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Pushchair reviews: Types of pushchairs

Shopping for pushchairs can be confusing. Not only do pushchairs come in different shapes, sizes and styles, there's also a variety of accessories and features to choose from. We reveal the pros and cons of the different types of pushchairs available. 

Once you've decided what you need, you can compare pushchairs with our interactive product finder or check out our Best Buy pushchairs to find the best one for you and your baby.

Types of pushchairs

Pushchairs can be difficult to classify; there's such a wide size variation between pushchairs that share common features, and so many hybrid designs, that it's hard to know where to draw the line between the different types.

You'll also find different words used to describe the same type of pushchair – no wonder it's so confusing.

At Which?, we divide pushchairs in to four main types: 

• Buggies and strollers
• Off-road buggies and all-terrain pushchairs
• Travel systems and combination pushchairs
• Double or twin pushchairs and tandems

Some pushchairs fit into more than one category. For instance, a three-wheeled pushchair with pneumatic wheels that can be used with a car seat falls into both the all-terrain and travel system categories.

Buggies and strollers

Buggies and strollers are great pushchairs for window shopping

Also known as: buggys, strollers, lightweight pushchairs

What are these pushchairs?

Stroller is an umbrella term that covers anything from the lightest, most basic buggy to more robust pushchairs that cater to every possible aspect of your child’s comfort.

Generally, the simplest buggies are little more than a chair on wheels. As they get heavier, features such as a rain cover, shopping basket, reclining back rest and hood are added.

High-specification models will include features such as suspension or larger wheels, ‘footmuffs’ or aprons to keep babies warm, storage pockets and accessories bags, bumper bars and cup holders. 

Some can even be used as a travel system with a compatible child car seat, but they tend to be larger and heavier.

Who should get buggies or lightweight pushchairs?

Every parent needs some kind of stroller, but the huge variety of styles and features means that some are suited more to particular activities or age groups than others. 

Pros of buggies and lightweight pushchairs

• Buggies and strollers are generally the cheapest type of pushchair. 
• They're ideal for day-to-day use and the best ones can be folded using just one hand.
• Strollers are generally lightweight and compact, which is good if you live in a flat or rely on public transport. 
• These pushchairs are easy to carry up and down stairs and great for throwing in the back of the car, and when you’re nipping to the shops or going on holiday.

Cons of buggies and lightweight pushchairs

• Some models aren’t suitable for newborns because they don’t recline enough for the baby to sleep. 
• Many aren’t ideal for bumpy ground, as they have hard plastic wheels, short wheelbases and no suspension.

Off-road buggies and all-terrain pushchairs

All-terrain pushchairs are ideal for the great outdoors 

Also known as: Off-road buggies, off-roaders, all-terrain, joggers

What are these pushchairs?

Usually three-wheelers, these pushchairs have large, chunky, pneumatic tyres, which make them ideal for crossing bumpy, rough terrain or loose surfaces, such as sand or gravel.

They often have a swivel wheel at the front, which makes them easy to manoeuvre on smooth surfaces, but the wheel can also be locked so it doesn’t twist. This gives it the strength to cope with rougher ground.

Some pushchairs also have added suspension to give a more comfortable ride.

Who should get off-road buggies and all-terrain pushchairs?

These pushchairs will suit parents who love the great outdoors and who spend their free time in the countryside or parks, or who live in areas where the pavements are poor.

You’ll need a big boot to put them in the car and a large storage space at home.

These pushchairs are often too large to use easily on public transport or in crowded places, such as the high street or supermarkets.

Pros of all-terrain pushchairs

• These pushchairs provide a smooth and comfortable ride and can cope with rough ground.
• Some all-terrain pushchairs can be used for jogging with your child.

Cons of all-terrain pushchairs

• All-terrain pushchairs are usually heavy and very bulky and have a long wheelbase, which means they're difficult to turn in tight spaces.
• These pushchairs can also be unwieldy on steps and in places where you’ll balance the weight on the front wheel, such as going up kerbs.
• Smaller, lighter models tend to be basic and may not have the suspension to handle well on rough ground.

Travel systems and combination pushchairs

Travel systems are versatile but pricey

Also known as: Travel systems, 2-in-1s (pushchair and carrycot) 3-in-1s (pushchair, carrycot and child car seat), pramettes

What are these pushchairs?

These ‘all-inclusive’ pushchairs aim to provide the answer to all your baby transporting needs in one stylish package.

Some car seats and carrycots slide onto the chassis in place of the normal seat, others clip on or are fastened on with Velcro over the normal seat.

You’ll often see pushchairs sold both on their own and as a travel system, where the price includes a compatible child car seat.

The car seat is not always from the same manufacturer; the Maxi Cosi Cabrio is a very popular child car seat, so many brands make adaptors for it to go with their pushchairs.

Who should get one of these pushchairs?

Travel systems and combination pushchairs are aimed at anyone who uses their car a lot. The main benefit is that you can transfer your baby between car, pushchair, and house without disturbing them too much.

That's great if you spend a lot of time in the car – on the school run, shopping and so on. But remember that babies should not spend long periods of time in a child car seat.

Pros of travel systems and combination pushchairs

• They appear to be a bargain because they offer a lot of flexibility.
• Some of these pushchairs are compatible with Best Buy car seats.

Cons of travel systems and combination pushchairs

• Pushchairs that can be used as travel systems are often quite large.
• Babies often outgrow the carrycot and child car seat in around 12 months.
• You’ll need space to store the various parts when you’re not using them, and not all car seats are compatible with all chassis.

Double buggies

What are these pushchairs?

Twin pushchairs will suit two babies of the same age

Double buggies are designed to accommodate two children at the same time. There are two major styles: twin strollers are largely based on popular single buggies. They have two seats side-by-side and are usually suitable from birth. They are usually very wide and difficult to manoeuvre in tight spaces.

Tandems have one seat in front of the other and are fairly long.

The size and weight of both types of pushchair, and the compromises that you need to make to use both of them mean that we don’t have any Best Buys in this category.

Who do they suit?

Twin strollers are best for people who have two children of the same age, where both infants might need to lie flat to sleep.

Tandems are best for people who have children of two different ages, where only one child needs to lie flat.

Well-known brands of double buggy 

Phil & Teds, Graco, Mothercare, Mountain Buggy.