The Top Reasons People Succeed With The Strollers Industry

The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller is one of the smallest, lightest and easiest to fold. Despite its size it has an excellent ride, great sun canopy and multi-position recline.

For less than $100 the stroller is a great value. It has an easy compact fold and carry strap, making it easy to put it over your shoulders or take on public transportation.

1. Lightweight

When it comes to travel strollers, lightweight and easy-to-fold are essential. The top models we tested fold down using just one hand (and sometimes two hands) and can fit in overhead luggage compartments. They are also compact strollers and roll well which makes them easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Some even come with the option of a telescoping handle to parents of different heights. Find a lightweight, easy-to carry stroller for your family, whether you're planning to go on short trips with a baby, or taking a long-haul journey with an infant.

To find the best travel strollers, we evaluated nine that meet our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets as well as on country side walks and at the airport terminal to determine its maneuverability, ease of carrying and folding as well as overall comfort for the child.

Our top picks are the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) that has the simplest fold of all the travel strollers we've tested and can fit into airplane overhead bins. It's car seat compatible and its seat can recline almost completely flat, making it ideal for babies. Other parent-friendly features include a large undercarriage basket as well as a bag hook that is attached to the handle and a UPF 50+ canopy that offers plenty of coverage for your child's travels.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is an alternative that is a great choice. It features the ability to fold in concertina that can be operated using just one hand, and is very light. Its five-point harness, padded and crotch strap will keep your child safe, and the reversible seat and a massive undercarriage basket make sure there's room for all of their possessions. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat. This makes it a viable option for families starting that have children from the time of birth.

Lastly, the Coya TRVL ($320) is another one-handed, one-step fold that comes with car seat compatibility and a far-reaching canopy. It's more expensive than the other models in this category however, it comes with additional features, including a spacious cupholder and a parent's pocket, a handlebar that can be adjusted to accommodate parents of different heights, and a comfortable carrying strap. Its simplicity may sacrifice some durability when compared to other models in this category, however.

2. Easy to fold

When you're on the go, a travel stroller needs to be easy to open and close. You do not want a stroller which is difficult to close when you're carrying food items or children in your arms. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even with one hand. Many come with a comfortable carrying strap that is comfortable over your shoulder.

In our tests in our tests, the Libelle stroller scored highly for its ease of folding and compactness. But it also has other great features: It can roll smoothly over all surfaces and has a large canopy that offers ample coverage. It's also surprisingly light and self-standing when folded, which makes it easier to store.

Parents who want to stroll right up to the gate and pop their stroller into the overhead bin we recommend looking for a model that promises to fit into. The Munchkin Sparrow, for pram and car seat newborn (quilter.s8.xrea.com) example is a great fit in the smallest fold and comes with a convenient travel cover, but it has no reclining seat and a tiny cargo area that can hold a small tote or diaper bag (no backpacks).

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another alternative. It folds concertina-style fashion, but it also has a reversible seating position to ride face-to-face or back-to-back. Our editor in chief found it a breeze to open and close, but she wasn't crazy about the way the handle folds into the seat when folded.

The newest type of travel stroller is the tri-fold, which folds into thirds and offers the most compact combination of size and features. The UPPAbaby Minu for example, has a reclined seat, a non-structured rear storage pouch, and a lockable clasp that keeps it folded. It's slightly larger than the umbrellas of the brand but folds more compactly than their G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts. It also comes with a padded shoulder strap.

3. Easy to store

The best travel strollers can fold down to a size that can be easily stored. They can be easily stowed in the trunk of a vehicle or the overhead bin of an airplane. Some even come with a carry strap that is easy to carry over your shoulder and you don't need to worry about your hands becoming tired. They also tend to be lighter than standard strollers, which can make them easier to lift and carry when you're ready to take a stroll around the neighborhood or to the airport.

When we tested this stroller, it performed exceptionally well in our durability tests, and it was easy to maneuver on all kinds of surfaces from smooth hardwoods to shag carpeting. However some of our test subjects found it to be a bit thin and the handlebar does not include any padding to keep your hands comfortable. The size of the storage basket is also something to consider. It is quite small and some parents have had difficulty difficult to fit a large diaper bag inside it.

We suggest calling your airline in advance to confirm their specific guidelines concerning strollers. These can vary. This is particularly crucial if you plan to check your stroller's gate-ability and allow you to travel around the airport without it, and then use it when you're on the plane (though this option isn't suitable for families that require a car seat or toddler booster).

If you're looking for a no-fuss travel stroller that's lightweight and folds down to an extremely compact size, the Contours Itsy is a great option. It's nearly assembled right out of the box, and the only thing you have to do is snap the bumper bar into the appropriate spot. It comes with a cup holder for the parent and a back pocket. However, it does not have an over-sized basket. This can make it difficult to pack the essentials for long trips.

If you're a frequent traveler, we recommend considering a more robust stroller that has more features and can carry more cargo. The UPPAbaby Mini, as an instance, has many of its G-Luxe and G-Link siblings' features, but is smaller and Prams pushchairs folds much faster. It is also slightly more robust than an umbrella stroller and comes with a cushioned strap to alleviate some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Confortable

Strollers are typically used for extended periods of time when traveling, which is why the comfort of the stroller is crucial. Seats that have plenty of padding and a recline system that can be adjusted at various angles are ideal. Be aware of whether the canopy extends to provide sun protection and if the mesh windows promote airflow. Consider a model that has an organizer for parents and a cupholder as well as an ample basket under the seat, if you have to carry things with you. If you're shopping for a travel stroller for older children, look up the age range and assess whether your child is comfortable in the stroller without a car seat for infants.

It is also essential to think about the way a stroller moves. It should be able to move easily across a variety of surfaces that include smooth carpets, hardwoods and shag carpets cobblestones and gravel. It must be able to navigate curbs, stairs, and other obstacles easily. If your plans for travel include lots of walking, opt for a light stroller to avoid leg and back soreness.

A good quality travel stroller is one that is easy to use, as well. It should be assembled in less than 30 seconds and snap up securely when you put it into the correct position. It must also be able to fold flat and fit into the boot of a car or the overhead compartment of a plane. It should also be upright when folded so that you can grab it up with one hand while holding your child in the other.

If you're a parent who's looking for a high-quality, lightweight travel stroller The Joie Tourist is a great option. It comes with multiple recline positions, so your child can rest comfortably, and its extensible canopy provides plenty of sun coverage with UPF protection. It also comes with a rain cover as well as a coffee cup holder and a footmuff. Charlotte loves that it's suitable for babies up to four years and doesn't require the purchase of an adapter for car seats separately.