didofy Stargazer Stroller Review

didofy Stargazer Review – just how many stars did we award this travel system? Keep reading to find out!

didofy may be a new brand to many people but it’s not to us! It’s UK-based company founded by parents who know the importance of having a stroller that’s both functional and stylish. They’ve designed their products with the needs of both parents and babies in mind, focusing on features that make life easier while maintaining a touch of elegance.

One of the stand out features for parents who care about the environment is their conscious effort to introduce more sustainable materials into their products. The seat unit is made of sustainable recycled PET bottles. 92 recycled PET bottles go into each stroller, and 73 per carrycot, whilst still giving the system that high quality, comfortable feel.

We’ve been putting their Stargazer stroller to the test. didofy promise that this travel system delivers a smooth ride for little ones and effortless manoeuvrability for parents. Let’s see if it lives up to the hype! We have delved deep into the Stargazer’s functionality, ease of use, comfort features, and suitability for different terrains.

The Basics *

Model

Stargazer Stroller

Brand

didofy

Available Colours

• Sand
• Black
• Grey
• Green

RRP

From £429.99 (£699.99 with carrycot and accessories)

What’s in the box?

For the purpose of this review, we have been looking at the Stargazer 2-in-1 but you can buy just the pushchair or full travel system bundle if you wish

• Chassis
• Wheels
• Reversible seat unit
• Carry cot
• Car seat adapters
• Changing bag (incl. Changing mat)
• Footmuff
• Raincover
• Cup holder
• Instructions

Warranty

• 24 months

Didofy Stargazer 2-in1 Stroller at a glance

Suitability

• Stroller suitable from birth up to 22kg.
• Carrycot suitable from birth up to 9kg.

Fold mechanism

• Gravity Fold
• Self Standing
• Folds with seat world facing

Handle Bar

• Adjustable
• Leatherette

Carrycot

• Suitable for overnight sleep
• didofy Stargazer Carrycot: 82cm (L) x 39cm (W) x 30 cm (H)

Seat Unit

• Suitable from birth
• Reversible seat unit with 3 recline positions
• Adjustable leg support
• didofy seat unit: 46cm (L) x 28cm (W) x 23cm (D)
• Seat Weight Limit – 22kg

Harness

• 5-point harness with comfort pads
• Magnetic harness
• Height adjustable

Wheels

• Puncture-proof PU tyres
• Lockable front wheels
• Suspension

Canopy

• UPF 50+ sun canopy with extendable sun visor and peep hole

Basket

• Weight Limit – 3kg
• Capacity 32 litres

Compatible Car Seats

• Didofy Stargazer iSize Car Seat
• Plus various seats from Maxi-Cosi and Cybex

Additional Features

• Cup Holder included

Accessories Available for the Stargazer

• i-Size Car Seat (RRP £124.99)
• ISOFIX Base (RRP £124.99)
• Car Seat Adapters (RRP £24.99)
• Footmuff (£69)
• Didofy Changing bag – black only (RRP £74.99)

Bundles Available

Stargazer Stroller (RRP £429.99)

Includes: –

• Stroller
• Raincover
• Cupholder

Stargazer Stroller 2-in-1 (RRP £699.99)

Includes: –

• Stroller
• Raincover
• Cupholder
• Carrycot
• Footmuff
• Changing Bag (including changing mat)
• Car Seat Adapters

Stargazer Bundle (RRP £799.99)

Includes: –

• Stroller
• Raincover
• Cupholder
• Carrycot
• Footmuff
• Changing Bag (including changing mat)
• Car Seat Adapters
• Group 0+ i-Size infant car seat
• ISOFIX base

The Didofy Stargazer Review

First Impressions

The first thing you notice about the didofy Stargazer is just how high up the carrycot / seat unit are without the need for extra adapters (which some brands use). This high positioning is a real plus point in our eyes in order that you can interact easily with your baby or toddler. It is really easy to put together. Basically slot the wheels on, pop the seat on and attach the bumper bar, and off you go. It comes with the canopy already attached and we wish that all strollers arrived like this!

Chassis

The chassis has a contemporary gunmetal finish to it which we like. It’s made from aluminium which gives it a lightweight feel. The plastics on the chassis are all black which match the finish on the rivets. The didofy logo and Stargazer name are displayed on each side in white. We like the gun metal circle on the central hinge which really lifts the look of the chassis.

Wheels

The didofy Stargazer is a 4 wheeled stroller with the back wheels being larger than the front wheels. The all-black look of the puncture-proof wheels and the tyres compliment the black reflected in other parts of the chassis. We did find them a little plasticky on close inspection but this is not noticeable from afar.

All the wheels can be removed. This is a very useful feature for two reasons. Firstly it makes them easier to clean and secondly it will make the fold smaller if you need it to be. This could be advantageous if you have a small boot of course. The back wheels are removed by pressing the lever on the inside of the back wheel housing. The front wheels are also simple to remove but the button to remove them is a little harder to find. However, once you know where it is, you won’t forget!

The tyres on the Stargazer are made from PU which is standard on many pushchairs now. The Stargazer is described by didofy as a multi-terrain pushchair. We wouldn’t consider taking this off road particularly – it is more suited to urban life. The all-round suspension will allow you to take it across the park but anything too rough and you may struggle.

How to lock the didofy Stargazer wheels?

The front wheels are swivel wheels which are ideal for urban use. You will find yourself using them in this mode the majority of the time. However, there are times when you are going over more rough terrain when it is useful to be able to lock them This is simple to do, There is a sliding lever situated above each wheel on the inside of the chassis. simply slide this across and the wheel will auto-lock. To unlock the wheel, simply reverse the process.

Brake

The brake on the didofy Stargazer is a foot brake and is situated on the inside of the rear wheel on the right hand side. It is a simple press for on, press for off brake. Perfect if you are wearing flip flops or open toe shoes. It does what it needs to do!

Handlebar

The handlebar is covered with leatherette (faux leather) and is padded to make pushing comfortable. The inside is stitched but we did find this a little rough on your hands and would have liked to have seen a smoother finish. There are two rubber ovals on the top which protect the leatherette when you fold the pushchair. These are a little rudimentary compared to others we have seen, but should help to protect the finish on the handlebar.

The didofy Stargazer has an adjustable handle which we have come to expect on pushchairs. It has a pivot handle with three positions ranging from 100cm to 110cm from the ground. Parents should find one of the positions comfortable for pushing whatever their height. To change the height of the handle, simply push in either side at the same time and rotate the handle either upwards or downwards.

Basket

We love the spacious basket which the Stargazer offers. The front and back are reinforced resulting in a nice strong offering. The sides are high meaning that however bumpy your journey, your belongings won’t bounce out. The basket is easily accessible even when in carrycot mode.

Carrycot

Although the seat unit is suitable from birth, many parents will opt for the carrycot. We always advise using a carrycot if budgets and space allow. The didofy Stargazer carrycot surprised us somewhat. Given the price point of the carrycot, we were expecting it to be quite basic but it does have some very nice features.

The didofy carrycot quite frankly really surprised us and turned what could have been a rather run-of-the-mill pushchair into something quite special. It’s a lovely comfortable place for your newborn to travel in. The inside is lined with cream quilted material – the pattern is reflected on the apron too. This fabric is thick and of a high quality. The bottom of the carrycot is curved allowing you to gently rock the carrycot when on the floor. Your can also stabilise the carrycot so that it won’t lock by flicking out the little ‘feet’. We love this feature as it also keeps the carrycot fabrics well away from the dirty floor.

At the head and foot end of the carrycot are two mesh panels in order to add ventilation in those warmer months. These are important as there is no ventilation in the bottom panel of the carrycot. You unzip the panels and roll the material upwards and secure with a toggle. Whilst effective, it’s perhaps not the prettiest of methods we have seen on a carrycot. However, whilst the ventilation panels are large and will add ventilation to the carrycot, the liner is still in place on the inside. There are pros and cons to this. On a positive note, it is never going to be too draughty for your baby. However on very balmy days, you are not going to get the air circulation that you would have otherwise had. We do also find that older babies like to look out of these panels, which of course they can’t do on the Stargazer.

It’s a big plus point that you can use the Stargazer carrycot for overnight sleep. It has a curved base so that you can rock your baby to sleep which is a nice touch.  We would love to see the addition of a carrycot stand as an accessory to make this an even better option.

Carrycot Mattress

The mattress is foam and thick, and will support your baby well. We would have liked to have seen a sprung mattress but given the price of the Stargazer, we were not surprised and there is always a compromise. The mattress cover is in the same thick quality fabric as the liner. The finish is excellent.

Carrycot Canopy

This is nicely finished and there are no ‘flappy’ fabrics – it looks nice! The canopy can be up or down using the memory buttons on either side. It is a silent motion and you will just hear a reassuring click when it gets to the top and secures in place. At the back is a ventilation panel which this time the baby can see out of. The canopy material folds upwards (almost in half) but you can not reveal the whole of the ventilation panel as you can’t get the material over the canopy ‘rod’. We did find this a little frustrating to be honest!

The canopy sits at 90 degrees to the carrycot base. It’s not the largest canopy we have seen as it doesn’t extend You may want to consider some extra sun protection during those summer months.

Carrycot fold and unfold

There are not many carrycots that fold quite as easily as the Stargazer carrycot. This is a game changer and we wish that all brands offered such a solution. This is useful if you have a small boot and once folded, the carrycot may even fit behind your passenger seat in the car. To fold squeeze the levers on either side of the carrycot and gently press the frame downwards.

To unfold, pull the top of the frame upwards. On the inside, just below where the canopy joins the frame, push outwards and you will find it clicks securely back in place. We can not emphasise just how EASY this is – genius!

How to remove the Stargazer carrycot

This is very simple and we love it! You can do this one handed.  Situated on the top of the carrycot canopy is a lever that you simply squeeze and lift the carrycot from the frame. To replace the carrycot simply gently drop it back in place and you will hear it click in place! It really does not get much easier than this!

Seat Unit

The didofy Stargazer can be used from birth without the need of the carrycot. However, as we have mentioned many parents will use a carrycot. Even if you decide to use a carrycot, the fact that this pushchair has a from birth seat is beneficial. For example, you may be short of boot space one day, so you can use the seat unit without feeling guilty. It’s also incredibly useful if you have both a baby and a toddler who may need to use the seat unit at times.

The ability for parents to use the Stargazer for a toddler one moment, and then simply recline the seat in order to make it suitable for a baby is very useful indeed.

The seat sits in a really nice high position – a factor that we love on the Stargazer. The seat unit itself is well padded and the padding comes up the sides to offer extra protection for your little one. We really like the quilted finish on the materials – a nice touch that adds a little sophistication to what may have otherwise been quite plain looking.

As seat units go, this is about average in size width and depth wise but does have a nice back height (46cm). We are seeing more and more pushchairs that are pushing the 50cm mark but on the flip side there are a number less than 45cm too! There is an adjustable footrest that has 3 different positions. We like the added element that you can ‘pop’ the fabrics up to offer more support for your baby’s feet – this is especially important if using the seat from birth in the most-reclined position.

The back of the seat is covered by the canopy fabrics – again an element that we like. Some pushchair seats show the ugly plastic and so it is nice to see this hidden. More about the canopy below.

How to Attach and Remove the Stargazer Seat Unit

The Stargazer has memory buttons to release the seat unit from the chassis! Hooray – we love memory buttons as it makes life so much easier! Once you have depressed both buttons, you simply lift the seat up. To replace the seat, line it up and gently drop it in place. You will hear a resounding click. To put the seat unit back in place, simply line it up and let gravity do the rest – no need to manually lock it in place.

Seat Recline

The Stargazer has a 3 position recline in both parent-facing and world-facing set-up. This is fairly standard as reclines go although we are beginning to see more pushchairs with a 4 position recline now. There is a recline lever on the back of the seat which is simple to use. The most reclined is not completely lay-flat but it does meet the recommendations for a newborn. Personally given the choice, we would use a carrycot for a newborn as it is not completely flat. We were very impressed with the most upright position though. Toddlers LOVE to be sat completely upright. If a seat does not have a good upright position, you will find that toddlers lean forwards to try and pull the seat into this position.

If you have the cupholder in place and want to recline the seat when world-facing, you do need to manually move the seat fabrics in though – else you could damage them with continued use! This is annoying. However, once your little one is world facing you will probably recline your seat less often. This is not a seat design fault, merely a cup holder that does not have a very slimline fitting but we would find this frustrating!

Harness

The harness on the Didofy Stargazer comes with substantial comfort pads which is nice to see. These match the fabrics of the seat unit and canopy – a lovely touch.

The harness is a 5-point harness – standard on most pushchairs now. The straps are fully adjustable and we like the fact that they go small enough for a tiny baby. We often find that although seat units are suitable from birth, that the harness itself really isn’t. There are three positions for shoulder height but you do have to re-thread. This is not particularly tricky and you won’t have to do it many times. A slide-harness however, would have been easier.

Where this harness really stands out from its competitors is its ability to lengthen and shorten incredibly easily. Based on the same system as used in car seats, you pull the strap situated on the underside of the footrest to tighten the harness. To loosen, simply press down on the embroidered circle just below the crotch pad, and pull out the chest straps. We love this element of the harness.

The harness has a magnetic buckle and this is great to see. This design of buckle is becoming more and more popular on pushchairs. It is nice to see a smaller brand including this innovative harness. It’s very easy to operate. The left and right shoulder/waist straps are effortlessly drawn into place and then you simply place the front on. The strong magnets will keep your little one securely in place. To release, push the light grey buttons towards the centre of the buckle.

Bumper Bar

The bumper bar is covered in the same leatherette as the handle bar. We have to admit that we found the bumper bar on the Stargazer a little disappointing. Largely because although gate opening, there is no swivel on it. This makes getting your little one in and out more cumbersome than it needs to be. This is especially apparent when parent facing as the bumper bar hits the chassis so you are unable to move it completely out of the way. We found this element of the pushchair annoying and it could have easily been overcome by adding a swivel motion. In world-facing mode, this is less of an issue.

Canopy (Seat Unit)

The canopy material on the Stargazer covers the whole of the back of the pushchair, an element that we really like. Not only does this cover up the ugly plastics, but it also ensures that there is no breezy gap behind your child. This is especially useful during the colder months. When the canopy is in the back position, it does look nice and tidy. In its original setup the canopy is not particularly large. However there is a zip which reveals another panel which makes it far more substantial. There is no additional sun visor as seen on many pushchairs but this is not particularly a problem.

At the back of the canopy is a peep-hole which is PVC. The cover is neatly held in place using a magnet and we love magnets! Unfortunately there is no additional ventilation which we would have liked to have seen for the summer months. Opening and closing the canopy is very quiet and shouldn’t wake a sleeping babe!

Seat Unit Raincover

The raincover for the seat unit is included in the box – it’s not an additional extra as it is with some brands. It’s very easy to fit on to the seat unit. We like the fact that it also covers the whole of the back of the seat unit and there is a little opening for accessing the seat recline. It sits neatly around the canopy and is long enough to cover your toddler’s feet. It is secured at the sides with velcro.

On either side are ventilation holes. Our niggle with the raincover is that there is nothing to secure the raincover at the bottom. This is OK when the seat is in the upright position. However, when reclined we envisage the wind getting under it which could cause problems. In the reclined position it seems a little short.

Fold

The didofy Stargazer boasts an innovative, gravity fold whereby you fold and unfold using just one hand. For a busy, stressed parent with a wriggling toddler, this could be a god-send! You can fold the Stargazer with the seat in situ world facing or parent facing. We put this to the test…

How to fold and unfold the the didofy Stargazer Stroller with the seat world facing or parent facing

Simply use the recline lever to fold the seat forwards. Ensure that the handle is lined up with the chassis. In the middle of the handle bar, locate the button with your thumb. Squeeze this at the same time as the folding trigger which is located on the top of the handle. You can do this with the same hand. Drop the handle to the floor and the Stargazer will start to fold. If you do this quite quickly it will fold and lock into place. You will hear a click when folded.

If you are folding with the seat parent facing, simply use the recline buttin to fold the seat over towards you and repeat the process above, If you have got the cup holder on, you will need to carefully tease the fabrics around this but it is not tricky.

To unfold, simply undo the lock which is located on the right hand side and lift up the handle. The wheels will roll themselves out. No heavy lifting is required which is a real bonus. Lift the seat back up into position and you are ready to go.

Will the chassis free-stand when folded with the set unit on?

The Stargazer will free-stand as long as the handlebar is in the correct position. There is also a carry handle located on the bottom of the seat to aid transportation which is a nice addition to see.

How to fold the didofy Stargazer when using the carrycot or if you want to remove the seat unit

In order to fold the Stargazer with the carrycot on you do need to first remove this. Of course in seat mode you can also remove the seat unit. You can fold the seat unit over to make it smaller for storage. If space is an issue, you can also make the carrycot more compact as described in the ‘carrycot’ section of the didofy Stargazer Review.

You then fold in the same way as described above. Ensure that the handle is lined up with the chassis. In the middle of the handle bar, locate the button with your thumb. Squeeze this at the same time as the folding trigger which is located on the top of the handle. You can do this with the same hand. Drop the handle to the floor and the Stargazer will start to fold. If you do this quite quickly it will fold and lock into place. You will hear a clock when folded. The Stargazer chassis will free-stand as long as the handlebar is in the correct position.

This is a very simple fold and we really like this. It’s intuitive and even Grandparents will get the knack of this quickly (no offence to Grandparents!). At 9.9kg with the seat unit in place, it certainly isn’t the heaviest pushchair to lift into your boot but it’s not the lightest either. You can make this lighter by removing the seat unit and lifting them into the boot separately of course.

Performance

The didofy Stargazer pushchair offers everything that most families will need. For its price, it is well engineered and pushes well with either a newborn on board or an older toddler. It will kerb-pop well but we found this more tricky as a toddler got older. As mentioned earlier in the review, the Stargazer is in our eyes suitable for an urban or rural environment. However we would not consider this to be an all-terrain pushchair. You will be fine through the parks etc., but we wouldn’t recommend long trips down a bumpy bridleway!

The Stargazer is not the smallest of pushchairs but we quite like that. It has a good turning circle. It’s not the lightest pushchair on the market but light does not always mean good! A bit of weight often gives a pushchair a better and more fluid ‘push’ so it’s not a negative with regards to performance. The suspension is pretty good, and town and city walks will be a doddle.

Warranty

The warranty of the didofy Stargazer is 2 years which is quite standard for a pushchair, although some manufacturers are now offering up to 5 years. It’s easy to register the warranty and we like that within the instruction bag, there is a little postcard reminding you to do this!

Conclusion

didofy may not be a brand that you have heard about before but we believe that it is not a brand you should dismiss. It’s key values will resonate with many parents…

“Family. didofy was founded by parents, with products made by parents, and designed for parents. Every aspect of didofy is centred around families.

Innovation. We strive to continually push the bounds of what’s possible, and find new ways to simplify daily family life.

Sustainability. We are conscious of our impact on the world, and continuously work to introduce more eco-friendly methods and materials into our business.

Quality. At didofy, the focus is on creating products that are not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing. We understand the importance of quality, and are committed to providing it at an affordable price.”

Buying a pushchair / pram is a considered purchase and prices differ immensely. The didofy Stargazer sits at a good price point, especially when you are purchasing a bundle. Whilst not a cheap option, it certainly sits below the average you can expect to pay and offers a good quality offering with some nice features. Naturally it is not perfect – but we are yet to find a perfect pushchair which will suit ALL parents. We love the seating position on the Stargazer and the gravity fold, elements that you will appreciate on a daily basis.

Star Rating

We awarded the didofy Stargazer 8 / 10 stars. Yes of course there are niggles, but the seating position on the Stargazer really did impress us, especially as you don’t need to use any additional adapters to accomplish this. You are going to use your pushchair the majority of the time in seat-mode so this really is a big plus! If you are looking for a pushchair that is not the same as everyone else is pushing, then take a look at the didofy Stargazer!

Pros

• High position for carrycot / seat unit without the need for additional adapters
• Spacious basket
• Seat has a really good upright position for toddlers
• Innovative magnetic harness
• Foldable carrycot suitable for overnight sleep
• Intuitive, gravity fold
• Good value for money, especially the bundle offerings
• Fabrics made from sustainable, recycled PET bottles

Cons

• Plasticky finish on wheels
• Seat suitable from birth but not completely lie flat
• Bumper bar does not swivel and makes access to child when parent-facing tricky
• Disappointing raincover

Read more pushchair reviews here.

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* Prices correct at time of publication