The five-point safety harness now has padding making it more suitable for a six month old, the umbrella fold mechanism is easy to use and the swivel wheels can be fixed at the front.
What we love
I owned the Hauck Alu Flash buggy which I got as our ‘holiday’ buggy and was a really great deal – under £50 online. I had a few complaints but I couldn’t fault it for the cost, and the new Alu Turbo, although £99.99 as a recommended retail price is already available at Tescos and most outlets at less than £80, which makes this a great deal for a lightweight buggy with recline facilities.
The Alu Turbo has corrected almost all of my prior concerns with the Alu Flash: the ineffective clip to hold the buggy together when folded has been replaced with a much firmer one. The straps have padding to make them more comfortable and the leg rest is easier to fold in and out.
The colours are fun, the buggy is light and the recline mechanism is really smooth and can be operated with one hand – my son Finn doesn’t like reclining until he’s dropped off to sleep and you can put this into recline without fear of waking a baby.
You can get non-reclining lightweights for slightly less money, but if you’re going abroad and want to enjoy evening meals while your baby snoozes in the buggy beside your table, a reclining buggy is worth its weight in gold.
What to watch out for
The Alu Turbo is easy to push when your baby’s little even though the wheels look a bit plastic-y unlike some of the more expensive brands. But as your toddler starts piling on the pounds the buggy struggles under the extra weight making it harder to push. As a ‘sometimes’ buggy it’s certainly not a problem but if you’re using it all the time it could start to get wearing.
The fabric is very wipeable which is practical especially considering the pale colours but it’s not as nice to touch and can make toddlers a bit sweaty.
The only other slight niggle I have is that when you fold/unfold the buggy, the leg rest clips up, meaning you have to repeatedly turn it down again – a bit annoying.
Who is the Alu Turbo best for?
Mums who want a great value lightweight buggy for quick nips and holidays.
Made For Mums verdict
You can’t fault the Hauck Alu Turbo for the price – with four recline positions, an easy and effective fold mechanism and bright colours it certainly delivers. It might not be as smooth to push or as brilliantly designed as its more expensive counterparts but it’s great value for what it is.
