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Traveling with kids can be challenging. Not only do you need to keep your eyes on an excitable little person in a new place while also having fun yourself, but you have more items to carry around with you than you did in your pre-child days. Remove some of the hassle and make life a bit more convenient by traveling with one of the best travel strollers on the market.
You might be tempted to forego a stroller altogether, relying on your young child to walk or thinking that it would be easier to carry your baby in a specially designed sling, carry cot, or something similar. Remember though: little legs tire quickly and babies can get heavy pretty fast! Another plus-point of a stroller is that it can be used as transport for essential items, like nappies, snacks, a change of clothes, and the emergency iPad for mealtimes, saving you from carrying around yet another heavy bag.
Contents
- 1 Comparison Table of the Best Travel Strollers
- 2 Pros and Cons of Taking a Travel Stroller on Your Trip
- 3 Things to Consider When Buying a Travel Stroller
- 4 Best Travel Stroller Reviews
- 4.1 Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller
- 4.2 ZOE XL1 Lightweight Travel Umbrella Stroller
- 4.3 UPPAbaby G-LUXE Stroller
- 4.4 GB Pockit Lightweight Stroller
- 4.5 Maclaren Volo Stroller
- 4.6 BabyZen 2016 Yoyo+ Stroller
- 4.7 Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller
- 4.8 Chicco Capri Lightweight Stroller
- 4.9 Besrey Airplane Stroller
- 4.10 Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller
Comparison Table of the Best Travel Strollers
With a range of travel strollers to choose from, deciding on the best one for your needs can be tricky. Plus, you probably don’t have time to trawl through heaps of reviews and info—you’ve got a little one keeping you busy! To make things a bit easier, here are our choices for the ten best strollers for traveling.
Note: Click on the stroller name to read reviews and check prices.
Pros and Cons of Taking a Travel Stroller on Your Trip
There are pros and cons of taking a stroller on your family trip, and you may reach a different decision depending on the type of trip you’re planning. Overall, though, purchasing one of the best travel strollers is often a wise investment for parents who love to travel with the kids in tow.
Advantages:
- Comfort for children as they have somewhere to sit and won’t tire as easily.
- Comfort for parents as they won’t have to carry children.
- Children have somewhere to take a nap.
- Ease of transporting younger members of the family.
- Storage for bags and essential items.
- Canopies provide shade from the sun and rain covers help to keep your kids dry in the rain.
- Security of having your child safely restrained and close to you in unfamiliar places.
Disadvantages:
- Additional piece of luggage to transport.
- May need to carry the stroller on steps, cobbles, narrow streets, etc.
- Check-in procedures for flights can be a nuisance.
- Can make navigating crowded places difficult.
Things to Consider When Buying a Travel Stroller
Here are some of the most important things to think about when looking for the best travel stroller.
1. Size and Weight
The main differences between a regular stroller and a travel stroller are the size and weight. The best strollers for travel are significantly lighter and usually a lot smaller than bulky, everyday strollers. There’s generally some trade-off when it comes to the stroller’s durability, handling, features, and comfort, but nothing that should ruin a trip. The best traveling strollers are those that are lightweight and small enough to be convenient, yet large enough for your child’s comfort. The best travel strollers also fold up fairly small and are compact for ease of transporting, storing, and carrying. Specially designed strollers for travel will almost always be a lot more suitable for trips than your regular stroller.
2. Type of Travel
Connected to size and weight, whether you want a stroller to tuck into the trunk of your car or something that can easily be stowed in an overhead compartment on a plane can make a big difference when buying a travel stroller. If you regularly take city breaks, the suspension, ease of handling, and ability to manage curbs will be more of a consideration than if you’ll be relying on your stroller to cover short distances between a beach and your hotel.
3. Age of Children
Of course, you’ll need a stroller that is suitable for the age (and / or weight) of your child. Check maximum loads before purchasing; you don’t want your child to quickly outgrow the stroller or find it uncomfortable. Also, the best travel stroller for infants may not be suitable for toddlers, and vice versa.
4. Adjustable Features and Recline
Some travel strollers recline, some don’t. Some have adjustable foot rests. Some have larger canopies than others. Some strollers come with a storage basket, and others don’t. Make a list of features that are essential for you and your child, those that are desirable, and those that you really don’t care about, and use this as a guide when comparing the best travel strollers.
Reclining strollers with adjustable footrests are ideal if your child regularly takes naps in the stroller, but this might not be such an important consideration if your kid is generally pretty active. Strollers with fixed seats are often smaller and lighter than their reclining counterparts. Larger canopies can be ideal in sunnier climates where you want more shade for your child, but these also add weight and size. Some parents couldn’t live without the storage space of a basket, whereas others would rather save on space and weight and forego the basket in favor of a backpack. It all depends on your preferences and your child’s needs.
5. Comfort and Safety
The stroller needs to be comfortable for both your child and you. Things to look for include pads, adjustable handles, padded handles, and cup holders. Safety is super important for any parent. Consider braking mechanisms and ease of braking, whether the stroller has adequate side protection to prevent kids from dangling out, safety straps, and belts.
6. Ease of Folding
The best compact travel stroller doesn’t necessarily have to be super easy to fold, but it sure makes life more convenient. This is probably more of a consideration for people traveling alone with their child or with several children. Some of the best travel strollers can quickly and easily be folded up using just one hand, whereas others need a bit more effort.
7. Cost
Naturally, the cost is an important aspect when considering the best strollers for traveling. It’s pointless finding something perfect if it’s out of your price range. While you shouldn’t sacrifice comfort, safety, and usefulness for cost alone, you will need to take into account your budget when buying any stroller.
Best Travel Stroller Reviews
We’ve compared many travel strollers on today’s market, and these are what we believe are the ten best travel strollers:
Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller
Weighing a little less than 13 lbs (5.9 kg), the Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller is the best lightweight travel stroller for people who don’t want to compromise on features. It has four reclining positions, also making it the best reclining stroller for travel. It also has a canopy that can be removed or adjusted, a sun visor, a storage basket and pocket, and a five-point safety harness. It folds down easily, and it’s compact and light, making it easy to carry. It is also easy to push, and the large seat is comfortable for children. Available in a variety of fun colors, traveling with kiddos is a breeze when you have the Summer Infant 3D Lite Convenience Stroller.
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ZOE XL1 Lightweight Travel Umbrella Stroller
Slim, lightweight, easy to maneuver, and sturdy, the ZOE XL1 BEST Xtra Lightweight Travel & Everyday Umbrella Stroller is the best umbrella stroller for travel. With an adjustable footrest, a large canopy, and full recline, it’s comfortable for children both when awake and when sleeping. The large mesh storage basket and cup holders are very convenient. It is easy to fold with one hand and can be carried as a backpack. It also fits into most overhead storage lockers on planes, making it one of the best strollers for travel by plane. The stroller weighs 12 lbs (5.4 kg). For the ultimate on-the-go stroller, check out the ZOE XL1 BEST Xtra Lightweight Travel & Everyday Umbrella Stroller.
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UPPAbaby G-LUXE Stroller
The UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller has many useful features, which is why it’s considered one of the best traveling strollers. It can be quickly and conveniently reclined using just one hand, and it can be folded using just your hands – no feet needed. There’s a one-step break and the wheels are sturdy. The sunshade extends and the canopy can be adjusted and removed. The tall handles make it ideal for taller parents who may struggle with lower designs. Though not the lightest of travel strollers (weighing 20 lbs), UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller is very easy to transport and travel with. The UPPAbaby G-Luxe Stroller is the perfect combination of functionality for the parents and comfort for the children.
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GB Pockit Lightweight Stroller
The GB Pockit Lightweight Stroller is legitimately the best compact travel stroller—it was featured in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the most compact stroller! It weighs 9.5 lbs (4.3 kg) and folds down to 11.8 x 7 x 13.8 in (30 x 17.8 x 35 cm). Despite its small size (when folded), it’s a sturdy stroller that can seat a child that weighs up to 55 lbs (25 kg) as well as carry as much as 11 lbs in the storage basket. Other features include a safety belt, adjustable pads, and a canopy. Easily switching from pushing to carrying in a matter of seconds, the GB Pockit Lightweight Stroller is a great option whether you’re exploring for the day or traveling long-term.
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Maclaren Volo Stroller
The Maclaren Volo Stroller is one of the best lightweight strollers for people who still want a full-sized stroller. It weighs 15.35 lbs (7 kg), and it’s easy to push, fold, carry, and store. It is also compact when folded. The canopy and sun visor can be extended, and it comes with a windproof rain cover. It only has one seating position, therefore it’s more suitable for children who are active and spend most of their time awake. If you and your child are always on the go, the Maclaren Volo Stroller is the perfect solution to your travel stroller needs.
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BabyZen 2016 Yoyo+ Stroller
The BabyZen 2016 Yoyo+ Stroller is the best travel stroller for infants. It is also ideal as your kids grow, suitable for children weighing up to 40 lbs (18 kg). The seat reclines and the footrest can be extended, ideal for nap times on the go. The suspension system makes it comfortable for kids and easy for parents to push. It is lightweight (13 lbs / 5.9 kg) and folds up small enough to fit in many overhead bins on airplanes. The canopy extends and the stroller comes with a rain cover and a large basket. Folding up so you can carry it like a bag, the BabyZen 2016 Yoyo+ Stroller is an ideal choice no matter where you’re going.
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Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller
Suitable for children up to four years old, the Mountain Buggy Nano Stroller is one of the best travel strollers for toddlers. The lightweight stroller weighs in at just 13 lbs (5.9 kg), and it easily folds up and compacts. The included carry satchel makes carrying the stroller a breeze. It reclines and has a canopy. The lightweight and easy handling, in particular the ability to easily go up and down curbs, makes this an overall best stroller for travel for people who like to constantly be on the move.
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Chicco Capri Lightweight Stroller
The Chicco Capri Stroller is durable, lightweight, compact, and easy to open and fold. The stroller comes with a handy carry bag. It weighs 11 lbs (5 kg), and is among the best lightweight strollers for travel. There are five safety harness points and the comfortable seat can be reclined to different angles. The canopy is adjustable and removable. There is a storage basket for complete convenience. Practicality and durability are definitely highlights of the Chicco Capri Stroller.
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Besrey Airplane Stroller
The Besrey Airplane Stroller is suitable for day-to-day use, but it’s also one of the best strollers for air travel. It’s a great option for regular travelers who only want to invest in one stroller. It can be folded small enough to fit in many overhead storage bins on planes, and it also easily fits in the trunk of most cars. The lightweight stroller weighs a little less than 10.8 lbs (4.9 kg). The five-point safety belt and adjustable pads help to make your child both comfortable and secure. It can be controlled using just one hand and has a pedal brake. Other features include a canopy and an underneath storage basket. The small, but sturdy Besrey Airplane Stroller ensures you and your child are ready for anything anywhere in the world.
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Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller
The Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller is one of the all-round best folding strollers for travel. Besides the basic features, it also comes with heaps of added features that can make life a bit more hassle-free. The large extendable canopy has a window so you can keep your eye on your child at all times. There are cup holders for parent and child, as well as a handy tray for the parents. The storage basket has lots of space, the seat reclines to several positions, and there’s a five-point safety harness. It is easy to fold using just one hand and is compact when folded. Weighing 11.8 lbs (5.4 kg), it is lightweight too. If you’re looking for all the must-haves in a full-size stroller without the bulk, look no further than the Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller.
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With this list of ten of the best travel strollers, choosing the perfect stroller for your trip should be a whole lot easier. Happy travels!