Choosing a Fold Up Pushchair

Fold-up pushchairs are a breeze to take on public transportation or even fit into the back of your car. They are also extremely compact and lightweight, making them perfect for traveling by plane.

This UPPAbaby model is one of the most appealing compact folds we've seen. It does have some limitations, including a tiny canopy, and there's no storage.

Ease of folding

When choosing a fold up pushchair, you need to think about where and how you'll be using it. If you're taking your child on planes then a compact and light buggy is an ideal alternative. It can be tucked away in the overhead compartments for luggage 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 child and a handle that can be adjusted to height to ensure that parents and caregivers of various heights can enjoy it comfortably. If you're planning to go walking with your baby, a swivel-lock wheel is essential to maneuver over uneven terrain. Look for features like an extended recline that allows for comfortable naps when you're on the move and an extendable sun canopy.

Many pushchairs claim to be able to fold in one hand however, it's a good idea to test this before purchasing to confirm it's feasible while holding your child. Our testers found the UPPAbaby G-Luxe to be especially good, with its clever mechanism that concertinas down to a slimmer, sleeker package than an umbrella. It also comes with a handy pocket to store keys and phone and an easy recline seat that's ideal for children who prefer to nap in the middle of the road.

Some of the smallest fold-up pushchairs are made to be used starting at birth and come with an easy-to-leap seat or the option for an additional carrycot, which means they're great for babies who need to sleep throughout the day. If you intend to use your travel system from the beginning, a simple click attachment system for an infant Car Seat is a must.

The tiniest of the group, the Cybex Libelle, is an excellent choice for families with a tendency to travel and folds smaller than the YOYO2 (only 4cm smaller) and weighs less at under 6kg so is extremely light to carry. It is also easy to use with a one-hand fold and the seat can recline for toddler naps. This model is also a good choice for hikers since it comes with an oversized front swivel that can tackle any terrain.

One-Handed folding

If you're taking a stroll through the park, whizzing around town on public transport or heading off to exotic shores with your baby it's a good idea to have a pushchair that folds up easily. Having to manage children bags, keys, shopping bags and other everyday necessities while trying to fold a complicated travel system is not ideal, so one-handed pushchairs and strollers are typically the most popular choice for parents.

One-handed fold pushchairs can be folded by pressing the button or buttons. Some models require more effort, or even two hands, but the convenience of the process makes them still a breeze to carry and store away. They are also lightweight and easy to transport or to store in small spaces.

The G-Luxe model from UPPAbaby is an excellent illustration. This model is one of the easiest to fold using one hand in our roundup. It only requires pulling a lever on the chassis. It is also able to stand on its own, making it perfect for storing in a corner of a café or a foyer.

The Bugaboo Bee is another model that can be folded using just one hand. It's one of the original compact fold pushchairs, and despite being bigger than some other options it still features a neat, easy to fold. It has a great range of features, with a recline that is deep and an UPF 50+ canopy that can be expanded designed to keep your baby protected on sunny days.

Some of these compact-fold pushchairs are only suitable for older babies or toddlers However, there are a growing number of options that are designed to be used from the time of birth. They come with a full or partial lie-flat seat and may come with the option of incorporating an infant car seat. MFM's Gemma has travelled with her son in a Babyzen YOYO, one of the very first buggys of its kind. It's still a favorite. It's slightly less compact fold than some other models, but it's extremely easy to maneuver and fits into the cabin luggage allowance on most airlines.

Lightweight

When a pushchair folds down, it occupies a small space, and is usually very light too. This is especially true for umbrella-folding pushchairs, which typically weigh under 20 pounds. They are great for short walks on pavements or flat surfaces and also for transporting between your car and others homes. They're also a good option if you don't need an all-terrain stroller, and prefer to use your pushchair up to 25kg on flat surfaces.

You should consider buying tyres with air If you intend to use your compact folding pushchair in difficult terrain, on sand, or on muddy surfaces. These are a bit heavier than regular tyres however they'll offer better grip and traction. The extra weight adds to the overall size of the pushchair though it's important to think about this.

Many of the lightweight pushchairs were made for older infants and toddlers that can sit up independently however, more are suitable for babies from the age of. Models like the Mamas & Papas Airo have a lie-flat seating area and can be combined with a car seat for infants or a carrycots (sold separately). Some compact-folding pushchairs are designed to work with a stroller board to transform them into a double-buggy - great for taking Grandma or Grandad along.

A lot of the top lightweight strollers are simple to use. Some are open and closed with the push of a button, whereas others feature more complicated mechanisms, but they all take up a small amount of space. Some even have a strap on the wrist that lets you the pushchair in place even when it's folded, and this can make a huge difference to how easy it is to move.

While some lightweight pushchairs are extremely basic, the 3D Lite from Contours is an excellent example of how a tiny stroller can be packed full of features. There's a decent-sized basket, plenty of padding, adjustable height of the handlebar (for tall and short parents) and a reclining seating and a huge canopy to protect. Additionally, it's extremely light and comes with a handy carry bag.

Compact

When selecting a stroller, you should think about the size of the stroller when folded. Some models have a tiny fold, while others are larger, depending on their overall size and what features they come with.

The compactness of a pushchair could be a consideration in the event that you are planning to travel with it. Some models can fold down to a compact size, or even into bags, making them a breeze to put in the trunk of your car or carry on the plane. If you are planning to travel frequently or folding Pushchair in a city where you can't use a large stroller on a daily basis it is the best solution for you.

The most effective pushchairs to consider are those with easy, hassle-free folding process that can be performed with just one hand. The Babyzen YOYO was the first of its kind and has since been imitated however it stands out due to its unique design and superior functionality.

The Babyzen YOYO features an impressively small fold that is slightly bigger than the size of most hand luggage allowances, making it perfect to travel with. It can even be taken to the airport and used during the time between the boarding process and getting your flight.

The Mamas and Papas Airo is an ultra-compact pushchair that provides more space. It has a comfortable seat that reclines fully and offers a good amount of padding to keep your child comfy. It can be used from birth, with the addition a baby cocoon pack or carrycot (not included).

The Ergobaby Metro+ can also be used as a light stroller for everyday use. It has a compact fold that can be positioned upright when not in use. However it's not as simple to use as some models and it can create lots of noise when you adjust the canopy, which can awake your baby.