The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers
This stroller is one of the lightest and compact. It's also the easiest to fold. Despite its size, it provides an excellent ride, a fantastic sun canopy, and a multi-position recline.
This stroller is an excellent value for less than $100. It features a simple, compact fold and a carry strap, making it easy to carry over your shoulder or take with you on public transport.
1. Lightweight
When it comes to travel strollers lightweight and easy to fold are key. The top travel models we tested fold down with only one hand (and sometimes two hands) and fit into overhead luggage compartments. pushchairsandprams are also lightweight and easy to roll which makes them easy to maneuver into tight spaces. Some models even have a telescoping handle for parents of various heights. Find a lightweight, easy-to pack stroller for your family, no matter if you're planning to take a short trip with a newborn or taking a long-haul journey with an infant.
We evaluated nine strollers that met our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was put to the test on country roads, city streets, and at the airport terminal for maneuverability in folding, ease of carrying, as well as overall comfort for your child.
Our picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) that has the simplest fold of the strollers we've tested and can fit into overhead bins for airplanes. The seat reclines to a flat position and is compatible with car seats and is suitable for babies up to age 2. Other parent-friendly features include a large undercarriage basket, a bag hook on the handle and a UPF 50+ canopy that offers ample coverage for your young traveler.
Other options include the Cybex Orfeo ($320), that features a one-handed concertina fold and is extremely light. The padded five-point harness crotch strap, and Reversible seats ensure your child's safety, while a large undercarriage basket and a convertible seat will ensure there is room for their belongings. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat which makes it an ideal option for families that start at the age of birth.
The Coya TRVL ($320) is one-handed, one-step fold that is also compatible with car seats and comes with an enormous canopy. It's a bit pricier than the other models in this class, but it offers extra features such as a large cupholder for the parent and a handlebar that can be adjusted for parents of all heights and a comfy carry strap. Its simplicity is sacrificed for some of its durability in comparison to the other models in this category, but.
2. Easy to fold
A stroller for travel is one that is easy to shut and open when you're out and about. You don't want a stroller that is difficult to close when you're carrying groceries or children in your arms. The best strollers for travel fold easily and compactly, even with one hand. Many come with a comfortable carrying strap that fits comfortably over your shoulder.
In our tests, we awarded the Libelle stroller high marks due to its compactness and easy folding. But it also has other great features: It can roll effortlessly 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.
We suggest parents who want their stroller to fit into the overhead bin of a plane and are looking for models that are guaranteed to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It fits into the smallest folding and comes with an extra-safe travel cover. However it doesn't come with an adjustable seat and its cargo space is too narrow to hold anything other than an infant diaper bag or a tote.
Another option is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds down into a concertina design but also features an reversible seat that can be used for back-to-back or face-to-face riding. The handle is tucked behind the seat, but our managing editor didn't like the way it folded.
The tri-fold is the most recent travel stroller. It folds in three parts and offers the perfect combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Minu, for instance, has a convertible seat, an unstructured rear storage pouch, and a lockable clasp to keep it folded. It's a bit larger than the umbrellas made by the brand, but can be folded more compactly than G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts. It also comes with a padded shoulder strap.
3. Easy to store
The best travel strollers fold up into smaller, compact size that you can easily fit into the trunk of your car or squeeze into the overhead bin of an airplane. Some have a strap that can be used to carry the stroller over your shoulder, so that your hands won't get exhausted. They're also lighter than normal strollers. This makes them easier to lift or carry around for a quick stroll in the neighborhood or at the airport.
This stroller did exceptionally excellently in our durability tests and was easy to maneuver on all types of surfaces. From smooth hardwoods to sag flooring, this stroller is a great choice. Some of our test subjects found it a bit flimsy, and the handlebar was not padding to ensure that your hands are comfortably. Another thing to consider is the size of the storage basket is: It's slightly smaller than the average, and some parents found it difficult to fit a large diaper bag into it.
We recommend that you call your airline prior to departure to inquire about their specific rules concerning strollers. These can vary. This is crucial when you are planning to gate-check your stroller. Then, you can use it on the plane, and then navigate through the airport without the stroller.
If you're looking for a simple 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 comes with a parent cup back pocket and holder but there isn't a large basket, which could restrict your ability to carry necessities for a long trip.
If you're frequent travelers, we recommend that you consider a more robust stroller with more features and the ability to hold more items. The UPPAbaby Mini, for example has many of its G-Luxe or G-Link siblings with features, but it is more compact and folds faster. It's also slightly more robust than an umbrella stroller and has a strap that is padded to help alleviate some of the burden off your shoulders.
4. Comfortable
It is important to be comfortable when using strollers for long periods of time. Find seats with plenty of padding and a recline feature that allows you to position it at various angles. Also note whether the canopy extends to provide coverage from the sun and if it comes with mesh windows to promote airflow. Consider a model that has an organizer for parents and a cupholder as well as a large basket under the seat if you need to carry things around. If you're looking for a travel stroller for older children, look up the age range and determine whether your child will be comfortable in the seat without a car seat for infants.
The way that a stroller moves is also important. It should be able to move easily across a variety of surfaces that include smooth hardwoods, shag carpets, cobblestones, and gravel. It should be able to handle steps, curbs and other obstacles with ease. Choose a lightweight stroller when you are planning to do a lot of walking during your journey. This will help prevent back and leg pain.
A quality stroller for travel is also easy to use. It should assemble in under 30 seconds and be able to snap together when you put it in the right place. It should also fold flat and fit into the trunk of your car or the overhead compartments of planes. It should also stay upright when folded, so that you can pick it up with a single hand and hold your baby 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 multiple recline positions so that your child can sleep comfortably. The extendable canopy offers plenty of sun protection with UPF protection. Plus, it includes a variety of additional features; a footmuff, coffee cup holder and rain cover are included. Charlotte loves that it's suitable from newborns to four years old and doesn't require the purchase of an adapter for car seats separately.