And the Echo Twin is no exception; at £189 it is one of the cheapest lightweight double buggies on the market. But apart from saving parents money, it has also been designed to “meet the demands of dynamic mums searching for a modern stylish, practical and everyday product.”
Eager to put the product through its paces I wanted to see if the Echo Twin could be a comfortable and strong pram, and if it would really feel as lights as Chicco promise.
What’s in the box?
- Chassis frame
- Wheels
Seat units - Baskets
- Hoods
- Rain cover
Any additional extras?
How is assembling the Echo Twin pushchair?
When I first opened the box, it took me a day to build up the courage to think about assembly as the wheels were not attached and there was a little packet of ‘bits’.
However, once I got going, the only thing I needed to do was click in the wheels and secure them with the special pins, I didn’t even really need the instructions, which are easy to follow. Overall it took just ten minutes.
It is billed as a lightweight double, but how light is it?
If you have only ever used a single buggy before, when you first pick up and handle the Chicco Echo Twin feels anything but lightweight! But when you consider that you are carting two children around and need a sturdy, hardwearing frame, it is ok at 13.4kgs.
Saying that, the stroller feels very robust and durable, despite not being that heavy and the frame seems able to handle anything thrown at it - perfect for carrying two children and two baskets full of shopping!
See the MFM list of the 10 best lightweight double buggies.
How does it push?
The stroller is fairly easy to push. It does feel very wide when you first use it but you get used to the size quickly. The swivel front wheels makes turning corners easy and for tougher terrain, they can lock into position.
I find it is nice to push on flat surfaces, but on uneven pavements, it can be a bit trickier because of the width of the stroller. However, if you lock the front wheels into place, it becomes easier to push and mounting pavements was not a problem at all.
How comfortable does it feel for your daughters?
It was fine for Mili, my 36-month-old. She could lie down or sit up in different positions, and even have her footrest position adjusted.
For Tara, the baby, it didn’t seem comfortable in the sitting position. It seemed safer to lay her down flat, although I know she prefers to be seated so she can look around. And while it can be used from birth (the backrest is fully reclinable), it doesn’t feel as comfortable or as soft and padded as it should.
I felt that I needed to put a headrest around Tara’s head, especially when I put the backrest into a seated position. And the harness felt that it wasn’t really designed for tiny babies either. It was loose and I was worried about my daughter would flop around when not lying flat. That’s why I’d recommend this stroller for a baby of six months and up.
How comfortable is it for you?
The handle is designed and positioned to be ergonomic, and it is padded too, which makes it comfortable on my always-busy mummy hands.
And while I found it was just right for me, the handle is not height adjustable, so may not be suitable for, say, a very tall person.
How is interacting with the children when in the buggy?
It is not rear-facing but interaction is fine – you can unzip the hood and have a peek at either child, or you can detach the back part of a hood to keep an eye on the little ones. Better still, remove the hood and you can see them even more clearly.
Saying that, the hood was not that great for sun protection. Both girls found it hard to keep their eyes open in bright sunlight. The hood doesn’t protect enough. Perhaps umbrellas are needed to shade little ones.
What do you think of the fold system?
The fold system of the Echo Twin is great! It has an umbrella fold mechanism, so the length stays the same but the width collapses.
The stroller can be put away with one hand and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to fold away. And the carry handle on the side is a good feature, making it easy to lift.
How compact is it when folded?
The pushchair is as compact as a double buggy can be when folded. Collapsed, it definitely doesn’t take up as much room as you imagine it will and it is fairly easy to store. You can lay it on the side or store upright, as the brakes stay on even when folded away.
I also like the fact that the brakes are linked together and stay on even when the stroller is closed, which is great because it stops it from rolling even if you stand it up against a wall.
What are the basket and storage pockets like?
It is nice to have two separate baskets for each child, although they can be difficult to access if your child is lying flat. I found both baskets are roomy enough for a trip out, but sadly; there are no storage pockets.
Does it fit in the boot of your car?
It does fit fairly easily into the boot of the car once folded.
Is it value for money?
The stroller costs £189, which is fairly good value for money considering it is a sturdy product that you expect to last at least three years. Plus you don’t need to buy any extras as the hoods and rain cover are included. However, a parasol may be handy for shading from the sun and footmuffs may be needed in very cold weather.
MadeForMums verdict?
It is not the most fashionable product on the market but it does what it sets out to and the cost - £189 - won’t make you faint either. However, I did feel that it is quite wide and if you need to use it for shopping trips or on public transport, it can be tricky. And it isn’t great for very small babies either.
