One of the biggest purchases you make as a new parent is a stroller. After a crib and a bassinet, a stroller is the biggest ticket item you’ll need to invest in before your little one arrives — and the cost can be pretty high. That being the case, you want to make sure that you choose the model that best fits your family’s needs. Fortunately, there are a ton of great choices on the market right now, and there’s something for every taste and budget.
Before you commit to a stroller, you should know that it’s possible, even probable, that you’ll buy more than one stroller to serve different needs. For example, if you’re a runner, you may want a jogging stroller in addition to your everyday model. Or, perhaps, you’ll start with a basic click-in car seat stroller and then upgrade to something with different features once your baby grows out of the infant car seat.
Alternatively, many parents prefer a bigger stroller or a travel system for going on all-day outings or visiting amusement parks, but they want a more compact stroller when heading out for a quick jaunt.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
First and foremost, you should make sure the stroller you’re considering fits all of the requirements put forth by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). They have guidelines for safe hinges, wheel locks, seat belts, fabrics — everything. While all new strollers sold in the United States must conform to these regulations, secondhand retailers and certain imports may not, so you won’t find any of those on our list.
The primary things you want to consider when buying a stroller are how you’re using it, whether you need a single or a double, how and where you will be storing it, and comfort and convenience for the parent.
I can remember a time in New York City when you’d only see one fancy stroller everywhere. Nowadays, you never see that model — instead, the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Stroller is the preferred baby-toting machine of the schmancy people of the Upper East Side.
And it’s for good reason. If you can swing the price, this is a heck of a travel system. The bassinet is luxurious and soft, equipped with a breathable canopy and easy click-and-go attachments. The seat is cushy and gorgeous without being fussy. The undercarriage storage holds up to 30 pounds of stuff.
Plus, it has a ton of reclining functions, seat configurations (parent- or front-facing), and a telescoping handlebar. It has a vented base for maximum breathability, and the aluminum and magnesium frame is lightweight and durable.
It might cost more than your crib, but it is worth every penny. Our tester has been using this stroller for over a year now and loves how durable it’s been. Her two boys aren’t easy on it, either. Plus, because it is easy to maneuver the seats between facing in and facing away, you can have your child looking at you to chill out or looking at the world to engage them.
Our tester says that this stroller “Is like pushing the BMW of strollers. It’s luxurious and reliable, and the kids just want to hang out in it all the time.”
If you’re short on space, or if you travel with any regularity, you should consider the Babyzen Yoyo2. This compact design from Babyzen folds down in one move, making it small enough to fit in an overhead bin in an airplane or sit in one seat in the car. It’s that small.
It has a multiposition reclining seat that can be used from the time baby can sit with assistance until they weigh 40 pounds. There’s plenty of storage below, especially given the stroller’s size, but it isn’t really adjustable, so it’s best for average-height parents. All of the fabrics are machine-washable, and the canopy is UPF 50+ rated.
Oh, sweet mystery of baby travel, I have found thee.
If you’re a city dweller or simply get in and out of your car a lot with your baby, this infant car seat and stroller combination will be your new BFF.
It’s a great car seat with an easy thread, five-point harness, three layers of side impact protection, and the ability to be secured in the cab of the car with a latch or a seat belt — making it a real commuter’s dream. The entire thing unfolds with a click, the wheels dropping down like it’s in Top Gun mode, and it instantly becomes a sturdy, easy-to-push stroller.
The DOONA is an editor-approved stroller and is not only one of the best strollers for many families, but it’s also one of the best car seats — period. The Doona can be used from four to 30 pounds and up to 32 inches tall, making it a solidly extended-use infant seat.
Chicco really put in the effort to make this stroller as parent-friendly and baby-safe as possible — and, trust me, this travel system has it all. The stroller is designed for maximum comfort, with a multiposition reclining seat and large foam-filled rubber tires that glide across the pavement like a sports car. It features a folding child tray, a contoured reversible seat cushion (for support and unexpected messes), and a large UPF-rated canopy with a pull-out visor and flip-open mesh panel.
Best of all, folding the stroller is a total breeze. It works equally well for urban and suburban families and has an adjustable handle to help more petite parents. I have a partially paralyzed left hand, and I had absolutely no problem putting in or removing the car seat or collapsing the stroller.
It’s hard to describe just how impressive this double stroller wagon really is. This is the best stroller for long-haul trips if you have multiple kids, live in a city, or are a sports coach.
For starters, it is car seat-adaptable. You can even buy an additional stroller seat to go on the top that makes it more like a traditional stroller. It’s large enough to hold an IKEA bag full of groceries and laundry, and the mesh on the wagon is breathable and comfortable. Plus, the wheels practically float off the ground, and the extra bag in the back holds an entire meal from 5 Guys plus an Oreo shake.
It’s car seat-adaptable, you can add an additional jump seat on top, and because you can push or pull it, you can choose who or what your baby faces. The fabrics are machine-washable, the wheels are solid, but made for traversing tricky ground, and the double canopy covers your babies with UPF 50+-rated strength, while still allowing for maximum ventilation through the mesh sides.
This jogging stroller is one of the easiest to collapse and assemble. Suitable to use from your baby’s infancy with the addition of a bassinet, the stroller is a delight to jog with.
The front wheel can be locked in the straight position for long runs, and the air-filled tires are easy to refill with any standard bicycle tire pump. The canopy gives tons of cover in the sun without blocking circulation, and the one-hand recline feature makes gently reclining a sleeping baby so much simpler. Collapsing it is a bit of a pain, and there’s a learning curve.
Running parents love how this stroller is so easy to maneuver and how it takes the ruts in the road with no problem. It’s designed by runners — and it shows (in the best way).
HOW WE CHOSE
I spent weeks testing strollers, meeting with manufacturers, and talking to parents about their needs and what they love in a stroller. I used my own experience as a parent and a researcher and considered criteria like manufacturing, sustainability, availability, budget, repair options, and materials. I made sure that if something goes wrong with the stroller, there is someone ready to help — and a solid repair chain. That means that there is a real human on the support line, and if necessary, parts can be ordered easily, or the entire stroller can be sent in for repairs.
I tested to determine that these strollers were roadworthy, comfortable for both babies and toddlers, and easy to assemble. And while very few strollers are going to be simple to put together, I made sure the instructions were clear and concise, providing ample direction for new and expecting parents.
While strollers can very much be a personal choice item, the following picks meet my criteria (which are based on 5 years as a parenting journalist and 13 years as a parent) and will suit a broad range of needs. Here are the best baby strollers of 2022.
