Getting from A to B while lugging a child (or two! or three!), as well as snacks, toys and various child-related paraphernalia is no easy task, as any parent will know. However, with the right lightweight, folding umbrella stroller, you and your baby or toddler will be whizzing around in no time!
We'll help you to choose the stroller best suited to your family, guiding you through the features to consider whether you're a tall parent or need the most compact pram possible for air travel. We'll also list our top ten products to buy online from Amazon, John Lewis and Argos, featuring leading buggy brands such as Maclaren, Silver Cross, Hauk and Chicco.
Quick List - Top Umbrella Strollers
Dr Jonathan Henderson is a consultant paediatrician who practices for the NHS and his award-winning private practice. His medical qualifications (MB, BAO and BCh) were all completed at Queen's University Belfast in 2007. He then obtained his membership with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2012 and later became a college fellow in 2019. In addtion to his clinical work, he contributes to e-learning programmes and teaches paediatrics internationally to other healthcare professionals. Dr Henderson, who is on the speciality register of the General Medical Council, has a keen interest in promoting quality improvement in paediatrics and has presented work both regionally and nationally.
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Dr Jonathan Henderson is a consultant paediatrician practising for the NHS, as well as privately. His medical qualifications (MB, BAO and BCh) were all completed at Queen's University Belfast in 2007.
He then obtained his membership with the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2012. In addition to his clinical work, he contributes to e-learning programmes and teaches paediatrics internationally to other healthcare professionals. Check out more about him on his website.
Before we get started, you might be wondering what an umbrella stroller is and whether you really need one. Well, let us enlighten you! Quite simply, an umbrella stroller is a lightweight, compact buggy that folds up like an umbrella.
As you can imagine, they're much less cumbersome than a full-featured pushchair or travel system and are also easier to use, with some models even being able to be folded one-handed (or footed). They are perfect for nipping out to the shops with or taking on a plane when travelling.
Not all umbrella pushchairs are made equal and some will last longer than others. Most are recommended from around six months and older, when babies are able to sit up independently.
If you want to use one for younger babies, opt for a stroller that will fully recline and that comes with appropriate newborn headrests. Some models are only tested up to 15 kg, so to maximise the lifetime of your buggy, look for one that will last until your child is at least 22 kg, which is around age 4.
Having four children myself, this is very true. As new parents, we don't think about how quickly babies grow - of course, they need new clothes, but the buggies don't have to change, and many are versatile and adapt as your child grows.
You may also find that this can be the most cost-effective approach. This will grow with your child and goes everywhere with you. Check the manufacturers' instructions to ensure the straps are adjustable for the height and weight of your child.
Safety is always top of the list when shopping for your child, and children should always be strapped into a buggy to keep them secure. The best way to do so is to ensure that any stroller you buy has an adjustable harness.
A five-point harness is the best choice for pushchair restraint and most strollers will feature this type of safety harness. Padded harnesses will be more comfortable for your child, but do check to see if these are machine washable as we all know how grubby children can get!
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Without the added support of a 5-point harness with straps around their hips, the stroller can be unstable as your child will be able to move around more and change the balance of the stroller.
Most umbrella strollers allow you to adjust the back to different reclining positions to make your child more comfortable. If you plan to use the buggy for younger babies, choose one that includes a flat-lying setting so that your child can nap.
Some models even give you the option of choosing the exact angle of the back rest, giving you the ultimate flexibility. Pick a stroller that offers at least three positions for optimum comfort.
Umbrella buggies are designed to be a lightweight alternative to travel systems. They are much lighter and more compact than their more full-on counterparts, and as such are easier to lift and manoeuvre.
To fully reap these rewards, look for pushchairs that are around 7.5 kg or less. Some models can weight as little as 4.5 kg, which is ideal if you're of a smaller build or have back problems.
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Wheels are quite a fundamental part of a stroller, and umbrella strollers are no different. Many models offer wheels that swivel to give the pushchair greater manoeuvrability. A locking mechanism to keep these wheels from swivelling when necessary is also useful.
Solid plastic wheels are also beneficial for avoiding punctures, however, they will be much harder to push if you regularly travel off-pavement. Think about the terrain you will be travelling over most regularly and consider off-road wheels for rough ground.
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Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Babyzen YOYO2 Stroller | ![]() | Folding Pushchair That’s Suitable for Air Travel | |
2 | Cosatto Woosh 2 Pushchair | ![]() | Umbrella Stroller With Multiple Accessories for Longer Trips | |
3 | Joie Nitro Pushchair | ![]() | Affordable Stroller With Dual Wheel Suspension and Linked Brakes | |
4 | Silver Cross Pop Stroller | ![]() | Fully Reclining Buggy With UPF 50+ Sun Hood | |
5 | Maclaren Quest Stroller | ![]() | Folding Maclaren Stroller With a Lifetime Guarantee | |
6 | Hauck Sport Lightweight Stroller | ![]() | Lightweight Umbrella Stroller With Large Shopping Bag for Essentials | |
7 | Chicco London Matrix Stroller | ![]() | Suitable up to the Age of Three With Quilted Footmuff for Winter | |
8 | Lejoux Baby Pushchair Stroller | ![]() | A Stylish Travel Buggy for Young and Old | |
9 | Cuggl Laurel Stroller | ![]() | Ultra-Lightweight Folding Umbrella Stroller Under 5 kg |
This is truly the Rolls Royce of umbrella strollers. Made with top-quality aluminium alloys, stainless steel and fibre-glass-reinforced plastics, it weighs just 6.1 kg and folds down to just 52 x 44 x 18 cm – small enough to be classed as cabin baggage. It even comes with a cover and shoulder strap so you can carry it onboard while travelling.
Every feature was designed with comfort and safety in mind and both folding and unfolding can be achieved one-handed. It can also form part of a travel system as it is compatible with the YOYO car seat by BeSafe, which connects to its frame in two clicks. If you are going to splurge, then this is the stroller to splurge on.
These super-cute strollers are available in range of stunning designs, but more than just being eye-catching, it is the quality of these pushchairs that draw attention. With a host of fantastic features as well as adjustable handles and lockable front wheels, this buggy pushes the boat out on thoughtful design.
It also quickly folds down one-handed to just 56 cm long, 48 cm wide and 33 cm deep. This is a really nice stroller, and great when you don’t want to take a whole travel system on longer trips with limited storage space, such as on a plane.
This pushchair packs in all the key features you could want in one handy (and compact!) bundle. It is suitable from birth up to 22.5 kg and has five reclining positions, operable one-handed. The leg rest is also adjustable, and the five-point harness is super soft on your baby’s skin.
Weighing in at 7.7 kg, this is one of the heavier umbrella strollers out there. However, with dual wheel suspension, linked brakes and great accessories included for an excellent price, Joie's offering could well be the only stroller you buy.
Suitable from birth, this comfortable umbrella stroller has an adjustable back as well as calf support for your little one. The UPF 50+ hood keeps your child safe from the sun, while the rain cover will keep them dry. The generous basket is also large enough to satisfy the most dedicated of shoppers!
This is one of the pricier models on our list, but the quality of this product speaks for itself. And, though not as compact as some of the other strollers, this is nevertheless a very nice, comfortable pushchair that can also be quickly folded one-handed.
The Quest Stroller is available in a range of patterns and colours, and features an extendable waterproof canopy with sun visor and UPF 50+ sun protection. The seat reclines to four different positions too, so it's suitable from birth all the way to 25 kg.
As you would expect from Maclaren, the wheels are well-designed, with four-wheel suspension and ultra-light EVA tyres. Compatible with other Maclaren products, the quality of this stroller is evident in the details and it is backed by the company’s sovereign lifetime warranty.
As one of the lightest buggies in our selection, this nifty little number features Disney's ever-popular Minnie Mouse. It boasts a super-adjustable backrest that can be set at any angle between 108 and 156 degrees, making it suitable from birth, and the footrest can also be adjusted for maximum comfort.
Plus, the shopping basket is big enough to fit all your essentials and the sun hood will keep your child shaded and comfortable. At less than 6 kg, it's not only easy to whizz around in but also a breeze to carry and store.
Chicco is a trusted brand in baby products, and it is easy to see why with this well-designed stroller. Combining comfort features like an adjustable reclining backrest and great suspension, it is lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, too.
This stroller comes with the usual raincover, sun hood and shopping basket, but also includes a foot muff to keep your little one’s toes snug in the colder months. Suitable for children up to three years of age, this is a good buggy to keep at grandparents’ homes or as a lighter option for trips to town.
Suitable from newborn up to 15 kg, this lightweight umbrella stroller offers some useful features that make it a good choice for most families with older babies.
The pushchair itself weighs 8 kg, making it a little heavier than some of the others on the list. However, as it is suitable from birth to 15 kg, its lifespan is extensive and can even be used for different children on different occasions.
The design is minimalist in a light grey, but looks aside, this stroller is ultra-compact and weighs just 4.9 kg, plus it features a central brake, shopping basket and five-point harness for safety.
This stroller is very manoeuvrable and is incredibly useful for holidays, grandparents or for those times when you just want to nip out without getting your full stroller out.
No. 1: Babyzen|YOYO2 Stroller
No. 2: Cosatto|Woosh 2 Pushchair
No. 3: Joie|Nitro Pushchair
No. 4: Silver Cross|Pop Stroller
No. 5: Maclaren|Quest Stroller
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