The Strollers Awards: The Best, Worst And Weirdest Things We've Seen The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller is among the lightest and compact. It's also one of the easiest folding strollers. Despite its size, it offers an excellent ride, a excellent sun canopy and multi-position recline.

At less than $100 the stroller is an excellent value. It's small and easy to fold away, making it perfect for public transport or slinging over your shoulder.

1. Lightweight

When it comes to strollers for travel lightweight and easy to fold are essential. The top models we tested fold down using only one hand (and sometimes two hands) and fit into overhead luggage compartments. They also can roll easily and are compact enough to be easily maneuvered in tight spaces. Some models have a telescoping handle to accommodate parents of different heights. If you're planning a brief trip with a newborn or a long-haul getaway with a toddler, find an easy-to-pack stroller that makes the journey -- and return for your family.

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

Our top pick 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 airplanes. The seat reclines nearly flat and is car seat-compatible, so it's suitable for babies from birth. Other features that are suitable for parents include a deep undercarriage basket and a bag hook attached to the handle, and a UPF 50+ canopy that provides ample coverage for your child's travels.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is an alternative that is a great choice. It has an articula fold that can be operated with one hand and is very light. Its padded, five-point harness and crotch strap will keep your child safe, while the reversible seat and large undercarriage basket will ensure that there is enough space for all their belongings. It's also compatible with the brand’s infant car seat. This makes it an ideal option for families with children beginning at the time of birth.

Lastly, the Coya TRVL ($320) is a different one-handed, one-step fold that comes with car seat compatibility as well as a large canopy. It's a bit more expensive than other models in this class, but it offers extra features like a large cupholder and parent pocket as well as an adjustable handlebar for parents of all heights and a comfortable carry strap. The simplicity of the model does not mean it's as durable, as compared to other models in this category.

2. Easy to fold

When you're on the go, a travel stroller needs to be simple to open and close. You do not want a stroller which is difficult to close when you're carrying groceries or children in your arms. Even with only one hand, most efficient travel strollers can fold up easily and compactly. Many come with a cushioned strap that you can wear comfortably over your shoulders.

In our tests, we awarded the Libelle stroller top marks for its compactness and ease of folding. It also has a few nice features. It is smooth on all surfaces and has an expansive canopy that offers sufficient coverage. Plus, it's surprisingly lightweight and self-standing when folded, making it easy to store.


We suggest parents who want their strollers to fit into the overhead bin of a plane Look for models that promise to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example, fits nicely into the smallest fold and comes with a convenient travel cover, but it comes with no reclining seat and a narrow cargo area that can hold a small tote or diaper bag (no backpacks).

Another alternative is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds into a concertina style but also features the option of a reversible seat to allow face-to-face or back-to-back riding. Our managing editor found it a breeze to open and close, although she wasn't thrilled by how the handle slides behind the seat when folded.

The tri-fold is the most recent stroller that travels. It folds into three parts and offers the most compact combination of size and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for instance, comes with a reversible seat with a storage pouch that is not structured at the rear, and a locking latch to keep it folded. It's a bit larger than the umbrellas made by the brand, but folds more compactly than their G-Luxe or G-Link counterparts. It also has a padded shoulder strap.

3. Easy to store

The best strollers fold down to an easy-to-store size that's easy to fit into the trunk of your car or squeeze into the overhead bin on a plane. Some even have a carrying strap that makes it easy to carry over your shoulder and not have to be concerned about your hands getting tired. They are also lighter than regular strollers, which could make them easy to lift and carry when you're ready for a quick walk around the neighborhood or at the airport.

This stroller performed exceptionally well in our tests of durability and was easy to maneuver over any type of surface. From smooth hardwoods to sag flooring, this stroller is an excellent option. Some of our testers found it a bit flimsy and the handlebar was not cushioned to ensure your hands were at ease. Another thing to consider is how big the storage basket is: It's slightly smaller than the average, and some parents found it difficult to squeeze an enormous diaper bag in it.

In general, we suggest calling your airline ahead of time to verify their specific guidelines regarding the use of strollers on planes and strollers, as they may vary. This is crucial in case you intend to gate-check a stroller. You can then use it on the plane and navigate the airport without a stroller.

The Contours Itsy travel stroller is an excellent choice for those who are looking for a compact, lightweight stroller. The Contours Itsy is fully assembled, and all you have to do is put in the bumper bar. It comes with a parent cup holder and back pocket however, there is no basket that is large, which could limit your ability to pack essentials for a long-distance trip.

If you're a frequent traveler we suggest you consider a more robust stroller that has better features and is able to hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Minu, for instance, comes with many of the same features as its G-Luxe and G-Link cousins, but it's more compact and folds faster. It's also a bit stronger than an umbrella stroller, and it has a padded carrying strap to take some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Comfortable

Strollers are often used for prolonged durations of time when traveling, so it is essential to be comfortable. Seats that have plenty of padding as well as a reclining system that can be adjusted to various angles are ideal. Also, consider whether the canopy extends to give shade from the sun and if it comes with mesh windows to promote airflow. Look for a model with a parent organizer/cupholder and a large basket under the seat, if you have to carry things with you. If you're looking for a travel stroller for older children, look up the age range and determine whether your child will be at ease in the seat, even without an infant car seat.

The way that a stroller moves is also important. It needs to maneuver easily across a variety of surfaces including smooth hardwoods and shag carpet to cobblestones and gravel. Push Chairs And Prams should also be able to navigate stairs and curbs with ease. If your travel plans include lots of walking, opt for a light stroller to avoid leg and back soreness.

A great stroller for travel is also easy to use. It should be simple to assemble and snap together when it is placed in the right position. It must also be able to fold flat and fit in the trunk of a car or the overhead compartment of a plane. It should also be upright when folded, so you can carry it around with a single hand and hold your baby in the other.

The Joie Tourist is an excellent option for parents seeking a light high-quality stroller for their travels. It comes with several recline positions, which means your child can sleep comfortably, and its extendable canopy provides plenty of sun protection with UPF protection. It also includes a variety of additional features such as a footmuff and coffee cup holder and rain cover are all included. Charlotte loves the fact that it is suitable from newborns up to four years and doesn't require a separate car seat adapter.