Compact Pushchair Reviews
Whether you’re taking public transport or frequently travelling by car, a light compact stroller is a good option. These strollers are simpler to fold and store and they’re less likely to be damaged by baggage handlers.
These lightweight travel strollers are comfortable and easy to navigate over cobblestones. Plus, they can be easily tucked away in overhead compartments of planes.
Lightweight
The best compact pushchairs are lightweight to carry, and more importantly, easy to fold. They are usually simple to fold with just one hand and take up less room when folded than full size buggies. This makes them a great option for those with limited storage space at home or are concerned about space restrictions when traveling, especially by plane.
Some also have a very tiny footprint when closed, which helps you to navigate tight spaces. These are the best option for those who live in apartments, or want something lightweight and nimble for everyday walking. However, they can be less comfortable for older children, especially if they have to extend their legs in order to get around.
There are a variety of different fold types on the market, with some being truly one-handed and others requiring some effort or two hands to complete. Some are designed to be as small as they can be, which means they can be tucked away in the cabin baggage allowance of a variety of flights, or be carried on your shoulder using a strap or handle.
Silver Cross Dune is our preferred lightweight pushchair. The Silver Cross Dune is compact and offers all the thoughtful features and smart design that you would expect from this brand of the past. It has an easy-to use fold, and like the Contours Itsy comes fully assembled in the box. It’s an excellent choice for parents who are travelling a lot with their child. It fits in most car trunks and small trunk spaces.
Another good option is an alternative is Cybex Mios, which straddles both types of versatile pushchairs to provide a fully-functioning travel system with nimbleness and a small fold. It can be used from birth in parent-facing mode and then switched to world-facing as your child grows older. It also comes with a comfortable recline that is nap-worthy. It’s not as compact as the Libelle however, it’s smaller size and is more comfortable to use on flat surfaces. It’s not the ideal choice for rocky terrain, though. The other benefit is the low price tag and excellent durability tests.
Easy to store
The Joie Pact Pro is the ideal travel buggy, folding into a size that can be tucked away in an overhead compartment for luggage, and weighing so little you’ll barely notice it in your car boot. It is also a good stroller for everyday use. Our test-driver Hollie found it easy to steer even when carrying a baby of just one year old. She was impressed by the adjustable handle and lockable wheels however, she noted that it’s not a particularly comfortable seat. But she also appreciates the possibility to add extras, including a reversible, washable seat liner, rain cover and the foot muff.
The Babyzen YoYO fold pushchair is a similar stroller that folds compactly. It’s not as sleek as the Cybex Libelle but it’s still a neat package that can be easily slid into trunks and car boot. It also gives more options for babies than other buggies, including the option of adding an infant cot or bassinet, plus a bespoke ride-on board for older kids and a double seat adapter.
The YOYO is not the most compact buggy for driving on uneven or rough terrain. Its small wheels also don’t perform well compared to other models that we have evaluated. But, it’s an extremely maneuverable pushchair newborn and the YOYO does an excellent job of navigating narrow aisles and muddy paths. It’s a great option for a family holiday or city break.
The Cosatto Bee6 offers a remarkably streamlined list of features for its price. It can fold down to the size of a backpack and weighs just 6kg, making it an ideal travel buggy to carry on planes and trains. It’s also very easy to steer and our MFM test rider Matt found it to be a joy to steer, even with a toddler who was heavy was on board. He also loved the hood, which comes low enough to shield from sun and showers and aid napping. Its only drawback is that there isn’t a storage space under the seat and you’ll have to carry or carefully hang your bag on the handlebars (against expert advice!). You can also purchase a separate changing bag holder to make it a fantastic holiday buggy.
Easy to maneuver
The wheels on compact pushchairs buggies may appear small, but they typically do surprisingly well, and can navigate narrow aisles for shopping or rough terrain with ease. The Micralite is a perfect example, despite having small wheels, it can handle rough roads with ease, turns sharply on narrow roads and is able to handle light gravel without much difficulty. It features a smooth steering system that is simple to operate with only one hand. It folds down into a sleek and compact package which can be easily tucked away into its bag for transport.
The majority of compact pushchairs are designed for toddlers and older infants However, a growing number of them offer a lie-flat seat or the option of adding an additional carrycot (or baby car seat) to ensure they are suitable from birth. These innovative concertina or Z-fold buggies are typically light at 6-8 kg and are cabin-approved on a variety of airlines, making them ideal for travel. MFM Editor Gemma has used it on numerous occasions and has said it’s incredibly easy to use and take away.
If you’re looking for a truly tiny fold, the YOYO is the pinnacle of the compact category and was the first strollers of this type. It’s still a highly sought-after choice, with many parents favouring it over its imitators thanks to its clever details and its superior performance. It’s a great option for frequent travellers, especially if you want to avoid the stress of waiting at baggage pickup and instead bring your stroller with you on the plane.
The YOYO is also extremely compact and fits into the carrying bag easily and with some room to spare. This makes it a great option for frequent travelers particularly those who have to fit a lot into their suitcase. It’s also extremely adaptable – you can purchase a range of optional accessories to it like the bassinet for babies, a custom ride-on board, and a twin travel bundles to transform it into the form of a tandem. You can also purchase an umbrella and rain cover for added security.
Confortable
Hollie Our reviewer, Hollie, recommends the Silver Cross model to parents looking for a lightweight compact pushchair. It’s user-friendly and can be tucked away into the trunk of your car. The Silver Cross model’s maneuverability as well as its reclined seat were among the best of our tests. It also boasts a useful tray for parents as well as a storage basket that can accommodate small backpacks, and it has great sun cover options (including a one-piece hood) and padded straps that help your child be comfortable.
Some compact strollers fold so small that they’re cabin approved for air travel. This is a great advantage if you travel often or have limited space in your car boot. They’re typically lightweight to make them easy to carry and can be used in conjunction with a travel system if you select a model that features a lie-flat seating unit or comes with an optional newborn ‘pod’ or one of two luxury folding carrycots.
If you’re looking for a great trip, it’s important to keep in mind that not all models of buggy are created in the same way. Some brands boast that their compact-fold pushchairs can fold in one hand, while others might require more of an involvement or even a couple of hands to work out how to get it folded. It’s also worth checking whether the buggy comes with a seat recline – some are fully flat with a slight recline, while others have slight recline, which could be fine for toddlers but not for babies.
Check that the model you pick is suitable for your travel plans. For example, if your destination is hot then you should choose one with mesh fabric that is vented to keep your child cool. If you’re planning to travel somewhere that is stormy or rainy, you should make sure that the pushchair is equipped with a cover designed for it. Generic covers will not fit and may let water in.
