The Ultimate Glossary For Terms Related To Strollers
The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers
This stroller is one of the lightest and compact. It's also one of the easiest folding strollers. It has a great ride and a fantastic sun canopy, and a multi-position recline.
At less than $100 it's a great value. It's small and easy to fold, making it ideal for public transport or to carry over your shoulder.
1. Lightweight
When it comes to travel strollers, lightweight and easy-to-fold are essential. The top travel models we tested fold down with just one hand (and sometimes two hands) and can be tucked away in overhead luggage compartments. They are also compact and roll well, making them easy to maneuver into tight space. Some models even have the option of a telescoping handle to parents of various heights. Find a light, easy to carry stroller for your family, whether you're planning to take a short trip with a newborn or a long-haul trip with an infant.
To determine the top travel strollers, we evaluated nine that meet our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was put to the test on country roads, city sidewalks and at the airport terminal for mobility in folding, ease of carrying, as well as overall comfort for your child.
Our top choice is the Babyzen YoYo2 (320) It folds the simplest of the strollers we tested, and is able to fit into the overhead bins of planes. Its seat reclines almost flat and is car seat-compatible and is suitable for babies up to age 2. Other parent-friendly features include a large undercarriage basket as well as a bag hook that is attached to the handle and a UPF 50+ canopy that offers ample coverage for your young traveler.
The Cybex Orfeo (320) is an alternative that is a great choice. It has the ability to fold in concertina that can be done with one hand and is extremely light. Its padded, five-point harness and crotch strap will keep your child safe, while the reversible seat and hefty undercarriage basket ensure there's room for all of their possessions. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat. This makes it an ideal option for families with children beginning at birth.
The Coya TRVL ($320), one-handed, one-step fold and is also compatible with car seats and has an enormous canopy. It's more expensive than other models in the category but it also comes with extra features, including a spacious cupholder, a parent pocket, a movable 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
A stroller for travel should be easy to close and open when you're on the move. You don't want a stroller that is difficult to close when you have children or groceries in your arms. Even with only one hand, the best travel strollers can be folded up quickly and compactly. Many come with a padded carrying strap that is comfortable over your shoulder.
In our tests in our tests, the Libelle stroller scored highly for its ease of folding and compactness. It also has a few excellent features: It glides smoothly over all surfaces and has a large canopy that offers ample coverage. Plus, it's surprisingly lightweight and free-standing when folded, which makes it easier to store.
If you're a parent who wants to stroll straight to the plane gate and pop their stroller into the overhead bin we suggest one that can fit inside. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example is perfect for the smallest fold, and comes with a convenient travel cover, but it has no reclining seat and a tiny cargo area that can only accommodate a small bag or diaper bag (no backpacks).
Another option is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds into a concertina style but also has an reversible seat that can be used for face-to-face or back-to-back riding. The handle is hidden behind the seat, but our editor didn't like the way it folded.
The tri-fold is the most recent stroller for travel. It folds down into three pieces and provides the best combination between compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Minu for instance, has a convertible seat, an unstructured rear storage pouch, and a locking clasp that keeps it folded. It's a bit bigger than the umbrella models made by the brand, but it folds far smaller than its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts. It also comes with a carry strap with padding that can be slung over your shoulder.
3. Easy to store
The best travel strollers fold down to an easy-to-store size that's easy to fit into the trunk of your car or squeeze into the overhead bin of the plane. you could try here come with a strap can be used to carry the stroller over your shoulder to ensure that your hands won't get tired. They also tend to be lighter than normal strollers, which can make them easier to carry and lift when it's time for a quick walk around the neighborhood or the airport.
When we test this stroller, it performed extremely well in our tests of durability and was easy to maneuver across all kinds of surfaces, from smooth hardwoods to shag carpeting. However some of our testers noted that it's a little thin and the handlebar does not have any padding to help keep your hands comfortable. The size of the storage basket should also be taken into consideration. It is on the small side and some parents have had difficulty difficult to squeeze a large size diaper bag into it.
In general, we suggest calling your airline prior to time to verify their specific guidelines for bringing strollers on board, as they can vary. This is especially crucial if you plan to gate-check your stroller that allows you to get around the airport without it and use it once you're on the plane (though this isn't a viable option for families who need a car seat or 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. The Contours Itsy comes almost fully assembled, and all you have to do is attach the bumper bar. It has a cup holder for the parent as well as an additional back pocket. However it doesn't have an extra-large basket. This may limit your ability pack essentials for a long trip.
If you're frequent travelers, we suggest that you consider a more robust stroller that has more features and the ability to carry more cargo. The UPPAbaby Minu, as an example, has many of the same features like its G-Luxe or G-Link siblings, but it's more compact and folds more quickly. 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. Comfortable
The comfort factor is crucial when using strollers for extended durations of time. Find seats with plenty of padding and a recline feature that lets you set it at multiple angles. Also note whether the canopy extends to give coverage from the sun and if it comes with mesh windows that allow airflow. Consider a model that has a parent organizer/cupholder and an ample basket under the seat in case you need to carry your belongings. When looking for a jogger for older children be sure to look at the age range. Also, consider whether your child is comfortable in the seat, even without a car seat for infants.
It is also crucial to consider the way a stroller moves. It must be able to roll easily across various surfaces that include smooth carpets, hardwoods, cobblestones and gravel. It should also be able to navigate stairs and curbs with ease. Consider a stroller with a light weight if you are planning to do a lot of walking during your journey. This will prevent back and leg pain.
A high-quality travel stroller is one that is easy to use, too. It should be easy to assemble and snap together when placed in the correct place. It should fold flat enough to fit in the boot of your car, or the overhead compartments on a plane. It should also be upright when folded so that you can grab it up with one hand while holding your baby in the other.
For parents seeking a top-quality lightweight stroller for travel the Joie Tourist is a great alternative. It has multiple recline positions so that your child can sleep comfortably. The canopy that extends can provide plenty of sun protection with UPF protection. It also comes with a rain cover, coffee cup holder, and a footmuff. Charlotte is thrilled that the car seat is suitable for infants to four-year-olds and does not require a separate adapter.