you can attach the Joie ramble™ XL carrycot or a compatible infant carrier car seat – both sold separately. We like the height-adjustable handlebar, built-in carry strap, and the fact that it's freestanding when folded – handy for storing it in the hallway.

Our tester Emily-Ann says: "The simple one-handed fold system is useful for parents who have their hands full, although it's a little on the heavy side to lift into the car. The large rubber tyres and all-wheel suspension with front swivel wheels make this pushchair really easy to steer and a smooth ride, even on rough terrain. The seat padding and straps are comfortable for little ones, and my toddler enjoyed holding onto the bumper bar."

Emily-Ann particularly likes the spacious shopping basket and the fact that it can be accessed from the front or the back. "No more discovering that whatever you need from beneath the buggy is stuck at the front, and unloading everything to reach it," she says. The basket also has a zip-up pocket and water bottle holder inside – nice extra touches. We like the expandable hood with ventilation windows, too – perfect for warm weather.

This is a really versatile and smart-looking pushchair. We think it's a great price given all the useful extra design features, such as the one-handed folding system, large storage basket and expandable hood.


The Cybex Zeno pushchair, featured in our best pushchairs roundup

Credit: Cybex

4. Cybex Zeno

Best urban running buggy

Specifications

Weighs: 12.5 kg
Age range: months to approx. 4 years
RRP: £529.95

Reasons to buy

+
Beautifully stylish
+
Impressively versatile
+
A dream to push uphill

Reasons to avoid

-
Not suitable for off-road
-
Not suitable from birth

Tested by: Oli Oakley and her baby daughter.

If you're an active, sporty parent who sees no reason to stop running just because you've had a baby, this is one of the best pushchairs you could buy. Our tester was excited to try it out - she'd heard lots of hype about it - and found it more than lived up to her expectations. Designed for urban environments, it's an impressively versatile 4-in-1 multisport running pushchair. You can choose whether to push the stroller in front of you while running or attach it to your waist and pull it behind you. It's also suitable for cycling or cross-country skiing.

Our tester, Oli, took it on her regular runs with her daughter on board. "It's lightweight and the wheels are a great size, plus the seat is very comfortable for the child," she says. "It runs very smoothly and it's easy to put together. It also folds down smaller than any of the other buggies I've used, so it would fit easily in the boot of a car."

Overall, this is brilliantly designed pushchair for sporty parents. "I love the Cybex Zeno - it's very comfortable for my baby and she seems happy in it," adds Oli. "I think it will only get better to use as she gets older. I love the way it looks and have had lots of complements about my stylish buggy. My favourite function by far is the pushing element as I find I have more control and it feels more comfortable, but it's great to have options in terms of how you use it."


The Mamas and Papas Airo pushchair - our pick of one of the best pushchairs 2022

Credit: Mamas and Papas
(Image credit: Mamas and Papas Airo)

5. Mamas and Papas Airo

Best lightweight pushchair - a light and compact pushchair that's perfect for travel use from birth

Specifications

Weighs: 7.6kg
Age range: 0-22kg (Birth to approx. 4 years)
RRP: £399

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to carry
+
Compact
+
Lie-flat seat

Reasons to avoid

-
Best for urban use

Tested by: Lynsey Hope and her daughter Ivy, aged 18 months.

The Airo is the lightest pushchair yet from Mamas and Papas. It's sleek and streamlined, light enough to carry backpack-style, and suitable from birth. We asked writer Lynsey Hope to put it to the test with her third child, Ivy, who was 18 months old at the time of testing.

If you're looking for a travel-friendly pushchair that's plush enough for a newborn, this is it. And if you're thinking of trading in a heavy travel system for a lighter, nippier buggy for a growing toddler, the Mamas & Papas Airo pushchair is ideal.


Ickle Bubba Globe Prime Stroller - one of the best pushchairs 2022

Credit: Ickle Bubba

6. Ickle Bubba Globe Prime Stroller

Best pushchair for city living

Specifications

Weighs: 6.4kg
Age range: Birth - 15kgs (approx. 3 years)
RRP: £199.99

Reasons to buy

+
Truly lightweight
+
Stylish
+
Handy extras

Reasons to avoid

-
 Small shopping basket

Tested by: Emily-Ann Elliott, mum to Betty, two, and Ted, two months.

Easy to fold, carry and manoeuvre, this travel-friendly pushchair fits into the overhead storage compartment on an aeroplane and has an integrated carry strap with a leather shoulder pad. It comes with a quilted seat liner, footmuff, cup holder, rain cover, buggy organiser, and a protective storage bag. You can recline the seat easily with one hand – useful when your baby nods off in the buggy– and you can attach a compatible infant carrier car seat to the frame to create a travel system.

Our tester Emily-Ann says: "This is truly lightweight compared to other pushchairs, so it's perfect for travel use or for parents who use public transport. The storage bag has straps so you can wear it like a backpack – useful if your hands are full when travelling. Once assembled, it's easy to fold and unfold. It's best suited to smooth ground but it's really easy to manoeuvre and feels stable when pushing. The black and rose gold colour combination is very stylish – for such an affordable option, this looks really good."

Overall, this is an excellent buggy at a really affordable price. Emily-Ann commented on the extra accessories and thoughtful design details, such as the hood viewing window for keeping an eye on your baby; the adjustable leg rest for comfy naps; and the handy storage pouch for your valuables. "My toddler loved holding on to the bumper bar across the front and although the shopping basket could be bigger, I think that's a fair price to pay for something so compact," she adds. 


The Silver Cross Reflex Quartz - one of the best pushchairs 2022

Credit: Silver Cross

7. Silver Cross Reflex Quartz

Best pushchair for sturdiness and longevity

Specifications

Weighs: 8.5kg
Age range: Birth to 25kg
RRP: £243.75

Reasons to buy

+
Sturdy and smooth to push
+
Luxurious, comfortable seat
+
Extendable sun canopy

Reasons to avoid

-
Less compact than other strollers
-
The basket is tricky to access, especially with the seat reclined

Tested by: Katie Archer and her son Rory, aged seven months.

With a lie-flat seat recline, airflow backrest and a newborn head hugger, this is a good choice if you're looking for a sturdy but light stroller that's suitable for use from birth. You can attach a Silver Cross infant carrier car seat to create a travel system.

Katie, our tester, says: "This stroller was a hit with Rory – he found this extremely comfortable, had some long naps in it and was obviously very happy sitting in it, thanks to the supportive backrest and plush, padded newborn insert."

Our tester found the pushchair a little unwieldy going over curbs, up steps, and when pushing it uphill. "It also felt wide for narrow streets and doorways, and difficult to fold for public transport and storage – you definitely can't fold it with one hand, so you need another adult around to hold the baby while you fold it," she says.

This pushchair is very well made – robust and sturdy, and clearly designed to withstand years of everyday use. It's also smooth to push, offering surprisingly good suspension over bumpy ground for something reasonably light. The extendable sun canopy hood is effective at blocking out the sun and offering an extra layer of cosiness for naps. The leather bumper bar is articulated to fold with the stroller, which our tester thinks is a nice touch.


Cosatto Woosh XL Pushchair - our pick of one of the best pushchairs

Credit: Cosatto

8. Cosatto Woosh XL Pushchair

Best pushchair for easy storage

Specifications

Weighs: 6.8kg
Age range: Birth to 25kg
RRP: £299.95

Reasons to buy

+
Striking, stylish design
+
Folds easily with one hand 
+
Light and manoeuvrable
+
Compact - easily fits small car boots

Reasons to avoid

-
Fixed, forward-facing seat
-
The seat recline is fiddly to operate with the child in the seat

Tested by: Lisa Harris and her baby Juno, aged five months.

This is a super-stylish pushchair designed in collaboration with singer Paloma Faith. It's really lightweight and folds easily, plus it's free-standing for easy storage. We like the handy extra features for busy parents – a secure pocket in the hood and basket, a large rain cover and a cup holder. The bold, striking print makes it a hit with kids and a talking point with parents.

Our tester Lisa says: "I felt like I'd slipped into a designer outfit when pushing this stylish pram out and about! Friends loved the bold tiger print and cool, rose gold finish. It's easy to steer with one hand, and the swivel front wheels navigated narrow shop aisles and busy streets easily. The secure and well-hidden back pocket in the hood is really convenient for a mobile phone, wallet, face mask and other essentials."

"This is a cool, city-slicker style pushchair that's simple to fold and unfold with one hand. The rear foot brake and front wheel controls are easy to operate with one foot. The safety straps release all at once, which makes it quick to get my baby out, although it's a little more fiddly to strap her in.  The large rain cover is very secure, even in high winds on the beach, and the cover carries the same bold print as the pushchair so it still felt smart even in a downpour. It kept things in the bottom basket dry too! The seat reclines almost horizontal, which is great for baby naps in the middle of the day, and the inside of the pram is dark, so she slept really well too."

This pushchair is so stylish, our tester opted to take her sleeping baby out to a restaurant one evening. "There's also a large viewing window in the hood to quietly check on your sleeping (or not!) baby," she says.


Cybex Melio Carbon Stroller - one of the best pushchairs in our buyers' guide

Credit: Cybex

9. Cybex Melio Carbon Stroller

Best pushchair for one-handed folding

Specifications

Weighs: 5.9kg
Age range: Birth to 15kg (approx. three years)
RRP: £462.22

Reasons to buy

+
Large sun visor and mesh back – ideal for hot weather
+
Easy to fold with one hand
+
Compact and incredibly light

Reasons to avoid

-
No storage pouch for valuables

Tested by: Lisa Harris, mum to five-month-old Juno.

The Cybex Melio Carbon Stroller is a super-light stroller with a reversible seat that's designed for city living. It's a doddle to fold and extremely compact when folded – ideal for travel use or taking on public transport. We love the excellent suspension and nippy swivel wheels. The frame is compatible with the Cybex Melio cot and the Cybex Cocoon S car seat, to create a complete travel system.

Our parent reviewer, Lisa, says: "This stroller would be great for a holiday as it's so compact and light, plus it has a removable seat liner and an open mesh back for keeping cool in the heat. The sun canopy is huge – it goes all the way down to my daughter's feet – which is useful for daytime naps and keeping the sun out of my daughter's eyes. The full recline position is also practically flat like a first class airline seat. The rain cover gives good protection and has velcro tabs to keep the rear dry against splash-back from the pavement. The rain cover peekaboo hatch makes it easy to pull the visor down for sleep whilst it's raining – or to feed snacks through!"

Lisa felt the basket was a good size but open to the elements and there are no pockets to stash your phone, wallet or baby essentials. "The light, sleek carbon frame and precision swivel steering make this feel like manoeuvering a high-end speed bike rather than pushing a pram," she says. "The one-handed collapse is very convenient, although it doesn't have a catch to hold the wheels together once it's folded down, which made it slightly unwieldy to carry. It did stand up on its wheels whilst folded though, which makes it easy to store."


The Graco Breaze Pushchair

Credit: Graco

10. Graco Breaze Pushchair

Best pushchair for all-terrain

Specifications

Weighs: 6.5kg
Age range: Birth to 15kg
RRP: £115

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent value
+
Compact and lightweight
+
Easy to fold and store

Reasons to avoid

-
Footrest for toddlers but no leg support for younger babies
-
Not free-standing when folded

Tested by: Lisa Harris, mum to Juno, five months.

Ideal for travel use but robust enough to use every day, this lightweight buggy is compatible with selected infant car seats to create a highly affordable travel system. The lockable front swivel wheels also make it easy to manoeuvre on different types of terrain.

Tester Lisa says: "This is excellent value for a pushchair that ticks all the boxes for functionality without fuss. It was a bit fiddly to assemble and you need two hands to fold it by pushing two buttons on the side, but it opens up with one hand, and in one swift movement, once you release the side clip. 

When collapsed, it's compact and stays together so it's easy to put away in the boot of the car or under the stairs. The visor gives great coverage in the sun and rain and has a firm front section and a handy peekaboo flap to check on your sleeping baby. 

The handlebar has a good grip and I found this buggy easy to manoeuvre, thanks to the front swivel wheels. The back brake can be operated from either side, which my boyfriend found useful as he's left-handed. "The reclining seat was easy to operate, even with a baby in, which isn't always the case. But our tester loved the "capacious" basket, which she found easy to access. "The basket has a protective bottom which stopped our fruit and veg getting wet in the rain too," she says. 


Best pushchairs 2022 - Ergobaby Metro Stroller

Credit: Ergobaby

11. Ergobaby Metro Stroller

Best pushchair for easy lifting

Specifications

Weighs: 6.8kg
Age range: 6m to 22kg (From birth with Newborn Kit, sold separately)
RRP: £319

Reasons to buy

+
Compact and lightweight
+
Incredibly easy to fold, even one-handed
+
Ergonomic design

Reasons to avoid

-
Fixed seat can't be changed to parent-facing
-
Minimal suspension
-
Less practical for muddy parks or country walks

Tested by: Katie Archer, mum to Rory, seven months.

This ergonomically designed stroller is seriously lightweight and compact enough to count as airline carry-on luggage. It's easy to fold with one hand. A newborn kit, footmuff, and carry bag are available to buy separately. It's ideal for smaller homes or those with limited storage space, as well as for fitting in small car boots.

Our tester Katie says: "Rory and I both loved this stroller. I had been looking for something lightweight and compact to handle crowded streets in London and this fits the bill perfectly. It has a sleek, pared-back design which I love – no fussy design features – and it can easily fit through the narrowest of spaces. This is by far the easiest stroller I've used in terms of folding – it couldn't be simpler to fold one-handed and takes up minimal space on public transport. Even when I was out with both children, it didn't feel cumbersome to fold whilst keeping track of them. The five-point harness is very quick and simple to fasten, so there's no time wasted. It pushes really smoothly and Rory looked very comfortable in it."

The Metro's main selling point is its ergonomic design – as you might expect from a company known for its supportive baby carriers. Our tester feels the back support is truly impressive and every bit as good as the Ergobaby carrier. "Rory found it very comfortable and nodded off to sleep nearly every time we used it, and the height of the handlebar makes it easy on the adult's back – something that had previously put me off very compact strollers as they seemed a bit too low and looked like they might put stress on your back," she says.

This was smooth and easy to push, but our tester says it jolted a bit over curbs and uneven ground so recommends it as a city stroller rather than one for countryside walks. The shopping basket is more spacious than she expected and was easily accessible from both the front and back. "This is great value for money as it can be used at home and on holiday right up until Rory outgrows needing a pushchair," she says.


Joolz Day+ Complete Pram Set - ourpick of one of the best pushchairs

Credit: Joolz

12. Joolz Day+ Complete Pram Set

Best pushchair for luxurious design

Specifications

Weighs: 13.3kg
Age range: Birth to 22kg
RRP: £1049

Reasons to buy

+
Stylish design
+
Handy extras e.g LED lights
+
Luxurious finish

Reasons to avoid

-
Heavy to lift
-
Complex assembly instructions

Tested by: Aileen Farrell and her two-year-old daughter, Isla.

This stylish pushchair comes with both a luxurious carrycot for use from birth and an upright pushchair seat, which reclines easily for naps on the go. The pushchair is designed so that you can use it as a highchair at the right height for a table when dining out. We like the integrated LED lights for night-time visibility and the fact that it comes with a lifetime warranty.

Our tester Aileen says: "There are so many lovely features on this pushchair. I particularly love the one-handed seat recline with multiple positions – it's so easy to tilt my toddler back when she falls asleep. The seat unit is large and comfortable and so easy to switch from rearward to forward-facing, and the bassinet is really luxurious for a newborn, with a comfortable mattress. The wheel locks are very easy to use. You don't have to bend down and push a button, you just tap it with your foot. The harness is particularly handy for getting my child out – you just press a button and all the straps detach – no more fiddling with getting arms out of the straps. I also really appreciated the ease of making the straps longer or shorter. Some buggy seat straps are so fiddly and annoying but these are super easy to adjust."

Aileen particularly liked the LED lighting and found it useful on evening walks. "I felt confident that drivers could see me when I was walking on dark seaside roads," she says. Folding the buggy was a little challenging, and lifting this into a car boot definitely requires some muscle.


Mamas & Papas Strada Pushchair - one of the best pushchairs 2022

Credit: Mamas & Papas

13. Mamas & Papas Strada Pushchair

Best parent-facing pushchair

Specifications

Weighs: 10.4kg
Age range: Birth to 15kg
RRP: £189

Reasons to buy

+
A cosy, comfy ride
+
Compact fold
+
Easy to lift and carry
+
Excellent rain cover

Reasons to avoid

-
An effort to push on bumpy ground
-
The seat doesn't lock in the recline setting
-
The straps are fiddly to secure

Tested by: Becky Magill, mum to two-year-old Isaac.

This is a modern, stylish pushchair with a really sleek finish. It folds compactly with one hand and handles well, whilst only taking up a small portion of boot space. The handle is simple to adjust and luxuriously padded.

Our tester Becky says: "This is really easy to push – it glides along and handles really well. Isaac looked really comfy and wasn't in a rush to get out of this pushchair, although I felt like I was a long way from him. It folds really nicely, once you get the hang of the multi-step folding process, and sits flat in the car boot taking up very little room, considering the size of the pushchair when it's in use. It's a very stylish-looking pushchair – I especially like how large the hood is, and the magnetic peekaboo flaps so I can see what Isaac is up to. The brake is so easy to put on and very stable. The standout feature for me is the rain cover; it pops over very easily, attaches around the frame with poppers on elastic, and stays put in heavy wind and rain – but then has a middle zip, so you can get baby out without getting the pushchair seat wet – excellent!"

Becky found the shopping basket a good size – no fear of losing anything out of the sides. She likes the fact that the seat reclines to fully flat but is well protected by the hood, so it's good for a cosy sleep. "I love that it is both parent and world-facing," she says. "This would work brilliantly on public transport, and would store well in the hallway of a small apartment."


A cutout image of the Baby Jogger Summit x Robin Arzón running stroller

Credit: Mamas & Papas
(Image credit: Baby Jogger)

14. Baby Jogger Summit x Robin Arzón

Best off-road pushchair for walks and running

Specifications

Weighs: 10.4kg
Age range: Birth to 15kg
RRP: £189

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to push and steer on all terrain
+
Comfortable for baby - she napped!
+
Looks and feels luxurious

Reasons to avoid

-
Handlebar is not height adjustable
-
It's heavy to lift in and out of the car 
-
Suitable from 6m, not from birth

Tested by: Goodto parent tester Lizzy Langan and her daughter, Niamh, who was eight months old at the time. 

This is a sleek and stylish pushchair that will appeal to parents who don't necessarily want to invest in a sports buggy exclusively designed for running but do want the option of switching back and forth between a buggy for daily use and one that can handle some regular running on off-road surfaces. 

Designed in partnership with mum and marathon runner Robin Arzón, the Baby Jogger Summit x Robin Arzón is a three-wheeled pushchair with all-wheel suspension so it ensures a smooth ride for your baby and an easy push for you, on all types of terrain. 

While testing this pushchair, Lizzy felt it was a "well thought out" design and noted that it feels like a "high-end" piece of baby kit. Lizzy told GoodtoKnow she would recommend it to anyone who enjoys running and wants a stylish and functional buggy that is comfortable for parent and child for both day-to-day use and for regular gentle running.

During testing, the Baby Jogger Summit x Robin Arzón delivered "a comfortable and efficient run" for our parent reviewer. It kept her baby so comfortable and cushioned from the bumpy ground that she actually napped happily throughout Lizzy's run.

The Baby Jogger Summit x Robin Arzón is well worth buying if you want a stylish pushchair that you can use every day but that will support you in living an active lifestyle with regular off-road walks and runs. If you like the idea of squeezing in some daily exercise while your baby watches the world go by - or even naps - then this could well be the best pushchair for you.


Mamas & Papas Strada Pushchair - one of the best pushchairs 2022

Credit: Mamas & Papas

15. Mamas & Papas Strada Pushchair

Best parent-facing pushchair

Specifications

Weighs: 10.4kg
Age range: Birth to 15kg
RRP: £189

Reasons to buy

+
A cosy, comfy ride
+
Compact fold
+
Easy to lift and carry
+
Excellent rain cover

Reasons to avoid

-
An effort to push on bumpy ground
-
The seat doesn't lock in the recline setting
-
The straps are fiddly to secure

Tested by: Becky Magill, mum to two-year-old Isaac.

This is a modern, stylish pushchair with a really sleek finish. It folds compactly with one hand and handles well, whilst only taking up a small portion of boot space. The handle is simple to adjust and luxuriously padded.

Our tester Becky says: "This is really easy to push – it glides along and handles really well. Isaac looked really comfy and wasn't in a rush to get out of this pushchair, although I felt like I was a long way from him. It folds really nicely, once you get the hang of the multi-step folding process, and sits flat in the car boot taking up very little room, considering the size of the pushchair when it's in use. It's a very stylish-looking pushchair – I especially like how large the hood is, and the magnetic peekaboo flaps so I can see what Isaac is up to. The brake is so easy to put on and very stable. The standout feature for me is the rain cover; it pops over very easily, attaches around the frame with poppers on elastic, and stays put in heavy wind and rain – but then has a middle zip, so you can get baby out without getting the pushchair seat wet – excellent!"

Becky found the shopping basket a good size – no fear of losing anything out of the sides. She likes the fact that the seat reclines to fully flat but is well protected by the hood, so it's good for a cosy sleep. "I love that it is both parent and world-facing," she says. "This would work brilliantly on public transport, and would store well in the hallway of a small apartment."


How to choose the best pushchair for your baby

Working out which buggy, pushchair, or stroller you should buy is complicated. There are a lot of different factors to consider, from how much the pushchair weighs – especially important if you’re going to be lugging it in and out of your car boot or taking it on public transport – to whether the wheels will cope with the kind of terrain you’ll be tackling daily. These are the important factors to consider before you decide which is the best pushchair for you.

  • Wheels - The first thing to consider is where you’ll be using it. You should choose a buggy with wheels specifically designed for that purpose. The best pushchair for nipping over shiny shop floors and navigating urban pavements is one with a compact frame and small wheels that swivel to help with maneuverability when tackling curbs and narrow or crowded spaces. But if you spend more time in the park than in the city and your weekends involve lots of time outdoors, you’ll need a sturdier frame with all-weather fabrics and - crucially - all-terrain wheels that can handle uneven ground.
  • Storage - Think, about where you’ll keep the pushchair when it’s not in use. If you drive, choose a buggy that fits neatly in your car boot without taking up all the space. If you’ll be storing the buggy in your hallway, choose a compact model that you won't struggle to squeeze past. And to reduce the chances of the pushchair springing open and whacking you on the shins every time you open the front door, choose one that’s freestanding when folded.
  • Value for money - If you haven't got hundreds of pounds to spend on a pushchair, don't fret - there are many super affordable models out there that have lots of similar functionality to the premium brands but for a fraction of the price. And if you do decide that a luxe model is the best pushchair for you, factor in things like whether it can convert to a double if your family grows in the future, so that you can be sure you're getting value for money. 
  • Manoeuvrability - Pay close attention to our reviewer's comments on things like how easy it is to steer and control the pushchair you're thinking of buying. This is one of those crucial details that can make or break how you feel about getting out and about with your little one - and you won't normally know what it's like to use until you start using it. Need something easy to push uphill? Or want a pushchair that you can fold easily if you'll be doing so while keeping an eye on older siblings? See what the reviewers say about the details that are most important to you. 
  • Weight  - These days you can buy a pushchair that weighs as little as 6kg which is a godsend if you have back problems or spend lots of time lifting the stroller in and out of the car boot. But if you don't need an ultra-lightweight pushchair, go for something a bit sturdier as it's likely to be a little more robust. 
  • Practicality - Don't forget to consider the size of the shopping basket. There's nothing more frustrating than discovering that the pushchair basket is inaccessible when the pushchair seat is reclined. And if you're likely to pop to the shops for nappies and milk with your little one in tow, make sure the basket is big enough for your usual purchases.
  • Extra features - Some pushchairs have extra design elements and these little details can really make you fall in love with your stroller. If you're wildly different from your partner in height, choose a pushchair with an adjustable handlebar. And think about whether you'd like the flexibility to change which direction the pushchair seat faces. If you can't see yourself faffing about with that, don't waste money on that extra functionality. 
  • Design - It's ok to factor in how you feel about pushing the pushchair you use! In fact, if you love the design then you're more likely to take travelling with your child or toddler in you stride.  
  • The bus and cobblestones tests - The ultimate test - consider our testers' comments on things like whether the pushchair stays put when you're on a bendy bus going round a corner, and if the suspension means cobblestones don't set your child's cheeks a-jiggling. 

What's the difference between a pram and a pushchair?

In a nutshell, a pram is for babies to lie flat in from birth, while a pushchair is a buggy with an upright seat suitable for older babies and toddlers to sit in. However, there's lots of overlap between prams and pushchairs these days – some buggies have carrycot attachments that you can use from birth and then remove after six months and replace with a seat unit, for example. Similarly, many pushchairs have adjustable seats that can be reclined fully flat to make them more like a pram and suitable for newborn babies and those under six months.

Pram is an old-fashioned word that's usually used to describe a pushchair that has a carrycot or bassinet suitable from birth that allows the baby to lie completely flat. Prams like this are specifically designed for newborn babies up to the age of around six months because it's vital that babies under six months old lie completely flat in a pram or pushchair (instead of sitting upright in a pushchair seat) in order to ensure unrestricted airflow and the healthy development of the spine and lungs.

A buggy, pushchair, or stroller (these are all different names for the same thing) differs from a pram because it has an upright seat unit rather than a carrycot or bassinet. A pushchair is typically suitable for use from six months onwards, once babies no longer need to lie flat, although some also can be used from birth if the seat reclines far enough. 

Lots of pushchairs are highly adjustable so that you can configure them to suit your exact requirements. A travel system is a good choice if you're looking for this kind of flexibility. That's a pushchair frame (called the chassis) with a removable pushchair seat so that you pop it off the frame and attach a baby car seat instead if when you wish. This makes it easy to move between the car and the pushchair without having to remove your baby from the car seat. Many travel systems are also designed to take a carrycot attachment, too.

Babies shouldn't sit in car seats for more than two hours at a time, and car seats shouldn't be used for sleeping. Don't worry if your baby nods off in the car – just make sure she doesn't sit in it for too long.

If you’re buying a pushchair for use from birth, choose a pram with a carrycot. Or, if you're short on storage space and don't want to store a bulky carrycot once your baby outgrows it, go for a pushchair with a fully-reclinable seat unit suitable for newborns. Some strollers aren't suitable from birth but can be adapted by purchasing a newborn accessory kit.

Which is the best pushchair, buggy, or stroller for toddlers?

We think the Nuna Triv is the best pushchair you can buy because it comes with a luxurious carrycot that's suitable from birth and a seat unit that you can replace it with after six months, so you're covered from birth well into toddlerhood.

But the answer depends on lots of factors, from your budget to your lifestyle. If you live in a small apartment in the city and rely on public transport, the best buggy, pushchair, or stroller for toddlers won't be the same as for someone who drives everywhere and lives in the country. A city-dwelling parent will need a lightweight pushchair that folds quickly and compactly and has small wheels to glide easily over shiny shop floors and urban streets. Someone who lives more rurally will need a pushchair that's light enough to lift in and out of the car and which won't take up all the space in the boot. A pushchair with robust, puncture-proof wheels and good suspension is a must to ensure a smooth ride over bumpy terrain.

The most important thing to take into account when buying a pushchair for a toddler is how much it weighs. Toddlers aren't light and they only get heavier, so choose a pushchair that feels robust enough to carry a growing child but won't be so heavy, once you add your occupant, that it's unwieldy to push.

We think the best buggy, pushchair, or stroller for toddlers is also the Nuna Triv. It's suitable for youngsters weighing up to 22kg and has a large shopping basket to stash a coat and some snacks. It's also easy to fold with one hand while you keep track of an adventuring toddler.

How we tested these pushchairs

Our product review testing process is fair, consistent and robust. 

Our Consumer Editor Heidi Scrimgeour came up with a shortlist of the best pushchairs based on her product knowledge and industry research. She looked at the latest buggy offering from the market-leading brands - and as a parenting journalist for 15 years and mother of three, what she doesn't know about baby products isn't worth knowing. She also selected products from a broad range of price points so there's something here to suit every budget. 

Next, we called on our pool of reliable parent testers and assigned each of them a pushchair to review with their baby. They tested the product rigorously for at least ten days in a variety of weather conditions and on different types of terrain. 

After this, they gave each product a rating out of five for overall performance. We also asked for comprehensive feedback on key factors including design appeal, manouevrability, functionality (how easy is it to assemble and to fold/unfold), portability (how compact it is when folded) and value for money.

 If you’re looking at other ways of transporting your baby, check out our best baby carriers guide, or our feature on the best travel strollers, if you’re planning a trip away anytime soon. If you’re thinking of buying a pram as well as a pushchair, be sure to browse our best prams guide with advice on the latest models and honest feedback about how they fare in the real world.

Heidi Scrimgeour
Deputy Editor

As a parenting specialist for more than 15 years, Heidi has written for most national newspapers and for a wide range of consumer magazines, including Mother & Baby where she was the Shopping Editor for six years, looking after regular consumer features including buying guides and gift roundups.