A pram is the most-used piece of baby gear after the cot — for most Australian families it’s the thing you’ll push for two to four years. Get the wrong one and you’ll feel it every single day. Here’s how our team thinks about pram shopping in 2026.
The single most important thing
Before you read a single review — ours or anyone else’s — check that the pram folds into your boot. Take a tape measure to the dealer or check the folded dimensions against your hatchback / SUV / sedan. We’ve seen new parents buy beautiful prams that simply don’t fit in their car, and the resale market is brutal.
Things that matter (in order)
- Compliance with AS/NZS 2088 — this is the Australian pram safety standard. Imported strollers without it are not legal to sell here.
- One-handed fold. You will be holding a baby with the other hand. Test this in the shop, every time.
- Suspension — if you live somewhere with cracked footpaths, brick driveways or pebble paths (basically all of suburban Australia), front and rear suspension is worth the money.
- Newborn lie-flat capability — either via a true bassinet attachment or a fully reclining seat. Babies under 6 months should not be sat upright for long stretches.
- Reversible seat. Parent-facing for the first year is calmer for baby; world-facing once they’re old enough to enjoy looking out is great for development.
- Wheel size. Bigger wheels (over 25 cm) handle gravel, beach paths and grass; smaller wheels are lighter and easier in shopping centres. Pick for your dominant terrain.
Best 2-in-1 convertible: BABY JOY High Landscape
If you want one pram that takes you from newborn (lie-flat bassinet mode) right through to confident toddler (jogger-style upright seat), the BABY JOY High Landscape is the best value-for-money option we’ve tested. Storage basket fits a full nappy bag and a Coles shop, anti-shock front wheels handle most footpath nasties, and the canopy is genuinely UPF50+ rather than the typical glorified sunshade.
See the BABY JOY High Landscape on Baby Domain →
Best lightweight option: Bopeep Foldable Stroller
If your main use case is "runs to the cafe and family weekends" rather than full-on walking holidays, a lightweight stroller will save you money and back pain. The Bopeep folds compactly, weighs roughly half what a convertible system weighs, and the absorbers are surprisingly good for the price.
See the Bopeep stroller on Baby Domain →
What to skip
- Second-hand prams without a serviceable history. Brake mechanisms wear, fabric covers degrade in the sun, and you can’t see internal frame fatigue.
- "Aluminium-frame" ultra-lights under $200. The tubing is often too thin and most fail the wobble test under realistic load.
- Travel systems with car-seat adapters from a different brand than the pram itself. The fit is rarely as solid as the marketing suggests.
Pram accessories you’ll actually use
- A proper rain cover that fits your specific model — not a universal one. (Universal rain covers fall off.)
- A sunshade or fly net for summer use — particularly if you’re in QLD, WA or northern NSW.
- A cup holder you can clip on without drilling. Worth its weight in coffee.
Browse our pram accessories selection →
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