The Secret Life Of Cheap Prams
Cheap Prams
It's based on your budget, your lifestyle and your child's needs if you decide to use the folding pram (or stroller). Consider how you intend to use it from day to day and the amount of space you have in your car boot and home for storage.
Our expert on baby gear loves the fact that this one-stop deal comes with an infant carrycot, a pushchair seat and a Stratus car seat (0-6m). It's also strong and elegant.
Cost
The prams for sale in our top 10 list of the best value in Australia offer good-value features and are priced well for their class. The ABC Design Salsa 4 for example is a modern model with swivel wheels at the front and a reversible unit to allow you to select the direction your baby faces. The large air-filled tires and the integrated suspension allow for the smoothest ride, even on rough terrain. It comes with a large shopping basket that can store nappies as well as a bag of groceries.
If you're looking to buy a baby stroller that's both stylish and comfortable, try the Xplory X from Stokke. It's available in a variety of muted shades and its quilted cotton and brushed twill fabrics look classy. The padded seat with head pillow and chest pads is comfortable and the bassinet comes with a curved design that's more like a crib as opposed to the traditional pram. It's not the cheapest model around, but it does offer lots of value for money, with a luxurious feel and a variety of features such as a coffee cup holder and a large sun canopy.
Another premium option is the Mamas and Papas Ocarro, it's a multi-purpose pushchair suitable for babies and toddlers. Its reversible seats and fully-reclinable carrycot allow you to adjust the position of your baby pram to match their mood. The hood can be adjusted to the foot for a comfortable snooze and full coverage. Its compact fold allows it to be easily moved and store.
Some prams come with a car seat and carrycot Some prams require you purchase the items separately. One exception is this stylish and robust 'travel system' by Baby Jogger, which saves you money and time by including all the parts you need in one package. This set includes an Graco isofix base, a pushchair and a lie-flat car seat.
The best prams for newborns are ones that allow them to lay flat, which increases oxygen saturation and supports the health of the hip and spine development. The prams listed in this buying guide come with an adjustable seat that can be used from birth, and some can be converted into a double for twins or siblings.
Durability
A pram purchase is one of the most expensive purchases you'll make as a newly parent and it's one of the baby products that need to stand up to lots of use. It's therefore crucial to pick one that is able to withstand everything from shiny floors to bumpy cobblestones. Our testers took a look at the latest offerings from top brands and tested them on city streets as well as country walks, and even some off-roading to see how they performed.
A good pram should also be able to provide comfort for your child. This is a secure harness and a soft seat cover. It should be able to recline in various positions, and have a large storage basket that can accommodate your food items, a change bag, and other essentials for your child. It should also be simple to fold, so you can easily stow away in your car or take it on a bus.
The triple pram that passed all our tests is the iCandy Peach 7. This elegant travel system ticks all the boxes you might expect from a top-quality pram. The carrycot that comes with it makes it suitable for infants, and as they grow, it can be converted into a twin pushchair. It comes with a lot of top features, including plush padding, a spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires. It's also easy to move due to its aluminum frame's lightweight.
This is not expensive, but if you have the money, it's a great purchase. It's extremely comfortable for your child and has three reclining positions, which are perfect if you need to rest while on the move. It also comes with a large sunshade and hood that is easy to keep clean. Additionally, it can be folded with the seat or bassinet still attached so it's a great space saver. The fact that it can be used on all kinds of terrain means you'll be able to take your child anywhere from the city to the countryside, and everything in between. The iCandy Peach 7 definitely is worth the money.
Simple to use
A pram must be user-friendly in order to keep you and your child comfortable on your walks. This is why it's important to pick a pram that folds easily and is easy to get out of the car and onto public transport. It must also be comfortable for both you and your child.
A quality pram should be able to completely recline to a flat position for infants (this is important since your baby's lungs might not be mature enough to withstand an upright seat). If you intend to travel often, look for a set of travel accessories that includes a footmuff and a car seat. This will help you save money and time when compared to purchasing each piece of equipment separately.
It's also worth considering whether you want a pram that's compatible with car seats or capsules This makes it much easier to take your baby out during winter months, as well as to and from the airport. If you don't intend to use these extra components then you might want to think about a stroller that has a bassinet you can use from the time of birth.
Then, consider the basket's size - can you comfortably manage to fit a few bags full of groceries in it? The best basket is a big, spacious one. Be sure that the pram doesn't weigh too much to lift into the car boot or on 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 dedicated to helping parents find products that will help their children flourish. She searches the market for the latest and best in family-friendly goods, from high-tech sleep aids to playpens. Having been a parenting journalist for 15 years, she has an extensive knowledge of everything from infant seats to maternity clothes and is a mother of three. Her suggestions for selecting the best pram are based on her personal experiences as well as extensive research. She carefully selects products at different prices to include in our buying guide, ensuring there is something for all.
Style
A pram is among the most expensive purchases that parents make for their baby It's therefore crucial to ensure 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? Consider the space available in your home and car to store it, as well as whether it's easy to fold when not being used.
It is important to be patient when selecting a pram. It is possible to use it in the next few years. Pick a style that is timeless and can be easily mixed with other accessories, such as changing bags and a baby carrier.
There are many stylish prams that provide great value for price. Our experts have put the latest offerings from the leading brands to the test and discovered some great winners.
The Mamas and Papas Ocarro premium pushchair is suitable from birth and has an advanced suspension system that allows it to tackle different surfaces with ease. It's simple to assemble and, despite being the tiniest of pushchairs, it is compact enough to pass through doorways and narrow spaces. The hood can be lowered to the floor, giving your child with a cosy and private spot for naps or sun protection. Its puncture-proof tyres give it an easy ride, and the chassis feels solid as well as secure and safe.