Babies and toddlers can't get around under their own steam, at least not quite yet. So parents are always looking for a way to wheel them around town. That's where pushchairs come in. Actually encompassing a wide array of products including strollers, prams and travel systems, pushchairs are a parenting essential.
They also come in many types and prices, and finding the right pushchair can be challenge. This buyer's guide will help parents find an affordable, safe and comfortable baby transport option.
Pushchairs aren't new. According to popular manufacturer Silver Cross, the modern pram was invented by the Leeds engineer William Wilson in 1877. However, what we would recognise as strollers have existed for far longer, dating back to the 1700s.
Reversible strollers appeared in the 1880s, brakes and improved suspension followed in the 1920s, then aluminium frames in the 1960s (which were pioneered by British baby transport inventor Owen Maclaren).
Since then, buggies have got smaller and easier to fold up, while prams have become more adaptable, fitting in with almost universal car ownership. Nowadays, you'll find a spectrum of prams, pushchairs, strollers and travel systems, from luxury brands to purely functional bargain options.
From simple strollers to deluxe prams, pushchairs come in all shapes and sizes. Finding the right model for your child is essential. Not only do you need to find one that keeps your child nice and comfortable, it also has to be safe, have the right travel options and enough accessories to store essentials. One size doesn't fit all, so it's worth having a look at the main types of pushchair you'll encounter when you shop at HotUKDeals.
Buggies – Buggies are the most compact and simplest type of pushchair on the market. They tend to involve a seat with a strap that keeps your child in place, and usually have four wheels (although there are also three-wheeled strollers that may be slightly easier to manoeuvre). Typically, these types of pushchair will offer features to make your child extra comfortable, including reclining seats and cushions. Some also have reversible seats, which allow you to position your child facing towards or away from you, some come with rainproof hoods, and every model has different pockets and compartments for storage, so check closely before you buy. Try to avoid cheaper strollers if possible (unless they are from reputable brands and heavily discounted). Poorly made models often feature sharp edges and folding elements that can cause nasty injuries, while higher-quality products should avoid these problems.
Strollers – Similar to buggies in that they involve seats, strollers are a step up in terms of functionality. They will usually include an infant carrier which can be detached from the main buggy and placed in cars or carried separately, and often feature extra swivel or tilt options. Basically, they are slightly more upscale than bog standard buggies, but may be slightly heavier and unwieldy as a result. Check to make sure that the stroller you want is as ergonomic as possible, as you don't want to be stuck with a stroller that continually gets stuck in confined spaces or takes too long to fold away.
Prams – Prams are a lot like strollers in that they have four wheels and are pushed along, and often feature compatibility with travel systems for placing them in cars. However, they have one major difference: in prams, babies have the chance to lie down flat, making them more appropriate for younger children who absolutely need a comfortable place to sleep when you're out and about. Check for protective hoods and internal cushions, and try to have a look at models before you buy, as not all provide a good viewing angle to watch your child. Prams also tend to have slightly more carry space underneath the baby compartment, which is another thing that makes them handy for wheeling new borns around.
3-in-1 Combo Pushchairs – Some models try to offer the best of both worlds, mixing the functions of prams and strollers. They usually have three modes: a standard pram and stroller setup, and one that mixes the two, with space for babies to stretch their legs. With the addition of an infant carrier instead of a traditional pram cot, they tend to be much easier to place in cars than prams (which can be a bit of a pain sometimes), but they don't usually offer as much sleeping space as a specialist pram will, so there's a trade off to be considered.
Pushchairs for more than one child – If you have a couple (or more) kids to move around, you may well need a pushchair with extra capacity. If so, tandem or twin pushchairs are the type to look for. Tandems are like tandem bicycles, with seats placed one in front of the other. Twins take a different approach, placing seats side by side. This makes them a little cumbersome for getting around on pavements, but can make it easier to see both children, and often allows seats to recline more than on tandem models. Many brands also offer hybrids that include a standard seat for toddlers and a pram attachment for new-borns, which could be handy for some mothers.
When buying a pushchair, it's always sensible to shop for reputable brands. After all, you'll be placing your most important possession in the chair and they need to be comfortable and safe. So don't just go for the cheapest models on offer in the local stores. Shop around for some of the leading brands. You'll be surprised by how many deals are on offer. To help you out, here are some popular brands and products that UK mums love at the moment:
Egg – Designed in the UK, Egg make stylish, practical strollers with high production values. Their products include features like soft touch handles, Tru-Ride tires that ensure a smooth ride and have excellent grip, as well as flexible seat positions and compact folded configurations. You can purchase the Egg Stroller in black, gun metal, mirror and 'prosecco' colours and customise your purchase with accessories like colourful seat liners, footmuffs, changing bags and special inserts for new born children.
iCandy – Another British brand that mums have fallen in love with, iCandy cater for the luxury end of the stroller market. Their flagship product is the Peach, which has features like adjustable handles, excellent suspension, swivel wheels, shopping baskets, seats that can be removed with one hand, compatibility with car seats and parasols to shield babies from excess sunlight. It even comes in all-terrain varieties for parents who want their kids to get a taste for the great outdoors.
Silver Cross – Silver Cross trace their lineage back to 1877, when William Wilson invented the world's first baby carriage with spring suspension and a reversible hood. In the 20th century, the brand became synonymous with royalty, helping to bring up Queen Elizabeth II and many other royal infants. These days, you can get hold of their luxury prams and strollers via HotUKDeals, and it may well be worth paying a little extra to do so. Their pushchairs are some of the most comfortable around, are easy to transfer to cars, fold up really, really small, and have excellent protective features against the wind and rain too.
Bugaboo – One of the world's leading premium pushchair brands, Bugaboo hail from the Netherlands but you'll find their prams and strollers in stores across the UK. Versatility is the company's speciality, offering beautifully designed products like their Cameleon pushchair, which is comfortable to ride in and superbly practical. The European style of their products is another big selling point, as are their accessories, including sun canopies, cup holders and seat liners. You almost certainly won't go wrong with a Bugaboo stroller, that's for sure.
All four of those brands are reliable options, although they tend to be at the more expensive end of the market. If you can't find a Bugaboo or Silver Cross pram for a bargain price at HotUKDeals, there are other options that won't let you down. Maclaren are a name to look out for, offering cheaper products that usually measure up in terms of quality.
However, if you do go for a cheaper buggy, always check the specifications to ensure that your chosen model is robust, functional and comfortable. Let's look at those specifications in a little more detail.
Everyone has different needs when looking for a pushchair, but there are some features to look for that all premium buggies, strollers or prams need to have. Here's a quick checklist:
Reclining angle – This refers to how far the seat of the pushchair will recline backwards (obviously in prams this doesn't apply). New born children tend to need flatter surfaces to lie or sit on, as they can't sit up yet – so if you go down the pushchair route, opt for one with a higher reclining angle of 150 degrees or so. The larger the number, the flatter the seat can be, helping younger kids sleep when you're out and about.
Reversible seats – These days, the best pushchairs all feature reversible seats that can be place in a forward or backward looking position. That way, you can keep a close eye on your child, or let them watch the action unfold as you wheel them around town.
Adjustable handles – The handle is crucial when picking a pushchair. After all, you'll be pushing that thing for miles and miles overall, and you need to be comfortable too. Better pushchairs have adjustable handles that can be placed at the right height for you, your own mum or friends, allowing everyone to push the pushchair in comfort.
Basket size – Most prams and pushchairs will come with space for your shopping or baby essentials, but the size of this space varies. Look out for additional pockets on the side and back of the product as well – when you're carrying snacks, toys, umbrellas, coats, phones etc... you need as many pockets as you can get.
Cushions and pads – Basic pushchairs will often skimp on padding, leaving babies secure but not necessarily comfortable. Look for products with soft head pads and reinforced backs, as well as extra padding for the legs and feet if it's available.
Folded size – Pushchairs vary greatly according to how bulky they are when folded up. Most feature a folding function, but be careful when selecting your chair as some are designed in very strange ways, resulting in impractical sizes and shapes when folded up.
Brakes – Both prams and strollers tend to come with brake pedals to help you keep them safely anchored on sloping ground. These need to be relatively large, so you can easily find them in a hurry, and easy to find as well.
Weight – While cushions and baskets are great for storage and comfort, they can add weight onto the overall pushchair design, making it harder to move around (which, when you get down to it, is the only reason to have a pushchair anyway!). Better brands work around this by using lightweight materials for the frame and including high grip wheels and suspension to make them easier to direct and push, even when fully loaded.
Travel systems – Travel systems are how pushchairs interact with the seatbelts and seats of ordinary cars. If your pushchair isn't travel system compatible, then it won't be safe to strap it into your vehicle. More flexible strollers and prams come with car seats as part of their design. These seats can be removed quickly, often using one hand, and then placed inside cars without any worries. If you drive, they are always the best type of chair to go for.
Before moving onto how to choose your pushchair in more detail, it's worth talking about one type of travel system for a second or two. Maxi Cosi is a leading brand of child seat, and will be familiar to many parents. What they might not know so well is that MaxiCosi seats can also be used with some pushchair brands, and that Maxi Cosi themselves make high-quality strollers.
Fortunately, many leading pushchair brands are also fully compatible with Maxi Cosi car seats, including iCandy and Silver Cross. The iCandy Peach has been specifically designed to fit into leading car seat designs, so it's probably a good option to go for. But there are other options too – just remember to ask at the retailer you are shopping with and they should be able to tell you if they are Maxi Cosi compatible.
Size isn't everything when buying a pushchair, but there's no do-ubt that it matters. Not everyone has vast amounts of space in their flat or house to store huge prams, and smaller cars have limited room as well, while larger products can be tough to wheel around for long periods. That makes it important (for some parents) to find models that fold up as small as possible.
If you're looking for the smallest possible stroller, the Recaro Easylife is hard to better. It weighs just 5.7kg and folds up into a 59 x 48 x 26cm package – small enough to tuck away in the boot or underneath the stairs.
The GB Qbit+ is almost as good, and maybe even a little smaller, measuring 42 x 53 x 49cm when folded up, while the Baby Jogger City Tour is another high-quality ultra-compact stroller to think about.
However, things are slightly different if you're looking for a chair that is easy to fold, not just tiny when folded up. In that case, the Acrobat from iCoo is a comfortable (if expensive) option which can be folded with one hand. If you're on a tighter budget, have a look at the Hauck Sport or the Mothercare Jive, which also fold up really easily and can cost hundreds of pounds less.
When you come to make a pushchair purchase, think hard about what you need your pushchair to do, and how much you are keen to pay.
Mobility is one thing to consider. For instance, if you intend to drive your kids everywhere, then having a lightweight stroller isn't crucial. You can go for something bulkier and pack it away in the boot. But if you know you'll be relying on public transport, size does matter, so go for something more slender and lightweight.
Drivers need to make a decision about whether to go for a separate stroller and car seat or a travel system that mixes the two together. Travel systems are usually more expensive, but are definitely more convenient (and you won't need to lift babies from one seat into another, helping to keep them dozing away as you move around).
As we noted earlier. The age of the baby matters too. New borns will almost always spend their time on their front or back, as they can't support their own weight. That makes prams (or at the very least pushchairs that recline 150 degrees) essential. As babies get older, sitting pushchairs become much more practical with their mobility and smaller size.
If you're buying a pushchair for infants that are between the “baby” and “toddler” age, a reversible pushchair is probably the way to go. That way, you can position them to face you if needed, or let them see the world front-on, as they become more curious and confident.
Aside from those considerations, accessories matter too. If you know you'll be whizzing around shops, high-grip swivel wheels are a must, as are storage spaces and hooks for plastic bags. If you are going to be out in the country, rain protection, extra warmth and sturdy wheels are vital. It's all about picking a stroller or pram that fits your lifestyle, not just opting for the most affordable option available at the moment.
Which leads us onto cost. We'll look at how to find the best pushchair bargains in a moment, but it's important to note that the price of pushchairs varies immensely. Prestigious brands like iCandy sell great products for hundreds of pounds, but you can also find functional alternatives for a fraction of the price from Mothercare or Maclaren.
If you have spare funds or really want to have the best for your child, focus on the brands we talked about earlier, but bear in mind that there will always be cheaper options to fall back on if you can't quite afford a premium pushchair.
If you do need to have the latest Bugaboo, iCandy or Egg Stroller, there's no reason to pay the listed price to get your baby around town. All of the world's leading pushchair brands can be found at big discounts if you shop smart and don't just head down to your local John Lewis or Mothercare to pick the first product you see.
To start with, make a shortlist of the brands and models you are interested in. Pick pushchairs or prams that tick all of your boxes, and do some research – you'll be amazed by how many different manufacturers and styles there are on the market.
Now, start hunting for cheap pushchairs. The best way to do so is to head over to the HotUKDeals pushchair listings. Type in the make and model you are keen to buy, and you'll instantly see which UK merchants are offering discounts right now. There are sure to be savings at major retailers like Argos, Mothercare, John Lewis, Tesco, Asda, Winstanleys Pramworld, PreciousLittleOne and Mamas&Papas. Go down your shortlist and note down the cheapest deals, then take advantage of the ones that offer the best value – it couldn't be much simpler.
However, if you really want to save cash, it could be worth delaying until the best time of year to look for pushchair deals. Black Friday tends to see retailers slashing their pushchair prices, including egg and iCandy products. It's a great time to buy the finest strollers for a fraction of their summer price, so think about holding out until November.
Give your baby a set of wheels that they deserve by purchasing a new stroller, pram or travel system. There are some fantastic brands around these days, offering pushchairs that are comfortable to use and full of extra features. From iCandy to Mothercare, all of the UK's favourite models can be found at the HotUKDeals pushchair listings.
