Maclaren Atom
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Maclaren Atom

A dynamic mini-traveler with XL features
.eli
see 9 parent reviews

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

3.8/5
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parents say thx^^
  • 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.

Great stroller for a newborn

5

A great stroller for a newborn.

Super small, super driveable

4
  • ❤️
  • 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.

Recommended as a travel buggy

5

We got it for our holidays, and the super-large canopy was such a help. Recommended as a travel buggy.

Loved the fabrics and the quality

4
  • 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.

We missed the belly bar A LOT

3

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

1)

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.

.eli - 02 May 2023
2)

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.

.eli - 03 Mar 2022
3)

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.

.eli - 11 Jan 2022

This is your place to ask us a (quick) question about the Maclaren Atom