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The best lightweight and compact travel systems
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Discover why we just love the super-mini travel system!
If you've got a tiny hallway, live in a flat or in the middle of a city, a traditional pram with a large chassis and a carrycot just won't do – or fit, for that matter!
If you have a newborn, however, the average lightweight buggy may not offer the right levels of comfort and cosiness for your little one and you often can't attach a car seat to form a travel system, either.
So, choosing one of these small travel-system ready pushchairs is the perfect compromise. These compact and lightweight buggies have all the functionality of larger models but are more suited to smaller spaces and urban lifestyles.
Believe it or not, all can be paired with a car seat to form a travel system and many come with either carrycots or bassinets for newborns.
They look fabulous, too and come from some of the most fashionable names in pushchair design – what's not to love?
Here are our favourites:
1. Bugaboo Bee 6
*Use a cocoon to convert into a pram for newborns
*Seat can be parent-facing or outward-facing
*Compact chassis and one-hand easy fold make travelling a breeze
The Bee has been popular ever since it first came out and it keeps getting better and better. It now has greater manoeuvrability and better suspension, plus a redesigned seat that's sure comfy for babies - plus, you can add a cocoon to use when your baby is tiny, to make it look and feel like a pram. Your child can enjoy the ride from the comfort of the padded seat that grows with them, and attachment points are built into the chassis for accessories such as a cup holder or wheel board. It has an extendable canopy and a shopping basket and at just 53cm wide, it's ideal for smaller homes and for whizzing around the shops. There's a choice of a black or aluminium chassis and then you can add different colour seats and canopies.
It's compatible with many car seat brands, including Bugaboo's Turtle by Nuna, Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, Axkid and Cybex models.
2. Silver Cross Reflex
*Suitable from birth up to 22kg (around 4 years)
*Seat is suitable for newborns
*Five-point harness and SPF 50+ hood
The Reflex is pricier than the average lightweight model but offers a wealth of features and luxurious touches. There’s a roomy shopping basket, puncture-proof swivel wheels, adjustable calf-support plus a useful carry handle to use once the pushchair has collapsed. The seat can lie flat for newborns and there is a head hugger to keep them comfortable and safe. It uses what they call a Baby Curve backrest that moulds to the shape of your little one's back, ensuring they ride in the best position for spine development. The handles, covered with the luxe leatherette that's also on the bumper bar, are adjustable and it has a compact umbrella fold that's ideal for popping in your car boot. Your baby can be reclined with just one hand when they need a nap.
It can transform into a travel-system by attaching Silver Cross’s Dream car seat, making transporting your child from pushchair to car seat and back again without disturbing them a breeze.
3. Cosatto Woosh XL
*Compact from-birth pushchair that carries up to 25kg
*Packed with thoughtful design details
*Weighs just 6.8kg
Cosatto are know for its fun and funky colours and prints and the Whoosh XL is no exception. As well as looking good, it's practical, too, with a lightweight frame that can fold using just one hand into compact bundle using just one hand, with a pocket that opens to reveal a carrying handle. It has both front and rear suspension for a smoother ride and a seat that lies flat for newborns - or you can add their soft Carrycot that allows them to face you for the first few months. There are plenty of lovely details, from the fox-shaped pocket on the rear, to the stitching, to the generous hood with flip-out visor (it also has a pattern that helps with your baby's eyesight development) and the leatherette handle and bumper bar.
Can be used as a travel system using adaptors with the Dock car seat.
4. Maxi-Cosi Zelia
*Flexible stroller from birth to 3.5 years
*Folds up small and is lightweight making it easy to carry
*Large, accessible shopping basket for storing your possessions
Weighing juts a shade under 10kg, this city-approved travel system is perfect for nipping around narrow streets and shops, and can be folded up and carried, or stored in a small space. The seat unit is suitable from birth and can be used both parent- and world-facing and it also converts to a bassinet for tiny babies. Fold it up using just one hand, then carry around or pop into the boot of your car with ease.
It's compatible with any Maxi-Cosi car seat, which can be easily attached in just two clicks using the travel system's memory buttons.
5. Babyzen Yoyo² , £399
*Weighs just 6.1kg
*Soft, faux leather handlebar
*Suitable for babies aged six months up to around three years old (18kg) but you can add a bassinet or newborn pack for tiny babies
One of the first super compact models on the market, the YOYO² can be carried onto a plane as hand luggage and has a 'soft drive' system so the wheels glide over any type of terrain with ease. You can create a cosy bed for newborns using either a newborn pack or a bassinet and there are lots of accessories that will personalise your buggy to make it unique. There are plenty of lovely colours, including ginger, peppermint, toffee, aqua, black, grey, taupe, red and Air France blue and the frame comes in black or white.
It can be used, with adaptors, with the YOYO car seat by BeSafe, or with the BeSafe iZi Go Modular X1, Cybex Cloud Z or Aton Q, Bebe Confort or Maxi Cosi Pebble Pro.
6. Babystyle Oyster Zero Gravity
*Includes rain cover, tan leatherette bumper bar and handle
*Suitable from birth and has multiple recline positions
*Weighs just 8kg
Super-light yet sturdy, the Zero Gravity has a brand new fold that uses gravity to help it collapse and then it stands by itself once folded is easy to push and manoeuvre, has a roomy seat and bags of storage space, too. It's suitable from birth with a multi-position recline, and it has a flip-out, reflective sun visor for extra shade. Your baby will have a very comfortable ride, and you'll be pleased that it folds up easily and has removable wheels for more compact storage.
It can be bought as a bundle with a carrycot and the Oyster Capsule Car Seat.
7. Thule Shine
See more at Natural Baby Shower
A nippy little pushchair from the people who brought you the amazing Thule Glide running stroller. This has a really easy to use one-hand fold and there's an integrated handle, so it's easy to carry. It has a very compact fold and it stands alone when folded, so it's easy to use and to store. It has all-wheel suspension and a fully extendable canopy. The seat reclines almost fully and you can add a bassinet or newborn nest for very young babies.
It's compatible with the Thule Shine Infant Car Seat, using adapters.
8. Graco Breaze Lite2
*Suitable from birth to 22kg (4 years)
*Weighs just 6.5kg
*Compact fold
This well-priced travel system is small, nippy and light at just 6.5kg and it's also really easy to use, with a compact fold and automatic folding lock, which makes picking it up to pop it in the boot easy. The seat can be reclined through several positions including lie-flat which is suitable for newborns and it has an opening bumper bar to allow easy access to your baby. With rear suspension and a one-step brake, it offers a smooth ride and it has a fairly large shopping basket.
Compatible with the Graco SnugEssentials i-Size baby car seat
What is a baby travel system?
A baby travel system is a pushchair that's designed so you can attach different pieces of baby equipment to its frame depending on your needs. It is suitable from birth and as everything you need to transport your baby for the first few months.
Travel systems normally consists of a seat unit, carrycot and a from birth car seat which can all be clicked on or off a pushchair chassis. It has great advantages over a normal stroller as you can leave your baby to sleep in the car seat and then move it from car to pushchair chassis (and back again!) without disturbing them.
Some travel system just have a pushchair seat that can be reclined completely flat to be used by a newborn, with no separate carrycot. This type of pushchair is a good idea if you don't have much space to store an often bulky carrycot, but you still need to make sure that your baby is still cosy, so investing in a nest or foot muff is a good idea.
What are the best travel systems for babies?
Most of the leading baby pushchair brands have a travel system model in its ranges. These include Bugaboo, iCandy, Graco, Britax, Silver Cross, Cybex, Thule, Maxi Cosi and Joie.
Retailers such as Amazon, Argos, John Lewis and Boots all sell baby travel systems. You can also visit specialist nursery gear retailers such as Uber Kids, Samuel Johnston and Kiddies Kingdom. Mainly retailer have special offers if you buy a pushchair and a car seat in a bundle and often have free delivery and other accessories too. Read other parent's reviews to get an idea of how good the model is.
You can buy travel systems in several different ways. You can buy the stroller separately and then add all the compatible pieces, shopping around for the best deals from different retailers. Or you can buy your chosen travel system in a bundle, which includes a pram or stroller, car seat and often lots of other accessories too such as a rain cover or changing bag. This is often the cheapest way, as retailers often have special offers on a bundle.
Why are travel systems good?
A travel system is a great idea if you use your car frequently as you can move your child in their car seat from back seat to pushchair chassis – without waking them up. Just remember that babies should not be left in a car seat for longer than two hours as it can affect breathing and spine development.
What features should you look for in baby travel systems?
The most important thing to remember about choosing a travel system for your baby is that it's not just about the pushchair – the car seat is just as important – if not more so!
Making sure that a car seat fits into your make and model of car and has safety features, such as Isofix, is the first thing you should research when buying a travel system.
If you want a travel system with a bit more longevity, another option is to choose a pushchair that can can convert from a single to a double as your family grows. This type of pushchair can last for years and can be a better option that a traditional double stroller.
Accessories
Check to see what accessories are included with your chosen pushchair, as it's handy to not have to pay extra for a rain cover or sun canopy.
Many pushchairs do come complete with these additional accessories as part of a bundle.
And don't forget storage – another stroller accessory that's useful for parents is a shopping basket – the larger the better! A roomy shopping basket is a must for keeping all your essentials to hand on trips out, especially if you want to avoid using your car to go to the shops.
A large sun canopy can be useful not only during hot weather, but also as an added protection against wind and rain.
Brake
Some strollers have a hand operated brake. A hand brake is a useful feature as it's often easier to use than a foot brake if you're wearing wellies or bulky walking shoes.
Car seat
Your chosen travel system pushchair will be compatible with certain infant car seats. Some models are compatible with quite a few models, some only one or two.
So, as well as checking out the pram or pushchair's features, it's very important to research suitable car seats, too!
Car seats that are designed for newborns are always rear facing.
An infant car seat that has Isofix fittings is always recommended – this creates a safer, more rigid connection between car and car seat.
A car seat with Isofix fittings will either connect directly to a car's chassis or lock into a separate car seat base which is often sold separately.
Look for an infant car seat that is an i-Size model, too. i-Size is the new standard in car seat safety and promotes rear facing for longer and enhanced side impact protection.
A lie-flat model is the best type of car seat for a newborn to travel in, meaning that your child can spend longer in their car seat with minimum risk to their health or development.
Newborns should lie completely flat when they are sleeping, even when travelling by car, to help with breathing and healthy spine development.
This type of from birth car seat does tend to be more expensive, though.
Some lie-flat car seats are infant carriers, with a useful carrying handle and can also be used as a baby seat outside of the car. Others, such as the Matrix Light 2, by Spanish baby brand Jané, are designed like a carrycot and can even be used for occasional overnight sleeping.
Carrycot
Newborns need to lie flat and also keep warm and cosy, so buying a travel system with a compatible carrycot can be a great idea. Some carrycots can even be used for overnight sleeping. They can be bulky and hard to store however, so parents should consider this before they buy. Another option is to buy a system that has a newborn pod, or a pushchair seat that can recline flat. This gives a baby the flat position without having to buy a separate carrycot. Many more compact and lightweight travel systems, designed for urban life, have seats with this capability.
Fold
Always check to see how easy it is to fold a pram or pushchair and also how small it folds. Remember it needs to be light enough to carry and also fit easily into your car boot!
Travel system prams and pushchairs come in all shapes and sizes – some are lightweight with a compact fold, others are much more bulky and designed for going off road and rural life.
Seat
Look for well-padded seat that can be either forward or parent facing.
Younger babies will prefer a forward facing seat so they can still make eye contact with their parents – older babies might like to see more of the world!
The pushchair seat should be adjustable and have at least two or three recline positions so that children can nap on the go.
For newborns a carrycot or a seat that can be reclined to a fully flat position is a must. Sometimes a carrycot come as part of the travel system package or you have to buy one separately.
Suspension
Good all-round suspension is essential for making your baby as comfortable as possible and cushioning them from bumps in the pavements. Always test-drive a pushchair to see how it handles and how well it tackles uneven terrain. This is especially important if you live in the country or plan to go on long walks. Look for large wheels which give your baby a smoother ride over bumps (air-filled are a plus but they do puncture, so always carry a repair kit) are essential.
Wheels
Removable wheels can be a bonus, especially for limiting mess in your car and hallway when your stroller gets muddy and giving it a more compact fold.
You'll also be able to choose between solid or air filled tyres. Solid tyres are puncture-proof, but wheels filled with air do create a more bump-free and smoother ride.
Some strollers have three wheels, with one larger wheel at the front. This can be useful for navigating the pushchair up and down kerbs and make the pushchair much more easy to push over bumpy terrain.
How much does a baby travel system cost?
You can spend anything from around £150 to over £1000, depending on what make and model of pushchair or car seat you choose.
Basic prams and pushchairs can be snapped up for well under £200, often with accessories such as a car seat (and sometimes with a car seat base, too) thrown in as an extra, or if you fancy something more luxe, choose one of the designer strollers with hefty price tickets such as Bugaboo, iCandy and Joolz.
These strollers all have similar features, but the quality and materials used is often far superior the more money you have to spend.
There are however a good range of mid-priced baby pushchair brands that offer quality and good value such as Joie, Britax, Graco and some Cybex models.
Read on:
- The best travel systems under £500
- The best travel system for your baby
- The ultimate pushchair guide
