The ACT buggy has a lie-flat seat so is suitable from birth, but if you buy the additional carrycot, the ACT becomes more like a traditional pram arrangement. The ACT is suitable to around 3 years (15kg), so can last from day one until your toddler is able to walk to the shops.
The carrycot (£180 of the price) is a deep and well padde. It features a ventilated based and recline system that allows your baby to lie flat, or sit up. If you buy the optional safety mattress, it can be used for overnight sleeping.
To use as a buggy, you attach the seat, locking it into position using the incredibly easy EasyLock system and you’re away. The seat has standard features such as 5-point harness, removable bumper bar, 4-position backrest recline, and an adjustable footrest. The rear wheel suspension system can be set to accommodate your baby’s weight and adjusted as they grow.
The Group 0+ EasyMaxi SPP car seat (£149 of the price) completes the combination, locking onto the chassis in the parent facing position. The car seat has side impact protection and sits on a flat base to ensure correct positioning in your car. The roughly 4kg car seat on the 8.2kg chassis leaves you with a system that weighs about 12.2kg.
The Bebecar ACT comes in jut three colours: navy, black or bronze.
What we love
To qualify as parent-friendly, travel systems have to be easy to assemble, robust and require minimum fuss to use on a daily basis. The Bebecar ACT ticks all these boxes. It was so easy to put together that I only consulted the instructions once or twice - the manufacturer has imprinted ‘press’ or ‘pull’ where required making it a cinch to get going.
The USP of this travel system is that although the seat unit detaches from the chassis, it can be folded with the seat still attached. Genius.
The carrycot is lovely and deep and sent my 6-week-old Poppy into a deep slumber. I even used it off the chassis for a daytime nap. With the addition of a safety kit, it can be used in the car as a lie-flat car seat.
As with most car seats I’ve tested, the EasyMaxi SPP caused some degree of frustration. However, on reading the instructions several times, the belting system became clearer. The base, or positions adjuster and carry handle are cleverly used to tighten the seat to the car. And what’s more, the car seat matches the colour scheme of the buggy. A very nice touch.
The folding mechanism is easy to use and the telescopic handle stops you from kicking the frame when you up the walking pace.
What to watch out for
As buggies go, the Bebecar ACT is stylish and as a travel system it works exceptionally well. However, in buggy mode, it doesn’t look at all cosy. Although it’s well padded, my 21-month-old Minnie wasn’t really snug on our winter afternoon outing.
The ACT buggy seat is narrow and although this was an advantage for petite Minnie, for bigger toddlers, like her 3-year-old cousin who is double her height, it could cause a problem.
The chassis alone is heavy (8.2kg) and as with all travel systems, you have the problem of where to store all the kit. Working out how to fold the buggy with the seat attached was a mystery – the feature isn’t mentioned in the instructions. And if you’re using it with the carrycot, you’ll need a large car boot to transport it in.
Who is the Bebecar ACT Travel System best for?
Parents with large cars who are seeking a robust, superior travel system.
This is a well-designed, solid travel system that’s easy to use. The Bebecar ACT has some excellent features, such as the EasyLock fitting system, and around town it offers a smooth ride. But watch out if you’ve got a bad back – it’s very heavy.
