Don’t base your choice on another parent’s recommendation alone, either. Remember, the perfect pushchair for someone else may be the worst choice for you.

No, there’s so much more to it than these. The primary criteria should be what your and your child’s needs are and which pushchairs will be able to meet your unique needs perfectly. Only then should you start narrowing your choice in terms of price and colour. Buy pushchairs this way and you can be assured that you made the right choice!

Here are top questions to ask yourself before you pull out your wallet and pay for that prized pushchair.

Will it fit in spaces you’re going to store it in?

Will it fit through the doors or stairways you use? Will it fit in your storage place? Is it easy to fold and unfold? Believe me, it makes a world of difference especially when you’re carrying things on one hand or when you’re out and about and in a hurry!

If you plan to use it with your car, you may want something light enough for you to lift and small enough to fit in your boot, so make sure you measure your car’s boot space before shopping for baby pushchairs.

What pushchair features do you absolutely need, and which ones can I do without?

Some features won’t make much difference to you, but some features will be indispensable.

For example if you, your partner (and other people who will be pushing the pushchair) have varying heights then go for one with adjustable handles. Pushing a pushchair with a handle at the wrong level can be hard work and uncomfortable.

Another important thing to consider is if you have a lot of stuff that you need to take with you when you’re out and about with your baby. For example if you don’t drive and you’ll likely be shopping for food with the pushchair or a regular basis, then the size of the shopping basket must be big enough for your needs.

There are some pushchairs that have very small shopping basket space, so make sure you check. Honestly, how some people cope with teeny weeny shopping baskets is beyond me, but then again I’d been known to always have things with me – from hair straighteners to tanning lotion to dental floss! Hehe.

Also, the type of accommodation you live in will play a role in your choice of pushchair. If you will have to carry it up and down stairs then the lighter it is, the better.

For a more comprehensive discussion about pushchair features, read 11 Essential Pushchair Features You Need to Consider Before Buying.

Will this pushchair suit your lifestyle?

This is where you need to consider the features of the pushchair and how that translates to meeting your unique needs. Do you commute or mainly drive your own car? Do you live in the city, or in the countryside? Your answers will dictate how important certain features are for you like portability, maneoverability, size, weight, suspension, durability, etc.

For example if you do a lot of walking on uneven surfaces and commuting using public transport, you will need a model that’s sturdy, robust and easy to negotiate on corners and stairs.

If you’ll be using public transport you’ll be better off with something that is extremely easy to fold even with one hand.

If you live in the countryside, an all-terrain or 3-wheeler pushchair with  suspension will be able to cope with rough ground and therefore will be more suitable for your needs.

If you like to spend time outdoors, think of pushchair accessories that will  give your baby better protection from the elements. Some pushchair models have certain accessories included in the package, but depending on your lifestyle you may need to buy some extra ones to ensure your baby is comfortable, warm and well protected.

Does this pushchair suit YOUR child?

A newborn baby needs to lie flat so you want one that have this facility. You also need to make sure the pushchair is weatherproof and comfortable for your baby.

Babies prefer to see their parent’s face whereas toddlers prefer to see the outside world so you may want a model that can face the way your child prefers.

Do you need it for the Long Term?

Do you want an all-round pushchair that you can use from your child’s birth until he outgrows the pushchair as a toddler, or do you plan to buy another buggy when he’s a bit older?

Are you buying it for your first child but have hopes to also be able to use it for your second child and so on?

What’s the guarantee like?

How long is the guarantee? How easy is it to get repaired? Will your vendor give you a replacement while yours is being repaired?

Does the pushchair package provide everything you’ll need or do you have to buy extra pushchair accessories?

Some pushchair models come with all sorts of handy accessories, while others are optional extras you will need to buy. Again when it comes to this, think of the functionality and benefits  first before aesthetics like colour or style.

Conclusion

Once you have made a list of all the things that are important to the way you will be using your pushchair, you can then go through all the pushchairs on the market and pick out the ones that will suit you.

Your choice of pushchair can directly affect you and your child’s well-being so it’s worth some investigation.

Check out our Best Value Pushchairs here.

Shop for Baby Pushchairs by Type or check out the Top Baby Pushchairs Brands.

It’s a common mistake to end buying a pushchair just because it looked good or that just because Posh was pictured on last week’s magazine with it.

When buying a pushchair, the most essential thing is to inspect the features and analyze how well it will be able to meet your needs.

Generally speaking, when you’re looking at pushchair features, bear in mind that one advantage usually has a corresponding disadvantage so be prepared to find out first

1) What that disadvantage is, and

2) How that disadvantage will affect you.

Most of the time these disadvantages could be of trivial consequence to you, but it pays to know what you will be dealing with so you can make an informed decision.

For example, big chunky wheels may be heavy and takes up more boot space, but if you’re looking for a pushchair to use off road and one that you can take jogging with, then you may decide that for you the benefits of buying an off-road buggy far outweighs the inconvenience its size may cause you.

The key is to know exactly what you are looking for, and hunt for that perfect pushchair that ticks all the boxes!

Folding Mechanism

As parents, we’re always multi tasking, so having a pushchair that we can fold simply and easily with one hand is high on our list of must-have features. Imagine holding your baby on one hand and having to struggle with complicated clips, buttons and accessories that need to be detached first before you can fold or unfold your pushchair? Not easy.

So when buying a pushchair look for those that you can adjust and fold and access easily with one hand. There are even some models now that fold and/or unfold by itself.

Brakes

Opt for pushchairs with simple brakes that are easy to switch on or off. When looking at brakes, be particularly aware of foot brakes that protrude – they can get caught on stair steps as you try to push it down the stairs, or they could get in the way of your feet particularly if you are long legged. There are some pushchairs with bike-style handbrakes, but most pushchairs have footbrakes.

Handles

Handles come in different shapes, sizes, height and even angle so choose a pushchair with handles that support the natural position of your wrists. Some pushchairs have adjustable handles, some don’t. Pushchairs with adjustable handle height can be very convenient if people of varying heights will be pushing the pushchair. Also, some pushchairs are foam covered, while some are metal handles, while others are covered with plastic. You may not think much about it now, but handles could play a role in how comfortable you’ll find pushing the pushchair several hours a day every day, so bear this in mind when buying.

Wheels

Wheels that are big and spoked may give a more comfortable ride for your baby, but they can also be big and heavy, and therefore more difficult to move around and require more space for storage.

Swivel wheels can improve manoeuverability as it will let you change direction easily but are best used on smooth surfaces. When used on rougher terrains, it can get easily knocked off course by the uneven ground surface. If you want the best of both worlds, choose a pushchair with lockable swivel wheels.

Bulkier tyres are better for rougher terrains (off-road use). If you’ll use the pushchair mostly on bumpy terrains, get a 3 wheeler pushchair (also known as all-terrain pushchairs). They usually have pneumatic tyres which give a much comfortable and smoother ride for your baby. Be aware that it can be a nightmare when punctured though so always keep a puncture kit handy.

Seat

Of course, it pays to check if your child will be comfortable and snug inside the pushchair. Some pushchairs have small seats while others provide more space. Always check if the materials and fabrics used to pad the seat are of good enough quality.

Protective Covers

Always check that the hood could provide ample protection for your child whatever the weather. There are some models that now have UV protective hoods, and some that allows you to see through so you can always check up on your child.

Hoods, canopies, parasols may or may not be included in the package you are buying, so check what your package includes.

Covers that are machine-washable and removable are best.

Leg Support

Having leg support will ensure your child is comfortable inside the buggy. Not all pushchairs have adjustable leg rests. If you’re eyeing one that does, find out whether the leg rest is easily adjustable.

Fabric

You can almost guarantee that your stroller will suffer from frequent spillages and food stains, that’s why it’s always prudent to check if the pushchair you’re considering has removable and easy to clean fabric and accessories. This can make a lot of difference to extending the life and good looks of your pushchair. Believe it or not, there are some pushchairs with fabrics that are easily soiled and not so easy to clean or are not machine washable. In our reviews, we’ll always alert you when this is the case.

Backrests

If you’re buying for a newborn baby, look for pushchairs with reclining backrests so your baby can lie flat on his or her back. Pushchairs that can be reclined for more than 150 degrees is the standard for newborn babies.

If you’re buying for older children, it’s worth considering whether you find it easy to adjust the backrests smoothly even while your child is sitting inside the pushchair.

Baby Pushchairs Storage Baskets

Believe us when we say that the size and accessibility of the pushchair’s shopping basket can directly affect your stress levels, and even  your sanity. Pushchair Models that come with big shopping baskets that are easy to access and  models with clever functional pockets are life-savers, in our experience. The shopping basket size does not necessarily count as massively important to every parent, but having storage space can always come in handy.

Baby Pushchair Accessories

Finally you may want to check which pushchair accessories are included in the package you plan to buy and which ones you need to get. Some pushchair accessories that may be included with your pushchair purchase are:

• Apron
• Footmuff
• Parasols
• Raincover
• Changing Bag
• Carry Cot
• Liner and Mattress
• Hood
• Reflective strips

Conclusion

Buying a pushchair is not as simple and as straightforward as it may seem. You need to be clear on which features you need and which features don’t really matter much to you. When you decide which pushchair to buy based on the tips we have outlined here, you have more chances of  buying the right pushchair with the right  features and with our help, you can also get them at the right price.

Happy shopping!