umbrella vs travel stroller

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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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Tags: Travel , Travel Gear

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11 Best Umbrella Strollers for Lightweight Travel and Storage 2024

As a longtime parenting editor and mom of three, I’m extremely familiar – both professionally and personally – with umbrella strollers. Whether you’re shopping for a more compact stroller that takes up significantly less space in your trunk or home, looking for one that folds down small for travel, or needing an extra to leave at the grandparents, the best umbrella strollers can be a real game-changer.

In addition to relying on my personal experience, I also consulted a former flight attendant and a baby gear expert to get professional advice on what features to look out for. Our top umbrella stroller pick, the Bugaboo Butterfly is lightweight, easy to maneuver, folds super easily, and works equally well for travel and everyday life.

Table of Contents

• Best Umbrella Strollers
• Things To Consider When Buying
• How We Chose

Bugaboo Butterfly  »

One-handed one-second fold

Adjustable seat and leg rest

Large basket

Meets airline carry-on requirements

Comes with rain cover

Cup holder not included

Compact, versatile, and stylish, the Bugaboo Butterfly is fantastic as both a travel and everyday stroller , making it our top overall pick. Not only does this smooth-driving compact stroller look — and feel — luxurious, but the one-handed one-second fold is truly as easy as advertised. It works with infants from 6 months up to four years thanks to both an adjustable seat and leg rest, so it’s highly possible this is the only stroller you’ll use for years to come, especially if you use car seat adaptors (sold separately.)

The Butterfly folds down super compactly and stands on its own afterward, making it easy to store in a closet or carry while traveling with the attached carry strap. The four-panel UPF 50 canopy and near-flat recline seat are ideal for naps on the go.

I actually used this for my third child and only wished I had something this lightweight — it’s only 16 pounds — for the other two. Unlike many other umbrella strollers where you sacrifice basket size for a smaller size, I found the Bugaboo Butterfly’s basket spacious enough to comfortably fit a backpack or diaper bag and other essentials. It’s also impressively easy to maneuver providing a smooth ride for both caregiver and baby.

Kolcraft Cloud Plus  »

Super lightweight

Comes with parent and child tray and drink holders

Self-standing when folded

Small canopy

Wheels aren’t the best for rough or uneven terrain

The Kolcraft Cloud Plus packs an impressive number of features in a very affordable compact package. At under 13 pounds, this incredible lightweight umbrella stroller gets the job done for trips to theme parks (it’s Disney-approved) and everyday errands. Considering how budget-friendly it is, it’s a pleasant surprise to find it comes not only with a child snack tray with a dual cup holder but a parent tray and drink holders as well.

The one-handed fold is convenient for parents who always have their hands full, and the basket is roomy enough to comfortably fit a small diaper bag or purse and other smaller items. The three-panel extendable canopy with a peekaboo parent window does provide some shade, although it’s not as substantial as some other models.

The multi-recline seat makes naps comfy, and parents can rest assured that their little one will stay nice and secure in the five-point harness as the stroller is approved by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM).

Nuna TRVL  »

Slim profile

One-handed fold

Easy to close 5-point harness

Luxe-looking accents

Compatible with Nuna car seats with no adaptor needed

Doesn’t come with cup holder

The ultra-compact Nuna TRVL is, as its name implies, ideal for toting around for travel or city living. Its slim frame makes it easy to navigate through narrow international doorways and crowded sidewalks, while the super easy one-handed fold makes taking it on a plane (to gate check in the included carry-on bag) or up to a second-floor apartment significantly easier than a full-size counterpart.

The no-rethread 5-point harness is a real standout feature due to MagnaTech Secure Snap technology that guides and snaps the buckles into place so you don’t get frustrated trying to fit the various pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle.

If you already have a Nuna PIPA infant car seat , this stroller can be used from birth without any additional adaptors, which is a real money saver. The canopy is on the smaller side, but the basket is generously sized for an umbrella stroller and, more importantly, easy to access. Mesh windows on the side keep your child cool and leatherette accents on the removable armbar and handlebar lend a luxurious aesthetic.

The TRVL is both GreenGuard certified, meaning the stroller emits low chemical emissions and is ASTM-approved. This is one stroller that’ll take you all around the world — and around town — with ease.

UppaBaby G-Link V2  »

Each seat can be reclined to each kid’s preferences/needs

Large canopies

Easy to maneuver

High weight capacity

Includes cup holder

Bulky when folded

While a double umbrella stroller will never be as compact as the single versions, the UPPABaby G-Link V2 gets pretty darn close. Weighing just over 22 pounds, this feature-filled stroller works just as well for twins as it does for a baby-toddler sibling pair.

The giant basket underneath can hold up to a whopping 10 pounds – necessary if you’re toting two around – and there are even storage pockets on the back of each seat to stash easy-to-grab essentials like wipes and sunscreen . And if one kid doesn’t need to nap while one does, it’s no problem since each seat reclines individually to customize the ride. The substantial extendable canopies are also individually adjusted.

I used this double umbrella stroller with a baby and toddler and was always pleasantly surprised when it easily fit through coffee shop doorways. The fold is fairly simple and won’t require any struggling, jamming, or pushing, and it fits easily into even smaller trunks. This is one double stroller that’ll work equally as well on the road as it does at home.

GB Pockit+ All-Terrain  »

Folds up super small

Lightweight

Compatible with gb, Cybex, Nuna Pipa, and Maxi Cosi Mico 30 car seats

Can store in most airline overhead compartments

Small basket

For those who are really limited on space or looking for something ultra-small for air travel, an umbrella stroller with a super compact footprint is ideal. It doesn’t get much smaller than the GB Pockit. When I first saw this stroller in action, I was in awe of how tiny it got when collapsed — while it’s not pocket-sized, it gets really small. The largest part of the stroller when folded down is a mere 8 inches, making it one of the smallest you can find.

While the brand makes one stroller that folds slightly smaller (the world’s smallest), we prefer this one for its all-terrain wheels that are designed to effortlessly handle a variety of surfaces from cobblestone to dirt paths to city sidewalks. It can be paired with various car seats and even an optional bassinet so it can be used right away from birth.

Understandably, there isn’t much storage on the GB Pockit+ All-Terrain, but considering how easy it is to maneuver, store, and travel with, the trade-off is well worth it.

Summer Infant 3D Lite  »

Tall handlebar

Spacious basket

Seat reclines almost flat

Fold requires two hands

Finding an umbrella stroller that a taller parent can push comfortably without having to bend awkwardly can be a challenge, as most don’t have adjustable handlebars. However, the popular Summer Infant 3D Lite umbrella stroller’s handlebar is 42.5 inches from the ground, making this an umbrella stroller that’s ideal for tall parents. Combine that with a load of features at an affordable price point, and it’s easy to see how this is such a go-to pick for many families.

The 3D Lite folds into a compact vertical package, and the carry strap and handle make it easy to toss over your shoulder or arm and be on your way. This umbrella stroller is actually the favorite of Carrie Bradley, former flight attendant and founder of “Flying With a Baby.” “Its price point makes it a budget-friendly option offering a lot of features more expensive strollers have at a fraction of the price,” she raves. She especially loves that “the recline is near-flat for naps on the go.”

In terms of storage, the basket is fairly spacious and there’s an additional zippered storage pocket to stash essentials like your phones and keys. Both tall and more petite parents will appreciate the convenience of this lightweight easy-to-push stroller.

Joolz Aer+  »

Extra smooth ride

Extra-large canopy

Ergonomic seat

Comes with travel bag

No leg rest

This premium umbrella stroller boasts not only a small footprint making it ideal for travel, but it also has four-wheel suspension, making for an ultra comfortable pushing experience on a wide variety of terrain. Tight turns and going up and down curbs are easy to maneuver and the one-handed fold literally takes mere seconds.

Its size is equally noteworthy — it gets small enough to fit in many airplanes’ overhead bins. Despite its compact size, the ergonomic padded seat is extra comfy for little ones and it can even be used from birth as a travel system with the addition of car seat adaptors or with the addition of their bassinet attachment.

The Joolz Aer+ comes in a wide variety of sophisticated colorways. If you can get past the fact that the cup holder and leg rest are sold separately, this luxe umbrella stroller will be the smoothest ride for both baby and parent.

Cybex Coya  »

Beautiful aesthetic

One-pull harness adjustment

High weight limit

Fits in overhead bin

Car seat adaptors included

Takes some practice to get used to the folding mechanism

The gorgeous Cybex Coya is a compact luxury stroller that’s clearly designed for parents who want a marriage of aesthetic and function. With eye-catching details like rose gold and matte black frames and leatherette accents, the Coya is beautifully designed — and feature-packed.

There’s a padded insert for the seat that can be removed during warmer months to expose the breathable mesh back to keep your child comfortable. The UPF 50+ extendable canopy is a generous size and even has a zippered mesh window you can open up to keep your child extra cool on hot days.

Front-wheel suspension helps make for a smooth ride in urban settings and the near-flat recline is ideal for stroller naps. The stroller fabric is actually removable and machine-washable and while the storage basket looks small at first glance, it actually fits quite a lot (up to 11 pounds to be exact.) The Coya is a sleek travel stroller that’s sure to draw admiring comments whether you’re on a family vacation or strolling around the park.

UppaBaby G-Luxe  »

Deep one-handed recline

Large sun canopy

Handle height good for both tall and short parents

Fold takes some practice

On the heavier side

Whether you’re traveling or constantly on the move, a smoothly reclining seat is a must for successful stroller naps — the worst is trying to adjust a nearly asleep child only to have the clunky recline function wake them up. This won’t be an issue with the popular UppaBaby G-Luxe, which has an adjustable reclining seat that’s super easy for parents to use — even while the baby or toddler is sleeping (something I can personally attest to as my kids have taken dozens of naps in this stroller.)

Sarah Huff, baby gear expert at BabyQuip shares that the G-Luxe is her favorite all-around umbrella stroller. “It has a great price point for a lot of luxury features, a taller handlebar, and it's really easy to steer,” she raves. The stroller conveniently comes with a cupholder and the stain-resistant fabric is easy to remove and toss in the washer for easy cleaning.

The sun canopy is huge and even has an additional pop-out visor to keep them shaded while they stroll or snooze. Since the G-Luxe isn’t compatible with infant car seats, this is one you’re likely purchasing after your baby is old enough to sit up on their own, but will still last for years to come. If you want recline and storage, consider a stroller wagon instead.

Baby Jogger City Tour 2  »

Breathable fabrics

Super easy to fold

Fits in most overhead bins

Cup holder and snack tray sold separately

When the sun comes out, it’s important to keep your child cool in their stroller and keep them from overheating. The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 has cooling features like mesh side panels to keep airflow moving and an ample-sized UPF 50+ sun canopy to keep them shaded from the sun’s harsh rays. There’s even a mesh magnetic peekaboo window on top so parents can easily check on their child or for added breathability on especially warm days.

The multi-position recline is near-flat, and depending on the angle of the sun, your child can be positioned between the seat recline, adjustable leg rest, and canopy to ensure no sun is directly in their face.

The City Tour 2 folds down super small and will fit in most airplane overhead bins, making it super convenient for traveling. The storage basket is on the small side (our editor notes that it barely holds a diaper bag), although there’s a unique front access option by lifting up the adjustable leg rest to make grabbing things easier. With its super easy fold, portability, and mid-range price point, the City Tour 2 is a solid choice, especially if you’re planning on traveling somewhere with warm or humid weather.

Stokke Yoyo3  »

Fits in most airplane overhead bins

Folds down incredibly small

Reflective wheels

Smooth one-handed steering

Accessories not included

The latest edition of the super popular Babyzen Yoyo2 stroller (now owned by Stokke) made some major upgrades to its predecessor, but one thing remains the same: It folds up super quickly into a fraction of its original size to be able to fit in most plane overhead bins. (Check with the specific airline you’re flying with first, as size requirements may vary slightly.) Clocking in at under 14 pounds, it’s a breeze to transport on and off the airplane with the carry strap, which is a real lifesaver when you’re already wrangling a child and likely additional luggage.

The modular design of the stylish stroller lets parents pair it with various optional accessories like a newborn pack that converts the stroller into a bassinet-style stroller that can be folded as one piece. It also has car seat adaptors so it can be used right from birth. Other thoughtful details like a perforated backrest and mesh fabric allow for better air circulation for very young infants who can’t yet regulate their body temperature effectively.

Available in a wide variety of modern neutrals, the Yoyo3 is a luxury umbrella stroller that was made to fly.

The Bottom Line

Finding the best umbrella stroller for your family isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. You’ll really have to consider what you’ll primarily be using the stroller for. Will it be your everyday ride or one you want to have on hand for traveling? How old is your child and will they need additional accessories like car seat adaptors to be able to use it at first? Will you need to carry around a lot of things when using this stroller and need ample storage space?

Ultimately, the best umbrella stroller for you is the one that will meet most of your practical needs. If you want a solid marriage of all the features, the Bugaboo Butterfly is our best overall pick for its versatility, durability, style, and compact features that make it just as comfortable for travel as it is for daily use.

Things To Consider When Buying Umbrella Strollers

Stroller weight and ease of folding.

When it comes to umbrella strollers, particularly those used for travel, their total weight and the ease of folding at a moment’s notice should be two of the top criteria parents pay attention to. Strollers that weigh less will be easier for you to carry up stairs or onto a plane or train, although this may mean they sacrifice certain additional features.

Similarly, strollers with quick one-handed folds make it easier for parents whose hands are often filled with other items like bags, water bottles, and a child. Many umbrella strollers even fold down small enough to fit into airlines’ overhead compartments, so consider their folded dimensions if air travel is a primary use.

Maneuverability

According to Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) board member Julia Lentini, the ease of pushing and turning an umbrella stroller should be top of mind. “It’s extra important because strollers that aren’t easily maneuvered can often also tip over more easily [and] strain the caregiver pushing the stroller,” she says.

This is especially important if you live in a city that may have lots of uneven sidewalks, or dips to push around. Likewise, when traveling, the roads are often cobblestone, gravel, or dirt, which may be difficult for umbrella strollers with super small wheels or without much suspension to navigate over. Consider the various scenarios that this stroller will primarily be used for.

Safety Certifications and Features

Ensure the umbrella stroller you’re considering meets certain safety standards with certifications by organizations like JPMA or ASTM. “JPMA certification is voluntary and is also an indication that a stroller meets the minimum ASTM standards plus additional voluntary standards related to many different aspects of the stroller. [T]he JPMA seal is a reliable indicator of some of the safest products available,” shares Lentini.

“Definitely look for a full five-point harness restraint system and a great braking system,” recommends Huff. “Umbrella strollers are lightweight, making them easier to push over, and can be top-heavy if a toddler isn’t fully restrained.”

Parents should also make sure to ensure an umbrella stroller is designed to accommodate their child’s age. While many work with certain infant car seats with adaptors, Lentini says “some umbrella strollers are not designed for small infants who might not yet have established head and torso control.”

Adjustability and Comfort

Look for features that allow you to customize how your child sits and feels as they grow, like multi-position reclines and adjustable leg rests. Check out how padded the seat is if your child will likely be using this stroller for years to come as their primary mode of transport. If you live in a hot climate area, also look for things like mesh fabrics and panels that’ll allow for greater ventilation to keep them nice and cool.

Canopies are another feature that varies widely. For maximum comfort, especially if this will be your child’s primary stroller, look for ones with a large extendable UPF canopy to shield their face from the sun and keep them shaded if they’re napping on the go.

How We Chose the Best Umbrella Strollers

At U.S. News 360 Reviews, we know that safety is one of the top priorities when shopping for baby gear. When selecting the best umbrella strollers, we looked at their safety certifications and features, and ensured that every stroller on this list was ASTM-approved. We even spoke with Julia Lentini who sits on the JPMA Board of Directors, to get her expert feedback on specific safety features to look out for in umbrella strollers.

Since many families shop for umbrella strollers with travel in mind, we also consulted Carrie Bradley, a former flight attendant and founder of Flying With a Baby who has extensive family travel experience with various umbrella strollers, and Sarah Huff, baby gear product excerpt at baby equipment rental service BabyQuip . We also considered other factors like price, accessories included, online reviews from other caregivers, how easy each stroller was to actually fold up, and total storage space, among other features.

WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?

Our contributors and editors have years of experience researching, testing, and reviewing products. Esther Carlstone , the author of this piece and a contributing writer for 360 Reviews, has a decade of product reviewing experience with a concentration on baby and kid products. In addition to her professional experience as a longtime parenting editor, Esther is a parent of three kids, an avid traveler, and for years has personally tested various umbrella strollers for a wide variety of scenarios.

For U.S. News 360 Reviews, she’s covered a range of the best products for kids, including play kitchens , baby toy subscriptions , and baby sunscreens. As a mom, Carlstone understands the need for parents to find quality products that fit into their budget and meet their needs without having to spend days scouring the internet.

Megan Wood is Senior Editor at 360 Reviews, covering family and baby gear, and has more than a decade of product review and testing experience. She’s currently searching for the best travel or umbrella stroller to take her toddler to Italy.

An umbrella stroller is traditionally significantly smaller than a full-size stroller and is almost always lightweight, compact in size, and folds up smaller than their counterparts. They’re called “umbrella strollers” because they have two separate handles (as opposed to one long handlebar) that are often curved like a vintage umbrella handle.

While technically different, many people interchange the phrase “travel stroller” with “umbrella stroller” as the two types of strollers often function similarly.

It depends on the umbrella stroller. If, when folded, its dimensions fit the airline’s overhead compartment sizing, you can take it on the plane and place it overhead. “If the flight is on a larger wide-bodied plane (with two aisles) and not full, it is always worth asking if you can bring it on board,” advises Bradley.

Many airlines may just request that you gate-check the stroller at the airplane doors, upon which an airline employee will take it down to the luggage area of the plane for you. Your stroller will be waiting for you when you step off the plane.

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning an umbrella stroller. Many are wipeable, while some have certain parts that can be removed and tossed in the washer. Generally speaking, you can spot clean most fabrics with mild detergent and water, and wipe down the frame with disinfectant wipes, or even baby wipes. Avoid products with bleach or harsh chemicals that may impact the fabric unfavorably.

About Our Team

Esther Carlstone

Contributor

Senior Editor, 360 Reviews

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

• Strollers /

Best Umbrella Strollers of 2024

Lightweight and portable, an umbrella stroller is a convenient choice when you’re on the go., by babylist team.

A full-size stroller can be clutch when you’re out and about with your little one. But sometimes you don’t want to lug around something bulky—even if it does hold everything . When your outing will be fast or you need to travel light, an umbrella stroller is a great alternative.

Do You Need an Umbrella Stroller?

The lightest of the stroller styles , the umbrella stroller quickly folds into a slender, vertical shape similar to its namesake. Umbrella strollers are often lightweight and lack some of the amenities you find in traditional strollers.

You definitely don’t need one, but many parents find an umbrella stroller convenient for travel, quick trips or any time they don’t feel like dealing with the hassles of a bulkier, full-size stroller. They also tend to be an inexpensive stroller choice , so you can have one in addition to your bigger stroller.

Not sold on the umbrella stroller? You may want to check out a travel stroller . Travel strollers, also called lightweight strollers, strike a balance between traditional and umbrella styles. They’re lighter than most full-size strollers and feature a compact, vertical fold in contrast to umbrella strollers’ slim, horizontal fold. Travel strollers often have many of the same amenities as full-size strollers, just in a more small-scale design.

How We Chose Our Best Umbrella Strollers

We asked thousands of real Babylist families about the baby products they love the most, then took the top products they shared with us and added our own research and insight to tell you about the best umbrella strollers.

Best Overall Umbrella Stroller

Summer 3D Lite Convenience Stroller

• Great features, maneuverability + price
• Near-flat recline
• Lightweight—13 pounds

What Our Experts Say

It’s tough to find an umbrella stroller that checks all the boxes—but the 3D Lite comes pretty close. It combines some impressive features with a price point of under a hundred bucks, making it one of our all-time favorite and most-recommended umbrella strollers.

A few things stand out with this stroller. First, its light weight—only about 13 pounds thanks to the stroller’s aluminum frame. Then there’s the (long) list of great features: a simple, compact fold; a built-in carry strap; a reclining seat that lays nearly flat; comfy seat padding and a large, adjustable canopy; and an XL storage basket underneath that easily holds all of your stuff. At under $100, it’s an incredible value for a stroller with this many great features.

What’s Worth Considering

If your budget allows you to spend a bit more, check out the 3D Lite +. It has all the same great features as the 3D Lite plus a one-hand, multi-position recline option and some helpful add-ons like a peek-a-boo window, cell phone holder and premium fabrics.

What Babylist Parents Say

“I love this stroller. It’s light and compact yet sturdy. My baby likes to be front facing so she loves it. It’s a really good stroller for the price.” -Tiffany

Additional Specs

Best umbrella stroller for tall parents.

UPPAbaby G-LUXE Stroller - Jake

• Easy to steer and maneuver
• Good pick for taller parents
• Packed with high-end features

It’s no secret that UPPAbaby makes some of the best strollers around, and their take on the umbrella stroller falls right in line with everything we love about this innovative brand.

Unlike most umbrella strollers, the G-Luxe features all-wheel suspension, so it’s a lot easier to steer and maneuver than many other similar strollers. This is especially important if you’ll frequently be using the stroller on uneven or bumpy terrain. There’s a one-handed reclining seat—a must-have for naps on the go—and an extendable sunshade that provides UPF 50+ protection. There’s also ample storage under the seat. And as for the fold, it’s quick and easy. The stroller stands on its own when folded and features a built-in carry strap.

One more thing to note here: the G-Luxe is great for taller parents. Umbrella strollers are notoriously tricky for taller parents thanks to their low frame height and lack of telescoping handles. (If you’re tall, you’ll keep inadvertently kicking the bar between the lower back wheels of the stroller with your feet while you walk—no fun at all.) Although the handles on the G-Luxe don’t adjust, the large, high frame and specific angle of the handles allow for plenty of space between you and the stroller, and you won’t kick into it while you push. Win!

The G-Luxe doesn’t come cheap; it’s one of the pricier picks on our list. It’s also one of the heavier.

Need a double umbrella stroller? Check out the G-Link 2 .

Most Affordable Umbrella Stroller

Kolcraft Cloud Umbrella Stroller

• Ultra affordable
• Mesh back great for warmer climates
• Compact + lightweight (under 10 pounds)

You don’t need to spend a fortune on an umbrella stroller. Although you won’t find a ton of bells and whistles here, the Kolcraft Cloud is a lightweight, compact stroller that’s a solid choice if you’re looking to keep your budget low. It’s also a great choice if you don’t plan on using your umbrella stroller on the regular or need an extra to keep at the grandparents’ house or for a quick daycare commute.

The Cloud has all the basic features of an umbrella stroller including a quick, simple fold, an extended sun canopy, a small storage basket and shock-absorbing front wheels. If you live in a warm climate (or are traveling somewhere that’s warm), this stroller offers a nice perk—the back fabric of the seat rolls up to expose mesh for better air circulation.

Due to the stroller’s compact size, it can only be used until your little one reaches 40 pounds, which is a significantly lower weight limit than most of the other strollers on our list. It’s also not ideal for taller parents to push. But since it’s also only going to cost you a fraction of what you’d pay for the other strollers on our list, so we don’t see these as huge negatives.

The Cloud will have a shorter lifespan when compared to many other umbrellas due to its lower weight limit and smaller frame, as mentioned above. There’s a three-point harness instead of a five-point, and the seat doesn’t recline at all so naps on-the-go can be tough. And the undercarriage basket doesn’t hold much.

The Cosco Umbrella Stroller with Canopy is also worth a look if you’re in the market for a budget-friendly umbrella stroller.

Most Compact Umbrella Stroller

GB Pockit+ All Terrain Stroller

• Fits in a diaper bag and under an airplane seat when folded
• Weighs less than 10 pounds

Umbrella strollers are generally lightweight and compact—but the GB Pockit takes things to a whole new level.

Named the World’s Smallest Folded Stroller by the Guiness Book of World Records (really), the Pockit fits in a diaper bag when folded. It also fits under an airplane seat, making this stroller a great choice if you’re a family who’s regularly on the go.

The stroller’s five-point harness is easy to adjust and, despite the stroller’s small size, the Pockit works for a little one up to 55 pounds. The stroller folds and unfolds in only a few seconds and can be steered one-handed. 

The design that makes this stroller so compact is also what causes a few of its drawbacks. There’s no recline at all, and the fold does take a bit of practice to master. And the canopy is tiny as is the under-the-seat storage. These aren’t deal breakers at all—you just need to be aware of them before you commit.

“Fits in a large tote bag! So convenient for stashing while traveling, restaurants, at daycare etc. Light weight enough to pick up by myself and very easy to fold and unfold, once we got the hang of it.” -Olivia

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 Best Travel Strollers We Tested on Planes, Trains, Automobiles, and Every Kind of Terrain

They’re easy to push, easy to fold—and actually easy to fit in an airplane’s overhead compartment.

In This Article

Our Favorite Travel Strollers

• Is a Travel Stroller Worth It?
• Strollers on Planes

Stroller Reviews

• Our Testing Process

Our Experts

• Factors to Consider
• Stroller Safety

Parents / Leticia Almeida

When my son was stroller age, we were not yet in today’s golden era of travel strollers. You either risked gate-checking your fancy SUV-size standard stroller , or you took a less-expensive umbrella stroller that you didn’t mind getting beat up. But those of you with little ones right now are in luck, as there are dozens of ultra-light, ultra-compact travel strollers available that you can fold one-handed and sling over your shoulder while juggling a baby or your other bags, toss in your car trunk, and even stash in the overhead compartment of a plane. 

For more than two years, I’ve been testing these strollers in our lab, while other parents on our staff take them (and their kids) all over the world to help you choose the best travel stroller for your next trip. While every family’s needs are different, the ideal travel stroller should be durable, portable, maneuverable, lightweight, and worth your money . Plus, it should be comfortable and practical to use when you get to your destination.

• Best Overall: Joolz Aer+ Lightweight Stroller
• Best for Airplane: Cybex Coya
• Most Comfortable: Uppababy Minu V2
• Easiest to Push: GB Qbit+ All City
• Best Luxury: Nuna TRVL Stroller
• Best Double: Uppababy G-Link V2
• Best Budget: Munchkin Sparrow
• Best for Car Travel: Baby Jogger City Tour 2
• Best for Trains and Buses: YOYO2

In our New York lab , we assembled, wheeled, turned, pushed, dropped, and folded each stroller to find which met our standards. My co-author also spoke to two pediatricians about stroller safety, as well as the comfort and health of the grownups behind the wheels. 

Through the months, in addition to adding new products, I’ve changed this list based on what our staffers experienced while traveling with them. One luxury pick I once loved broke after its first gate-check. Another that I initially thought was overrated got rave reviews from our real-world tester, not to mention the many parents I stopped on the streets of Brooklyn to ask about it (the life of a shameless parenting editor!). So, we’ll continue to test travel strollers throughout the year and will keep coming back to update you with the very best of the best. — Sabrina Rojas Weiss

Is a Travel Stroller Worth It? 

A travel stroller can make your excursions much more efficient and convenient. “Because families need to carry extra snacks, clothes, and other supplies while traveling with kids, a portable stroller can help lighten the overall luggage load,” says Betty Choi, M.D. , a California-based pediatrician, author, and mother of two. “If a stroller folds easily and feels light, it may help conserve your energy for carrying all of the other important things.”

In order to be small, foldable, and light, many travel strollers sacrifice storage space, extra comfort accessories like leg rests or large canopies, and technical features like shock absorbers. For this reason, you may not want a travel stroller to be your main everyday stroller—at least not if you have a very small baby or walk through various terrain on a regular basis. But many parents, especially those with older toddlers, are happy using just one super compact set of wheels, and if that’s the case, a good travel stroller is absolutely worth your purchase.

Can You Take a Travel Stroller on the Plane?

If you want to check your stroller, most airlines won’t charge you for it. And most will also allow you to gate-check a folded stroller if you need it to get through the airport. Many of the compact strollers on this list are also advertised as fitting into overhead bins—which is a welcome option for those of us who dread getting to your destination only to discover your much-needed stroller is a mangled, ruined mess. If you choose to take your stroller as carry-on, that will count as your larger item. We tested the strollers in this list in a space the size of a standard overhead bin, but bin sizes vary by airplane. Policies also vary by airline, so always ask (and ask again!) before you fly. And still, come prepared with a storage bag in case the flight is overbooked and you’re asked to gate check anyway.  

Best Overall

Joolz aer+ stroller, why we like it.

When asked to share her experience with the Joolz Aer+ stroller, our lab tester gave one word: “WOW!” She was impressed with how quick it was to assemble (just two minutes) and loved the overall design. Even when loaded with a 25-pound sandbag or squirmy toddler, this stroller glides around with ease . We could smoothly turn corners while using just one hand and that the wheels had excellent shock absorption. Perhaps her greatest compliment for this stroller, however, was about how effortless it was to fold up. Whether you’re about to board an airplane or hop on the tram at Disneyland, you won’t have to worry about how quickly you can fold up your stroller with the Joolz Aer+.

Portability: Not only did we find this super easy to fold one-handed in the lab, but our real world testing parent can’t stop telling us how much she loves this feature. She even impressed all the nurses and patients at the pediatrician’s office with a demo. 

What Parents Say

“We were in and out of a car every weekend with this stroller over the summer, and it could not have been easier to carry and load into the car. Folding it in five seconds when your car is double parked excruciatingly close to oncoming traffic is the best feeling in the world.” —Claire, mom of a 1-year-old

But Take Note

This stroller has plenty of positives, but it is expensive. Priced at $449, the Joolz Aer+ may be a great contender for your baby registry so that a group of friends or family members can pitch in on it together. 

The Details:

• Size open: 32.7 x 17.7 x 41.5 in
• Size folded: 21 x 17.7 x 8.5 in
• Weight: 13.4 lbs
• Age range/weight limit: 6 months to 4 years
• PHOTO: Parents / Jessica Juliao
• PHOTO: Parents / Leticia Almeida

Best for Airplane

When our tester used this stroller for a three-week trip to Europe, her primary concern was how easy it was to travel with. Thankfully, the Cybex Coya did not disappoint. Our tester told Parents that the Coya folded down into an “extremely compact” size that fit in the overhead bin of the airplane and inside the trunk of small European cars . “That was a huge win and made travel SO easy!” she said. “It really made our life as a stressed, traveling adult very easy.”

We also really like that this stroller is designed with your baby’s comfort in mind, no matter the weather. First, it has a  padded insert  that will keep your baby warm in cold weather. When removed, the mesh backrest allows lots of airflow, and the extendable UPF 50+ sun canopy protects kids from the hot sun. 

Portability: Our tester loved that the Coya’s carrying strap was long enough to fit over her shoulder, which made it really easy to carry onto an airplane or run through the train station with multiple bags. 

“This was our only stroller we traveled with, and it went through possibly every mode of transport—train, planes and automobile. The stroller also went through possibly every type of terrain—snow, mud, city sidewalk, and a small hike. It fit in the overhead bin of both [cross-Atlantic] and [European] flights.” —Hanna, mom of a toddler

While it may be considered a minor detail, parents should keep in mind that the handlebar on this stroller is not adjustable. Also, the seat is always slightly reclined, which can make it harder for kiddos to look out and about when they’re seated. 

• Size open: 31.1 x 17.3 x 38.2 in
• Size folded: 20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1 in
• Weight: 14.6 lbs
• Age range/weight limit: 6 months up to 55 lbs
• PHOTO: Parents / Joy Kim

Most Comfortable

Uppababy minu v2 stroller.

This stroller is equally as comfy for parents to push and it is for little ones to ride. Your tot will love napping in its spacious seat that holds up to 50 pounds and reclines to an ideal level. And you won’t have to worry about them sitting in direct sun because of the generous sun canopy that unzips to an almost horizontal level and the mesh peekaboo window that welcomes extra air flow. 

For the adult behind the wheels, there’s a padded leather handle bar, pocket to stash a water bottle and phone, and a large storage basket that holds up to 20 pounds. Thankfully, this stroller has four-wheel suspension , which we found made it easy to take sharp turns and weave in and out of crowds, even while pushing it with one hand. 

Portability: With a little practice, parents will find that this stroller folds up quickly. After pressing the buttons on the handle to trigger the folding process, it collapses down on its own, which may require only one hand for a seasoned user. Plus, this stroller stays upright when folded and can be carried by its handle or padded strap.

“I took a stroll around Central park with this bad boy, and it performed well on crowded streets and even rocky uneven roads. It was easy to maneuver and super lightweight.” —Stella, mom of a 1-year-old

This stroller is on the heavier side—about 17 pounds—and probably won’t fit in overhead compartments of smaller planes. We recommend purchasing Uppababy’s travel bag, since it includes insurance against damage to the stroller by the airline once you enroll in the TravelSafe program. 

• Size open: 35.5 x 20.5 x 41 in
• Size folded: 12.5 x 20.3 x 23 in (with bumper bar)
• Weight: 16.9 lbs
• Age range/weight limit: 3 months to 50 lbs
• PHOTO: Parents / Jhett Thompson

Easiest to Push

Gb qbit+ all city stroller.

This travel stroller landed near the top in our testing because it’s comfortable, easily maneuverable, portable, and durable. We especially loved its all-wheel suspension, which allowed it to move easily over different terrain in the Parents lab, including gravel, wood, and carpet. In fact, we barely noticed a difference when transitioning from carpet to gravel! 

This stroller has a padded seat that reclines nearly all the way back and comes with a breathable mesh at the top, which allows kids to nap comfortably while in transit. We also appreciate the adjustable footrest, which when placed in the straight-out position makes this stroller suitable for a newborn. 

Portability: We found this stroller to be easy to close and fold with one hand. The shoulder straps are comfortably padded, and it has a buckle that’s reasonably simple to do.

It proved a bit challenging when trying to wrangle a wiggly toddler into it at times. At slightly more than 17 pounds, this stroller is a bit heavier than some of the others we tested. It also doesn’t have a shoulder strap and might not fit in all overhead compartments. 

• Size open: 33 x 17 x 41.7 in
• Size folded: 17 x 10.4 x 22.8 in
• Weight: 17.2 lbs
• Age range/weight limit: Birth (with infant car seat) to 4 years (0-55 lbs)
• PHOTO: Parents / Conor Ralph
• PHOTO: Parents / Phoebe Cheong

Best Luxury

Nuna trvl lightweight stroller.

The Nuna Trvl is a luxurious travel stroller whose comfort, functionality, and efficiency rival that of an everyday stroller. We knew we were in for a treat when we saw that it comes in colors like “caviar” and “hazelwood.” Just like you’d expect from a luxury car, this stroller had one of the smoothest rides out of any that we tested and is covered in high-end finishes.  “All the materials feel really luxurious,” our tester shared. “The padding is very soft—like memory foam—and the handles and bumper bar [are covered in] faux leather.” 

We also love that this stroller is equipped with a water-repellant, UPF 50+ canopy that provides ample shade and multiple mesh windows that open with ease. It also fits into the overhead bin of most planes and has an under-seat compartment that is large enough to fit a backpack or diaper bag , which is a big plus for traveling. 

Portability: Aside from looking good, this stroller is also really practical. It’s super easy to fold one handed and felt very light when carrying it around—even though you have to carry it by the bumper bar because it doesn’t have a shoulder strap.

“Throughout the airport or getting in and out of the car, I’m able to easily fold it using my right hand while my left hand/arm is busy carrying other items, or a child! … After a month of using it in my neighborhood, through two airports, and throughout the Magic Kingdom, it’s still gliding over sidewalks like butter.” —Ashleigh, mom of two

If you’re in a hurry—which parents often are in an airport—you may find that the bumper bar can be a pain to put on and take off. 

• Size open: 20.25 x 32.5 x 44 in
• Size folded: 20.25 x 24 x 11 in
• Weight: 13.6 lbs
• Age range/weight limit: Up to 50 lbs

Best Double Stroller

Uppababy g-link v2 double stroller.

Editor's Note: The insights below are from when we tested the older Uppababy G-Link back in 2022 and have not yet tested the Uppababy G-Link V2 listed here. The new version is 2.5 pounds lighter and 2 inches narrower than its predecessor, but the rest of the details remain mostly the same.

Whether you have twins or young children of different ages, having a comfortable double stroller (that isn’t a pain to push around) is a must for travel. We love the Uppababy G-Link 2 because it maneuvers like a single stroller and has all the features needed to make kids comfortable. In addition to multi-position independent reclining seats, it has extra-large canopies and UPF 50+ sun shades. Plus, there are a few accessories that are included just for parents, including a removable cup holder, double storage pockets, and an oversized basket to keep all the essentials within reach. 

Despite having side-by-side seats, the G-Link V2 has a relatively narrow footprint . Less than 30 inches wide, it is slender enough to move through standard doorways but spacious enough for two children to sit comfortably. It’s also less expensive than some of the single strollers on our list, which is always a pleasant surprise for parents with two kids! 

Portability: Despite the larger size, this stroller is easy to fold up with one hand and can stand up when folded. Carrying it isn’t a hands-free experience, however, since it doesn’t have a shoulder strap. 

Since it’s naturally larger than single strollers, you’ll have to gate check this one before you board the plane. 

• Size open: 27.5 x 28.5 x 42 in
• Size folded: 40 x 20 x 14.5 in
• Weight: 22.3 lbs
• Age range/weight limit: 3 months up to 55 lbs per seat
• PHOTO: Parents / David Carr

Best Budget Travel Stroller

Munchkin sparrow stroller.

Never has it been easier to pop a stroller into an overhead bin than it is with the Munchkin Sparrow. It folds up quickly and fits neatly inside a tiny carrying bag, so you can slide it into the bin without getting impatient looks from other flyers. Once inside its carrying bag, this stroller stands just 14 inches high, which is within the carry-on luggage parameters for most major airlines. 

Although it’s compact, this stroller has a slightly bigger seat than others in this category and can hold a child until they weigh 55 pounds. Our real-world testing baby was very comfortable in it. We also like that it has a breathable, mesh headrest and extendable handles for parents of varying heights.  

Portability: Weighing slightly less than 13 pounds, this stroller is easy to tote around, especially when packed away in its small carrying case that comes with handles.

“It folds up so small, I am able to fit it on the floor of the backseat [of my car] and have plenty of room for everything else.” —Allison, mom of an 8-month-old

The storage is seriously lacking in this stroller, you need two hands to fold it, and its sun canopy provides only the slightest sliver of shade. It’s also not the best on unpaved paths. 

• Size open: 39 x 18.5 x 28 in
• Size folded: 15 × 14 × 6.25 in
• Weight: 12.8 lbs
• Age range/weight limit: Up to 55 lbs and 41 in tall

Best for Car Travel

Baby jogger city tour 2 stroller.

If you're planning a family road trip, the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is a great choice. It takes up considerably less room than a standard stroller does and slides easily into a trunk or backseat. Though it may be compact in size, the City Tour 2 is quite sturdy and moves well. In testing, it performed just as well as some of our top picks while cruising over bumps and around tight turns. We really liked how well it did over gravel. Best of all, it’s built to keep kids comfortable. It reclines far with an adjustable calf rest, has extra padding around the straps, and has a generous sun canopy with a peekaboo window to check on your kiddo. 

Portability: This 14.5-pound stroller comes with a handy carrying bag , which makes transporting it to and from the car a piece of cake. 

Though it slides into a car like a dream, this stroller doesn’t fit into an overhead bin. It isn’t the best looking, either. 

• Size open: 33 x 23 x 40 in
• Size folded: 6.8 × 16.9 × 21.6 in
• Weight: 14.3 lbs
• Age range/weight limit: Up to 45 lbs and 41 in tall

Best for Trains and Buses

Stokke yoyo2 stroller.

Whether you live in a city where you rely on public transit or plan to visit one, the Yoyo2 is bound to make your life a whole lot easier. You can stash it just about anywhere (including an overhead bin), and it has a uniquely narrow frame , which makes it just right for weaving through crowded sidewalks, farmer’s markets, or outdoor art exhibits. 

Despite its compact size, this stroller’s seat is surprisingly roomy and padded, which we found to be necessary as it struggled to maneuver over rough surfaces. Still, we appreciate its various features that make it a safe, comfy ride for kids, including the five-point harness, multi-positioning reclining backrest, and UPF 50+ canopy extensions, and the soft, faux leather handlebar for parents. 

Portability: This stroller’s key feature is how small it is, both when in use and fully folded. It folds up into a convenient package and has a comfortable, padded shoulder strap that allows you to carry it hands-free while climbing up and down subway stairs—or in and out of trains and buses—so you can focus on carrying your kiddo. 

“[When packing my car] I was carrying my baby and a bag and wearing the stroller on my shoulder. My husband asked me if I wanted him to take the stroller from me. I had honestly forgotten that I was wearing the stroller!” —Rachel, mom of a toddler

Though the brand says it's a one-handed fold, our testing parents needed two hands—which isn’t always convenient when boarding a plane, train, or bus. Also, most of its accessories, including the newborn insert, are sold separately. 

• Size open: 41.7 x 33.8 x 17.3 in
• Size folded: 20.5 × 17.3 × 7.1 in
• Weight: 13.7 lbs
• Age range/weight limit: 6 months (birth with bassinet add-on) to 48.5 lbs

Other Notable Travel Strollers

• Doona : This stroller is basically an infant car seat with wheels, which saves you the step of your baby from one seat to another. However, your baby will outgrow it within a year, which makes it hard to justify the price. 
• Ergobaby Metro+ Deluxe Baby Stroller : While our tester thought that it was “nice looking,” “super compact” when folded, and overall “lovely” to push, they weren’t a fan of its 19-pound frame that didn’t come with a handle or shoulder strap.   
• Uppababy G-Luxe : Our testers said that the G-Luxe makes “tight turns” and “rolls smoothly” and loved that it “stands up when folded.” However, as a standard umbrella stroller, it’s not as small as the ultra-compact strollers on this list. 
• Bugaboo Butterfly Seat Stroller : This luxury option has a comfortable seat, a fully extendable canopy, and excellent maneuverability. But when our tester had to gate-check it and hadn’t fully folded the footrest, it snapped clean off. For such a price, we don’t think it should be quite so fragile.
• Contours Itsy : Though it’s one of the lightest strollers we’ve tried and is great for airplane travel, the seat doesn’t recline, and the weight limit is just 40 pounds.

Our Testing Process 

Parents / Jessica Juliao

To test the travel strollers on our list, we enlisted parents and caregivers on our staff to put them to use both in the lab, at home, and on their travel excursions. While testing, they considered the following attributes: 

• Ease of Assembly: While timing themselves, our testers assembled their strollers, following the manufacturer’s instructions as needed. They noted how easy or difficult the process was and if they needed special tools or help from another adult. 
• Design: Our testers paid close attention to features that made the stroller comfortable for a baby and helpful for a parent, such as a five-point safety harness, reclining seat, adequate padding, ample storage, cup holder, and a sun canopy. 
• Durability: To make sure a stroller was durable, each tester dropped their stroller from table height onto the floor and inspected it closely for any damage. 
• Maneuverability: Whether pushing a baby or 25-pound sandbag, each tester took their stroller for a brisk walk, making sure to push it over various surfaces, bumps, up and down stairs, and around tight turns. And while at home and family vacation they paid attention to how their strollers handled the various terrain. 
• Ease of Folding: When collapsing their stroller, our testers noted whether or not they could do so with one hand (sometimes while holding a baby in the other), if they had to empty the storage basket before doing so, and if it stood upright when folded.  
• Portability: After folding, testers used the bag, strap, handle, or bar to determine how easily they could carry their stroller. They also noted whether or not it fit into an overhead bin and how easy it was to pack it into the trunk of a car. 
• Value: After considering each attribute, our testers gave their honest opinion on their stroller’s overall value. Specifically, they shared if they thought it would last a decent amount of time, if it lived up to their expectations, and if they would pay full price for the stroller or wait until it goes on sale. 

We interviews the following health care experts to gain a better understanding of what parents should look for in a travel stroller and how to use one safely with their child: 

• Betty Choi, M.D., a pediatrician, author, and mother of two
• Wendy Hunter, M.D., FAAP , a pediatrician and host of The Pediatrician Next Door

Factors to Consider When Buying a Travel Stroller

• Folded Size: While travel strollers are typically lightweight and small, this doesn’t always mean they are portable. Parents should consider how easy it is to carry the stroller (does it have a shoulder strap or handle?), if it stands up when folded, and if it will fit in the trunk of a car or overhead bin of an airplane. 
• Weight: There may be times when you have to fold up the stroller and carry it, so choosing one that is around 15 pounds or less will make it much easier to do so when the time comes. Having a lightweight stroller will also make traveling with kids a little less stressful, especially when you have to raise it into the overhead bin of an airplane or into the trunk of a car. 
• How and Where You’ll Be Traveling: Before purchasing a travel stroller, parents should consider the types of destinations they plan to visit. If you will be traveling by plane, choose a stroller that folds up easily and fits into an overhead bin. If you plan to do lots of walking over various surfaces, one that has excellent maneuverability and all-wheel suspension, like the GB Qbit+ All City , will serve both you and your child well. If you plan to be on the go a lot throughout your travels, consider a stroller that has a padded, reclining seat, wide, extendable sun shade, and ample storage, so that your baby will be comfortable and you can store all your necessities for the day. 
• Your Budget: Every family’s budget is different and an important factor to consider when buying a travel stroller. Ultimately, as long as your stroller has a comfortable seat, five-point safety harness, sun shade, and a place to store your baby’s things, he or she will have everything they need. 

Parents / Jhett Thompson

How to Use Travel Strollers Safely

While strollers are generally safe to use, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) reminds parents that injuries can happen when they’re not used correctly. When choosing a travel stroller, the AAP recommends parents take the following precautions: 

• Safety Standards: Buy a stroller that was manufactured in the past few years. If it was made before 2014, check the Consumer Product Safety Commission to see if it’s been recalled. 
• Seatbelt: Always secure your child according to the manufacturer’s instructions by using the safety harness—ideally, a five-point safety harness . 
• Break: If your stroller has removable wheels, make sure that they are securely installed before using it. Whenever the stroller is parked, always use the brake to ensure it doesn’t roll away. 
• Age & Weight Guidelines: Dr. Hunter tells Parents that travel strollers are safe for infants as long as they meet the manufacturer’s height and weight guidelines. “It’s safe for babies to use a front-facing reclined stroller when they are about 3 months old,” Dr. Hunter says. “They can be seated in a more upright stroller around 6 months.” You should also avoid letting children sleep in the stroller—especially if they’re younger than 4 months old because they have a higher risk of suffocation.
• Storage: “Check that the stroller doesn’t fall over when you hang items on the back,” says Dr. Hunter. You can do this by keeping heavy items (diaper bags, purses, or backpacks) in the storage basket under the seat. Avoid hanging anything from the handlebars to prevent the stroller from tipping over.  

Parents / Joy Kim

Laura Lu, MS , is a commerce and parenting writer at Parents and a mom of two. She has conquered theme park visits and braved airline travel with her kids, during which a travel stroller has been her trusty sidekick in getting her from point A to point B with ease. 

Sabrina Rojas Weiss is the associate editorial director for commerce at Parents and mother of an 11-year-old. She took her son’s trusty Uppababy G-Luxe all over the country, and it survived many a baggage handler. She’s tossed a lot of strollers off of tables to test durability in the lab.

Tips for Traveling With Young Ones This Holiday Season . American Academy of Pediatrics . 2023.

Safety Tips Help Protect Children From Stroller Injuries . American Academy of Pediatrics . 2016.

Related Articles

The Best Lightweight, Umbrella, and Travel Strollers of 2024

Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.

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Reviewed's mission is to help you buy the best stuff and get the most out of what you already own. Our team of product experts thoroughly vet every product we recommend to help you cut through the clutter and find what you need.

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 and Umbrella Strollers for Road Warriors

Some weigh less than a bowling ball.

Being mobile with your baby in tow is about much more than just getting from point A to point B. For that, you can get by with a barebones umbrella stroller with few extra features beyond wheels, seat, and canopy. When it’s time to travel with some semblance of comfort, you need a travel stroller, one that’s compact and foldable, small enough to fit into a trunk but sturdy enough to handle both your offspring and piles of baby gear . The best travel strollers have a one-handed fold, accommodating parents who need to instantly collapse a stroller while holding a squirmy kid in their other hand. When your baby is comfortable and your lightweight stroller doesn’t require an advanced degree to set up, things go a lot smoother.

The name of the game here is convenience and ease of use. Other features worth considering include an adjustable handlebar (hard to find in travel strollers, but so worth it when you do because of the comfort factor), multi-position recline, and a UPF canopy to protect baby from the sun. A roomy storage basket, plus pockets, are great to have. Bonus if the stroller is self-standing, which makes it that much simpler to use.

If you have a newborn, make sure the travel stroller is compatible with whatever car seat you’re using. Pay particular attention to the stroller’s capacity limit; you don’t want to spend money on something you can only use for a year or two before your child becomes too heavy for it.

The Best Urban Travel Strollers

Bugaboo's newest compact stroller (the Bee has been arrived for a while, but the 6 is the latest and greatest iteration) is, honestly, the bee's knees. Its smooth ride is pretty unprecedented, and this is the stroller you want if you're a city dweller dealing with bumpy streets and beat-up sidewalks. It's thanks to the Bee's all-wheel suspension, along with a high-quality damping mechanism that gives you serious shock absorption. Aside from its ultra-slick ride, we dig its compact fold as well; this is a true travel stroller that folds up like a dream. It has a five-position reclining seat with ventilation holes in the back. The handlebar is adjustable. The weight limit is 50 pounds; the stroller weighs just over 20 pounds.

At just 16 pounds, this stroller weighs less than a pressure cooker. It's also way easier to carry. To fold it, you just press a button and to unfold you release the fold latch. The seat reclines fully, and for the money, it's hard to find a smoother ride. The entire set includes the stroller, cup holder, rain cover, and carry backpack. The max weight limit is 55 pounds, and the basket can hold 10 pounds.

It clocks in at just 14 pounds. But in this case, it's the size of the fold that counts. In short, it has one of the most compact folds we've ever seen, making it eminently easy to take from the subway to the street to the car. The weight limit is 45 pounds, and the storage basket fits 15 pounds.

The Beezy is a compact stroller with the features you'd expect from an oversized one. In fact, it's loaded with features. First, the basics. The stroller weighs 18 pounds, so it's right in the middle in terms of weight. It has all-wheel suspension, which means a way smoother ride than you can rightfully expect. The weight limit is 55 pounds. There's a multi-position reclining seat, integrated leg rest supports for growing children, lockable wheel brakes, and an oversized sun canopy. Naturally, as you'd expect, there's also a free-standing fold. It's a great urban stroller, and it's so easy to maneuver that you can do it one-handed.

With a weight limit of 55 pounds, this stroller will last you quite a while. And when you're done using it, you simply wheel it around like a suitcase. It only weighs 13.6 pounds, has a multi-position reclining seat, an adjustable footrest, a one-hand fold for easy storage, and a removable bumper bar that doubles as a luggage handle. And this fits in standard overhead bins on planes.

Everyone who's tried this stroller raves about. That's because the brand left no details to chance. It has a lightweight frame that makes walking down narrow streets or uneven sidewalks a breeze. There's a massive storage basket, a wrist strap, and foldable bumper bar, plus an adjustable handlebar. And when you're ready to pack things in, the handlebar trigger release makes it absolutely seamless. Want to go for a light jog? No problem: The stroller has a 360 degree swivel front wheel with an in-line lock option. The weight limit is 55 pounds. The stroller itself weighs 24 pounds. Oh, and the fabrics are made from recycled water bottles.

Ahh, the hardy, durable Britax. You can't go wrong here. Yes, at 21 pounds, it's on the heavier side. It's not fancy, but it lasts seemingly forever. This model has storage pockets, an extra large storage basket, and infinite recline for looooong naps. It also has an integrated Click & Go System that lets you attach a BRITAX car seat to set up a travel system. We also dig that for the price, you get a height/angle adjustable handlebar. The weight limit is 55 pounds.

The Best Easy-Fold Travel Strollers

Sleek as a Tesla, this travel stroller has all-wheel suspension and smooth maneuverability. Plus, it's beyond easy to collapse, no matter which way the seat is facing thanks to its fold-away axle. There's a removable, water repellent UPF 50+ canopy, one-handed recline that also goes fully flat for naps, and a removable, reversible two-piece seat pad that grows with your child. The key upgrades with this stroller, as opposed to the previous model: A standing fold, and a compact fold-away axle that makes the stroller even more compact when folded. Meaning, it fits into tighter spaces. The handlebar is adjustable. The stroller has a one-touch brake and front swivel wheel locks. You can use it until your kid clocks in at 48.5 pounds. The stroller weighs 28.5 pounds.

The Most Lightweight Travel Strollers

At just under 15 pounds, this is a lightweight strollers with ample features. You get a multi-position seat recline, one-hand action freestanding fold, a carry handle and shoulder strap for carrying the stroller around, and all-wheel suspension for one of the smoothest rides out there. The storage basket is big enough that you can haul 20 pounds' worth of stuff around. The stroller weight limit is 50 pounds.

This is the ultimate luxury stroller, that's also among the lightest you can buy. It weighs only 15 pounds. It has a large storage basket, UPF canopy, and five reclining options. The reversible seat can be positioned facing you or facing outward. It's suitable from birth up to 50 pounds, and if there's an older sibling around, he or she can ride along on the wheeled board. It has a self-standing one-handed fold and fits in most airline overhead compartments. And it's one of the handful of lightweight travel strollers in its class with an adjustable handlebar.

The great thing about this travel stroller is that it's compatible with more than 35 different car seats (adaptors sold separately). The weight limit is 40 pounds, and the stroller itself weighs 14 pounds. It has a one-handed fold and a forward-facing seat, as well a small footprint. Meaning, it fits anywhere and everywhere. The seat reclines, too.

The Most Portable Travel Strollers

When you're done using it, you just sling this stroller over your shoulder. It's really that easy. The newer model has a new faux leather handlebar, new harness straps, and a reinforced frame. The seat has a multi-position recline. The stroller has one-handed steering and folding and unfolding, as well as rear-wheel parking brakes and swivel front wheels. The stroller weighs 14 pounds and can be used until your child is 40 pounds.

The very cool thing about this Cybex is its one-hand 360 degree rotating seat, which makes it easy to position your child in forward-facing or parent-facing mode when you're on the go. The weight limit is 55 pounds, and the stroller itself weighs 18 pounds. There's both rear- and forward-facing recline; the stroller has rear wheel brakes as well as a linked foot brake.

One of the most maneuverable strollers out there: When you're done with the Pepp, it folds flat and you pull it along as you would a suitcase. The handlebar is height-adjustable, which is fantastic for the price. It has a three-position reclining seat, front lock swivel wheels, a one-touch, and a rear wheel braking system. You can use it from birth to 50 pounds, and the stroller itself weighs just over 21 pounds.

This stroller's claim to fame is a super-comfortable padded seat with side and lumbar support and an adjustable leg rest, and the updated + model has an adjustable handlebar as well. It weighs only 16.9 pounds and has a one-handed fold, and a flat recline. Plus, it fits into most overhead bins. The weight capacity limit is 49 pounds.

The Best Umbrella Strollers

Unlike their fancier counterparts, traditional umbrella strollers sound like exactly what they are: They have handles that curve up, they are insanely lightweight, and they fold up into almost nothing. When folded up, they look like umbrellas. They’re a great choice as a secondary stroller for shorter outings, like a quick jaunt to the store or fast subway trip.

Every product on Fatherly is independently selected by our editors, writers, and experts. If you click a link on our site and buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.

This article was originally published on March 22, 2018

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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

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph
• PHOTO: 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

Travel + Leisure / Phoebe Cheong

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

• PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Jhett Thompson

Best for Cities

Stokke 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

• PHOTO: 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

• PHOTO: 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. 

Travel + Leisure / Conor Ralph

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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These are the 10 best travel strollers for your next trip

Editor's Note

Traveling with babies and children requires bringing a lot of extras along for the journey — and one essential you often can't travel without while the kids are little is a stroller. With so many options, choosing which stroller to buy for travel can be enough to make your wheels fall off (that's a stroller joke, by the way).

Large strollers offer all the bells and whistles but may be too heavy, too large or just plain inconvenient to lug around an airport or onto a plane. They can also be challenging to maneuver in your travel destination.

Compact or umbrella strollers may work better for flying, as they're often lightweight and small enough to fold up quickly and easily. In fact, some of these strollers designed for travel will even fit in the overhead bin on your plane.

However, the smaller design can make it tricky to find something comfortable enough for your child or baby to sit in for extended periods of time or to handle the rough terrain at some destinations. In other words, there are trade-offs when you pick the best travel stroller for your family.

Related: When to bring a stroller on a trip (and when to leave it behind)

As parents and frequent travelers, we've tested some of the top-rated travel strollers on the market to help you find the perfect stroller for your family. With those road-tested miles logged, here are the best travel strollers that passed the test and a few tips for your next trip.

Babyzen Yoyo2

• Best for: Parents who need a compact stroller that can fit in the airplane overhead bin
• Weight: 13.6 to 14.5 pounds
• Size when folded: 20.5 inches by 17.3 inches by 7.1 inches
• To buy: Babyzen Yoyo2 , $449

Why Babyzen Yoyo2 is a good travel stroller

The Babyzen Yoyo2 is accepted by most airlines as cabin baggage when folded. Despite its small stature, this stroller is built for long-lasting use beyond just travel, making it especially apt for families living in small spaces in need of one easy-to-maneuver stroller that can do it all.

When you add on the optional newborn pack ($180), the Babyzen Yoyo2 can be used from birth on. With a substantial sun protection factor of 50-plus for its canopy, plus a gradual recline, an under-seat storage bag that supports up to 11 pounds, a zipper pocket and a padded shoulder strap for carrying the stroller when folded, the Yoyo2 is as durable and comfortable closed as it is open.

It's not the most budget-friendly option on this list, especially if you purchase extras like the newborn pack. Unless you purchase the newborn pack, however, the stroller doesn't fully recline for babies ages 0 to 6 months.

TPG senior aviation business reporter David Slotnick is a big fan of this stroller when he flies with his family, sharing, "It folds up small enough to go in the overhead bin and is super lightweight and durable. Every single time the flight attendants are surprised by how compact it is."

• Best for: Families who need a stroller that folds up small but can handle lots of use
• Weight: 10.4 pounds
• Size when folded: 11.8 inches by 7.1 inches by 13.8 inches
• To buy: GB Pockit , $149.99 (regularly $199.95)

Why GB Pockit is a good travel stroller

The GB Pockit has been named the world's most compact stroller by the Guinness Book of World Records, folding up in just two easy steps. Don't let its small size fool you. It still has a weight capacity of up to 55 pounds and can handle a bumpy sidewalk as well as it handles the moving walkway at the airport.

Although the no-frills GB Pockit doesn't come with all the extra bells and whistles (which is why it folds up so easily), it does have a mini sun canopy, an adjustable harness and a small storage space underneath the seat.

The GB Pockit is designed for babies 6 months and older, so parents of newborns will have to wait a bit to use this small-but-mighty stroller.

Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller

• Best for: Families who need a budget-friendly travel stroller
• Weight: 13 pounds
• Size when folded: 14 inches by 10 inches by 42 inches
• To buy: Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller , $71.53 (regularly $99.99)

Why Summer 3Dlite is a good travel stroller

Budget-savvy parents will likely be immediately drawn to the price of the Summer 3Dlite Convenience Stroller , but that's far from the only thing to love about this lightweight stroller.

The 3Dlite has a full canopy, anti-shock front wheels and a four-position recline that almost lies flat. It can hold kids who weigh up to 50 pounds, and the storage basket underneath can hold up to 10 pounds of baby travel necessities .

Speaking of extras, this affordable stroller comes with a cup holder, a velcro pocket and a carry strap too. One thing it doesn't come with — adjustable handles. Parents on the taller side may not find this stroller comfortable for long periods of time.

Like similar lightweight strollers, the 3Dlite is made for babies 6 months and older, so parents of newborns will have to wait to use this stroller.

• Best for: Families in the market for a comfortable, lightweight travel stroller
• Weight: 13.23 pounds
• Size when folded: 21 inches by 17.7 inches by 8.5 inches
• To buy : Joolz Aer+ , $449

Why the Joolz Aer+ is a good travel stroller

The Joolz Aer+ folds up in one second with just one hand, which is ideal for anyone holding additional luggage (or a child) in their arms. When folded, the stroller easily slides into most airlines' overhead storage bins.

The seat is lightweight but made to be especially comfortable for kids. The foldable seat provides support and cushion for the child's neck and back in all positions of reclining, and the sides conform to the body for additional comfort and support.

The included sun hood provides UPF 50+ sun protection, and there is a large storage basket underneath. Joolz does offer add-on products like a cup holder, footboard and car seat adapters, but you must purchase those separately.

Although the stroller is adjustable, it's designed for kids 6 months and up (the stroller has a 49-pound maximum weight limit) and doesn't fully recline. If you plan to use this stroller with a newborn, you can buy a newborn carrycot ($219) to use for babies.

UPPAbaby Vista V2

• Best for: Parents who want a high-end stroller that can expand with their growing family
• Weight: 27 pounds
• Size when folded: 25.7 inches by 17.3 inches by 33 inches
• To buy: UPPAbaby Vista V2 , $1,299

Why the UPPAbaby Vista V2 is a good travel stroller

The UPPAbaby Vista V2 is a luxe travel stroller that can grow with your child. The standard bundle comes with a stroller frame, a toddler seat, an infant seat and base and a bassinet, so you can begin using the stroller as soon as you bring your baby home and up until they reach 50 pounds. This stroller folds in one easy step and can stand on its own when folded.

The UPPAbaby Vista V2 can be further configured to seat up to three children, with the addition of a rumble seat and/or ride-along board. In addition to being versatile, the UPPAbaby Vista V2 provides a smooth ride with spring-action all-wheel suspension, comes with a UPF 50+ sunshade and holds all of your travel essentials in the oversized storage basket that can hold up to 30 pounds of baby gear.

TPG's vice president of marketing and communications chose the UPPAbaby Vista V2 as her first travel stroller. "We are expecting our first baby in just a few short weeks and decided to go with the UPPAbaby Vista V2 for our stroller because we live in NYC and wanted something that is durable, long-lasting and able to convert to multiple combinations," she shared. "This stroller rolls like butter and the storage basket is incredible spacious. It comes with a bassinet and toddler seat, but I love that there are also a ton of accessories you can purchase separately to make the stroller meet your needs," she added.

Related: The best baby travel products according to TPG readers

It's not the lightest or smallest stroller on this list, but the multitude of use options, durability, and thoughtful details like full-grain leather accents, a rain cover and multiple color options make it a great choice if you want a do-it-all stroller that you can use for the long haul.

Doona Car Seat & Stroller

• Best for: Parents of newborns who want an all-in-one stroller solution
• Weight: 16.5 pounds
• Size when folded: 23.6 inches by 17.3 inches by 26 inches
• To buy: Doona Car Seat & Stroller , $650

Why the Doona is a good travel stroller

The wheels of the Doona Car Seat & Stroller snap up to transform it from a stroller into a car seat, making it ideal for globetrotters who are always on the move. Having this one-of-a-kind product ensures you won't need to figure out a car seat plan when arriving at your destination or lug extra gear around the airport.

There are certainly cheaper strollers out there, but when you consider that you are getting a stroller and car seat for one price, the Doona is a surprisingly economical choice.

The Doona looks sharp with faux-leather detailing and sleek black fabric and performs well with an extendable handlebar, canopy shade and a storage bag that attaches to the handlebar. You can purchase a larger storage bag, sunshade and travel bag separately.

The Doona is suitable for babies and kids weighing between 4 and 35 pounds and can only be used as rear-facing, so your baby is likely to outgrow this stroller more quickly than other travel strollers. For the newborn stage, though, it doesn't get much better than the convenient, compact Doona.

Thule Chariot Double Jogging Stroller

• Best for: Families who need a stroller for outdoor adventures
• Weight: 32 pounds
• Size when folded: 34.2 inches by 31.5 inches by 14.7 inches
• To buy: Thule Chariot Double Jogging Stroller , $1,349.95

Why Thule Chariot Double Jogging Stroller is good for travel

The Thule Chariot Double Jogging Stroller may not immediately strike you as a travel-friendly stroller option, but if your travels include hiking, biking or camping (skiing and jogging kits can be purchased separately), you'll be glad to have multi-sport trailer and stroller along for the ride.

As far as trailers and strollers go, the Thule Chariot is top-of-the-line. It folds up smaller than similar strollers, has independently-reclining seats for napping on the go, adjustable suspension for a smooth ride no matter the surface, adjustable ventilation and a large storage basket.

Because of its design, you'll have to gate-check the Thule Chariot when you fly, but TPG's senior director of engineering Mitchell Stoutin believes the stroller's larger size is one of the biggest benefits. "It can double as a 'napping cave' or even a luggage cart in the airport, but the real reason I bought it is because I wanted to do a car seat-free trip with my kids," he said.

When he flew to Sitka, Alaska, with his family, he brought along the bike trailer attachment and rented bikes to use on the island. "Even while towing the kids behind the bike during a downpour, both kids stayed dry and warm," Stoutin shared. "The Thule enabled us to take a different kind of vacation with our kids."

Baby Jogger City Mini GT2

• Best for: Families looking for a stroller that they can use for the long haul
• Weight: 22 pounds
• Size when folded: 25.6 inches by 11.2 inches by 33 inches
• To buy: Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 , $329 (regularly $399.99)

Why the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 is a good travel stroller

The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 is a top-tier stroller with a mid-tier price. While not the lightest or smallest on this list, it is made to last. Stoutin, who has had this stroller for six years and used it with three kids, shared that it still functions perfectly.

The City Mini GT2's durability is thanks to its "forever air" rubber tires that never need to be inflated and all-wheel suspension, making it swift and nimble no matter the terrain. It's also highly customizable with an adjustable handlebar and the ability to add an infant car seat, pram, glider board, parent console and child tray (all sold separately).

This stroller folds up quickly and easily with a one-hand fold and keeps your baby comfortable with a near-flat reclining seat and adjustable calf support. There's also a large under-seat basket that holds up to 10 pounds.

The City Mini GT2 can be used with a newborn, using the Baby Jogger infant car seat (sold separately) or the included car seat adapters, and all the way through the toddler stage with an impressive maximum weight limit of 65 pounds.

Joovy Kooper X2 Double Stroller

• Best for: Parents of multiple kids who need a lightweight, compact stroller
• Weight: 28 pounds
• Size when folded: 26 inches by 30.3 inches by 12.8 inches
• To buy: Joovy Kooper X2 Double Stroller , $429.99 (regularly $459.99)

Why the Joovy Kooper X2 Double Stroller is good for travel

Finding a side-by-side double stroller that meets your needs is no simple task, but the Joovy Kooper X2 ticks all the boxes. It has wide, comfortable, adjustable seats for your kids but is slim enough to easily fit through doorways. It folds up easily with one hand and stands on its own when folded. Also, the must-have extras like snack trays, shade canopies and multiple storage spaces are all included.

The seats and shade canopies adjust independently so you can accommodate your children when nap time arrives, and the under-stroller storage basket holds up to 22 pounds (because more kids always means more stuff). If you have a theme park trip in the future, the Joovy Kooper X2 meets Disney World and Disneyland's stroller size requirements .

Each seat is designed to hold a child up to 50 pounds, but it is not compatible with infant car seats, so you can't start using it until your child is at least 3 months old.

Nuna PIPA urbn + TRVL Stroller and Car Seat Travel System

• Best for: City dwellers who need a stroller system that can go from sidewalk to car to airplane seamlessly
• Weight: 13.6 pounds
• Size when folded: 24 inches by 20.25 inches by 11 inches
• To buy: NUNA PIPA urbn + TRVL stroller and car seat travel system , $900

Why the NUNA is a good travel stroller

The PIPA urbn + TRVL system from NUNA is one of the most lightweight and easy-to-use travel systems on the market. The included infant car seat has a baseless latch installation system, so you can use it in a cab, ride-hailing vehicle or airplane seat as easily as you can use it in your own car.

With the car seat removed, the stroller base folds with one hand to a super-compact size that makes it easy to carry. You can even utilize the included carry bag or remove the wheels for an even smaller folded size if necessary.

TPG's director of marketing, Caroline English, uses the NUNA with her child at home and on the road. "It's great on smooth surfaces and can do a full 360-degree turn on a dime," she said. "Also, the folding is incredible. On a recent trip to Cape Cod, we could fold it up small enough to bring into restaurants and carry it around easily," she added.

The NUNA also comes with a UPF 50+ shade canopy, leather-like accents and a storage basket. Once your baby has outgrown the PIPA urbn car seat, the TRVL stroller's toddler seat can be used for children up to 50 pounds.

Tips for flying with a travel stroller

Where and how to check your stroller when flying

Some airlines require you to check your stroller at the gate; others have rules about checking it at the ticket counter if it's greater than a certain weight.

It's more convenient to take your travel stroller to the gate, as your little one can ride (or nap) in it until you board. If you prefer to check it earlier, though, you can do so at the ticket counter and use a baby carrier to get your baby or toddler through the airport.

Before you get to the airport, make sure you check the regulations for the airline that you're flying so you're adequately prepared for what's to come. Some compact strollers are designed to fit in overhead bins, but whether they will be allowed on board depends on the stroller, the airline and ultimately the flight attendants.

Related: 21 airline stroller policies around the world

Preventing damage

When checking your stroller either at the gate or the ticket counter, it's best to take a few photos before traveling. That way, if the stroller arrives damaged, you may have an easier time proving a claim. Each airline has its own rules about what is eligible for a claim, and some, like Southwest, do not cover any type of damage, only loss.

To reduce the chances of damage, cover your stroller with a storage bag when you check it. One may come with your stroller when you purchase it, depending on which model you choose. You can also order a cover for your car seat and/or travel stroller on Amazon.

Unfortunately, you should also always have a backup plan at your destination in case your stroller is lost or damaged, as this can and does happen. It is also a good reason to consider some of the smaller and/or less expensive strollers for travel unless you have a true need for a more robust model.

Make note of a website for stroller rentals in your destination in case you need to resort to plan B. Also, don't rule out a quick trip to a local Walmart or Target, where available. Airline baggage claim offices also sometimes have basic strollers available for use in the case of delayed or damaged strollers.

Getting through security

You will typically be asked to fold up the stroller and place it on the belt when going through TSA checkpoints. If your stroller is not foldable or won't fit on the belt, it may not be the best for travel through the airport — but security can do a visual or physical inspection of it when they deem it necessary.

Bottom line

Picking the right travel stroller greatly depends on your situation. There's no perfect one for all scenarios and situations, so you need to prioritize what matters the most for your trips. Do you want it to fit in the overhead bin? Do you want it to be economical so it's not a huge hit if it is lost or damaged on your trip? Do you want it to be the most comfortable option for your baby for those trips when they will be spending long periods of time in the stroller?

The most compact stroller may not be the best stroller for rugged terrain, and a stroller designed for a newborn may not be the best choice once your child is older.

Once you've figured out what you need and want to prioritize, you can more easily decide which travel stroller on this list best fits your budget, travel preferences and family.

Additional reporting by Lori Zaino.

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 )

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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.

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

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

The Best Stroller Wagons

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

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.

• Product Reviews
• Stroller & Car Seat Reviews

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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Umbrella Strollers vs Regular Strollers – Head-to-Head Comparison

A stroller is essential for any new parent. But a stroller’s importance often makes it a very difficult purchase, especially considering the wealth of options available . If you’re having trouble deciding, we’re here to help. We’re comparing two of the most popular types of strollers – the umbrella stroller and the traditional stroller. We’ll explain the differences, advantages & disadvantages, and look at the top options for each.

Umbrella Strollers vs. Regular Strollers

First, what exactly is the difference between the two stroller varieties?

Umbrella strollers are lightweight, portable, and compact. They typically weigh under 15 pounds and offer ultimate portability. The “umbrella” moniker comes from the fact that this lightweight stroller folds down like an umbrella.

In contrast, standard strollers don’t have ultra-portability in mind. Because of this, they turn their focus to extra functionality. Standard strollers have more accessories, extra storage space, and an extra emphasis on smooth handling and traction (among other things).

Of course, with any stroller, you can find good and bad options. In the next section, we’ll be showing you how to identify quality. We’ll start with umbrellas and then turn our focus to regular strollers. Here’s what to look for in an umbrella stroller:

Umbrella Strollers

As mentioned above, umbrella strollers put a primary emphasis on lightweight, portable, and compact design. And while most strollers do fold up for storage, they generally aren’t nearly as lightweight and compact as a standard umbrella stroller.

Since it is such a popular type of stroller, it can be difficult to separate the good from the bad. Here’s what you should look for in a quality umbrella stroller. Or, you can skip ahead to our top picks.

Lightweight

Generally speaking, an umbrella stroller weighs under 15 lbs. Most weigh between 10-15 lbs., with a little variance on each end. There’s a tendency to think the lighter, the better, but this isn’t always the case.

With portable products, it’s often necessary to sacrifice functionality as the product becomes lighter. Products need to strip away different features to decrease the overall weight. This trade-off is a big consideration when purchasing an umbrella stroller. You want something lightweight, but you may be tempted by all those extra features – more storage space, more accessories, bigger wheels, etc.

Decide whether you value the extra portability or the extra bells and whistles. Below, we examine a few umbrella strollers with an impressive amount of functionality given their size.

Foldable and Travel Friendly

One of the most important features of an umbrella stroller is its foldable design. The strollers fold up like an umbrella for easy transportation. This compact design also makes it easier to pack away the stroller for travel or to carry it from location to location.

Pay attention to the dimensions of the stroller when folded. Not only does this make the stroller more or less portable, but it also makes it readily able to be packed, stored, or brought with on trips. This portability is important if you are taking the stroller on an airplane, as some umbrella strollers meet the regulations of an overhead compartment.

Also, pay attention to how easily the stroller folds down. Many strollers feature a one-hand folding mechanism – meaning you can pull a single handle, and the stroller folds down in seconds. We’d recommend this design.

Comfort and Function

Above all, you need to be sure that any stroller you buy is suitable for you and your child, meaning that your child is snug, comfortable, and safe. A 5-point safety harness is the industry standard, so don’t buy a stroller without one. Some umbrella strollers also feature reclining seats, allowing your child to sit up straight or lean back and rest.

For parents, be sure you buy a stroller with handles that adjust to your height. You don’t want to bend over to use your stroller, which is relevant for tall parents. Umbrella strollers tend to be less expensive due to their minimal design, but that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your and your child’s comfort!

Best Umbrella Strollers

Now that we’ve examined what to look for in an umbrella stroller, here are three designs we like:

BEST OVERALL: gb Pockit+

Product Overview

The gb Pockit+ is one of our favorite umbrella strollers. It features a lightweight design, easy compatibility, and a surprising amount of features.

The Pockit+ has a minimal design, which allows it to be compacted in well under a minute. Once compacted, it’s small enough to fit into the overhead storage bin on most major airlines. When it comes to umbrella strollers, this is about as small as it gets. The device weighs in at under 13 lbs., which makes it impressively portable. But we do wish that it came with a dedicated travel bag.

As a stroller, the Pockit+ is reliable and strong. The front-swivel wheels make navigating busy areas a breeze, and the double-wheel design gives it impressive stability for an umbrella stroller. It’s not the type of buttery smooth ride you’d expect from a premium stroller, but it does the job just fine for such a portable device. It features a 5-point harness system that keeps your child comfortable and secure.

The Pockit+ adjusts to fit you and your baby. The handles extend to meet your height, which is a major factor in using a stroller comfortably. The seat is also semi-reclinable to keep your child comfortable. The overhead canopy is adjustable as well, which becomes a necessity on sunny days.

Although umbrella strollers are often known for minimal storage options, the Pockit+ has a decent-sized under-seat storage compartment. It’s not what you’d find on a larger stroller, but it’s good enough.

• Impressively portable and compact – fits most major airlines’ overhead storage requirements
• Comfortable for you and your child
• Under-seat storage basket
• Front-swivel wheels make for a smooth ride
• More expensive than most umbrella strollers
• We wish it came with a travel bag

Bottom Line

The Pockit+ is a premium choice as far as umbrella strollers go. Given its compact, lightweight nature, it packs in an impressive number of features. What’s most notable is that the stroller can fit into an overhead compartment on an airplane, something many umbrella strollers cannot claim. If you want a versatile, functional, compact choice, the Pockit+ is tough to beat.

Graco NimbleLight

The Graco NimbleLight is another umbrella stroller we like. It doesn’t fold down as compact as the Pockit+, but it makes up for this with additional functionality. As stated above, this is a common trade-off with umbrella strollers.

The Graco NimbleLight weighs in at roughly 12 lbs. It features a one-step compacting process, meaning there is a single handle to compact the entire device. It folds up in seconds for easy storage and transportation. While it won’t fold down tight enough to fit an overhead compartment on a plane, it’s more than small enough for home storage or car packing.

Most notable about the NimbleLight is its feature-heavy design for an umbrella stroller. It has a large under-seat storage basket for all your necessities. There’s also a cup holder within reach and a spacious food tray for your baby. The canopy is adjustable and features a viewing window to keep an eye on your child.

The NimbleLight maneuvers well, thanks to its big, hard-rubber wheels. It does better over smooth terrain, but that’s the case with most umbrella strollers. The handle is also adjustable so parents can keep proper posture throughout.

This stroller also accepts Graco car seats, which is something to consider if you want an easy move from car to stroller. But do note these car seats are sold separately.

• Lightweight, compact design
• Wealth of features – storage, cup-holders
• Multi-position reclining seat and 5-point safety harness
• Affordable price
• Not as compact as competing designs

If you’re looking for an umbrella stroller that emphasizes the bells and whistles, then the NimbleLight is for you. It’s not quite as compact as other strollers, and you won’t be able to pack it away as efficiently. What it lacks in portability, though, it makes up for in extra storage, bigger wheels, and exterior accessories. The NimbleLight shows that, even within this narrow product category, there’s a lot of variety to be had.

Summer 3DMini Stroller

The Summer 3DMini stroller is an affordable option that impressed us with its design. This stroller folds up to look like an umbrella, making it easy to carry around and store away.

The 3DMini weighs only 11 lbs. but features a full-sized seat for your child. The seat has a multi-position recline, a padded back-rest, and a padded safety harness. And the adjustable canopy keeps your child safe from harsh UV rays. In other words, we were happy to see that the 3DMini didn’t skimp where it mattered.

The storage options are minimal, but at least you have options. The lower basket is on, the smaller side but still works to store a few things. There’s also a storage pocket affixed to the back of the seat, which is convenient for keys, phones, and wallets. There are also two cupholders.

The 3DMini maneuvers well, but it’s about what you’d expect from a budget stroller. The double 4-wheeled design is great for stability, but the hard wheels aren’t great at absorbing bumps. That said, it works just fine for walks, errands, and general use.

The stroller folds vertically, which has its benefits and downsides. The vertical design (with extruding handle) makes it easy to pick up, carry, and store away. But it also makes the stroller less suited to packing away for car trips, and it definitely won’t be suitable for a plane’s overhead.

• Comfortable design
• Plenty of storage options
• Folds up quickly and easily
• Less-than-ideal shock absorption
• Minimal storage space

The 3DMini is a great choice if you want a simple, affordable umbrella stroller. It folds up like an actual umbrella, which is a surprising rarity in this category. It’s simple, effective, and comfortable (for you and your child). It doesn’t do anything exceptionally, but it does just about everything well. For the price, you could do a lot worse.

Regular Strollers

As opposed to umbrella strollers, standard strollers aren’t as constrained by portability and compatibility requirements. In other words, regular strollers emphasize function and performance.

Here are the areas you can expect a regular stroller to be noticeably upgraded over an umbrella stroller:

Extra Features & Storage

Umbrella strollers need to make a lot of trade-offs to be so portable. Regular strollers don’t have these constraints. As a result, they have many impressive features – for you and your baby’s convenience.

You can expect a quality stroller to feature ample storage space (much more than what you’d find on an umbrella stroller), including baskets, pockets, compartments, cupholders, and more.

Decked Out for Comfort

Because they aren’t geared toward compacting down (at least not primarily), regular strollers can put a fuller emphasis on comfort and performance. Generally, this means more spacious seats with more generous padding, a more ergonomic handle design, and overall more stable construction.

Simply put, you and your child will be happier using a regular stroller for extended periods.

Stable Smooth Ride

One of the biggest sacrifices that umbrella strollers need to make is the size of their wheels. Regular strollers don’t need to make such a sacrifice, generally featuring much larger wheels often complemented by suspension systems. The result is a smoother, more stable ride, as the wheels grip the road and absorb impact much more effectively. The wheels themselves also tend to be made of higher-quality materials.

You’ll notice the difference here, although the quality of the ride will still depend on the specific stroller model that you buy (such as the ones below!).

Top Strollers on the Market

If you aren’t concerned with the ultra-portability of an umbrella stroller, here are some premium strollers for you to consider:

UPPABaby Cruz

One of the best strollers on the market, the UPPABaby Cruz has everything you’d expect of a premium product. Its comfort and stability are unmatched by any umbrella stroller. Of course, it also has a price tag to match!

This stroller has a roomy, comfortable seat for your child, with an XL canopy (with a viewing window) for ample sun protection. The Cruz also features a comfortable leather handlebar that is fully adjustable to your height. The Cruz shows how traditional strollers can put an extra emphasis on comfort – for you and your child!

You’ll also notice that the Cruz has way more storage than an umbrella stroller. The under-seat compartment is big enough for all your necessities and more, including diaper bags, groceries, and whatever you pick up along the way.

Also note that, although it’s not an umbrella stroller, it still folds down for easy storage, which is typical of just about any stroller, with the main difference over an umbrella being that it weighs significantly more. Either way, it’s super handy when you need to store it away or pack it into the car.

You’ll also feel the difference in how the Cruz handles compared to an umbrella stroller. The wheels are noticeably larger and designed with firm rubber. There’s also a capable suspension system on the front and back wheels that respond in unison to any bumps or dips. You’ll go faster and turn quicker, and it will all feel much smoother.

• Smooth ride – large wheels and full suspension
• Lots of storage space
• Sleek, stylish design
• Quite expensive
• No storage pockets

This stroller is one of the best on the market. It’s comfortable to use and comfortable for your child to relax or nap. It also handles like a dream, offering a smooth ride on almost any terrain. If you’re looking for a premium stroller designed for everyday use, then you might not need to look any further. The Cruz exemplifies the significant differences between umbrellas and traditional strollers.

BOB Gear All-Terrain Pro-Jogging Stroller

A jogging stroller is one of the best examples of how a stroller can benefit from a lack of size constraints. Jogging strollers are for more than just jogging and are tricked out for comfort, performance, and more. That said, it’s a lot bulkier than your standard stroller.

The BOB All-Terrain features performance and control that you won’t find in other strollers. Its 3-wheeled design features large, air-filled rubber tires (with reflective rims) that glide over the ground with ease, absorbing impact as they go. The Smoothshox suspension further decreases impact, making the stroller suitable to (as the name implies) any terrain. Agility is further increases with the 360-degree swivel-locking front wheel. There’s even a handbrake affixed to the handlebar, giving you extra control on downhills.

The BOB All-Terrain adjusts to meet any jogger’s dimensions, with an adjustable handlebar for proper posture. It also has everything to keep a child comfortable with its roomy, padded compression seat, wind and waterproof canopy, and secure 5-point harness.

There’s plenty of storage space, too, with a massive under-seat cargo compartment and five extra storage pockets.

Of course, you sacrifice portability when choosing a stroller this large. It weighs over 30 pounds, and while it still folds down for storage, it will likely be too big and bulky for everyday use.

• Extremely smooth, stable, agile ride
• Very comfortable and adjustable for both parent and baby
• Big and bulky

The BOB All-Terrain is a great stroller for jogging, walking, hiking, or any outdoor adventure. But, ultimately, it won’t be the stroller for everyone. It focuses on function over portability, and it is firmly in that camp. Big, spacious, comfortable, and decked out with performance features – it’s the opposite of an umbrella stroller (with a price tag to match!). So, if you want the SUV of strollers, give this one some consideration. If its lack of portability turns you off its design, refer to our list of umbrella strollers above.

What’s Best For You – Umbrella or Regular?

So, all things considered, what’s the best stroller for you? We apologize for giving the obvious answer, but it all comes down to your individual preferences!

The number one consideration is how you will be using the stroller you buy. Before you start comparing different strollers, models, and types, take some time to think of your requirements. Do you need the extra portability of an umbrella stroller, or would you prefer the additional features and better handling found on a regular stroller? There are no wrong answers, but there are wrong answers for you (make sense?).

Of course, many parents also opt to get both! An umbrella stroller makes an ideal second stroller – great for busting out during day trips, vacations, or even quick trips around the block. But many parents also find that umbrella strolls lack the comfort and storage requirements of an everyday use stroller, which is why many parents opt to invest more money in a premium stroller alongside a budget umbrella stroller.

Whatever you decide, what’s most important is you make the right call. So, sit down and take some time to think about what you want. Then, use our list above to make the ultimate choice for you and your child!

About the Author  Hannah

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The GreenStroller

Welcome to the greenstroller.

What is Green-Clean Detail Service ?

Once a new, stroller loving mom I began collecting high end strollers of my own from garage sales and craigslist and fixed them up. Soon I began helping others find their perfect stroller for their family needs......and over time I turned it into a  small business - stroller resale and cleaning - that gave back to local families in need. 

Once a new, stroller loving mom I began collecting high end strollers of my own from garage sales and craigslist and fixed them up. Soon I began helping others find their perfect stroller for their family needs......and over time I turned it into a  small business - stroller resale and cleaning - that gave back to local families in need. Donations came rolling in and families who could not buy a new clean safe stroller now had the wheels of freedom!  Fast forward to today and two kids later (who are way past stroller age) the business has shifted to cleaning/detail service for strollers and car seats. In 2023 we added car seat install service!  We still accept all donations of unwanted strollers and carseats, repair and clean them to continue paying-it-forward to local low income Bay Area families.

The GreenStroller uses all green, earth friendly, biodegradable cleaning products while following all manufacture safety and cleaning standards. NO CHEMICALS EVER! Our energy efficient machines, good old fashion elbow grease + scrub brush and natural sunlight are all we need to get your seat/stroller back to almost new! We tackle it all -

The GreenStroller uses all green, earth friendly, biodegradable cleaning products while following all manufacture safety and cleaning standards. NO CHEMICALS EVER! Our energy efficient machines, good old fashion elbow grease + scrub brush and natural sunlight are all we need to get your seat/stroller back to almost new! We tackle it all - spills, spit ups,  diaper disasters, etc........anything a messy kid can create!

Service Menu

$100 Umbrella Stroller

$125 - $175 Full SIze Single Stroller

$175+ Double Stroller

$35 booster - bottom only, no harness

$45 Booster w/back, no harness

$65 Infant 

$85 - $100 Full size combination     harness/booster

Care Seat Install

$50 we come to you 

Customer Reviews

Fathers day surprise.

We inherited a well-loved Bob jogging stroller from another family and it sat for months in our garage waiting for a DIY project which was likely never going to happen. For Father’s Day this year I decided to have the stroller cleaned and tuned up instead of buying new. After some Google research I found The Green Stroller based in Santa Clara. 

 The owner, Heidi, is super passionate about giving new life to old strollers and is a certified mechanic for Bob as well as other brands. I learned so much about this stroller from her. She provided updates along the way and the end product totally exceeded my expectations. There is absolutely no way I could have accomplished the same result myself. She was amazing to work with and I feel proud that we took the more sustainable route to “reuse” instead of buying new! Thank you to The Green Stroller for making our first Father’s Day extra special! 

• Rachel Okada

Happy Donation

Oh what an amazing biz!

We had 2 car seat bases and 2 dusty well loved strollers but didn’t want to trash them. The GreenStroller took them, cleaned + fixed for a new family.  

Anyone who has strollers or car seats to donate should definitely give Heidi @ TheGreenStroller a call! 

Thank you Heidi, we are so grateful that you do this for people!

Bugaboo clean & Repair

Someone from my Menlo Park Facebook moms group referred me to The GreenStroller since I needed help ASAP with my Bugaboo stroller (cleaning & repaired ) after my second baby arrived early. They replied quick to my inquire, kept me updated w/cleaning process as well as the broken canopy repair via text. I went for the pick up & drop off service = so worth the extra cost.  Three days and it was a brand new stroller without me lifting a finger. Thank you for the fast and professional niche service. 

• Christina B

Stroller & Carseat Green-Clean Detail Service

jamison pl & cabrillo ave, Santa Clara.CA

(408) 595-3647 [email protected]

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California’s Great America with Kids: The Complete Guide

By: Author Leslie Harvey

Posted on Published: July 25, 2016

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California’s Great America Theme Park has been a San Francisco Bay Area tradition for over 40 years. The park, which is located in the city of Santa Clara right next to San Jose, has been owned by several different companies in its long history and has evolved and changed quite a bit. My husband (who is from the East Bay) grew up going to Great America, and we finally had the opportunity to take our own kids there this summer.

Great America is probably best known for some of its thrilling coasters. One of the newest coasters, Gold Striker, is consistently ranked as one of the best wooden coasters in the world. Older favorites like Flight Deck (formerly Top Gun), Vortex, Grizzly, and Demon still loom large and make you lose your lunch with the best of them.

Photo courtesy of California’s Great America

With that thrill ride reputation, many families with younger kids don’t pay Great America much mind as a destination for little ones. I must admit that I hadn’t until this year when my daughter – who is 7 – was finally interested in some milder coasters. I was invited to a blogger press day and decided to pay Great America a visit with my entire family: my husband, my daughter (age 7), and my toddler son (age 2.5).

The bottom line? Great America has a ton to offer families with younger children, even toddlers. Both of my children had a full day of adventure and didn’t even get to ride or see it all. Here’s what you need to know about visiting California’s Great America with kids.

(Trips With Tykes uses affiliate links. See our full disclosure policy here .)

The Best Rides for Younger Kids at California’s Great America

Planet snoopy.

If you have little ones, make a beeline for Planet Snoopy and plan to spend much of your day here. Planet Snoopy is a large section of the park designed just for younger kids and themed with Peanuts characters that your kids likely already know and love. If it has been a few years since you’ve been to Great America, you might remember this area as featuring Nickelodeon characters several years ago, but the re-theming works much better in my opinion. Plus, the area is significantly expanded meaning there’s lots more to do.

Planet Snoopy has 13 rides, a splash pad, a playground/climbing structure, and quite a few character meet and greets scattered throughout the area. There are also two show stages where you can catch Peanuts characters in action.

One thing that parents should be aware of is that a few Planet Snoopy rides do have height minimums. Younger toddlers won’t be tall enough for all of them. For a few of them, 36 inches is the magic number to be able to ride. My son (who was 2 years, 9 months during our visit) only just made the cut. There were several other rides he wasn’t yet tall enough for, but they weren’t really ones he was begging to ride, so those were a non-issue. Also be aware that you will need to accompany smaller kids on several of these rides. You can check all the height rules for Planet Snoopy here .

Other Rides Great for Younger Kids at Great America

Although Planet Snoopy has the bulk of kid-friendly rides, there are a few others scattered through the park that families shouldn’t miss. I’d especially recommend:

• Carousel Columbia : The world’s tallest double-decker carousel is a can’t-miss. You’ll spot it as you enter the park, but lines are never long, so I’d recommend saving it for mid-day when lines are longer for other attractions in the park.
• Delta Flyer/Eagle’s Flight : This skyway ride offers great views of the entire park and is also a great way to skip out on some walking. You need to be able to fold up strollers to ride, so bring the umbrella stroller or plan on a round trip if you have little ones.

“Starter” Thrill Rides for Kids

If you have kids who have a need for speed, Great America offers quite a few starter thrill rides even if your kids aren’t tall enough for the biggest coasters. For kids looking for some mild thrills, the Woodstock Express coaster in the Planet Snoopy section of the park is a good start. With a height minimum of only 40 inches, many kids may be tall enough to ride at age 3 or 4.

My 7 year old was also ready to graduate to a “real” coaster, and we found Psycho Mouse to be just the right fit to take it to the next level. Psycho Mouse has a 44 inch height minimum and doesn’t go upside down or do anything crazier than a few speedy (but admittedly big) drops. My daughter is a big fan of Goofy’s Sky School at Disneyland, and this crazy mouse coaster is quite similar.

Finally, I’d also recommend the newest attraction at Great America, Mass Effect: New Earth , for some introductory thrills. This attraction is a 4D screen-based motion simulator (similar to Star Tours in Disney parks). With a height minimum of only 44 inches, most kids would be tall enough to ride at age 5 or so.

Boomerang Bay Water Park

For families with younger kids, here are the Boomerang Bay water park features I’d recommend:

• Jackaroo Landing : Think of it like a water playground – slides, climbing structure and splash buckets galore. My 7 year old didn’t want to leave. It’s too crazy for toddlers to go into unassisted, so I’d recommend it for kids about ages 4-10.
• Kookaburra Cay : For younger toddlers, this miniature splash pad next to Jackaroo Landing is the place to be.
• Boomerang Lagoon : A shallow swimming area with a few splash-pad style mushrooms splashing water into the pool. The water depth was just right for my toddler, who could touch the bottom for nearly the whole pool.
• Castaway Creek : A classic lazy river (you’ll need to accompany kids under 42 inches and kids under 48 inches must wear lifejackets).
• Great Barrier Reef : A mild wave pool that is also appropriate for the whole family (it has the same height and lifejacket requirements as Castaway Creek).

Other Essential Logistics & Tips for Visiting Great America with Kids

A huge part of a successful theme park trip with kids is logistics , so you know I made sure to be on the lookout for the best planning advice during my visit. Here are a few more tips and hacks to make your trip to California’s Great America with kids easier, more efficient and ultimately MORE FUN!

• Parent Swap : California’s Great America offers a service similar to Rider Switch at Disney parks . The service isn’t publicized on the theme park’s website, but simply ask at either of the two Guest Services locations to get the passes you need. The passes allow one parent to ride a thrill ride while the other adult waits with younger kids. The second adult then enters through the exit with the kids, where the adults can swap out. The second parent doesn’t need to wait to ride again and instead gets on the next ride vehicle.
• Strollers : Stroller are available to rent at Great America if you find yourself in a pinch, but I highly suggest bringing your own. The park is big enough that you’ll need one with younger kids. We used ours quite a bit with our toddler.
• Food : Great America doesn’t allow outside food, and we found concessions to be quite pricey (for example, a combo that included two medium slices of pizza and 1 soda was $14!). It’s really easy to blow your budget without a little pre-planning. Eat breakfast before you go and budget accordingly for lunch and dinner. If you are really on a tight budget, there are picnic areas outside the parks near the parking lots, so you could run back to your car and grab a cooler to dine there if you need to.
• Baby Amenities : Similar to Disney’s Baby Care Centers, California’s Great America has a private area to change or nurse your baby in the Planet Snoopy area of the park.
• Fast Lane : Like many theme parks, Great America offer a paid service that allows cutting the lines on major thrill rides. It varies in price according to daily demand, but it starts at $53. Unless you are planning to ride a lot of the coasters (which families with young kids likely won’t), I don’t think the expensive service makes sense. A better strategy? Crowds for all rides are very light at park opening (10am on a Saturday when we arrived), so my advice is to ride a few thrill rides first, using Parent Swap if you need to, and then move on to less crowded park areas. For the ultimate hack, you could conceivably purchase Fast Lane for one parent and then use Parent Swap for the second to ride without a wait.
• Parking : If you plan to arrive at park opening (which I recommend to avoid lines), parking spots are close and plentiful. Great America charges $18 per car, but you can save $3 if you pre-purchase online. If you plan to arrive later once the lot is quite full, I’d consider springing for the preferred parking option ($25) to save on walking.
• Lockers : Like the food, lockers are expensive but if you are headed to the water park, you might need to store your stuff so budget accordingly. My family was able to use the basket under our stroller to store larger items like towels and water bottles. We had a minimalist daypack we kept with us on rides and even at the waterpark (one of us was in the water with the kids and the other was with our belongings).
• Changing Rooms : Boomerang Bay is unfortunately short on changing rooms (and most of them are very un-air conditioned and super-humid). I’d recommend wearing a bathing suit under your clothes if you plan to spend most of the day at the water attractions just to avoid a trip to the changing rooms. The rooms do, of course, work in a pinch.

Special Holiday Events for Families

One of the things many local theme parks do well is special holiday events, and Great America is no exception. Halloween has been its speciality the past several years, with two special events: the Great Pumpkin Fest during daytime hours and Halloween Haunt in the evenings. The Great Pumpkin Fest offers trick-or-treating, hay mazes and more for kids 12 and under, and Halloween Haunt is intended to scare the daylights out of teens and adults alike (leave the little ones at home!).

But what I’m really excited about this year is the Christmas season. New this year at Great America is a family-friendly winter holiday event, WinterFest , which runs from November 25 to December 30, 2016 on most weekend days and quite a few weekdays as the holidays draw near. I got a sneak peek at the WinterFest offerings during my visit and the event looks truly amazing. Expect dazzling lights decorating the entire park, an ice-skating rink, live reindeer (to pet!), and holiday character meet-and-greets. So, I guess that means we’ll be headed back to Great America as a family in a few months!

Disclosure: Great America hosted my family for a single day in the park for review purposes and provided a free meal and FastLane passes. As always, all opinions are my own!

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Heidi Strawser

Friday 12th of August 2016

I've never heard of this park, but I'm from the east coast, so I guess that makes sense. It certainly looks like a fun park for families, though!

Thursday 11th of August 2016

I love the Peanuts theme for the kids area. I could enjoy myself just as much the little one. So bright and cheerful.

Saturday 6th of August 2016

I have so many fond memories of Great America. When I moved from the Bay Area to the PNW, I found a bunch of those viewfinder key chain thingies. Do they still have those? When my daughter gets older I'll have to consider taking her there the next time we're in town visiting family.

When I think about it now, as a teenager, I didn't care about the hour drive home back to the East Bay. As a parent, all I can think of is that there's a Hyatt and a Hilton right next door!

Tara Berke Torres

Saturday 16th of June 2018

You left this comment years ago, but as someone who grew up in the East Bay (and now lives in the EB) and "traveled" to Great America, I remember those keychains! They no longer have them.