The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller is among the smallest, lightest and easiest to fold. It has a great ride with a great sun canopy, and multi-position recline.

This stroller is an excellent value at less than $100. It features a simple, compact fold and a carry strap, making it easy to put it over your shoulder or take with you on public transportation.

1. Lightweight

The most important aspect of a great travel stroller is that it should be light and easy to fold. The top models we tested fold down using only one hand (and sometimes two) and fit into overhead luggage compartments. They also have a good roll and are small enough to be easily maneuvered in tight spaces. Some even come with the option of a telescoping handle to parents of different heights. If you're planning a brief trip with your newborn or a long-haul vacation with a toddler, find a light, easy-to-pack stroller that will make the journey -- and return -- easier for your family.

To find the best strollers for travel, we analyzed nine strollers that meet our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was put to the test on country roads, city sidewalks and in the airport terminal for mobility in folding, ease of carrying, and overall comfort for your child.

Our top pick is the Babyzen YoYo2 (320) It folds the most easily of the strollers we tested and is able to fit into the overhead bins of airplanes. It's car seat compatible and its seat reclines almost completely flat, making it ideal for infants. Other features that parents will appreciate include a large undercarriage basket, a bag hook on the handle, and a UPF 50+ canopy which provides plenty of coverage for your young traveler.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another great option. It features an articula fold that can be operated by one hand and is extremely light. Its padded, five-point harness and crotch strap will keep your child safe, while the reversible seat and a massive undercarriage basket make sure there's room for all of their belongings. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat, making it a viable option for families that start at the age of birth.

Finally, the Coya TRVL ($320) is another one-handed fold that is one-step with car seat compatibility as well as a large canopy. It's more expensive than other models in this class however it has additional features such as a large cupholder and parent pocket and a handlebar that can be adjusted to accommodate parents of all heights, and a comfortable carry strap. The simple design does not mean it's as durable, as compared to other models in this class.

2. Easy to fold

When you're on the move the stroller you use for travel needs to be simple to open and close. If you have a bag of groceries, or children in your arms, you don't want to wrestle with a complicated stroller to close it. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even with one hand. A lot of them have padded straps that you can put comfortably over your shoulders.

In our tests, we awarded the Libelle stroller high marks due to its compactness and ease of folding. It also has a few nice features: It rolls smoothly over all surfaces and comes with a huge canopy that provides ample coverage. Additionally, it's extremely light and free-standing when folded, which makes it easy to store.

We recommend that parents who want their stroller to fit into the overhead bin of a plane and are looking for models that claim to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example is a great fit in the smallest fold, and comes with a convenient travel cover, but it comes with no recliner and a tiny cargo space that can only hold a small tote or diaper bag (no backpacks).

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another option. It folds concertina-style, but has a reversible seating position for face-to-face riding or back-to-back riding. The handle is hidden behind the seat, however our managing editor didn't like the way it folded.

The most recent type of stroller that is a travel model is tri-fold, which folds in thirds, and offers the best combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for example, has a reversible seat, an unstructured rear storage pouch, and a lockable clasp to keep it folded. It's slightly larger than the umbrellas made by the brand, but folds more compactly than their G-Luxe or G-Link counterparts. It also has a shoulder strap that is cushioned.

3. Easy to store

The best travel stroller travel strollers can be folded down to a size that is easy to store. They can easily be tucked away in the trunk of a car, or in the overhead bin of an airplane. Some have a strap that you can use to carry the stroller on your shoulder so your hands don't get exhausted. They also tend to be lighter than standard strollers, which can make them easier to lift and carry when it's time for a quick walk around the neighborhood or at the airport.

When we tested this stroller, it performed exceptionally well in our durability tests and was able to maneuver on all kinds of surfaces from smooth hardwoods to shag carpeting. Some of our test subjects were a bit disappointed with the design and the handlebar was not cushioned to ensure that your hands are at ease. Another thing to consider is how big the basket is it's slightly smaller than the average, and some parents found it difficult to fit an enormous diaper bag in it.

We suggest that you contact your airline prior to departure to verify their specific guidelines regarding strollers. These can vary. This is especially important if you wish to check your stroller's gate and allow you to navigate the airport without it, and then use it once you're on the plane (though this isn't a viable option for families who require a car seat or toddler booster).

If you're looking to purchase a straightforward stroller that's light and folds down to a compact size, the Contours Itsy is a great choice. It comes nearly fully assembled out of the box The only thing you have to do is snap the bumper bar into the right position. It has a cup for parents holder and back pocket but there isn't a large basket which might limit your ability to pack essentials for a long-distance trip.

If you're frequent travelers, we suggest you look into a more robust stroller with more features and the ability to hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Mini, as an instance, has many of its G-Luxe and G-Link siblings' features, but is more compact and folds faster. It's also a bit more durable than an umbrella stroller and it has a padded carrying strap to take some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Comfortable

Strollers are commonly used for prolonged periods of time when traveling, so the comfort of the stroller is crucial. Choose a seat with ample padding and Pram For Newborn a recline system that allows you to position it at different angles. Be sure to check if the canopy extends to give protection from the sun, and if it has mesh windows to allow airflow. Consider a model that has an organizer for the parents or a cupholder, as well as an ample basket under the seat if you need to carry things with you. If you're looking for a stroller for older children, check the age range and determine whether your child will be comfortable in the stroller without an infant car seat.

The way that a stroller moves is also vital. It needs to maneuver effortlessly over a variety of surfaces including smooth hardwoods and shag carpets to cobblestones, and gravel. It must also be able to handle stairs and curbs without difficulty. If your travel plans include a lot of walking, choose a stroller that is light to help you avoid leg and back pain.

A high-quality travel stroller should be simple to use, too. It should be easy to put together and snap together when put in the proper location. It should also fold down flat enough to fit in the trunk of your car, or the overhead compartments of planes. It should also be upright when folded, so that you can reach it with one hand while holding your child in the other.

The Joie Tourist is an excellent option for parents seeking a light, high-quality travel stroller. It features several recline positions to allow your child to nap in comfort. The extendable canopy offers ample sun protection, with UPF protection. It also comes with a lot of other accessories such as a footmuff and cup holder, and rain cover are included. Charlotte loves the fact that it is suitable from newborns to four years and does not require an additional car seat adapter.