The picks
Top pick — Joie Mytrax Pro
The best buggy for most people. A few metres is all it takes to show why it moves to the front of the field: it does not fidget or skitter, it runs settled and stable. The foam-filled rubber tyres and the suspension are what does it. On rougher ground the buggy stays pleasantly quiet, which the child notices too. Where other models start to bounce, or feel unsettled in a tight corner, this one holds its line. The manufacturer releases it from birth to 22 kg. There is all-round suspension, lockable front wheels and a recline that can be adjusted with one hand.
Pushing it is as good as riding in it. The height-adjustable handle is a genuine comfort feature in this field, because the buggy adapts to different heights of adult. That sounds like a detail and turns into a real advantage over longer distances and frequent changes of direction. The seat has decent room and suits a tired child. If a nap is coming, the backrest drops quickly; the manufacturer lists four positions plus a flat resting position.
The fold is well judged too. The mechanism sits centrally in the seat and works pleasingly directly: a pull on the strap and a press of a button and the buggy folds. What it does not do is become small. At just under 10.6 kg, with a comparatively large folded size, it will not go into every tiny boot or every narrow cupboard. Anyone who is buying primarily for how it rides can live with that. The manufacturer quotes 10.59 kg and a folded size of 59 x 29.5 x 84.4 cm.
The rest of the equipment is practical. The basket is easy to reach and big enough for shopping or changing kit. A rain cover is included. There is a removable cup holder, which sounds more banal than it turns out to be. For very early use it combines with an infant carrier or a carrycot, though Joie does not supply the adapters as standard. That makes the Mytrax Pro not a delicate travel buggy but a grown-up everyday pram in buggy format, and that is exactly what makes it strong.
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Compact for everyday use — Joie Signature Parcel LX
The Parcel LX approaches the job differently. Here the priority is not maximum composure on bad ground; this is a buggy to grab, fold and put away quickly. At 7.72 kg it is considerably lighter than the top pick, and it adds a compact folded size and an included carry bag. For the train, the boot, a communal hallway or a small flat, that is a real argument. The kit list is good too: Joie supplies the carry bag, a rain cover and adapters for both an infant carrier and a carrycot.
On the move it acquits itself pleasingly well. It does not ride as settled as the larger Mytrax Pro — on rough ground it feels lighter, and a touch more nervous in quick corners — but for its class it stays agreeably controllable. Set against very compact travel buggies it is clear that Joie has not chased packed size alone. The front wheels lock, the suspension at all four wheels helps it track straight, and it does not immediately turn skittish when the surface deteriorates. The manufacturer lists four-wheel suspension, lockable front wheels and use from birth to 22 kg.
The everyday practicality of the concept is the strong point. The fold is quickly understood, the folded buggy stands up on its own, and with the bag it disappears tidily even where storage is tight. The seat is fairly upright but goes back to a flat resting position, and the extendable hood is useful for a sleeping child, throwing more shade than many compact rivals. There is an adjustable leg rest, a hood rated UPF 50+ and a water-repellent cover.
Compromises remain. The Parcel LX is not a buggy for rough terrain and does not ride as assuredly as the bigger models here. It plays its strengths where others become tiresome: easy to stow, easy to carry, quick between flat, car and street. Details like the accessible basket and the front bar work well day to day. It is a buggy with one clear strength, and it suits anyone short of space who still does not want to push a pure minimalist.
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For travelling — Bugaboo Butterfly
The Butterfly lives up to its name. It opens and closes with one hand and suits all manner of trips. On a plane it goes with you as far as the cabin: at a net 7 kg and folded dimensions of 45 x 54 x 23 cm it sits within the cabin-baggage size guidance the international airline body publishes.
Comfort, finish and engineering make it more than a travel buggy, though — it works as an everyday one. Out of the box it is already functional, with no assembly needed. The seat is shaped like a shell, and with a seat height of 45 cm and an extra-high backrest it seats children up to 22 kg comfortably.
The padding is hard-wearing, breathable polyamide, soft and nicely finished, and it comes on and off quickly if it needs changing for cleaning. The straps thread in and out intuitively.
What stood out most is how manoeuvrable this compact buggy is. Bugaboo fits four-wheel suspension, which allows nimble steering and one-handed pushing. The handlebar is 102 cm high, which suits taller people, but it is not adjustable.
The large under-chassis tray was another favourite in testing. It takes up to 8 kg. The flexibly sprung opening at the back allows access from front and rear, and stops the contents falling out.
The backrest goes almost fully flat, in a one-hand movement, between 111 and 145 degrees. A complete lie-flat position is not available. The footrest adjusts in five steps and lets the legs be raised in the near-horizontal position; when a child has outgrown it, it folds fully away.
The four-part hood has a peek-a-boo window with a mesh insert that keeps insects out. The hood fabric is rated UPF 50+. A rain cover is included, and it has been thought through: instead of being pulled over the bar, the bar is left clear, so pushing is unimpeded and the body of the buggy stays fully covered. An infant carrier and a footmuff can be bought separately.
The seat-unit fabrics are polyester coated with polyurethane foam. Those, the fully removable polyamide chassis cover and the carry strap all machine wash at 30 degrees. The manufacturer recommends washing the base seat cover by hand. What impressed in testing was how easily the cover comes off — on other models it is a tedious fiddle that saps the will to bother.
The minus is the absence of a pocket or compartment for a phone or purse. There are hanging points left and right on the bar for a changing bag, but that is not a substitute for a small, useful pocket. It is nonetheless the pick for travel, on functionality alone. It is also one of the pricier models here.
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From birth — ABC Design Avus Air 2
The Avus Air 2 can be used from birth and long afterwards. For babies you need an adapter and a matching infant carrier, both sold separately; since a carrier is needed for the car anyway, buying the two together can make sense.
What impressed was not only how easy it is to push, but that it is ready for any terrain. Sandy park paths or city cobbles, the Avus Air 2 takes it all, and the child still sits comfortably rather than being shaken about.
The fold impressed less. It had to be hunted for. Unlike the many buggies where a press on the handlebar collapses the frame, on the Avus Air 2 you reach under the seat padding, where there is a small catch to pull. You have to know that, and try it a few times before it feels familiar.
The hood pulls down deep, and it extends further via a zip, releasing another section with a mesh panel so that adult and child can see one another. The manufacturer states the hood is UPF 50+.
The footrest has two settings, which felt sufficient in testing. The backrest adjusts in three stages. Line the footrest and backrest up accordingly and the child can lie flat; the test child found that very comfortable.
The model sits mid-field on price, which seems entirely reasonable, particularly with the intention of using the buggy from birth.
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The value pick — Lionelo Annet Plus
The Annet Plus is one of the cheaper models here, and there are buggies costing a great deal more that do not ride this well.
The first thing you notice is the very large wheels, which look almost enormous next to the direct competition. They are why children sit comfortably and stay largely unbothered by bumps and rough ground, simply not noticing most of it. That matters, because younger passengers have a habit of falling asleep without warning. When that happens, one movement converts the Annet Plus from a seat to a flat buggy — the test child did not even wake up.
Folding it takes seconds and is genuinely intuitive, needing only one hand. What is left at the end is still a fairly big buggy, mostly because of those big tyres. They can be clicked off, but then have to be stowed separately. With a very small boot, this may not be the model.
The test child rated seat comfort very highly; the only mark against was the fairly narrow footboard, where bigger children could have trouble finding room for their feet. The Annet Plus is rated by its manufacturer to 22 kg, and children at that end of the range are often older with bigger feet.
The luggage compartment impressed, as did the extras — a footmuff, a rain cover and a cup holder. It holds a good deal and is comfortable to reach, because it hangs higher than on many buggies in the test. The deep hood with its viewing window pulls right down and did well on the test walks.
The Lionelo is not height-adjustable but still pushes very pleasantly for taller people. Older test children were also given a go and got on excellently with it, which suggests a wide range of heights will find it comfortable. It is a comfortable choice with a strong ratio of what you pay to what you get.
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Also tested
Joolz Aer 2 — clearly built for travel. It comes out of its bag essentially finished, needs no assembly and folds extremely small, which is a real advantage for flying or a small flat. For something this compact it rides surprisingly well: not as composed as bigger models, but clearly above the level of many travel buggies on small wheels. The finish impressed too, with nothing rattling and nothing feeling flimsy, and a carry strap means it can be carried comfortably without the bag. The accessory policy is less appealing — the bumper bar is not included and costs extra, and the same goes for the carrycot, which feels unfriendly on an already expensive buggy. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Kinderkraft Apino — a light, compact buggy whose selling points are low weight and an automatic fold. Practical in theory, only partly convincing in testing: unfolding needs two hands and is not intuitive, and early on the mechanism tends to work in the wrong direction rather than getting the buggy ready quickly. The bigger criticism is how it rides. Even on asphalt the wheels did not run cleanly in testing, with the front wheels in particular gripping poorly at times, which leaves the buggy feeling unsettled. In its favour are the bar that opens from either side and the low weight. Not enough for a top placing. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Kinderkraft Pilot 2 — a typical travel buggy: small, light and a fit for its supplied carry bag. On paper that reads as a practical answer for trips. In testing the compactness clearly comes at the expense of how it rides. The small, smooth wheels run unsteadily, and the buggy feels unsettled even in gentle corners. Build quality is decent overall, and the bar opens on both sides or comes off entirely, but the mechanism feels impractical day to day. Firmly a travel buggy, and not a persuasive everyday one. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Hauck Rapid 4 — the model for anyone who already knows the buggy will be folded and unfolded constantly. It goes up and down quickly, without effort, and one-handed. It also pushes faultlessly, and for parents of noticeably different heights the handle adjusts through several stages, which is very practical. It can be used from birth provided the carrycot is bought as well; because the backrest moves to a horizontal position, the carrycot then clicks in. What cost some patience in testing was getting the backrest upright again, on which the instructions are little help — the trick is to pull the cords and clamp them with the plastic part, after which the backrest is stable and moves to any position wanted. Leg rests, leg padding and harness all adjust to the size of the child, which the test child took very well, and the viewing window in the hood is a plus. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
My Junior Pico 2 — worth a look for anyone who wants a fast, genuinely simple one-handed fold and unfold; collapsing it is child's play, and it can then go into a carry bag. Carrying it does take some strength, because it is not especially light and there are lighter models in the test. It is agile enough, but did not cope well with kerbs. It is rated by its manufacturer to 22 kg, though pushing an 18 kg child was already hard going; with a much lighter toddler it moved far more freely. The hood extends or shortens by zip, though closing that zip took patience in testing. Setting the recline is the same story: it is stepless, but takes practice to land on anything between fully flat and bolt upright. Comparatively expensive, and only good mid-field on quality. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Hamilton by Yoop S1 Plus — small and manoeuvrable, sold for children up to four years or 22 kg. In testing, once children approach that upper weight mark, manoeuvring becomes markedly harder and there is a certain amount of correcting to do. The fold takes some getting used to at first; once the knack is there it folds one-handed, and with two hands it goes down in no time. Unfolding was always possible one-handed. The brake pedal is awkwardly placed and was caught underfoot repeatedly while pushing. A basket capacity of only 2 kg is disappointing when rivals carry more. It sits in the middle of the price range, rides dependably, is comfortable for children and comes with a practical bag to pack it into. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Vertbaudet Microcity — you want very smooth pavements for this one. In testing, gravel and cobbles caused enough trouble that the walk was not always a pleasure, and tipping and pushing it up kerbs was not really easy either. It folds down small very easily, though unfolding is not intuitive: the first few attempts were an undignified wrestle, and the knack had not really been mastered by the end of testing. The children liked the shaped grab handle, which they treated as their own set of handlebars, though its shape makes lifting a child in more awkward, since there is no bar to simply swing aside. It can be removed, at some risk to fingernails. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Hauck Citi Neo II — worth a look for the shopping basket, and the recline function was liked. Unfortunately it does not push especially well and does not get on with cobbles and kerbs, so it takes patience and a delicate touch. Folding is stiff and somewhat awkward. In this part of the market there are clearly better models. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Lionelo Elia Oslo — pushing this one was little fun. It rattled loudly and constantly, which might be bearable on its own, but it is also very hard to push even empty, before a toddler is in it; with a child aboard, more effort again was needed to steer it about. That is not necessary, even on one of the cheapest models here. One plus: it folds down small very easily. Against the competition, including Lionelo's own, that is not enough. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
GB Gold Qbit+ — folds down nicely small, and does so very well one-handed. It does not drop the moment the catch is released either, staying up until light pressure folds it. It has a recline function, which the test child did not find very comfortable, so there is room to improve there. The handlebar is not height-adjustable, which costs it marks, and the top picks pushed better and more easily. With no extras in the box either, it lands in the good mid-field, a solid choice for anyone who mainly wants something quick to fold away. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Lionelo Irma — a genuine rarity in its favour: the push handles rotate in two directions, so different preferences are catered for, where most buggies have either one continuous handle or two fixed grips. Unfortunately this model also rattled clearly and continuously in testing, which was not expected at the price. It could be pushed with some effort. In its favour, it folds fairly narrow, so it may suit anyone wanting a buggy for short trips and quick transport in the car. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Osann Boogy — worth a look if solid to high-quality construction matters, because the finish is clearly better than that of its own stablemate. The big wheels impressed as well: it pushes very easily and has no trouble with kerbs. One limitation: it folds very easily but then does not stay folded. The suspicion is that the test sample simply lacked the buckle that holds it closed, since it is visible in the manufacturer's product photographs. The backrest is stepless, and with a little delicacy can be adjusted even after the child has fallen asleep. A rain cover is included, which is practical day to day. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Osann Vegas — slightly cheaper than the Boogy, and apart from the Boogy looking a little more upmarket, the Vegas was fine too. It folds one-handed and then stays folded. The wheels are somewhat smaller, so an area with a lot of kerbs could make pushing more of a chore. The backrest is stepless here as well. In testing the buggy was even set up one-handed while a toddler was being carried on the other arm, which was no trouble at all. For a mid-priced travel buggy, the transport cover is worth adding, since it protects the Vegas and makes carrying it genuinely easy. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Lionelo Julie One — comes with a carry bag included. It too folds very easily one-handed, though packing it into the bag needs two. A cup holder is included as well. Taller adults may struggle to push it: testing showed that people under 1.80 m get on distinctly better with it. If that is not an issue, or if taller people rarely push, it is worth a look — particularly for parents who travel with their children and want a handy, small buggy rated to 22 kg. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Mountain Buggy All Terrain — another buggy that looks as though it was built for sporty parents. The "all terrain" name refers to walking in town, woods or parks, and it did all of that very well. The test sample pulled slightly to the right, though it pushed so easily that the pull only became noticeable after a few hundred metres. It is one of the few here running air-filled tyres, which can be pleasant for the child because the cushioning is a little softer, and the height-adjustable handle was another plus. A solid product, at a price. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Graco Breaze Lite — one of the few buggies here that did not arrive partly assembled, so the front and rear wheels have to be fitted, and the rear wheels in particular were somewhat irritating, with an unconvincing mounting. Fortunately a buggy only has to be built once. Less welcome was the backrest, which could not be made properly stable and felt as though it were broken in the middle; whether that was the test sample or general is unclear. The various positions are set with two cords, which did not convince in testing. Pushing did not fully satisfy either: it rattled constantly and was rather hard to move with a child aboard, and it had trouble with kerbs. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Chicco Trolley me — lives up to its name, since folded it really does resemble a trolley case, which the test children and older siblings found fascinating enough to tow it around behind them like luggage. Folding itself is simple and trouble-free, and setting it up holds no traps. Pushing is another matter. The centrally mounted brake was triggered repeatedly while out walking, bringing things to an abrupt halt, which is very annoying; that may come down to individual gait, but a second tester had the same experience, so trying it first is worth it. The pushing experience as such did not really convince either: it does not steer as well as the competition and has some difficulty with kerbs. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Ergobaby Metro — rated by its manufacturer to 18 kg. Setting up and folding down work convincingly well: one-handed, it folds so small that it fits into genuinely any car. You just have to follow the folding logic, which took a little getting used to the first time and was no problem at all afterwards. Less appealing is the fairly narrow seat, so a solidly built child could feel uncomfortable, and the straps are cut for slimmer children as well — the test child fitted without trouble, but a four-year-old sibling, still within the weight range, could no longer be strapped in. The brake stood out for its noise: on release, the wheels rasped for a while afterwards, which very noise-sensitive parents or children may find a problem, though it faded with longer pushing so it does not sink the buggy. The basket is rated for 4.5 kg. It is very well made overall and is not only for travelling. The manufacturer says it can be used from birth with a newborn insert, which was not tested. Mid-field on price, and a good everyday companion. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Joolz Aer+ — fast setting up and folding is the buggy essential, and the Aer+ scores across the board. At the aircraft gate, at the car or in the flat, it folds with one movement, in seconds and genuinely one-handed; you only have to follow the pattern, which the buggy more or less guides you through. To set it up, one shake of the handle and it stands. If it is mainly for travel, the included bag will prove useful, since the whole buggy packs into it in a few minutes and is better protected against knocks and scuffs, especially on a plane. Because the bag is so small and light, the tip is to leave it permanently in the basket, since the roughly 6 kg buggy can then be carried over the shoulder. Most of the time, though, it will be on the pavement: in testing it coped well with both cobbles and smooth surfaces, and the wheels are agile and quiet, with no annoying rattles. It has a five-point harness with the buckle at the front. A bumper bar can be ordered separately from Joolz. When the child gets tired, the seat position is varied using zips at the back. Not exactly cheap. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Chicco Goody X Plus — doubly worthwhile for anyone who already has the matching Chicco car seat, because it then becomes a pram usable from birth: buy the separately available adapters and the seat clicks in. The Goody X Plus folds easily and stands on its own, which is very practical for parents who need a free hand. On price it keeps up with other mid-range models. Manoeuvring could have been a little easier — other buggies convinced more here. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Maxi Cosi Soho — did not make the podium, largely because the criteria applied here are about how a buggy performs in daily life rather than a controlled bench setup. It has attractive qualities: an infant carrier can be fitted via adapters, and the manufacturer states it can be used in the full recline position from newborn. The Soho folds easily but takes some effort to push. Spending a little more than on other buggies here gets a buggy that is somewhat heavier than others but has comfort features for the child, such as padded side edges. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Thule Spring — a jogger-styled model aimed visually at active parents who want to get out with their children. That means paying a somewhat higher price and accepting a buggy that is still wider folded than others, partly because of the big wheels. Those wheels also make for a calm ride on any surface. The handlebar height adjusts in seconds and comfortably: where other models here need pushing and pressing, on the Spring you simply pull the handle and set it steplessly to the height you want. For parents of different heights who both want to use the buggy equally, the Thule may be worth it on that alone. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
Kinderkraft Mitzy — a buggy for the city and for particularly smooth surfaces. The manufacturer says it can be used anywhere; testing found it especially easy to push across a level surface, and everything else took noticeably more effort. The small front wheels lock or swivel freely, which is meant to make pushing easier, and did not fully convince. The price is interesting, and folding it works quickly and easily after a short practice. Search Amazon UK · Search Amazon US
How they were assessed
Many current buggies are released by their manufacturers to 22 kg, so the practical test put children of different sizes into the models. That shows quickly how well a buggy copes with smaller and larger passengers.
The most important point is how a buggy rides. All of them were pushed under conditions as close to identical as possible over asphalt, cobbles and sandy paths, and all had to deal with kerbs, which is where differences in suspension, tracking and stability show up. The models were additionally taken on the underground, mainline trains, buses and trams.
The second major criterion is seat comfort: how comfortably the child sits, how well the back and legs are supported, and whether the footrest is sensibly placed. Whether the backrest reaches a resting or flat position matters too, and makes a noticeable difference on longer journeys or when a child falls asleep.
Equipment covers what a buggy brings to daily life — hood, shopping basket, bumper bar, harness system and rain cover — along with whether it can be used with an infant carrier and whether the necessary adapters are already included. Build quality feeds in as well. It is not only what is present that counts but how well it can actually be used: a big hood only helps if it really throws enough shade and sits properly.
For the folding mechanism, practice is what counts: how easily a buggy folds and unfolds, whether that works with one hand or two, and how intuitive the mechanism is. Transport and compactness matter as much, because a buggy should not only roll but stow well in a boot, on a train or in a small flat. Ergonomics for the adult completes it — how pleasant a model is to push, and whether handle height and construction suit people of different sizes.
Price is not run as a main criterion of its own, but it is taken into account, particularly when an expensive buggy does not ride better or prove more practical in daily use than a cheaper one.
The short answers
Which is the best buggy? The Joie Mytrax Pro, which combines outstanding ride behaviour, a simple fold and unfold, and a generous set of accessories.
Are there buggies where the direction the child faces can be changed? Yes. Several models in this test allow the seat to be turned from forward-facing to parent-facing, with varying degrees of ease. Whether the feature is really needed is best discovered on a test push.
What should you look for when buying a buggy? The finding from the test is that the cheaper the buggy, the worse the ride comfort often is. The advice is to pay less attention to extras and more to how good the damping is, whether the wheels lock, and how heavy a child the buggy is rated for. The differences are enormous.
