10 Things We All Are Hateful About Travel Stroller
A Compact Travel Stroller Should Be Easy to Carry
When it comes to picking the most compact stroller, you want one that folds up into a small, easy-to-carry package. It should be lightweight, come with an automobile seat-compatible design, and fit into overhead bins for airlines.
This compact stroller made by UPPAbaby is a great choice. It's easy to fold and has a comfortable carrying strap, and is easily tucked in the overhead compartment of planes. It has a simple, nearly flat recline and smooth movement.
Easy to Assemble
Traveling is stressful enough, without having to worry how to take everything. This is why we believe that a great travel stroller should be easy to assemble fold and carry around. This lightweight Kolcraft stroller does exactly that. The stroller is lightweight and compact. can be shut and opened by pressing two buttons on the handle while standing up. It can be tucked away in overhead bins on many planes and comes with a carrying bag to sling the stroller over your shoulders when out and out and about.
In our tests, this lightweight stroller was able to easily navigate through any terrain, and was able to maneuver well, making it a great option for travel. It also features a huge sun canopy with a zip-open mesh segment that provides ample coverage and visibility for your little one, as well as an easy-to-change leg rest and padded shoulder straps. It's also a perfect fit for most Nuna PIPA series car seats (just click and you're done) and comes with a large storage basket that can hold a lot of your on-the-go essentials.
This compact stroller from Babyzen is a favorite of parents who reside in cities or who love to travel. It arrives in a box already assembled and is as easy to open using two buttons on the handle. It folds in a similar manner and fits in the carrying bag. The only drawback is that it might be a bit too big for some overhead bins on airplanes, and we've received reports that the handles feel a bit flimsy and some parents found it uncomfortable. It's a great option for those looking for a lightweight, compact travel stroller. We'd love to see a smaller parent pocket to store things like dollar bills for ice cream!
Easy to Fold
As the name suggests that they are designed to be compact. They are lighter and smaller than regular strollers, and come with smaller features such as cup holders and storage baskets. They must function well for everyday use, and they should be easy to carry. Look into a stroller for travel that meets your requirements if you intend to travel frequently with your child.
The UPPAbaby G-Luxe For instance, it is easy to fold and can be tucked away into overhead bins. It is also easy to maneuver and roll, even on rough terrain. The UPPAbaby is equipped with a variety of nice features, like a deep recliner and an additional sun canopy to give your child plenty of coverage. The only drawback is that the folding mechanism isn't the most reliable, and you may have to be very careful with your fingers to make sure it's just right.
Another alternative is the Babyzen YoYO2 that folds into a compact size and then opens with one hand. It doesn't have as much storage space as other strollers however it has some appealing features, including a comfortable carry strap, an ample undercarriage basket, and an extended canopy. It's our most expensive travel stroller, however, it's also the most luxurious.
The Cybex Libelle 2 is another travel stroller that has a tiny fold that's easy to unfold. It's heavier than most strollers, but is still light enough and compact enough to be an excellent choice for city living and luxury travel. It also comes with plenty of nice features, such as a cup holder that fits a standard-size mug, a convenient carry handle, and an expandable canopy that's big enough to protect your child from the sun.
The Mini model from UPPAbaby is a great option for those who own the Vista or Cruz strollers from this brand and want an easier version. It's lighter than the original Minu but it's still a bit heavy for a travel pram. It has many other cool features such as a large storage basket as well as a deep reclining seat and an extendable canopy with UPF protection of 50+.
Easy to Carry
The ease at which you can fold down your stroller while traveling will make a huge difference in how it's possible to navigate a crowded airport or squeeze onto a packed bus. A good travel stroller should be able to fit in your trunk or an overhead bin with a couple of quick controlled movements. It should also be standing up on its own when folded. You should be able lift it with its handle, attach a carrying strap or slip it into the included storage bag to make it easier to transport it.
If you're planning on using your stroller in an airplane ensure that it's approved by the airline, or that it can fit into the overhead bins. The International Air Transport Association recommends carry-on luggage that's not larger than 22 x 18 x 10 inches. A majority of our top picks, like the ultra-lightweight Nuna TRVL, priced at $100 or more, can fit in these bins (although some require gate checking). The TRVL is so light, you can carry it in a handbag. It has a padded shoulder strap that can be attached to an adjustable bumper bar that can double pram as a handle.
The TRVL is a great choice for parents on the go, too, as it's compatible with all Nuna Pipa infant car seats without the need for adapters. Our experts are awestruck by the easy two-position reclining mechanism and the no-rethread safety harness, which is designed to grow with your baby stroller. It's also lighter than other travel strollers which makes it a great option for families who often travel.
Other great features on this compact travel stroller include a spring-loaded back-of-the-underseat basket that's big enough for a backpack, diaper bag, or purse, and a flat, open sun canopy that offers some coverage and blockage (though it's not as large as the ones on some of our other top picks). It's also among the lightest strollers we've tested. However, be aware that although most airlines will allow you to check-in at the gate with the full-sized stroller, they may also require you to carry the stroller folded through security and out of the cabin. If that's the case, consider buying a protective travel bag for it to protect against accidental damage by baggage handlers.
Easy to Store
A compact travel stroller is ideal for frequent travelers as it doesn't need a large stroller trunk or take up a lot of space in your car or hotel room. Some models fold down so compact that they can be easily tucked away them in the overhead bin of an airplane and some are so light that they don't add much weight to your carry-on bags. They're also easy to maneuver through busy airports and on crowded city sidewalks.
If you're an avid traveler, it's worth buying one of the best strollers for travel that we've tested. The Silver Cross Jet 4 is an excellent, well-made stroller with a number of features. It comes with a large basket that sits under the seat, as well as a padded bar with a wrist strap which makes it comfortable for long trips. The reclining mechanism is easy and the stroller fits into the overhead bin of an airline (though you'll need to check the gate). This model is suitable from birth with the Nuna Pipa infant car seat. It also comes with an integrated carry bag with insurance against the possibility of damage to your stroller while traveling.
The Babyzen YoYo2 stroller is also extremely light, making it ideal for short getaways. It's a breeze to maneuver around airport aisles and it's upright when folded, which is great when you're trying to manage it with other luggage. The YoYo2 isn't quite as large as a full-size stroller when it's folded, but it still offers plenty of features, for instance, a spacious under-seat basket, as well as a reclining mechanism that's easy to operate by hand.
For many parents who have children, a stroller is an essential piece of equipment for getting around with kids. A good quality compact stroller will ensure your safety when you travel and allow you to navigate busy sidewalks and public transportation easily. Take into consideration your family's lifestyle and requirements when looking for the perfect stroller for your baby. Then you can look through our list of top picks to find the right stroller for your next family adventure. The Good Housekeeping Institute has been testing products for over a century and this guide is based on their expert research. It was reviewed by independent editors and writers who are parents of children 6 and under. They used the strollers in the lab, on road trips, and with their own families and also leaned on consumers to provide feedback.