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Pushchairs

Join our Pram forum for pram advice. Plus read our round up of the best pushchairs currently available.

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Original poster

Bugaboo Bee vs. Stokke Xplory

25 replies

ladymia · 12/01/2013 22:20

which of these two would you pick? I have narrowed it down to these but I'm really not sure.

I thought pushchair shopping would be a blast but instead it just seems you have to decide what you would settle on!

Baby is due in mid-march so I need to get a move on! :)

OP posts:

ScrambledSmegs · 12/01/2013 22:27

What are your needs? ie where do you live (urban, suburban etc), will you be using a car/public transport/walking a lot?

Basics - Bugaboo bee has a longer useful life due to size etc, but Stokke is great for really interacting with your child. Bee has crappy wheels that can barely cope with a tint crack in the pavement. Bugger to get on public transport with the Stokke , the base is ridiculously heavy.

Tiggywunkle · 12/01/2013 22:53

Hmm these are like chalk and cheese.....

Why these two? I dont want to call without knowing more!!

Original poster

ladymia · 12/01/2013 23:22

I know I was thinking the same after posting, they are not the same at all and people will wonder why I am comparing the two! After looking at all of them they were just the two I liked.

I wanted the Babyzen, I went to go look at it today and decided it's way too heavy and it actually looks a little cheap to me.

My needs, to narrow them down:
I live in London, will travel on public transport quite a bit.
I want something that folds into one (i mean i don't want the chassis and the chair bit separate)
We travel internationally quite a bit so it needs to withstand getting chucked around.

OP posts:

ScrambledSmegs · 13/01/2013 00:09

Stokke is not good for you at all then. Very heavy. Have you tried lifting the base? Plastic-coated metal. Also folds down separately. Bee much more suitable for your needs.

I live in London and had a Stokke for DD1, but I walk everywhere. And we got a 2nd hand Maclaren after a year and I love it.

Tiggywunkle · 13/01/2013 00:39

Agreed - the Stokke really doesn't meet your needs. The Babyzen is much more practical (I adored mine TBH and wished it had never left)
I wouldn't be travelling with the Bee either....
The Babyzen would probably stand up to travel better....

Or get a Bee for home and a Babyzen YoYo at 6 months for travelling with!!

Original poster

ladymia · 13/01/2013 20:24

thank you so much for the feedback. I was thinking the stokke really is about the worst one to have for travelling.

I am now starting to think about the Babyzen again because after reading the Bugaboo reviews and how easily the break I am not keen so have pretty much ruled both these out now.

Is there another pushchair that I would like if i like the Babyzen that you can think of?

I love the look of the Yoyo!

OP posts:

GwendolineMaryLacey · 13/01/2013 20:43

Good job they didn't rip off the look of the Bee...

I've never heard of it before but having looked at their site it looks very flimsy. I wouldn't expect to get too much use out of that.

dizzy77 · 13/01/2013 20:51

I had the bee for round town and loved its manoeuvrability, handle height & one handed push. DS was really comfy & snug in under the hood in the cozy toes & rainc over for very long urban winter walks before he learned to nap in his cot. Ours was 2nd hand though and slightly broken, it didn't fold particularly convincingly (didn't get that small) and when it came to needing something foldable & bashaboutable for nursery, and were less worried about parent facing, we moved to the McLaren techno xt, also 2nd hand. I love it, and believe it would withstand London Transport & aircrew flinging, but it doesn't handle as well as the bee.

ScrambledSmegs · 14/01/2013 00:26

Stokke have recently brought out a compact stroller rather like the Bee - it's called the Scoot and looks quite good. The wheels definitely look more sturdy than the Bee and the Bee knockoff Babyzen. Weirdly the only place that stocks it in central London is Harrods - I suppose it's not a problem if you're only going to view it, not buy it from them! Plenty of stores around the outskirts of London though.

I never had a Bee, but some friends did a lot of travelling with one and it's still going strong with DC2.

Tiggywunkle · 14/01/2013 02:14

The YoYo is awesome - far from flimsy TBH. Ours is used day in and day out and its been fabulous since we got it.

I have a Scoot too, but its only suitable from 6 months old and I dont like that a sleeping child has dangling legs - but thats probably no worse than the average stroller type pushchair. The Stokke Crusi is suitable from birth and would give you the Stokke higher seating position with a more manageable chassis - although its still not that small and light. This and www.bestbuggy.co.uk/2013/01/stokke-crusi-vs-stokke-scoot/ this might help?

JennyFantum30 · 14/01/2013 09:54

Is a Mclaren better than Bugaboo or Stokke?

Tiggywunkle · 14/01/2013 10:30

Lets just say they are different. Maclaren are good strollers but they aren't anything like a Bugaboo or Stokke - its like comparing a Seat Ibiza with a BMW or Mercedes....which is reflected in price. Which is best for you depends on your needs primarily and also your budget.

Original poster

ladymia · 14/01/2013 11:17

Tiggywunkle we were considering the Crusi but that I think is even bigger/heavier than the Xplory? I do like it though!

What about the Uppababy Vista? even though that has to be in 2 when you fold up, any experience of that?

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Tiggywunkle · 14/01/2013 14:58

The difference for me is not so much about weight but the Crusi is so neat when folded that I would rather put that in my car every day than the Xplory. The Seat nests nicely in the chassis too. The Crusi pushes better too and has some suspension! And a great big basket and comfy handlebar. All round its just much nicer.
The Vista will fold in one piece. Its tall and long folded. I think TBH the Vista is my favourite out of all of these though. Its packed with features, the price is much better considering you get everything you need to start with in the box. Its a lovely pushchair.

Original poster

ladymia · 14/01/2013 15:24

So Tiggy, if you had a choice yourself regardless of all the things i listed I wanted earlier which would you choose between the:

Crusi (it does seem a better bet than the Xplory)
Babyzen
Vista

Just out of interest? And if money is no object as I have already bargained on spending £1100 for the Xplory when bought with all the bits list carseat etc

OP posts:

ScrambledSmegs · 14/01/2013 15:25

Hmm, Stokke website says Scoot is suitable for newborns, but I can definitely see Tiggywunkles point - really doesn't look like it would be appropriate. The Xplory and Crusi's have a wedge to convert the seat to newborn size, but the Scoot doesn't. Not so good.

Mamas & Papas have also created a pushchair very like the Bee, called the Sola which looks like it would be a good option. Hopefully someone who's actually got one/done their research will be able to tell you if it's any good!

Original poster

ladymia · 14/01/2013 15:27

No I also don't think the Scoot is from newborn either?

I saw the Sola at the weekend but my OH is really not keen at all!

OP posts:

goodygumdrops · 14/01/2013 15:41

I have a bee, my daughter is nearly 2 and its the only pushchair we have owned, unlike many of my friends! Its perfect for our needs, the only person I would say it would suite would either be someone very tall as its quite low, or someone who walks a lot on uneven stoney type paths. Otherwise I can't recommend it enough.

Tiggywunkle · 14/01/2013 15:57

Wow...the Scoot is suitable from newborn. Thanks for pointing that out. I think in that case I would probably prefer a Scoot to a Bee for sturdyness and ease of use....

Dont touch the Sola with a bargepole - its one of my worst ever buys!!

Ladymia - Which Babyzen - Yoyo or Recaro? If its the YoYo then its more a stroller as such and not suitable from birth.

I would probably choose the Vista as the sensible option. The Crusi is really tall and the seat is huge. I like to be able to see where I am going, plus a smaller child will look drowned in it. But its definitely a comfortable option.
I could tell you what I prefer, but I am intrigued as to how and why you narrowed it down to the Bee and Xplory when there's 1001 pushchairs in between on the spectrum!

Original poster

ladymia · 14/01/2013 16:11

I need something from birth (baby due March) so the Zen not the Yoyo (yet) i also really like the Zen's bassinet.

I chose the Bee because it's small and compact and easily collapsable, everyone here where i live has them and that can't be a coincidence? they must be good for that reason? and I chose the Stokke because, well, it just looks nice?? I'm ashamed to say!

Something putting me off the Zen now is that it's not parent-facing and I am now wondering if I will not miss that.

OP posts:

Brugmansia · 15/01/2013 09:48

A couple of my friends have the vista. They like it but say the downside for London is that it's slightly wider which makes it difficult for manuevering on London public transport, particularly buses.

ElenaKnight · 15/01/2013 14:03

I live in South Hampstead. If you use public transport alot- consider getting a sling (Ergo or mei tai- DONT go for a Bjorn) as pushchairs can be a nightmare on the tube and the bus- for starters lots of tube stations don't have lifts so your relying on a kind soul to help you lift your pushchair.

I drive everywhere so it isn't a problem for me- but last year when I didn't have a car for a month, I got an ERGO and used that when I was getting on and off the tube. I honestly don't know why people bother- its great if you have someone with you to give you a hand otherwise your a little scuppered.

As for the bus- well, there is barely ever enough room without adding a pram to the equation.

Mosman · 17/01/2013 05:28

They are both the rolls Royces of prams I couldn't choose between them either so bought both and looked after. I then sold both for about £200 less than I paid for them after 2.5 years. So i my dream combination for less than I'd have spent on a Mothercare or mamas and papas which you're doing well if anyone will take off your hands 12 months later.

Original poster

ladymia · 21/01/2013 19:41

Thanks everyone for the input. I have settled decided on the Bugaboo bee.

I just want the "what pushchair should I get" nightmares to stop :)

OP posts:

pettyprudence · 21/01/2013 20:12

I love my bugaboo bee - wish I'd got that first! I love the handling, big hood, folds down in one (cba all this 2 part pram business) and is parent facing. It fits in my tiny boot nicely. All wheels have suspension so actually i find it quite good on broken, lumpy pavements. I have got the slim wheels caught on some big water drains though! It will easily take you from birth to toddlerhood (although I now have a mclaren in the boot)

HOWEVER, I have to reverse on and off the bus as otherwise i get the swivel wheels stuck between the bus and the curb. I think this is my poor driving though

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