The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers
This stroller is one of the smallest, lightest and easiest to fold. Despite its size, it provides an excellent ride, great sun canopy and multi-position recline.
At less than $100 it's a great value. It's lightweight and easy to fold away, making it perfect for public transport, or even slinging over your shoulder.
1. Lightweight
The most important thing to consider when choosing a travel stroller is that it should be light and easy to fold. The top travel models we tested fold down with just one hand (and sometimes two hands) and can fit in overhead luggage compartments. They also roll well and are compact enough to maneuver easily in tight spaces. Some models have a telescoping handle for parents of varying heights. If you're planning a short trip with a newborn or a long-haul vacation with a toddler, you'll need a light, easy-to-pack stroller to make the journey -- and return for your family.
To find the best travel strollers, we evaluated nine models that were able to meet our weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets as well as on country side walks and in the terminal at the airport to assess its ability to maneuver, its the ease of carrying and folding, and overall comfort for children.
Our top pick is the Babyzen YoYo2 (320) that folds the most easily of the strollers we tested and fits in overhead bins of planes. It's compatible with car seats and its seat reclines almost completely flat, making it suitable for babies. Other features that are suitable for parents include a deep 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 little traveler.
The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another great option. It features the ability to fold in concertina that can be completed by one hand and is very light. The padded five-point harness, an adjustable crotch strap and a reversible seat ensure your child's safety, while a large 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, making it a viable option for families starting from the time of birth.
The Coya TRVL ($320) is a one-handed, one step fold and is also compatible with car seats and features a large canopy. It's more expensive than the other models in this category however it has additional features such as a large parent pocket and cupholder and a handlebar that can be adjusted for parents of all sizes and a comfortable carry strap. The simplicity of the model does not mean it's as durable, as compared to other models in this class.
2. Folding is easy
If you're constantly on the move, a travel stroller needs to be simple to open and close. You do not want a stroller which is difficult to close when you have food items or children in your arms. Even with only one hand, the most convenient strollers for travel can fold up easily and compactly. Many have a padded strap that you can wear comfortably over your shoulders.
In our tests, the Libelle stroller scored well for its easy folding and compact size. However, it also has some excellent features: It glides smoothly over all surfaces and comes with a huge canopy that gives plenty of coverage. Plus, it's surprisingly lightweight and self-standing when folded, making it easy to store.
For pushchairsandprams who want to stroll right up to the gate and put their stroller into the overhead bin, we suggest one that can fit inside. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It fits into the smallest of foldings and comes with an enclosed travel cover. However it doesn't have a reclined seat and its cargo space is too narrow to hold anything other than a small diaper bag or a tote.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another alternative. It folds in a concertina style, but it offers a reversible seat to ride face-to-face or back-to-back. The handle is hidden behind the seat, but our managing editor didn't like the fold.
The tri-fold is the newest stroller for travel. It folds in three parts and offers the perfect 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 slightly larger than the umbrella models made by the brand however, it folds more compactly than its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts and has a carry strap with padding that can be slung over your shoulder.
3. Easy to store
The best travel strollers can fold down to a compact size that is easy to store. They can be easily stowed in the trunk of a vehicle or the overhead bin of an airplane. Some have a strap that you can use to carry the stroller on your shoulder, so that your hands won't get exhausted. They are also lighter than normal strollers, which can make them easy to lift and carry when you're ready for a stroll around the neighborhood or the airport.
When we test this stroller, it did very well in our tests of durability, and it was easy to maneuver on all kinds of surfaces, from smooth hardwoods to shag carpeting. Some of our test subjects were a bit disappointed with the design and the handlebar was not padding to ensure your hands were comfortably. Another thing to consider is how big the basket is: It's on the smaller side, and some parents found it difficult to fit a large diaper bag into it.
In general, we suggest calling your airline ahead of time to check their specific guidelines regarding the use of strollers on planes as they may differ. This is particularly crucial if you plan to gate-check your stroller and allow you to navigate the airport without it and use it when you're on the plane (though that option won't work for families that require a car seat or toddler booster).
The Contours Itsy travel stroller is an excellent choice for those who want a lightweight, compact stroller. The Contours Itsy comes fully assembled and all you have to do is snap in the bumper bar. It comes with cups holder for the parent as well as a back pocket. However it doesn't come with an over-sized basket. This can make it difficult to pack the essentials for long trips.
If you're an avid traveler, we recommend considering a more robust stroller that has better features and can hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Mini for instance, has many of its G-Luxe and G-Link siblings' features, but is more compact and folds faster. It's also slightly more durable than an umbrella stroller and comes with a cushioned strap to take some of the burden off your shoulders.
4. Confortable
Strollers are often used for extended durations of time when traveling, and it is essential to be comfortable. Seats with a lot of padding as well as a reclining system that can be adjusted at different angles are the best. Be aware of whether the canopy extends for sun protection, and if the mesh windows promote airflow. If you need to carry your own items look for a stroller with a parent organizer/cup holder and an ample storage basket underneath the seat. When looking for a Jogger for older children, make sure to check the age range. Also, think about whether your child is comfortable in the seat even without a car seat for infants.
The way that a stroller moves is also important. It must be able to roll easily across various surfaces, including smooth hardwoods, shag carpets, cobblestones and gravel. It should also handle stairs and curbs without difficulty. Choose a lightweight stroller if you are planning to do a lot of walking during your trip. This will help prevent leg and back pain.
A quality stroller for travel should be simple to use, as well. It should be easy to put together and snap together when placed in the correct place. It should also fold down flat enough to fit in the boot of your car or in the overhead compartments of a plane. It should also be upright when folded, so that you can reach it up with one hand, while holding your baby in the other.
For parents seeking a top-quality lightweight stroller for their child the Joie Tourist is a great alternative. It features various recline positions, so that your child can nap in comfort. The canopy that extends can provide lots of sun protection and UPF protection. It also includes a variety of additional features such as a footmuff and cup holder, and rain cover are included. Charlotte loves that it's suitable for babies up to four years and doesn't require the purchase of an adapter for car seats separately.