Choosing a Fold Up Pushchair

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

This UPPAbaby model is among the most appealing compact folds we've seen. However, it comes with a few limitations, including a small canopy and a lack of storage.

Easy folding

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 baby on a plane, a compact and lightweight buggy is a good option. It can fit into the overhead luggage compartments and is small enough to be able to be carried over the shoulder. Find an easy-to-use fold that's simple to operate while holding your little one and a height-adjustable handle so parents and carers of different heights can comfortably use it. If you're going to be walking with your baby, a swivel-lock wheel is essential for maneuvering over uneven terrain. Other features worth a look include a recline that is deep for comfortable naps on the go, and an extendable canopy that provides extra sun protection.

It's important to test the pushchairs prior to purchasing them to be sure that they can be folded using one hand while holding your child. Our test subjects found the UPPAbaby GLUXE to be particularly impressive with its clever mechanism that concertinas down into a compact size that is smaller than an umbrella. It also has a handy pocket to store keys and phones and a one-touch seat recline that's ideal for children who like to nap on the move.

A few of the smallest fold-up pushchairs are able to be used as early as the time of birth. They come with a lie flat seat or an option for a carrycot. This is great for infants who prefer to sleep during the day. If you're planning to use your travel system right from the beginning, a single click attachment system for an infant Car Seat is essential.

The Cybex Libelle is the smallest and lightest of the bunch. It folds down even smaller than its counterpart, the YOYO2, (only 4cm thicker) and is easy to carry with only 6kg. It's also extremely easy to use, with a simple fold with one hand and a reclined seat that is ideal for toddler napping. This model is also a good choice for hikers as it has an extra-large front swivel wheel that can handle any terrain.

One-Handed folding

It is always an ideal idea to have a folding pushchair, whether you're going for a walk or using public transport or flying to a distant destination with your infant. It's not ideal to have to fold a complicated travel system and manage the child and all their necessities, including shopping bags, keys, and other things. This is the reason why pushchairs that are one-handed are the most popular option for parents.

One-handed fold pushchairs can collapse by pressing a button or buttons. Some models require more effort or even two hands, but the ease of the process makes them still a breeze to carry and stow away. They are also light which makes them easier to carry or to store in small space.

A good example is the G-Luxe model from UPPAbaby. It is one of the simplest one-handed folds we've seen in our round-up, and features a quick and smooth operation that involves only pulling on the lever on the bottom of the chassis. It can also stand up on its own, making it perfect to store in a corner of a café or a foyer.

The Bugaboo Bee is another model that can be folded with one hand. This is one of the original compact-fold pushchairs, and despite being bigger than others it has a simple, easy to use fold. It has a great range of features, too, including a deep recline and an UPF 50+ canopy that is expandable that is designed to keep your child covered on sunny days.

Some of these compact-folded pushchairs are specifically designed for toddlers and older infants. However there are other options to use starting from the time of birth. These have a full or partial lie-flat seat, and may come with the option of an infant car seat. MFM's Gemma has travelled with her son in a Babyzen YoYO - one of the first buggys of its kind. It's still a favorite. It's a little less compact than some other buggys, but is still easy to carry. It can be incorporated into the baggage allowances for cabin baggage on the majority of airlines.

Lightweight

When a pushchair folds down it takes up a tiny space, and is often very light as well. This is particularly true of umbrella-folding pushchairs, which typically weigh less than 20 pounds. They are ideal for short walks on flat surfaces and pavements as well as for a simple way to get between your car and homes of other people. They're also a great option if you don't want to buy an all-terrain buggy but are content with your pushchair on flat surfaces.

You should consider buying tyres with air If you intend to use your compact folding pushchair in uneven terrain, on sand, or on slippery surfaces. They're a bit heavier than standard tyres but they'll provide more grip and traction. It's important to note that the extra weight will add to the size of your pushchair.

Many of the lightweight pushchairs are designed for older babies and toddlers that can sit on their own, however a growing number are suitable for babies from the age of. They include models such as the Mamas & Papas Airo, with a lie-flat seat and the option of incorporating an additional carrycot (sold separately) or an infant car seat to create a travel system. Some compact-folding pushchairs are designed to be used with a stroller board to transform them into a double buggy. perfect to take Grandma or Grandad along too.

Many of the best lightweight pushchairs are easy to use. Some can be opened or closed with the push of a button, while others feature more complicated mechanisms, but they all require very little space. Some pushchairs feature wrist bands that allow you to hold the chair even when folded. This makes it easier to move.

While some lightweight pushchairs can be very stripped down and uninspiring, the 3D Lite from Contours is a fantastic example of how a super-compact stroller can be loaded with of features. There's a decent-sized storage basket, plenty of padding, adjustable handlebar height (for parents who are tall and short) and a reclining seating and a huge canopy for protection. Plus, it's very lightweight and comes with a handy carrying bag.

Compact

One of the most important aspects you will need to consider when selecting a pushchair is how compact it will be when folded. Some models are very compact to fold, while others are larger, depending on their overall dimensions and the features they have.

Compactness is also important for those who plan to travel with your stroller. There are models that fold to the smallest size and even into a pouch, so they can be tucked in the trunk of a car or carried on the plane as baggage in the cabin. This is ideal for those who travel often or live in an urban area where you won't be able to carry a stroller that is larger all the time.

Some of the most effective pushchairs to consider are those that have easy, hassle-free folding process that can be done with just one hand. The Babyzen YOYO was the first of its kind and has since been copied but is unique due to its clever details and its superior performance.

The Babyzen YOYO is perfect for travel due to its a fold that is incredibly tiny and is only slightly bigger than most hand luggage allowances. It can also be taken to the airport and used during the time between boarding and catching your flight.

For a more spacious compact pushchair shops near me, check out the Mamas and Papas Airo. The seat reclines fully, and there's plenty of padding to make your child feel comfortable. It can be used as early as birth, with the addition of an infant cocoon or carrycot pack (not included).

The Ergobaby Metro+ is another great option for a day-to-day lightweight buggy that has a very compact fold and can be stood up straight when not in use. However, it's not as easy to use as some models and it can create quite a bit of noise when you adjust the canopy, which may cause your baby to wake up.