As if finding a regular stroller wasnât enough of a pain, the second you book your first flight with your baby, you suddenly realize how much of a pain it would be to travel with this gigantic contraption that usually calls the trunk of your car home.
I remember when we were taking our first trip with my son at 5 months old, I wanted to streamline everything so that we could travel as light as possible⊠or as light as humanly possible with a new baby and all their gear. When I looked up travel strollers, there were probably 100 to choose from, and I had no idea where to start.
I narrowed it down by deciding what was important to me in a travel stroller: it needed to fit his car seat as well as lay flat so that he could nap while we were out. While I did my own research, I went through a bunch and got a ton of good input from others about strollers they loved. I thought Iâd share some of the best ones I came across in my search.
Budget-Friendly Travel Strollers
Summer Infant 3D Mini Stroller
This is a great budget option, and you get what you pay for at $50. It has great reviews and a handful of features including a small canopy and cup holder. It also weighs 11 lbs, which is super lightweight!
According to Summer Infant, its features include:
- 11 lbs, lightweight design, and easy compact fold with auto-lock
- 2 cup holders, storage pouch, and under-seat storage basket
- Anti-shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels
- Hassle-free canopy with pop-out visor for protection from the sun
- Full-sized seat, multi-position recline, and padded seat back
- Five-point safety harness with padded straps keeps baby safe and comfortable
- Ages 6 months+ (or when baby can sit up on their own) or up to 45 lbs
Chicco Lite Way Stroller
This stroller was the subject of a mom group text as the longest-lasting utility travel strollerâa friend used it through three kids. One of our editors even used it to cart her 5-year-old daughter (with a broken ankle) easily around Disney World. It maneuvers smoothly, collapses easily, and is super lightweight.
According to Chicco, its features include:
- The backrest is easy to adjust with one hand, with a total of four positions to accommodate growing children
- Parent cupholder
- Storage basket
- Five-point safety harness keeps baby secure and comfortable
- Canopy with peek-a-boo window for extra sun protection
- Convenient, compact fold and carry handle
- Ages 6 months+
- Stroller weight: 17.2Â lbs
Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller
Again, if youâre looking for something that is budget-friendly but a little higher quality than the first option (think something that will potentially last for a second kid), this is your best bet. Itâs a perfect lightweight everyday stroller for home or for travel that wonât cost you an arm and a leg.
According to Summer Infant, its features include:
- Lightweight (13 lbs) with compact fold, auto-lock, and carry strap
- Multi-position recline, large seat, five-point safety harness
- Open design makes the extra-large storage basket easy to access
- Adjustable and removable canopy with flip out sun visor
- Includes cup holder and rear storage pocket
- Anti-shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels
- Stroller weight: 12 lbs
- Ages 6 months or up to 50 lbs
Source: @themattiejames
Mid-Price Travel Strollers
UPPAbaby G-Lite
UPPAbaby strollers are known for quality and easy-to-use design. The G-Lite is their âliteâ stroller model that is a basic yet tricked out umbrella stroller. This is great for everyday adventures or traveling. The mesh sling seat and gigantic canopy also make it a great option for warmer temperatures.
According to UPPAbaby, its features include:
- Offers urban travel comfort and convenience in a lightweight and ultra-compact folding design
- Five-point adjustable harness with padded shoulder straps
- Front-facing seat
- Zipper recline for added comfort
- Durable mesh sling seat for breathability and comfort without added weight
- Tall ergonomic handles with soft comfort grips
- Hand-level dual trigger folding system with no foot action required
- Lightweight aluminum frame
- Lockable front swivel wheels
- Shock-absorbing, four-wheel suspension
- Supports a child from 6 months up to 55 lbs
- Stroller weight: 11.2 lbs
Contours Bitsy Elite
The Contours Bitsy is a great option if youâre looking for a travel stroller that can hold almost any car seat. Itâs compact enough to fit into an overhead bin and has great reviews. The one downside is that it doesnât recline much, so if your baby likes napping flat, this could be an issue.
According to Contours, its features include:
- Fits in most airplane overhead compartments
- Lightweight design at only 14 lbs
- Compatible with more than 35+ car seat brands without use of an adapter
- One-handed fold for convenience
- Expandable canopy with peek-a-boo window
- Compact design and standing fold for easy storage
Gb Pockit Compact StrollerÂ
This is the smallest, most compact stroller on the market. It folds down to the size of a briefcase (maybe smaller?!) and only weighs 9.5 lbs, making it the lightest weight stroller on this list. While it doesnât come with a ton of bells and whistles, itâs a great stroller to pack with you in case you (or your child) decides they need it.
According to Gb, its features include:
- With its innovative two-step folding technique, you can switch from pushing to carrying in seconds
- In two simple steps, the Pockit Stroller becomes a record-breaking small-sized package, weighing only 9.5 lbs
- Self-standing when folded: Cleverly designed to stand alone when folded, it can be conveniently put aside at your favorite cafe or restaurant
- Small but strong: Built using durable materials and expertly designed, it might be small, but the Pockit Stroller is built to last
- One-hand push: Convenient pushing and steering
- Adjustable harness system: The secure safety belt with protective comfort pads can be set at different heights and fastened or loosened for a cozy and secure fit
- Two-step fold: Folds in seconds into a handbag shaped package
- Front swivel wheels: Can be locked for stability on uneven surfaces
- Recommended age/weight: 6 months or up to 55 lbs
Mountain Buggy Nano V3 Travel Stroller
For moms traveling with babies, itâs so nice to have a travel stroller that can also hold a car seat, which is exactly what the Mountain Buggy does. Some others on this list also have car seat adapters (often sold separately), but the Mountain Buggyâs is universal, which makes it super easy for you but also makes it great if you decide to sell it.
According to Mountain Buggy, its features include:
- Includes a universal car seat adaptor which attaches to infant car seats creating a complete travel system
- Supports children from birth (with infant car seat) or 6 months (without car seat) up to 45 lbs
- Stroller weight: 17 lbs
- Height-adjustable and padded safety harness
- Full recline fabric sling seat providing a lie flat mode
- Easily and compactly folds down to travel bag size to fit in many overhead carry-on luggage compartments
- Comes with a custom made travel bag for easy transport
- Handy shoulder strap allows you to carry the folded stroller hands-free
- Roomy under-seat mesh storage basket
Colugo Compact Stroller
This highly rated travel stroller easily folds with one hand. It also fits almost anywhere, fully reclines for more restful naps, and comes with a machine washable layerâwhich is a nice-to-have for spills, sick kiddos, and plenty of other reasons.
According to Colugo, its features include:
- Full-seat recline
- One-handed, two-second fold
- Extendable UPF 50+ canopy for maximum sun coverage
- Meets most carry-on size requirements
- Supports children from 6 months up to 55 lbs
- Magnetic seat buckle and harness
- Accepts ride-on board so it can grow with your family
- Stroller Weight: 16 lbs
Source: @thiswildheart
Splurge Travel Strollers
Babyzen YOYO
The Babyzen is like the Ferrari of travel strollers. At about $600 all in all, itâs definitely expensive, but the people who love it pretty much swear by it. It is also compatible with a handful of car seats, and the design is sleek. If youâre not looking to sacrifice your left arm, you can always check the secondhand market for a good discount.
According to Babyzen, its features include:
- Stroller frame boasts an ultra-compact folding chassis design thatâs fully compliant with airline overhead bin carry-on luggage size restrictions
- Requires the YOYO Color Pack seat pad and canopy fabric set (sold separately) to create an agile and lightweight stroller purpose-built for easy commuting and air travel convenience with your child
- Compatible with select infant car seats with the use of adaptors to create a convenient travel system (car seats and adaptors sold separately)
- Supports children weighing 16-40 lbs
- Stroller weight: 13 lbs
- Multi-position seat recline
- Quickly folds and unfolds with the use of just one hand
- All-wheel shock-absorbing suspension
- Large under-seat storage basket
- Convenient carry strap
Doona Car Seat & Stroller
The Doona stroller travel system is another pricey, yet beloved stroller. Itâs unique design has won over 30 innovation awards as the worldâs first complete and fully integrated travel system, allowing parents to move from car seat to stroller in seconds. Plus, itâs lightweight at only 10 lbs. The Doona wonât fit in overhead airplane bins, but if you buy your child their own seat, the Doona has been certified by the FAA for air travel. Plus, it means youâll have a carseat ready once you get to your destination.
According to Doona, its features include:
- One simple motion operation, from car seat to stroller in seconds
- Unique 3-layer side impact protection, anti-rebound bar crash technology, superior 5-point safety harness, and ergonomic infant insert
- Carseat rear-facing only
- Removable and washable textiles
- 5-point harness
- For infants from 4 lbs to children 35 lbs
- Stroller weight: 10 lbs
Nuna TRVL Lightweight Stroller
Designed with travel in mind, the Nuna TRVL stroller is compact and self-folds with the touch of a button. It has multi-position recline capabilities (although not total lay-flat) and a UPF 50+ canopy, ensuring your little one is ready for whatever the day brings.
According to Nuna, its features include:
- At the touch of a button on the push bar, this stroller self-folds into a super-compact, freestanding unit, allowing for easy mobility and storage.
- UPF 50+ canopy provides plenty of coverage and windows for looking out
- Connects directly with Nuna PIPA series car seats with just one click
- Self-guiding magnetic buckle that automatically locks into place
- Includes a carry bag for hands-free travel
- Accommodates children from birth up to 50 lbs
- Stroller weight: 13.6 lbs
UPPAbaby MINU V2
The updated version of the original UPPAbaby Minu, V2 is perfect for urban travel comfort and convenience. Itâs great as a travel stroller but also works as a regular stroller if you live in a city or are low on extra space. It works with a handful of car seats and has some luxury features such as leather handlebar grips.
According to UPPAbaby, its features include:
- Newborn-ready with the From Birth Kit Accessory (sold separately) that allows infants to lie completely flat
- Compatible with the UPPAbaby MESA and select Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex infant car seats with the use of adaptors
- Supports children from 3 months up to 50 lbs
- Stroller Weight: 14.8 lbs
- Five-point adjustable safety harness with padded shoulder straps
- Multi-position seat recline
- One-hand action freestanding fold transforms stroller into a petite, ultra-portable package for easy transport and storage
- Convenient carry handle and shoulder carrying strap
- All-wheel suspension
- Hand washable fabric
- Extendable, pop out UPF 50+ rated canopy with vented peek-a-boo window
- Handy storage pocket
- Large, easy-access basket with 20 lbs weight capacity
This article was originally published in 2019 and has been updated for timeliness.
