The 7 Best Travel Strollers in 2023

Looking for the best travel stroller for your next trip? Use our guide to review the top travel strollers and the most important features to look for when comparing your choices. 

What’s the Best Travel Stroller? 

A stroller is a necessity for carting your infant or toddler around. Using a baby carrier or simply carrying your child isn’t an option for long treks, whether you’re running errands or going on vacation.

Unfortunately, most strollers are not easy to bring on trips.

Travel strollers solve this problem thanks to their lightweight, foldable designs. So, how do you choose the best travel stroller? To help with your search, we’ve rounded up and reviewed our top recommendations. 

Our Top 7 Picks for the Best Travel Stroller:

1. Best Overall: GB Pockit Air Travel Stroller 
2. Best Travel System with Lightweight Stroller: Chicco Mini Bravo Plus Travel System
3. Best Double Travel Stroller: Dream On Me Volgo Twin Umbrella Stroller
4. Best for Rough Terrain and Tight Areas: Century Stroll On 3-Wheel Stroller 
5. Best for Urban Exploration: Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Travel Stroller
6. Best for Folding with One Hand: Safety 1st Teeny Ultra Compact Stroller
7. Best Budget Recommendation: Summer Infant Mini Convenience Stroller

Baby strollers are available in an endless selection of designs, styles, and configurations. You can find jogging strollers, full-sized strollers, and lightweight travel strollers. Out of these options, a travel stroller is often the best choice for families on the go.

Why You Need a Travel Stroller

Having kids means needing to plan for every outing, which may include bringing a stroller to wheel your little ones around in. Standard strollers are often large, bulky, and difficult to transport.

Most options are designed to provide your infant or toddler with optimal comfort but aren’t easy to carry or fold up and put in the car.

Luckily, companies also make travel strollers. Compared to the typical everyday stroller, travel strollers are often easier to fold and lightweight. You can quickly fold the stroller and carry it or place it in the trunk.

Travel strollers also come in a variety of designs to fit different situations. You can find lightweight strollers that you can carry anywhere, strollers with travel systems, double travel strollers, and travel strollers with cup holders and accessories.

Using a travel stroller is perfect for any trip that involves riding in a vehicle. Travel strollers are easy to take with you just about anywhere, including trips to the mall, the beach, or a vacation destination. 

Keep reading to find out how to pick the best travel stroller based on your needs.

The 7 Best Travel Strollers in 2023

Coming up with a list of options for the best travel stroller involves comparing a wide range of strollers. We looked at a variety of factors, including ease of use, weight, safety, and overall dimensions. So, let’s start reviewing our top picks.

1. Best Overall: GB Pockit Air Travel Stroller

The GB Pockit Air is the best travel stroller due to its lightweight, easy-to-carry design. It weighs about 10 pounds, making it the lightest travel stroller that you’re likely to find. It also has the most compact shape when folded.

The folded dimensions are just 11.8 x 7.1 x 13.8 inches. Unlike most folding travel strollers, the Pockit Air Travel Stroller includes folding wheels. The wheels fold inward, allowing for a flatter shape when folded.

The seat is lined with soft, breathable mesh fabric. Your child can stay cool all day. However, it doesn’t include extra cushioning. If you have a smaller child that needs extra support, you may need to buy a separate pad.

The stroller also lacks cup holders, trays, and storage baskets. This helps keep the design small and lightweight but may not work well if you like storing drinks and small items on the stroller. 

2. Best Travel System With Lightweight Stroller: Chicco Mini Bravo Plus Travel System

The Chicco Mini Bravo Plus is the best choice for those that want a complete travel system. You get a travel stroller, along with a car seat and a compatible base. This keeps you from trying to find a stroller that can fit your car seat or vice versa. 

The stroller has large wheels, an adjustable canopy, a child’s tray, and a storage basket. The seat also has cushioning and three recline positions.

It’s lightweight and easy to carry but isn’t easy to open and close with one hand. If you already have a car seat or your child has outgrown car seats, this isn’t the most cost-effective option.

However, those with smaller children can save by purchasing a complete travel system. You also get a stroller that can grow with your child, as you can use the car seat until they get too big.

3. Best Double Travel Stroller: 

The Dream On Me Volgo Twin Umbrella Stroller is the best choice for those with two children. It’s a travel stroller with six wheels and two seats. Yet, it’s still light enough to carry when needed.

It measures about 14 x 11 x 44 inches when folded, making it one of the most compact double strollers available. It also weighs just under 23 pounds. Both seats are protected by adjustable canopies, a five-point safety harness, and a bumper bar. 

Due to the dual design, the Volgo Twin Umbrella Stroller isn’t the most convenient option for those with one child. It’s heavier compared to single travel strollers, but lighter than most double-seat strollers.

4. Best for Rough Terrain and Tight Areas: Century Stroll On 3-Wheel Lightweight Stroller 

The Century Stroll On Stroller is the top 3-wheel travel stroller and the best option for dealing with tough terrain or tight areas. You can easily maneuver this stroller around people and obstacles. 

You also get a child’s tray and a parent’s tray. Each tray has cup holders and a spot for a snack. The Century Stroll On 3-Wheel Stroller is lightweight and easy to carry, but it’s a little large for taking on an airplane.

The folded dimensions are about 33 x 24 x 10.5 inches, which may just exceed the baggage sizing requirements for some airlines. The seat is cushioned but doesn’t include breathable fabric.

It may not be the best option for spending the day in the sun or traveling in a hot region. However, the extra padding offers support and comfort, especially on a colder day.

5. Best for Urban Exploration: Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Ultra-Compact Travel Stroller

The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is another great choice for dealing with narrow walkways and crowded areas. However, it has four wheels instead of three, which gives you a little more stability. 

It weighs under 14 pounds and folds into a compact size of 23 x 19.4 inches. It’s small enough to carry with one hand or stuff in an overhead bin on an airplane. However, it doesn’t include any accessories.

You don’t get cup holders, trays, or a large storage basket. However, you can purchase a variety of optional accessories, including a parent console and a glider board for a second older child. 

6. Best for Folding With One Hand: Safety 1st Teeny Ultra Compact Stroller 

The Safety 1st Teeny Ultra Compact Stroller stands out for its ease of use. You should have no problem getting it ready or putting it away with one hand while holding your child with the other hand. 

Despite the name of the product, it’s not the most compact travel stroller. It measures about 23 x 18 x 15 inches when folded, which is too large to find an overhead bin on an airplane.

However, it’s still easy to carry and weighs about 15 pounds. The Safety 1st Teeny Ultra Compact Stroller is also a good bargain.

It’s one of the more affordable options, but still offers many of the features found in the earlier recommendations. You get a sturdy stroller with a reclining seat and a large canopy with a peekaboo window.

7. Best Budget Recommendation: Summer Infant Mini Convenience Stroller

The Summer Infant Mini Convenience Stroller is the best option for those with a limited budget. It’s a fraction of the price of some of the earlier recommendations. However, it’s still a reliable stroller and easy to use.

The stroller weighs just 11 pounds, making it one of the lightest options. Most customers have commented on the lightweight design, ease of use, and portability. It’s easy to maneuver and carry anywhere with just one hand.

However, it’s also cheap, which means that it may not last long enough for your child to outgrow it. The frame and materials are sturdy, but customers have mentioned that the stroller shows signs of wear with repeated use.

The seat includes cushioning, a canopy, and multiple recline positions. It even has a pop-out sun visor for added shade on sunny days. Overall, it offers a comfortable ride for most children between the ages of six months and three years. 

Finding the Best Travel Stroller for You

You may find the variety of options overwhelming when picking the best travel stroller. So, here are the most important features to look at when comparing your choices. 

Weight

The weight of a travel stroller is one of its most essential features, as heavier strollers are more difficult to transport. Most of our recommendations weigh 15 pounds or less.

However, if you anticipate the need to carry the stroller long distances, you may want the lightest option available. The Pockit Air Travel Stroller weighs just over 10 pounds. You should be able to carry it anywhere.

Dimensions

You may want to review the dimensions of the stroller if you plan on stowing it on an airplane or have limited space in your vehicle. While most travel strollers are compact when folded, some are small enough to meet the size limits for carry-on luggage. 

Travel strollers may measure up to two feet long and about ten inches thick when folded.

Some options are even longer, measuring up to three feet long when folded. If you need to pack a stroller on a plane, look for more compact options that measure less than 22 x 14 x 9 inches when folded.

Foldability/Ease of Use

Modern strollers of all types often include a foldable design. However, travel strollers are designed to make folding less of a hassle. Instead of spending minutes tearing down the stroller, you can often fold it with a single hand.

You should also pay attention to how the stroller folds. Some options fold in half while others simply collapse. The options that fold in half take up less space when folded. 

Canopy

Most travel strollers include a canopy to help shield your little one from the sunshine and light rain. If you want to keep an eye on your child, look for options that include a peekaboo window. The window is typically a small rectangular area with clear, flexible plastic. 

Some canopies also extend further than others or include additional UV protection. If you plan on spending the day on the beach, you may want a travel stroller with a large, thick canopy.

Wheels

The type of wheels on the stroller impacts its ability to roll easily on different terrain. The average diameter of a stroller wheel is about four to six inches. 

Large wheels are often needed when pushing a stroller on soft or uneven terrain, such as sand, grass, and urban areas with lots of potholes. If you plan on taking the stroller off-road, look for wheels with a diameter of at least eight inches. 

You can also choose between three-wheel and four-wheel designs. Three-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver in tight spaces, such as crowded sidewalks and inside stores. You may also prefer a three-wheel design when jogging and traveling over rough terrain.

Four-wheel strollers provide greater stability but may offer a bumpy ride on uneven surfaces. You also have a wider selection of options, as more companies produce four-wheel strollers. 

Safety Harness

All our recommendations include a 5-point safety harness. While some of your other options include three-point harnesses, a five-point harness offers optimal protection.

A three-point harness wraps around the waist and between the legs. A five-point harness adds shoulder straps, which keep your child from bouncing around when traveling over bumpy terrain. 

Adjustable Seating 

Choosing a travel stroller with multiple recline positions is useful for those with younger infants. Babies should sit in a reclined position until they can support their heads on their own.

This is often around three or four months of age. If your child can sit up without any problems, you may not need a reclining stroller. 

Seating Material 

Strollers often include fabric seating secured to the metal frame of the stroller. Some options also include molded plastic seating with fabric covers and cushioning. 

Lighter strollers with less cushioning and breathable fabric seating tend to be a better choice on hot days. However, if your child still requires extra support, look for strollers that include cushioned seating or purchase a separate cushion insert.

Accessories

Strollers are available with a variety of accessories, including cup holders and storage baskets or pouches. The most lightweight, portable options tend to come with fewer accessories. 

For example, trays are less common on travel strollers. If you want a stroller with a child’s tray or a large basket, you can expect it to be a little less portable compared to strollers with fewer add-ons.

Size and Weight Limit 

Always double-check the size and weight limit of the stroller before purchasing. You don’t want to end up with a stroller that your child outgrows in just a few months.

Most strollers are designed for children from the ages of six months to about four years. The weight limit is often 30 to 50 pounds. By the age of three to four years old, children are often starting to reach the weight limit of the typical stroller. 

Travel System

A travel system typically includes a car seat, a car-seat base, and a stroller. Purchasing a travel system is a smart choice for parents with infants under the age of six months. 

You may need the support and cushioning of the car seat until your child can support his/her head. After your child outgrows the car seat, you can continue to use the stroller.

Durability 

The durability of a stroller is a concern for most parents, as you don’t want the stroller to break down in the middle of use. Looking at the price of a stroller is often a good way to evaluate its durability. A $500 stroller should hold up longer compared to a $50 stroller. 

Frequently Asked Questions

After comparing options and features, you may still have some questions about travel strollers. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

Can I Use a Travel Stroller for Everyday Use?

Yes, you can use a travel stroller everywhere that you typically take a standard full-size stroller. A travel stroller is a convenient option when running errands. As travel strollers are lightweight and compact, they are often easier to take into shops, cafes, and other public places. 

Can a Four-Year-Old Still Use a Stroller?

While there are no set guidelines, most experts agree that children should transition to going without a stroller when they’re old enough to walk on their own and follow directions.

This often occurs around the age of three. A four-year-old may also exceed the weight limit of the stroller, which is often 30 to 50 pounds.

Can a Baby Sleep in a Stroller?

Babies shouldn’t sleep overnight in strollers. Your child may doze off during a stroll, which is completely normal. However, you should consider reclining the stroller, if possible, especially if your child is still an infant. Infants should typically sleep on their backs until the age of one.

Does a Travel Stroller Count as Checked Baggage?

Every airline has different requirements, but most airlines allow you to check a stroller free of charge if it meets certain size requirements. For example, many airlines allow you to travel with a stroller as checked baggage if it measures less than 36 inches long when folded. 

If you want to pack the stroller in an overhead bin or under your seat, it needs to meet the carry-on size limits, which are often 22 x 14 x 9 inches.

How Can I Make My Travel Stroller More Comfortable?

Most strollers include cushions to support the body and head. However, some travel strollers lack extra cushioning to provide a lighter, more compact design. If you feel that your child needs more cushioning or protection, you can purchase a separate cushion insert and place it in the seat. 

So, What’s the Best Travel Stroller?

While all the options in our list are great choices, our recommendation for the best travel stroller is the GB Pockit Air All Terrain Travel Stroller. It’s the lightest, most compact travel stroller, making it the best option for trips with your child.