Welcoming a new baby into the world is a wonderful experience, but there’s no denying it comes with certain expenses. One of the most expensive yet essential items you’ll need for a baby is a pram. But how much can you expect to pay?
Today, we’re going to be looking at the cost of prams in Australia. We’ll dive into what determines the average price, look at some ways you can save money, and give our top tips on what to look for in a pram.
Key Points
- The cost of a stroller can range from as little as $100 to $1,000 or more.
- There are several finance options available when pram shopping, but be sure to check interest rates.
- It isn’t always necessary to buy a pram before your baby is born.
- Typically, prams do not expire, but parents must be sure to monitor and manage any wear and tear.
- Safety is the number one feature to look for when buying a pram.
- Parents can save money by purchasing an expensive pram during a sale or by shopping second hand.
Content in this article:
- What Is The Average Cost Of A Pram In Australia?
- How Much Should You Spend On A Pram?
- What Financing Options Are There For Prams?
- How Far In Advance Should You Buy A Pram?
- How Long Does A Pram Last?
- What To Look For When Buying A Pram?
- How Can You Save Money When Buying A Pram?
What Is The Average Cost Of A Pram In Australia?
The average price of a pram in Australia is around $450. However, prices can range from $100 to $1,000, and this is entirely dependent on the brand, the features on offer, and whether or not you’re taking advantage of any sales that may be on offer.
Another thing that can determine the price of a pram is the type of pram you choose. Simple strollers and prams that don’t come with a plethora of accessories will cost less than a high-end pram with multiple accessories made from super-durable materials.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Pram By Brand?
We took a look at eight of the most popular pram brands on the Australian market and collected the average cost for each. Here’s what we found:
- Kmart: $130
- Target: $165
- Mother’s Choice: $260
- Steelcraft: $455
- Valco Baby: $511
- Britax: $557
- Baby Jogger: $570
- Bugaboo: $868
As you can see, prices tend to rise quite dramatically depending on the brand and its notoriety.
One important thing to remember, however, is that each brand offers its own budget-friendly options these days, so there is something for every budget, even from the more reputable brands.
Another thing to keep in mind is that, regardless of brand, the price will fluctuate based on the features and type of pram you’re looking for.
What Is The Average Cost Of A Pram By Type?
So, what type of pram is the most expensive on average? We’ve done some research on this as well, and here’s what we found.
- Stroller: $288
- Pram: $522
- Jogger: $578
- Convertible pram: $615
As you can see, strollers are by far the cheapest type of pram on the market on average, and this is because they tend to be simplistic, lightweight, and smaller. As different design features and specialist components are added (large, all-terrain wheels on jogger prams, for example), the higher the price rises.
Why Are Prams So Expensive?
Many parents, especially first-timers, are pretty shocked to find out the average price of a pram. But the reason they are so expensive is that they have features that are designed to keep your baby safe and comfortable while you explore the world together. They’re also designed to make things as easy as possible for the parents, and these features come at a price, too.
It’s not just the features that make prams so expensive, though. Lots of quality control goes into making sure a pram is made from durable materials and that it passes the safety standards required in Australia. All of this takes time and effort, as well as quality control tests provided by third-party providers, which, in turn, costs the manufacturer money.
Finally, there’s the retail markup to consider, and this can range from 50%-90% of the cost price. Retailers are usually given free rein to set their own prices, and, within this, they often invest in advertising, domestic marketing, and the cost of trade shows.
How Much Should You Spend On A Pram?
The price of a stroller or pram can range from $100 to over $1000, but the amount of money you should spend will depend entirely on your needs. There really isn’t any minimum or maximum price you should be spending on a pram.
You won’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on a high-end pram filled with features that are better suited to younger babies if your child is at toddler age and you can get by with a simple stroller.
It’s all about research. Think about your lifestyle and the features you and your child would benefit from. Perhaps you are an active parent looking to exercise while taking your baby with you. In this case, a jogger pram would be best, and for this, you can expect to pay an average of $578.
Or, should you only need a stroller for travel or occasional use because your child is reaching the age where they’ll be transitioning out of their pram, you can expect to pay an average of $288.
It is also important that you’re not paying simply for a brand name. A lower price from a lesser-known brand doesn’t always equate to a low-quality product. Likewise, a higher-priced pram from a well-known brand doesn’t always make for a good long-term investment, especially when you consider how quickly babies grow!
What Financing Options Are There For Prams?
Many people choose to purchase a new pram using a store credit system, which allows you to make an initial purchase payment followed by monthly payments until the pram has paid off. This is a great option for families looking for a new pram but unable to justify the initial spend, but it is important that you consider the affordability of your ongoing payments.
You will also need to qualify for this through a credit search. This involves the store checking your credit score with one or more of Australia’s three major credit reporting agencies (Experian, Equifax, or Illion) for your reliability and trustworthiness to pay on time.
There are other financing options available if this isn’t something that you’re keen on, though. You can purchase a pram using a credit card, and often the interest will be lower, and payments will be more flexible when you do this. Similarly, you can ask your bank for a loan, but be sure the interest rates are explained to you clearly and in a way you can understand.
It is important to understand that, for some people, finance isn’t the best choice. This doesn’t mean you can’t purchase a pram for your baby. You’ll just have to get a little more creative, and we’ll look at how to save money on purchasing a pram a little later.
How Far In Advance Should You Buy A Pram?
There’s absolutely no rush when it comes to buying a pram, and depending on your lifestyle, you may not need one for the first few weeks after your baby arrives. This is especially true if you’re planning on using a sling carrier rather than a pram for your baby, in which case you may not need one until your child is six months old and capable of sitting up.
However, when the time does come to buy a pram, one thing you’ll need to think about is how long it’s going to take to arrive, as some companies have a delivery time of up to eight weeks. With this in mind, it’s good to get ahead of the game and think about when you might actually start using a pram, ordering with plenty of time for it to arrive.
How Long Does A Pram Last?
Generally speaking, prams don’t have an expiration period, and they can last for many years when looked after properly. This includes cleaning them regularly and checking the components are working correctly.
It is important, however, that you regularly inspect the safety features on your pram for signs of damage. Any frayed or torn straps will need to be replaced immediately, as will any other parts that are broken and snapped, as these will dramatically affect its safety and performance.
You’ll need to replace your pram or stroller if there are any signs of irreparable damage, but be sure to check your warranty beforehand. This can save you money and the hassle of having to shop for a new pram from scratch.
What To Look For When Buying A Pram?
As with anything you’re buying for your children, there are many things you need to think about when purchasing a pram. So, whether you’re buying a budget-friendly pram or a designer brand pram with all of the accessories you could ever imagine, you should always look for the features below.
Safety Features
The most important thing you need to look for is the safety features that your chosen pram has to offer. It needs to have a five-point harness that will help keep your baby securely in place and prevent them from slipping out of the pram, whether through wriggling or moving across bumpy ground. It should also have a good set of brakes that will lock the wheels in place when you’re stationary and prevent the pram from rolling away.
Another excellent safety feature to look out for is a footrest, which will keep your child’s feet off the ground and support their knees (not to mention stop their shoes from dragging on the ground!)
Comfort
Your child needs to be as comfortable as possible while they are in their pram, so look for one with comfortable padding that is thick and not easily compressed. Memory foam is a great choice here as it will mould to your baby’s body and keep strain off their growing bodies.
It’s also a good choice to go for a pram with a reclining seat, as this will allow you to move your baby from a lie-flat position into a seated position. This is particularly useful for parents who want a pram that will take their child from baby to toddler, as you can move them from the lie-flat position at the age of six months to a seated position without having to buy a new stroller.
Size & Design
It’s also important that the pram you choose is the right size for your child and that it allows room for their development, especially if you want as much use from it as possible. This can seem like a confusing thing if you’ve never bought a pram before, but it isn’t that difficult.
Put simply, a stroller or pram designed for toddlers isn’t going to be suitable for newborn babies, and likewise, a lie-flat pram isn’t going to be suitable for a toddler. The pram should be big enough to allow your child to either lie flat or sit up comfortably, and the harness should hold them securely without being super tight.
The size of the pram itself is also an important factor to consider. Do you have the room in your home to park a larger pram? How much car boot space do you have? Considering these things will help you determine whether you need a folding pram or not.
Weight
You’ll need to give some thought to the weight of your chosen pram as well, especially if you’re planning to take it with you on trips. Ideally, it should be light and be able to fold easily. Remember, also, that many airlines have weight restrictions in place, so anything too heavy may result in extra fees at the airport. Not to mention, you’ll need to be able to lift the pram on and off trains, buses and other forms of public transport as needed without putting too much strain on yourself.
Ease Of Use
As a parent, you’ll have your hands full most of the time, and the last thing you need is a pram that is difficult to use. Look for features such as one-touch folding and opening, making it much easier for you to operate the pram with a single hand. The straps should also be easy to adjust with very little effort, and if you’ve opted for a pram with a reclining seat, it should move effortlessly and smoothly.
Durability
By now, you’ve learned that prams can be pretty expensive, so it’s important to look for one that is made from high-quality, durable materials that will last for years to come. There is a bit of a balancing act here though, as you don’t want something that’s so strong it adds extra weight to the pram.
Materials, including aluminium and tubular steel, are great as are fabrics such as heavy-duty Nylon and GoreTex. These are very hardwearing, easy to clean, and, most importantly, very durable. Remember to look at the materials used in the joints and bearings too, as these will also need to be strong and resistant to wear and tear.
Price
Finally, consider your budget when buying a pram. As we’ve detailed above, there are many options available at a variety of price points, so make sure you find one that fits your budget and meets all your needs.
How Can You Save Money When Buying A Pram?
When it comes to our little bundles of joy, there’s always a long list of things we need to spend money on as parents. Here are a few easy ways you can save money when buying a pram if you’re looking to cut back on spending and save a few dollars.
Buy Second Hand
One of the best things you can do to save money is to buy a second hand pram. You’ll have to do a bit more research on the model as well as arrange inspecting and collecting, but you can save a surprising amount of cash. You may even be able to find an ordinarily expensive pram doing this, as many parents are looking to quickly free up the space in their home once their child has transitioned out of their pram.
You can also ask your family and friends for any prams or strollers they no longer use or see if they have any recommendations from people they know.
Buy Direct
Oftentimes, prams come with a high price tag that the retailer has put on them to cover their own costs. So, to save some money, see if you can cut out the retailer and buy directly from the manufacturer instead. Likewise, if you have a particular brand in mind, contact their customer sales team and ask about any upcoming promotions or sales.
Shop The Sales
You can grab some incredible deals in Black Friday and Boxing Day sales, and as these promotions become more and more popular, each brand tries to compete with its offered discounts. So, wait until the sales come if you’re able to, and you’ll find that you’re able to save quite a lot of money, even on the high-end brands.
Buy An Older Model
Buying an older model is a great way of saving money if you’re on a budget but not too keen on the idea of buying second hand. They may not be as feature-packed as some of the newer models, but as long as they have everything you need, you’ll be getting a great deal at a lower price.
Final Thoughts
Prams can range from a few hundred dollars up to several thousand. While keeping safety at the front of your mind, always consider the different options and accessories when trying to decide how much you want to spend. With the right research and careful comparison shopping, parents can find the perfect pram that fits their lifestyle and budget.