In a nutshell

A well-priced, good-to-push buggy for toddlers that's great in the city or the country, but it wouldn't be great for newborns as it can only face forwards and the seat doesn't lie completely flat

What we tested

  • Fold/unfolding
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Manoeuvrability
    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.
  • Comfort for child
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Style
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 3.9 out of 5.

Pros

  • Lightweight aluminium frame; funky design; comfy padding; adjustable leg support; spacious basket; one-handed fold; seat recline to flat; viewing window.

Cons

  • Forward-facing only; handle does not adjust; hood doesn’t shade much; not compatible with travel systems

Key features of the Cosatto Busy pushchair:

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  • Age suitability: Birth until 15kg (approx. 3 years)
  • Type of buggy: Single pram
  • Weight: 8.2kg
  • Fold: One-handed fold
  • Travel system compatible: Yes
  • Total cost: £239.99

Known for its eye-catching design, Cosatto is a British company that manufactures products across a range of baby and child categories, including travel and feeding.

The funky, colourful design make the brand a winner aesthetically. Meanwhile on a practical level, it aims to deliver to parents on the go.

Price and functionality-wise it’s similar in price range to the Joie Chrome, Hauck Miami 4S or Obaby Chase, as in it is reasonably priced and suitable from birth.

The Cosatto Busy is sold on being lightweight so how light is it?

It feels delightfully light but sturdy at the same time.

The lightweight aspect makes it really useful for taking it places where you need to climb steps (I didn’t feel guilty about asking passersby for help at my local inaccessible train station for example because it is joyfully light to carry).

It is also good for going off road as it deals well with any rugged aspects to city parks and country lanes.

How does it handle when pushed?

The buggy works well on roads and more rugged surfaces and it mounts a curb smoothly. As it’s a three-wheeler with chunky tyres it also has nice suspension and feels easy to push around. The wheels also lock to allow for added manoueverability.

It straddles commute to chill out mode with ease. That said, I have just enjoyed a week in rural Devon and the buggy has been good for negotiating rugged roads and mounting grassy verges. And because it is so light, yet sturdy, it feels great on public transport.

The pedal brake, which is located on the back bottom bar, is a little awkward to put on and off – definitely not flip flop friendly! But you soon get the hang of it and it feels safe enough.

How does it compare to the other buggies you’ve used?

It feels nice and light, which is a relief after lugging my heavy double buggy on and off trains and buses.

Does its weight hamper its durability?

No. I feel it holds the road really well.

How compact is it?

It is relatively compact but still takes up quite a bit of room in the boot of a car or anywhere else you want to stow it away.

How easy is it to store?

It isn’t the easiest buggy to store. This is no YoYo Babyzen that can fit into an overhead compartment on an aircraft or comfortably into the overhead shelving on a train.

However, it folds down neatly so that you can stash it in some places on your public transport journey or into your car boot.

In the home, the wheels can be taken on and off easily to allow it to squash into a variety of spaces.

What do you think of the seat size?

There is plenty of room in this seat so I feel confident that my nine-month old will have a comfy ride for the years to come. The seat unit is an ideal size for a young toddler.

My nine-month-old fits fine but I can’t help feeling he feels a bit slumped at the moment and needs to grow a bit more before he is really comfortable in it.

I am also not sure how much scope there is for putting a bigger child in it – I think it would be wide enough for a 3-year-old but I feel the back support doesn’t go high enough to accommodate taller children of that age/15kg weight limit.

When pushing it, the height suits me (five foot, seven) just fine and my partner (six foot) found it comfortable to push too. However, anyone significantly taller would find the non-adjustable handle height a pain.

Would you recommend the Cosatto Busy for use from birth?

No, I wouldn’t. While it has what’s called a lie-flat seat, it’s not completely flat and still a bit scrunched.

I also wouldn’t want to use this buggy with a newborn as it has no option to be parent-facing. I think you can use it from 6 months, but it would work best for a one-year-old who would be big enough not to slump in it and able to enjoy its comfortable features.

I would prefer to wait until the baby was bigger to use this. It doesn’t feel as cosy as a buggy with a carry-cot option. Also, you can’t use it parent-facing.

What do you think of the fold system?

Yes, it is a one-handed fold but not the smoothest – you can just about manage it one-handed but it takes a bit of getting used to the action of twisting the handle.

Is it compact when folded?

Not really, it can be folded, but I wouldn’t say this is the most impressive feature of the buggy.

Does the Cosatto Busy recline?

Yes, there are a range of recline positions which are achieved by using the toggle clip at the back. A bit fiddly at first.

Is the Cosatto Busy comfortable for your little one?

He is super comfortable lying down. He is averagely comfortable when sitting up – I feel due to his still baby-like physique, he is a little slumped at the moment.

There is a cute peekaboo window in the hood that you can use to check in with the little one. Otherwise, you can put the hood down and have a chat with them.

What do you think of the hood?

The hood is eye-catching and provides some sun protection. However, the sun protection it offers is limited and (as I discovered when I got caught in a heavy shower) it offers no protection against the rain.

What’s the basket and storage pockets like on the Cosatto Busy?

The basket is a decent size, not as big as many. It also includes a useful zip on either side, which helps with access when its tightly packed. (pics)

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

Yes, but depending on your car size, there isn't likely to be plenty of room.

What’s in the box?

  • Buggy chassis
  • Wheels
  • Footmuff
  • Raincover
  • Removable washable cover
  • Shopping basket
  • Detachable hood
  • Chest pads
  • Head hugge
  • Instructions

Is it easy to build the Busy pushchair?

It feels straightforward to build this buggy. I did it in twenty minutes. The instructions – largely in the form of graphics rather than much written – keep the user focused on the basics of building and basic operation of the buggy.

I might have been nice to get a bit more detail and inspiration for how to get the most out of the buggy.

What would you have wanted to know before you purchased the item?

I would have liked to have known how much coverage the hood gives to the child in both the sitting and reclined position (there isn’t full sun coverage when the child is sitting up).

The buggy is front facing only, which is worth knowing if you are planning on using it with a new baby (a situation where parent facing options are more appropriate).

Is the product value for money?

Yes, retailing at £230 it represents a good value quality push chair and is comparable to other quality lightweight 3 wheel pushchairs such as the Baby Jogger City Lite (£229) and the Out’n’About Little Nipper (£280).

Is the Cosatto Busy good value for money?

Price-wise it’s at the mid to lower end of the market. However, everything that you should need comes with the initial purchase and there is no need to buy additional extras.

MadeForMums verdict:

The Cosatto Busy pushchair is a well-priced, good-to-steer lightish pushchair that I was able to use in the city and in the country.

Ideal for babies from 1-years-old, it wouldn't be great for newborns as it can only face forwards and the seat doesn't lie completely flat.

We’ve got loads more pushchairs here…

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MadeForMums product reviews are independent, honest and provide advice you can have confidence in. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links. However we never allow this to influence our coverage. Our reviews and articles are written by parents who are professional journalists, and we also include feedback from our parent community and industry experts.

Product Specifications

Product
BrandCosatto
ModelBusy Pushchair
Price£239.99
Suitable for
Child age (approx)Birth to 3 years – Stated as suitable from birth, but not recommended by MFM
Dimensions & Weight
Weight8.2kg
DimensionsH:99cm W:60cm L:95cm
Dimensions (folded)H:37cm W:56cm L:95cm
Features
Travel system compatibleNo
Seat facing directionForward facing
Front wheelsLockable swivel
Recline positionsMulti-position
Features
  • Busy's equally at home with midtown manoeuvres or an out of town trek
  • Super-lightweight but built for tough trekking
  • With a streamlined sporty profile
  • Curved geometry and public transport-friendly locking flat-fold
  • Busy takes the rough with the smooth
  • With a wider seat for extra comfort
  • Adjustable calf support for little legs and massive basket for all your finds
  • Busy's all about easy
  • With one-handed fold
  • Busy's helpful with a handful
Accessories
Accessories includedFootmuff. Raincover. Removable washable cover. Shopping basket. Detachable hood. Chest pads. Head hugger.
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