What's The Reason Nobody Is Interested In Strollers

The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller is one of the lightest and compact. It's also one of the easiest to fold. It offers a smooth ride with a great sun canopy, and a multi-position recline.

For less than $100 it's a great value. It has an easy, compact fold and a carry strap, which makes it easy to carry over your shoulder or carry with you on public transport.

1. Lightweight

The most important thing to consider when choosing a travel stroller is that it should be light and easy to fold. The best models we tested could be folded in one hand, and sometimes two and fit in overhead luggage compartments. They are also lightweight and easy to roll, making them easy to maneuver into tight spaces. Some models come with a telescoping hand to accommodate parents of different heights. If you're planning a brief trip with a newborn or a long-haul vacation with a toddler, you'll need an easy-to-pack stroller that makes the journey -- and return for your family.

To determine the top travel strollers, we evaluated nine that met our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets as well as on country side walks and in the terminal at the airport to assess its maneuverability, the ease of carrying and folding, and overall comfort for the child.

Our top picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) It is the easiest to fold of all the strollers that we tried and fits into airplane overhead bins. The seat reclines nearly flat and is compatible with car seats which means it's suitable from birth. Other features that parents will appreciate include a large undercarriage basket as well as a bag hook that is attached to the handle and a UPF 50+ canopy that provides plenty of coverage for your young traveler.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is an alternative that is a great choice. It features a concertina folding that can be operated using just one hand, and is extremely light. The five-point harness is padded, crotch strap, and an reversible seat will ensure your child's safety and secure, while a large undercarriage basket and a convertible seat ensure that there is enough space for their possessions. It is also compatible with the brand's infant car seat. This makes it an ideal choice for families beginning at birth.

The Coya TRVL ($320), one-handed, one-step fold and is also compatible with car seats and has a large canopy. It's a bit more expensive than other models in this class however it has additional features such as a large parent pocket and cupholder as well as an adjustable handlebar to accommodate parents of all heights and a comfortable carry strap. The simple design does not mean it's as durable, as contrasted with other models in this category.

2. Easy to fold

A cheap stroller that is designed for travel should be simple to close and open when you're on-the-go. If you're carrying a bag of groceries or kids in your arms you don't want to struggle with a cumbersome stroller to close it. The most efficient travel strollers fold easily and compactly, even with one hand. Many come with a cushioned strap that can be comfortably placed over your shoulder.

In our tests, the Libelle stroller scored highly for its easy folding and compactness. However, it also has some great features: It can roll effortlessly across all surfaces and has a large canopy that offers plenty of coverage. It's also surprisingly light and free-standing when folded, which makes it easy to store.

For parents who want to walk right up to the plane gate and pop their stroller into an overhead bin, we suggest looking for an option that will fit in. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It fits into the smallest folding space and comes with an enclosed travel cover. However, it does not have a reclined seat, and its cargo area is too narrow to hold anything but the smallest diaper bag or tote.

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another option. It folds in a concertina-style fashion, but it also has a reversible seating position for face-to-face riding or back-to-back riding. The handle is tucked behind the seat, however our editor didn't love the fold.

The tri-fold is the newest stroller that travels. It folds in three pieces and provides the most compact combination of size and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu for instance, has a reversible chair and a storage compartment that is unstructured at the rear, and a locking latch that keeps it folded. It's a bit bigger than the umbrella models from the brand however, it folds smaller than its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts. It also comes with a padded carry strap that fits over your shoulder.

3. Easy to store

The most effective travel strollers fold up into smaller, compact size that's easy to fit into the trunk of your car or into the overhead bin on an airplane. Some models come with a strap you can use to carry the stroller on your shoulder to ensure that your hands won't get exhausted. They are also lighter than normal strollers. This makes them easy to lift and carry around for a quick stroll in the neighborhood or at the airport.

When we test this stroller, it performed extremely well in our durability tests and was easy to maneuver on all kinds of surfaces from smooth hardwoods to shag carpeting. However some of our testers noticed that it was a bit flimsy and the handlebar doesn't have any padding to help keep your hands comfortable. The size of the storage basket is also something to consider. It's on the small side and some parents have reported that it was difficult to squeeze a large size diaper bag inside it.

In general, we suggest calling your airline prior to time to confirm their specific guidelines for bringing on board strollers, as they can vary. This is especially important if you plan to gate-check a stroller. You can then use it on the plane, and then navigate through the airport without the stroller.

If you're looking to purchase a straightforward stroller that is lightweight and folds down to an extremely compact size the Contours Itsy is a great option. The Contours Itsy is fully assembled and all you have to do is snap in the bumper bar. It comes with a cup holder for the parent and an additional back pocket. However it doesn't come with an over-sized basket. This may limit your ability pack essentials for long trips.

If you're frequent travelers, we recommend that you consider a more robust stroller that has more features and the ability to carry more cargo. The UPPAbaby Minu, as an instance, comes with many of the same features as its G-Luxe and G-Link siblings however, it's smaller and folds up more quickly. It's also a bit stronger than an umbrella stroller and comes with a comfortable carrying strap that takes some of the weight off your shoulders.

4. Comfortable

It is important to be comfortable when using strollers for long durations of time. Seats that have plenty of padding and a recline system that can be adjusted at various angles are ideal. Take note of whether the canopy extends to provide sun protection and if mesh windows allow airflow. If you're required to carry items with you take a look at a model that has an organizer for parents and Prams Pushchairs a cup holder as well as an ample storage basket underneath the seat. If you're in the market for a stroller that is suitable for older children, make sure to check the age range and determine whether your child will be comfortable in the stroller without an infant car seat.

The way a stroller is rolled is also crucial. It should be able to move effortlessly over a variety of surfaces including smooth hardwoods and shag carpets to cobblestones and gravel. It should also handle curbs and stairs with ease. Choose a lightweight stroller if you plan to do a lot walking during your journey. This will prevent leg and back pain.

A good quality travel stroller should be simple to use, as well. It should be easy to assemble and snap back together when placed in the correct location. It should also be able to fold flat and fit into the trunk of a car or in the overhead compartment of a plane. It should also be upright when folded so that you can reach it with one hand while holding your baby in the opposite.

If you're a parent who's looking for a high-quality lightweight stroller for their child the Joie Tourist is a great option. It has several recline positions, which means your child can nap comfortably, and its extensible canopy provides plenty of sun coverage with UPF protection. Plus, it includes a variety of additional features including a footmuff, cup holder, and rain cover are all included. Charlotte is thrilled that it's suitable from newborns up to four years and doesn't require a separate car seat adapter.