How to buy a baby pram or stroller

Whether you’re after a single stroller, a double for twins or two kids close in age, or a compact design for commuting and shopping, you’ll want a stroller that’s safe for your child. Our expert picks consider safety, and how easy each stroller is to push, fold and carry.

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  Top-performing four-wheel stroller

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  Top-performing three-wheel single stroller

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  Top-performing stroller under $200

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  Best side-by-side double stroller

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Types of prams and strollers

Single 3-wheel stroller
Strollers with three wheels are usually easier to push because of their larger wheels. Some have inflatable tyres that help absorb bumps. But they’re often wider, longer and heavier than strollers with four wheels. Three-wheelers are move manoeuvrable on uneven terrain but can be more prone to tipping when turning corners or mounting curbs.

Three-wheeled strollers are sometimes referred to as jogger strollers or have 'jogger' in their name. But not all three-wheel strollers are suitable for jogging and running. If you want to regularly jog with your stroller, consider getting a genuine jogging stroller specifically designed for that purpose.

Jogging strollers should have the following features:

• large, fixed wheels that roll easily for fast movement

• hand-operated brakes

• suspension

• a lockable front wheel.

Before running with your baby in a stroller, they should be at least 6 months old and be able to hold their head up without support.

Single 4-wheel stroller
Four-wheel strollers are more compact so are a better option if you use public transport or have limited space. Some strollers with four wheels have two small wheels at the front and two large wheels at the back. This provides the stability of a four-wheeler but makes them easier to manoeuvre.

Umbrella stroller
An umbrella stroller is a lightweight travel stroller that usually has four wheels. It may have minimal storage space underneath, but is easier to fold and take on public transport or use at the airport than larger models.

Double strollers
If you’ve got twins or two children close in age, a double stroller makes it easier to get out and about. Side-by-side double strollers have the two seats next to each other, while tandem double strollers have one seat behind the other. Tandems are usually configured as a single stroller with a removable second seat.

• Side-by-side double strollers: Side-by-side strollers can be difficult to fit through doorways or along supermarket aisles (the ones in our test were 75cm or 79cm wide). They are also bulky to fold up and transport. So, you need to have a car with a large boot.

  On the plus side, children enjoy sitting side-by-side. And both children get a ‘front seat’ view.

• Tandem strollers: Tandem strollers are better for shopping because they’re narrower than the side-by-side models. But their extra length can make them harder to steer and to negotiate steps and kerbs. If you’ve got two newborns, you’ll need both seats to be fully reclinable – which means some tandem strollers won’t be suitable.

  Some parents believe tandems are not so good for children: ‘the kid in the back gets a raw deal on the view’. But another parent told us they’re good with a toddler and a newborn, as the baby can lie flat while the toddler sits up high.

• Second seats: Second seats are another option if you need to transport more than one child. The additional seat can be attached behind or in front of the main seat of a single stroller – effectively turning them into a tandem stroller. You buy the single stroller for your first child, then add a second seat when your second child is born.

  Before buying a single stroller with a second seat, check the configurations and consider whether both children will comfortably fit at various ages and sizes. When we tested some single strollers with the second seat attached, some had major safety failures.

Parent tip: “Sometimes using a single stroller and a front pack is a lot more convenient.”

What to consider before buying a pram or stroller

Does the stroller comply with a safety standard?
The joint Australia/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 2088:2013 is the most common safety standard for prams and strollers you’ll find. It’s also the standard we test to. However, compliance with the standard is not mandatory. We think it should be. We believe the standard sets a clear and reasonable safety standard. In Australia, compliance with some of the standard’s requirements is mandatory.

Other relevant standards are the British BS 7409, European EN 1888 and US ASTM F833 standard.

What is the best stroller for a newborn?
If you want to use your stroller for a newborn, make sure it’s suitable. It will need either a seat that reclines far enough, or an accessory, such as a bassinet, so baby can lie flat. Some strollers can also have a car seat capsule mounted to them for shorter trips. Plunket recommends babies should be in a capsule no longer than one hour.

What’s the best stroller for your lifestyle?
If you mainly stick to footpaths and shops, a basic four-wheel stroller will be fine. However, if you pound the countryside, look for a three-wheel stroller with bigger wheels and suspension for a comfier ride. If you want to take your toddler along for your morning jog, get a model with suspension, hand-operated brakes and a lockable front wheel.

What size stroller should you buy?
Check whether the stroller, when folded, will fit easily in your car boot. Some three-wheelers take up alot of space. Also try folding and unfolding the stroller to see if you can carry it comfortably when folded.

Other features to consider when buying a pram or stroller

Wheels
Large wheels tend to be better on kerbs and stairs. Inflatable tyres help absorb bumps. Swivel front wheels make steering easier, but make sure you can lock them, to keep the stroller stable up and down steps and over rough terrain.

Brakes
Some strollers have a separate brake on each wheel. However, brakes activated by a single linking bar are much more convenient.

Backrest
Look for a backrest that can be reclined for a sleeping child.

Storage
A parcel tray under the stroller is essential. Never balance bags on the handle of a stroller – they could make it tip over.

Hoods
An extendable hood provides shade and shelter. A viewing window in the hood lets you keep an eye on your child.

Covers
A boot cover protects the child’s legs and feet, which is useful if you go for long walks in cold weather. If the stroller you want doesn’t have a rain or shade cover, you can buy a generic one at most stores.

Front bar or tray
Make sure it's removable when lifting the child in and out of the stroller.

Footrest
This reduces the likelihood of injury due to the child's feet getting caught on the ground or in the front wheel.

Safety leash
A leash on the handlebar that straps to your wrist can stop the stroller running away if you lose your grip. Keep it out of the way of the child as it's a strangulation hazard.

Tyre pump
This is used for pneumatic tyres. It's supplied with some models or may be available as an optional extra.

The joint Australia/New Zealand standard AS/NZS 2088:2013 is the most common safety standard for strollers. It is the standard we test to. Certification involves independent checks of the manufacturer's production line and quality-control processes.

A stroller that is ‘certified’ as complying with the standard will display either the New Zealand ‘S’ mark or the red Australian ‘tick’ mark.

However, compliance with the standard is not mandatory.

Other standards you may see on a stroller are the British BS 7409, European EN 1888 and US ASTM F833 standard.

Before you buy a stroller check that:

• there are no protruding parts that can hit your child's head

• there are no small parts that could detach easily and pose a choking hazard

• there are no gaps that could trap fingers – yours or your child's

• there are no sharp edges or points

• the stroller is stable enough not to tip easily

• there is a child-resistant mechanism for locks

• there's a five-point harness consisting of two shoulder straps attached to the backrest, two waist straps attached to the stroller frame, and a crotch strap – the straps should be adjustable

• the brakes work properly and are easy to use

• there's a two-stage lock to stop the stroller collapsing.

A durable stroller can last many years (and several children), so buying a secondhand model is a good option to consider.

Before buying a secondhand stroller, do a safety check and inspect the stroller thoroughly for damage, wear and tear. Here’s our top tips.

• Check whether the stroller meets a standard.  Compliance with a standard isn’t compulsory in New Zealand, so be sure to check the stroller meets one. We think the Australian New Zeland standard (AS/NZS 2088:2013) sets clear and reasonable safety criteria, and this is the standard we test against.
• Inspect the safety features. Does the stroller have a five-point harness with intact buckles to restrain your child? Do the brakes engage and release easily? Does the stroller have working locking devices to stop it accidentally folding?
• Inspect the condition. Are the wheels secure and not worn out? Look for cracks, rust or damage on the frame, including sharp edges. Check the condition of the fabric and look for rips, stains or excessive wear.
• Check the features work. Check how easy the stroller is to fold and unfold. Can the seat be easily adjusted to recline and the handle adjusted for people of different heights? Ask for a copy of the instructions (or you might be able to download one from online).
• Ask about the stroller’s history. Check how old the stroller is and how often it was used.
• Take your child. If possible, check the stroller is a comfortable fit for your child. It’s also a good idea to check it fits easily in your car boot when it’s folded.

Check our stroller test results. These include results for discontinued strollers that we’ve previously tested so you can compare new and older models. If you buy from a secondhand dealer, then discover the stroller is faulty, you’re covered by the Consumer Guarantees Act. If you buy privately, you’re not.

Buggy boards attach to the back of a single or double stroller.

Buggy boards are suitable for older toddlers who are happy to walk for most of the time but want a break now and again. They can jump on to the buggy board and have a rest from all that walking.

Before buying a buggy board (or a scooter that attaches to a stroller), check that it will fit your stroller and whether you need to buy connectors.

Safe and comfortable buggy boarding

• Your child must be old enough to stand steadily while holding on to the stroller.

• Check your child will have enough room to stand comfortably (and hang on) when they’re on the board.

• The board could interfere with your pace and with the way you push the stroller.

• Your child will need to get off the board when you’re navigating steps or kerbs.

• Make sure you can still reach any foot-operated brakes on the stroller.

• Check the board will fit your stroller. Some fit a range of strollers and may only require different attachment mechanisms; others only fit a certain brand or model.

• Look for a buggy board that won’t need to be removed when you want to fold the stroller.

• Look for a buggy board that’s easy to attach and detach. Some require a bit of effort because their release mechanisms are difficult to reach.