It’s not that hard to create a baby stroller. Hundreds of brands do it every year, with thousands of different features and add-ons. What’s hard to do is to create pieces of art. That’s exactly what Maclaren did.
The brand that goes back to 1965 has baby strollers featured in New York’s Modern Museum of Art and London’s Design Museum.
As a matter of fact, the founder and former pilot, Owen Maclaren is the one who invented umbrella strollers. Apparently, he inspired the folding mechanism from the way an airplane folds its wheels.
If that doesn’t tell you a lot about Maclaren, I don’t know what will! Let’s see a Maclaren-strollers comparison between their 5 best models.
5 Best Maclaren Strollers Comparison Chart
5 Best Maclaren Strollers Reviewed
Maclaren’s strollers are known for their safety features and sleek designs. The company created its Global Safety Standards that every stroller must meet. And as for the design, Maclaren partnered with high-end designing brands like Lacoste and Burberry.
Let’s see its 5 top models compare to each other, and how suitable they are for different uses.
Maclaren Techno XT Stroller
The Techno XT is Maclaren’s leading stroller in smooth riding. It has an impressive four-wheel suspension system that glides on all kinds of surfaces. Whether it’s a grassy ground or a cobblestone trail, the baby won’t feel a bounce thanks to the hubless, aerodynamic wheels.
The Techno XT is very comfortable for newborns, which is a strong reason why it’s one of Maclaren’s best sellers. It reclines into four different angles to fit all the baby’s positions. Plus, the leg rest is extendable, so your baby doesn’t outgrow it. Not only that, but the footrest also has a memory position that records your last setting.
There are shoulder pads and a head hugger on the seat. And to protect your baby from the sun, there’s a large, extensive sun hood. There’s also a five-point harness to protect the infant inside. Besides, the seat is elevated to keep the toddler’s legs off the ground.
Pros
- Adjustable handlebars
- One-handed folding mechanism
- Safety features
- 6-inch wheels
- Suitable for jogging
Cons
- Heavyweight
- Not compatible with roller boards
- Not suitable for all terrains
Maclaren Mark II
The Mark II stroller is the most convenient out of Maclaren’s models. It’s a full-sized stroller that’s also very lightweight and portable. It’s lighter than the Techno XI by nearly 6 pounds. Additionally, it’s a highly durable stroller that’ll last for years.
The manufacturers put a lot of thought into the Mark II. They designed it to withstand years of use. Also, they gave it a classic look that appeals to a lot of parents. Regardless of all that, it’s one of the most affordable baby strollers on the market.
Despite its classic design, the Mark II has a lot of innovative features.
For starters, the frame is constructed out of aircraft-grade aluminum material, which we think may be a nod to the founder’s passion with aircraft. Secondly, the fabrics of the seat are ultralight.
Moreover, the stroller has an adjustable, elevated seat, an extensive sun visor, and a pair of antimicrobial handles. The handles’ material is a closed-cell, soft foam that doesn’t wear out for a long time.
Pros
- Waterproof material
- Lightweight
- Warm padding
- Antimicrobial handles
- Classic design
Cons
- When folded, the wheels touch the sun hood
- Limited recline angle
Maclaren Twin Triumph Stroller
Twin strollers are mostly heavy and bulky, not with Maclaren though. They managed to make a double stroller that’s trendy, sleek, and lightweight. Plus, it has an umbrella style that’s very easy to fold and unfold. The company makes two colors of the Triumph for you to choose from.
Furthermore, the Twin Triumph is highly practical for multi-baby parents. It has a functional design that allows you to control each seat separately. That way, if your babies aren’t twins, you can adjust each seat to fit their different sizes.
Additionally, the stroller is designed to fit through doorways and tight spaces. It’s one of the narrowest twin strollers on the market. It’s also very easy to move around because of its four-wheel suspension system. Once you’re done using it, you can effortlessly fold it and let it free-stand.
As for the baby features, the seat has comfortable, high-quality padding. Also, the footrest is adjustable to fit your babies as they grow. Not only that, but there’s also built-in support for the calves.
Pros
- The seats and canopies act separately
- Large storage space
- Lightweight
- Slender design
- Multiple recline angles
Cons
- The harness is a bit stiff
- Two-handed folding
- The storage compartment is hard to reach with a fully-reclined seat
Maclaren Volo Stroller
The Maclaren Volo stroller is one of Maclaren’s simplest designs. It has all the basic features you need, and it’s available in a wide variety of colors. Plus, it comes with an affordable price tag. It’s a lightweight stroller, but it’s a bit heavier than the Mark II. Moreover, its sturdiness allows it to hold up to 55 pounds of weight.
Parents love the Volo because it’s a traditional stroller that’s very well-made and doesn’t cost them much. For example, it has more features than the Mark II, which has a higher price. In addition, it has a one-handed folding mechanism and a strap for easier carrying. That makes it portable and easy to take anywhere.
The Maclaren’s seat is made out of breathable mesh material. It comes in handy during hot weather because it keeps the babies cool, and we know babies hate feeling the heat. Some parents don’t like that the seat doesn’t recline, but it’s pretty normal for a sling-style seat.
Pros
- Compact folding size
- Automatic lock
- 4-wheel suspension system
- Breathable mesh seat
- Available in 6 colors
Cons
- No reclining angle
- Not suitable for tall kids
Maclaren Quest Baby Stroller
The Quest is one of the best stroller models Maclaren ever made. It’s a top-notch stroller that comes fully-featured with a built-in safety system. ِBesides, it comes already set-up, so you don’t have to waste your time doing so. It’s the most expensive on our list, but it’s worth every dime.
Maclaren upgraded this stroller a couple of years back and they didn’t disappoint. The Quest now has several reclining positions, unlike the older models. Additionally, the footrest can now be extended to fit your baby’s growing legs. As a matter of fact, the footrest can be pulled on any side of the seat to support newborns’ short legs, which is a rare quality in strollers.
The Quest’s seat is more advanced than the single Triumph and the Volo. It has more padding to provide maximum effort, and its liner is removable. That way, you can choose the seat liner that you like with any color. On top of that, there’s a viewing window in the canopy, which isn’t found in the other strollers on our list.
Pros
- UPF 50+ canopy
- 5-point harness
- 4 reclining positions
- No assembly needed
- Spare parts available
Cons
- Only compatible with Maclaren carrycots
- No head hugger
- No shoulder pad
Maclaren’s 5 Top Strollers – Quick Comparison
In this quick comparison, I’ll briefly state how each Maclaren model has different features from the others, and how it affects its performance.
Comfort
Techno XT
The Techno has shoulder pads and a head hugger, which aren’t present in any of the other models. Plus, its reclining options makes it highly comfortable.
Mark II
The Mark II has warm padding that’s comfortable for sleeping. It’s large canopy also cocoons the baby inside, adding to his comfort.
Twin Triumph
The Twin Triumph has high-quality cushioning and flexible material. However, its slender size comes at a price. The seats are narrower than a regular stroller.
Volo
The Volo can be considered the least comfortable stroller on our list. Its seat hangs by a sling. Additionally, it doesn’t recline.
Quest
The Quest has a lot of padding in the seat; more than the previous models. This makes it one of the most comfortable strollers on our list.
Verdict
The Techno XT easily wins this round, with its 4-position reclining seat and its head-hugger.
Safety
Techno XT
The Techno has an all-wheel suspension system that protects the baby from sudden shocks. On top of that, its seat has a 5-point harness to secure the newborn in place.
Mark II
The Mark II’s frame is made out of heavy-duty aluminum that protects the stroller against any hits. In addition, it has a wind-resistant rain cover that ensures safety in harsh weather.
Twin Triumph
The double stroller has a breathable mesh canopy to let your babies breathe freely. Plus, the all-wheel suspension system adds to the stroller’s safety.
Volo
The Volo is a pretty traditional stroller. That’s why its only safety feature is the all-wheel suspension system that’s already present in all models.
Quest
The Quest has high-safety streamlined wheels that work smoothly on all terrains. What’s more, it has one-step brakes that come in handy during emergencies.
Verdict
The safest Maclaren stroller is the Quest. They upgraded the model a few years ago and improved its safety features even more.
Price
Techno XT
The Techno is the most expensive Maclaren model in our list, and it’ one of the most expensive models overall. That’s mainly due to its improved design and advanced features.
Mark II
The Mark II has a moderate price. It’s not that expensive, but it costs enough to have all the features you need.
Twin Triumph
The Twin Triumph has an average price for it being a double stroller. These ones usually cost more than regular models, but this Maclaren stroller has a medium price tag.
Volo
The Volo has the lowest price on our list, which is fair considering that it only has the basic features. It’s a good option if you want a temporary budget-buy.
Quest
The Quest has a somehow high price for a single stroller. However, it has the best features out of Maclaren’s model.
Verdict
The Mark II is the most fairly-priced Maclaren stroller. You’ll pay an average amount of money and you’ll get all the features you need.
Maclaren’s History – The Interesting Details
55 years ago, a Spitfire pilot changed the way people use baby strollers forever and founded Maclaren. He decided to use his knowledge in lightweight, heavy-duty planes’ structure to innovate foldable strollers.
Until then, people could only fold the stroller in half. Owen Maclaren put an end to that by creating a folding mechanism that includes the wheels and the handles. This is known now as the umbrella system. Additionally, his purpose was to make lightweight strollers that are easy to move around with, and he succeeded.
Thanks to the revolutionary invention of the founder, Maclaren is now recognized all over the world for its timeless, innovative creations. The company now issues several models, such as Quest, Trump, Techno, Volo, and Globetrotter.
Why Parents Love Maclaren Strollers
Maclaren has gained such popularity because of its convenient designs. It makes strollers that are perfect for urban users. Plus, It puts in mind that parents will have to go on public transport. Thus, the strollers are lightweight and portable.
Above all that, Maclaren strollers are easy to fold. If you want to fold your stroller on spot, you won’t have any problem doing it. Unlike other brands, where you have to get on your knees.
Another reason why people love Maclaren is their price tags. They make fully-featured strollers with moderate prices. That way, no one needs to pay a hefty amount to get a convenient stroller, like with Bugaboo, for example.
So, in a nutshell, here’s why parents love Maclaren strollers:
- Classic designs
- Convenient for city streets
- Lightweight and portable
- Easy folding mechanisms
- Affordable prices
Maclaren’s Competition
Being in the market for more than 50 years, it’s only natural that Maclaren would develop competition against other brands. Here, we’ll take a look at two different brands that are somehow similar to Maclaren.
Chicco Liteway Stroller
Chicco Liteway is an umbrella-style stroller that fits newborns. It has a reclining backseat and a 5-point harness. Plus, its handle is slip-resistant for sweaty hands.
The storage basket in this stroller can hold up to 7 pounds of weight. It’s also removable, which may be the only feature here that’s not found in Maclaren strollers.
However, Maclaren strollers have more reclining positions.
UPPAbaby G-Luxe Baby Stroller
The G-Luxe is a stylish, modern stroller. As opposed to the classic style that Maclaren created. Nevertheless, it shares a lot of similarities with Maclaren’s strollers. For starters, it has an easy, one-handed folding system. Plus, it’s pretty convenient for traveling and city streets.
The UPPAbaby costs more than the average Maclaren stroller, although it’s heavier in weight, which makes it harder to move around. Additionally, its seat only reclines into three positions, unlike Maclaren’s seats that recline into four positions.
Verdict
Maclaren has been a leading brand in baby strollers since it was founded. It’s never disappointed in making reliable, durable strollers. They have a lot of models available with different features that you can choose from. What’s more, they provide excellent customer service, in case you have an issue with your stroller.
Maclaren’s best stroller on our list is the Quest. The manufacturers managed to balance classic design and innovative features. Plus, they included all the safety features you’d want to see in your baby’s stroller.
All in all, if you love classic strollers, a Maclaren will be ideal for you. It’s a stroller that you and your baby will love!
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