The 9 Things Your Parents Taught You About Compact Pushchair
Compact Pushchair Reviews
A compact and lightweight stroller can be a great choice for you if you frequently travel on public transportation or in a car. These strollers are easier to fold and store, and they're less likely to get damaged by baggage handlers.
These strollers that are lightweight offer modern convenience and are easy to maneuver on cobblestones. Plus, they can be easily stored in the overhead compartments of planes.
Lightweight
The best compact pushchairs are light to carry and, more importantly, simple to fold. Most of them have a one-handed fold and occupy 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 restrictions when traveling.
They also have a small footprint when closed which allows you to walk through tight spaces. These are the best choice for those who live in apartments or you want something light and nimble for everyday walking. They aren't ideal for older children who have to extend their legs in order to move around.
There are a range of different fold styles available on the market, with some being truly one-handed and others needing some effort or two hands to complete. Some are designed to fit into the cabin baggage allowance on many flights, or can be carried on your shoulder using a strap or handle.
In terms of a very lightweight pushchair shop near me, our favourite is the Silver Cross Dune. The Silver Cross Dune is a compact pushchair that offers all the thoughtful features and smart design that you would expect from a brand with a long history. It has an easy-to use fold and, like the Contours Itsy comes fully assembled in the box. It's a great choice for parents who are travelling a lot with their baby. It can be tucked away in most car trunks and small trunk spaces.
Another option is the Cybex Mios, which straddles both categories of pushchair (about his) as a fully-functioning travel system with agility and a compact fold. It can be used from birth in parent-facing mode, and then changed to a world-facing mode as your child gets older. It also has a decent recline that's nap-friendly. It's not as compact as the Libelle however it's smaller and is more suitable for use on flat surfaces. It's not the best travel pushchair choice for rough terrain, though. The price is reasonable and the durability tests are top-notch.
Easy to store
The Joie Pact Pro is the ideal travel buggy pushchair, which folds up so small that it can fit into an overhead luggage compartment, and weighing so little you'll barely feel it in your car boot. It's also a good day-to-day stroller and our test driver Hollie found it easy to steer even when she was juggling her toddler. She liked the adjustable handle, lockable wheels and the reclining seat. However, she said that it wasn't particularly comfortable. However, she also appreciates the fact that you can add extras, including the washable, reversible seat liner, rain cover, and an muff for the foot.
The Babyzen YOYO is a similarly compact fold pushchair. It's not as streamlined as the Cybex Libelle but it's still an attractive package that is easy to slide into car boot and trunks. It provides more options for babies when compared to other buggies. You can add the bassinet or cot for newborns and a bespoke ride on board for older children, and an adapter for tandem seats.
The YOYO is not the most compact pushchair for driving on uneven or rough terrain. Its small wheels also do not perform as well as other models we've tested. However, it is still a very manoeuvrable pushchair and the YOYO is capable of navigating narrow shopping aisles and muddy trails. It's an excellent choice for a holiday or city break.
The Cosatto Bee6 is a compact travel buggy that comes with a host of features for a very low price. It can fold down to the size of a large backpack and weighs just 6kg, making it an easy to transport on trains and planes. It's also easy to operate and our MFM reviewer Matt was a joy to steer even with a heavy toddler on board. He also loved the hood, which is down low enough to protect from the sun and rain and facilitate napping. The only drawbacks are that it doesn't have under-seat storage, and you'll have to carry or gently hang a bag over the handlebar (against our advice!). Alternatively, you can purchase a separately sold changing bag holder to make it a great buggy for holidays.
Easy to Manoeuvre
The wheels on compact pushchairs may appear small, but they usually do surprisingly well, and can navigate narrow aisles for shopping or rough terrain effortlessly. The Micralite is a perfect example of this - despite having small wheels it handles rough roads with ease, turns sharply on narrow streets and even manages to tackle some lightly sand without much of a problem. It also has a smooth steering system and is easy to steer using just one hand. It folds down into an elegant and compact package that is easily stored inside its carrying case.
Most compact pushchairs are designed for toddlers and older children however, an increasing number offer a lie-flat seating or the option to add an extra carrycot (or baby car seat) to allow them to be used from the time of birth. These clever concertina or Z-fold buggies are usually light at 6-8 kg and are cabin-approved on a variety of airlines, making them perfect for travel. MFM Editor Gemma has used hers on many occasions and says it's extremely simple to use and take away.
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 of this kind. It's still a popular choice for parents who prefer it over its rivals due to its clever details and superior function. It's a great choice for frequent travelers, especially when they want to stay clear of the stress of waiting in lines at baggage pickup by bringing their stroller along.
The YOYO is also extremely compact and fits into the carrying bag easily and with plenty of room. It's a great choice for frequent travelers, especially those who need to carry a lot of things in their suitcase. It's also extremely versatile. You can purchase an array of accessories for it including baby bassinets, a bespoke ride-on board and twin travel bundles that turn it into an equilateral. You can also buy rain covers and hoods for added peace of mind.
Comfortable
If you're a parent looking for a light, compact pushchair that's easy to use and fits into the trunk of their car, our reviewer, Hollie, recommends this Silver Cross model. The Silver Cross model's maneuverability and reclined chair were among the best of our tests. It has a parent's tray and an storage basket that can fit small backpacks, and excellent sun cover options.
Some compact-fold pushchairs fold down so tiny that they're cabin pushchair approved for air travel and are ideal for when you frequently travel or have a small car space in the boot. They're usually light so they're easy for you to carry. They can also be used as an air travel system, in the event that you choose a model that has a lie-flat seating option or a newborn "pod".
When you are looking for a good travel stroll, it is important to remember that not all buggy models are all created equal. Some brands boast that their compact-fold pushchairs can fold with just one hand, while others require more of an involvement or even a couple of hands to work out how to fold it into the folded position. It's also worth determining if the seat has a recline - some are fully flat, while others have only an incline that may be suitable for toddlers but not for infants.
Check that the model you select is suitable for your travel plans. For instance, if you're going to a hot destination then you should choose one with mesh fabric that's vented to keep your child cool. Also, if you're planning to go somewhere that is windy or rainy make sure the pushchair you buy has a cover that's designed to go with it - generic covers aren't suited to the conditions and could let water in.