Choosing a Fold Up Pushchair

Fold-up pushchairs are easy to carry on public transport or fit in the back of your car. They also tend to be extremely compact and lightweight which makes them perfect for traveling by plane.

This UPPAbaby has one of the smallest folds we've ever seen. However, it has some limitations including a small canopy and no storage.

Folding Ease

Consider where and how you'll use the pushchair before deciding one. If you're taking your child on an airplane then a compact and light buggy is a good alternative. It can fit into the overhead luggage compartments and is small enough to be carried over the shoulder. Find a single-handed fold that is easy to operate while holding your child and a handle that can be adjusted to height so that carers and parents with different heights can comfortably use it. A lock wheel that swivels is essential if are planning to hike with your baby. It will help you navigate uneven terrain. Other handy features to check include a recline that is deep for comfortable naps on the go, and an extendable canopy that provides extra sun protection.

It's important to test the pushchairs before buying to make sure that they fold easily with one hand while holding your child. Our test subjects found the UPPAbaby G-Luxe to be particularly impressive, with its clever mechanism that folds down into a compact size that is smaller than an umbrella. It comes with a pocket to keep phones and keys, and a seat recliner that can be adjusted with a single touch.

Some of the smallest fold-up pushchairs are made to be used right from birth and come with an easy-to-leap seat or an option to add an additional carrycot, so they're great for babies who need to sleep during the daytime. If you intend to use your travel system right from the beginning using a one-click attachment method for an infant car seat is essential.

The smallest of the bunch that's the Cybex Libelle, is an excellent choice for families with a tendency to travel and folds more compactly than its counterpart the YOYO2 (only 4cm less) and weighs less than 6kg, making it extremely light to carry around. It's also incredibly easy to use, with a straightforward one-hand fold and recline that's perfect for toddler naps. This model is also a great option for hikers, as it has an oversized front swivel wheel which can be used on any terrain.

One-Handed folding

It's always an ideal idea to have a folding pushchair, whether you are walking around, taking public transport, or flying to a different destination with your infant. Having to manage a child bags, keys, shopping bags and other essentials of everyday life while trying to fold a complicated travel system isn't ideal, so one-handed pushchairs and strollers are often the most preferred choices for parents.

One-handed fold pushchairs can collapse by pressing a button or buttons. Some models might require more effort, or two hands. However, the convenience of this process makes them easy to use and put away. They are also lightweight and easy to carry or to store in small space.

One of the best examples is the G-Luxe model from UPPAbaby. It is one of the simplest one-handed folds we've seen in our round up, with the speedy and smooth operation that involves just pulling on a lever at the base of the chassis. It stands up on its own when folded, and is ideal for storing in the corner of a cafe or in the foyer.

The Bugaboo Bee is another model that folds using just one hand. It's one of the first compact-fold pushchairs. While it's bigger than other models the Bugaboo Bee still has an easy and compact fold. It also has a number of great features, including an incredibly comfortable seat that reclines and an expandable UPF50+ canopy to keep your child covered on sunny days.

Some of these pushchairs are designed specifically for older babies and toddlers. However there are other options that can be used from the time of birth. They come with a full or partial lie-flat seat, and can come with the option of adding 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 a little less compact than some other buggys but it's still very easy to handle. It can be incorporated into the baggage allowances for cabin baggage on the majority of airlines.

Lightweight

When a pushchair folds down, it takes up very little 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 flat surfaces or pavements and also for transporting between your car and other homes. They're also a good choice if you do not want to invest in an all-terrain stroller and prefer to use your stroller only on flat surfaces.

Think about getting tyres that are air-filled if you plan to use your compact folding pushchair in difficult terrain, on sand, or on muddy surfaces. These tyres weigh more, but they provide more grip and traction. The extra weight will add to the overall pushchair size though, so it's important to keep that in mind.

A lot of lightweight pushchairs are made for older children and toddlers that can sit on their own, but there are a growing number that can be used for babies from birth. Models like the Mamas & Papas Airo have a seating area that is flat and can be paired with an infant car seat or a carrycot (sold separately). Some compact-folding pushchairs are designed to be used with a stroller board to transform into a double buggy - perfect for taking Grandma or Grandad along too.

Many of the best lightweight pushchairs are easy to use. Some are open and closed at the touch of a button, while others have more intricate mechanisms, but they all take up very little space. Some pushchairs have wristbands that allow users to hold the pushchair even when it's folded. This makes it easier to move.

While some lightweight pushchairs are very stripped down, the 3D Lite from Contours is a fantastic example of how a super-compact stroller can be packed full of features. There's a decent-sized basket and plenty of padding adjustable handlebar height (for parents who are tall and short) and a reclining seating and a huge canopy for protection. Plus, it's very lightweight and comes with a handy carry bag.

Compact

One of the primary things you should take into consideration when choosing a pushchair is how compact it will be when folded. Some have a very small fold, while others are more spacious dependent on their overall size and the features they have.

Compactness is also important if you plan to travel with your pushchair. Some models can fold down to a smaller size or even a bag making them easy to store in the trunk of your car or carry on the plane. This is ideal for those who travel frequently or reside in an urban area, where you won't be able to carry a stroller that is larger all the time.

The most effective pushchairs to consider are those that have a smooth, fuss-free folding process that can be done using just one hand. The Babyzen YOYO is the first of its type and has been a model of imitation since, but it still is unique due to its unique features and superior design.

The Babyzen YOYO is a great choice for travel due to its an extremely small and just a little larger than the majority of hand luggage allowances. It can be used at the airport between boarding your flight and catching it at the airport.

The Mamas and Papas Airo is an ultra-compact pushchair that provides more space. It has a comfortable seat that reclines fully and has plenty of padding to keep your child comfortable. It can be used as early as birth with a carrycot or newborn cocoon pack (not included).

The Ergobaby Metro+ is another ideal choice for a day-today lightweight stroller and pushchair that folds into an extremely compact fold that can be positioned up straight when not in use. However it's not as simple to operate as some other models and can make a lot of noise when you adjust the canopy, which can wake up your baby.