Are you looking for a pram, a stroller or a travel system? Or do you not have a clue what the difference is? Never fear, either way we’ve got the answers you’re looking for.
The initial outlay for a pram can sting a bit – they’re a fairly essential bit of baby kit, but the price tags can be a bit winding. So it makes sense to really think about various factors when selecting a pram.
If you’re planning to have more than one child, future proofing your pram just makes good financial sense. If you have two children close together, or are having twins, you can find prams that convert from one seat to two. Or if you have a child who will walk sometimes, look for a pram with an on-board buggy board that they can ride on when their little legs get tired.
Another factor is where you’ll be using your pram. If you’re in a rural area where you head off the beaten track, bigger tyres and decent suspension is what you’re after. If you live in an urban area where you’re on and off public transport and negotiating tight corners, smaller swivel wheels that are nippy at manoeuvring and a more compact pram will be a life saver.
You should also consider the fold – some prams need seat units removing before folding, others simply glide shut with a push of a button. If you’re going to need to fold your pram often – to put in the boot of a car, say – then go for the latter.
And as for the lingo, a travel system is normally a kit with a bassinet for newborns and a seat unit for when they get older, plus, they can take an infant car seat (normally with adaptors). A pushchair or stroller tends to be something more lightweight – but they don’t always lie flat, so sometimes they’re not suitable from birth.
We’ve tested more than 20 prams to whittle it down to the very best. We recruited babies and children of all different ages to ride in them. We’ve walked and ran for miles over all different terrains, from country paths to city streets in the rain, wind and sunshine, to find the standout prams. We looked at how easy they are to use – both pushing and folding – how comfortable they seem, and any nice little extras that made us think, “Oooh, clever”.
The best prams for 2021 are:
- Best overall – iCandy lime travel system: £750, Icandyworld.com
- Best for city and town living – Babystyle oyster3 stroller: £449.10, Littleangelsprams.co.uk
- Best easy fold travel system – Nuna MIXX next: £525, Mamasandpapas.com
- Best premium stroller – Stokke Xplory X stroller: £810, Bellababy.co.uk
- Best compact pushchair – Silver Cross clic: £164.99, Kiddies-kingdom.com
- Best budget buy – Micralite GetGo travel system: £495, Micralite.com
- Best for growing families – iCandy orange pram: £899, Johnlewis.com
- Best for easy carrying – Mamas and Papas airo pushchair: £399, Mamasandpapas.com
- Best value for money – Bababing raffi travel system: £599, Bababing.com
- Best compact for newborns – Ergobaby metro+ stroller: £299.90, Ergobaby.co.uk
- Best for smallest fold – Cybex libelle pushchair: £199.95, Naturalbabyshower.co.uk
- Best for style – Egg 2 stroller: £799, Trendybaby.co.uk
- Best for innovation – Cybex zeno multisport stroller: £909.85, Bellababy.co.uk
- Best double pram – Out n About nipper double: £429, Pushchairexpert.com
- Best for easy folding – Chicco cheerio stroller: £149, Pramworld.co.uk
- Best running pram – Thule urban glide 2 running buggy: £562.50, Pushchairexpert.com
