A Compact Travel Stroller Should Be Easy to Carry
When it comes down to choosing the most compact stroller, you want one that folds down into a small, easy-to-carry package. It should be light and feature a design that is compatible with car seats. It will also fit into the overhead bins for airlines.
This compact stroller from UPPAbaby meets the criteria. It folds easily and comes with a comfortable carrying strap and easily fits into the overhead compartment of planes. It also features an easy, nearly flat recline and smooth maneuvering.
Easy to Assemble
Whether you're strolling through the airport on your way to the gate, or navigating an unfamiliar city with your infant in the stroller, traveling can be stressful enough without having to worry about how to pack and haul everything. We believe that a great travel stroller can be a breeze to assemble fold and transport around. This lightweight Kolcraft stroller does exactly this. This compact, lightweight stroller is easy to open and close by simply pressing two buttons on the handle -while remaining upright (no need to lean back to perform the task). It can be tucked away in overhead bins on most aircrafts and comes with a carrying bag to sling the stroller over your shoulders when out and about.
In our tests, this lightweight stroller easily rolled over any terrain and swung well, making it a great option for travel. It also features a huge sun canopy with a zip-open mesh segment that offers plenty of coverage and visibility for your child and also an easy-to-change leg rest and padded shoulder straps. It also fits on most Nuna PIPA car seats (just click and you're done) and comes with an enormous storage bag that can store many of your essentials on the go.
The ultra-compact stroller from Babyzen is a favorite among parents who live in cities and/or love to travel. It comes in the box already assembled and is as easy to open using two buttons on the handle. It folds back with the same ease and can be tucked away in the bag that comes with it. The only drawback is that it could be a bit large for some overhead bins on airplanes We've seen reports of the handles being fragile, which some parents found to be a bit unsettling. It's still an excellent option for those who want a lightweight, compact travel stroller. We just wish it had an extra pocket for parents to use to store things like dollar bills for ice cream!
Easy to Fold
Travel strollers are small, as the name implies. They fold smaller than everyday strollers and are equipped with fewer features such as cup holders and a large storage basket. However, they should still be able to function effectively enough for day-to-day use and be easy to carry or stow away. You should consider a stroller that meets your requirements if you intend to travel frequently with your child.
The UPPAbaby G-Luxe For instance, it is easy to fold up and can be tucked away into overhead bins. It is also easy to maneuver and roll on rough terrain. The UPPAbaby has some nice features, like a deep recliner as well as a sun canopy to give your child a wide area of protection. The only drawback to the UPPAbaby is that it's a little finicky to fold. You may need to be careful with your hands to get it right.
The Babyzen YOYO2 is a different option. It folds down to a compact size and opens with just one hand. It may not have as much storage as other strollers, but it has some nice features. These include an ergonomic strap for carrying as well as a spacious basket beneath the carriage and a wide-extending umbrella. It's the most expensive of our travel stroller picks however, it's also the most luxurious.
The Cybex Libelle 2 travel stroller is another one with a fold that is easy to unfold. It weighs more than the other travel strollers, but it's still lightweight and compact enough to be a great option for those who want to travel in style and city living. It also comes with a number of great features, including the cup holder that can fit the standard size cup, a convenient carry handle and an extensible canopy that's large enough to shield your child from sun.
The Mini model from UPPAbaby is a great option for those who have the Vista or Cruz strollers from this brand and are looking for an easier version. It's lighter than the original Minu but still quite heavy for a travel folding pram. It's got plenty of other cool features, like large storage baskets, a deep recline and an extendable sun canopy with UPF 50+ protection.
Easy to Carry
No matter if you're taking your Baby accessories on an airplane or putting it into the pushchairs car seats for road trips the ease with which your travel stroller folds down can make a huge difference in how easy it is to navigate a busy airport or crowded bus. A good travel stroller should be able to fit in your trunk or an overhead bin with just a few simple controlled movements. It should also be standing up in its own way when folded. You should be able to raise it using the handle or attach a carrying strap, or slip it into an included storage bag for easier transport.
If you're planning to take your stroller while traveling choose one that is airline-approved or promises to fit into overhead bins. The International Air Transport Association recommends carry-on luggage that is not larger than 22 x 18 x 10 inches. A majority of our top picks, such as the ultra-lightweight Nuna TRVL, priced at $100 or more, can fit in these bins (although some require gate inspection). The TRVL is lightweight enough to carry as a handbag, thanks to an attached strap for the shoulder that is padded and a bumper bar that doubles as a carry handle.
The TRVL is also a great option for parents who are constantly in motion, as it works with all Nuna Pipa baby car seats with no adapters. Our experts are awestruck by the simple two-position recline mechanism and the no-rethread safety harness, which is designed to grow with your baby. It's also lighter than other travel strollers which makes it an ideal choice for families who often travel.
Other great features on this compact travel stroller include a spring-loaded back-of-the-underseat basket that's big enough for a backpack, diaper bag, or purse, and a flat, open sun canopy that offers some coverage and blockage (though it's not as large as the ones on some of our other top picks). It's also one of our lightweight strollers. However, keep in mind that a majority of airlines allow gate-checking the full-sized pushchair, but they may require you to take the folded stroller out of the cabin and through security. If this is the case, you should consider purchasing a protective travel bag for it to protect against accidental damage by baggage handlers.
Easy to store
A compact strollers travel stroller is great for frequent travelers because it doesn't require a full-size stroller trunk or take up too much space in your hotel room or car. Some models are small enough that they can be easily stowed in the overhead bins of airplanes and others are so lightweight that they don't weigh much on carry-on luggage. They're also easy to maneuver through the crowded airports as well as on the crowded city sidewalks.
If you are a frequent traveler it's worth investing in the top travel stroller we have tested. The Silver Cross Jet 4 is an excellent, well-constructed stroller that has a variety of features. It has a large basket underneath the seat and an adjustable bar that is padded with a wrist strap that allows it to be comfortable for long journeys. The stroller's recline mechanism is simple to operate, and it fits in an airline's overhead compartment (though you'll need to gate-check it). This model is compatible from birth with the Nuna Pipa infant car seat and comes with a built-in carry bag that includes insurance against damage to your stroller while traveling.
The Babyzen YoYo2 is another super-lightweight model that's ideal for air travel or short trips on vacation. It's easy to maneuver in airplane aisles, and the stroller stays upright when folded, which is useful when you're trying to manage it with your other baggage. The YoYo2 folds down to less than a larger model, but still offers many features. This includes an under-seat basket that's large and easy to use with just one hand, as well as an adjustable mechanism for reclining.
A stroller is an essential piece of equipment for many parents when traveling with their children. A quality, compact stroller will provide you with peace of mind while traveling and let you navigate busy urban sidewalks and public transportation without difficulty. If you're looking for an all-new foldable stroller, think about your family's needs and lifestyle to determine what features are most important to you. Then you can look through our top choices to help you choose the best stroller for your family's next adventure. The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing products for over a century, and this guide is based on expert research. Editorial and writer contributors who are parents of children ages 6 and below independently reviewed the guide. They utilized the strollers in the lab, on road trips, and with their own families and also leaned on consumers to provide feedback.