Stroller Buying Guide

Our "traditional stroller" category includes a range of single stroller styles, each with its own appeal. Here’s how to distinguish among them.

• Traditional strollers: These all-purpose strollers are a smart long-term investment. Many work well on busy sidewalks, on paved streets, in parks, and on trails. Some have fully reclining seats that allow infants to ride safely, some are compatible with infant car seats, and quite a few do both. They can be heavier or lighter, which may factor into your decision depending on whether you need to get the stroller up and down stairs or in and out of a car.
  
• Umbrella strollers: These are lightweight strollers that fold compactly and are easy to transport. They’re ideal for travel or quick trips around town with your child. Most tested models have curved handles, which give the category its name: They look a little like umbrellas when folded. They’re lighter on features than traditional strollers—for instance, an umbrella stroller’s storage options are likely to be more limited.
  
• Jogging strollers: These usually have three large air-filled tires, including a front wheel that can both swivel and be locked into a straight-ahead position when you want to take your child on a run. The air-filled tires allow for an especially smooth ride, though you’ll need to check the air and refill them as needed. These strollers aren’t appropriate for infants under 6 months, though: CR recommends not running with children under 1 year old, and to check with your pediatrician before you do.
  
• Combination strollers: Also known as modular strollers, these adapt the stroller to suit the changing needs of a growing child. Many can recline all the way to accommodate infants under 6 months old, and some can even convert into bassinets so that you can use it from the first day of your child’s life. You’ll also find models that accept car seats and ones whose seats are reversible.
  
• Car-seat strollers: In these strollers, a car seat is fully integrated with a stroller frame, so you can push it on a stroll. To use it as a car seat, the stroller frame folds under the seat, allowing it to be installed in a separate vehicle base for car trips. These strollers can save space because they combine a stroller and a car seat, and they make for seamless transitions in and out of the car. That said, they may be a little heavy or bulky to lift, and their handles may not be as comfortable to push.
  
• Car-seat carrier strollers: These lightweight frames lack a seat, so you attach your own compatible infant car seat. Some work with more than one brand and model of infant car seat. They’re typically compact and lightweight, and because you use it with a car seat, you can transition your child undisturbed from stroller frame to car. The downside is that the stroller frame won’t be usable once your child outgrows the car seat.

For a newborn up to 6 months old, you’ll need a stroller seat that reclines to a near-flat position or one that can accept an infant car seat—or one that does both. Some strollers even convert into bassinets. Another option? Choose a car-seat carrier to safely support your strapped-in infant until they develop neck and head control and can sit up on their own. We note in the full view of our stroller ratings which models are suitable for infants 6 months and younger. A stroller that comes with a car seat, or one that’s compatible with one you already own, can make traveling a lot easier.

Stroller weights can vary greatly, depending on the style you choose and the kinds of features it has. Umbrella strollers are generally much lighter than traditional strollers, for instance, and most double strollers will be heavier than the average single stroller. Elements like storage baskets, the material of the handles, and the style and size of the wheels are among the many factors that can add to a stroller’s weight.

Whatever stroller you choose, you should be able to lift your stroller as needed—to navigate over a steep curb, up and down steps, and to get it into or out of a car trunk. In our stroller tests, we lift models in and out of a trunk to see how manageable they are.

The stroller’s width also matters in terms of maneuvering the stroller through narrow passages and in crowded areas. You should also check the stroller’s folded size to make sure it can fit in your car and inside whatever storage space you use at home.

If you rely on subways, buses, and taxis, you’ll need a lightweight, compact stroller that’s sturdy and folds easily and quickly. For taxis and ride shares, a car-seat carrier frame would work well until your child reaches about 1 year old. For public transportation, you might consider an umbrella stroller. We note in our stroller ratings how much each stroller weighs.

If you plan on taking long strolls with your child and going to neighborhood playgrounds, a traditional stroller with helpful features—like a canopy, ample storage, a snack tray, and cup holders—is a great option.

If you’ll be in and out of the car a lot, a travel system or a car-seat-compatible stroller would be a good choice, especially for long walks. (Just check that the stroller fits easily into the trunk or back seat of your car.)

Some parents buy a heavier stroller with more features for strolling near home, plus a lightweight stroller for errands, traveling, or local trips to, say, a museum or zoo.

Quality materials and easy maneuverability make for a safe ride, but an effective restraint system and good brakes are key. 

Restraint system. A five-point harness is the safest option and is found on most strollers. Securing your baby at or above the shoulders, at the waist, and between the legs, this system keeps children from sliding or falling out if the stroller tips, or from climbing out if you happen to turn away. Check to make sure the buckles are simple for adults to operate but difficult for little ones to unfasten. The straps should be easily adjustable for proper fit and be securely anchored.

Brakes. Most strollers have parking brakes that are foot-activated. Some of these are one-touch or linked brakes that you activate with a single stroke of your foot on a bar at the rear of the stroller frame, while others have a brake pedal above each rear wheel. Some models have a single hand-operated lever that activates both rear-wheel brakes.

Your ideal stroller has features that fit your child and lifestyle at a price that matches your budget. You can spend less than $100 or well over $1,000. Styling, lightweight materials, and added features increase the price. While many models on our list of recommended traditional single strollers cost several hundred dollars, a few can be had for around $200 or less while still offering a variety of features, such as one-hand foldability and car-seat attachment. Though umbrella strollers offer only basic features and typically can’t be used for infants, many cost under $100.

Whatever style you’re shopping for, be sure to test-drive it before you make a purchase. So head to the store—bring along a handbag and a tape measure—and assess your options with the following strategy:

1. Inspect the frame. It should feel solid, not flimsy.

2. Push the stroller, and assess the handles. Do they feel comfortable? Can you reach them without slouching?  Are they placed in such a way that your feet won’t hit the wheels as you walk? 

3. Check the brakes and the swivel lock mechanisms. Are they easy to use and responsive?

4. Check maneuverability. Do this by adding weight, such as a heavy handbag, to the stroller seat, then push and make a few turns. Does it feel seamless?

5. Adjust the backrest. Is it easy to do? And is the harness easy to fasten and unfasten?

6. Close and open the stroller. Is it an intuitive, smooth process? Can you (bonus!) do it with one hand? 

7. Lift and carry the stroller, both opened and folded. Does it feel manageable?

8. Note the storage space—basket, zippered pockets, consoles, and any other storage the stroller might have. Does it suit your needs?

9. Consider your car’s trunk. Some retailers might let you take the stroller out to your car to ensure that it fits in your trunk when folded. If you can’t do that, measure your trunk’s capacity and the stroller’s dimensions.

10. Check both the stroller warranty and the return policy. Both can vary widely.

11. Check safety certifications. All strollers sold in the U.S. must comply with the mandatory federal safety standard 16 CFR 1227, which incorporates the ASTM (formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials) F833 stroller safety standard. But for added reassurance, look for a JPMA-Certified sticker. It means that the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has certified that the stroller meets the mandatory federal requirements, plus the JPMA’s additional requirements. And check our stroller ratings to find out how well a stroller performed in our safety tests.