best umbrella stroller for travel

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The Best Umbrella Strollers

Whether you’re looking for a lightweight everyday stroller for urban living or need a travel-friendly backup to take on the road, an umbrella stroller is a great choice.

Sure standard size strollers are great but they can be heavy and bulky. So after a few months with baby in tow, you may start to crave a second lightweight stroller to bring on vacation or for quick errand runs. And that’s where the umbrella stroller comes in handy. Compact and lightweight, an umbrella stroller folds vertically and is a convenient option for air travel, family days out at a theme park or zipping around the city streets.

Ready to start your search? Below find top tips on what to look for then browse our picks for the best umbrella stroller that’ll be your family’s go-to travel companion.

What is an Umbrella Stroller?

Wondering what makes an umbrella stroller different to a standard model? An umbrella stroller is designed to be lightweight and compact. Umbrella strollers typically weigh under 20 pounds (with most weighing less than 15 pounds); Whereas, traditional strollers can weigh over 35 pounds, depending on the features. Umbrella strollers take their name from the vertical folding mechanism, which mirrors that of an umbrella. When folded you’ll be left with a narrow package that looks similar to a closed umbrella. These strollers are designed for portability and convenience, making them a popular choice for parents who need a stroller for quick trips, travel or navigating through crowded city streets. That said, an umbrella stroller won’t have all of the tricked-out features you’d find in a travel system , like a roomy storage basket or a bassinet attachment. And, for the most part, they’re not a suitable mode of transportation for infants under 4 months old.

What to Consider When Choosing an Umbrella Stroller

Before purchasing an umbrella stroller, take a moment to consider your family’s lifestyle and needs. While there are many basic models available, some umbrella strollers have extra features like cup holders, snack trays and reclining seats. Below find a few factors that will help guide your search.

• Lightweight frame. The whole point of an umbrella stroller is that it’s lightweight and easy to grab and go. Umbrella strollers range in weight from 10 to 20 lbs. Super-lightweight options are fine for occasional use, but if you’re going to use it daily consider a slightly heavier stroller as it may be better equipped.
• Compact fold: A simple and compact fold is a key characteristic of an umbrella stroller. The best umbrella strollers can be folded with one-hand and some options are even small enough to fit in an overhead airplane luggage bin.
• Weight capacity and age range. Pay particular attention to the manufacturer’s age and weight guidelines when selecting an umbrella stroller. Most umbrella strollers don’t offer enough head and neck support for young infants, so always take your child’s age and stage into consideration before making a purchase.
• Built-in storage basket. Granted, umbrella strollers don’t have ample storage space but it’s important to have somewhere to safely stash your essentials. And don’t be tempted to sling a packed diaper bag on the stroller handles! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), hanging items from the handles of a stroller can cause it to tip backward. If the stroller has a basket for carrying things, be sure it is placed low and near the rear wheels.
• Canopy. A retractable canopy is a must-have feature in any stroller. On sunny days, a canopy will keep your little one safely in the shade and keep the light out of their eyes.

Best Umbrella Strollers

The best umbrella strollers are lightweight, compact and easy to fold. Below find seven tried and tested options that’ll get you (and baby) from point A to point B.

Overall best umbrella stroller

• Lightweight
• Single-handed fold
• Large storage basket
• Handles are fixed in a high position

Voted the top umbrella stroller in this year’s Best of The Bump awards , Summer Infant 3D Lite+ meets the mark in terms of style, features and value for money. The aluminum frame is lightweight yet sturdy enough to hold baby’s weight and glide smoothly over the sidewalk. Our product tester found it a dream to steer, saying “it was super smooth riding and pushing even with my baby inside. I also tried with stuff in the storage compartment and [ it was ] still super smooth and easy to maneuver.” Speaking of the storage compartment, this stroller has a roomy basket underneath the seat. According to our tester it’s big enough to accommodate a decent-sized diaper bag and a light blanket . “It was easy to access right underneath the stroller seat, and nothing was falling out either,” our tester explained. It took a minute to find the open-and-close mechanism, but once located using it is “a piece of cake.” Simply push down to pop open the stroller then fold it down with one hand. It folds down to a long yet narrow package that’s easy to grab and go thanks to a built-in carry handle. Our product tester used it for solo errands and found it easy to store in the trunk of a small car: “I laid it flat in the trunk and still had space for other stuff such as groceries and what not,” she noted. Other great features we love include: a padded, fully reclining seat, an oversized canopy with a pull-out sun visor, a cup and phone holder and anti-shock wheels. For years, parents have raved about the 3D Lite as one of hands-down best umbrella strollers around—and we can see why.

Age range: 6+ months | Dimensions (open): 27" (L) x 18" (W) x 43" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 10" (L) x 12" (W) x 43" (H) | Weight: 13 lbs. | Capacity: 50 lbs.

“The value of this stroller for the price it is going for is such a steal. It is an amazing price for the quality, compact-ability and many great features you are getting. This stroller could definitely be priced a little more and still be worth the value!”

Best compact umbrella stroller

• Compact fold
• Shoulder strap
• Bassinet and newborn pack sold separately
• High price point

YOYO². It’s suitable from birth when used with the bassinet attachment and is easily adapted to accommodate older infants with the 6+ color pack . In fact, our product tester used the stroller with her baby and almost 3-year-old toddler: “Adjusting strap heights from toddler to baby is pretty simple, and something that can be done when my toddler wants to go in it vs our 6 month old.” But the real standout feature is the lightweight, collapsible frame. The YOYO² stroller folds and unfolds in a moment, and when folded it’s small enough to fit in most overhead airplane luggage bins. Plus, a shoulder carry strap makes it easy to take on the move. “I think the design is sleek and pretty simple. When folded up and worn with the strap, it doesn't look bulky or like it is even a stroller,” gushed our product tester. A reclining seat and smooth suspension on all four wheels make for a comfortable ride. And while it’s not the best option for tough terrain, it’s an ideal choice for urban life. “The stroller was easy to move around stores and in and out of places. When moving the stroller up and down on a curb, it was very lightweight with a baby in it.” Other aspects we love include a large sun canopy with a peekaboo window, a five-point safety harness, and a zip pocket on the hood.

Age range: 0+ months (with bassinet) 6+ months (with seat) | Dimensions (open): 41.7" (L) x 33.8" (W) x 17.3" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 20.5" (L) 17.3" (W) x 7.1" (H) | Weight: 13.7 lbs. | Capacity: 48.5 lbs.

“I loved how compact and light it is when folded. It comes with a strap to make it easy to carry on your shoulder, which is great for moving it from car to car or when traveling.”

Best car seat compatible umbrella stroller

• Folds with one hand
• Vertical free-standing fold
• Adjustable handle height
• Heavier than other options

Next up on our list of the best umbrella strollers is the Diono Flexa Luxe. While it falls on the heavier side, it has many of the same features found in a regular size stroller. It comes with car seat adapters—compatible with Nuna, Maxi-Cosi & Cybex—so you can create your very own travel system. The cushy seat reclines to a lie-flat position that is safe for newborns and the calf-rest can be adjusted for a comfortable ride. A roomy canopy shields your little one from the elements. All-around suspension and double back wheels make navigating crowded sidewalks a breeze. And the telescopic handles can be raised or lowered to suit your height. The best part? A free-standing vertical fold allows the stroller to stand upright for storage in small spaces like an apartment closet or hallway.

Age range: 0+ months | Dimensions (open): 41.34" (L) x 20.67" (W) x 26.18" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 44.09" (L) x 14.57" (W) x 13.58" (H) | Weight: 18.2 lbs. | Capacity: 50 lbs.

Best umbrella stroller for travel

• Incredibly lightweight
• UPF 50+ sun visor
• Airplane carry-on compliant
• Lacks suspension
• Small storage basket

Because they’re lightweight and compact, all umbrella strollers are good for travel. But some additional features can make a travel umbrella stroller great. Do its dimensions allow it to fit in the overhead compartment on a plane? Does it weigh less than 15 pounds? How compact is it folded up? All important things to consider when looking for the best umbrella stroller for travel. If you’re packing for a trip and serious about traveling light, the Good Baby Pockit Air All-Terrain is an excellent choice. At under 11 lbs. it’s one of the lightest umbrella strollers on our list and folds up into the size of a handbag. (There are two fold size options: one for everyday use and a smaller fold for travel) Better yet, it meets all the requirements for airplane hand luggage. The double wheels were built to easily navigate airport terminals or city streets. Plus, the seat is made with a breathable mesh fabric so your kiddo doesn’t overheat on even the hottest of days (there’s a padded inlay for when the weather turns cool).

Age range: 6+ months | Dimensions (open): 28" (L) x 16.5" (W) x 40.4" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 7.1" (L) x 11.8" (W) x 13.8" (H) | Weight: 10.3 lbs. | Capacity: 55 lbs.

Best reclining umbrella stroller

• One-hand recline
• Removable, washable fabrics
• All-wheel suspension

When you have a tuckered out kiddo in tow, a reclining stroller is a must. And while some of the plush, adjustable seats of higher-end strollers look tailor-made for naptime, several reclining umbrella strollers get the job done too. The G-Luxe from UPPAbaby is a standout. Not only does it have a one-handed recline, it also has key features like an extendable canopy, a storage basket that can hold up to 10 pounds and a carry strap. It even stands up on its own once folded. And all-wheel suspension and an easy-to-operate foot brake guarantee a smooth ride, while your little one snoozes.

Age range: 3+ months | Dimensions (open): 28.8" (L) x 18.8" (W) x 43" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 19.2" (L) x 12" (W) x 41.8" (H) | Weight: 16.3 lbs. | Capacity: 55 lbs.

Best affordable umbrella stroller

• Affordable price point
• Extendable sun canopy
• Super-lightweight
• Low weight limit

Sometimes you just need a no-frills substitute, something you can toss in the trunk for a day trip. But a cheap umbrella stroller doesn’t have to skimp on quality. No umbrella stroller should cost the earth, but one that’s under $50? Yes, please. Meet the Kolcraft Cloud, a super lightweight umbrella stroller routinely praised by parents for being a great value for the money. A storage basket, five-point safety harness and an extra large canopy add to its appeal. And a one-step fold makes opening and closing the stroller easy as can be. Shock-absorbing wheels roll nicely over the sidewalk, but don’t expect to take this pick over sand or grass.

Age range: | Dimensions (open): 28.5" (L) x 18" (W) x 38.25" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 10" (L) x 10" (W) x 42.5" (H) | Weight: 9.5 lbs. | Capacity: 40 lbs.

Best double umbrella stroller

• Carry handle
• Compact fold for a double stroller
• Reclining side-by-side seats
• Heavier than standard umbrella strollers

Double strollers often carry the weight of being bigger, bulkier and generally unwieldy in the world of baby gear—but the UPPAbaby G-Line busts this stereotype. It’s the best umbrella stroller for eliminating some of the biggest pain points of double strollers: Each seat reclines independent of the other and each passenger gets their own canopy. Because it has four sets of wheels like a traditional stroller, rather than the six found on most sets of doubles, maneuvering a double-wide load is still easy. And, yes, it’ll fit easily through a standard door frame, leaving six inches to spare.

Age range: 3+ months | Dimensions (open): 27.5" (L) x 28.5" (W) x 42" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 40" (L) x 20" (W) x 14.5" (H) | Weight: 22.3 lbs. | Capacity: 55 lbs. per seat

How We Chose the Best Umbrella Strollers

With hundreds of options on the market, choosing the right stroller for your family can feel just about as daunting as buying a car. To streamline your decision-making process, our goal is to do the bulk of the research for you, so you don’t have to spend hours scrolling through online retailers. We do this by considering a list of criteria when sourcing strollers, including size, weight, folding mechanism, bonus features and, last but definitely not least, safety. This way you can count on getting the best bang for your buck, while also having a dependable stroller that will meet your family’s needs.

To decide which umbrella strollers are the best options on the market, we leverage our familiarity with leading baby brands to make sure items are from reliable manufacturers. We read user reviews to get the low-down on how these products work for families, and typically don’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. And since many of us are also parents, we rely on our writers’ and editors’ experience using these products with their own families.

To make sure we’re highlighting products that are safe and effective, we follow the safety recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and look for certifications and seals of approval from key organizations.

Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here .

Plus, more from The Bump:

The Best Lightweight Strollers

Tips for How to Travel with Baby Like a Pro

Save or Splurge: The Best Diaper Bags for Every Budget

American Academy of Pediatrics, How to Choose a Safe Baby Stroller , August 2022

Consumer Product Safety Commission, New Stroller Standard , September 2015

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We Tested the Best Umbrella Strollers to Find the Most Durable, Convenient Options

We pushed our kids over all sorts of terrain to find out which strollers are worth your time and money.

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Umbrella vs. Travel Strollers

Our Testing Process

Our experts.

• Factors to Consider
• How to Use Safely

Parents / Kristin Kempa

Umbrella strollers are a classic choice for babies who’ve outgrown the newborn stroller stage and want to see what’s going on around them. They’re lighter than standard strollers and fold up like an umbrella, making them compact, budget-friendly, and ultra-portable . But this type of stroller often gets brushed off as flimsy or clunky. Not so, our tests proved.

We put umbrella strollers to the test to find out which ones could stand up to everything we threw at them—from tantruming toddlers and gravel paths to tiny car trunks and one-handed folding emergencies. We discovered that lightweight and foldable doesn’t have to mean difficult to push, a bumpy ride, or poor construction. Plenty of options offer roomy storage baskets, cup holders, cushy seats, and easy one-handed turning. Some even provided a smoother ride than a standard stroller .

To find the best umbrella strollers, we scoured the market to find the best-selling, best-rated options, in addition to asking parents and experts about their favorites. We chose 40 models of umbrella and ultra-compact travel strollers to test, both in our lab and at home with our own kids. We assessed products at a range of price points, rating each one on durability, features, design, quality, comfort, maneuverability, weight, and ease of folding, carrying, and storing. In addition to initial feedback, we also gathered long-term insights from home testers after two and six months of use.

Umbrella vs. Ultra Compact Travel Strollers

Classic umbrella strollers are those that fold up longways for easy storage, transportation, and carrying. They are meant for a variety of situations, from everyday use to vacations or as a secondary stroller you keep in the trunk or at grandma’s house.

Strollers made solely with ease of transportation in mind are an entirely different category: travel strollers. These ultra-compact strollers fold up as flat as possible, typically into a rectangle or cube shape to fit into travel storage compartments as easily as possible. They also tend to be more expensive than umbrella strollers.

Best Overall

Uppababy g-luxe stroller, why we like it .

Agility on the go is the best way to describe the Uppababy G-Luxe, a favorite among the parents we spoke to and testers in our lab and at home. At 16 pounds, it manages to be both sturdy and very easy to carry. With a total weight capacity of 55 pounds, this stroller works from when your baby can sit up unassisted to when they’re well into their preschool years. 

It's comfortable to carry when slung over the shoulder with the handy strap, and we love that it can stand on its own when folded .

Design: During testing, we appreciated this stroller’s generous canopy with UPF 50+ protection and its adult cup holders, which could even fit travel mugs. The padding is substantial without being bulky, and the seat reclines quite far for an umbrella stroller. The under-seat cargo basket can support up to 10 pounds. 

Maneuverability: We are consistently impressed with the tight turning ability and smooth rolling of Uppababy’s strollers. This model has shock absorption on all four wheels, fantastic maneuverability, a one-step brake, and an ergonomic handle design to reduce strain on your arms, wrist, and back. 

What Parents Say

"I pushed my beloved G-Luxe all over New York City for four years when my son was little. I really put its cargo area to the test with my groceries. It survived plenty of gate-checking on flights, and I was always grateful I could fold it up and sling it over my shoulder to go up and down subway stairs. Never, ever did we wish we had something bigger or bulkier."—Sabrina, mom of one

But Take Note 

One area where the G-Luxe fell short of the competition was in folding. Our lab tester found it very tricky since it requires a combination move with a ring and handle that “seems finicky and has to be timed perfectly.” While you will eventually master this, the first few tries might be a struggle.

The Details:

• Dimensions unfolded: 28.8 x 18.8 x 43 inches
• Dimensions folded: 19.2 x 12 x 41.8 inches
• Weight: 16 pounds
• Recommended age: From 3 months old
• Weight limit: 55 pounds

Parents / Conor Ralph

Best Double

Uppababy g-link v2 stroller.

If you’ve got multiple sets of little legs that tire easily, a double stroller can be a lifesaver. While double strollers are often characterized as bulky and unwieldy, our testing showed that the Uppababy G-Link V2 offers an easy, lightweight ride across myriad surfaces . 

Four wheels instead of the six typically found on side-by-side double strollers means there are no center wheels to accidentally kick or trip over while you push the stroller. 

Design: Testers appreciated the three-position recline and a full-coverage UPF 50+ canopy for each chair. The total weight capacity is 55 pounds per seat, yet the stroller itself weighs only 22.3 pounds. You’ll also get a storage basket with a 10-pound capacity and a pocket on the back of each canopy. 

Maneuverability: Where the G-Link 2 really excelled in our testing is maneuverability. Our testers said it was good at making tight turns.

“I expected this one to be tougher to maneuver, but it was very smooth over hard surfaces. The shag carpet test was also pretty easy with little drag or resistance. The gravel impressed me too, it was pretty smooth and barely bumpy.” —Ashleigh, mom of two

But Take Note

Unsurprisingly, a double side-by-side stroller isn’t exactly compact. While it does fold fairly flat, the stroller lacks a carrying strap, which makes it slightly more cumbersome to carry. The calf rest is not the most supportive, and tall kids may find there’s no place to rest their feet. 

• Dimensions unfolded: 27.5 x 28.5 x 42 inches
• Dimensions folded: 40 x 20 x 14.5 inches
• Weight: 22.3 pounds
• Weight limit: 55 pounds per seat (110 pounds total)

Parents / David Carr

Best Classic Style

Babygap classic stroller.

Simple installation, a good recline function, and easy maneuverability make the babyGap by Delta Children Classic Stroller a great everyday option that’s nice looking, too. Available in multiple colors, this modestly priced umbrella stroller is designed with ease of use in mind , and we were pleasantly surprised by how much we liked it during testing. 

Design: Testers found this stroller very easy to assemble . With a maximum weight capacity of 50 pounds, you can easily use this well into your child’s preschool years. The stroller itself weighs in at just over 14 pounds, putting it in the middle range compared to the other strollers we tested. 

Maneuverability: This stroller earned high marks for maneuverability , with our testers noting that it was “great on all terrains” and that it “didn’t rattle too much.” Additionally, it performed well in turns and over obstacles like curbs and stairs. 

“We took a family vacation/road-trip from Iowa to Colorado and brought this stroller along for my 2-year-old son to ride in at our full-day adventure at the zoo. He was so comfortable, and I loved how easy it was to maneuver around large groups of people and into/out of buildings.” —Tyler, dad of a 2-year-old

One of our testers is 6 feet tall and found themselves frequently bumping into the back of the frame, though their 5-foot-3 partner didn’t experience this issue. The folding mechanism can be tough to activate, with one tester wishing they had “three hands to squeeze the releases and lift up the lever.”

• Dimensions unfolded: 20.7 x 31.5 x 42.9 inches
• Dimensions folded: 12 x 44 x 11 inches
• Weight: 14.5 pounds
• Recommended age: From 9 months old
• Height/weight limits: 50 pounds

Parents / Jhett Thompson

Best Maneuverability

Chicco liteway stroller, why we like it.

One-handed maneuverability, quick folding, and a lightweight frame make the Chicco Liteway Stroller ideal for city dwellers and travelers. This pick is a workhorse that can withstand years of near-daily use —and I should know. Mine still had plenty of life left in it after carting around three kids. 

It saw us through countless city vacations and theme parks, handling pavement, gravel, and dirt paths with aplomb. I especially loved the extensive recline for naps on the go. It folds quickly when faced with stairs and no ramp, and fits easily in small sedans or tiny hall closets . 

Design: The Liteway offers great value for money. The canopy is extensive for an umbrella stroller and it has a window. We appreciated the adult cup holder, but would prefer a shoulder strap for carrying rather than just the small hand strap. At 17 pounds, it’s a bit heavier than other models we tested, but we believe its sturdiness, durability, and maneuverability make the extra weight worth it. Besides, it didn’t really feel that heavy. 

Maneuverability: With rear-wheel suspension, the Liteway earned high marks in our testing for being very easy to push around on challenging terrain and make tight turns. Its narrow design also means it easily fits through tight spaces, which is clutch for city parents and frequent travelers.\

“I appreciate that this is a very lightweight stroller; it makes getting in and out of our apartment building much easier, and the slimmer profile is easier to deal with at daycare and city grocery stores with narrow aisles.” —Maggie, mom of a 1-year-old 

The undercarriage storage was small and wouldn’t fit a larger diaper bag. Plus, the maximum weight limit of 40 pounds is on the lower end. Testers reported needing to unclip the canopy before they could recline the seat or fold the stroller. 

• Dimensions unfolded: 34.5 x 18.5 x 41 inches
• Dimensions folded: 46 x 10 x 11.75 inches
• Weight: 17.2 pounds
• Recommended age: From 6 months old
• Height/weight limits: 40 pounds

Best Budget

Summer infant 3dlite stroller.

In addition to being the least expensive option on our list, the Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller’s aluminum frame also makes it one of the lightest options we tested. Weighing in at 13 pounds, it boasts a maximum weight capacity of 50 pounds. 

The foot mechanism to fold this stroller isn’t hard to operate, and it’s possible for pretty much any adult to carry it when folded. It may not have a lot of bells and whistles, but it’s super functional. 

Design: This stroller comes with four recline positions and a canopy that includes a sun visor . Adults will appreciate the on-board cup holder and roomy storage basket under the seat. Plus, it features a built-in carry handle so you can sling it over your arm and be on your way. 

Maneuverability : At this price point, you don’t get much suspension and shock absorption, something we definitely felt in our tests on rough terrain. Still, this pick scored well overall for maneuverability and smooth movement over most surfaces.

The canopy on this stroller is a bit shallow compared to other options we tested, and it’s short on padding and shock absorption for rougher terrain. 

• Dimensions unfolded: 42.5 x 33.5 x 19.5 inches
• Dimensions folded: 11 x 42.75 x 12 inches
• Weight: 13 pounds
• Weight limit: 50 pounds

Some Ultra Compact Strollers We Like

While these picks aren't umbrella strollers in the classic sense, they fold down even smaller, so they may be a better choice if compact and light are your top priorities:

• Joolz Aer+ Stroller : This stroller comes fully assembled, features a zip-release recline feature, and folds up to a compact footprint that fits on small shelves or overhead bins. One tester said it was the easiest folding experience she’s ever had—it took two seconds and one hand. At just 13 pounds and featuring a shoulder strap, it’s also a breeze to carry. Wheel shocks make it a joy to push around, even one-handed. Be advised that this is also one of the most expensive ultra-compact strollers we tested and that it lacks a leg rest and has a smaller storage area. 
• Babyzen YOYO2 Stroller : There’s a reason you see the BabyZen Yoyo2 Stroller all over the streets of New York. Our testers raved about its incredibly small footprint when folded, which makes it ideal for apartment dwellers or frequent travelers. Testing also showed it glides like a dream on a variety of surfaces and has a decent-sized storage basket. The seat is roomy and reclines nicely, though it lacks a footrest. Drawbacks included a finicky five-point harness and a difficult folding mechanism. 
• Munchkin Sparrow Ultra-Compact Travel Stroller : At only 12.8 pounds with an origami-style folding design, this is one of the most lightweight, compact strollers available. It’s ideal for small homes, tiny car trunks, and plane trips (both as checked baggage or carry-on). It maneuvered fine on smooth surfaces but struggled a bit on rougher ground. While the folding buttons are easy to use, it’s not a one-handed process. And despite its median price range, it’s very low frills: There’s minimal storage and the seat doesn’t recline. 

For this article as well as our travel stroller list, we put more than 40 strollers to the test, both in our lab and in the real world. We rated products on a wide range of attributes and features, gathering initial feedback from testers as well as insights after two months and six months of use. All strollers met the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) and Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) safety guidelines. Our tests assessed:

• Assembly and Design: In our lab, we timed how long it took to assemble each stroller. Next, we took note of the stroller’s visual appeal and determined whether a fully packed diaper bag would fit in the cargo area. We examined the buckles, recline options, seat padding, footrest, harness adjustments, and canopy. At home, we had testers of various height gauge how comfortable the stroller was to push. We also had them determine their children’s comfort in the stroller.
• Maneuverability: In our lab, we buckled weighted sandbags into the seat, then pushed the strollers around traffic cones and over smooth ground, astroturf, gravel, and paving stones. We also attempted to get the loaded strollers up and down a few stairs. In the real world, testers assessed how well the strollers maneuvered and handled bumpy ground on a variety of surfaces.
• Folding and Portability: We rated the difficulty of the folding mechanisms of the strollers, both the first time and after several uses. We weighed the strollers, carried them around, and then tried to fit them into a mock overhead bin. At home, testers gave us feedback on how quickly they could fold the stroller while holding a child, and how easy it was to carry around or stow in car trunks and hall closets. Some took their strollers on airplanes and long road trips, too.
• Durability: To simulate what would happen if they were dropped by a baggage handler—or a clumsy parent—we pushed the strollers off of a table several times and noted whether they endured any damage. Home testers filled us in on any issues with quality or durability they observed after several months of regular use in real-world situations.

To learn more about stroller safety and what to look for when shopping for umbrella strollers, we spoke with several experts:

• Sarah Huff , the baby gear product expert behind BabyQuip, a baby gear rental service
• Alli Cavasino , a certified child passenger safety technician and co-founder and CEO of JoyLet, a baby gear rental service
• Sarah Hollingsworth , founder and CEO of Poppylist, a baby registry service

Factors to Consider When Buying an Umbrella Stroller

• Weight and Age Limits: Always consider the manufacturer’s age and weight guidelines. Typically, babies should be able to sit up on their own before using an umbrella stroller. Most umbrella strollers can accommodate children up to 40 to 55 pounds. 
• Portability and Maneuverability: Be aware that to make umbrella strollers lighter, manufacturers often cut storage space, shock absorption, or cushioning. Cavasino notes that since “umbrella strollers are the lightest option, they may sacrifice features and maneuverability.” Look for straps, which can make the stroller easier to lift and carry, and mechanisms that allow you to hold your baby while folding the stroller one-handed. 
• Comfort: If you plan to take this stroller on long walks , look for something with a nicely padded, reclining seat, an adequate sun canopy , good airflow, and a place for kids to rest their feet. For the sake of the caregiver, look for a stroller that allows you to maintain proper posture. That could mean a stroller with adjustable handles or one that’s sized right for you. 
• Assembly: This is one stroller category where most models we tested came fully assembled or needed minimal work to get them road-ready. If you don’t have patience for a big project, look for options without major assembly or that can be completed in 15 minutes or less. 
• Storage Space: Since umbrella strollers are designed to be light and compact, your storage expectations should be adjusted accordingly. Storage baskets will be on the small side, but if you plan to fold and carry the stroller, you won’t want a lot of extra stuff anyway. Likewise, child snack trays and adult cup holders are often scrapped in favor of a more compact fold. 
• Cost and Durability: We chose umbrella strollers on the pricier end of the spectrum because the cheap options can be very flimsy and don’t always fold down tightly. If you want a stroller that lasts, look for a durable frame. Better to buy a slightly costlier stroller once than have several cheap ones break down on you.

How to Use Umbrella Strollers Safely

First, ensure your stroller meets basic safety standards, such as having a five-point harness. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) maintains a handy list of safety requirements for carriages and strollers. If you’re buying a used stroller, check the model against the CPSC recall database to avoid buying a potentially dangerous product. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines regarding the ages and weights of children using the stroller.

Smart stroller safety practices:

• Always buckle your child into their stroller, whether you’re taking a quick stroll around the block or spending the day at Disney World. 
• Keep your own and your child’s fingers clear of pinch points when folding and unfolding the stroller.
• Since umbrella strollers are so lightweight, they are more prone to tipping. Avoid loading the handlebars with bags since this increases the risk of tipping. 
• Use sunscreen on any parts of your child’s body that aren’t covered by clothing or the stroller canopy. This is especially important with forward-facing strollers that provide little protection for your child’s legs. Do not drape blankets over the canopy as this can impede airflow and lead to overheating.

What Age Is Best for an Umbrella Stroller?

Umbrella strollers can generally be used by children between 6 months old and 5 years of age. Huff advises they are “best for babies that can sit up on their own and don't require a significant recline to be comfortable.” 

What Is the Weight Limit on an Umbrella Stroller?

Every stroller manufacturer and model has different weight limits. Generally speaking, single-seat umbrella strollers have a maximum weight limit ranging between 40 to 55 pounds. Double strollers typically have a similar maximum weight per seat. 

Dorian Smith-Garcia is a commerce, health, and parenting writer at Parents , and a mom of one daughter who is out of the baby stage. Although she only has one child, she knows the importance of a good, durable stroller that’s travel-friendly. While she didn’t have an umbrella stroller, she’s earned her stripes gate-checking her Graco Aire 3 more times than she cares to remember. 

Olivia Campbell is a parenting and health editor at Dotdash Meredith and an experienced journalist, essayist, and author. She’s also the New York Times best-selling author of Women in White Coats: How the First Women Doctors Changed the World of Medicine and Sisters in Science: How Four Women Physicists Escaped Nazi Germany and Made Scientific History . She’s still impressed by how well her Chicco Liteway stood up to carting around all three of her sons.

American Academy of Pediatrics. How to choose a safe baby stroller.

Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association. Stroller safety.

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Carriages and strollers business guidance & small entity compliance guide.

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Best Strollers

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Best Umbrella Strollers of 2024

Nimble and compact, these collapsible strollers are both safe and a cinch to deploy when you're on the go

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Some days with your baby are literally a walk in the park—and a traditional stroller, with a comfy seat and oodles of storage to stash snacks, balls, and sandbox toys, is exactly what you need. But some days require driving, making multiple stops, and weaving through crowded store aisles. That’s where umbrella strollers come in.

In addition to being safe to use, these compact contraptions need to be both nimble and sturdy to help you accomplish your tasks while keeping your child safe. CR’s rigorous lab tests zero in on how well each model manages this not-so-easy balancing act.

4 Best Umbrella Strollers

How we test umbrella strollers.

Umbrella strollers are named for what they look like when you collapse them. “They fold into a long, narrow package—though not as narrow as an actual umbrella,” says Joan Muratore, the engineer who oversees stroller testing for Consumer Reports. With fabric seats and two separate handles, they’re easy to maneuver and, when folded up, they’re easy to carry and store. That’s why they’re also great for traveling . (In fact, umbrella strollers were invented in 1965 by an aviation engineer looking to replace his heavy pram with something more lightweight for an international flight.)

As far as weight goes, some models weigh as little as 12 pounds, while others weigh as much as 18 pounds—but they’re still considerably lighter than other strollers, which can weigh as much as 38 pounds.

Most umbrella strollers are designed to carry babies 6 months and older, when they typically can sit up on their own—which means most models have a fixed, non-reclining seat. You’ll also find that most umbrella strollers have more limited storage than traditional strollers , and smaller wheels that may not handle uneven terrain quite as well. So while an umbrella stroller won’t be the first stroller you buy for a new baby, it makes a great second stroller for whenever ease and portability take priority over bells and whistles.

In our latest lab tests, we assessed 20 new strollers, including models from Graco, Chicco, UPPAbaby, and Nuna. None of these newly assessed umbrella strollers performed as well as the top performers below, but you can find the results from all our tests in our comprehensive stroller ratings .

CR’s engineers test umbrella strollers in the lab at our Yonkers, N.Y., headquarters, just as they test all strollers: Each model is assessed for safety, maneuverability, and user-friendliness. We evaluate strollers for safety, using tests patterned after the Consumer Product Safety Commission and American Society for Testing and Materials standards; these tests assess the integrity of the stroller’s frame when impacted, the security of the harness and brakes on an incline, and more. Using weights to simulate a child, we navigate strollers along our indoor test course, steering around S-curves, between cones, up and down a curb, and over obstructions that mimic grass, mulch, and tree roots.

To see how umbrella models measure up to other types of strollers, explore our comprehensive stroller ratings , which include brands like Chicco, Summer Infant, UPPAbaby, and more. Not sure which type is right for you? Check our stroller buying guide .

Keith Flamer

Keith Flamer has been a multimedia content creator at Consumer Reports since 2021, covering laundry, cleaning, small appliances, and home trends. Fascinated by interior design, architecture, technology, and all things mechanical, he translates CR’s testing engineers’ work into content that helps readers live better, smarter lives. Prior to CR, Keith covered luxury accessories and real estate, most recently at Forbes, with a focus on residential homes, interior design, home security, and pop culture trends.

Molly Bradley

Molly Bradley is a home and appliance writer at Consumer Reports. Before joining CR in 2023, she managed the editorial team at Digg, and has devoted her career to helping readers navigate the world and make their lives a little easier, elucidating topics in technology and culture. Molly earned a master’s degree in writing from Bennington College and lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with her cat, Saltine. Follow her on X @mollyguinn .

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Thule shine, mountain buggy terrain, maxi-cosi mara xt ultra compact, chicco bravo le cleartex quick fold, uppababy minu v2, baby jogger city sights, bugaboo dragon fly seat, britax grove, britax brook+.

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The Best Umbrella Strollers for Travel

Think of umbrella strollers and the cheap version of your childhood—a matchstick metal frame, low stationary handles, wobbly wheels—might come to mind. Your hand was your cup holder, storage didn’t exist, and many a stroller was lost to the assault that inevitably happened when it became clear that they were nearly impossible to fold. Oh, and a shade for SPF protection ? Apparently we liked our babies sun-kissed instead.

Over the decades, umbrella strollers have greatly improved. The downside is there are scores of top buggies to choose from. Never fear: We’ve road tested versions from all over the world and picked our favorites for travel.

The Lightweight Winner: Maclaren Mark II

Leave it to the Brits to design a stroller that is both highly functional and understated—unless you buy our favorite color, the spicy orange, a Miami-worthy combo of flashy mandarin and silver. At only 7.3 pounds, this is currently the world’s lightest full-size reclining stroller on the market. It’s an A-lister for its durable and breathable fabrics, ergonomic handles, and sizable undercarriage. It comes with a wind-resistant rain cover (appropriate for blustery England —or Iceland , or Banff) as well as an SPF 50+ sun canopy. You can also add a BMW-designed cup holder and universal organizer so all of your essentials—may we recommend hand sanitizer?—are within easy reach. If you’re chasing your child down the jet way, the Mark II breaks down with one hand and you can carry it over your shoulder. And unlike the original version, the Mark II reclines: Even the Brits agree that a sleeping toddler is better than one working on their posture. (From $200; maclaren.com )

The Plush Pram: UPPAbaby G-Luxe

UPPAbaby, headquartered outside of Boston , designs its travel-friendly umbrella strollers with, let’s face it, the American kiddo in mind. At 15 pounds, it’s heavier than some of its competitors (its sister stroller, the G-Lite, is only 11 pounds), but your child will luxuriate in the padded seat, which not only reclines, but also has an adjustable footrest. Its undercarriage is large, capable of holding 10 pounds of toys, snacks, and other distractions, and its handles are padded for the parent’s comfort. Nervous dads can spy on their kids through the peek-a-boo window, and all pushers will enjoy the convenience of a one-foot brake. Its wheels are shock absorbing, its large visor—the biggest of the models we tested—is SPF 50+ protected, and it comes with a cup holder, perfect for that 5 a.m. coffee that’s now, no doubt, a part of your daily routine, home or abroad. (From $260; uppababy.com )

The Italian Competitor: Inglesina Net Stroller

Become a parent, and you’ll come to learn that Italians have even more to offer than great food, wine, fashion, and architecture. They can also build a darn good stroller, at a great price. Taking a cue from England’s elegant prams—Inglesina means the “little English girl”—designer Liviano Tomasi created his first stroller in 1963. Now the wheels are an Italian staple, and are sold all over the world. While the Net Stroller is only 11 pounds, it has a padded seat—not quite as cushy as the G-Luxe—and reclines. It also has a smaller 50+ SPF sunshade and, taking a cue from American designs, it comes with a cup holder. While the actual ride wasn’t quite as smooth as the UPPABaby or Maclaren in our test group, it’s at least $50—or a stellar bottle of Chianti —cheaper. (From $149; inglesina.us )

The Streamlined Dutch Design: Quinny Yezz

This sharp stroller, designed in the Netherlands, is more minimalist than our other favorites, but its handful of fantastic features make it a strong competitor. Unlike most umbrella options, you can manage the 11 pounder with one hand thanks to its single push-bar (rather than two handles), freeing up your other extremity to pull what may have once been a breezy carry-on , but is now a massive suitcase. It’s slim on shade and storage—rather than an undercarriage it has a back pocket big enough for diapers and wipes—but its sturdy frame and skate wheels handle terrain like gravel park paths and cobblestoned canal-ways better than many of its counterparts. It was also the easiest of the bunch to fold and unfold, a much-appreciated feature when you’re holding up the airplane line. (From $69.99; quinny.com )

Doubling Up: UPPABaby G-Link and Maclaren Twin Triumph

Twice the kids means double the stroller. UPPABaby again has you covered with its G-Link, a 24.5-pound version of the G-Luxe with side-by-side seats. It only has four sets of wheels (most double strollers have six), which makes it easier to maneuver, and it has a one-step break. Traveling with a three-year-old and a baby? After recovering from your “Why, God, why?” moment, you’ll find comfort in the stroller’s infant support amenities: One kiddo can sit upright taking in the street food scene in Bangkok or ocean views in Aruba while the other reclines in the shade, her head well-supported by a plush ring pillow and feet propped up by a breathable mesh shield. (From $399; uppababy.com )

If weight is your main concern—and with two little ones in tow, every pound counts—snag the Maclaren Twin Triumph instead. This double umbrella stroller is only 21.2 pounds (though its seats are cushier than the Mark II) and again comes with large sunshades and rain covers. Folded up—which, with practice, you can do single handedly—it’s impressively slim and when one or (cross your fingers) both kids are ready for a snooze, both seats recline. (From $350; maclaren.com )

The Best Lightweight, Umbrella, and Travel Strollers of 2024

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Joovy Kooper

Snack tray included

Plenty of storage

Bombi Bebee V2

Lightweight

Easy to assemble

Excellent canopy

Not as plush as other strollers

Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Single

Great recline

Car seat compatible

Doesn't include any accessories

Colugo Compact Stroller

Comes with strap and bag

Very difficult to assemble

Contours Bitsy Elite

Compatible with 35 different car seats

No accessories

Updated August 21, 2024

As a mother of two young boys, I appreciate the need for a good compact stroller—especially when I’m on the go. For this piece, I tested 21 lightweight models that were suitable as travel strollers, as everyday all-purpose strollers, or that could be used for trips around town. The goal was to find the best overall compact stroller: one that was lightweight, had some storage capability, and still had extras, like substantial canopy cover, decent storage space, and a reasonable recline. The strollers I tested ranged in price between $30 and $500, with the majority falling somewhere around the $200 mark.

The Joovy Kooper took the top spot in our testing.

The Joovy is equal parts luxury and economical compact. Some of the extras, like the snack tray, aren’t necessary—but you will be thankful that they are included anyway. Tiny when folded, you can store this stroller just about anywhere in your home (or car) without thinking twice. It can accommodate a car seat, has added storage in the back in the form of a zippered pouch for wallets and keys, and has a reclining seat for kids in need of a nap. It checks all of the boxes, and then some, making it a great choice for almost everyone. The Kooper falls square in the middle of the compact stroller price point, making it a good investment.

The Bombi Bebee V2 is an excellent eco-friendly stroller.

The Bombi Bebee V2 Lightweight Stroller is an impressive upgrade from the brand's first model. It's stunningly gorgeous and features a handy grab bar that my baby loved holding onto. It comes 90% assembled—all you need to do is pop on the wheels and you're ready to go. The stroller itself feels sturdy, and the canopy provides some of the best sun protection among all the strollers we tried out. It's a great option for those who live in the heart of the city or spend a lot of time traveling, thanks to its small profile and ease of storage. The seat isn't as comfortable as other strollers we tested, but for travel days, it will do the trick.

Other travel strollers we tested

A traveler’s stroller in every sense of the word, the Baby Jogger CityTour2 can convert from newborn to infant to toddler with just a few simple steps. Many of the accessories—like the belly bar, car seat adapter, and rain shield—are extra, so you can customize this stroller to fit your own needs. Baby Jogger strollers always set themselves apart with their one-handed fold, and the CityTour2 is no exception. This stroller is all-around useful, and a good fit for a family that is regularly on-the-go.

This stroller probably would have edged into the top three, were it not for some issues with assembly; the stroller arrives only partially assembled, with parents left to put the upholstery on for themselves. Apart from that snafu, though, the Colugo is a terrific compact with loads of extras: a carrying strap, travel backpack, raincover, surprisingly ample storage basket, and one-handed fold. At almost $300, however, it falls into a higher price point of the strollers I tested, and I didn't necessarily feel that it was worth the extra money.

One major draw to this stroller is that it is compatible with 35 different types of car seats—without any adapters. There are no real bells and whistles here. It is mostly just the stroller you’re getting: a true compact, with a one-handed fold. But this is a good value for the price point, at just under $200, and a convenient stroller that isn’t a hassle to use.

This 13-pound stroller comes with its own carrying strap and can be combined with a newborn bassinet or car seat. It comes with a custom satchel for traveling convenience. And adapters are all included, which is one fewer thing you will ultimately have to buy. This is a straightforward stroller at an approachable price point.

All adaptors included

Comes with carrying strap

Basic stroller

With sleek design, decent storage, and good safety features, the BabyZen YoYo is a good pick for parents looking for an entire safety system. It is also on the upper end of the compact budget, and weighs in at over 16 pounds, which is among the heaviest of the compact strollers. It does come with a carrying strap and bag, and arrives mostly assembled, but in this category, there are a lot of other strollers that over perform for less money.

Carrying case

In the double stroller category, this side-by-side stroller was the winner, due, in no small part, to a host of fun extras and a reasonable price point. This stroller comes with a carrying strap, foot rests, reclining seats, dual swivel bars, full-coverage sun visors, five-point safety harnesses, and ample storage space for all your needs. Footrests are adjustable to help facilitate napping on the go, and good-sized tires make it easy to ride on most surfaces. But, like most side-by-side double strollers, it’s bulky, and much heavier than the other compacts I tested.

Comes with shoulder strap

Ample storage

Great sun protection

Cannot be used with infant car seat

An affordable stick-style “umbrella” stroller, the Summer 3D Lite had pretty much everything I needed in a basic stroller, and then some: It came with cup holders, an extra storage pouch in the back, and a decent recline. While this was one our favorite lightweight strollers in our initial round of testing, we found that it didn't stack up against some of the newer models. Like all stick strollers, this is a harder stroller to store, but the tradeoff is definitely the price: just $100. This 13-pound stroller is inexpensive and easy to deal with—if you have the space for it.

Comes with a cup holder

Good recline

Hard to store

What You Should Know About Lightweight Strollers

You may still want a second stroller.

Umbrella models are great for travel or in a pinch, but they don't make great primary strollers for most people. The biggest reason is they typically do not accept infant car seats the way a standard stroller will, which means they aren't useful until your baby is closer to 6 or 7 months and can sit on their own safely.

Umbrella Models Often Lack Storage

Though our top pick offers a decent amount of storage, umbrella models often have little or no storage at all. We note this for all models where it's relevant in this guide, but if you get one without enough storage you're going to have to game plan what you do and don't bring with you.

Umbrella Strollers Fold Up More Compactly

Our top pick for this guide is not exactly an umbrella model, because it collapses into a square, rather than long and skinny (like an umbrella). In reality, there's very little difference between the two. The Joovy Kooper is just as light as most umbrella models, it has more storage, it's more maneuverable, it's much easier to fold, and it travels exceptionally well.

There Are Different Types of Strollers

Here's a basic primer on the differences between types of strollers:

• Jogging stroller : These models typically have large wheels, often filled with air (like bike tires) and locking front wheels. They're designed for safely running with a child (or two children) in a seat. Locking the front wheel is essential because it helps prevent tip-overs if the front wheel were to hit a snag while you're running at full speed. Though Baby Jogger makes a jogging stroller (the Summit X3), it's worth noting most Baby Jogger strollers are not designed for jogging.
• Lightweight/Umbrella stroller : Though new designs mean that many standard strollers are only barely heavier than these models, umbrella strollers typically weigh 15 pounds or less and fold up compactly into a long, narrow shape (like an umbrella). These models are great for travel, or if you have an older child who doesn't need a stroller all the time. All the models in this guide are umbrella/lightweight strollers.

How We Tested

Hi, I’m Hannah Selinger. I’m a freelance writer and I live in East Hampton with my family—which includes two children under 4. My reviews include my own life with two young children, and are informed by my own experiences with single and double strollers. I can’t tell you whether or not there is a perfect stroller on the market (and a lot of friends have asked me this question, as I have embarked on this quest for perfection), but I can tell you that the best baby item I can recommend to a first-time parent is definitely a cordless vacuum cleaner.

I have owned five or six strollers since having children, from joggers to ultra compacts to stick strollers to side-by-side doubles to convertible singles with rumble seats. I know the mistakes I’ve made and the things I would do differently, all of which is now in my bank of information, which I can draw from anytime a parent asks me what they should do. The first thing I did in this testing procedure was make a list of the strollers I was interested in sampling, based on my own experience with strollers, as well as the strollers we initially tested in our previous round of testing in 2018. Then, I had strollers sent, en masse, to my house.

And I mean truly mean en masse. At one point, 21 strollers languished in the basement—and those were just the ones sent by distributors. Never mind the ones I already owned. I opened each box, assembled the strollers, strapped each kid in, rode them around the living room, took pictures, took them on rides around the neighborhood, and then entered data into the testing scoresheet. Finally, I took them down to my basement, while my husband seethed and asked me when—if ever—I would be done with Project Strollergate. (For the last part of the procedural test I attempted to put them on a high basement shelf.) My final assessment was based on assembly, weight, size, how easily the stroller folded, maneuverability, and a few other statistical factors.

More Articles You Might Enjoy

Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.

Meet the writer

Hannah Selinger

Contributor

Hannah Selinger writes about parenting, politics, food, wine, travel, real estate, and more. A graduate of Columbia University, Emerson College’s Master of Fine Arts program, and the French Culinary Institute, Hannah now lives in East Hampton, New York with her husband, two sons, two dogs, and two tortoises. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Cut, Slate, Eater, CNN Travel, Wine Enthusiast, and more.

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The Best Travel Strollers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Parents & Experts

Lightweight and compact, a travel stroller can help make your next family vacation a little bit easier., by jen labracio, cpst | medically reviewed by holly peretz ot | fact checked by shannon vestal robson.

Travel strollers make leaving home with your little one easier and more convenient. Today’s travel stroller is a minimalist’s dream. Most have many of the same high-end features as the best traditional strollers all rolled into a compact, portable package. Many break down to fit in the overhead bin of a plane or can be folded down quickly (and with one hand) and slung over your shoulder. Some parents even use them as their day-to-day stroller.

We’ve folded and unfolded, packed and unpacked and (sweatily) pushed a lot of travel strollers over the years. After conducting our own testing and talking to both travel experts and the real heroes—parents who travel frequently with their babies and toddlers—we think the Joolz Aer+ Lightweight Stroller is the travel stroller you should bring along on your next adventure. It offers a smooth ride over almost any terrain and folds compactly in seconds with just one hand.

And if you want to keep shopping, we also chose six other top picks across more specific categories like the best travel stroller for everyday use, the best choice for planes and our favorite double travel stroller.

Why Trust Babylist?

Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands of people annually via our Best Baby Products survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.

In addition to being Babylist’s gear editor, I’ve also been a mom of two boys for over a decade. I’ve traveled with them at every stage both domestically and internationally on airplanes and on several long road trips. I’ve had the opportunity to test dozens of travel strollers in both my professional and personal life, and used those insights to inform my best-of picks. I reviewed travel stroller feedback from thousands of parents through Babylist’s annual Best Baby Products survey of over 6,000 Babylist users. I also spoke with a group of Babylist team members, all parents who travel frequently with their little ones, and picked their brains about the strollers they love and why. And I talked to Kim Militello, a former flight-attendant-turned-Babylist-employee (and a mom of three) about all things travel + kids. 

The Best Travel Strollers

Best Overall: Joolz Aer+ Lightweight Stroller

Best for Toddlers: Bugaboo Butterfly Complete Stroller

Best Affordable: Summer Infant 3Dquickclose CS+ Compact Fold Stroller

Best for Everyday Use: UPPAbaby MINU V2 Stroller

Best for Planes: Stokke YOYO3 Stroller Bundle

Best Double: Zoe The Twin V2

Best Travel System: Nuna PIPA urbn + TRVL Travel System

How We Judged

Suspension and maneuverability. A smooth, easy-to-turn stroller is a better experience for you and your baby, especially when you’re traveling. We ensured all of our picks made strolling as effortless as possible.

Ease of use. All of the strollers on our list are easy and intuitive to use. We focused on fold, size and weight when choosing our best travel strollers because we know from our own experience—and from what we’ve heard from thousands of Babylist parents—that folks prioritize these features when choosing a travel stroller. 

Features. We made sure all of our picks had thoughtfully designed features to make you and your baby the most comfortable while you’re away from home like large canopies, good storage, recline options and carry handles.  

Value. Travel strollers range from under $100 to over $500. We didn’t limit our best-of picks by price, but we did factor it in while making our top choices so you can be sure you’re spending your money wisely.

Best Travel Stroller Overall

Joolz Aer + Lightweight Stroller - Sage Green

• Quick, compact one-handed fold and built-in carry strap
• 4-wheel suspension rides smoothly like a full-size stroller
• Compatible with top-rated car seats + bassinet (sold separately)
• Small storage basket
• Expensive, especially if used infrequently for travel
• Some parents noted a flimsy brake that may not fully engage

I’ve tried many travel strollers over the last decade, and the Joolz Aer+ is the one I come back to again and again. Parents in our Best Baby Product survey highlighted the Aer+ as “lightweight and smooth” and repeatedly called out its compact fold and incredible maneuverability. And Babylist team member and mom of three Amanda pegged it as her all-time favorite travel stroller.

“I’ve brought it on several trips and it’s great quality and extremely light. It fits in the overhead compartment, which makes it great for going through the airport. It is easy to push/handle and you can push it with one hand,” she told us.

Pushing the Aer+ doesn’t feel much different than pushing a larger, more expensive stroller—and that’s one of the main things I love about it. That’s because the Aer+ has four-wheel suspension, an uncommon feature in travel strollers. It glides effortlessly across uneven surfaces like bumpy sidewalks and dirt paths.

Combined with the incredibly easy one-handed fold (after a few tries, it won’t take you more than two or three seconds, ever), the compact design and the comfortable seat that contours to fit your child’s body, this stroller is a great choice for travel and everyday use. (It currently occupies a permanent spot in the trunk of my car in addition to coming along on all trips.)

The Aer+ is newborn-friendly and compatible with Nuna and Clek car seats ( adapters sold separately), so it works if you want to use it from day one. The stroller folds small enough to sling over your shoulder—there’s a carry strap built right in—and tote up and down stairs, on public transportation or anywhere else you need to go. It also comes with a rain cover and travel bag.

The stroller’s biggest con is the basket size, which is small, but it’s still large enough to fit an average-sized diaper bag. You’ll also need to purchase the footrest separately if you want one, which is frustrating for a stroller at this price point.

Real Parent Reviews

“The Aer is an amazing stroller. Like over cobblestone and brick with no trouble and actually the easiest stroller to open or fold one-handed while being wicked lightweight. [My son] also LOVES being in it.” — Babylist Best Baby Products survey parent feedback

“I thought I needed the big fancy stroller everyone has…but after five months I just wanted something more mobile, portable, [and with a] smaller footprint and this has just been the greatest stroller and so much comfier than the other one for my baby.” — Babylist Best Baby Products survey parent feedback

“I live in New York City and have five strollers because it has been so challenging to navigate the streets. Everyone in my area has a different travel stroller so I was hesitant to buy something different but I’m so glad it did. This is the best purchase by far. I wish I would’ve known about this before registering for so many different products. It truly is a one-hand fold, which is great for the train, plane, car and going up and down stairs. It is light, moves with one hand and is sturdy. It’s narrow enough to go down aisles but also roomy for my child. There is an extended shade, which is perfect and there is an air vent so I can see her. I absolutely love it. It has made my life and my child’s life so much easier and SAFER! I purchased the extra foot extension for my one year old which folds with the stroller and the handlebar. In my opinion, it is worth the money.” — Vanessa D.

Additional Specs

Best Travel Stroller for Toddlers

Bugaboo Butterfly Complete Stroller - Midnight Black

• Compact, quick, one-handed fold and built-in carry strap
• 4-wheel suspension for a smooth ride
• High backrest = good for older/taller kids
• Highest upright position is still fairly reclined, which can cause kids to slouch or slide down
• A few pounds heavier than our top travel stroller pick

There are two travel strollers I recommend to families regularly: the Joolz Aer+ (which I’ve raved about sufficiently above) and Bugaboo’s newest compact stroller, the Butterfly. This style-forward stroller shares many of the same thoughtful features as the Aer+. It also has a four-wheel suspension system, a huge perk when I pushed it on anything other than smooth pavement and perfect for toting around my larger toddler. While it doesn’t maneuver quite as easily as the Aer+ (and recognize I’m being really nitpicky in saying that), it’s pretty darn close; it moves and turns really well and I was able to steer it with only one hand. The fold is just as impressive; I also did it one-handed, and the Butterfly folds down to about the side of a small bag and will fit in the overhead bin on most airlines. There’s also a built-in carry strap, a must-have for me.

Where the Butterfly differs from the Aer+ is in its backrest. It’s high; my 95th-percent-in-height almost three-year-old still fits perfectly in it. If you’re a parent of a taller or older kid, this feature is noteworthy as it means you’ll be able to use the Butterfly longer. There’s also an almost full recline and a built-in footrest for extra comfort, two more toddler-friendly features. And the sun canopy on the Butterfly is one of the best I’ve seen of all the travel strollers on our list.

The Butterfly is pricey. The storage basket is larger than the Aer+’s but still on the smaller side. And the back wheels are fairly close together. That setup, combined with a handle that doesn’t extend (which is the norm for compact strollers), means that if you’re on the taller side like me (5’10”), you may kick the back of the stroller while you’re walking. And although I wouldn’t consider it heavy, it is one of the heavier travel strollers on our list by about three pounds.

“After using it on multiple flights to places around the world, I’m so happy with this choice! It’s become our go-to stroller over our full-size even for everyday life. When unfolded it definitely feels a little bigger than some of the other FAA-approved travel strollers, but this is great for taller parents and for kids to grow into.” — Theresa A.

“The basket had a high weight capacity for such a compact stroller & the seat back is tall which gives me peace of mind with my 96th percentile tall baby. Overall an amazing stroller and I appreciate that it comes with the rain cover.” — Ysabel E.

Best Affordable Travel Stroller

Summer 3Dquickclose CS+ Compact Fold Stroller

• Lots of features + great functionality for the price
• Opening and closing is fast and easy
• Small wheels + no suspension = a bumpy ride
• Fold isn’t as compact as other travel strollers
• Detachable cup holder and cell phone holder stick out on the sides and are a bit flimsy

If you can’t or don’t want to spend upwards of $500 on a travel stroller, or if you don’t travel frequently enough to justify a higher price tag, Summer Infant’s 3Dquickclose is your best bet. At under $100, this lightweight stroller matches many of the features found on the much higher-priced travel strollers on our list. It’s about 17 pounds, which is only a pound heavier than the Bugaboo Butterfly. Its most noteworthy feature is the fold; it’s quick and one-handed, and there’s a carry strap to make it easy to take on the go.

Performance-wise, the 3Dquickclose lacks a suspension system and has plastic wheels, so you won’t get as smooth of a ride as with more expensive picks. But it still has a ton going for it, especially considering the price. The 3Dquickclose handles well on paved surfaces. It’s easy to push and steer, the recline is adjustable and the fabrics are soft. The storage basket is big enough to tuck away an average-sized diaper bag or a jacket and some snacks, and the canopy provides good shade. One of the best features is infant car seat compatibility. The 3Dquickclose accepts a variety of seats from popular brands like Graco, Chicco and Baby Trend, and there are no adapters needed—just secure the seat with the included strap.

If you’re debating between this stroller and another lower-cost option like an umbrella stroller ( Summer’s 3D Lite Convenience Stroller is a popular umbrella-style pick), I’d choose this one. The 3Dquickclose is more compact, easier to maneuver, can be used from birth and has much better storage and sun coverage, among other things.

“I bought this stroller because it folds down very compact and my car doesn’t have the biggest trunk, but this is sturdy enough to travel on the airplane as well. My kid hates sun in their eyes so the extended canopy is a must. I like that there is a car seat belt that tucks into the stroller for when you need to put an infant car seat on the stroller. The basket is big enough to hold a diaper bag and even another purse or bag. It’s super easy to fold the stroller down and open it back up again, you can quickly do it one-handed. It’s not a cheap feeling stroller, it has a good weight to it but the shoulder strap for carrying it from the car to wherever will help. Main cons are: the seat padding isn’t great so I might see options for additional padding if my kid is gonna sit/sleep in the stroller for longer than an hour or 2, the wheels are plastic whereas I would prefer a stronger material like rubber, and the handrail to push the stroller stays in only one position instead of being able to adjust the angle & height. Overall I definitely recommend this stroller especially for those looking for a compact stroller as this one folds down the most compact that I’ve seen.” — NJ

“Let’s start with the negatives…1. No snack tray for baby…but you can buy it separately. 2. The cup holder and phone holder are very flimsy but they do the job. 3. The storage basket is somewhat large for the size of the stroller, but there is a bar that kind of limits the full access to it. 4. Wheels are plastic. Now to the positives. 1. Super easy installation. 2. Extremely easy to fold and unfold. 3. Super smooth to maneuver. 4. You can lock the front wheels if desired. 5. Looks expensive. 6. LOVE LOVE LOVE the extended sunshade for the baby. 7. The peep window on the sunshade is far back enough that you don’t have to “look for” the baby. 8. I’m short (5 ft) and my husband is average height (5ft 10in) and both of us feel comfortable where the handle height is. 9. The recline is easy to use. 10. The buckles are easy to use and I love that the cover for the crotch strap is wide. 11. You can use your Graco car seat with it. Overall I really really like this stroller. It is small enough to travel with or fit in compact places but large enough to have all the benefits of a full-size stroller. I would tweak it just a tad bit but you honestly can’t beat the price for what you are getting. — Ashley L.

Best Travel Stroller for Everyday Use

UPPAbaby Minu V2 Stroller - Jake

• 4-wheel suspension + large basket = a stroller built for travel & everyday use
• One-handed, compact, self-standing fold
• Includes carry strap and storage bag
• Two separate foot brakes for stop-and-go
• Canopy can be flimsy and become detached
• Heavier and bulkier than other travel strollers

When I became a parent, travel strollers were just what they sounded like: strollers used for travel. Fast-forward a decade and the world of lightweight strollers is something else entirely. UPPAbaby’s Minu is a great example of these advances, a compact stroller that can also be used as an everyday option.

From your neighborhood to your family adventures and everything in between, the Minu offers all the conveniences of a day-to-day stroller in a travel-friendly package. According to many Babylist parents we spoke to, this stroller can do it all.

“We never bought a full-size stroller because [the Minu] met all our needs,” one mom told us. “It’s light, easy to use, and fits overhead on a plane. Our infant carrier was a different brand and still clicked in like a breeze when our girl was little. There are available attachments if you want cup holders and other extras. There are cheaper travel strollers out there, but since getting this one was enough for us to forgo a full size, it provides a great value.”

Babylist team member Cassie, a mom of a toddler and a new baby, agrees. “It’s truly our primary stroller, not just travel. Given what I know about the Minu I often tell my husband I’d likely just get that if I was expecting now, and not also get the Vista.”

A few of my favorite features on the Minu V2 include the one-handed fold, the huge sunshade, the comfy seat with multi-position recline and a roomy, easy-access basket. The spring-action, shock-absorbing all-wheel suspension makes for a smooth ride even over bumpy terrain, so it’s a stroller you can use both in the suburbs and in a city. The Minu stands when folded and features a carry strap and a storage bag for easy transport.

As-is, the Minu works for babies three+ months; that means if you want to use it with your newborn, you’ll need to add the bassinet or an infant car seat plus adapters, which will cost you. And while it folds compactly, it is bulkier than some of the other travel strollers on our list when it’s broken down. It’s also a little heavier, weighing in at about 17 pounds. And the seat back is on the shorter side.

“Amazing stroller. Great for traveling (fits in overhead bin), shopping (takes up minimal trunk space), walks in the park (very smooth ride, even over grass!). Has oversized canopy to block sun and folds with one hand. Bought it for travel, but use it as our primary stroller because I love it so much.” — Jessica

“We love how little this stroller is, and that smaller babies can still fit in the seat. Unfortunately the canopy is not very secure so gets messed up every time we fold it up which is fairly annoying. Other than that, it’s very well designed and we use this 90% of the time over our Vista because it takes up less car space and is easier to fold up. — Jillian Tellez Holub H.

Best Travel Stroller for Planes

Stokke YOYO 3 Stroller 6M+ - Black Frame/Black Color Pack

• Compact fold, fits in overhead bin
• Lots of options for customization and accessories (for an additional cost)
• Comfortable, padded seat and straps
• Fold isn’t intuitive; takes some practice
• Shorter seat back, so not a good choice for taller kids
• Narrow storage basket won’t fit average-sized diaper bags

Traveling by plane presents a challenge when your little one still uses a stroller. “Checking a stroller means it goes with the rest of the luggage and no one’s really paying special attention to it,” says Militello. “It goes up and down ramps, gets thrown from one area to the next, and [you have to] pick it up on the carousel.” Gate checking is an option, but many parents still don’t love the idea of letting such an expensive item of baby gear out of their sight.

The YOYO3 folds the most compactly of any of the travel strollers on our best-of list, and will fit easily in the overhead bins on most planes. (PSA: It’s always worth a call to your airline just to be sure.) It’s the stroller of choice for many light-packing parents who don’t want to deal with the hassle (or risk) of gate-checking a stroller when they fly. “[The YOYO] is the best travel stroller and it has been SO easy to travel with overseas and around the country and you can carry it on,” one parent told us in our Best Baby Products survey. “It’s super light, easy to clean and works like a dream.”

It performs like a champ off the plane, too, easily steering through crowds and narrow spaces. It’s also endlessly customizable, a unique feature I really like. You can change out the seat and shade fabrics with a new color pack , add a custom footmuff for cooler temps or a stroller board for an older child and even add a [storage bag]https://www.babylist.com/gp/stokke-yoyo2-and-yoyo-rolling-bag/15261/243303 “Babyzen YOYO2 and YOYO+ Rolling Bag”) that uses wheeled support so your stroller won’t tip. And it’s compatible with many popular infant car seat brands.

The fold on the YOYO3 isn’t as intuitive as other travel strollers on our list; there are two steps, and it takes some practice. The canopy is on the shorter side. This travel stroller does come with a rain cover, but all the other extras and custom adds will cost you, which can add up quickly as this stroller is expensive on its own.

“As a mom of four, I always had my hands FULL of various things…so dealing with a huge bulky stroller was NOT IT. I had a big, full-size Nuna at one point. It was a great stroller but it was too much stroller. We got the Yoyo2 and it was a game-changer. It’s so lightweight but still sturdy. It could maneuver through tight spaces like clothing racks at stores or big crowds without any issues. For a lightweight stroller, it even handled various uneven terrain well enough, which was an initial concern. Plus it folds down to be smaller than a carry-on piece of luggage, whereas my big stroller literally took up my entire trunk. Critically, it’s a little tricky to learn how to fold and needs two hands but that wasn’t a deal breaker. It got easier the longer we used it. And while it can handle mildly uneven terrain (think small cracks in sidewalks, gravel roads, etc), if it got any more uneven than that, it was a chore to get it to work.” — Angela

“Fits in airplane cabin. We took it on so many trips!” — Emily

Best Double Travel Stroller

Zoe The Twinᵛ²

• Slim frame while still feeling roomy and comfortable (fits Disney size requirements)
• Easily converts to a triple or quadruple stroller with additional seats
• Huge sunshade and storage basket
• Doesn’t roll well on uneven ground or rougher terrain
• Some parents complained about the cup holder on the outside of the frame getting caught in doorways
• Fold isn’t compact

Double strollers often feel big and bulky, even those designed specifically for travel. That’s not the case with Zoe’s The Twin. It’s a delight to open, close and even lift in and out of your car, making it perfect for traveling with two (or more) kids or for times when you don’t want the hassle of a larger stroller.

I was able to open and close the stroller in seconds (and without reading the instruction manual) the first time I tried. Because traveling with kids often involves all of the snacks, I appreciate that this travel double comes with a child snack holder right out of the box. (There’s a parent cup holder included, too.) The stroller weighs about 19 pounds, which is really light for a double. And it’s only 29 inches across, so it fits through standard doorways with ease and is Disney-approved. If you’re traveling with more than two kids, the Twin converts into a stroller for three or even four by adding a triple or a quad seat.

On the cons side, The Twin doesn’t handle well off-road—it’s designed for smooth surface strolling. It also doesn’t accept infant car seats or bassinets, and it doesn’t recline flat, so it’s not a great choice for newborns.

“Had my eyes on this baby since the day I found out I was on my way to 2 under 2! I couldn’t have been happier with this decision. Lightweight, compact when folded, EASY, and so cute…canopy provides sun coverage when necessary, but the best is watching my babies be NEXT to each other and not separated.” — Jordan M

“The stroller is extremely easy to maneuver and the folding feature is the best for storage. Our family takes the Twin everywhere. We have put over 100 miles on it and it still rides like it’s brand new.” — Michaella

“This stroller is super lightweight despite the amount of room, oversized canopy and a large storage basket. My toddlers have plenty of room and enjoy riding in it next to each other. I do wish the wheels were a little better at navigating pavement bumps and cracks, it gets tricky, especially with the added weight of both kids.” — Brie

Best Travel Stroller Travel System

Nuna PIPA urbn & TRVL LX Travel System - Cedar

• Baseless infant car seat included (no adapters needed)
• Compact, lightweight stroller
• Includes carry bag
• Car seat has lower height and weight limits than others
• No snack tray attachment available
• Stroller handlebar isn’t adjustable like with other Nuna strollers

If you know you’ll be traveling frequently throughout your baby’s first year, you may want to invest in a travel system (a stroller and car seat that attach; here’s more on how to pick a travel system ). This combo is my favorite and what I wish I’d had eight years ago as a new mom living in New York City who didn’t own a car. It combines the ultra-popular TRVL, the brand’s first dive into the lightweight stroller market, with the urbn, a first-of-its-kind car seat.

TL;DR on infant car seat installation: almost all infant seats can be installed without a base, but require a seat belt—along with time and patience. But not the urbn! There’s no base, no seat belt required for installation AND the LATCH system is built right into the seat’s base. This means the seat installs effortlessly and in seconds. I’m blown away every time I try it; you simply press a button on each side of the seat and push to attach it directly to your vehicle’s lower anchors. That’s it. It’s as foolproof as it gets, and especially ideal if you’ll be using your car seat on the go in rideshares or taxis. “I love being able to move the car seat in and out of any car without worrying about a base,” one Babylist parent told us.

The included TRVL stroller is just as great. The two standout features for me are its fold (one-handed, quick and ridiculously easy) and its compact size (it stands on its own and weighs just over 13 pounds.) While not huge, the basket is large enough to hold your essentials + a bit more and is easy to access, and the TRVL’s maneuverability is good enough that you’ll be able to steer easily with one hand.

Keep in mind that the TRVL is on the pricier side and doesn’t have a carry strap, but the maneuverability, suspension and versatility help explain the higher price point. I found it worked as a travel stroller, but also as an everyday stroller, too. There are also lots of thoughtful design details like magnetic buckles, a no-rethread harness and a leatherette bumper bar and handlebar. The urbn car seat has a lower height limit than many infant car seats—not ideal, but not a huge dealbreaker, either.

“I love this travel system. The car seat alone is lightweight and the stroller has many options and is easy to fold down. It’s not light but strongly built so I figure that’s the trade-off.” — Elizabeth R.

“The baseless quick install has been a breeze. Whether he is going in my car, my partner’s, uncle’s, or his grandma’s—no need for a base for quick insert.” — Dana N.

“Love this stroller. So light and easy to push and fold. I was able hold my 20+lb baby, fold this and put it on the X-ray belt without holding up the security line. It’s the closest I’ve come to feeling like superwoman. It also fit comfortably in the overhead bin. Only downside I would say is the storage space underneath as it is a lot smaller than we’re used to with our Nuna Demi Grow.” — Meghan T.

How We Chose Our Best Travel Strollers

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 utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including me, 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 strollers.

We spoke to Kim Militello, a Babylist team member and a mom of three who previously worked as a flight attendant for many years, about traveling with kids (and all of their gear). We also spoke to a group of Babylist team members, all parents who travel frequently with their little ones.

We read customer reviews from hundreds of Babylist users and spoke to parents on our Babylist staff about their real-life product experiences.

Travel Stroller Basics

Some families use a traditional stroller for everything, even traveling. But having a lighter, more nimble travel stroller pays off when you really need it: for airports, narrow city sidewalks, public transportation or just to lighten the load.

Stroller pros and cons

These are some of the pros and cons of using different types of strollers for travel:

Traditional strollers: Everyday strollers typically have convenient features like lots of storage space, adjustable handlebars, cup holders and large canopies. Many also have suspension systems and can accommodate an infant car seat. But they’re heavier and bulkier to fold, which makes using and storing them in tight spaces more difficult (think: narrow doorways, airplane overhead bins or small car trunks).

Umbrella strollers: Bare-boned and exceptionally lightweight, umbrella strollers lack many amenities you find in traditional strollers like adjustable seats and cup holders. They have skimpy canopies, minimal cushioning and seat support and don’t fold small enough to fit in airport storage bins. You also can’t push an umbrella stroller with one hand. Umbrella strollers are good for when you occasionally need a slimmer, fast-fold stroller.

Travel strollers: Also called lightweight or compact strollers, travel strollers strike a balance between traditional and umbrella stroller styles. They’re lighter than the standard stroller, easy to fold and compact in size when collapsed. (Some travel strollers fold in half, called a square fold, while others feature a more compact tri-fold.) Travel strollers have some full-size amenities like large sun canopies and a storage basket and most even have extras like cup holders.

Do I need a travel stroller?

Figuring out the best stroller to use for travel comes down to what type of trade-offs you want to make around budget, space and personal preferences. There’s no right or wrong answer, and what works for one family may not work for another. “We traveled all around the world with the UPPAbaby Vista V2,” Xan, a Babylist team member and mom of two, told us. “With two kiddos, it is the best! It’s the most universal when it comes to traveling on different sidewalks and surfaces and it holds a ton.”

Before you invest in a travel stroller, ask yourself:

How often do I travel, and to what types of destinations?

How much do I want to spend?

Where will I store the stroller when it’s not in use?

Also note that lots of parents find that a travel stroller can work just as well as a full-size option for everyday use; just keep in mind that unless the travel stroller you choose is compatible with an infant car seat or comes with a separate infant kit, you’ll need to wait to use the stroller until your baby is six months old and can sit up unassisted. 

What to Look for in a Travel Stroller

A travel stroller should be easy to take with you on trips and be a comfy spot for your little one. Consider these features as you research and shop.

Size and weight. You’re going to be lifting, carrying and storing your travel stroller often, so the stroller’s size and weight are important. Look for one that’s lightweight and manageable. Also pay attention both to the folded and unfolded size of your travel stroller. If you’re planning on using it for an older toddler, also be sure it’s large enough to accommodate them.

Fold. You’ll be folding and unfolding your stroller often while on the go, whether it’s to take it in and out of your car, stash it under a table at a restaurant or store it in the overhead compartment of an airplane. Choose a travel stroller with a quick, easy fold, preferably one you can do one-handed.

Maneuverability. Not all travel strollers are created equally. Some offer much more maneuverability and a better suspension system than others; however, these features often come at a cost. Thinking through how often you’ll be using your travel stroller and what types of terrain you’ll encounter most often can help determine whether or not a more expensive stroller is worthwhile.

Canopy size. Most travel involves at least some, if not a lot, of outdoor time. A large canopy is essential for protecting your little one from the elements, especially the sun.

Comfort and convenience features. Similar to a full-size stroller, look for features that will make you and your little one more comfortable, especially while traveling. Things like an adjustable seat with a full or nearly full recline, an ample storage basket, an adjustable handlebar and easy-to-clean fabrics are all important. And don’t forget a built-in strap or a separate carrying case for easy transport.

Flying with a Travel Stroller

Spend a few minutes in any parenting forum and you’ll likely see a question from an anxious new parent about flying with a baby—and all of their stuff. It’s daunting, and there are a lot of questions to answer. How do you get your stroller from point A to point B when you’re flying? Will it count toward your carry-on and baggage allotment? And what if you need to use your stroller in the airport? Good news: You can pick how you want to travel with your stroller, depending on your needs.

Check the stroller with your baggage. Some parents unload the stroller during check-in and switch to using a baby carrier through the airport instead. “The advantage to this is that you don’t have to carry it with you around the airport if you’re not using it,” says Militello. Pair a front carrier with a backpack-style diaper bag so your hands will be free to deal with other things (like the best travel toys that will make your trip a breeze). Just remember that your stroller will be subject to the same rough treatment as the rest of your checked baggage—no special attention and lots of tossing around. And note that if you have a large stroller, you may be required to check it as baggage anyway. This usually doesn’t count toward your baggage allotment.

Check the stroller at the gate. Want to use the stroller until you board the plane? You can check the stroller with the gate agent—it just needs to be tagged—and then pick it up outside the aircraft door when you arrive. “When you gate check a stroller, it’s handled more with care,” says Militello. “Gate-checked items are usually more fragile and are hand carried from the entrance of the airplane to the bottom of the airplane and vice versa. They’ll deliver your gate-checked item right to the exit of the plane when you get off so you don’t have to to go the luggage carousel and will have immediate access to it once you deboard the plane.” Just remember if you have a connecting flight to catch, waiting for your stroller to be placed on the jet bridge can eat up precious time.

Stow the stroller on the airplane. If your stroller collapses small enough, it can be stored in an overhead bin. Having your stroller with you eliminates the potential for damage and the hassle of waiting for it on the jet bridge or at baggage claim. But strollers count as a carry-on item. “You typically only get one carry-on item, so choose wisely!” Miletello recommends.

Keep these other tips in mind:

If you check the stroller with baggage, you do run the risk of damage. If you’re not using a travel stroller bag, ask the agent at check-in for a plastic bag to cover and protect it during transport.

If you’re taking the stroller through security, it will need to be folded and put through the X-ray machine. Don’t stuff the undercarriage basket until after security.

If your checked stroller doesn’t come out with the suitcases at baggage claim, check the oversized luggage area. It may have been set aside there. (This may also be where your travel crib is, if you checked one.)

Do you need a travel stroller bag?

How you plan to use your travel stroller will affect whether or not you need a travel stroller bag. If you plan on flying with your stroller and want to check it with your luggage or at the gate, then you’ll probably want to use a travel stroller bag. Look for a padded option to help protect your stroller in case it gets dropped or tossed around. If you’re not planning on flying much or if you’re using your travel stroller as a day-to-day option, then a travel stroller probably isn’t a must-have. Some travel strollers come with a travel bag while others require you to purchase one separately, so check with your particular brand. There are generic travel bags that may work, too.

Jen LaBracio,

Senior gear editor, cpst.

Jen LaBracio is Babylist’s Senior Gear Editor and a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST). When she’s not geeking out over car seats, testing out a new high chair or pushing the latest stroller model around her neighborhood, she likes to run, do all things Peloton, listen to podcasts, read and spend time at the beach. In her past life, she worked for over a decade in children’s publishing. She lives outside of Chicago with her husband and their two boys, Will and Ben.

10 Best Strollers for Travel

Whether you're flying to grandma's or navigating Disney World, we've got strollers that will smooth your journey.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

Best Overall

Bugaboo butterfly.

Summer Infant 3D Mini

Best All-Terrain

Baby jogger city tour 2.

Every parent of a child age 6 or younger wants to take them on vacation but has nagging worries around the actual travel . Our best advice for moving around with an infant is to wear them in an infant carrier . But for navigating a young child through the airport, getting them on and off shuttles, visiting a crowded event or going around a resort like Disney World , we recommend that you get a great travel stroller.

Our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have reviewed more than 40 strollers over the course of the past five years and for this story, we pulled together the strollers that can fit in tiny spaces (some in the airplane overhead) and those that rank high for ease of folding. Separately, we have a list of lightweight strollers that will help you tackle the toddler years with your sanity intact, and some of those are great for travel, too. But the travel strollers below have an additional focus on being compact and folding quickly so you can move like a travel ninja.

We called this a "first-rate folding stroller" when we named this a Good Housekeeping Family Travel Award winner. It doesn't sacrifice comfort for compactness , so expect the usual Bugaboo high-quality fabric, deep seat, real sunshade (no skimping on sun protection here!) and extendable leg rest, just in a more tiny, adorable form that's easy to take along on trips.

One tester mom of a toddler geeked out about the fold, specifically. "The button to fold it is on the handle, so you just push down and it collapses nearly instantly. Our regular stroller requires ducking down and pushing a lever," she said. "Also, the glide of the Butterfly is comparable to much larger strollers. I can push my son uphill easily, with one hand!"

The folded Butterfly stands up by itself, great if you need it to sit while you check bags or load the car. But our Lab experts note that unfolding the Butterfly takes some finesse and practice — you shake it out and lock in place before you can set your kid inside. We like the carry handle that lets you sling the folded stroller over your shoulder, as shown in the picture.

If you want this to carry a newborn in a car seat you can buy a car seat adaptor for the Butterfly. But it only works with select brands including Bugaboo, Nuna, Maxi-Cosi and Cybex.

If you're only taking one big vacation and don't plan to travel often, you might want a no-drama lightweight stroller that's priced under $100 . This little 3D Mini might cost the same as checking a piece of luggage each way, and at just 11 pounds it's easy to handle on a trip.

The basket is small — an average-size diaper bag is too big to fit down there — but there's a zippered parent console that holds two drinks. It's got a reasonable sunshade, and the seat can lean back. There's no seat padding, nor is there springy suspension for the five-inch plastic wheels. It's built for the convenience of getting toddlers and young preschoolers around flat pedestrian areas, and it does that just fine.

The 3D mini folds long, to the size of a traditional umbrella. (Get it? That's why they call this style an "umbrella stroller.") It doesn't stand up when folded — like with an umbrella, you have to prop it against a wall or a car, or lay it down, say in your car's trunk, or carry it in one hand, which is made easy by its light weight.

Not only does this weigh less than 15 pounds but its molded-rubber wheels can tackle a sandy beach path. Our tester did just that, saying, "We took the risk and rolled this along a nature trail in Puerto Rico and it did great." It won't tackle deep sand, though. For that you'll want a beach wagon . But the City Tour 2 is smooth-rolling on plenty of terrain and of course smooth on city streets, too.

This is a comfy choice with a deep seat that reclines almost flat, a wide calf rest plus a decent sun-protective canopy. The fold is easy and starts with squeezing a button on the handle. But when folded this is not as small as some others; it will not fit in an airplane overhead. It also can not stand up while folded. Use the carry bag, included, to gate-check this at the airport.

The handle sits just under 40 inches tall, making it a little low for tall parents. If you want a Baby Jogger stroller that holds an infant car seat, the brand's newer City Mini Air can hold a Baby Jogger or Graco model. But it's about nine pounds heavier and more of a full-size stroller than a travel option.

Colugo The Compact

Lots of the choices on our list are great for airplane trips because of their fold and compact size. But if you fly often — as in to and from grandparents four or five times a year — we like that The Compact can be carted around several ways.

It's important because toddlers hop in and out of their stroller all the time in the airport. Use the carry strap on the back to sling this over your shoulder when you're on a moving walkway, with one arm holding your kid. Or put the stroller in the included backpack-style bag so it's easy to carry your kid and wear the stroller on your back as you step onto the plane, where the stroller can fit in most overhead bins. (If the flight crew says the overheads are full, the bag makes it easy to gate-check.)

When we named this a Good Housekeeping Parenting Award winner, we called out some of the other great features: a more generous basket than most compact strollers; a parent cupholder (because caffeine ); and a rain cover in case it's pouring when you step outside. Our one issue is that this is not a choice for a newborn; your baby has to be at least 6 months old to ride in this.

READ OUR FULL REVIEW : Is a Colugo Stroller Worth It?

If you're taking a young baby and don't want skimp on anything, this comfy, well-made compact stroller comes with a long list of amenities including a carry bag, a magnetic buckle so you can quickly snap your baby in place, plus a no-rethread harness so it's easy to adjust the shoulder-strap height as your child grows.

You can use the TRVL from birth because the seat reclines fully. You can also turn it into a Nuna travel system with the lightweight Nuna PIPA infant car seat, sold separately, without needing any extra adaptor (the car seat rests against the bumper bar).

All-wheel suspension helps this roll more like a full-size stroller. The basket can't hold as much as a few other picks on this list. But fans of the TRVL rave about the fold, which can be executed with just one hand while you hold your baby in your other arm. When folded it stays standing up on its own. Note, however, that it's just a few inches too big to fit in an airplane overhead bin, so plan to gate-check this stroller.

UPPAbaby Minu V2

Another Parenting Award winner, we've said this is "a perfect balance between a convenient compact and a sturdy full-size stroller." We think it's a great travel stroller for a toddler because of the extendable sun canopy, leatherette bumper bar you can use to hang a few toys and the lower basket that can hold up to 20 pounds . Swap the bumper bar for a snack tray , sold separately, if that will keep your toddler happier. If you're less concerned with getting something tiny and more interested in having a relatively compact stroller with all the features of a larger model, this might be your pick.

If you use this in an airport you will have to gate-check it; it won't fit in the plane's overhead. You can buy the UPPAbaby Minu carry bag separately. The Minu's small, self-standing fold means it takes up very little room in your home or hotel room. Tall parents will appreciate that the handle sits over 40 inches from the ground.

RELATED: The Best Baby Strollers

Testers have loved this tiny stroller for taking trips. "The one-handed push-button fold is a notable feature — it’s a game-changer!" one told us. We put it in our most recent Family Travel Awards , where we noted it's compact enough to fit in a plane's overhead storage. The shoulder strap for easy transporting is elastic, which one tester found a little odd, saying, "It feels weird to carry a sizable object by an elastic strap," but it works!

"The Aer+ has a decent sized sun shade for being a compact stroller," another tester said. Nothing on it is huge, and there's no cupholder or bumper bar, but that keeps it lighter than 14 pounds. The price is on the high side, but it does come with a travel pouch and the brand offers a 10-year limited warranty. (You have to register your product for it to be in place.)

Chicco Liteway

Little travelers who are beyond the baby stage do well with an umbrella-style stroller like this one that gives them a place to sit when they need a break but does not cost parents much cash. Mesh sides provide airflow when you're visiting warm places and rear suspension provides a smoother ride than the truly cheap sling-style models that are built more like toys. Because it's got such a lightweight aluminum frame the weight limit for the Liteway is 40 pounds while others on this list go up to 50 pounds.

The handle is two grab handles versus one long bar. Because this is umbrella-style, it has a long, thin fold that has to be rested on the ground or against something. You engage the fold with your foot rather than your hand, kicking up near the basket and stepping down on a lever at the side.

The seat cushion is machine washable and it comes with a parent cupholder. It's ideal for preschoolers, including 4- and 5-year-olds. It's not for a baby younger than 6 months and does not take an infant car seat.

Munchkin Sparrow

It's all about the fold! The Sparrow folds into the neatest little 15" x 14" rectangle and tucks into its own carry case. Not only will it fit in an airplane overhead but we can imagine a bunch of other travel scenarios for this: tucked into a drawer in your hotel room or cruise ship cabin, at your feet as you ride the train around Disneyland, on your shoulder while you hold your child and ride an escalator.

To get that small it has a lot of flexible joints and tiny wheels. Also, the Sparrow weighs less than 13 pounds. The combination can make the Sparrow feel more rickety than others on our list. It performed well enough rolling around smooth New York City sidewalks but, especially if you have a lightweight baby inside, it bounces over cracks, bumps and curbs. Fortunately, if you're mostly steering this through airports or through a theme park, you should be good to go.

A few other notes: The handle is low (not great for tall parents) but the seat is high (so a toddler is not leg-draggingly close to the ground). The basket is tiny and blocked by two bars, so it can't hold very much, maybe just a stroller blanket and water bottle. The tiny sunshade flap is minimal.

Evenflo Gold Otto

If you love the idea of a self-folding stroller that collapses at the touch of a button while you're holding your baby in your arms, this model does just that and at a nice price, too. Getting in and out of vehicles is easy because the Otto, when folded, can be self-standing or carried around by its bumper bar. You can use an Evenflo car seat with this without any separate adaptor, and the molded rubber wheels have suspension in the front.

There is a gap between the seat and the canopy that lets airflow in but also allows a kid to squirm around and see you, which can either be a pro or con. We noticed online reviewers writing that the wheels squeak, which we did not experience in our Lab tests but seems to be an issue during real-world use.

It comes with a parent cupholder. Note that the Otto is heavier than most of the other single strollers on our list but still weights less than 20 pounds. Because it's fairly robust it has a slightly higher weight limit compared to other travel strollers, up to 55 pounds.

Other travel strollers we recommend

Aside from our picks above, here are some others that performed well in our Lab tests and with our consumer testers:

•Best double travel stroller: Zoe The Twin V2

This popular compact double is frequently sold out, but worth checking on if you need to take two kids on vacay. We've called this stroller " t he best double stroller for Disney " based on testers' real-world experiences. It meets the Disney park size requirements but weighs less than 20 pounds so it's not too tough to schlep on and off transport, plus it stands up when folded so it's easy to set it down and pick it up again without having to lean the stroller on something. Each seat has a large canopy (so important for long, sunny outings!), separate reclines so either kid can lean back when needed and bumper bars for toys and to help keep preschoolers from leaping out if they spot Mickey.

•Best car seat-stroller combo: Doona

Nothing else comes close to being an ideal car seat and stroller combo for travel with a baby. The Doona is an infant car seat for a vehicle, then you pop the wheels out and stroll with it. No need to travel with both a car seat and a stroller since this is a two-in-one. "Now I tell every mama that she needs this," said one tester who started traveling with her baby in the Doona at 2 months old. Because it's only for toddlers up to 35 pounds and 32 inches tall, most families outgrow it by their child's second birthday. Read our full Doona Car Seat and Stroller Review .

•The original square-fold travel stroller: Cybex Libelle Pockit

Cybex pushed the travel-stroller category when it came out with a Pockit stroller that folds into a neat square . The latest version is the Libelle which, when folded, is just 12.6" x 7.9" x 18.9". And yet, unfolded, it can hold a Cybex infant car seat, sold separately. It comes in an array of colors though some of them will add to the price.

•Best small-space travel stroller : Babyzen YOYO2 (pictured)

We recommend this stroller for city parents or anyone who lives in a small spac e because of its compact size. It travels well, too. "We took it on a trip to Australia and it was so easy to travel with," a tester told us. Folded, this 13.5-pound stroller can be worn over your shoulder with the carry strap, and it comes with its own carry bag. Buy the $180 bassinet to use it from birth.

How we test the best travel strollers

We test strollers both in the Good Housekeeping Institute Labs and in real-world conditions. For travel strollers, we ask consumer testers to take a model on a trip and report back on how easy the stroller made their journey.

In the past five years we've tested more than 40 strollers, looking at a dozen factors including stroller weight, ease of fold, size of stroller when folded, whether it comes with a travel bag, size of the sunshade and basket, whether the seat can recline for rest and more. We roll strollers along varied terrain and time how long it takes to assemble strollers out of the box.

We offer many stroller guides, including lists of the best jogging strollers and the best stroller wagons .

What to consider when shopping for a travel stroller

✔️ Just how tiny do you need it to fold? If you want to roll your stroller right onto the plane and throw it in the overhead bin, look for a travel stroller that promises to fit up there. The International Air Transport Association suggests that carry-on luggage not be larger than 22'' x 18'' x 10".

✔️ A carry bag makes a nice backup plan if you're flying. If your stroller is supposed to fit in the overhead but the plane is too full, having a carry bag lets you easily gate-check it. Plenty of families, including many of our Lab experts, actually prefer to gate-check their stroller. You roll your child to the gate, wait until boarding, then fold and bag the stroller and have airline personnel put a tag on it so you can pick it up on the jet bridge when the plane lands, allowing you to stroll your child to baggage claim.

✔️ Check the Disney Park requirements , if you're going there. Unfolded, your stroller should be no larger than 31 inches wide and 52 inches long for a day at one of the parks.

✔️ Pay attention to age grading. If your infant is still only a few months old, they will be potentially unsafe in a stroller for ages 6 months+. If you'll be traveling with a newborn, look for a travel stroller that works from birth or that accommodates your infant car seat riding on top of it. At any age, know your child's current weight and height, and read the requirements specific to your stroller to ensure it's appropriate.

✔️ What happens when it folds? We like a stroller that can stand while folded, because you can set it and forget it while you deal with other travel and packing hassles. However, sometimes an umbrella fold, which is long and skinny, is nice for road trips when you have a tightly packed car. You can almost always wedge an umbrella stroller in there! Watch videos online to see how travel strollers fold and how you are expected to carry one in its folded position.

✔️ We like a canopy. We're nuts about sun protection (see our best sunscreens for kids ) and that's why all of our picks have at least some sunshade. We do not recommend one of the ultra-cheap sling-type strollers lacking any sun visor. But not all canopies are equal: Some extend far out, some have mesh panels for ventilation and many large canopies have peekaboo windows that let you easily peer down and see how your kid is doing. Some sunshades make noise as you move them in and out and some are silent. Finally, some are made of UPF 50+ sun-blocking fabric, which is preferable.

There are many things you will not get in a travel stroller that you would get in a big, full-size stroller. A compact travel stroller won't have a huge basket because it must fold down small. It won't have large, heavy wheels either, which means it will not roll as smoothly as a stroller with robust tires . However, if you're using the travel stroller with a toddler or preschooler, their weight will help anchor the stroller to the ground and make it less jumpy as you push it over bumps. A travel stroller is essentially small, nimble wheels on a compact frame — something that's easy to take on vacations.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

For more than a century the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute have been dedicated to helping consumers make safe and sound choices when purchasing items for their home and family. You can trust our experts to test kitchen appliances like the Best Espresso Machines and outdoor equipment like the Best Zero Turn Lawn Mowers . For kids we rank the Best Kids' Mattresses and, for travel with babies, the Best Pack n Plays and Playards .

This list was written by contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn who has followed the juvenile-products industry for decades, most recently for American Baby magazine and Parents magazine. She's a mother of two and a judge for the annual Parenting Awards .

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents .

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The 15 Best Travel Strollers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

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

In This Article

• Our Top Picks
• Others We Liked

Our Testing Process

• Tips for Buying

Frequently Asked Questions

You may also want.

• Why Trust T+L

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 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, which is typically smaller and more scaled-back with a collapsible frame. Many travel strollers fold multiple ways to reduce the length, width, and height, while others 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 more than 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. We then sent them out into the real world to be used by families like yours to guarantee stroller longevity and functionality.

Best Overall

Joolz aer+ baby stroller.

It folds up into an extremely compact, easy-to-carry package that is great for storing at home or on flights.

The seat can only be hand-washed and air-dried.

The Joolz Aer+ looks great, rolls smoothly, and features plenty of padding for the little rider sitting in it. It wowed us right out of the box and was one of the quickest strollers to assemble with just a quick-snap connection to a secure and stable stroller. While the Aer+ is about one pound lighter than earlier models, it is still the same size and features all of the perks parents look for in a high-quality stroller. The roomy shopping basket can hold up to 11 pounds, the canopy is adjustable, and the seat reclines to multiple settings to help keep your little one comfortable as they grow.

Throughout our tests, we tossed the stroller off of a counter to see how it held up and it remained in impeccable condition with little to no scratching and no major breaks or rips. Even when fully loaded up, the wheels moved smoothly and limited turbulence as they are designed to absorb shock from pebbles, rocks, and other rough terrain. We could easily collapse the stroller down using only one hand — which is perfect for use when flying — and it can once again be assembled with just the click of a button. At just over 13 pounds, it's also easy to carry, so you can transport this stroller just about anywhere life takes you.

The Details: 13.2 pounds | 41.5 x 32.7 x 17.7 inches assembled | 8.5 x 21 x 17.7 x inches folded | 50-pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

Travel + Leisure / Phoebe Cheong

Best Overall, Runner-up

Nuna trvl lightweight stroller.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The back is made from breathable mesh to allow for airflow.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 so it's a great option to consider when flying with a baby .

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 stroller.

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.

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

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.

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 stroller.

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

It easily fits in overhead bins and is a high-quality, durable option.

At 14.6 pounds, it's one of the heavier strollers we tested.

The Cybex Coya is a stylish and durable stroller that families will be happy to use for their daily activities and while traveling. It folds up quickly and easily slides into airplane overhead bins for easy access as you board and de-board. The comfortable seat padding is removable for cleaning and the canopy comes down for sun and rain protection. The five-point harness is also incredibly easy to adjust and the seat itself reclines to be almost flat. Pair that with the adjustable leg rest and you have the perfect spot for your youngster to nap on the go.

We also love the cushioned handlebar that adds some extra comfort when pushing the stroller and the zippered pocket in the back of the canopy where you can store your phone or wallet for convenience. The cargo area is also a great size considering the overall compact nature of this stroller and easily fit our packed diaper bag . After our toss test, the stroller is still in great condition, although we do recommend investing in a dust bag if you're nervous about bumps and scratches while traveling.

The Details: 14.6 pounds | 38.2 x 17.3 x 31.1 inches assembled | 7.1 x 17.3 x 20.5 inches folded | 55-pound weight limit

Travel + Leisure / Joy Kim

Best Compact

Contours itsy.

Once folded, this is about the size of a large grocery bag.

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. 

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.

This rolls smoothly on various terrains, making it comfortable for riders and pushers.

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.

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.

The umbrella folding feature is more straightforward to use than other folding models.

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.

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.

It's one of the lightest options on this list.

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.

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.

The leg rest and handlebar are adjustable, providing comfort for parents and passengers.

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.

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

Travel + Leisure / Tamara Staples

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 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 and updated our findings here.

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 difference 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.

Look for storage space and additional 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. Remember, you can always add a drink caddy for both your stroller and luggage. 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.

Can I carry a travel stroller on board a flight?

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.

What's the difference between a travel stroller and a regular stroller?

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.

Traveling with a toddler? You're going to need a lot more than a travel stroller to help things go smoothly — or at least as smoothly as traveling with kids can be. These items will make your next trip a little easier, whether you're taking a road trip or flying internationally.

Graco Contender Slim Convertible Car Seat : This lightweight car seat is great for families who are traveling with lots of luggage — it weighs only 16 pounds and doesn't feel as bulky to carry around as other options. Installation only takes about 15 minutes.

​​ Stokke JetKids BedBox : Kids can ride on this spacious suitcase through the airport (a lifesaver for little ones who get bored while traveling), then turn it into a footrest or bed on the plane. It also comes in multiple colors and can be decorated with stickers.

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 commerce updates 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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Related Articles

Best Travel Strollers of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

On the go with your baby? These strollers are perfect for the jet-setting family.

Mommyhood101 independently tests and curates baby gear to help you make informed decisions. If you buy products through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

There are two main types of lightweight travel strollers:

First is the umbrella stroller , named for its ability to fold up into a long and narrow footprint that looks like, you guessed it, an umbrella!

Second is the more modern travel stroller that has a one-piece handlebar and folds into a small rectangular footprint.

In both cases, the best travel strollers are lightweight, compact, and portable while maintaining comfort, features, and quality. Even better, it will fit the  TSA  and airline guidelines (typically 9" x 14" x 22" max) for fitting in an airplane's overhead bin!

We've been reviewing lightweight and travel strollers for over 10 years, and if we made our own, here is what it would look like:

✔️  Weight limit 50 pounds or higher. ✔️  Infant car seat attachment. ✔️  Bassinet attachment. ✔️  Expands to double stroller. ✔️  Near lay-flat recline. ✔️  Large UPF 50+ canopy. ✔️  Lightweight, under 15 pounds. ✔️  Folds to under 22" x 14" x 9". ✔️  One-handed fold. ✔️  Stands when folded. ✔️  Storage basket. ✔️  Adjustable handlebars . ✔️  Comfortable seat. ✔️  Easy to roll and maneuver. ✔️  Carry bag or shoulder strap. ✔️  No flame retardants. ✔️  Washable fabrics. ✔️  Intuitive & easy assembly.

Of course, you will also want the travel stroller to fit your style (color, patterns) preferences and meet your budget constraints. That's a lot to ask, and very few lightweight strollers meet the needs of picky parents!

• Top 5 Travel Strollers Comparison Table
• 1. Best Overall: Babyzen YOYO2
• 2. Joolz Aer Stroller
• 3. Ergobaby Metro+
• 4. Summer Infant 3Dlite
• 5. GB Pockit Stroller
• 6. Mountain Buggy Nano
• 7. UPPAbaby Minu v2
• 8. Baby Trend Rocket
• 9. Colugo Compact
• 10. Kolcraft Cloud Stroller
• Things to Consider
•      Easy Folding
•      Safety & Reliability
•      Comfort & Weight

Full disclosure: Some of these travel strollers, including the Ergobaby, Babyzen, and Zoe options, were sent to us as free test samples by the manufacturer.

The top 5 travel strollers we've tested are listed below, followed by in-depth reviews of several different models.

For our testing, we took the travel strollers on walks, loaded them up with babies and supplies, folded and unfolded them, put them in trunks and overhead bins, and tested out all the features. The top-rated model has the honor of appearing on our list of the year's  best strollers !

Here are the Best Travel Strollers of 2024!

1. Babyzen YOYO2 Stroller.

The Babyzen YOYO2 is the newest release from Babyzen and the newest addition to our list of lightweight travel strollers! Technically a luxury stroller , the YOYO2 has very high build quality, great style, and amazing versatility - but you'll pay for it, coming in at about $500. We were excited to get our hands on it to see if it was worth the relatively high cost. When we received the box, we were immediately surprised by how small it was - we started to wonder how such a great stroller could possibly fit in a box this size! Once we unfolded it, we were impressed with the style and build quality. The lightweight frame is sleek and well-made, the hinges functioned smoothly, and all levers were easy to use. Out of the box, the YOYO2 comes equipped for infants 6+ months old (they call this the 6+ version), though you can separately purchase either a bassinet or newborn pack attachment, which will allow you to use the YOYO2 from birth onward. We didn't test out those two accessories, but they range from about $200-250, and from what we've seen, they offer some great comfort and quality. The new YOYO2 also offers a double stroller solution using the YOYO connect system, which basically allows you to connect another YOYO2 in tandem (one behind the other).

The 6+ version has a multi-position recline, a comfortable seat, a large waterproof and UPF 50+ canopy with a peek-a-boo window, and can be used with children up to nearly 50 pounds (48.5 to be exact). With the 6+ seat, as tested, the YOYO2 weighs just about 13.5 pounds, and it folds down to a small footprint of only 20.5" long, 17" wide, by 7" thick. This can either be carried on your shoulder with the included shoulder strap or in the included carrying bag. We tested the YOYO2 with a 10-month-old boy, and absolutely loved it! The seat was comfortable, the 5-point harness was easy to use, and the entire stroller was very smooth and easy to maneuver. Over paved and densely packed dirt or gravel surfaces it was very smooth. The storage basket was reasonably sized (supports up to 11 pounds of weight), the handlebar was super plush and comfortable (we loved the shape!), and the steering was super nimble. The entire stroller was not only lightweight but also very compact for fitting through tight spaces and around tight turns, and the build quality is phenomenal. Overall, we loved the YOYO2 and can't think of a better stroller to have when jet-setting around the world with a little one! The only con we could find was that the folding wasn't as intuitive or easy as the Joolz AER (below). Who else loves the Babyzen YOYO stroller? Our friends at WhatToExpect, Babygearlab, and The Wirecutter also consider it an excellent pick! Impressed? You can check out the Babyzen YOYO2 here .

2. Joolz AER Lightweight Travel Stroller.

The Joolz AER hit the market by storm over the past couple of years, rising quickly to achieve the honor of best travel stroller by The Bump, Babylist, and here at Mommyhood101! For specifications, the Joolz AER is very similar to the Babyzen YOYO2 in a few regards: it is used for 6 months up to about 50 pounds, it has a one-handed fold and adjustable recline, a lightweight build (13.4 pounds), and has an extremely compact fold measuring 21" long, 18" wide, and 8.5" high (and a carry bag is included). That's only slightly larger than the YOYO2 when folded. Also similar to the YOYO2, you can separately purchase a carrycot to hold your newborn baby in a proper bassinet-style attachment (slightly larger and more comfortable than the YOYO2 bassinet). In terms of advantages, the AER has a slightly larger seat width and height for larger children, providing more head support and comfort; it also has a more intuitive fold than the YOYO2. In terms of disadvantages, the YOYO2 has many more accessories and a more compact fold. That being said, they are both fantastic travel strollers and you'll be quite happy with either!

In our testing, we absolutely loved the Joolz AER. It was intuitive and simple to fold and unfold one-handed, with smooth transitions and an easy locking mechanism. The seat is comfortable and the canopy is sufficiently large (though we think it could benefit from an extension), the recline is great for children about 6 months and older, and the storage basket is easy to access. The stroller is extremely easy to roll and maneuver. The wheels and bearings are extremely fluid and nimble, making it easy to turn on a dime and control through dense areas. The fabrics and all touch surfaces are high quality, and the entire stroller is very sturdy and well-constructed. Overall, we think it is a fantastic stroller, save for two tiny limitations: it's not quite as compact as the YOYO2 when folded, and that might limit your ability to throw it in an overhead bin on an airplane. That said, you really can't go wrong with the Joolz AER, and we're very excited to feature it here on our list! Who else loves the Joolz AER stroller? Our friends at The Bump, Babylist, and Good Housekeeping also consider it a top pick! Impressed? You can check out the Joolz AER here .

3. Ergobaby Metro+ Stroller.

Ergobaby is world-renowned for making some of the most comfortable and supportive baby carriers on the market, with high-quality components, great style and functionality, and reasonable prices. Recently, Ergobaby has expanded its line of baby gear to include strollers, high chairs, and baby bouncers, and we've been lucky enough to get our hands on samples for testing! For basic specifications, this new Ergobaby Metro+ travel stroller comes in at 17 pounds, folds down to a 21" x 17" x 9" footprint, and can support newborns and up to 50 pounds. For features, the Metro+ has an extendable handlebar, comfortable seating, deep (basically lay-flat) recline with a fold-up leg rest, comfortable seating, newborn nest flaps, a storage basket and seat-back pocket, large canopy, one-handed fold, and front wheel suspension. The Metro+ Deluxe (for $100 more) uses more premium materials, an expandable storage basket, and additionally includes a cup holder, weather shield, and bumper bar; for both the Metro+ and Metro+ Deluxe, you can separately purchase an infant car seat adapter for $30 (compatible with Cybex, Nuna, B-Safe, Maxi Cosi, Graco, Chicco, Bugaboo).  

In our testing, when we took the stroller out of the box we were impressed with the high-quality materials (aluminum, plastics, fabrics) and pleasantly surprised that it requires no assembly! Just take it out of the packaging, unfold it, and you're ready to go. When we first unfolded it, we thought the unfolding mechanism was smooth, intuitive, and easy to use; it was impressive how small the stroller is when folded, and how substantial the stroller was when opened. We tested it with a 2-month-old in the seat's lay flat configuration (with the newborn nest flaps), and with a 22-month-old in the toddler mode. Comfort was everywhere: the handlebar was comfortable with its faux leather padding, the seat was super comfortable with ample padding on the bottom and back (the newborn immediately napped!), and the front suspension and large rear wheels (7" diameter) made for a nice smooth ride. The stroller was easy to maneuver even with the heavier child, and it was lightweight and narrow enough to easily traverse sidewalks, steps, and doorways. As always, there were a few minor cons worth mentioning. The storage basket could be larger and the leg rest's ease of use could be improved (especially when folding). Overall, we loved testing the Ergobaby Metro+ stroller and think it is a great new addition to our list of the best travel strollers of the year!  Interested? you can check out the Ergobaby Metro+ Stroller here .

4. Summer Infant 3Dlite Stroller.

The Summer Infant 3Dlite is a lightweight umbrella stroller with a twist: not only does it fold together laterally, but it also folds down vertically, giving it a compact fold that can fit into some of the smallest spaces (trunks, closets). Specifically, it folds down to about 44" high, 14" wide, 12" deep. Probably not small enough to fit into the overhead bin (more likely it will be gate-checked), but definitely small enough to fit into small European rental car trunks or a tiny closet in an urban apartment. Not surprisingly, the Summer Infant 3Dlite is one of the best-selling strollers of all time, coming in at only 12 pounds and with some really great build quality, comfort, and features. Even with its lightweight and low cost (usually under $80), this is not a flimsy stroller at all. It's sturdy, turns well, has good brakes, and isn't tipsy. If you do run into any issues, Summer Infant has a very long reputation for reliability and customer service.

In our testing, we liked the curvy lines of the frame, the handlebar shape and grips, the front wheel suspension, and the fact that it includes a carry handle (for when it's folded) making it easy to sling over your shoulder. It has an ample-sized storage basket that is actually easy to access from the rear, a decently-sized canopy (see the ZOE XL1 for a huge canopy!), padded shoulder straps, and a pretty comfy seat (and deep recline). There's also a cup holder and a little pouch for mom or dad. Cons? We couldn't figure out how to get it to stand on its own while folded, and there were no cup or snack holders for the baby. Outside of that, for this price point, you are getting a surprisingly great stroller! Who else loves the Summer Infant 3dLite Stroller? Our friends at The Bump, Babylist, and WhatToExpect call it a top pick! Interested? you can check out the Summer 3Dlite Stroller here .

5. GB Pockit Air Lightweight Stroller.

This is definitely one of the more extreme lightweight options on this list. It is the most portable, compact, and lightweight travel stroller we've ever reviewed, and that's saying a lot! We want to be clear that this stroller is for people who really want to minimize the weight and size of a folded stroller for the ultimate in portability and travel. With the GB Pockit, you can put the folded stroller into even smaller overhead bins, which is a very impressive feat! You can also throw it into your suitcase or a duffel bag without any issues (they also make a Pockit travel bag that you can sling over your shoulder). Just how small is it when folded? Under 12" wide, 14" long, and 7" thick. That's like a stack of 5 laptops on top of one another - much smaller than any other option on this list; in fact, it's so small that it won the award for the smallest folded stroller in the Guinness Book of World Records! When we first got our hands on this stroller, that was our immediate first impression: the box seemed too small to have a functional stroller in it! Pulling it out of the box, it's only about 9.5 pounds, making it super light and easy to maneuver.

Once out of the box, you'll need to read the owner's manual because it uses a unique folding design that will take a few minutes to get used to. Unfolded, this stroller is pretty sparse. It's narrow and simple, super easy to maneuver around tight spaces, yet somehow is able to support kids up to 55 pounds (with an additional 11 pounds of gear in the storage basket!). While it's not appropriate for newborns and does not attach to any infant car seats, once your baby is about 6 months old and has head and neck control, they can use this stroller. In terms of features, it's relatively lacking, but that's not surprising given the portability aspect - it does have a canopy but it's pretty small (see the Pockit+ for a larger canopy), it does have storage but it's small, it does recline but it's cumbersome to use and restricted in range, and it has no cup holders or small storage pockets or trays (for parents or kids). But what it does have is superior portability that leaves all the other lightweight strollers in the dust and a price (around $200) that isn't too outrageous for one of the best travel strollers out there. And that's why it's so high up on our list! Who else features the GB Pockit as a top pick? Our friends at The Bump, Babylist, and WhatToExpect! Interested? Check out the Pockit Air here or Pockit+ Stroller here .

6. Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller.

This is a surprisingly full-featured travel stroller from Mountain Buggy, a company known for making high-quality, rugged, and great-looking strollers. Heading to Europe for an adventure with a baby or toddler? Want something that can brave the elements with its large canopy, help you haul your fashion finds with its huge storage basket, and keep your little one comfortable on extended journeys? The Mountain Buggy Nano V3 might be perfect for you! The Nano V3 folds down into a nice small footprint, about 22" long by 20" wide and 12" thick, that fits perfectly into the included carry bag. Not built for chunky monkies, the seat is somewhat narrow and the weight limit tops out around 40 pounds. The stroller itself weighs 13 pounds, and it's very clever in its design, well built and reliable, and narrow enough to fit through small doorways and openings. The folding is very effective, but also requires two hands; when folded, it can go into the included carry bag, or you can use the handle for easy portability.

Even with its relatively minimalist design, it has some good features for travel: an adjustable footrest, rear wheel suspension, and a canopy with a nice extension to block sun or rain. The build quality is very high, and the price is surprisingly reasonable for the quality. We found it very easy to maneuver and carry, the canopy worked well to block the sun and rain, and the seat is very comfortable for toddlers (especially when the footrest is up!). Some additional features are worth mentioning because they are not entirely common for a travel stroller: the front wheels can be locked or free to swivel, you can purchase a lie-flat cocoon bassinet, and it includes a safety belt and toggles to attach basically any infant car seat (making this one of the only travel system strollers on this list!). Overall, we love the style and quality of the Nano V3, and we're not alone: our friends at Babylist, Babygearlab, and The Wirecutter all consider it a great option. It is also the recipient of the Red Dot Award, the JPMA Innovation Award, and is recommended by TripSavvy. That's a lot of accolades and for good reason! Interested? You can check out the Mountain Buggy Nano here .

7. UPPAbaby Minu v2 Stroller.

UPPAbaby is very well known for its luxurious and versatile Vista stroller and MESA infant car seat; when combined, those become one of the best travel systems you can find! Needless to say, we were excited to get our hands on the new UPPAbaby Minu v2 stroller for testing. For specifications, the Minu supports infants as young as 3 months old and big kids up to 50 pounds. If you'd like to use this stroller from birth, it can be used with the MESA infant car seat or the UPPAbaby bassinet, both sold separately. The Minu v2 weighs about 17 pounds and folds into a footprint measuring about 23" long, 20" wide, and 16.5" high (which is larger than the YOYO2 or AER). For features, it includes a one-hand folding mechanism, a large zip-out (UPF 50+) canopy with peek-a-boo window, an adjustable leg rest for comfort, no-rethread harness, adjustable seat recline, suspension on all four wheels, and a large storage basket that can hold up to 20 pounds of gear (and a small storage pouch behind the seat). Not to mention the UPPAbaby style and quality, including brushed aluminum and real leather accents!

In our testing, we were impressed with how a stroller with this many features and versatile support can fold down into such a compact footprint. When folded, it has a convenient carry handle and shoulder strap, but the travel backpack is sold separately. Assembly takes about 10 minutes and includes attaching the wheels, canopy, and bumper bar (if desired). Opening the Minu v2 stroller is fluid and easy, and it locks into the open position very readily. The seating area is surprisingly spacious for your little one (and bigger one, up to 50 pounds!), and we appreciated the inclusion of the shoulder pads and easy-to-buckle five-point harness. The wheels and tires have very low rolling resistance and the entire stroller is extremely easy to maneuver. The handlebar is comfortable and we liked the style and feel of the genuine leather handlebar (and bumper bar); for those who appreciate vegan leather, this might be a deal-breaker. The rear wheel lock is easy to use when wearing proper shoes (right side locks, left side unlocks), but not ideal for flip-flops or sandals given the smaller size and somewhat awkward position. Recline uses the strap tightening method which is very common for lightweight strollers and requires two hands to adjust. Everything worked very nicely - folding and adjustments were easy and intuitive, the stroller was smooth over sidewalk cracks and bumps, and it was easy to maneuver. The seat is comfortable and supportive for toddlers, and the stroller is sturdy enough to not be overwhelmed and flexed by a larger child (30+ pounds). However, because we're looking specifically for the best lightweight and compact travel stroller, it's worth noting that the Minu v2 is less compact than the YOYO2 and AER, weighs more than them, and cannot be converted to a double stroller if needed (unlike the YOYO2). Overall, an outstanding stroller but a bit larger and heavier than others, and a price that might be steep for your family (about $450). Interested? You can check out the UPPAbaby Minu v2 here .

8. Baby Trend Rocket Lightweight Stroller.

This is a great, well-featured, and reasonably priced (only about $50) umbrella stroller. Baby Trend has a good reputation for making good quality products at very reasonable prices. Nothing fancy here, but definitely a great bang for the buck! This is a classic umbrella stroller that folds up to a long and narrow form but then folds in half vertically again to make for a very compact stroller that fits nicely into an overhead bin. In our testing, we found some things that we really loved. First, this is a great stroller for tall parents. The top of the handles is over 40" above the ground, which makes it much easier for tall parents to reach the handles without hurting their backs. If you're really looking for tall strollers, this is a good option, another even taller option is the Joovy New Groove ultralight stroller, which is about another inch taller. Second, the ride was surprisingly smooth and handling was nimble, and the brakes worked pretty well, and we loved the 5-point harness which was easy to use and adjust.

Third, the handles were comfortable, there is a little zippered pocket for your keys or phone, there are cup holders for parents, and it feels much more durable than some of the other inexpensive umbrella strollers we've tested. Finally, we found the fabric easy to clean yet comfortable enough for the baby. It's designed to support babies who can sit upright on their own without support (it is not made for infants), all the way up to 50 pounds. We did notice, however, that the seating surface itself is a bit narrow so it's better for the tall-and-lean than the short-and-chunky kiddos. Of course, we're talking about an umbrella stroller here so it has many of the same limitations as other umbrella strollers: very limited recline functionality, small and fickle wheels, and a small canopy and storage basket. At this price, those limitations aren't surprising, but they're worth mentioning. Overall, this is a great stroller that could be a bit lighter weight (it's 13 pounds), but offers high bang for the buck!

9. Colugo Compact Stroller.

If you haven't heard of Colugo strollers before now, you're in for a pleasant surprise! This Colugo Compact stroller comes in at a lightweight 16 pounds, which is a bit heavier than some others on this list, but we think it might be worth the rich set of features. The Compact supports little ones starting around 6 months all the way up to 55 pounds while maintaining a relatively small footprint measuring about 17" long by 26" wide when unfolded, and 17" x 24" x 10" when folded (which can fit in a large overhead bin!). The stroller has some great features including no-flat rubber tires, a super simple one-handed fold, removable and washable fabric, a large UPF 50+ canopy, a lay-flat recline, and a big storage bin. Some interesting little features are the magnetic seat buckle and harness, detachable cupholder, a backpack, and a separate infant kit (for 0-6 months) that provides a beautiful bassinet attachment for your little one.

In our testing, we quickly fell in love with how easy it was to fold and unfold the Colugo Compact. It's truly a one-handed fold that you can perform while also holding your baby on your hip. Once it's folded, it's a bit heavier than others on this list, at 16 pounds, so you might not be able to lift it and put it in the trunk single-handedly. The stroller is highly nimble and maneuverable, with very agile steering, and a small turning radius. The handlebar is comfortable but it doesn't adjust the height for shorter or taller parents. The wheels have very low rolling resistance, but they are not large enough in diameter to suit rougher surfaces (sidewalk bumps, holes, cracks). The one awkward thing we found was that while pushing this stroller, the rear axle was pretty far back towards your legs and feet. With taller parents, this can cause their stride to kick the stroller. The same thing happens to an even greater extent when you attach the infant bassinet, which sticks pretty far back toward the parent's knees. Outside of those little issues, we think the Colugo is beautiful, practical, highly functional, and reasonably priced at under $300. Who else recommends the Colugo Compact? Our friends at Wirecutter and Babylist consider it a top pick! Interested? You can check out the Colugo Compact stroller here .

10. Kolcraft Cloud Lightweight Stroller.

Looking to get your hands on a capable and reliable lightweight convenience stroller that won't break the bank? Maybe the Baby Trend Rocket is a perfect fit, or maybe you're looking for something a little different. Enter the Kolcraft Cloud Plus! This stroller comes in at only 11.8 pounds, can support children up to 40 pounds or 40" tall, and packs some great features. While this stroller cannot be used with newborns, once your child is able to sit unassisted and has full control of their head and neck, this stroller is a great fit. Out of the box, we were impressed with how small this stroller is when folded - it was about 12" thick, 18" wide, and 34" long. Yes, it's not quite as much of a compact stroller when folded as many other options on this list (like the ZOE XL1 or Mountain Buggy), but that's a pretty decent size that you'll be able to fit into the back of a Jeep Wrangler or Smart Car if you needed to. Unfolding it was a breeze - you simply grab it by the handle while squeezing the red lever. Theoretically, it could be done one-handed but you'd probably have to be over 6 feet tall and have shoulders and biceps like Hulk Hogan (or the Arnold) so you can shake it open. So assume you'll need to use two hands for this.

Once unfolded, there were some things we really liked about it: first, the canopy was impressively large at this price point, providing some great protection from the elements. Second, there are two cup holders and a tray for parents, and a detachable tray and cup holder (and a nifty area that serves as a juice box holder) for your kiddo. Third, it was super easy to maneuver around tight spaces, with its narrow frame and versatile wheels (there is a front suspension, but we don't think it does much). The recline settings were pretty decent - there is no "lie flat" option, but you can get reasonably close for a nap. Cons? A few: the backrest isn't very comfortable, we found the locking mechanism a little finicky when folded, the cup holders were way too shallow for most bottles and drinks (my Grande Starbucks coffee tipped over within a minute), it does not fit any infant car seats, and the storage bin could be a little larger and more accessible. Outside of that, this is definitely a good addition to this list, especially considering that it can be had for only about $70. Who else recommends the Kolcraft Cloud? Our friends at Babygearlab and WhatToExpect also consider it a top pick. Interested? You can check out the Kolcraft Cloud here .

How to Pick a Lightweight Stroller

Easy folding.

All of the best umbrella strollers are lightweight, and this is a really critical characteristic. You're buying a lightweight travel stroller for a reason. You want it to be quickly and effortlessly fold up and fit into the half-full trunk of a compact car, fit into the overhead bin on a plane, fit neatly into an apartment closet (or restaurant coat area!), or strap onto a suitcase during travel. Folding with only one hand is even better. You also want it to unfold with ease and not too much hassle, preferably also with just one hand. These were really important features for us.

There are basically two folding modes for the strollers we review here. First, the traditional umbrella stroller folds by squeezing the two handles together and then folding them in half lengthwise. Second, other lightweight strollers fold by collapsing lengthwise, usually using three folding points. Either way, you're going to be able to fit these into the overhead bin of a normal size airplane (though usually, you can just gate-check a stroller), into the back of vehicles with smaller trunk areas like a Jeep Wrangler, and into the corner of a restaurant without taking up too much space.

Safe and Reliable

The best umbrella strollers will fold easily, but won't fold up with your baby inside, or have several exposed hinges that could pinch their little fingers. The stroller needs to have a 5-point harness, not tip over easily, have good locking wheel brakes, and have a sturdy build quality that will last for years. There are many lightweight strollers on the market that are flimsy, tipsy, and won't last you more than a year. Those don't show up on our list; also not on this list are double strollers since they tend to be much heavier and we review them elsewhere.

Comfy and Lightweight

There's a trade-off between a super comfortable stroller and a super lightweight stroller: rarely will you find a stroller that meets both of those needs, especially not an umbrella stroller. To keep an umbrella stroller super lightweight (under 10 pounds), you often compromise a bit on seat, head, and side cushioning. The best lightweight strollers strike a good balance between weight, build quality and comfort. When we tested out the Baby Jogger City Tour LUX as a potential candidate for this list, we totally loved it; it was easy to use, comfortable, versatile, and highly maneuverable. But it weighed 19 pounds, so we decided to leave it off this list - but if you're willing to consider a stroller that is a bit heavier, definitely check out the Baby Jogger City Tour .

For more information about how to pick a stroller , check out our full stroller buying guide.

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• Baby and kid

The Best Travel Strollers

By Elise Czajkowski

A good travel stroller can make the difference between a jaunty vacation and a miserable slog.

We researched dozens of travel strollers, tested seven on a variety of trips involving planes, trains, buses, and cabs, and concluded that the Uppababy Minu V2 is the best option to keep parents and tots happy. Unlike most travel strollers, you’re sacrificing very little in comfort and maneuverability with the Minu V2—which is why many people find it’s also the ideal everyday stroller.

If you’re looking for a lighter, simpler option, the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Stroller is a great budget pick.

Everything we recommend

Uppababy Minu V2

The best travel stroller.

This comfortable, sturdy travel stroller handles bumpy streets better than the competition and is easy to fold one-handed. Many parents love it for everyday use as well.

Buying Options

Budget pick.

Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Stroller

Simple and sturdy.

This less-expensive option handles rough terrain well and offers the best on-the-go napping option of all the strollers we tested.

What we looked for

Being able to quickly collapse or unfurl the stroller is crucial when traveling.

We prioritized strollers that are easy to steer one-handed over bumpy surfaces and around tight turns.

A travel stroller should be small enough to store easily, whether in a closet or a packed car trunk.

You shouldn’t need to look at the manual to relearn how to use your stroller each time you pull it out.

Neither the Minu V2 nor the City Tour 2 Stroller is compatible with any of the picks in our guide to infant car seats ; if that’s a must, the Mountain Buggy Nano (2020+) is another good option . And if putting your stroller in an overhead compartment is a priority, we recommend the Babyzen Yoyo2 Stroller .

The Uppababy Minu V2 has many features that allow it to function as a full-size stroller, including an underseat basket that holds up to 20 pounds, a simple recline option that’s good for napping, and a handy backseat pocket for storing odds and ends. Its one-hand fold is impressively simple, and of the travel strollers we tested, it has the easiest harness to adjust and the most-intuitive brakes. It also has a large, zip-out sun canopy with UPF protection. You can use it—without attachments—with children as young as 3 months, or with Uppababy’s bassinet or select car seats with newborns. A kid doesn’t officially outgrow it until they reach 50 pounds—which is often grade-school age. But at 17 pounds, it’s heavier than our budget pick.

The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Stroller isn’t quite as simple to fold, recline, or buckle as the Minu V2, but it has the most comfortable handlebar of the travel strollers we tested, a decent canopy with UV protection, and a good amount of underseat storage (though it is harder to access than the Minu V2’s). Its large, adjustable footrest, long seat, and deep recline make it the best stroller that we tested for on-the-go naps, even for older kids (it fits kids up to 45 pounds). At 15.1 pounds, it’s a couple of pounds lighter than the Minu V2 and, unlike that stroller, comes with a travel bag.

The research

Why you should trust us, who this is for, how we picked and tested, our pick: uppababy minu v2, budget pick: baby jogger city tour 2 stroller, other good travel strollers, the competition.

I’ve been writing about strollers for Wirecutter for more than two years, and I’ve tested dozens of strollers from 16 brands in that time. For a 2023 update to our guide to travel strollers, I researched more than a dozen popular models and tested seven with my 1-year-old son.

My husband and I brought these strollers on international flights, regional trains, and local buses, and we loaded them in and out of cabs and cars of various sizes. Other Wirecutter parents tested strollers on their summer trips, and I badgered people around my neighborhood about their experiences with travel strollers.

This article builds on the work of writer Sonjia Hyon, who logged 130 miles testing nine travel strollers for an earlier version of this guide.

For many families, a travel stroller will never be necessary; for others, it may be the only stroller they ever need. In general, travel strollers are smaller and lighter than full-size strollers and fold down to fit easily in many forms of transportation.

If you don’t travel regularly, or you’re mostly visiting people who have a spare stroller, you can forgo one entirely and rely on carriers and car seats. On the other hand, I know plenty of parents who use a travel stroller as their everyday go-to; it’s a particularly good option for anyone who is living in a small space or has to carry a stroller up and down steps on a regular basis.

Travel strollers have increasingly replaced umbrella strollers as the go-to lightweight, foldable option for travelers, which became clear when we noticed brands discontinuing their umbrella strollers and making travel models instead. They are primarily distinguished by their fold; a travel stroller collapses into a more compact, suitcase shape while umbrella strollers fold into a long, golf bag shape. This extra convenience comes at a cost; travel strollers are generally much pricier. All of the so-called budget travel strollers we tested in 2023 were more expensive than the priciest model we considered for our guide to umbrella strollers .

You do, of course, have to make some compromises. The travel strollers that fold the most compactly are likely to be the hardest to fold; the lightest strollers do not maneuver as well as heavier options. And all lack some features that many parents love in their full-size strollers, such as large storage baskets, reversible toddler seats, and adjustable handlebars.

If you’ve already purchased a full-size stroller that you like and are looking to add a travel stroller, you may want to look first at options from the same brand. Stroller manufacturers keep many things consistent across their lines, so you’ll find that elements like the type of brake, the style of the buckle, and the feel of the handlebar are familiar. For instance, the Uppababy Cruz V2 and Minu V2 share the same harness that’s easy to adjust and buckle, which I consider to be one of the most important elements in a good stroller.

More travel strollers are available now than when we began testing in 2018, as high-end brands have begun to offer more luxe options. We began our 2023 research by looking at the updated models of our three past picks—the Uppababy Minu V2 has replaced the original Minu, the Babyzen Yoyo2 Stroller has replaced the Yoyo+ Stroller, and the Mountain Buggy Nano (2020+) has replaced the original Nano. We also read online reviews for dozens of strollers to determine other good options to test. Based on our research, we determined that a good travel stroller is:

Easy to push and maneuver: Because a travel stroller needs to perform in a variety of environments inside and outside, we prioritized strollers that are easy to push on uneven terrain and able to maneuver through tight spaces. We only tested strollers that could be pushed and steered one-handed. I took seven strollers home and tested them several times in different conditions, including over cobblestones and uneven streets, in and out of subways, and up and down stairs. I also put them through a test course in our Long Island City, New York office, using sandbags in the toddler seat to test maneuverability and the one-handed push.

Easy to fold and unfold: A travel stroller needs to be easy to quickly fold and unfold; ideally, you should be able to collapse or unfurl a stroller while holding a squirming baby or kicking toddler. In my testing, I timed how long it took to fold and unfold each stroller and if it required one or two hands.

Easy to carry and stow: The stroller should fold down to a compact size; some even get small enough to fit into the overhead compartment on an airplane. We didn’t prioritize that ability, since different airlines and planes have different requirements, and it may be up to individual flight crews to decide if you can put a stroller in the overhead bin. We weighed each stroller ourselves, and the ones we tested ranged from 13 to 17 pounds, a close enough number that it didn’t end up being a major factor in our decision making. We also looked for strollers that have a shoulder strap or travel bag for carrying.

We liked to see that strollers had an option for clicking in an infant car seat, though neither of our picks are compatible with our best infant car-seat picks .

We also looked for a reclining seat, an easily adjustable harness, a decent-size canopy for sun protection, and an accessible underseat storage basket. I tested how easy it was to clean up food messes by smearing jam and whipped cream on all of the strollers and seeing how hard it was to remove stains with just baby wipes or fabric cleaner. Where small children go, messes follow—that’s why we devoted an entire article to  how to clean a stroller .

The Uppababy Minu V2 is an exceptionally comfortable travel stroller for children and parents. It’s similar to the previous version of the Minu, which was our top pick for years, but it improves on that model with a simpler-to-adjust harness, a bigger sun canopy, and an adjustable footrest.

I found that it was sturdy enough to maneuver on bumpy cobblestone streets, light enough for one person to haul up short flights of stairs with a child buckled in, and simple enough to fold one-handed and throw in the back of a car. It has a comfortable handlebar, ample underseat storage, a large canopy with UPF protection , and a harness that adjusts quickly and intuitively.

It has a fantastic one-handed fold. The Minu V2 is the only one of our picks with a one-handed fold—you slide a lever and push a button simultaneously on the handlebar, push the whole thing forward, and the stroller collapses onto itself. The unfold is also fairly simple; undo a latch on the side and pull up on the handlebar, and it all flings open. The stroller stands up pretty well on its own when folded. In our tests, we found that it took less than 10 seconds to fold or unfold the stroller.

It’s easy to carry. The Minu V2 includes a carry handle and a shoulder strap, so it’s easier to pick up for short hauls than our other pick. (Though at 17 pounds, it’s not particularly comfortable to tote around for long periods.) Uppababy also sells a travel bag that lets you access the TravelSafe program , an additional two-year warranty added onto the original product warranty that offers replacements for parts damaged during air travel.

The harness is simple. The simple plastic buckle is easy to close and open. I find the Uppababy’s harness straps to be the easiest to use of any strollers I’ve tested because the shoulder and waist straps are permanently connected (on other strollers, including the city tour 2, our budget pick, they can separate). This does mean wiggling your child’s arms in and out of the straps, which some parents find more taxing. The harness straps are also the easiest to adjust of any that we tested; simply slide the strap up and down along the back of the child’s seat to change the height, and pull on the ends of the straps to tighten or loosen.

The recline and incline function on the seat is straightforward. You simply pull down a buckle to recline and pull up on two straps to incline. It does take some effort to incline with a toddler in the seat, but none of the travel strollers that we tested were any easier.

The brakes are intuitive and easy to engage, even when you’re barefoot. Like the Uppababy Cruz V2 , a pick in our guide to full-size strollers , the Minu V2 has two brake pedals—a red to lock and a green to unlock—that are easy to engage and, based on their position, allow you to see from a distance if the stroller is locked.

It can be used for a long time and has plenty of storage. With an additional attachment, the Minu V2 can be used with the Uppababy bassinet as well as several infant car seats , making it a good option for newborns, and it can fit a child as young as three months without any accessories. The seat can hold a child up to 50 pounds, the maximum of the travel strollers we tried, and the underseat storage basket can hold up to 20 pounds, the most of any travel stroller we tested, making it popular as an everyday stroller, with good reason. It lacks some of the best features of the larger, more expensive Uppababy Cruz V2 —a reversible toddler seat, a storage basket that can handle a grocery haul, an adjustable handlebar—but it’s narrower, lighter, and faster to fold.

The canopy, seat fabric, and underseat basket can be removed for hand-washing. In our cleaning tests, it was hard to get stains out of the green fabric of our stroller; even after using a stain remover, we could see dark splotches on the seat.

Uppababy strollers come with a two-year limited warranty and an extra year if you register your stroller within three months of purchasing.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The first Minu V2 that we tested held up well for several weeks of travel—and then, one day it refused to fold. We contacted Uppababy, which said this is not a known issue (although we found a few online complaints of a similar issue with the original Minu) and that anyone with this problem would be issued a new frame immediately; our replacement stroller has held up just fine so far. Given Uppababy’s reputation for good strollers, we’re fairly confident that we simply got a lemon.

At nearly 17 pounds, the Minu V2 is the heaviest of the strollers we tested. It’s also one of the largest when folded, meaning it may need to be gate-checked when boarding a plane. (Though it is larger than almost all airlines’ official requirements for on-board luggage, it may fit in the overhead bins on larger airplanes.) In our travels, it required some careful, Tetris-like finagling to squeeze it into a hatchback alongside our luggage, although one tester was able to fit it behind the driver’s seat of a sedan.

Like all of the travel strollers we tested, it sometimes requires a little shoving to get it to collapse fully. And because of the way the canopy is attached, it sometimes felt flimsy, and it occasionally popped off the frame on one side when unfolding or carrying the stroller up stairs with a child inside.

Weight: 17.3 pounds Frame dimensions: 20.5 by 36 inches (WL) Folded size: 20.5 by 23 by 13 inches (WLH) Child weight, height limit: 50 pounds, 40 inches Storage basket weight limit: 20 pounds Car seat compatibility with an adapter: Uppababy Mesa; Maxi-Cosi Mico Max 30 Infant Car Seat, Mico NXT Infant Car Seat, Mico AP Infant Car Seat, and Mico Max Plus Car Seat; Nuna Pipa, Pipa Lite, Pipa Lite Lx, Pipa Lite R, Pipa Rx, and Pipa Lite Rx; the Cybex Aton, Aton 2, Aton Q, and Aton M Second child adaptability: ride-along board available for purchase Wheel diameter: front wheels 5 inches, rear wheels 6.5 inches Included accessories: bumper bar Add-on accessories: cup holder , travel bag , parent organizer , bassinet , ride-along board , snack tray , rain shield , and basket cover

If you’re willing to sacrifice a one-handed fold, an easily accessible storage basket, and a notably easy-to-buckle harness, the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Stroller is a remarkably solid and maneuverable stroller for its price. It handles bumpy streets and cobblestones without complaint, and I found the handlebar’s height and material more comfortable than those on the other less-expensive options we tested.

The City Tour 2 Stroller also has a large adjustable footrest that allows a young toddler to lie almost completely flat; paired with its built-in UV 50+ sun canopy, it’s a great option if on-the-go naps are a priority. For many parents, the best thing about this stroller is that it doesn’t feature anything too noteworthy or fussy; it’s a simple stroller that just works.

The fold is simple, but it requires two steps and both hands. Slide a lever and push a button to fold down the handlebar, then pull up on a strap on the inside of the seat to collapse the whole thing. (If you have the adjustable footrest up, you need to put it down for maximum compactness.) To unfold, undo a latch on the side and click it all into place. In our testing, it took about 10 seconds to fold the stroller (including lowering the footrest) and about 7 seconds to unfold.

The buckle has five pieces but stays together well. The shoulder and waist straps on each side click together, which allows you to simply slide your child’s arm through the shoulder straps rather than attach five separate pieces. One tester found that these pieces tended to separate when her toddler was getting out of the stroller, requiring her to clip them again the next time. But the straps remain snug once buckled. Reclining and inclining the seat is simple—pinch a clamp and pull down on the seat to recline, then pinch the same clamp and push up to incline. As with all of the travel strollers we tested, inclining can be a challenge with larger children.

The underseat basket can easily hold a day’s worth of stuff. The underseat basket holds 15 pounds—not as much as our top pick, but more than most of the strollers we tested.

The seat fabric of the City Tour 2 Stroller can be machine washed; other parts should be hand-washed. In our cleaning tests, we found that food wiped easily off of the black fabric, and any lingering smudges disappeared with stain remover. Unfortunately, we can’t say if this was due to the dark color or the fabric itself, but this stroller comes only in black or gray (you can also buy a blue-green, special-edition model that’s about $60 more) while the Minu V2 comes in many colors.

It also comes with a travel bag, which adds another layer of protection if you’re gate-checking a bag or putting the stroller away for long-term storage.

Baby Jogger strollers come with a lifetime warranty for manufacturer defects on the frame, and a one-year limited warranty on the fabrics. And though it doesn’t offer the same sort of TravelSafe program as Uppababy, the company said they “are always willing to help our customers where we can with damaged goods.”

The canopy can be hard to unfurl. The peekaboo window is secured with Velcro, which means it could wake up a sleeping child when undone. (The peekaboo flap can also be held open with a button.) The single brake pedal must be pushed up from the bottom to unlock, which is tricky if you’re barefoot or in open-toe shoes; the Minu V2’s two pedals are easier to use. And though the City Tour 2 Stroller does come with a travel bag, the stroller itself doesn’t feature a shoulder strap for carrying.

The seat’s most upright position is somewhat reclined. As with other Baby Jogger strollers that we’ve tested, the seat is never fully upright, which can be frustrating for a bigger kid who wants to look around (or a parent who doesn’t want a toddler to nap). The harness can be a challenge to adjust—the waist straps in particular take some time—and to change the height of the shoulder strap, you need to rethread the straps through the back of the toddler seat, which can’t be done with a child in the stroller. Unlike the Minu V2, the back of the seat doesn’t have a pocket for small items.

The stroller does not stand on its own when folded. It always needed to be propped against a wall or laid down flat. And I found that I sometimes smashed my hand when pushing down to make sure that it was folded as compactly as possible. The stroller also doesn’t have a mechanism for the whole stroller to stay attached to itself when folded; if you grab the handlebar when the stroller is folded, it will pull away from the body.

At 5 foot 2, one tester found it was difficult to fold the handlebar down and needed to stabilize the stroller by putting her foot on the underseat basket for leverage; at 5 foot 7, I didn’t have the same issue.

Weight: 15.1 pounds Frame dimensions: 20 by 39 inches (WL) Folded size: 20 by 22.5 by 9.5 inches (WLH) Child weight, height limit: 45 pounds, 40 inches Storage basket weight limit: 15 pounds Car seat compatibility with an adapter: Baby Jogger City Go Infant Car Seat, City Go 2 Infant Car Seat, and City Go Air Infant Car Seat; Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Elite and SnugRide SnugLock 35 Platinum Second child adaptability: stroller cannot be adapted; City Tour 2 Double Stroller is also available, but we have not tested it yet Wheel diameter: front wheels 5 inches, rear wheels 6 inches Included accessories: travel bag Add-on accessories: belly bar , parent console , and weather shield

If you need or want to travel with a car seat: The Mountain Buggy Nano (2020+) is equipped with a universal car seat adapter—a genius feature that all stroller companies should adopt. Not only can you use many infant car seats with the nano—including any of our infant car seat picks —but it works with lightweight toddler car seats and convertible travel car seats like the Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat , which we recommend as the best convertible car seat for travel .

But the canopy rests against the handlebar when closed, making the stroller uncomfortable to push for long periods, especially in the heat. It also has finicky harness straps that never felt tight enough and a brake that’s easy to trip accidentally.

If a stroller that fits in most overhead compartments is crucial: Consider the Babyzen Yoyo2 Stroller , which has the smallest fold of any of the strollers we tested. It meets the International Air Transport Association standards for carry-on bags, and I’ve seen people putting it in the overhead bins on several flights—even though at 17.3 inches wide, it is wider than the official width limit of 14 inches on many airlines. The fabric was also the easiest to wipe clean of every stroller we tested.

But its multistep folding mechanism is frustrating; it involves pushing a button and pulling a handle underneath the seat, which means crouching down and feeling around for the right spots. It’s also difficult to push and steer in a hurry; in our tests, it veered off course easily when pushing one-handed. And the front tires had a tendency to spin uncontrollably after hitting a bump, creating a drag that took a few seconds to correct.

This is not a comprehensive list of everything we tested in previous iterations of this guide; it only includes strollers that are still available for sale.

The 16-pound Bugaboo Butterfly is well made and easy to maneuver, but multiple testers said they found the handlebar uncomfortable to push, particularly on hills. I also found that I sometimes struggled to get it unlocked and unfolded in a hurry—an important feature of a travel stroller.

At about $500, the nearly 16-pound Nuna Trvl is the most expensive travel stroller that we tested, and it has some excellent features, including the simplest fold we saw on any travel stroller. But it is very large when folded with the belly bar attached, and when the canopy is closed, it covers the handlebar, making it uncomfortable to push.

The dual handlebars of the Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller , our umbrella stroller pick , make it nearly impossible to push one-handed—an important feature if you’re traveling by yourself and need your other hand for carrying other items. If you don’t mind using two hands and relying on a simpler but less maneuverable stroller than those recommended in this guide, you can save money by using an umbrella stroller over a travel model.

The Zoe the Traveler is only 13 pounds and has some nice features, including a parent cup holder, but it didn’t maneuver as well as I’d like. I struggled to push it off the subway, and it nearly tipped forward from a small, uneven bump in the sidewalk. It was also one of the hardest strollers to unfold.

We tested the 11-pound Zoe XL1 Best in 2018 (which has since been renamed The Tour+) and dismissed it after finding it harder to push and maneuver than other travel strollers we tested. It would frequently stop suddenly, causing the parent to pitch forward.

The 9.5 pound GB Pockit Air All-Terrain and the 13-pound GB Pockit+ All-City were dismissed because they didn’t feel sturdy.

The Kolcraft Cloud Plus Stroller was dismissed because it did not feel durable, was challenging to maneuver, and didn’t have a working lock.

This article was edited by Rachel Hurn and Kalee Thompson.

Meet your guide

Elise Czajkowski

Elise Czajkowski is a freelance writer and editor covering strollers for Wirecutter.

Further reading

Traveling With Little Kids Can Be Tough. The Right Gear Can Help.

by Kerry Davis McGuinness

From compact car seats and cribs to portable blackout shades and white noise machines, the right tools for travel can lead to less fuss—and more fun.

The Best Travel Car Seats

by Christina Szalinski and Rebecca Gale

After testing 17 lightweight, portable car seats, we have five good options for infants, toddlers, and big kids to recommend.

The Best Stroller Wagons

by Liz Iversen

Got kids and gear you need to schlep to the soccer field, the beach, or the neighborhood block party? A stroller wagon might be for you.

The Best Full-Size Strollers

by Elise Czajkowski

We considered more than 100 full-size strollers to determine the best ones to transport your kids and all of their stuff. These are the top five.

Protect Your Trip »

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

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

The Best Travel Strollers

Courtesy of Joolz

The Joolz Aer is the best overall travel stroller on the market.

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.)

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

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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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