The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller is among the lightest and compact. It's also among the easiest folding strollers. Despite its size, it provides a good ride, great sun canopy and multi-position recline.

This stroller is a great value for less than $100. It has a simple compact fold, as well as a carry strap, making it easy to put it over your shoulder or carry to public transportation.

1. Lightweight

When it comes to travel strollers lightweight and easy-to-fold are key. The top 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 even have a telescoping handle for parents of various heights. If you're planning a short trip with your newborn or a long-haul trip with a toddler, you'll need a lightweight, easy-to-pack stroller that will make the journey -- and return for your family.

To determine the top strollers for travel, we analyzed nine strollers that met our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets, country roads, and in the terminal at the airport for maneuverability, ease of folding and triple pushchair carrying, as well as overall comfort for your child.

Our picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320) that has the most simple fold of all the strollers we tried and fits into overhead bins for airplanes. It's car seat compatible and its seat can recline almost completely flat, which makes it suitable for babies. The car also features an undercarriage with a deep design, a bag-hook on the handle and UPF50+ canopy to offer plenty of protection to your child.

Other great alternatives include the Cybex Orfeo ($320), which features a single-handed concertina fold that is extremely light. Its five-point harness, padded and crotch strap keep your child safe, and the reversible seat and massive undercarriage basket make sure there's enough space for all their items. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat. This makes it a good option for families with children that have children from the time of birth.

The Coya TRVL ($320) is a one-handed, one step fold, is also compatible with car seats and has an enormous canopy. It's more expensive than the other models in this category, but it offers extra features, including a larger cupholder and parent pocket as well as an adjustable handlebar for parents of all heights, and a comfortable carry strap. The simple design isn't without its drawbacks, when relative to other models in this category.

2. Easy to fold

When you're on the go, your stroller has to be easy to open and close. If you have a bag of groceries or kids in your arms you shouldn't have to wrestle with a complex stroller to close it. The best strollers for travel fold easily and compactly, even with one hand. Many come with a cushioned strap that you can comfortably wear over your shoulders.

In our tests In our tests, the Libelle stroller was rated highly for its ease of folding stroller and compactness. It also has a few excellent features: It glides smoothly over all surfaces and has a large canopy that gives plenty of coverage. Additionally, it's extremely light and self-standing when folded, which makes it easy to store.

We recommend parents who wish to have their stroller fit in the overhead bins of planes Look for models that are guaranteed to fit. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example is a great fit in the smallest fold and comes with a handy travel cover, but it has no recliner and a tiny cargo area that can hold a small tote or diaper bag (no backpacks).

Another alternative is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds into a concertina style but also has a reversible seat for face-toface or back-toback riding. Our editor was able to open and close, although she was not thrilled with the way the handle folds into the seat when folded.

The newest model of stroller for travel is the tri-fold, which folds in thirds and provides the perfect combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu for instance, comes with the ability to flip the chair over with a storage pouch that is not structured on the rear, and a lockable latch to keep it folded. It's slightly larger than the umbrellas from the brand, but folds more compactly than their G-Luxe or G-Link counterparts. It also has an adjustable shoulder strap.

3. Easy to store

The most effective travel strollers fold up into a small, easy-to-store size that's easy to fit into the trunk of your car or into the overhead bin of a plane. Some have a strap that you can use to carry the stroller over your shoulder, so that your hands won't get tired. They are also lighter than normal strollers, which can make them easier to lift and carry when you're ready for an easy stroll around the neighborhood or to the airport.

When we test this stroller, it performed exceptionally well in our durability tests, and it was easy 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 padded to keep your hands at ease. Another thing to consider is the size of the storage basket is It's on the smaller side, and some parents have found it difficult to fit an enormous diaper bag in it.

In general, we suggest calling your airline prior to time to verify their specific guidelines for bringing strollers on board as they may differ. This is especially crucial if you plan to gate-check your stroller and allow you to navigate the airport without it and use it when you're on the plane (though this option isn't suitable for families who require a car seat or toddler booster).

The Contours Itsy travel stroller is an excellent choice if you are looking for a compact travel pram, lightweight pushchair stroller. The Contours Itsy is completely assembled, and all you have to do is put in the bumper bar. It has cups holder for the parent, as well as a back pocket. However it doesn't have an over-sized basket. This can make it difficult to pack the essentials for a long trip.

If you're frequent travelers, we suggest that you consider a more robust stroller that has more features and the capacity to hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for example, has many of the same features similar to its G-Luxe and G-Link cousins, but it's more compact and folds more quickly. It's also a bit stronger than an umbrella stroller, and comes with a comfortable carrying strap to take some of the weight off your shoulders.

4. Comfortable

Strollers are often used for extended periods of time while traveling, so comfort is important. Seats with plenty of padding and a recline system that can be adjusted at different angles are the best. Note if the canopy extends to provide sun protection and if mesh windows encourage airflow. If you have to carry items with you, consider a model with a parent organizer/cup holder and an enormous storage basket beneath the seat. When you are looking for a travel child jogger, make sure to check the age range. Also, consider if your child is at ease in the seat without a car seat.

The way that a stroller moves is also important. It must be able to roll easily over various surfaces, from smooth hardwoods and shag carpets to cobblestones and gravel. It must also be able to handle stairs and curbs with ease. Consider a stroller with a light weight for those who plan to do a lot walking throughout your trip. This will help to prevent leg and back pain.

A great stroller for travel should also be simple to use. It should be assembled in less than 30 seconds and snap up securely when you put it into the correct position. It should also be able fold flat and fit into the trunk of a car or the overhead compartment of planes. It should also remain upright when folded, so that you can pick it up using one hand and hold your child in the other.

For parents looking for a premium lightweight stroller for travel, the Joie Tourist is a great alternative. It has numerous recline positions so your child can rest comfortably, and its extendable canopy provides plenty of sun coverage 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 the car seat is suitable for newborns to four years old and doesn't require an adapter separately.