What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also known as a pushchair or stroller) is the primary mode of transport for infants and toddlers. A good pram combines safety, comfort and style to make walking enjoyable for all the family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a fantastic pram for newborns up to 3 year old kids. The reversible handle lets you turn the seat to face your child or the world.

Comfort

You want your baby to be comfortable when you're out with them. There are prams to ensure that your baby isn't shivering anything.

The prams we've selected in this buying guide let your baby lie flat, which is essential for infants as lying flat improves oxygen saturation and assists in the development of their hips and spine. The seats can also be adjusted to an upright position once your child is capable of sitting up.

Venicci egg2 is a premium pram with a cocoon feeling for your baby. It has smooth, curved lines and a bucket-shaped seat which doesn't recline into an upright position however, it does come with an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than most prams, weighing under 8kg. However, it has a sturdy frame with finely textured leather and air-filled tyres which are puncture-proof.

The Minu V2 is a great option if you're looking for something with a similar look but at a lower price. The swish-looking one-hand steer model isn't as lightweight than some of the other prams we tested but it does have a large storage basket, as well as an the ability to extend the hood, which comes with UPF 50+ protection that'll keep your baby protected and shaded.

If you are a first-time parent, we recommend that you consider a travel system package which includes a car seat as well as a pram sale that can be attached to the same frame. This makes it easier for parents to transfer their baby from the car to the pram without having to wake them up. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a great example of a stylish and functional pram that can convert easily from a'pramette' that lies flat' to a toddler-friendly pushchair, compatible with the Graco I-Size car seat.

Safety

A pram must have a five point safety harness to ensure your baby is safe and free of any gaps that could trap their heads or legs. The straps should be cushioned and easy to adjust as they grow. Check the buckles on the harness to ensure that they are not damaged and show signs of wear. Every year, a large number of children are admitted to hospitals due to injuries caused by prams or strollers. The most common reason for these injuries is the result of a stroller tipping over. Even the strongest prams can fall over if you hang bags onto the handles, or if a wriggling child is able to get into or out of the seat without harnesses being done up.

Another frequent cause of injury is falling off the stroller or pram. If a baby's harness isn't secured correctly it can cause them to fall out of the stroller, causing head or neck injuries. This is why it is vital to ensure that the harness buckle is always secured.

A few good prams also come with a reversible canopy that will protect your baby from the sun in any direction. This feature is useful because you won't have to wake up your baby when you change their position in the stroller, or when you enter stores and out. Other useful features include a snack tray and drink holders for your infant or toddler, a basket for shopping under the seat, and a handlebar that locks into position when you're not using it.

Never leave a sleeping baby in a pram without being within reach. Babies are susceptible to wiggle while asleep and this could cause them to roll out of the pram or stroller. This could result in strangulation and suffocation. A pram or stroller is not an alternative to a crib and should only be used for short periods during the day.

It is essential to disassemble most prams in order to place them in the trunk of your car. This process is something you should know before you purchase one. Also, check how easy it is to get the different parts back together before putting them into place.

Durability

A pram should be able to endure several years of wear. This includes surviving muddy walks and getting through numerous car journeys, so you must ensure your choice can perform the task you want it to. It is also important for your stroller to have an image or color that doesn't get outdated so that you don't end up looking like you've gone out of style.

The best prams are made with high-quality materials. They are built to last, so you should look for robust fabrics, sturdy wheels and an effective suspension system. The best prams will also feature a compact fold so they can be easily stored in your garage or in the boot when not in use.

All the prams on this list allow your baby to lie down flat. This is essential for babies, because it aids in the development of their hips and spine and boosts oxygen levels. A lot of them are designed to grow with your child, with some of them having a carrycot or fully-reclined seat that can be moved on and off the frame when your child outgrows it.

If you are considering buying a pram for the first time you should consider a travel system that comes with a carrycot and a car seat may be worth a look. We love the Graco Near2Me device that our parent tester Jaya used with her son of 10 months. It has an innovative feature that lets you raise and lower your baby at the touch of a single button. This allows you to keep your eyes on your child and keep them close.

Another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two children, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a stroller that can be transformed from a single pushchair to double in 30 different configurations. It also comes with the sun canopy which can be extended and puncture-proof tires. It's not cheap, but you could use it for more than one child in the event of need and, like our winner the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth using the included carrycot.

Style

Newborns must lay flat as often as they can in order to promote development and improve the oxygen saturation of their lungs, which is why it's important that all prams allow this. Some models create a completely flat position with a fully-reclinable carrycot while others feature a seat that reclines to an upright position.

The Graco Near2Me is brilliant for this, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tested it on her child who was 10 months old. She was thrilled to be able to raise or lower her child at the touch of the button to keep him in view, while still maintaining the eye contact and closeness.

The frame is perfect for nipping around town and the puncture-proof tires permit you to drive it off the road or on rough terrain. It's also a good option if you're thinking of having another child in future because it easily converts from a single pushchair to a twin or double pushchair travel system.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly looks and feels like a stylish, high-end option. It's ideal for babies because it includes a carrycot which can be rolled flat and is compatible with a car-seat if purchased separately. It can be folded while the carrycot still in place This is an option that not all prams offer. This saves time and makes it easier to use.

Its luxe fabrics, spacious shopping basket and puncture-proof tires are the kinds of features you'd expect to find on a high-end pram and its sleek design makes it easy to handle across a variety of terrains. This is a great option if you live in the city and must navigate narrow streets or crowded paths frequently. Although it's not inexpensive but the quality and versatility of this pram will save you money over the long term by eliminating the need to invest in an additional pushchair for toddlers. You can choose from a wide range of colors to match your preferences.