iCandy Pip review: a lightweight, compact stroller with premium comfort

How we tested the iCandy Pip stroller

• Tested over eight weeks with an eight-month-old

• Used three to four times a week for everyday errands and shopping trips

• Taken on trips to towns and cities, including cobbled streets in Cornwall

• Used on canal tow paths and other local outdoor areas

• Tested on trains - assessed for portability and ease of lifting

• Used on a variety of surfaces, including pavements, cobbles, tow paths and some rocky terrain

Laura tested the Pip over the course of two months with her eight-month-old daughter. She and her husband reached for it frequently when they needed something light and easy to use for everyday trips, errands, or when extra boot space was required.

While the Pip works best on paved city streets and town paths, it also handled cobbled streets in Cornwall and canal tow paths at home surprisingly well. Laura notes that “on occasion it would tip slightly to the side around corners on rocky terrain,” but overall found it performed well across a variety of surfaces.

The lightweight frame proved useful for public transport, with the stroller being easy to lift on and off trains.

Once testing was complete, we scored the Pip on the same eight key criteria as our other stroller reviews: performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety and stability, ease of folding and unfolding, comfort and storage. After adding all the scores together, the iCandy Pip achieved a total of 93 out of 100, which equates to a five-star rating.

Laura used the iCandy Pip stroller on holiday in Cornwall

iCandy Pip stroller: what’s in the box?

• Pip stroller frame

• Pip seat liner

• Pip bumper bar

• Pip dust bag

• Pip rain cover

While the core components cover daily use and travel, there are several useful accessories available separately to enhance functionality depending on how you plan to use the stroller:

Extras you can buy:

• iCandy Pip Footmuff – great for cooler weather.

• iCandy Pip Car Seat Adaptors – turn the Pip into a travel system with a compatible car seat like the iCandy Cocoon, Cybex Cloud T or Maxi-Cosi Pebble 360 Pro.

• iCandy Pip Screen – sun protection and airflow on bright days.

• iCandy Universal Cup Holder – handy for drinks on the go.

• iCandy Universal Parasol – shade that attaches easily for sunnier days.

• iCandy Pushchair Organiser – extra storage for snacks and essentials.

How easy is the iCandy Pip stroller to assemble?

The Pip stroller was very straightforward to get ready, in fact, no assembly was necessary. Laura says, “It was ready to go straight out of the box, you just follow the picture instructions printed on the inside of the packaging for folding and unfolding.” No tools are required, which makes it especially convenient for busy families.

The stroller also comes with a rain cover, a bumper bar and a travel bag, all included as standard. Laura adds, “I was really pleased the bumper bar was included, as with a lot of other strollers you have to buy this separately.”

The iCandy Pip is available in five shades

iCandy Pip stroller: how does it look?

The Pip immediately gives off a sleek, modern and sporty vibe. Laura admits that she wasn’t sure about the neon green and grey colour combo at first (she tested the Pip in the Limestone colourway), but “it’s grown on both me and my husband - we really like the sporty feel of this stroller.” It’s a look that feels right for city life but also works well when travelling.

The materials feel high quality, and the breathable mesh fabric kept her daughter comfortable during a recent UK heatwave. The UPF50+ canopy offers brilliant sun coverage, which Laura says is especially useful for holidays abroad and perfect for a travel-friendly stroller.

The Pip also scores on practical design, with a wide, comfortable seat that will last well into toddlerhood, and a good-sized storage basket that can hold up to 10kg, for all the bits you need on days out like a changing bag.

In terms of colours, the Pip comes in a range of stylish shades, including Black, Latte, Limestone, Sage and Sunset. Combined with the reversible seat liner, it’s easy to mix and match for a look that suits your taste. Compared with something like the Bugaboo Butterfly 2, which has a more minimalist feel, the Pip feels a little sportier and more playful, but still very well made and thoughtfully designed.

Overall, Laura felt the Pip manages to strike a nice balance between style and practicality. It’s a stroller that’s easy to use, travel-ready, and looks great whether you’re out and about in the city or on holiday.

Is the iCandy Pip stroller safe and sturdy?

Yes! Laura found the Pip to feel very secure and well-built, despite its compact, travel-friendly design. She says, “The large five-point harness is easy to use, although a little fiddly at first!” She particularly liked how the top two straps hook easily onto the middle straps, meaning it’s simple to strap in a wriggly baby without fussing with their arms. The release is straightforward too, just press the large iCandy button and it releases. Overall, her daughter felt very safe and secure throughout their testing.

The footbrake is another highlight. Laura explains, “It’s very easy to use - you simply click it on and off with your right foot. It’s positioned on the right-hand side of the stroller and works with all footwear, even flip-flops.” She also felt confident using it on steep hills, noting that it held the stroller securely in place.

From a sturdiness perspective, the Pip’s compact frame is solid. Laura was reassured by how stable it felt while pushing on pavements, cobbled streets and tow paths, and she appreciated that the stroller didn’t feel tippy even when fully loaded with a toddler and essentials.

How comfortable is the iCandy Pip stroller?

Comfort is a strong point for the Pip. Laura notes that her daughter “was very comfortable in the seat” and enjoyed the various reclining positions. She adds, “The lie-flat feature has been ideal for naps on the go!” The strap at the back makes adjusting the seat from upright to flat, or anywhere in between, really straightforward, and the adjustable footrest is just as easy to use.

The seat itself is nice and wide, giving plenty of room for a growing baby. The bumper bar is removable, which Laura found useful for giving her daughter extra space when needed. Compared with other cabin-approved travel strollers, such as the Bugaboo Butterfly 2, the Pip offers similarly practical comfort features, but with a slightly more spacious seat. Laura appreciated that the padded seat and straps kept her daughter snug, while the breathable fabric helped keep her cool during walks in warmer weather.

From a parent perspective, the Pip is also easy to push. Laura and her husband, who are different heights, both found it comfortable to manoeuvre, even on longer walks. The handle is soft and ergonomic, making everyday use effortless.

The iCandy Pip is compatible with a variety of car seats

What’s the iCandy Pip stroller like to use with a newborn?

The Pip is a great choice for newborns thanks to its lie-flat seat, which provides the safest and most ergonomic position for a baby’s developing spine from day one. It’s suitable from birth up to 25 kg, so it grows comfortably with your child. Despite being lightweight and compact, it offers plenty of newborn-friendly features, including a wide mesh panel behind the seat (known as the ventilation window) so that you can see your child at all times, comfortable padding on the reversible seat liner, a sturdy harness, adjustable footrest to lift and make the stroller more compact, and a large protective UPF50+ canopy that makes every outing more comfortable.

What’s the iCandy Pip stroller like to use day to day?

Throughout the testing period, Laura found the Pip very easy to use day to day. “It’s best suited to towns and city life,” she says, “but it coped really well on rougher terrain, like cobbled streets.” She was also able to push it comfortably with one hand when walking the dog, which made everyday life much easier. Its compact, puncture-proof wheels are clearly designed with urban living in mind, but they still offer a reassuring balance of agility and stability on uneven surfaces.

Manoeuvrability is another strong point. The lightweight design makes it easy to steer around corners, push up and down curbs, and navigate tighter spaces with minimal effort. Laura sums it up: “Steering is effortless, it goes round corners with ease and never feels heavy.”

The storage basket is generous for a compact stroller. Laura explains it “fitted our changing bag, lunchbox and other essentials easily,” making it practical for days out. Plus, there’s a neat zip pocket on the rear of the seat provides a useful spot for small valuables such as your phone, keys or purse, keeping them secure and close to hand.

The rain cover takes a little getting used to as it can be sticky at first, but once familiar it’s simple to use. Laura notes, “I would have preferred a little more coverage at the sides, as it didn’t completely cover the edges,” but it still provides good protection for shorter trips in wet weather.

The iCandy Pip is easy to steer and has a compact fold

iCandy Pip stroller: how easy is it to fold and unfold?

As a lightweight, cabin-approved stroller, you’d expect the folding mechanism to be simple, and the Pip doesn’t disappoint. It can be folded and unfolded in seconds using just one hand, which is especially helpful when you’re holding your baby or juggling bags. The compact, flat fold makes it easy to store in the car boot or carry on public transport, and at just 7kg, it’s light enough to lift comfortably when needed

Folding the Pip is simple:

1. Make sure the stroller is empty and the brake is engaged.

2. Pull up the strap or handle located at the back of the seat to release the fold mechanism.

3. Push the stroller downwards while keeping hold of the handle; it will collapse into a compact, upright position.

4. The stroller locks automatically in the folded position, making it easy to lift or store.

To unfold the Pip:

1. Release the lock that keeps the stroller folded.

2. Pull the handle up and away from the folded position.

3. The stroller will expand smoothly into its open position.

4. Ensure the frame clicks into place before use and check that the seat and canopy are fully set.

 Is the iCandy Pip stroller easy to clean?

Yes! Laura found the Pip really easy to keep looking fresh after messy outings. “Any food marks or milk spills wiped off so easily,” she says, which makes a huge difference when you’re out and about with a weaning baby.

The removeable seat liner can be hand‑washed on a cool setting, so you can give it a deeper clean when needed. The rest of the fabrics (like the canopy and seat unit) are designed to wipe clean with a damp cloth, so quick clean up is simple without taking the whole thing apart.

Is the iCandy Pip stroller good value for money?

The Pip sits at the higher end of the compact stroller price range, retailing at around £429, but Laura feels there are good reasons for that. “It feels really premium - the fabrics are soft to the touch, and it’s noticeably smooth to push,” she says. The Pip’s higher price reflects thoughtful design and quality materials rather than being just a basic lightweight stroller.

A few of the features that help justify the cost are the large UPF50+ sun canopy, the spacious storage basket, and the fact that it’s very lightweight and easy to handle, making it perfect not just for everyday errands but also travel. It also comes with a bumper bar, rain cover and dust bag included - extras that can add cost on other strollers.

One bonus for parents is that the Pip can be part of a travel system with the addition of car seat adaptors. The Pip Car Seat Adapters let you attach compatible infant car seats such as the iCandy Cocoon Car Seat and other brands like the Maxi‑Cosi Pebble 360 Pro or Cybex Cloud T for smooth transitions from car to stroll,  which is handy in the early months.

Compared with simpler, cheaper travel strollers like the Joie Pact or Cossatto Yo! the Pip feels more refined in both comfort and everyday usability. Plus, it’s on par with many other premium cabin‑approved models such as the Joolz Aer²and UPPAbaby Minu V3, which also sit in a similar price bracket but don’t always include quite as many accessories out of the box.

So, while it isn’t a budget option, the combination of high‑quality fabrics, thoughtful features, good storage, travel‑friendly design and compatibility with a travel system means the Pip offers solid value for families who want something that’s both practical and enjoyable to use, whether that’s for daily errands or holidays abroad.

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.