Compact Pushchair Reviews
If you're using public transport or are frequently traveling by car, a lightweight compact stroller is an excellent choice. They are easy to fold and store, and they're less likely to get damaged by baggage handlers.
These lightweight travel strollers offer modern convenience and are easy to navigate on cobblestones. They can also be easily stored in overhead compartments of planes.
Lightweight
The best compact pushchairs are easy to carry, and more importantly, simple to fold. They are often easy to fold with one hand and take up less space when folded than large buggies. They're a great option if you don't have much space in your home, or if you're concerned about space limitations when traveling.
Some have a small footprint when closed, making them ideal for tight spaces. These are the best choice if you have an apartment or need something light and agile for walking around. However, they can be uncomfortable for older children, especially if they need to extend their legs in order to move around.
There are a variety of folds available, some can be accomplished with just one hand while others require two hands or more effort. Some are designed to be as compact as possible, meaning they can fit in the cabin baggage allowances of a variety of flights, or be carried on your shoulders using a strap or handle.
In terms of a very lightweight pushchair, our favourite is the Silver Cross Dune. This offers all the smart design and thoughtful features you would expect from this renowned brand however in a smaller size. It comes with an easy-to-use fold, and like the Contours Itsy comes fully assembled in the box. It's a good choice for parents who intend to travel a lot with their child and can be tucked away in the majority of car boot spaces and trunk spaces.
The Cybex Mios is another option. It bridges the two categories of pushchairs and is a fully-functional system with nimbleness. It can be used from birth in parent-facing mode and then switched to world-facing as your child gets older, and it also comes with a comfortable recline that is nap-worthy. It isn't quite as compact as the Libelle however, it does come in a smaller package and is easier to operate on flat surfaces. It's not the best choice for rough terrain, but. The price is affordable and the durability tests are top-notch.
Easy to store
The Joie Pact Pro is the ideal travel stroller, folding up so small that it can fit into an overhead luggage compartment, and weighing so little you'll not even feel it in your car boot. It's also a great day-to-day stroller and our test driver Hollie found it easy to steer even while carrying her toddler. She liked the adjustable handle as well as the lockable wheels and reclined seat. However, she said that it was not very comfortable. But she also appreciates the possibility to add extras, including a reversible, washable seat liner, rain cover and a 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 nevertheless a fantastic package when folded and it is easy to slot in and out of trunks and car boots. It also offers more options for newborns than other travel buggies, with 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 to drive on rough or uneven terrain. The wheels are small and
countryside pushchairs don't perform well compared to other models that we have test. But, it's an extremely maneuverable
egg pushchair sale and the YOYO does an excellent job of navigating narrow shopping aisles and muddy pathways. It's perfect for a holiday or city break.
The Cosatto Bee6 is a compact travel buggy that offers many features for a very low price. It folds down to the size and weight of a huge bag and is simple to carry on trains and planes. 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 riding along. He also loved the hood, which is down low enough to shield from the sun and rain and help with napping. Its only downside is that there isn't a storage space under the seat, and you have to carry or delicately drape your bag on the handlebars (against expert advice!). You can also buy a separate changing bag holder to make it a great holiday buggy.
Easy to Manoeuvre
Wheels on compact
Countryside Pushchairs might appear small, but they are often surprisingly good at maneuvering narrow aisles and rough terrain. The Micralite is an excellent example. Although it has small wheels, it is able to handle rough pavements with ease and turn swiftly on narrow roads and even tackle some light gravel without much difficulty. It also has a slick steering system and is easy to steer with one hand. It folds into a sleek and compact box that can be easily tucked away into its bag for transport.
Most compact pushchairs were designed for toddlers or older children. However, a growing number of them come with an option to lie flat or the option to add a carrycot (or car seat) to allow them to be used from the moment of birth. These innovative concertina or Z-fold buggies are typically light at 6-8kg and are able to be cabin-approved on a variety of airlines, making them ideal for travel. MFM Editor Gemma has used hers on numerous occasions and has said it's extremely simple to pack and use.
If you're in search of a truly small fold, the YOYO is the pinnacle of the compact category and was the first buggy models of this kind. It's still a very popular choice, with many parents choosing it over its competitors because of its unique features and superior functionality. It's the ideal choice for frequent travellers, especially if you want to avoid the hassle of waiting at baggage checkpoints and instead bring your stroller onboard with you.
The YOYO is extremely compact and fits into the carrying bag easily and with some room to spare. It is a great option for frequent travelers, especially those who need to carry many things in their suitcase. Additionally, it's extremely versatile - you can buy a range of optional accessories for it, including baby bassinets, a bespoke ride-on board and twin travel bundle to turn it into an equilateral. You can also purchase an umbrella and rain cover for added security.
Comfortable
Hollie Our reviewer, Hollie, recommends the Silver Cross model to parents seeking a light and compact
black pushchair. It's user-friendly and can be tucked away into the trunk of your car. Its maneuverability and reclined seat are among the best in our tests. It comes with a tray for parents as well as a storage basket that fits small backpacks, and excellent sun-cover options.
Some compact strollers fold so small that they're cabin approved for air travel. This makes them perfect if you travel often or are limited in your car boot. They're usually very light so they're easy to carry around, and can be used with a travel system, if you select a model with a lie-flat seat unit, or has an optional newborn pod or one of two luxurious foldable carrycots.
When looking for a trip, it's important to keep in mind that not all models of buggy are made in the same way. Some brands boast that their compact-fold pushchairs can fold in one hand, while others require more of an involvement or even a couple of hands to figure out how to fold it folded. It is also worth checking if the seat has a recline - some are fully flat, while others have only slight recline, which could be suitable for toddlers, but not for babies.