Comparison BeneBaby D200 vs Carrello Astra CRL-11301

The presence of a separate crotch strap in the design of the stroller. Only pushchairs with a bumper (see above) are equipped with such a strap: it is located vertically between the legs of a seated kid, preventing him/her from falling out by slipping under the bumper. In general, this design is similar in purpose to three-point harnesses (see “Harness type”), however, in a stroller with a bumper and crotch strap, the child is usually less crowded. You should pay attention to the presence of this function when buying pushchairs.

A window made of transparent or translucent material, built into the hood that covers the cradle or seating unit. In the version with a walking block, the viewing window is usually located so that the parent can see the baby directly while moving, without being distracted from controlling the stroller. In cradles, the parent can see the child through a window by approaching the stroller from the side of the hood (that is, on the opposite side of the handle); implementations with a window in the front hemisphere of the hood are less common. In addition, a baby lying in a cradle can usually see the outside world through the window (primarily the sky above the stroller). The viewing window can be made in the form of oilcloth or a mesh mosquito net, through the holes of which air freely penetrates, but insects and small debris raised by the wind are retained.

The main material from which the frame of the pushchair is made.

— Aluminium. The material used in the vast majority of modern pushchairs of all price categories. This is due to a number of advantages: aluminium is light and at the same time durable, it does not rust and is not afraid of moisture, it lasts a long time, it looks nice, but it is relatively inexpensive — somewhat more expensive than steel, but noticeably cheaper than more advanced materials like carbon.

— Steel. Steel frames are as strong as aluminium frames, and they are much cheaper. On the other hand, they are quite heavy, so steel is used less often in pushchairs.

— Magnesium alloy. Premium Material: Stronger and more durable than aluminium, just as lightweight, but at a significantly higher cost. It is extremely rare, in single models of expensive pushchairs.

— Carbon. Another high-end material: carbon fiber filled with plastic. This combination gives excellent strength - comparable to steel — at a very low weight. However, carbon is very expensive, and these advantages are rarely decisive for pushchairs — in most cases simpler materials are enough. That is why carbon frames have not become widespread.

— Plastic. Plastic itself is easy to manufacture and relatively cheap; it is also not as cold to the hands in cool weather as aluminium or steel. However, modern pushchairs very rarely have frames made of this material. The fact is that low-cost vari...eties of plastic are not strong enough for this; and high-quality varieties cost accordingly - their price is close to aluminium, or even higher.

— Fibreglass. In this context, "fibreglass" typically refers to glass fibers mixed with plastic filler. Unlike conventional window glass, glass fibers are flexible and strong. The plastic filler enhances durability by offering scratch and tear resistance. The result is a material that is lightweight and very strong. However, fibreglass is prone to brittleness, especially with point impacts, and is susceptible to abrasion. As a result, it isn't widely used in pushchairs.

The presence of a suitcase handle in the design of the pushchair.

This is an auxiliary handle that is used for transportation when folded: the pushchair can be rolled by this handle like a suitcase. Actually, the handle itself is generally similar to the devices used in suitcases. Most often it is made telescopic or foldable, and during normal use of the pushchair — entirely hidden in the frame and does not create inconvenience. However, there are also other, more specific variants: for example, in some pushchairs the suitcase handle turns into a bumper bar when unfolded (see above).

The type of wheels installed on the pushchair.

The most popular in our time are rubber wheels, including air-filled ones. Plastic wheels are used mainly in inexpensive pushchairs to further reduce the cost, while gel ones, on the contrary, are considered a very advanced option. Polyurethane wheels and EVA foam-filled wheels are also widely used. Here is a more detailed description of each of these varieties:

— Rubber. Rubber solid tires, found in many modern pushchairs, are popular due to their affordability, quiet operation, and smooth ride over bumps. While less effective on uneven surfaces compared to air-filled and gel wheels, solid rubber tires are cost-effective, low-maintenance, damage-resistant, and suitable for various wheel diameters, including small ones.

— Air-filled. Air-filled rubber tires, commonly featured on pushchairs, offer a softer ride and facilitate easy maneuvering on uneven surfaces and high curbs. Despite their higher cost, they require periodic maintenance to ensure proper pressure and protection against cuts or punctures. However, users find air-filled wheels manageable, as they are thick and less prone to damage.

— Plastic. Plastic wheels, commonly featuring both tire and rim made from this material (thou...gh some have metal rims), are known for their simplicity and affordability. However, they lack durability, reliability, and effective vibration dampening due to their hardness. Typically found in low-cost pushchairs with small wheels designed for flat surfaces.

— Gel. Wheels similar in design to air-filled tires (see the relevant paragraph), but filled not with air, but with a special gel. The main advantage of this option is its insensitivity to small punctures and cuts: coming out, the gel in the tire in contact with air almost instantly solidifies, effectively sealing the damage. In addition, such wheels are virtually maintenance-free — they do not need to be inflated. The disadvantages of gel tires include high cost and somewhat higher rigidity than air-filled tires (although in terms of softness of running such wheels are still noticeably superior to rubber and even more so to plastic ones).

— Polyurethane. Solid polyurethane tires offer excellent maneuverability, shock absorption, puncture resistance, and durability. They are unaffected by extreme temperature changes and are cost-effective, making them a common choice for various pushchair types.

— EVA. Wheels made of microporous foam rubber, specifically EVA material, offer high elasticity, excellent cushioning, and wear resistance. Lightweight and puncture-resistant, these wheels provide a smooth pushchair ride. However, they may stiffen in cold winter weather.

The diameter of the front wheels installed in the stroller.

At the same time, the front wheels are not as important for mobility as the rear wheels: for example, to overcome obstacles, the stroller is often lifted "on its toes" by tilting it towards itself, with only the rear wheels working. Therefore, the diameter of the front wheels may be noticeably smaller than the rear wheels. It should be noted here that the small size also has its advantages — the wheels are lighter.

Speaking of specific numbers, diameter up to 15 cm is considered very modest, 16 — 20 cm — small, 21 — 25 cm — medium, 26 — 30 cm is larger than average and more than 30 cm is large.

The diameter of the rear wheels installed in the stroller.

The larger the wheel — the better it overcomes obstacles and bumps, the more convenient it is to drive the stroller over mud, snow and other difficult surfaces. For the rear wheels these moments are most relevant: for example, when driving the stroller over obstacles, it is usually tilted towards itself, so that the front wheels are in the air, and the rear wheels have to overcome the obstacle. On the other hand, small wheels weigh less and are easier to move, they are better suited for flat surfaces. So choose a stroller on this indicator should take into account the roads on which it has to be driven. If you plan to move on flat floors, good asphalt and stroller ramps — it is worth choosing small wheels, up to 20 cm. For difficult terrain, driving on mud and snow, regular overcoming steps and curbs it makes sense to pay attention to wheels in 30 cm and larger. And the diameter of 20 — 30 cm is an average option — it is suitable if you have to ride mainly on flat surfaces, but occasionally there is a need to overcome obstacles.

Exceeding the recommended weight limit for pushchairs, though not immediately harmful, can eventually lead to breakdowns. Most universal pushchairs are designed for a 15 kg weight limit, suitable for a three-year-old kid. However, there are also more heavy duty pushchairs available, considering the varying weights of children and operating conditions.

The distance between the side wheels of the pushchair; this generally corresponds to the overall width of the pushchair. If the front and rear widths are different, the greatest distance is indicated, usually on the rear wheels; the same wheels are used to measure the width of three-wheeled models.

In general, the wider the chassis, the more stable the pushchair is and the more difficult it is to tip it over. On the other hand, greater width can cause problems in tight spaces such as narrow hallways and doorways, elevators, etc. The narrowest modern pushchairs have a width of up to 45 cm, the widest — more than 70 cm (these are mainly models for twins or triplets , where two seats are side-by-side). Models 46 – 50 cm are also considered quite narrow, a width of 51 – 55 cm can be called small, 56 – 60 cm — medium, 61 – 65 cm — more than average, 65 – 70 cm — large.