Best pushchairs 2023: Which? Best Buys and expert buying advice

To find the perfect pushchair, travel system or stroller for your child, you'll need to make a number of key decisions. In our expert guide, we highlight the latest, top-scoring models and explain how to choose the perfect pushchair to suit your budget.

Our experts have been hard at work, testing hundreds of pushchairs to help you identify buggies that are safe, durable, comfortable and crammed with useful features. We'll help you pick between lightweight buggies and strollers, travel system pushchairs and all-terrain or running pushchairs.

Below, we've rounded up five of our recommended Best Buy pushchairs. You'll also find details on typical costs and advice on saving money with a second-hand pushchair.

Best Buy pushchairs for 2023

Here's our pick of the top Best Buys, including travel system, stroller and all-terrain pushchairs, plus the cheapest pushchair to ace our tests.

Join Which? to get access to all our Best Buys and pushchair reviews. We’ve tested hundreds of pushchairs from brands including Bugaboo, Cybex and Mamas & Papas, but we only make the very best a Best Buy.

Top-scoring Best Buy pushchair

Best cheap pushchair

Best travel system pushchair

Need more guidance on what to look for in a travel system pushchair? Read our guide on how to choose the best travel system pushchair.

Best lightweight pushchair

Find out what features to look for when buying a lightweight stroller by reading our guide to choosing the best stroller or buggy.

Best three-wheel pushchair

The recommendations and scores in our tables above were correct as of May 2023.

Join Which? to get access to all our Best Buys and pushchair reviews. We’ve tested hundreds of pushchairs from brands including Bugaboo, iCandy and Silver Cross, but we only make the very best a Best Buy. 

Or, if you're expecting a child and already have a toddler, or if you're about to be a parent of twins, see our guide to the best double pushchairs.

Video: avoid an expensive mistake when buying a pushchair

Watch for our tips on what to look out for and the pitfalls to avoid, whether you're buying a new pram or a toddler pushchair.

What are the different types of pushchair?

A simple buggy or stroller is very different from a travel system or an all-terrain pushchair, both in terms of price and features.

If you're unsure which one you need, we explain the differences in features between a standard buggy, an all-terrain (off-road) buggy and a travel system, as well as their notable pros and cons.

Lightweight buggy or stroller

Pros: Lightweight, compact, easy to manoeuvre, affordable

Cons: Typically forward facing only, not ideal for off-road terrain, some only suitable from six months

These come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the most popular are lightweight buggies. Some are suitable from birth, while others are only suitable for babies over six months old, as the back rest doesn't recline far enough.

Basic buggies are ideal for nipping around town or for parents who regularly use public transport. They’re also handy for holidays, as some fold down small enough to be suitable cabin luggage.

In recent years there’s been an explosion of strollers that you can use with an infant car seat and/or a carrycot. These are more expensive than standard buggies, but they're much more versatile.

Traditionally buggies are forward facing only, but many travel system strollers have a reversible seat, so you can choose whether your baby faces you or looks out at the world.

For more advice on this, read our guide to choosing the best stroller or buggy.

Travel system pushchair

Pros: Suitable from birth, can be parent facing or world facing, ideal if you frequently use a car

Cons: Expensive, bulky, carrycot suitable only from birth to six months and car seat from birth to nine months  

A large number of pushchairs are travel system compatible, giving you multiple options for transporting your baby.

These are suitable to use from birth, as you can use them with a Group 0/0+ car seat. Some come with a carrycot or a seat unit that converts to a pram, so you can still use them from birth and swap to the seat unit once your baby is ready.

Note that long periods of sleeping in infant car seats may be dangerous for young babies, as it can restrict airflow to the baby’s lungs and can put a strain on their developing spine. 

It’s recommended not to keep a baby in a car seat – whether it’s in a car or attached to a pushchair – for longer than two hours at a time. This doesn’t apply if it’s a lie-flat car seat, though.

For more, see our travel system pushchair reviews or read our guide on how to choose the best travel system.

All-terrain or running pushchair

Pros: Can tackle tough ground, good suspension, can use while getting fit

Cons: Often too large for public transport, expensive

If you want to venture off the beaten track with your baby, you might want to opt for an all-terrain or off-road pushchair. These can be four-wheelers or three-wheelers – some three-wheel pushchairs are also running or jogging buggies. 

Although all-terrain pushchairs are a practical choice for active parents, they’re often longer, and can be too large to use on public transport or in crowded places such as supermarkets. Plus, because of their size, you'll also need a big car boot to transport them.

If you're using a running buggy, you should only run with it from when your baby is at least six months old.

Buying a newborn pushchair or baby pram

Not all pushchairs are suitable for a newborn baby. Before you set your heart on a Bugaboo or iCandy pushchair, check whether the seat is suitable from birth or whether it can only be used by babies more than six months old. 

Newborn babies can't support their own weight when they're so small, so they have different needs from older babies and toddlers. It's important they lie flat in order to support their developing spine. This allows them to breathe easily too. 

The best three options for a newborn are:

• A from-birth seat – one that reclines to 150 degrees or more
• Pram format – some pushchair seats can convert to a pram by unclipping or unzipping the fabrics
• A carrycot – it's best for babies to sleep on a firm horizontal base, so if you're expecting to use the pushchair for lengthy daytime naps, or whole afternoons in the park, choose one that can take a carrycot. Most pushchairs come with a carrycot option, which attaches either straight onto the seat or uses adaptors.

It's best to wait until babies are around six months old, or when they start to sit up on their own, before you use a pushchair seat in its most upright position.

For more details, see our reviews of pushchairs suitable from birth.

When should you move a baby from a carrycot to a pushchair?

Most babies will be ready to transition from a carrycot to a pushchair at around six months. However, this will vary depending on your baby's size and weight – some little ones might be ready to transition earlier.

If you're unsure, follow the manufacturer's guidelines and recommendations for both the carrycot and pushchair to ensure that your baby is safe and comfortable.

How much will a good pushchair cost?

In a Which? survey (February 2022) of 2,004 parents with a child under five, 38% spent between £100 and £300 on their most recently purchased pushchair. 22% of parents spent between £301 and £600.

We've uncovered Best Buy buggies for less than £200, so you don't necessarily have to spend a large amount to get an excellent stroller.

Our expert reviews also highlight Great Value pushchairs – these models have scored at least 75% in our testing, but are also at least 20% cheaper than the average cost of a pushchair of a similar design in our tests.

To find out which pushchair brand tops our leaderboard, read our advice for which pushchair brand to buy.

Pushchair features to look out for

Small niggles and frustrations will become very annoying when using your pushchair daily, so choosing the right one is essential.

Before you splash out, familiarise yourself with the features listed below:

• Reversible seat. This means you have the choice to keep your baby parent facing while young, then world facing when they're older.
• Adjustable handlebars. These make the pushchair easier to move, especially if you're a different height from your partner or anyone else using the pushchair.
• Suspension. If you're going to be heading to the park, across gravelly car parks or out for country walks, your baby will get a more comfortable ride with decent suspension. This can be on some of the wheels (called front or rear suspension) or on all four (all-wheel suspension).
• Shopping basket size. Capacity varies from 1kg to 15kg, but the average pushchair shopping basket can hold 4-5kg.
• Padding. Helps to keep your baby supported and snug. Check if the padding goes up the side of the seat as well as just on the base.
• Swivel wheels. Swivel front wheels rotate to move in any direction with very little pushing, but they can make it harder to navigate across rougher ground or gravel. For the best of both worlds, choose a pushchair with swivel wheels that can lock.
• Uninterrupted stride. Check you're able to walk with the pushchair using your normal stride.
• Back rest recline. The angle of the recline on the back rest of your pushchair is important because newborns can't support their own weight and need to be in a lie-flat position. The best pushchairs for newborn babies are those with a recline of 150 degrees or more on the lowest setting.
• Folding. An easy-to-use folding mechanism is essential. Many pushchairs come with claims of having a one-handed fold, but our tests prove that reality can be very different.
• Brake pedals. Watch out for brake pedals that stick out, as these can catch on stairs. Look for flip-flop-friendly brakes that you can press on and off to avoid scraped toes or shoes.
• Size and shape. A good pushchair can be big without being difficult to use. We include the weight and dimensions of all the pushchairs we test so you can easily compare.
• Leg rests and leg support. Smaller children who can't reach the footrest often end up with their legs hanging off the end of the pushchair seat in mid-air. An adjustable leg rest provides good calf support.

Should I buy a running buggy?

If you’ve ever tried to get your child to sleep by putting them into a car seat and going for a 20-minute drive, then you may get the same effect while running with your child.

General advice is that you should wait until your baby is at least six months old, but we’d suggest waiting until around eight or nine months to be safe. This is because your baby’s neck muscles need to develop until they’re strong enough to sit up in a pushchair, and be able to handle the speed and slightly rougher ride they may experience while you’re running.

To make sure your little one is safe while you're on a run, consider the following:

• Get the health 'all clear'. If you've recently given birth, don’t do any form of exercise until you’ve had the OK from your GP. Your body takes time to recover after having a baby, and it’s important you don’t push yourself too soon.
• Don't use a carrycot or car seat. Don't run with your baby in the pushchair carrycot, or with the child car seat attached as a travel system. You should avoid carrycots because they're almost always only suitable up to the age of six months, so your baby is still too young. Meanwhile, car seats aren’t suitable because they usually hold your baby quite high on the chassis, which can change the pushchair's centre of gravity.
• Dress your baby appropriately. You may be working up a sweat but your child will be sitting still, so be sure to dress them in layers. Standard guidance when not exercising is that your baby should wear one more clothing layer than you would if you were out walking as normal.
• Ensure the pushchair seat is upright. If your pushchair can recline back, make sure that it’s set in an upright position when you start running. This is the safest position for your toddler and the most stable position for the buggy when you’re pushing it.

Key features to look out for on a running buggy

• A handbrake will let you slow the pushchair down without having to break your stride.
• Lockable front wheels will make it easier to steer while running, particularly when going over gravel or rough terrain.
• All-wheel suspension will help to absorb any bumps that you’re speeding over.
• An adjustable handlebar is very useful as you need the handlebar to be far enough away so you don’t kick the axle between the wheels when running. 
• A sturdy five-point harness is a vital feature to ensure your little one stays securely in place while you’re moving.

Can you run with a normal buggy?

While the occasional dash to catch a bus while you’re pushing your pushchair should be fine, we don’t recommend using a standard pushchair or stroller for regular running.

If you don’t want to fork out for a proper running buggy, you can still exercise with a regular one, but switch to a brisk power walk. This can be just as effective as running, but it’s easier to control your speed.

Where to buy a pushchair?

Pushchairs vary enormously in cost. You can spend less than £100 or fork out more than £1,000, but in some cases, you'll be buying a desirable name and fancy fabrics rather than a practical pushchair that's easy to use and push. Make sure you consult our expert pushchair reviews before you buy.

Popular online retailers that sell pushchairs include:

• Argos sells pushchairs from major baby brands including Bugaboo, Cosatto and Joie. Prices start at around £40 for basic strollers and go beyond £850 for premium models from Bugaboo and Cosatto. This retailer also stocks tandem pushchairs and three-wheeler models.
• Mamas & Papas has a large selection of pushchairs, including models suitable from birth and all-terrain buggies. Listed brands include Cybex and Joie. If you change your mind, the retailer will accept unused items for refund or exchange within 28 days of purchase.
• John Lewis sells over 100 single-seat pushchairs, with prices starting at around £85. The list of brands includes Baby Jogger, Babyzen and iCandy. If you're shopping for a double buggy, expect to spend at least £175. If you buy an item from John Lewis and it goes on sale through the same retailer within 35 days, you can submit a claim for a price drop refund.
• Smyths Toys sells strollers starting at around £60, with listed brands including Babylo, Graco and Ickle Bubba.

To see which baby and child shops are rated highly, consult our expert guide on the best and worst shops.

Is it safe to buy a second-hand pushchair?

There's a sizeable market for second-hand pushchairs if you want to save money. Very often they're sold via local Facebook groups, on eBay, Gumtree or Shpock – our 2020 survey of 1,500 parents found 38% will sell their pushchair via an online marketplace. There may even be one going for free on Freecycle. 

The safety risks from buying a second-hand pushchair or pram are far less than those for a car seat. However, check if the model you have in mind has been subject to any product safety recalls via the Trading Standards website. You should also check our list of Don't Buy pushchairs. 

When buying a second-hand pushchair, check or look over the following:

• Seat padding, hood and basket. Check for any areas where the stitching might be coming loose, or for any tears or holes.
• Wheels. Depending on the age of the pushchair, those wheels could have seen a fair amount of use, so take a look to ensure they're not coming loose or appear rickety. If the pushchair has pneumatic tyres, are there signs of cracking of the rubber near the rims? And does the pushchair come with its own pump? It's worth taking the pushchair for a quick circuit to make sure the wheels are aligned and it steers well.
• Chassis frame. Run your eyes (and hands) over the frame of the pushchair to check for any cracks that could be a weak spot over time or any dents that might affect the smoothness of the fold.
• Folding and unfolding. Is it easy to fold and unfold? Have a few tries to make sure you feel comfortable with the mechanism and ensure it doesn't get caught at any point.
• Brake. Make sure the brake still holds the pushchair securely, particularly on a slope.
• Additional accessories. The pushchair might come with a rain cover or bumper bar, so make sure that's included. Ask the seller if they also bought any additional accessories that would go with the pushchair including a carrycot, footmuff or car seat adaptors.

What can I do with my old pushchair?

If you’ve got an unused pushchair (or two) lurking about, here’s some ways to free up storage space and maybe make some extra cash while you’re at it.

• Sell your pushchair online
• Use NCT and second-hand baby product sales
• Give your old pushchair to friends and family
• Freecycle your buggy
• Contact your local council for recycling or disposal options in your area.

How we test pushchairs

We want to help you make the best buying decision for your family, which is why we send the latest prams, buggies and strollers for testing at our lab throughout the year.

To see which models are safe and durable, each pushchair is wheeled across 200km of bumpy treadmill while loaded with the weight of a baby and a full shopping basket. Our experts also look out for any choking hazards and traps for arms, legs or fingers.

The worst pushchairs are a pain to move around, which is why our parent testers put each pushchair through its paces on our specially designed obstacle course – It reveals which models cope with tricky terrain.

Find out what exactly makes a Best Buy pushchair by reading all about how we test pushchairs.