The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers
This stroller is among the lightest and compact. It's also the most easy to fold. Despite its size it has an excellent ride, a fantastic sun canopy, and a multi-position recline.
At less than $100 it's a great value. It's lightweight and easy to fold, making it ideal for public transport or slinging over your shoulder.
1. Lightweight
The most important aspect of a great travel stroller is to be light and easy to fold. The top travel models we tested fold down with just one hand (and sometimes two hands) and can fit in overhead luggage compartments. They are also lightweight and easy to roll, making them easy to maneuver into tight spaces. Some even offer the option of a telescoping handle to parents of different heights. Whether you're planning a quick trip with a newborn or a long-haul vacation with a toddler, look for a lightweight, easy-to-pack stroller that will make the journey -- and return -- easier for your family.
We evaluated nine strollers that met our minimum size and weight requirements. Each model was tested on city streets, country side walks, and in the airport terminal to determine its maneuverability, the ease of carrying and folding as well as overall comfort for children.
Our top picks are the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) that has the most simple fold of the travel strollers we tried and fits into overhead bins on airplanes. The seat reclines to a flat position and is car seat compatible and is suitable from birth. The car also has an undercarriage with a deep design, a bag-hook on the handle, and UPF50+ canopy to offer plenty of protection to your child.
The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another option. It has the ability to fold in concertina that can be operated with one hand and is extremely light. Its five-point harness, padded and crotch strap will keep your child safe, while the reversible seat as well as a massive undercarriage basket make sure there's room for all of their items. It is also compatible with the brand's infant car seat. This makes it an ideal option for families starting that have children from birth.
The Coya TRVL ($320) is a one-handed, one step fold, is also compatible with car seats and features an enormous canopy. It's more expensive than other models in the same category, but offers additional features such as a large cupholder, a parent pocket, a movable handlebar to accommodate parents of different heights and a comfortable carrying strap. The simple design does compromise durability, compared to other models in this category.
2. Folding is easy
A travel stroller is one that is easy to open and shut when you're on the move. You do not want a stroller that is difficult to close when you have children or groceries in your arms. Even with just one hand, the best travel strollers can be folded easily and compactly. Many come with a cushioned carrying strap that is comfortable over your shoulder.
In our tests in our tests, the Libelle stroller scored well for its ease of folding and compact size. It also has a few great features. It is smooth on all surfaces, and has an ample canopy that provides sufficient coverage. It's also surprisingly light and free-standing when folded making it easy to store.
We recommend that parents who wish to have their stroller fit in the overhead bins of planes, look for models that are guaranteed to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It fits in the smallest of foldings and comes with an enclosed travel cover. However it doesn't have a reclining seat, and its cargo area is too narrow to hold anything but a small diaper bag or tote.
Another alternative is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds down into a concertina design but also features a reversible seat for back-to-back or face-to-face riding. The handle is hidden behind the seat, but our editor didn't like the fold.
The newest model of stroller for travel is the tri-fold, which folds in thirds and provides the most compact combination of size and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu, as an example, comes with a reversible chair with a storage pouch that is not structured in the rear, and a locking latch that keeps it folded. It's slightly larger than the umbrella models made by the brand however, it folds more compactly than G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts. It also comes with an adjustable carry strap that can be worn over your shoulder.
3. Easy to store
The most effective strollers for travel can be folded down to a compact size that is easy to store. They can easily be tucked away in the trunk of a vehicle or the overhead bin of the plane. Some come with a strap can be used to carry the stroller on your shoulder, so that your hands don't get exhausted. They're also lighter than standard strollers. This makes them easier to lift or carry for a stroll in the neighborhood or at the airport.
When we test this stroller, it did exceptionally well in our durability tests and was able to maneuver on all kinds of surfaces including smooth hardwoods to shag carpeting. However some of our testers found it to be a bit thin and the handlebar does not include any padding to keep your hands comfortable. Another thing to take into consideration is how big the basket is it's on the smaller side, and some parents found it difficult to squeeze the large diaper bag inside it.
In general, we suggest calling your airline ahead of time to confirm their specific guidelines regarding the use of strollers on planes as they may differ. This is especially important if you want to gate-check your stroller and allow you to travel around the airport without it and use it once you're on the plane (though that option won't work for families that require an infant car seat or booster).
The Contours Itsy travel stroller is an excellent choice for those who want a lightweight, compact stroller. The Contours Itsy comes fully assembled and all you have to do is put in the bumper bar. It has cups holder for the parent, as well as a back pocket. However it doesn't have an over-sized basket. This may restrict your ability to carry essentials for a long journey.
If you're a frequent traveler we recommend you look into a more robust stroller that has better features and the ability to hold more items. The UPPAbaby Mini, as an instance, comes with many of the G-Luxe or G-Link siblings with features, but it is smaller and folds much faster. It is also slightly more durable than an umbrella stroller, and comes with a cushioned strap to help lift some of the burden off your shoulders.
4. Comfortable
It is important to be comfortable when using strollers for long periods of time. Look for seats with ample padding and a recline feature that allows you to set it at various angles. Also, consider whether the canopy extends to provide shade from the sun and if it has mesh windows to allow airflow. If you're required to carry your own items take a look at a model that has an organizer for parents and a cup holder as well as an ample storage basket underneath the seat. When shopping for a travel child jogger, make sure to check the age range. Also, think about whether your child is at ease in the seat without an infant car-seat.
It is also essential to consider the way a stroller moves. It should be able to move easily on a variety of surfaces such as smooth hardwoods, shag carpets, cobblestones and gravel. It must be able of handling curbs, stairs, and other obstacles easily. Choose a lightweight stroller for those who intend to do a lot of walking throughout your trip. This will help prevent leg and back pain.
A quality stroller for travel should be simple to use, as well. It should be easy to put together and snap together when placed in the correct place. Pushchairs And Prams should also be able fold flat and fit into the car's boot or in the overhead compartment of an airplane. It should also be upright when folded so that you can reach it up with one hand, while holding your child in the other.
The Joie Tourist is an excellent choice for parents who are looking for a lightweight, high-quality travel stroller. It comes with several recline positions, which means your child can rest comfortably. The extended canopy offers plenty of sun coverage with UPF protection. It also comes with a lot of other accessories; a footmuff, cup holder, and rain cover are all included. Charlotte loves the fact that the car seat is suitable for infants to four years old and does not require an adapter separately.