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The 7 best travel strollers of 2023, according to parents who use them.

A quality travel stroller makes a world of difference when traveling with little ones.

The 7 Best Travel Strollers of 2023

The Joolz Aer is the best overall travel stroller on the market. (Courtesy of Joolz)

When traveling with babies and toddlers , having the right gear – especially an easy-to-maneuver travel stroller – is essential. If you're in the market for a stroller you can take on the plane, train and beyond, read on to find the best option for your family as recommended by parents.

The Top Travel Strollers of 2023

Best overall travel stroller: joolz aer, best umbrella stroller for travel: uppababy minu v2, best double stroller for travel: uppababy g-link 2, best travel stroller for big kids: evenflo pivot xplore all-terrain stroller wagon, best travel stroller for infants: doona car seat & stroller, best travel system stroller: nuna trvl stroller, best budget travel stroller: summer 3dlite convenience stroller.

Looking for more information on how to select your ideal travel stroller? Consult the FAQ section at the bottom of this page.

(Note: All stroller dimensions are listed in order of length by width by height.)

(Courtesy of Joolz)

Folded dimensions: 21 x 17.7 x 8.5 inches Stroller weight: 13.4 pounds Minimum child age: 6 months Maximum child weight: 50 pounds

When it comes to quality travel strollers, the Joolz Aer is the best investment you can make. Not only does this stroller's lightweight and compact design make it easy to store in the overhead compartment of a plane, but it also opens and closes with a one-handed motion – an essential feature for multitasking parents. Little ones travel comfortably and safely thanks to a five-point harness, extended seatback and adjustable recline, as well as a rain cover. Available in six modern colors – from sage green to taupe – the Joolz Aer also comes with a stroller bag. Parents rave about this travel stroller, with some noting they prefer it to the highly rated BABYZEN YOYO2.

The Joolz Aer is designed for babies 6 months and older; it can be used from birth with select infant car seats, secured by a car seat adaptor you'll need to purchase separately.

Price: $449 or less Shop now: Amazon | buy buy Baby | Nordstrom | Joolz

(Courtesy of UPPAbaby)

Folded dimensions: 12.5 x 20.3 x 23 inches Stroller weight: 16.9 pounds Minimum child age: 3 months Maximum child weight: 50 pounds

If you're looking for an umbrella-style stroller for travel, consider the UPPAbaby MINU. Its latest model, the V2, features a swift, one-handed setup; a five-point harness; an adjustable recline and foot rest; an extendable canopy with UPF 50+ protection; and a vented peekaboo window. It's also equipped with a generously sized storage basket that can hold up to 20 pounds of additional items. While the MINU is recommended for babies at least 3 months old, you can use this even sooner with UPPAbaby's Mesa Infant Car Seat and adaptors, or with adaptors for other car seats.

Terry Ward, a Florida-based travel writer and co-founder of Florida Beyond , still raves about this travel stroller, which her kids recently outgrew. "I loved the MINU so much that it became my go-to stroller at home, too," she says, adding that it has a great resale value. "I sold it for more than half of what I bought it for after three years – these strollers are really in demand."

The UPPAbaby MINU V2 is available in five color variations and features a stylish full-grain leather bumper bar and handlebar.

Price: $449.99 or less Shop now: buy buy Baby | UPPAbaby

Folded dimensions: 40 x 20 x 14.5 inches Stroller weight: 22.3 pounds Minimum child age: 3 months Maximum child weight: 55 pounds per seat

If you have twins or two stroller-age kiddos and need a tandem stroller for travel, the UPPAbaby G-LINK 2 is a solid choice. Available in charcoal and black, this highly rated double stroller offers two UPF 50+ canopies and independent, multiposition reclining seats. Like the UPPAbaby MINU, this one is a cinch to set up and maneuver, and it features an easy-to-access storage basket that accommodates up to 10 pounds. There's also a sturdy cup holder for that must-have caffeine boost.

Reviewers note that the G-LINK 2 is surprisingly compact given its double capacity, and that it's also ideal for tall toddlers.

Price: $349.99 or less Shop now: Amazon | buy buy Baby | UPPAbaby

(Courtesy of Evenflo)

Folded dimensions: 23 x 27.5 x 37.5 inches Stroller weight: 34.7 pounds Minimum child age: 6 months Maximum child weight: 55 pounds per seat

Another great travel stroller for two kids or older kids (up to age 5) is the Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon, which has two seats and can be used as a wagon or a stroller depending on your needs and destination. Its all-terrain wheels make it ideal for navigating any landscape – from cobblestone streets to sandy beaches – and a large storage basket and cup holders allow you to easily pack additional travel necessities. "It's basically a portable U-Haul for anything else you're dragging along," says Ward, who upgraded to the Xplore when her kids outgrew the UPPAbaby MINU. It also has an adjustable canopy for protection from the elements.

Price: $399.99 or less Shop now: Amazon | buy buy Baby | Evenflo | Target

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

(Courtesy of Doona)

Folded dimensions: 23.6 x 17.3 x 26 inches Stroller weight: 17.2 pounds Minimum child age: None; can be used from birth with infant insert Maximum child weight: 35 pounds

When it comes to travel strollers, nothing quite compares to the Doona Car Seat & Stroller, which is exactly what it sounds like: a (genius) car seat and stroller in one. Aside from its magical ability to transform from a car seat to a stroller and vice versa in seconds, this travel stroller features a five-point harness, an adjustable handlebar and removable textiles for easy (inevitable) washing. It is Federal Aviation Administration aircraft-approved to fit in most overhead bins and comes in a variety of colors.

Angela Burks of La Vida Mom loves how easy it is to travel with the Doona Car Seat & Stroller. "I like that I don't have to worry about getting an additional car seat for a car service or rental when I arrive at the airport," she says. Another bonus? It doesn't require a car seat base.

The only downsides of this travel stroller are that your child will outgrow it when they hit 35 pounds in weight and/or 32 inches in height, and its hefty price tag given these limitations.

Price: $550.99 or less Shop now: Amazon | Doona | Target

(Getty Images)

Folded dimensions: 24 x 20.25 x 11 inches (without arm bar) Stroller weight: 13.6 pounds (without canopy and arm bar) Minimum child age: None; can be used from birth with infant car seat Maximum child weight: 50 pounds

If you're looking for a travel system stroller that'll grow with your baby, you can't beat the Nuna TRVL Stroller. The Nuna PIPA series car seat clicks right into the stroller – no adaptors necessary – and can then be removed when your little one is old enough to sit upright in the stroller seat. This luxury stroller features a five-point harness with magnetic technology, a multiposition reclining seat, adjustable calf support, a removable and adjustable arm bar, and a UPF 50+ canopy. Like some of the other travel strollers on this list, this product easily opens and closes with a one-handed motion and comes with a carrying bag. It is also certified GREENGUARD Gold and free of harmful chemicals.

Price: $500 or less Shop now: Nordstrom | Nuna

(Courtesy of Summer)

Folded dimensions: 42 x 11.5 x 12.5 inches Stroller weight: 13 pounds Minimum child age: 6 months Maximum child weight: 50 pounds

You get what you pay for in many situations, but parents say they're impressed with the Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller given its cheap price tag, noting it has seamlessly navigated bumpy streets in Europe , Disney theme parks and other family vacation destinations. This easy-to-assemble travel stroller features a carry strap (useful for schlepping it when not in use), five-point safety harness, four reclining positions, and an adjustable and removable canopy. It also has a storage basket and cup holder, and comes in four colors.

Price: $99.99 or less Shop now: Amazon | Walmart | Summer

[Read: The Top Kids Luggage .]

How to travel with a stroller and car seat

Perhaps the easiest way to travel with a stroller and car seat is to invest in the two-in-one Doona Car Seat & Stroller , which can be used for children up to about 35 pounds and stored in the overhead bin of a plane. However, other travel stroller systems can also ease the burden of all that gear – especially for those traveling with infants. Here's how to travel with a stroller and car seat in the following situations:

If your baby is in an infant car seat: Simply attach a compatible infant car seat to your everyday or travel-specific stroller and wheel your baby through the airport. When you arrive at the gate, check your car seat and stroller free of charge. (Children 2 and younger can fly for free as lap children on most airlines.) If you'd like to purchase a seat for your baby and bring your car seat on the plane – recommended by the FAA and American Academy of Pediatrics – you'll need to ensure it is FAA-compliant . Alternatively, you can wear your baby in a carrier and use the car seat and/or stroller for storage.

If your baby is not in an infant car seat: If your child is somewhere between an infant and a toddler but no longer uses an infant car seat at home, you can technically get by without a car seat since they can ride through the airport in a stroller or carrier and then sit on your lap during the flight if they are younger than 2. However, you'll need to rent or borrow a car seat when you arrive at your destination.

If you have a toddler older than 2: Children are not legally required to have a car seat for air travel, though it's still recommended by the FAA and AAP (and you will likely need one when you get to your final destination anyway). It's easiest to wheel your child in the travel stroller and transport your FAA-compliant car seat by simply carrying it (not preferable, of course) or using one of the following assists:

• Travel cart: Most luggage carts (including the ones offered at the airport) cannot go through security, so look for a foldable travel cart – this one by HÖLM is a good option – that can easily be placed on the security screening belt and then used to transport your belongings to the gate.
• Car seat luggage strap: Strap the car seat to your carry-on bag with a heavy duty luggage strap like this one .
• Car seat backpack: You can free up your hands by wearing a car seat backpack .

If your toddler won't sit in the stroller: Use your stroller as a travel cart instead – strap the car seat and anything else you can get on there. Once you get to the gate, you can either check your car seat (typically free of charge) or bring it with you on board.

Travel Stroller FAQ

Deciding whether you need a travel stroller is an entirely personal decision. Some people are content to travel with the stroller they use at home, while many prefer travel strollers since they are typically less bulky than their everyday counterparts.

No, a stroller can typically be checked at the gate free of charge and picked up on the jet bridge post-flight. It's always best to review your airline's stroller policies before flying, however.

Yes. Simply put it on the X-ray belt with the rest of your belongings.

The Joolz Aer and Doona Car Seat & Stroller can fit in most overhead bins. However, it may be easier to gate check your stroller (typically for free) so you have less to carry on to the plane.

While a stroller bag is not required, it can be useful for protecting your stroller from potential dirt and damage if it needs to be checked at the gate, as well as storing additional items – think: diapers (which can double as extra padding), wipes and other small essentials. Some travel strollers come with a branded stroller bag, but if you'd like a different option, check out these highly rated bags:

• Zohzo Stroller Travel Bag
• J.L. Childress Gate Check Travel Bag
• Gate Check PRO Stroller Bag

Disney World requires that both single and double strollers do not exceed 52 x 31 inches (length by width) when fully assembled. Below are the best strollers for Disney World that meet these requirements (listed with unfolded dimensions in inches):

• Joolz Aer : 32.7 x 17.7
• UPPAbaby MINU V2 : 35.5 x 20.3
• UPPAbaby G-LINK 2 : 27.5 x 28.5
• Doona Car Seat & Stroller : 32.3 x 17.4
• Nuna TRVL Stroller : 32.5 x 20.25
• Summer 3D Lite Convenience Stroller : 27 x 18

The UPPAbaby strollers and Nuna TRVL Stroller are especially ideal for Disney parks since they offer UPF 50+ canopies for protection from the sun. Wagons are prohibited entirely.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Amanda Norcross used her personal experience as a frequently traveling mom, as well as her research skills and conversations with other parents, to determine which travel strollers are truly the best. She first traveled with her infant in a front carrier before transitioning to the Joolz Aer , which she's successfully used on multiple flights with her growing toddler.

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Best travel stroller 2023: lightweight buggies for holidays

The best travel strollers are lightweight, compact and easily maneuvrable... here are our top picks

Best travel strollers 2023: Jump Menu

00. T3's top 3 ↴ 01. Best overall : BABYZEN YOYO2 02. Best flexible option : Silver Cross Zest 03. Best lightweight option : Joie Aire Pact Lite 04. Best adaptable option : Silver Cross Jet 05. Best compact option : Ickle Bubba Globe Ultra Compact 06. Best small option : GB Pockit+ Stroller 07. Best affordable option : Red Kite Baby Push Me 2U 08. Best comfortable option : Chicco Echo 09. How we test

You’ll appreciate the importance of the best travel strollers, if you’ve ever tried to cram a large pram into a car boot or stash a pushchair on a plane. Your child may only be in a pushchair for a few short years, but if you have one that’s heavy and cumbersome, it can feel like an eternity.

Whether you’re an aspiring jetsetter or simply like to have a buggy at the ready for occasional use, a good quality lightweight travel stroller that’s as compact and easily maneuverable as possible is a must (as well as one that’s comfortable for baby or toddler…of course).

Lightweight buggies come into their own for trips around town (when your child decides to walk you can push them one-handed), for journeys on public transport and of course, on holiday… especially if you’re flying or hiring a small car.

Of course, if you're planning on travelling soon you'll want to make sure you're using the  best suitcase or the best carry-on luggage .

Lizzie is T3's Home Staff Writer, also covering style, living and wellness. She works closely with Bethan Girdler-Maslen, T3's Home Editor, ensuring all the latest Home news, trends and recommendations are covered. Outside of T3, Lizzie can be found mooching around Bath, attempting (or at least trying to) a new DIY project or spending time with family and friends.

T3's top three

The best overall travel stroller 

The BABYZEN YOYO2 is a lightweight pushchair perfect for frequent users, especially as it’s one of the more comfortable and study designs with lots of extras. 

Read more below 

The best flexible travel stroller

The Silver Cross Zest folds into a long, thin shape, making it perhaps more preferable for driving holidays than flying…at least not for stashing in the cabin. Coming in at a diminutive 5.8kg, this stroller isn’t the cheapest, but we bet you’ll use it way beyond your holiday.

Read more below

The best lightweight travel stroller

If you’re in the market for a lightweight holiday buggy or an extra for short trips around town, Joie’s Pact Lite ticks lots of boxes. At 5.5kg, it’s both physically and financially lightweight.

Best travel stroller 2023 ranking

Why you can trust T3 Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test .

The best travel stroller overall

1. babyzen yoyo2, reasons to buy, reasons to avoid.

The BABYZEN YOYO2 is a lightweight pushchair perfect for frequent users, as it’s one of the more comfortable and study designs with lots of extras. It weighs 6.2kg, which is pretty light, but more featherweight alternatives are out there. Designed for city living and everyday errands, it’s suitable for children from six months and up to a maximum weight of 22kg, is designed to by comfy, with a removable and washable seat pad and 5-point harness, 4-wheel suspension and multi-position reclining seat for dreamy naps. 

Parents will like that it’s one-hand folding, unfolding and driving capabilities, shoulder strap and shopping basket and for holiday makers, this one comes with a UPF 50+ sun protection canopy and fits into most overhead plane storage when folded (H52 x W44 x D18cm).

• Back to the top ⤴

2. Silver Cross Zest

The Silver Cross Zest folds into a long, thin shape, making it perhaps more preferable for driving holidays than flying…at least not for stashing in the cabin. Unlike some travel buggies, this one if built to last, including accommodating toddlers up to 25kg, who can get incredibly tired and grumpy about walking anywhere. The seat is padded but roomy and reclinable in a few positions, and there’s a 5-point safety harness as you would expect. A fully extendable ventilated UPF50+ hood, rain cover and basket has got you covered in all conditions, while the aluminium chassis helps the Zest weigh in at a diminutive 5.8kg. This stroller isn’t the cheapest, but we bet you’ll use it way beyond your holiday.

3. Joie Aire Pact Lite

If you’re in the market for a lightweight holiday buggy or an extra for short trips around town, Joie’s Pact Lite ticks lots of boxes. The forward-facing pushchair has a flat reclining seat that can be used from birth (technically) but lots of parents like parent-facing buggies at the beginning. That aside, the buggy reclines flat and has other reclining positions to keep napping youngsters comfy, and has an extendable canopy with visor for protection from the elements as well as all-wheel suspension. The Pact Lite is Joie's easiest, quickest and most compact folding chassis and comes with a carry strap for easy travelling. One handed fold, it’s designed to be free standing for easy storage – a godsend if you have a small hallway or use public transport. And at 5.5kg it’s both physically and financially lightweight.

The best adaptable travel stroller

4. silver cross jet.

The Jet ultra-compact stroller weighs in at 5.9kg and folds small enough to be a piece of cabin luggage at 90cm x 45cm x 96cm and can even be wheeled along like a little suitcase. It has an ergonomic seat for better baby comfort, with wider front wheels and improved suspension providing the best ride yet. The standout design features softly textured weave fabrics, with a tan leatherette handle and bumper bar and stylish matt black chassis. Suitable from birth up to 15kg, Jet has a soft padded lie-flat seat, multi-position recline and adjustable calf support to keep babies and toddlers comfortable, as well as a fully extendable UPF50+ hood with an air-flow ventilation system and pop-out sun visor to keep them cool and safe. The flip-flop-friendly brakes are easy to use, while the lockable front swivel wheels and suspension provide a smooth ride for baby. It’s not the cheapest option for a short holiday, but with so many features it would be handy option for short trips at home too.

The best compact travel stroller

5. ickle bubba globe ultra compact travel stroller.

Ickle Bubba’s Globe is designed for tiny travellers who like first class touches, like leatherette handles and an adjustable leg rest. Weighing in at 6.4kg and costing not-too-much, it’s a good middle-of-the-road package an folds to a dinky 45 x 55 x 25cm, making it easy to stash in overhead lockers on planes and trains. Like other offerings, the stroller is travel system compatible (meaning you can buy into the brand), and it has lots of room for holiday souvenirs, with a storage basket and handy pouch for essential items. A hood viewing window means you can keep an eye on your little one without disturbing them, while a full length protective rain over has got you covered for all weather scenarios. There’s a one handed 3 position seat recline feature and front and rear suspension for a smoother ride for toddlers, as well as a large extendable UPF 50 hood to protect from harmful sun rays and ventilated roll up fabrics to keep them cool, making the stroller a great choice is you’re holidaying somewhere sunny.

The best small travel stroller

6. gb pockit+ stroller.

If you’re after a lightweight stroller, why not choose the most compact out there? The lightweight gb Gold Pockit+ is the world's smallest folding stroller, which in only two steps can fold into a 34 x 20 x 42 cm handbag-shaped package. With the ability to switch from pushing to carrying in seconds, the Pockit is travel stroller perfect for places with lots of steps, or can be easily stashed on a boat, bus, or the corner of an atmospheric café, plus it’s free-standing. Despite its size, the buggy is suitable for kids from 6 months to 17kg (approx. 4 years). It’s well priced, but you’ll need to buy extras like a sub shield or rain cover.

The best affordable travel stroller

7. red kite baby push me 2u.

If you only want a buggy for one holiday you don’t want to spend much, this is where Red Kite’s Baby Push Me 2U stroller comes in. It’s cheaper than a round of all-day breakfasts at the airport and has a surprising number of handy features despite its bargain status. Suitable from 6 months, the buggy offers two positions to sit or lie back, lockable swivel wheels and a removable canopy which is handy if you’re going somewhere sunny. There’s also a shopping basket and rain cover for all eventualities. At 5.6kg the buggy isn’t the lightest out there, but it does boast an extra deep seat, which is brilliant for older babies and toddlers who fancy a break from all that arduous walking.

The best comfortable travel stroller

8. chicco echo.

Chicco is a trusted brand and its Echo stroller offers plenty of comfort and decent looks for less than £70/$100. Compared to other budget options, this buggy shows attention to detail, with an embroidered seat and ritzy wheels as well as a fully reclining backrest with four options and an adjustable leg rest to make sure your bundle of joy is comfortable. At 8.5kg this stroller isn’t the lightest of travel buggies, but it is one of the better-looking options. Suitable from birth to 22kgs, and is very affordable, giving it longevity and plenty of bang for its buck.

How to choose the best travel strollers

Weight vs comfort: Like sports cars, some pushchairs are as light as possible at the cost of creature comforts and one that’s super stripped-back may not suit everyone. So consider how much padding your little one likes (especially if they’re a light sleeper) as well as features like whether the pushchair is parent or world-facing (not all buggies are both) and whether they have multiple reclining positions. If your child likes a little nap on the go, you will not want a buggy that doesn’t recline!

Age: It sounds obvious, but it’s important to consider whether lightweight buggies are suitable for the age of your baby. Some with less padding are only designed for babies aged six months or one or over, for example.

The weather: If you’re buying a light buggy for use in the UK, you’re going to want a rain cover and a sun cover (well, if you’re feeling optimistic). Not all buggies, especially the lightweight ones, come with rain covers, and they can cost quite a lot, so it’s worth noticing whether they come fitted as standard when budgeting. Similarly, the very lightest designs can sometimes have no hood or sun canopy, or one that’s incredibly small. So if you’re shopping for a light buggy for a holiday in the sun, this is a factor that you’ll want to look at carefully. 

Parental extras: Lightweight buggies seldom come with extras like cup holders but you might want to check the size and sturdiness of a buggy’s shopping basket as this can be a curse or saviour if you use a buggy frequently. 

Size: As well as being light, some buggies are designed to fold up incredibly small. This is great if you’re a frequent flier, use public transport or have a small car, but this feature can make some models more expensive, so if you’re not bothered, you might want to pass. Similarly, folding mechanisms vary massively, and you need to find one that’s easy for you and suitable for your needs. If you can, we recommend trying before you buy.

Vanity: Like with cars, sometimes looks matter almost as much as practicality. Some buggies look better than others and come in a rainbow of colours. So whether you want a fun one for a holiday vibe or have a favourite colour, you may as well pick one you like the look of as you’ll probably be using it a lot.

How we test

There are more lightweight and compact buggies than ever that are designed to make navigating customs (and most important Duty-Free) a breeze, while being easy to fold and stow in the hold, or even squeezed into the overhead lockers, without breaking into the sort of sweat you’d expect from an adventure holiday somewhere on the equator. 

Unfortunately, we can't always take every single one on holiday to see how they perform (unless someone wants to start a GoFundMe for us and this vital research), but we can test them out in more everyday situations.

We'll test these travel strollers on trips to the supermarket, shopping centre, and city centres, some of the most demanding and stressful locations known to parenthood. This, of course, involves taking the strollers on trains, buses and cars, so it does give us a great idea of how they perform. We'll also check if they're easy to fold, if they're comfortable for baby, and how practical they are.

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The 15 Best Travel Strollers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

We tested the best travel strollers on the market for maneuverability, design, durability, and portability.

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Our top picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying
• Why Trust T+L

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Travel + Leisure / Phoebe Cheong

If you're traveling with a child under 4 years old or so, you need a stroller. But your everyday stroller might not be your best bet when you hit the road: Today's models are big with lots of storage space, wide canopies, and large wheels for challenging terrain. Not ideal for packing into trains, planes, and automobiles or for bringing in and out of a hotel. If you plan to travel even somewhat often with your little ones, you might want to invest in a travel stroller.

So, what is a travel stroller? A travel stroller is a smaller, more scaled-back stroller with a collapsible frame that can be folded up tightly. Many travel strollers fold multiple ways to reduce the length, width, and height; some, like umbrella strollers, fold one way into a narrow but still-long piece. In the end, you want your travel stroller to be comfortable and safe for your child while folding up into a very compact, easy-to-carry package.

We tested 32 travel strollers from top brands such as Uppababy, Nuna, and Babyzen. We measured and weighed them, then spent eight and a half hours in our New York City lab putting them all through the wringer, looking at each stroller's maneuverability, design features, durability, and portability. Here are the winners.

Best Overall

Joolz aer lightweight compact baby stroller.

 Amazon

• Design 4.6 /5
• Portability 4.9 /5
• Maneuverability 4.9 /5
• Durability 5 /5
• Value 4.6 /5

It folds up into an extremely compact, easy-to-carry package, and the storage area can fit a small backpack while the stroller is in use.

The straps can be finicky and take some getting used to.

The Joolz Aer looks great, rolls smoothly, and features plenty of padding for the little rider sitting in it. But none of those things alone is what sets it apart from the other strollers we tested. The stroller's exceptional compactness and ease of carrying when folded are what truly won us over. It's great to just keep in the car since it packs up so small and folds and unfolds easily so you can take it with you pretty much everywhere.

The folding process itself is easy and can be done one-handed — just simultaneously push two buttons and push forward. (It's worth noting that unfolding does seem to require two hands.) Once it's folded up, the Joolz Aer is a significantly smaller and more manageable package than many of the other strollers on this list — it fit easily into our makeshift airplane overhead compartment — and a stretchy elastic shoulder pad and handlebar give two convenient, comfortable carrying options. And while it's not the lightest stroller we tested, it's certainly not the heaviest. It feels very manageable to carry.

The Joolz Aer has some helpful design features as well. The sizable canopy offers good coverage and unzips to reveal a mesh ventilation/peekaboo window. The seat back can recline via an easily adjustable strap; this system, as with the peekaboo window, can be sleekly tucked away via a zipper system when not in use. A storage basket underneath the seat is large enough for a small backpack, while a slot on the seat's back can fit papers, a tablet, or a slim laptop. We would have appreciated a cup holder for the adult and a leg rest for the child, but those can be purchased separately. It also would be nice if the strap buckling system was a little simpler, and you'll need to read the instructions carefully to really master it. The handle bar is smooth and padded, and the stroller rolled well over all the surfaces we tested on: hardwood, tile, carpet, and gravel. It also handled U-turns and pivots with ease. It sustained no damage when we dropped it from waist height and pushed it off a table.

Price at time of publish: $449

The Details: 14.1 pounds | 41.5 x 32.75 x 17.75 inches assembled | 8.5 x 21 x 17.75 x inches folded | 50-pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Phoebe Cheong

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Best Overall, Runner-up

Nuna trvl lightweight stroller.

• Design 4.8 /5
• Portability 4.2 /5
• Maneuverability 5 /5
• Value 4.7 /5

Not only does it roll well, but the one-handed folding process was the smoothest of all the strollers we tested.

It's not especially small when folded and is a little unwieldy to carry.

During testing, when we pressed the buttons to collapse and fold the Nuna Trvl, it felt like some spring-loaded mechanism started the process for us and made it easier. That's the kind of helpful detail any parent or caretaker appreciates. And that folding process was quick, easy, and doable with one hand. The Trvl isn't quite as light as some of the other strollers, however, and it has no strap for carrying over the shoulder (although the bumper bar turns into a handle for carrying when the stroller is collapsed). It's also not clear whether the Nuna Trvl will fit in all airplane overhead compartments; It was a tight squeeze when we placed it in ours, with the wheels sticking out a bit.

The Trvl has a lot of great design features, including an adjustable leg rest and simple, adjustable reclining system for your baby. The strap clasp is magnetic to save a little time, and the canopy has a peekaboo window and good ventilation. The bottom storage basket is also on the larger side for a travel stroller and can comfortably fit a backpack. The stroller gilded beautifully over each surface we tried; there was no difference between rolling over the smooth hardwood and the shag carpet, and it handled gravel without issue. And it held up just fine in the durability test.

Price at time of publish: $500

The Details: 15.4 pounds | 41 x 26 x 20.5 inches assembled | 11 x 27.25 x 20.25 inches folded | 50-pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Claire Cohen

Best Budget

Kolcraft cloud plus stroller.

• Design 3.9 /5
• Portability 3 /5
• Maneuverability 4.2 /5
• Durability 4.5 /5
• Value 4.8 /5

It comes with a tray for baby's food and drink but is still extremely lightweight and easy to fold.

There isn't a ton of space in the undercarriage for storage.

Strollers are unnervingly expensive; many new parents experience sticker shock when they first see those price tags. The Kolcraft Cloud Plus is not. And while it's not the prettiest of the bunch (there's some loud branding), it folds easily — it can even be done one-handed with a little effort and coordination. We love that unfolding can also be done one-handed.

The Cloud Plus doesn't fold down quite as small as most every other one we're testing; the shape is somewhere between an umbrella and normal travel stroller. It's very lightweight, which we love, but since it doesn't fold small enough to fit in an overhead bin and doesn't have a strap or handle, it's not as portable as other options.

This stroller is the only one we tested with a tray for the baby's food and drink; the tray is removable if you're looking to save space. There are also two small cup holders for the adults, though our travel mug did not fit in them. The storage basket can fit a small backpack. The recline system is pretty easy to use and goes back three-fourths of the way to horizontal, and the canopy is good but not great. Same goes for the seat padding.

It rolled well on smooth surfaces, though there was some resistance on the carpet and a lot more on the grave. But we were able to push it through, and the stroller is light enough that when the wheels aren't rolling you can still keep moving. It's not the smoothest ride, but passable. The tray came unclasped during the durability test, but there was no actual damage. Overall, the price-to-performance ratio of the Cloud Plus is so good that it's an excellent budget option.

Price at time of publish: $80

The Details: 11.8 pounds | 38 x 27 x 18 inches assembled | 10 x 33 x 17.5 inches folded | 50-pound weight limit

Travel & Leisure / Phoebe Cheong

Best for Warm Weather

Gb qbit+ all city stroller.

• Portability 4 /5

It reminds us of the very top-tier travel strollers, but its price is meaningfully lower.

The handlebar isn't adjustable and the stroller is a bit heavier than other options.

The GB Qbit+ All City reminded us of the Nuna Trvl, but at a significantly cheaper price. The only areas the stroller fell short of the Nuna model are the canopy, which is not especially nice or expansive, and the fact that it's slightly harder to carry since it's a little heavier and has no actual carrying strap. That said, there's plenty to love about the Qbit. One-handed folding is smooth, and buckling and unbuckling the straps is easy. The seat is nicely padded, the entire back is made of breathable mesh to keep your child from overheating. The leg rest is simple to maneuver and goes all the way flat. The seat also reclines almost all the way back so that your baby can take a comfortable snooze. The included bumper bar comes off and on easily, and the handlebar looks and feels nice. There's enough storage for a backpack, too. As for maneuverability, it rolled great on all our testing surfaces and made crisp, tight turns. If you want something similar to and almost as good as the Nuna Trvl, this is your travel stroller.

Price at time of publish: $380

The Details: 17.6 pounds | 41 x 24 x 17 inches assembled | 10.5 x 23 x 16.5 inches folded | 54.8-pound weight limit

Best Folding

Uppababy minu v2 stroller.

• Assembly 3.8 /5

It folds up far more compactly than other UPPAbaby models.

The canopy sticks out a bit when the stroller is folded.

The Minu has a lot of the features familiar to UPPAbaby devotees — unstructured rear storage pouch, locking clasp to keep the stroller folded, excellent canopy — but unlike the brand's G-Luxe and G-Link models, this one is not an umbrella stroller. We actually think that makes for a better travel stroller. The Minu folds up more easily than other UPPAbaby models and far more compactly than an umbrella model. The fold can be done with one hand, but keep in mind the canopy needs to be tucked in once it's folded. A padded carrying strap easily fits over the shoulder. When carried, the Minu isn't the lightest or smallest option on our list, but it's portable enough and fits fine in an overhead compartment.

The Minu's seat back reclines nicely and easily for naps, and the handlebar feels good on the palms. The canopy's magnetic mesh window is handy and easy to keep open, and the sun shade for keeping the brightness out of your baby's eyes is one of the best we saw in our tests. The seat's padding is ample, though we'd like it if the leg rest were adjustable. We did appreciate the sizable bottom storage basket.

In terms of maneuverability, the Minu performed fine. It didn't make quite as tight turns as the Joolz or Nuna, and it felt a bit heavier to push, but it handled the gravel really well. A canopy rod popped out of place when we pushed the stroller off the table, but we were able to fix it pretty easily. Overall, while the stroller is expensive, it's not the priciest on the list and is worth it for the well-crafted features.

Price at time of publish: $450

The Details: 14.75 pounds | 41 x 31 x 20.5 inches assembled | 12 x 22.5 x 20.25 inches folded | 50-pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best for Cities

Babyzen yoyo2 stroller.

• Assembly 3.5 /5
• Design 4.5 /5
• Portability 5 /5
• Maneuverability 4.5 /5

It's very well-padded, folds up into a tidy package, and has a convenient carrying strap.

The clips and buckles can be hard to maneuver.

Folding the Babyzen Yoyo 2 took two hands and, while not difficult, was a little more involved a process than with some other strollers. Unfolding is pretty easy, except we noticed our feet getting caught in straps a few times. While folding and unfolding were slightly disappointing, we love how portable this stroller is. It folds up very small and has a comfortable padded shoulder strap as well as a metal bar for easy carrying. And it fits easily into an overhead storage bin. It's a great option for a stroller you plan to fly with.

The Yoyo 2 has nice features, too. The seat padding is especially cushy, and the seat reclines three-fourths of the way back to horizontal (though the recliner is a bit tricky to figure out). There's also a pocket in the back and a decent storage basket underneath that can fit a small bag. The canopy is good, though we'd prefer the peekaboo window to be mesh instead of plastic.

This stroller especially stands out for its handling. We were able to maneuver this stroller through the safety cones with such ease, we could really see this stroller being helpful at a crowded grocery store or airport.

The Details: 14.7 pounds | 41 x 28.8 x 17 inches assembled | 8 x 20 x 16 inches folded | 40-pound weight limit

Best Double

Uppababy g-link v2 double stroller.

• Assembly 4.9 /5
• Design 5 /5
• Portability 4.4 /5

It folds more easily and rolls more smoothly than we expected from a stroller this size.

It doesn't fold down very small, and unfolding it could be easier.

For such a large contraption, this double stroller folds with surprising ease. We were even able to do it one-handed with a little effort, which none of us expected. Unfolding is a little trickier, as it takes some force to unhook the locking clasp. As a double stroller, the G-Link 2 is not the most compact package when folded. Plus, it's an umbrella structure, so this one probably isn't fitting in many overhead bins. Carrying it was a little unwieldy, as should be expected with a double stroller, but there is a helpful handle, and the stroller is lighter than it looks. You can actually wheel it along when it's folded instead of carrying it, but it's not easy, and it bumped into us when we did so.

We like the canopies on the G-Link 2: quality material and good coverage. There are little storage pockets behind each seat, and it comes with a cup holder. You can also fit a purse or very small backpack in the undercarriage basket. The seats have generous padding, which extends to form a sort of calf rest for the riders. The straps buckle easily and have different height options; the seat backs have two recline positions and are super easy to adjust.

The stroller rolled well over all the surfaces, even the gravel, and it made much tighter turns than we anticipated. We also like that there are no wheels in the middle of the frame (as most double umbrella strollers have), which makes it easier to push without kicking the wheels or frame. Finally, it showed no damage after our durability tests.

Price at time of publish: $280

The Details: 21.8 pounds | 41 x 25 x 28.25 inches assembled | 14 x 40 x 17.5 inches folded | 55-pound weight limit per seat

Cybex Libelle Compact Stroller

• Durability 4.6 /5

It's a modern-looking stroller that's easy to move.

It lacked some of the features we'd have liked to see at its price.

The Cybex Libelle Stroller looks sleek and is easy to fold down into an easy-to-store size. Unfolding this stroller is incredibly easy — perfect for families on the go. The wheels of this stroller turn more easily than some other styles and provides a smooth ride over most surfaces.

Due to its simplistic design, this stroller doesn't have extra pockets or cupholders, but its lightweight and compact style makes this a great option for traveling since the stroller can fit in the overhead bins of most airplanes. Just be aware that this model does not include a carrying strap, so if you plan to walk for long periods of time with the folded stroller, you'll have to carry it by its medal frame.

It handled pretty well over the smooth hard surfaces with no noticeable hiccups, but it struggled a bit on the gravel.

Price at time of publish: $350

The Details: 13.7 pounds | 41 x 20 x 20 inches assembled | 8 x 22 x 14 inches folded | 55-pound weight limit

Best Maneuverability

Bugaboo butterfly seat stroller.

• Assembly 4.8 /5
• Design 4.9 /5
• Portability 4.5 /5

It takes next to no effort to push this stroller over terrains of all types.

The instructions have pictures rather than words, so they’re a bit unclear.

From sharp turns to steep curbs to rocky terrain, the Bugaboo Butterfly Seat Stroller easily traverses it all. Built with advanced four-wheel suspension and a lightweight frame, we loved how little effort it took to push the stroller, even with one hand. The wheels seemed to absorb bumps and shock well, keeping the seat stable and the baby in place. 

We were equally impressed with the stroller’s packing and traveling capabilities. Weighing in at just over 16 pounds and boasting a compact size when folded down, the Butterfly is easy to carry and even hoist in the air to stow in a plane’s overhead bin. It’s also simple to assemble, and it remained perfectly intact and undamaged after we dropped it.

Other useful features of this stroller include a Velcro rain cover, seat cover, spacious under-seat basket, padded handlebar with a wrist strap, reclining mechanism, and an easy-to-use foot brake. 

The Details: 16.1 pounds | 36.4 x 17.7 x 40.3 inches assembled | 17.7 x 9.1 x 21.3 inches folded | 48.5-pound weight limit

Best for Air Travel

Silver cross jet 3 super compact stroller.

Silver Cross

• Assembly 3.9 /5
• Design 4.2 /5

It literally folds down into a suitcase.

If using the suitcase feature, it really only works for parents with one stroller-age child.

We could surely wax poetic about this stroller’s luxe appearance and smooth as silk maneuverability, but our favorite feature? Its ability to transform into a rolling suitcase. This thing was made to fly since it easily folds down into suitcase form and glides over surfaces just as easily when folded as it does unfolded. Not only that, but transitioning between the stroller’s two forms is super easy — it takes just one hand and a matter of seconds.

Beyond the suitcase feature, this stroller also wowed us in the quality department. The canopy and handlebar have a luxurious look and feel, while the seat and footrest are both adjustable. The stroller also moves and turns incredibly well over a variety of terrains, including stairs, even when packed to the brim.

Even if you don’t necessarily need all the convenient features the Jet 3 comes with, you’re still sure to love the stroller for its appearance — it’s sleek, stylish, and essentially bulk-free.

The Details: 13.6 pounds | 35.4 x 17.7 x 39.5 inches assembled | 7.1 x 11.8 x 21.6 inches folded | 55-pound weight limit

Best Compact

Contours itsy ultra-sturdy compact fold stroller.

Buy Buy Baby

• Assembly 5 /5
• Maneuverability 4 /5

There’s almost no assembly required.

Parents of older, larger children may not find it as useful.

If you like to live your life simply, the compact and convenient Contours Itsy may be the stroller for you. Right out of the box, it’s already nearly fully assembled — all you have to do is snap the bumper bar into place, which takes almost no effort. On top of that, it’s a no-frills option, so there’s no cup holder or oversized basket to weigh it down, take up space, or make things complicated. 

We did, however, love features like the secure bumper bar, easy-to-use harness, canopy with UV 50 sun protection, and padding on the crotch strap, which makes the stroller look comfortable. They also appreciated the small size of the foot rest, basket, and entire stroller in general, because it made using and transporting it a breeze.

When it was time to stow the stroller away (or pack it up for travel), we got a kick out of just how tiny it folds up — in its simplest form, it’s not much larger than a grocery bag. It’s also ultra-lightweight and easily folds with just one hand. 

Price at time of publish: $170

The Details: 12.3 pounds | 32 x 39 x 18.2 inches assembled | 11 x 22 x 11 inches folded | 40-pound weight limit

Best Comfort

Baby jogger city tour 2 stroller.

• Maneuverability 4.8 /5

The price is reasonable considering how solidly it performed on all our tests.

It did not fit in our overhead bin and isn't easy to fold one-handed.

Folding this stroller was pretty simple, though not quite as smooth as it was with some of the others. The unfolding process was a little finicky as well and took some practice. So what do we like about the Baby Jogger City Tour 2? The price is reasonable, it performed solidly on most of our tests, and it maneuvered exceptionally well over all surfaces. We noticed little perceptible difference between its rolling over the shag carpet and smooth wood surface, and while other strollers struggled a bit on the gravel, this one navigated it with ease.

In terms of portability, the City Tour 2 doesn't feel bulky and has a good hand carrying handle. We would have liked to see a shoulder strap, however, and it did not fit in our overhead bin. The seat back has a lot of recline, and the drawstring to pull and push the seat forward and back is easy to use. The seat has good structure and good padding; the straps work well and can be adjusted to different height levels. There's lots of leg room and adjustable calf support for the baby, and the canopy has a peekaboo window and goes up and down smoothly. We'd have appreciated some more storage space; you can't fit a backpack anywhere. When we pushed the City Tour 2 off a table, we did notice that a small foam pad came off, though we couldn't even figure out where it came from, and it did not structurally damage the stroller.

Price at time of publish: $250

The Details: 14 pounds | 40 x 26 x 20 inches assembled | 7 x 22.5 x 19.5 inches folded | 45-pound weight limit

Best Umbrella

Uppababy jordan g-luxe stroller.

• Portability 3.9 /5
• Maneuverability 4.7 /5
• Value 4.5 /5

The recline system is particularly easy to use, and the stroller stands well on its own when folded.

The button/ring-pull combination for folding it is a bit finicky and has to be timed perfectly.

The first thing to note here is that ​​umbrella strollers only fold one-dimensionally, so the result is narrow but long…like an umbrella. The other strollers on this list fold down via multiple joints and in multiple directions for a smaller and more squarish package; neither is necessarily better, but you'll want to decide what you want before buying a travel stroller.

This particular UPPAbaby model is a bit tricky to fold because the handle/ring combination used to do so is finicky and has to be timed perfectly. Once you get that, the folding is smooth, but the whole button-and-ring thing is a little annoying. As with most UPPAbaby products, however, the G-Luxe's features are pretty nice. There's an included cup holder that fits a travel mug easily, and the canopy is expansive with extra sun shade (there is no peekaboo window, however). The leg rest for the child is easy to adjust, and the straps feature a five-point harness and adjustable height levels. The seat padding is substantial without looking bulky, and the recline system, while only providing two settings, is exceptionally easy to use. The unstructured (perhaps too unstructured) pocket behind the seat is pretty spacious and in a good location, but the storage basket at the bottom of the stroller isn't particularly big.

The G-Luxe maneuvers well, with good tight turns, though it rattled noticeably over the gravel. It held up well during our durability tests and sustained no damage.

Price at time of publish: $200

The Details : 16.5 pounds | 42.5 x 23.5 x 18.5 inches assembled | 15 x 41 x 11.75 inches folded | 55 pounds weight limit

Best Lightweight

Zoe the traveler.

• Design 3.5 /5

The removable seat liner is machine washable.

The attachable snack tray is sold separately.

If you're heading off on a family trip and looking for a simple, lightweight travel stroller, this minimalistic design will do the trick. It's incredibly easy to assemble and takes just a few minutes to click the wheels and bumper bar into place. It also comes with a parent cupholder and back pocket to help keep your hands free throughout your journey. We did note that the cargo area is the perfect size for a small tote bag or purse, but it may not be large enough to fit diaper bags or weekender bags.

We love that this stroller comes with a removable seat liner that can be thrown in the washing machine after a trip to keep clean and fresh. The canopy can also be unzipped to expand and it has a peek-a-boo feature on top so you can check on your child without stopping. This stroller is also easy to push around on every type of terrain — especially around tight corners. The stroller is light enough to lift up stairs, but we do recommend you use two hands when carrying down the stairs. When it's time to disassemble the stroller, simply press a button on the handlebar and bend the stroller forward. It’s so easy we didn’t even need instructions to figure out how to do it. You can even fold and unfold this one-handed, perfect for on-the-go travels.

Price at time of publish: $249

The Details : 13 pounds | 41 x 30 x 18 inches assembled | 22 x 19 x 10 inches folded | 45 pounds weight limit

Most Adjustable

Thule shine stroller.

• Durability 4.8 /5

Assembly is quick and easy, perfect for first-time parents.

It can be hard to turn on sharp corners.

For such a compact stroller, the Thule Shine has plenty of storage, an expandable canopy with UPF 50+ protection, a reclining seat, and adjustable leg rests — everything you need for a busy parent and growing youngster to travel comfortably. We love the fast assembly of this stroller and the security of knowing everything clicks together when positioned and popped in correctly. There is an adjustable handlebar that is super easy to figure out, an extra rain canopy that you can pack and bring with you, and it is so easy to fold down. The harness does need to be clipped in a specific order before it can be fully buckled, which might become difficult with a fussy child, but we did find the seat to be comfortable and loved that it was extremely adjustable.

During our tests, it only suffered minimal scuffing and we never felt as though it would tip or fall while maneuvering through an obstacle course. We were able to fold the stroller with just one hand, but it was difficult to get it fully locked into the travel position without using two hands. It does stand upright once folded, so you can pop it down quickly for storage, whether you're coming back home and stashing it in a closet or boarding a plane. The stroller also fits easily into car trunks, but is most suitable for gate checking and is not likely to fit in overhead airplane bins. Overall, the stroller felt durable and was light enough that most parents would be able to carry it when needed. We felt like it would last through at least a couple of kids should your family use it multiple times, which is perfect for growing families.

Price at time of publish: $700

The Details : 21.6 pounds | 35 x 42 x 20 inches assembled | 13 x 27 x 20 inches folded | 49 pounds weight limit

Other Travel Strollers We Liked

Some of the travel strollers we tested did not make our list of recommendations. They all had positive attributes, but a few things held them back.

Summer Infant 3DLite : This is a decent budget option, but the price-to-performance ratio was just not quite as good as the Kolcraft Cloud Plus.

Doona Infant Car Seat and Latch Base : The easy-to-maneuver pick collapses into a car seat but the use case for this is too specific to pay as much as it costs, and many other stroller frames can fit a car seat.

Gb Pockit Air All Terrain : This one is incredibly light and folds easily, but there are basically zero features.

Ergobaby Metro+ Compact Stroller : While this is a sleek and stylish option, i t's not easy to carry, and the canopy adjustment makes a lot of noise, which could wake up a sleeping baby.

Munchkin Sparrow : The lightweight design is smart and thoughtful, but everything from the canopy to the storage bin is simply too small. 

Once we fully assembled all 32 strollers in our New York City testing lab, we measured their height, length, and width, both fully opened and fully folded down. We also weighed each one, since weight is a particularly important aspect if anyone will be carrying the stroller during a trip. Then after carefully reading instructions, we repeatedly folded and unfolded each stroller. We took copious notes to record whether the folding process was intuitive and easy to execute. We considered how difficult it would be to do with a baby in one arm or with a whiny toddler pulling at our legs.

While each stroller was in its most compact setup, we tested it for portability. Is it easy to pick up? Comfortable to carry? Are there good handles and straps? Is it compact enough to fit in an airplane overhead bin (we constructed our own makeshift one according to standard airline measurements using a storage rack and a box). We recorded all this and more.

Next we carefully examined each stroller for included features. We looked for seat reclining and cushioning, cup holders, baskets and other storage space, canopy cover for protection from the weather, seat cushioning and reclining, and more. We tried the features out and took detailed notes on whether they were functional and helpful. We also practiced buckling and unbuckling the straps.

Then we put 25-pound sandbags in every stroller. We wheeled them forward and backward over hard floor, carpet, and gravel. We practiced U-turns and pivots and even wheeled them through a miniature obstacle course of cones. We also noted how well the brakes worked and if they were easy to engage.

Finally, we gave all of the strollers a durability test. We dropped each one from waist height and then pushed each off of a table slightly higher than that. We examined each after the falls to see if there was any damage.

After completing our lab tests, we sent each stroller out to real families to use these strollers over a period of six months to really put them to the test. Throughout the testing period, we asked how each stroller was holding up in terms of durability, comfort, portability, and more.

Tips for Buying a Travel Stroller

Consider the types of travel strollers.

Not all travel strollers are designed with the same priorities in mind. Some may emphasize a lightweight and packable style while others are focused on maneuverability or durability. There are umbrella strollers, that are best for toddlers, but light enough for travel; jogging strollers with advanced suspension for smooth rides; and even full-sized strollers that may not seem best for air travel, but often include great features like storage compartments and padded seats when portability is less of an issue. When it comes to selecting the best travel stroller for your family, think about portability and convenience, but don't forget about comfort and bonus accessories to make your trip a smooth and unforgettable experience.

Pay attention to folded size

The biggest differentiator between a regular stroller and a travel stroller is that a travel stroller should pack up more compactly. You'll want it to fit easily into car trunks or train/airplane compartments without taking up much space. The Joolz Aer , our top pick, folds down to 8.5 (height) x 21 (length) x 17.75 (width) inches. That's a good guide for a stroller that will fit nicely into the aforementioned compartments.

Remember storage space and other features

Just because your travel stroller might be a smaller and more scaled-down version of your everyday stroller, you shouldn't have to suffer from a lack of convenience. Good travel strollers still offer some storage space for small bags, toys, snacks, etc. The seat for your baby should be padded and comfortable and able to recline; keep an eye out for a canopy that offers good coverage and buckles and straps that are easy to use. So, while compact folding and good portability are what make a travel stroller a travel stroller, be sure to look closely at the other features a stroller does (or does not) include.

Prioritize comfort and safety

At the end of the day, your stroller needs to be safe and comfortable for your child. Check for good, padded seats that recline. Make sure the straps don't look like they'd cut into your baby's shoulder or chest, and take note if there are leg rests. Note if the wheels can handle different surfaces well enough to keep the stroller from shaking and rattling too much.

If you can fit it in the overhead, you can bring it on board. If you have an umbrella model or are using your regular (non-travel) stroller, your best bet is to gate check it. But many travel strollers fold down so compactly that they fit easily into an overhead bin. In general, carry-on luggage should be 45 linear inches (22 x 14 x 9 inches) or less. You can reference the FAA website for more guidance.

In short, a travel stroller is lighter than an everyday stroller and folds down far smaller. This means that the frames are usually thinner and have several folding joints, and the wheels will be smaller and less suited for rough terrain. Storage space, cup holders, and other accessories will usually be kept to a minimum. But a good travel stroller should give you everything you really need and even function well enough to be used every day — all while folding down nice and small and being easy to carry or pack away.

Why Trust Travel + Leisure

Chris Abell is the Associate Editorial Director at Travel + Leisure , and he is a parent and frequent traveler. He's owned the Uppababy G-Luxe and the Joolz Aer, and he helped design and execute the testing for all the strollers on this list. Chris and associate commerce editor Hillary Maglin worked with a team of other editors and parents to test these strollers in our New York City lab space.

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• Strollers /
• Car Seats /

Best Travel Systems of 2023

Travel systems—car seat + stroller combos—make getting out with your baby a whole lot easier., by jen labracio.

When you’re ready to roll with your little one, a car seat and a stroller is key. Thanks to the smarty who designed the first travel system―a car seat that clips onto a matching stroller―you can make one purchase and get both essentials. If you’re a new parent and just heard the term “travel system,” don’t worry—we’ll explain it all. (And if you came here looking for a travel stroller or a travel car seat , those are different, but we’ve got you covered there, too. We’re also sharing important car seat safety information from a pediatrician and our top picks for the best travel systems.

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Travel Systems

• Best Travel System: Chicco Corso LE Modular Travel System
• Best More Affordable Pick: Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System
• Easiest Install: Britax Willow Brook Travel System
• Best Car Seat: Nuna MIXX NEXT with Mag Buckle and PIPA Rx Travel System
• Most Versatile: Graco Modes Nest Travel System
• Best for a Growing Family: UPPAbaby MESA V2 Infant Car Seat & VISTA V2 Stroller Travel System
• Best Jogger: Baby Trend Expedition Race Tec Jogger Travel System
• Easiest to Fold: Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All-Terrain Travel System
• Best Lightweight: Nuna PIPA urbn + TRVL Travel System
• Best More Affordable Lightweight: Graco FastAction Fold Sport Click Connect Travel System

In This Article

How we chose the best travel systems.

• Our Top Picks

What Is a Travel System?

Do you need a travel system.

• When Do You Need a Travel System

Are Travel Systems Safe for Newborns?

How to pick the best travel system, babylist’s picks for the best travel systems, best travel system stroller.

Chicco Corso LE Modular Travel System - Veranda

• Great combo of features, price + performance
• Stroller can be used as a frame carrier
• Includes parent-favorite car seat

What Our Experts Say

The price of a travel system can range from a few hundred dollars to well over a thousand. The Chicco Corso Travel System sits squarely in the middle of that price range and has a lot to offer, making it one of our favorite travel systems on the market. The car seat, the KeyFit 35, is a popular parent favorite that’s easy to install, packed with safety features and fits most babies really well. (It also works well for extended rear-facing use, with a good amount of headrest room and a weight maximum of 35 pounds.) The stroller shares many features with high-end strollers that cost upwards of a thousand dollars, including large, foam-filled tires and rear-wheel suspension for a smooth ride, a multi-position reclining seat, an adjustable canopy and footrest and leatherette trim. The stroller seat is fully removable, turning it from a full-featured toddler stroller into a lightweight, skeleton frame that’s much easier to manage when you’re using it with just the infant car seat.

What’s Worth Considering

If you want to spend a little less, check out the brand’s Bravo Trio Travel System . You’ll get the same infant car seat as part of the package deal, but not the same stroller—the Trio has plastic wheels instead of rubber and the ride isn’t as smooth as compared to the Corso. Parents also say the materials overall are a bit less durable. But considering the price, it’s still an excellent choice if you’re in the market for a solid travel system. favorite.

What Babylist Parents Say

“As a CPST I trust Chicco and all of their products. The ease of the KeyFit35 install is to die for. The car seat also feels comfortable and sturdy. I also love this stroller! The one-hand fold and the sleek design. It looks beautiful with the flower-like wheels and leather handle. It’s also a beautiful color. I would recommend to anyone.” -Patience Mabin

Additional Specs

Best More Affordable Baby Travel System

Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System w/Litemax - Desert Tan

• Higher-end features at affordable price
• Six different stroller seating configurations
• Car seat exceeds industry safety standards

Parents rave about this travel system that offers so much for so little, and we couldn’t agree more. The Pivot has features we’ve come to expect from much pricier strollers, like the option to turn the regular seat into a newborn bassinet, a large canopy, a seat that can face forward or toward you and a removable child tray. The Litemax infant car seat that’s included far exceeds industry standards and is a favorite of CPSTs (Child Passenger Safety Technicians, AKA car seat safety experts). The base is made of impact-absorbing materials and has an anti-rebound bar to deflect the force of a crash, along with lots more impressive safety features.

The car seat included here is really where this travel system shines, especially for the price. The stroller doesn’t handle uneven terrain all that well, and parents complain that the wheels start to squeak over time. Users also note that attaching the car seat to the stroller may take a bit of finesse.

If you’re looking for a similarly affordable travel system that also converts from a single to a double stroller, check out the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Travel System with Litemax .

Craving a few upgrades? Take a look at the Evenflo Gold Shyft . It’s also a multi-mode seat that features SensorSafe technology (an app paired with a special car seat buckle that alerts you if your child is unbuckled, overheats or is left behind in the car) as well as upgraded fabrics, trim and wheels.

“I like the flexibility—it can easily change from holding the car seat to a bassinet to a “big kid” seat.” -Marie

Travel System with Easiest Install

Britax Willow Brook Travel System - Onyx Glacier

• Infant car seat is quick and easy to install
• Four ways to stroll
• One-step fold

Parents and car seat experts rave about ClickTight, Britax’s installation technology, calling it “ a remarkably simple and effective way to install a car seat .” But it’s never been available in an infant seat—until now. The Willow infant car seat included in this well-priced travel system features this installation system that makes getting a safe, secure install quick and easy. The seat also features three adjustment points (hips, shoulders and between the legs) for a custom fit and naturally flame-retardant fabrics (which are also washer and dryer safe). The stroller is on the lighter side and has a modular seat, a one-step fold and a large storage basket.

The stroller’s wheels are plastic and the suspension system isn’t the best, leading some parents to complain about a bumpy ride when on uneven terrain.

“We are on our 4th child so we have tried several other strollers and car seats before. I have to say that this set is top-notch. The stroller is fairly light and glides very smoothly with easy turns. The seat can lift up and turn around so baby can face frontward to see ahead or rearward to see us. The cupholder for the “pusher” is a nice touch. Car seat and base are also great but the cool thing about the ca seat is that it also clicks into the stroller until baby is big enough for the toddler seat. No complaints.” -bmshaw

Best Car Seat Travel System

Nuna MIXX NEXT with Mag Buckle and PIPA Rx Travel System - Caviar

• Includes ultra-light, ultra-safe parent favorite car seat
• Luxury features
• Stroller has great maneuverability and suspension

This travel system is (much) more than just its good looks—it’s also super functional. It combines the Nuna Mixx Next stroller, loved for its smooth ride (oversized tires + all-wheel suspension = one high-performing combo), generous storage basket, magnetic seat buckle and compact fold with the Pipa Rx Infant Car Seat, one of the lightest, safest and most popular infant seats on the market. (It also includes the Relx Base, Nuna’s anti-rebound base that features a fold-down stability leg to absorb collision forces and four latch positions for a better fit against your vehicle’s seat.)

The stroller fully reclines and boasts excellent maneuverability and the car seat is a breeze to snap in and out at only a little over seven pounds. This travel system is pricey, but well worth it if you’re looking for a luxury car seat + stroller combo that combines safety, durability and performance features.

This is a really pricey travel system, especially considering the stroller doesn’t convert to hold more than one child. Although the car seat is super light, the Mixx stroller is on the heavier side. The car seat’s seat pad is machine washable but the rest is spot-clean only.

Most Versatile Travel System

Graco Modes Nest Travel System - Sullivan

• Three different modes
• One-hand, self-standing fold

This travel system combines one of Graco’s most popular strollers, the Modes Nest, with their popular SnugRide 35 Lite Elite infant car seat, and the result is one pretty awesome travel system. The standout feature of the Modes Nest stroller is optionality. It’s three strollers in one, working as an infant car seat carrier (you can click the car seat directly onto the stroller frame), a bassinet (pram) and a toddler stroller with the ability to flip the seat parent- or forward-facing. Especially considering the price, this is a pretty impressive (and convenient) feature. Parents also love the snack tray and parent cup holder, large canopy and removable newborn head and body support. The car seat, the SnugRide 35 Lite Elite, weighs under 10 pounds and is easy to install. It works up to 35 pounds and has a four-position recline.

The stroller wheels are plastic, so it’s not ideal for rougher terrain or traversing over curbs.

Looking for a similar stroller but need it to work for a growing family? Check out the Graco Modes Nest2Grow Travel System . It expands to a double stroller and has over 15 configurations.

“We love this travel system for our daughter! The car seat is light, which I definitely appreciated after my C-section as I was not supposed to carry a lot of weight. The stroller is also lightweight and has great features! We were drawn to this stroller for the bassinet feature. We put our daughter down for walks and she naps peacefully while getting some fresh air. The stroller is also easy to fold and unfold. I feel like I could do it with one hand if I tried, which is great for any mom who already has their hands full with their little one!” -JCains

Best Travel System for a Growing Family

UPPAbaby MESA V2 Infant Car Seat & VISTA V2 Stroller Travel System - Mesa V2 Greyson/Vista V2 Greyson

• Grows with your family
• Tons of configurations

When this travel system hits the sidewalks, other strollers give it the jealous side-eye. The Vista grows right along with your family. It can accommodate two infant car seats, two bassinets and countless other combinations. It has an amazing amount of high-end features and is a true delight to push—it easily steers with one hand, turns on a dime and can effortlessly take on rougher surfaces like cracked sidewalks and gravel. The Mesa infant car seat is reversible (parent-facing or front-facing) as are the toddler seats, and there’s shade galore with an enormous SPF 50 canopy, a huge storage basket, a telescoping handlebar and a red-to-green light indicator on the car seat base so you know when it’s been properly secured.

The Vista V2 travel system is expensive. It’s a large, bulky stroller and isn’t the easiest to break down. It can also be tough to push when it’s fully loaded with two kiddos. Unlike the Evenflo travel system above, the stroller component of this system is what shines rather than the car seat. While it’s not the hardest to install, it’s not always the easiest (always read your manual!) and the fit isn’t always the best for smaller babies.

“The flexibility!!! It was wonderful with one child and a lifesaver now that we have two under two. It has incredible storage capacity, many configuration options and so easy to use!!!” -Nicole

Best Jogging Travel System

Baby Trend Expedition Race Tec Jogger Travel System - Ultra Grey

• Super affordable jogging stroller
• XL wheels for any terrain
• Oversized storage basket

Jogging strollers aren’t known for being affordable, so it’s surprising that a travel system with a car seat and a jogger that handles as well as this one does could cost so little. The Expedition boasts the ability to make quick, sharp turns and has bicycle wheels to coast over gravel, grass, uneven pavement and other types of rough terrain. (The front wheel also locks for jogging.) It also features a jumbo storage basket, a removable XL canopy to block out the elements and an effortless fold that engages by pulling the triggers beside the handlebar.

You can’t jog with the stroller until your little one can sit up and has strong head and neck control, usually around eight months old. It’s also on the shorter side for a jogger, so a taller toddler may not fit in it for very long, meaning you won’t get as much use out of it as some of the larger (and more expensive) jogging strollers like BOB or Thule. The car seat can be tough to install.

“I am tall so this stroller was great for my height. The price was right and the car seat was very lightweight. It did not take up a lot of space in my small car and was easy to attach to the stroller. I love how smooth the jogging stroller was to push.” -Ashley

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Easiest to Fold Travel System

Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All-Terrain Travel System - Opulent Black

• Includes bestselling stroller
• Quick and easy one-handed fold
• Great for urban and suburban families

The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 stroller is a parent favorite and a Babylist bestseller thanks to its agility and its unparalleled one-handed fold. Combine that with a versatile, ultrasafe car seat and you get a travel system that’s tough to top. The GT2’s slim profile and ability to quickly turn corners makes it perfect for crowded city streets as well as suburban sidewalks. With one hand you can quickly whip it closed and carry it up stairs or onto a commuter train no problem—it’s lighter than most full-size strollers. And because of its tight fold, it fits in smaller trunks.

The compatible City GO 2 car seat is just as great. You can safely secure it in a vehicle with or without a base (perfect for taxis or ride shares) and it pops right into the stroller.

The storage basket on the stroller is small and tough to reach, and the infant car seat is on the heavier side.

“My baby loves this stroller the most and we take it everywhere. Love the light weight, easy to fold feature and comfort.” -Lee

Best Lightweight Travel System

Nuna PIPA urbn + TRVL Travel System - Caviar

• Baseless infant car seat
• Lightweight travel stroller + 7-pound car seat
• Perfect for travel

If you plan on traveling frequently while your baby is an infant, or simply prefer a more lightweight stroller for everyday use, this is the travel system for you. It’s pricey, but it’s an extremely high-quality, safe and innovative stroller + car seat combo that is truly one of a kind.

This travel system from Nuna combines the brand’s TRVL stroller with the urbn, a baseless car seat. What’s so special about a baseless car seat? Most infant car seats can be installed without a base, but require a seat belt—along with time and patience. That’s not the case here. There’s no base to worry about AND the latch system is built right into the seat’s base. Simply press a button on each side to attach the seat directly to your vehicle’s lower anchors. It’s about as foolproof as it gets, and especially ideal if you’ll be using your car seat on the go in rideshares or taxis. It’s also an extremely safe way to secure a car seat to a vehicle.

Standout features of the TRVL stroller include a quick, one-handed fold, a compact size (it stands on its own and weighs just over 13 pounds) and an easy-access storage basket.

This travel system is expensive. The stroller doesn’t have a carry strap and doesn’t have many of the perks you’ll find on a full-size stroller. The urbn car seat has a lower height and weight limit than most infant car seats.

Best More Affordable Lightweight Travel System

Graco FastAction Fold Sport Click Connect Travel System - Gotham

• One-second, one-hand fold
• Modular seat
• Includes lightweight car seat

The second Graco travel system on our list, this one stands out as a much more affordable lightweight travel system that’s known for its one-handed, one-second fold. The FastAction system is a great choice if you’re looking for a safe, popular car seat and a stroller that’s easy to navigate. The stroller features a multi-position reclining seat, a large storage basket underneath and lots of extras like child and parent trays and cup holders. Another feature to love? The SnugRide 35 Lite infant car seat weighs less than eight pounds an is a parent favorite.

If you prefer a four-wheel stroller (and a modular seat) instead of a three-wheel configuration, Graco’s FastAction SE Travel System is a good option to consider.

“My husband and I bought this travel system for our grandson. It is so easy to use, and we can take it anywhere. The stroller is lightweight, and opens/closes with little effort. The front wheels make it simple to maneuver through doorways, around obstructions, and even rides like a breeze through grass and rocky terrain. I would recommend this system for anyone, but, it is especially convenient for people who may have difficulty with heavy, or more complex systems. Best of all - our grandson loves it!” -grandma2

• We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
• We interviewed pediatrician Dr. Kelly Fradin and researched information on car seat safety and reviews from car seat safety experts and from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many travel systems.
• We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents.

A travel system is a car seat and a stroller that attach to each other. Just unclip the car seat from its base in the back seat, snap it into the stroller and you’re off.

A travel system, sometimes also referred to as a stroller travel system or baby travel system, can be purchased in two ways:

• As a package deal from the same brand (the type of travel systems we’re reviewing here), or
• As a “make your own” set that combines a stroller and a car seat from different brands using adapters.

Package deals tend to be more economical than the DIY version and are guaranteed to work together—no adapters required. If you’re eyeing up a stroller and a car seat from different brands, however, don’t stress. Just keep in mind that not all brands work together and you’ll often need to buy separate adapters. Check out Babylist’s Infant Car Seat and Stroller Compatibility guide to learn more.

Unless your stroller comes with a bassinet attachment or fully reclines and is approved for newborn use, it’s not suitable for your little one until they can sit up unassisted—which usually happens around six months of age. And even if that is the case, you’ll still need to move your infant every time you want to transfer them from the car seat to the stroller (and back again).

Here’s where a travel system comes in. A travel system solves for strolling with your newborn before they’re able to sit up independently. It also means you won’t have to disturb your little one every time you need to make the switch between your car seat and your stroller.

When Do You Need a Travel System?

You’ll need a travel system right at birth if you plan on using your car to transport your little one. Most parents choose to research travel systems prior to baby’s arrival and have one ready to go before birth so they’re prepared.

Around six to nine months, your baby will be sitting up and will likely want a better view of the world—and then you can use the full-size stroller on its own. And because you can use the stroller from infancy through toddlerhood, it’s the only stroller you’ll need to purchase.

Yes, travel systems are safe for newborns. There are a few guidelines you’ll want to keep in mind, though.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the use of car seats for sleep outside of a car. If your infant falls asleep in their car seat, they should be removed and placed in a crib or bassinet (or other safe sleep space) as soon as possible.

But what if your baby falls asleep in their car seat while you’re driving and is still asleep when you arrive at your destination? According to pediatrician Dr. Kelly Fradin , the best practice is to remove them and transfer them to a safe sleep environment.

“However, many parents, myself included, will want the child to finish their nap for a brief period. If you choose to do this to reduce risk be sure the baby is not overheating by removing hats, blankets and ventilating the car. Also, keep the straps snug and place the car seat on the floor under your direct supervision.”

“If babies are in an approved stroller with the car seat properly restrained, I think of it the same as being in a vehicle,” explains Dr. Fradin. “Keep them cool and supervised.”

Since a travel system includes two products—a car seat and a stroller—you’ll want to think through how you’ll use each piece of gear, both together and separately.

You’ll be using your stroller longer than your infant car seat, so that’s a good place to start. Think about the travel system stroller’s:

• Size and weight
• What type of terrain it can handle
• Ease of use (how it opens and closes, if it’s washable, etc.)
• Features and accessories (adjustable handlebar, canopy, etc.)

When selecting a car seat, it’s comforting to know that regardless of price, all car seats sold in the US must adhere to the same federal safety regulations. Other features to consider include:

• The seat’s age, height and weight minimums and maximums
• Features like washability, harness adjustment and side-impact protection
• How the seat will fit in your car

Check out How to Choose a Travel System , How to Choose a Stroller and How to Choose a Car Seat for even more information.

Do you think this content is helpful? Let our editors know!

Expert sources in this article:

• Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist Sr. Gear Editor
• Dr. Kelly Fradin , Pediatrician
• American Academy of Pediatrics, “ How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe ”

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The Best Travel Strollers That Are Actually Easy to Fold and Carry—We Tested Them Ourselves

We folded, pushed and dropped over 50 strollers to find the best for your family

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Verywell Family / Jhett Thompson

Once you welcome a child into your family, "traveling light" is no longer a thing. But it is possible to take certain conveniences with you on the road or in the air, and a travel stroller is one of those amazing pieces of baby gear that make family trips a whole lot easier. In contrast to the large, luxury baby strollers with all the bells and whistles, we're talking about the lightweight versions that are portable and collapsible , some of which may even fit in an overhead compartment or fold up as small as a backpack . 

When making your purchase, consider how your family likes to travel: A top-notch road trip stroller may be too bulky for flying, while an airplane-friendly stroller could be great at folding but not suited for trickier terrains. Plus, you'll want to keep your budget in mind, and note that airlines have different requirements for the strollers you can bring on board.

To find the best travel strollers , we spoke to pediatricians about the most important criteria, like design and safety . Taking this expert insight into account, we put over 50 top-rated travel strollers through the wringer at the Verywell Testing Lab , pushing them around an obstacle course with several terrains, lugging them up and down stairs , folding them up and stowing them in a mock overhead bin, and even shoving them off tables to see how durable they are. We then sent our top picks home with our editors to use with their families, who have been assessing their portability, how compactly and conveniently they fold, their design features, the ease of steering and turning, and how they've held up throughout their travels . In order to deliver the very best travel stroller recommendations, our editors continue to take these strollers out and about, and we'll keep this list updated as we learn even more.

Additionally, a pediatrician on our Review Board has reviewed this article for medical accuracy regarding safe stroller practices and use, as well as what to look for when shopping for travel strollers.

• We Also Tested
• How We Tested
• What to Look For
• Why Trust Verywell Family

Best Overall

Bugaboo butterfly seat stroller.

• Assembly 4.8 /5
• Design 4.9 /5
• Portability 4.5 /5
• Maneuverability 5 /5
• Durability 5 /5

Roomy, flexible cargo space

Compact, standing fold

Machine washable seat padding

Reclining mechanism isn’t the easiest

When you're traveling with kiddos, the last thing you need is a complicated, bulky stroller. That's why we love the lightweight Bugaboo Butterfly Seat Stroller , which has a compact, standing fold, two carrying options, and plenty of storage space for carting your kiddos' stuff.

To fold it, simply press two buttons on the handle and push the frame down. Then, to unfold, press the same buttons, pull up, and it pops right back into place in the air, though you can also use a hand. There are helpful indicators on either side of the handlebar that let you know when it's fully locked back into place. When collapsed, you have two options for toting the stroller around: Use the shoulder strap for hands-free carrying, or carry it using the handle on the leg rest.

While the Bugaboo Butterfly impresses across the board, it really stands out with its sleek, thoughtful design. Available in black, forest green, and slate blue, it has an adjustable fold-out leg rest, a wrist strap, an adjustable canopy with a mesh panel, and a five-point no-rethread harness , in addition to white accents on the buckle and wheels. The seat inlay is removable and machine washable for cleaning up those inevitable snack crumbs, and the stroller comes with a rain cover to shield your little one from the elements. 

One of our favorite features is the roomy cargo basket (it can hold over 17 pounds!), which can be accessed from the front or back. We love its flexible back wall, which can be pressed down while you load it with a stuffed diaper bag, then springs back up to keep all your belongings in place.

Our one complaint about this stroller's design is the reclining mechanism. Though we appreciate its multiple reclining levels, you'll need to stretch a strap and snap it into place to keep the seat upright, which is a bit tricky.

This stroller is gorgeous to push around, and not just because of its looks. Thanks to its suspension, it moves like butter over grass and up curbs. And when we pushed it over rocks to test its shakiness, it didn't feel like it would be disruptive to a baby. It's also easy to turn , even when making a sharp, fast turn with just one hand. It goes up curbs and over grass smoothly , and when we took it over rocky terrain, the bumps didn't seem like they'd be too disruptive to a baby. Overall, it feels lightweight but stable, as a high-quality travel stroller should.

Assembling this stroller is straightforward . It comes with the canopy and wheels already attached, so you only need to attach the seat inlay , which just requires you to thread straps already on the stroller frame through slits in the padding. Attaching the rain canopy isn't as intuitive—we had to refer to the manual—but once you've figured it out, it's simple: The large opening goes around the handlebar, and two smaller straps go around the sides of the lower half of the frame. We do feel that the instruction manual would benefit from words in addition to pictures. When we pushed it off a table to test its durability, the Bugaboo Butterfly showed no signs of damage.

The Takeaway

The Bugaboo Butterfly is a bit pricey, but you get your money's worth. This stroller is lightweight, easy to fold and unfold, and a dream to maneuver. We also appreciate the large cargo basket, the included rain cover, and how it conveniently fits in the overhead bin. While we'd like phone storage and a cup holder to be included with a $449 stroller, you can purchase one separately , in addition to an organizer and a wheeled board with a toddler seat .

• Dimensions: 17.72 x 9.06 x 21.26 inches (folded), 36.42 x 17.72 x 40.31 inches (unfolded)
• Seat Dimensions: Not listed
• Weight: 16.1 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Birth up to 48.5 pounds

Price at time of publication: $449 

Best Overall, Runner Up

Nuna trvl lightweight stroller.

• Design 4.8 /5
• Portability 4.2 /5
• Value 4.7 /5

Attractive design

Roomy storage compartment

Heavier than other options

The Nuna TRVL is a dream of a stroller with luxe features that make it well worth the price. The most standout feature is how easily it folds and unfolds with the simple push of a button on the handlebar: It essentially folds itself up for you .

The TRVL also maneuvers smoothly , gliding over carpet, hard floor, and even gravel, thanks to the front- and rear-wheel suspension . Then there's the design: The fabric, faux leather handle, and bumper bar all have a luxurious look to them, and they're also water-repellent. The UPF 50+ canopy offers a lot of coverage for the child and has a mesh window for peeking and improving airflow . Plus, the back zips open for airflow, and it reclines to a convenient sleeping angle with a drawstring you can operate with one hand (and we all know how important those naps are during travel!). The seat is a comfortable 13 inches wide, and the calf rest can go all the way to flat for naps or fold down for a more active position.

The magnetic buckles are easy to operate without much fuss, and the harness doesn't require rethreading to adjust the height . Travelers will also appreciate the storage compartment at the bottom of the stroller, which can easily fit a full backpack.

Our only minor complaint with this stroller is that at 15.4 pounds, it's not the lightest to carry when folded and doesn't have a built-in strap for toting around . For hands-free carrying, you'll have to use the included travel bag . It could conceivably fit into an overhead storage bin, but at this size, we suspect most airlines will still have you gate-check it. 

The Nuna is also one of the most expensive strollers we tested, but you get a lot for your money. Nuna Pipa infant car seats don't need an extra attachment to click into the bumper bar, so if you're a frequent traveler or just want to go on local adventures, this may be the only stroller you need.

The price tag on the Nuna TRVL is hefty, but we still love this stroller because it's functional and versatile enough to be a family’s everyday stroller . It also boasts a few unique features, like front- and rear-wheel suspension that makes it seamless to maneuver on different terrains, magnetic buckles, a no-rethread harness, a large cargo basket, and an included travel bag. The downside is that it's larger than other strollers, so you probably won't be able to stow it in the overhead bin.

• Dimensions: 22.5 x 20.25 x 12 inches (folded), 31 x 20.5 x 41 inches (unfolded)
• Seat Dimensions: 10 x 13 inches
• Weight: 15.4 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Birth (with car seat) up to 50 pounds

Price at time of publication: $500

Verywell Family / Conor Ralph

Verywell Family / Phoebe Cheong

Best Folding

Uppababy minu v2 stroller.

 Amazon

• Assembly 3.8 /5
• Portability 4 /5

Stands when folded

Padded carrying strap

Storage for phone, keys, and other small items

Handlebar is not adjustable

A first-rate travel stroller should be easy to fold so you can quickly stow it in an overhead compartment or car trunk. Better yet, it should have a one-hand, standing fold , like the Uppababy Minu V2 . Simply slide and squeeze a button on the handlebar and press down, and you’ve got a fully folded stroller within seconds. (Just make sure the safety closure attaches to the frame.) While this is a true one-handed fold, you might want to use both if you have smaller hands.

The Minu V2 has Uppababy’s signature full-grain leather covering on the handlebar , which looks very stylish, but we found it inconvenient that the handlebar isn’t adjustable. There’s plenty of storage space, including a cargo basket that holds up to 20 pounds and a pocket on the back that can fit the caregiver’s phone, keys, wallet, and more. The adjustable canopy has a mesh peekaboo window with a magnetic closure, and the five-point no-rethread harness and buckle are easy for the adult to use. The brake, which must be engaged to fold the stroller, is located by the right wheel, and there’s a pedal to unlock it by the left wheel. The seat is padded and reclines with a pull tab. Carrying the folded stroller around is comfortable thanks to the padded strap , and the handlebar doubles as a handle you can pick it up with.

We found that this stroller is so easy to maneuver and steer with one hand that we’d be perfectly capable of pushing it through the airport while lugging a heavy suitcase. In our test, it glided over grass smoothly and didn’t slow down when we pushed it over rocks. We had no difficulty getting it up and down stairs, and it feels stable to push, even when making sharp turns. There were no scuff marks or signs of damage when we dropped it.

This stroller isn’t the easiest to assemble, but we were still able to put it together in under 17 minutes. Attaching the canopy and handlebar is not intuitive initially, though one editor who used an Uppababy stroller with her own kid figured it out pretty quickly. We do wish that the instructions had words in addition to the pictures.

Like the Bugaboo Butterfly , the Uppababy Minu V2 costs $450, which is an investment if it’s not your everyday stroller. However, this compact stroller is a breeze to fold and a dream to maneuver for families that travel often or like to frequent museums and the zoo.

• Dimensions: 12.5 x 20.3 x 23 (folded with bumper bar), 35.5 x 20.3 x 41 inches (unfolded)
• Weight: 16.9 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Birth (with separate bassinet accessory) or 3 months up to 50 pounds/40 inches

Price at time of publication: $450 

Best Maneuverability

Silver cross jet 3 super compact stroller.

Silver Cross

• Assembly 3.9 /5
• Design 4.2 /5

Moves and turns beautifully

You can pull it like a suitcase when folded

Standing, one-handed fold

Assembly instructions aren’t helpful

Small cargo space

The Silver Cross Jet 3 Super Compact Stroller moves like a dream , ideal for navigating through crowded airports and cities. Even with the cargo space and child’s seat fully loaded, it handles different surfaces with aplomb and turns effortlessly. Plus, its genius design allows you to tote it around easily : When the stroller is folded and put in the included travel cover , the wheels and handlebar peek out, so you can roll the whole thing behind you like a suitcase for added convenience. 

This travel stroller is well-designed, too. The adjustable, waterproof UPF 50+ canopy has a peekaboo window, the footrest is adjustable, and the seat reclines flat . While the handlebar is comfortable to grip, it isn’t adjustable, which may pose a problem for taller parents. (However, this is true of many travel strollers on our list.) We particularly love its sleek look: The black fabric and brown leather accents on the handlebar and bumper bar evoke a luxury car . Plus, it’s built to last—when we pushed it off a counter to test its durability, there was no damage and the bumper bar did not come off at all.

However, the Silver Cross Jet 3 falls flat when it comes to storage space. The cargo area is tiny —we couldn’t fit a diaper bag into it—and there are no hooks for hanging a diaper bag on the handlebar, either. Assembly was a mixed bag since the wheels and bumper bar were easy to attach, but getting the frame to lock into its upright position was tricky, and the instructions were not helpful. Ultimately, we were still able to assemble it in 10 minutes.

Priced at $500 (comparable to the Nuna TRVL ), this compact stroller is worth the money for families looking for an option with clever features that’s also a breeze to steer. We particularly loved that it can be rolled like a suitcase even when folded and stored in the included travel cover. This feature is unique among the strollers we tested.

• Dimensions: 7.08 x 11.81 x 21.65 (folded), 35.43 x 17.7 x 39.5 inches (unfolded)
• Weight: 13.6 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Birth up to 55 pounds

Best Lightweight

Contours itsy lightweight stroller.

Easy to put in an overhead bin

Minimal assembly required 

One-handed, standing fold

Brake requires effort to engage

A low weight and a compact fold are two key characteristics to look for in a travel stroller, and the Contours Itsy delivers on both. Weighing just 12.3 pounds , this stroller is easy to heave into an overhead bin, especially since it’s so small when folded (just 10.5 x 11 x 19.5 inches). Plus, folding is a breeze —it’s possible to fold it with one hand while balancing your baby , diaper bag, and purse in the other, which comes in handy on the bus or in the airport.

While its aesthetic look isn’t anything special, there’s plenty to appreciate about the Itsy’s design. The crotch strap on the five-point harness is padded for your little one’s comfort, and the adjustable UPF 50+ canopy is generous in size and has a peekaboo window.

During our test, the included bumper bar felt secure and did not fall off when we dropped it. The stroller comes mostly assembled , too: All you have to do is snap on the bumper bar, which is simple. However, the storage basket is quite small —it can barely fit a diaper bag—and the brake, which catches on the stairs when you’re carrying it up a flight, requires an emphatic stomp to engage.

To fold this stroller with one hand , press a button, and the whole thing collapses and stands up on its own . (Make sure to use the security latch to hold it all together.) We do wish that it had a carrying strap or handle, though.

The Contours Itsy stands up to its name not just in size but also in price: At $170, this is one of the most budget-friendly picks on our list. Given its compact size when folded (only a little bigger than a reusable grocery bag ), we think this stroller is worth it if a small footprint is your priority.

Price at time of publication: $170

Key Specs: Dimensions: 10.5 x 11 x 19.5 (folded), 32 x 18 x 39 inches (unfolded) | Seat Dimensions: Not listed | Weight: 12.3 pounds | Child Age/Weight Range: Birth up to 40 pounds

Best for Cities

Babyzen yoyo2 stroller frame.

• Design 4.4 /5
• Portability 5 /5
• Maneuverability 4.7 /5

Carrying strap

Can be pulled up stairs with one hand

Turns very well

Involved assembly

Not great on all surfaces

Whether you’re navigating crowded sidewalks or weaving through grocery store aisles, city travelers and dwellers alike will appreciate this BabyZen stroller’s impressive turning skills (it passed our obstacle courses test with flying colors). It’s best suited for pavement and other flat surfaces—it’s a bit hard to maneuver over grass and gravel, although it’s doable with a vigorous push—and it can be pulled up the stairs with just one hand , which comes in handy for the subway or bus.

When it comes to design, we appreciate the ample padding in the spacious seat , and the canopy provides excellent coverage. We also like that the fabric is available in various appealing colors. The harness is made of five components that come apart each time you unbuckle it, which is a hassle, and you’ll need to rethread it if you want to adjust the height. Thankfully, the seat cover attaches with velcro, so rethreading is not as finicky as it could be.

While we like that you can customize the color of the frame and fabrics, ordering this stroller is not straightforward . You’ll want to make sure to order both the frame and the “color pack,” which refers to the seat fabrics you’ll need to attach. Assembly, too, is complex. The written instructions and illustrations are separate and not particularly helpful, so we recommend referring to the assembly video on BabyZen’s site. No tools are required, but the stroller arrives in quite a few parts : You need to attach the seat board, seat padding, and thread wires through the canopy fabric before attaching it. However, we were still able to assemble it in just over 20 minutes, and you’ll only need to put it together once.

Folding this stroller takes a few steps , and the front wheels need to face forward to engage the lock, but it’s not complicated. The lock did come undone during our durability test, and the canopy detached, too. Unfolding the stroller, on the other hand, is quick, easy, and just two steps.

We recommend this for urban parents and families who prefer city vacations since it’s handy for navigating crowds and easy to carry to a walk-up apartment . Assembling the stroller is a bit tricky, but that's not a dealbreaker for us because you only need to assemble it once.

• Dimensions: 20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1 (folded), 33.8 x 17.3 x 41.7 inches (unfolded)
• Weight: 13.7 pounds

Verywell family / Conor Ralph

Verywell Family / David Carr

Best Car Seat Compatible

Chicco bravo quick-fold stroller.

• Assembly 3.5 /5
• Design 4 /5
• Portability 3 /5

Turns smoothly

Ample storage

Wobbly when brakes were engaged

Hard to access cargo space when seat is reclined

Investing in a travel stroller and a separate travel system can get pricey, so we appreciate the Chicco Bravo Quick-Fold Stroller’s car seat compatibility. The versatile stroller is compatible with all Chicco infant car seats (no adapters needed) , turning it into a handy travel system for families on the go .

The stroller is super easy to maneuver , making 360-degree turns effortlessly and handling several types of terrain smoothly. The wheels are exceptionally sturdy, which is handy for navigating gravel and grass. However, the front wheels don’t lock, so pushing it up the stairs might be risky. When we pushed it off a table, no parts came detached and there was no noticeable damage.

To fold it, use one hand to engage a latch with your thumb and pull upward—just make sure you’ve emptied the cargo area first. The stroller stands upright when folded . And while it’s easy to fold, it’s heavy to carry and doesn’t have a shoulder strap .

When it comes to the design, there are parts we like and things we’d change. We appreciate the dual cup holder —great for a parent’s coffee and water—and the padded, insulated storage pocket on the handlebar . There’s enough room in the storage bin for a well-stocked diaper bag, though it’s hard to access it when the seat is fully reclined. The seat is well-padded and can be reclined to multiple positions , though the buckle’s material feels slightly flimsy. Some of the plastic fasteners feel lower quality than we’d like, too. The brake requires some effort to kick up, which isn’t ideal if you’re wearing nicer shoes. And in our test, the stroller felt a little wobbly when locked, although it didn’t move.

At a reasonable $270, the Chicco Bravo Quick-Fold Stroller is less pricey than many of our other top picks, and it also makes for an affordable travel system, should you choose to buy a compatible car seat. Overall, it’s a heavier, bulkier option, so it’s best suited for those who want a travel system and a travel stroller, rather than just a travel stroller.

• Dimensions: 15 x 22.8 x 36.8 inches (folded with snack tray installed; height is 29 inches with no tray), 35.2 x 22.8 x 42.7 inches (unfolded)
• Weight: 24.9 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Up to 50 pounds

Price at time of publication: $270 

Best for Overhead Bins

Munchkin sparrow ultra-compact stroller.

• Assembly 5 /5
• Maneuverability 3.8 /5

No assembly required

Stroller folds into itself

Minimal storage

No real canopy

Sometimes, all you need is a simple, straightforward travel stroller . The Munchkin Sparrow may not have a ton of bells and whistles, but it’s a convenient travel companion. It comes fully assembled and ready to use —just unfold it and everything pops into place. When it comes time to collapse it, simply press on the handles and fold them under, and the stroller will fold into a compact square that fits neatly in the included carrying bag . (One editor compared it to origami.) Best of all, it’s under 13 pounds, so it’s easy to swing it up into an overhead bin.

Since it is so lightweight, it’s easy to push but doesn’t handle uneven surfaces very well and has no suspension . And while it’s not the smoothest driver, it turns incredibly well.

The Munchkin Sparrow does have a few design flaws, though: The cargo holds very little and there isn’t a real canopy—it just has a small retractable sunshade , which we feel does not provide enough sun protection for little ones. We do appreciate the ventilated headrest, however.

If you’re searching for a luxurious, tricked-out stroller, you’ll want to opt for a more upscale model like the Bugaboo Butterfly or Nuna TRVL . However, the ultra-compact Munchkin Sparrow is a great no-frills pick if you’re looking for a convenient, affordable solution that will make your next family flight a little less hectic.

• Dimensions: 15 x 14 x 6.25 (folded), 28 x 18.5 x 39 inches (unfolded)
• Weight: 12.8 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Birth up to 55 pounds/41 inches

Price at time of publication: $218 

Best for Overhead Bin Runner-Up

• Assembly 4.7 /5
• Design 5 /5
• Maneuverability 4.9 /5

Five-point harness is very easy to adjust

Comfortably fits into the overhead bin

One-handed fold and unfold

Maneuvers with some difficulty on uneven surfaces

No carry bag

When taking flights and navigating traveling with a little one , you want to take your stroller with you as a carry-on rather than checking it in so you can access it as soon as you get off the plane. The compactness of the folded Cybex Coya stroller makes this possible, as it fits comfortably in the overhead bin or compartment without stress. 

We appreciate that folding it is uncomplicated and you can do it with one hand . It also has a comfortable carry strap to use when folded.

The design of this stroller is undeniably stylish and sleek . The copper/rose gold accents on the bars connecting the seat to the wheels remind us of some of the fancier full-size strollers we've tested. The handlebar is lined with a cushioned leatherette fabric that is super luxurious looking, but unfortunately, the handlebar is not adjustable. The padding on the seat is removable for cleaning , which we appreciate, and without the padding, your little one can enjoy a breathable backrest of just mesh—great for hotter days. 

The seat reclines nearly flat and there's an adjustable footrest to aid in naptime. The canopy has a decent amount of coverage, considering this is a travel stroller, and it can extend by a few inches more when you unzip it at the back. Doing so also reveals a stretchy mesh fabric/peekaboo window, adding more breathability. There's also a nifty little zippered pocket for your phone and wallet at the back of the canopy.

One of the great design elements of this stroller is the five-point harness, which is designed just like the harness in a car seat , making it much easier to adjust. Instead of threading individual straps through a buckle to tighten and loosen, you just pull on the strap between your kid's legs while pressing down on the button right above the strap. The only issue is that you have a strap dangling down, so you'll have to loop it through a couple of times to avoid that. We found the storage basket relatively small and had to squeeze in a diaper bag to fit it in during testing, but it's not the smallest basket we've seen in a compact stroller. 

This Cybex stroller maneuvers really well on hard surfaces , but is a little more challenging on grass and stone surfaces. It also seems to have better suspension on the front wheels than other compact strollers we've tested, which makes it drive a little more smoothly on bumps than expected. 

While this Cybex is on the pricier side, we think it's a worthy investment . We love how it folds with ease and fits into an overhead bin while traveling. We also like that it has features you'd typically not find in a compact stroller , like the decent-sized canopy and the harness-tightening feature. We just wish it came with a travel bag to protect it while in storage on an airplane or train.

• Dimensions: 20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1 inches (folded), 31.1 x 17.3 x 38.2 inches (unfolded)
• Weight: 14.6 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Birth to 55 pounds

Price at time of publication: $550

Verywell Family / Joy Kim

Best Umbrella

Uppababy g-luxe stroller.

• Design 4.5 /5
• Portability 3.9 /5
• Value 4.5 /5

Comfortable shoulder strap

Standing fold

Cupholder included

Folding is a learning curve

Handlebar height is not adjustable

If you're looking for a compact stroller for local outings, like the zoo or a children's museum, an umbrella stroller is a convenient, lightweight pick. We recommend the Uppababy G-Luxe , which impresses us with its portability and features. While the folding takes a few tries to get the hang of —you have to pull a handle and a ring at precisely the same time—the stroller stands upright when folded , and thanks to a comfortable shoulder strap , it's easy to tote around.

The G-Luxe has quite a few features for a simple stroller: It comes with a sizable cupholder for the caregiver —we could fit a travel mug into it—and has an extendable UPF 50+ canopy. The seat also has a one-handed recline and is well-cushioned without looking bulky (and caregivers will appreciate that the fabric is removable and washable !). While the footrest is adjustable, the handlebar height is not. We found that the brake is easy to engage.

Though umbrella strollers typically aren't the sturdiest to maneuver, this one turns on a dime and rolls smoothly with its all-wheel suspension . It is a little bumpy to take over gravel, but that's to be expected for a smaller stroller.

Priced at $160, this is a worthwhile investment for families who are frequently on the go around town. For a small, lightweight stroller, the G-Luxe has many features we love, like the four-wheel suspension, comfortable seat, and large cupholder.

• Dimensions: 19.2 x 12 x 41.8 inches (folded), 28.8 x 18.8 x 43 inches (unfolded)
• Weight: 16.3 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: 3 months to 55 pounds

Price at time of publication: $160

Best Portability

Zoe the traveler.

• Design 3.5 /5
• Maneuverability 4.5 /5

Quick, straightforward assembly

Incredibly lightweight

Removable, machine-washable seat liner

Snack tray not included

Zoe’s The Traveler stroller is so lightweight —just 13 pounds—that you can easily carry it around with just one hand, and swinging it up into an overhead bin is a breeze. To fold, press a button on the handlebar, then bend the stroller forward to collapse it. (It stands upright when folded .) Then, to unfold, press the same button and lift the frame. We were able to do both one-handed—plus, the cushioned handlebar makes it comfortable to carry around. The Traveler is also easy to assemble: All you have to do is click on the wheels and the bumper bar, then slide on the parent’s cup holder. 

This stroller navigates most terrains well and only felt a bit wobbly on gravel during our test. However, we always felt in control of the stroller, even when carrying it up and down the stairs.

While the design is simple, it has practical features : The canopy expands and has a peekaboo window and a storage pocket for your phone or keys. The seat material isn’t the plushest we’ve tested, but the liner is removable and machine washable for easy cleanup. (The liner does cost an additional $40 at checkout.) There’s also an adjustable footrest for your kiddo. An adult cup holder is included , but the kids’ snack tray is sold separately , and the cargo space can only fit a small tote bag, not a full diaper bag backpack.

At $249, Zoe’s The Traveler is more affordable than many of our top picks, though it’s not the least expensive. If portability is your priority over design, you can’t go wrong with this lightweight travel stroller.

• Dimensions: 10 x 19 x 22 inches (folded), 41 x 18 x 30 inches (unfolded)
• Weight: 13 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: 3 months to 45 pounds

Price at time of publication: $249

Verywell Family / Jessica Juliao

Best Reversible

Thule shine stroller.

• Durability 4.8 /5

Large cargo space

Fits in narrow spaces

Adjustable handlebar

Difficult to maneuver around turns

The Thule Shine is our pick for best reversible travel stroller because it can grow with your baby from birth (with the bassinet or newborn inlay , sold separately) to toddlerhood (up to 49 pounds). Starting at 6 months old, your baby can use the stroller's regular seat in reverse position, so you can keep an eye on them as you stroll, and when you feel comfortable, the seat easily turns to face forward so they can see the road ahead.

We love that the Thule Shine stroller comes with an adjustable handlebar (which is pretty unique for travel strollers), a storage bin capable of holding up to 22 pounds (much larger than the average stroller storage), multiple recline positions (including a near-flat option), an adjustable footrest, and a large, extendable canopy with mesh peekaboo window.

Assembly was pretty seamless during testing. We were able to put this stroller together quickly and didn’t need any tools . The only area where we struggled was attaching the canopy portion, but it wasn't too big of an issue. We timed the entire process and it only took 10 minutes and six seconds to go from box to being ready to go.

One downside you might want to consider is that folding the stroller down isn't an intuitive process and requires multiple steps . You have to move the handle down to the lowest position, empty the cargo space, retract the canopy, fold the seat forward all the way, press two buttons on the handle while you move the handlebar down to the floor, lift up the folded stroller using the carry handle, and lock it in place. The entire process can technically be done with one hand, but it's not as convenient as other options on our list. Once it’s locked, the stroller can stand up straight on its own .

The brand describes the Thule Shine as a "city stroller" and we agree with that assessment, as its design is pretty sleek and compact. However, our maneuverability test revealed mixed results: The stroller seemed to pull to the left quite a bit and the turning radius wasn't the most convenient. However, we were impressed by how well it handled sandy terrain . It also performed extremely well in our drop test, maintaining only minor scuffs.

The Thule Shine is a great option for a no-frills parent who needs a durable, reliable, reversible travel stroller with easy set-up and large cargo space . However, folding it down is a multi-step process and it is a bit bulky, so this is a stroller you'd have to gate-check.

• Dimensions: 13  x 20  x 27 inches (folded), ‎35.4 x 20.5 x 38 inches (unfolded)
• Weight: 21.6 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Birth up to 49 pounds

Price at time of publication: $700

Verywell Family / Tamara Staples

Best Cargo Space

Safety 1st teeny ultra compact stroller.

• Portability 4.8 /5

Ample storage basket and canopy pocket

Easy to fold and unfold

Reclining mechanism could be improved

When you’re on the go, cargo space is precious, so we appreciate the Safety 1st Teeny Ultra Compact Stroller’s generous storage space. The roomy cargo hold fits a fully packed diaper bag and still has room to stash a jacket, snacks, or toys. A large, moveable silicone cup holder for the adult is included, and there’s a large pocket on the back of the canopy for other belongings, like a phone, wallet, or water bottle.

Out of the 50 travel strollers we've tested, this one was the easiest to assemble and literally took us two seconds: Unfold it and you’re ready to go. Folding it back down was just as painless and can be done one-handed by pushing two buttons and pressing the frame down. You can also adjust the wheels to make the stroller more compact. We had no problems putting it into a mock overhead bin since it feels surprisingly lightweight for a 19-pound stroller.

The stroller also features a large, ventilated canopy , which the brand says blocks 96% of UVA and UVB rays, and an adjustable footrest . The seat does recline , but we wish it would recline further. As for maneuverability, the Teeny is nice to push around and performs well on smooth terrain, but its wheels can jam when going over gravel.

At $130, this travel stroller is one of the more affordable picks on our list. While there are some design flaws, the Safety 1st Teeny proves itself with its generous storage capacity and easy folding.

• Dimensions: 18.5 x 9 x 22.5 (folded); 36.3 x 18.5 x 39.9 (unfolded)
• Weight: 19.2 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Birth up to 50 pounds

Price at time of publication: $130 

Best Eco-Friendly

Bombi bēbee lightweight stroller.

• Design 4.1 /5
• Maneuverability 2.4 /5

Quick, intuitive assembly

Travel bag and cup holder included

No plastic packaging

Harness feels low-quality

If environmentally conscious consumption is a priority for your family, consider the Bombi Bebee Lightweight Stroller , which is shipped without any plastic packaging. Plus, according to the brand, each stroller and included travel bag are made from at least 50% recycled plastic bottles , saving over 50 single-use bottles from ending up in landfills. Additionally, the accents are made from vegan leather , and Bombi donates 1% of its sales to 1% for the Planet, an organization that supports environmental and sustainable causes.

Assembly is straightforward —you can pop in the four wheels in a matter of minutes without looking at the instructions. Everything is compact and easy to handle, and the extremely roomy canopy expands quite a bit to shield your little one from the sun, even when the seat is reclined. (The seat doesn't recline all the way to flat, however.) We like the swing-away bumper bar, the adjustable footrest, the included travel bag and cup holder , and the adequate cargo space, which fits a decent-sized diaper bag. We don't love the harness, however: The material feels flimsy, and although the five-point harness has a standard quick-release button, the shoulder straps connect to it with hooks, which were tricky to work. Plus, the handlebar is not adjustable.

Nothing fell off when we dropped the stroller to test its durability—not even the cup holder. It's simple to fold—just press two buttons on the handlebar and it folds in seconds—and it stands upright when folded up , though it didn't fit into our mock overhead bin .

While this stroller moves well on smooth, even terrain, getting up a curb is challenging and it does not perform well on gravel or other uneven surfaces. The Bombi Bebee isn't the most lightweight stroller, but it's fairly easy to carry around if you use the carrying bag, which, while sustainable, feels somewhat flimsy.

With its sustainable materials and the brand's charitable practices, this travel stroller is a top eco-friendly choice. It's best suited to families who plan to use the stroller primarily on paved sidewalks and other flat surfaces.

• Dimensions: 21 x 20.75 x 10.5 (folded), 33 x 18 x 40 (unfolded)
• Weight: 16 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Birth (with separate car seat adapter) or 6 months up to 50 pounds

Price at time of publication: $200 

Best Travel Design

Joolz aer+ lightweight stroller.

Bloomingdale's

Comes fully assembled

Easy one-hand fold and unfold mechanism

Sophisticated design

No footrest

No cupholder

Why We Recommend It

The Joolz Aer+ lightweight stroller is made with travel and portability in mind, with design features that make packing, carrying, and storing it a breeze. During testing, we were really impressed with the one-hand, one-second fold mechanism : With just one push of the button on the handlebar and a gentle nudge down, it automatically falls into a folded position. This exposes a carry strap that sits comfortably on your shoulder. Although it is a little bulky to carry, the fact that it only weighs 13.2 pounds makes up for it. 

As part of our travel stroller test , we put it up on a shelf to simulate the overhead compartment in an airplane. Thanks to its compact size (21 x 17.7 x 8.5 inches), the Joolz Aer+ fits on smaller shelves and overhead bins , but keep in mind that these storage compartments vary in size and that airlines have different rules regarding strollers in the main cabin, so it’s best to double-check. 

We also love this stroller’s sleek design . With a leatherette grip on the handlebar and metal accents on the fabric, it looks and feels very sophisticated. The basket, which is roomy and can carry up to 11 pounds , is accessible from the front and back. Both the canopy and the seat reclining feature use zippers to hide the extra fabric when not in use, creating a sleeker look and making it less fussy when folded. There’s a five-point harness and the belts can be tightened and loosened by pulling on them. One downside is that there’s no footrest or cupholder. 

The elegant design is matched by excellent maneuverability . We found that we only needed to use one hand to turn corners during testing, and it felt lightweight to push around even with a 25-pound sandbag and fully loaded basket. When driving it on various surfaces, we found that it moved smoothly and the design of the wheels protected the stroller from shock, even on uneven sidewalks. To test its durability, we dropped the stroller several times from a table onto the floor, and we’re pleased to report that the stroller remained intact and in impeccable condition .

While this stroller comes with a slightly higher price tag at $449, we think it’s a worthy investment . We loved its durability, the amazing folding mechanism, how compact it is, and the fact that having those features doesn’t come at the expense of a smooth and sturdy ride. It’s great for a solo caregiver on the go , or if you have a small car trunk or storage space. We even think it can serve as your main stroller and not just for travel. It will also last you a long time, as it’s recommended for ages 6 months to 4 years old, with a weight capacity of up to 50 pounds. 

• Dimensions: 21 x 17.7 x 8.5 inches (folded), 32.7 x 17.7 x 41.5 inches (unfolded)
• Seat Dimensions: 21.7 x 13.4 inches
• Weight : 13.2 pounds

Price at time of publication: $449

Verywell Family / Leticia Almeida

Best Double

Uppababy g-link v2 double stroller.

• Assembly 4.9 /5
• Portability 4.4 /5

Narrow and light for a double stroller

Smooth folding

Easy to push and turn

Doesn't get very small when folded

No carrying strap

While there is nothing easy about traveling with two stroller-age kiddos, having a compact double travel stroller can go a long way toward making it less painful. The G-Link 2 is a side-by-side umbrella stroller that manages to be smaller than most because it has only four sets of wheels instead of the typical six. The folding mechanism, a loop between the handles that you pull up, is surprisingly smooth, so it won't be a burden on the go.

During testing, we were pleasantly surprised by how well this stroller moves : It takes turns and bumps like a single stroller. But while we appreciate the generous UPF 50+ canopies, included carry handle, fully reclining seats, and well-placed cup holder for the adult , this stroller just didn't match the single strollers for portability and design. In particular, we wish it were smaller when folded and came with a carrying strap.

At $350, this double travel stroller is priced competitively with many of our top single travel strollers, making it a great investment for families with multiples. Although it'll never be as portable as a single stroller and won't fit in an overhead bin, the G-Link 2 is incredibly light, convenient, and easy to operate for a double stroller.

• Dimensions: 40 x 17.5 x 14 inches (folded), 25 x 28.25 x 41 (unfolded)
• Seat Dimensions: 10 x 11 inches
• Weight: 21.8 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: 3 months up to 55 pounds (per seat)

Price at time of publication: $350

Most Comfortable

Baby jogger city tour 2 stroller.

• Maneuverability 4.8 /5
• Durability 4.5 /5
• Value 4.8 /5

Lighter than most travels trollers

Reclines for comfortable napping

Folding requires two hands

No straps for hands-free carrying

Under-seat storage could be bigger

With a price point about $200 less than its travel stroller competitors, the City Tour 2 is as lightweight (14.5 pounds) and almost as easy to fold as our top picks. Though it's advertised as having a one-handed fold, after pushing the two buttons at the handlebar and collapsing the stroller, you do need two hands to finish the process and lock it into place, but it's not complicated. And once it's folded, it's easy to pick up at the handle with one hand, and you can put it into the included carrying bag for hands-free carrying. It may fit in a larger overhead compartment, and the front wheels detach pretty easily to squeeze into tighter spaces. 

One of the best features of the City Tour 2 is the way the seat reclines way back and the calf rest extends all the way flat , which, combined with the full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy (with a peekaboo window), makes for a very cozy ride. The five-point harness is well cushioned but requires rethreading to adjust the height. There are a few design drawbacks, such as an under-seat storage compartment that's smaller than we'd like, and an overall lack of special features like a bumper bar (which can be purchased separately ).

Meanwhile, the grownup behind the handlebar won't be struggling to push their little passenger. The front wheels have suspension, and the back wheels are slightly larger, helping it get over curbs and bumpy surfaces, including the gravel that some other strollers struggle to traverse. 

The City Tour 2 maneuvers amazingly well across different types of terrain and is easy to fold up and tote around thanks to the included hands-free carrying bag. Although it doesn't have many special features and the cargo space is small, we think it’s a great value for its $250 price tag.

• Dimensions: 22.5 x 19.5 x 7 inches (folded), 26 x 20 x 40 inches (unfolded)
• Seat Dimensions (Inches): 9 x 13 inches
• Weight: 14.5 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Birth (with car seat attachment) to 45 pounds

Price at time of publication: $250

Best One-Handed Fold

Gb qbit+ all city stroller.

Very easy to fold

Stands up when folded

Suspension makes the ride smooth

Heavier than other travel options

Canopy could be bigger

You're not seeing double: The GB Qbit+ All-City Stroller does look very similar to the Nuna TRVL . If you love the look of our Best Overall Runner-Up pick and want to spend around $70 less, this may be the way to go. Like the Nuna, this stroller features luxe-looking fabric and faux leather on the bumper bar and handle , and it too folds down to carry-on size with just one hand and the push of two buttons. The two strollers are not identical, however.

We admire this stroller's smoothness and ease of folding , and when the seat reclines, it also opens a nice mesh window for a breezy feel. That ride will also be comfortable thanks to the all-wheel suspension , which makes going over the bumps of gravel in our test barely different than going over the hardwood floor. Still, it's not as portable as some of our top picks, mainly because it weighs a few pounds more (17.6 pounds) and it doesn't have a carrying strap . We also wish the canopy had more coverage, especially if this is something you want to take on a sunny vacation.

One more note: GB may be better known in this category for its Pockit Air All-Terrain stroller , which is lightweight and packs up to the size of a backpack. However, that stroller is a beast to maneuver and is designed poorly, so we don't feel we can recommend it.

The Qbit+ All City stands out for its design and maneuverability, thanks to all-wheel suspension. It's very similar to the Nuna TRVL but a bit more affordable.

• Dimensions: 23 x 16.5 x 10.5 inches (folded), 24 x 17 x 41 (unfolded)
• Seat Dimensions: 9 x 13 inches
• Weight: 17.6 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: Birth (if used with Cybex infant car seat) to 55 pounds

Price at time of publication: $380

Best Budget

Kolcraft cloud plus stroller.

• Design 3.9 /5
• Maneuverability 4.2 /5

Simple folding mechanism

Comes with trays for child and grownup

Too big for overhead bins

If your budget is tight and all you need is a simple stroller to take on vacation, the Kolcraft Cloud Plus offers all the essentials for $80 (at the time of this writing). It's not the prettiest or smallest on our list, but it is the lightest, weighing under 12 pounds .

The one-handed, two-button fold takes a bit of strength and coordination at first, but you get the hang of it after a couple of tries. Once folded, it doesn't fit in an overhead bin on the plane and it has no carrying strap, so it's not the most portable option . But again, for a stroller at this price, you probably won't mind checking it. 

There are two trays—one for the kid and one for the adult , with two drink holders each—making this an attractive option for travel. The trays can come loose, but they're easy to reattach. Another handy feature is the roomy under-seat storage compartment for a diaper bag or backpack. On the other hand, it only reclines about three-fourths of the way and there is no calf rest , so it's not recommended for napping. It does have front-wheel suspension, and while it's not the most agile on bumpy surfaces, its light weight makes it easy to push through any small obstacles. 

Though it's not a perfect stroller, this is a solid travel stroller for a more than reasonable price (well under $100), so it's an excellent pick for budget-minded families.

• Dimensions: 33 x 17.5 x 10 inches (folded), 27 x 18 x 38 inches (unfolded)
• Weight: 11.8 pounds
• Child Age/Weight Range: 6 months to 50 pounds

Price at time of publication: $80

Verwell Family / Conor Ralph

Travel Strollers We Also Tested

• GB Pockit Air All Terrain Ultra Compact Lightweight Travel Stroller : Though this stroller is lightweight and truly compact (it folds down to the size of a backpack), it performed poorly in all of our other categories, and we don’t feel confident recommending it.
• Delta Children Spyder : This stroller is poorly designed and feels cheaply made. The five-point harness does not feel stable, the stroller looks odd, and it doesn’t fold up compactly, despite being a bare-bones stroller. Plus, several pieces fell off in our durability test, during which we noticed some signs of wear and tear on the wheels.
• Diono Flexa : While it passed our durability test with flying colors, this stroller is heavy and bulky, so it’s not an ideal option for a travel stroller. Its huge wheels are a pain to maneuver, so it’s not a great pick for your everyday stroller, either. The canopy does come in several bright colors if that’s your thing.
• Maxi-Cosi Mara XT Ultra Compact Stroller : Easy to assemble and fold, this stroller comes with a cup holder, spacious cargo hold, and reclinable seat. However, it didn’t feel particularly lightweight and did not fit in our mock overhead bin (you’d have to take off the bumper bars and wheels, which would be inconvenient), so we don’t feel that it’s the best pick for travel. 
• Bugaboo Dragonfly Stroller : The basket on this Bugaboo stroller is one of our favorite features—it's huge and carry up to 22 pounds of stuff! We also appreciate the reversible seat, which is fully reclinable and adjustable. Unfortunately, we found this stroller heavy and difficult to fold.

How We Tested Travel Strollers

To date, our editors have tested over 50 travel strollers in the Verywell Testing Lab in New York City, scrutinizing them and evaluating them on portability, maneuverability, design, ease of folding, ease of assembly, and overall value. We then sent our top picks home with our editors to use with their families, and we'll continue to update this list as we learn more about their functionality. Additionally, we spoke with Nkeiruka U. Orajiaka , MBBS, a board-certified pediatrician and member of Buybuy Baby's Parenting Pros, and kept her advice in mind while assessing the strollers' safety features. 

In the lab, we assembled each travel stroller, noting how quickly and intuitively we were able to put them together, as well as how helpful the instructions were. For portability, we carried the strollers around the room—by their carrying strap, when applicable—and tested whether they would fit on a shelf that was the approximate size of an average airplane overhead compartment. A travel stroller should be easy to fold, so we folded and unfolded each stroller multiple times, noting how compact their folded footprints are, whether they can be folded with one hand, if they stand upright when folded, and how helpful the instructions are.

To test their maneuverability, we pushed the strollers (with sandbags as "babies") through an indoor course with gravel, artificial turf, stone curbs, and a cone obstacle course. We checked that the brakes on each stroller were easy to use and logically placed, and we also dropped each stroller from hip height and then pushed them off a table to evaluate durability. Almost all the strollers earned a perfect score in that attribute, save a couple on which a few pieces came loose but did not break off.

Value and design were more subjective attributes. We looked at the various features we would want for our own travels with children, including safety (sun-protective canopies and reliable harnesses), comfort for the child, comfort for the adult, storage space, and attractiveness. Finally, we took all of these attributes into account relative to the price of each stroller to assess their overall value.

Verywell / Jhett Thompson

What to Look for in a Travel Stroller

The criteria you use to choose a travel stroller will vary based on your child or children's needs, how you plan to travel, and what you plan to do when you get there. Still, we think there are some basic needs every stroller should meet, and some things that are very nice to have.

Safety Features

When using any stroller, including travel strollers, it's crucial to consider your little one's safety. If safety is not prioritized, injuries can occur, including head injuries, fractures, lacerations, and skin friction or rubs, says Dr. Orajiaka. These can happen if the child isn't buckled in properly, the brakes aren't applied when the stroller is unattended by an adult, the child's foot gets caught in the footrest, the stroller isn't sturdy enough, or extra items tip the stroller over. For all of these reasons, you should pay attention to the manufacturer's age and weight limits (including the cargo hold's weight limit) and follow them closely. 

Dr. Orajiaka also stresses the importance of a sun canopy, which is essential for children's long-term health. Sun canopies help protect your child from direct sun rays or other inclement weather, and since babies younger than 6 months old are not old enough to use sunscreen, this is a useful way to keep their skin (and eyes) protected.

If your baby is younger than the recommended age for the stroller, see if there are additional bassinet features you can attach or adapters for your infant car seat.

Size and Weight

The size and weight of your stroller are a matter of personal preference. If you plan to use your travel stroller only on short trips, you can choose something extra compact and light while compromising on other features. This may mean the stroller isn't able to recline all the way for naps, it lacks suspension in the wheels, or it doesn't have a bumper bar or a full sun canopy. 

On the other hand, if you want all the features you look for in an everyday stroller, you will probably wind up with something slightly heavier that doesn't fit as well into car trunks and overhead compartments. Ultimately, Dr. Orajiaka recommends wide-base strollers, as they're less likely to tip over.

Even though several travel strollers fit in overhead compartments on planes, remember that some airlines may still ask you to gate-check your stroller on a full flight.

Ease of Use

Travel strollers should be convenient and easy to use—no parent wants to fight with a complicated stroller while on the go! Some of the travel strollers we tested felt like they required an advanced degree to figure out the folding process; others folded easily, but we couldn't manage the harness buckles without hurting our fingers. Managing either of those tasks with a crying baby or a screaming toddler in the middle of an airport security line would be exponentially more difficult, which is why we made sure to list only the strollers that were easiest to operate (sometimes even one-handed!). If you purchase a stroller and using it isn't intuitive, return it and try something new. There are so many options—one will make sense for you.

Maneuverability is another key component when traveling with luggage or walking in unfamiliar places. You'll be happy with a stroller that can handle bumps, turns, and getting around obstacles.

Comfort and Style

When it comes to comfort, consider how a stroller feels for both the child riding in it and the grown-ups pushing it. For children, things like padding, foot and calf rests, reclining seats, and adjustable five-point harnesses are all features to consider. For adults, the handle height should be comfortable (or adjustable), and the stroller should feel light when you push it and lift it up the stairs or into storage. You may also want extra features like cup holders, storage pockets, and generous under-seat storage so that everything you and your kid needs is within reach.

Finally, getting a stroller with a look you like isn't just about what others will see. If you are taking it on family trips, it will likely wind up in family photos, so you'll be looking at it for many years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

This depends on the particular child (and the particular stroller), but generally, kids should be transitioning out of their strollers by 3 years old, says Dr. Orajiaka. Around this age, walking helps them continue to develop their strength and stay active. However, you may want to consider keeping your stroller around for long-distance travel or when a child is tired, she says.

Yes, you can bring any standard stroller through security. Most of the time, they will ask you to take out your child and fold the stroller down so that it can go through the scanner. Other times, they can scan it in the metal detector or by hand. 

If your stroller folds down small enough, it can be stored in an overhead bin, but larger strollers can typically be checked at the gate. This can vary by airline, so you should consult your particular airline’s policies before traveling. We also recommend that you not keep too many loose items in your stroller as you move through the airport to avoid losing precious lovies or baby gear.

Most airlines offer free gate check-in for strollers, so they will be placed on the plane with more care than luggage checked before security. If you want, you can purchase a stroller bag to protect it. (Most brands, like UPPAbaby, sell stroller bags that are specifically designed for their travel strollers.) While there is no way to guarantee that your stroller will remain undamaged during flights, purchasing a durable, high-quality travel stroller is your best bet for prolonging its shelf life.

Travel strollers vary in cost depending on several different metrics such as construction, cushion, size, and weight. A good travel stroller’s cost can range from $80 on the low end up to around $700. Our best overall pick is the Bugaboo Butterfly Seat Stroller , which is a compact, roomy travel stroller that sits at $449.

Why Trust Verywell Family 

Phoebe Sklansky is Verywell Family’s Associate Commerce Editor. As a commerce writer and avid shopper herself, she enjoys helping readers find the best products for their unique needs. She tested many of these travel strollers herself and was particularly impressed by the compact Bugaboo Butterfly’s clever, attractive design and the UPPAbaby Minu V2’s easy one-handed, standing fold. To date, she’s researched hundreds of baby products and has tested dozens in our lab, from strollers to diaper bags to baby swings.

Additional reporting by:

Parenting editor Sabrina Rojas Weiss lives in what may be the highest stroller-per-capita area of the world, Park Slope, Brooklyn. After many years as an entertainment editor, she transitioned to a career in which she can put all her baby-gear shopping skills to good use. Her son's trusty red UPPAbaby G-Luxe survived many a plane trip and subway ride before she finally decided he had to walk everywhere.

Transportation Security Administration. Traveling With Children .

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CITY 2 PLUS NOW AVAILABLE IN STUNNING BLACK FRAME!

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

• Product Features
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• Service & Parts

Yes, simply attach the Joystick (left or right arm rest) and it is ready to go. All models come fully preassembled.

It is really quite simple, all models have a latch at the back of the seat, when pulled this releases the chair for folding. It naturally compresses to a folded position. The last step is to fold the footrest in and it is ready to be moved. Should take less than 3 seconds.

• This fits most people comfortably between 5’3″ and 6’.
• If you are taller than that suggested range please contact us directly and we can help you select a model to fit you best.
• You will be most comfortable in our CITY model as it has a larger seating area of 21.5" width and is rated to carry up to nearly 400 lbs.
• It depends on the model, please visit our Compare Models page a comparison of each models technical specifications

Depends on the distance traveled, but typically 6 to 8 hours of driving time. The charge will hold very well while not in use, draining only about 5% of the power per month. The battery itself is a high-quality lithium-ion (LifePO4 ) battery capable of being charged 1,000+ times in its lifetime.

• Our foldable power chairs use the latest in Lithium-ion polymer (LiPo) battery technology. Lithium batteries produce a longer range than standard acid batteries and last significantly longer (often up to 1000 charge cycles)
• About 6 to 8 hours to full charge (from no-charge).

Lithium-ion polymer (LifePO4) batteries are significantly more efficient in weight to power output compared to traditional acid and traditional lithium-ion batteries. This means we can make them smaller and lighter than other power wheelchair batteries. They will last over 1,000 total recharges, so expect the life to be over 5 years depending on usage. You don’t need to “set the memory” by draining the battery to empty the first time, you can charge it any time. When not in use, there is a very slow drain of the power, about 5% per month compared to 30% with traditional batteries, so they last longer even when not in use. Our batteries way about 3.5 lbs each. If you have any further questions about these batteries, please call or email us.

• Highly efficient brushless electrical motors.
• The brushless motors are very quiet.

All models have a turning radius of 33 inches, tight enough to ensure you can move around easily.

All models have a ground clearance of about 2 inches.

Yes, both the seat and back rest can be removed for cleaning. The seat can also be replaced with a different seat if desired as it simply attaches to the bottom with Velcro.

Yes, but although the chair is water resistant, it is not waterproof, so we would still recommend you limit the amount of time spent in the rain.

Yes, our electric wheelchairs can handle up to 0°, so you are able to ride it even in the harsh winter climate. However, try to keep the usage to less than 2 hours exposed to that temperature, and make sure the batteries warm up inside first for a few hours before trying to charge immediately after exposure to the cold.

Our products are manufactured under the international standards of CE, FDA, ISO 9001, and ISO 13485. These standards are fully acceptable within the United States.

Yes, once folded into its compact form, all models can easily fit in to most vehicle’s trunks.

Yes, The Travel Buggy chairs are under the approved category for airplane travel. Various airlines and countries may have different regulations on bringing an electric wheelchair onto an airplane, please consult the individual airline or local authority for more details. See our page on Travel for further details.

Yes, call the airline ahead of time to understand their process. We also recommend removing the joystick and placing that in your carry-on in case of damage by the airline. You may further be requested to add the batteries to your carry-on.

The charger of The Travel Buggy electric wheelchair operates between AC 100-240 V, 50-60 Hz. It works within most countries. For certain countries, you may simply need to purchase a plug adapter to convert the socket plug.

Free for purchases over $100 and $15 on purchases less than $100. We won’t surprise you with any additional hidden charges or handling fees. Beware of companies who mask their shipping charges and surprise you with prohibitive shipping and handling fees or oversize charges at the end of the checkout process. Make sure you know the total cost of your purchase when shopping around.

Your new Travel Buggy will be shipped within days of the order being received. With our free expedited shipping, your new Travel Buggy will typically arrive at your door in less than 7 to 10 business days, and many customers much faster. We only need a couple of days lead time to ship from our warehouse.

We ship anywhere in the contiguous United States. For shipments to Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico or other international destinations please contact us for accurate shipping rates.

No! There is no sales tax charged on The Travel Buggy. Our displayed prices are the total cost (no hidden fees!).

No. We take care of all duties, taxes, and fees on our account. There are no hidden shipping charges. If you received your Travel Buggy and were required to pay duties or fees, please contact us for a refund of those costs.

We securely accept PayPal, Google Pay and most major credit card payments through our online checkout.

Yes, we offer flexible payment plans on all of our Travel Buggy electric wheelchairs. Please see out Financing page to learn more.

All of our prices are listed in USD on the US Travel Buggy website.

With your purchase of The Travel Buggy electric wheelchair, you will receive the chair (including seat and back rests), a battery (or two depending on model), a battery charger, a joystick, a tool kit and an operating manual.

Upon purchase of your Travel Buggy you will receive an emailed receipt including the order number for which you can reference. Once shipped, our Support Team will supply you with the date of shipment and tracking number in an email. If you have created an account with us when you purchased, we will upload the tracking information there as well as send you an email. For those that continued as guest through checkout, we will email you your tracking information upon shipment from our warehouse.

Yes, our website has an SSL certificate meaning there is a secure connection between you and us in order to exchange information. You will see this by the “s” next to http in the URL.

In some cases, yes. Please contact your insurance company to find out if your plan can fully or partially reimburse the cost of the purchase of your Travel Buggy.

• We’ve carefully selected our shipping partners UPS and FedEx to ensure you receive the fastest, safest, and most reliable delivery service possible.
• Signatures are not required for deliveries, but the decision to leave your package will ultimately be at the discretion of the delivery carrier.
• If you have any special delivery instructions, we recommend placing a note on your door on the delivery date with your name and request. You can also make a note for us on checkout in the appropriate box.
• Deliveries are not typically made on Saturdays or Sundays.
• We cannot ship to P.O. Boxes or Military APOs.
• If you live in a non-contiguous U.S. state or territory — Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands — additional fees or shipping restrictions may apply.

No problem. At checkout simply list the shipping address you’d like the product delivered to. If you need to change the shipping address you’ve checked out with, then simply change the shipping address linked to your account, or for those that checked out as guest, send us an email to [email protected] .

• Travel Buggy offers a 30-day return window with no restocking fees.
• See our return policy for further details.
• See our Warranty for further details
• Frame – 5 years
• Motor – 2 years
• Battery – 1 year
• Controller & Joystick – 1 year
• Wear parts (tires, seat/back, arm rests) – 3 months

No, but we would prefer you do in order to make sure we can track it appropriately in our system and provide any updates to your product as required.

• See our Warranty for further details.
• Damage to the due to improper use and handling, or exceeding guideline restrictions (weight).

Our Travel Buggy's require very little maintenance, but it is important to perform regular maintenance for ultimate useful life. We’d recommend you visually inspect the unit every month and keep it clean. We’d also suggest you tighten the nuts and bolts with our provided tools at least 4 times a year (depending on usage). Please contact us when when you feel it is not operating like it used to or if the joystick is signaling an error as per your operating manual.

We work with third party mobility scooter and power wheelchair technicians across the United States. These companies offer service by a trained technicians who have experience working on power wheelchairs. Simply call us if you would like to arrange a service or have the chair looked at. Many of our technicians are able to meet you in your own home. Note - labor charges will not be covered under warranty.

You can buy most parts online. Please contact us directly if you do not see your required part online, or have a trained technician contact us on your behalf. If we do not have the part in stock, it will take less than 2 weeks to deliver.

Yes, we sell cup-holders, mobile phone holders, head rests, flash lights, and a handful of other accessories to make your electric wheelchair complete. Please see our accessories page for current listings. If there is an accessory you don’t see, chances are we can source it for you.

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nano ™ (2020+)

Availability:

Available now, order today

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Our Red Dot Award winning nano™ promises a simple, light and convenient solution - perfect for travelling families of newborns or toddlers, or navigating the city, as a secondary buggy to leave in the car for quick trips, or to leave at the grandparents' house.

Built with the  Mountain Buggy® DNA of maneuverability, adaptability, durability and simplicity; this elegant, high quality buggy delivers right from newborn with its instant lie flat, fabric sling seat, and also comes included with a convenient travel system belt to click on your protect™ infant car seat (or any other car seat brand), in an instant. Truly an ideal urban buggy that will enable busy families to live life without limit, locally or abroad.

Year of the Rabbit 2023 (limited edition)

Mountain Buggy® introduces their eighth limited edition print, 'in bloom'; celebrating Year of the Rabbit – the fourth of twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac.

The gentle and elegant Water Rabbit is a wonderfully calming animal after the bold Tiger of 2022 – 2023 is a time for peace and retreat. The Rabbit is thought to be the luckiest of the 12 animals, signifying forgiveness, grace, and beauty – one of pure heart.

Inspired by the delicate line works of the 1920's art deco movement, which was usually beautifully portrayed on embroidery or fine porcelain; our designer set upon creating a visual feast, with a stunning and contrasting palette, cleverly aligned with the tones represented by Premiere Vision Spring / Summer '23.

'in bloom' depicts a bold yet harmonious visual of a pretty and demure family of rabbits cascading down the gentle riverbed, which is awash with an abundance of plantain lily – the Rabbit's lucky flower, delivering a sense of an uncomplicated future, bringing optimism and clarity for all.

We honour this strong Chinese tradition of the zodiac animals, as well as Mountain Buggy's strong ties with the People's Republic of China with this limited-edition print, only available on nano™.

Explore the ‘keep calm and carry-on™’ travel collection here .

mountain buggy US

Product Code: NANO_V3

what makes nano ™ unique

Statement by the Jury: 

“This high quality buggy impresses due to its elegant form and, because of its small pack size, it is an ideal travel companion.” 

nano™ passes all rigorous global standards, and is made of super high quality 6005A T5 aircraft grade lightweight aluminium, making it superior in strength, yet ultra lightweight for a compact, travel buggy.

Revered for exceptional engineering and design, nano™ delivers sublime steering with one hand, and turns on a dime thanks to its perfect weight distribution and front wheels that 360º swivel - so easy to pop up over kerbs and obstacles too.

Parents deserve the robust and trusted engineering of Mountain Buggy®, so we deliver to be accessible to many.

First class fabric sling seating from birth right up to toddler years, with so much more room and comfort for your growing children; outlasting other compact, travel buggies in the market. And for those hot days In recline mode, the mesh seat backs allow for better ventilation and air flow, with an additional panel to cover for the cooler days.

Includes a built in safety belt and toggles to safely secure an infant car seat to parent face your newborn – no need to purchase additional adaptors.

Truly one of the lightest and most compact urban, travel buggies in the market that will last the distance. Weighing just 6kg / 13lbs; nano™ meets the standard weight and size restrictions for most carry-on luggage on planes and trains, delivering you instant peace of mind for your daily adventures or travel.

nano™ fits inside its own custom made satchel.

A patented tail free harness has been cleverly designed to keep long, fussy, loose straps out of little hands and mouths for superior safety and hygiene.

While most compact, travel buggies may not have this option for your newborn, you definitely do with nano™, by securing the soft shelled, parent facing cocoon to the buggy for your baby’s optimum lie flat comfort.

A convenient carry handle can be used when nano™ is neatly folded down, or for even more convenience, the shoulder strap can be used for easy hands free transportation from A to B.

For better comfort on those long urban journeys out.

Front wheels can be locked back OR full swivel for the parents preference.

The roomy gear tray allows you to take more on your journey.

to lock back (control over uneven terrain) OR 360° full swivel (maneouvrability for navigating tight spaces)

check them out here

Setting up your nano™ is easy! Find all the details you need here for how to set up and use!

Support note: Have you just unpacked your brand new nano™ travel stroller, and found it may not be fully level at all four corners? View our  3-step support article to help get all four wheels back on track.

nano™ fold / unfold instructional video

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• First Year Products

The 13 best baby travel systems 2023

Whether you're off for a walk in the woods or popping into town, the best baby travel system makes getting around with your little one easy peasy. Attach the best car seat to the pushchair frame, and you can move your baby from car to pushchair and back again, without disruption.

In general, a travel system consists of a pushchair that is compatible with a Group 0+ car seat, suitable from birth to the age of 12 months. You can easily attach or detach it from the frame, and it will either clip on top of the pushchair seat component or attach directly to the chassis with the seat component removed.

Travel systems for babies often also come with a carrycot attachment, so you can use the pushchair as a lie-flat pram. It's vital when choosing a pushchair for your baby that they can lie flat in it until they're six months old to support the healthy development of their spine and lungs.

Best baby travel systems shortlist 2023:

• Best overall baby travel system: Joie Finiti With Calmi • Runner up: Venicci Tinum SE Stylish Black 3in1 • Best stylish baby travel system: Joie Finiti with Ramble i-Level • Runner up: Kinder Kraft Everyday Travel System

To help you out, we've picked out our favourites. Every year we thoroughly test and review the best new products on the market, including the best travel systems for babies. We can then bring you comprehensive reviews from real parents who've tried out the travel systems in real life. Our annual Mother&Baby Awards also help us bring you the best advice about current products on the market.

The best baby travel systems 2023

1. joie finiti with calmi, best overall baby travel system.

www.johnlewis.com

Description

Award: Won Gold in the Mother&Baby Awards 2023

Effortlessly adjust to your little

• Lightweight to push
• Ample under-seat storage
• Durable suspension
• One hand fold
• Canopy doesn't completely cover the seat when fully reclined

2. Venicci Tinum SE Stylish Black 3in1

Best baby travel system for simplicity.

www.kiddies-kingdom.com

Award: Won Silver in the Mother&Baby Awards 2023

With a lightweight frame,

• One-handed folding
• Looks stylish
• Some mums struggled at first to attach the car seat to the base

3. Joie Finiti with Ramble and i-Level

Best baby travel system for style.

www.very.co.uk

Award: Won Bronze in the Mother&Baby Awards 2023

Another award for the Joie Finiti,

• Folds with ease
• Good value for money
• Some parents had difficulty attaching each compartment together

4. Kinderkraft EVERYDAY Travel System

Best baby travel system for easy use.

kinderkraft.com

**Award: Won Gold in the Mother&Baby Awards 2022 ** Kinderkraft EVERYDAY is a multifunctional

• Easy to use and adjust
• Spacious basket
• Good suspension for different terrains
• Quite heavy
• Doesn't come with anything to hold the stroller in place once folded to keep it compact

5. Ickle Bubba Eclipse

Best all-in-one baby travel system.

**Award: Won Silver in the Mother&Baby Awards 2022 ** Superior in style and practicality, the

• Easy to clean and use
• Simple to fold
• Spacious storage basket
• Could do with a handlebar brake

6. Rose Gold Marble Belgravia Travel System

Best baby travel system for a compact fold.

www.boots.com

Award: Won Bronze in the Mother&Baby Award2022

Designed with Dani Dyer as part of her

• Compact fold
• Easy to use and fold
• Larger seat for prolonged use
• Stunning style
• Could be sturdier
• Some parents didn't even consider it gender-neutral in design

7. Mamas and Papas Ocarro

Best baby travel system for on the go.

www.mamasandpapas.com

If the grandparents-to-be are chipping in, or if you've saved hard for a top-of-the-range travel

• Choice of colours
• One-hand fold
• Easy to carry when folded
• Dual suspension for even terrain
• Basket can be difficult to access with larger item

8. Silver Cross Reef pushchair

Best baby travel system for newborns.

www.silvercrossbaby.com

Suitable from newborns from the off, the Silver Cross Reef has been crafted from materials that

• Feels safe and sturdy
• Looks and feels luxurious
• Well-designed and user-friendly

9. Cosatto Giggle 3 Travel System and Accessories Bundle

Best baby travel system for vibrant design.

Rrp: £ 599.95

The Cosatto Giggle 3 Travel System & Accessories Bundle is an absolute dream for your family. With

• Three wheels for easy manoeuvrability
• Lightweight chassis
• UPF100+ protection sunshade hood
• Storage basket could be bigger

10. Ickle Bubba Stomp V4

Best for a bundle.

icklebubba.com

If you've got a little more to spend on a travel system, you'll want to know you're getting more

• Easy to connect to the car
• Lightweight
• Quite compact once folded
• Useful extras included
• Our parent testers found it hard to fold down

11. Joie Versatrax Travel System

Best baby travel system for excellent storage.

www.argos.co.uk

It's stylish and easy to use, folding simply with just one hand, thanks to the quick release on

• Easy to use
• Large basket
• Sturdy build
• Excellent foldability
• Carry handle included
• Not as easy to adjust compared to other prams
• Quite big in size

12. Maxi-Cosi Zelia Luxe 2

Best stream-lined baby travel system.

Rrp: £ 369.99

The Maxi-Cosi Zelia Luxe 2 pushchair will give you and your baby the confidence to enjoy

• Comfy and cosy
• Fairly compact fold
• Rain cover included

13. BabaBing! Raffi

Best trending baby travel system.

bababing.com

Looking for a really stylish set of wheels but don't want to spend over the odds? Look no further

• Sturdy one-hand fold
• Generous storage basket
• Reasonably lightweight
• You'll need to buy a compatible car seat or car seat adapter separately

What to look for in the best travel system

Convenience is the main benefit, as you can transfer your baby to and from a pushchair without removing them from their car seat. This is less disruptive for your child and saves time and stress. A travel system is often more expensive and sometimes bulkier than a standard pushchair, so it's only worthwhile if a car is your main form of transport.

It's important to keep in mind that different travel systems are compatible with different car seats, although there is some crossover. The most important thing about buying the best travel system is to make sure it will fit in your car.

Here are some things to look out for when considering your purchase.

Shopping basket

A big basket is essential! It should be large enough to hold everything you need when you're out with your baby, including the rain cover and your baby changing bag . The basket should be accessible, even when the carrycot is attached, or the pushchair seat is fully reclined.

Seat recline

The recommended sleeping position for babies is flat on their back, so a pushchair seat that reclines fully flat is a must for naps in the pushchair. It should be easy (and quiet!) to adjust with your baby in the seat.

A height-adjustable handlebar ensures the pushchair is comfortable for you, your partner or anyone else who might use it regularly. Check that it's easy to adjust and comfortable to hold.

Is the car seat included in the price, or do you have to buy it separately? Factor in the price of the base, too, and don't forget car-seat adaptors to attach it to the chassis.

Babies shouldn't sit in car seats for more than two hours at a time - we've looked at the research into how long a baby should stay in a car seat - including when it's attached to a pushchair chassis. Choose a travel system with a comfy lie-flat carrycot. Your baby will outgrow it by six months old, so check how bulky it is to store – some are cleverly designed to convert to an upright seat.

Seat direction

A travel system with a reversible seat unit means you can choose which way your baby faces. A parent-facing seat encourages your baby's communication skills, but an inquisitive toddler might prefer to face where they're going. There are regulations and advice on how to keep your baby rear-facing for longer .

Accessories

Some travel systems come with coordinating accessories such as a footmuff or change bag. Think about which ones you actually need and whether they're included in the price.

Fold mechanism

A travel system will be in and out of your car boot. Choose one that's compact and easy to fold, leaving room for shopping or luggage.

The brake should be comfortably positioned and easy to operate without the risk of applying it by accident or scuffing your shoes. Check how reliable it feels and whether it's easy to release.

All-terrain wheels make for easy manoeuvrability on muddy walks. Smaller, solid wheels make light work of city pavements and shiny shop floors. If you're likely to switch between different types of terrain, go for lockable, swivel wheels.

Do I need a baby travel system?

A baby travel system can be convenient has they come with all the travel essentials you need for your baby. They are often good value, however if you buy an ISOFIX car seat to stay in your car, you wouldn't need a travel system that comes with a car seat.

What other things do I need to consider when buying a baby travel system?

Not all infant car seats can be attached to all pushchairs, and you may need to buy adaptors. If you'd prefer an i-Size car seat, which sits your baby in the safer rear-facing position until they are at least 15 months old, you'll need to choose a pushchair frame that's compatible. If you want to keep your child rear-facing in the car beyond 15 months, you'll need an extended rear-facing car seat. However, these are designed to stay in your car, so a travel system isn't an option.

The car seat will either clip on top of the pushchair's seat component or attach directly to the chassis with the seat component removed. Adapters are sometimes required to fix the car seat onto the pushchair or chassis. Check if these are included. If they aren't, find out what the additional cost will be.

What about the pushchair?

A travel system often has a seat component that enables it to be used as a 'normal' pushchair. Many mums use the car seat clipped into the frame when their baby is very young, using the larger seat component as their little one grows. If you intend to keep your newborn in the pushchair for long periods, you will need a travel system with a fully reclining seat component.

Newborns should only remain in car seats for a few hours at a time, as lying horizontally is better for their breathing and healthy spine development. Some travel systems also offer the option of a pram-style carrycot. While this can add expense, the carrycot can double as a Moses basket and portable travel cot.

Can you use a travel system for toddlers?

Only Group 0+ car seats will fit on the travel system. These will be outgrown at around 12-15 months. Most mums will continue to use the travel system with the seat component fitted after that.

For toddlers, a seat that reclines for naps is useful, but it doesn't have to be fully horizontal. Some pushchair seats are reversible, so your baby can face you, to begin with, but face outwards to get a better view of the world as they get older. For older children, you may want to look into the best car seat for 4-year-olds .

How easy is it to fold?

All travel systems fold up so that they can be stowed in a car boot. Try out the folding mechanism in the shop – your 'tricky' might be another person's 'easy'. Consider that you may sometimes need to hold your baby while you fold and unfold the chassis. You'll also have to lift the folded pushchair chassis in and out of the car boot, so consider its weight – anything over 10kg could be a struggle.

How big is your car boot?

Travel systems are more compact than ever, but some models are still pretty bulky to allow for all the extra functionality they offer. Before you buy one, check it fits in your car boot. You can always remove the carrycot or seat unit from the chassis and store it on your back seat. Although, this will limit space in your car for other passengers.

Can I use a second hand travel system?

While it can be perfectly fine to use a second hand travel system, it is not advised to use a second hand car seat unless you are absolutely sure that it has never been in an accident.

It would be advisable to only use second hand if it's from a very close relative or friend.

What is the difference between a 2in1 and 3in1 travel system?

A 3in1 travel system includes a car seat, carry cot and a pushchair all on the same frame, where as a 2in1 would only include the car seat and pushchair.

The bonus to both is that they are interchangeable with a car seat, which can be handy when you're out of the house and don't want to disturb your baby if they fall asleep.

Emily Gilbert  is the Features & Reviews Editor for Mother&Baby and has written for the website and previously the magazine for six years. Specialising in product reviews, Emily is the first to know about all the exciting new releases in the parenting industry.

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10 best compact strollers for hassle-free travel with your little one

Whether for everyday trips or travel abroad, set out with these lightweight and collapsible pushchairs, article bookmarked.

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We tested these for their ease of use, folding ability and durability in a range of weather conditions

Our Top Picks

We are obsessed with this buggy. Not only does it look chic, weigh just 6kg and folds seamlessly to aircraft overhead cabin size even with the footmuff on, but it also has some serious green credentials with its transferable ten year warranty, the material being made from recycled plastic bottles and in a rather sweet touch, Joolz plants a tree with every purchase.

For those familiar with the quality of the Bugaboo brand, the butterfly does not disappoint. Its simple and chic design also makes it a nice looking option, particularly in the smart stormy blue colour we tested. Another plus is that all the Bugaboo accessories fit, such as the universal footmuff. The buggy folds and is able to free stand even with the footmuff attached – again making this a serious contender for only needing the one buggy.

The yoyo2 is the buggy du jour in the city. Originally designed for air travel this gorgeous piece has gone beyond just a good piece of kit and is now also somewhat of a fashion item, and we can see why...

This is a great option for users who want an affordable compact buggy suitable from birth for both travel and at home, as it comes in significantly cheaper than the premium models. It also comes with the option of adding a bassinet (£129, Naturalbabyshower.co.uk ) at a reasonable price compared to the pricier buggies. And despite its diminutive size, the buggy feels very spacious and was particularly comfortable when testing with our taller, older children. There is plenty of room in the padded, generous seat and the adjustable calf support and footrest make it comfortable for sleeping babies and toddlers alike.

We loved the sturdy and comfortable Ergobaby, not only for its no nonsense look and feel, but also the fact that it is a premium product at a decent price point, without the need to buy extras apart from the footmuff (£94.90, Ergobaby.co.uk ) if you needed to. It is slightly heavier than other models at 7.8kg, but the extra weight is coming from the fully adjustable handle and the solid, lockable frame, which makes the buggy best in class for bigger children and taller parents.

While the Out ‘n’ About does not fold tightly enough for an aircraft overhead bin, it does fold very flat into a small car boot. It is also narrow enough to fit down the aisle of a London bus, and boasts the off road capability of a much larger model, making it ideal for both in the city and a muddy park walk. The handle also adjusts which makes this another buggy great for the taller parent and it’s spongy and feels nice to push. The material is also easy to clean mud or snacks off of – something we found very useful.

We really like the look and feel of the airo, which has a premium finish and is incredibly sturdy. The fold on it is excellent and it very neatly locks and freestands – ideal for holidays or storing in tight spaces. It’s pretty lightweight at 7.6kgs, but not flyweight like some other models. It also comes with a separate sun shield and rain cover as standard, both of which are very high quality.

The great thing about the Aster 2 is that it comes with everything you need with no need to buy any extra accessories – even the footmuff and drinks holder. It is also incredibly lightweight at just 6.2kg, which makes it ideal for slinging in an overhead locker, or into the boot of a car.

The premium feel of the Inglesina and the fact it is the lightest in class at 5.9kgs should pique the interest of frequent fliers. It really is flyweight, and looks great – we tested in the gecko green and loved it. The material is high quality and it has a nice, wide wheelbase – something you come to notice when your passengers are heavier – and it also has a taller handlebar.

Like the quid 2 (£299, Inglesina.uk ), the orfeo weighs just 5.9kgs and looks poppy and summery in its cheery colourways. And that’s not where the similarities end. It too has a simple fold, is extremely lightweight and performance-wise pushes and sounds similar on the pavement. The difference with this one though, is that it has a handy over the shoulder carrying strap, as opposed to a handle. The colour palettes are also a bit more fun and in-keeping with a summer holiday vibe – we tested the beach blue and loved how it stood out in the street.

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Travel-style buggies have become the pram of choice for city dwellers and frequent fliers alike thanks to their smaller footprint and ease of maneuverability. Being able to fold small enough to fit in an overhead locker also means parents can easily store these smaller buggies easily in tighter living spaces.

Like many parents we bought a larger buggy ahead of our baby being born, not considering at all how cumbersome it might be on public transport, or how much space it would take up in our London home. We resigned ourselves to having to buy a cheap travel buggy separately to take on flights, along with the separate running buggy we had accumulated too.

In reality, living in the city meant we only really need the larger buggy for the odd occasion where you want to pile the basket full of shopping, or take on especially muddy paths – and even then that’s a convenience thing, not an essential.

It’s possible to have just one buggy for both travel and everyday use. Of course the smaller wheels make uneven surfaces more difficult, but if you live in a city and navigating a bus or train are more likely than a country lane, a compact travel buggy can absolutely be your only purchase.

Travel buggies typically have the following features in common; a fold compatible with an airline overhead locker, and are lightweight and have some sort of SPF protection sun canopy. The models suitable for everyday use tend to have a comfier seat, suspension, a decent recline system and the option to add accessories such as a footmuff or bassinet.

Related stories

Something to watch out for with these buggies versus traditional travel systems is that the accessories you’d expect to be included are often sold separately – such as footrests and rain covers which can make the cost mount up.

How we tested

Over the course of three months we tested using a one-year-old and a three-year-old. We tested in all weather conditions and graded the buggies on ease of fold, weight, handling, look and feel and durability. We have covered both crossover buggies we believe are truly sturdy enough for everyday use, and those realistically designed for travel-only.

The best compact strollers for 2023 are:

• Best compact stroller overall – Joolz aer+: £449, Joolz.com
• Best for air travel – BABYZEN YOYO2: £430, Babyzen.com
• Best for taller parents – Ergobaby metro + deluxe: £310.99, Amazon.co.uk
• Best budget all-rounder – Mamas and Papas airo: £239, Mamasandpapas.com
• Best budget travel option – Didofy aster 2: £299, Didofy.com

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• Best: Compact stroller overall
• Folded dimensions : 53.5cm x 45cm x 21.5cm
• Weight : 6kg
• Age suitability : From six months up to four years old

For travel or city life parents need look no further than this elegant and thoughtful design. It is simply best in class for so many of the features, from the sturdy, comfortable handle for the person pushing, to the impressive full recline for the baby. But the feature we felt set it apart was the quality of the wheels. Coated in a soft EVA foam rubber material they are noticeably silent and make for a smoother ride. It seems a small plus, but the clattering of plastic on a pavement doesn’t calm the jangled nerves of a parent enjoying a rare moment of peace.

Everything about this buggy looks and feels premium, from the canvas material, to the soft handlebar. The canopy is also excellent for warm weather and folds nearly completely down with a handy peekaboo gauze above the baby. The other excellent feature is the fully flat recline.

The only downside we could find was that, while we were getting used to the buggy, we accidentally kicked the centrally located brake a couple of times. So if we were being super picky we would suggest those with larger feet opt for something slightly easier to handle.

Bugaboo butterfly

• Best: For comfort
• Folded dimensions : 54cm x 23cm x 45cm
• Weight : 7.3kg

The fold is excellent and it is International Air Transport Authority (IATA) compatible, meaning it’s small enough to be classed as hand luggage when folded. It also has a handy over the shoulder strap for carrying. And while it doesn’t quite lay flat, more like 145 degrees, our babies had no issues sleeping in it. In fact, the chair is noticeably more cushioned and roomy than many other buggies we tried. For the quality and comfort of the seat we rank the butterfly as top in class. The recline mechanism of the pulley strap is also pretty much silent and easy to use even with the weight of the baby.

The brake is in the middle at the back between the back wheels, but the smaller design means larger footed parents don’t kick it. Another nice piece of design is the sprung-loaded and roomy basket – it can comfortably carry up to 8kgs and is noticeably larger than the competition – again, handy if this is your only pushchair. The spring loaded basket also makes putting things into it easier when the baby is reclined – which can be tricky on other models.

The only downsides we noted are the plasticky wheels and the fact that it is only suitable from six months old because there is no option to attach a separate bassinet. However, the Bugaboo has an impressive four year warranty too so you should get your money’s worth for years to come.

Babyzen yoyo2

• Best: For air travel
• Folded dimensions : 52cm x 44cm x 18cm
• Weight : 6.2kg
• Age suitability : From birth up to toddlers up to 22 kg

There are several things we love about the yoyo but the fold is probably the best feature because it goes way smaller than any of the other buggies and is super lightweight to carry at 6.2kgs. It is the buggy most airlines recognise as being suitable for the overhead lockers so frequent travellers will have no issues here.

The recline doesn’t go quite flat, but nearly, and our baby had no issue sleeping in it. The pulley system is also silent and easy to use. The brake is sturdy and off to the side too, which is great if wearing sandals. And the peekaboo window is in just the right spot on the generous canopy (which is made with SPF 50 material). Storage underneath is also ample – and is able to carry much more than you think.

Another quiet plus point is the curvature of the side bars, which make it easy to carry up and down steps, or out of train doors. Of course this isn’t “safe”, but needs must in London, and we found it very useful. In another small plus, the strap and buckle system is very well thought out – there are no fiddly bits of material to fall down over any of the adjusting parts – something any parent will be grateful of with a wriggly passenger.

The only cons to the yoyo, and we are being picky, are the slightly fiddly fold compared to that of the Joolz (£449, Joolz.com ) and Bugaboo butterfly (£419, Amazon.co.uk ), then again the slightly noisy wheels (this seems to be the norm with the smaller buggies). The fact it doesn’t fold well with the footmuff attached is also a bit annoying – the velcro attachment and the smaller fold size means you have to reattach it at the bottom when you unfold it again. It also doesn’t free stand when folded with the footmuff, but this is really not a major detractor.

Baby Jogger city tour 2

• Best: Suspension
• Folded dimensions : 59.5cm x 49.5cm x 19cm
• Weight : 6.5kg
• Age suitability : From birth up to 22kg

Folded, it is larger than the other travel options, but still collapses tightly enough to fit in most airline overhead lockers – but like with all of the travel buggies, many airlines may ask you to store it in the hold. If this happens the Baby Jogger comes with a handy travel bag.

The stroller also only weighs 6.5kgs, but the feature that sets it apart is the very good suspension and handling – if you find yourself on uneven surfaces a lot, this buggy fares very well and is akin to our best buy in terms of a smooth ride and and maneuverability. The recline is also near flat and silent and easy to use with the pulley system. While the canopy is also generous and has SPF 50+ protection. So though it doesn’t share the chic design of pricier models, this buggy is excellent value for a very good quality product.

Ergobaby metro + deluxe

• Best: For taller parents
• Folded dimensions : 54cm x 45cm x 24cm
• Weight : 7.8kg
• Age suitability : From birth up to four years old (or up to 22 kg)

Another benefit to the Ergobaby is that it requires no extra bassinet to be suitable for newborns, thanks to a clever feature called the newborn nest, where the footrest is adapted to create a bassinet out of the existing seat. Like the aer+ it also has rubber wheels which make for a much smoother ride than the plastic-wheeled competition, and the generous basket has plenty of room for a decent amount of shopping.

The seat itself is exceptionally well padded and our testers who could talk opted for this buggy over many of the others in terms of comfort. The seat itself is also nicely elevated away from the ground. In fact, the only con we would note about the Ergobaby is the weight when folded, but it more than makes up for this in terms of reassuring stability and functionality. It also folds down very tightly to 54cm x 45cm x 24cm.

Out ‘n’ About GT

• Best: For off road
• Folded dimensions : 56.5cm x 36cm x 95cm
• Weight : 8.8kg
• Age suitability : From birth up to ‎22kg

Another plus is that it is completely lie-flat so suitable from birth with no added purchases required. The buggy is also car seat compatible with select brands, so it’s effectively a very cost-effective and compact multi-terrain travel system. At 8.8kgs it’s not lightweight like some of the other models, but the weight is coming from the heavy-duty wheels and excellent suspension. Speaking of the wheels, they are puncture-proof and incredibly durable and silent, like tiny bike wheels, and the buggy comes with a rain cover and bumper bar as standard.

We really liked this buggy for its price point, versatility and capability on tough terrain too.

Mamas and Papas airo

• Best: Budget all-rounder
• Folded dimensions : 25cm x 45cm x 55cm
• Weight : 7.6kg
• Age suitability : From birth up to four years old (or up to 22kg)

The airo also looks nice – it has an attractive padded seat and is consistent with the high quality of other Mamas and Papa’s products. It can be used with a footmuff and a separate newborn pack is also available to buy separately (£149, Mamasandpapas.com ). The only downside for the airo is the weight compared to the competition, but it is quite nice having a sturdier-feeling pushchair in many respects.

Didofy aster 2

• Best: Budget travel option
• Folded dimensions : 55cm x 47cm x25cm

Like many of the others we tested, the fold is easy to achieve single handedly and folds down seamlessly into a freestanding square. The recline on the aster is also pretty much flat, and it has the same drawstring mechanism of many of the others which allows a silent recline in any position.

We liked design of the handlebar is nice too – this pops to the side with no faff – while the underbasket is also generous and it comes complete with a footrest, ideal for taller passengers. We also loved that the canopy not only has SPF 50 protection, but that it is waterproof too – so there is no need to faff with the raincover in a light shower. The only real cons to consider are that the wheels and narrow wheelbase, like many of the pure travel options, feel less premium and thus the buggy does rattle on very uneven ground. It felt more difficult to steer with our larger passengers too.

Inglesina quid 2

• Best: For budget air travel
• Folded dimensions : 46.5cm x 58cm x 19cm
• Weight : 5.9kg
• Age suitability : From birth up to 22 kg

Small but thoughtful touches with this buggy made us fall in love with it, such as the excellent and smartly designed carrying handle which sits on the side when folded, and the fact it freestands without any of the fabric touching the ground – a valuable hygiene plus. Another nice touch is the baby snug pad (£68, Inglesina.uk ) which is similar to a newborn insert on a car seat, allowing the buggy to be used from birth with no need for a bassinet.

The buggy seat also feels slightly more elevated, so the child is not so low to the ground, again, a nice plus, particularly for taller parents. The fold is one-handed and without faff, and the recline is a silent drawstring. A really good-looking, thoughtfully designed travel option, it’s ideal for frequent fliers, though like many of these buggies the extra accessories mount up.

Cybex orfeo

• Best: Bright travel option
• Folded dimensions : 15.5cm x 47.5cm x 52.5cm
• Age suitability : From birth to 4 years (or up to 22kg)

A small thing, but the harness is great on this buggy and performs more like a car seat with one pull tightening all the straps. We loved this time saver and our baby was always safe and snug. We also really loved that the fabric is machine washable at 30C – ideal after a healthy cover of sunscreen and ice cream!

Like all the top travel options it’s a seamless one-handed fold into a small square shape, with a decent silent recline. Folded it really does feel tiny with a depth of just 15.5cm – so handy in small spaces. Those with a Cybex car set can also attach it to the orfeo – a plus if you’re a fan of the brand and want to mix and match.

Compact strollers FAQs

Which brands sell the lightest pushchairs.

Both the Inglesina quid 2 stroller and the Cybex orfeo weigh in at just 5.9kg which is markedly lighter than many other models on the market. While our best buy iboasts a weight of just of just 6kg – comparatively slight when compared to our most weighty pick at 8.8kg.

What pushchairs are recommended for airlines?

Whether you can bring yours onto the plane as hand luggage will depend on the airline you’re flying with. That being said, very small and foldable strollers can often be placed in the overhead luggage (provided there is enough space).

Which pushchairs are best for small cars?

Small and foldable pushchairs will lend themselves well to fitting into the boot of your car. Better still, an especially helpful feature to consider is whether the chassis is compatible with a car seat. This will make transporting your child to and from the car less of a hassle, while it can also save you some space.

Can the prams collapse as one unit?

Collapse mechanisms with buggies and pushcairs vary, but there are models that allow you to collapse your buggy with one quick and easy motion, often with the click of a button. Then there are models which require a few steps to fold down – these may not always be as compact as those that can close in one simple motion.

The verdict: Compact strollers

The testing of these buggies took months, and we really put them through their paces in all weather and terrain conditions. All of the buggies that make this shortlist are excellent purchases – we tested many more which didn’t make the cut – but for us the Joolz aer+ is very much the standout in terms of comfort, features, handling and style. It also has a fantastic guarantee and is kind to the planet. You need buy no other buggy from birth to toddler with this excellent and stylish product.

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The EU’s new visa waiver system for foreign visitors has been delayed until 2025. We explain how and when to apply.

Europe has delayed yet again its new visa waiver system, which by May 2025 will require travelers from the United States and dozens more countries to get pre-approval to enter most European nations.

Called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), it will replace manual passport stamping with digital registration, and aims to identify travelers who pose a security risk or are trying to breach immigration laws.

This system was originally set to launch in 2016, but has been postponed repeatedly, most recently last week when the European Union deferred its 2024 rollout. It will be adopted by 30 European countries, including tourist hubs France , Italy , Germany , Spain , and Greece .

ETIAS will apply to more than 60 countries which currently have visa exemptions for Europe, such as the U.S., the United Kingdom , Canada , Australia , Japan , and Singapore .

Travelers from other countries will lose the privilege of using only their passport to visit most of Europe. Instead, they’ll also need to successfully complete an ETIAS application, similar to the U.S.’ ESTA process for granting tourist visa waivers.

The EU warns that travelers will need to apply for ETIAS well in advance—before booking flights or hotels. While most applications will be processed in minutes, some may take weeks.

ETIAS essential info

Once this system is launched, the first step for travelers will be downloading the ETIAS mobile app or visiting its official website.

Travelers will need a passport less than 10 years old, and which doesn’t expire for more than three months.

Travelers will have to submit their passport data, home address, current occupation, level of education, parents’ names, and details of their itinerary in Europe.

Applicants must also disclose criminal convictions, deportations, and past visits to war zones.

( Learn about the the contentious history of the passport .)

After completing this process, travelers will receive an email containing their unique ETIAS number, which they’re advised to keep for future reference.

Airline and Immigration staff will also be able to confirm a traveler’s ETIAS status via their passport number, which is linked to the ETIAS database.

An ETIAS application will cost 7 euros for people between 18 and 70 years old, but will be free for all other ages, and for family members of EU citizens.

An approved ETIAS is valid for three years. Its holder can then stay in participating European nations for a maximum of 90 days during any 180-day period.

This system is being adopted by all 27 countries in Europe’s Schengen Area, as well as Bulgaria , Cyprus , and Romania .

Biometrics won’t be required during an ETIAS application. But travelers using the new system will have to submit to facial and fingerprint scans upon arrival in Europe.

This may increase immigration processing times at European airports, says Kuan-Huei Lee, associate professor of tourism at Singapore Institute of Technology. “If the [biometric] process is added to the entry process, careful logistic planning is crucial to avoid congestion,” Lee says.

( Here’s how to plan a trip around the world .)

ETIAS is also likely to cause disruptions at airports outside of Europe, predicts Jun Wen, professor of tourism at Australia’s Edith Cowan University. He says that in the months after it launches, many travelers won’t know they need an ETIAS, and will then be barred from boarding their flight to Europe.

However, both Wen and Lee believe that ETIAS won’t deter many people from visiting Europe.

Several popular European destinations will not be adopting ETIAS, such as Ireland and the U.K. Travelers from many nations, including the U.S., will still be able to enter these countries simply by providing a valid passport.

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HoYoverse broke Genshin Impact’s chat system

Genshin Impact is a great game to play with friends, with a robust co-op system where you can do daily quests, explore the over world, and challenge weekly bosses together. Players often would use the chat feature to communicate with one another, but recently, the community has noticed HoYoverse essentially broke the chat function by introducing new swear filters that may be just a bit too strict.

A post by Reddit user u/HereForGames blasted HoYoverse for Genshin Impact’s updated filter system, calling it “dramatically worse” and rendering any conversation “unreadable.” As noticed by this user, players can no longer type out certain letter combos in a move that completely breaks chat. An example provided by the user reveals that if you wanted to say “there’s a melusine in the castle, mi amigo,” this would translate into “there’s a **lusine in the **stle, ** a**go.”

It doesn’t make much sense to me for HoYoverse to purposefully censor out letter combinations like “me, ca, and mi,” which makes me think this is probably closer to a bug. Still, it’s always amusing to see players unable to even type out words that exist in game completely. One poster showed the words “can’t, name, and nation” all completely censored. Fortunately, it doesn’t seem to just be an NA issue, as Neuvillette’s name is reportedly censored in Chinese as well.

HoYoverse currently has not released a statement over the chat issues, but my money is on some sort of unintentional quirk that will hopefully be sorted out soon. Even though co-op might play a bit scuffed, there’s still plenty to do in Genshin Impact, with a new version releasing on November 8, introducing two new characters: Charlotte and Furina. Be sure to check out the newest version, and check out the rest of our Genshin Impact posts here.

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