Best budget baby gear
Good, safe gear doesn't have to be expensive. These picks come from trusted brands at the lower end of the price range.
Our 5 picks
Infant & toddler travel car seat
Cosco Scenera NEXT Convertible Car Seat
Kiddieko travel score: 6/10
- Travel weight 2/2: 3.1 kg: light for car seats (up to 5 kg)
- Pack size and carry 1/2: Narrow 43.2 cm (17 in) width fits most economy plane seats
- Quick setup and ease 0/2: No quick-install or carry feature stated by the maker
- Travel approvals and safety 2/2: FAA certified for aircraft, FMVSS 213 label on the shell
- Lasts and eco 1/2: Rear-facing 2.3 to 18 kg and forward-facing to 18 kg (maker)
Just $59 (approx. £55) and 6.8 lbs (3.1 kg): the #1 budget FAA-approved convertible car seat for US flights, taxis and rental cars from 5 to 40 lbs.
- Weight
- 3.1 kg (6.8 lbs)
- Suitable for
- Rear-facing 2.3–18 kg (5–40 lbs); forward-facing 10–18 kg (22–40 lbs)
- Price
- $59 MSRP (approx. £55)
Pushchair
Joie pact lite
Kiddieko travel score: 5/10
- Travel weight 2/2: 5.35 kg: light for pushchairs (up to 7 kg)
- Pack size and carry 1/2: Carry strap and travel bag included; 46.8 × 26 × 54 cm folded
- Quick setup and ease 1/2: Built-in carry strap (Joie)
- Travel approvals and safety 0/2: No airline or cabin approval stated by the maker
- Lasts and eco 1/2: Birth to 15 kg (maker)
Just 5.35 kg (11.8 lbs) and usable from birth, with a full-size basket, all-wheel suspension and a travel bag included.
- Weight
- 5.35 kg (11.8 lbs)
- Folded size
- 46.8 × 26 × 54 cm (18.4 × 10.2 × 21.3 in)
- Suitable for
- Birth to 15 kg (33 lbs)
- Price
- Around £160 / $199 (varies by retailer)
Infant car seat
Joie i-Snug 2
Kiddieko travel score: 6/10
- Travel weight 2/2: 3.35 kg: light for car seats (up to 5 kg)
- Pack size and carry 1/2: Travel-system compatible with Joie pushchairs (adapters)
- Quick setup and ease 1/2: Removable, machine-washable covers; ultra-light for easy ins and outs (Joie)
- Travel approvals and safety 2/2: i-Size car seat (Joie)
- Lasts and eco 0/2: Birth to 75 cm, about 12 months: no repairability or long warranty stated
A light 3.35 kg (7.4 lb) i-Size infant seat with an RRP of about £105 / $169.99, one of the most affordable seats from a major brand.
- Weight
- 3.35 kg (7.4 lbs)
- Suitable for
- Birth to 75 cm (up to 13 kg / 29 lbs)
- Price
- £105 RRP / $169.99 MSRP
Travel cot
hauck Sleep N Play Go Plus
Kiddieko travel score: 4/10
- Travel weight 1/2: 7.6 kg: fairly light for travel cots and sleep gear (up to 10 kg)
- Pack size and carry 1/2: Carry bag; folds to 76.5 × 21 × 22 cm, longer than a cabin bag
- Quick setup and ease 1/2: Wheels, so you can pull it like a suitcase (hauck)
- Travel approvals and safety 0/2: No safety standard stated by the maker
- Lasts and eco 1/2: Birth to 3 years and 15 kg (hauck)
A full-size 120 × 60 cm (47 × 23.6 in) travel cot with wheels and a bag that doubles as a playpen, so you get two uses from one purchase.
- Weight
- 7.6 kg (16.8 lbs)
- Size
- 120 × 60 cm (47 × 23.6 in)
- Suitable for
- Birth to 15 kg (33 lbs)
- Folded size
- 76.5 × 21 × 22 cm (30.1 × 8.3 × 8.7 in)
- Price
- Around £70 / $99
Double pushchair (side-by-side)
Joie aire twin
Kiddieko travel score: 5/10
- Travel weight 2/2: 12.1 kg: light for double pushchairs (up to 12.5 kg)
- Pack size and carry 0/2: Folded size 78 × 30.5 × 98.5 cm: no carry bag or cabin size stated
- Quick setup and ease 2/2: Quick one-handed fold that stands up on its own (Joie)
- Travel approvals and safety 0/2: No travel approval stated by the maker
- Lasts and eco 1/2: Birth to 15 kg per seat (maker)
If you're expecting two, it's a lighter, simpler double pushchair at 12.1 kg (26.7 lbs) that folds to 30.5 cm (12 in) wide and passes Disney's 31 in gate.
- Weight
- 12.1 kg (26.7 lbs)
- Width
- 76 cm / 29.9 in (fits Disney 31 in gate)
- Folded size
- 78 × 30.5 × 98.5 cm (30.7 × 12 × 38.8 in)
- Folded width
- 30.5 cm (12 in)
- Suitable for
- Birth to 15 kg (33 lbs) per seat
- Price
- £175 / $249
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