Silver Cross Dune 2 review

Choosing the right pram or pushchair is one of the biggest decisions new parents face – and when it comes to premium style, smart features and city-ready design, the Silver Cross Dune 2 is stepping up as a serious contender. The follow-up to the original Dune, this second-generation stroller promises even more comfort, convenience and compactness for modern families on the move. But does it deliver on its promises? New mum Becky took the Dune 2 for a spin to see how it holds up in real life.

Testing the Silver Cross Dune 2

As a first-time mum, I had heard good things about the Silver Cross brand, and I was really excited to test the Dune 2. Reading the specifications, it sounded like the right stroller for us.

Build

I found the frame of the Silver Cross Dune 2 to be really sturdy but also lightweight, which was helpful for me after having a C-section. It meant I could get the pram in and out of the car a lot easier than struggling with something heavy.

There is also quite a lot of space under the pram for storing items. I can just throw the baby bag underneath and not have to worry about clipping it to the handlebar, or when at the shops, I don’t need to mess with a basket.

The design was very simple, and everything was really easy to use, such as collapsing the stroller frame and adding the wheels when building the pram.

One thing I loved was that the carrycot can also be folded down, so it’s a lot easier to store and takes up less room in the car.

Usability

One of the features I found particularly useful was the one-handed, self-standing fold. It made getting everything into the car so much easier, and it was also handy not to have to lay the pram on the ground, so it saved me bending down to pick it up.

It was also easy to interchange the different attachments, from carry cot to toddler seat and even the car seat. It’s worth reading the manual to double-check how to do everything, especially as a first-time parent. I wanted to make sure I was clipping the carry cot on correctly and how to fix our car seat, as the adapters are universal, so I wanted to make sure I was attaching these properly.

We live near a canal, so when going for a walk, we went from a paved area to stones to a gravel and dirt path, and it was surprisingly easy to push the pram over the different terrain.

It’s not easy to test how effective the UPF50+ hood is, but I found it provided really good shade for my son.

The carrycot is suitable for overnight sleeping, and while we haven’t used it for that yet, it is really good to know that we don’t have to take a travel cot when we go visit my parents for a weekend - we can just use the carrycot!

Performance

I liked that the Dune 2 came with a toddler seat and a cot for my baby, and I found these really easy to swap over, too. We don’t need the toddler seat just yet, as my baby is only young, but I really loved how sleek it looked. I also liked the universal car seat adapters it had, as this meant we could easily put our car seat onto the pram when out.

The Silver Cross Dune 2 also has good ventilation, which is reassuring when my baby is in the cot, as I know he is safe.

We put a plain cover on the mattress as well just to help keep it clean from any leakages, which made cleaning a lot easier too.

One thing I really liked was how easy it was to push over different surfaces. This made getting out for walks a lot easier, especially after having a C-section and needing to take walks steadily. It was nice not having to struggle getting over rougher surfaces.

I’m not the tallest person, so when stationary, the brakes were easy to reach, which was a bonus, too. My husband and I wear sandals quite a lot, too, as we find them more comfortable. When taking the brakes off, we thought it would be difficult, as there’s less support on the shoe, to kick the brake up, but it was actually easy to do.

Getting the raincover onto the pram at first was a bit tricky, but once I figured out which way it needed to go, it was okay. I did make a habit of folding it up neatly, too, so it was easier to remember how it goes on. This is really the only accessory the pram comes with, which, for the price point, isn’t too bad. However, I felt like it was missing some basic essentials, such as the footmuff, but these can be bought separately.

Final verdict

The Silver Cross Dune 2 has impressed me on almost every front. I love how easy it is to push. It was ideal for everyday use as well, which I know some aren’t because they can feel a bit bulky. I do think it’s reasonably priced for a stroller system, although most of the accessories have to be purchased separately, so the price does add up.

The stroller is very simple but in a good way. There are no complicated features, and it just does everything you need it to do as a first-time parent. I would definitely recommend this to another parent!

Samantha Ball is a Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby, having written for the brand since 2018. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best and current trending products for little ones and for cute seasonal outfits.