Best Prams & Strollers

What’s the difference between a pram and a stroller?

Sometimes the terms ‘pram’ and ‘stroller’ are used interchangeably in Australia. To those uninitiated into the world of toddler transport, this can be confusing, because prams and strollers are, in fact, different.

Prams

Prams are designed with a flat surface for younger babies to sleep on. Once a baby wakes up in a pram, you can transition them to the semi-upright or fully upright positions that many models have to offer. However, what distinguishes a pram as a pram is that it should be able to fully recline to a 180-degree angle, as this is the safe way for babies to sleep - newborns in particular.

Check that any prospective baby prams are specifically suitable for newborns (as a fraction are not). If the pram you find is newborn-safe, ensure that it's correctly sized for your baby, as some could be too large or too small.

Prams are available to buy with either 3 wheels or 4 wheels.

Strollers

These are made with toddlers in mind, as they have an upright seat as their default position. This allows toddlers to sit up comfortably in the stroller, take a closer look at the ducks in the pond or the dog with a wagging tail. A number of strollers on the market can also be partially reclined, if you're feeling lucky and think your 2 year-old might be in the mood for a nap.

The maximum weight limit of a child in a baby stroller is usually around 15-20 kg, roughly equivalent to a child between 2-4 years.

Hybrid Pram/Strollers

These handy units let you turn the pram into a stroller when your infant inevitably grows - saving you the hassle of scoping out a new set of wheels. Keep in mind, however, that these hybrid models are likely to be more expensive than a standalone pram or stroller.

Travel Systems

A travel system has two parts: a pram and and a compatible capsule that your baby can sleep in while in the car. While capsules don’t recline fully flat, their slight angle allows babies to sleep for short stretches of time on the road. Once you’ve reached your destination, you won't have to wake up bub and disturb naptime. You can just take the capsule out of the car and clip it onto to the stroller frame - sleeping baby still inside.

Here are a few things to be aware of before investing in travel system. Many require the addition of adaptors to clip the capsule to the pram, and these are often sold separately. Secondly, not all travel systems are suitable as newborn prams. Before purchasing, check that the manufacturer specifies that a travel system is suitable for babies 0+ months.

Types of Prams and Strollers

• 4-Wheeler prams: These are the most commonly available types of prams when it comes to the number of wheels. Their compact designs makes them suitable for urban and suburban living.
• 3-Wheeler Prams: Featuring a design similar to a tricycle, these prams are built for sturdiness and to tackle different terrains - including nature trails and anywhere else you choose to walk or jog that doesn't have a perfectly smooth pavement underneath it.
• Double prams: Also known as twin prams or double strollers for toddlers, these are equipped with two seats. They're ideal for transporting two children close in age, or a set of twins.

Factors to consider before buying a pram or stroller

Your range of daily activities

Consider how you prefer to spend time. For example, if you like going for walks in the park on the smooth pavement, or you have a penchant for strolling through shopping centres, a 4-wheel stroller could be your most suitable pick. These are also great for public transport, as many models are narrow, so suited to narrow bus aisles, or can fold or collapse easily with the press of a few buttons.

If you prefer to get off the beaten path and traverse rougher ground (for example, on outdoor walking trails), a sturdier 3-wheel pram is built for your purposes.

Your child’s age and weight

This will determine the selection of prams and/or strollers you can choose from. Every pram is built to withstand a maximum weight limit, which the manufacturer will specify. Your child’s age will also determine the type of pram or stroller available to you - such as a newborn pram or jogger stroller.

Ease of steering

Pushing your pram shouldn't take Herculean effort. Look for a pram with sturdy and secure wheels that will provide good suspension.

Generally, larger wheels handle kerbs and stairs better, as well as all-terrain areas, however you’ll need to balance this with the pram actually being able to fit in your car. For added stability, source a 4-wheel pram with lockable back wheels, or a 3-wheeler pram with a lockable front wheel.

Stroller size and weight

While strollers with bulkier frames tend to be durable and equipped with more extra features, they can quickly become a source of frustration if they’re too heavy to handle daily. Some may cause back pain as you’re lifting them to pack away into the car boot, or carrying them up the stairs.

Testing a stroller’s weight by physically picking it up in a store can help. If you’re able to, also check whether a prospective model fits in your car boot when folded or collapsed down to its most compact size.

Other strollers may be too wide to squeeze through a doorframe, necessitating pram acrobatics to try and get them to fit. A stroller should be equipped to navigate tight and narrow spaces, such as supermarket, café and bus aisles, to make your life easier.

Ease of folding and unfolding

Most prams can fold or collapse into a more compact, manageable size that you can carry under an arm. Not all folding mechanisms are made equal – some are more easy to fold than others. Some require only one hand to fold a pram, while others require both hands and are more intricate and time consuming.

When you’re in a crowded place, it can be frustrating to be constantly fiddling with a complex folding mechanism. When pram shopping, ask the assistant to demonstrate how to fold the pram, then try it yourself to test out.

For safety reasons, ensure that the buttons or other folding mechanisms aren’t within grabbing reach of your child, as this poses a crushing hazard.

Safety

Since 2008, it’s mandatory for all prams and strollers sold in Australia to have the following:

• Brakes: Parking brakes operated by either a foot pedal, or a lever that's ideally close to the pram handles. All-terrain prams might include an auto-stop brake. This is a slim lever that's designed to be pulled constantly while also holding the handlebar. If you let go accidentally, the auto-brake will instantly halt the pram.
• Restraint harness: Stops infants falling out of the pram. A 5-point harness is necessary for younger babies, and includes two shoulder straps, two straps around the hips, and a crotch strap. Babies shouldn’t be able to undo the straps, and the harness should adjust to securely fit around your child’s body.
• Wrist strap: This tethers parents to the pram to prevent it from rolling away while unsupervised.

Pram and Stroller Features

• Adjustable backrest: Allows a stroller to be adjusted from its default upright seat to an angled position. Some strollers can be adjusted to at least one angle, while others offer a few different recline positions, including fully reclined – allowing your toddler to get some sleep.
• Cupholder: Made to accommodate a Keep cup or large latte to go, the cupholder is made for parents or carers who love a caffeine fix.
• Feeding tray: Helps you feed baby while you’re out and about, offering a steady makeshift table for food or cutlery.
• Height-adjustable handle: If you and your partner are different heights, this feature allows you to modify the position of the handle so it’s ergonomically friendly for whoever is pushing the stroller.
• Peek-a-boo window: This refers to a little mesh window in the fabric of the pram, which lets you see your bub sitting in the stroller. This can be useful if your pram doesn’t have a reversible handle.
• Pram organiser: While these are usually sold independently, they can be handy. They're bags designed to clip or loop onto your pram handles, which you can use as an easily accessible handbag.
• Reversible handle: As a default, babies in a stroller will face in the direction that the pram is moving in, as they look out at the world. A reversible handle allows you to turn your baby to face you instead.
• Storage space: This comes in the form of under-seat storage, and sometimes also a slimline pouch behind the stroller seat. A decent amount of space under the seat will soon prove a handy addition to pop in everything; from nappies, baby wipes, bottles, snacks and even a few groceries.
• Washable cushioning: Since making a mess often seems like it's a baby’s life philosophy, choosing a pram with removable, washable cushioning will save you a lot of time hand-cleaning. If your pram doesn't have washable cushioning, opting for pram liners (which cost around $60, on average) can help protect your pram from spills.
• Weatherproof cover: While most prams and strollers have a sunshade cover to block harsh rays, a weatherproof cover will go some way in protecting your baby from wind and rain.

Price

While a pram can cost anywhere between $25 to over $2, 000, most prams fall within the range of $400-600. Umbrella strollers like this $59 Kmart stroller tend to be the most affordable prams. However, the design of cheaper umbrella strollers will be basic, and the wheels less hardy. By the same token, the more you spend, the more extra features your pram will be fitted out with.

Considering you’re likely to use your pram for a good 3-4 years on a regular basis, it might make sense to invest in a more durable model, if your finances permit. Otherwise, you may end up spending more money on long line of discarded strollers that have bitten the dust.

Alternatives to buying a pram or stroller

If price is an obstacle to landing the pram for you and your lifestyle, you can always buy second-hand or see if you can find a hand-me-down pram from a family member or friend who no longer needs it. Just check the year of manufacture to make sure that the pram meets current Australian safety standards, which came into effect in 2008.

Some new parents don’t opt for a pram or stroller at all, preferring the flexibility of a baby carrier or sling. This leaves a parent’s hands free to go about their daily business without needing to maintain a handle on a potentially bulky pram or stroller. It also means you won’t have to cart around a pram or stroller when you’re out and about.

Read real-to-life experiences of parents and carers

We have genuine reviews from other parents like you of the most popular and highly rated brands, including Uppababy, Redsbaby, Bugaboo and Baby Jogger. So if you already have particular brands in mind that you'd like to choose from, don't forget to use our Brand filter.

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