Graco Transform pushchair review

The brand promises that the Transform offers the ‘ultimate in convenience’ and it is suitable from birth to 22kg (approximately 4 years).

The model sits at the more affordable end of the market, alongside the likes of Maxi-Cosi’s Zelia which also offers the pram-to-toddler seat at £299.

Tested by:

Emma is a mum of 4 and tested the Graco Transform with 7-month-old Lana. She has tried it on public transport, in shops and on varying terrains around her local neighbourhood in North London.

What were your first impressions of the Graco Transform?

The Graco Transform seemed lighter than its stated 15.8 kg weight when taking it out of the box. My first impressions were that it was a simple, fuss-free system with functionality taking centre stage over style.

How easy is it to assemble the Graco Transform?

The Transform is straightforward to put together and the instructions are easy to follow. The only thing that I found tricky and the most time consuming was attaching the rear wheels. This involved inserting an axel and two pins which were quite fiddly and took a while to put into place on my own. The instructions made it look like it would be a breeze!

I noticed shoppers on Amazon remarking on this too, so it’s clearly a design niggle. It added a good 15mins onto the build time taking the overall time to around 25mins.

What age is the Graco Transform suitable for?

The 2-in-1 Transform has a seat unit that can be used as a lie-flat 'pramette', which means that it’s suitable from birth. In addition, it is designed to hold kids up to 22kg, which is approximately 4 years old – so it’s suitable for a great range and should be the only buggy you need.

What do you think of the Graco Transform’s 2-in-1 carrycot – is it as good as a separate carrycot?

The Transform allows parents to convert the seat from a newborn carrycot to a toddler seat, so you can use it from birth without having to purchase a separate carrycot. It is easy to set up by undoing the clip under the seat unit and adjusting the recline level so it lies flat. You then use a seat liner that is attached along with a light-but-firm breathable mattress and pram apron. I like these features as it means you can easily wash these separately when needed.

In carrycot mode, the seat looks comfortable and is suitable for a baby up to 6 months old. However, it doesn’t seem quite as sturdy as some standalone carrycots.

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

The seat unit itself is easy to take on and off the chassis, but as this is not a standalone carrycot you cannot remove it in pram mode with a child inside. This is worth noting, as many parents like the option of lifting a carrycot off the chassis when their baby is asleep.

How easy is the Transform to fold – how does the folding mechanism work?

The Transform is a two-hand fold, and the mechanism is super easy to use. It can be folded with the seat unit on, but only if it is in world-facing mode, so this needs to be switched around if you are using parent facing.

To fold, you release the triggers on both sides of the handlebar with a push of button and slide, and then the handlebar folds down, collapsing the stroller.

How compact is the Transform when folded?

When folded the Transform is quite bulky, especially with the seat unit still attached, and seems quite long due to the handlebar.

It is relatively easy to pick up and put into the boot of a car, and even easier if you remove the seat first, fold the chassis and put each component in separately. It does take up quite a bit of room, due to the length of the chassis. I just about managed to get it into the boot of one of my friend’s car. In another we could not get the boot closed, so I had to take a more compact pushchair.

Is the Graco Transform easy to store?

The Transform has a stand-alone fold, which makes storage easier. However, it does take up quite a bit of space and does not look as compact as I expected. In fact, this is one of the things users often remark on. Many of the reviewers on Amazon, for example, remark on the heft and bulk of the Transform – this seems to be the most remarked-upon drawback.

How good is it to push and steer?

I was very impressed by how the Transform handled; it was a dream. Not once did I have an issue on uneven surfaces, it took tree roots and bumpy pavement in its stride and kerbs were easy to mount/dismount, even with a full basket.

Due to the wide wheels and the static handlebar, it didn’t handle as well as it could in tight situations. I had an incident where I could not go straight through a shop doorway and got a bit stuck. I had been able to enter this shop with other pushchairs.

Is the Graco Transform suitable for public transport?

I took the Transform on several bus journeys both single and double deckers. Due to the wide wheels, I had to enter the single decker buses through the back doors. Once in the bay, another buggy could easily fit alongside. It was also easy to get on and off the vehicles.

On the Underground, it was again easy to manoeuvre onto the train and into the designated area for pushchairs. It would have been easier though, if the handlebar could be adjusted to a lower level to make more space for others.

What about for travel – would you take it on trips further afield?

The bulk and weight of the Transform means it’s not ideal for travel further afield – you might struggle with hire car boots, and you will have to check it in for transit.

How sturdy is the chassis?

The chassis is long, wider and looks quite streamlined, yet feels sturdy and robust. It is made of aluminium and has a matte black finish that does not scratch easily. I like the modest design but feel it could be more compact.

How do you rate the buggy handlebar?

I was disappointed that the handlebar is not adjustable. It's at a height of 115cm, which will be an issue for parents on the shorter side and I found it higher than I like it to be. It also means moving the buggy into tighter spaces (like my hallway) becomes tricky.

I am also not a fan of foam finish handlebars. In my experience they don’t have the longevity of other materials such as faux leather and damage more easily. The handlebar on my Transform already has a tear and small chunks missing on the righthand side, and I have been very careful with it.

In addition, my partner found the handlebar was not ergonomic enough for him and that his hands hurt when pushing for a long period of time due to a combination of the foam and shape of the bar.

Is the seat comfortable enough for your child?

The seat unit does not look as comfortable as other pushchairs I have owned. The fabrics are quite basic, and the chest pads quite stiff. Also, there is no additional pad for between the legs of the 5-point harness. I used an additional pushchair liner which Lana was much happier sitting on. I also used an additional cosy toes as the apron that came with the seat unit was easily kicked off. It is much better suited for when the seat is in pram mode.

I loved how easy it is to recline the seat unit with the small handle and strap at the back. The seat unit has three positions; upright, reclined and fully reclined. These can be seamlessly moved between without waking your child.

The seat is easy to remove and change between parent and world facing, it is a good size and at a good height to interact with my child without having to bend down.

How easy are the straps to use?

I felt the straps could have a little more length to them, especially if they are to hold a toddler of up to four years old. I was finding it a struggle to strap in a 7-month-old in a snowsuit!

The bumper bar, although easy to undo with one hand also feel a bit too thin and hard. It would have been nice to have a bit of padding, instead of just plastic.

How much coverage does the hood provide?

The hood is sturdy and easy to adjust without making any noise. It has a good size peephole window at the rear which is great to check on your child when world-facing.

I would have liked it to come extend more when in the pramette/reclined seat mode, as I feel it does not protect from the sun enough.

When I attached the hood of my Transform, it looked a little wonky and did not match up quite symmetrically on each side, despite being fitted correctly. This was a bit of a bugbear for me, even though it did not affect its functionality, it was just an aesthetic detail that annoyed me. I don’t, however, think this is an issue with all Transform pushchairs, maybe just mine!

How well do the wheels perform on the Transform?

When I first saw the wheels, I didn’t rate them much and thought they would not be up to the tree root-peppered pavements of my local area. Oh, how wrong I was.

They are puncture proof and feel quite light, with the rear wheels being much larger than the front. The rear suspension is fantastic and the wheels manoeuvre smoothly over all types of surfaces

The front wheels are easily locked and unlocked with a press of the buttons, situated on the front of each.

How good are the brakes?

The grey brake pedal is situated in the middle of the rear axel and is easy to use. I am wary of brake mechanisms in this position, as I am prone to accidentally kicking them and getting a handlebar in the stomach. But not with this model.

The brakes hold the buggy securely. The only time they struggled was in wet weather on slight inclines.

Is the basket large enough for your needs and easy to use?

The basket is a good size and is easily accessible from both the front and back of the pushchair when in carrycot and seat mode.

It can hold a fair bit of shopping and a change bag, which is great. I have however lost a couple of items that have popped out the front of the basket where the side is shallower, so I am now more cautious.

What’s in the box?

• Chassis
• Seat unit with hood and bumper bar
• Front and rear wheels
• Rear brake assembly unit
• Newborn liner
• 2x chest pads
• Rain cover
• Apron
• Instruction Manual

Can you use the Graco Transform as a travel system?

Yes, it’s great that you can use the chassis with a car seat, the SnugRide, SnugRide i-Size and SnugEssentials i-Size infant carriers. This makes it versatile, especially for such an affordable model.

Now you have tested it, what would you have wanted to know before purchasing the pushchair?

I would have liked to have known that the handlebar height is not adjustable and it has a foam grip. Also, that users will probably want to buy a more snuggly seat liner and that there is no pad for strap between the legs.

Who would this pushchair be most useful for?

Parents on a tight budget looking for a simple, affordable 2-in-1 pushchair or travel system.

Is this pushchair worth the money?

The Transform retails at around £200 with compatible car seats from £80. Even though the Graco Transform has some drawbacks, it handles well and I think it is worth the money.

Where can I buy Graco Transform?

It's available to buy from Amazon and Argos

MFM verdict:

The Transform is a nifty pushchair for those on a budget, who are looking for a basic, no-fuss all-rounder, It is not be the trendiest or the most compact on the market and it doesn’t offer any bells and whistles, but it handles beautifully, is easy to use and does what it says on the tin, albeit with a few issues.

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