Travel Systems For Babies: Worth The Investment?

A travel system is a pushchair or buggy that can be used with a baby car seat. They make it easier to transport sleeping babies without disturbing them too much. Travel systems can be bought as a package, where the buggy and car seat are bought together, or you can create your own package by buying a travel-system-compatible buggy and a car seat separately.

When choosing a travel system, it's important to consider the weight of the car seat, how easy it is to fit into your car, and the price. Travel systems can be costly, ranging from under £250 to over £1000.

Other things to consider include the size and weight of the stroller, the type of terrain it can handle, its ease of use, and its convenient features and accessories.

Should I buy a travel system or a separate car seat and stroller?

A travel system is a buggy with a detachable car seat that allows you to move your baby from car to buggy without disturbing their sleep. Travel systems can be purchased as a package, where the buggy and car seat are bought together, or you can create your own package by buying a travel-system-compatible buggy and a car seat separately.

Benefits of a Travel System

Travel systems are convenient for parents who are often on the go, allowing you to transfer your baby from car to buggy without waking them up. They also allow you to use a stroller from day one, as newborns can't sit up in regular strollers.

Choosing a Travel System

When choosing a travel system, it's recommended that you select a car seat first, as this is an essential piece of baby safety kit. You should also consider the weight of the car seat, how easy it is to fit into your car, and whether it's included in the price of the travel system or needs to be bought separately.

When choosing a buggy, consider whether you need it to be forward and rear-facing, whether you need swivel wheels or a one-handed fold, how big the shopping basket is, and whether it will fit in your car boot.

Other Options

If you don't think a travel system is right for you, there are other options for getting around with a newborn. These include a stroller frame, which is designed to wheel around your infant car seat, or a baby carrier, which allows you to wear your baby.

What are the pros and cons of a travel system?

A travel system is a buggy with a detachable car seat, allowing you to move your baby from the car to the pushchair without disturbing them. Some travel systems also include a carrycot, allowing newborns to lie flat.

There are two main options when buying a travel system: buying a complete package, where the buggy and car seat are bought together, or creating your own package by buying a travel-system-compatible buggy and a car seat separately.

Pros:

• Ease of movement: You can easily move your baby from the car to the pushchair or even the house without waking them.
• One purchase decision: With a travel system, you only need to make one purchase and you get the pushchair/stroller, baby capsule and carrycot all in one.
• Multi-purpose: The carrycot can double up as a Moses basket or bassinet.
• Economical: Buying a travel system can be more economical than purchasing a pushchair, stroller, and car seat separately.

Cons:

• Bulky: Travel systems tend to be bulkier and heavier than standard strollers, making them tricky to put in and out of the car and difficult to push on uneven surfaces.
• Limited lifespan: You will need to buy another car seat when your baby outgrows the baby capsule.
• Compatibility: Not all infant car seats are compatible with all pushchairs, and you may need to buy adapters.
• Safety: While travel systems go through rigorous safety tests, it is important to ensure that the capsule you are buying is safe and that your baby is not left in it for too long, as this can affect their bone development.

What should I look for in a travel system?

When choosing a travel system, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, it is important to ensure that the car seat is compatible with the stroller. The car seat should be easy to attach and detach from the stroller, with some models requiring additional adaptors. It is also crucial to consider the weight of the car seat, as heavier options may be more cumbersome and difficult to carry. Additionally, the ease of fitting the car seat into your car is an important factor. Some car seats use the seatbelt for installation, while others utilise an Isofix base, which can be more costly but provides a secure fit.

When choosing a stroller, there are several key factors to keep in mind. The size and weight of the stroller will impact its portability and ease of loading into your trunk or taking on public transportation. The type of terrain the stroller can handle is another important consideration, with some strollers designed specifically for paved surfaces while others are built for bumpier routes. The ease of use of the stroller is also essential, including how easily it opens and closes, its compactness when folded, and the washability of the seat cover.

Convenient features and accessories can also make a significant difference in your experience. Adjustable handlebars, a large storage basket, and a sun canopy can enhance the functionality of the stroller. Additionally, snack trays and cup holders can be useful add-ons. While travel systems can be costly, ranging from £100 to over £1000, it is possible to find good options within your budget.

What are some recommended travel systems?

There are many travel systems available on the market, and the best one for you will depend on your budget, your child's age, and your lifestyle. Here are some of the best travel systems you can buy:

Nuna Mixx Next

The Nuna Mixx Next is an upgrade to the Nuna Mixx and takes our top spot as the best travel system you can buy today. It is a Which? Best Buy and scored highly in their lab tests. It is suitable for children from birth up to 22kg and can be used with a Nuna carrycot or compatible car seats from Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, or Cybex. It has durable rubber wheels with improved suspension and a more compact fold than its predecessor. It also has a comfortable seat, excellent storage, and a large sun hood.

Maxi-Cosi Zelia³ Luxe

The Maxi-Cosi Zelia³ Luxe is a good budget option, with a price tag of around £980. It is suitable for children from birth up to 22kg and comes with a 2-in-1 seat that converts to a newborn bassinet, saving storage space at home. It has a comfortable padded inlay and spacious sun hood. It is easy to steer and handles pavements and kerbs well but may struggle on rougher terrain.

BabyStyle Oyster 3

The BabyStyle Oyster 3 is a good option for growing families and is suitable for children from birth up to 22kg. It has a choice of seven colourways and comes with a spacious carrycot and a larger, padded upright seat. It is easy to fold and has good suspension and all-round tyres. However, the storage basket is relatively small at 3kg.

Venicci Tinum Edge

The Venicci Tinum Edge is a versatile option that comes with lots of accessories, including a carrycot, car seat, footmuff, changing bag, and adapters. It is suitable for children from birth up to 22kg and has a reversible lie-flat seat, height-adjustable handlebar, and spacious shopping basket. It is easy to steer and handles different terrains well. However, the seat is not very padded, and the brakes require some force to engage.

Mamas & Papas Ocarro

The Mamas & Papas Ocarro is a luxury, all-terrain pushchair and a Which? Best Buy. It is suitable for children from birth up to 22kg and comes with a padded lie-flat seat, supportive head hugger, and one-handed three-position recline. It has large all-terrain wheels, dual suspension, and a spacious storage basket. However, it is heavy and bulky and may not be suitable for travel.

Bugaboo Fox 5

The Bugaboo Fox 5 is the latest version of the popular Bugaboo Fox and is suitable for children from birth up to 22kg. It has large puncture-proof wheels, bouncy suspension, and a comfortable seat with a five-point harness. It is easy to manoeuvre and has a compact fold, but it is quite bulky when folded and may not fit in small car boots.

UPPAbaby Vista V2

The UPPAbaby Vista V2 is a good option for a growing family and is suitable for children from birth up to 22kg. It comes with a newborn carrycot and has a spacious seat, excellent storage, and a large sun hood. It is easy to fold and manoeuvre, but it is heavy and bulky and may not be suitable for public transport.

Joie Versatrax

The Joie Versatrax is a good budget option, with a price tag of around £630. It is suitable for children from birth up to 22kg and comes with a lie-flat seat, adjustable leg rest, and a large sun hood. It is easy to fold and has a large storage basket, but it is heavy and may not be suitable for carrying long distances.

BabyStyle Egg 3

The BabyStyle Egg 3 is a stylish and unique option that is suitable for children from six months up to 25kg. It has a large seat, extendable sun canopy, and a height-adjustable handlebar. It is easy to steer and handles different terrains well, but it is heavy at 15.5kg and may not be suitable for public transport.

Cybex Priam 2022

The Cybex Priam 2022 is a robust and sturdy option that is popular among parents living in rural or countryside settings. It is suitable for children from birth up to 22kg and comes with a spacious carrycot and adjustable seat. It handles most terrains well but may struggle with sand. It has a large sun hood and a good-sized storage basket, but the basket has a slanted design that feels restrictive.

Nuna Triv Next

The Nuna Triv Next is a lightweight option at just 9.2kg and is suitable for children from birth up to 22kg. It has a comfortable padded seat, large sun hood, and a spacious storage basket. It is easy to fold and manoeuvre, but the seat is quite thin and may not be suitable for long journeys.

Bugaboo Dragonfly

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is a lightweight option at just 7.9-10.4kg and is designed specifically for city life. It is suitable for children from birth up to 22kg and comes with a carrycot, large sun canopy, and a huge storage basket. It is easy to fold and manoeuvre, but it struggles with uneven ground and bumping up kerbs.

What are some highly-rated travel systems?

A travel system is a buggy with a detachable car seat, which can be clicked or slotted in, or attached via special adaptors. They are designed to make it easy to move your baby from car to buggy.

Uppababy Vista V2 Stroller + Mesa Infant Car Seat

This travel system includes two of the most popular products on the market: the Uppababy Vista V2, a full-size convertible stroller; and the Mesa Infant Car Seat. The car seat attaches directly to the stroller frame without adaptors, as does the included bassinet. Once your baby outgrows the bassinet, they can graduate to the toddler seat, which they can use until they reach 50 lbs. The Vista can also be converted to a double with the addition of the RumbleSeat V2 (sold separately). The Vista V2 and Mesa Infant Car Seat are both packed with high-end features, including one-handed folding, height-adjustable canopies, and superior shock absorption.

Doona Infant Car Seat/Stroller

The Doona is an innovative take on the travel system, combining an infant car seat with a sleek stroller frame. It weighs just 16.5 lbs, making it one of the most lightweight options available. Transitioning from car seat to stroller mode is easy—simply click a button and the Doona converts with wheels that fold in. However, because it's on the smaller and lighter side, it doesn't perform as well as some full-size strollers, and there's no storage basket. It's also worth noting that once your baby reaches 32 inches or 35 lbs, you'll need to switch to a stroller with a dedicated toddler seat.

Graco Modes 3 Lite DLX Travel System

The Graco Modes travel systems are a popular choice, and the Modes 3 Lite DLX model has some unique benefits. This travel system includes a jogger-style stroller, along with the Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX Infant Car Seat. The price for all three products (stroller, car seat, and base) is just $320. The two front wheels are positioned close together on the stroller, making it easy to maneuver, particularly when turning corners. It also has a one-handed fold and is easy to use.

Chicco Mini Bravo Plus Travel System

The Chicco Bravo travel systems are a popular pick, and the Mini Bravo Plus stands out as it's a lightweight stroller that's compatible with the top-rated KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat. Despite its affordable price, the Chicco Mini Bravo Plus doesn't lack top-of-the-line features, including a roomy storage basket, three reclining settings, and a built-in parent organizer with two cup holders. Parents say the whole system is easy to fold and store, as well as highly maneuverable, thanks to front-swivel wheels.

Nuna Mixx Next + Pipa RX Travel System

The Nuna brand is known for products that are both practical and beautiful, and the Mixx Next Stroller and Pipa RX Infant Car Seat work together to check both boxes. The car seat is appropriate for babies weighing 4 to 32 lbs, or up to 32 inches, while the stroller will work until your child weighs 50 lbs. This travel system is popular among parents, offering an impressive four modes of use and tons of versatility. The Pipa car seat is also very lightweight at just 7.6 lbs. Other notable features include a true-flat recline, UPF 50+ canopy, and peekaboo window.

Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System

One of the most affordable travel systems on the market, the Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System includes an easy-to-use stroller and a top-of-the-line car seat. It offers six modes of use, with tons of versatility for parents to configure the seats front- or rear-facing. It's also relatively lightweight and easy to switch between the different modes. There are also nice-to-have features such as a parent cup holder, bumper with snack tray, and a large undercarriage storage basket.

Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular Travel System with SafeMax Infant Car Seat

The Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular Travel System is ideal for traveling with multiples, as it includes a full-size Pivot Xpand stroller with the SafeMax Infant Car Seat. There are 22 different ways to set up the seats, depending on whether you're using the infant car seat and/or the included toddler seat. This same stroller/car seat combo can accommodate up to three children until the toddler years. It's also easy to install and a breeze to push, with features like a self-standing fold, front wheel swivel, peekaboo canopy, adjustable handle, and a roomy basket.

Frequently asked questions