Travel Stroller: A Simple Definition

A Compact Travel Stroller Should Be Easy to Carry

When it comes to picking the most compact stroller, you should choose one that folds into a small, easy-to-carry package. It should be light and come with an automobile seat-compatible design, and fit in overhead bins for airline bags.

This compact stroller from UPPAbaby is a perfect fit. It folds easily and comes with a comfortable carrying strap that easily fits into the overhead compartments of planes. It features an easy, nearly flat recline and smooth movement.

Easy to Assemble

Whether you're strolling through the airport to get to the gate or navigating an unfamiliar city with your child in tow, traveling is stressful enough without worrying about how to pack and carry everything. We believe that a quality travel pram bag should be simple to fold, assemble and transport. This lightweight Kolcraft stroller offers exactly that. The lightweight, compact stroller can be opened and closed by pressing two buttons at the handle while standing upright. It can be tucked away in overhead bins of most aircrafts and comes with a carry bag that you can carry over your shoulders while out and out and about.

In our tests, this light stroller was able to easily navigate through any terrain and maneuvered well and was a great pick for travel. It has a huge sun canopy with mesh panels that can be opened and closed to provide your child with ample coverage and visibility. It also includes the leg rest, which is easily adjustable and padded shoulder straps. It also fits on most Nuna PIPA car seats (just click and you're finished) and comes with an enormous storage bag that can hold many of your essentials in the car.

This compact stroller from Babyzen is a popular choice for parents who reside in cities and/or want to travel. It arrives in the box fully assembled and equally easy to open by pressing two little buttons on the handle. It folds up in a similar manner and fits in the carrying bag. It might be too big for some airline overhead bins. Parents have also complained that the handles were fragile. Despite that, it's still an excellent option for those who want the lightest, most compact stroller to travel with. We just wish it had a small parent pocket to store things like dollar bills to buy Ice cream!

Easy to Fold

As the name suggests, travel strollers are designed to be compact. They fold less than normal strollers and have fewer accessories, like cup holders and an enormous storage basket. But, they'll function well enough for day-to-day use, and are easy to carry or stow away. If you are planning to travel a lot with your baby take a look at a stroller for travel with features that meet your needs.

The UPPAbaby G-Luxe is a good example. It is simple to fold and can be tucked away into overhead bins. It is also easy to move and roll, even on rough terrain. The UPPAbaby has some nice features, like a deep recliner and an additional sun canopy to give your child ample coverage. The only downside is that the mechanism to fold is a bit finicky, and you may have to carefully time your hands to make sure it's just right.

Another alternative is the Babyzen YOYO2 which folds to an ultra-small size and opens by a single hand. It may not offer as much storage space as other travel strollers however it does come with some great features. These include a comfortable carrying strap and a large basket underneath the carriage and a wide-extending umbrella. It's the most expensive of our top travel strollers however, it's also the most luxurious.

The Cybex Libelle 2 travel stroller is another one with a fold that is easy to fold. It is heavier than other travel strollers but still light enough and compact enough to be an excellent option for city living and luxury travel. It's got a lot of great features, such as the cup holder that can be used for the typical mug, a convenient handle and a canopy that extends to protect your child against the sun.

The Minu from UPPAbaby is a great option for those who have the brand's Vista or Cruz strollers but want smaller, lighter version. It weighs less than the original Minu however it's a bit heavy for a stroller that's designed for travel. Fortunately, it has lots of other cool features, like an ample storage basket, a deep recline and an extendable sun canopy that has UPF 50+ protection.

Easy to carry

The ease with the ability to fold your travel stroller will make huge difference in the way it's possible to maneuver a crowded airport or squeeze onto a crowded bus. When folded, a good travel stroller should fit easily into your trunk or overhead bin by using some controlled movements. It should also be able to stand up on its own. You should also be able to lift it with the handle, connect a strap for carrying or put it in an included storage bag to make it easier to transport.

If you want to use your stroller while traveling, look for one that's airline-approved or promises to fit in the overhead bins. The International Air Transport Association recommends that carry-on luggage not be larger than 22 x 18 x 10 inches, so many of our top picks--including the super lightweight, $100-plus Nuna TRVL--will fit (though some will require you to gate-check the strollers). The TRVL is lightweight enough to be carried as a purse, thanks to an attached shoulder strap that is cushioned and an adjustable bumper bar that can double as a handle for carrying.

The TRVL is a fantastic option for parents who are always moving around, since it works with all Nuna Pipa baby pram car seats, without adapters. Our experts love its easy two-position recliner harness with no-rethread that is designed to adapt to your child's needs. Additionally, it's lighter than other travel strollers--which makes it the ideal choice for families who are frequent travelers.

Other great features on this compact travel stroller include a spring-loaded back-of-the-underseat basket that's big enough for a backpack, diaper bag, or purse, and a flat, open sun canopy that offers some coverage and blockage (though it's not as large as the ones on some of our other top picks). It's also one of the lightest strollers we tested--but keep in mind that while most airlines will allow you to check-in at the gate with a full-sized stroller, they may also require you to take the stroller folded through security and out of the plane cabin. If this is the case you should consider purchasing a protective travel bag to guard against damage caused by baggage handlers.

Easy to store

A compact travel stroller can be ideal for frequent travelers since it doesn't need the size of a trunk or take up a lot of space in the hotel room or in the car. Some models fold so small that you can fit them in the overhead bin of an airplane and some are so light that they don't add any weight to the luggage you carry. They're also easy to maneuver in the crowded airports as well as on the crowded city sidewalks.

If you're a frequent traveler it's worth investing in one of the best prams travel strollers we've tested. The Silver Cross Jet 4 is a top-quality, well-constructed stroller that has a variety of features. It has a large basket that sits under the seat, as well as a cushioned bar with a wrist-strap that allows it to be ideal for long-distance trips. The reclining mechanism is simple and the stroller is able to fit into the overhead bins of airlines (though you'll need to check the gate). This model is compatible for babies from birth using the Nuna Pipa infant car seat and comes with an included carry bag with insurance against damage to your stroller during travel.

The Babyzen YoYo2 stroller is also a super-lightweight model, perfect for travel, or for quick getaways. It's easy to maneuver through plane aisles and stays upright when folded. This is a great feature when trying to juggle the stroller with other luggage. The YoYo2 folds down to smaller dimensions than a standard stroller however it still has numerous features. This includes an under-seat basket that's large and can be operated with just one hand, as well as an adjustable mechanism for reclining.

For many parents strollers are essential for getting around with kids. A compact stroller of high quality will provide you with peace of mind when traveling, and will allow you to navigate the busy streets and public transportation easily. Take into consideration your family's lifestyle and needs when choosing an infant stroller. Then, take a look at our top picks to find the right stroller for your family's next adventure. This guide is based on extensive research conducted by experts and has been tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute for more than 100 years. Editors and writers, who are parents with children aged 6 and below independently reviewed the guide. They tested the strollers in a lab, with their families and on road trips. They also spoke with consumer testers to obtain additional feedback.