compact lightweight reversible pushchair - is it really just one choice - bee?

[scotianka]

Hi . I'm already starting the eighth month of my pushchair research. ... and I'm running out of time!

I know exactly what I want but I don't think such pushchair exists....

1. Must be lightweight (below 9 kg, ideally less) and compact (must be narrow and have small footprint)
2. Must have reversible seat (not just handle or only for newborns) (I love babyzen yoyo but it doesn't have that)
3. Must be very easy to push and turn with one hand (so can't have two handles)
4. Must be suitable from birth
5. The handle needs to be low as I'm only 5'1 (again, I love babyzen yoyo but it doesn't have that)
6. It would be great if it folded compact
7. Reasonable basket

Is it really only bugaboo bee and icandy raspberry ticking these boxes? Can you think of anything else that I can research?

--------------------

Hello,

We've noticed this thread is quite old now, and some of the product recommendations are a little out of date. We've spent weeks speaking to parents and testing prams and pushchairs, here's our round up of the best pushchairs on the market right now and what to look out for when buying one.

Hope that helps!

MNHQ

[Dozyoldtwonk]

Not sure but I have the bugaboo bee and can give it my full recommendation - it's a fab pushchair - small, nimble, compact, suitable for a newborn with the cocoon type add ons you can buy - & it will fit into the smallest boot! It's expensive for what it is, granted - but as with all bugaboo models the quality is top notch.

Is there any reason why you've discounted it?

[Mol1628]

Graco evo?

[ImprovingMyMH]

I loved my Bugaboo Bee +.

[HopelesslydevotedtoGu]

I was looking for something with similar criteria and ended up with a secondhand Bee

I love it, it is so easy to steer and light, there is a reason they are so popular

The other brand I looked at closely was the Mutsy. I think I considered the Mutsy Evo (or it might be another by that brand) but it was wiiiide.

[minipie]

Mamas and Papas armadillo
Easywalker something

I have a Bee. It's fab in many ways BUT the wheels do catch in every pothole or on uneven pavements. If I had my time again I'd have chosen something with bigger wheels (Uppababy cruz maybe) and placed less importance on size/weight.

[CleverQuacks]

I have a Quinny (only pram that would fit in my tiny car boot) and it is brilliant. Really easy to manoeuvre and you can get an insert to make it suitable from birth.

[bonzo77]

Baby jogger city versa

[lucy101101]

Have you looked at Micralite?

Hands down the best buggy I have ever had (above Bee, Quinny, and lots of others I have tried)

www.micralite.com

[bonzo77]

I don't think micra lite parent faces.

[JohnLapsleyParlabane]

Armadillo flip. But it is heavy. I have one and wish I'd got a Bee.

[PabloEscobarReallyLovesHisKids]

www.pramworld.co.uk/baby-jogger-vue-black?gclid=CNqc_aWd39ACFUuT7Qod32wPYA#fo_c=743&fo_k=52039469c8c14ebf467648d237563cf1&fo_s=gplauk
Any good?

[PabloEscobarReallyLovesHisKids]

The only thing is it does have two handles but I had one and it's very easy to push.

[ACatCalledFang]

We have an iCandy Raspberry and its brilliant. But we have had two problems with it in 15 months while h required replacement parts - the lever adjusting the seat went, then the brake went a few months later. We might have been unlucky, and we're really pleased with it overall, but I would make sure you buy it from somewhere with a decent warranty policy if that's the one you go for. We got ours from John Lewis and while the service has not been great, we've got it sorted both times (essentially replaced the whole thing and reset the warranty). I think the only places which sell them new are John Lewis and Mothercare.

On the plus side, it ticks all your boxes, is super light and manoeuvres well without feeling flimsy, and the basket is a great size. I've never not been able to wheel it into a space I wanted to (including on buses, etc - it's great for public transport), and it is also freestanding when folded. Plus it looks great!

Only downsides for us are that the storage pod is almost impossible to close with the rain cover in (and this is our third chassis so not a one-off), and the hood is not even shower proof - it's more robust than it looks as it has survived DS using it for pull ups but you have to whip the rain cover out at the first sign of rain.

We've been pleased with it; I'd buy it again.

[HopelesslydevotedtoGu]

it's the reversibility which is limiting your options

One solution is to use a sling when your baby is young, and wait until they are older to use a pram and then use face forward

This is a common choice where I live (London)

[Cottagecosy]

Just to be contentious we didn't like the bee when we looked at it in the shops- I thought it was quite bulky. Went for oyster max - littlun due this month so not tried it yet but seems to fit your criteria? Very similar to i candy (without the price tag!)

[LotisBlue]

I had similar criteria to you but couldn't afford a bee, I went for a baby jogger vue. Overall I love it, although the basket is tiny and it is two handled, making it harder to push one handed (and this is only really a problem when I have my older child with me).

[Anatidae]

Easywalker mosey. Not sure it's very light but it is compact and it's a bloody fabulous buggy. Bee no use here (tiny wheels plus Swedish winter...)

[Poocatcherchampion]

Bee is a great pushchair.

You need some more hobbies

[fish88]

Not sure how much it weighs but we have an Easywalker Mosey. Fully reversible seat, easy to steer, handle is adjustable. You can also get a carry cot for it and the pushchair folds up with the carry cot still attached although it's not as compact this way. I really love it.

[fish88]

Oh and I also have a baby jogger vue for my toddler but I wouldn't use it for a newborn. Was best from about 6 months.

[LotisBlue]

You can get a carrycot for the vue.

[scotianka]

Well, after trying the bee plus and realising how wobbly it can be, I am still considering the raspberry as the only alternative with all the features of a bee.
I initially discarded it because of the hood. As you mentioned, it's not even showerproof or windproof, and since we live in Scotland and I would need to have a raincover on permanently!

I have also been considering a mosey/mini. Unfortunately, there is no place here that stocks them so I can't try it. Do you think I could risk buying online without seeing it first? I'm worried it's 2.5kg heavier, and 9kg seems to be the most I can lift to put a buggy to my boot...

[minipie]

Scotianka the Bee feels wobbly empty or with a newborn but the more the baby grows the less wobbly it gets. It's incredibly well made - I have sat in myself numerous times while watching the DC in the park, it's very sturdy and comfy and ours is still in one piece after 4 years of hard use.

I would be tempted by the easywalker option though. Remember if you order online you are entitled to return within 7 days (although you'd have to be able to disassemble it and put it back in the box...) How often will you be putting it in the boot? We live in a city and hardly ever put the buggy in the car but all depends on your circumstances.

[fish88]

The boot of my car doesn't stay up and I can lift the mosey in one handed whilst holding the boot open. I'm a tiny 50kg woman so I'm sure most other people would be able to do it as well.