Compact Pushchair Reviews

If you're using public transport or often traveling by car, a light compact stroller is a great choice. They are easy to fold and store, and less likely to be damaged by baggage handlers.

These lightweight travel strollers offer modern convenience and are easy to maneuver on cobblestones. They can also be easily stored in overhead compartments of planes.

Lightweight

The best compact pushchairs fold quickly and are easy to carry. Most of them have a one-handed fold and take up less space when folded than larger buggies. This makes them a great alternative if you are limited in storage space at home or you are worried about space restrictions when traveling, especially by plane.

Some models have a smaller footprint when closed, making them ideal for tight spaces. These are usually the ideal option for those who reside in an apartment or just want something nimble and light for walking around the day. However, they may be uncomfortable for older children if you require them to extend their legs to move around.

There are many different types of folds to choose from, some can be accomplished with just one hand, while others require two hands or a bit more effort. Some are designed to fit into the baggage allowances for cabin baggage on a variety of flights, or can be carried on your shoulder with a strap or handle.

Silver Cross Dune is our most loved lightweight pushchair. The Silver Cross Dune is a compact pushchair that offers all the thoughtful features and smart design that you would expect from a brand with a long history. It also has a very easy to fold, and, like the Contours Itsy, it comes with the complete set. It's an excellent choice for parents who will be traveling frequently with their child. It fits in the majority of car trunks and small trunk spaces.

The Cybex Mios is another option. It straddles the two types of pushchairs as a fully-functioning system that is agile. It can be used from birth in a parent-facing mode, but then switched to world-facing as your child gets older, and it also has a decent recline that's suitable for napping. It's not as compact as the Libelle however it's smaller and more comfortable to use on flat surfaces. It's not suited for rough terrain. The other benefit is a very affordable cost and outstanding durability tests.

Easy to store

The Joie Pact Pro makes the perfect travel buggy. It folds down so small it can fit into an overhead compartment and weighs so little that you'll barely notice it in your boot. It's also a great stroller for everyday use. Our test subject Hollie found it easy to steer even when trying to manage a toddler. She liked the adjustable handle and lockable wheels, however, she noted that it's not the most comfortable seat. She also likes the fact that you can add extras like a reversible, washable seat cover, rain cover, and the foot muff.

The Babyzen YOYO is another impressively compact fold pushchair. It's not as sleek as the Cybex Libelle, but it's nevertheless a fantastic package when folded and it can easily be inserted into and out of trunks and car boots. It offers more newborn options when compared to other buggies. You can add a newborn cot or bassinet as well as a customized ride-on-board for older children and a tandem seat adapter.

It isn't the most compact buggy to drive on rough or uneven terrain, and its small wheels don't perform as well as the other models we've tested. It is still a very easily maneuverable pushchair, and YOYO is a shrewd choice for of navigating narrow aisles and slippery pathways. It's an excellent option for a vacation or city break.

The Cosatto Bee6 is a compact travel buggy that comes with many features for a very low price. It folds down to the size and weight of a huge bag and is easy to transport on planes and trains. It's also very easy to steer, and our MFM test driver Matt found it to be enjoyable to steer, even with a large toddler was aboard. He also loved the hood that slides low enough to shield from rain and sun and help with napping. Its only drawback is that there's no storage under the seat and you'll have to carry or delicately drape your bag on the handlebars (against expert advice!). Alternately, you can buy a separately sold changing bag holder, making this an ideal holiday pushchair buggy.

Easy to Manoeuvre

Wheels on compact pushchairs may look small, yet they're often quite adept at maneuvering narrow aisles and rough terrain. The Micralite is a great example. Although it has small wheels, it is able to handle rough pavements with ease and sharply turn on narrow roads and even take on a bit of gravel without much difficulty. It also has a smooth steering system and is easy to steer with just one hand. It folds down into a very neat and compact size that is easily fit into its bag for transport.

Most compact Customizable Pushchairs were made for older babies or toddlers. However there are 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 clever concertina or Z-fold buggies tend to be very lightweight at around 6-8kg and are able to be cabin-approved on a variety of airlines, making them perfect for travel. MFM Editor Gemma has used it on numerous occasions and says 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 one of the first strollers of this type. It's still a very popular choice for parents, with many favouring it over its imitators due to its innovative features and superior functionality. It's the ideal option for frequent travellers particularly if you want to get rid of the stress of waiting for baggage collection and instead take your Kinderkraft 3-in-1 Stroller Pushchair Pram Set in Gray with you on the plane.

The YOYO also comes in a compact size, which can be stuffed into the bag with ease and even some space to spare. This makes it an ideal choice for frequent travellers and those who need to pack a lot in their luggage. Additionally, it's extremely versatile. You can purchase an array of accessories to it like baby bassinets, a bespoke ride-on board, and a twin travel bundle to turn it into a tandem. You can also buy rain covers and hoods for added peace of mind.

Confortable

Hollie Our reviewer, Hollie, recommends the Silver Cross model to parents seeking a light and compact pushchair. It's easy-to-use and fits into the trunk of your car. The Silver Cross model's maneuverability and reclined seat were among the top of our tests. It also boasts a useful tray for parents and a storage basket that can fit small backpacks, and it's got great sun cover options (including a Hood) and straps with padding that make your child feel comfy.

Some compact strollers fold so small that they are certified for use on planes by the cabin. This makes them perfect if you travel often or have a limited space in your car boot. They are usually lightweight so they're easy for you to carry. They can also be used with a travel system in the event that you choose a model that has a lie-flat seating option or a baby 'pod'.

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a travel buggy is that not all models are created equal. Some brands claim their compact fold pushchairs can fold with just one hand, whereas others may require a bit more involvement or a couple of hands to work out how to fold it folded. It's also worth checking whether the buggy comes with a seat recline. Some are completely flat with a slight recline, while others have an incline that may be suitable for toddlers, but not for infants.

It's also important to determine whether the model you're looking at is specifically designed for the kind of travel you're doing, for instance, if you're going somewhere hot make sure you choose one that has a vented mesh fabric to keep your child cool. Also, if you're planning to go somewhere rainy or windy, ensure that the pushchair you buy has an appropriate cover to go with it - generic covers won't fit properly and can let water in.