Joie Estrella pushchair review

The Joie Estrella is a side-by-side double pushchair that's suitable from birth up to 22kg per seat.

• Best double pushchairs tried and tested

Both seats are fixed in a forward-facing position, but recline fully and have adjustable calf supports as well as magnetic buckles. It folds easily, comes with a raincover and (just!) fits through most average interior doorways. The all-wheel suspension and spacious under-seat storage basket make it suitable for all sorts of trips with two young children.

It comes in three colours — black, green and beige — and retails at around £300, similar in price to the Ickle Bubba Venus Prime Double stroller (£329).

How easy is the Joie Estrella to assemble?

The Joie Estrella gets full marks for ease of assembly. It took a few minutes from unboxing to being ready to use.

The instructions – mostly illustrations – were clear, but I only noted this after the fact, as you really didn’t need them to put the pram together. No tools required, just a bit of clicking and slotting into place.

Is the Joie Estrella suitable from birth?

The Estrella promises that it’s suitable for use from birth, but I didn’t feel comfortable with this for a number of reasons. First, the pram is forward facing only, and many parents don't feel comfortable with this until their child is at least 6 months old. Second, I wasn't confident that my toddler wouldn't accidentally knock his younger brother, as the side-by-side positioning of the seats gives the children very easy access to one another.

In the end, we first used the double buggy when my baby was just under 5 months old. I did feel he could have been better supported, but as he grows, he fills the seat out better and overall it felt like the right choice for the stage we'll realistically need a double buggy. My toddler was comfy and secure from the off, as was his cousin (age 3) who has also enjoyed journeys in the pram.

Both seats recline independently, and the canopies and footrests move independently too, which is a must.

If I could change one thing, it would be the ability to switch each seat independently between forward- and parent-facing positions.

How easy is the Joie Estrella to push and steer?

The pram is an easy ride, and fairly smooth, but as with most side-by-side doubles, it can feel a little heavy and wide at times. That said, I have been using it at full capacity and over some pretty unsteady terrain and up hills.

The build feels quite sturdy and the brake is effective. Just be careful going up kerbs and over uneven surfaces as sometimes even small bumps can push the pushchair off course.

How do you fold the Joie Estrella?

The folding mechanism on the Estrella is really easy and intuitive. It folds pretty much by itself, and very easily compared to some other prams I have tried. Joie are good at simplicity in these matters.

To fold:

• Push back the canopies
• Push the hook-like lock on the handlebar, then squeeze the palm sized button on the handle
• Pull the armrest towards you
• Engage the brake so the pram can stand or be propped up without rolling over.

How compact is the Joie Estrella when folded?

It’s not all that light, but it is easy to carry and stash into the car boot (I drive an estate car, which definitely helps). For a double buggy I think it’s very compact. It’s supposedly freestanding but I wouldn’t trust it without a little bit of wall support just in case.

What’s the recline like on the Joie Estrella?

The recline is very easy to use – just pull a little lever on the back of the seat you want to move and pull the seat up or down into your desired position. It goes fully flat for naps, and can be smoothly adjusted from upright (if the child falls asleep in this position) to flat without waking them.

In its fully upright position the seat is still at a slightly reclined angle, which I'm not convinced is ideal ergonomically for toddlers, but it is better than many prams which offer an extremely ‘slumped’ position. There are very few I’ve seen that do go fully upright.

How secure is the harness?

The harness is easy to adjust and the buckles fasten easily, but they also unfasten easily – so easily that a determined toddler can undo it, which is a bit of a problem if you have a Houdini on your hands…

How practical is it for everyday use?

It’s perfect for everyday use, even if it’s not the nippiest or most feature-packed pushchair (there’s no cup-holder or extra pockets, for example). But the basket is large and deep and we often have a toddler’s balance bike, helmet and either a changing bag or shopping bag in there at once. Nothing has fallen out yet!

Considering its double width, and that it’s not a tight fit for the children, it is deceptively slimline – it fits easily through our front door, as well as our interior doors (just), and it’s no trouble on trains or buses. The rain cover fits on with ease and is effective. The handlebar isn’t adjustable, which is a slight shame, but it was quite comfortable for me.

How easy is the Joie Estrella to clean?

So far I’ve just hoovered up any crumbs and dusted off dried mud from toddler wellies and the pushchair material has held up very well – I’ve had no need to wash any of it as yet, although Joie say you can wash the various covers cold and drip dry.

Thankfully there are no awkward crevices where dirt collects, but as we all know with children, eventually washing will be required!

What’s in the box?

• Stroller
• Seat liners
• Rain cover

How sustainable is the Joie Estrella?

There are no standout sustainability features, but the stroller arrived in compact recyclable packaging.

Joie are very good with replacement parts, there are spares of almost everything from wheels to arm bars and shoulder strap pads available on their website.

I have also had to claim on a warranty with Joie before as a regular consumer and I found that their customer service was very good indeed.

Is the Joie Estrella worth the money?

On balance, yes. Although I feel like it’s a very basic item for £300, it’s also a sturdy one, and it does exactly what it promises. I’m also confident that should it conk out on you somehow, Joie would come to the rescue. There are not many double pushchairs in the same bracket that do ‘more’, but with a few tweaks – in particular seats that can switch between forward and backward facing – I’d feel I was getting really good bang for my buck.

For me, it works well as a main everyday pushchair, and I think for most families it would be effective in this role once their youngest is at least 6 months old.

Where can I buy the Joie Estrella pushchair?

Available from: Bundle Baby, John Lewis, Kiddies Kingdom, Boots and Mamas&Papas

MadeForMums verdict:

The Estrella is a great option if you want a sturdy double buggy without paying premium pushchair prices.

It’s really easy to use and reliable, and I like the traditional side-by-side design as it lets siblings see both each other and their surroundings.

If you use public transport and are mainly on suburban terrain, you’ll find it an uncomplicated and comfortable ride. If you’re more rural, you might need something with more off-road capability.

Read more:

• Best double buggies tried and tested
• Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Double pushchair review
• Ickle Bubba Venus Prime Double stroller review
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