What Makes Good Prams?

A pram (also called a stroller or pushchair) is the most popular form of transportation for babies and toddlers. A quality pram for newborn blends safety, comfort and design to make walking enjoyable for all the family.

The R for Rabbit Poppins Joy Stylish Baby Stroller is a fantastic pram for newborns to 3-year-old children. Its reversible handle allows you to turn the seat so that your child can face either you or the world around them.

Comfort

You want your child to be comfortable when you're out with them. The good news is that there are prams designed to ensure your little one doesn't feel a thing.

The prams we've picked in this buying guide all allow your baby to lie flat, which is important for newborn babies as lying flat improves oxygen saturation and supports their developing spine and hips. They also come with seats which can be transformed to more upright positions when your baby is old enough to sit.

Venicci egg2 is a high-end pram that has a cocoon-like feel for your baby. It is smooth and has curved lines, a bucket-shaped seat, which does not recline into a flat position, but it does have an upholstered mattress and liner. It's also lighter than other prams, with a weight of less than 8kg. But it has a sturdy frame with grained leather details and tyres that are air-filled, which are puncture-proof.

If you want something less expensive but still with the same style, the Minu V2 (minus carrycot) is a good option. The stylish one-hand steer model isn't as light as some of the other prams we tested but it has an impressively large storage basket, as well as an extended hood with UPF50+ protection to keep your baby safe and shaded.

If you're a first-time parent we recommend a travel system bundle that includes a pram as well as a car seat that attach to the same frame. This makes it easier to get your baby out of the car to the pram without having to wake them up and is ideal for parents on the go. The Bugaboo Dragonfly travel strollers system is a stylish and functional pram that can be converted easily from a 'pramette, or a lie-flat 'pramette' into a toddler-friendly stroller compatible with the Graco ISize car seat.

Safety

The pram should be equipped with five-point safety harnesses that will ensure your baby's safety. It should also have no gaps between their head and legs that are likely to get caught. The straps must be cushioned, and easily adjustable as your child grows. Examine the buckles on the harness to ensure that they are not cracked and show signs of wear. Many children are admitted to hospitals each year because of injuries caused by strollers or prams. Tipping over is the primary cause of these injuries. Even the strongest prams can topple when you strap your bags onto the handles or if the child is wriggling or squirming and falls in or out of the seat before the harness is tightened.

Another reason for injury is falling from the stroller or pram. If a baby's harness is not secured properly it could cause them to fall from the stroller and sustain head or neck injuries. This is why it is crucial to ensure that the harness buckle is always clicked into place.

Some prams come with an adjustable shade that can be used to protect your baby in any direction from the sun. This is a handy feature as you can avoid having to wake your child up when you are changing their position in the pram or while you are in and out of shops. There are also other features that can be useful, like a snack tray for your toddler or child and drink holders. You can also find a basket for shopping underneath the seat.

Don't leave a baby sleeping in a pram without having them within reach. Babies tend to wiggle while asleep and this can cause them to roll off the stroller or pram and cause suffocation or strangulation. A stroller or pram is not an alternative to a cot and should be used only for short periods of time during the day.

It is necessary to disassemble most prams in order to place them in the trunk of your car. This process should be familiarised with before you buy one. Consider how easy it would be to put the pieces back together.

Durability

A pram must be able stand up to the wear and tear of many years. This includes having to deal with muddy walks and getting through many car journeys, so you must ensure your choice can fulfill the tasks you require it to. You also want your stroller to have the form of a color or print that won't date quickly so that you don't end up looking like you've fallen out of style.

The best prams are constructed of top-quality materials and built to last. You should look for durable fabrics as well as sturdy tires and an efficient suspension system. The top prams feature a compact fold so you can store them easily in your garage or boot when not being used.

All prams on this list allow babies to lie on their backs. This is crucial for babies, because it allows them to develop their spine and hips and boosts oxygen levels. Many are designed to adapt to your child's needs and some having a carrycot or a fully reclined seat that can be clicked on and off the frame for when your child is no longer using it.

If you are purchasing a pram for the first time, a travel system that includes both an infant carrycot and car seats could be of interest. We love the Graco Near2Me system which our parent tester Jaya used with her 10-month-old son. It is a revolutionary feature that lets you raise and lower your baby at the touch of a single button. This lets you keep eye contact with them and keep them close.

Another option is the Bugaboo Fox 3 which our tester Jess Bird used with her two kids, Effie and Boden (pictured above). It's a luxurious triple pushchair that converts from a single pushchair to a double pushchair with 30 possible configurations. It also comes with luxe fabrics, an extendable sun canopy and puncture-proof tyres. It's not cheap, but you could use it for more than one child, if you need to and, as with our winner the iCandy Orange 3, can be used from birth with the carrycot included.

Style

All prams should permit newborns to lie flat as possible. This will help with their development and boost oxygen levels in the lungs. Some models create a completely flat surface with a fully-reclinable carrycots, while others have the seat that can recline to an upright position.

The Graco Near2Me is brilliant for this, as our parent tester Jaya discovered when she tested it on her 10-month-old daughter. She loved the ability to raise or lower her baby at the touch of a button to keep him in sight while maintaining eye contact and proximity.

The frame is perfect to take a stroll around town, and the puncture-proof tires allow you to take it off the road or on rough terrain. It's also a great option if you're thinking of having another child in the near future since it can easily be converted from a single pushchair to a twin or double pram and pushchair pushchair.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a stylish, high-end option that is both stylish and comfortable. It's ideal for babies since it includes a carrycot that can be rolled flat and is compatible with a car-seat when purchased separately. You can fold it by putting the carrycot in place - something that isn't the case with all prams, so it's an easy and time-saving feature.

The pram's luxurious fabric, spacious basket, and puncture-proof tires are all features you'd expect to find on a premium model however, the sleek frame makes it simple to maneuver around various terrains. This is a great choice for those who live in the city and have to navigate narrow streets and crowded pathways regularly. While it's not cheap however, the durability and quality of this pram mean that it can save you money over the long term by not having to invest in an additional pushchair for toddlers. You can pick from a range of colors to suit your preferences.