July 2024: Strollberry is sunsetting.Here's why July 2024: After 6 years of working on Strollberry in my free time, it just stopped being sustainable. Find out more. eli
Chicco Best Friend
<

Chicco Best Friend

The VERY budget-friendly, VERY urban high-seater
.eli
see 6 parent reviews

The Chicco Best Friend is an urban stroller, usually available in a full 3in1 stroller system. Apart from the attractive price tag, other advantages of this stroller include the modern, minimalistic color schemes, the easily accessible and spacious shopping basket, and the compact fold even with the seat unit attached in any direction. The Trio set consists of the foldable Light carrycot or the Comfort carrycot that can be used as a car seat too. It is also possible for your baby to travel in the car seat that you have added directly to the chassis, no adapters needed. The bucket-type seat unit can be tilted flat. The leg rest is adjustable too. This 3in1 stroller system comes with a rain cover and aprons included.

Chicco Best Friend Features & Specifications

The Basics

Type
3in1 stroller system
Stroller weight
10 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l)
105 cm x 60 cm x 94 cm
Folded dimensions (h×w×l)
76.5 cm x 60 cm x 24.5 cm
Chassis material
Aluminum
Country of origin
Italy
Only available as a stroller system
Yes

The Seat unit

Maximum weight capacity - seat load
15 kg
Recommended age range (best to use with a child of)
0-30 months
Reversible seat unit
Yes
Easy-release memory button(s) on the seat or the carrycot
No
L-shaped, bucket-type seat unit
Yes
Reclining backrest
Yes, 3 positions
Full-recline backrest (a bigger-than-a-150-degree-angle to a lie-flat)
No
Backrest recline type
Rear-located recline mechanism (e.g., lever-operated)
One-hand backrest recline system
Yes
Extendable backrest
No
Legrest positioning
Yes
Extendable leg rest
No
Wipe-clean layer on the leg rest
No
Footrest
Yes
A higher seat unit's position on the chassis
No
Height-adjustable seat
No
Seat unit's proper attachment indicator
No
2in1 convertible carrycot/seat unit (pramette travel system)
No
Fabrics removable for cleaning
No
Seat fabrics cleaning
Wipe-clean only
Safety harness type
5-point
Harness padding
Yes
Height-adjustable harness belts
Yes
Ventilation integrated into the seat
No
Second seat can be attached (single-to-double convertibility)
No

The Canopy (Hood)

Seat unit equipped with a canopy/hood
Yes
Extendable canopy/hood
Yes
The canopy/hood features a sun visor
No
Floating, follow-the-sun canopy
No
Height-adjustable canopy
No
Removable canopy
Yes
Waterproof canopy
Yes
UV protection in the (canopy) fabrics
No
Ventilation integrated into the canopy
No
A pocket integrated into the canopy
No
Peek-a-boo viewing window present on the canopy
No
Reinforcing side clasps present on the canopy
No

The Bumper bar

Bumper bar
Yes
Bumper bar type (style)
Bar
Removable bumper bar
Yes
Gate-opening (swing-away) bumper bar
Yes
Height-adjustable bumper bar
No
Bumper bar features a fabric (non-wipe-clean) cover
No
Bumper bar features an extra crotch strap
No

The Wheels

Number of wheels
4
Front wheel(s) type
Rubber-coated wheels
Rear wheels type
Rubber-coated wheels
Swivel wheels
Yes
Lockable wheels
Yes
Removable wheels
Yes
All wheels are double wheels
No
All-terrain version of wheels available to purchase separately
No
Wheels equipped with mudguards
No,
Two-wheel mode
No

The Suspension

Suspension
Yes
Wheels with suspension
All
Suspension type
Open springs, Mechanical (internal spring-loaded mechanism)
Adjustable suspension softness
No
Rocking chassis
No

The Brake

Central brake system/type
Push down-lift up pedal brake
Deceleration handbrake
No,

The Fold

Folding system
Flat (compact) fold
One-hand fold
Yes
Plane-travel-friendly stroller with an ultra-compact fold (suitable as carry-on luggage)
No
Folds with the (forward-facing) seat attached
Yes
Folds with the rearward-facing seat attached
Yes
Self-standing fold
Yes
Auto-lock feature of the folded chassis
Yes
Folded stroller can be pulled behind like luggage
No
Stroller folds and/or unfolds by itself
No
Equipped with a carry strap/carry handle
Yes
Outward fold (the seat fabrics are on the outside after folding)
No

The Handlebar

Handle height adjustment
Telescopic
Handlebar material
Leatherette (PU/eco-leather)
Reversible handlebar (handle can be flipped to the other side)
No
Safety wrist strap
No

The Basket

Shopping basket
Yes
Large shopping basket
Yes
Basket's weight capacity
3 kg
Closable basket
No
An extra basket can be attached to the frame
No
A pocket integrated into the seat/elsewhere on the stroller frame
No

The Carrycot

Carrycot compatible
Yes (without adapters)
Carry handle on the carrycot
Yes,
Inclining carrycot mattress
No,
Foldable carrycot
Yes, Light
Rocking-base carrycot
No
Ventilatilated carrycot base (bottom ventilation system)
No,
Carrycot installable in the car instead of a group 0+ car seat (Auto carrycot)
Yes, Confort
Carrycot positioned high on the frame
No

The Car seat

Car seat compatible
Yes (without adapters)
Car seat sold separately
No
Maxi-Cosi/Cybex car seat attachment-type adapters available
No
Britax Römer car seat attachment-type adapters available
No

The Accessories & Extra features

Parent tray/organizer on the handlebar (included)
No
Cup holder can be attached
No
Reflective elements
No
No pushchair mode/seat-unit configuration available
No
Rain cover included
Yes
Mosquito net included
No
Leg cover (apron) included with the seat unit
Yes
Seat liner/insert included
No
Changing bag included
No
Carry bag/transport cover for the folded stroller included
No
Motorized/Baterry-powered
No
LED light(s)
No
Built-in audio speakers
No
A storage/bag can be attached instead of a seat
No

Best Deals for Chicco Best Friend

Parent reviews of the Chicco Best Friend

2.6/5
Add YOUR review
if you own(ed) it, own it ;-)
parents say thx^^
  • Car seat
  • Folding
  • Main part is not sturdy enough
  • Wheels are awful

First of all, this is a great stroller for ease of use when folding and unfolding or when attaching the car seat but unfortunately anything positive ends there.

I found that the actual main stroller that holds the seat isn’t very sturdy - it seems to move back and forward which then wobbles baby about. But the worst thing about this stroller is by far the wheels - the front wheels have a complete mind of their own and they have no grip. I find myself walking around the shops with 2 front wheels locked sideward. It’s just absolutely hopeless, the only time the wheels actually decide to go forward is when you're walking along rough concrete.

Shockingly bad customer service

2
  • It is a lightweight system, and easy to manage
  • We paid for a broken product that did not get replaced and we were not compensated for
  • Huge difficulty contacting Chicco
  • Poor customer service
  • Not worth the risk

Be warned, if anything is wrong / damaged, you will not be able to get a replacement or refund.

We bought our system in November and contacted Chicco when we realized the popper was broken on the cover so it would not sit on the pram properly. They said it would be replaced in March. Still nothing despite email after email to them. Shockingly bad customer service.

  • streamlined, smart looks
  • easy to use. good to push
  • quality seems good (for the price)
  • rain cover doesn't hold on the carrycot that well
  • suspension leaves a lot to be desired
  • no isofix base for the car seat
  • ok weight (for a system), but it feels heavy nonetheless
  • folding is not that smooth
  • higher weight of the carrycot
  • hard-to-release brake

It's an OK system, well worth the money - if it's something you like design- and functions-wise. Use is predominantly urban, and the fold, space, the weight, they're all OK. Even though on paper, the weight seems very ok for a system, it feels a bit heavy to use. Otherwise, straightforward, not problematic, and that is very nice for this category of a stroller system.

As a woman, I also like that it looks good

4
  • not too bulky
  • comfy carrycot mattress (but a wee too small, the carrycot)
  • ok car seat
  • simple seat unit
  • easy to maneuver
  • nice basket
  • I don't get how to fit the rain cover properly
  • instructions are too simple
  • a little too wobbly a chassis
  • wide
  • no Isofix base included

A fab looking, simple, easy to use (once you get the knack for it) system - a very good choice for undemanding urban parents. A bit stiff (mainly the brake and the folding mechanism), too sturdy and a bit wobbly at times - but for that money, it does the job. As a woman, I also like that it looks good.

Quality is adequate for the price

3
  • nice price
  • nice looks
  • low chassis
  • no suspension

OK. Quality is adequate for the price. I miss some suspension. And my husband is not too happy about the height of this pram.

Nothing much for bumpy sidewalks

3

Easy to use and nice-looking, but nothing much for bumpy sidewalks. Don't even think of off-roads ;-)

Your questions about the Chicco Best Friend

1)

Hi,

My pram front wheels often get stuck on different surfaces.

Hi, Azurra,

Unfortunately, this very urban model tends to do so. I recommend using it on smoother surfaces and on undemanding walks, and also - don't forget regular cleaning and maintenance (more about that HERE in this article). If you have too much of a problem with the stroller system, be sure to contact the seller/distributor for help with warranty claims and repairs.

.eli - 21 Nov 2022
2)

Are wheels really rubber-coated? At the store, they seemed to me pure plastic.
Can be used on gravel?

Hi, Nicola,

There are differences between the Best Friend and the higher Best Friend Pro models. The basic Best Friend only has "plastic" - that is, EVA foam coated wheels. Also, different markets can offer different variations of the product itself (there are, for example, different models in the US and in Europe).

For the gravel suitability, I answered your question here. Do read our guides on wheels to understand the topic more.

Good luck!

.eli - 06 Sep 2021

This is your place to ask us a (quick) question about the Chicco Best Friend