How to Choose a Baby Stroller: A Buyer’s Guide

A stroller is one of the bigger purchases for a new baby, and the best one is the one that fits how you actually live: your home, your roads and your transport. Start with how and where you will use it.

Types of stroller

• Full-size strollers are comfortable and often come with a reclining seat. They are heavier and take more room.
• Lightweight or umbrella strollers fold small and are easy to carry. They suit travel and older babies who sit up.
• Travel systems combine a stroller with a carry seat. Handy if you want to move a sleeping baby without waking them.
• Prams and bassinets lie flat and suit the early months.

What to check

• Reclining seat: newborns need a seat that lies flat or close to flat.
• Harness: look for a secure harness, ideally with five points, that adjusts as your baby grows.
• Brakes: test that they hold and are easy to use with one foot.
• Weight and fold: can you lift it, fold it with one hand and fit it in the boot or the rickshaw?
• Wheels and suspension: larger wheels and some suspension cope better with uneven roads and kerbs.
• Canopy: a large canopy keeps sun off your baby, and breathable fabric helps in hot weather.
• Storage basket: large enough for a day-out bag.
• Handle height: comfortable for the tallest person who will push it.

Questions to ask yourself

1. Will I mostly use it on footpaths, in malls, or on rough roads?
2. Will I carry it up stairs or into a lift?
3. Does it need to fit in a car boot, or a small flat?
4. Do I want it to last through toddlerhood, or just the first year?

Before you buy

• Read the weight and age limits in the description, and check them against your baby.
• Look for clear instructions and spare parts for wheels and the canopy.
• Check what the seller covers if parts arrive damaged. See our returns and claims page.

Never leave a baby unattended in a stroller, and always use the harness and brakes.