Best Travel Stroller Reviews

UPPAbaby G-LUXE Stroller – Best Lightweight Stroller

The G-lux is the right stroller for parents who need a light stroller for everyday use around town and are also very fond of traveling. It is compact and portable, which makes it perfect for use in public transportation and transporting it by car. It is a tiny model, but it has a lot to give to your family.

Weighing only fifteen pounds, carrying it around is very convenient. It is suitable for three-month-old babies (and older). Your toddler will enjoy napping in this one because the seat features are almost fully-flat recline.

You won’t have to worry about this stroller eating up your space because it is very compact. You will easily find a spot for it in your home, and it won’t be a handful on family travels. It moves effortlessly through narrows spaces and is easy to lift.

The frame is made of lightweight aluminum, has four dual wheels, and is very flexible. It comes with a one-hand recline that can be adjusted with a simple push of a button. In addition to that, the leg rest is also adjustable, making sure your baby gets the most comfort on your daily strolls.

Riding in this stroller is as safe as it gets. The five-point harness is there to make sure of it. The smooth straps can be adjusted independently to accommodate children that grow very fast. A parent can open the buckle easily, but it’s difficult enough for a curious toddler.

You won’t need to use your feet to fold it, but it’s not precisely a one-hand mechanism. All you need to do is press the button and pull the releasing handles simultaneously. It comes with a carry strap that allows for ease of transportation. If your toddler often switches from walking to sitting and vice versa, the G-LUXE will make your family strolls much easier for you.

Chicco Liteway Stroller – Best For the Money

It is undoubtedly of the most popular travel strollers on the market. That can be ascribed to the mix of value and various features. Parents who want a secondary stroller that will replace their heavier, bulkier, first stroller will be especially happy with this inexpensive and compact model.

The model was designed for traveling, running errands around town and short trips. It has a very spacious seat with a one-hand recline. Typically, such seats are unsuitable for newborns, but the Cicco Liteway is very sturdy and has quite good back support. With the addition of a special baby padding, you can safely use it with your newborn.

Parents commend it for its great maneuverability. It glides on four hard-rubber tires with a rear suspension system and swiveling front wheels. Even though it is intended for flat surfaces, it won’t have a problem handling tougher terrain when you lock the front wheels.

The Liteway features an easy, compact 3D folding mechanism that locks automatically. Although it might be too heavy to be carried around, it is great for transporting in the car. Safety hasn’t been neglected either; it features a five-point harness.

As is the case with most umbrellas, the handlebars cannot be adjusted, but their ergonomic design makes the stroller very easy to steer. A special feature has been included as well; there is a hide-away boot beneath the leg rest that is used for enclosing the child in bad weather. Your baby will be very thankful if the wind starts blowing all of a sudden.

The basket is medium-sized. Of course, it could be better, but it isn’t bad for an umbrella model. It can hold a small diaper bag and a couple of essential items. It is really hard to find a better stroller in its price range. For what it has to offer, it is well worth the money. Such nice details and the cup holder and a leg over add greatly to the nice overall impression.

ZOE XL1 BEST v2 Stroller – Best Folding Stroller

An incredibly light stroller that offers a lot of features for a friendly price. It provides much more than a parent can hope for, for example, such as the ginormous four-panel sunshade. With all the feature it comes with, it doesn’t weight more than eleven pounds!

It is a perfect example of a travel stroller. You will be able to lift it to your car trunk with ease, carry down the stairs (or maybe even up). Unlike most strollers in this price range, this model is convenient for both parents and kids.

The seat is big enough and can be used with three-month-olds (up to 50 pounds). Since the seat has a very deep recline, it is ideal for peaceful naps. The seat can be reclined by one hand by using the strap, but it might be easier to use both. Another feature that it has, and that isn’t expected in this category, is the adjustable full leg rest. Its great for napping toddlers, because it can be lifted in such a way, that it serves as an extension of the seat.

Honestly, this could easily be the best canopy you can find on a lightweight stroller. The 4-panel hood is very impressive and provides excellent protection from the sun. In addition to protecting the child’s eyes, it covers the passenger’s torso. The storage space is pretty decent. You will be able to fit a smaller diaper back or the baby’s backpack. It is elastic and very easy to access.

What sets this stroller apart from other travel strollers, and could be its biggest selling point, is the travel backpack and storage bag that is sold separately. Of course, having to buy additional features separately is annoying, but in this case, it is well worth it.

If you’re on a long journey and have a kid that both likes to walk and to ride in a stroller, you will definitely appreciate this feature. When you are not using the stroller, you can carry it as a backpack. The folding mechanism is basically just pulling a single strap, after which the stroller collapses. Adventurous parents who like who keep things simple will be delighted with this model.

Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller – Perfect for Toddlers

The Kolcraft is a typical, inexpensive travel stroller. Parents love it for its ease of use. Its main perk is its astonishingly low price. An even bigger surprise – despite its low price, it comes with a one-year warranty!  It is a very compact stroller that can easily fit in your car trunk. Weighing under twelve pounds, it seems like a feather compared to regular travel systems. You will very much appreciate it on long family adventures.

As for the safety, the stroller comes with a five-point harness that can be converted into a three-point harness. Many parents are puzzled by the feature, but it comes in handy when your child grows up a bit because you can adjust it to the child’s size.

The stroller has a one-hand fold which makes opening and collapsing it very easy. It is more compact compared to a lot other lightweight strollers. Once it’s collapsed, it stands on its own.

The seat features a recline option with a toggle. The angle can be adjusted by pulling or loosening the strap. It is not suitable for newborns since it doesn’t have the fully-reclined position, but you certainly won’t have to worry about your baby’s comfort.

Despite its light weight, steering is not a problem. The stroller doesn’t compromise on stability; it handles turns well and can even be pushed with one hand. The brake is foot operated and adds to the overall security.

The storage basket is small, but it can hold a diaper bag, and maybe a couple of extra items. The padded handles are a nice detail, but the parent tray is even more appreciated. You won’t be able to squeeze a cup of coffee in it, but it will hold your cell phone and keys.

Its affordability does come at a price though, the seat is a bit narrow and doesn’t offer much room. Because of its minimalistic design, we wouldn’t recommend it as an everyday stroller. However, when it comes to vacations and road trips, this stroller will serve its purpose quite well.

A family vacation, be it a road trip to grandpa’s house or a journey abroad, is one of life’s greatest joys. With some planning and the inclusion of a few pieces of baby great, your journey becomes much easier. And a stroller that serves as a rolling home base is a must when traveling with a little passenger.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Travel Stroller

SIZE AND WEIGHT

What sets aside travel strollers from regular models is their size and weight. The best travel models are much lighter and more compact than bulky, everyday strollers. Naturally, there is some trade-off when it comes to the buggie’s handling, features, comfort, and durability, but nothing that will cause problems on a trip.

An ideal travel stroller is the one that is light and small enough to be convenient, but still comfortable enough for your child. The stroller should fold quick and compact for ease of transporting and carrying. A specially designed stroller will almost always be better for road trips than a regular stroller.

TYPE OF TRAVEL

Related to size and weight, whether you want a high-quality stroller that can easily be placed in an overhead compartment on a plane or a model that can be loaded into the trunk of your car, can make a big difference when making a purchase. If you regularly go on city strolls, the suspension, breaks, the ability to manage curbs and ease of handling will be something to consider more than if you will be relying on your stroller to take on short distances between the beach and your hotel.

AGE OF CHILDREN

Naturally, you will need a stroller that is suitable for your child’s weight and age. Check the maximum weight recommendation before making the purchase, you want to make sure your kid won’t outgrow the stroller too soon or find it to be uncomfortable. The best travel strollers might be more suitable for toddlers than babies, and vice versa.

ADJUSTABLE FEATURES

Some travel strollers have reclining seats, the others don’t. Some even have an adjustable footrest, but that is not commonplace. Some have bigger sunshades than others. Some travel strollers come with medium-sized underseat baskets, providing enough space for parenting necessities, while others might not have any storage space at all. Make a list of features that you consider to be crucial for you and your kid. Set them in different categories, like those that are a must, those that are desirable, and those that you don’t care about.

A stroller with a reclining seat and an adjustable footrest is perfect for a kid that regularly likes to take naps, but it might not be of any importance if your child is very active. On the other hand, strollers with fixed seats are usually more compact.

FOLDING MECHANISM 

The best light travel strollers aren’t necessarily very easy to fold, but it sure makes parenting on the go more convenient. This is probably something that people traveling with their kid, or several kids, should consider. Some of the best travel strollers have a one-hand folding mechanism, while others require a bit more effort.

COST

The cost is a significant aspect when contemplating which stroller is the best for your family travels. There is no point in finding a perfect model when it is not within your price range.

Why do you need a travel stroller?

You don’t have to be obsessed with traveling to appreciate a nice getaway, but do you need a travel stroller? Any stroller can offer a shaded seat to your little passenger where they can nap during a trip, so you can stay out a bit longer and enjoy more activities. You can take your everyday around-town baby wheels on a trip if you are up for lugging a heavier, bulkier model around, or if you don’t have to think about having enough trunk space.

But, if you are traveling by plane, do know that your regular stroller might get a bit of a beating if you check it in. Umbrella and lightweight strollers are great options for traveling and make out most of travel strollers on the market. Lightweight strollers are typically a little heavier than umbrella strollers, which are really light.

Usually, such strollers lack extra features such as a parent tray, or a sizeable basket, but they fold compact for flights. Because of their light and compact design, travel strollers are better than other models for stowing in tiny hotel rooms, riding on public transport, or carrying upstairs. Some of them come with a carrying strap or their own carrying case.

It must be noted that there are both pros and cons when taking a travel stroller with you to your vacation destination. A big canopy is a huge advantage, especially if it is SPF30+, and will set your mind at ease when you’re chilling with your family on a tropically hot day at the beach. Since you will likely be in an unfamiliar setting, a travel stroller will ensure your child is safely restrained and close to you.

If your child becomes wary of exploring the new environment, they can always take a nap in the stroller to regain their energy. You will be comfortable as well as you won’t have to carry your children around. As mentioned, the storage these strollers provide is not massive, but will undoubtedly be enough for what you need on your trip, allowing you to leave that huge bag back at the apartment.

Now, there are some disadvantages too of which you should be aware of. You will have an extra piece of luggage to transport. The check-in process at the airport can be a bit of a nuisance as well. And finally, you must keep in mind that travel strollers are not all-terrain strollers, so some areas might be off limits.

Q: Are travel strollers and traveling systems the same thing?

A: No, not quite. Three categories of strollers can fall under travel strollers, but not as a rule. Those are umbrella strollers, lightweight strollers, and some travel systems.

A travel system is a stroller that is compatible with an infant car seat (could be more than one infant car seat model) and that sometimes comes with an infant car seat included. While the vast majority of strollers are not suitable for long-distance travel, some of them have been specifically designed for that purpose.

Q: Are travel strollers suitable for newborn infants?

A: Most of them are not as most of them do not have fully reclining seats. If you are able to find a model that has a fully reclining seat or some extra comfort and features that allow the stroller to be certified for use with newborns, then you can use it without hesitation. Most travel strollers can be used at six months, while some of them even at three.

Q: Are travel strollers considered extra luggage at the airport?

A: That depends on the airline company’s policy, and each company has a different one. Regular strollers usually fall under check-in luggage, but if your stroller is light enough, and the airline allows it, you won’t have to worry. It is best to check with your airliner beforehand.

Q: Are travel strollers suitable for toddlers?

A: The majority of them are. None of them actually have an upper age limit, but all of them have a weight limit. The maximum weight recommendation is usually between 35 and 50 pounds.

Q: Is the fabric on a travel stroller detachable and washable?

A: Since travel strollers are made to be light and compact, the fabric is most likely not detachable. For washing instructions, it is best to check the owner’s manual.

Q: Are travel strollers covered by a warranty?

A: Most travel strollers come under a warranty, but that might not be the case with low-end travel models. It is best to check with the manufacturer or the store before making the purchase.

Q: Do travel strollers come with a travel bag?

A: Some high-end models come with a travel bag, while most models have a carry strap. It is possible to buy a travel bag separately. You don’t necessarily have to use a travel bag that was specifically designed for your particular model as long as you find one with the right dimensions.

Q: What is the weight capacity of a travel stroller?

A: It depends on the model. The weight capacity of most travel strollers is between 35 and 50 pounds. Make sure to check out the manufacturer’s recommendations before buying the stroller. Aside from the weight limit, the size of the seat could be a factor as well.

Q: How do travel strollers fold?

A: Each travel model has its own folding mechanism. Typically, they are made to have a fold that doesn’t require much effort and that you can use on the go. They can have a one-hand fold, two-hand, or an automatic folding mechanism that is activated by a press of a button.