The 5 Best Travel Strollers in 2019

As parents, taking a family vacation doesn’t mean you get away from the everyday stress of lugging everything you need from your child. In fact, it’s even more stressful because of the unknowns of traveling with kids. From flat tires to flight delays, you want to make sure you are prepared for every situation that you may encounter. Having the perfect travel stroller is one of the biggest components in determining how relaxing is your next family vacation.

The features of travel strollers slightly differ from everyday strollers. Notably, you will want something that is lightweight, compact, but at the same times has enough storage and that adhere to the situations you will experience, ie. if you are traveling on a plane, which stroller can fit in the overhead compartment? Technology and design in the baby world have come along way and boy are these travel strollers pretty impressive!

Here are the many features to consider when researching a travel stroller:

1. Weight & Size – The lighter and smaller the better
2. Safety Harness – This can range from 2 points through 5 points
3. Comfort – A reclining seat and a comfortable canopy
4. Storage – Check for diaper bag storage, cup holders, and snack tray
5. Weight of Child – All strollers have a weight limit, can it accommodate more than 1 child?
6. Folding – Can it be folded with one hand?
7. Price – Prices range from $45 – $1,400

Best for the Money: Summer Infant 3D Mini Umbrella Stroller

Coming in at only $45, The Summer Infant 3D Mini Umbrella stroller is hands down the best for your money. This comfortable stroller comes with a padded seat and a multi-level reclining seat. It keeps your child secure with a 5 point harness and rear wheel breaks. Storage includes an under the seat basket, a pouch, and 2 cup holders. The Summer Infant 3D Mini comes in at under 11lbs and folds up nicely for small areas.

Summer Infant 3D Mini Umbrella Stroller Pros:

• Price!
• Multiple storage options
• Reclining seat
• Large canopy 

Summer Infant 3D Mini Umbrella Stroller Cons:

• Maximum child weight 45lbs.

Best Features: Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller

Kolocraft’s Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller combines the best features for the parents, along with safety and comfort features for the child, making it the best in this category. This particular model has a roomy storage compartment for the biggest diaper bags. It also comes with a two cup holder and an extra storage pocket which are great for things like walking around theme parks.

One hand fold makes it easy to hold your baby or toddler on one hand and stroller on the other. The Kolocraft Cloud Plus has a 5 point harness that is great for fidgety toddlers and secure for unexpected bumps in the road. It’s reclining seat will ensure your child gets a comfy nap and you can keep an eye on your child through the peek-a-boo window on the generous canopy that keeps the sun away. At 11.8 Pounds, the Kolocraft is considerably light with all these features. This is quite rare in travel strollers.

Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller Pros:

• Price – $68
• Good Storage
• Easy One-hand fold
• 5 Point Harness
• Reclining seat
• Large Canopy

Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller Cons:

• Pretty spot on!

Best for Air Travels: Besrey Baby Stroller

For your air travel needs, check out the Besrey baby stroller. This foldable stroller is designed to fit directly in the overhead compartment of an airplane.

Its convenient one-button folding system lets you pull the stroller just like carry-on luggage so it stands up on its own too. This makes it easy to carry baby in one hand and stroller in another.

The Besrey also has all the comfort features for baby including adjustable backrest and footrest, large canopy with peek-a-boo window, and a padded 5-point harness to keep baby safe. And as a bonus, it comes with a rain cover!

Besrey Baby Stroller Pros:

• Folds up with one hand
• Fit in an overhead compartment
• Large canopy with peek-a-boo window
• Large storage basket
• Reclining seat and footrest

Besrey Baby Stroller Cons:

• Affordable
• On the heavier side (15 lbs)

Best for Twins: J is for Jeep Brand Scout Double Stroller

If you are traveling with twins or your two children are close in age, you will definitely need a stroller that will support all of their needs. The biggest question when choosing a double stroller is if you want one that is side by side, or one that is single file.

The double strollers that are side by side usually have the same features on both sides. Both can recline the same way and both have the same amount of storage. On the downside, the width of the stroller makes it harder to get through narrow doors or hallway.

The single file or tandem stroller uses a narrower footprint so it’s easier to get through doors. However, depending on how it’s set up, it’s harder for the parent to access the child that is sitting the furthest. Note that some of the single file double strollers may not have the same features on both seats. For instance, one may recline further than the other.

J is for Jeep Brand Scout Double Stroller wins in this category. The most important aspect to a double stroller is that it is easy to maneuver. The J is for Jeep double stroller fulfills this need with its front swivel wheels and suspension system. Not only does this have a large canopy to cover both babies, it has reflective material on it to ensure it could be seen at night. The multi-level reclining is great for nap time.

J is for Jeep Brand Scout Double Stroller Pros:

• 5 Point Harness
• Used from birth to 3 years old
• Large canopy
• Fits through 30” doorway
• Parent cup holder
• Folds up compactly

J is for Jeep Brand Scout Double Stroller Cons:

• Storage is bags instead of a basket
• 18.5 lbs

Best Lightweight: GB Pockit

Would you believe that there is a travel stroller that could fold up to small that it could if in your large purse? Well, here it is! The GB Pockit wins for best lightweight stroller weighing in at only 9.5 pounds. You can fold the stroller in 2 easy steps. The GB Pocket folds down to 11.8”x7”x13.8 inches. Yes, it can fit into a large purse. Needless to say, it will have no trouble fitting in an overhead compartment on a plane, train, or stowing in a compact car. The BG Pocket also holds the 2014 Guinness World Record for most compact stroller. Price is $179

Even though it is lightweight and compact, it is strong enough to hold a child up to 55lbs. The sturdy 5 point harness keeps baby safe and includes a quick release button. GB sells a bag you can put it in or you can use your own. Because it’s so lightweight and compact, this stroller is a great option if you are traveling with only your child.

However, the lightweight and compact features, you do give up some of the other features that other travel strollers provide. The storage basket is quite small and won’t accommodate much more than a diaper bag. Where other travel strollers have a generous canopy that practically engulfs baby for sun protection, the GB Pocket only has a sunshade that lies horizontally.

GB Pockit Stroller Pros:

• Most compact stroller – fits into a large purse
• Only 9.5 pounds!
• Folds neatly in 2 steps
• 5 point harness
• Holds up to 55lbs

GB Pockit Stroller Cons:

• Small storage
• Small canopy

Types of Travel Strollers

There are two types of strollers you can use for when you are traveling: umbrella stroller or a fold up the stroller. Check out the differences for all your traveling needs.

Umbrella stroller

Umbrella strollers are called this because they fold up really compact as an umbrella does. These usually give up the features of a regular stroller so that they are more lightweight. Some of these features include reclining back for napping, full canopy to shield baby from the sun, or useful storage compartments. However, umbrella strollers are still extremely useful in helping transfer kids back and forth through airports or a theme park.

Size and Weight

Umbrella strollers typically weight less than 15 pounds. Anything over than this defeats the purpose of having something lightweight for travel. There are umbrella strollers as light as 9.5 pounds!

As for size, the best way to determine is what is the tightest space it will go in? Is it in the back of a compact car, or does it need to go in the overhead compartment of an airplane? The general rule for overhead compartments is that it should not exceed 45 inches total (combining length, with and height). The GB Pockit mentioned above measures 11.8 inches x 7 inches x 13.8 inches. That means 33 inches total, way below the 45 inches that most airlines accept. That’s why it fits into a large purse. Specific airlines line JetBlue, U.S. Airways, American Airlines, and United all note that the folded stroller doesn’t exceed 22 x 14 x 9 inches / 56 x 36 x 23 centimeters (including handles and wheels).

Ease of use

Umbrella strollers are generally easier to use and maneuver because they are made to be lightweight and really easy to fold quickly. They need to be able to shuffle and carry with one hand because either you are carrying a baby on the other hand or holding a toddler’s hand.

Cost

Umbrella strollers come in many different price ranges. You can buy one as cheap as 14 dollars to 200 dollars. There are many great umbrella strollers that have significant features that fit in the middle of this range.

The first thing you need to consider before choosing one is the weight of the child. A 14 dollar umbrella stroller with no recline, canopy, and a 1 point belt will only take the weight of a 40-pound child. While a higher-end stroller can handle as much as 55 pounds.

Fold Up Stroller

A fold-up stroller isn’t necessarily made for traveling and can have more features than an umbrella stroller. This will be the everyday stroller that you take to the park or grocery shopping. Features you want to look more in a folder stroller are comfort features like reclining and large storage space. In addition, look for removable cushions and snack trays for easy cleaning.

Size and Weight

Due to the additional features, a fold-up stroller will typically be heavier and bulkier than an umbrella stroller. They can weigh anywhere from 15 pounds to up to 35 pounds. But rest assured, they will be able to handle much more weight than an umbrella stroller.

Ease of Use

Easy maneuvering is made possible by swivel wheels which thankfully most strollers have. But you also want to look for features such as an adjustable height for the handlebar. This will ensure it’s comfortable for you as well.

Cost

Cost can vary greatly in this category. A City Mini by Baby Jogger can cost as low as $250 while a Bugaboo Donkey what converts as your child grows can cost up to $1,300.

Frame Strollers

If your baby is still in an infant car seat, you might also want to consider a frame stroller. This is where you can literally snap the baby’s car seat onto this structure and it turns into a stroller. This is arguably one of the best additions to the stroller world. Why? Because it lets you move baby from the car to the stroller without ever taking them out of the seat and waking them up.

This is a lifesaver for when you want your baby to sleep at a certain time, or when you are moving from plane to train to a car. Baby Trend makes the universal Snap-N-Go that you can use with almost any car seat brand. However, individual baby stroller brands also make their own frame stroller.

You should seriously consider this when you select your car seat. The bonus is that because the car seats to take up too much of the space, the storage area for frame strollers are pretty great. There are also double frame strollers for twins!

Luxury Strollers

If you are considering the Rolls Royce of strollers, check out brands such as UPPABaby or Bugaboo. These brands make super sleek strollers with awesome additional features. Bugaboo offers an adjustable handlebar, one hand recline, a reversible seat (can face forward, or the parent), and even a 2 wheel beach mode for pushing through the sand!

These beautifully designed stroller systems also come with a gorgeous bassinet with removable liners and even a toddler seat. Some of the systems accommodate up to 3 kids without growing wider.

But of course, these cool features come at a price. They are as much as 1,400 dollars so you want to make sure that these strollers fit your needs and also grow with your child.

Additional Options for traveling with Children

These days, there are some additional options for carrying a child while traveling that you might consider. For instance, there is the Lugabug that costs $59. This particular item is more like an attachment for your luggage. The child sits on the seat. The best thing about the Lugabug is that you don’t have to push a stroller and luggage at the same time! It is extremely compact and you can either put away flat or fold it up like a tube. It is only 1.1 pounds on its own! The Lugabug is recommended for toddlers over 2 years old and it can handle up to 60 pounds. It also acts as a seat for the child when propped on the floor. This is great for waiting in lines or camping. Note that this type of attachment isn’t an option for a sleeping toddler and doesn’t have storage like a regular stroller. It’s strictly for getting a child from point A to point B quickly.

Similar to the Lugabug type of attachment, you could also consider kids luggage that kids can ride on. Products like the Trunkie is a great example. This kid’s luggage has great storage for their snacks and toys, they can pull the luggage themselves, or they can sit on it and an adult can pull them! It weighs just under 5 pounds and can fit in an overhead compartment on an airplane. The Trunki can handle up to 75 pounds and comes in a variety of fun colors.

Clearly, there are many, many options when it comes to traveling with children. With advances in design, most of the basic features can be covered in even the smallest, most lightweight travel strollers. Make sure to consider your lifestyle first and then use these guides to help your decision making when choosing a stroller.