Product review: the working mum’s pushchair

Every working mum knows the importance of having a good buggy to get you door-to-door from childcare to work, and do everything else at the weekend.
So we’ve put some of the best pushchair brands through their paces to see if they could rise to the challenge. Key things we’ve looked at are simple things like weight, durability (there is a credit crunch going on at the moment, so who wants a buggy that will break at the first hurdle?), size when folded – because a good pushchair shouldn’t have to take over the entire boot or need a roof rack to transport it – and extras.

3d-pram-system-in-pistachio-rrp-335-silver-crossSliver Cross 3D – Editor’s favourite

Weight: 4/5
Time it took to fix: 5/5
Durability: 5/5
Raincover included? Yes
Size when folded: 4/5
Storage space: 4/5
Cost: 4/5
Included extras? Matching baby bag containing a changing mat
Pros: This is a real multifunctional system. We love the fact that it is ready assembled and you literally take it out of the box and it unfolds itself (give or take a little lever pushing). It is easy to manoevre, and can accommodate the carrycot (which is included). Plus it is freestanding!
Cons: The colours it comes in could be more trendy, but they work well anyway!
Overall rating:[rating: 4.5:5]


linear-freeway-in-cargo-rrp-275-silver-crossSilver Cross Freeway

Weight: 2.5/5
Time it took to fix: 4/5
Durability: 5/5
Raincover included? Yes
Size when folded: 3/5
Storage space: 5/5
Cost: 4/5
Included extras? Matching baby change bag with changing mat
Pros: This is a very durable pushchair. It looks like it could raise an entire family and still stay in fashion. Even at this size, it can be driven with one hand, which is great if you have other children with you.
Cons: The size is the only thing we could fault this with, but if you have the space for it and an average-sized car boot, you can still use it!

Overall [rating: 4:5]


Graco graco_mojo

Weight: 4/5
Time it took to fix: 4/5
Durability: 4/5
Raincover included? No
Size when folded: 3.5/5
Storage space: 3.5/5
Cost: 3/5
Included extras? None
Pros: Small, easy to fold – a basic stroller that does what it says on the tin.
Cons: The basket is tiny, and it is slightly pricey for a stroller, but saying that it could probably be used to raise more than one child, so could be an investment buy.

Overall [rating: 3.5:5]


quinnyQuinny

Weight: 5/5
Time it took to fix: 2/5
Durability: 4/5
Raincover included? Yes
Size when folded: 5/5
Storage space: 0/5 (unless you buy the basket separately)
Cost: 3/5
Included extras? None
Pros: This is a very lightweight pushchair – the lightest we tested. And when folded, it’s so small that you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a doorstop or something other than a pushchair.
Cons: The instruction manual is in pictures, which proved a bit of a nightmare when trying to figure out how to close the pushchair, but once that was sorted out it was easy enough. The other downside is the lack of basket (unless you purchase one seprately)!

Overall [rating: 3.5:5]


Mamas and Papas Luna Mixluna_mix_yellow

Weight: 4/5
Time it took to fix: 3/5
Durability: 4.5/5
Raincover included? Yes
Size when folded: 4/5
Storage space: 3.5/5
Cost: 3/5
Included extras? None
Pros: The interchangeable hood is a fantastic idea – and at ?25 each, you could change it every season, or with every new addition to the family to spruce up the buggy, instead of shelling out on a new model. It also comes with a footmuff, saving you more money!

Overall [rating: 4/5]


ct1646_cos_tribo_ginger_coCosatto Tribo

Weight: 4/5
Time it took to fix: 4/5
Durability: 3/5
Raincover included? Yes
Size when folded: 4/5
Storage space: 3/5
Cost: 3/5
Included extras? Yes – a baby change bag tha matches the pushchair colour scheme.
Pros: We love the extras, the bright vibrant colour of this pushchair and how easy it is to manage it.
Cons: Looks a bit plasticy, but still does the job.

Overall [rating: 3.5/5]


Cosatto Cabi cabi_3qtr_ctoes_bag_red_rgb

Weight: 4/5
Time it took to fix: 4/5
Durability: 3.5/5
Raincover included? Yes
Size when folded: 3.5/5
Storage space: 4/5
Cost: 4/5
Included extras? Yes, a matching change bag containing baby change mat.
Pros: A very lightweight puschair. This is bumper packed and comes with a carrycot that doesn’t add on piles of weight when you attach it. It’s very easy to swap over the carrycot in place of the normal pushchair mode because of a very easy click system.
Cons: Nothing major – the silver finish looks a bit plasticy, but that has no bearing on what the puschair can do.

Overall [rating: 3.8/5]


budi-cherry-03_rgbCosatto Budi

Weight: 3.5/5
Time it took to fix: 3.5/5
Durability: 5/5
Raincover included? Yes
Size when folded: 3/5
Storage space: 4/5
Cost: 4/5
Included extras? Yes – a matching baby changing bag, which includes a baby changing mat.
Pros: Like the Cabi, this is value for money, because not only do you get a good, durable pushchair, but it also comes with a carrycot without overpricing the buggy.
Cons: A bit heavy, but you know you’re getting a very urable pushchair. The storage is a bit smaller than you’d expect with a pushchair of this size, but then if you like the added security of a zip bag, this fits the bill.

Overall [rating: 3.5:5]

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