iCandy Pip stroller review

How easy is it to build and set up the iCandy Pip stroller?

The iCandy Pip gave a luxe first impression, zipped up in a smart dust jacket. It was ready out of the box, the only set up required was unfolding and attaching the bumper bar. The lever was easy to find on the centre of the handlebar but I needed a quick look at the manual to understand the action required. The instructions – which were handily printed on the inside of the box – were clear and easy to follow.

What’s the iCandy Pip like to push and steer?

Lightweight but solid, the Pip stroller zipped along pavements, and was nimble going up and down kerbs, and onto buses and trains. Easily manoeuvrable, it steers well even one-handed and made smooth work of cobbles, uneven pavement and station platforms. Any city dweller knows that getting around sometimes requires speed and fast reactions, but this agile pram was well up to the task, cutting through crowds easily.

The frame is sleek and compact, so moving around tight spaces was stress-free – I could zip in and out of cafes and shops with ease. Because the wheels absorb shock from the ground so well, it was still comfortable to push after a few hours out – an improvement on other lightweight prams I’ve used that left my hands tingling unpleasantly after a few hours use.

How comfortable is the iCandy Pip stroller for your baby?

My daughter settled straight in; she seemed happy sitting on the padded liner and the seat is generously spacious. There’s a five-point harness, so I could clip it together around her. The straps also feature thick padding over the shoulders so she was comfortably secure once buckled in. I found the pram was perfect for naps on the go, reclining deeply to create a comfortable place to sleep for my daughter. The seat is lie-flat so can even be used from newborn age. The footrest can also be adjusted to give your baby extra room as they grow

What's the hood like on the iCandy Pip stroller?

The hood did a good job of protecting from the wind, and provided a good amount of shade – it’s SPF50+ which was especially reassuring to me as we tested this in the middle of a heatwave. However, the shade created by the hood didn’t reach her feet so if you have a tall baby you might need a parasol too (you can buy this as an accessory, £33).

What’s the iCandy Pip fold like?

The fold is intuitive and simple, once learned it was easy to remember. The button is operated with one hand, but I found I needed two hands to fully pull it out of fold. I did on occasion find it a bit fiddly, where maybe I hadn’t got the right grip on the lever, or not used enough force to sweep the pram out of fold. As an added bonus, the bumper bar folds down too so you don’t have to remove it, which is really clever.

How to fold the pushchair:

• Squeeze the button under the handlebar with your thumb.
• With the rest of your fingers squeeze the panel on top of the handlebar.
• Push the pram towards the ground.

How to unfold the pushchair:

• Squeeze the button under the handlebar with your thumb.
• With the rest of your fingers squeeze the panel on top of the handlebar.
• Pull the pushchair upwards and out to lock.

How compact is the iCandy Pip pushchair when folded?

The fold is small (L44.5cm x W24cm x H56cm) and the IATA cabin-approval provides reassurance that you can take it straight to the aisle of the plane (although iCandy suggests checking with individual airlines before flying). It’s definitely small enough to stash easily into a car boot or under a restaurant table – and it’s freestanding too, so no awkward balancing required.

How lightweight is the iCandy Pip stroller?

The pushchair is a breezy 7kg, making it light but not flimsy – a compromise found with some of the other ultra compact strollers on the market. To me it feels sturdier than the even lighter YOYO3, and feels easier to manoeuvre than the UPPABaby MINU V3.

Is it easy to carry the iCandy Pip stroller?

There’s a short, padded strap allowing you to pick up the folded stroller by hand and carry it like you would a suitcase, which is, sorry for the pun, very handy. An additional shoulder strap would’ve been a bonus just to give you another option for when you don’t have a free hand, or for carrying longer distances.

What's the storage basket like?

The iCandy Pip basket is easy to access but pretty small – it’ll fit your changing bag and baby accessories and maybe a pint of milk but don’t expect to be able to load it with shopping. Luckily the iCandy Pip boasts the tallest handlebar for a compact pushchair, and that height gives you plenty of space to attach a pram bag to create extra storage. Although the handle is tall, it’s worth noting that it is not adjustable.

Are there any features you really love about the iCandy Pip?

One feature I really appreciated was the extra wide ventilation panel, which wraps around the back of the hood. It gives great visibility, allowing you to easily check on the baby when the hood is down – something I found reassuring in my post parent-facing pushchair era.

What is the iCandy Pip stroller seat unit like?

The seat reclines thanks to a simple pull-out clip under the hood, however this is fastened with a popper which makes doing this one-handed pretty impossible.

How stylish and well-made does it feel?

The iCandy Pip pushchair feels strong and durable, and there’s an array of unique, bold colourways to choose from that make it feel like a premium choice. The metal frame is glossy and the material has a slight sheen giving it an air of quality. But it’s more than style over substance – the smoothness and stability of the ride prove how well made this model really is. The hood feels high quality too, as does the padded liner. Even the brake is thoughtfully designed, wider than most to make it flip-flop friendly.

One element that could be improved is the handle, which is a spongy kind of foam material – comfortable enough to hold, but other similarly-priced compact prams on the market have leather. The bumper bar is made of a similar material and marks very easily – just unwrapping it left a scratch from my fingernail, and my daughter managed to make a small but permanent dent with her thumb. However, overall the performance of this stroller outweighs these little niggles – if this pushchair had been on the market when we chose our primary pram, it would definitely have been in the running.

What’s in the box?

• Pushchair
• Reversible liner
• Raincover
• Bumper bar
• Dustbag

Are there accessories available?

As well as the accessories included in the box, others are available to buy including a screen (£33) to give complete sun protection, cup holder and parasol clamp (£6), adapters to fit a car seat (£25) and footmuff (£79) for cold weather.

How sustainable is the iCandy Pip stroller?

The liner is reversible and machine washable, helping to keep it looking pristine for longer. The pram was delivered in minimal packaging, with paper wrapping and a recyclable cardboard box.

Is the iCandy Pip stroller worth the money?

At £429 the iCandy Pip is at the luxe end of the travel pushchair market, but that price tag comes with some real performance quality that makes it so much more than that.

For city-based families who don’t require a huge amount of storage under their pram for supermarket trips or more than one child, the iCandy Pip is well up to the task of a primary pushchair.

Where can I buy the iCandy Pip stroller?

It's available at Mamas & Papas, Boots and iCandy.

MadeForMums verdict

The iCandy Pip is a great pushchair overall, with lots to offer families including a smooth ride, portability and style in one neat little package. It’s a great choice for urban parents needing a stroller that can weave through busy streets and hop on and off public transport, and for frequent flyers needing a stylish but compact pram for holidays.

Read more:

• Best cabin-approved strollers you can take on a plane as hand luggage
• Best compact-folding buggies, tried and tested by UK parents