The Beech is a pushchair that can be parent or world facing and carries plenty of shopping in the generous basket underneath. With an RRP of £149.99 it compares very well with the Phil and Teds Smart buggy (£249) Allis Venus Baby from birth buggy (£199) Red Kite Push Me Fusion travel system(£249) Roam, Mothercare’s travel system (£249.99), as well as similarly spec’d and affordably-priced products such as the Hauck London (£250) and Graco Quattro (£249).
The difference with the Beech is that it does not come with a carrycot and is not travel system compatible.
First impressions?
I was excited to see how the Cuggl Beech would cope with day-to-day life. It comes in two parts, the chassis and the seat unit.
This means that you can use it both world- and parent-facing and can lie the seat flat. It is suitable from birth and I imagine with a footmuff or liner it would be nice and cosy for a little one.
How does it compare to other compact strollers you have used?
I found it hard to compare to a compact stroller as it is a much bulkier and heavier pushchair - It sits somewhere in the middle between compact and full travel system really!
Is the Cuggl Beech it suitable from newborn?
No, while the brand states that the Beech is suitable for a newborn, there is no separate carrycot or a car seat option. So we wouldn't recommend it over another option that has a carrycot to use with a newborn.
Once your baby is older (around 6 months) you can have your baby lying near-flat and snuggled up parent facing and there is plenty of protection from the elements, so this is a great budget option if you want one pushchair to last from 6 months to until around 36 months.
How is the fold? How compact is the Beech?
You need two hands to fold the Beech, and you can fold it either with the seat on or detached. It isn’t particularly small folded, measuring 98x64x36cms and weighs 11.6kg, so it’s not the most compact of pushchairs.
10 of the easiest to fold buggies
How easy was the Beech to push? How does it handle on different terrains?
I found that on smooth ground the Beech was easy to push, but I did struggle with kerbs and often had to put my foot on the back bar to leverage it up a kerb.
I had my petite, two-year-old daughter parent-facing and so it may be easier with a smaller baby. It is a great pushchair to take to the park though, as it copes with uneven ground easily thanks to the big wheels.
Does the Cuggl Beech feel robust?
The pushchair is bulky but it feels well made and sturdy. I also used it for my large three-year-old at times and the seat unit is big enough to fit him, and feels sturdy enough to hold him well.
How comfortable is the handle bar?
This pushchair is designed for parents of all sizes and the handle bar adjusts up and down. I have it somewhere in the middle which is unusual as at five foot nine I generally have them on the highest setting. There are two buttons on the side to adjust it up and down.
How does the seat recline?
The recline is operated one-handed by a lever on the back. There are three recline positions to suit all ages and it is easy to lie children flat for naps. The hood is extensive with a sun visor on the front so it creates a lovely dark space for naps. We love how much protection this pushchair offers the child both in the summer and winter. There is also a flap on the hood to aid circulation of air (and to check on the child).
The brake is easy to use (single brake bar with pedal in the centre) and the basket is huge and practical. Even with a baby lying flat it is easy to access both from the front and back. I could fit plenty of shopping or bags in there.
What are some of the other features of the Cuggl Beech?
The Beech has a snug 5-point harness, lockable front swivel wheels and front wheel suspension. It also has an adjustable leg rest and includes a detachable bumper bar. Unfortunately it doesn’t come with a raincover.
Does the Beech fit in the boot of your car?
The pushchair does need a decent sized boot to fit it in (we have a people carrier with two seats down so had no problem) as there are two parts to fit in. It came ready built in the box and is easy to take apart and put back together.
How to choose a buggy to suit your lifestyle
Who is the Beech best for and would you recommend it?
The Cuggl Beech costs £149.99 from Argos and this pushchair is a great option if you are shopping on a budget and want one buggy to last you through the first three years. Do remember that you will need to buy a raincover separately though as well as any footmuff or liner you may want to use.
The Cuggl Beech promises a solution from birth to three years that ensures you don’t need to buy any others (although it is recommended to use a flat carry cot for newborns). A cross between a pushchair and stroller, it offers the benefits of a parent-facing option, a near-flat seat recline and a big basket without the price tag of a travel system.
Here are some more compact and versatile strollers:
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