In a nutshell

Automatically folds easily at the touch of a button, but extremely heavy and with a hefty price tag

What we tested

  • Fold/unfolding
    A star rating of 5.0 out of 5.
  • Manoeuvrability
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Comfort for child
    A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.
  • Style
    A star rating of 4.5 out of 5.
  • Durability
    A star rating of 3.5 out of 5.
  • Worth the money
    A star rating of 3.0 out of 5.
Overall Rating
A star rating of 4.0 out of 5.

Pros

  • Automatically folds and unfolds, great gadgets, suspension, easy to manoeuvre, removable storage basket

Cons

  • Expensive, heavy, no automatic folding with carrycot, need to buy carrycot to be suitable from birth

There has been a huge buzz surrounding this state of the art, fantastically high-tech product, and it is set to take the world of strollers by storm.

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However, with an LCD screen, headlights and a battery powered folding system, is this the future of baby travel or is it gadget overload? Whether the Origami is to your tastes or not, it is without doubt an impressive pushchair, and unlike anything else on the market at the moment.

What was it like assembling the Origami?

When I first got the stroller out the box I was super impressed with how easy it was to fit together.

How does the buggy fold?

For me, the main selling point of the Origami has to be the fact that it automatically folds up and down at the touch of a button (in less than 10 seconds).

It really is so easy and it looks really cool in action, although I can imagine you would get some funny looks doing it at a bus stop as it's almost like something out of Transformers.

My 4-year-old loved it (and unfortunately is wise enough to figure out how to do it herself) – and calls it her robot chair.

Not just a snazzy feature though, the automatic folding system is so convenient for bus and train journeys and for busy car parks.

Also, there is no worry of accidentally collapsing the stroller when the baby is in there as you have to twist a dial and push a button and secondly the LCD display flashes to let you know there is a baby in the chair (just in case you forget?!). The battery charges through generators in the wheels as you push, so you don’t need to worry about running out of power, but there is a manual option if you do.

What does the LCD screen do?

The LCD screen gives you lots of useful information including the temperature, weather, miles per hour, how far you have travelled on your trip and also in a lifetime. It really does get lots of intrigued looks from passers by- one person even asked me if it was a TV!

The stroller also comes with a USB phone charger. You have no idea how useful this is for someone like me whose battery almost certainly dies as soon as I leave the house.

If you're interested in the pushchair, you can buy it from Amazon or Kiddicare.

What about the LED lights?

There are two running lights on top of the front wheels and pathlights underneath that will illuminate your path and also make you visible to drivers if you are walking at night.

Is it travel system compatible?

Yes! A car seat adapter for Graco infant car seats can be purchased separately, which allows you to use the stroller as a travel system as soon as baby is born (currently unavailable in UK, but found on Ebay for £78.35).

Is it easy to push?

The Origami is a dream to push. It has four-wheel suspension and when I first got it out the box I thought it seemed a little wobbly.

This is actually because the suspension is so light, it maneuvers so well. It is one of the best pushchairs I have ever pushed and is so easy to get up and down curbs. But as the front wheels don’t lock straight it’s definitely not all-terrain.

Is the handlebar adjustable?

Handlebar is not adjustable. Shorter parents are out of luck because it is a very high handle bar located 41″ from the ground.

Is the brake easy to use?

A one-touch brake is easy to do and is seriously flip-flop friendly since all you have to do is step down to engage it and step down again to disengage it. Easy as that!

Can it easily fit in the car?

The measurements when folded are towards the bulkier end, similar to the Petit Star Bubble, so if it’s a compact you’re looking for, this probably isn’t for you.

Is it comfortable for baby?

In terms of comfort, I have used it with my daughter, two and a half, and she appears comfy inside the stroller, with lots of room. The seat doesn't fully recline but she was comfortable enough in there, although it might not be suitable for children who like to nap lying down. The seat is only recommended for infants over six months.

Is it suitable from birth?

No, but for an extra £150 you can purchase a carrycot for the Origami, meaning it can be used from birth, an option we tried out with my 5-month-old. It was great to have somewhere for her to lie flat, and the bassinet was of a high quality.

The only thing was that when the carrycot was on the stroller you couldn't fold it up with the push of a button, you had to take it off first. This wasn't a huge problem as it clicks off easily but it means that the main selling point of the pushchair has been taken away. Still, it is worth it to have the Origami as a pram that can be used from birth.

What’s storage like?

There is plenty of storage due to a big removable storage bag, pockets in the back of the chair and also two cup holders - one for you and one for baby.

How heavy is the Origami?

My main qualm with the Origami is that it is really heavy. Everything is heavy to me because I am a complete weakling, but even my husband remarked that it was heavy to carry, weighing in at 14.5kg when used in toddler mode.

I struggled lifting it into the car. However, there are wheels on the bottom of the pushchair so once it is folded up you can drag it by the handlebars like a suitcase. This is a great idea and it means I only have to ever really lift it when I am getting it out of the car. But beware as it is a big old weight!

Is the Origami worth the money?

With an RRP of £929.99 (without the extras), this is by no means a budget buy. Sitting at the very top end of the price range, the Origami is a hefty investment, and given that you have to buy the carrycot and colour packs separately (at £149.99 and £59.99 respectively), this is more of a luxury item. But, if you’ve got the cash to splash, this is a wonderful, exciting pushchair that boasts features that most mums won’t have even dreamed of.

Are they any safety concerns?

Despite the dual action control and dial lock switch, should an inquisitive child discover how to work the buggy, it could be potentially hazardous so keep the buggy well out of reach of little hands.

What’s in the box?

  • Chassis
  • Seat
  • Charger
  • Instructions

Are there any additional extras?

  • 4Moms Origami bassinet silver - £149.99
  • 4moms Origami mobile phone charger and cable & handlebar black - £32.95
  • 4moms Origami seat kit in green, red, pink, black, blue - £59.99

MadeForMums verdict:

The Origami is perfect for gadget-loving parents with a bit of cash to splash. With an amazing array of exciting features, this is an innovative stroller that still delivers on basic requirements such as baby’s comfort and ease of pushing. The way it folds is one of the coolest and most exciting things I have seen on any pushchair recently, and I never tire of showing it off to people.

Overall the 4Moms Origami is a wonderful pushchair. It is different, eye catching, looks stylish and with the LCD display, iPhone charger and lights, for a gadget geek lover, it really is fun. But the hefty price and weight are things to think about.

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If you're after more automatic parenting products and gadgets then check these out...

Product Specifications

Product
Brand4Moms
ModelOrigami
Price£929.99
Suitable for
Child age (approx)From Birth (with carrycot/cocoon)
Dimensions & Weight
Weight14.5kg
DimensionsH:104cm W:28cm L:99cm
Dimensions (folded)H:96cm W:35cm L:53cm
Features
Travel system compatibleYes
Seat facing directionForward facing
Recline noteNo full-recline
Features
  • Rain cover
  • Self charging generators in rear wheels charge stroller while you walk
  • Push-button fold opens and closes at the touch of a button
  • Lcd dashboard with built in thermometer
  • Speedometer
  • And odometers daytime running lights make you and your baby more visible all the time
  • Pathway lights turn on automatically in low-light conditions
Accessories
Accessories includedPhone charger
Optional extras
  • Bassinet
  • Seat covers in various colours
  • Mobile phone charger
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