iCandy Core 2 review: a premium all-terrain pushchair that feels as good as it looks

How we tested the iCandy Core 2 pushchair

Kate tested the Core 2 over five weeks with her nine-week-old baby and two-year-old, using it two to three times a week across a mix of everyday journeys. Testing included nursery runs, trips into the city centre and shops, as well as walks in the park, long grass and muddy paths, giving a good balance of urban and more uneven terrain use.

As part of the process, Kate scored the Core 2 across eight key criteria - performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety and stability, ease of folding and unfolding, comfort, and adjustability and storage - giving it a final score of 91 out of 100.

It performed particularly strongly in performance and quality and durability, where it scored a full 15/15, reflecting Kate’s impression of a pushchair that felt both robust and highly capable across different terrains. It also achieved a perfect score for safety and stability (10/10), reinforcing her confidence in its build and overall design for everyday family use.

The iCandy Core 2 comes with a carrycot and accessories as part of bundle deals

Who is the iCandy Core 2 best suited for?

The Core 2 is well suited from birth thanks to its lie-flat seat and smooth suspension, making it a strong option for newborns, while still being robust enough to handle older children with ease.

Kate found it worked particularly well for everyday use across a mix of terrain, from pavements and shops to parks and more uneven ground, thanks to its all-terrain design and sturdy wheels. She also felt it was relatively light in the hand for a pushchair of this size and build, which made it easier to manoeuvre than she had expected from a more robust, feature-rich model.

That said, as a single pushchair, it wasn’t the most practical option for her family when travelling with both children at once, as both still require a pram for longer days out. For parents with one child, or those primarily needing a main everyday pushchair, it felt like a very capable all-rounder.

What is the difference between the iCandy Core 2 and the iCandy Pip?

While the iCandy Pip is designed with portability and travel in mind, the Core 2 is positioned as a full-featured everyday pushchair built for more regular, all-round use. The Pip is much lighter at just 7kg and cabin approved for air travel, making it ideal for holidays and public transport, whereas the Core 2 weighs around 7.8kg and prioritises stability, comfort and performance across a wider range of terrain.

The Core 2 also offers a more robust wheel system, advanced suspension and an integrated ride-on board, making it better suited to longer walks and mixed ground, while the Pip is more focused on compact city use and short trips.

To help highlight the key differences at a glance, we’ve broken down how the iCandy Core 2 compares to the iCandy Pip below:

What’s in the box and how easy is it to assemble?

The items listed below are what Kate received as part of the Core 2 Pushchair and Carrycot Complete Bundle.

From unboxing, Kate found the Core 2 quick and straightforward to get set up, taking no longer than five minutes to assemble into a working pram. The instructions were clear and no tools were needed.

Here’s what she received as part of the Complete Bundle:

• Core 2 chassis

• Core 2 Storm Grey carrycot fabrics

• Core 2 Storm Grey carrycot apron

• Core 2 Storm Grey seat unit fabric

• Core 2 Storm Grey footmuff

• The Everyway Bag

• Core 2 carrycot liner

• Core 2 mattress

• Core 2 bumper bar

• Core 2 baseboard

• Core 2 raincover

• Universal Storm Grey parasol

• Core parasol & cupholder clamp

• Core 2 car seat adapters

• Cup holder

• Core 2 elevator adapters

• The Screen

• Core 2 front wheels

• Core 2 back wheels

• Core 2 spindles

Does the iCandy Core 2 pushchair come with accessories?

The Core 2 doesn’t automatically come with a full set of accessories as standard, with most extras available to buy separately or included depending on the bundle chosen.

Kate tested the Core 2 as part of the Complete Bundle, which meant she was able to try a number of accessories during testing, including the cup holder, carrycot apron, footmuff, The Everyway Bag, rain cover, parasol and Core 2 Elevator adapters, which raise the seat unit, carrycot or compatible car seat on the chassis.

In use, Kate found the rain cover easy to fit and offering full coverage, although she notes “my toddler doesn’t really like it” – something she puts down more to toddler opinion than functionality. The Core 2 also comes with a bumper bar included as standard, which Kate felt was a useful addition as this isn’t always provided with other pushchairs.

iCandy offers the Core 2 in a range of configurations depending on how complete a setup you want, from the pushchair alone, to the pushchair and carrycot bundle, through to the Travel Bundle, which adds the Cocoon car seat and base, and finally the fully loaded Complete Bundle used in this review.

Most accessories are also available to purchase individually, including:

• Core Everyway Bag

• Core 2 footmuff

• Core 2 carrycot

• Carrycot apron

• Core 2 car seat adapters

• Universal parasol

• Cup holder

 The extendable sun canopy was a particular highlight, offering generous coverage and staying firmly in place even over uneven ground, unlike other pushchairs she’s used where the hood can slip during use.

The iCandy Core 2 offers a full lie-flat recline and is suitable from birth

How does the iCandy Core 2 look?

The standout feature for Kate is the Core 2’s modern, premium design – she says it “just feels and looks so stylish.”

Overall, it has a high-end finish with a lightweight yet robust frame that still feels solid in use. Kate particularly liked the colour and felt the pushchair struck a strong balance between being sturdy without feeling bulky.

She also noticed how stable the handlebar feels, describing it as wide and secure, which adds to the overall sense of control when pushing it. The fabrics feel breathable in use, with ventilation panels that can be easily opened or closed in both the carrycot and seat unit depending on the weather.

Another design detail Kate liked was the integrated ride-on board, which sits neatly into the chassis without adding bulk or making the pushchair feel oversized. The Core 2 is available in three colourways – Black, Sandstone and Storm Grey – all finished with a sleek matte jet black chassis for a modern, premium look.

How safe and sturdy is the iCandy Core 2?

Kate found the Core 2 felt impressively stable and smooth in use, even on more uneven ground. During testing at a local farm, she was surprised by how well it handled longer grass, describing it as feeling steady and controlled rather than bumpy or difficult to push. A friend also commented on how smooth it felt when they tried it, particularly compared to other pushchairs they had used.

The five-point harness was another strong point. Kate says it feels very secure in everyday use and adds, “My toddler hasn’t managed to wriggle out yet like she has with other pushchairs we’ve had.” She also found it straightforward to fasten, even when dealing with a toddler who didn’t want to go into the pushchair, which made day-to-day use much easier.

The brake system also stood out. Kate liked that it is colour-coded for clear locked and unlocked positions, and that it can be engaged by simply pushing down rather than lifting with the foot. She felt this made it especially practical in day-to-day use, including when wearing open-toe shoes.

Designed for use from birth, the carrycot combines a cosy fleece lining with airflow panels to help keep baby comfortable.

How comfortable is the iCandy Core 2?

Kate found the Core 2 generally very comfortable for both her toddler and baby, with the seat unit feeling supportive and well cushioned during everyday use. Her toddler seemed happy sitting in it for longer stretches, although she did sometimes rest her feet on the bumper bar, meaning Kate occasionally removed it for comfort.

She felt the recline worked particularly well in real-life use, especially for naps on the go. As she explains, “There are four positions including the lie-flat position which actually goes fully flat which has been ideal when I have been out and about with my toddler and she has wanted a nap.”

Kate also appreciated the flexibility this gave her across both children, adding, “I have also on a couple of occasions placed my 9-week-old baby in the seat unit rather than the bassinet.” The padded head hugger also added extra support for her baby, helping to keep her comfortable and well positioned in the seat.

The recline itself is very smooth, although Kate did mention that it can feel almost too smooth at times, as it isn’t always obvious when it has fully locked into position.

Kate also liked the adjustable handlebar, which has two height settings depending on the user. She felt this made it more comfortable for pushing over longer periods, particularly when sharing use between different adults.

In terms of materials, she found the soft matte leather-style finish on the handlebar comfortable to hold and easy to wipe clean, although she did notice it can mark quite easily from things like makeup or grease.

How adjustable and adaptable is the iCandy Core 2?

The Core 2 is very straightforward to adapt depending on your setup, with the carrycot clicking on and off easily and no adaptors required, which makes switching between modes quick and fuss-free.

Attaching a car seat is also simple, although Kate did find removing it more awkward in practice. She noted that it seems to release both sides at once, which can make it tricky to unclip while also holding the weight of the car seat and baby. Being able to release one side at a time would have made this feel more manageable.

The seat unit itself is flexible, with both parent-facing and forward-facing options available. Kate found it very easy to switch between the two positions, with the mechanism feeling smooth and uncomplicated when changing the direction of the seat.

The iCandy Core 2 has ample storage space in the under seat basket

What’s the storage basket like?

Kate was really impressed with the size of the Core 2’s storage basket, saying it easily held far more than the pram she had used previously. In day-to-day use, she found there was plenty of room for everything needed on a family outing, including blankets, a baby carrier, shopping bags, toys and a changing bag without it feeling overstuffed.

She also noted that it comfortably fits a changing bag and appreciated that the included Everyway Bag attaches easily to the pushchair for added convenience.

In addition to the main basket, Kate found the small storage pocket in the seat unit particularly useful, using it as a handy place to keep the rain cover close to hand.

The iCandy Core 2 folds flat enough to store upright or in a car boot

What is the iCandy Core 2 like to use day to day?

This is where the Core 2 really impressed Kate. She found it easy to steer and smooth to handle across a mix of terrain, from pavements and shops to cobbled streets, parks and uneven ground. Outside her home, where she regularly pushes over a cobbled road, she was particularly reassured by how stable it felt even with her nine-week-old in the carrycot, saying the suspension made it feel so smooth she barely noticed the bumps.

It’s also very easy to manoeuvre in tighter spaces, with Kate noting it fits comfortably through standard doorways and feels simple to navigate in shops and smaller aisles.

Although she didn’t manage to consistently fold it one-handed, she found the folding mechanism straightforward overall and not something she struggled with in day-to-day use. She also noted that it stands upright when folded, which makes storage much easier at home.

At around the same weight as her two-year-old, Kate felt it was light enough to lift and move without feeling like a chore, and it fitted easily into her car boot with room to spare. While she hasn’t yet used it on public transport, Kate said she “wouldn’t hesitate to take it on buses or trains” as it feels lightweight, easy to manoeuvre and not cumbersome in the way some full-size pushchairs can be.

Is the iCandy Core 2 easy to clean?

The Core 2 is relatively low-maintenance day to day, although the main fabric is wipe-clean only, which Kate felt wasn’t ideal for messier toddler moments. In practice, it hasn’t required any deep cleaning yet, partly because she avoids messy snacks and muddy shoes in the pushchair. For everyday upkeep, she found a quick wipe-down was usually all that was needed.

Is the iCandy Core 2 good value for money?

Yes! Kate felt the Core 2 offers strong value for money, particularly for families with one child or those with a larger age gap between children. As a single pushchair, it works well as a long-term everyday option, but she did note that when using it with both her toddler and nine-week-old baby, she often needed both children in a pram at the same time, which isn’t possible with this model as it doesn’t convert into a double.

For families needing a double setup, she felt a more suitable alternative would be the iCandy Peach 7 Twin, which offers a dedicated tandem design with more flexible seat and carrycot configurations.

That said, Kate felt the price of the Core 2 is justified by its overall quality, describing it as feeling sturdy, well-built and like a pushchair that is designed to last for years of use.

About the author

 Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving - a parenting title focused on children's health and development. She has also contributed to various lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals and newspapers) and edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals.

As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children's development, wellbeing and safety, particularly focusing on car seats, having written extensive guides for Mumsnet on rear-facing car seats as well as car seat regulations in the UK.

Her expertise in this area is informed by both professional knowledge and personal experience as a mother. As a keen runner and cyclist, Tammy has also reviewed numerous baby travel products with her daughter in tow, including strollers and pushchairs, child bike seats, all-terrain prams and the best running buggies on the market, thus offering valuable insights into safety, comfort and convenience for families.