As well as rotating 360°, the seat slides in and out for easier access thanks to its unique SlideTech™ integrated base. The Emerald 360 Pro seat meets the i-Size safety standard and includes features such as G-CELL panels and AirProtect® Safety Cushions for side impact protection. Coming in at £399.99, it's definitely an investment, but works out at fantastic value if this is the only car seat you ever need to buy!

We tested the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro with children of different ages to help assess how well the seat performs as your child grows.

How easy is it to install?

The Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro is super easy to install — it takes just 30 seconds to click the two Isofix connectors into the Isofix slots in the car, and set up the support leg. What I particularly liked is that everything is handily colour-coded – the connectors are yellow so it’s easy to see where you are placing them and there are green/red indicators to show whether the seat and support leg are secured correctly or not, and an indicator for the child’s age and height setting.

How does the Maxi-Cosi SlideTech™ sliding base perform?

The SlideTech base is the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro’s standout feature — there’s currently nothing else on the market like it. You simply pull out a lever on the side of the seat, turn the seat 90 degrees and then pull the seat out towards you. Once your child is strapped in you push the seat back and swivel it rear-facing. This can really take away the strain on your back as there’s no need to stoop into the car and it was a more comfortable experience for my baby too.

How well does the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat work for your baby?

My baby appeared comfortable in the car seat but the seat base is not as padded and moulded as our original Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 car seat. I also found the headrest was too big for her.

I tried the newborn inlay which can be used up until 75cm (about 1 year old) or until your baby outgrows it and, although her head was cushioned better, her body was too big for the inlay and I couldn’t do the seatbelt up.

Is it easy to adjust the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat for different ages?

Pretty easy. As my eldest child is 6, I needed to convert the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro from the baby/toddler set up to a booster seat. You’ll need to do this by the time your child weighs 17kg (about 4 years old). Until then, you can either keep your child rear-facing using the harness and support leg (which is the safest way for them to travel) or at 15 months you can put the seat forward-facing, using the harness and support leg.

I was able to convert the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat into a booster in about five minutes, having watched the video on the Maxi-Cosi website. The harness tucks away behind the cover at the back of the seat so there’s no need to worry about removing it and misplacing it. Similarly, the buckle lies flat and the material can be pulled over it and tucked in, along with the strap for adjusting the harness.

The support leg can be easily folded away under the seat by pressing buttons on either side of it. The only tricky part was getting the springs out of the shoulder pads and making them lie flat as it wasn’t clear in the video where they clip in once removed.

How well does the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat work for your older child?

My 6-year-old daughter found the seat comfortable on long journeys and she liked the fact that one of the shoulder pads can be removed from the harness and attached to the car seat belt so the seat belt doesn’t dig in.

She is currently 115cm tall and the seat has plenty of room for growth for the next few years but it’s hard to tell whether it will be roomy enough when she gets to 12 years old.

How practical is the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat for daily use?

My eldest has no trouble getting in and out of the booster seat and can clip in the seatbelt herself, which always helps!

When I tested it with my baby I found the 360° swivel works well in a tight parking space and I’m a big fan of the harness because it actually stays open while you’re strapping your baby in and it’s easy to pull the cord for a snug fit.

I needed to use the car seat in different cars as I also review cars, but if I had the choice I would keep it in one. It’s not a very portable seat as it weighs 15.58kg (slightly more than our Silver Cross Motion All Size 360, which weighs 14.4kg). It’s also bulky and took up a lot of space in our hatchback, although it is compatible (you can use the tool on the Maxi-Cosi website to check if it will fit in your car). It was fine, however, in an SUV.

What are the straps like on the car seat?

Other car seats I’ve used either have nothing to hold the straps out of the way or some small loops which are too fiddly to bother with, whereas the shoulder pads on the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro have springs inside which make them stay upright before you strap your child in. If you’re looking for this feature, it’s worth noting that the latest version of the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360 also has a sprung harness.

Loosening the straps of the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro is effortless as instead of feeling around for the release button inside the seat it’s clearly marked in grey — another example of Maxi-Cosi’s parent-friendly colour-coding.

How easy is it to recline and adjust the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat?

There are five recline settings (compared to three with the Silver Cross Motion All Size 360) and while it's easy to adjust, I kept it fully reclined all the time as our baby often naps in the car, even on short journeys.

I found that her head sometimes fell forwards when she was asleep. In that respect, I much prefer her sleeping in our Joie i-Level infant car seat which has a near lie-flat position. If you’re using the newborn insert with the Emerald 360 Pro, Maxi-Cosi requires you to keep the car seat in the fully reclined position.

The headrest has 15 adjustable height positions, which are easy to alter.

What are the key safety features of the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat?

The Emerald 360 Pro meets the latest i-Size safety standard (R129), which is something I look for when choosing a car seat rather than the older R44 standard.

It comes with a G-CELL side impact protection system, which means that in the event of a side collision the force of the impact is spread throughout the car seat, reducing the risk of your child being injured.

With some car seats, side impact protection can add to the bulkiness of the seat but G-CELL is integrated. It’s also reassuring that my eldest child can benefit from this technology as some traditional booster seats are much more basic.

Maxi-Cosi also has an Accident Exchange Service, which will advise you whether your car seat needs replacing if it’s been in a car accident. If it does, you can exchange the seat for a brand new one either via your insurance company or Maxi-Cosi directly.

How easy is it to clean the car seat?

You can wipe the seat down with a damp cloth for everyday messes, or take the cover off and put it in the washing machine up to 30°C for a more intensive clean.

What’s in the box?

• Car seat
• Newborn inlay

How sustainable is the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat?

All Maxi-Cosi’s car seats are made with sustainable, 100% recycled Eco Care fabrics. It says that the entire production process of its Eco Care fabrics uses 75% less energy, 85% less water and emits 75% less CO2. The fabrics of each Emerald 360 Pro contain 70 recycled PET bottles (500 ml).

Is the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat worth the money?

At £399.99, the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro is an expensive seat, costing nearly £75 more than the Silver Cross Motion 2 All Size 360 (currently on sale for £325). However, with the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro you get the benefit of the seat sliding towards you which is a worthwhile investment. The car seat’s longevity also means it is good value in the long run if you can afford the initial outlay.

Where can I buy the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro car seat?

It's available at Maxi-Cosi, Mamas & Papas and Kiddies Kingdom.

MadeForMums verdict

Personally, I would prefer to use an infant car seat that lies flat and that can be fitted to a pushchair during the newborn stage, like the BeSafe Go Beyond or Joie i-Level. But, after that, I would be tempted to switch to the Maxi-Cosi Emerald 360 Pro for the benefit of SlideTech™and being able to use the seat as my child grows.

Read more:

• Best car seats from birth
• 10 of the best swivel and 360° car seats tried and tested by parents
• Best toddler car seats
• “I didn’t know it was illegal”: Half of UK parents admit confusion over child car seat laws

But what is the definitive cosy movie to watch during the spooky season?

Whether you’re looking for some inspiration for your next family movie night, you're struggling for something to watch when the kids are in bed, or you’re just wondering where your spooky favourite ranks, we’ve got you covered.

Halloween doesn’t just mean horror movies, either. Spooky movies and TV shows can be cosy, witchy and autumnal, the kind of thing that pairs perfectly with a cuppa or a hot chocolate.

First, the criteria.

Our list includes both spooky movies and TV shows and while many of them are set during or feature Halloween, we are also including movies and shows that capture the cosy fall vibe. What is the cosy fall vibe? We think this pretty much sums it up…

We’re going to be giving each film an individual rating across 3 different categories:

• Cosiness – Does the mere thought of this film or TV show make you want to curl up in a blanket and light a candle?
• Fall Vibes – Are we seeing pumpkins and streets lined with brown and orange trees?
• Spookiness – Is this something you’ll want to watch from behind a pillow?

So, what is the definitive list of the best cosy fall movies and TV shows? Here's the countdown...

31. Hocus Pocus 2

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Disney+

Is it really Halloween without the Sanderson sisters?

After almost 30 years, Disney returned to the hallowed streets of Salem to catch up with our favourite witches Winnifred, Sarah and Mary Sanderson, who were turned to dust after their resurrection. Now, a whole new crop of teenagers have to do battle with the sinister sisters.

While it doesn't quite match the heights of the original (more on that later), Hocus Pocus 2 is still a solid Halloween romp for the whole family.

You still get everything you'd expect including another stand out Bette Midler performance, some catchy songs and all the spooky fun you could ever want, but the story and modern sheen of the film threatens to spoil the fall vibes.

Still, you can't go wrong with witches, pumpkins and Salem if you're after something to watch this fall season.

And the film gets a bonus point from this writer for including a character with the surname Traske (even if it is spelt differently).

Cosiness: 6 - It's a little too modern to feel fully cosy.

Fall Vibes: 8 - Plenty of pumpkins in this one.

Spookiness: 5 - Not too scary, little kids should be okay.

3o. Twilight

Age Rating: 12 | Where to watch: Prime Video

Wind your way through the rainy streets of Forks, Washington for a romance like no other with Bella and her eternal boyfriend Edward.

Twilight is a classic for a reason and it's a perfect cosy, nostalgic watch in the fall. The first Twilight book turns 20 this year, making it the perfect time to revisit one of the most iconic vampire sagas ever written.

If, for some reason, you've never seen Twilight, it follows Bella Swan (played by Kristen Stewart) and her epic romance with the immortal vampire Edward Cullen (played by Robert Pattinson). It kicked off a new wave of vampire stories and is, in many ways, the precursor to romantasy classics like A Court of Thorns and Roses or the Fourth Wing.

If it's not already on your list for this Halloween, we suggest changing that. Did someone say Twilight marathon?

Cosiness: 7 - Cosy, romantic and full of yearning.

Fall Vibes: 8 - It's always raining, the leaves are brown and the emotions are big.

Spookiness: 7 - I mean, vampires.

29. Casper

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Disney+

Ghosts don't come more friendly than Casper. He's literally called Casper the Friendly Ghost, after all.

This adorable story of a young girl who recently lost her mother and is searching for a friend is an excellent way to spend a rainy Sunday evening. In fact, I think it might be illegal to watch this any other day of the week.

Casper is an iconic 90's classic with a cute main character and a haunted mansion that I seriously wanted to live in when I first watched the film as a child.

It's fun, funny and the Ghostly Trio are amongst some of the best characters in any spooky movie, particularly when they take control of Bill Pullman's Dr. Harvey.

A true fall classic that balances spookiness with heart in the best way.

Cosiness: 8 - A lovely story about loss, family and friendship that gives you all the cosy feels.

Fall Vibes: 8 - The mansion is exceptionally fall coded.

Spookiness: 6 - Some tricks here and there, but this one's mostly a treat.

28. Scooby-Doo

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Prime Video

Sing it with me now. 'Scooby-dooby-doo, where are you...'

It's imposible not to love Scooby-Doo and the rest of the gang, right? And the 2002 classic that brought the mischevious pooch to live-action for the first time is a perfect encapsulation of all the reasons we love Scooby-Doo.

You've got a great central mystery focused around a horror theme park called Spooky Island, a classic scene exploring a strange manor house and all the hijinks you'd expect from Fred, Velma, Daphne, Shaggy and Scoob.

The sequel, Monsters Unleashed, is also a great watch, particularly if you love the classic Scooby-Doo monsters, but the first film is definitely the cosiest.

There are also a fair few jokes and references for adults hidden throughout the film that make this one a treat for kids and parents alike.

Cosiness: 7 - Mystery Inc. definitely bring the cosy vibes.

Fall Vibes: 6 - Ghosts and other things that go bump in the night? Must be fall...

Spookiness: 7 - It's Scooby-Doo so things get spooky but never scary.

27. Frankenweenie

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Disney+

This is the first of many appearances on this list by director Tim Burton, whose films almost always make for perfect viewing during the Halloween season.

Frankenweenie is a stop-motion spin on the classic monster story by Mary Shelley and sees a young Victor Frankenstein attempting to reanimate his beloved dog Sparky.

It's a beautifully animated, visual treat that is overflowing with classic Tim Burton charm.

But it's not all style and no substance. Like Burton's best, Frankenweenie is packed with heart and some truly memorable characters.

If you're looking for something a little spookier but not too spooky for the family this Halloween, then Frankenweenie might be the pick for you.

Cosiness: 6 - Reanimated dogs are cute but not particularly cosy.

Fall Vibes: 7 - Tim Burton basically is the fall, lets be honest.

Spookiness: 7 - Some scenes might be a little too intense for younger children.

26. Legally Blonde

Age Rating: 12 | Where to watch: Prime Video

Few things scream fall more than a movie set at Harvard. Pretty much any film or TV show set in New England has immediate fall vibes and Legally Blonde is no exception.

Elle Woods, played perfectly by Reese Witherspoon, takes the bland and grey world of law by storm when she enrolls in Harvard's prestigious law school.

What follows is one of the best and most iconic movies from the early 2000s and a perfect cosy watch for the fall season.

We're not saying that New England invented fall but it definitely feels that way. Sure, there aren't any pumpkins or ghosts in Legally Blonde, but there are plenty of old books, lecture halls and scenes of students shuffling between classes on the iconic Harvard campus.

Pair this with Good Will Hunting for the perfect fall academia movie night. Bend and snap, everyone...

Cosiness: 8 - Harvard and Elle Woods are a match made in heaven.

Fall Vibes: 7 - Old books and Harvard? Must be fall.

Spookiness: 1 - Nothing scary here.

25. Haunted Mansion

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Disney+

Unfortunately, when this came out back in 2023 it was pretty much instantly forgotten, which is a real shame given just how fun it is.

The newest cinematic adaptation of the classic Disney ride (the Eddie Murphy version is also worth a watch) is a brilliantly funny and spooky time filled with Easter eggs and callbacks to the ride that Disney park fans will love.

The cast is truly fantastic, with the central pairing of LaKeith Stanfield and Rosario Dawson bringing heart to this story of ghosts and ghouls.

This film is much more faithful to the ride than the 2003 films, bringing many of the most famous ghosts seen in the attraction to life for the first time, including the iconic Hat Box Ghost.

It's also just really, really funny, with Owen Wilson and Danny DeVito being particular highlights. If this was released during October and not August, I think it would have been a much bigger success.

Cosiness: 5 - Is it possible for a haunted mansion to be cosy?

Fall Vibes: 7 - No fall vibe is complete without a haunted mansion.

Spookiness: 8 - 999 happy haunts. But there's always room for 1 more...

24. ParaNorman

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Prime Video

There's just something spooky about stop motion, isn't there? There aren't many spooky animated films but a lot of the ones that exist do tend to be stop motion (see the rest of this list).

ParaNorman tells the story of Norman Babcock, an 11-year-old boy with some fantastic hair and the ability to speak with ghosts. Norman must use his abilities alongside some friends and reluctant companions in order to bring an end to a curse that has plagued his home town for years.

It's a fun premise that promises tons of strange and spooky happenings in — where else — a sleepy and creepy New England town.

Where ParaNorman really excels is in its supporting cast. Sure, Norman is great but everyone from his best friend Neil to the loveable jock Mitch really steal the show.

This is a wonderfully crafted and beautifully animated story of friendship, family and the undead. Perfect Halloween viewing, in other words.

Cosiness: 6 - Maybe a bit more creepy than cosy?

Fall Vibes: 7 - Pitch perfect fall vibes all round.

Spookiness: 6 - Again, more spooky than scary...

23. Goosebumps

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Prime Video/Sky Go/Now TV

Honestly, this entry could encompass the entire Goosebumps franchise. From the legendary book series by R.L. Stine to the classic 90's TV show, Goosebumps is responsible for the collective nightmares of a generation.

The reason why we've placed the 2015 film on our list is purely because it manages to capture everything that's special about the series, all while opening the world up to a whole new audience.

It stars Jack Black as Stine himself on a particularly rough night when the monsters from his stories start escaping into the real world. Chaos ensues.

The film brings to life some classic Goosebumps baddies like Slappy the Dummy, and manages to be just scary enough to satisfy fans of the classic series without tipping into horror.

While it didn't make the list, the sequel Goosebumps: Haunted Halloween is also good fun and well worth a watch if you're looking for more spooks.

Cosiness: 5 - Like cuddling up with a good book.

Fall Vibes: 7 - Goosebumps is the perfect way to set the fall vibes.

Spookiness: 7 - Slappy the Dummy is genuinely scary. Otherwise, this is more fun than freaky.

22. Coraline

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Prime Video

So, you've watched ParaNorman and Frankenweenie and you loved them both. Now you're looking for another animated film that's a bit scarier to really up the spooky vibes. Well, enter Coraline.

This is one incredibly freaky and unsettling stop motion animated classic that tells the story of Coraline, a young girl who discovers an alternate version of her family after venturing through a portal into a parallel world. The catch, they've all got buttons for eyes.

Filled with fun characters and incredibly strange and surreal imagery, Coraline is a staple Halloween film that is guaranteed to stay with you no matter your age.

Cosiness: 5 - About as cosy as Other Mother can make it.

Fall Vibes: 8 - Spooky, strange and filled with fall magic?

Spookiness: 8 - Buttons for eyes? Yeah, nope.

21. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Age Rating: 12 | Where to watch: Now TV/Sky Cinema

Another long-awaited sequel, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice brings back the creepy 'bio-exorcist' of the same name for a new adventure.

The sequel also brings back both Winona Ryder and Catherine O'Hara as Lydia and Delia Deetz, and adds Wednesday star Jenna Ortega to the mix as the daughter of Ryder's character. We return to Winter River for —what else — a funeral, after the death of Lydia's father and it's not long before Michael Keaton's Betelgeuse turns up to reek havoc.

Given that it's been almost 40 years since the original (which we'll get to, don't worry) was released, expectations were high for the return of everyone's favourite creep. And, surprisingly, Burton manages to pull off the impossible by crafting a worthy sequel.

Sure, it still has some of that modern sheen that affected Hocus Pocus 2, but the sleeze is still there, as is the charm. Ryder and O'Hara are on top form as mother and daughter and the addition of Jenna Ortega elevates an already fantastic cast.

Creepy and, at times, gross, this isn't one for the younger children, but it does make for a great time, particularly closer to Halloween.

Dust off your Handbook for the Undead and get ready to catch the Soul Train to the Great Beyond for another adventure with Betelgeuse.

Cosiness: 5 - Cosy? Not so much. Morbid? Very much so.

Fall Vibes: 7 - Is there anything more fall-coded than a bio-exorcist?

Spookiness: 8 - Ghosts and ghouls galore

20. Kiki's Delivery Service

Age Rating: U | Where to watch: Netflix

Witches, bakeries and a black cat — these are perhaps the most fall-coded elements to any film and these are all present in this glorious gift of a movie from Studio Ghibli and master animator Hayao Miyazaki.

Kiki is one of the studio's best films, filled with charm and beautiful, vibrant animation that fully immerses you in the world of a young witch struggling to rediscover her magic as she strikes out on her own.

Jiji the cat is as much of an icon as Kiki herself, and the bakery above which she lives is the perfect cosy, comfy setting for a witchy story of magic and growing up.

The ultimate comfort watch.

Cosiness: 10 - Jiji alone makes this the cosiest film.

Fall Vibes: 7 - Again, Jiji is adorable.

Spookiness: 1 - No spooks here, just cosy vibes.

19. Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Prime Video

We're heading out on another adventure with Mystery Inc. because no cosy fall list would be complete without some classic Scooby-Doo animation.

And when it comes to classic Scooby-Doo animation, it doesn't get much better than Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.

This film takes Mystery Inc. to Moonscar Island, a totally normal place where nothing bad could possibly happen. Of course, things don't go smoothly and the gang are forced to investigate ghosts and zombies that inhabit the island.

The story features some of the best animation in the franchise's history and all the classic tropes you'd expect from Scooby-Doo.

It's the setting that really makes this one, though. The heat of the Louisiana swamps brings a folklorish dimension to the world of the story, similarly to the recent Haunted Mansion adaptation.

Zoinks!

Cosiness: 7 - Zombies can be cosy, I guess.

Fall Vibes: 8 - It's got everything a good fall evening needs.

Spookiness: 7 - Some fun and freaky moments thanks to those pesky zombies.

18. Sleepy Hollow

Age Rating: 15 | Where to watch: Prime Video

The Father Christmas of Halloween is back, this time Tim Burton is bringing the story of the Headless Horseman to life in a gothic, gory spook show.

This one is definitely for the older kids (or date night) thanks to some serious themes and gruesome violence, but if you can handle the horror you'll be rewarded with a fantastically atmospheric film that pairs perfectly with the dark October evenings.

Based on the classic story 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow', the film tells the story of Ichabod Crane, a detective brought in to investigate a series of murders supposedly committed by the ghostly Headless Horseman.

Part murder mystery, part gothic horror, Sleepy Hollow brings some seriously spooky vibes to the fall season.

Cosiness: 3 - Not sure the Headless Horseman is cosy.

Fall Vibes: 8 - Sleepy Hollow is a location probably second only to Salem in pure Halloween vibes.

Spookiness: 10 - Gruesome and freaky and not suitable for children or the squeamish.

17. Monsters Inc.

Age Rating: U | Where to watch: Prime Video

Few films have ever been able to achieve what Monsters Inc. manages to accomplish. The film takes two strange monsters in a world literally fuelled by screams and makes you fall in love in love with the characters to the point that you're literally crying by the end.

Such is the magic of Pixar.

Sulley, Mike and Boo make for a wonderful trio of characters that bring humour and warmth to a whacky adventure through a world of monsters and mayhem.

Multiple members of our MadeForMums Club said that Monsters Inc. was a Halloween staple in their houses. Member Holly said, "my little boy is 4 years old and we love Elemental or Monsters Inc.," and she wasn't the only one.

If you're looking for family-friendly fun this spooky season, then you can't go wrong with a visit to Monstropolis.

Cosiness: 8 - Sulley is about as cosy as they come — just look at his fur!

Fall Vibes: 6 - Monsters, sure, but the vibes aren't particularly 'fall'.

Spookiness: 4 - A few roars here and there and a slippery villain but it's mostly family fun.

16. Beetlejuice

Age Rating: 12 | Where to watch: Prime Video

The OG Beetlejuice is still an all time Halloween great.

It's one of Tim Burton's best thanks to a macabre and manic energy and a truly wild central performance by Michael Keaton.

If you haven't seen it, the film follows a couple who die tragically only to find their dream house is being sold off to a new family. The couple resolve to scare them out by haunting the house and end up enlisting the help of the infamous bio-exorcist Betelgeuse. Mayhem ensues.

It's a wonderfully weird and over-the-top roller coaster ride through the afterlife that makes for a particularly great Halloween watch.

Cosiness: 5 - The afterlife isn't exactly cosy here.

Fall Vibes: 7 - It is pretty 'fall' though.

Spookiness: 8 - Some scenes may be unsuitable for younger children.

15. Hotel Transylvania

Age Rating: U | Where to watch: Prime Video/Sky

It's wild that it's taken until the 15th entry on this list to get to a film or show that features the original vampire, Dracula. One of the true icons of horror has been in more movies than pretty much any other movie monster but few are as fun and funny as Hotel Transylvania.

Members of our MadeForMums Club agreed with us on this one, Drac, Johnny, Mavis along with the other residents and guests of the eponymous hotel make for fantastic companions during the spooky season.

The film follows Dracula as he tries to run his monsters-only hotel while raising his young daughter Mavis. It's got a similar vibe to Despicable Me with fun, vibrant characters and a warm, beating heart beneath the cold, icy exterior.

Cosiness: 7 - A room at the Hotel Transylvania is pretty cosy to be fair, despite the monsters running around.

Fall Vibes: 8 - All your favourite monsters make for a fun fall time.

Spookiness: 3 - No real scares in here, just fun spooks...

14. Addams Family Values

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Netflix/Paramount+

The second film in the original Addams Family series from the 90's might be even more beloved than its predecessor as siblings Wednesday and Pugsley try to get rid of the latest addition to the family, Pubert.

The cast returns including Christina Ricci in the role of Wednesday Addams and Anjelica Huston as Morticia Addams, ready to bring a whole new meaning to the word weird.

Originally created for a series of cartoons in The New Yorker, The Addams Family have gone on to become one of the most beloved families in the world thanks to their unique blend of horror and their increasingly strange extended family (Itt is my personal favourite).

This is just the first of many appearances from everyone's favourite freaky family on this list, going to show that they are the perfect companions for a cosy fall movie night with the whole family.

Cosiness: 7 - There's nothing like a night in with the Addams Family.

Fall Vibes: 8 - They're the First Family of Halloween, so...

Spookiness: 8 - Does it get spookier than The Addams Family?

13. Stranger Things

Age Rating: 15 | Where to watch: Netflix

Stranger Things is the show that seemingly reignigted everyone's obsession with the 80s and its easy to see why. This story of a group of loveable kids joining forces with a super-powered girl named Eleven to fight the forces of evil, both human and supernatural, is fantastic fun.

Season 5 is set to release later this year making it the perfect time to dive back into the world of Hawkins for a rewatch.

The whole show has immaculate fall vibes, but season 2 in particular is set during the Halloween season and features some excellent pumpkin patches and Halloween costumes.

This isn't just a show that relies of nostalgia to skate by, it's a genuinely wonderful story of friendship, family and triumphing over evil.

Cosiness: 9 - A cosy game of D&D with pals...

Fall Vibes: 9 - Hawkins just feels like fall.

Spookiness: 9 - This one is for the older kids!

12. Wednesday

Age Rating: 12 | Where to watch: Netflix

We told you there would be more Addams Family on our list, didn't we?

Of course, we couldn't make a list of fall cosy watches without including our girl Wednesday Addams.

Tim Burton brings his own singular style to the world of The Addams Family in this story of Wednesday as she heads to Nevermore Academy, a school established for outcasts and monsters.

It's got everything you expect from everyone's favourite freaky family including a fantastic central performance from Jenna Ortega, who feels like she was born to play Wednesday Addams.

The whole cast is excellent and there are some great dance sequences across both seasons that are worth the price of admission alone.

Cosiness: 8 - A school full of monsters? Cosy.

Fall Vibes: 9 - Again, the Addams Family basically ARE October...

Spookiness: 7 - Freaky fun for most of the family.

11. When Harry Met Sally

Age Rating: 15 | Where to watch: Prime Video

The kids have gone to bed. There's still some time for you to sneak in a movie before you crash out. You're feeling the fall vibes but you don't really want something scary. What do you watch?

Romcoms often come with fantastic fall vibes and there aren't many better than When Harry Met Sally (well, there might be 1 that's better...).

Harry and Sally hate each other until they don't. They become friends over a series of increasingly autumnal walks through New York, discussing everything from life and love to the dynamics between men and women.

This charming romcom classic is the perfect cosy date night watch and a great snuggle under a blanket.

Cosiness: 9 - One of the best romcoms ever!

Fall Vibes: 9 - Central Park in the fall? Immaculate vibes.

Spookiness: 1 - Unless you find suspect haircuts scary, you'll be fine.

10. You've Got Mail

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Prime Video/Sky

This probably seems controversial. In what world does You've Got Mail come above When Harry Met Sally? Sure, if this was a list of the best romcoms it probably wouldn't. But when it comes to cosy fall vibes, this story of an indie book seller falling in love with a big business book exec over email just about takes the win.

Meg Ryan, the queen of the romcom, plays said bookseller whose store is singlehandedly responsible for those fall vibes. Over the course of a few months she chats via email with Tom Hanks's character, a stuffy business type. Eventually they fall in love, not realising that offline, they are slowly becoming mortal enemies.

This is a true romcom classic that, like When Harry Met Sally, is packed with heart, humour and books. A real date night winner.

Cosiness: 9 - Another one of the best romcoms ever!

Fall Vibes: 9 - Everyone knows bookshops = fall.

Spookiness: 1 - The sight of an email might be triggering for some people...

9. The Craft

Age Rating: 15 | Where to watch: Prime Video

Probably one of the most iconic teen movies of all time, The Craft is the exquisitely autumnal story of Sarah, a troubled teen with unique abilities.

In true teen movie fashion, she's the new girl at a vicious new high school where she befriends a trio of girls rumoured to be witches.

A note perfect exploration of femininity and finding your voice, The Craft is a fantastic witchy time and a must watch during the fall season.

The 90s energy is on point and the angsty witch vibes are high in this one.

Cosiness: 8 - What could be cosier than finding your coven?

Fall Vibes: 9 - Witches!

Spookiness: 7 - More for the teens.

8. Halloweentown

Age Rating: U | Where to watch: Disney+

Halloweentown is the ultimate movie that combines cosiness and spookiness, with extra 90s nostalgia to boot.

The film follows Marnie, who, on her 13th Halloween, learns she’s a witch and is transported to Halloweentown — with the help of her grandmother, played by vetersan actress Debbie Reynolds. Once in Halloweentown, you quickly learn that all those fantasy characters you dress up as on Halloween — vampires, mummies, ghosts, skeletons and even pumpkin heads — are real and living in their own community in an alternative universe. Watch as Marnie battles curses, creatures and surprises in this ultimate spooky treat.

The special effects may be outdated… (it’s a TV Movie from the 90s so do limit your expectations!), but it’s still fun, charming and we think, the perfect family-friendly movie to get you in the spooky mood.

Cosiness: 7 — Definitely more spooky than cosy, but it’s hard to not be charmed by Halloweentown itself — despite the goblins and zombies walking around…

Fall vibes: 6 — Halloweentown, as in the town itself, does feel like it’s straight from an autumnal scene, just add in some witches and warlocks.

Spookiness: 7 — Nothing too scary, but there are endless Halloween-y creatures and references which increase the spookiness factor.

7. Gilmore Girls

Age Rating: 12 | Where to watch: Netflix

For many millennials like myself, fall means cosy cups of tea, candlelight and, most importantly, settling in for another rewatch of Gilmore Girls.

It really is the cosiest show on TV, making it the perfect fall companion.

The show follows Lorelai and Rory Gilmore as they navigate love, school and family, all while dealing with the particulars of Stars Hollow and its many residents.

You've got cosy inns, romance, Harvard, a classic American diner where the coffee flows freely and the phones are off and, above all else, you've got your new best friends Lorelai and Rory.

Fun fact for you, I actually visited the set of Gilmore Girls for my honeymoon in 2024 and all those scenes where Lorelai and Rory are walking around Stars Hollow dressed for fall were actually really hot thanks to the glorious sunshine in LA where it was filmed.

Cosiness: 10 – Outside of dogs and cats, this might be the cosiest thing ever to exist.

Fall Vibes: 9 – Harvard, cosy coats, brown leaves.

Spookiness: 2 – Some of the 90s haircuts are pretty spooky.

6. Wallace and Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit

Age Rating: U | Where to watch: NOW

We all love Wallace and Gromit, and we especially love their first feature-length film that also happens to be perfect for autumn: Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

Wallace and Gromit must come to the rescue of their town which is being plagued by rabbits as the annual Giant Vegetable competition approaches. However, they soon find themselves chasing down a mysterious beast that’s decimating the town’s allotments — can this dynamic duo save the day?

Settle down and watch this eccentric pair on this autumnal adventure that gives you all the energy of a classic monster movie, with a much less threatening presence.

Cosiness: 8 — It’s hard not to feel cosy as you watch Wallace and Gromit battle through a cosy town on the hunt for a giant rabbit…

Fall vibes: 5 — Although set in autumn, the fall vibes are definitely more subtle

Spookiness: 4 — It’s hard to step away from the parody element, so you’re definitely left feeling more charmed than spooked.

5. The Nightmare Before Christmas

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Disney+

Is it a Christmas film or a Halloween film? I'd say, why not both?

The Nightmare Before Christmas is one of the most iconic animated films of all time, packed with creepy Tim Burton-esque imagery and wonderfully catchy musical numbers.

Enter the world of Halloween Town with Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King with designs on taking over as Santa on Christmas Eve.

What follows is a spooky inversion of Christmas and an exploration of what it means to choose your purpose and find your own place in a world that seems hell bent on telling you who you are.

While it wasn't directed by Tim Burton (he did write it though), this one has his visual magic all over it making it equal parts weird and whimsical.

In other words, perfect for Halloween.

Cosiness: 8 – Music, pumpkins and a ghost dog. Sounds cosy.

Fall Vibes: 10 – It's set in a place literally called Halloween Town.

Spookiness: 5 – More creepy than outright scary.

4. Coco

Age Rating: U | Where to watch: Disney+

Pixar’s Coco isn’t just a great film for fall, it’s a great film full stop. The story of Miguel and his journey into the Land of the Dead is full of vibrant colours and wonderful music that is guaranteed to capture the imagination of both children and parents.

“We love watching Coco with our little ones, they are 3 and 5 years old,” noted MadeForMums Club member Laura. “They love the bright colours and music but our 5 year old properly follows the plot now and can't wait for her spooky movie night.”

Like many of the films on our list, the film has gone on to become a staple watch for many families during the spooky season and for good reason. Coco brings to life the Mexican Day of the Dead, a multi-day celebration that takes place at the start of November during which family members will pay their respects to loved ones who have died.

The film includes many of the traditions observed during the holiday including calaveras (a representation of a human skull or skeleton), home alters known as ofrendas (the Spanish word for offering) and vibrant marigold flowers.

Then there are the musical numbers. Remember Me gets all the attention thanks to its importance to the story and, don’t get me wrong, it’s a wonderful song but my personal favourite (and the one most likely to get you all up dancing) has to be Un Poco Loco.

Coco is beautiful film that is packed with humour and heart, bringing both the cosy vibes you want as the seasons change as well as a powerful message about family, loss and the importance of remembering those we love.

Cosiness: 8 – Anything you can sing along with is instantly a cosy favourite.

Fall Vibes: 9 – Fall colours and beautiful traditions. Perfect.

Spookiness: 3 – This one is great for everyone.

3. Practical Magic

Age Rating: 12 | Where to watch: Available to buy on Sky Store

Practical Magic has become a cult classic and an annual must-watch around Halloween.

Starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman, the film focuses on their two characters — sisters Sally and Gilian Owens — who are descended from a long line of witches and have been taught ‘practical magic’ as they grew up. Now, as adults, they must use their knowledge and magic to destroy the evil spirit of an abusive boyfriend.

Not only is Practical Magic a great film to get you in a spooky mood, it also explores and weaves together dark themes about gender and power — making it a rare, female-centric film in this genre. If you’ve got teenagers and are looking for a darkly funny but entertaining spooky pick this Halloween, we’d highly recommend Practical Magic.

Cosiness: 8 – The sisterly bond and small-town charm give the film a very warm and cosy vibe.

Fall Vibes: 8 – Witches, autumnal vibes and classic late-90’s aesthetic make this an ultimate ‘Fall’ choice.

Spookiness: 5 – There are a few creepy moments, but it’s more mystical than spooky.

2. Ghostbusters

Age Rating: 12 | Where to watch: Netflix

It's rare that you find a film that is both a great comedy and a great spooky movie and Ghostbusters definitely ticks both boxes.

This story of a group of outcast scientists coming together to bust ghosts in New York is one of the 80's most iconic movies, quickly becoming a favourite with generations of kids.

The fact that you can go from a hilarious scene of the Ghostbusters running through a haunted hotel in search of Slimer to the intense scene of Sigourney Weaver's Dana being possessed by a demon from inside her fridge is a real testament to the brilliance of the films tonal gymnastics.

It has the same feeling you get when you hang out with friends, a cosy vibe where you're having a laugh and a joke and occasionally busting some ghosts.

Cosiness: 7 – a great time with the pals.

Fall Vibes: 7 – busting ghosts feels very fall to me.

Spookiness: 8 – it can get a bit spooky from time to time.

1. Hocus Pocus

Age Rating: PG | Where to watch: Disney+

‘Oh, look. Another glorious morning. Makes me sick!’

So says Bette Midler’s Winifred Sanderson, the eldest of the sinister Sanderson sisters upon returning to Salem after 300 years to finally take revenge on the town that wronged her.

Witches, Salem, strange spells, musical numbers, pumpkins and, most importantly, cats, Hocus Pocus has got it all, making it an easy pick for the ultimate cosy fall movie.

Just in case you aren’t familiar, the plot can basically be summarised by this quote from Midler’s character, “We must find the book, brew the potion and suck the lives out of the children of Salem before sunrise. Otherwise, it’s curtains. We evaporate! We cease to exist! Dost thou comprehend?” All the while, a group of teens try to stop the witches from carrying out their evil plan.

It has become a Halloween staple over the years thanks to an exquisite Bette Midler performance; some iconic musical numbers and a story that’s equal parts spooky and cosy. It’s just on the edge of being scary without veering into horror territory, making it a great film to watch with the whole family. When we put the question to our MadeForMums Club, Hocus Pocus was a clear favourite thanks to the nostalgia factor

While the sequel is a fun time, nothing can quite capture the fall magic of the original with its endlessly quotable characters ("You hags! There are not enough children in the world to make thee young and beautiful!” is another iconic line), wonderfully weird world and pitch perfect production design. If it hasn’t already, Hocus Pocus is guaranteed to put a spell on you.

Cosiness: 10 – Perfect with a knit sweater, blanket and a pumpkin scented candle

Fall Vibes: 10 – Literally set during Halloween, so…

Spookiness: 6 – The plot can get a bit scary at times.

Read more:

• 11 of the best Disney princess party supplies
• 10 of the best Disney themed fancy dress outfits
• Best Disney Princess dress up clothes

Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or family friend, it's important to keep your finger on the pulse of all the best new toy releases if you're going to get that magical present-opening moment on Christmas morning – which is where the experts come in.

Every year the UK's biggest retailers, like Very, Hamleys, Argos, Amazon and more, share their picks for the must-have Christmas toys to buy for your children.

To help you decide which toys are actually worth it, we'll be keeping a list of the best products coming out and sending them to our child testers for an in-depth review. So far, Argos, John Lewis and Selfridges have released their top 10 list, here's a closer look.

Jump to:

• How do experts pick their top Christmas toys?
• How do we test the top Christmas toys?
• Top Christmas toys to buy your child in 2025

Must-have Christmas toys at a glance

Plush Christmas toys

• Peppa Pig Evie With Blanket | £12.99
• Noodoll plush toys | £23
• Steiff Jimmy Christmas Teddy Bear | £39.90
• Labubu's | £39.99

Electronic Christmas toys

• Little Live Pets Gotta Go Giraffe-Gigi | £30
• Star Wars Power Crystal Lightsaber | £40
• Bitzee Hamster Ball | £40
• Soccer Dash | £50
• Jurassic World Interactive Hatching Dino | £64.99
• Toy Story Robosen Woody Mini Robot | £79.99
• Toniebox 2 | £99.99
• Instant Print Tablet | £130

Best Christmas playsets

• Gui Gui Shimmer Deluxe Duo Pack | £19.99
• LEGO Minecraft The Creeper | £29.99
• Tomy Human Controller | £29.99
• John Lewis Wooden Air Fryer | £30
• Build-A-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station | £35
• Bluey & Satnav Road Trip Playset | £44.99
• LEGO Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock Subway Train Scene | £44.99
• Monster Jam Smash & Bash Gravedigger | £50
• Hot Wheels City Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter Toy | £55
• Sylvanian Families Skytop Fairy Castle | £59.99
• Gabby's Dollhouse The Movie | £65
• Hot Wheels Formula 1 Racing Grand Prix Track | £80
• LEGO Star Wars Wicket the Ewok Figure Building Toy | £110
• LEGO One Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship set | £119.99
• BRIO 36114 Mega Spiral Set | £120
• Fat Brain Toys Air Toobz | £140

Best dolls

• Wicked Students of Shiz 5 Small Dolls & Accessories | £24
• L.O.L. Surprise Magic Flyer Fairies Tots | £30
• Elphaba Singing Barbie doll | £35

Best stocking fillers

• Hamleys TY Bouncers | £6.99
• SMISKI Phosphorescent | £12
• Vtech Build-A-Burger | £14.99
• One Piece Egghead Arc Series | £15
• UNO Spin Game | £16.99
• Sticki Rolls Jumbo Studio Rolluxe Deluxe | £39.99

How do experts pick their top Christmas toys?

Every year, expert retailers such as Argos, Selfridges, Hamleys and The Entertainer publish lists of the toys they think will be most sought after this Christmas.

Selections are normally based on the biggest, best and trendiest moments of the year – and there have been plenty of those. Popular TV shows and social media moments (like Peppa Pig's new baby sister) can play a part, as well as the latest advancements in toy technology.

Last year 90's nostalgia was a heavy factor, with Furby, Beyblades and Polly Pocket all making a return, as well as Bitzee Digital Pets, which are very reminiscent of Tamagotchis. Stitch also had a huge renaissance thanks to the new Lilo and Stitch movie – a trend we expect to see more of this Christmas – alongside dolls and LEGO sets from Wicked Part One. 

So far, Selfridges, Hamleys, Argos and John Lewis have released their top toy picks and it's exactly as we thought. Sylvanian Families and Hot Wheels rank highly; driving up the nostalgia factor. While toys licensed from Wicked, Minecraft and the popular anime series One Piece all appear, plus, of course, Labubu's!

Hamleys in particular have highlighted simple, classic toys as their biggest trend this year. Victoria Kay, Head of Buying and Merchandising has said: "They represent uncomplicated fun: a timeless toy – reimagined. They are simple, no tech, no instructions — just bounce and laugh. In a world full of noise, they’re a reminder that sometimes, the simplest things bring the biggest smiles."

Last year a lot of the imaginative play toys centred around kitchen and cooking, with the Ooni toy pizza oven and Melissa & Doug Wooden Vending Machine proving particularly popular, now we have the John Lewis wooden air fryer on the menu. Plus, a huge upswing in toys that have a do-it-yourself element, like the Build-a-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station and Little Live Pets Gotta Go Giraffe-Gigi.

As the Argos press release reads: "This year’s Top Toys reflect the dynamic landscape of play, bringing together world-famous brands, beloved movie characters and highlighting cutting-edge innovation. It’s also so important for us to tap into the latest play patterns, supporting children’s development through interactive fun and encouraging them to unleash their creativity too"

How do we test the top Christmas toys?

Our best lists are compiled by qualified and experienced parenting journalists. They rely on a number of sources, including testing during the MadeForMums Toy Awards and feedback from our trusty Top Testers Club.

For these Christmas toys in particular, we send them out to parent and child testers who deliver detailed feedback as well as direct quotes and imagery from the child themselves. Our family testers consider size, price, assembly, portability, age suitability, durability, how easy it is to store and, of course, how much fun it is!

Each year, 1000s of products are put through their paces by hundreds of parents across the country on behalf of MadeForMums, to ensure we’re bringing you honest and true reviews and recommendations.

Must-have Christmas toys to buy your child in 2025

Toniebox 2, £99.99

Recommended by: John Lewis and Argos

Age suitability: 1+
Batteries required: None (USB-C charging port)

The all-new Toniebox 2 is now available to buy. Released on 15th September, this upgraded model has new colourways and an updated design, plus the Tonieplay function that allows you to play interactive games with your favourite characters. The Toniebox 2 is 1+ certified, as opposed to the original Toniebox, which was for ages three and up and is available from 15th September. Check out our Toniebox 2 bundles and deals page for more.

• Buy the Toniebox 2 for £99.99 at Tonies
• Buy the Toniebox 2 for £99.99 at The Entertainer

Mattel UNO Spin Game, £16.99

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 7+
Batteries required: None

It's a new spin on UNO – literally! This version of the game includes the dreaded spin cards that requires the player to spin the wheel and follow whatever action it lands on. Different spin powers include Colour Draw, Swap Hands, Colour Discard and so much more. 

Buy Mattel UNO Spin Game for £16.99 at John Lewis

Casdon Build-A-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station, £35

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: 3 x AAA

How many of us have experienced the joy of the Build-A-Bear workshop? Well now, you can bring the workshop to your home with this incredible portable stuffing station. The kit comes with two diddy teddies that you can pump up with fluff and then style with outfits and sunglasses! Best of all, it comes with two birth certificates, so everyone knows exactly who these bears belong to.

Buy Casdon Build-A-Bear Workshop Stuffing Station for £35 at John Lewis

Bitzee Hamster Ball, £40

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 5+
Batteries required: 3 x AA (included)

Bitzee's have been a winner among parents for the past two Christmases. These digital pets function a lot like Tamagotchi's, requiring kids to play with them, feed them and discover new friends to unlock. Now though, they're swapping the ring-box design for a cool little hamster ball that allows you to pick up and roll your pet around, all while being able to see them from every angle.

Buy Bitzee Hamster Ball for £40 at The Entertainer

Instant Print Tablet, £130 

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 8+
Batteries required:1x Li-ion 4000mAh rechargeable Battery included

The Pad Creator Instant Print Tablet can really help to unlock your child's creativity. With six inspiring modes, kids can take photos, record videos, draw, add stickers, insert text, images and design cards or collages using a wide range of built-in templates. Then, they can print off anything they make onto physical sticky paper.

Buy Instant Print Tablet for £130 at Amazon

Little Live Pets Gotta Go Giraffe-Gigi, £30

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 4+
Batteries required: 3 x AA (included)

Gigi the giraffe is a cheeky little pet who needs to be put on the toilet! You can feed her, chat to her, sing to her, but just know as soon as she says "Uh-Oh, Gotta Go!" you'll need to put her on the potty.

Buy Little Live Pets Gotta Go Giraffe-Gigi for £30 at Argos

Peppa Pig Evie With Blanket, £12.99

Recommended by: Hamleys

Age suitability: 2+
Batteries required: None

Peppa's little sister Evie arrived earlier this year, now you can cuddle her close with this little plushie. Evie Pig comes with a cute detachable blanket and bib.

Buy Peppa Pig Evie With Blanket for £12.99 at Hamleys

Toy Story Robosen Woody Mini Robot, £79.99

Recommended by: Hamleys

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: rechargeable Li-ion Battery (included)

Woody remains a rite-of-passage toy, connecting parents and children through Toy Story’s enduring legacy. This animated robotic figure will be your child's new best friend with immersive original sounds, expressive movements and more.

Pre-order Toy Story Robosen Woody Mini Robot for £79.99 at Disneystore

L.O.L. Surprise Magic Flyer Fairies Tots, £30

Recommended by: Hamleys

Age suitability: 6+
Batteries required: 2 x AAA, 1 x 3.7v Li-Po (not included)

L.O.L Surprise flying dolls were an absolute hit of the 2023 toy list, now they've been upgraded and made much easier for kids to use again and again. Now, the little fairy friend emerges from a blossoming flower, and can be made to hover using the brand-new wand.

Buy L.O.L. Surprise Magic Flyer Fairies Tots for £30 at Selfridges

VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Bluey & Satnav Road Trip Playset, £44.99

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: 2 x AAA

Bluey is off on her travels, but needs a trusty Satnav to find her way. With this playset you can press buttons or drive Bluey's car over certain points to get her to speak. She has one sing-along song and six melodies that can be played, plus the car and house playsets have plenty of buttons to push and bits to pop open.

Buy VTech Toot-Toot Drivers Bluey & Satnav Road Trip Playset for £44.99 at John Lewis

Noodoll plush, from £23

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: From birth
Batteries required: None

Jellycats, Squishmallows, Labubu's, now introducing the Noodoll plush. These adorable little teddies were inspired by the shapes of rice grains and noodles, and started life as a storybook character. Now, they're available to buy in a range of outfits and designs, from dinosaurs to rice pudding.

Shop Noodoll plush toys from £23 at Selfridges

Jurassic World Interactive Hatching Dino, £64.99

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 5+
Batteries required: 3 x AA (included)

If you want a toy with an exciting opening experience, this is it. This Jurassic World Interactive Dino literally hatches from an egg. It's then free to roam and cause terror with its roars and stomping, all of which you can control with a handy remote. Best of all, you can put it back in the egg for re-hatching, so you can relive that heart-stopping experience all over again.

Buy Jurassic World Interactive Hatching Dino for £64.99 at Very

Gabby's Dollhouse The Movie, £65

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

Bring home the magic of Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie! This incredible two-feet dolls house has seven rooms, including a party room on the fourth floor, plus a Cat-a-vator to take your dolls where they need to go.

Buy Gabby's Dollhouse The Movie for £65 at Argos

Star Wars Power Crystal Lightsaber, £40

Recommended by: Argos and Hamleys

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: 3 x AAA (included)

Live the world of Star Wars like never before with this super realistic Crystal Lightsaber. This toy features seven different blade colours, sound effects and for the first time – crystals that can be swapped in and out of the hilt. There are 10 crystals in this set and 50+ different combinations of crystals and sounds to try.

Buy Star Wars Power Crystal Lightsaber for £40

LEGO Minecraft The Creeper, £29.99

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 10+
Batteries required: None

Minecraft fans will adore this brilliant blocky Creeper, featuring four movable legs and a poseable head. The head also opens up to reveal a pig mini figure and TNT block for an extra bit of detail.

• Buy LEGO Minecraft The Creeper for £29.99 at John Lewis
• Buy LEGO Minecraft The Creeper for £29.99 at LEGO

Gui Gui Shimmer Deluxe Duo Pack, £19.99

Recommended by: John Lewis and Argos

Age suitability: 6+
Batteries required: None

This deluxe slime kit is beautifully bright and shimmery. It comes with two different colours as well as gems, crystals and little slime bears. Or, you can buy the cheaper Gui Gui Create And Collect Slime kit.

• Buy Gui Gui Shimmer Deluxe Duo Pack for £19.99 at John Lewis
• Buy Gui Gui Slime kit for £10 at The Entertainer

Wicked Barbie dolls, from £6

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 4+
Batteries required: None

Wicked was one of the biggest movies for families last year and, with the second film approaching, it's set to be just as prevalent this Christmas. Right now you can buy Barbie versions of both Elphaba and Glinda in a range of different outfits.

• Buy Elphaba Singing Barbie doll from £35 at Selfridges
• Buy Glinda Singing Barbie doll from £35 at Selfridges

TY Beanie Baby Bouncers, £6.99

Recommended by: Hamleys

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

TY Bouncers are simplicity personified! They offer a collection of 80 different soft, furry balls with character faces from cats, cows, monkeys and pandas to familiar icons from Spider-Man, Stitch and Paddington to Bluey, Batman, Paw Patrol and Minecraft characters.

• Buy Stitch TY Bouncers for £6.99 at Hamleys
• Buy Bluey TY Bouncers for £6.99 at Hamleys
• Buy Capybara TY Bouncers for £6.99 at Hamleys
• Shop TY Bouncers at The Entertainer

John Lewis Wooden Air Fryer, £30

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

This mini air fryer is the perfect addition to your kids' pretend kitchen and comes in a stunning sage green. Crafted with premium quality, sustainably sourced wood, this air fryer toy comes with chips and drumsticks for kids to fry up a feast.

Buy John Lewis Wooden Air Fryer for £30 at John Lewis

One Piece Egghead Arc Series, £15

Recommended by: Hamleys

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

Beloved anime series One Piece is now available in the form of seven highly-detailed figurines. Each toy is a mystery as you won't know what figurine you've got until it's opened.

Buy One Piece Egghead Arc Series for £15 at Amazon

Vtech Build-A-Burger, £14.99

Recommended by: Hamleys

Age suitability: 2+
Batteries required: None

Food continues to be a great theme for younger play and this charming solid wooden toy allows children to build their own burger with layered ingredients.

Buy Vtech Build-A-Burger for £14.99 at Hamleys

Tomy Human Controller, £29.99

Recommended by: Hamleys

Age suitability: 14+
Batteries required: 3 x AAA batteries (not included)

A hilarious, interactive game that combines a blindfolding, goggle headset that vibrates with directional cues and takes you through over 30 games and challenges. It encourages movement, is ideal for
family gatherings and parties and comes with a built-in timer and scorer.

Buy Tomy Human Controller for £29.99 at Very

LEGO Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock Subway Train Scene, £44.99

Recommended by: Hamleys

Age suitability: 9+
Batteries required: None

This Super Hero subway train building set with 4 minifigures is based on an iconic scene from the Spider-Man 2 movie. It's just 393 pieces so shouldn't be too challenging to build for kids over nine.

Buy LEGO Spider-Man vs. Doc Ock Subway Train Scene for £44.99 at LEGO

Jellycats, from £10

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: From birth
Batteries required: None

Jellycats still rule the roost when it comes to cute plush toys. Whether it's a piece of fruit, an animal or even a baseball, there's an Amuesable to suit you. You can find a whole host of Jellycats at the Selfridges pop-up store in London, or you can take a look online.

• Book your visit to Jellycat Selfridges
• Shop Jellycats at Selfridges

LEGO One Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship set, £119.99

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 10+
Batteries required: None

LEGO has released a new range of sets based on the anime series One Piece. One of our favourites is the Going Merry Pirate Ship set, which allows builders to explore the cabin, kitchen, workshop and more, all while navigating the high seas towards their next exciting adventure.

Buy LEGO One Piece The Going Merry Pirate Ship set for £119.99 at LEGO

Sylvanian Familes, from £5

Recommended by: Selfridges and John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

First created in 1985, Sylvanian Families are back! Appealing to children and adults alike, these adorable figures had a +228% increase in sales last year. Perhaps most appealing about them is the range on offer, from otters to bears and so much more.

Retailer Selfridges has chosen their entire Sylvanian collection to feature in their top 10 list, while John Lewis is promoting the Skytop Fairy Castle complete with swings, a life and a ton of mini-figures.

• Shop Sylvanian Families collection at Selfridges
• Buy Sylvanian Families Skytop Fairy Castle for £59.99 at John Lewis

Hot Wheels Formula 1 Racing Grand Prix Track, £80

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 5+
Batteries required: 4x D batteries (not included)

You can now pre-order this brand-new Formula 1 Hot Wheels set, dropping on 1st September. Featuring three highly detailed F1 cars and a thrilling Grand Prix track, it's the perfect gift for petrol heads.

Buy Hot Wheels Formula 1 Racing Grand Prix Track for £80 at Selfridges

SMISKI mini figures, £12

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 3+ Recommended for age: 15+
Batteries required: 4x D batteries (not included)

SMISKI are curious little creatures that hide in corners of the home and glow in the dark at nighttime. With 6 SMISKI variations in each series, including Yoga, Dressing, Moving, Work, Cheer and Exercising, each character presents a different personality and comes wrapped, making each unboxing a surprise.

Shop SMISKI Phosphorescent mini figures at Amazon

Labubu Pop Mart, £39.99

Recommended by: Selfridges

Age suitability: 15+
Batteries required: None

Labubu's have taken the toy world by storm this year. The little fanged fiends have proved very hard to get your hands on, so we'd suggest heading over to one of Selfridge's pop up stores, or taking a look at Side Kicks.

Shop Labubu's at Side Kicks

BRIO 36114 Mega Spiral Set, £120

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

This advanced train set includes 63 modular track and support pieces, designed for builders to construct taller, more complex layouts. You can assemble impressive spiral-shaped tracks, intricate figure-eight loops or even towering multi-level track designs. It's not available yet, but will be in stock very soon.

Check out the BRIO 36114 Mega Spiral Set at Amazon

Wicked Students of Shiz 5 Small Dolls & Accessories, £24

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 4+
Batteries required: None

You can re-enact the entire Wicked movie with this pack of five dolls, they are: Glinda, Elphaba, Nessarose, Fiyero and Boq.

Buy Wicked Students of Shiz 5 Small Dolls & Accessories for £24 at Very

Steiff Jimmy Christmas Teddy Bear, £39.90

Recommended by: John Lewis

Age suitability: 1 month
Batteries required: None

This adorable Christmas teddy is full of festive cheer with a tartan tie and Santa hat atop its curly head.

Buy Steiff Jimmy Christmas Teddy Bear for £39.90 at John Lewis

LEGO Disney Lucky & Penny 101 Dalmatians Puppies Set, £20

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 6+
Batteries required: None

If your child is puppy-mad, try getting them this 101 Dalmatians LEGO set, made up of 268 pieces.

Buy LEGO Disney Lucky & Penny 101 Dalmatians Puppies Set for £20 at LEGO

LEGO Star Wars Wicket the Ewok Figure Building Toy, £110

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 12+
Batteries required: None

Star Wars fans will also adore this LEGO Ewok recommended by Argos. It's made of 1,010 pieces and comes with an additional Ewok mini-figure.

Buy LEGO Star Wars Wicket the Ewok Figure Building Toy for £110 at LEGO

Fat Brain Toys Air Toobz, £140

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 3+
Batteries required: None

This toy offers house of experimentation and active fun. You can arrange the tubes and connectors in any way you can imagine, create loops and swirls, weave them under tables. Then, switch on the turbine and let the fun begin. Can you make the foam balls leap from one tube to the next, or hover in mid-air, or go around and around in an endless cycle?

Buy Fat Brain Toys Air Toobz for £140 at Argos

Hot Wheels City Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter Toy, £55

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 4+
Batteries required: None

Drive into battle with this Hot Wheels City Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter and Cars Playset. After knocking out cars with the fire-breathing red dragon, unlock the smaller blue dragon and transform it into racetrack. The race track dragon has wings that you can flap like a real dragon and can scoop up cars to be stored in its bigger friend. The set comes with two cars included but can store up to 20 cars at a time.

Buy Hot Wheels City Ultimate Dual Dragon Transporter Toy for £55 at The Entertainer

Monster Jam Smash & Bash Gravedigger, £50

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 4+
Batteries required: 2 x AAA (not included)

This remote control Smash & Bash Gravedigger is made to withstand anything. No matter where your child drives it – into walls, on the patio, off a high shelf – this bad boy will live.

Buy Monster Jam Smash & Bash Gravedigger for £50 at JD Williams

Sticki Rolls Jumbo Studio Rolluxe Deluxe, £39.99

Recommended by: Argos

Age suitability: 5+
Batteries required: None

Sticki Rolls were a huge hit last year and now they're back in a Jumbo Deluxe set! The all-in-one Sticki Rolluxe includes 500 stickers and 3 Jumbo Stickies in a stylish wearable handbag.

Buy Sticki Rolls Jumbo Studio Rolluxe Deluxe for £39.99 at Smyths

Soccer Dash, £50

Recommended by: Hamleys

Age suitability: 5+
Batteries required: ‎3 x AAA batteries (not included)

The new interactive AI powered football trainer can be used indoors and out, solo or in teams and is designed to elevate your skills and drills. Featuring a smart ball and four smart targets, there are six
different games to play. The AI technology adapts to your skill levels and helps you build your core dribbling and essential ball control

Buy Soccer Dash for £50 at Amazon

We've more top toys, all tested and rated by parents and children including Best toys for 2 year olds, Best toys for 3 year olds, Best toys for 4 year olds and Best toys for 5 year olds.

Plus check out the best teen advent calendars and best kids advent calendars.

In recent years advent calendars have moved far beyond simply offering a small chocolate behind each window. Now, you can get everything from beauty and fragrances to stationery and collectibles over the 24 days.

No matter what your teen is interested in, we've rounded up the best teen advent calendars to suit them in a wide array of prices. Whether they're big Pokémon fans, big lovers of stationary or just fancy a pamper session, we've tried to find a range of advent calendars for a variety of interests and price points.

We've also got the best advent calendars for kids if these feel a little too grown-up to you.

Jump to:

• Best teen advent calendars for under £50
• Best teen advent calendars for over £50

Best teen advent calendars at a glance

Best under £50

• Candy Kittens Advent Calendar, £12
• Leaper Labubu-themed Advent Calendar, £23.99 £19.99
• Eight Innovation Electronic Games Advent Calendar, £24
• Joe & Seph's Gourmet Popcorn Advent Calendar, £25
• Disney Stitch Deck the Palms Cosmetic Advent Calendar, £25
• LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar 2025, £29.99
• LEGO Minecraft Advent Calendar 2025, £29.99
• NeeDoh Fidget Toys Advent Calendar, £30
• Boots 17. Advent Calendar, £32.50
• Soap & Glory The House Of Glory! Advent Calendar, £48

Best over £50

• Pokemon TCG: Advent Calendar, £50
• Book Lovers Advent Calendar, £55
• Lynx Ultimate Advent Calendar Gift Set, £60
• Official Harry Potter Potions Advent Calendar, £77.99
• McLaren 24 Days Model Advent Calendar, £79
• Radley Advent Calendar, £90
• Lush 29½ High Street Advent Calendar, £125
• Papier stationery advent calendar, £140
• PLouise Cruising Home For Christmas Advent Calendar, £250

Best teen advent calendars for Christmas 2025

We've split up this list by price as some advent calendars have a very high price point. You can find advent calendars under £50 and over £50.

Best teen advent calendars for under £50

1. NeeDoh Fidget Toys Advent Calendar, £19.99

Available from: MenKind, Urban Outfitters and Kid Collective

Fidget toys are massively popular at the moment and they're especially helpful if your teen has sensory needs or uses them to help focussing. This calendar features 24 different fidget toys including squishy animals, pop-its, spinners, and more.

2. Leaper Advent Calendar, £19.99

Available at: Debenhams

Straight up, this advent calendar does NOT have officially licensed Labubu's. However, if you don't mind a just-as-cute alternative, this Leaper Advent Calendar has 24 adorable mini-figures including rare characters and festive variants.

3. Eight Innovation Electronic Games Advent Calendar, £24

Available at: Amazon, Robert Dyas and MenKind

This is quite a different advent calendar but it's educational and fun. Behind each window you will find an electric component and eventually, once the Christmas countdown is over you will have all the pieces you need to build electronic games. You can create 24 games such as, Code Breaker, Memory, Wire Maze, Whack a Mole and many more.

4. Disney's Stitch Deck the Palms Cosmetic Calendar, £25

Available at: MenKind, Truffle Shuffle and Boots

If you have a teen or tween who still loves Disney, but also wants to start expanding into make-up, this calendar brings them both together in perfect Ohana. Based around fan-favourite character Stitch, you'll find many different make-up kits inside, such as nail files, face masks and bath bombs in his iconic blue.

5. LEGO Star Wars Advent Calendar, £29.99

Available at: LEGO and Amazon

Star Wars fans can spend their December assembling a cosy scene set in a Droid-building factory, featuring all your favourite LEGO Star Wars props and mini-figures. Inside, you'll find the blocks to build 14 Droids, including C-3PO and BB-8 as a snowman.

6. LEGO Minecraft Advent Calendar, £29.99

Available at: LEGO and Amazon

Minecraft LEGO is huge right now, especially if your teen is a fan of the game or the movie. Inside, you'll find the blocks to create monumental figures: Alex, Steve, a Creeper, zombie, Santa villager and more.

7. Joe & Seph's Gourmet Popcorn Advent Calendar, £25

Available at: Joe & Seph's and Ocado

This popcorn advent calendar is very popular and is a brilliant alternative to chocolate. Every day you will get a 7g bag of gourmet popcorn in different flavours. The popcorn is made by hand with all natural ingredients and is gluten free and suitable for vegetarians. Some of the flavours inside include White Chocolate, Banoffee Pie, Speculoos and Orange Chocolate.

8. Candy Kittens Advent Calendar, £12

Available at: Candy Kittens

Candy Kittens are insanely popular with teens, probably due to their adorable pink design. Inside this calendar are 24 of these plant-based sweets, in all flavours.

9. Boots 17. Advent Calendar, £32.50

Available at: Boots

This beautiful 17 advent calendar is perfect for make-up and beauty fans, with everything from a Limited Edition Bronze & Highlight Palette and Limited Edition Jelly Blush Stick to Eyelashes and scrunchies inside.

10. Soap & Glory The House Of Glory! Advent Calendar, £48

Available at: Boots and Amazon

Looking for something to fill the days leading up to Christmas with self care? Then this advent calendar from Soap & Glory is a great option. There are so many wonderful gifts inside including face masks, body lotion, fragrances and so much more.

Best teen advent calendars for over £50

11. Lynx Advent Calendar, £60

Available at: Boots and Amazon

It's the staple of teenage boys: the Lynx Advent Calendar. Scents include Cherry Spritz, Sunset Fresh and Africa, and will mean no need to buy your teen body spray until at least February.

12. Pokémon TCG Holiday Calendar, £50

Available at: MenKind, Selfridges and Amazon

Looking for something for the Pokémon fan in your house?  This Pokémon TCG holiday calendar is a great way to get something fun to open every day. You get a range of items including booster packs, foil cards with special Christmas designs and even accessories like stickers and Pokémon themed coins.

13. Book Lovers Advent Calendar, £55

Available at: Not on the High Street

The perfect advent calendar for book lovers! Behind each window is a secret blurb from a famous novel – guess the book and then, at the end of the month, you choose your favourite four and get them for free using your own secret code.

14. Harry Potter Hogwarts Trunk Advent calendar, £79.99

Available at: Amazon

The ultimate – dare we say magical? – advent calendar for Harry Potter fans, which you may have spotted going viral on Instagram. Inside each of the 24 boxes is a beautifully designed piece of Harry Potter merchandise, whether that's pens, keyrings, badges, or jewellery. Plus, you can keep the trunk later.

15. Lush Advent Calendar, £125

Available at: Lush

The Lush advent calendar smells amazing before you even start opening it. Highlights include the Sleepy Beaver bath bomb, the Snowman Dreaming bath bomb and the classic Snow Fairy bubble bar.

16. Papier 24 Doors of Desk Delights, £140

Available at: Papier

Who doesn't love stationery? This Papier calendar features two dozen high-end desk essentials, including: A6 softback notebook, highlighters, fineliners and pens. Best of all, the entire contents of this calendar are worth £200, so you're saving £60.

17. McLaren 24 Days Model Advent Calendar, £79

Available at: MenKind and The Range

McLaren has had an incredible F1 season, so if your teen wants to celebrate that, this calendar contains 24 pieces of official merchandise, including a 1:43 scale model care, part of a race track, and a bilingual companion book filled with riveting racing stories.

18. Radley Advent Calendar, £90

Available at: Sports Direct and F.Hinds

This Radley Advent calendar is the ultimate gift – which might mean a bit less on Christmas day! – inside are 12 pieces of 18ct gold and silver plated jewellery, including earrings, bracelet and necklace chains.

19. P.Louise Cruising Home For Christmas Advent Calendar, £250

Available at: P.Louise

P.Louise is a viral TikTok brand teens love! Inside this premium advent calendar is 25 skincare, make-up and self-care items all wrapped up in beautiful branded packaging.

Read more of the Best toys for 2 year olds, Best toys for 3 year olds and Best toys for 4 year olds.

The Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor is the brand's latest release. It's a mid-range, video baby monitor with a dual-mode operation that lets you switch between local (non-Wi-Fi) and remote (Wi-Fi/app) viewing, giving parents the flexibility to keep an eye on their baby in the most convenient way. Boasting a 2K resolution, a 350° pan and 110° tilt, infrared night vision, two-way audio, and viewing access for up to 20 family members, this monitor allows you to see it all. With an RRP of £199.99, it packs in a lot of features at a reasonable price point, similar to the Maxi-Cosi See Pro Baby Monitor, £219.99.

• See our pick of the best baby monitors, tried and tested by UK parents

How easy is it to set up the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor?

Setup was quick, easy and pleasant. It took me under 10 minutes from the unboxing to pairing with the app. The only thing that caused confusion was once I scanned the QR code with the monitor I expected there to be a long beep to notify me it had worked; there is only one short beep, and it can be easily missed. You just have to press ‘I heard a prompt' and ‘next’ on the setup to continue – I'd suggest trying this even if you didn’t hear it.

Also, when setting up the Wi-Fi it will ask you for the Wi-Fi password, but it took me a while to realise it was asking for me to enter it and not just waiting for the next page to load – if nothing seems to be happening double check it’s not just asking you to input the Wi-Fi password.

Were the instructions clear and easy to follow?

There is both a quick guide and more in-depth user guide. In both, the instructions were clear and easy to follow, with helpful diagrams for added clarity.

Was it easy to pair the camera to both the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode monitor and the app?

It was extremely easy to pair the first time round. I just followed the prompts in the app, but there is also a detailed walk through, with a screenshot of each step, in the User Guide provided. While we had no problems at home, when we travelled with the monitor, it did struggle to connect to the Wi-Fi, so we mostly used the parent unit. I do believe this was down to the location’s connection, but it made us very grateful for having the monitor included.

What’s the picture quality like on the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor?

The 2K resolution gives a clear view that makes you feel like you are in the room with them, especially in day mode. The night vision on the Momcozy 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor is definitely the best that I have seen from baby monitors, however sometimes the night vision can appear a tad too bright.

How sensitive is the audio pickup on the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor?

The audio can be slightly lagged but the audio pickup is crisp and clear when the baby makes a noise.

What do you think of the two-way talkback feature?

The two-way speaker is loud and clear both ends. It was perfect for guiding your baby back to sleep and ‘Sshing’ without startling, especially when they’re half-asleep.

What is the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor app like?

It literally takes seconds to view using the app. Once connected to your phone, all you have to do is open the app and click on the camera. Sometimes there was a lag when using the app – for example, the first time I used it the app froze to an image of my baby sleeping. This happened due to changing between so many rooms I believe, but it did make me gravitate to the parent unit more. Also, if the app wasn’t refreshed or if the phone wasn’t used for a certain amount of time, my phone would lock, and if you are doing chores around the house this can mean you don’t realise you’ve lost connection. You can set notifications on your phone for this but I often found the parent unit was more reliable.

What do you think of the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor parent unit?

The decent-size screen has beautiful 2K quality and it is simple and easy use. Not too big to carry, not too small to see. I personally loved the size because not only can I see my baby clearly on-screen, but it meant it was easily found around house. I loved the stand that came out of the back and the way I could have it propped up whilst I washed the dishes or made dinner, and I also like that the buttons are backlit so you can easily use the parent unit in the dark. The parent unit never dropped connection when I was using it – sometimes the screen would go off if there was no activity, but this only happened to me once.

Can you control the pan/tilt from the monitor?

Yes, the 350° pan and 110° tilt are brilliant features of this monitor that allow you to adjust the camera when you're not in the room and anytime the baby move out of focus. The 2x and 4x zoom features were also perfect for this too.

How far does the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor parent unit connection stretch?

I could go into any room in the house, as well as the garden, and it would still work clearly – it was just moving around too much that could cause it to occasionally lag.

What is the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor battery life like?

The battery life is much better than other competitors I’ve tried. It claims to last up 20 hours and I went at least 9 hours without charging the parent unit at all, meaning, you can put the baby to sleep and it will last the whole night.

Can multiple caregivers use the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor app?

Yes, up to 20 family members can access the app. It's a great feature of this product, especially as both parents – or family members - can watch the baby even if they are not in the same room as each other.

Does it suit families that live rurally?

Yes definitely; the option of a portable monitor that doesn’t require Wi-Fi means that the Momcozy 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor is perfect for rural areas with bad signal. Also, offline mode gives peace of mind.

How useful is the lullaby feature?

The Momcozy monitor comes with eight built-in lullabies and a choice of 10 volume levels. It’s a really sweet feature that I think could benefit a younger baby greatly, but silence worked better for our 10 month old.

Is the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor portable?

Yes. The camera is sleek and lightweight making it super easy to move between rooms. We also took the monitor away with us and we found it easy to pack, taking up next to no space or weight. My only niggle is that it could benefit from a protective casing or travel bag.

What’s in the box?

• Monitor (5in display)
• Camera unit
• Camera and monitor power adapters (5V 2A)
• Camera charging cable (2.5m)
• Monitor charging cable (1.5m)
• Mounting screws kit
• Wall mount bracket
• User manual
• Quick Guide

How sustainable is the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor?

The packaging is mostly recyclable with minimal plastic. I appreciated that the monitor comes with a 1-year warranty, and that individual cords and mounts are replaceable.

Is the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor worth the money?

At £199.99 I think it's at a competitive price in the market and comes packed full of features you'd find in more expensive monitors. The only thing that this model seems to sacrifice is a detailed sleep analysis, however I think it more than makes up for this with live temperature and movement monitoring.

Where can I buy the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor?

It's available at Momcozy, Amazon and Currys.

MadeForMums verdict

A comprehensive product with a competitive price tag, the Momcozy BM04 5in Dual-Mode Smart Baby Monitor impressed from the start with its sleek, stylish design that feels as modern as it is practical. The 2K camera offers a high-quality viewing both day and night, making every check-in feel reassuringly close. But its real standout feature is the dual-mode functionality that gives parents the freedom to monitor with or without Wi-Fi. Whether you’re home or away, connected or offline, this monitor offers flexibility for the unpredictability of parenthood.

Read more: 

• Best baby monitors tried and tested
• Motorola Nursery VM85 Connect baby monitor review
• Maxi-Cosi See Pro Baby Monitor review
• Angelcare AC25-1 baby monitor review

• Jump to our list of the best baby slings and wraps

Slings and wraps use soft, usually stretchy, fabric that fits to the shape of your baby’s body and they can often be used for babies from newborn right up to toddler years. They are also ideal for both parents of all shapes and sizes, as they are adjusted to your body as you put them on.

We've spoken to sling and carrier expert Hannah Wallace, the owner of Wear My Baby, one of the UK’s leading baby carrier shops and advice service. She's outlined everything you need to know before choosing your sling or wrap, as well as how to choose the best one for you and how to use one safely.

Best baby slings and wraps at a glance

• Best budget baby sling: Juicy Bumbles Baby Sling, from £19.99 at Amazon
• Best wrap for multiple children: Lifft Stretchy Wrap, £39.99 at Amazon
• Best eco-friendly baby sling: Freerider Co. Eucalyptus Baby Sling, £58 at Amazon
• Best baby wrap for hot weather: Ergobaby Aura Baby Wrap, £49.90 at Amazon
• Best baby wrap for upright breastfeeding: Boba Serenity Bamboo, £49 at Amazon
• Best easy-to-adjust baby wrap: Dreamgenii Snuggleroo Baby Carrier, £47.62 at Amazon
• Best size-inclusive baby wrap: Gaia Stretchy Baby Wrap in Organic Cotton, £39.99 at Amazon
• Best baby wrap for making a statement: Joy & Joe Rainbow Stretchy Wrap, from £26 at Joy and Joe
• Best baby wrap for durability: Tag Togs Sa-Be Stretchy Wrap, from £37 at Tag Togs

Use these links to find out more information about baby carriers including how to wear them and why you should consider buying one.

• Why should I use a baby wrap?
• What to remember when using a baby wrap or sling
• How to wear a baby wrap safely?

Here's our pick of the best slings and wraps to buy in 2025

1. Juicy Bumbles Baby Sling, from £19.99

— Best budget baby sling

Suitable from: Birth to 3 years (15kg) | Carrying positions: 3, 2 front parent-facing and 1 world | Machine washable:  Yes | Material: 95% cotton, 5% spandex

Pros: 

• Good value
• Stretchy material
• Comfortable to wear
• Multiple carry positions

Cons:

• Basic design
• Better suited to smaller/younger babies

Coming in at under £20, the sling is made from 95% cotton with a blend of spandex for added stretch, and impressed our testers with the value the Juicy Bumbles Baby Sling offered. Parent tester, Shakira (pictured above), who used the Juicy Bumbles sling with her 4-week-old newborn said: "I thought this would cost a lot more! It provides comfort, an easier lifestyle for mums on the move and is overall a great quality buy."

Our testers found the traditional wrap-around design took a little getting used to and the instructions could have been a bit clearer, but even those who hadn’t previously used a sling before were able to get to grips with the fitting after a few tries.

Parent tester Shakira felt the sling provided a “comfortable” and “secure” carry for her premature newborn.

At 490cm in length, fellow parent tester Danielle found the sling to be “flexible and stretchy” and commented that “it doesn’t dig in or leave any nasty marks on your shoulders or back.”

Available from: Amazon and Juicy Bumbles

2. Lifft Stretchy Wrap, £42.95

— Best baby wrap for multiple children

Suitable from: Birth to 2-3 years (2.5kg to 15kg) | Carrying positions: 1, front parent-facing | Machine washable:  Yes | Material: 94% cotton, 6% elastane | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.3 stars

Pros: 

• Stretchy
• Supportive for twins and toddlers
• Easy-to-follow instructions

Cons:

• Excess material

The Lifft Stretchy Wrap is called stretchy for a reason – the cotton material has a 2-way stretch, which helps make it supportive and snug. There’s a lot of fabric, which means it can be used with babies, twins and toddlers up to around 3 years old. “I love that I’m able to fit my newborn twins in this sling, as well as my chunky toddler,” says home tester Amy, mum of 3 (although, not all 3 at the same time!).

Like many wraps, if you’ve not used one before it may take a little bit of practice to get the knack, although our home testers and Awards judge and sling expert Hannah Wallace praised its easy-to-follow picture instructions. "There were step-by-step photos to show you how to put the wrap around your body and then how to put your child in," said home tester Leanne, mum of 2.

Our testers found the Lifft Stretchy Wrap easy to put on, well-made and highlighted the strong, supportive but stretchy material. As MFM reviewer Georgia, pictured above, said "once baby was in, he seemed very comfortable and content, as well as secure. It's also comfortable to wear because it's so ergonomic." This wrap gets bonus points for being designed by a babywearing consultant and ethically manufactured in Yorkshire.

Read our full MadeForMums review of Lifft Stretchy Wrap here

Available from: Lifft and Amazon

3. Freerider Co. Eucalyptus Baby Sling, £58

— Best eco-friendly baby sling

Suitable from: Birth to around 18 months (3.6kg to 13.6kg) | Carrying positions: 1, front parent-facing | Machine washable: Yes | Material: 100% Tencel

Pros: 

• Eco-friendly
• Super-soft material
• Lightweight
• Stylish

Cons: 

• Pricey
• Better suited to lighter/younger babies than suggested age range

For parents wishing to shop sustainably, the Freerider Co. Eucalyptus Baby Sling is made from ethical, sustainable Tencel materials that are produced by extracting wood pulp from forests and eco-conscious tree farms. MFM parent tester Jen, mum of one, explained why she loved this sling: “It aligns with the values I hope to achieve as a new mum: fashionable, ethical, practical, beneficial for my baby and ergonomic.”

As with most stretchy slings, it is super-comfortable for newborns and our home testers liked how light and soft the Tencel material is. Parent tester Ella, mum of one, found the sling useful for wearing around the house. She said: “My baby feels well-supported, including his leg positioning and I find it very comfortable as long as you maintain good posture.”

The thin, breathable material absorbs 70% more moisture than cotton, according to Freerider Co. However, our awards judge and sling expert Hannah Wallace felt it overpromised on the maximum weight range of 13.6kg and suggested it'd be more comfortable for both mum and baby up to around 7kg.

Available from: Amazon, Freerider Co., Natural Baby Shower

4. Ergobaby Aura Baby Wrap, £59.95

— Best baby wrap for hot weather

Suitable from: Birth to 2 years (3.6kg to 11.3kg) | Carrying positions: 1, front parent-facing | Machine washable: Yes | Material: 100% natural viscose | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.7 stars

Pros:

• Lightweight
• Suits all body types
• Integrated pocket
• Friendly material
• Very breathable

Cons:

• Pricey

This really lightweight viscose fabric made from eucalyptus and acacia makes the Aura a good choice for use in the summer, or for parents who get hot easily.

As with several of the baby wraps, the 5 metre long Aura can be worn by most body types. MFM parent tester, Meena, mum of 3, explained: “At just over 5ft tall, I end up with masses of extra fabric, which you just tie around your waist. It was also big enough and stylish enough for my husband to rock it for a trip to the park.”

The Aura comes with clear, illustrated instructions and links to online how-to videos. “I found watching the videos the best way to learn how to use this style of wrap,” said Meena. It also has a handy label and leading-edge stitching to help make tying a breeze.

Read our full MadeForMums Ergobaby Aura Baby Wrap review

Available from: Amazon and Natural Baby Shower

5. Boba Serenity Bamboo, from £49

— Best baby wrap for upright breastfeeding

Suitable from: Birth to 2-3 years (3kg to 16kg) | Carrying positions: 1, front parent-facing | Machine washable: Yes | Material: 68% viscose from bamboo, 25% cotton, 7% spandex | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.4 stars

Pros:

• Breathable fabric
• Allows for upright breastfeeding
• Wide choice of colours and patterns
• Breathable

Cons: 

• Difficult to adjust whilst in use
• Very stretchy fabric takes getting used to
• Pricey

The Serenity Wrap comes in 8 plain colours and 2 patterned designs. MFM parent reviewer Alex, mum of 2, liked the gender-neutral colour choices and said: "the fabric felt incredibly soft, luxurious and breathable thanks to the moisture-wicking bamboo material. I also liked the colour – Rainforest, a darkish green... this one is particularly versatile and unisex."

The ergonomic design and upright positioning follow the TICKS guidelines and is recognised by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute as a ‘hip-healthy’ product. “This was a revelation for me, especially as a second-time mum,” said Alex, who added that it was: "Extremely easy, discreet and convenient." However, she also said: “The wrap is designed for breastfeeding in an upright hold only and it’s best done standing up. This may not suit everyone as the latch is different to the standard cradle hold.”

Read our full MadeForMums Boba Serenity Bamboo wrap review

Available from: Amazon and Kiddies Kingdom

6. Dreamgenii Snuggleroo Baby Carrier, £45

— Best easy-to-adjust baby wrap

Suitable from: Birth to around 12 months (15kg) | Carrying positions: 3, front parent-facing, front world-facing and hip | Machine washable:  Yes |  Material: 100% cotton

Pros: 

• Clear instructions
• Soft cotton material
• Very easy to adjust
• Multiple carry positions
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Pricey
• Needs to be washed in a laundry bag due to buckles

If you feel daunted by a long fabric wrap, then the Dreamgenii Snuggleroo Baby Carrier might fit the bill. It's easy to slip on over your head, before you place your baby inside and pull the 2 adjustable straps to get the desired fit. An additional support band adds another level of comfort and support for the baby – and reassurance for the wearer. Designed to "recreate the movement and tight embrace of the womb" the Dreamgenii Snuggleroo is suitable for use from birth to 12 months, in a choice of 3 carry positions.

It's a great option for those who want a stretchy wrap, but need more structure and support in the design. Our parent testers praised the ease of adjustment, with MFM parent tester Kayleigh, who tested this with her 4 month old, saying, "It was very quick and easy to put on with no adjustment needed after the first wear."

Parent tester Sephira, who tested the carrier with her 5 month old (pictured above), also rated the clear instructions, which she said "described the process, step-by-step and provided links to videos for more support." She added, "I thought I wouldn't be able to fit my child in comfortably, but I felt so confident with the instructions given."

Available from: Amazon, Argos and Baby Central

7. Gaia Stretchy Baby Wrap in Organic Cotton, £24.99

— Best size-inclusive baby wrap

Suitable from: Birth to around 3 years (3.6kg to 15kg) | Carrying positions: 1, front parent-facing | Machine washable:  Yes | Material: 100% organic cotton

Pros:

• Comfortable
• Sustainable
• Clear instructions
• Fits a wide range of sizes of wearer
• Organic cotton

Cons:

• Material not as stretchy as some other wraps
• Limited colour choice

Made from soft 100% certified organic cotton, the Gaia Stretchy Baby Wrap is a stylish and sustainable choice for eco-conscious families. Naturally anti-bacterial, biodegradable and free from chemical dyes, its planet-friendly credentials really impressed our parent testers, with our MFM parent tester Eleanor commenting that "the high quality cotton, good ethics in production and values around sustainability would influence my decision to choose this."

With easy to follow instructions – which one parent tester was very pleased to spot were also sewn into the baby wrap for how-to help on the go – and a lightweight feel, the Gaia is a good option for those new to babywearing.

MFM parent tester, Samantha, who tried out the Gaia wrap with her 13-week-old baby, said, "It's extremely comfortable. I put it on in the morning and usually do not take it off until evening time when my child is ready for bed. I highly rate this in regards to comfort." While the manufacturers claim it offers 3 carry positions, these are all variations on a front parent-facing position, which you can move through from newborn to baby to toddler.

At 5m in length, the wrap claims to be size-inclusive, which it certainly is in comparison with some of the others in our round-up. MFM parent tester Eleanor, pictured above, who tested the wrap with her 4-month-old daughter, said "I am a size 20/22 and was pleased to find that it fit me perfectly and comfortably. My husband is a size XL and also had no problems fitting the sling around his body."

Available from: Amazon, Gaia, John Lewis and Natural Baby Shower

7. Joy & Joe Rainbow Stretchy Wrap Bamboo, from £26

— Best baby wrap for making a statement

Suitable from: Birth to 3 years (16kg) | Carrying positions: 1, front parent-facing | Machine washable: Yes | Material: 100% organic cotton or bamboo and cotton | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.0 stars

Pros: 

• Colourful design
• Choice of fabrics
• Washes well
• Includes matching bag and hat

Cons:

• Takes time to master how to fit
• Bright design might not be to everyone's taste

This brightly coloured rainbow stretch wrap is ideal for newborns and is very soft, with a choice of either organic cotton or a bamboo/cotton mix fabrics. The Joy & Joe wrap is a fun and adorable take on a classic wrap. Our testers found it secure, comfortable and relatively easy to fit.  Sling expert Katy Blundell loved the bright, vibrant colours, saying: "It felt well-made with good quality stitching and a lovely amount of stretch."

The material is machine washable and feels durable. As it is a wrap rather than a structured sling it will take a bit of practice to get it right, although it does come with video instructions to help. It's great choice for experienced baby wearers who want something that will really make a statement. Parent tester Kayleigh, pictured above, who tested this with her 2 month old said: “So easy to wash, no bobbling or shrinkage and air dries very quickly on a clothes horse! It’s lovely material and looks gorgeous."

Read our full MadeForMums Joy & Joe Rainbow Stretchy Wrap Bamboo review

Available from: Joy & Joe, Bambino Baby

9. Tag Togs Sa-Be Stretchy Wrap, from £34

— Best baby wrap for durability

Suitable from: Birth to 2-3 years (2.5kg to 15kg) | Carrying positions: 1, front parent-facing | Machine washable: Yes | Material: 100% cotton | MFM Review Star Rating: 4.3 stars

Pros: 

• Lots of colour choices
• Durable material
• Easy to wash

Cons: 

• Bulky and thick material
• Less supportive for toddlers
• Can be hot to wear in summer

The handmade Tag Togs Sa-Be Stretchy Wrap was popular with our testers due to its comfort for both parent and baby plus its stability; however, the thick, double-layered material could be hot to wear in warmer weather. "On the first use, my daughter fell pretty much straight to sleep, so I think that speaks for itself that it’s comfortable for her," said parent tester Bethany, mum of one.

Made from 100% jersey cotton, the sling is: "Really easy to wash," and hasn’t "overstretched or sagged," according to Bethany.

While parents need to read the instructions carefully to put on this wrap correctly, it is easy to use with practice according to our testers. As with most stretchy wraps, this is great for newborns but might not offer enough support and stability for toddlers. However, parent tester Matthew, dad of 2, commented: "our baby is particularly large but the Sa-Be makes carrying him comfortable and relatively easy."

Read our full MadeForMums Tag Togs Sa-Be Stretchy Wrap review

Available from: Tag Togs

Why should I use a baby wrap?

Hannah describes the reasons why baby wraps and slings are a great choice.

“They’re incredibly practical – you have your hands free and a baby sling takes up far less room than a stroller. Plus, there's no upper limit to how many hours a day you can carry your baby, so long as they’re safely fitted in the carrier and their airways are protected (see the TICKS guidelines, below).

They can be comfier than baby carriers – though you can wear them for trips outside, the soft, stretchy fabric is ultra-comfy and there are no buckles or clips to dig in, so they are comfortable case for wearing them around the house.

A well-fitted baby wrap can help postnatal recovery – wearing your baby helps with bonding, as it promotes the flow Oxytocin (the ‘love hormone’) and can help alleviate the symptoms of postnatal depression. They can also gradually increase your strength and fitness after the birth, as you carry your growing baby.

Babies feel happy and settled in baby wraps and slings – your newborn will feel calmed and comforted by your body’s movements and the sound of your heartbeat. It’s good for their physical, cognitive and emotional development too, as they’re able to engage with you and with the world around them. Being held upright is also great for their digestion, helps avoid colic and wind and has many of the same benefits as tummy time.

They're designed to be accommodating for different sizes – There's a common misconception that wraps are better suited to women but I’ve fitted them to thousands of men who love them and find them super comfy. You can even use them with twins!”

What to remember when using a baby wrap or sling

Hannah says:

“Baby wraps and slings can be used from day one – your baby can literally go from womb to wrap. Have a practice tying it (with a doll or teddy) before your baby arrives, then pop it into your hospital bag. Though they may look tricky to begin with, it’s easy once you’ve had a few practise tries.

Stretchy wraps can be pre-tied – tie one on at the start of the day and leave it on, like a piece of clothing. Then just pop your baby in and out as needed. Easy!

Baby wraps and slings are ideal for the first few months – though they are often safety tested to be able to carry a toddler, realistically once you baby gets heavier, parents tend to move on to a baby carrier that offers multiple carrying positions (parent facing, outwards facing, back and hip carrying).

You may need more than one carrier – a soft wrap for the early months, especially around the house, then a more long-lasting, multi-position carrier to last up to toddler years.

How to wear a baby wrap safely?

Babies should always be carried upright – so that their airways are open and clear. Babies should never be carried in a lying down, ‘cradle’ position.

Make sure it is well tightened – This is so that your baby cannot slump inside it. If your baby carrier is too big or too loose, your baby’s chin can drop down onto their chest, which could compromise their airways.

Always make sure you can see your baby’s face – Never cover your baby’s face with any fabric. Babies should be positioned high up on your chest and be close enough for you to easily kiss the top of their head without craning your neck.

Be sure not to overheat your baby – As a rough rule of thumb when carrying, your body counts as one layer of clothing, the baby wrap is at least one more and if you’re in a warm place that’s a third – so make sure they’re not overdressed.

Remember the T.I.C.K.S guidelines – This is a handy reminder of what to check for when using a baby carrier (Tight, In view at all times, Close enough to kiss, Keep chin off the chest, Supported back).

Right now Yoto has knocked 20% off the 3rd generation Yoto Player and latest Yoto Mini, as well as cases, headphones and other accessories. They've even taken 15% off all Yoto cards – perfect for stocking fillers.

Yoto Players are one of the most in-demand pieces of children’s technology at the moment, thanks to their colourful design, vast collection of stories and the screen-free entertainment they provide.

In our independent Yoto Plater review, the Yoto scored an impressive 4.7 out of 5, so if you've been waiting to buy one, don't delay any longer. You can also check out some of our Yoto guides like the best new Yoto cards.

Plus check out the best teen advent calendars and best kids advent calendars.

Best Yoto October Prime Day deals at a glance

• Get 15% off all Yoto Cards
• Yoto Mini Adventure Jacket | £19.99 £15.99 (save £4 or 20%)
• Yoto Player Adventure Jacket | £24.99 £19.99 (save £5 or 20%)
• Yoto Player Wired Headphones | £24.99 £19.99 (save £5 or 20%)
• Yoto Card Case | £24.99 £19.99 (save £5 or 20%)
• Yoto Wireless Charging Dock | £29.99 £23.99 (save £6 or 20%)
• Yoto Mini Travel Case | £29.99 £23.99 (save £6 or 20%)
• Yoto Player Wireless Headphones | £34.99 £27.99 (save £7 or 20%)
• Yoto Mini | £59.99 £47.99 (save £12 or 20%)
• Yoto Mini + Gruffalo bundle | £79.99 £63.99 (save £16 or 20%)
• Yoto Player (3rd Generation) |£89.99 £71.99 (save £18 or 20%)
• Yoto Mini + Pixar bundle | £89.99 £71.99 (save £18 or 20%)
• Yoto Player and Starter Pack for Little Kids Bundle | £99.99 £79.99 (save £20 or 20%)
• Yoto Player and Starter Pack for Big Kids Bundle | £99.99 £79.99 (save £20 or 20%)
• Yoto Make Your Own Bundle | £102.90 £83.35 (save £19.55 or 19%)
• Yoto Player, cards, case and headphones bundle | £152
• Yoto Mini, cards, case and headphones bundle | £143

Best Yoto Player deals to shop this Amazon October Prime Day

Yoto Player (3rd Generation) |£89.99 £71.99 (save £18 or 20%)

If you’re just looking for a Yoto Player, then you can grab a 20% discount on both Yoto's own site and Amazon, taking the price to just £71.99. The set comes with a Yoto Player, a free make your own card, and a quick start guide to help you set up.

• Yoto Player (3rd Generation) |£89.99 £71.99 (save £18 or 20%) at Yoto
• Yoto Player (3rd Generation) | £89.99 £71.99 (save £18 or 20%) at Amazon

Yoto Mini | £59.99 £47.99 (save £12 or 20%)

You can also save 20% on the Yoto Mini, the perfect little portable companion, which makes travel with kids that much easier.

Yoto Mini | £59.99 £47.99 (save £12 or 20%) at Yoto

Yoto Mini + Gruffalo bundle | £79.99 £63.99 (save £16 or 20%)

If you're a fan of Julia Donaldson, this bundle includes the Yoto Mini and six cards dedicated to her wonderful works. This includes The Gruffalo, The Snail and the Whale, Room on the Broom and more.

Yoto Mini + Gruffalo bundle | £79.99 £63.99 (save £16 or 20%) at Amazon

Yoto Mini + Pixar bundle | £89.99 £71.99 (save £18 or 20%)

For Pixar lovers, this bundle includes stories from the worlds of Toy Story, Finding Nemo, Brave and Monsters Inc.

Yoto Mini + Pixar bundle | £89.99 £71.99 (save £18 or 20%) at Amazon

Yoto Player, cards, case and headphones bundle | £152

If you want to buy all-things Yoto in one go, this Kid Collective bundle features the Yoto Player, headphones, an adventure jacket and your choice of card bundles. Plus there's a version for the Yoto Mini too.

• Yoto Player, cards, case and headphones bundle | £152 at Kid Collective
• Yoto Mini, cards, case and headphones bundle | £143 at Kid Collective

Yoto Player Starter Pack bundle | £99.99 £79.99 (save £20 or 20%)

The Yoto Player Starter Pack bundle is on sale at Yoto and Amazon. There is either the Little Kids Bundle featuring five cards of pre-school songs, stories and activities, plus a Make Your Own Card. Or the Big Kids bundle with a more educational selection of music and lessons.

• Yoto Player and Starter Pack for Little Kids Bundle | £99.99 £79.99 (save £20 or 20%) at Amazon
• Yoto Player and Starter Pack for Big Kids Bundle | £99.99 £79.99 (save £20 or 20%) at Amazon

Yoto Make Your Own Bundle | £102.90 £83.35 (save £19.55 or 19%)

This bundle features five black Make Your Own Cards to go with your new Yoto Player, this means you can put whatever songs, playlists, podcasts or stories on it you like. Find out more with our guide to how to make your own Yoto cards.

Yoto Make Your Own Bundle | £102.90 £83.35 (save £19.55 or 19%) at Natural Baby Shower

Get 15% off all Yoto Cards

You can get 15% off all Yoto Cards in the autumn sale – this includes everything from Pixar's Coco to Harry Potter to Mary Shelley's Frankenstein!

Get 15% off all Yoto Cards at Yoto

Yoto Player Adventure Jacket | £24.99 £19.99 (save £5 or 20%)

The Yoto Adventure Jacket and Yoto Mini jacket are both on sale with 20% off. These handy protective cases are available in several colours including Fruit Punch (orange), Frog Soup (green), Grape Soda (purple), Blue Bird (blue), and Think Pink (pink).

• Yoto Player Adventure Jacket | £24.99 £19.99 (save £5 or 20%) at Yoto
• Yoto Mini Adventure Jacket | £19.99 £15.99 (save £4 or 20%) at Yoto

Yoto Player Wireless Headphones | £34.99 £27.99 (save £7 or 20%)

Want your little one to be able to listen to their Yoto in privacy? These wireless headphones are available for 20% off. As are the wired headphones, now £19.99.

• Yoto Player Wireless Headphones | £34.99 £27.99 (save £7 or 20%) at Yoto
• Yoto Player Wired Headphones | £24.99 £19.99 (save £5 or 20%) at Yoto

Yoto Card Case | £24.99 £19.99 (save £5 or 20%) 

The Yoto Card Case and Yoto Mini Travel Case are also on sale for 20% off, taking the price down to £19.99 and £23.99 respectively.

• Yoto Card Case | £24.99 £19.99 (save £5 or 20%) at Yoto
• Yoto Mini Travel Case | £29.99 £23.99 (save £6 or 20%) at Yoto

Yoto Wireless Charging Dock | £29.99 £23.99 (save £6 or 20%)

This easy wireless charging dock is now £23.99, instead of £29.99.

• Yoto Wireless Charging Dock | £29.99 £23.99 (save £6 or 20%) at Yoto
• Yoto Wireless Charging Dock | £29.99 £23.99 (save £6 or 20%) at Amazon

You can also check out the best Toniebox 2 bundles and best teen advent calendars.

• Jump to our list of the best baby carriers

There are huge variety of different styles that allow you to carry your baby on your front, side or back. Some carriers can be used from the birth of your baby, others have a minimum weight limit. While most parents get the maximum use out of them in the first 18 months or so, many can actually be used to carry children aged three years or even more; in fact, one carrier on our list could be suitable up to the age of 7.

To compile this list, we tested a range of carriers with our parent testers and their babies, as well as consulting babywearing experts and midwives for their advice. We also compared the carriers, looking at their fabrication, features, padding and support to come up with a list that caters for all requirements.

Best baby carriers at a glance:

• Best baby carrier for easy fitting: Joie Savvy Baby Carrier, £99.99 at Very
• Best newborn baby carrier: Ergobaby Embrace Baby Carrier, £99.99 £84.91 at Amazon (Save £15.08 or 15%)
• Best budget buy baby carrier: Infantino Flip 4 in 1 Convertible Baby Carrier, £26 £21.92 at Amazon (Save £4.08 or 16%)
• Best baby carrier for parents of different sizes: Ergobaby Omni Breeze Baby Carrier, £184.90 at Boots
• Best baby carrier for back support: BabyBjörn Harmony Baby Carrier, £208.90 £142.14 at Amazon (Save £66.76 or 32%)
• Best eco-friendly baby carrier: Mamaruga Zebulo, £145 at Amazon
• Best compact baby carrier: Integra Baby Carrier, from £85 at Integra Baby
• Best baby carrier for parent-facing: Baby Tula Free to Grow Baby Carrier, £132.08 at Amazon
• Best carrier for toddlers: Tula Pre-school Carrier, £149 at Tula
• Best baby carrier for breastfeeding mums: Beco Gemini Baby Carrier, £59.99 £39.99 at Amazon (Save £20 or 33%)
• Best baby carrier for adjustability: Infantino Hug & Cuddle Adjustable Hybrid Wrap baby carrier, £54.99 £38.49 at Amazon (Save £16.50 or 30%)

Jump to what to look for when choosing a baby carrier, with advice from a sling and carrier expert
Jump to what are the alternatives to a baby carrier?
Jump to how to wear a baby carrier safely

Here's our pick of the best baby carriers to buy in 2025

1. Joie Savvy Baby Carrier, £100

Best baby carrier for easy fitting

Suitable from: birth to 3 years | Carrying positions: 4 — newborn front facing parent, front facing parent, front facing out,  on back facing parent | Machine washable: Yes | MFM star rating: 4.8

Pros:

• Good support for you and baby
• Magnetic clips
• Easy to fit

Cons:

• Buckles and clips may be difficult to negotiate at first

This carrier offers plenty of comfort for parents thanks to the well-padded straps and a really good lumbar spine cushion. It’s also good for your baby’s development, allowing their spine to be held in a natural C-shape and their hips and legs in the M-position certified by the Hip Dysplasia Institute.

Our home testers found that the bib-style buckles at the front make it easy to get your baby in and out of the carrier. You can put the entire carrier on first and make most of the adjustments, then put your child in by lowering the front 'apron' and doing up the magnetic clips. This also makes switching positions a little easier. Parent tester Helen liked how easy it was to use in different ways, saying: "to swap positions from parent-facing to outward-facing is very simple – just an adjustment of the buttons at the front."

Read our full MadeForMums Joie Savvy baby carrier review

Available from: Very, Kiddies Kingdom and Ebebek

2. Ergobaby Embrace Baby Carrier, £99.90

Best baby carrier for newborns

Suitable from: birth to 1 year | Carrying positions: 2 — front facing parent, front facing out | Machine washable: Yes | MFM star rating: 4.8

Pros:

• Good for very small babies
• Soft fabric

Cons:

• Doesn’t have a very long life
• Only 2 carrying positions

Available in two fabrics – a soft jersey knit or a cool mesh that’s great for warmer weather, the Ergobaby Embrace is made with a simple design that has just three clips to secure your baby in place, and it’s ideal for the fourth trimester when you might wear your baby on a daily basis.

Parent tester Lacey said it had already made life easier, describing it as: "very comfortable and lightweight." Because the fabric is so soft, it moulds to your baby’s shape to keep them comfortable and snug. It can be used from birth as long as your baby weighs more than 3.2kg and you can continue to use it up to 25lbs (approximately 9 months).

Parent tester Laura, who tested this with her 8-week-old baby (pictured above), said both her and her husband loved the carrier and found it easy to use, but did note that an extra pair of hands can be useful: "it's very easy to use with only a few simple clips to fasten before you're ready to go, but we did struggle to do this on our own and often needed someone else to assist with the fastenings whilst the wearer held baby in place."

Read our full MadeForMums Ergobaby Embrace baby carrier review

Available from: Mamas and Papas, Kiddies Kingdom, Amazon and Ergobaby

3. Infantino Flip 4 in 1 Convertible Baby Carrier, £36

Best budget buy baby carrier

Suitable from: birth to 2.5 years (3.6 to 14.5kg) | Carrying positions: 4 – front facing newborn, front facing parent, front facing out, back facing parent | Machine washable: Yes | MFM star rating: 3.5

Pros:

• Good price
• Good range of carrying positions

Cons:

• May not be as comfortable and durable as other models
• May not be good for very small babies

If you're interested in babywearing but on a tight budget, this is a great price for a carrier that our parent testers really rate. It can be used in 4 positions, including as a newborn carrier. It is adjustable so that it can fit different parents or carers and it will also continue to fit your baby as they grow.

It has a good and supportive waist belt that helps to distribute your baby’s weight across your torso and pelvis and thus avoid back strain and there’s a bib to protect the fabric from drool and dribble and keep the carrier looking better for longer.

Parent tester Megan was impressed, she said: "we love it. It’s easy to use and to adjust sizes between me and my partner when each of us is using it."

Read our full MadeForMums Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 baby carrier review

Available from: Argos and Amazon

4. Ergobaby Omni Breeze Baby Carrier, from £184.90

Best baby carrier for parents of different sizes

Suitable from: birth to 4 years (3.2kg to 20kg) | Carrying positions: 4 – front-facing parent, front-facing out, hip and back | Machine washable: Yes | MFM star rating: 4.5

Pros:

• Adjustable head support
• Suitable for all body types
• Four carrying positions
• Super breathable
• Lightweight
• Privacy hood
• Detachable front pocket

Cons:

• High price point

"This has actually blown my mind!" was the reaction of one of our parent testers who was so impressed with the features of the Omni Breeze. With SoftFlex Mesh breathable fabric, the Omni Breeze carrier provides maximum airflow, making it a great baby carrier for warmer days. According to the Ergobaby website, it is 50% cooler than similarly comparable mesh baby carriers. The fabric is super lightweight and breathable and perfect for warm weather.

"For those looking for something for newborn through to 4 years, it’s a winner – if you’re happy to spend a bit of money, of course," noted parent tester Claire in her review of the Ergobaby Omni Breeze. It has brilliant support when outward facing, good breathability, excellent lumbar support and easy adjustability around the head and neck area.

"The carrier makes your baby feel almost weightless, plus it adapts to you and your baby’s shape; the functionality is super and it’s a breeze to put on and adjust. From teething solutions and breastfeeding privacy to being seen in the dark, the designers have thought of everything and more with the Breeze" Claire added, who tested this with their 4-month-old twins.

Providing an easy, adjustable fit for both baby and parents of different sizes, the Ergobaby Omni Breeze is certainly a hardworking and comfortable carrier that will last from newborn to 4 years.

Read our full MadeForMums ErgoBaby Omni Breeze baby carrier review

Available from: Boots, Amazon and Ergobaby

5. BabyBjörn Harmony Baby Carrier, £208.90

Best baby carrier for back support

Suitable from: birth to 3 years (3.2kg to 15kg) | Carrying positions: 4 – front newborn position, front facing parent, front facing out, back | Machine washable: Yes | MFM star rating: 4.5

Pros:

• Good back support
• Premium fabric
• Grows with baby
• Lumbar support in the waist panel

Cons:

• High price point

With a wide seat area and adjustable support for young babies, the BabyBjörn Harmony carrier has been carefully designed for hip health, keeping your baby’s hips and legs in the deep M-shape that experts agree is the healthiest position for babywearing. The head support can be adjusted through 3 positions to keep even tiny newborns’ heads supported and it’s super easy to adjust as they grow, using simple poppers.

Similar to the Joie Savvy, this carrier has an apron design with front clips that help you get your baby in and out easily and is  simple to adjust to the wearer’s body shape. It has good padding on the shoulder straps, belt and good back support to keep you comfortable even when wearing your baby for long stretches.

Sling expert Katy Blundell was impressed with the quality of the carrier, describing it as "well-made with lovely breathable fabric." It may be more expensive than some but has been designed to be used for 3 years, so it will grow with your baby and represents good value for money.

Parent tester Alannah, who tested this with their 3 month old (pictured), said "my husband found it really comfortable and supportive. It didn’t hurt his lower back or shoulders which the older carrier did."

Read our full MadeForMums BabyBjorn Harmony baby carrier review

Available from: BabyBjorn, Kiddies Kingdom Mamas & Papas, John Lewis and Amazon

6. Mamaruga Zebulo, £145

Best eco-friendly baby carrier

Suitable from: birth to 2.5/3 years (3 to 20kg) | Carrying positions: 3 – front facing parent, back facing parent, hip | Machine washable: Yes, on cold

Pros:

• Ethically made
• Organic fabrics
• Comfy for parent and baby
• Inclusive fit range
• Fun patterns

Cons:

• On the pricier side
• No world facing option
• Tricky to get the hang of at first

Mamaruga is run by 2 passionate babywearers and mums, and the Zebulo is a great quality carrier designed to keep your baby close from birth up to around 2.5 years of age. Made from 100% organic natural fabrics and woven by crafts people in Türkiye, it’s a fantastic sustainable, ethical and eco-friendly choice that’s durable and looks great.

Designed to be used from birth in the front, parent facing position, it holds your baby in a comfortable and ergonomic position, with their hips and spine in the best M-shape for growth and development. You can also use the Zebulo as a hip carrier, or as a parent facing back carrier once your baby can sit unaided.

While our parent tester, Beth (pictured), who tested the carrier with her 6-month-old baby, felt the carrier was a little tricky to get the hang of at first, by her 4th attempt she felt confident enough to put it on by herself. She explained, "the back straps that need to be pulled upwards are tricky to do as it’s quite an unnatural movement. Again, practise and learning which straps to adjust made it easier to do solo."

Beth also agrees with the brand’s claim that the Zebulo is "inclusive" and "designed to be used by everyone" as it felt just as comfortable for petite Beth to wear as it did for her 6ft husband.

Beth also praised the comfort levels for her son, who hasn’t always felt comfortable in baby carriers: "once fastened in, he is very calm in the Zebulo and starts babbling away to himself, taking in all of the surroundings. Each time we’ve gone for a walk in this carrier, he’s fallen asleep after 30 minutes or so."

Available from: Mamaruga and Amazon

7. Integra Baby Carrier, from £85

Best compact baby carrier

Suitable from: birth to 5 years (3.2kg to 24kg) | Carrying positions: 2 – back and front | Machine washable: Yes | MFM star rating: 4.3

Pros:

• Modern prints
• Great value
• Supportive
• Compact

Cons:

• Doesn’t suit every body shape

Created by mum of 3, Sarah Sadler, the Integra Baby Carrier is designed to be compact but supportive for your baby. Sling expert and babywearing consultant Hannah Wallace commented that the Integra has “all the feel of a wrap, but was much easier to use” and praised the lack of bulkiness and thick padding. However, she recommends trying the Integra first to check how well it fits your body shape.

Parent tester Paul, dad of two, said, "the Integra is a great carrier; it’s compact but also felt comfortable for our little one and supportive for my back. It is high quality – the material looks and feels great. We loved the design, which is cheerful for kids but modern for parents too."

Made to last your baby up to their toddler years, it comes in 3 sizes, with Size 1 suitable from birth until around 2 years, Size 2 from 18 months to around 3 years and Size 3 from 3 years up to 5 (admittedly, for "shorter carrying moments," as the brand points out).

Read our full MadeForMums Integra Baby Carrier review

Available from: Integra Baby and Babi Pur

8. Baby Tula Free-to-Grow Baby Carrier, £139.90

Best baby carrier for parent-facing

Suitable from: birth to 4 years (3.2kg to 20kg) | Carrying positions: 2 – front facing parent, back facing parent | Machine washable: Yes, on cold | MFM star rating: 4.6

Pros:

• Great for bonding
• Simple design
• Lots of prints available

Cons:

• Only 2 carrying positions (no forward facing option)

This carrier has gained lots of praise from our testers who all commented on how comfortable and supportive it is. It’s easy to use and the carrier distributes your baby’s weight evenly across your torso to help prevent backache. It has a simple and straightforward design that does not have surplus clips, buckles or pockets but has an adjustable section where your baby sits that grows with them up to toddler years. It comes in lots of different prints and colours in a high quality fabric and can be folded up and popped into a changing bag or under the stroller when not in use.

This carrier does not have a world-facing option, but instead is optimised for a comfortable parent-facing carry, or (as the child gets old) a back carry position. This does mean fewer options, but the benefit is a really good ergonomically-designed front carry that's likely to keep your child comfortable and content for longer. Parent tester Abigail found it useful for settling her 8-month-old daughter adding, "she gets excited when she sees the carrier as she likes to be in it."

Read our full MadeForMums Baby Tula Free to Grow baby carrier review

Available from: Tula, Babipur and Amazon

9. Tula Pre-school Carrier, £149.90

Best carrier for toddlers

Suitable from: 4 to 7 years (16kg to 31.8kg) | Carrying positions: 2 – back and front | Machine washable: Yes | MFM star rating: 4.5

Pros:

• Offers extended carrying
• Extra supportive carrier panel

Cons:

• Not suitable for people with back problems
• On the pricier side

With reinforced construction and an extra-large carrier panel, the Tula Pre-school carrier allows parents to comfortably carry kids from toddler years and beyond. Babywearing expert, Hannah Wallace explained, "this is really good value for extended carrying and offers something new and important to the market. It is ideal if your child is in age 3 to 4 years clothes and you’ve outgrown your baby/toddler carrier."

MFM parent tester Rachel, mum of 1, found it to be a great fit for her child and said,  "I haven’t used my stroller since I’ve had it on test. My pre-schooler loves it, says he’s super comfy and calls it the ‘carry cuddle’!:

While our home testers found the padded shoulder straps comfortable, they warned that this carrier is not necessarily suitable for someone with back problems. "Initially comfortable and felt very supportive but after about 5 minutes my back was very strained when used front-facing. I have a bad back (thanks kids!) and found that I wouldn’t be able to use the carrier for very long," said home tester Lucy, mum of 2.

Read our full MadeForMums Tula Pre-school carrier review

Available from: Tula

10. Beco Gemini Baby Carrier, £79.99

Best baby carrier for breastfeeding mums

Suitable from: birth to 3 years (3.5 to 15kg) | Carrying positions: 4 – front facing parent, front facing out, back facing parent, hip | Machine washable: Yes, on cold

Pros:

• Simple to use
• Good support
• Breastfeeding-friendly

Cons:

• May not be as comfortable with an older baby

This lightweight carrier is made from cool mesh fabric that's breathable yet durable. It can be used from birth up to 3 years and you can wear your baby facing you in the early months, then facing the world once they can hold their head up, and finally on your back as they head towards toddler years. It has good padding on the waist belt to avoid back strain and an adjustable chest strap to evenly distribute your baby’s weight. There’s even a handy pocket on the waistband for a packet of wipes or a muslin. Parent tester Sami tested it with her baby and said, "one of the best things I bought for my baby. We've used it so much! Perfect for dog walking too, as you have 2 free hands and great for beach walking and forests."

As there's no fabric between the baby and the wearer's body, it's easy to use for breastfeeding mothers too, as all you need to do when your baby is facing you is to loosen the side buckle, allowing your baby to lean sideways to reach your breast. Always remember to return your child to the upright position and do up the buckle again when you have finished nursing.

Available from: Amazon

11. Infantino Hug & Cuddle Adjustable Hybrid Wrap baby carrier, £69.99

Best baby carrier for adjustability

Suitable from: birth to 11.8kg | Carrying positions: 1 | Machine washable: Yes | MFM star rating: 4.3

Pros:

• Easy to adjust
• Comfortable to wear
• Ergonomic
• Suitable for newborns
• Easy to clean

Cons:

• Only parent facing
• Lacks sturdiness
• Limited age usage

The Infantino Hug & Cuddle Adjustable Hybrid Wrap Carrier uses elements from both structured baby carriers and fabric wraps to create a baby carrier that is easy to put on and adjust.

Combining style and function, the Hug & Cuddle is a good choice for parents with a newborn or young baby, at a price that makes it affordable for many.

"With my newborn, I found it easier to pull the seat fabric inwards to make the seat narrower while not wearing the carrier and then adjust as needed once he was snug inside," parent tester Helen noted in her review of the Hug & Cuddle. "The adjustable belt and straps mean that your baby is held close and tight to you, while the wrap parts and cuddle cover offer head support where needed."

Overall, if you're looking for a comfortable, easy to adjust option that won't break the bank, then the Hug & Cuddle carrier from Infantino is a great pick.

Read the full MadeForMums Infantino Hug & Cuddle Adjustable Hybrid Wrap baby carrier review

Available from: Amazon and BabyCity

What to look for when choosing a baby carrier:

Sling and carrier expert Hannah Wallace is the owner of Wear My Baby, one of the UK’s leading baby carrier shops and advice services. Here, she’s outlined everything you need to know before choosing your baby carrier. She then shares her advice on how to use one safely.

Get the right size: Choosing a baby carrier is a lot like choosing jeans, shoes or a bra – how it fits depends both on your body shape and your preferences of what feels good on your body. For example, mums who are very petite and/or have large breasts should generally avoid very bulky carriers that have internal harnesses. I spend a lot of time looking parents up and down and assessing which carriers will be perfect for their size and shape! I can almost always find carriers that will fit both mum and dad, so you don’t necessarily need two carriers – but if you get the opportunity to try on a wide range of carriers, you may find that you have different favourites.

 Get the right fit : Remember that how a carrier is fitted is just as important as which one you choose. If not well fitted, even the fanciest, high-end carrier may not offer optimal safety for your baby and can put a strain on your back and shoulders. It’s worth getting advice from baby carrier experts or your local sling library, where they can help you get the most comfortable fit.

Carrying positions: Baby carriers come with a range of positions that will help you and your baby to get a comfortable fit as they grow. From 4 months (to around 10 months) your baby can be carried facing outwards – make sure they can hold their head up well and that they are big enough for their mouth to be clear of the carrier. It’s not essential to carry your baby facing outwards – letting them ride with their arms out of the carrier is a great alternative – but many babies enjoy facing forwards and discovering the world whilst still being held snugly against the parent. Your baby will feel heavier as their weight will be pulling away from you, so only do so for short periods of time (30-45 minutes is ideal) and never when they are asleep. Many carriers can also be used for hip carrying (from 5 to 6 months) and back carrying (from 6 to 9 months).

Ease of cleaning: It’s common for parents to use their baby carriers for several hours a day, several days per week, for a couple of years, so it’ll no doubt get dribbled, chewed and vomited on. It’s worth checking if you can pop it in the washing machine or if it’s suitable for wipe cleaning only.

Cost: Most carriers tend to sit around the £130 to £150 price point, but there are much cheaper ones available. Price isn’t necessarily an indication of quality when it comes to carriers, as some of the lesser-known and more affordable brands performed as well as higher-priced brands in our tests. The most important thing is to find a baby carrier that fits you well and that you can use easily.

What are the alternatives to a baby carrier?

If you’re after a soft, stretchy wrap to wear with your baby rather than a structured carrier, we’ve also rounded up the best baby wraps and slings with our parent testers. Ideal for smaller newborns, slings differ from baby carriers in that they don’t usually have clips, buckles or buttons, and have to be tied to fit securely, which will take practise.

Backpack carriers are also great for parents who like to head places a buggy would struggle to go, whether this is an epic mountain trek or just the local market. Back carriers are suitable for babies who can sit up and support themselves – generally you’ll see them labelled as being okay for use from six months and they last until your child is three or four years old – if your back can withstand it!

How to wear a baby carrier safely

Babies should always be carried upright: This is so that their airways are open and clear. Babies should never be carried in a laying down, ‘cradle’ position.

Make sure it's well-tightened: Ensure your baby cannot slump inside the carrier. If it is too big or too loose, your baby’s chin can drop down onto their chest which could compromise their airways.

Make sure it's adjusted correctly: If your carrier is adjustable, make sure the width and height of the carrier is set to the correct size for your baby’s age and stage. There’s usually a guide to this one inside of the carrier’s waistband; if not then refer to the instruction manual.

Make sure you can see your baby’s face: Babies should be positioned high up on your chest and be close enough for you to easily kiss the top of their head without craning your neck.

Make sure their legs are positioned correctly: The IHDI (International Hip Dysplasia Institute) recommends carrying with baby’s hips in a natural "M" position during their first 6 months, with the hips bent a little more than a right angle – 90°+ (see image below). The IHDI also has a list of approved "hip healthy" baby carriers if you want more reassurance.

Be sure not to overheat your baby: As a rough rule of thumb when carrying, your body counts as one layer of clothing, the baby carrier is at least one more, and if you’re in a warm place that’s a third – so make sure they’re not overdressed.

Remember the T.I.C.K.S guide to babywearing safety – This is a handy reminder of what to check for when using a baby carrier (Tight, In view at all times, Close enough to kiss, Keep chin off the chest, Supported back).

Read more...

• What you need to know before buying a baby carrier
• Hip dysplasia and carriers; what you need to know
• 10 of the best baby slings and wraps

One of its most impressive features is the electric assist, which gives a helpful boost when pushing uphill or over uneven surfaces, and offers support when going downhill – an absolute game-changer for parents who have mobility issues or may struggle pushing a traditional stroller.

Winning Joint Gold for Best Parenting Innovation in our MadeForMums Tech Awards 2025, it's a really impressive piece of parenting kit designed to make life easier. However, as you'd expect, all this tech comes at a price, with the CYBEX e-Gazelle S retailing at £1,029.95 in single mode, with a Gazelle S cot costing an additional £229.95, placing it at the premium end of the stroller market.

How easy is it to build and set up the CYBEX e-Gazelle S pushchair?

I found the CYBEX e-Gazelle S very straightforward to assemble. The parts were clearly laid out and well packaged, and the instructions were simple to follow without being overwhelming. It had an instinctive feel to it – everything clicked into place easily, and I didn’t find myself second-guessing any steps, which really helped with confidence straight out of the box.

The quality of the materials was clear from the start. Each component felt solid and well-made, from the frame to the fabric and finish. The pushchair arrived with the battery already partially charged, which meant I could start using the e-assist function straight away after setup. Charging the battery was also simple, with a clear port and a straightforward plug-in system. As a busy mum trying to get things up and running efficiently, I really appreciated how smooth and stress-free the whole process was.

What is the CYBEX e-Gazelle S like to push and steer?

Pushing the CYBEX e-Gazelle S was a smooth and comfortable experience. With the e-assist engaged, I found it much easier to manage hills and slopes – the motor gave just the right amount of extra power going uphill, and the braking system helped control the speed when going downhill, which felt reassuring. The e-assist kicked in intuitively, so I didn’t have to think about it; it just did what was needed to make pushing easier.

On flat surfaces without the e-assist, the buggy still felt solid and easy to manoeuvre. Steering was smooth and responsive, and I was able to steer one-handed comfortably, which is important when juggling a toddler or carrying bags. The strong wheels and suspension dealt well with different surfaces, from paved streets and narrow city pavements to park grass and uneven, rocky paths, absorbing bumps effectively to keep my toddler comfortable.

How heavy does the CYBEX e-Gazelle S pushchair feel to push?

The pushchair feels sturdy with a reassuring weight to it (it's a hefty 14.7kg in single mode), which contributes to a stable ride but also means it’s not the lightest option out there. In double mode, the pushchair does feel noticeably heavier and bulkier, which is to be expected given its size and robust build. It’s still manageable, but it’s something to consider if you’re often navigating tight spaces or need something more compact for busy city life. Overall, it’s a well-built pram that combines solid performance with helpful tech, making it suitable for a variety of everyday terrains and busy family life.

What are the brakes like on the CYBEX e-Gazelle S pushchair?

The brakes are clear and reliable; I really liked the colour-coded system that shows red when locked and green when free to move, making it very easy to check at a glance.

How easy is it to convert the CYBEX e-Gazelle S from single to double?

Converting the e-Gazelle S from a single to a double was very straightforward. The second seat or carrycot click into place with ease, thanks to the thoughtful modular design. The process didn’t feel fiddly or complicated, which is a real bonus when you’re managing two little ones and need to be efficient.

While all the configurations I tried felt secure and safe for both children, it also reflected why I’ve long struggled to find a double buggy that truly works for us. My toddler, who is inquisitive and easily distracted, didn’t have much room to look out when the pram was combined with the carrycot. This limited his view and made it less ideal for his personality and needs, which is something many parents of curious toddlers might relate to.

How comfortable is the pushchair for children?

The CYBEX e-Gazelle S is very comfortable for children, which is key when you’re out and about for hours at a time. The seats are well padded and supportive, giving my toddler plenty of cushioning without feeling bulky or restrictive. The recline goes back far enough to allow for naps, the footrest is adjustable, allowing for extra comfort as the child grows or changes position.

The harness is secure and straightforward to use. I appreciated that the straps were easy to fasten and adjust, which makes a big difference when dealing with a wriggly toddler.

What's the hood like on the CYBEX e-Gazelle S?

The hood is compact but cleverly designed – it extends with a zip and has a see-through flap, offering good protection from the sun and shelter from wind or light rain, but still enabling you to check on your child without disturbing them.

How easy is it to fold and unfold the CYBEX e-Gazelle S pushchair?

Folding and unfolding the CYBEX e-Gazelle S is generally straightforward, though not completely effortless. You can fold the pushchair with the seats attached, which is a real convenience when you’re in a hurry or dealing with two children. However, it’s a two-handed process, so it’s not something I could do while holding a child or bags.

The fold feels intuitive once you get the hang of it, with clear steps and a reliable mechanism.

How to fold the Cybex e-Gazelle S:

• Engage the brake to keep the pushchair steady.
• Press the release buttons on both sides of the frame.
• Pull the handlebar down to collapse the frame. Ensure the frame locks securely in the folded position.

How to unfold the Cybex e-Gazelle S:

• Release the locking mechanism on the folded frame.
• Lift the handlebar upwards to open the frame.
• Listen for the click that confirms the frame is securely locked open.
• Release the brake and adjust the seats as needed.

How compact is the Cybex e-Gazelle S when folded?

When folded, the pushchair is fairly compact for its size and sturdy build, though it’s not the smallest fold on the market. It measures L36cm x W56.5cm x H77.5cm when folded, so understandably can't compete with compact fold strollers like the iCandy Pip or Joolz Aer2. It fits well into the boot of my car and can be stored in a typical London hallway, but it does feel quite weighty to carry and lift – something to bear in mind if you need to manage stairs regularly.

How practical is it for daily use?

The CYBEX e-Gazelle S is very practical for everyday life. The basket is spacious and sturdy, with easy access in both single and double mode, and the pushchair also comes with a detachable shopping basket. Features like the adjustable handlebar, secure strap system, and snug raincover all add convenience. The bumper bar is comfortable and easy to remove. Overall, it offers a smart balance of storage and practical design for busy families.

How long does the battery last?

The battery on the CYBEX e-Gazelle S performed well during my testing. Of course, battery life varies depending on terrain and how much you use the e-assist, but I found it reliable for typical daily use in a busy city environment. It takes around three to four hours to fully recharge the battery, which I found reasonable given how much assistance it provides. The battery is discreetly located under the seat in the frame, and removing it is straightforward thanks to a simple release mechanism.

What’s in the box?

• e-Gazelle S frame with e-assist motor and battery
• Toddler seat
• Raincover
• Bumper bar
• Charging cable
• Instruction manual

I also tested the carrycot, which can be bought separately (£229.95).

Are additional accessories available?

Yes, CYBEX offers a range of accessories to complement the e-Gazelle S, including a sibling seat (£279.95), carrycot (£229.95), car seat adapters (£44.95), footmuff (£99.95), cup holder (£24.95) and a snack tray (£54.95). These extras allow you to customise the pram.

How sustainable is the CYBEX e-Gazelle S pushchair?

While CYBEX doesn’t heavily advertise specific sustainable materials, the pushchair feels built to last with high-quality, durable components designed for long-term use. The packaging was mostly recyclable. Replacement parts are available, allowing you to maintain and extend the product’s life rather than replacing the whole thing, which I always appreciate.

Is the CYBEX e-Gazelle S worth the money?

The e-Gazelle S is certainly a premium pushchair with a price to match – it’s at the higher end compared to other electric-assist pushchairs and premium doubles (although the brand's other e-pushchair, the e-Priam, is even pricier at £1,629.85). However, the motorised assist feature is more than just a convenience; for anyone tackling hills or managing multiple children, it genuinely eases the physical strain of pushing.

For a growing family who values durability, flexibility and extra help on challenging terrain, I would consider it good value. That said, if you live somewhere flat or only need a pushchair for occasional use, the price might feel harder to justify; and the weight of the buggy (despite it being sleek and stylish) might feel inconvenient.

Where can I buy the CYBEX e-Gazelle S pushchair?

It's available at CYBEX, Mamas & Papas and John Lewis.

MadeForMums verdict

Overall, I found the Cybex e-Gazelle S to be a high-quality, thoughtfully designed pushchair that works best for parents who enjoy relaxed, comfortable strolls rather than rushing about. That’s why I have really enjoyed using it for my newborn. Still, it’s ideal for families with a newborn alongside a toddler who still likes the occasional push, or parents looking for flexibility to adapt from single to double. While it’s sturdy and reliable, its weight and size mean it suits more spacious urban environments rather than tight, busy city streets. I would recommend it especially for parents with a small age gap between children who want a stylish and impressively looking sleek pram, with clever technology, that can grow with their family.

Read more:

• MFM Tech Awards 2025 Winners
• Best double pushchairs, tried and tested by parents
• Cybex Gazelle S pushchair review
• Best prams and pushchair for babies, tried and tested

To celebrate the spooky season, we've rounded up a few of our favourites to help make the run-up to Halloween that bit more exciting.

Unlike Christmas advent calendars, which run for 24 days, most Halloween advent calendars count down the last 13 days of October leading up to Halloween itself. So, there's still plenty of time to buy one for your child. Why 13? Well, that's because 13 is an unlucky number... well, unless its related to advent calendars.

So, if you're wondering how to keep track of how long's left until Halloween, here are our favourite Halloween advent calendar picks.

Best Halloween advent calendar at a glance

• Best Halloween calendar for plushie fans: Squishmallows Squish-a-longs Halloween 13 Day Advent Calendar, £14.99 at John Lewis
• Best Halloween calendar for horror fans: Funko Pocket Pop! 13 Day Killer Kountdown, £39.99 at Amazon
• Best Halloween calendar for sweet treats: Iceland 13 Days of Halloween Calendar, £2.50 at Iceland
• Best Halloween calendar for a crafty Halloween: Baker Ross Haunted House Halloween Countdown Kit: £4.95 at Baker Ross
• Best Halloween calendar for kids and adults: 13 Nights of Halloween, £19.95 at Amazon
• Best Halloween calendar for parents or older children: Bird & Blend Tea Co. Spooky Countdown Calendar, £40 at Bird & Blend
• Best Halloween calendar for pin collectors: 12 Days of Beetlejuice Pin Collectors Calendar, £26.67 at Amazon

Best Halloween advent calendar & Halloween countdown calendars

1. Squishmallows Squish-a-longs Halloween 13 Day Advent Calendar, £14.99

Best halloween calendar for plushie fans

Like the Christmas version, the Squishmallows Halloween advent calendar is adorable. However, unlike the Christmas advent calendar, the 'Squish-a-longs' calendar includes spooky favourites like a vampire, pumpkin and candy corn Squishmallows.

Available from: John Lewis

2. Funko Pocket Pop! 13 Day Killer Kountdown, £39.99

Best Halloween calendar for horror fans

If you've got a major horror film fan in your house then this Funko Pop! calendar is the perfect pick for them. It includes all the spooky season icons like Frankenstein's Monster and Dracula as well as Chucky, The Bride and more!

Available from: Amazon

3. Iceland 13 Days of Halloween Calendar, £2.50

Best Halloween calendar for sweet treats

If Christmas is all about chocolate, Halloween is all about sweets. This gummy filled countdown calendar from Iceland puts the treat in trick or treat this Halloween.

Available from: Iceland

4. Baker Ross Haunted House Halloween Countdown Kit, £4.95

Best Halloween calendar for a crafty Halloween

This is one of the few Halloween advent calendars that spans the whole month of October, so you'll have a few days to catch up on. That being said, the calendar is currently 38% off and will make for the perfect crafty Halloween.

Available from: Baker Ross

5. 13 Nights of Halloween, £19.95

Best Halloween calendar for kids and adults

Just because it's Halloween, doesn't mean parents can't get in on the fun. This spooky spells calendar includes a bunch of decorations for the spooky season, making it perfect for kids and adults.

Available from: Amazon

6. Bird & Blend Tea Co. Spooky Countdown Calendar, £40

Best Halloween calendar for parents or older children

If you're looking for a way to kickstart the cosy spooky autumn vibes, then tea is a great place to start. This enchanted book of spells contains 13 potion bottles full of tea, matcha, tea powder and all you need to whip up the perfect brew.

Available from: Bird & Blend Tea Co.

7. 12 Days of Beetlejuice Pin Collectors Calendar, £26.67

Best Halloween calendar for pin collectors

If you're a pin collector, know someone who is, or you're just a huge Beetlejuice fan, then this is the perfect pick for you. For 12 days, you'll open a different Beetlejuice-themed pin making this a must buy for fans of everyone's favourite bio-exorcist.

Available from: Amazon