The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

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

With a price of less than $100, this stroller is a great value. It's small and easy to fold away, making it perfect for public transport, or even slinging over your shoulder.

1. Lightweight

The most important aspect of a great travel stroller is that it should be light and easy to fold. The best models we tested can be folded in one hand and sometimes two, and they can fit in overhead luggage compartments. They are also compact and easily roll making them easy to maneuver into tight space. Some models come with a telescoping handle for parents with different heights. If you're planning a short trip with a newborn or a long-haul trip with a toddler, look for a light, easy-to-pack stroller to make the journey -- and return for your family.

We evaluated nine strollers that met our minimum size and weight requirements. Each model was put to the test on country sidewalks and at the airport terminal prams for newborns maneuverability, ease of folding and carrying, as well as overall comfort for your child.

Our top pick is the Babyzen YoYo2 (320), which folds the simplest of the strollers we tested, and fits in overhead bins of planes. It's car seat compatible and its seat reclines almost completely flat, making it ideal for infants. Other parent-friendly features include a large undercarriage basket as well as a bag hook that is attached to the handle and a UPF 50+ canopy that provides ample coverage for your child's travels.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is an alternative that is a great choice. It features an articula fold that can be operated using just one hand, and is extremely light. Its five-point harness, padded and crotch strap keep your child secure, while the reversible seat as well as a massive undercarriage basket make sure there's room for all of their possessions. It's also compatible with the brand's Infant carriages pushchairs car seats seat. This makes it a viable choice for families from birth.

The Coya TRVL ($320) is an all-hands, one-step fold, is also compatible with car seats and features a large canopy. It's more expensive than the other models in the same category but it also comes with extra features such as a large cupholder, a parent pocket, a movable handlebar to fit parents of all heights, and a comfortable carry strap. Its simplicity does sacrifice some of its durability in comparison to the other models in this category, however.

2. Folding is simple

A travel stroller should be simple to open and shut when you're out and about. You do not want a stroller which is difficult to close when you have food items or children in your arms. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even with just one hand. Many come with a padded carrying strap that is comfortable over your shoulder.

In our tests, we awarded the Libelle stroller top marks for its compactness and ease of folding. It also has other great features. It rolls smoothly on all surfaces, and has an expansive canopy that offers sufficient coverage. Additionally, it's extremely light and free-standing when folded, which makes it easier to store.

We recommend that parents who wish to have their stroller fit into the overhead bins of planes Look for models that promise to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It fits in the smallest folding space and comes with an enclosed travel cover. However it doesn't come with a reclining seat and the cargo area is too narrow to hold anything other than the smallest diaper bag or tote.

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another alternative. It folds in a concertina-style fashion, but it also offers a reversible seat for face-to-face riding or back-to-back riding. Our editor found it easy to open and close, though she was not thrilled with the way the handle folds up behind the seat when folded.

The tri-fold is the most recent stroller that travels. It folds down into three parts and offers the perfect combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for instance, comes with a reversible seat and a storage compartment that is unstructured at the rear, and a lockable latch to keep it folded. It's a bit larger than the umbrellas made by the brand but can be folded more compactly than G-Luxe or G-Link counterparts. It also has an adjustable shoulder strap.

3. Easy to store

The best 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 a plane. Some come with a strap can be used to carry the stroller on your shoulder so your hands won't get exhausted. They are also lighter than regular strollers. This makes them easier to lift or carry for a quick walk in the neighborhood or at the airport.

When we tested this stroller, it did extremely well in our tests of durability and was able to maneuver across 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 comfy. Another thing to take into consideration is the size of the storage basket is: It's on the smaller side and some parents found it difficult to fit a large diaper bag into it.

In general, we recommend calling your airline ahead of time to confirm their specific guidelines for bringing strollers on board, as they can vary. This is particularly important if you want to gate-check your stroller and allow you to get around the airport without it, and then use it once you're on the plane (though that option won't work for families who require a car seat or toddler stroller 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 right out of the box, and the only thing you have to do is snap the bumper bar into the appropriate spot. It comes with a parent cup holder and a back pocket but there isn't a large basket that could limit your ability to pack essentials for Pushchair Newborn long trips.

If you're an avid traveler, we suggest a more robust stroller that offers better features and can hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Mini, as an example has many of its G-Luxe and G-Link siblings however it's more compact and folds faster. It's also slightly more robust than an umbrella stroller and comes with a cushioned strap to alleviate some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Comfortable

The comfort factor is crucial when using strollers for long durations of time. Look for seats with ample padding and a recline system that allows you to set it at various angles. Be aware of whether the canopy extends to provide sun protection and if mesh windows allow airflow. Consider a model that has an organizer for parents and a cupholder as well as an ample basket under the seat in case you need to carry things with you. When looking for a child jogger be sure to look at the age range. Also, consider whether your child is comfortable in the seat, even without an infant car-seat.

It is also crucial to consider how a stroller is rolled. It must be able to roll easily across a variety of surfaces, from smooth hardwoods and shag carpets to cobblestones and gravel. It should be able to handle curbs, stairs and other obstacles with ease. If your travel plans include the majority of walking, you should choose a stroller that is light to avoid leg and back pain.

A quality stroller for travel should also be easy to use. It should assemble in under 30 seconds and snap together securely when it is popped into the correct position. It should fold flat and fit into the trunk of your car or the overhead compartments of planes. It should also be upright when folded so that you can pick it up with one hand, while holding your baby in the opposite.

If you are a parent looking for a premium lightweight stroller for travel The Joie Tourist is a great option. It comes with numerous recline positions so your child can sleep comfortably. The extensible canopy provides plenty of sun coverage with UPF protection. It also includes a rain cover as well as a coffee cup holder and a footmuff. Charlotte is thrilled the fact that the car seat is suitable for newborns to four years old and does not require a separate adapter.