Ten Things Your Competitors Teach You About Strollers

The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

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

This stroller is an excellent value for less than $100. It's compact and easy to fold, making it ideal for public transport or to carry over your shoulder.

1. Lightweight

The most important aspect of a great travel stroller is that it must be light and easy to fold. The top travel models we tested fold down with just one hand (and sometimes two hands) and can fit in overhead luggage compartments. They are also compact and roll well, making them easy to maneuver into tight space. Some even offer an adjustable handle for parents of various heights. If you're planning a brief trip with your newborn or a long-haul trip with a toddler, you'll need an easy-to-pack stroller that makes the journey -- and return -- easier for your family.

To find the best strollers for traveling, we compared nine that were able to meet our weight and size requirements. Each model was put to the test on country roads, city sidewalks and at the airport terminal for mobility as well as ease of folding and carrying, and overall comfort for your child.

Our picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) that has the simplest fold of all the strollers we tested and can fit into overhead bins for airplanes. The seat reclines to a flat position and is car seat-compatible which means it's suitable for babies from birth. The car also features a deep undercarriage with a bag hook on the handle, and UPF50+ canopy to provide plenty of protection for your child.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another great option. It features an articula fold that can be operated using just one hand, and is extremely light. Its padded, five-point harness and crotch strap will keep your child secure, while the reversible seat as well as a massive undercarriage basket make sure there's room for all of their items. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat which makes it an ideal option for families that start at the time of birth.

The Coya TRVL ($320) is a different one-handed, one-step fold that comes with car seat compatibility and a wide canopy. It's a bit more expensive than the other models in this category, but it offers extra features such as a large cupholder and parent pocket and a handlebar that can be adjusted for parents of all sizes and a comfortable carry strap. The simple design does not mean it's as durable, as relative to other models in this class.

2. Easy to fold

If you're constantly on the move the stroller you use for travel needs to be simple to open and close. If you're carrying a load of groceries, or children in your arms you shouldn't have to wrestle with a complicated stroller to close it. The most efficient travel strollers fold easily and compactly, even with one hand. A lot of them have padded straps that you can put comfortably over your shoulders.

In our tests In our tests, the Libelle stroller was rated highly for its ease of folding and compact size. But it also has other nice features: It rolls effortlessly across all surfaces and comes with a huge canopy that provides plenty of coverage. It's also light and stands up in its own right when folded.  Push Chairs And Prams  makes it much easier to put away.

If you're a parent who wants to roll right up to the plane gate and pop their stroller into the overhead bin we recommend looking for one that can fit into. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example is a great fit in the smallest fold, and comes with a handy protective travel cover, but it has no reclining seat and a narrow cargo space that can only hold a small tote bag or diaper bag (no backpacks).

Another alternative is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds down into a concertina design but also has an reversible seat that can be used for back-to-back or face-to-face riding. The handle is hidden behind the seat, however our editor didn't love the way it folded.

The tri-fold is a new travel stroller. It folds in three pieces and provides the most compact combination of size and features. The UPPAbaby Minu for example, has a convertible seat, an unstructured rear storage pouch, and a locking clasp to keep it folded. It's a bit bigger than the umbrella models made by the brand however, it folds smaller than its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts and has a padded carry strap that fits over your shoulder.

3. Easy to store

The most effective travel strollers fold up into smaller, compact size that you can easily fit in the trunk of your car, or into the overhead bin on an airplane. Some even come with a carry strap that makes it simple to sling over your shoulder, so you don't have to worry about your hands becoming tired. They're also lighter than standard strollers. This makes them easy to lift and carry for a stroll in the neighborhood or at the airport.

The stroller performed extremely well in our tests of durability and was easy to maneuver over all types of surfaces. From smooth hardwoods to shag flooring this stroller is an excellent choice. However some of our test subjects noted that it's a little flimsy and the handlebar doesn't include any padding to keep your hands comfy. The size of the basket is also something to consider. It is on the small side and some parents have had difficulty difficult to fit a large diaper bag inside it.

We recommend that you call your airline ahead to confirm their specific guidelines concerning strollers. They may differ. This is particularly crucial if you plan to gate-check your stroller, which would allow you to get around the airport without it and use it when you're on the plane (though this option isn't suitable for families who require car seats or a toddler booster).

If you're looking for a no-fuss stroller that is lightweight and folds down to an extremely compact size, the Contours Itsy is a great option. It's nearly assembled out of the box and the only thing you need to do is snap the bumper bar into the right position. It comes with an apron for a cup for the parent and an additional back pocket. However it doesn't come with an oversized basket. This could limit your ability pack essentials for a long trip.

If you're frequent travelers, we suggest you look into a more robust stroller with more features and the ability to hold more items. The UPPAbaby Mini, for instance, comes with many of the G-Luxe or G-Link siblings with features, but it is smaller and folds more quickly. It's also a bit more durable than an umbrella stroller and has a padded strap to alleviate some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Confortable

It is important to be comfortable when using strollers for extended periods of time. Seats that have plenty of padding as well as a reclining system that can be adjusted at different angles are ideal. Also, consider whether the canopy extends to give protection from the sun, and if it has mesh windows to allow airflow. Look for a model with a parent organizer/cupholder and an ample basket under the seat in case you need to carry things around. When looking for a child jogger, make sure to check the age range. Also, consider if your child is at ease in the seat without a car seat for infants.

It is also crucial to consider how a stroller rolls. It should be able to move easily across a variety of surfaces, from smooth hardwoods and shag carpet to cobblestones and gravel. It must also be able to handle stairs and curbs without difficulty. Choose a lightweight stroller if you are planning to do a lot of walking throughout your trip. This will help prevent back and leg pain.

A high-quality travel stroller should be simple to use, too. It should be easy to put together and snap together when put in the proper position. It should also fold flat enough to fit in the trunk of your car or the overhead compartments of a plane. It should also stay upright when folded so that you can carry it around using one hand and hold your child in the other.

If you're a parent who's looking for a premium lightweight stroller for travel The Joie Tourist is a great alternative. It has multiple recline positions, so your child can nap comfortably, and its extendable canopy provides ample sun coverage and UPF protection. It also includes a rain cover and a coffee cup holder and a footmuff. Charlotte is delighted the fact that the car seat is suitable for newborns to four years old and doesn't require a separate adapter.