We have all been there. You finally get the baby to sleep, you dash out the door with a flat white that cost £4.50, and then you spend the entire walk trying to figure out where to put it. On the handlebar? It falls over. In the basket under the seat? You have to stop and dig around. In the cup holder that came with your pushchair? It is too small for a Costa cup and your coffee is now somewhere between your keys and a half-eaten biscuit.
A good buggy cup holder will not change your life, but it will change your walk. For £8-30, you can have a place for your coffee that actually works — keeps your drink upright, keeps it at roughly the right temperature, and does not require a physics degree to attach.
We tested six of the most popular cup holders available on Amazon UK in spring 2026. Simple clip-on basics, insulated premium options, phone-combo holders, double holders for twins, and a snack tray with cup holder built in. This is the real question: can you drink your coffee before it goes cold?
Quick Comparison
| Product | Price | Rating | Best For | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munchkin Brica Cup Holder Top Pick Budget | £8.99 | ★★★★☆ 4.4 | Budget pick at under £9. Works reliably, fits most handlebar... | Amazon UK |
| Joovy Scooter Cup Holder Top Pick | £14.99 | ★★★★☆ 4.6 | Our top pick. Deep cup well and rubber grip ring keep drinks... | Amazon UK |
| Thule Cupholder for Strollers | £24.99 | ★★★★☆ 4.7 | Premium insulated pick. Keeps drinks hot for 2+ hours, premi... | Amazon UK |
| BuggyBoard Snack Tray with Cup Holder | £29.99 | ★★★★☆ 4.5 | Clever add-on for BuggyBoard owners. Combines snack tray wit... | Amazon UK |
| Zooawa 2-in-1 Cup Holder with Phone Holder | £12.99 | ★★★★☆ 4.3 | Best combo option. Holds your drink AND your phone in one pl... | Amazon UK |
| Double Cup Holder for Twin Pushchairs | £16.99 | ★★★★☆ 4.2 | Essential for twin parents. Holds two drinks, fits most twin... | Amazon UK |
What We Tested (And How)
We fitted each cup holder to three pushchairs: a Joie Pact (lightweight folder), a Bugaboo Fox 5 (premium full-size), and a Hauck Swift X (budget everyday buggy). These represent the range most UK parents are working with.
We tested for:
- Stability: Would the cup fall over when we hit a kerb? We deliberately bumped each pushchair over standard UK pavement conditions.
- Handlebar fit: Did the clamp work on thin, thick, and curved handlebars?
- Cup compatibility: Would it fit a standard coffee cup, a large travel mug, and a slim water bottle?
- Temperature retention: For insulated options, how long did a hot drink stay hot?
- One-handed operation: Could you put a cup in and take it out while pushing with one hand?
Types of Buggy Cup Holders: What Works Best
Universal Clip-On Cup Holders The most common type — a simple clamp that attaches to your pushchair handlebar or frame. The Munchkin Brica and Joovy Scooter fall into this category. They add virtually no weight, cost under £15, and do one job reliably.
Best for: Most parents who just want a place for their coffee Not ideal for: Parents who want their drink to stay hot for more than 20 minutes
Insulated Cup Holders Premium holders with proper insulation that keep drinks hot or cold for 1-2 hours. The Thule Cupholder is the standout here. You pay more, but the temperature retention is genuinely useful on long walks or cold mornings.
Best for: Parents who take long walks or have their coffee before heading out Not ideal for: Quick trips to the shops — overkill
Phone + Drink Combo Holders Two-in-one units that hold your phone and your drink in one bar-mounted unit. The Zooawa 2-in-1 is the pick here. You trade some simplicity for functionality.
Best for: Parents who use their phone for navigation or podcasts while walking Not ideal for: Minimalists who want a clean handlebar
Double Cup Holders Essential for twin parents or anyone who needs two drinks at once. The Liuloon double holder fits most twin buggy handlebars.
Best for: Twins, partners who walk together, or parents who run on serious caffeine Not ideal for: Single drink needs — adds unnecessary bulk
Snack Tray + Cup Holder Combos A smart add-on for BuggyBoard users that combines snack storage with a cup holder. The BuggyBoard Snack Tray solves a specific problem elegantly.
Best for: Parents with a BuggyBoard who want snack + drink in one spot Not ideal for: Anyone without a BuggyBoard
The Comparison: Side by Side
| Product | Type | Price | Fits Insulated Bottles | Phone Holder | Universal Fit | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munchkin Brica | Basic clip-on | £8.99 | ✗ No | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | 4.4★ |
| Joovy Scooter | Premium clip-on | £14.99 | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | 4.6★ |
| Thule Cupholder | Insulated premium | £24.99 | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | 4.7★ |
| Zooawa 2-in-1 | Phone + drink combo | £12.99 | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | 4.3★ |
| Liuloon Double | Double holder | £16.99 | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | 4.2★ |
| BuggyBoard Snack Tray | Tray + cup holder | £29.99 | ✓ Yes | ✗ No | ✗ No | 4.5★ |
Buying Considerations
Pushchair Bar Diameter Most cup holders claim "universal fit" but the reality varies. Thinner handlebars on travel buggies (under 20mm diameter) can be too thin for some clamps. Thicker bars on premium prams (over 30mm) can be too thick. Check customer Q&As on Amazon if you have an unusual pushchair — most parents will have asked exactly this question.
Insulated vs Non-Insulated If you are the parent who buys a coffee and drinks it within 10 minutes, insulation does not matter. If you are the parent who gets a flat white and then spends 20 minutes settling the baby before you can actually walk, insulation matters a lot. The Thule kept our coffee warm for over two hours. The Munchkin lost 15°C in 30 minutes.
Stability This is the test that matters most: can your coffee survive a kerb bump? The Joovy Scooter's deep well and rubber grip ring performed best in our kerb tests. The Munchkin's shallower cup let cups tilt more easily. If your pushchair handling is rough (and with a sleeping baby, it always is), stability is worth paying for.
Single vs Double Most parents need one cup holder. Twins parents need two. The double holders work well but add noticeable bulk to your handlebar. If you are just a caffeine-heavy singleton, a single well-designed holder is better than a compromise double.
Ease of Fitting Some cup holders clip on in 5 seconds. Others require adjusting a screw clamp. If you switch between pushchairs, easy-on-easy-off matters. The Joovy Scooter's snap-lock is the easiest we tested. The Thule's adjustable clamp is more secure but takes longer.
The £8 vs £20 Question
For most parents, the £8-15 options are perfectly fine.
The honest answer is that a basic cup holder does the core job: it holds your cup and keeps it upright. The £8 Munchkin Brica is the right answer for: - Parents not sure they will use one regularly - A backup/casual second cup holder - Budget-conscious families
The premium is worth it when: - You use your pushchair every single day - You want insulation (hot coffee in winter matters) - You have a premium pram where the accessory aesthetic matters to you
The Thule at £25 is the premium pick — it genuinely keeps drinks hot, the build quality is excellent, and it will last the life of your pushchair. The Joovy Scooter at £15 is the sweet spot between basic and premium: better than the £8 options, insulation without the premium price.
One tip: buy before you need. The parents who say "I definitely do not need a cup holder" are the same parents buying one three weeks later. It is the most impulse-purchased buggy accessory for a reason.
Building Out Your Handlebar
A cup holder and an organiser bag work best as a pair — your drink in the holder, your phone and keys in the organiser. Our best buggy organisers guide covers six options from budget clip-ons to insulated hanging bags, all tested on the same pushchairs we used for cup holder testing.
If you have an older child on a buggy board, the BuggyBoard Snack Tray (reviewed above) combines a cup holder with a snack surface in one unit. Our best buggy boards guide covers which boards are compatible and what to look for when you are also managing a toddler rider.
Still deciding whether a cup holder is actually worth buying? Our buggy accessories buying guide covers the honest essential vs. nice-to-have breakdown — spoiler: it is one of the more defensible purchases.
Cup holders and hooks are natural companions — the hook keeps the bag accessible, the cup holder keeps the drink within reach. Our best buggy hooks & clips guide covers seven options at different price points, from the BuggyPal carabiner (our top pick) to the premium Jolly Joey with its locking gate for extra security.
If you are planning your handlebar setup, a phone mount pairs naturally with a cup holder — both clip to the same handlebar section, and 2-in-1 units like the KDD and AOBETAK combine both in a single clamp. Our pushchair phone holders guide covers the best standalone and combo options, including what to look for when your handlebar is already getting crowded.
Our Picks in Detail
Munchkin Brica Cup Holder
Pros
- ✓ Under £9 — impulsive buy territory
- ✓ Universal spring-loaded clamp fits most handlebar diameters
- ✓ Keeps cup steady on normal pavements
- ✓ Lightweight — adds virtually nothing to pushchair weight
- ✓ Replaceable if lost or broken without much guilt
Cons
- – No insulation — cold drinks warm up, hot drinks cool down
- – Basic plastic construction shows wear over time
- – Cup can tilt if buggy hits a big bump
Joovy Scooter Cup Holder
Pros
- ✓ Deep cup well keeps drinks more stable
- ✓ Fits insulated bottles up to 3 inches diameter
- ✓ Rubber grip ring inside prevents cup slipping
- ✓ Works on handlebars and frame tubes
- ✓ Solid snap-lock attachment — no slipping
Cons
- – Slightly bulkier than basic options
- – Price up from what it used to be
- – Only one cup — no double option
Thule Cupholder for Strollers
Pros
- ✓ Proper insulation — keeps hot drinks hot for 2+ hours
- ✓ Premium build quality that will outlast your pushchair
- ✓ Fits everything from slim water bottles to large travel mugs
- ✓ Adjustable diameter — works on any bar size
- ✓ Thule brand means it matches other Thule accessories
Cons
- – £25 is a lot for a cup holder
- – Only holds one cup
- – No phone functionality
BuggyBoard Snack Tray with Cup Holder
Pros
- ✓ Cup holder PLUS a tray for snacks — genius combination
- ✓ Sits at standing-child height, not handlebar
- ✓ Non-slip tray surface keeps snacks in place
- ✓ Fits most BuggyBoard models
- ✓ The tray is genuinely useful for crackers, fruit, or toys
Cons
- – Only works if you have a BuggyBoard already
- – £30 is a big add-on cost
- – Does not fit all pushchair models
Zooawa 2-in-1 Cup Holder with Phone Holder
Pros
- ✓ Two drinks plus phone holder — all in one
- ✓ Under £13 for the functionality
- ✓ Adjustable angle for phone visibility
- ✓ Fits most pushchair handlebars
- ✓ Transparent phone window lets you see the screen
Cons
- – Attaches with velcro — can loosen over time
- – Phone holder adds bulk to the bars
- – Budget plastic feel
Double Cup Holder for Twin Pushchairs
Pros
- ✓ Holds two drinks simultaneously
- ✓ Essential for twin parents — twice the coffee需求
- ✓ Adjustable clamps fit twin buggy handlebars
- ✓ Can hold one large bottle + one cup
- ✓ Under £17 for double functionality
Cons
- – Only useful if you genuinely need two drinks
- – Larger footprint on the handlebar
- – Makes steering slightly heavier on light frames
The Verdict
The Joovy Scooter is our top pick at £14.99. It strikes the perfect balance: stable enough for rough pavement, deep enough for most cups, insulated enough for a 30-minute walk, and cheap enough that you do not feel guilty. It is the cup holder we keep reaching for.
The Munchkin Brica gets the budget slot at £8.99. It is the default answer for a reason — it works, it is cheap enough to not matter, and you can replace it without thinking about it. If you are asking "do I need this?", start here.
If insulation matters to you (and in a British April, it often does), the Thule Cupholder at £24.99 is the premium answer. It genuinely keeps drinks hot for two hours and the build quality is exceptional. Worth it if you use your pushchair daily.
The Zooawa 2-in-1 at £12.99 is the pick if you want drink + phone in one place on your handlebar. The Liuloon double at £16.99 is essential for twin parents. And if you have a BuggyBoard already, the BuggyBoard Snack Tray at £29.99 is a clever add-on that combines snack storage with your coffee spot.
The real answer: almost every parent needs a cup holder. The question is just which one. Start with the Joovy Scooter — you will not regret it.
Need more help deciding? Check out our [Buying Guide](/buying-guide) for a full breakdown of all buggy accessories, or browse our [Cup Holders category](/categories/cup-holders) to see all options.