Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller review

Unlike the Push Me Pace, which attaches to a car seat or carrycot and converts to a stroller seat, the Koko is a stroller that folds into one compact piece that you can carry with you on long or short journeys. With an RRP of £175, the Koko is a fraction of the price of the hugely popular compact folding buggy, the Babyzen YOYO2, and is available in two stylish colourways, Slate or Amber.

What were your first impressions?

On first impressions, I was really impressed with how the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller looked, from its quilted seat to its copper-coloured and matte black chassis. We are testing the Amber design and felt the black fabric really complimented the frame with its sleek copper details. It looks neatly compact when folded and pops out to a decent size.

How easy is the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller to set up?

Luckily for busy mums on the go, the Push Me Koko stroller comes in one piece with the wheels already attached, so there’s almost no need for the included instructions.

How does the Push Me Koko stroller compare to previous Red Kite pushchairs?

Red Kite has made collapsible umbrella strollers in the past, such as the budget Push Me 2U, £49, and Push Me Quatro, £60, but the Koko is the brand’s first ultra-compact, premium foldable stroller they have released. I’m really impressed with their first attempt, with it coming complete with a one-hand fold action – allowing it to fold flat – much like rival compact folding buggies on the market.

What’s the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller like to push and steer?

The Push Me Koko stroller boasts of having 4 wheels with suspension for smooth journeys and I have to say, it feels stronger and sturdier compared to some other compact strollers on the market. On pavements, it feels lightweight and easy to steer but holds its own when it comes to bumpier terrain and coming off the path at the park.

How comfortable is your baby in the lie-flat position when using the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller?

The Push Me Koko stroller is said to be suitable from birth up to 22kg (4 years old) and features a lie-back position, best suited to smaller children. I’d say it’s not completely flat, more at a 30° angle and I didn’t feel comfortable enough to push my 4-month-old far in this position.

Even though he is sturdier and stronger than a newborn, I didn’t feel he was ready for a stroller as opposed to a flat bassinet because there wasn’t quite enough protection at the sides. However, for my 2-year-old son, it was great for a little in-pram snooze and I can imagine it coming into its own for holiday beach naps.

How lightweight is the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller to carry around?

After loading the Push Me Koko buggy in and out of the car a few times, I was pleasantly surprised by the weight of it (7.9kg). When it’s folded down, it is compact and stays folded when you move it around, despite not clicking or being secured in-fold. It comes with a detachable carry strap although I wouldn’t want to carry it too far, say at the airport or up and down staircases, because it can seem quite cumbersome.

How easy is the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller to fold?

The one-hand folding mechanism is one of the best features of this stroller. I wanted to try it without using any instructions at first and was delighted to find that it was completely intuitive – ideal for when the grandparents step in. Unfolding it was similarly easy because it can shake out and lock into place using just one button, which is doable even with one hand.

How compact is the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller when folded?

When folded, the Push Me Koko stroller measures H61cm x W50cm x L25cm, similar to the Leclerc Baby Influencer pushchair, meaning it folds down to a satisfyingly slim, compact size, ideal for car boots and home storage.

It’s not made to self-stand but it props up quite nicely against a wall. Despite having a wide seat, it doesn’t seem too wide when it's folded. One criticism I do have is although it folds down small and compact, the Push Me Koko stroller is not cabin-approved for airlines, unlike the Babyzen YOYO2 and Silver Cross Jet.

How well does the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller work on public transport?

We took the Push Me Koko stroller on the London Underground and found it to be a great travel companion. It’s light enough to carry on and off the tube without help, fits well in tight spaces and manoeuvres effectively around crowds of people.

What’s the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller chassis like?

The Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller chassis comes in either full matte black or amber copper and is made from aluminium. Overall, I loved the design and the quilted seat was a strong style point. The pops of copper chrome colour were also a smart touch. The chassis is mainly matte black in a mixture of copper metal and plastic. Overall, it feels durable and scratch-resistant, even on the chromatic accent bars.

How do you rate the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller buggy handle?

The Push Me Koko buggy handle is made of luxury-feeling PU leather, which is both comfortable and hard-wearing. Unfortunately, the handle is not height adjustable and is fixed at 102cm, so tall parents should watch out for kicking or tripping on the brake bar when walking along.

What do you think about the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller seat unit?

The Push Me Koko padded seat unit looks very luxurious with its quilted finish. It also looks really comfortable and surprisingly wide for a compact buggy. It was spacious enough for my 2-year-old, with plenty of room to grow with him until around the recommended age of 4 years.

It is also adjustable with a full recline, meaning the Push Me Koko seat can be adjusted single-handedly into 3 seat positions to suit your child. The leg rest is also extendable. It’s worth noting that the seat is forward-facing only and comes complete with a 5-point safety harness that includes soft chest pads. While the harness appears to safely hold your child comfortably, I did find it fiddly to secure.

What’s the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller hood like?

The Push Me Koko stroller hood is fully extendable and comes complete with a retractable sun visor and viewing section so you can keep a close eye on your little one. The hood is almost like a strong and sturdy sun shade that stays in place effectively and gives the option to extend further to provide more shelter from the rain or keep children out of the sun. The peephole window was particularly useful for checking in on my youngest son, especially when he was in the reclined position.

How did you find the wheels of the Push Me Koko stroller?

The Push Me Koko stroller wheels are small but they feel sturdy, especially as they are not air-filled. The front wheels swivel, and along with the dual suspension, give your child a smooth ride. As the wheels came attached to the stroller, I didn’t need to remove them for any reason but they look pretty easy to clean if needed.

What are the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller brakes like?

There’s just one standing brake for the Push Me Koko stroller and it was easy to find and use for holding the buggy firmly in place. Sadly, it did get in the way a lot when my husband used the stroller and he repeatedly complained about tripping on it.

How do you rate the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller storage basket?

Overall, the Push Me Koko stroller shopping basket was deep enough to store a few items and was easy to access from both the front and back of the buggy, which is great for everyday outings. However, for longer trips, I found that I couldn’t fit a large changing bag underneath, mainly due to one of the support bars obstructing the space, which was slightly frustrating.

What’s in the box?

• Push Me Koko stroller
• Rain cover
• Detachable carry strap
• Padded bumper bar
• All-weather front apron

Are there any additional accessories you can buy?

• Junior footmuff, £22
• Universal parasol, £10
• On the go changing mat, £12

Can the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller be used as a travel system?

No, unlike other compact strollers, the Push Me Koko is intended to be used as just a pushchair and cannot be used alongside a car seat. However, if it is a travel system you are after, Red Kite does offer the Push Me Pace, £350, which is available as 3-in-1 travel system.

Now you’ve tested it, is there anything you’d want to know before purchasing the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller?

After testing the Push Me Koko stroller, I think it would have been good to know that despite it being marketed as suitable from birth, it is probably a pushchair for children aged 6 months plus. I didn’t feel entirely comfortable using it with my 4-month-old, let alone a newborn.

With 2 children under 2 years old, I like to have the option of a pushchair that is easily adjustable for one child or the other, whether the youngest is with me in a baby carrier or the oldest is walking beside the buggy. It feels like my 4-month-old is not quite ready for this one yet. It’s also worth mentioning again that despite its compact fold, the Push Me Koko is not suitable to carry on as hand luggage on a plane.

Who would the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller be most useful for?

The Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller would be ideal for families who want a stylish and sleek compact fold buggy that is affordable and can be used from birth up until the age of 4. While I personally don't feel that it is suitable for a newborn, I still feel it would be a great everyday buggy to have for parents with children aged 6 months and up. It is also perfect for those parents who want a pushchair that’s lightweight and easy to fit in a small car boot.

Is the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller worth the money?

Seeing as some compact folding buggies start at around £300, I’d say the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller is good value for money and is perfectly priced at £175. It looks great, feels sturdy and is more reliable than cheaper folding options, like an umbrella stroller. Plus, if you were to purchase for a newborn, it will see you right through until your child reaches the age of 4, meaning you do get more for your money.

Where can I buy the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller?

It is available from Red Kite, Argos and Amazon.

MadeForMums verdict

Overall, the Red Kite Push Me Koko stroller is an ideal travel companion whether you’re looking for a buggy to keep in the boot of the car or a compact option for holidays. While it might not be cabin-approved, it's lightweight and thanks to its handy detachable shoulder strap, is easy to carry around. The Koko stroller is also a smooth ride for both baby and parent and I would definitely recommend it to families looking for a stylish yet versatile pushchair that grows with your child but won’t break the bank like some other compact-fold buggies on the market.