Maclaren Atom
.eli
The Maclaren Atom is an extremely lightweight and compact stroller and the first Maclaren stroller of this type. Thanks to its minimalist dimensions, the Atom is a great companion for travels and trips and can be taken on the board of the aircraft as cabin luggage. This is emphasized by the practical shoulder strap for carrying, the well-ventilated seat predominantly made of mesh, and the extendable hood with sun visor and UV protection. The seat can be reclined sufficiently even for children that cannot sit independently. The seat features with a reversible, padded insert with a cheerful pattern on one side. There is also an integrated safety panel in the lower part of the seat for the security of the smallest babies. The Atom comes with all the usual Maclaren benefits such as lifetime warranty, fully washable fabrics, reflective elements, sturdy wheels with suspension, quality 5-points safety belts and a wide range of accessories included in the bundle. Thanks to the car seat with adapters and the possibility of adding the Maclaren soft carrycot, the Atom can be used from birth.
The Maclaren Atom is an extremely lightweight and compact stroller and the first Maclaren stroller of this type. Thanks to its minimalist dimensions, the Atom is a great companion for travels and trips and can be taken on the board of the aircraft as cabin luggage. This is emphasized by the practical shoulder strap for carrying, the well-ventilated seat predominantly made of mesh, and the extendable hood with sun visor and UV protection. The seat can be reclined sufficiently even for children that cannot sit independently. The seat features with a reversible, padded insert with a cheerful pattern on one side. There is also an integrated safety panel in the lower part of the seat for the security of the smallest babies. The Atom comes with all the usual Maclaren benefits such as lifetime warranty, fully washable fabrics, reflective elements, sturdy wheels with suspension, quality 5-points safety belts and a wide range of accessories included in the bundle. Thanks to the car seat with adapters and the possibility of adding the Maclaren soft carrycot, the Atom can be used from birth.
Maclaren Atom Features & Specifications
The Basics
- Type
- Pushchair (seat and chassis only), 2in1 stroller system, 3in1 stroller system
- Stroller weight
- 5.4 kg
- Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l)
- 103.5 cm x 45 cm x 87.5 cm
- Folded dimensions (h×w×l)
- 53.5 cm x 45 cm x 24 cm
- Chassis material
- Aluminum
- Country of origin
- UK
- Stroller available as a pushchair (seat unit configuration) only; newborn accessories (like a carrycot) need to be purchased separately
- Yes
The Seat unit
- Maximum weight capacity - seat load
- 25 kg
- Recommended age range (best to use with a child of)
- 0-30 months
- Reversible seat unit
- No
- L-shaped, bucket-type seat unit
- No
- Reclining backrest
- Yes, infinite recline
- Full-recline backrest (a bigger-than-a-150-degree-angle to a lie-flat)
- No
- Backrest recline type
- Strap-operated
- One-hand backrest recline system
- No
- Extendable backrest
- No
- Legrest positioning
- Yes, 2 positions
- Extendable leg rest
- No
- Wipe-clean layer on the leg rest
- No
- Footrest
- Yes
- Backrest height
- 43 cm
- Width and depth of the sitting surface
- 34 x 20 cm
- Total length of the seat unit
- 75 cm
- 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
- Yes
- Seat fabrics cleaning
- Machine washable
- Safety harness type
- 5-point
- Harness padding
- Yes
- Height-adjustable harness belts
- Yes
- Ventilation integrated into the seat
- Yes
- 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
- Yes
- Floating, follow-the-sun canopy
- No
- Height-adjustable canopy
- No
- Removable canopy
- Yes
- Waterproof canopy
- Yes
- UV protection in the (canopy) fabrics
- Yes
- Ventilation integrated into the canopy
- Yes
- A pocket integrated into the canopy
- Yes
- Peek-a-boo viewing window present on the canopy
- Yes
- Peek-a-boo window can be closed/covered
- Yes
- Quiet (magnetic/no velcro) peek-a-boo window
- Yes
- Reinforcing side clasps present on the canopy
- No
The Bumper bar
- Bumper bar
- No
- Bumper bar can be purchased separately
- No
- Bumper bar features an extra crotch strap
- No
The Wheels
- Number of wheels
- 4
- Front wheel(s) type
- EVA foam-coated wheels
- Rear wheels type
- EVA foam-coated wheels
- Front wheels diameter
- 12 cm
- Rear wheels diameter
- 12 cm
- 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
- Mechanical (internal spring-loaded mechanism)
- Adjustable suspension softness
- No
- Rocking chassis
- No
The Brake
- Central brake system/type
- One-step rocker pedal (flip-flop friendly)
- Deceleration handbrake
- No,
The Fold
- Folding system
- Flat (compact) fold
- One-hand fold
- No
- Plane-travel-friendly stroller with an ultra-compact fold (suitable as carry-on luggage)
- Yes
- Folds with the (forward-facing) seat attached
- Yes
- Folds with the rearward-facing seat attached
- n/a
- 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
- No
- Handlebar material
- Plastic
- Handlebar height
- 104 cm
- Reversible handlebar (handle can be flipped to the other side)
- No
- Safety wrist strap
- Yes
The Basket
- Shopping basket
- Yes
- Large shopping basket
- No
- Basket's weight capacity
- 2 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
- No
- Carry handle on the carrycot
- Yes,
- Inclining carrycot mattress
- No,
- Foldable carrycot
- Yes,
- 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)
- No,
The Car seat
- Car seat compatible
- Yes (with adapters)
- Car seat sold separately
- Yes
- Maxi-Cosi/Cybex car seat attachment-type adapters available
- Yes
- Britax Römer car seat attachment-type adapters available
- Yes
The Accessories & Extra features
- Parent tray/organizer on the handlebar (included)
- No
- Cup holder can be attached
- No
- Reflective elements
- Yes
- No pushchair mode/seat-unit configuration available
- No
- Rain cover included
- Yes
- Mosquito net included
- No
- Leg cover (apron) included with the seat unit
- No
- Seat liner/insert included
- Yes
- Changing bag included
- No
- Carry bag/transport cover for the folded stroller included
- Yes
- 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 Maclaren Atom
Parent reviews of the Maclaren Atom
- My daughter is almost 5 and we still use this buggy for holiday travel
- For this type of buggy it’s great
- It can lie flat - totally flat
- The wheels run smoothly
- The hood is huge and provides excellent sun coverage
- EasyJet let me push it on to the plane, and it folds and fits in the overhead lockers
- The fold is quick and easy, the size is compact
- This type of buggy does not provide the comfortable ride that our Emmaljunga pram offers. BUT it is a completely different beast. Our Emmaljunga might be as smooth and comfortable as a rolls Royce, but there’s no way I’d bring it on a plane, and it takes up loads of space in our Victorian terrace, so once we were over the sleeping in the pram stage I swapped to a Maclean Atom
4 years of regular use on public transport and flying.
- XXL Sun Shade
- Lightweight
- Can be used from birth (with a car seat or soft carrycot)
- Fits into overhead compartment on the plane
- Little rattly, especially with the car seat attached
- Wheels block very often, difficult not to trip over stroller and child
I bought it because I needed a lightweight stroller suitable from birth that can easily be carried around (stairs). I am now selling it because I nearly fell over it at least twice with the baby inside, because the wheels blocked suddenly in the middle of the street while crossing the street..
- Lightweight
- Compact Folded Size
- Not good quality on fabrics
- The upright position of the seat is not upright enough
- Maclaren cup holder is not compatible with this stroller
- Maclaren sun umbrella cannot be positioned to actually be useful on the chassis
I see a lot of people giving positive feedback about the quality of this stroller but honestly I don’t share this opinion considering some of the competitors. Handlebar is low quality and the fabrics are not that good as well. Not to mention that the accessories like the Maclaren cupholder for example are not compatible with this stroller. The umbrella also is not very convenient to use. The only positive feedback for me is the lightweight design and the compact folded size.
A great stroller for a newborn.
- ❤️
- I wish for a longer seatback
Super small, super driveable!
- lightweight and compact
- quality materials
- sturdy wheels with individual suspension
- high handlebar with a leatherette cover and holes for ventilation
- craftsmanship, details, reflective elements
- large, UV protective hood
- seat padding
- well-balanced center of gravity
- essential accessories included (carry bag, reversible seat liner, rain cover)
- simple front-wheel lock activated with a foot (no need for bending down)
- higher price tag (corresponding with the quality materials and the lifetime warranty for the chassis though)
- shorter seat length (derived from the type of the stroller and the compact fold)
- slightly reclined seating position (backrest never completely upward)
- no bumper bar
- two-handed fold
- puzzle system of the five-point harness buckle
- an older child is able to lock the front wheels during the ride
The Atom is obviously destined for traveling-positive parents. Alternatively, you can use it as a secondary urban stroller. The Atom will manage activities such as being fitted into the boot of your car and going shopping with no problem - they are made so easy thanks to the low weight, small dimensions, and good maneuverability.
I would not recommend it (together with other strollers of the same type), if you need a stroller for demanding terrain (mountains, badly damaged sidewalks etc.). Additionally, the Atom is not the best choice for extremely tall kids and for really short parents, or for those who require a very upright sitting position for their kid. Apart from that, I am happy to recommend the Atom and give this stroller a solid 85 % from my point of view.
Although I am already used to some standard when it comes to Maclaren strollers (I own a Techno XLR as a spare at our grandma's), I was nevertheless positively surprised with the quality finish and the feel of the materials. Together with the higher handlebar and splendid (included) accessories, I would underline these features as the strongest selling points of this sturdy, 'atom' globetrotter.
We got it for our holidays, and the super-large canopy was such a help. Recommended as a travel buggy.
- fabrics
- quality
- short leg rest
- slanted seat
Loved the fabrics and the quality. The short leg rest and the slanted seat are my biggest niggles.
The seat is not upright at all, so we missed the belly bar A LOT. The wheels drive great but the wheel locking is too easy for my DD to block accidetally. The pushchair is really light and compact.
Your questions about the Maclaren Atom
Hello, where do I find the VIN number on the Atom style set stroller?
thank you
Hey,
Usually, apart from on the box, it is on a sticker in the rear - lower part of the chassis. Often the sticker comes down but I would look there, or on the fabric tag on the basker.
Can I GET a link for the Maclaren Atom carrycot AND adapter (Europa only) - I can’t find anywhere.
Thank you
Hey, Mja,
If the stroller is sold around you, you simply need to ask the seller if such a part/accessory can be ordered. The thing is, I'm afraid, that the carrycot with adapters is not sold in Europe much, anymore.
Another thing I will recommend is to browse eBay regularly, such things can be bought there from time to time.
How would you compare the Maclaren Techno XT to the Maclaren Atom?
Hi, Jack!
There is one, most important difference between the two (even if they might seem similar from the pictures) - the Maclaren Techno XT is a mid-size, umbrella-stroller-style stroller, meaning much more seat space but also a larger stroller after folding... and the Maclaren Atom (read full review here is a travel-first, occasional-use ultra-compact (read more about ultracompacts and what they are and aren't good for in this article).
Unlike many umbrella strollers, the Techno XT is a better-built, more quality stroller, meaning it should last you longer, but it is still very long after folding (and not as study as a single-handlebar strollers). The handle of the Techno XT is adjustable, which is nice, but also two-handed, which can be a bother at times.
The Atom is, as I already mentioned, smaller - smaller after folding, smaller and more slanted in the seat, and with smaller wheels. It is a nice stroller but not, primarily, for everyday use. For such, you'd be probably better off with the Techno XT, as it is a much more comfortable stroller for children, especially as they grow older.
The Atom, on the other hand, is the better choice for trips, traveling, taking with you to visit grandparents - simply better as a second stroller, occasional-use stroller when folded size is the most important thing - more important than the roominess for your kid.
Both strollers boast quite a nice ride in the city as well as very nice canopy size, so there, you'll be happy with them both. The atom, also, has a very breathable seat so is a more suitable 'summer/holiday' stroller.