12 of the best buggy sunshades, covers and parasols for babies

If you prefer not to cover your baby completely, parasols and sun canopies also offer protection from the sun and provide some extra shade – perfect if your pushchair hood doesn't block out as much light as you like. Again, many of these are now universal, designed to fit a number of different brands and styles of buggies including newborn pushchairs, lightweight strollers and travel systems. For some more hot weather essentials, take a look at the best pram fans.

Best buggy covers at a glance

• Best canopy buggy cover: Dreambaby Strollerbuddy Extenda-Shade, £14.99
• Best buggy cover for travel systems: Dooky Design Universal Sunshade, £22
• Best compact buggy shade: Hippychick My Buggy Buddy Sun Shade, from £9.99
• Best buggy cover for all seasons: BlinkyWarm All Season Buggy Cover & Cosy Toes, £59.99
• Best buggy shade for carrycots: JoJo Maman Bébé Muslin Canopy, £15
  
• Best all-rounder buggy cover: SnoozeShade Original Deluxe, £24.99
• Best budget buggy cover: John Lewis ANYDAY Pushchair Sunshade, £20
• Best for iCandy pushchairs: iCandy The Screen Pushchair Sunshade, £33
• Best buggy cover for double buggies: SnoozeShade Double Stroller and Pram Sun Shade, £44.99
• Best buggy cover for easy storage: Koo-di Real Sunshady Universal Stroller Cover, £29
• Best universal parasol: LittleLife Buggy Parasol, £16.99
• Best asymmetrical parasol: Joolz Parasol, £39.95
  

What to look for when buying a buggy cover?

When shopping for the perfect sun cover, you'll need to bear a few things in mind:

Will it fit? – Most universal covers and canopies are designed to fit a wide range of standard prams or pushchairs and will stretch to fit with adjustable ties, poppers or velcro straps. You may need a different cover for your carrycot vs the seat unit of the pushchair, although some are designed to work for both. Parasols clip onto the handle or side of the frame, so check the size of the clip compared to the chassis of your buggy.

Will I need to adjust it? – Once it's fastened on, most canopies and covers don't need to be adjusted in any way, although you may wish to unzip certain panels at different times. Parasols, on the other hand, may need to be readjusted more frequently, if you change directions or as the sun moves across the sky during the day.

What's it made from? – Look for fabrics with ventilation, air holes, or mesh panels. Most sunshades will have layers of mesh to let the air flow through, and canopies sometimes have lighter panels on the side. Parasols are more likely to be made from a non-breathable fabric, but as they don't cover the entire area, air can still get to your baby easily.

Can I see my baby? – Some buggy covers come with zip panels or windows so you can check on your child. Others (particularly the more budget options) may need to be removed for this. Canopies may have a peekaboo window in the top. If you're planning to use a cover for naps, one with a window is preferable as you can make quick safety checks without disturbing your little one.

Does it have UV protection? – Check the product description (and our product guide below) to see if the cover provides UV protection, and how much. UV protection is particularly important when covering carrycots, as newborns can't wear sunscreen. Older babies (6+ months) should still wear high factor sun protection in sunny weather, even if you're planning to use a buggy cover or canopy.

Is a buggy cover safe?

Although the Lullaby Trust (which advises on safer sleeping for babies) advises that no cover at all is best, it agrees that if your baby needs protection from the sun, a clip on sunshade or parasol is the better option. It's important not to use a regular blanket or muslin cloth, as these could cause the temperature to rise so much in your pram it could put your baby’s life at risk. Look for a buggy cover from a reputable brand that has been rigorously tested for air-permeability. Good ventilation is key, as are regular checks on your little one.

Here's our pick of the best buggy sunshades, covers and parasols:

1. Dreambaby Strollerbuddy Extenda-Shade, £14.99

– Best canopy

Age suitability: From newborn | UV protection: UPF50+ | Features: Mesh sides, folds for storage

Ideal for parents who want shade rather than a full cover, the Dreambaby Strollerbuddy Extenda-Shade has an extra long canopy to protect your little one from the sun’s glare. It comes packaged as a small circle in its own bag, and pops open to become a flexible shade that'll fit over most makes of pushchair.

Made from a fabric with UPF50+ sun protection, it also has mesh sides, and velcros securely to the top and sides of your pushchair. Plus it comes in either black, or a funky Australian animal print, which we love!

Pros: Provides good shade, comes in cute prints
Cons: Not so good for sleep, very large

Available from: Amazon and Oliver's Babycare

2. Dooky Design Universal Sunshade, £22

– Best for travel systems

Age suitability: From newborn | UV protection: UPF 40+ UV | Features: Split rings for fitting

The closest you'll get to draping a muslin over the pram – but with guaranteed ventilation – the simple design of the Dooky Design Sunshade features split rings on one end and tie strings, with velcro to roll it up and down. It's available in different colours and patterns, too.

The unique shape makes it a good option if you have a travel system and click your car seat into your pushchair frame, as it can be rolled up to create extra shade for those short walks, but also works on most carrycots and pushchairs. It's machine washable.

Pros: Easy to use, fits on car seat, pram or pushchair
Cons: No viewing window, baby may undo ties

Available from: Amazon

3. Hippychick My Buggy Buddy Sun Shade, from £9.99

— Best compact buggy shade

Age suitability: | UV protection: UPF50+ | Features: Can be used on a pushchair, car seat or car window

This cleverly designed sun shade can be used on most pushchairs, strollers and car seats — and you can even use it on a car window. The large clip secures it in place on the pushchair chassis, car seat or car door interior and it's easily adjustable so you can find the right position and provide the most shade from the sun.

With a 34cm diameter it's wide enough to provide good coverage, but is also compact and its pop-up design means that it can be easily folded away and stored at home or in your pushchair basket when it's not in use. You can choose from a plain black or a cute star design in either pink, blue or silver (pictured).

Pros: Good value, simple to use, easy to store
Cons: May need to be adjusted a lot

Available from: Amazon, Hippychick and Pramworld

4. BlinkyWarm All Season Buggy Cover & Cosy Toes, £59.99

— Best multifunctional buggy cover

Age suitability: 6 months - 3 years | UV protection: UPF50+ | Features: 5 functions in 1

This 5-in-1 buggy cover adapts to any season throughout the year — it features a sun shade, rain cover, air flow, sleep shade and cosy toes. The sun and sleep shade has built-in UPF 50+ protection and is made from a breathable fabric to allow safe airflow.

It's compatible with most buggies and can be fitted easily onto the buggy within seconds. Also, when it's not in use, it folds away neatly into one compact package. When you're out and about it can be wiped clean, and when you get home it can be machine washed at 30 degrees.

Parent tester Priyanka who tested the BlinkyWarm with her 1-year-old son said "I find the design to be well thought out, stylish and sleek. All features are easy to fit and to fold away with an impatient baby in tow. It's definitely very stylish and feels good quality. The fact that it all packs away really compactly and smoothly is also very convenient and helpful."

It comes in a choice of 5 colours: Seafoam, Space, Silver, Milk and Olive.

Pros: Simple to use, easy to store, 5 products in 1
Cons: Sunshade and rain cover cannot be used without the footmuff

Available from: Amazon and Blinky

5. JoJo Maman Bébé Muslin Canopy, £15

— Best for carrycots

Age suitability: 0+ | UV protection: UPF40+ | Features: Clips for ease of attaching to pushchair

This simple muslin canopy easily and simply attaches to most hooded prams — including carrycot hoods — and keeps your baby protected and shaded from the sun. It comes with 3 clips that attach onto the hood and handlebars of your pushchair.

Its UPF 40+ coating blocks harmful rays and the double layer of lightweight, breathable muslin provides shade and darkness so your baby can nap peacefully.

Pros; Good value, simple to use
Cons: No viewing window

Available from: JoJo Maman Bébé and Next

5. SnoozeShade Original Deluxe, £24.99

– Best all-rounder

Age suitability: From newborn | UV protection: 97.5% | Features: Zip front

Invented by a mum after the birth of her first child, the SnoozeShade launched in 2010 and is now sold worldwide. Perfect for use from birth, the SnoozeShade Original Deluxe blocks 97.5% of the sun’s UV rays, is made from an air permeable mesh, and has a zip front so you can take a peek as your little one sleeps.

The SnoozeShade Original Deluxe can be suspended over a carrycot / pram, or pulled down over a pushchair, simply by fastening the straps onto the chassis in different ways. SnoozeShade claims it'll fit all types of pram and pushchair, with handy demo videos to show you how to adapt it to different ones. There’s also versions for car seats (from £29.99) and for travel cots (£59.99), as well as a range designed specifically for older babies over 6 months.

Pros: Covers the entire buggy, good sun protection
Cons: Has to be unzipped to see baby

Available from: Amazon and SnoozeShade

6. John Lewis ANYDAY Pushchair Sunshade, £20

— Best budget buggy cover

Age suitability: From newborn | UV protection: UPF50 | Features: Zip front

For an option that will offer full coverage, this buggy cover from John Lewis ANYDAY is really great value. It is a universal fit so should securely fit on most buggies and strollers, but is on the smaller side so may not be suitable for larger pushchairs.

Made from an air-permeable mesh, it ensures good ventilation and provides a cooling, dark environment for your baby on sunny, warm days.

It's easy to open to check on your child and fits easily onto your buggy — just hook the bottom under the seat, stretch it over the top of the hood and secure with the hook and loop fasteners. We also love that it comes with a storage bag to tuck it away neatly when it's not in use.

Pros: Good value, good sun protection
Cons: May not fit bigger pushchairs, has to be unzipped to see baby

Available from: John Lewis

7. iCandy The Screen Pushchair Sunshade, £33

– Best for iCandy pushchairs

Age suitability: From newborn | UV protection: 99% - UPF50+ | Features: Mesh netting

This buggy cover comes in a lovely compact storage bag and can be used on all iCandy pushchairs, strollers and carry cots. It has mesh netting in the centre which means you can see your baby without having to remove the whole thing.

Its mesh construction protects from the sun and insects, with UV protection of 99%. It gives a nice enclosed environment for naps, so if you're looking for something like this for your journeys with your iCandy stroller then look no further.

Pros: Folds up small, provides more room for wriggly babies
Cons: Takes up a lot of space when open, not good for naps, restricted to iCandy pushchairs

Available from: John Lewis and Direct4Baby

8. SnoozeShade Double Stroller and Pram Sun Shade, £44.99

– Best for double buggies

Age suitability: From newborn | UV protection: 97% | Features: Adjustable length

Fitting over most major brands of side-by-side twin buggies, this double version of the ever-popular SnoozeShade cover can be used to protect from the sun, or as an insect net or even for light showers. There are two layers that zip down independently, depending on the coverage you want.

It features air-permeable mesh across the front and has UPF50+ and claims to reduce UV by 97%. Home tester Ama, who tested it with her 2 sons, thought it was "brilliant for sun protection especially when they were asleep" and also loved that "it was really great for privacy and keeping hands away from the babies."

Pros: Great option for double buggies
Cons: Expensive, but it does do twice the work!

Available from: Amazon and SnoozeShade

9. Koo-di Real Sunshady Universal Stroller Cover, £29

– Best buggy cover for easy storage

Age suitability: From newborn | UV protection: 93% | Features: Packs away into integrated pocket

Tested on strollers, pushchairs and three-wheelers of different sizes — this good value buggy cover is designed to fit on most pushchairs and has some great features that will keep your baby protected and cool in the sun.

It's made from a breathable, ventilated mesh and has thousands of air holes that allows fresh air to flow through the cover. There are also 2 vented panels on each side to help the circulation of cool air.

Washable at 40C, it packs neatly into the integrated pocket in the hood, and can be attached to your buggy. It also comes in a double version.

Pros: Good value, has a storage pocket to pack it away
Cons: No zip to check on your baby

Available from: Koo-di and Argos

11. LittleLife Buggy Parasol, £16.99

— Best universal parasol

Age suitability: From newborn | UV protection: UPF40 | Features: Push button makes it easy to tilt to different angles

If you don't fancy a cover that has to be fastened on, a more traditional parasol style is a good option and it offers shade that can easily be adjusted throughout the day.

This universal style from LittleLife has a screw-on clamp that attaches simply to most buggies and you can use the push button on the parasol to tilt the angle to your required position and move it throughout the day.

It's BPA and phthalate free and comes in a black or grey option.

Pros: Good value, simple to use
Cons: May need to be adjusted a lot, blocks baby's view

Available from: LittleLife and Amazon

12. Joolz Parasol, £39.95

– Best asymmetrical parasol

Age suitability: From newborn | UV protection: Upf 50+ UV | Features: Bendable handle | Colour: Navy blue, Gorgeous grey, Marvellous green, Awesome anthracite, Brilliant black, Premium pink, Modern blue, Timeless taupe, Canyon terracotta

Ever seen a parasol this shape? With an asymmetric shape to offer extra shade, this Joolz parasol is designed specifically to offer good coverage whilst still remaining compact enough to fold down when not in use. This generously-sized parasol clips onto your pushchair to keep your baby protected from the elements and is bendable to get the perfect angle for your baby.

The parasol comes in grey which is neutral enough to suit most Joolz pushchairs but also comes in lots of lovely colours to choose from such as marvellous green, timeless taupe and canyon terracotta.

Pros: Asymmetric shape ensures coverage, lots of colours to pick from
Cons: Restricted to Joolz pushchairs

Available from: Joolz

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