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 folding strollers. It is a great stroller and a fantastic sun canopy, and multi-position recline.

With a price of less than $100 the stroller is a great value. It comes with an easy compact fold, as well as a carry strap, which makes it easy to carry over your shoulders or take to public transportation.

1. Lightweight

The key to a good travel stroller is that it should be lightweight and easy to fold. The top travel models we tested fold down using only one hand (and sometimes two hands) and can fit in overhead luggage compartments. They also have a good roll and are small enough to maneuver easily in tight spaces. Some models even have the option of a telescoping handle to parents of various heights. If you're planning a short excursion with a baby or a long-haul vacation with a toddler, look for an easy-to-pack stroller that makes the journey and return for your family.

We tested nine strollers that met our minimum size pram and travel system weight requirements. Each model was tested on city streets as well as on country side walks and in the airport terminal to determine its ability to maneuver, its ease of folding and carrying as well as overall comfort for the child.

Our most popular choice is the Babyzen YoYo2 (320), which folds the most easily of the strollers we tested and fits in overhead bins of airplanes. The seat reclines nearly flat and is car seat-compatible which means it's suitable for babies up to age 2. The car also features a deep undercarriage, a bag-hook on the handle and UPF50+ canopy to provide plenty of protection for your child.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another option. It features a concertina folding that can be done using just one hand, and is very light. The padded five-point harness, the crotch strap, and the Reversible seats keep your child safe with a huge undercarriage basket as well as a reversible seat ensure that there is enough space for their possessions. It's also compatible with the brand’s infant car seat. This makes it a good option for families starting from the time of birth.

Finally, the Coya TRVL ($320) is another one-handed, one-step fold with car seat compatibility and a wide canopy. It's a bit more expensive than the other models in this class however it has additional features like a large cupholder for the parent, an adjustable handlebar for parents of all sizes and a comfortable carry strap. The simplicity of the model does compromise durability, compared to other models in this class.

2. Folding is simple

When you're on the go, a travel stroller needs to be easy to open and close. If you're carrying a load of groceries, or children in your arms, you don't want to wrestle with a complex stroller to close it. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even with just one hand. A lot of them have padded straps that you can comfortably wear over your shoulders.

In our tests, we gave the Libelle stroller high marks for its compactness and easy folding pram. But it also has other great features: It can roll effortlessly over all surfaces and has a large canopy that gives plenty of coverage. It's also lightweight and stands by itself when folded. This makes it easier to store.

We recommend parents who want their stroller to fit in the overhead bin of a plane and are looking for models that are guaranteed to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It can fit into the smallest folding space and comes with an extra-safe travel cover. However it doesn't come with an adjustable seat, and its cargo area is too small to hold anything but the smallest diaper bag or tote.

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another alternative. It folds concertina-style, but features a reversible seating arrangement to ride face-to-face or back-to-back. Our editor in chief was able to open and close, though she wasn't crazy about the way the handle tucks up behind the seat when folded.

The tri-fold is the most recent stroller for travel. It folds in three pieces and provides the best combination between compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for instance, comes with a reclined seat, a non-structured rear storage pouch, and a lockable clasp that keeps it folded. It's a bit larger than the umbrellas from the brand, but folds more compactly than their G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts. It also has a shoulder strap that is cushioned.

3. Easy to store

The best Travel stroller travel strollers can be folded down to a small size that is easy to store. They can be easily stowed in the trunk of a car or the overhead bin of the plane. Some even have a carrying strap that is easy to carry on your shoulders and you don't have to worry about your hands becoming tired. They're also lighter than standard strollers. This makes them easier to lift or carry for a stroll in the neighborhood or at the airport.

When we test this stroller, it performed exceptionally well in our tests of durability and was able to maneuver over all sorts of surfaces, from smooth hardwoods to shag carpeting. Some of our test subjects were a bit disappointed with the design, and the handlebar was not cushioned to keep your hands comfortably. The size of the storage basket is also something to consider. It's on the small side and some parents have reported that it was difficult to squeeze a large size diaper bag into it.

In general, we recommend calling your airline prior to time to confirm their specific guidelines regarding the use of strollers on planes and strollers, as they may vary. This is crucial if you plan to gate-check your stroller. Then, you can use it on the plane and navigate through the airport without the stroller.

The Contours Itsy travel stroller is an excellent choice for those who need a light, compact stroller. The Contours Itsy comes almost completely assembled, and all you have to do is put in the bumper bar. It comes with a cup holder for the parent, as well as an additional back pocket. However it doesn't have an over-sized basket. This may make it difficult to pack the essentials for long trips.

If you're an avid traveler, we recommend considering a more robust stroller that has better features and can hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Mini, as an instance, has many of its G-Luxe and G-Link siblings with features, but it is smaller and folds more quickly. It's also slightly sturdier than an umbrella stroller, and comes with a comfortable carrying strap that takes some of the weight off your shoulders.

4. Comfortable

Strollers are commonly used for extended periods of time when traveling, and the comfort of the stroller is crucial. Seats with a lot of padding and a reclining system that can be adjusted to various angles are ideal. Be aware of whether the canopy extends for sun protection, and if the mesh windows allow airflow. Consider a model that has a parent organizer/cupholder and a large basket under the seat if you need to carry your belongings. When looking for a child jogger be sure to look at the age range. Also, consider whether your child is comfortable in the seat, even without an infant car-seat.

The way a stroller is rolled is also crucial. It needs to maneuver easily over various surfaces, from smooth hardwoods and shag carpets to cobblestones and gravel. It must be able to navigate steps, curbs and other obstacles with ease. If your travel plans involve lots of walking, you should choose a light stroller to prevent leg and back soreness.

A great stroller for travel should also be easy to use. It should assemble in under 30 seconds and snap up securely when popped into the correct position. It should also fold flat and fit into the trunk of your car or in the overhead compartments of planes. It should also be upright when folded so that you can grab it with one hand while holding your baby in the opposite.

The Joie Tourist is an excellent option for parents looking for a lightweight quality, high-end travel stroller. It has various recline positions, so that your child can rest comfortably. The canopy extends to provide lots of sun protection and UPF protection. It also comes with a rain cover and a coffee cup holder and a footmuff. Charlotte loves that it's suitable from newborns to four years and doesn't require a separate car seat adapter.