iCandy Orange review

Verdict in 10 seconds

• An extremely versatile tandem pushchair and travel system with a whopping 30 seat combinations
• Ideal for a growing family – offers good longevity, but is a bit bulky
• We loved that the carrycot is designed for overnight sleeping – it's super snug and would potentially save you money on a newborn bed

Pros

• Converts from a single to double pushchair
• Large number of configurations includes parent- and forward-facing options, plus ‘cinema seating’ thanks to the unique elevator adaptors, which means that both children will get a good view (this can often be a problem with tandem pushchairs)
• Carrycot and sibling seat use the same frame, and carrycot is included (seat fabric and adaptors are an additional purchase though)
• Spacious 64-litre storage basket largely unobstructed even in double mode
• Eye-catching design

Cons

• Harder to push and bulkier to store than a side-by-side model when in double mode – it's quite wide
• Higher weight limit when used as a single pushchair, rather than a double buggy
• Less adept on rough terrain
• Higher price tag than many of its competitors

What are the key features?

• Travel system with 30 possible configurations – upgrades from a single to a double or twin stroller with a converter kit (costs extra), allowing you to attach the carrycot onto the chassis alongside the regular seat unit or adding additional seat unit or carrycot fabric if you need two seat units or two carrycots
• Integrated ride-on buggy board for older children (holds up to 20kg)
• Carrycot (included) suitable for overnight sleeping
• Three-position recline, including a lie-flat recline
• Available in eight colours
• 15-minute assembly
• Swivel bumper bars
• Extendable hood with hidden mesh ventilation panel
• Quick release rear and front wheels
• Ergonomic and adjustable handlebar
• Gate-fold, rotating bumper bar
• Storage basket can hold up to 10kg
• Car seat compatible

What are the specs?

• Suitable from: birth (with carrycot) up to 25kg (approximately four to five years old) in single mode and 15 kg per seat in double mode
• W: 60cm, H: 95-105cm, L: 72cm (unfolded); W: 60cm, H: 28.5cm, L: 70cm (folded)
• Weight: 6kg (chassis only); approximately 20kg with seats and wheels attached
• Compatible with the following car seats: Maxi-Cosi Cabrio Fix, Pebble, Pebble Plus Rock; BeSafe iZiGo and iZiGo Modular; Kiddy Evo Lunafix, Kiddy Evolutions Pro 2 Kiddy Evoluna i-size; Cybex Aton Q, Cybex Cloud Q; Joie iGemm; Nuna Pipa, Recaro Privia
• RRP: £1,040 (Double), £1,175 (Twin), £875 (Single)
• Estimated resale value: £500+ at time of review

What's included with the iCandy Orange?

• Single mode – chassis, carrycot fabric with frame, seat unit fabric with frame, car seat adaptors, two canopies (one for carrycot and one for seat), carrycot apron (plus liner and mattress), elevators (for cinema seating), car seat adaptors
• Double mode – chassis, carrycot, seat unit, car seat adaptors, two canopies, carrycot apron (plus liner and mattress), two rain covers, elevators, converter and riser kit, seat unit fabric
• Twin mode – chassis, carrycot, seat unit, car seat adaptors, two canopies, carrycot apron (plus liner and mattress), two rain covers, elevators, converter and riser kit, two seat unit fabrics, two carrycot fabrics
• Extras to buy: converter adaptor kit to convert from single to double buggy – includes adaptors for carrycot and seat units and car seat (£50), extra car seat adaptors (£30), extra seat fabric (£115), extra carrycot fabric (£140), footmuff (£85)

How easy is the iCandy Orange to assemble?

At first glance the Orange’s assembly looks like something of a mission – there are certainly plenty of pieces in the box – but after a glance through iCandy’s detailed, easy-to-follow instruction manual, all becomes clear.

The main seat comes fully assembled, and the additional frame should either be put together with the carrycot fabric or the sibling seat fabric (bought separately, £140 and £115 respectively), depending on what’s required.

Bumper bars and hoods are put into place, and then adaptors are used to attach each seat to the chassis (adaptors for the car seat, carrycot and main seat are included; sibling seat adaptors are in the converter kit that is purchased separately). It sounds complicated, but in practice you’ll be ready to go in about 15 minutes.

As of 2019, the Orange comes with a very impressive five-year warranty as standard – the longest warranty by far of all the buggies we tested. iCandy also offer servicing packages at cost, if you feel your buggy needs a refresh.

How does it look?

iCandy have a reputation for eye-catching, beautifully designed pushchairs, and we reckon the Orange is a worthy addition. Its sleekly crafted chassis, bold fabrics and attention to detail attracted a number of comments from passers-by during the testing period. If style is important to you, the Orange will be high on your list.

The Orange comes in eight colourways, ranging from bright to muted tones, so there should be something for everyone.

What’s it like to use the iCandy Orange?

The Orange is much more than its looks – every detail of the design seems meticulous and deliberate, making for an intuitive and stress-free experience.

The fold and unfold mechanisms are very straightforward. To unfold, just release a clip by the wheels and pull the handle up, and to fold, pull two levers on the handle and the buggy collapses in front of you. The frame itself is freestanding and fairly compact when folded, though the large back wheels add to the footprint (they can be removed if you like, which might be useful in the car).

It’s possible to fold the buggy with the main seat in centre mode, but when using as a double, it’s likely that both will need to come off. Our tester found it somewhat easier to store with both seats removed, but both chassis and seats did take up quite a bit of space in her porch and hallway. The carrycot is also collapsible, which is useful in a car boot.

It’s a huge plus that many of the configurations can be used without the need for additional purchases – you’ll need to pay out again once you need a full-sized sibling seat, but not before then. There are different adaptors for different configurations, but all are straightforward enough to puzzle out.

The seats are not the tallest on the market, but they’re wide and comfortably padded, especially with the addition of the luxury seat liner (technically sold separately, but most shops we saw bundled it in with the buggy).

The seats recline smoothly with a three-step lever mechanism, and the bumper bar leaves plenty of room to use footmuffs or liners in colder weather. Handily for children close in age, iCandy’s unique cinema seating mode means that both siblings can face the same way and see the view, instead of one being relegated to the storage basket.

What are the other features like?

The hoods are a stand-out feature: already generously sized, they extend to a full canopy with a zip on the side, and there’s a hidden mesh panel that can be opened if you need to keep an eye on things, or for ventilation in hot weather. For wetter days, raincovers for both seats are included. They covered the seats well and were easy to use in a hurry.

The storage basket is exceptionally large and easy to access, thanks to the chassis design, and can take an impressive 10kgs in weight – ample for school bags, picnics and large supermarket shops.

How does it fit into day-to-day life?

What really makes the iCandy Orange shine is its flexibility. Small children being unpredictable by nature, it’s a real asset to position either sibling in upper or lower seats, facing towards or away from you, depending on their preference. The built-in buggy board is a wonderful addition too, extending the Orange’s usefulness by a few more years as an older child ages out of the seat, or offering a lift to a tired sibling on the way home from school.

As a heavier tandem buggy it’s not as easy to push as a side-by-side model, particularly on sloping ground, and it’s generally wise to keep two hands on the handle at all times. It’s best on pavements, but the large back wheels and rear suspension make park trips doable.

Like most double buggies, it’s bulky in a car boot, but should fit in most of them with the seats removed. Its chassis is narrower than many other tandem buggies (only 60cm), so it’s a breeze to take around town or on public transport. Our tester did find that the weight distribution is easiest to manage when the heavier child is in the seat over the back wheels, which might be worth bearing in mind if you’re catching the bus or train.

How safe is it?

We tested the Orange in many different configurations, and in all of them it remained reliably well-balanced and sturdy. That extra weight lends itself to core stability, to the point that hanging all the weight over the front wheels or solely on the buggy board won’t shift it. It passed the topple test with flying colours, although in reality the storage basket is so large you’d be unlikely to hang shopping from the handles anyway.

The seats are particularly robust – our tester’s toddler even climbed up to sit on the baby’s footrest without the seat shifting an inch. It’s not the roomiest seat we tested – though it’s one of iCandy’s largest – but it held a rambunctious toddler in comfort quite easily.

The five-point harness fits snugly, and feels secure, though it’s a little fiddly to extend the length of the straps. The seats come with a high-quality leatherette bumper bar that pivots from one end instead of needing to be completely removed to get the child out.

The carrycot (included) comes with a comfortable, high-quality mattress and a durable apron, plus a large hood that keeps the baby sheltered from the elements.

The brake is a foot lever design, crafted from smooth plastic – easy on the feet, even in flip-flops – and keeps the buggy firmly in place when pressed down.

How easy is the iCandy Orange to clean?

Here, again, the Orange excels – the luxury seat liner is especially good at repelling dirt and grime. Everything we spilled on it was removable with a wet wipe, but in case of catastrophe, it’s very easy to remove all the fabrics to wash them.

The chassis and wheels fared equally well after a muddy testing period, looking good as new after a quick wipe.

Final verdict?

Excelling in all testing categories, the iCandy Orange proves itself as practical as it is stylish. The versatility of its many seating options should satisfy even the fussiest of tiny passengers. While it’s at the more expensive end of the market, its longevity and flexibility makes that investment more than worthwhile.

About Mumsnet Reviews

All Mumsnet product reviews are written by real parents after weeks of research and testing. We work hard to provide honest and independent advice you can trust. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links in our articles. However, we never allow this to influence our coverage.

All prices correct at time of publication

Compare prices