If you’re overwhelmed by the amount of pushchairs there are to choose from, you’re not alone. Choosing a pushchair is an important decision, as they aren’t just a means of transporting your little one, they can make life with a baby so much easier if you choose the right one for your lifestyle.
Prams, pushchairs and strollers come in all shapes and sizes with varying features and design elements it can be confusing for parents to know which one to choose. Well, you’re in luck! At Kiddies Kingdom we know everything there is to know about pushchairs so we’ve put together an ultimate buying guide with top tips on how to choose the right one for you and examples of some of our favourite pushchairs.
The difference between prams, pushchairs and strollers
Often, the three terms prams, pushchairs and strollers are used interchangeably to describe the same baby product. However, more commonly, a pram is associated with newborn babies and a carry cot style, whereas a pushchair or a stroller is usually associated with older babies, from 6 months old to around 3 years, with a seat unit design.
Different brands use different terms to describe their baby travel products, so if you find a pushchair on our website, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is only suitable for children from 6 months old. We have a wide range of prams, pushchairs and strollers on our website that are suitable for different lifestyles and ages.
The most important thing to remember is that newborn babies need to be in a pram, pushchair or stroller that has a lie-flat feature until they reach around 6 months old. This is because they don’t yet have the strength or ability to sit up properly and this position supports lung and spinal development.
Strollers
Tandems
Twins & Triples
Different types of pushchairs
Not all pushchairs do the same thing or are designed in the same way. There is also a range of packages you can choose from, from complete travel systems which come with everything you need to travel with a newborn, 2-in-1 or 3-in-1. Some pushchairs have three wheels, some have four, some pushchairs are designed for one child, whilst others are designed for two or even three and there are different ways they can be used such as forward facing or parent facing.
Here is a guide to the different types of pushchairs and what they each have to offer.
Three or four-wheel pushchairs
You can choose between three or four-wheel pushchairs, depending on your intended use. Three-wheel pushchairs are usually bought by adventurous parents who like to go off-roading in parks or on long walks with their babies, or for families who live in more rural areas with country roads and uneven terrain.
Three-wheel pushchairs like the Out n About Nipper V5 Stroller are better at manoeuvring rough terrain and usually have large, bulky tyres designed to withstand rocks and sharper objects on the ground and super suspension. These prams tend to be a little heavier than four-wheel prams as they have a more robust and bulky frame to support adventurous activities. This particular stroller, the Nipper 5V is a multi-award winning ‘go anywhere’ stroller.
Four-wheel pushchairs are usually better for city-goers. They are lightweight, agile, easy to use and often have a large basket to put shopping and other essentials in. There are more four-wheel options available than 3-wheel options so there are a wide range of different types of 4-wheel pushchairs to choose from that all offer different features. While four-wheel prams are usually associated with city dwellers, there are some pushchairs with four-wheels that are multi-functioning and suitable for multi-terrain, such as the Kinderkraft Everyday Pushchair.
Carrycots
Some pushchairs come with a carrycot option. Many pushchairs are easily convertible using the same fabric, from carrycot to seat unit, whereas other pushchairs have a separate carrycot unit that you can change for the seat unit once your baby reaches 6 months old, using adapters.
Which type you choose to go for will depend on the storage space you have at home. For a pushchair that has a completely separate carrycot unit, it means you will need additional space to store the seat or vice versa.
Travel systems
A complete travel system provides everything you need to travel with your baby. Many pushchair brands, like Silver Cross, Bugaboo and Egg do travel systems so there are plenty to choose from.
The Silver Cross Reef travel system, for example, comes with:
- Pushchair
- Newborn pod
- i-Size car seat and base
- Leather rucksack changing bag
- Footmuff
- Car seat adapters.
If you don’t need a complete travel system, you can choose 2-in-1 or 3-in-1 options like the Bugaboo Fox 5 that comes with the stroller, carry cot and seat unit. Always check the appropriate age restrictions for the pram you’re looking at as not all prams are suitable for newborns so you may need to purchase an additional carrycot or choose a different stroller that is better suited to grow with your baby.
Equally, if you have a child who is older than 6 months and you’re looking for an upgrade. Choose a pram that doesn’t come with a carrycot as these are only needed for newborn babies so you won’t use it.
Single pushchair
If you want something simple with no fuss and you don’t want to have to store two separate pushchair units, including a carrycot and seat unit, choose a pushchair that easily converts between the two, using the same unit. This helps parents who lack storage space for a bulky pushchair. Or, choose a pushchair that comes with only one seat unit but offers a complete lie-flat recline option, making them suitable for newborn babies.
The egg Z Stroller is suitable from birth with a 3-position recline, the eggZ seat offers a cocoon-like environment for babies and a sumptuous seat for toddlers with its soft-touch fabrics and deep padding. A simple one-touch handle recline makes life much easier than the strap recline systems on other strollers, and ease of use is pushed to the max with our ingenious magnetic buckle system on the harness.
Double pushchair
Double trouble just means twice the fun so you’ll need a double pushchair. There are different types of double pushchairs; some are suitable for twin babies of the same age, others are suitable for a baby and a toddler and some are suitable for both.
The ultimate double pushchair is the Bugaboo Donkey 5 Duo. Convert the pushchair from single to double in just three clicks and keep your little co-pilots side by side from birth to toddler. The reversible seats let siblings face each other, face you or face the exciting path ahead. It’s smaller than you think and ready to go with just a one-hand push.
Ready from day one, the Bugaboo Donkey 5 is compatible with different car seats. You can pair it with a car seat or use it with the bassinet during the first months, and then transition to the toddler seat as your child grows.
Easy to manoeuvre, thanks to its side-by-side geometry, you can steer it with one hand and go up sidewalk curbs even when it’s fully loaded. When using it in the mono configuration, it comes with an expandable side-luggage basket with 35 35-litre capacity. The side luggage basket also comes with an integrated zipper at the top, increasing its capacity as it transforms into a large tote bag so that you can keep your essential items or groceries protected from the elements—or from curious little hands.
Tandem pushchairs
The tandem Joie Evalite Duo has a rear seat which is suitable from birth as it has a lie-flat feature and the front seat is suitable from 6 months old, making it great for two children of different ages.
The My Babiie tandem pushchair is suitable from birth for two babies when used in bassinet mode and from 6 months when used in seat mode. One of the standout features of the tandem pushchair is the innovative height adjustment system of the rear module, allowing for flexible configurations of full-size seats, carrycots, and car seats. The seats can be set in any direction, including facing each other, creating endless possibilities for parents and children alike.
Side-by-side pushchairs
The Ickle Bubba Venus Double Stroller is an excellent solution to travel with your two little ones from point A to B with ease and comfort. This functional stroller features a lightweight aluminium chassis with an extra large shopping basket, one-tap foot brake and two independently adjustable seat units suitable from birth up to 15kg (approx. 3 years old).
Front-facing vs parent-facing
For reassurance, most babies prefer to be parent-facing so they can see and interact with you. The older your baby gets, the more likely they are to want to be forward-facing so they can take in more of the world around them. Ultimately, the choice is yours as there is no right or wrong answer. It is, however, recommended to keep a baby under 6 months old facing you.
There are pushchairs that allow parents to change the position of the seat or carrycot so you can either have your baby parent or world facing.
How to choose the perfect pushchair
There are so many aspects to think about when choosing the perfect pushchair for your baby. But, it’s a super exciting choice to make because a pushchair is more than a means of getting your baby from A to B. They’re a baby accessory and can make your life with a little one so much easier if you choose the right one.
Deciding on the perfect pushchair isn’t quite as easy as you think because there are so many different types to choose from, including pushchairs designed for the city dweller, families who live in the countryside or adventurous parents who like to take their baby off-road and around the world.
Lifestyle
One of the most important considerations when choosing a pushchair is to know what lifestyle best describes your family’s situation. Do you live in a town or city and need an agile, lightweight pushchair so you can easily get around, or a pushchair with large, robust wheels and a strong frame for off-roading or a more rural setting?
Urban
If you regularly run errands in the town or city and live in an urban setting then you’ll need a pushchair that is easy to use, agile, lightweight, compact and provides comfort for your little one no matter where you are.
The Cybex Beezy Pushchair is a great example of a good pushchair, designed for urban dwellers. It’s the perfect agile city pushchair that doesn’t compromise on comfort. Newborn babies can also ride in comfort thanks to the full lie-flat recline.
When you’re out and about, the ultra-compact folded size makes it easy to store, while the travel system feature lets you attach a CYBEX infant car seat for extra flexibility. So whether you’re enjoying a day at the park or running errands around town, you can be sure your little one is snug and safe.
This sleek pushchair folds into a compact self-standing package and can easily be stored in gym lockers, below café tables, or on trains. While the all-wheel suspension keeps the handling steady and the journey comfortable for parents and babies.
Rural
For families living in the countryside or regularly visiting rural settings, you’ll need a pushchair with larger wheels, good suspension and a large basket so you can fill it with all of your and your baby’s essentials when you’re out and about for the day.
Out n About offers parents the best of both worlds – pushchairs that allow active parents to continue enjoying the outdoors as well as stylish and practical pushchairs for busy city life. The Out n About Nipper Stroller has 12” air-filled tyres, super suspension, swivel lock front wheel for bumpy terrain and other comfort and safety features such as a bumper bar, large basket and water-resistant fabrics.
Adventurous
For adventurous parents who like to go off-roading with their baby, you need a robust pushchair, with excellent balance, manoeuvrability, comfort and a compact size that’s easy enough to fit in the boot of a car.
The Baby Jogger City Elite provides the best of both worlds. This all-round pushchair has new, large, air-filled tyres plus super suspension. As safety is imperative and good looks are a worthy bonus – the City Elite 2 combines both, therefore, you can proudly travel with this stroller knowing your child is comfy and protected from the elements as well. Suitable for newborns up to 22kg.
For travel
If you’re a family who likes to travel and show your baby everything the world has to offer, then you need a compact and super lightweight pushchair that fits into compact spaces like public transport, planes and car boots, that doesn’t compromise on comfort and safety or ease of use.
The Bugaboo Butterfly Compact Stroller is made for the fast-paced city and travelling life, offering the best of both worlds. It has a 1-second fold and an ultra-compact design. The Butterfly weighs only 7.3kg but it’s strong enough to hold a large little one and a full load of groceries or travel essentials.
The pushchair compacts down and features a strap for hands-free carrying so you can walk with your little one holding your hand and have the butterfly over your shoulder. The Butterfly can be tucked away almost anywhere under tables, in hallways, on the train, in cars and even in overhead compartments for when you go on family holidays. It has been certified for air travel by the International Air Transport Association.
Pushchair design elements
Choosing a pushchair with the perfect features for you makes life with a baby easy. This is where pushchairs differ the most, from the folding mechanism and comfort to safety features and appearance.
Folding
Meet the Bugaboo Dragonfly, our most comfortable urban stroller. The Bugaboo Dragonfly’s innovative design can fold, with the bassinet or seat included, into a compact self-stand position, making transitioning from car or public transport to the road, super easy. City+ drive means you and your baby will experience outstanding comfort in urban terrains, while the flexible storage system offers all the room you need for life, right from day one.
Comfort
The Maxi Cosi Adorra has the supreme comfort you want to provide your child and all the features you’ve come to expect from a premium Maxi-Cosi product. You’ll enjoy taking strolls with your newborn in carriage mode which features a full recline and provides a secure enclosed space to keep your baby comfy starting right from birth. As they grow, you can use the stroller mode with the seat in either parent or forward-facing positions, allowing your child to see you during the ride or giving them a view of the road ahead.
Safety
We are proud that all of the pushchairs on our website are from reputable brands that put their products through vigorous testing to make sure they are as safe as they can be for your precious passenger. Look out for easily adjustable safety harnesses, padded cushioning, multiple recline positions including a lie-flat option for newborns, ventilation points and bumper bars.
So you know what to look for when choosing the perfect pram for your little one, here are some examples of safety features that our prams, pushchairs and strollers include:
- All-round suspension
- Adjustable 5-point safety harness and padded shoulder straps
- Multiple reclining positions (particularly lie-flat options for newborns)
- Bumper bars
- Adjustable footrest
- Seat cushioning
- A plush carry cot mattress
- Luxurious, soft fabrics
- Full overhead canopy
- A strong, robust frame.
Appearance
Finally, for the most exciting part, consider what you want your stroller to look like. We have some stunning pushchairs on our website from subtle, classic and sophisticated designs to colourful and adventurous patterns to make you stand out from the crowd.
iCandy
iCandy is a brand that does what it says and produces eye-catching pushchairs that really are iCandy for parents and babies. They offer perhaps the most extensive and daring colour options from biscotti, cookie, and latte for more neutral tones and blush, cobalt and Atlantis blue for something a little more vibrant.
The iCandy Peach is made with soft, modern premium knitted jersey, and fashion-forward fabrics, tailored to perfection and guarantees comfort for babies and style for parents. The iCandy Peach is available in a range of stunning colours to suit your taste.
BabyStyle
BabyStyle is a brand that prides itself on creating excellent products at affordable prices and they certainly don’t compromise on design and style. Babystyle works with the very best designers from around the world to bring parents both innovative and contemporary designs that give off the wow factor.
The BabyStyle Oyster collection is expertly made and comes in a range of beautifully bright colours that are guaranteed to turn heads. The versatile Oyster 3 can be used from birth, thanks to its full lie-flat recline. Keep your little one strapped in safely using the 5-point harness, which features softly padded shoulder pads and a comfortable headrest for further comfort.
Silver Cross
Silver Cross is often referred to as the Rolls Royce of Prams as they have gained a reputation for high-quality craftsmanship and design. If you’re a style-conscious parent, there’s no better pushchair to turn heads than a Silver Cross as they are uniquely special and highly recognisable. For something extra special, look at the royal-famous Heritage range as there is simply nothing else like it.
Mima
Mima pushchairs have a dynamic, modern design that makes them super functional and extremely eye-catching. Mima is all about creating positive experiences for parents and their babies and that means creating strollers with a unique style. Mima creates the most individual pushchairs we have and has a range of design colours and patterns including Argento blue, snow champagne pink, pure blue and zebra.
The Mima Xari is a luxurious and practical pushchair travel system that is suitable from birth to up to 24kg. Mima recognises parent’s desires to maintain their sense of style in every facet of their life, offering a range of bases and colour combinations to help you find your perfect match. With faux leather fabrics for a clean, minimal feel, its dynamic design features a compact fold for a smart city finish.
The high position of the carrycot and seat pod makes interactions with your little one easy and is also back-friendly to ensure that lifting your baby in and out is simple.
Pushchair accessories
Now for the even more exciting part, accessories! Yes, you read that right, you can accessories your pushchair to make journeying with your little one even easier. Investing in good-quality accessories will help keep your little one safe and comfortable in their pushchair all year round, from footmuffs to fans and even nappy changing bags, you won’t want to leave the house without them.
Here are some examples of accessories that are available to buy on our Kiddies Kingdom website.
Cosytoes and footmuffs
Pushchairs wouldn’t be complete without footmuffs (otherwise known as cosytoes) to keep your baby’s teeny tiny toes warm and safe during the colder months. From a choice of cute designs and gorgeous colours, you can match footmuffs to your pushchair. Our selection of footmuffs from trusted brands like Bugaboo and Maxi Cosi will mean your baby can get snuggly in the softest of materials, made by well-known, top-quality manufacturers.
Maxi Cosi 2 in 1 footmuff
This Maxi Cosi 2 in 1 footmuff provides extra comfort for your baby from birth to around 3.5 years old. It will keep your little one protected from the cold, wind and rain and thanks to the removable front, you can easily open it up and convert it into a cosy seat liner. It has a superior fluffy inner lining and can be used with most Maxi Cosi pushchairs.
Bugaboo footmuff
Discover the Bugaboo footmuff, for use with all Bugaboo pushchairs, it will keep your little one snug and comfortable all year round. Simply strap your baby into their harness, which is used in combination with the footmuff for a secure fit. The footmuff can be zipped or buttoned up to the desired height and is adjustable to your child’s size.
For more examples of footmuffs, and to find one that is compatible with your pushchair, have a look on our website.
Changing bags
Changing bags aren’t just a means of carrying your baby’s essentials, but they’re a fashionable accessory for you too. Changing bags might not come into direct contact with your baby but they are super helpful for carrying all of your baby’s essentials, therefore, they help to keep your baby safe and comfortable when out and about in their pram. Changing bags come in all sorts of shapes and sizes to suit all tastes and to match your pram. Here are some examples of our favourite changing bags.
Egg2 Backpack
The Egg2 Backpack Changing Bag is the perfect combination of style and substance and perfectly matches the range of Egg2 strollers but can be used with any stroller given the neutral colour. Available in a standard version with a main front opening large pocket as well as a smaller pocket on the front, it’s also available as a Special Edition version which matches the Special Edition strollers.
This one has a top-loading main packet as well as a zipped area on the base of the bag and pockets on the side. Each bag has plenty of space for all the essentials and more with built-in straps to attach to your pushchair. Both types have a travel changing mat included too.
BabaBing Mani Backpack Changing Bag
BabaBing! The experts in changing bags gladly introduce the Mani Backpack Changing Bag which is a multi-functional changing bag giving you the ‘best of both worlds’ in terms of using the changing bag as a conventional tote style or backpack changing bag.
The Mani Backpack has been designed not only to be multi-functional but also unisex allowing both parents to use the changing bag whenever and wherever whilst on the go! The deep main section of the changing bag allows a multitude of items to be packed in the changing bag allowing essential items such as; nappies, wipes, creams, clothing, muslins and toys to be included within the bag for a full day out!
Parasols and sunshades
As a parent, you want to take your little one out on lovely outdoor adventures on a sunny day but do everything possible to protect your baby’s delicate skin. That’s why, a walk in the park or a day at the seaside wouldn’t be complete without a parasol or sunshade. We have several to choose from to fit your pram, in an easy-to-use, compact shape so you’ll never be without one even if you’re caught off-guard by an unexpected sunny day.
Another handy accessory to have during the warmer months is a stroller fan that attaches to the frame of your pushchair or the bumper bar to blow cool air right towards your child. This will allow them to be fully protected from the sun rays with the parasol and nice and cool with their fan.
Rain cover
Pushchair rain covers are an essential accessory, particularly because of the unpredictable British weather. Never find yourself and your baby caught in a shower without protection again when you can choose from a range of rain covers to fit your style of pram that folds down into a compact parcel, ready to be used in an instant. Rain covers help to keep your little one happy even on the most miserable of days.
Ride-on-board
Another accessory option is to choose a Ride on Board, which can be used from the age of 2 years old, to free up your seat unit for another baby. The buggy board is great for tired little legs when you’re out and about and don’t want to use a double stroller. Not everyone likes the idea of a double stroller, or if your oldest child is getting to that age where they aren’t going to need to rest their legs for much longer, an Egg Ride on Board is a great option.
Whilst your second little one kicks back in their stroller, your older child can catch a ride on the back of the stroller on their slick board. When it’s not in use, simply click it up out of the way. The board is easy to attach to your chassis with the use of connector adapters. The adapters stay on the chassis of your pushchair, with the board clicking on and off when needed.
The iCandy Core Complete Bundle comes with many handy accessories that you need to make life easier and more comfortable with a baby. This travel system comes complete with:
- Chassis with integrated ride-on board
- Hub Light x2
- Light charger and key
- Carrycot
- Seat unit
- Rural wheelset
- Urban wheelset
- Wheel bag
- Raincover x2
- Elevator adapters
- Car seat adapters
- Rucksack
- Footmuff and liner
- Parasol
- Cup holder
- Clamp.
Maintenance and safety aspects
When choosing a pushchair, you of course want to make sure you are buying one that is super safe for your precious passenger but you also need to think about the longevity and how easy it will be to maintain as this will ensure your pushchairs stays fresh, new and safe for a long time to come.
Once you’ve selected the perfect pram, you’ll need to maintain and clean it to keep it fresh, safe and comfortable for your cherub. Here are examples of how you can clean and maintain your pushchair so you can choose a travel system or pram that makes this job a little easier.
Cleaning your pram
Always check the manufacturer’s instructions on how to clean your pram, but many pushchairs now have removable, machine-washable fabrics that can be washed on a cool, gentle wash. For fabrics that can’t, use a clean, soft cloth with warm, soapy water to spot clean. Always allow the fabrics to air dry (never tumble dry) before using again.
For the pram frame, hand-wash in the same way you should the fabric and use a soft-bristle brush to get in between the wheels or in any hard-to-reach areas. Whilst doing this, inspect your pram for any signs of wear and tear that might need attending so it’s safe and secure for your baby.
For easy cleaning, choose a pushchair that has machine-washable fabrics or features such as wipe-clean leather handles and removable wheels to make cleaning and deep cleaning stress-free.
Maintaining your pram
Use a silicone-based lubricant in the joints and wheel bearings of your pram to keep everything moving as it should. Tighten any loose screws and check the tyre pressure (if they’re air-filled tyres). Always read the manufacturer’s instructions on how to properly maintain your pram as some parts may be removable to allow for deep cleaning and thorough maintenance.
Where to buy the perfect pushchair
This is where we come in! Welcome to Kiddies Kingdom, the UK’s best online baby and kids shop for prams nursery furniture, highchairs and accessories. We have been in the baby business for over 25 years so we have extensive knowledge and a keen eye for choosing only the very best products for our website.
Currently, we have a showroom in Dewsbury for those parents who prefer to do their baby shopping the old-fashioned way. We also have an extensive warehouse that stocks the vast array of well over 100 brands and thousands of products that make up the realm of Kiddies Kingdom. In addition, we are one of the largest retailers of baby products in the UK and have earned the trust and customer loyalty of millions of families over the years.
Visit our website and look at the pushchairs section to start your journey of choosing the perfect pushchair for your little one.
Your ultimate buying guide
Now you know everything there is to know about prams, pushchairs and strollers and how to choose the right one for you, here is a summary of everything we have talked about so you can begin looking.
- Consider your lifestyle and the type of pushchair that is best for you and your family.
- Look out for safety features such as an easily adjustable harness, padded cushioning, suspension, and recline positions.
- Choose a pushchair with comfort features such as a footrest, ventilation points and soft fabrics.
- Look carefully at the additional features that make the pushchair easy to use such as a one-hand, one-second fold, cup holders, easily adjustable handles and large storage baskets.
- Invest in additional pushchair accessories such as changing bags, parasols, rain covers and seat liners.
- Think about how easy the pram would be to clean and maintain. Are there lots of fiddly parts that would take time to remove and clean? Are the fabrics removable?
- Finally, think about your style and what you want your pushchair to look like. Are you looking for an elegant, classic design with neutral colours or do you want something with jazzy patterns or bright colours to stand out?
We hope this guide has been helpful and you now go and enjoy the exciting task or choosing your pushchair.