The best prams, pushchairs and buggies of 2026

Poppins’ advice is never to buy a pram or pushchair without trying it out first in-store: “Mamas and Papas or John Lewis have an incredible selection of all the leading brands and styles,” she says.

So, what should new parents look for when hands-on testing a new pram or stroller?

“Consider how easy it is to fold down, for putting in the back of the car or storing at home,” she says. “Compact options are great for lifting in and out of a vehicle, but they can feel harder to push, especially on your wrists and when navigating rough terrain. There is also the risk of the system tipping if you hang a bag or some shopping onto the handlebars. If you know you will be carrying more gear, I would opt for something much sturdier with bigger wheels and a larger base to attachment ratio.”

Taking all these factors into account, my fellow Telegraph Recommended testers and I, all new parents, trialled the latest models. This involved assessing how easy the units were to assemble and switch between formats, how well they folded away for storage and how they performed in different settings: on pavement, grass, gravel and up and down stairs.