Choosing a Fold Up Pushchair

Fold-up pushchairs are easy to get on and off public transport, or fit in the back of a car. They also tend to be extremely compact and lightweight, making them ideal for plane travel.

This UPPAbaby model is one of the most attractive compact folds we've seen. It has a few limitations including a small canopy and there's no storage.

Folding Ease

When choosing a fold up pushchair, it's important to consider how and where you're going to be using it. If you're traveling with your infant on planes an incredibly compact and lightweight buggy is a great option since it can be placed into the overhead compartments for luggage and is typically small enough to be carried on your shoulder when folded. Look out for a single-handed fold that is easy to operate while holding your little one and a height-adjustable handle to ensure that parents and caregivers of various heights can use it comfortably. If you're going to be walking with your baby it is essential to maneuver over uneven terrain. Other features worth a look include a recline that is deep for comfortable naps on the go and a canopy that can be extended that provides extra sun protection.

It is important to test the pushchairs before buying to make sure they fold easily with one hand while holding your child. Our test subjects found the UPPAbaby G-Luxe to be particularly impressive, with its clever mechanism that concertinas down into a slimline package smaller than an umbrella. It also has a convenient pocket to store keys and phones, as well as an easy recline seat that's perfect for little travellers who like to sleep on the move.

Some of the most compact fold-up pushchairs are able to be used as early as the moment of birth. They come with an easy-to-leap seat or an option for carrying cots. This is ideal for babies who want to sleep throughout the daytime. If you're planning to use your travel system from the beginning, a one-click attachment system for an infant car seat is also a must.

The Cybex Libelle is the smallest and lightest of the bunch. It folds smaller than its YOYO2 counterpart the YOYO2, (only 4cm thicker) and is easy to carry at only 6kg. It is also easy to use, with a one-hand fold, and the seat reclines to accommodate toddler napping. This model is also a good choice for hikers since it comes with an oversized front swivel wheel that can tackle any terrain.

One-Handed folding

If you're taking an afternoon stroll in the park, whizzing around town on public transport or jetting off to foreign shores with your baby it's a good idea to have a stroller that folds up easily. The pressure of managing a child bags, keys, shopping bags and other necessities of daily life while attempting to fold a complex travel system isn't ideal therefore pushchairs that can be folded with one hand strollers are typically the most preferred choices for parents.

One-handed fold pushchairs can collapse by pressing a button or buttons. Some models may require more effort, or two hands. However, the convenience of this method makes them easy to handle and to store. They are also light which makes them easier to carry around or store in small spaces.

The G-Luxe from UPPAbaby is a great illustration. This model has one of the simplest one-handed folds in our round-up, and features the speedy and smooth operation that involves only pulling on the lever on the bottom of the chassis. It can stand by itself when folded, and is ideal to store in the corner of a cafe, or in a foyer.

Another model that has a simple, one-handed fold is the Bugaboo Bee. It's one of the original compact-fold pushchairs and despite being bigger than some other options, it still has an elegant, simple to fold. It also comes with a variety of great features, including the deep reclining seat as well as an UPF50+ canopy that can be expanded to keep your child covered on hot days.

Some of these compact-fold pushchairs are only suitable for toddlers or older infants However, there are numerous models that can be used from birth. These have a full or partial lie-flat seat, and can come with the option of an infant car seat. MFM editor Gemma has travelled extensively with her young son in the Babyzen YOYO which is one of the first buggys of this kind and is still a firm favourite. It's not as compact than other buggy types but it's still very easy to maneuver. It fits in the baggage allowances for cabin baggage on the majority of airlines.

Lightweight

When a pushchair folds down, it takes up very little space, and it's often extremely light. It's especially true for umbrella-folded pushchairs that weigh less than 20 pounds. They are great for short walks on pavements or flat surfaces and for transportation between your car and others' houses. They're also a good option if you don't need an all-terrain stroller but prefer to use your stroller only on flat surfaces.

You should consider buying tyres with air If you intend to use your compact fold-up buy pushchair on difficult terrain, on sand, or on rough surfaces. They're a bit heavier than standard tyres but they'll provide better grip and traction. It's important to remember that the extra weight will increase the size of your pushchair suitable from birth (https://www.pushchairsandprams.uk).

Many of the lightweight pushchairs were made for older infants and toddlers that could sit up on their own However, there are more that are suitable from the time of birth. Models like the Mamas & Papas Airo have a seating area that is flat and can be used in conjunction with an infant car seat or a carrycot (sold separately). Some compact-fold strollers are able to be converted into double buggys using a stroller board. This is ideal for Grandma and Grandad.

A lot of the top lightweight strollers pushchairs are easy to use. Some are simply open or closed at the touch of a button, whereas others have more intricate mechanisms but they still take up a small amount of space. Some have a strap on the wrist that lets you your grip on the pushchair even when it's folded. This could make a significant difference to how easy it is to maneuver.

The 3D Lite stroller from Contours is an excellent example of a compact stroller packed with features. There's a decent-sized basket and plenty of padding adjustable height of the handlebar (for tall and short parents), a reclining seat and a huge canopy for protection. Plus, it's very lightweight and comes with a handy carry bag.

Compact

When choosing a stroller, you should think about how compact it is when folded. Some pushchairs have a very compact fold, while others are bigger based on the overall dimensions and features.

The compactness of a pushchair could be a factor to consider in the event that you are planning to travel with it. Some models can fold down to a smaller size, or even into a bag, making them easy to store in the boot of your car or carry on a plane. If you are planning to travel frequently or live in a place where you don't have a stroller every day, this is the perfect solution for you.

Some of the best pushchairs to consider are those with an easy, effortless folding process that can be performed by using only one hand. The Babyzen YOYO is the first of its kind and has been imitated since then, but it is unique due to its unique features and superior design.

The Babyzen YOYO has an impressively tiny fold and is only slightly bigger than the size of most hand luggage allowances, which makes it perfect for travel. It can be used at the airport between taking off and catching it at the airport.

For a more spacious and compact pushchair, check out the Mamas and Papas Airo. This has a great seat that can recline fully and has plenty of padding to keep your child comfy. It can be used from birth, with the addition of an infant cocoon or carrycot pack (not included).

The Ergobaby Metro+ is another ideal choice for a day-today lightweight stroller that folds into an extremely compact fold and can be set up when not in use. However, it's not as easy to operate as some other models and can produce quite a bit of noise when you adjust the canopy, which can cause your baby to wake up.