20 Resources To Help You Become More Efficient At Strollers
The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers
This stroller is among the lightest and most compact. It's also among the easiest folding strollers. It offers a smooth ride, a great sun canopy, and a multi-position recline.
This stroller is a great value for less than $100. It's lightweight and easy to fold away, making it perfect for public transport, or even slinging over your shoulder.
1. Lightweight
The most important aspect of a great travel stroller is to be lightweight and easy to fold. The most popular models we tested can be folded with one hand, and sometimes two, and they can fit in overhead luggage compartments. They are also compact and easily roll, making them easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Some models come with a telescoping handle to accommodate parents of different heights. Find a lightweight, easy to pack stroller for your family, whether you're planning to go on a short trip with a baby or an extended trip with a toddler.
We tested nine strollers that meet our minimum size and weight requirements. Each model was tested on city streets and country side walks and in the airport terminal to assess its maneuverability, the ease of carrying and folding as well as overall comfort for children.
Our top picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) that is the easiest to fold of all the strollers that we tried and fits into overhead bins on airplanes. The seat reclines to a flat position and is car seat compatible, so it's suitable for babies from birth. The car also features a deep undercarriage and a bag-hook attached to the handle and a UPF50+ canopy to offer plenty of protection to your child.
The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another option. It features the ability to fold in concertina that can be completed by one hand and is very light. Its padded, five-point harness and crotch straps keep your child secure, while the reversible seat as well as a massive undercarriage basket make sure there's plenty of space for their belongings. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat. This makes it a good option for families starting beginning at the time of birth.
The Coya TRVL ($320), an all-hands, one-step fold and is also compatible with car seats and comes with a large canopy. It's more expensive than other models in the category however, it comes with additional features like a large cupholder, a parent pocket, a handlebar that can be adjusted to accommodate parents of different heights, and a comfortable carry strap. The simplicity of the model does not mean it's as durable, as relative to other models in this category.
2. folding stroller is easy
When you're on the move, a travel stroller needs to be simple to open and close. If you're carrying a bag of groceries or kids in your arms, you don't want to struggle with a cumbersome stroller to close it. The best strollers for travel fold easily and compactly, even with one hand. Many come with a comfortable carrying strap that is comfortable over your shoulder.
In our tests, we gave the Libelle stroller high marks for its compactness and ease of folding. But it also has other great features: It can roll effortlessly across all surfaces and has a large canopy that provides plenty of coverage. It's also surprisingly light and free-standing when folded, making it easy to store.
For parents who want to roll straight to the plane gate and pop their stroller into the overhead bin we suggest an option that will fit inside. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example is a great fit in the smallest fold, and comes with a convenient travel cover, but it comes with no recliner push chairs and prams a small cargo space that can only hold a small tote bag or diaper bag (no backpacks).
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another alternative. It folds concertina-style, but has a reversible seating position for riding back-toback or face-toface. The handle is hidden behind the seat, but our editor didn't love the fold.
The tri-fold is the newest stroller that travels. It folds into three pieces and provides the most compact combination of size and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu for instance, comes with a reversible seat and a storage compartment that is unstructured in the rear, and a lockable latch to keep it folded. It's a bit bigger than the umbrellas made by the brand, but is smaller than their G-Luxe or G-Link counterparts. It also has a shoulder strap that is cushioned.
3. Easy to store
The best strollers for travel can fold down to a small size that is easy to store. They can be easily stowed in the trunk of a car or the overhead bin of a plane. Some models even come with a carrying strap that is easy to sling over your shoulder and you don't have to be concerned about your hands getting tired. They are also lighter than normal strollers. This makes them easy to lift and carry for a quick walk in the neighborhood or at the airport.
The stroller performed extremely well in our tests of durability and was easy to maneuver across all types of surfaces. From smooth hardwoods to sag flooring, this stroller is a great option. However some of our testers found it to be a bit thin and the handlebar does not have any padding to help keep your hands in a comfortable position. The size of the storage basket should also be considered. It's on the small side and some parents have reported that it was difficult to fit a large diaper bag inside it.
We suggest calling your airline prior to departure to confirm their specific guidelines regarding strollers. These can vary. This is especially important when you are planning to check your stroller at the gate. You can then use it on the plane and travel the airport without a stroller travel.
If you're looking for a simple stroller that's light and folds down to a compact size, the Contours Itsy is a great choice. The Contours Itsy comes almost completely assembled and all you have to do is snap in the bumper bar. It comes with a parent cup holder and a back pocket, but no oversized basket which might make it difficult to carry essentials for a long-distance trip.
If you're frequent travelers, we recommend that you consider a stroller that is more robust, with more features and the capacity to carry more cargo. The UPPAbaby Mini, as an instance, comes with many of the G-Luxe or G-Link siblings' features, but is more compact travel stroller and folds faster. It's also a bit stronger than an umbrella stroller and comes with a comfortable carrying strap to take some of the burden off your shoulders.
4. Confortable
The comfort factor is crucial when using strollers for extended periods of time. Find seats with plenty of padding and a recline system that allows you to set it at various angles. Take note of whether the canopy extends to provide sun protection and if the mesh windows allow airflow. If you have 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. If you're in the market for a travel stroller for older children, check the age range and determine whether your child is comfortable in the seat without an infant car seat.
The way that a stroller moves is also crucial. It must be able to roll effortlessly across various surfaces such as smooth hardwoods, shag carpets, cobblestones and gravel. It should be able to handle steps, curbs and other obstacles easily. Consider a stroller with a light weight for those who intend to do a lot of walking during your trip. This will help to prevent back and leg pain.
A quality stroller for travel should be easy to use, too. It should be assembled in less than 30 seconds and snap up securely when popped into the correct position. It should also fold flat enough to fit in the boot of your car or in the overhead compartments of planes. It should also remain upright when folded, so that you can pick it up using one hand and then hold your child in the other.
The Joie Tourist is an excellent choice for parents who are looking for a lightweight high-quality stroller for their travels. It comes with several recline positions, which means your child can nap comfortably. The extensible canopy provides plenty of sun protection with UPF protection. Additionally, it comes with lots of extras including a footmuff, cup holder, and rain cover are all included. Charlotte loves that the car seat is suitable for infants to four-year-olds and does not require an adapter separately.