The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller is one of the lightest, most compact and easy to fold. It offers a smooth ride and a fantastic sun canopy, and a multi-position recline.

For less than $100 it's an excellent value. It's small and easy to fold, making it perfect for public transport, or even slinging over your shoulder.

1. Lightweight

When it comes to strollers for travel lightweight and easy-to-fold are key. The Best travel stroller models we tested can be folded with one hand, and sometimes two, and they can fit in overhead luggage compartments. They are also compact and easily roll which makes them easy to maneuver into tight spaces. Some even come with a telescoping handle for parents of various heights. If you're planning a brief trip with a newborn or a long-haul getaway with a toddler, look for a light, easy-to-pack stroller that makes the journey and return for your family.

To determine the top strollers for traveling, we compared nine models that met our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on country sidewalks and at the airport terminal for maneuverability in folding, ease of carrying, and overall comfort for your child.

Our top picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320), which has the most simple fold of all the travel strollers we tried and fits into overhead bins for airplanes. It's car seat compatible and the seat reclines completely flat, making it suitable for babies. Other features that parents will appreciate include a deep undercarriage storage basket, a bag hook on the handle and a UPF 50+ canopy that offers plenty of coverage for your child's travels.

Other great options include the Cybex Orfeo ($320), which has a one-handed, concertina fold and is extremely light. Its padded, five-point harness and crotch strap will keep your child secure, while the reversible seat as well as a hefty undercarriage basket ensure there's plenty of space for their possessions. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat. This makes it a viable 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 as well as a large canopy. It's more expensive than other models in this category, but it offers extra features like a large cupholder for the parent and a handlebar that can be adjusted for parents of all sizes and a comfy carry strap. Its simplicity may sacrifice a bit of durability compared to the other models in this category, however.

2. Folding is simple

When you're on the move the stroller you use for travel needs to be simple to open and close. You do not want a stroller that is difficult to close when you're carrying groceries or children in your arms. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even with just one hand. Many come with a cushioned strap that you can wear comfortably over your shoulders.

In our tests, we gave the Libelle stroller high marks due to its compactness and easy folding. It also has a few attractive features. It is smooth across all surfaces and features an expansive canopy that offers enough coverage. It's also lightweight and stands in its own right when folded. This makes it much easier to put away.

We recommend that parents who want their strollers to fit into the overhead bin of a plane, look for models that are guaranteed to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It fits in the smallest of foldings and comes with an enclosed travel cover. However it doesn't come with a reclining seat and the cargo area is too small to accommodate anything but the smallest diaper bag or a tote.

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another alternative. It folds concertina style, but it has a reversible seating position for riding back-toback or face-toface. Our managing editor found it easy to open and close, but she wasn't thrilled by the way the handle folds up behind the seat when folded.

The tri-fold is the most recent stroller for travel. It folds in three parts and offers the most compact combination of size and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu for instance, comes with the ability to flip the chair over, an unstructured storage pouch in the rear, and a locking latch to keep it folded. It's a little bigger than the umbrella models made by the brand, but it folds far more compactly than its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts and has an adjustable carry strap that can be worn over your shoulder.

3. Easy to store

The best travel strollers can fold down to a compact size that can be easily stored. They can be easily stowed in the trunk of a car or the overhead bin of a plane. Some even have a carrying strap that makes it easy to carry over your shoulder, so you don't have to worry about your hands getting tired. They also tend to be lighter than normal strollers, which can make them easier to carry and lift when you're ready to take a stroll around the neighborhood or to the airport.

When we test this stroller, it performed extremely well in our durability tests and was able to maneuver on all kinds of surfaces from smooth hardwoods to shag carpeting. However, some of our testers found it to be a bit fragile and the handlebar doesn't include any padding to keep your hands in a comfortable position. The size of the storage basket is also something to consider. It is on the small side and some parents have reported that it was difficult to squeeze a large size diaper bag into it.

We suggest calling your airline ahead to inquire about their specific rules regarding strollers. They may differ. This is especially important in case you intend to check your stroller at the gate. Then, you can use it on the plane and travel through the airport without the stroller.

If you're looking for a simple travel system prams stroller that's lightweight and folds down to a compact size the Contours Itsy is a great option. It comes nearly fully assembled out of the box, and the only thing you have to do is snap the bumper bar into the appropriate spot. It has a cup for parents back pocket and holder but there isn't a large basket that could restrict your ability to carry necessities for a long trip.

If you're a frequent traveler we recommend you look into a stroller that is more robust, with more features and the capacity to carry more cargo. The UPPAbaby Minu, as an example, has many of the same features like its G-Luxe or G-Link counterparts however, it's smaller and folds faster. It's also slightly sturdier than an umbrella stroller, and comes with a comfortable carrying strap to take some of the weight off your shoulders.

4. Confortable

Comfort is key when using strollers over long durations of time. Seats with plenty of padding and a reclining system that can be adjusted at various angles are ideal. Be sure to check if the canopy extends to give shade from the sun and if it has mesh windows that allow airflow. You should consider a model that comes with a parent facing pram organizer/cupholder and a large basket under the seat if you need to carry things around. If you're in the market for a travel stroller for older children, make sure to check the age range and assess whether your child will be comfortable in the stroller without an infant car seat.

How a stroller rolls is also vital. It must be able to roll effortlessly across different surfaces, including smooth hardwoods, shag carpets, cobblestones, and gravel. It should be able to handle curbs, stairs, and other obstacles with ease. Pick a stroller that is lightweight when you plan to do a lot walking during your journey. This will prevent leg and back pain.

A good travel stroller is also easy to use. It should be assembled in less than 30 seconds and be able to snap together when it is popped into the correct position. It should also be able to fold flat and fit in the trunk of a car or the overhead compartment of a plane. It should also stay upright when folded so that you can grab it using one hand and hold your baby in the other.

If you're a parent who's seeking a top-quality lightweight stroller for travel, the Joie Tourist is a great option. It features several recline positions so that your child can rest comfortably. The canopy that extends can provide lots of sun protection and UPF protection. It also comes with lots of extras such as a footmuff and coffee cup holder and rain cover are included. Charlotte is thrilled that it's suitable for babies up to four years and doesn't require the purchase of an additional car seat adapter.