How To Get Better Results With Your Strollers
The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers
This stroller is one of the smallest, lightest and easiest to fold. It offers a smooth ride and a fantastic sun canopy, and multi-position recline.
With a price of less than $100 the stroller is an excellent value. It features a simple compact fold and carry strap, which makes it easy to carry over your shoulder or carry on public transport.
1. Lightweight
When it comes to travel strollers, lightweight and easy-to-fold are key. The most popular models we tested can be folded in one hand, and sometimes two and can be tucked in overhead luggage compartments. They are also lightweight and easy to roll which makes them easy to maneuver into tight spaces. Some models have an adjustable hand to accommodate parents of different heights. Find a lightweight, easy to carry stroller for your family, regardless of whether you're planning to go on a short trip with a baby or taking a long-haul journey with a toddler.
To determine the top travel strollers, we evaluated nine strollers that met our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets as well as on country side walks and in the airport terminal to determine its ability to maneuver, its ease of folding and carrying and overall comfort for children.
Our picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320), which is the easiest to fold of the travel strollers we tried and fits into overhead bins for airplanes. The seat reclines to a flat position and is car seat-compatible which means it's suitable for babies from birth. Other features that parents will appreciate include a large undercarriage basket, a bag hook on the handle, and a UPF 50+ canopy that offers plenty of coverage for your little traveler.
Other options include the Cybex Orfeo ($320), which features a single-handed concertina fold and is incredibly lightweight. The five-point harness is padded, baby pram crotch strap, and reversible seat protect your child, while a large undercarriage basket and a reversible seat will ensure there is space for their belongings. It is also compatible with the brand's infant car seat. This makes it an ideal option for families starting that have children from birth.
Finally, the Coya TRVL ($320) is a different one-handed, one-step fold with car seat compatibility and a far-reaching canopy. It's more expensive than the other models in the category, but offers additional features such as a large cupholder and a parent facing pushchair's pocket, a handlebar that can be adjusted to accommodate parents of all heights, and a comfortable carrying strap. Its simplicity does sacrifice a bit of durability compared to the other models in this category, however.
2. Easy to fold
When you're on the move, a travel stroller needs to be easy to open and close. You do not want a stroller that is difficult to close when you have food items or children in your arms. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even when you only have one hand. A lot of them have padded straps that you can put comfortably over your shoulders.
In our tests, we awarded the Libelle stroller high marks due to its compactness and easy folding. It also has other nice features. It rolls smoothly across all surfaces and features an ample canopy that provides sufficient coverage. It's also extremely light and stands up by itself when folded. This makes it easy to store.
We recommend parents who wish to have their stroller fit into the overhead bins of planes, look for models that promise to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It can fit into the smallest of foldings and comes with an enclosed travel cover. However, it does not have an adjustable seat and its cargo space is too narrow to hold anything but an infant diaper bag or tote.
Another option is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds down into a concertina design but also features a reversible seat for face-toface or back-toback riding. The handle is tucked behind the seat, but our editor didn't like the way it folded.
The tri-fold is the most recent stroller for travel. It folds in three parts and offers the best combination between compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu for instance, has a reversible seat with a storage pouch that is not structured in the rear, pram and travel system a lockable latch that keeps it folded. It's slightly larger than the umbrella models from the brand however, it folds more compactly than its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts. It also comes with a carry strap with padding that can be slung over your shoulder.
3. Easy to store
The best travel strollers can fold down to a small size that is easy to store. They can easily be tucked away in the trunk of a vehicle or the overhead bin of the plane. Some even have a carrying strap that makes it easy to carry over your shoulder and not have to be concerned about your hands getting tired. They also tend to be lighter than normal strollers, which can make them easier to carry and lift when it's time for an easy stroll around the neighborhood or at the airport.
The stroller performed extremely well in our tests of durability and was easy to maneuver over all kinds of surfaces. From smooth hardwoods to shag flooring this stroller is a great choice. Some of our test subjects found it a bit flimsy, and the handlebar was not padding to ensure that your hands are comfortable. Another thing to take into consideration is how big the basket is It's slightly smaller than the average, and some parents found it difficult to fit the large diaper bag inside it.
We recommend that you call your airline ahead to confirm their specific guidelines regarding strollers. These can vary. This is especially important if you wish to gate-check your stroller and allow you to navigate the airport without it, and then use it when you're on the plane (though this option isn't suitable for families who need an infant car seat or booster).
If you're looking to purchase a straightforward stroller that's light and folds down to a compact size, the Contours Itsy is a great choice. It's nearly assembled straight out of the box, and the only thing you need to do is to snap the bumper bar in the appropriate spot. It has cups holder for the parent, as well as a back pocket. However, it does not have an over-sized basket. This can make it difficult to pack the essentials for a long journey.
If you're a frequent traveler we suggest a more robust stroller that has more features and can carry more cargo. The UPPAbaby Mini, for example has many of its G-Luxe and G-Link siblings with features, but it is smaller and folds more quickly. It's also a bit more durable than an umbrella stroller and has a strap that is padded to help take some of the burden off your shoulders.
4. Comfortable
Strollers are commonly used for extended durations of time when traveling, and the comfort of the stroller is crucial. Seats with a lot of padding and a recline system that can be adjusted at various angles are ideal. Note if the canopy extends for sun protection, and if the mesh windows allow airflow. If you need to carry your own items take a look at a model that has cups and organizers for parents as well as a large storage basket under the seat. When shopping for a travel child jogger, make sure to check the age range. Also, Convertible Strollers think about whether your child is at ease in the seat without a car seat for infants.
It is also crucial to think about how a stroller is rolled. It must be able to roll effortlessly across a variety of surfaces such as smooth carpets, hardwoods and shag carpets cobblestones and gravel. It should also handle curbs and stairs with ease. Choose a lightweight stroller for those who are planning to do a lot of walking during your trip. This will prevent leg and back pain.
A good travel stroller is also easy to use. It should assemble in under 30 seconds and be able to snap together when it is popped into the correct position. It should also be able fold flat and fit in the boot of a car or the overhead compartment of an airplane. It should also remain upright when folded so that you can reach it with one hand while holding your baby in the other.
The Joie Tourist is an excellent option for parents seeking a light high-quality stroller for their travels. It comes with numerous recline positions so your child can nap comfortably. Its extensible canopy provides plenty of sun coverage with UPF protection. It also includes a rain cover as well as a coffee cup holder and footmuff. Charlotte is thrilled that the car seat is suitable for infants to four-year-olds and does not require an adapter separately.