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Age suitability: Birth until 22kg (approx. 4 years)
Type of buggy: Single pram
Weight: 14.3kg
Fold: One-handed fold
Travel system compatible: Yes
Total cost: £500
Most mums have heard, or most definitely seen products from Diono. This American brand is best known for its award-winning car seats and ridiculously vast range of travel and car seat accessories.
The Quantum is the brand’s first pushchair, it costs £500 and marketed as multi-mode buggy. As far as pushchairs go, the Quantum has some notable features; the carrycot ingeniously converts into a seat unit, which will take a child right up to 22kg, roughly 4-years-old.
Launched in June 2017, I tested the Quantum on shopping trips, at BBQ’s and on school runs with my 3-month old, Isabella and her twin brothers in tow. We also went off-road in parks, on football pitches and for river walks.
What’s the Diono Quantum like to push?
It’s a breeze! Using it on shopping trips, wheeling around obstacles and handling slightly raised kerbs, all super easy.
Equally, the Quantum is at home going from smooth to rough surfaces. I’ve been impressed with it on river walks and in the park with the kids. With wheels in fixed position, it glides over tree roots, uneven surfaces and stone-filled pathways.
The sticking point, raised kerbs. They are a challenge for this pushchair and the Quantum suspension is barely noticeable when mounting high kerbs.
That’s also in part due to the fact that it is not a lightweight buggy. Weighing 14.3kg, it’s heavier than some double buggies.
You do end up pushing down on the footrest – old-school style - to lift the buggy up and over the kerb.
Another challenge is manoeuvring the Quantum with one hand. I had to work out a way to do it while pulling two scooters!
Of course, that’s only really a problem for a mum like me; someone who has toddler or preschool-aged twins and a young baby. Personal requirements aside, it’s not easy to manoeuvre with one hand.
The neoprene handle bar is great for grip and it’s thick. Height-wise it’s high even at its lowest point, I’m 5’5” but my 6’4” husband (with his big man’s hands) loves every aspect of the handle bar.
The high handle bar has 6 different height positions, so in that respect, the Quantum is perfect for tall parents.
It’s worth noting that it has to be adjusted with two hands pressing the buttons either side.
What’s the buggy brake like?
It’s a foot break and it has a one-step, push-on/push-off brake system, which is simple to use.
But it does needs a firm push. And if, for whatever reason, you hang a nappy bag on the end of your buggy, you may find it harder to reach. But most importantly the brake works well.
I tested the brakes on slopes on pavements, up mini hills in the park and on sleek, shiny tiled floors.
What car seats is the Quantum compatible with?
Diono will soon launch the Radius i-Size Infant car seat (probably November 2017) which’ll make the Quantum a complete travel system.
But until then, the Quantum is compatible with the car seats below, and the best thing is you get the seat adapters included with the pushchair.
Can you interact with your little ones in the Quantum?
Yes. You have a great choice with Quantum. Parent or world facing with both seat and unusually the carrycot. So with baby lying and looking straight up at you.
My personal favourite is cooing and smiling through the peekaboo window. We enjoy that.
Is baby protected by the sunshade?
Most definitely yes. I’m absolutely in love with the Quantum hood. Diono call it the XL Eclipse hood and say it offers SPF50+ protection.
It’s a four-tier canopy and best in its class. With the pull-out sun visor, it comes and up and over the baby spanning the length of the carrycot.
So no need to waste money on parasols that don’t shade or fall off and it’s a great shield in short showers, if you don’t have your raincover.
It’s also brilliant at blocking out the light and creating the darkness for daytime naps while you’re out and about. Then there’s the mesh ventilation window and the peekaboo window my daughter loves. I could bang on about the hood for longer but I will stop there.
What’s the storage like?
Very good. The fabric shopping basket is easy to access and impressive in size – a shopaholic’s dream. With the Quantum there’s no need for basket-envy.
It’s up there with the likes of the Baby Jogger City Select and UPPAbaby Vista. Diono boasts it has the space for a cabin sized luggage bag and the basket’s integrated in the fold.
Another nice touch is the elasticated loops in the basket that hold the car seat adapters. For extra storage there’s also a pocket at the back of the seat unit which is big enough to fit my laptop, phone and purse in.
How long could the Quantum last me?
Longer than most. The Quantum can be used from birth right up to a child weighing 22kg which is 4-years-old, roughly.
Is the Quantum affordable for what it is?
Very. For £500 you get so many cool and convenient features that save you time, effort and money from buying accessories.
And there’s a lot included in the package, except the car seat. You even get car seat adapter as part of the package.
Is it suitable for a newborn?
Yes. The carrycot is roomy and adequately padded. This coupled with the excellent XL canopy offering full (and I mean full) coverage from the sun, mesh ventilation and peekaboo window, your newborn is well looked after.
And when you’re little one soon gets bored of lying flat, you can convert the carrycot into the seat unit with 4 simple clicks. You can use the seat as early as 3-6 months in recline position.
How comfortable is the seat?
The seat size is ample. A child as old as 4 can comfortably enjoy the seat. But I think for most 5 year olds it’s a bit of a stretch.
The one-hand recline is smooth and won't rock or wake the baby up should you need to change position mid-sleep.
Is the Quantum strong, durable?
Yes. It’s one of the greatest plus points. The frame is strong, sturdy and has a symmetrical design to prevent accidental kicks.
You can rely on the Quantum frame. It’s a buggy that won't tip over when you take baby out even with nappy bag and shopping bags hanging off the handlebar. Great for a shopaholic like me.
Can you fold the Diono Quantum with one hand?
Yes. It’s simple, clever and compact. It’s all in the wrist. You have to perform a tri-action move of slide button, twist handle and pull up, then it folds.
It feels like Diono have thought of everything with the integrate shopping basket, an automatic locking clip , and the tether strep to carry the frame which is perfect if you’re holding your little one’s hand at the same time.
And it can be folded with or without the seat attached.
It’s also wonderfully simple to unfold, my 5-year old twins could probably do it. Just unclip the safety catch lift the handle bar out and up into position.
What’s it like to store?
Really good. The fold is really compact and better still the frame can stand upright so useful if you need to store it in a cupboard or small boot.
The wheels come off in seconds with the press of a button, if needed. What makes it unique is that bassinet converts into a toddler seat by attaching 4 clips on either side, making it easy to change and great no need to store carrycot!
Unpacking the Diono Quantum:
The box alone looks promising. Compact in size, considering it contains a pushchair, pulling the Quantum out of the box, it feels a bit on the heavy side which isn’t what I expected.
Has to be the smallest package I’ve seen that contains a buggy. Just looking at the box it offers so much.
It is easy to assemble?
All-in-all it was easy enough taking around 30 minutes. However, there was some guesswork involved in putting the Quantum together due to some of the instructions being vague.
It took a few goes – for me and my husband – to figure out some of the zip fastenings which are small and fiddly to add to it.
For example, the instructions didn’t mention there are two zips, of differing colours for the liner.
What’s in the box?
Chassis
Convertible seat
Hood
Basket
Raincover
Carriage liner
Mattress
Apron
Seat liner
Bumper bar
Car seat adaptors
Optional extras
Diono are the masters of car and buggy accessories so this is just a few:
Diono Radius Infant Car Seat - £130 (to be released)
Quantum Cup Holder £8
All-weather foot muff £50
Cool mesh comfort liner £20
Buggy Tech station £18
Buggy Buddy £9
Buggy Hooks £4
Cuddle Soft support £19
Ultra Dry Seat £15
Car seat travel bag £20 (81.3 x 50.8 x 45.7cm)
MadeForMums verdict:
It feels like Diono thought of everything in designing the Quantum. It’s for parents who put convenience and practicality first and want a buggy that will get the job done for less, not more.
That said, the Quantum doesn’t scrimp on style either. It’s at home on and off-road. And its robustness means it’s perfect for carrying paraphernalia and a comfortable push for most men.
If it had better suspension and shock absorption, the Quantum would be perfect. But with so many clever features like the superior sun hood, easy fold, smart seat and an affordable price tag of £500, you can’t help but forget the suspension and fall in love with the Quantum.
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