The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers
This stroller is among the lightest and compact. It's also among the easiest folding strollers. Despite its size, it provides an excellent ride, excellent sun canopy and multi-position recline.
This stroller is a great value for less than $100. It's lightweight and easy to fold away, making it ideal for public transport, or even slinging over your shoulder.
1. Lightweight
When it comes to travel strollers lightweight and easy to fold are essential. The top models we tested could be folded with one hand and sometimes two, and they can fit into overhead compartments for luggage. They are also lightweight and easy to roll, making them easy to maneuver in tight space. Some even come with an adjustable handle for parents of different heights. If you're planning a brief trip with your newborn or a long-haul trip with a toddler, you'll need an easy-to-pack stroller that makes the journey -- and return -- easier for your family.
To find the best travel strollers, we evaluated nine strollers that meet our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was put to the test on country roads, city roads, and in the airport terminal for maneuverability as well as ease of folding and carrying, as well as overall comfort for your child.
Our picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) that has the simplest fold of the travel strollers we've tested and can fit into airplane overhead bins. It's car seat compatible and the seat reclines completely flat, which makes it suitable for babies. The car also has an undercarriage that is deep and a bag-hook attached to the handle and a UPF50+ canopy that will offer plenty of protection to your child.
The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another great option. It has a concertina folding that can be completed with one hand and is extremely light. The padded five-point harness, crotch strap, and reversible seat protect your child with a huge undercarriage basket as well as a reversible seat ensure that there is room 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 birth.
The Coya TRVL ($320) is an all-hands, one-step fold that is also compatible with car seats and has a large canopy. It's a bit pricier than other models in this category however, it comes with additional features such as a large cupholder and parent pocket, an adjustable handlebar to accommodate parents of all heights, and a comfortable carry strap. The simple design does compromise durability, compared to other models in this category.
2. Folding is simple
If you're constantly on the move the stroller you use for travel needs to be simple to open and close. You do not want a stroller which is difficult to close when you're carrying groceries or children in your arms. The best travel stroller travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even when you only have one hand. Many come with a cushioned strap that can be comfortably placed over your shoulder.
In our tests, we awarded the Libelle stroller top marks for its compactness and its ease of folding. But it also has other great features: It can roll effortlessly across all surfaces and comes with a huge canopy that offers ample coverage. It's also surprisingly light and free-standing when folded which makes it easier to store.
We recommend that parents who want their strollers to fit in the overhead bin of a plane, look for models that claim to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It fits into the smallest folding and comes with an enclosed travel cover. However it doesn't come with a reclining seat and its cargo space is too small to hold anything but the smallest diaper bag or a tote.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another alternative. It folds concertina-style, but has a reversible seating position for riding back-toback or face-toface. Our editor in chief found it easy to open and close, although she wasn't thrilled by the way the handle folds up behind the seat when folded.
The most recent type of stroller for travel is the tri-fold. It folds in thirds, and offers the best combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Minu, for instance, comes with a reversible seat, an unstructured rear storage pouch, and a locking clasp to keep it folded. It's a bit larger than the umbrellas from the brand, but is smaller than their G-Luxe or G-Link counterparts. It also has an adjustable shoulder strap.
3. Easy to store
The most effective travel strollers fold up into a small, easy-to-store size that's easy to fit into the trunk of your car, or into the overhead bin of a plane. Some even have a carrying strap that makes it simple to sling over your shoulder, so you don't have to worry about your hands becoming tired. They also tend to be lighter than standard strollers, which can make them easy to lift and carry when you're ready to take a stroll around the neighborhood or at the airport.
This stroller did exceptionally well on our durability tests and was easy to maneuver on any type of surface. From smooth hardwoods to sag flooring, this stroller is an excellent option. Some of our test subjects were a bit disappointed with the design, and the handlebar wasn't cushioned to ensure that your hands are comfortable. Another thing to think about is how big the storage basket is: It's on the smaller side and some parents found it difficult to fit an enormous diaper bag in it.
In general, we recommend calling your airline ahead of time to verify their specific guidelines for bringing on board strollers and strollers, as they may vary. This is especially crucial if you plan to check your stroller's gate-ability that allows you to travel around the airport without it and still use it when you're on the plane (though this option isn't suitable for families who require car seats or a toddler booster).
If you're looking for a no-fuss travel stroller that's lightweight and folds down to a compact size the Contours Itsy is a great choice. It comes nearly fully assembled out of the box, and the only thing you have to do is put the bumper bar into the appropriate spot. It has cups holder for the parent and an additional back pocket. However it doesn't come with an over-sized basket. This can limit your ability pack essentials for long trips.
If you're a frequent traveler, we recommend considering a more robust stroller with better features and is able to hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Minu, for instance, comes with many of the same features as its G-Luxe and G-Link cousins however, it's smaller and folds more quickly. It's also a bit more robust than an umbrella stroller, and has a padded strap to help lift some of the burden off your shoulders.
4. Comfortable
Strollers are typically used for extended periods of time when traveling, so comfort is important. Seats with a lot of padding and a reclining system that can be adjusted at different angles are ideal. Note if the canopy extends for sun protection, and if the mesh windows encourage airflow. If you're required to carry items with you take a look at a model that has an organizer for parents and a cup holder as well as a large storage basket under the seat. If you're looking for a travel stroller for older children, look up the age range and assess whether your child will be comfortable in the stroller without an infant car seat.
It is also essential to think about how a stroller is rolled. It must be able to roll easily across a variety of surfaces, from smooth hardwoods and shag carpet to cobblestones and gravel. It should also handle curbs double pram and pushchair stairs with ease. Choose a lightweight stroller if you plan to do a lot walking throughout your trip. This will prevent leg and back pain.
A high-quality travel stroller should be easy to use, as well. It should be assembled in less than 30 seconds and snap together securely when it is popped in the right place. It should also be able to fold flat double pram and pushchair fit in the boot of a car or the overhead compartment of planes. It should also remain upright when folded so that you can carry it around with a single hand and hold your baby in the other.
If you're a parent who's seeking a top-quality lightweight stroller for their child The Joie Tourist is a great alternative. It comes with several recline positions, which means your child can sleep comfortably, and its extendable canopy provides plenty of sun coverage with UPF protection. Plus, it comes with a lot of other accessories such as a footmuff and coffee cup holder push chairs and prams rain cover are all included. Charlotte loves the fact that it is suitable from newborns up to four years old and does not require an adapter for car seats separately.