Babylimo V1 3-in-1 pram and travel system review

Tested By

Journalist Charlie Elliott is a first time mum-of-one, her son was 11 to 14 weeks old at the time of testing and both her and her husband tried out the Babylimo V1 pram system. They live in a first floor flat in London and were testing the travel system on public transport as well as their own car, within the city and in the suburbs.

What were your first impressions of the Babylimo V1 3-in-1 pram system?

On first impressions, I felt that the Babylimo V1 travel system looked very sleek with its white leather fabrics and black leather trim. However, I also felt the plastic sections of the pram seemed a total contrast to its otherwise luxurious feel and felt much cheaper.

How easy is the Babylimo V1 pram to build?

On the whole, the folding out of the frame and attaching the bassinet and car seat were all really simple and relatively self-explanatory, but there were some parts of the instructions that made it much more difficult.

Despite MFM parent tester Samatha stating she found the Babylimo V1 travel system “very easy to assemble”, the directions on how to put the wheels on came far too low down in the manual, which meant the whole pram couldn’t stand up. I also found the instructions themselves weren’t clear either. The most complicated part was how to bring the carrycot up to full size - there were literally no instructions on how to do this.

There are rods under the mattress and lining that need to be moved into place, but we were convinced we were going to break it in the process. However, Babylimo have made a handy ‘How to’ video to aid with the assembly if needed.

What do you think about the Babylimo V1 pram system carrycot?

The Babylimo pram’s carrycot can be used from birth up until 6-months and is made from PP material and finished with eco-leather, giving it a really high-end feel. The mattress is firm but definitely softer than our other pram, it has good breathability thanks to its ventilated bottom and my son was really comfortable. The interior is made from soft, comfortable materials and there is a hidden pocket inside the bassinet near the foot end which is meant for a mobile phone but is great for putting a spare dummy or comforter in.

However, it does feel smaller than some other carrycots on the market, and I feel he may grow out of it before he’s 4-months old, although parent tester Samantha felt there was “plenty of space” for her newborn. She also liked its super soft mattress and good ventilation features. The carrycot itself is pretty light, but carrying it isn’t convenient as it doesn’t have a handle, instead there are two hand grips on the sides.

This means it has to be carried with two hands and I can’t carry both parts of the pram down from my flat in one go - not ideal when my husband is at the office and I want to quickly get the pram downstairs while my son naps.

How easy is the carrycot to add on and take off the Babylimo V1 pushchair?

The carrycot is really easy to add on and take off, it has memory buttons and when pressed, it can be removed. I wouldn’t feel comfortable doing this with my son in it however, because of the lack of handle across the top. I also found that it was too bulky to safely carry with him in.

What do you think of the Babylimo V1 3-in-1 pram system’s car seat?

The car seat is designed to match the pram and frame and comes in the same fabrics and colours. It is i-Size but the Isofix base is not provided with the travel system as you have to purchase it separately, so I wasn’t able to try this out. I was able to attach it using the seatbelt function though, and this was easy to do - the blue parts on the seat signposted where I needed to thread the belt through.

My son seemed very comfortable in the seat, both in the car and when it was attached to the pram, however the newborn head support seemed a bit too big. I’m not sure I would’ve felt secure putting my baby into it when he was first born and had no head control. The hood is really lovely and I like how it clips around the handle, it looks really premium.

It’s easy and light to carry which is good for carrying down the stairs of my flat and out to the car, and has memory buttons to easily get it in and out of the pram. Parent tester Samantha also notes that “you can change from the car seat to the pushchair within seconds”, which is a real bonus if needed.

How easy is the Babylimo V1 pushchair to fold and unfold?

It’s very easy to fold and unfold the pram frame, but you can’t do it with the carrycot/stroller seat attached. To fold:

• Remove the carrycot, stroller seat or car seat from the frame
• Release the folding block and pull back the handles on the handlebar
• Then you simply fold the chassis while holding the handlebar.

To unfold:

• Unclip the binding safety lock on the side
• Pull up the handle until locked into place
• Then attach the bassinet or seat and you are ready to go.

How compact is the Babylimo V1 pram when folded?

The buggy is very bulky when folded (H: 79cm W: 59cm L: 33cm) and it’s not easy to pick up as there isn’t a shoulder strap or any obvious handles, so it’s a two-handed job. Again, this makes it very difficult when you are solo parenting and live in a flat so can’t just roll the pram out of the door. Despite parent tester Samantha finding that it “folds up so small and nicely”, I found that it takes up quite a lot of space in the boot of our Hyundai i30 and it’s also quite big to store in our small hallway. It does stand on its own when folded but it doesn’t feel very sturdy.

What is the Babylimo V1 pram like to push and steer?

When pushing the Babylimo V1 pram, I felt the suspension was really impressive and I can push the pram over kerbs, cobbles and uneven ground really easily without disturbing my son. Parent tester Samantha also found the Babylimo “very easy to push and steer”, adding: “It’s quite a tall system but has amazing suspension on it meaning going up and down kerbs when out and about is much easier.”

For higher kerbs, there isn’t an obvious footrest to help tip the pram up so you have to put quite a bit of effort in yourself. This also makes it difficult to manoeuvre getting into the front door of my building, as it’s up three steep stairs and through a narrow front door. The pram feels very heavy when pushing uphill and as a result, it almost ran away from me when going downhill.

How well does the Babylimo V1 pram work on public transport?

Getting on and off the bus was very wobbly and when I went onto the back wheels alone, the whole pram swerved to the left. Despite its EasySTOP brake function, I felt it wasn’t as sturdy as my usual pram and it does move a fair bit on a bumpy London bus. The lack of a handle across the bassinet meant that when the bus inevitably stops too far from the kerb, I can’t lift the pram quickly to get off, instead, I have to tip it very steeply.

The pram is easy to lift up the stairs on the tube when I’m with my husband, but it’s far too heavy to do alone. However, parent tester Samantha felt that it was “much lighter” than she originally thought, adding: “It’s quite a big system so expected it to be heavier than it is.”

What is the Babylimo V1 pram’s chassis like?

The chassis is matte black, feels very stable and has been designed using light aluminium, which the manufacturer claims is easily manoeuvrable and at the same time, very durable and compact when folded.

Fellow parent tester Samantha also noted the “superb quality” of the materials used, noting how the chassis felt “very sturdy”. The frame also features a three-way shock absorption system, both front and both rear wheels, as well as both sides of the frame. The shock absorber in the frame can be locked when not needed.

What is the handle like on Babylimo V1 pram?

Babylimo claims to have designed the handle height of the pram with various heights in mind, stating that even the tallest person will find the pram system very comfortable and easy to use. It has an adjustable guide handle to help ensure you avoid hunching over and therefore avoid uncomfortable back & neck pain.

I also really like that the handle can be folded down, so when we’re in a small space or on the bus, it doesn’t take up as much space. The buttons to move the handle into different positions can be a bit temperamental and stick. The finish is a soft leather feel and lovely to hold - it is also big enough to add pram gloves when it’s cold, which can be purchased separately.

How do you rate the hood on the Babylimo V1 pram carrycot?

The hood on the bassinet is fantastic for keeping out wind and being white, it’ll reflect sunlight in summer to keep my baby cool. The fabric is also rainproof, which is handy for those days that you may forget the raincover. The buttons to retract the canopy are the same as the handle and can be a bit sticky to use.

It comes down very far and gives a lovely dark environment for naps, however, with a very small baby, you wouldn’t be able to see them when they have their feet to the bottom of the bassinet. It would be nice to have it at variable positions so that my baby could see me and the environment more clearly if he’s awake while in the pram. The hood also comes complete with a dedicated mosquito net, which can be zippered down if needed.

What’s the seat unit like on the Babylimo V1 pushchair?

Despite my son currently being too small to try out the stroller seat at present, it looks really comfortable and comes in the same design as the carrycot. It boasts of having a smooth backrest adjustment to allow your child to sleep soundly, a 4-step, gradual footrest and 5-point safety belt to keep your child secure.

Parent tester Samantha - who tried out the seat with her 20-month old - noted that it was “very light, has a smooth recline and reclines fully into the sleeping position”, which was a bonus as it meant there was less chance of waking her toddler. It also has a removal safety rail, leg cover - which is rain and windproof - and you can also order an additional sun protection umbrella for those hot summer strolls.

What are the Babylimo V1 pram wheels like?

The Babylimo pram wheels are very sturdy and look more like tyres than standard wheels, with all 4 wheels gel pumped for smooth running. This definitely helps on uneven terrains, with its impressive triple shock absorption system (SAS) and rear wheel suspension system - which includes adjustable absorption levels - also aiding your child’s comfort on those rockier roads.

However, I had three incidents where the back left wheel suddenly locked when pushing on uneven ground. It also occasionally results in a loud clicking noise when being pushed.

How do you rate the Babylimo V1 pram brakes?

The brake is easy to kick on and flick off again and I didn’t find that I was kicking it while walking. Despite the central brake EasySTOP function, I found that it’s not a very strong brake for public transport and the pram does jolt a lot on a moving bus.

How big is the Babylimo V1 pram storage basket?

When it comes to the Babylimo V1 pram’s basket, I love that it’s enclosed and has a magnetic lid and zip rather than a fussy clasp. However, despite the manufacturer branding the basket as capacious, at 3kg it’s not really big enough. In the past I have loaded up my other pram with lots of parcels, or put a few shopping bags underneath, but this only really comfortably holds my backpack, a spare blanket and some smaller items.

How does the Babylimo V1 pram system compare to similar products on the market?

What’s in the box?

• Chassis
• Carrycot with mattress
• Stroller seat with foot cover
• Car seat with foot cover
• Changing bag
• Coffee cup holder
• Rain cover

What are the additional accessories you can buy?

• Isofix dock for car seat £149
• Winter hand warmer £28.50
• Sun protection umbrella (Can be ordered additionally)

Now you’ve tested the Babylimo V1 pram system, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing?

The main point for me is that the Babylimo V1 really isn’t really suited for those who live in a flat and may not have assistance in getting the pram set up, as the baby has to be left alone to do this. If the carrycot and chassis had handles or straps on them, this would make a huge difference. I think it’s really important to also make clear that the Isofix base for the car seat is not included with the travel system as this wasn’t 100% obvious when I first checked out the product.

Who would the Babylimo V1 pram system be most useful for?

If you’re looking for a stylish travel system, then the Babylimo V1 is a lovely option. However, taking everything on board, I feel this pram system would be best suited to families who live in houses or spacious, ground floor flats with plenty of storage and don’t have to use public transport too often. I’m moving to a house soon and I’m sure this will make the Babylimo pram system much easier in general to use.

Is the Babylimo V1 pram system worth the money?

I feel the Babylimo V1 pram system’s price tag is in line with similar options on the market, with its luxurious look and modern feel making it worth the money if being aesthetically pleasing is a priority for you. However, considering that the Isofix car seat base will set you back an extra £149 on top of what you have already paid, it does make it seem all that bit more expensive. Alternatively, if you’re happy using the car seat with just the seatbelt to secure, it’s not so much of a concern.

Where can I buy the Babylimo V1 pram system?

At the moment, it is only available from Babylimo

MadeForMums verdict:

With a logo reminiscent of luxury car brand Bentley, the Babylimo V1 pram system is definitely the sports car model of the pram world, but like a sports car, it can be a bit impractical at times. For those who live in a smaller home or need to move it up steps, there were a few caveats to consider before splashing out on this pram - especially when it comes to carrying the chassis and bassinet on your own as you need both hands to pull off this manoeuvre.

However, if you live in a house or ground-floor flat with easy access, have the space to accommodate and do not have to use public transport regularly, it is a really beautiful, wellmade product.

The Babylimo V1 pram looks great, will keep your baby sheltered from the elements and most importantly, keep them comfortable from birth right up until the age of 4.