15 Reasons To Love Strollers

The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller compact is one of the lightest, most compact and easy to fold. It has a great ride and a fantastic sun canopy, and a multi-position recline.

This stroller is a great value at less than $100. It has an easy compact fold and carry strap, which makes it easy to put it over your shoulder or take to public transportation.

1. Lightweight

The most important thing to consider when choosing a travel stroller is that it must be light and easy to fold. The best models we tested could be folded with one hand and sometimes two, and they can fit into overhead compartments for luggage. They are also compact and easily roll which makes them easy to maneuver in tight space. Some even offer the option of a telescoping handle to parents of different heights. Find a light, easy to carry stroller for your family, regardless of whether you're planning to take a short trip with a baby or taking a long-haul journey with an infant.

We evaluated nine strollers that met our minimum size and weight requirements. Each model was tested on country sidewalks and in the terminal at the airport for maneuverability, ease of folding and carrying, as well as overall comfort for your child.

Our top picks are the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) that has the most simple fold of all the travel strollers we've tested and can fit into overhead bins for airplanes. Its seat reclines almost flat and is compatible with car seats which means it's suitable for babies from birth. The car also has a deep undercarriage and a bag-hook attached to the handle, and a UPF50+ canopy that will provide plenty of protection for your child.

Other great options include the Cybex Orfeo ($320), that features a one-handed concertina fold that is extremely lightweight. The padded five-point harness, the crotch strap, and the an reversible seat will protect your child and secure, while a large undercarriage basket as well as a reversible seat will ensure there is room for their belongings. It is also compatible with the brand’s infant car seat. This makes it an ideal option for families with children from birth.

The Coya TRVL ($320), a one-handed, one step fold and is also compatible with car seats and features an enormous canopy. It's a bit more expensive than the other models in this class, but it offers extra features, including a larger cupholder for the parent, an adjustable handlebar to accommodate parents of all heights and a comfortable carry strap. The simplicity of the model isn't without its drawbacks, when contrasted with other models in this class.

2. Easy to fold

When you're on the move, your stroller has to be simple to open and close. You don't want a stroller that 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 when you only have one hand. Many come with a comfortable carrying strap that is comfortable over your shoulder.

In our tests, we awarded the Libelle stroller high marks due to its compactness and its ease of folding. It also has a few great features: It can roll effortlessly across all surfaces and comes with a huge canopy that gives ample coverage. It's also surprisingly light and stands on its own when folded. This makes it easier to put away.

We recommend that parents who want their strollers to fit into the overhead bins of planes and are looking for models that are guaranteed to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example is perfect for the smallest fold, and comes with a handy protective travel cover, but it has no recliner, and a narrow cargo area that can hold a small tote or diaper bag (no backpacks).

Another alternative is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds into a concertina style but also has a reversible seat for face-to-face or back-to-back riding. Our editor found it a breeze to open and close, but she wasn't thrilled by how the handle slides behind the seat when folded.

The most recent type of travel stroller is tri-fold, which folds into thirds and offers the best travel stroller (reviews over at www.annunciogratis.net) combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for instance, comes with a reversible chair and a storage compartment that is unstructured at the rear, and a lockable latch that keeps it folded. It's a little bigger than the umbrella models made by the brand, Travel Strollers but it folds far more compactly than G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts and has a padded carry strap that can be slung over your shoulder.

3. Easy to store

The best travel strollers can fold down to a small size that can be easily stored. They can be easily stowed in the trunk of a car or the overhead bin of the plane. Some even come with a carry strap that makes it easy to carry on your shoulders and you don't have to worry about your hands becoming tired. They are also lighter than regular strollers, which could make them easy to lift and carry when you're ready to take a stroll around the neighborhood or to the airport.

This stroller did exceptionally well in our tests of durability and was easy to maneuver across all kinds of surfaces. From smooth hardwoods to sag flooring, this stroller is an excellent choice. However some of our testers noted that it's a little fragile and the handlebar doesn't have any padding to help keep your hands comfortable. Another thing to think about is the size of the storage basket is: It's on the smaller side and some parents have found it difficult to fit the large diaper bag inside it.

In general, we suggest calling your airline ahead of time to confirm their specific guidelines regarding the use of strollers on planes, as they can vary. This is especially important if you want to check your stroller's gate that allows you to get around the airport without it, and then be able to use it once you're on the plane (though that option won't work for families that require a car seat or toddler booster).

If you're looking to purchase a straightforward stroller that's light and folds down to an extremely compact size The Contours Itsy is a great choice. The Contours Itsy comes almost fully assembled and all you have to do is snap in the bumper bar. It comes with an apron for a cup for the parent facing pushchair and an additional back pocket. However it doesn't come with an oversized basket. This may limit your ability pack essentials for prams Pushchairs prams pushchairs a long journey.

If you're a frequent traveler we recommend that you consider a stroller that is more robust, with better features and the ability to hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Mini, as an example has many of its G-Luxe and G-Link siblings with features, but it is more compact and folds faster. It's also a bit more durable than an umbrella stroller, and has a padded strap to help alleviate some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Confortable

Comfort is key when using strollers for long durations of time. Seats that have plenty of padding and a reclining system that can be adjusted at different angles are ideal. Also, consider whether the canopy extends to give coverage from the sun and if it has mesh windows that allow airflow. Consider a model that has an organizer for parents and a cupholder as well as a large basket under the seat in case you need to carry your belongings. If you're in the market for a stroller for older children, look up the age range and determine whether your child is comfortable in the stroller without an infant car seat.

How a stroller rolls is also vital. It must be able to roll effortlessly over a variety of surfaces including smooth hardwoods and shag carpets to cobblestones and gravel. It should also be able to navigate curbs and stairs with ease. Choose a lightweight stroller when you plan to do a lot walking during your journey. This will help prevent leg and back pain.

A quality stroller for travel should also be simple to use. It should be assembled in less than 30 seconds and snap together securely when you put it in the correct place. It should also be able to fold flat and fit in the boot of a car or in the overhead compartment of an airplane. It should also remain upright when folded, so that you can grab it with one hand while holding your baby in the other.

The Joie Tourist is an excellent choice for parents who are seeking a light, high-quality travel stroller. It comes with multiple recline positions, so your child can sleep comfortably. The extensible canopy provides plenty of sun coverage with UPF protection. It also includes a rain cover and a coffee cup holder and footmuff. Charlotte is thrilled that it's suitable from newborns to four years old and does not require an additional car seat adapter.