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First published: June 2026 · Last reviewed: July 2026 · Next scheduled review: January 2027
Why trust this guide?
Mark has been reviewing pushchairs since 2006 and has more than 30 years in family travel and leisure. As a grandparent himself — and with Janette contributing a grandparent’s perspective to every assessment — this guide draws on real experience of what works for grandparents in practice, not just on paper. Prices verified July 2026.
Our top picks for grandparents — at a glance
Best overall for grandparents
Mamas & Papas Airo
From £189 · 7.6kg · One-hand fold · From birth
Light, easy to fold one-handed, and good enough for everything grandparents typically need. At £189 it won’t break the budget to keep at grandma’s house.
Lightest premium option
Stokke YOYO³
From £299 · 6.2kg · Compact fold · Ultra-light
The lightest full-spec compact we recommend. Strong resale value means the net cost over ownership is often less than the price tag suggests.
Best brand quality on a budget
Silver Cross Clic 2
From £295 · 7.3kg · From birth · Built-in strap
Silver Cross build quality at an accessible price. Lie-flat seat from birth. A reassuring British brand for grandparents who want proven durability.
Best for solid reliability
Graco Near2Me
From £270 · Solid frame · Reversible seat
Heavier and bulkier than compact strollers, but solid, dependable, and easy to push. Ideal for grandparents with a car boot and garage storage.
What grandparents actually need from a pushchair
Grandparents use pushchairs differently from parents. The criteria that matter most aren’t always the same ones that dominate standard reviews aimed at first-time buyers.
One-handed fold
A one-hand fold is not a luxury for grandparents — it’s essential. You are often holding a toddler in one arm while collapsing the chassis with the other.
Manageable weight
Lifting in and out of a car boot or up porch steps takes a different toll at 65 than at 35. Keeping total weight under 8kg makes a real daily difference.
Simple operation
Pushchair engineering has evolved rapidly. Grandparents shouldn’t need a video tutorial to unfold a pushchair. Intuitive catches and clear mechanisms matter.
Comfortable handlebar height
Handlebar ergonomics dictate posture. A handlebar set too low or without proper clearance causes back strain over an afternoon at the park.
Should grandparents buy new or secondhand?
This depends entirely on usage frequency. If grandchildren visit weekly and the pushchair is in regular rotation, buying a decent new pushchair makes complete sense. If grandchildren visit once a month and the pushchair primarily sits in the garage, a quality secondhand model from an established brand is often the smarter choice.
A well-kept secondhand Stokke YOYO³ or Mamas & Papas Airo bought privately at £80–£120 will perform just as well as a new budget pushchair for £150 — and will likely offer better structural quality. Read our guide to buying a secondhand pushchair before shopping.
Rule of thumb: If grandchildren visit more than once a fortnight, buy new for reliability and warranty peace of mind. If visits are less frequent, buy secondhand from a top-tier brand and save the difference.
The weight question — more important than it looks
Parents in their thirties rarely hesitate over a 12kg travel system. Grandparents in their sixties often do. This isn’t about physical capability in a dismissive sense — it’s about acknowledging that repeated heavy lifting into a car boot or onto public transport causes unnecessary strain over time.
The core compact models we recommend for grandparents sit under 8kg — light enough that loading remains manageable over years of use. The Stokke YOYO³ at 6.2kg is the lightest full-spec option available. The Mamas & Papas Airo at 7.6kg is slightly heavier but offers an even simpler one-handed fold mechanism at a lower price.
Head-to-head spec breakdown
| Feature | M&P Airo | Stokke YOYO³ | Silver Cross Clic 2 | Graco Near2Me |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | From £189 ✔️ | From £299 | From £295 | From £270 |
| Weight | 7.6kg | 6.2kg ✔️ | 7.3kg | 11.5kg (heavy) |
| One-hand fold | ✔️ Yes | Two-step fold | ✔️ Yes | Two hands |
| From birth | ✔️ Lie-flat seat | 6m+ (newborn extra) | ✔️ Lie-flat seat | ✔️ Lie-flat seat |
| Best for | ✔️ Most grandparents | Ultra-light weight | Heritage quality | Car & garden reliance |
What to avoid when buying for grandparents
- Unbranded budget strollers under £80: Cheap plastic wheels, flimsy frames, and clunky latches often fail within months. They are a false economy.
- Heavy all-terrain pushchairs (12kg+): Large off-roaders favoured by parents can be cumbersome for grandparents to lift safely into high car boots.
- Convoluted folding mechanisms: If unfolding requires a tutorial or significant foot-pedal pressure, it quickly leads to daily frustration.
- Fixed low handlebars: Strollers with low, non-adjustable handles cause stooping and lower back strain during longer walks.
Our honest verdict
For most grandparents, the Mamas & Papas Airo at £189 represents the ideal balance. It is lightweight, folds one-handed, works from birth, and costs significantly less than premium alternatives. If total weight is your main concern, the Stokke YOYO³ at 6.2kg is the top choice — and its strong resale value reduces long-term net cost.
If grandchildren visit infrequently, choose a well-maintained secondhand pushchair from an established brand rather than a cheap new model. The money saved can be put toward other essentials, and a secondhand premium compact will reliably outlast an unbranded budget stroller every time.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best pushchair for grandparents?
The Mamas & Papas Airo is our top recommendation for most grandparents. At £189, it weighs 7.6kg, folds easily with one hand, and is suitable from birth. For those needing the absolute lightest pushchair, the Stokke YOYO³ at 6.2kg is the premium alternative.
Should grandparents buy their own pushchair?
If grandchildren visit more than once a fortnight, having a dedicated pushchair at home makes outings much simpler. For less frequent visits, buying a clean secondhand pushchair from a reputable brand (like Silver Cross or Joie) is often the smarter financial move.
What pushchair weight is manageable for grandparents?
We recommend keeping total weight under 8kg as a practical rule of thumb. This makes lifting the pushchair into a car boot or onto public transport manageable over time. Models over 10kg should generally be avoided unless lifting is never required.
Is the Stokke YOYO³ good for grandparents?
Yes — it is one of the best options for grandparents who prioritise light weight (6.2kg) and easy handling. It folds compactly for car boots and handles city pavements smoothly. Read our full YOYO³ review for complete performance details.
Also worth reading
- Mamas & Papas Airo — full review
- Stokke YOYO³ — full review
- Silver Cross Clic 2 — full review
- Silver Cross Clic 2 vs Stokke YOYO³ — budget vs premium compact head-to-head
- Best Pushchairs Under £300 — all our budget recommendations
- Best Lightweight Pushchairs — full market overview
About the reviewer
Mark founded MyPushchair.co.uk in 2006 after struggling to find honest, straightforward pushchair advice as a new dad. With more than 30 years in the family travel and leisure industry — and as a grandparent himself — he continues to help parents and grandparents buy the right pushchair the first time.
Mark Hartshorne · Founder, MyPushchair.co.uk · Read the full story →
Not sure which is right for your situation? Get in touch — happy to help.