Designed by Phil Brace, the Smart buggy was launched because Phil and Teds felt there was a gap in the market for a lightweight, compact pushchair that also works with a parent-facing peanut bassinet and as a travel system, without compromising its size. The revolutionary pod-style seat is made from aerocore, which is lightweight, hypo-allergenic, waterproof, cushioning and supportive.
The Smart weighs a light 7kg and is suitable from 3-4 months up to 4 years. To use from birth, you’ll need to purchase the peanut bassinet and/or a car seat to create a travel system. Currently in the UK only travel system adaptors to fit one type of car seat are available - the Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix. However, it looks like more car seat choices will eventually work with the Smart - the Phil and Teds bebe car seat, Phil and Teds bebe HS car seat, Maxi-Cosi Mico, Chicco Keyfit, Graco Snugride, and Peg Peregos Primo Viaggio.
In terms of practical features, it has most of the functions you’d expect– the seat has a 2-position recline, there’s a paddle footbrake, 5-point safety harness, an under-seat storage basket. It also has rear wheel suspension. It also has what Phil and Teds call “single action ‘slide to fold’ functionality” – basically, the buggy folds closed like a step ladder, with the back wheels coming forward to meet the front wheels (with the seat still on), and the handles moving down to be inline with the top of the seat. You can remove the wheels, too, to get the folded size down to 75cm x 45cm x 20cm.
What we love
There's no getting away from the fact that the Phil and Teds Smart is a fabulously designed product and a must for all yummy mummies who love to scout around town with their baby.
While the seat pod is easily removable, the aerocore in no way hinders the compact way the Smart folds down. This unique material also makes the Smart very light to lift.
The width of the Smart is very narrow compared with others on the market. This is partly due to the snugness of the curved seat and the sleek, linear design.
The best thing about The Phil and Teds Smart is that the sunshade is multi-positioning and can be moved 180-degrees, so if you don't want to purchase the optional all-over Sunny Days UV suncover (£20.95), your baby won't ever be facing the sun and you don't have to fiddle with a parasol.
What to watch out for
The thing that annoyed me the most about the Phil and Teds Smart buggy was the height of the handles. Being taller than average, both my husband and I found the handles were too low and couldn't be adjusted, so we kept kicking the rear axle and occasionally the brake.
While I found the seat very easy to adjust even with my 9-month-old Nathaniel sitting in it, there isn't a lot of difference between it being upright and fully reclined. Having said that, Nathaniel had no problem dropping off to sleep at the right time.
Pushing the Smart along a paved pathway, I was very conscious of the lack of air-filled tyres and the hard, albeit cushioned, seat. The larger-than-average wheels do help to smooth out the ride, but I ended up pushing the Smart slower than usual to prevent Nathaniel from waking when going over bumps. You can purchase a seat cushion for the Smart, but it costs an extra £36.95.
It was very difficult to lift the Smart up to kerbs without putting a foot on the rear axle.
There are quite a few optional extras to buy – from the seat cushion to the peanut bassinet or the compatible car seat (Maxi-Cosi CabrioFix). If you did want to turn the Smart into a travel system with the carrycot it would cost in excess of £400.
Who is the Phil and Teds Smart buggy best for?
Fashionista mummies who like to have the latest baby gadgets and gear
The Phil and Teds Smart is super trendy with lots of features you'd expect to see on a from-birth buggy. However, the un-adjustable handles mean it won’t work comfortably for all parent heights. The solid aerocore seat is innovative and helps make this buggy as lightweight as it is, but it won’t be to everyone’s liking.
