Ten Cheap Prams Myths That Don t Always Hold
Cheap Prams
It will depend on your lifestyle, your budget and your child's needs whether you decide to use a pram (or stroller). Think about how you plan to use it day-to-day and the amount of space you have in your car's boot and at home for storage.
Our baby gear expert loves the fact that this one-stop package includes an infant carrycot, a pushchair seat and a Stratus car seat (0-6m). It's also strong and stylish.
Cost
The prams on our top 10 list of the best value in Australia offer good-value features and come at a reasonable price for their class. For instance the ABC Design Salsa 4 is modern with swivel wheels on the front and a reversible seat unit that lets you decide which way your baby is positioned. Its large air-filled tyres and integrated suspension provide a comfortable ride, even on rough terrain. It comes with a large shopping basket that can hold nappies and grocery items.
The Xplory X is a stylish and comfortable pram from Stokke. It comes in a variety of muted colors and its quilted and brushed cotton twill fabrics look stylish. The bassinet is curved and looks more like a crib. It comes with a cushioned seat, chest pads and a head pillow. It's not the cheapest pram around, but it does offer plenty of value for money with a luxurious feeling and plenty of extras such as a coffee cup holder as well as an extended sun canopy.
Another top option is the Mamas and Papas Ocarro, it's a multi-purpose pushchair suitable for babies and toddlers. Its reversible seat as well as its fully-reclinable carrycot let you alter the position of your baby to match their mood. The hood can be lowered to the floor to provide a comfy snooze with full coverage. Its compact fold makes it easy to maneuver and store.
While some prams come with an infant car seat or carrycot, others require you to buy the items separately. One exception is this stylish and sturdy 'travel system' from Baby Jogger, which saves you money and time by combining all the components you need in one set. This set includes a Graco isofix base, a pushchair and a lie-flat carrier.
The most suitable prams for infants are ones that allow them to lie flat, which increases oxygen saturation and supports an ideal spine and hip development. The prams featured in this buying guide come with an integrally reclined seat that can be used from birth, and a few models can be converted into a double for twins or siblings.
Durability
A pram is a significant investment for new parents. It's also one of those items that are frequently used. It's therefore crucial to pick one that is able to withstand everything from shiny shop floors to cobblestones that have a bump. Our test subjects tested the newest products from top brands on country roads, city trails and even off-roading.
A quality pram will also provide comfort to your baby. This means a comfortable seat liner and a padded harness that's easy to adjust. It should be able to recline in various positions, and also have a large storage basket that can accommodate your food items, a change bag, and other essentials for your child. And, of course, it should be easy to fold so you can stow it away in your car and get on a bus easily.
The pram that passed all of our tests is the iCandy Peach 7. This stylish travel system ticks all the boxes you'd expect from a premium pram. It's suitable from birth due to the carrycot included and easily converts into a twin pushchair when your child grows. It has plenty of luxurious features like soft padding, a spacious shopping basket and puncture-proof tyres and is easy to maneuver with its lightweight aluminium frame.
This is not cheap, but if you have the money, it's a fantastic purchase. It's super comfortable for your baby and, with three reclining settings, is great for babies who nap at the go. It also has a huge sunshade and hood that is easy to keep clean. It can also be folded while the bassinet and seat unit are still in place, saving you a lot of space. Its ability to can handle all kinds of terrain means you'll be capable of taking your child anywhere from the main street to the countryside and everything between. The iCandy Peach 7 is definitely worth the price.
User-Friendliness
A pram must be easy to use in order to keep you and baby happy while you take a stroll. It is important to choose one that can be folded easily and you are able to get into and out of the car or onto public transport. It should also be comfortable for your baby and you.
A quality pram should be able to fully recline to a lying-flat position for newborns (this is vital because your baby's lungs may not be able to handle with an upright seat). If you're going to be traveling a lot and need to travel, consider a system that has the car seat and footmuff included in the price. This will save you money and time in comparison to buying each piece separately.
You should also consider whether a stroller is compatible with a car seat or capsule. This will make it easier for you to transport your child to and from airports as well as during winter. If you don't plan to make use of these additional components, you may want to consider a pram with a bassinet which you can use from the time of birth.
Also, think about the shopping basket's size. Can you manage to fit a few bags full of groceries in it? The ideal basket is a big, spacious one. Also, make sure your stroller isn't heavy enough to lift into the car's boot and then on or off public transport.
As a Digital Reviews Coordinator and writer on the Immediate Media Parenting team, Chloe has a First-Class Honours degree in Psychology and is passionate about helping parents find products that help their children thrive. She scour the market for the best family-friendly products that range from the most advanced sleeping aids to playpens. She has been a parenting reporter for 15 years and has a wealth of knowledge about everything from infant seats, to maternity clothing. She is also a mother of three. Her suggestions for choosing the right pram come from her personal experience as well as extensive research into the industry. She carefully selects products at different price points to include in our buying guide, making sure there is something for everyone.
Style
A pram is among the most expensive purchases that parents make for their baby So it's crucial that it ticks all the right boxes - can you easily manoeuvre it through the narrow aisles of a shop and can it handle cobblestones with ease? Think about the space you have in your car and at home to store the pram and also whether it's easy to fold.
It is important to take your time when selecting a stroller. It is possible to use it in a few years. Choose a model that won't date too quickly and choose a colour that will be easy to mix and mix and match with other accessories, for example, a changing bag or baby carrier.
Fortunately, there are plenty of stylish prams available on the market that provide great value for money. Our experts have tested the latest models from the top brands and came across some genuine winners.
The Mamas and Papas Ocarro is an excellent pushchair that can be used from birth and boasts an advanced suspension system that can take on various surfaces with ease. It's simple to put together and, although it's not the most compact pushchair available but it's small enough to use in small spaces and easily fits through doorways. The hood can be raised to nearly the floor to give your child an intimate and cozy space for sun protection or naps. The puncture-resistant tyres offer the smoothest ride possible, and the chassis is sturdy safe and secure.