Choosing a pushchair is a big decision, and a test drive tells you things no photo can. Here's what to look for when buying a pushchair, pram or travel system, check by check, plus what to bring along so you leave feeling sure.
Quick Summary: A pushchair test drive helps you find the one that feels right for your family, and this guide makes it simple. You'll know exactly what to try and what to notice, from how a pushchair folds, lifts and pushes to everyday details like the brakes, seat, basket and handle height. There are tips for choosing a travel system, thinking through how a pushchair fits your car and routine, and what to bring along on the day, plus a warm invitation to come and try pushchairs at our showroom.
Choosing a pushchair is one of the most exciting parts of getting ready for your baby, and it can also feel like a lot. There are so many styles, features and opinions that it's easy to wonder how anyone decides.
Here's the reassuring part: you don't need to know everything about pushchairs before you start. You just need to know what to try. A pushchair you'll use almost every day should feel easy in your hands, suit your routine and fit your life, and the only way to find that out is to get hands-on.
That's what a pushchair test drive is for. This checklist walks you through what to look for when buying a pushchair, pram or travel system, one check at a time, with the reasons each one matters. Take it with you, go at your own pace, and you'll come away knowing which one feels right for your family.
Start With the Fold: The Test You'll Repeat Every Day
It's easy to focus on how a pushchair looks when it's open, but you'll fold and unfold it far more often than you might expect: at the car, at the front door, at the café, on the bus. A fold that's simple in a calm showroom needs to stay simple when you're in a car park in the rain with a bag on your shoulder.
Lots of pushchairs claim a one-handed fold, but in practice some fold far more easily than others, and some need a bit of a knack. That's why trying it yourself matters so much. Notice whether the fold feels natural or whether you have to stop and think, and whether you'd manage it with one arm full.
Try it a few times rather than just once. A fold that feels fiddly on the first go can become second nature with practice, but if it still takes both hands and a struggle on the third try, that's worth remembering. Then look at the result: how compact is it, will it stand up on its own in a hallway, and would you need to take off a wheel or the basket to shut your boot?
- One hand, then two: try both and see which feels natural.
- Unfold it too: it should open as smoothly as it closes.
- Standing fold: check whether it stands on its own when folded.
- Locks engaged: most brands say to keep your child clear when folding and to check every lock is engaged before use.
Weight and Lift: Picture Your Boot
A pushchair's weight is one of those details that's easy to skim past online and impossible to ignore in real life. A heavy, bulky pushchair can make lifting it into the boot a real strain, and you may be doing that several times a day.
So once it's folded, pick it up as if you were putting it in your car. Is there a comfortable place to hold it? Does it feel balanced, or awkward to carry? There's no single "right" weight to aim for. What matters is how it feels for you and how often you'll be lifting it.
If you're comparing a few pushchairs, look at the weight and dimensions side by side. If a lighter lift is high on your list, our lightweight strollers and compact strollers are a good place to start.
- Lift it folded: as if loading your boot.
- Find the grip: check for a comfortable carrying point.
- Compare specs: weight and folded size side by side.
How It Pushes: Steering, Kerbs and Rough Ground
How a pushchair handles is the thing you'll notice most, every single day, and it's very hard to judge from a photo. A smooth, responsive push makes walks a pleasure; a heavy or stubborn one turns a quick trip to the shops into hard work.
Give it a proper workout. Push it with one hand, the way you might while holding a coffee or a toddler's hand. Steer it round a tight corner like a shop aisle or a doorway. Tip it up and over a kerb-height step and bring it back down, and feel how much effort that takes.
Think about where you'll really walk. If your days involve gravel paths, grass, park trails or bumpy pavements, try it on an uneven surface if you can. Notice how smooth the ride feels, but judge it by how it actually handles rather than by the suspension listed on the spec sheet. And not every pushchair is made for jogging or running, so check your manual.
- One-handed push: try it in a straight line and on turns.
- Kerbs: up and down a kerb-height step.
- Rough ground: try an uneven surface if you can.
Brakes and Harness: The Safety Features You'll Use Most
The brake and harness are the parts you'll use every time you stop or lift your baby in and out, so they need to be easy for you, not just present on the spec list.
Press the parking brake on and off with your foot. It should feel secure when it's on and simple to release, ideally without bending down. Most brands say to put the brake on when lifting your child in or out, and whenever the pushchair is standing still, so you'll be using it constantly.
Then try the harness. Do up the buckle, undo it and adjust the straps. Picture doing it with a wriggly baby and cold fingers. Check how the shoulder straps adjust as your child grows; your manual will explain how.
- Parking brake: on and off with your foot, and secure.
- Buckle: quick to fasten and release.
- Strap height: check how it adjusts as your child grows.
Seat Recline and Facing Options
If you plan to use the pushchair from birth, the seat needs to be suitable from birth. Which? says a seat suitable from birth reclines to at least 150 degrees. The alternative is a carrycot for the first six months, so check whether the pushchair takes one. Most brands also say a from-birth pushchair should use its most reclined position for a newborn.
During your test drive, try every recline position and see how easy each one is to change, ideally with one hand. You'll often be adjusting it with your baby already in the seat, so a smooth, quiet mechanism makes a real difference.
Look at the facing options too. Some seats face you, some face the world, and some do both. Neither direction is "better". It comes down to what you'd prefer for your baby and your walks, so check how easily the seat switches if you'd like the choice.
- Recline: try every position, ideally one-handed.
- From birth: check the seat suits newborns, or that a carrycot fits.
- Facing: parent facing, world facing or both.
The Hood and the Basket: Small Details, Big Difference
The basket is easy to overlook in a showroom and hard to ignore on a busy day. It carries the changing bag, the shopping and everything in between, and basket sizes vary a lot: some hold just 1kg, while others take 8kg or more.
Check you can reach in and get a bag out easily, even with the seat reclined, and look for sturdy sides that keep things in place. Every basket has a maximum load, so check the manual. It's tempting to hang bags on the handle instead, but most brands advise against it because it can affect the pushchair's stability.
The hood matters on sunny and showery days alike. Check that it extends fully and fits the seat in every position. For changeable British weather, have a look at our pushchair raincovers and footmuffs.
- Basket access: easy to reach, with the seat upright or reclined.
- Load limit: check the manual.
- Hood: extends fully and fits every seat position.
Handlebar Height: Make Sure It Suits You Both
If more than one of you will be pushing, you should both try it. A handle that feels perfect for one parent can leave the other stooping or reaching, and over a long walk that adds up.
Take turns walking a few steps at a normal pace. Check whether the handle adjusts and how easily, and make sure neither of you catches your feet on the frame or basket as you walk. Comfort here makes every outing more enjoyable.
- Both push it: walk a few steps each.
- Adjustable handle: how easily it changes.
- Kick room: no catching your feet.
Choosing a Travel System: Carrycot and Car Seat Fit
A travel system lets you click a carrycot or baby car seat onto the same chassis, which can make getting from car to pavement much smoother. If that flexibility appeals, it's worth checking during your test drive rather than assuming everything fits.
Carrycot and car seat fit
Check the pushchair takes a carrycot and the car seat you plan to use. Attach and remove each one a few times and listen for the click: most brands say to check it has clicked in properly before use, and to use only the accessories or adaptors they approve. Carrycot limits vary between models, so check your carrycot's limits in the manual.
UK car seat rules in brief
- Approved seats: car seats used in the UK must be approved; height-based seats carry an "E" in a circle and "R129".
- Rear-facing: height-based seats must stay rear-facing until your child is over 15 months.
Explore our travel systems, pushchair carrycots and baby car seats.
Will It Fit Your Life? Car, Public Transport and Home
The right pushchair is the one that fits your everyday life, not just the showroom floor. How easy it is on public transport or in the car comes down to three things you've already tried: the fold, the weight and the folded size.
Before you decide, picture an ordinary week and ask yourself a few honest questions:
- Your car: how much boot space will it take, and will there still be room for shopping?
- Buses and trains: could you fold it quickly, or manoeuvre it into a tight space?
- Stairs and lifts: do you have steps at home, or a lift you use often, and could you manage it there?
- Storage: where will it live at home, folded or open?
What to Bring to Your Pushchair Test Drive
A little preparation makes a test drive far more useful, and it means you can try the pushchair against your real life rather than guessing.
- Your boot measurements: or the car itself, to check the folded pushchair fits.
- Your car seat: if you already have one, to check it fits the chassis.
- Your everyday bag: to see whether it fits in the basket.
- Both parents: so you can each try the handle and the fold.
- This checklist: so nothing gets missed.
Try Before You Buy at Our Showroom
It's easiest to work through this list with the pushchairs in front of you. Our showroom has pushchairs, travel systems and car seats on display, and our experts are on hand to help you try them, answer your questions and let you take your time.
Walk-ins are always welcome, so just pop in whenever suits you. If you'd prefer a dedicated time with one of our experts, appointments are available too. You'll find us at Unit 24, King Street Industrial Estate, Langtoft, Peterborough PE6 9NF. We're open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm, and closed on Sundays, or you can call us on 01778 562806. Find out more on our About Us page, or browse all our pushchairs and prams online first.
