Choosing a Fold Up Pushchair

Fold-up pushchairs are easy to get on and off public transport or can be tucked away in the back of the car. They are also extremely compact and lightweight which makes them ideal for traveling 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 a lack of storage.

Easy folding

When selecting a fold-up pushchair sale, it's important to think about where and how you're going to use it. If you're planning to travel with baby by plane, a compact, lightweight buggy is a great option as it can be tucked into the overhead compartments for luggage and is typically small enough to be carried on your shoulder when folded. Look out for a single-handed fold that is easy to operate while holding your little one and a handle that can be adjusted to height to ensure that parents and caregivers with different heights can comfortably use it. If you're planning to go walking with your baby it is essential to maneuver over uneven terrain. Other features worth a look include a deep recline to ensure comfortable naps on the go, and an extendable canopy that offers sun protection.

It is essential to test pushchairs prior to purchasing them to be sure they can be folded using one hand while holding your child. Our testers found the UPPAbaby G-Luxe to be particularly good, with its clever mechanism that folds down into a slimline package smaller than an umbrella. It has a pocket to store phones and keys, and a seat recliner that can be adjusted by just a single click.

A few of the smallest fold up pushchairs are designed to be used right from birth and come with a lie-flat seat or the option of an additional carrycot, which means they're perfect for infants who want to rest during the daytime. If you intend to use your travel system from the start, a one-click attachment system for a car seat for infants is a must.

The Cybex Libelle is the smallest and most lightweight of the bunch. It folds down even smaller than its YOYO2 counterpart the YOYO2, (only 4cm thicker) and is easy to carry at only 6kg. It is also simple to use, with a one-hand fold and the seat can recline to allow for naps for toddlers. This model is also a great option for hikers as it has an oversized front swivel wheel that can tackle any terrain.

One-Handed Folding

Whether you're out for an afternoon stroll in the park, whizzing around town on public transport or heading to distant shores with your baby, it pays to have a stroller that folds easily. Having to manage a child, shopping bags, keys and other necessities of daily life while trying to fold a complex travel system isn't ideal and hence pushchairs with one hand strollers are usually the most popular choices for parents.

One-handed fold pushchairs can collapse by pressing a button or buttons. Some models require more effort, or even two hands, but the convenience of the process means they are still a breeze to carry and store away. They are also light, making it easier to carry around or to store in small space.

The G-Luxe from UPPAbaby is a great illustration. This model is among the easiest to fold using one hand in our roundup. It's as simple as pulling a lever on the chassis. It is also able to stand on its own, making it ideal to store in the corner of a cafe or foyer.

The Bugaboo Bee is another model that folds by one hand. It's among the first pushchairs with a compact fold. Although it is bigger than other models the Bugaboo Bee still has an easy-to-use, sleek fold. It's got a variety of features,, including a deep recline and an expandable UPF 50+ canopy that's designed to keep your baby covered on sunny days.

Some of these compact-fold pushchairs are only suitable for MobiQuip XL Special Needs Buggy: Older Child Pushchair babies or toddlers, but there are a growing number of models that can be used from the time of birth. They come with a full or partial lie-flat seat and could include the option of 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's still a favourite. It's smaller than other buggy types but it's still very easy to carry. It is able to fit in the allowance for cabin baggage of most airlines.

Lightweight

A pushchair that folds is typically very compact and light. This is especially true for umbrella-folded pushchairs that weigh less than 20 pounds. They're ideal for short strolls on pavements and flat surfaces and for a quick transfer between your car and other people's houses. They're also a good option if you don't want to invest in a proper all-terrain buggy but are content with using your pushchair on flat surfaces.

If you're looking to fold a compact pushchair on uneven ground or on muddy or sand surfaces, consider getting an air-filled tyre. These tyres weigh more and provide better grip and traction. The extra weight adds to the overall size of the pushchair however it's important to be aware of that.

Many of the lightweight pushchairs are made for older infants and toddlers who can sit up on their own, but many are now suitable for babies from birth. Models like the Mamas & Papas Airo have a lie-flat seating area and can be used in conjunction with a car seat for infants or additional carrycots (sold separately). Some compact-fold pushchairs are designed to be used with a stroller board to transform into a double buggy. ideal for taking Grandma or Grandad along too.

A lot of the top lightweight pushchairs are simple to use. Some are simply open or closed with the push of a button, while others have more intricate mechanisms, but they all take up very little space. Some pushchairs have wrist bands that allow users to hold the pushchair even when it's folded. This makes it easier to move.

While some lightweight pushchairs can be quite basic however, the 3D Lite from Contours is an excellent example of how a super-compact stroller can be loaded with of features. It has a large basket with plenty of padding, adjustable handlebar height (for tall and short parents), a reclining seat and a huge canopy for protection. It's also very lightweight and comes with a handy bag.

Compact

One of the main things you should be aware of when choosing a pushchair is the size of the pushchair when folded. Some models are very compact to fold while others are more spacious depending on their overall dimensions and the features they have.

A pushchair's compactness may also be a factor to consider if you intend to travel with it. There are models that fold to a very small size and can even be folded into a bag, so they can be easily stashed in the trunk of a car or carried on the plane as baggage in the cabin. This is perfect when you plan to travel frequently or live in an urban area, where you aren't able to use a larger stroller every day.

The best pushchairs are those with an easy and simple folding process. The Babyzen YOYO is the first of its kind and has been copied since, but it still is unique due to its clever features and superior functionality.

The Babyzen YOYO is perfect for travel due to its a fold that is incredibly small and only slightly larger than the majority of hand luggage allowances. It can be used at the airport between boarding your flight and catching it.

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

The Ergobaby Metro+ is another excellent option for a day-to-day lightweight stroller that folds into a very compact fold and can be stood up straight when not in use. However, it's not as easy to use as some models and it can create quite a bit of noise when you adjust the canopy, which could awake your baby.