Strollers Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters

The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller is one of the smallest, lightest and easy to fold. It has a great ride and a fantastic sun canopy, and a multi-position recline.

This stroller is an excellent value at 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 key to a good travel stroller is that it must be lightweight and easy to fold. The most popular models we tested could be folded in one hand, and sometimes two, and they can fit in overhead luggage compartments. They also have a good roll and are small enough to be easily maneuvered in tight spaces. Some models come with a telescoping handle for parents with different heights. If you're planning a brief trip with a pushchair newborn or a long-haul trip with a toddler, find a light, easy-to-pack stroller that will make the journey and return -- easier for your family.

To determine the top strollers for traveling, we compared nine that met our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets, country side walks, and at the airport terminal to determine its ability to maneuver, its ease of folding and carrying and overall comfort for children.

Our most popular choice is the Babyzen YoYo2 (320), which folds the easiest of all the strollers we tested and is able to fit into the overhead bins of planes. The seat reclines nearly flat and is car seat compatible and is suitable from birth. The car also features a deep undercarriage, a bag-hook on the handle, Pushchair Pram and UPF50+ canopy to ensure the safety of your child.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is an alternative that is a great choice. It features a concertina folding that can be operated by one hand and is very light. Its five-point harness, padded and crotch strap will keep your child safe, while the reversible seat and a massive undercarriage basket make sure there's room for all of their belongings. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat. This makes it a viable option for families with children that have children from birth.

The Coya TRVL ($320) is a one-handed, one step fold, is also compatible with car seats and has a large canopy. It's a bit more expensive than other models in this category however it has additional features such as a large parent pocket and cupholder and a handlebar that can be adjusted to accommodate parents of all heights, and a comfortable carry strap. The simple design does compromise durability, compared to other models in this class.

2. Easy to fold

A stroller that is designed for travel should be easy to shut and open when you're out and about. If you have a bag of groceries or children in your arms you don't want to struggle with a cumbersome stroller to close it. The best strollers for travel fold easily and compactly, even with just one hand. Many come with a cushioned strap that can be comfortably placed over your shoulder.

In our tests, the Libelle stroller was rated highly for its easy folding and compact size. It also has a few nice features. It's smooth to roll on all surfaces and has an expansive canopy that offers sufficient coverage. Plus, it's surprisingly lightweight and free-standing when folded, which makes it easy to store.

For parents who want to walk right up to the gate and pop their stroller into the overhead bin, we suggest looking for one that can fit in. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It fits in the smallest of foldings and comes with a protective travel cover. However it doesn't come with a reclining seat, and its cargo area is too small to hold anything but an infant diaper bag or a tote.

Another option is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds up into a concertina-style but also features a reversible seat for face-to-face or back-to-back riding. The handle is hidden behind the seat, but our managing editor didn't like the fold.

The newest model of stroller for travel is the tri-fold, which folds in thirds, and offers the perfect combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu, as an instance, has a reversible chair with a storage pouch that is not structured at the rear, and a locking latch to keep it folded. It's a bit bigger than the umbrellas of the brand but is smaller than their G-Luxe or G-Link counterparts. It also comes with a padded shoulder strap.

3. Easy to store

The best travel strollers fold down into a small, easy-to-store size that is easy to fit in the trunk of your car or into the overhead bin on the plane. Some even come with a carry strap that makes it simple to carry over your shoulder and not have to worry about your hands getting tired. They're also lighter than standard strollers. This makes them easy to lift and carry for a quick walk in the neighborhood or at the airport.

When we tested this stroller, it did extremely well in our durability tests and was able to maneuver across all kinds of surfaces, from smooth hardwoods to shag carpeting. Some of our test subjects thought it was a bit fragile, and the handlebar wasn't padding to ensure your hands were comfortable. The size of the basket is also something to consider. It's on the small side and some parents have had difficulty difficult to fit a large diaper bag into it.

In general, we suggest calling your airline prior to time to verify their specific guidelines regarding the use of strollers on planes and strollers, as they may vary. This is particularly crucial if you plan to check your stroller's gate and allow you to get around the airport without it and still be able to use it once you're on the plane (though this isn't a viable option for families who need a car seat or toddler booster).

If you're looking for a simple stroller that's light and folds down to an extremely compact size, the Contours Itsy is a great choice. The Contours Itsy comes fully assembled and all you need to do is put in the bumper bar. It comes with an apron for a cup for the parent and a back pocket. However it doesn't have an over-sized basket. This could make it difficult to pack the essentials for a long trip.

If you are frequent travelers, we suggest that you consider a more robust stroller with more features and the capacity to hold more items. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for instance, comes with many of the same features as its G-Luxe and G-Link cousins but is smaller and folds faster. It's also a bit more durable than an umbrella stroller, and it comes with a cushioned carrying strap that takes some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Comfortable

Comfort is key when using strollers over long durations of time. Seats with plenty of padding and a reclining system that can be adjusted at various angles are ideal. Note if the canopy extends to provide sun protection and if the mesh windows encourage airflow. You should consider a model that comes with an organizer for parents and a cupholder as well as a large basket under the seat if you need to carry things with you. If you're looking for a stroller that is suitable for older children, make sure to check the age range and consider whether your child will be comfortable in the stroller without a car seat for infants.

How a stroller rolls is also vital. It should be able to move easily on different surfaces, including smooth hardwoods, shag carpets, cobblestones, and gravel. It must be able to navigate steps, curbs and other obstacles with ease. Choose a lightweight stroller when you intend to do a lot of walking during your trip. This will prevent back and leg pain.

A good quality travel stroller should be easy to use, too. It should be simple to assemble and snap together when placed in the correct location. It should also be able to fold flat and fit in the boot of a car or in the overhead compartment of planes. It should also remain upright when folded, so that you can reach it up with one hand while holding your baby in the opposite.

If you're a parent who's seeking a top-quality lightweight stroller for their child, the Joie Tourist is a great alternative. It features several recline positions so that your child can sleep comfortably. The canopy that extends can provide ample sun protection, with UPF protection. Additionally, it comes with a lot of other accessories such as a footmuff and coffee cup holder and rain cover are included. Charlotte loves the fact that the car seat is suitable for infants to four years old and does not require a separate adapter.