What to look for in a pram: A complete buying guide

Posted: August 12, 2026

Buying your first pram or stroller is a big decision. You’ll probably use it almost every day during your baby’s early years, from quick trips to the shops and walks around the neighbourhood to weekends away and longer days out.

But with so many different prams, features and configurations available, knowing what to look for in a pram can quickly become overwhelming. The best pram is not necessarily the biggest, lightest or most expensive model. It is the one that suits your baby, your daily routine, your car and the way your family gets around. Comparing some of the best prams and strollers in Australia across everyday, travel, single-to-double and budget-friendly options can help you narrow down what will work best for your family.

Before you decide, consider everything from newborn suitability and safety features to the size of the fold, storage space, wheels and whether the pram could accommodate a second child in the future. This complete guide covers the main pram buying tips to help you narrow down your options.

What to look for in a pram

Start by thinking about how you expect to use your pram rather than comparing features in isolation.

A family living in the city and regularly using public transport might prioritise a lightweight pram with a compact fold. If you regularly walk on uneven paths or grass, larger wheels and good suspension might matter more.

Our showroom in Booragoon allows parents to push, fold and compare different prams and strollers side by side before deciding which option suits them.

Some important things to consider when comparing pram options include the following.

Choose a pram that suits your daily routine

Before looking at brands or colours, think through a normal week.

Where will you use the pram most often? Will you be walking around local streets, driving to the shops, taking public transport or regularly navigating small spaces?

If you spend more time walking outdoors, larger wheels and suspension might provide a smoother ride over uneven surfaces. For city streets and shopping centres, manoeuvrability and a compact design can make everyday use easier. This is where a travel pram can be really beneficial.

Your lifestyle should ultimately determine which features are essential and which are simply nice to have.

Look for a safe pram that meets Australian requirements

Safety should be one of the first things you consider when comparing prams.
A mandatory safety standard (based on AS/NZS 2088:2000) applies to prams and strollers supplied in Australia and covers areas including design, construction, performance, testing, warnings and labelling.

When looking for a safe pram, check features such as:

• a secure safety harness and shoulder straps that sit correctly
• reliable parking brakes
• a tether strap
• a stable frame
• secure folding and locking mechanisms
• no accessible gaps that could trap small fingers or limbs.

Australian safety guidance recommends a five-point harness that secures the child around the waist, over both shoulders and between the legs. Parking brakes should also lock securely, and a wrist tether strap helps prevent the stroller from rolling away.

Once you have chosen your pram, these features need to be used correctly every time your child is in it.

Consider the size and weight of the pram

Pram weight might not sound particularly important until you are lifting it into your car several times a day.

A lightweight stroller can be useful for travel, public transport and smaller cars. A larger pram might offer more storage, larger wheels and a more substantial frame, but could take more effort to transport.
There is no ideal weight for every family. The right balance depends on where you use the pram and how often you need to carry it.

Check the fold before you buy

Don’t underestimate how important the fold becomes in everyday life.

Try folding and unfolding the pram yourself rather than only watching someone else demonstrate it. Ideally, you should be able to operate the fold comfortably while managing everything else that comes with having a baby.

Think about the wheels and where you will be walking

The wheels have a big impact on how a stroller feels to push.

Smaller wheels are often found on lightweight and travel strollers and can work well through shops, airports and smooth city streets. Larger wheels can make it easier to travel across grass, gravel and uneven paths.

You might also want to look for:

• good suspension
• front wheels that swivel
• the option to lock front wheels where appropriate
• puncture-resistant tyres
• an easy-to-use braking system.

If jogging is part of your lifestyle, don’t assume a standard pram is suitable. Look for a stroller specifically designed and approved for jogging and follow the manufacturer’s guidance about when it is appropriate to use it with your child.

Look for sun and weather protection

Families in Perth often use their prams outdoors throughout the year, so sun protection is often a must.

Look at how far the canopy extends and whether it provides enough coverage as the sun changes position. Some manufacturers also specify an ultraviolet protection factor, such as UPF 50+, for their canopy fabrics.

Other useful features might include ventilation panels, extendable canopies, a compatible rain cover, and weather shields. Avoid covering the stroller with an ordinary blanket or cloth to block the sun, as this can restrict airflow around your baby.

Consider car seat compatibility

Some prams can form part of a travel system by connecting a compatible infant car seat or capsule to the pram frame using suitable adapters. This can be convenient for shorter trips where you are moving your baby between the car and pram. If this feature matters to you, check compatibility before buying. A particular car seat will not necessarily fit every pram, even when adapters are available for the same brand. You can find adaptors in our pram accessories range.

We also recommend physically checking whether a pram fits your car and trying the folding mechanism before committing to a particular model.

Future-proofing your pram for a growing family: single or double strollers?

If you are buying for your first baby but are considering more children in the future, future-proofing might save you from replacing the whole pram later. Some single prams can convert into double prams by adding another seat or bassinet. Others remain permanently configured as a single stroller.

Double stroller designs are commonly available as side-by-side models, where children sit next to each other, or tandem models, where one child sits in front of or above the other. Tandem models are usually narrower and can make it easier to move. A convertible double stroller could be worth considering if you expect to have two children close in age.

Your children’s ages, the width of the pram, your car boot and where you regularly walk should all be part of the decision. The best approach to future-proofing is choosing features you have a realistic chance of using rather than paying for every possible configuration.

Choosing the right pram for your family

When working out what to look for in a pram, start with your lifestyle.
Think about where you walk, what you drive, where you store the pram, whether you use public transport, how often you need to lift it and whether your family might grow.

Then look at the practical details: newborn suitability, safety features, wheels, fold, storage, sun protection and how comfortable the pram feels to push.

At Babyroad, you can visit us online to see our full range of prams or visit our showroom. Speak to our team for help narrowing down your options based on your baby’s needs, lifestyle and plans for your growing family.

Frequently asked questions

Is a bassinet necessary for a newborn?

Not every pram requires a separate bassinet, but babies under six months should use a configuration that allows them to lie flat on a level surface if they fall asleep. Check that the manufacturer approves the bassinet or lie-flat seat for use from birth. Some pram brands also offer newborn inserts that provide additional support, allowing the regular pram seat to be used from birth where approved by the manufacturer.

Should I buy a pram that converts into a double?

If you are planning a second child relatively soon, a pram that converts from single to double can provide more flexibility. If you are unlikely to use the second seat, a lighter or more compact single pram might suit you better.

How do I know if a pram will fit in my car?

Measure the available space in your car boot and compare it with the pram’s folded dimensions. If possible, test the actual pram in your car before buying, particularly if you drive a small vehicle.

At Babyroad, you’re welcome to check whether a pram fits in your car. Just ask one of our team members and, if we’re available, we’ll be happy to help you test it out.

Can my baby sleep in a pram?

It’s common for babies to fall asleep in a pram or stroller while you’re out and about. However, prams are not designed for long periods of sleep or overnight sleeping. If your baby nods off, keep them properly secured and supervised, remove loose items, and move them to a firm, flat and safe sleep surface when practical.

Is it safe to buy a second hand pram?

A second hand pram can be an option, but its safety and condition should be checked carefully before use. The ACCC recommends confirming that the model has not been recalled, meets the applicable mandatory safety standard, includes instructions for safe assembly and use, and has all parts in good working order.