Choosing a Fold Up Pushchair

Fold-up pushchairs are a breeze to carry on public transport or to fit in the back of your car. They are also very lightweight and compact, making them perfect for travel by plane.

This UPPAbaby is one of the smallest folds that we've ever seen. But it comes with some limitations, like a small canopy and lack of storage.

Ease of Folding

When you're choosing a fold-up pushchair, it's important to consider how and where you're going to use it. If you'll be travelling with your infant on planes an incredibly compact and lightweight buggy is a good option since it can be placed in the overhead luggage compartments and is usually small enough to be carried on your shoulder when unfolded. Look out for a one-handed fold that's easy to operate while holding your child and a height-adjustable handle so that carers and parents with different heights can use it comfortably. If you're planning on hiking with baby it is essential to maneuver over uneven terrain. Other handy features to check include a deep recline to ensure comfortable naps on the go and a canopy that can be extended which provides additional sun protection.

It is important to test the pushchairs before purchasing to make sure they can be folded with one hand while holding your child. Our testers found the UPPAbaby G-Luxe to be especially good, with its clever mechanism that concertinas down into a compact size that is smaller than an umbrella. It also has a convenient pocket for stashing keys and phones and a one-touch seat recline that's perfect for little travellers who prefer to nap in the middle of the road.

Some of the most compact fold-up pushchairs are made to be used right from birth and come with a lie-flat seat or an option to add an additional carrycot, which means they're perfect for infants who prefer to rest during the daytime. If you're planning to use your travel system from the beginning, a simple click attachment system for an Infant Car Seat is a must.

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

One-Handed Folding

Whether you're out for an afternoon stroll in the park, or cruising around town on public transport or heading off to exotic shores with a baby it's important to have a stroller pushchair that folds up easily. It's not ideal to have to fold a complex travel system while trying to manage a child as well as all of their essentials, like shopping bags, keys, and other things. This is the reason why one-handed strollers and pushchairs are the most preferred option for parents.

Like the name suggests it is a pushchair that folds one hand. can be folded down with the press of one button or two. Some models require more effort, or even two hands, but the convenience of the process makes them still easy to handle and stow away. They also tend to be lighter, making them simpler to carry around or fit into small spaces.

A good example is the UPPAbaby G-Luxe. This model is one of the easiest to fold using one hand in our roundup. It's as simple as pulling a lever on the chassis. It can stand on its own when folded, and is ideal for stowing in the corner of a cafe or a foyer.

The Bugaboo Bee is another model that can be folded using just one hand. It's one of the first pushchairs with a compact fold. Although it is larger than the other models, this model still has an easy to use, compact fold. It also comes with a variety of excellent features, such as the deep reclining seat as well as an expanded UPF50+ canopy to keep your child covered on sunny days.

Some of these compact-fold pushchairs are only suitable for toddlers or older children however, there is a growing number of models that are designed to be used from birth. These have a full or partial lie-flat seat, and can 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 first strollers of its kind. It is still a favorite. It's slightly less compact fold than some others, but it's still very easy to handle and fits into the cabin luggage allowance on most airlines.

Lightweight

When a pushchair folds down it takes up very little space, and is usually extremely light. This is particularly true for umbrella-folded pushchairs that weigh less than 20 pounds. They're ideal for short strolls on flat surfaces and pavements and for a quick transfer between your vehicle and homes of other people. They're also a great option if you don't need an all-terrain stroller but prefer to use your pushchair on flat surfaces.

If you're looking to fold a compact forward facing pushchair on uneven ground or on muddy or sand surfaces, you should consider an air-filled tyre. These tyres are more heavy however they offer more grip and traction. It's important to keep in mind that the weight added will increase the size of your pushchair.

Many of the lightweight pushchairs were made for older toddlers and infants that could sit up on their own However, there are more that are suitable 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 additional carrycot (sold separately). Some compact-folding pushchairs are designed to be used with a stroller board, transforming into a double-buggy - great for taking Grandma or Grandad along.

A majority of the best lightweight strollers are simple to use. Some are simply open or closed with the push of a button. others have more complex mechanisms, but they all take up a small amount of space. Some fashionable pushchairs come with wrist bands that allow users to hold the pushchair even when folded. This makes it easier to maneuver.

The 3D Lite stroller from Contours is a fantastic example of a compact stroller that's packed with features. There's also a decently-sized basket, plenty of padding, adjustable handlebars (for parents who are tall or short), and a large protective canopy. Additionally, it's extremely light and comes with a handy carrying bag.

Compact

One of the main things you should be aware of when choosing a pushchair is how compact it will be when folded. Some pushchairs are very compact fold, while others are more spacious based on the overall dimensions and features.

The compactness of a pushchair buggy can be an important factor when you plan to travel with it. Some models can fold down to a compact size, or even into bags which makes them easy to store in the boot of your car or to carry on the plane. If you plan to travel frequently or in a city where you aren't able to use a large stroller every day it is the best option for you.

The most effective pushchairs are those with an easy, simple fold process. The Babyzen YOYO is the first of its type and has been imitated since then, but it stands apart thanks to its clever features and superior functionality.

The Babyzen YOYO is perfect for travel because it has folds that are incredibly small and just a little larger than the average allowance for hand luggage. It can even be taken to the airport and used in between taking off and catching your flight.

For a more spacious and compact pushchair, check out the Mamas and Papas Airo. It has a comfortable seat that can recline fully and has plenty of padding to keep your child comfy. 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 excellent option for a day-to-day light buggy that folds down to an extremely compact fold and can be positioned up when not in use. However it's not as simple to operate as some other models and can produce quite a bit of noise when you adjust the canopy, which could awake your baby.