10 of the best budget strollers under £70

If you're willing to pay more, but still want a light stroller, take a look at our best lightweight buggies and strollers. If you haven't got much space, the best compact-folding buggies can save you lots of storage space. The best double buggies and best all-terrain 3-wheeler buggies may also be useful if you're looking for a more expensive pushchair.

Best strollers for £70 or under at a glance

• Best basic stroller: Cuggl Laurel Stroller, £35
• Best lightweight stroller: Babyway Lightweight Stroller, £36
• Best stroller for toddlers: Red Kite Push Me 2U, £50
• Best stroller for one-handed adjustable seat unit: Mothercare Nanu Stroller, £59
• Best stroller for extras included: Cuggl Cedar Deluxe Pushchair, £60
• Best stroller for a big basket: Hauck Sport, £58.49
• Best stroller for a fun print: Jane Foster Lightweight Stroller in Animal Design, £65
• Best stroller for suspension: Joie Nitro, £50
• Best stroller for a comfortable low-cost ride: Graco TraveLite Stroller, £70
• Best double stroller: Joie Aire Twin Pushchair, £175 (£70 per child)

Why should I consider buying a budget stroller?

If you’ve already invested in a high-end buggy or an all-encompassing travel system you’ll probably wonder why you need yet another stroller. However, as your child gets a little older you may find that your requirements change and you need a simple pushchair for short journeys or to store permanently in the boot of your car.

You may also want a second stroller which you can take on holiday or leave at a second location (such as your parents or childminders) for occasional use.

What’s more most strollers under £70 benefit from being lightweight, which makes them ideal if you regularly use public transport or are frequently lifting your buggy in and out of your car. We’ve indicated the weight of each stroller, as well as its dimensions, so you can find one that’s a perfect fit for your needs.

What should I look for when buying a budget stroller?

Weight ­– The budget strollers on our list all benefit from being lightweight So, if you’re after something to use on holiday or for regular use on public transport, the super-lightweight, no-frills strollers on our list could be ideal.

Dimensions – Many of these strollers are also compact when folded, so are ideal for travel. Different airlines all have various rules on what can and can’t be taken onboard so it’s best to check restrictions with them before you fly. We’ve listed the unfolded and folded dimensions for each stroller to help with this.

Extra features – If you need something for slightly more frequent trips, such as the school run or for a childminder, then you may want to look for a stroller with a few more features such as a headrest, suspension and padded seat for your child’s comfort. You'll also need a raincover/decent hood so you’re prepared for everything the Great British weather can throw at you too so we’ve indicated for each stroller what is included.

Can my newborn safely use a budget stroller?

No, most budget strollers are designed to be used for babies that are 6 months plus as they don't lie flat. A few of the manufacturers on our list state that their strollers can be used from birth, but seats that lie completely flat are recommended for newborns and a lightweight buggy that offers a compatible carrycot may provide a more suitable solution.

Also, bear in mind also that most parents prefer a parent-facing system to keep a closer eye on newborns and all these strollers are in a fixed world-facing position.

Here’s our pick of the best affordable strollers

1. Cuggl Laurel Stroller, £35

– Best for basic stroller

Age suitability: 6 months to 15kg | Weight: 4.9kg| Dimensions folded: 20 x 16 x 120cm| Fold style: Umbrella | Extras included: Shopping basket

If you're looking for a super lightweight stroller then the Cuggl Laurel is just what you need, weighing only 4.9kg.

The stroller has a comfortable backrest with a 5-point harness and storage basket. The umbrella fold pushchair compacts down to a small size, making it easy to carry around and put in the car.

The front and rear wheels have suspension and the seat is in a fixed forward facing position.

One con of this stroller is it does not have a hood, nor does it come with a raincover, but you can buy a basic raincover for a non-hooded stroller from Amazon.

A handy shopping basket is, however, included with this stroller.

Pros: Compact and lightweight, very good value, comes with shopping basket
Cons: No hood, have to buy raincover separately, can't recline

Available from: Argos

2. Babyway Lightweight Stroller, £36

– Best for lightweight

Age suitability: 6 months to 15kg | Weight: 4kg | Dimensions unfolded: 98 x 42 x 65cm | Dimensions folded: 22 x 106 x 20cm | Fold style: Umbrella | Extras included: Hood

This stroller is the lightest on this list, closely followed by the Cuggl Laurel. It easily folds down in an umbrella-style fold and fits compactly in most cars.

Although it's a similar weight and only £1 more than the Cuggl Laurel, this stroller has a retractable hood, making it more weather appropriate, although you'll still need to buy an additional raincover. Also the hood doesn't have a back panel so the wind can blow through.

The front swivel wheels make it easy to push and steer. Its also got lockable rear wheels and a 5-point safety harness to keep your child securely seated.

Pros: Ultra light, retractable hood
Cons: No basket, have to buy raincover separately, can't recline

Available from: Amazon

3. Red Kite The Push Me 2U Stroller, £50

– Best for toddlers

Age suitability: 6 months to 15kg | Weight: 6kg| Dimensions unfolded: 100 x 45.5 x 82cm | Dimensions folded: 110 x 26 x 25cm | Fold style: Umbrella | Extras included: Shopping basket, hood and raincover

Red Kite's The Push Me 2U stroller has 2 positions to enable your child to slightly recline. It has an extra deep padded seat, giving a more comfy ride than many cheap strollers. The seat is also a little wider than many budget buys, giving more space for older children.

At 6kg, it's a lightweight stroller. It comes with a detachable hood and raincover so it's suitable for all weather conditions without having to make additional purchases.

It also comes with a reasonably-sized shopping basket underneath the seat.

Pros: 2 seat positions, deep and wide padded seat, hood and raincover included
Cons: Recline position is still quite upright

Available from: Amazon, Argos and Halfords

4. Mothercare Nanu Stroller, £59

– Best for one-hand adjustable seat unit

Age suitability: States birth to 15kg but not lie-flat so not recommended for newborns | Weight: 7.15kg | Dimensions unfolded: 82 x 47 x 103cm | Dimensions folded: 31 x 30 x 106cm | Fold style: Umbrella | Extras included: Hood, basket and Mothercare weathershield

This value stroller has many features you'd expect to find on a more expensive buggy.

It features an adjustable seat unit that you can do one-handed. You can recline the seat to allow your baby to lie back, or, if your child likes to look around, you can put them in a more upright position.

The 5-point harness also adjusts to 3 positions, growing with your child. Plus there's an adjustable calf rest to support your child's legs.

It also features lockable front swivel wheels and a good-sized shopping basket

MFM reviewer Sarah tested this stroller with her 2-year-old son. "Pushing the Nanu is fairly easy," she explained. "I wouldn't say it's the smoothest or easiest ride available, but it does the job and handles kerbs fairly well. The Nanu is by far the lightest pushchair I've tested recently."

Pros: Adjustable seat unit, adjustable calf rest, comes with a weathershield
Cons: One of the heavier cheap strollers

Read our full MadeForMums review of the Mothercare Nanu

Available from: Boots

5. Cuggl Cedar Deluxe Pushchair, £60

– Best for extras included

Age suitability: States birth to 15kg but not lie-flat so not recommended for newborns | Weight: 8kg | Dimensions folded: 26 x 28 x 105cm | Fold style: Umbrella | Extras included: Raincover, shopping basket, detachable hood with viewing panel and chest pads

The Cuggl Cedar Deluxe Pushchair comes with a number of features, including a full size hood with viewing panel and 3 fixed recline positions to choose from. It also offers a 5-point harness with chest pads and adjustable leg rest.

The front wheels are swivel and lockable whilst the rear wheels have suspension and a linked brake.

Pros: 3 recline positions, lots of added extras, suspension and linked brake
Cons: Only available in grey colour, one of the heavier cheap strollers

Available from: Argos

6. Hauck Sport, £64.99

– Best for a big basket

Age suitability: States birth to 15kg but not lie-flat so not recommended for newborns | Weight: 6kg | Dimensions unfolded: 99 x45 x 78cm | Dimensions folded: 83 x44 x 20cm | Fold style: Middle fold | Extras included: Raincover, shopping basket, detachable hood, chest pads and padded bumper bar

The Hauck Sport offers a large hood, comfy seat and 5-point harness, adjustable leg rest, raincover and a really large shopping basket – this stroller has lots of useful features for a good price.

Although it's not a one-handed fold, our MFM reviewer was impressed with the fold mechanism. “It’s incredibly easy to put up and down,” she explained. “To close the buggy, there are two easy pull tabs by the buggy seat to pull back, and closing it takes just seconds.”

Pros: Large shopping basket and hood, easy to fold, bumper bar, light
Cons: It may be called sport but it's not a buggy for rough terrain

Read our full MadeForMums review of the Hauck Sport

Available from: Amazon

7. Jane Foster Lightweight Stroller in Animal Design, £65

– Best for a fun print

Age suitability: States birth to 15kg but not lie-flat so not recommended for newborns | Weight: 7.5kg | Dimensions unfolded: 52 x 75 x 106cm | Dimensions folded: 103 x 18 x 27 | Fold style: Umbrella | Extras included: Raincover and cup holder

This stroller has a fun and adorable animal print, yet it's still subtle with its simple black-and-white design.

The stroller's large hood has a viewing window. The seat has multiple recline positions and the calf rest is adjustable. The 3-point harness helps your child fit and stay in the stroller.

There's a reasonable-sized basket and a cup holder and raincover included too.

Pros: Fun design, viewing window, raincover and cup holder included
Cons: Only a 3-point harness not 5, one of the more expensive on the list

Available from: Amazon

8. Joie Nitro, £70

– Best for suspension

Age suitability: States birth to 15kg but not lie-flat so not recommended for newborns | Weight: 7.5kg | Dimensions unfolded: 108 x 49 x 84cm | Dimensions folded: 110 x 30 x 35cm | Fold style: Umbrella | Extras included: Raincover, shopping basket, detachable hood, chest pads

It’s the Nitro’s nimble and comfortable steering that really makes it stand out from the pack. Our MFM reviewer and mum of 3, Emma, was impressed with the Nitro’s performance on different surfaces. “I was able to steer the stroller as well as hold my eldest daughter's hand with ease, negotiating corners, curbs and steps with hardly a problem,” she said. “Even over tougher, wet, grassy terrain, the dual-wheel suspension and easy-to-grip ergonomic handles meant I took it all in my stride.”

The Nitro comes with a raincover, a roomy shopping basket and 5 one-handed recline positions and a variety of bright colourways.

Pros: Comfortable to steer, good suspsension
Cons: Smaller hood than many of its competitors

Read our full MadeForMums review of the Joie Nitro Stroller

Available from: Argos

9. Graco TraveLite Stroller, £70

– Best for a comfortable, low-cost ride

Age suitability: States birth to 15kg but not lie-flat so not recommended for newborns | Weight: 7kg | Dimensions unfolded: 108 x 39 x 48cm | Dimensions folded: 32 x 32 x 110cm | Fold style: Umbrella | Extras included: Shopping basket, removable bumper bar, adjustable calf rest

This lightweight stroller has a noticeable luxe feel with its stylish grey hood, bumper bar, plush padded straps and adjustable calf rest.

It feaures 4 recline positions, front swivel wheels and a generous shopping basket. It also has a convenient carry strap making the TraveLite easy to pick up and carry around.

However, it’s worth noting that the TraveLite doesn’t come with a raincover, so you’ll need to purchase one separately.

Pros: Removable bumper bar, carry strap included
Cons: Have to buy raincover separately

Available from: Amazon, Very and Halfords

10. Joie Aire Twin Pushchair, £140 (£70 per child)

– Best double stroller

Age suitability: Birth to 15kg | Weight: 11.8kg| Dimensions unfolded: 80.5 x 76 x 102cm| Dimensions folded: 78 x 30.5 x 98.5cm | Fold style: Middle fold | Extras included: Raincover, large shopping basket, bumper bar, chest pads

OK, bit cheeky but if you're looking for a double stroller, the Joie Aire is a high performing budget option. Boasting a huge shopping basket and separate hoods with viewing windows. The seats recline indivdually and feature reversible double seat liners and adjustable calf rests.

All 4 wheels have suspension and the front swivel wheels lock in place as needed. The SoftTouch 5-poinnt harness system can adjust to 3 different heights.

MFM reviewer Jenny, mum of 2 year-old boy twins said, "I am astounded that such a well designed, stylish and good-quality buggy costs so little. It's easy to put up and the clever, one-handed fold makes it easy to collapse, plus I had no trouble fitting it through doorways".

Pros: Adjustable for each child, one-handed fold
Cons: Hard to access basket when seats are reclined

Read our full MadeForMums review of the Joie Aire Twin Double Pushchair

Available from: Boots, Very and Argos

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