The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller is among the lightest and most compact. It's also the easiest to fold. It is a great stroller, a great sun canopy, and multi-position recline.

This stroller is a great value for less than $100. It's small and easy to fold away, making it perfect for public transport or to carry over your shoulder.

1. Lightweight

When it comes to travel strollers lightweight and easy to fold are key. The top travel models we tested fold down using only one hand (and sometimes two) and can fit in overhead luggage compartments. They are also compact and easily roll making them easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Some models even have the option of a telescoping handle to parents of different heights. If you're planning a brief excursion with a baby or Babiie Stroller a long-haul trip with a toddler, find a lightweight, easy-to-pack stroller that makes the journey and return for your family.

We tested 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 in the terminal at the airport to assess its ability to maneuver, its ease of carrying and folding as well as overall comfort for the child.

Our picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320), which is the easiest to fold of all the strollers we tested and can fit into overhead bins for airplanes. It's compatible with car seats and its seat can recline almost completely flat, making it ideal for infants. Other parent-friendly features include a large undercarriage basket, a bag hook on the handle, and a UPF 50+ canopy that provides plenty of coverage for your young traveler.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another option. It has the ability to fold in concertina that can be completed by one hand and is very light. The padded five-point harness crotch strap, and reversible seat ensure your child's safety, while a large undercarriage basket and a reversible seat ensure that there is enough space for their possessions. It is also compatible with the brand’s infant car seat. This makes it a good option for families with children from birth.

The Coya TRVL ($320), Compact Prams a one-handed, one step fold and is also compatible with car seats and has a large canopy. It's more expensive than the other models in the same category, but offers additional features such as a large cupholder and parent pocket, a movable handlebar to accommodate parents of different heights, and a comfortable carrying strap. The simplicity of the model does compromise durability, contrasted with other models in this class.

2. Easy to fold

A stroller for travel should be easy to open and shut when you're on the move. You don't want a stroller that is difficult to close when you're carrying food items or children in your arms. Even with just one hand, the most efficient travel strollers can fold up easily and compactly. Many come with a cushioned strap that you can wear comfortably over your shoulders.

In our tests in our tests, the Libelle stroller scored well for its ease of folding and compactness. It also has a few attractive features. It rolls smoothly on all surfaces, and has an expansive canopy that offers enough coverage. It's also surprisingly light and free-standing when folded, which makes it easy to store.

For parents who want to walk right up to the gate and put their stroller into the overhead bin we recommend looking for an option that will fit in. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example, fits nicely into the smallest fold and comes with a convenient travel cover, but it has no recliner and a narrow cargo area that can only accommodate a small bag or diaper bag (no backpacks).

Another alternative is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds up into a concertina-style but also has the option of a reversible seat to allow face-toface or back-toback riding. The handle is hidden behind the seat, but our managing editor didn't like the way it folded.

The tri-fold is a new travel stroller. It folds down into three pieces and provides the perfect combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Minu for instance, comes with a reclined seat, a non-structured rear storage pouch, and a locking clasp to keep it folded. It's a bit bigger than the umbrella models made by the brand however it folds smaller than its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts, and comes with an adjustable carry strap that can be worn over your shoulder.

3 in one pushchair. Easy to store

The best strollers fold down into a small, easy-to-store size that's easy to fit into the trunk of your car or into the overhead bin on the plane. Some even come with a carry strap that is easy to carry on your shoulders and not need to worry about your hands becoming tired. They are also lighter than standard strollers, which can make them easier to carry and lift when you're ready to take a stroll around the neighborhood or at the airport.

The stroller performed extremely well in our tests of durability and was easy to maneuver over all kinds of surfaces. From smooth hardwoods to shag flooring this stroller is a great choice. However, Baby carriages some of our testers found it to be a bit fragile and the handlebar doesn't have any padding to keep your hands in a comfortable position. Another thing to consider is the size of the storage basket is it's on the smaller side and some parents found it difficult to squeeze an enormous diaper bag in it.

We suggest calling your airline prior to departure to confirm their specific guidelines regarding strollers. They can differ. This is particularly crucial if you plan to gate-check your stroller that allows you to get around the airport without it and still use it once you're on the plane (though this isn't a viable option for families who require an infant car seat or booster).

If you're looking for a no-fuss stroller that is lightweight and folds down to a compact size the Contours Itsy is a great option. The Contours Itsy comes almost fully assembled and all you have to do is attach the bumper bar. It comes with a parent cup back pocket and holder however, there is no basket that is large which might limit your ability to pack essentials for long trips.

If you're frequent travelers, we recommend you look into a more robust stroller that has more features and the capacity to carry more cargo. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for example, has many of the same features similar to its G-Luxe and G-Link cousins but is smaller and folds faster. It's also a bit more robust than an umbrella stroller and has a padded strap to help lift some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Comfortable

Strollers are typically used for prolonged durations of time when traveling, which is why it is essential to be comfortable. Choose a seat with ample padding and a recline system that allows you to position it at multiple angles. Also, consider whether the canopy extends to provide coverage from the sun and if it has mesh windows to allow airflow. If you're required to carry a few items take a look at a model that has a parent organizer/cup holder and an ample storage basket underneath the seat. If you're looking for a travel stroller for older children, check the age range and consider whether your child is at ease in the seat, even without a car seat for infants.

It is also important to consider the way a stroller moves. It must be able to roll easily across various surfaces that include smooth carpets, hardwoods and shag carpets cobblestones and gravel. It must be able of handling curbs, stairs, and other obstacles easily. Choose a lightweight stroller for those who are planning to do a lot of walking throughout your trip. This will help prevent back and leg pain.

A good quality travel stroller should be simple to use, as well. It should be simple to put together and snap together when it is placed in the right location. It should fold flat enough to fit in the boot of your car or the overhead compartments on a plane. It should also be upright when folded so that you can pick it with one hand while holding your baby in the other.

For parents seeking a top-quality lightweight stroller for their child The Joie Tourist is a great option. It comes with various recline positions, so that your child can rest comfortably. The canopy that extends can provide ample sun protection, with UPF protection. It also comes with a rain cover as well as a coffee cup holder and footmuff. Charlotte is delighted that the car seat is suitable for infants to four years old and doesn't require a separate adapter.