Inglesina Electa travel system review

Tested by

Lynn Carratt is a freelance journalist living in London with over 14 years' experience in the industry. She’s written for a number of titles including MadeForMums, The Telegraph, S Magazine, The Sun and The Metro. Lynn tested the Inglesina Electa travel system with her 6-month-old daughter Mia around the city, the country and out in their car.

What were your first impressions of the Inglesina Electa Travel System?

Marketed as ‘a star in the city’ by Inglesina, my first impression as I took the Electa Travel System out of the box was that it looked very stylish. However, it wasn't as compact as I anticipated, but it was light in weight. I had the travel system in Chelsea Grey but it is also available in 5 other colours including Upper Black, Tribeca Green, Soho Blue, Lolita Beige and Greenwich Silver.

I found the upholstery to be very high-quality, however, MadeForMums Parent Tester, Naomi, who tested the Inglesina Electa Travel System with her 1-month old and 22-month old, pointed out that while the fabrics were of a high standard, the Greenwich Silver design was a very light grey which did unfortunately mark easily. Aside from the aesthetics, I also felt that the carrycot, car seat and seat unit appeared to be very spacious for my daughter.

How easy is the Inglesina Electa Travel System to build?

I found the travel system very easy to build. It came with instructions which were a bit hard to follow, but I simply watched a manufacturer’s video on YouTube to assemble the different parts. After watching the video, I had the chassis constructed in 5 minutes and then another 5 minutes to build the carrycot.

Unfortunately, the i-Size car base was a bit trickier to install in the car, and I had to ask my husband to help – its connectors were a bit stiff. This was a problem also encountered by MFM Parent Tester Naomi, who felt installing the base was a bit of trial and error, although she added, “Once installed it was very solid in the car and the seat was very easy to get on and off. One thing I really liked about this was how streamlined it was.” Nevertheless, I found each item of the travel system to be very well made, and the car seat, pushchair and carrycot were all easy to clip in and out of the chassis.

What do you think of the Inglesina Electa Travel System’s carrycot?

The carrycot is suitable from birth to 6 months and was very roomy for my chunky 6-month-old, with the interior measuring 79cmx37cm. The Welcome Pad mattress is designed to encourage the correct posture, while also helping your baby to feel protected and cocooned. For extra peace of mind, it has been designed in collaboration with the department of Neonatology of the Maggiore Hospital in Bologna in compliance with the latest scientific guidelines in terms of well-being and safety.

The backrest is also adjustable, which helps to facilitate digestion after feeding and to allow children to look out when they are older. Parent tester Naomi also liked the mattress’ elevating option, adding: “Adjusting the incline was super easy and did help my baby who suffers from reflux. The only drawback was that he would quite often just slide down the cot or fall to one side and I’d have to readjust him.”

For the summer, the carrycot features a UPF50+ hood with a removable sun visor to help protect your baby. In addition, the sun hood also includes a mesh insert for added ventilation to ensure proper air circulation. Another great feature of the carrycot is that when used alongside the added extra of the Inglesina Auto Kit (priced at £57), it can be transformed into a lie-flat car seat for longer journeys, meaning your child can travel comfortably and safely without being disturbed.

Is the Inglesina Electa carrycot safe for overnight sleeping?

Yes, the Inglesina Electa Travel System carrycot is safe for overnight sleeping; the base features an aeration control system to help regulate airflow and temperature. It comes with its own stand, which the carrycot can be fixed to using its ‘easy clip’ system enabling you to use around the house for your child's naps, much like a Moses Basket. It is also ideal for use on the go while on holiday instead of a travel cot.

How comfortable is the Inglesina Electa pushchair seat unit?

The seat unit is H54cm×W32cm, well padded and easy to recline. My daughter, Mia, found it quite comfortable and when she was tired we were able to recline the seat right back, allowing her to lay down and sleep. The seat can be parent-facing or world-facing, which is good for my daughter as she likes to sit both ways, and her legs are supported by the extending footrest.

A full-cover sun hood shields against UV rays, while a mesh insert in the hood allows air flow, to provide ventilation and help keep your child cool. At first, MFM Parent Tester Naomi had her reservations about the seat unit, due to the fact it doesn’t have any sides and appeared “flimsy”, but was quick to add that her daughter seemed “very comfy” when using the seat.

Is there a car seat included with the Inglesina Electa travel system?

Yes. The Darwin i-Size car seat has passed ADAC and ECE R44 / 04 consumer safety tests and ensures a high level of protection in case of side impact, thanks to the Side Head Protection technology. As well as its safety features, it is extremely comfortable for your baby and feels roomy. It is far more spacious than Mia's Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna car seat. The carrying handle can be easily adjusted into 4 different positions, to allow for practicality and easy transportation.

Myself and Mia really loved the car seat and it was great for long journeys. Parent tester Naomi also felt the car seat was “very solid” thanks to its sturdy head support and padded newborn insert, adding: “The canopy is really large and extends right out with an additional pop-out extension shielding the majority of my baby from the sun, which I really liked.” As mentioned above, the carrycot has also been approved for use in the car as long as you purchase the added kit needed to convert it.

How easy are the seat, carrycot and car seat to fit to the Inglesina Electa chassis?

The pushchair seat unit and carrycot are really easy to slot onto the chassis; they just click in with great ease. They are also easy to unclip as well – it is one button at the back that you click and they loosen. Parent Tester Kate – who tested the travel system with her newborn and 2-year-old – also felt it was “very easy” to add and remove the car seat from the buggy and the base, stating it was “far easier than some of the market leaders, as only one hand is needed on the back rather than having to use two hands to push release buttons”. Ideal if you’re a busy mum on-the-go with her hands full.

How did you find the Inglesina Electa buggy to push and steer?

Out and about, I really liked the steering on the Electa. It was light and easy to handle, with the frame weighing 5.5kg on its own or 8.7kg with the seat unit attached. It takes corners smoothly and it was easy to go up and down kerbs. Even on grass or uneven terrain it didn't really falter. I would say this was one of its best selling points. MFM Editorial Judge Christy felt the Inglesina Electa buggy was “really nice to push, steer and lift over kerbs”, while Parent Tester Kate felt it was “very easy to push on normal pavements”, adding: “It's even easy to push one-handed, through narrow spaces (thanks to its narrow width 50cm frame) so this wouldn't be an issue for urban lifestyles.” However, she did note that the pushchair is “not made for rough ground or rough terrain – it is very bumpy and the suspension isn't made for off-roading.”

What's the storage like on the Inglesina Electa pushchair?

The Electa, while marketed as a compact stroller ideal for cities, comes with a lot of basket storage underneath. I found plenty of room for some grocery shopping, Mia's changing bag, some of her toys and blanket, and there was still space left to play with. Also, as it is so lightweight to push, you don't feel the extra you have included in the basket. Parent Tester Kate was also impressed by its “extremely large” under pram storage which was accessible from both the front and back of the pram, with Naomi adding: “I was initially concerned that the basket wouldn’t be big enough as it looked quite shallow, but I managed to get a baby change backpack, spare blanket, 3 emergency cuddly teddies for my toddler and a packed lunch in it for a trip into London which really impressed me.”

How do you rate the brakes on the Inglesina Electa pushchair?

Sadly, I wasn't too keen on the brakes. The braking system was a separate brake for each of the back wheels. I prefer a braking system that has a single foot lever in the middle. Parent Tester Naomi also admitted that the brakes “took some getting used to”, explaining that the right side puts them on and the left side releases the brakes, but concludes that they “actually turned out to be brilliant” once she got the hang of it.

Is the Inglesina Electa pushchair easy to fold?

Inglesina claims that you can fold and unfold the Electa pushchair with just one hand, but in all honesty, I struggled to fold it up when travelling. I couldn't even fold it with two hands and always had to ask people to help me. It’s supposed to be simple as you have a handle that you just click and pull, but I never had the strength. It was easy to put back as you just click a button on the side of the chassis and it pulls up.

However, Parent Tester Kate found that the Electa pushchair had “an excellent folding mechanism”, explaining: “Using the nice big handle under the main frame, you can pull with one hand to collapse the whole pram down which then stands on its own. With the seat attachment it folds in one part which is handy and makes it easy to pack away into the car quickly. With the carrycot, you do have to detach this first and then it will sit on top.”

Naomi also felt the buggy was really easy to both fold and unfold, but did agree that with the carrycot attached, it does become a two-handed operation in order to remove the unit and then fold the chassis down.

How does the Inglesina Electa pushchair fare on public transport?

While using the Inglesina Electa pushchair, I got the London tube and there was plenty of room for the buggy to fit. It was also light to get on and off the train while using the Underground and navigating the busy stations. The buggy is light enough to carry down the stairs on your own in one hand. This is perhaps where its lightweight and slim 50cm frame come into play, as it was easy to manoeuvre, living up to its ‘star in the city’ name.

How does the Inglesina Electa Travel System compare to similar products on the market?

What's in the box?

• 1 x Chassis
• 1 x Stroller
• 1 x Carrycot with Welcome Pad®
• 1 x Carrycot stand
• 1 x Darwin i-size car seat
• 1 x ISOFIX base
• 1 x Raincover

Are there any additional accessories you can buy?

• Electa Dual changing bag £108
• Car seat rain cover £42.50
• Car seat mosquito net £33
• Car seat summer cover £34

Who would the Inglesina Electa Travel System be most helpful for?

The Inglesina Electa travel system is great for city living, as it’s easy to manoeuvre thanks to the pushchair’s light and narrow frame. As well as taking on the city streets, the Electa pushchair would be perfect for those travelling with a baby, as its compact fold makes it easy to fit into a car boot or stow on an aeroplane.

The carrycot stand would also be good for those families who want to use the carrycot instead of a travel cot, while the carrycot can also be converted into a car seat with the relevant add-on kit if needed. While the travel system is pretty pricey on the off set, it has everything you need, is made of high-quality materials and provides ultimate comfort for your child so could be a great investment in the long run.

Where can I buy the Inglesina Electa Travel System?

It is available from Oliver's Babycare and Bambinista

MadeForMums verdict:

Living up to its ‘star in the city’ title, the Inglesina Electa travel system is a sleek, smart and lightweight pushchair well suited to urban life, public transport and travelling. With plenty of features to help keep your baby snug, comfortable and warm, it's a great choice if you’re looking for a compact and well-made travel system with all the trimmings. However, if your journeys with your little one take you out of town or in the country often, you may want to invest in a more sturdy travel system rather than the Inglesina Electa, as while it tackles some terrains well, it’s definitely best suited to the smoother streets of the city.