The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers
This stroller is one of the lightest, most compact and easiest to fold. Despite its size it has a good ride, great sun canopy and multi-position recline.
For less than $100, this stroller is a great value. It's small and easy to fold away, making it ideal for public transport or slinging over your shoulder.
1. Lightweight
When it comes to travel strollers lightweight and easy-to-fold are the most important factors. The top models we tested can fold with just one hand and sometimes two and fit into overhead compartments for luggage. They also can roll easily and are compact enough to be easily maneuvered in tight spaces. Some models even have the option of a telescoping handle to parents of various heights. Whether you're planning a quick trip with your newborn or a long-haul getaway pushchair with car seat a toddler, you'll need an easy-to-pack stroller that will make the journey -- and return -- easier for your family.
To determine the top travel strollers, we evaluated nine that met our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets and country side walks and in the terminal at the airport to determine its mobility, ease of folding and carrying as well as overall comfort for children.
Our top picks are the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) that is the easiest to fold of all the travel strollers we've tested and can fit into airplane overhead bins. Its seat reclines almost flat and is pushchairs car seats seat-compatible which means it's suitable for babies from birth. The car also has an undercarriage with a deep design and a bag-hook attached to the handle, and a UPF50+ canopy to offer plenty of protection to your child.
Other options include the Cybex Orfeo ($320), which features a single-handed concertina fold that is extremely light. Its five-point harness, padded and crotch strap keep your child safe, while the reversible seat and hefty undercarriage basket ensure there's plenty of space for their items. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat, making it a viable option for families starting from the time of birth.
The Coya TRVL ($320), an all-hands, one-step fold and pram Double is also compatible with car seats and comes with a large canopy. It's more expensive than other models in the category but it also comes with extra features like a large cupholder and a parent's pocket, a handlebar that can be adjusted to fit parents of all heights, and a comfortable carry strap. The simple design does compromise durability, compared to other models in this class.
2. Folding is easy
A stroller for travel should be simple to open and shut when you're on the move. You do not want a stroller that is difficult to close when you have food items or children in your arms. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even with just one hand. A lot of them have padded straps that you can put comfortably over your shoulders.
In our tests, we awarded the Libelle stroller high marks due to its compactness and its ease of folding. It also has a few attractive features. It's smooth to roll on all surfaces, and has an ample canopy that provides enough coverage. It's also extremely light and stands up in its own right when folded. This makes it much easier to put away.
We recommend parents who want their strollers to fit into the overhead bin of a plane and are looking for models that claim to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example is a great fit in the smallest fold, and comes with a handy protective travel cover, but it comes with no reclining seat and a small cargo space that can only accommodate a small bag or diaper bag (no backpacks).
Another alternative is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds up into a concertina-style but also features an reversible seat that can be used for face-toface or back-toback riding. The handle is hidden behind the seat, however our editor didn't love the fold.
The newest model of stroller that is a travel model is tri-fold, which folds in thirds and provides the best combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu for example, comes with a reversible chair, an unstructured storage pouch on the rear, and a lockable latch that keeps it folded. It's slightly larger than the umbrella models of the brand, but it folds far more compactly than its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts, and comes with a carry strap with padding that fits over your shoulder.
3. Easy to store
The best travel strollers 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 an airplane. Some come with a strap can be used to carry the stroller over your shoulder to ensure that your hands won't be exhausted. They also tend to be lighter than normal strollers, which can make them easier to carry and lift when it's time for a stroll around the neighborhood or at the airport.
The stroller performed extremely well on our durability tests and was easy to maneuver over all kinds of surfaces. From smooth hardwoods to shag flooring this stroller is a great option. Some of our testers found it a bit flimsy, and the handlebar wasn't padding to keep your hands at ease. The size of the storage basket is also something to consider. It's quite small and some parents have had difficulty difficult to squeeze a large size diaper bag into it.
In general, we suggest calling your airline ahead of time to check their specific guidelines for bringing strollers on board as they may differ. This is particularly crucial if you plan to check your stroller's gate and allow you to navigate the airport without it and still be able to use it once you're on the plane (though that option won't work for families that require an infant car seat or booster).
If you're looking for a no-fuss stroller that's light and folds down to a compact size The Contours Itsy is a great choice. The Contours Itsy is fully assembled and all you have to do is put in the bumper bar. It has a cup holder for the parent, as well as a back pocket. However it doesn't come with an oversized basket. This may limit your ability pack essentials for a long journey.
If you are frequent travelers, we suggest you look into a stroller that is more robust, with more features and the ability to hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Mini for instance, has many of its G-Luxe push chairs and prams G-Link siblings with features, but it is smaller and folds much faster. It's also a bit more durable than an umbrella stroller, and it comes with a cushioned carrying strap to take some of the weight off your shoulders.
4. Confortable
The comfort factor is crucial when using strollers for extended periods of time. Seats with a lot of padding and a reclining system that can be adjusted at various angles are ideal. Be sure to check if the canopy extends to provide shade from the sun and if it comes with mesh windows that allow airflow. You should consider a model that comes with a parent organizer/cupholder and a large basket under the seat if you need to carry your belongings. If you're in the market for a stroller for older children, make sure to check the age range and determine whether your child will be comfortable in the stroller without a car seat for infants.
The way a stroller is rolled is also important. It should be able to move easily on a variety of surfaces such as smooth carpets, hardwoods, cobblestones and gravel. It should also be able to navigate curbs and stairs with ease. If your travel plans include a lot of walking, you should choose an easy stroller to avoid leg and back pain.
A high-quality travel stroller is one that is easy to use, too. It should be assembled in less than 30 seconds and snap together securely when popped into the correct position. It should also fold flat enough to fit in the boot of your car, or the overhead compartments of planes. It should also remain upright when folded so that you can carry it around using one hand and hold your child in the other.
The Joie Tourist is an excellent choice for parents who are looking for a lightweight quality, high-end travel stroller. It features several recline positions so that your child can nap in comfort. The canopy extends to provide plenty of sun protection with UPF protection. Additionally, it includes a variety of additional features such as a footmuff and coffee cup holder and rain cover are included. Charlotte loves the fact that it is suitable from newborns to four years and doesn't require the purchase of an additional car seat adapter.