Baby and kids gear reviews
Twenty single-product reviews of the purchases that actually cost something, each one written around the thing that would stop us buying it.
How to read these
Every review has a section naming the product's real weakness, because that is the part worth reading. Several of them end by telling you to buy something cheaper. Apart from the hands-on reviews below, we have not tested these products in person and we never claim to: every specification is attributed to the manufacturer and every owner report is described as exactly that. Nothing here is medical or safety advice.
Hands-on reviews
Products we have assembled and used ourselves, with our own photos.
Retrospec Koda Plus 16" review: our daughter's first pedal bike
Built in 30 minutes, ridden by a tall 3.5 year old straight off a balance bike, judged by a parent who races road bikes.
$49.99 路 Tested 路 Free test productRetrospec Chipmunk Plus review: the kids scooter with a seat that saved our ride
Riding in 5 minutes with no tools, light-up wheels, and a folding, removable seat for when a 3.5 year old runs out of steam.
Strollers
The most expensive thing most families buy twice, because the first one was wrong. Every one of these reviews starts with whether a second child is likely, since that decides more than any feature.
UPPAbaby Vista V3 review
The convertible everyone recommends, and the case for not buying it.
$1,000+Bugaboo Donkey 6 review
The single-to-double that still fits through a doorway, and what that engineering costs.
Under $1,000Baby Jogger City Select 2 review
Twenty four configurations for a third less than the obvious rival, and the parts that are not in the box.
$1,000+UPPAbaby Cruz V3 travel system review
Everything the Vista does well, in a frame that will only ever carry one child.
Under $1,000BOB Alterrain Pro review
A single jogging stroller with a brake you will use more than you expect, and a fold you will resent.
$1,000+BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie review
The best-riding double on rough ground, and the one measurement that decides whether you can own it.
Under $1,000Thule Urban Glide 3 review
The jogging stroller that behaves in a city, and the accessories that are not in the box.
Car seats and travel systems
Installation matters more than the seat. Every review here says the same thing: have the install checked by a certified child passenger safety technician, register the seat, and never leave a baby to sleep in one outside the car.
Britax One4Life review
An all-in-one car seat that installs tight in three steps, and the reason it will not fit three across.
Under $500Evenflo Shyft DualRide review
A car seat with wheels built in, and the honest weight of carrying that around.
Under $1,000Doona car seat stroller review
The product that removed the car park transfer, and the three costs nobody mentions.
Nursery and feeding
Safe sleep is about the surface, the position and what is not in the bed. No product on this list changes that, and one of these reviews exists mainly to say so.
Cradlewise smart bassinet review
A bassinet, a crib and a monitor in one, and the sentence the marketing will never say.
Under $1,000Evolur Aurora convertible crib review
A well-made full-size crib, and a clear account of what is not included in the price.
Under $1,000Babyletto Kiwi electric glider review
A power recliner that swivels, glides and charges your phone, and the reasons to buy a plain one.
Under $500Stokke Tripp Trapp review
Designed in 1972, holds 300 lb, and costs more than four ordinary high chairs.
Outdoors and getting around
The gear that decides whether you keep doing the things you did before children. Two of these have an age minimum that is a question for your paediatrician rather than a product page.
Backyard Discovery Skyfort II review
A large cedar playset, a very long assembly, and the safety cost nobody puts in the basket.
Under $1,000Burley Encore X review
A two-seat bike trailer that also strolls, and the age question you should ask a doctor rather than the internet.
Under $1,000Veer All-Terrain Cruiser review
A wagon that pushes like a stroller, and the venues that will turn you away at the gate.
Under $500WonderFold W4 review
The cheapest way to move four children, and the gate policy you should read before you order.
Under $500woom GO 3 review
A first pedal bike that a four year old can actually pick up, and why the price is less mad than it looks.
Under $500Osprey Poco Premium review
A framed child carrier that fits the adult properly, and the head control question that comes first.
Still deciding between two things?
A review is for when you have already chosen and want a reason not to buy. If you are still weighing two options against each other, the head-to-head comparisons answer that question directly, and the first year costs calculator will show you what all of it adds up to before you start.
Apart from the hands-on reviews, which are marked as such, reviews are based on published manufacturer specifications, published safety standards and the general consensus of owner reports. We have not tested those products, and nothing here is medical or safety advice. Car seat installation belongs with a certified child passenger safety technician, infant sleep follows your paediatrician and current safe sleep guidance, and no product prevents SIDS. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
