Best Travel Systems (Prams and Pushchairs) UK (2026)
A travel system combines a carrycot, pushchair seat and often a car seat into one set that lasts from newborn to toddler, and the right one depends on your terrain, boot space and budget. This guide is based on Mumsnet's tested roundup (updated September 2026), built on over 100 hours of research, input from RoSPA and NCT groups, Which? lab test results, and hands-on testing by parent-testers who used each system in daily life for weeks or months, scoring safety and stability, assembly, ease of use, comfort, cleaning, materials and value. Prices shown are RRPs or bundle prices quoted by Mumsnet and vary by bundle.
We have not hands-on tested these products. Our picks are based on published independent tests and reviews, listed at the bottom of this page. How we pick.
Our top pick
iCandy Core 2
Best overall
Mumsnet's Best Buy. Over five weeks of testing it proved equally capable on pavements, cobbled streets, parks and muddy paths, feeling lighter and easier to manoeuvre than its sturdy build suggests. Tester Kate said she was 'struggling to find much I don't like' and would recommend it to her mum friends. It sits at the pricier end, the one-handed fold takes practice, the carrycot doesn't fold flat, and the car seat can be fiddly to remove.
- Excellent suspension for a smooth ride on all terrain
- Easy to steer and manoeuvre, lightweight yet sturdy
- Large 10kg storage basket
Quick comparison
| Product | Best for | Key spec | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| iCandy Core 2 | Best overall | Birth to 25kg, lie-flat seat from birth, 10kg basket, 11.7kg chassis and seat, parent and world facing | Check price |
| Ickle Bubba Atom | Best budget | Birth to 22kg, folds with seat unit attached (lie-flat and upright), 9kg pushchair, i-Size Cirrus car seat with ISOFIX base | Check price |
| Nuna Mixx Next | Best versatile | Birth to 22kg, machine-washable seat, one-handed 5-position recline, height-adjustable handlebar, 4.5kg basket | Check price |
| iCandy Orange 4 | Best for a newborn and toddler | Birth to 25kg, 64L / 10kg basket, integrated ride-on buggy board, 30+ configurations, 12.1kg | Check price |
| Cosatto Wow 3 | Best all-in-one | Birth to 22kg (about 4 years), reversible seat, includes Acorn 2 i-Size car seat and rotating base in the Everything Bundle, 11.9kg | Check price |
| Mamas & Papas Ocarro 2 | Best for comfort | Birth to 22kg, overnight-sleep-approved carrycot, removable newborn liner, four-point suspension, 13.9kg | Check price |
| Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew | Best for rough terrain | Birth to 22kg (about 4 years), advanced four-wheel suspension, large puncture-proof wheels, recycled materials, 12.3kg | Check price |
| UPPAbaby Vista V3 | Best for storage | Birth (with carrycot) to 22kg, 13.6kg basket, overnight-approved carrycot, adapts to a double, 12.4kg | Check price |
Our picks in detail
Best overall
iCandy Core 2
Mumsnet's Best Buy. Over five weeks of testing it proved equally capable on pavements, cobbled streets, parks and muddy paths, feeling lighter and easier to manoeuvre than its sturdy build suggests. Tester Kate said she was 'struggling to find much I don't like' and would recommend it to her mum friends. It sits at the pricier end, the one-handed fold takes practice, the carrycot doesn't fold flat, and the car seat can be fiddly to remove.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 25kg (about 4 years)
- Weight
- 11.7kg (chassis and seat)
- Basket capacity
- 10kg
- Price guide
- From RRP £699
Pros
- Excellent suspension for a smooth ride on all terrain
- Easy to steer and manoeuvre, lightweight yet sturdy
- Large 10kg storage basket
- Fully lie-flat seat from birth
Cons
- One-handed fold takes practice
- Carrycot doesn't fold flat
- Car seat can be fiddly to remove
Best budget
Ickle Bubba Atom
Mumsnet's tester Alice used it over eight weeks with her newborn son. She found the Cirrus car seat lighter than others she'd used, making it easier to move between cars, and the pushchair's compact fold worked in both lie-flat and upright modes, unlike bulkier systems such as the Mamas & Papas Ocarro 2 or UPPAbaby Vista V3. The under-seat basket is small at 3kg but has a flexible pull-down side. Sunshade coverage on the car seat is limited and shoulder padding is thin.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 22kg
- Weight
- 9kg (frame and seat)
- Basket capacity
- 3kg
- Price guide
- RRP £269 to £400
Pros
- Budget-friendly full bundle around £400
- Lightweight and easy to handle
- Folds with seat unit attached
- Easy car seat transfer between cars
Cons
- Limited sunshade coverage on the car seat
- Thin shoulder padding
- Fixed handlebar height
Best versatile
Nuna Mixx Next
A Which? Best Buy and one of its top-scoring pushchairs in lab tests. Mumsnet found it easy to steer, even one-handed, with durable rubber wheels and improved suspension that tackles gravel or snow. It self-stands and folds more compactly than the original Mixx. It's heavy, needs two hands to fold, and the sun hood is a little noisy to extend.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 22kg
- Weight
- 13.1kg
- Basket capacity
- 4.5kg
- Price guide
- RRP £1,200
Pros
- Good longevity and Which? Best Buy status
- Accessible storage basket, comfortable well-padded seat
- Machine-washable covers
- Easy to switch between parent- and world-facing modes
Cons
- Two hands needed to fold
- Sun hood is a little noisy to extend
- Heavy
Best for a newborn and toddler
iCandy Orange 4
Mumsnet's tester Laura described it as looking sophisticated yet chunky, with a breathable seat and plush fur liner. It converts into a double or twin pushchair with 30+ configurations, has puncture-proof wheels and four-wheel suspension, and includes an integrated ride-on board for an older sibling. Laura found the five-point harness fiddly with a wriggly toddler, and at 12.1kg it's heavy to lift into a boot.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 22kg (about 4 years)
- Weight
- 12.1kg
- Basket capacity
- 10kg (64L)
- Price guide
- From RRP £1,000
Pros
- Complete travel system that converts to a double or twin
- Large carrycot suitable for overnight sleeping
- Spacious storage basket
- Integrated ride-on buggy board for older children
Cons
- A little heavy to lift and carry
- Fixed footrest position limits adjustment
- Takes up a lot of boot space
Best all-in-one
Cosatto Wow 3
Mumsnet's tester Tina used the Everything Bundle daily for three months with her newborn on pavements, public transport, grass and gravel. She found a good balance between size and sturdiness, slim enough for buses yet robust enough for parks and uneven pavements, with smooth, confidence-inspiring steering, though it's not built for extreme all-terrain use. The storage basket is a little small and it's quite heavy at 11.9kg.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 22kg (about 4 years)
- Weight
- 11.9kg
- Price guide
- £1,000 (Everything bundle)
Pros
- Good value for money with loads of accessories included
- Car seat has a 'good' ADAC safety rating
- Safe and sturdy
- Seat is world- and parent-facing
Cons
- Storage basket is a little small
- Quite heavy at 11.9kg
Best for comfort
Mamas & Papas Ocarro 2
Mumsnet's tester Rebecca used it with her eight-month-old and scored it 95/100, saying 'I would 100% recommend this pram.' Tested on pavements, grass, country paths and gravel, the suspension absorbed bumps well enough that her baby often stayed asleep. She praised its small turning circle and manageable kerbs. It's heavier than many city strollers at 13.9kg, so less ideal for stairs or crowded public transport, and the five-point harness is stiff.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 22kg
- Weight
- 13.9kg
- Basket capacity
- About 3kg
- Price guide
- From RRP £849 (pushchair only)
Pros
- Dual suspension and a padded seat with newborn liner
- One-handed fold
- Tackles off-road terrain well
- Chunky, puncture-resistant tyres with reflective trim
Cons
- Heavy to carry
- Stiff five-point harness
Best for rough terrain
Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew
Mumsnet's tester Beccy, reviewing the original Fox 5 that this model builds on, said it 'tackles any terrain you throw at it, from muddy paths to gravel roads and even woodland trails' and called it excellently built, sturdy and stylish yet lightweight and easy to fold. The Renew adds recycled aluminium and fabrics and a breathable mattress. It's costly, the same frame is used for carrycot and seat, no footmuff is included, and it's stiff when first assembled.
- Suitable from
- Birth to 22kg (about 4 years)
- Weight
- 12.3kg
- Basket capacity
- 10kg
- Price guide
- From £1,000
Pros
- Sliding five-point harness
- Advanced suspension for bumpy terrain
- One-handed fold, large puncture-proof wheels
- Includes carrycot
Cons
- Costly
- Same frame used for carrycot and seat
- Footmuff not included, and stiff when first assembled
Best for storage
UPPAbaby Vista V3
Mumsnet's tester Emma, a new mum, loved how spacious it felt, saying the carrycot was roomy enough for her son 'whilst giving a safe and' secure space. It has improved suspension and puncture-proof tyres for a smooth ride on city streets and country paths, a roomy toddler seat with a higher backrest and longer footrest, and converts to a double or takes a buggy board. It's heavy and bulky when folded.
- Suitable from
- 3 months (birth with carrycot) to 22kg
- Weight
- 12.4kg
- Basket capacity
- 13.6kg
- Price guide
- From £1,000
Pros
- Excellent storage with a huge basket
- Easy to steer and manoeuvre
- Tackles rough terrain well
- Includes carrycot for newborns, simple one-handed recline
Cons
- Heavy and bulky when folded
Buying guide
How much does weight matter?
A lot if you use stairs, public transport or a small car boot. The Ickle Bubba Atom at 9kg is the lightest here and was praised for public transport use, while the Nuna Mixx Next (13.1kg) and Mamas & Papas Ocarro 2 (13.9kg) are heavier and better suited to a car-based routine.
Which travel system is best for rough or muddy terrain?
Mumsnet's testers rated the Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew and Mamas & Papas Ocarro 2 highly for all-terrain use, both handling gravel, grass and uneven paths with good suspension. The iCandy Core 2 and Cosatto Wow 3 also coped well with parks and cobbles, though the Wow 3 isn't built for extreme off-road use.
What comes in a travel system bundle?
This varies hugely. The Ickle Bubba Atom and Cosatto Wow 3 include a car seat and base as part of the bundle for a more complete package, while the Nuna Mixx Next and Bugaboo Fox 5 are sold with adapters for separately bought car seats. Check exactly what's included before comparing prices.
Will I need a bigger pushchair for a second child?
The iCandy Orange 4 and UPPAbaby Vista V3 are designed to convert into a double or twin pushchair, or take a buggy board, making them worth considering if you're planning ahead. Most other systems here are single pushchairs, though the iCandy Orange 4 also has an integrated ride-on board for an older sibling.
Sources
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