Babystyle Oyster3 review

The chassis is available in both grey and chrome and there are 8 options for fabric colour.

The Babystyle Oyster 3 is suitable from newborn, where there is a large capacity, very comfortable bassinet through to a young child aged 4 years or up to 22 kg.

With a reasonable price tag (bassinet and car seat are additional costs), this is a fantastic mid-range buggy whose style competes both within its price point and with those in a higher price bracket.

Similar in size to the UPPAbaby Vista and Bugaboo Cameleon, the Oyster 3 offers a sleek yet durable option with great suspension.

One of the most appealing features of the Oyster 3 is its easy to use fold and small footprint when collapsed. This is a great space-saving feature and as the seat folds down with the chassis, it means it is hassle free to fold and unfold. It is easy to see why the Oyster has historically been a popular pram and I believe this third version will be equally popular.

Tested by:

Becky is a first time mum to 7-month-old Lily, living in London with her husband. The buggy was tested on all forms of public transport, transported in a car and used in both urban and rural environments.

First Impressions

The first impressions were very good from the ease of unpacking to the sleek design along with the simple fold and unfold. The Oyster 3 part looks very stylish and has a compact design, meaning it stores away well. The frame feels both strong and durable.

It is very attractive in style with a sleek and elegant look. I like the selection of colors on offer, which cover both neutral and bright colours.

How easy is the Babystyle Oyster3 to assemble?

It was exceptionally easy to build, taking no longer than a few minutes as all that was required was to attach the wheels and add the seat unit. The instructions were clear and concise but as assembly was so simple, it was intuitive.

What do you think of the fold system?

The fold mechanism is impressive for the size of the pram. Although the fold mechanism cannot be easily completed with one hand, there are just a few simple steps to take the buggy from fully assembled to collapsed and ready to store.

I found that folding is very slick when the Babystyle Oyster 3 pushchair is forward facing, but slightly more cumbersome when parent facing.

The locking mechanism on the chassis does feel slightly flimsy as if it might not be able to ensure constant wear and tear over a period of time.

How compact is it?

The Babystyle Oyster 3 is compact, easy to store and fits into small car boots, as the wheels are easy to remove.

How lightweight is the Babystyle Oyster3?

Whilst not as lightweight as some other prams due to its sturdy construction, it weighs just less than 12 kilos. However, it has a useful handle to aid carrying.

What do you think of the handlebar?

The adjustable handlebar is a strong feature of the pram, allowing you to push with one hand. It is covered in leatherette, which makes it feel luxurious and comfortable to hold. There are five different height settings, which are easy to adjust with one touch of the handlebar.

How easy is it to push the Babystyle Oyster3?

The Babystyle Oyster 3 is very easy to push with a very comfortable handle bar, which is very easy to adjust using one hand.

It’s an excellent city pram as it is very smooth on pavements and easy to mount kerbs with ease of manoeuvrability in an urban environment, e.g. getting in and out of shops. It’s also very good for trips to the park as it moves with ease over grass. However, more challenging terrain such as very uneven surfaces are more difficult for the buggy to handle.

How did you find it worked on public transport?

Absolutely fine – it handled with ease on both a bus and a train.

How comfortable does the Babystyle Oyster3's seat seem for your child?

The seat unit is a very good size and looks relatively comfortable for the child. It has three easy to access recline settings, however, I do feel the materials used on the seat unit could be softer and the harness could do with more padding.

Although the suspension and overall seat capacity allow for a comfortable ride, I believe the fabric choices and layout of the harness could be improved to provide increased comfort for the child. One easy solution for this is to use an insert to both cover the harness and provide a softer material.

The seat unit integrates a calf rest with a zip open pocket, which is a useful feature for storage of small items.

How many recline positions are there?

The recline settings can be accessed easily through the handle on the back of the seat unit. I particularly like the fact that there is an almost flat option for sleeping. There is also a newborn insert.

Could you interact with your little one when using the Babystyle Oyster3?

It’s very easy to interact with your child in both forward and parent facing modes. The integration of a mesh panel within the hood means that you can see your child even when the hood is down.

Are the Babystyle Oyster3's brakes effective?

The footbrake is centrally located on the rear wheel axle and is easy to turn both on and off with one foot. The brakes feel secure when locked on.

What did you think of the wheels?

The wheels attach and detach easily and ride smoothly. The front wheels have a locking function, which is a useful feature and easily accessed via a button between the front two wheels. However, the chrome effect finish on the wheels could scratch easily. According to the manufacturers, the wheels are punctureproof as they are foam filled.

What do you think of the hood?

The large hood is UVF 50 and easy to adjust with a simple pull and push movement. One small improvement that I think would enhance the hood would be integrating the sun visor and removing the zip. The straps are adjustable and will accommodate a growing child.

How accessible and useful is the Babystyle Oyster3 basket?

The storage basket is another positive feature of the buggy. It is both easily accessed due to the higher seat setting and has a large capacity. It also includes a useful mesh pocket at the front, which allows easy storage of the rain cover.

Is the Babystyle Oyster3 car seat compatible?

It is car seat compatible – the i-Size car seat, Oyster Carapace, is available to purchase separately.

Any additional products needed?

Accessories that can be purchased separately include the carrycot (from birth to 9kg), Oyster Carapace car seat, car seat adaptors, footmuff and changing mat.

I would recommend both the carrycot and the car seat if you want to use the pram from birth and as a travel system.

What did you really like about the Babystyle Oyster3?

My favourite feature is the easy fold/unfold which made it easy to store and transport.

What would you have wanted to know before you purchased the Babystyle Oyster3?

There is no additional information I would require – the Oyster 3 is a buggy that has a good reputation and this third version integrates some great new features.

How does it compare with other pushchairs?

The Babystyle Oyster 3 compares favourably to other pushchairs in a similar price bracket. Whilst the fold and unfold mechanism is far simpler than a number of competitors and the storage basket has a large capacity, and is easy to access, the overall build quality and materials could be improved.

Who is the Babystyle Oyster3 most suited for?

This well built, reliable buggy would appeal to a wide range of parents but is particularly suitable for those living in a space, which requires a buggy to be compact.

Is the Babystyle Oyster3 a good value pushchair?

I think it has a reasonable price point, and offers good value.

What’s in the box?

There is a seat, chassis, wheels and rain cover.

Where can I buy the Babystyle Oyster3?

It is available from Amazon.

MadeforMums verdict:

Overall, the Babystyle Oyster 3 is an attractive, durable buggy which is a very good option for the price point (£500). Easy to push, 3 seat settings, 5 handlebar settings and (according to the manufacturers) puncture proof tyres, mean this is an easy to use system. The simple to use folding mechanism makes it an excellent option for families who have less space, or those who would prefer to easily store a buggy. I would definitely recommend this buggy to anyone looking at the price point of £500.

Read More...

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