The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller is among the smallest, lightest and easiest to fold. Despite its size, it provides an excellent ride, great sun canopy and multi-position recline.

For less than $100 it's a great value. It comes with a simple compact fold, as well as a carry strap, making it easy to sling over your shoulders or take on public transportation.

1. Lightweight

The most important thing to consider when choosing a travel stroller is that it must be lightweight and easy to fold. The top travel models we tested fold down using only one hand (and sometimes two hands) and fit into overhead luggage compartments. They are also compact and easily roll making them easy to maneuver in tight space. Some models have an adjustable hand for parents with different heights. Find a light, easy to pack stroller for your family, regardless of whether you're planning to take an excursion with a baby or taking a long-haul journey with an infant.

We evaluated nine strollers that meet our minimum size and weight requirements. Each model was tested on city streets as well as on country side walks and at the airport terminal to determine its ability to maneuver, its ease of carrying and folding, and overall comfort for the child.

Our picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) that is the easiest to fold of all the strollers that we tested and can fit into overhead bins for airplanes. The seat reclines to a flat position and is car seat compatible and is suitable from birth. Other features that parents will appreciate include a deep undercarriage storage basket and a bag hook attached to the handle and a UPF 50+ canopy that provides plenty of coverage for your little traveler.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another option. It has an articula fold that can be operated using just one hand, and is extremely light. Its five-point harness, padded and crotch straps keep your child safe, while the reversible seat as well as a large undercarriage basket will ensure that there is enough space for all their items. It is also compatible with the brand's infant car seat. This makes it an ideal option for families with children that have children from the time of birth.

Lastly, the Coya TRVL ($320) is another one-handed fold that is one-step with car seat compatibility and a far-reaching canopy. It's more expensive than the other models in the same category, but offers additional features, including a spacious cupholder, a parent pocket, a handlebar that can be adjusted to accommodate parents of different heights, and a comfortable carry strap. The simple design does compromise durability, compared to other models in this class.

2. Easy to fold

When you're on the go, your stroller has to be simple to open and close. You don't want a stroller that is difficult to close when you're carrying groceries or children in your arms. The most efficient travel strollers fold easily and compactly, even with just one hand. Many come with a cushioned strap that you can put comfortably over your shoulders.

In our tests in our tests, the Libelle stroller scored highly for its easy folding and compactness. It also has other nice features. It rolls smoothly on all surfaces and has an expansive canopy that offers sufficient coverage. Additionally, it's extremely light and self-standing when folded, which makes it easier to store.

For parents who want to roll straight to the plane gate and put their stroller into the overhead bin, we suggest one that can fit into. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example, fits nicely into the smallest folding space and comes with a convenient travel cover, but it comes with no recliner, and a narrow cargo space that can only hold a small tote bag or diaper bag (no backpacks).

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another alternative. It folds in a concertina-style, but offers a reversible seat for face-to-face riding or back-to-back riding. Our editor in chief was able to open and close, though she was not thrilled with how the handle slides behind the seat when folded.

The most recent type of travel stroller is the tri-fold. It folds in thirds, and offers the best combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for instance, comes with a reclined seat, a non-structured rear storage pouch, and a locking clasp that keeps it folded. It's a little bigger than the umbrella models from the brand, but it folds far more compactly than G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts. It also comes with a carry strap with padding that can be worn over your shoulder.

3. Easy to store

The best strollers fold down to a small, easy-to-store size that you can easily fit into the trunk of your car or into the overhead bin on an airplane. Some have a strap that can be used to carry the stroller over your shoulder so your hands won't be exhausted. They are also lighter than normal strollers, which can make them easier to carry and lift when you're ready to take a quick walk around the neighborhood or to the airport.

When we test this triple stroller, it performed very well in our tests of durability and was easy to maneuver over all sorts of surfaces including smooth hardwoods to shag carpeting. However some of our testers noticed that it was a bit flimsy and the handlebar doesn't have any padding to help keep your hands in a comfortable position. The size of the storage basket is also something to consider. It's quite small and Pram Bag some parents have had difficulty difficult fitting a large diaperbag inside it.

In general, we recommend calling your airline ahead of time to verify their specific guidelines regarding the use of strollers on planes, as they can vary. This is especially crucial if you plan to gate-check your stroller and allow you to travel around the airport without it and still use it when you're on the plane (though that option won't work for families who require a car seat or toddler booster).

If you're looking pram for newborn a simple stroller that's light and folds down to an extremely compact size The Contours Itsy is a great choice. It's almost fully assembled out of the box, and the only thing you need to do is snap the bumper bar into place. It has cups holder for the parent, as well as a back pocket. However, it does not have an extra-large basket. This can limit your ability pack essentials for long trips.

If you are frequent travelers, we recommend that you consider a more robust stroller that has more features and the capacity to hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Mini for instance, comes with many of the G-Luxe or G-Link siblings with features, but it 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

The comfort factor is crucial when using strollers over long durations of time. Look for seats with ample padding and a recline system that allows you to set it at different angles. Take note of whether the canopy extends to provide sun protection and if mesh windows promote airflow. If you're required to carry your own items, consider a model with a parent organizer/cup holder and a large storage basket under the seat. If you're shopping for a stroller for older children, check the age range and consider whether your child will be comfortable in the stroller without a car seat for infants.

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 also be able to navigate stairs and curbs without difficulty. Choose a lightweight stroller if you intend to do a lot of walking throughout your trip. This will help prevent leg and back pain.

A good quality travel stroller is one that is easy to use, as well. It should be simple to assemble and snap together when placed in the correct position. It must also be able to fold flat and fit in the trunk of a car or the overhead compartment of a plane. It should also be upright when folded, so that you can grab it up with one hand, while holding your baby in the opposite.

If you're a parent who's looking for a premium lightweight stroller for their child, the Joie Tourist is a great option. It comes with various recline positions, to allow your child to nap in comfort. The canopy extends to provide plenty of sun protection with UPF protection. It also comes with a rain cover as well as a coffee cup holder and footmuff. Charlotte is thrilled that the car seat is suitable for infants to four-year-olds and does not require an adapter separately.