Top buggy brands Maclaren pushchairs
Maclaren is an iconic British brand (no connection with McLaren F1 cars), known the world over for its lightweight and portable buggies. Generations of parents and children are familiar with its products, and today's Maclaren buggies share many of the same key features as the first ones made, including the famous ‘umbrella’ fold.
This type of fold involves pushing up a catch at the back of the buggy to collapse it. On collapse, the pushchair remains the same length but its width reduces - like folding an umbrella.
This popular feature, along with limited-edition fabrics from designers including Cath Kidston, makes Maclaren pushchairs a hit with parents and celebrities alike - including Nicole Richie, Salma Hayek, Jools Oliver and Emma Bunton. While the brand doesn’t have the caché of, say, Bugaboo, it’s a popular choice because Maclaren pushchairs are funky and practical (and, in many cases, inexpensive).
Take a look at our video review of the Maclaren Quest 2012 to see a Maclaren pushchair in action, and visit our full Maclaren pushchair reviews.
What is a typical Maclaren pushchair like?
We tested a range of Maclaren pushchairs to give you our verdict on the quality of the brand in essential areas parents consider before buying a pushchair.
Not a member? Unlock our key information table by taking out a £1 trial subscription to Which?.
| Maclaren brand | |
|---|---|
| Number tested |  |
| Average score | |
| Range of scores | |
| Best Buys | |
| Don't Buys | |
| Verdict | |
| Pros | |
| Cons | |
Special edition Cath Kidston Maclaren Quest
Maclaren offers seven single and two double buggies in its collection, with additional limited editions and fabric options available in the ‘Object of Design’ collection.
The models all look remarkably similar but as you move through the range the seats become more padded and adjustable and the wheels are more robust.
How much does a Maclaren pushchair cost?
Expect to pay from around £90 for a Maclaren Volo to around £295 for a Maclaren Twin Techno.
Special editions in the Objects of Design collection – which includes a pushchair with a Beatles-inspired Yellow Submarine trim - cost more.
Read our Maclaren pushchair reviews to find out which models are best value for money, and which are Best Buys.
If you’re prepared to buy second-hand, prices on eBay (checked May 2013) average:
- £140 for the Maclaren Twin Techno (we found prices ranging from £50 to £226 depending on the condition and accessories included)
- £65 for the Maclaren Quest (we found prices ranging from £30 to £100 depending on the condition and accessories included).
Read our advice guide on buying second-hand baby products before you buy.
Maclaren XLR
How we review Maclaren pushchairs
Our experts in the test lab put each Maclaren pushchair through more than 30 tests to check its strength, durability and safety in line with British standards.
We assess how easy the pushchair is to push, adjust for children of different ages and fold up. We check whether it’s possible to use it unfolded on an escalator and bus, and whether it will fit in the boot of a small family car. We even find out how easy it is to remove food stains from the pushchair fabric.
The final part of our tests involves a panel of parents (and their babies) who rate the ease of using the many features of the pushchair and push it around a course of everyday obstacles to see how easy and convenient it is to manoeuvre on pavements, rough and bumpy ground, up and down stairs and around tight corners.
You can find out more about how we test pushchairs and read the views of parents who already own each pushchair in our full pushchair reviews.
Maclaren Twin Techno review
The Maclaren Twin Techno double buggy is a side-by-side double pushchair that comes equipped with some handy accessories.
Find out how well the Maclaren Twin Techno did in our labs and what parents thought of this model.
Maclaren Techno XLR review
This Maclaren is a top-of-the-range model. Read our full Maclaren Techno XLR review to find out how this pushchair performed in our tests and what owners of this pushchair think of it.
Maclaren Techno XT review
We found this pushchair lightweight and easy to manoeuvre in our tests. Find out how it scores overall for ease of use and comfort in our full Maclaren Techno XT review.
Maclaren Triumph review
Read our full review of the Maclaren Triumph to see how we rated this lightweight toddler buggy, and to find out what parents think of it.
You can also check out our review of the Maclaren Twin Triumph to see whether this lightweight, side-by-side twin is worth considering.
Maclaren XT
Maclaren Quest review
We put this buggy to the test in our tough usability, safety and durability lab tests. Find out how easy it is to use, and what real parents think of it in our full Maclaren Quest review.
Maclaren Volo review
The Maclaren Volo is a basic, light four-wheeled stroller that has only one seat position. Which? members can check out our full Maclaren Volo review to see whether this budget pushchair impressed parents and lab experts enough in our tests to be a Best Buy.
You can also see our review of the Maclaren Volo Dylan's Candy Bar,which is a new limited-edition buggy created by Maclaren in collaboration with designer sweetshop owner Dylan Lauren, daughter of Ralph Lauren.
Maclaren Globetrotter review
The new Globetrotter looks very similar to the Maclaren Triumph but is even lighter. It seems an attractive lightweight buggy for when you're nipping to the shops, but find out our full verdict in our Maclaren Globetrotter review.
Where to buy Maclaren pushchairs
You can buy many Maclaren products from a wide range of online retailers including Kiddicare and Boots, and you can search for a list of retailers in your area on the Maclaren website.
Check out our advice on the best websites for buying baby products.
Buggies in the Object of Design collection are harder to track down, but some may be available in department stores such as John Lewis or independent shops.
Maclaren pushchair warranties
Maclaren offers a year-long basic warranty for all its buggies. This covers any manufacturing defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year, for buggies used in normal conditions and in compliance with the operating instructions. No registration is required to activate this basic warranty but you’ll need proof of purchase to make a claim.
Maclaren pushchairs are practical and easy to use
Maclaren also offers a Sovereign Lifetime Warranty, which guarantees the buggy against manufacturing faults and defects for life. To qualify, buggies must be registered online within 45 days of purchase. The Sovereign Lifetime Warranty applies only to the original owner.
Maclaren safety alert
Maclaren hit the headlines after a number of children caught their fingers in the folding hinge mechanism. This hinge design is common in umbrella strollers but when the brand was launched in the United States, and enjoyed a huge volume of new sales, there were a number of finger accidents that brought the issue to the attention of US safety regulators. You can read more on our Maclaren safety alert Q&A page.
Maclaren has altered the design of its folding hinges on current models and also provides free hinge covers to all Maclaren owners who request them. The covers can be ordered via the Maclaren website or from its customer service department on 01327 841320.
Contact Maclaren
Website: http://uk.maclarenbaby.com
Phone number: 01327 841 300
Email: customerserviceinfo@maclaren.com
Address: Maclaren UK, Station Works, Station Road, Long Buckby, Northamptonshire NN6 7PF
- Find the best pushchair for you with our pushchair reviews
- Check out our child car seat reviews
- Top tips on the baby products you need
