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The best travel systems for under £500

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Many parents choose a travel system because it comes with everything you need to get out and about with your baby.

A travel system is a type of pushchair that can be used with a rear-facing car seat and usually a compatible carrycot, too. The car seat and carrycot can both click on and off the stroller's chassis, which can be handy when you don't want to wake a sleeping baby.

Lightweight (and often cheaper) stroller models don't always have a separate carrycot, just a from-birth pushchair seat that converts to a bassinet. This can't be used for overnight sleeping. With prices ranging from around £300 to over £1200, it's important to find a travel system that suits your budget as well as your lifestyle.

Here are our favourites that come in at under £500 (if you've got pounds to spare see our round-up of more expensive models here) with strollers from brands such as Joie, MiniUno, Maxi-Cosi, Graco, Kinderkraft and My Babiie.


What is a baby travel system?

A baby travel system is a pushchair that's designed so you can attach different pieces of baby equipment to its chassis depending on your needs. It is suitable from birth and has everything you need to transport your baby for the first few months.

Travel systems normally consists of a seat unit, a carrycot and a from-birth car seat, which can all be clicked on or off a pushchair chassis. It has great advantages over a normal stroller, as you can leave your baby to sleep in the car seat and then move it from car to pushchair chassis (and back again!) without disturbing them.

Some travel system just have a pushchair seat that can be reclined completely flat to be used by a newborn, with no separate carrycot. This type of pushchair is fine if you don't have space to store a carrycot when it's not in use.

How should I buy a travel system?

Though you can buy the different elements of a Travel System separately, it's often better to buy them together. This is because

  • You often get a bundle price, making it cheaper than buying individually
  • Many retailers also offer all the accessories you need such as a rain cover, footmuff and changing bag
  • Your items will all be in the same, matching fabric
  • You have peace of mind that all the different parts will fit your chassis

Why should I buy a baby travel system?

A Travel System is great if you use your car frequently, as you can move the car seat from your car to the pushchair and back again without waking your baby.

What should I look for in a baby travel system?

The most important thing to remember about choosing a travel system for your baby is that it's not just about the pushchair – the car seat is just as important – if not more so! Before buying, you need to check that the car seat fits your make and model of car – many retailers will be able to help you with this and you can find helpful charts online too. Here's what else to look for when choosing:

The Pushchair

  • Does it convert to a double pushchair? There are several models that convert from a single to a double pushchair by adding extra seats, carrycots and car seats. This is a great choice if you intend to have a couple of children within a couple of years.
  • Does it come with lots of handy accessories? A rain cover is essential but other things are handy too such as a changing bag.
  • Does it have a generous basket? This is a great place to store not just your baby gear but your shopping too.
  • Is the sun canopy large and does it have UPF protection? A mesh ventilation panel and a viewing window are also great features.
  • Is the brake well located and can you put it on and off easily?
  • Does it have good suspension and wheels that will be large enough to tackle bumpy ground?
  • Can the wheels be quickly removed for more compact storage?
  • Is the handle adjustable for use by parents of different heights?
  • Does the seat recline for naps? And is it well padded?
  • Is it easy to fold and compact when folded? Check it fits in your house and your car boot.

The Car Seat

  • Does it have good safety features such as Isofix, side impact protection and a good harness?
  • Can you fit it in your car easily? Some car seats fit with the car's three-point seatbelt but an Isofix base is a safer option
  • Your child should be rear-facing in the car up to four years.
  • A lie-flat model is the best type of car seat for a newborn to travel in, meaning that your child can spend longer in their car seat with minimum risk to their health or development.
  • Does it have a good carrying handle?

The Carrycot

  • Can it be used for overnight sleeping? Check it is certified for that and that it has a flat, form mattress and a ventilated base.
  • Is it easy to store? Some carrycots fold flat, which is handy when you are not using it.
  • If you don't want to have a separate part of the pushchair to store, considering a model where the seat unit converts to a bassinet, rather than having a separate carrycot.

Read on

The best lightweight travel systems

The best travel systems for your baby

The best newborn prams

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