When you’re in the market for a baby stroller, you’ll want to consider if the stroller needs to be compatible with your child’s infant carrier. Factor in your family’s lifestyle, too, to determine if you need special wheels for rougher terrains, or any additional features to make traveling with kids easier. We carefully considered any age, height, and weight recommendations, design, ease of use and cleaning, material, and value when reviewing products. Here are the best baby strollers based on your family’s needs. The Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System earns our top spot because this budget-friendly system includes the Evenflo SafeMax Infant Car Seat, toddler seat, bassinet, and modular stroller frame that will fit newborns through toddlers up to 50 pounds (and infants up to 35 pounds in the car seat). Available in four colors, the set comes with the aforementioned infant car seat and car seat base for the car, which allows you to easily transfer the car seat from the stroller to the car seat. All three-seat options can face forward and back, giving you six total positioning options. The Evenflo Pivot Modular Stroller system also includes a large storage basket and cup holder for convenience. And the removable bumper bar is equipped with a removable snack tray so your little one can eat on the go. Price at time of publication: $320 An extra-large storage basket carries everything you need and the one-hand, multi-position adjustable recline seat has a five-point safety harness. This umbrella stroller is suitable for infants as young as 6 months up to 50-pound toddlers, making it a great choice you’ll use for the long haul. Price at time of publication: $130 The set includes the chassis, stroller seat with UPF 50 hood, a bassinet that’s suitable for overnight sleep, 2 rain covers, 2 bug nets, a padded bamboo reversible stroller seat liner, 2 bumper bars, a cupholder, and tandem connectors. There are 7 different configurations to choose from and up to 30 with the purchase of additional accessories. It also includes a very large, hardshell basket that can carry up to 33 pounds. Price at time of publication: $1,400 Despite being one of the heavier strollers we reviewed (28.3 pounds), this one folds easily and fairly compactly, which is helpful for a car trunk or storage in your home. It also includes a ring adapter, making it compatible with the Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat (sold separately). The compatible bassinet attachment is also sold separately. Price at time of publication: $800 for solid colors Parents in urban environments who need ample storage and durable wheels will benefit from the oversize storage basket and all-wheel suspension. Expecting twins or a second child? The Vista V2 can accommodate a second toddler seat, bassinet, or infant car seat. And a third child can ride along with the PiggyBack attachment board. Price at time of publication: $1,100 Unless you purchase the bassinet or a Cybex infant car seat, this stroller isn’t suitable for newborns; however, it supports infants from 6 months up to 55 pounds. The foam-filled rubber tires and all-wheel suspension make for a soft and smooth ride, regardless of bumps and uneven terrain. When using a bassinet or compatible infant car seat (both sold separately), this Thule jogging stroller is suitable from birth and can support bigger children up to 75 pounds. The adjustable handle has an ergonomic design and features a convenient handlebar brake. Price at time of publication: $670 The stroller supports kids from 6 months old up to 55 pounds, so it’s a choice that can last a long time. At just over 10 pounds, it is one of the lightest strollers we reviewed. The breathable mesh fabric will keep your child cool and comfortable while the UPF 50+ sun visor can be adjusted to provide shade—though it doesn’t extend to a full canopy. Price at time of publication: $200 The seats and their large, four-panel canopies can recline independent of the other, which means one child can recline and sleep in the shade while the other looks out at the world. At only 19 pounds, it’s lightweight for a double stroller. And at 29 inches wide, it can fit through standard doorways without issue. The longevity of the stroller that you pick out is partially contingent on the weight limit. If your baby is within a few pounds of the maximum weight, the stroller isn’t going to last long and isn’t a worthwhile investment. Additionally, there are minimum weight limits that should be followed as they determine when your child can safely use the stroller. For the most part, baby strollers that do not hold infant carriers are not safe to use directly after birth, so checking the weight limits for both maximum and minimum will give you an idea of how long your child can use the stroller.
Car Seat Compatibility
When you’re in the market for a baby stroller, you’ll need to consider if you want the stroller to be compatible with your child’s infant carrier. Not all baby strollers are compatible with car seats, so if that’s what you’re looking for, check with the stroller’s manufacturer on their guidelines for car seats. For baby strollers that connect with infant carriers, they can typically be used immediately after birth and for many months after that. They’re convenient to have, but their weight limit may not be as high as strollers that are not compatible with infant carriers. There’s also the option of checking with the stroller’s manufacturer about a car seat adapter. Even if a stroller is designed as a traditional stroller, it’s always worth checking to see if you can add a car seat adapter so your baby’s infant carrier will fit inside the stroller.
Lifestyle
Factoring in your family’s lifestyle will give you an idea of what stroller you need. You’ll need to consider how often and where you’ll be using the stroller. Will you be using it mostly for walks around the neighborhood, or is your family constantly on the go? For families who love to travel, finding a stroller that’s lightweight, compact, and has a large storage basket would be a great place to start. However, if you’re only needing the stroller every once in a while, while on a walk around the neighborhood, an umbrella stroller is perfect because they have sun canopies, is lightweight, and very simple to use.
Features
Not all strollers have the same features, attachments, and accessories. Look for things like whether or not your handlebar can be adjusted for height and what the sun canopy looks like. A ride-on board for a toddler or snack tray and cupholder can make a world of difference when you’re out and about with your baby. Personally, I like my stroller with lots of storage space so I don’t have to carry my diaper or grocery bags.
Wheels
Think about what type of terrain you’re most likely to use your stroller on. If you’re planning on going on long walks, jogs, or hitting the trails with you stroller, durable tire-like wheels like the ones on jogging strollers would be ideal. On the other hand, foam tires offer a smooth ride on regular sidewalks and daily use. Additionally, three-wheel strollers make steering and pivoting on a dime unbelievably easy while four-wheel strollers offer incredible stability and are typically easier to maneuver in tighter or more crowded spaces like the grocery store or mall.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Maya Polton is a former marketing manager and current freelance writer who covers food, home, and parenting. She’s also the mom of a 10-year-old son, 7-year-old son, and 3-year old daughter. Maya’s garage has been dubbed her “stroller warehouse.” Even though her 3-year old barely goes in a stroller anymore, her garage does not reflect that fact. Most stroller manufacturers design traditional strollers for babies above the age of six months. This is because that’s when babies can typically sit upright without any support. If your child is unable to do that, it’s best to wait until they can so they’re safest in the stroller. Additional reporting to this story by Deanna McCormack Deanna McCormack is a freelance writer for various publications who specializes in lifestyle, and family. She’s flown across the country with her two young kids many times and knows the importance of a good stroller.
