Compact Pushchair Reviews

A compact and lightweight stroller can be the ideal choice for you if you travel frequently on public transportation or in a car. These strollers are simpler to fold and store and they're less likely to be damaged by baggage handlers.

These lightweight travel strollers are convenient and easy to maneuver over cobblestones. They also fit in overhead compartments on planes.

Lightweight

The most compact pushchairs fold quickly and are easy to carry. They're usually simple to fold with just one hand and take up less room when folded than full size buggies. This makes them an excellent option for those with limited storage space in your home or are concerned about the space you have when traveling on planes, for example.

Some also have a very small footprint when closed which helps you to navigate tight spaces. These are the best option if you have an apartment or you want something light and nimble for everyday walking. They can be uncomfortable for older children who have to extend their legs to move around.

There are a variety of different fold types on the market, with some being truly one-handed, while others require some effort or two hands to complete. Some are designed to be as compact as possible, meaning they can be tucked away in the cabin baggage allowance of a variety of flights, or be carried on your shoulder with a handle or strap.

Silver Cross Dune is our most loved lightweight pushchair. The Silver Cross Dune is compact and offers all the features and thoughtful design that you would expect from this heritage brand. It also has a very user-friendly fold, and just similar to the Contours Itsy, it comes with the complete set. It's a good choice for parents who plan to travel extensively with their child, and fits into most car boots and small trunk spaces.

The Cybex Mios is another option. It straddles the two categories of pushchairs to provide a fully functional system that is agile. It can be used from birth in parent-facing mode, but then switched to a world-facing mode as your child gets older, and it also has a decent recline that is nap-worthy. It's not as compact as the Libelle however it's a bit smaller and easier to use on flat surfaces. It's not the ideal choice for rocky terrain, though. The price is very affordable and the durability tests are very good.

Easy to store

The Joie Pact Pro is the ideal travel buggy, which folds into a size that can be tucked away in an overhead luggage compartment, and weighing so little you'll barely feel it in your car boot. It is also a good stroller pushchair for everyday use. Our tester Hollie found that it was easy to steer, even when trying to manage a toddler. She was impressed by the adjustable handle and lockable wheels, but noted that it isn't a particularly comfortable seat. However, she also likes the possibility to add extras, including the washable, reversible seat liner, rain cover and the foot muff.

The Babyzen YOYO is a similarly compact fold pushchair. It isn't as streamlined as the Cybex Libelle, but it's nevertheless a fantastic foldable product that can be easily slotted in and out of trunks and boots. It provides more options for babies compared to other travel 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.

The YOYO isn't the most compact buggy to drive on rough or uneven terrain. Its tiny wheels don't perform well compared to other models we've evaluated. It is still a very mobile pushchair, and the YOYO is great at in narrow aisles and muddy pathways. It's a good choice for a holiday or city break.

The Cosatto Bee6 offers a remarkably streamlined list of features for its competitive price. It can be folded to the size and weight of a big bag, and is easy to carry on trains and planes. It is also very easy to steer and our MFM test rider Matt found it to be an absolute joy to steer even when a heavy toddler was on board. He also appreciated the hood, which is down low enough to shield from sun and showers and help with napping. Its only downside is that there's no under-seat storage and you must carry or delicately hang your bag over the handlebars (against expert advice!). You can also purchase a separate changing bag holder to make it a perfect holiday buggy.

Easy to manoeuvre

The wheels on small pushchairs might look Small Pushchair (cs.xuxingdianzikeji.com), but they often are surprisingly efficient, navigating narrow aisles for shopping or rough terrain effortlessly. The Micralite is an excellent example, despite having small wheels it handles bumpy roads effortlessly and turns swiftly on narrow streets and even manages to tackle some lightly sand without much of a problem. It features a smooth steering system that is simple to operate using just one hand. It folds into a sleek and compact size that fits snugly into its accompanying bag for transport.

The majority of compact pushchairs are designed for toddlers and older children However, a growing number offer a lie-flat seating or the option of adding an extra carrycot (or small pushchair baby car seat) to make them suitable from birth. These concertina or Z fold buggies are typically light, weighing only 6-8kg. They are also accepted for use in cabins by a number of airlines. MFM Editor Gemma has used it on numerous occasions and says it's incredibly easy to use and pack away.

If you are looking for a compact folding option, then the YOYO is an excellent option. It was the first buggy to feature this feature. It's still a popular choice among parents, who prefer it to its imitators because of its unique design and superior performance. It's an ideal option for frequent travellers particularly if you want to avoid the stress of waiting for baggage pickup and instead bring your stroller onboard with you.

The YOYO is also available in a compact size, fitting into the bag easily and with some space to spare. It is a great option for frequent travelers, especially those who have to pack many things in their luggage. Plus it's incredibly versatile - you can buy a range of optional accessories to it like baby bassinets, a bespoke ride-on board, and a twin travel bundles to transform it into an equilateral. You can also purchase a rain cover and hood to give you extra security.

Confortable

Hollie, our reviewer, recommends the Silver Cross model to parents looking for a lightweight compact pushchair. It's user-friendly and can be tucked away in the trunk of your car. Its maneuverability and reclining seats are among the top in our tests. It also comes with a tray for parents and a storage basket that can fit a small backpack, plus it's got great sun cover options (including the one-piece hood) and straps that are cushioned to help your child feel comfy.

Some compact-fold 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're typically lightweight so they're easy to carry and can be used in conjunction with a travel system if you choose a version 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 remember that not all models of a buggy are created equal. Some brands boast that their compact-fold pushchairs can fold in one hand, but others require more involvement or even a couple of hands to work out how to fold it into the folded position. Examine if the seat reclines. Some are flat, while others have an occasional recline. This could be okay for toddlers, but not for younger babies.

You'll also want to check whether the model you're looking at is designed specifically for the kind of travel you're doing, such as when you're heading to a hot destination, look out for one that has a mesh that is vented to help keep your little one cool. If you're heading somewhere that's stormy or rainy, you should make sure that your pushchair comes with a cover designed for it. Covers that are generic won't fit and could let water in.