With the large number of different types of strollers, the decision is often difficult. In order to be able to make a selection more easily, you should answer a few questions in advance:
When folded, a stroller can be practically stowed in the car.
With our stroller comparison here on krone.at, we give you tips and purchase recommendations so that you can find the best stroller for your child and your circumstances. We compare different types of strollers, look at their functions and safety, and add design and accessories to the information.
Regardless of your preferred stroller manufacturer, we recommend making sure that the stroller is large enough for your baby and toddler. On krone.at you will find manufacturer information on the maximum body weight up to which the stroller is suitable in our comparison for strollers. Various online tests for prams have also measured the lying and seating areas. Children learn to sit independently between the 6th and 9th month. Until then, the car should offer a lying surface. Be it with a classic pram, a combi pram or a pram buggy with a reclining function.
If you have to climb stairs with the stroller, often use the train or often stow the stroller in the car, then we recommend a model with as little weight as possible. The popular prams weigh between 10 and 20 kg, while a buggy weighs between 5 and 12 kg.
1. What types of strollers are there?
1.1. The pram, the classic one
The classic stroller is a stroller with a bed surface only. It is said to be the most elegant of baby carriages. The baby bath, as the attachment is called, is usually removable and the frame can be folded up. You can leave the frame in the car or in the hallway and take the baby with you in the carrycot, for example. For safety reasons, however, the baby bath is not suitable for transporting the baby in the car. You need a separate baby seat for the car. A classic stroller is suitable for you if you want a comfortable stretcher for your baby and are ready to switch to a stroller with a seat function as soon as your child can sit up.
If you are traveling with a stroller, please take into account that it weighs at least 10 kg and is quite bulky. You may need help getting on and off the train and space for the stroller. The classic variant is best suited for walks.
1.2. The pram, the all-rounder
A combi stroller is a stroller frame with different attachments. The double stroller combo includes a carrycot for the lying position and the carrycot for the sitting position. The 3-in-1 stroller also comes with a baby seat, which you can use as a child seat in the car without having to buy a separate child car seat.
Various combi stroller tests online draw attention to the fact that the baby bath for some models is too small and the child could have outgrown the carrycot after about five months. But it is still too small for the sports attachment. When buying a pram as a station wagon, also pay attention to the quality of the individual elements. The stroller test winner at Stiftung Warentest for combi strollers is a model from the manufacturer Hauck, but models from ABC Design, Bugaboo and Joolz also did well.
The infant carrier of the 3-in-1 stroller also serves as a child car seat. This requires an adapter, which is usually included. You can put the baby seat on the car frame and go shopping or going for a walk, for example. A practical handle helps when carrying the baby seat, so you can put your child in the seat at home and leave the house ready to go.
If you have space to store unused carrycots and only want to make a one-time investment in a stroller solution, then a stroller combo is for you.
1.3. The sports car, the fleet
A pushchair is ideal for children who can already sit independently. It supports the sitting position ergonomically and is also manoeuvrable. For longer journeys, we recommend models with a reclining function, so that your child can lie comfortably when resting and sleeping and does not have to fall asleep half-sitting and slipping to the side.
A special form of sports car is the so-called jogger stroller. It is a tricycle and is therefore particularly manoeuvrable. Since jogging is a bit faster than walking, jogger strollers are particularly well sprung and have additional hand brakes. Please keep in mind that your child is only 18 months old enough to accompany you safely when jogging, i.e. in a fast-moving car. Otherwise it is not yet stable enough in the car on its own, and there is a risk of injury.
1.4. The buggy, the flexible one
There is a large selection of manoeuvrable buggies.
The buggy is the type of stroller that is particularly light and easy to store. In our comparison from 2020 for prams on krone.at you will mainly find the models of a pram. Stiftung Warentest has dedicated an extra test to the fast buggy. She points out that mobility often comes at the expense of seating comfort. A buggy is therefore ideal for you if your child can already walk and the buggy is mainly used for short distances or to rest during longer walks.
The so-called recumbent buggies are an exception. They are convertible and can also transform the seating area into a complete or partial lying area. They are the optimal solution if you often have to transport the stroller in the car.
1.5. The sibling carriage, the multi-seater
If you have siblings of a similar age or if you have twins, then a sibling stroller is a good idea. Depending on the model, the children sit next to, behind or even on top of each other. Those models that can be upgraded from a mono stroller to a sibling stroller are practical. The models from the manufacturer Bugaboo, which offers correspondingly creative solutions here, are particularly popular here, or models from the Stokke company, which advertise particularly robust and manoeuvrable models. If you need a stroller for triplets, Bugaboo is our recommendation.
1.6. The e-stroller, the automatic one
Fatigue, uphill or heavy shopping are no longer an obstacle with a so-called e-stroller. The manufacturers cybex and Emmaljunga have recognized the trend and have developed a stroller, similar to an e-bike, which is supported by a motor in the drive. It should be easier to go uphill and the braking power should be increased. E-strollers have been on the market since 2019 and so far there has been little experience.
Here we have summarized the various strollers for you as an overview.
| Stroller Categories | The most important features |
|---|---|
stroller | very good comfort stable for infants up to 6 months x only lying position possible x requires space |
| combi stroller | diverse functions, variable stable for infants and children up to 3 years x requires storage space for equipment x can weigh up to 20 kg |
| sports car | agile stable for children who can sit independently x not always with reclining function x little storage space |
| buggy | light and agile easy to transport for children who can sit independently x not always with reclining function x little storage space |
| Sibling Car | suitable for two or more children for children who can sit independently x little space per child x no lying position possible |
2. Which functions are useful for a stroller?
2.1. Variable perspective brings variety
Depending on the life situation and age of the child, the direction of vision in the stroller is optimally towards or away from the parents. On the one hand, the child should get as many impressions as possible from the walk, on the other hand, your child needs a relationship with the parent in a phase in which it is strange.
Strollers that allow you to change the viewing direction are ideal for this. There are two ways to do this. The pivoting handle is placed overhead on the other side of the stroller. With a rotating attachment, the grip stays the same and the direction of the attachment changes. If you want to quickly change direction on the go, the pivoting handle is ideal because you can do it without your child.
2.2. Sturdy wheels and suspension ensure healthy walks
For a walk in the forest, your car should have good suspension.
Swivel wheels that move with the steering are standard today. The tires are usually made of plastic or hard rubber or are air-filled. The latter dampen the unevenness of the floor well. Air chamber tires are a mixture of hard rubber and pneumatic tires and are the all-rounder for even and uneven paths. Wheels with ball bearings run particularly smoothly. The larger the wheels and the further the wheelbase, i.e. the distance between the wheels, the more stable. Smaller wheels and a narrow wheelbase make a stroller more manoeuvrable. If you plan to use the stroller in the countryside, in the forest or on uneven paths, then we recommend a stable stroller with large wheels.
Small wheels or double wheels are suitable for the city, as they optimize the weight distribution of the stroller. The front wheels are often detachable, which means they can rotate 360° and are particularly manoeuvrable in shops or narrow streets. The wheels can then be locked for uneven paths.
Good suspension protects your child's sensitive spine. Suspension can be implemented using a metal spring or hydraulics. The metal spring shows signs of wear more easily and can harden. We therefore recommend hydraulic suspension for frequent use of the stroller on uneven ground.
2.3. An adjustable seat/lying surface offers comfort in manoeuvrable strollers
Children rest best lying down. Even if they are big enough to sit in a stroller. Therefore, adjustable backrests and footrests are ideal to allow your child to rest in a lying position.
2.4. A hood protects against the sun
A hood on the stroller protects against the sun, insects and prying eyes that can disturb your sleep. As light rain protection, it also survives a short shower. Depending on the weather, it should be able to be adjusted to different positions and folded down completely.
2.5. Adjustable footrests grow with you
At any age, the child sitting in the stroller should be able to put their feet up to relieve their knees. Therefore, for strollers that accompany the child for a long period of time, adjustable footrests are a must. Ensure a simple but very firm lock so that the weight of the child does not change the length of the footrest.
2.6. If grandma is smaller than dad, an adjustable handle is the solution
In addition, the height of the handle should be easy to adjust so that grandma, older siblings and the babysitter can adjust the handle in a self-explanatory manner. Alternatively, if the handlebars are too short, a grip attachment with longer handlebars can help, but these can make it difficult to control the stroller.
3. What safety features do online tests for strollers indicate?
The safety of your child is important to every manufacturer. For this reason, you will find a separate blog on manufacturer websites such as Bonavi, which provides detailed information about the safety functions of models. In this way, you will become aware of little things and tips that only the respective manufacturer can tell you, but which can be of great help to you in everyday life.
Basically, we advise you to check your stroller regularly so that loose screws or damage do not lead to injuries.
3.1. With a 5-point harness, your child sits securely like in a child car seat
Most strollers are equipped with a so-called 5-point belt. This belt system is also used for child seats in cars. It is particularly safe because the child cannot crawl out of the side of the belt and it is particularly secure. A so-called harness belt, i.e. a 3-point belt, is easier to put on and offers the child more freedom of movement. But especially older children who find a seat belt annoying can use it to easily escape or free themselves from the seat belt. We recommend a 5-point belt system, especially for younger, more active children.
With a protective bar, your child can hold on to the stroller and, in addition to the belt, it offers additional security. It's padded so your child won't hurt themselves if you brake suddenly or fall over out of the stroller. Resourceful children open the safety bar themselves, unfortunately often to climb out and not just to sit down. With older children, look for a locking mechanism that your child cannot easily open itself.
3.2. Parking brakes prevent unintentional rolling away
While mostly only jogger strollers have a handbrake, a parking brake is a must on every stroller. It brakes at least two, often even four wheels of the stroller. As soon as the stroller is not moving, the brake should be applied with the foot pedal. A step on the brake pedal is often sufficient for both locking and releasing. Before setting off, check whether you can reach the brakes easily and whether the brakes are working properly.
3.3. Occasionally high levels of harmful substances occur in pram materials
Small children put everything in their mouths, and parents and children regularly touch all the materials on the stroller. Pollutants were mainly found in handles, straps and rain hoods. These include harmful chlorinated paraffins and the flame retardant TCPP, which is banned under EU law. Stiftung Warentest is based on legal minimum values and specifications. The good news is that pollutants above the prescribed limit values only occur occasionally and the relevant manufacturers immediately exchanged or recalled the products as soon as they became aware.
In any case, pay attention to a positive evaluation of the stroller on the subject of pollutant evaluation.
The European pram standard DIN EN 1888
The TÜV tests prams based on the European DIN standard EN 1888, which includes the following test criteria:
4. Which accessories shouldn't you be without?
Even cheap strollers are often offered as a stroller set, where the accessories are already part of the equipment.
4.1. We have summarized the advantages and disadvantages of a stroller set for you:
4.2. Overview of possible additional equipment
4.2.1. Protection against sun, rain and mosquitoes
With toys in the stroller, the little ones won't get bored.
A hood protects against the sun, but can also get very warm. A nice alternative is a parasol that is attached to the side of the stroller. Its advantage: It can be flexibly aligned so that the sun no longer dazzles you from the front. Please make sure that the parasol is made of a material that also protects against UV rays.
Modern materials are often water-repellent, so a light rain shower rolls off the stroller. A separate rain hood that you can pull completely over the car and that can withstand heavy rain is better. We recommend paying special attention to the processing of the seams.
If you live near water, an anti-mosquito net can be a good addition. It also keeps bees, wasps and flies away from your child.
4.2.2. bags and co
A pram organizer is a bag that is hung on the child's handlebars. It should be big enough to store everything you need. Wet wipes, diapers, baby bottles, mom's handbag and much more. A separate diaper bag is the alternative for the handlebars if the child is still very small and needs to take a variety of diaper changing utensils with you. If you prefer a small pram organizer but don't want to do without a drinking bottle, a separate bottle holder will help. Each stroller also has a shopping tray with space for bags, bags, jackets and more. Please take into account the specified minimum load capacity in kilograms.
4.2.3. toy
Toys such as a pram chain or a pram trailer, which can keep your child busy, help against boring waiting times at the checkout. Both are attached to the hood. The pram chain or the pram trailer hang down like a mobile from the top of the pram or extend over the entire width.
If the stroller is exciting for children and the faithful friend in the form of a teddy bear or a doll needs to go on walks with you, then your child will certainly be happy with a stroller for dolls. When folded, it fits under the pram and at home it reminds you of nice trips while playing.
4.2.4. Additional textiles
A stroller footmuff, also known as a weather footmuff, provides protection in cold weather. Footmuffs are available with one or two footwells. With a stroller blanket it will be cozy even on fresh days. A washable cover is part of the standard equipment. Find out if you can hand wash or machine wash the cover. We prefer cleaning in the washing machine, which can also remove stubborn stains. The cover may need to be re-impregnated after washing so that it can repel water.
4.2.5. ridesharing
The stroller board is also called a buggy board. A larger sibling or the child itself can ride standing on the stroller board. It supplements the stroller with two more wheels and a stand and is attached between the handle and the stroller. It is suitable for children between 2 and 5 years old. The child holds on to the handle of the stroller. Some stroller boards are equipped with a separate handle and seat. In any case, the standing surface should be non-slip.
5. Finally, we have summarized the most frequently asked questions in FAQs for you:
5.1. Is there a stroller that can also be used to ride a bike?
If you want to take your child with you on a bike, there are several options. On the one hand, there are so-called stroller bicycles. These are stable tricycles with a front-mounted seat for your child. Bike trailers or a bike seat are suitable for older children.
5.2. How long are the delivery times for a stroller in Austria?
You should choose and order a stroller in good time before the birth. Customer experiences report delivery times of up to 15 weeks. We advise you to purchase in the early second half of pregnancy. Maybe you already know if it will be a boy or a girl and could choose the design accordingly.
5.3. Which stroller do you recommend for a small trunk?
For a small trunk, we recommend a 3-in-1 stroller combination with a baby seat. The child can ride in the car with the baby seat as a car seat and only the frame has to be stowed in the trunk. You should avoid using overly large wheels. For older children, a handy buggy is a good alternative.
5.4. Which are the best strollers?
Unfortunately, we cannot give you a general answer to this question. A stroller has to suit you, your budget and your life situation. Basically, we advise to pay attention to good workmanship and stability. Your child's safety should be the top priority.
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