Quinny Buzz vs Oyster Babystyle ...?

[lace&pearls]

Just wondering your opinions on this, These are the 2 prams that have impressed me the most, I like the fact you can have the child parent facing. I have heard good things about both. I put a 10% deposit on the quinny today as they are on special offer at mothercare atm (£299 instead of £385 btw) but the assistant said I could transfer it if I change my mind.

My partner seems to really like the Quinny, the only thing that concerns me is the small shopping basket. We have a car but I can't drive, (partner does) so I won't be doing a big weekly food shop on my own or anything, it's just for when I'm out and about on my own and want to buy something. The assistant said she hasn't received many complaints about the shopping basket, and it would fit a blanket or a pack of nappies in it. (which is what I had in mind)
Also, I looked up reviews of the quinny buzz and a lot of people are saying it's very heavy and bulky, I mean this doesn't bother me *too* much because I had little push with it today and it seemed fine to me and some people seemed to be referring to getting it in their car boot, our car boot is fairly big so I don't think that should be a problem, and if it's heavy to lift into the car, well OH can do that! lol I just hope it's ok when pushing around? but I must admit, I quite like a sturdy pram rather than a flimsy one, and I think that's why OH prefers quinny to oyster as it seems more robust...?

 

[luckyno2]

I am going for the Quinny to we dont have any other good brands in SA

 

[susywoosy]

The quinny looked like a nice pram but dh and I went for the oyster. I love it. Fits in my car and has everything we were looking for. Aparently can withstand many shopping bags hanging from handles without tipping. Time will tell I suppose xxx

 

[BlaireUK]

Ohh the Quinny Buzz is on my shortlist alongside the Oyster and Icandy strawberry or peach. I have become a bit of a geek researching prams and even joined 'Which?'. If it's any help Which rate both as 'best buys' but place the Oyster above the Buzz. Oyster comes 3rd on their current list behind the Uppababy Vista and the M&P Sola. Quinny Buzz comes 6th.

 

[KnitWit]

I went for the oyster but I got the oyster plush which has a nice sturdy metal frame and air filled tyres. It's more expensive than the standard oyster but I think it's got more of the good things about the quinny included. I love that the oysters all come with the UV shade net thing, I think they are way more useful than having a parasol.

 

[BlaireUK]

I went for the oyster but I got the oyster plush which has a nice sturdy metal frame and air filled tyres. It's more expensive than the standard oyster but I think it's got more of the good things about the quinny included. I love that the oysters all come with the UV shade net thing, I think they are way more useful than having a parasol.

Ohh the Oyster Plush in slate is our front runner just now. Although I prefer the black frame which I can't seem to get in the plush?

 

[Eala]

I have both these prams, so will try to give you a bit of a comparison. We are selling the Quinny, much as I love it, and keeping the Oyster for this next baby. Mainly because I do want the lighter option, as I'll be having to put it in and out of the car a fair bit, but also because I prefer the Oyster for long-term parent facing (I'll come to that in a bit!)

Of the two, I would say that the Quinny "feels sturdier". This is partly because it's heavier, I think (and I'll make no bones about that, it IS heavier, by a whole KG). The suspension is definitely better on the Quinny, and along with the air-filled tyres you get a very smooth ride. If you are going for the Buzz 3, you can buy an all-terrain front wheel (air-filled) which makes things even smoother. I've taken mine around a country park in snow with that wheel on, it really makes it a much more "all-terrain" pushchair at that point. It's not that the Babystyle is badly made by any stretch, it's a very good pushchair. But given that it is lighter weight, and doesn't have air-filled tyres, it'll always feel slightly more rickety (even though it's not, iykwim!)

In terms of carrycots, I'd say the options for both pushchairs are much of a muchness. The Dreami is nice and plush inside, but there isn't really a lot between them from where I'm sitting.

The Quinny is (as far as I know) only compatible with Maxi Cosi infant carriers - I know for sure the Cabriofix will fit, not sure about the Pebble. With the Oyster, you have a choice of 3 carseat manufacturers - Maxi Cosi, Britax and Babystyle themselves. Might be something to consider if you're going to be using it as a travel system; which seat will fit best in your car etc

The seat units are very different between the two. I have to be honest, that I prefer the Oyster seat in the long run, particularly as baby gets older. The memory foam Quinny seat is lovely and comfy and supportive whilst baby is still little. But here's the big thing - when it's parent-facing, you can only have it in two positions: reclined totally flat, or slightly raised. You can't have it sat up, and facing you. Once my little girl hit about 6 months, she was really frustrated with the reclined position, and my only option for a more upright seat was to turn the unit forward facing. The Oyster does not have this issue, as the recline mechanism is in the seat back, rather than the whole seat unit tilting.

In terms of folding, the Oyster is really easy to do, and folds with the seat unit on in either position (long and flat when the seat is parent-facing, short and tall when in forward facing mode). The Quinny takes a bit of getting used to, but is easy once you get the hang of it. Unfolding the Oyster is easy again - just a flip and shake. The Quinny is brilliant at this point, as it hydraulically unfolds itself. The downside of this feature is that if you accidentally knock the clip at any point whilst the pram is folded, it will unfold no matter where it is Have done that getting it out of the car a few times, so am suddenly balancing a half-unfolded pushchair which is trying to go the rest of the way! If you're mainly using it for walking rather than in a car, it shouldn't bother you though

The basket is bigger than it looks, you'll get a surprising amount in there. The Oyster one is marginally bigger, but it's not like you're losing out a suitcase's worth of storage there

I've probably rambled on enough, but please feel free to ask any questions. Essentially, both the Buzz and the Oyster are fantastic prams, a lot of it depends on what you want to use them for

 

[Natalie1a]

I've gone for a Quinny Buzz 3, this is baby number one so cant say much about it. We have had a go and the putting it up and down hydraulic thing takes a bit of getting used too but it seems good and I don't know any different lol.

 

[Bunnipowder]

I had the oyster and DD will be 2 in November from the car seat, carry cot to the pushchair unit its been a fantastic pushchair Im still using it. I really liked the uv/insect net so usefull when walking and the sun suddenly decides to come out! The basket is bigger than it looks I fit quite a few of my shopping bags under it. The adjustable seat is so good for when LO falls to sleep, they look so comfy in there.

I found with my deal (was 2 years ago things may have changed) I got so much for the price with the 2 diff footmuff/cover thing. I will be using the same car seat (with a new inner lining due to the pink) on the oyster chasis for my new baby or I will carry on using the oyster pushchair unit for DD and new baby in sling. Then I will buy the newer version of the chasis and pushchair unit once new baby too big for car seat as my oyster is in pink and black and I wont be finding out the sex this time!

I hear of so many people buying pushchairs just as expensive as the first ones they brought before baby is 1 because original pushchair too big for car, too heavy to get on/off bus or just crap pushchairs etc. I think unless you've got money to burn its vital to do your research before picking your pushchair because they can be so expensive.

 

[SpottedDog]

i am going for the Oyster :0) x

 

[Wallflower]

We've also ordered the Oyster, it seemed reeeeeally easy to use when we had a demo in the shop. I also LOVE the fact that you can get the colour packs to change the look of it and there's some gorgeous colours

 

[lace&pearls]

Thank you everyone for your replies they were all very helpful! OH seems to have his mind set on the quinny which I do like I just want him to consider other ones too iykwim.

Eala - I particularly liked your answer! thank you for a lovely detailed response

The only other thing I can think to do is ask a shop assistant in mothercare to go over the pros and cons of both of them and let us have a play with them maybe, we've looked at reviews and videos on them but Oh really seems to have his mind set on Quinny... I think he just prefers the brand! lol will probably end up just getting a quinny for an easy life lol

 

[twigpig]

Do go in to Mothercare (weekday would be best) as they really will spend lots of time talking you through it, folding it up and down, trying to fit in the car etc. We've spent hours in there over the last 2 weeks and they are really lovely......

Oyster still in our shortlist (of 2)