What should I look for when buying a pushchair or pram?
Age range: Most pushchairs last up to 22kg which is around age four. However, not all prams can be used from birth unless they have a lie-flat seat or have a carrycot attachment.
Lifestyle: Some pushchairs are well designed for public transport, but some definitely aren't. If you use public transport regularly, a compact and lightweight buggy will be your best bet. If you live in the countryside, or think you’ll spend a lot of time on trails and footpaths, you'll want an all-terrain pushchair with a good suspension and robust puncture-proof wheels instead.
Fold: Whether you're in the car, on public transport or need to regularly fold your pushchair away for storage, looking for a pram that will quickly and easily fold down. Some lightweight strollers fold down so compactly that they can fit in an overhead cabin luggage on a plane, which is great for holidays.
Travel system compatibility: One benefit of a travel system is that, with the right adaptors, you can take your baby car seat out of the car and clip it onto your pushchair. However, most car seats don't have a lie-flat mode, which means newborns can only safely stay in that seat for 30 minutes at a time. If you're planning to attach a car seat, make sure the travel system you choose is compatible with your preferred seat. Car seat adapters cost anywhere between £30 and £60. Most travel systems sell adaptors to fit major car seat brands, but double-check just in case.
Adjustable handlebars: A handlebar that can be adjusted will make the pram much more comfortable to push and will come in handy for parents who are different heights.
Storage basket: This may be one of the most important features of a pushchair. With all the nappies, bottles, snacks and changes of clothes that come with a baby, it’s almost impossible to travel lightly, especially if you plan to pick up shopping while you’re out. Pram baskets vary, with capacities from around 1kg to 15kg, but no matter how big it is, make sure you can access it easily. Some pushchairs also come with handy storage pockets.
Comfort and recline: If you want to ensure your child is comfortable, look for a pram that has padded seats. The angle of the recline is also important for ensuring your child can sit comfortably. Some seats have an infinite recline so you can choose the angle, while others may only have a few options. A seat with a leg rest or support will prevent children’s legs from dangling over the edge of the seat - some are adjustable so you can alter it as they grow.
Wheel size: Pushchairs tend to have three or four wheels. Generally bigger wheels are easier to move on rougher terrain, with air-filled tyres better suited for off-roading (but they can puncture). If you want to be able to easily push your pram, swivel wheels move in any direction to make it easier to push. This can make it trickier to navigate over uneven ground, so look for wheels that lock so you have the option to use both.
Accessories: What does the pram come with? Accessories can include a cup holder, footmuff and rain cover. Check what it comes with before buying as things like rain covers are essential for keeping your little one dry so you’ll need to factor in the extra cost.
Need more guidance? We have comprehensive buying guides that round up the best travel systems, the best lightweight strollers and the best double buggies to buy. All feature prams that have been tested and recommended by real parents.
For more information on pushchair safety, visit The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).
How we chose our recommendations
Collect unbiased recommendations from parents
To ensure we find products that can withstand family life, we always look for recommendations from our trusted Mumsnet users on the forums. With 10 million users each month, we know we’re identifying products that have been thoroughly put to the test in everyday situations.
Consult the experts
When compiling our list of recommendations, our trusted and experienced parenting journalists spend hours researching each product category, using a variety of sources to evaluate which products are the best.
This means checking that it is highly recommended by experts and stands up to scrutiny. We consult expert review sites, such as Which?.
Check the products are loved by consumers
Knowing that the real experts are you, the consumer, we make sure to check online reviews on retailers such as Mamas & Papas, Argos, John Lewis and Amazon, to make sure the products are up to scratch. We look out for both negative and positive feedback, considering the quality, safety, value for money and extra features to ensure they performed well across the board.
In-depth testing to put the products through their paces
Finally, we put each one through its paces with the help of real parent testers, during which they test and determine several factors, including: ease of use, sturdiness, storage available, how the recline and brake performs, the quality of accessories, cleanliness, aesthetics and value for money.
Once tests were complete, each parent provided detailed notes, scoring them out of five on how well they performed in each area. When the final scores were in, the products that performed the best were included in our round-ups; best lightweight strollers, best travel systems, and best double buggies. In this guide, you'll find the best ones from those lists that are suitable for newborns and beyond.
About the authors
Gemma Wilcock is a freelance journalist and writer with over 15 years of experience writing for national magazine and online publications, including Prima Baby, Woman's Own and Bella.
She has researched and written baby and child product reviews and round-ups for Mumsnet for over six years - reviewing everything from buggies to baby bouncers. As a mum of two, knows just how important first-hand parenting knowledge and recommendations can be.
Laura Westerman is an editor, writer and Deputy Head of Editorial Content at Mumsnet. With over seven years' experience as a full-time editor, five of which have been spent writing, commissioning and editing product reviews and round-ups, Laura has a keen eye for what parents love and likes nothing more than putting together honest reviews to make parents' lives that little bit easier.
In addition to her work as a writer and editor, she has also appeared in a number of baby product review videos for Mumsnet's YouTube channel. She is a mum to a one-year-old.
Why you should trust us
We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust and we spend hours scouring the Mumsnet forums and online bestseller lists to find products that real parents rate.
Transparency is really important to us and that's why we're always upfront about where we find our recommendations. We write about products that we feel offer the best value to most parents – the ones that our users would recommend to their own friends and family.