The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

This stroller is among the lightest and most compact. It's also the easiest folding strollers. Despite its size, it offers an excellent ride, fantastic sun canopy, and a multi-position recline.

This stroller is a great value for less than $100. It comes with an easy compact fold and carry strap, making it easy to put it over your shoulder or carry with you on public transport.

1. Lightweight

The most important aspect of a great travel stroller is that it should be lightweight and easy to fold. The most popular models we tested can fold with just one hand and sometimes two and fit in overhead luggage compartments. They also roll well and are compact enough to easily maneuver in tight spaces. Some models come with a telescoping hand to accommodate parents of different heights. If you're planning a brief trip with your newborn or a long-haul vacation with a toddler, you'll need a light, easy-to-pack stroller that will make the journey -- and return for your family.

We evaluated nine strollers that meet our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets, country side walks, and at the airport terminal to determine its ability to maneuver, its ease of folding stroller and carrying and overall comfort for children.

Our top picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320), which has the most simple fold of the strollers that we tried and fits into airplane overhead bins. Its seat reclines almost flat and is compatible with car seats, so it's suitable for babies up to age 2. The car also features an undercarriage with a deep design, a bag-hook on the handle, and a UPF50+ canopy to provide plenty of protection for your child.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another great option. It has an articula fold that can be done using just one hand, and is extremely light. The five-point harness is padded, an adjustable crotch strap and a Reversible seats protect your child and secure, while a large undercarriage basket as well as a reversible seat will ensure there is enough space for their possessions. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat, making it a viable option for families who start from birth.

Finally, the Coya TRVL ($320) is a different one-handed, one-step fold that comes with car seat compatibility as well as a large canopy. It's more expensive than other models in this class however it has additional features like a large cupholder and parent pocket, an adjustable handlebar for parents of all heights and a comfy carry strap. The simple design does compromise durability, compared to other models in this class.

2. Folding is easy

A stroller that is designed for travel should be simple to open and shut when you're on the move. You don't want a stroller that is difficult to close when you have food items or children in your arms. The best strollers for travel fold easily and compactly, even with one hand. Many have a padded strap that you can wear comfortably over your shoulders.

In our tests, the Libelle stroller scored highly for prams pushchairs its ease of folding and compactness. But it also has other excellent features: It glides smoothly over all surfaces and comes with a huge canopy that offers plenty of coverage. It's also lightweight and stands on its own when folded. This makes it much easier to put away.

Parents who want to roll right up to the plane gate and pop their stroller into an overhead bin, we suggest looking for a model that promises to fit inside. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It can fit into the smallest of foldings and comes with an extra-safe travel cover. However it doesn't come with a reclining seat and its cargo space is too small to accommodate anything other than the smallest diaper bag or tote.

The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another option. It folds concertina style, but it offers a reversible seat for face-to-face riding or back-to-back riding. Our managing editor was able to open and close, though she wasn't crazy about how the handle slides into the seat when folded.

The newest model of stroller that is a travel pushchair model is tri-fold, which folds in thirds and provides the most compact combination of size and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for example, comes with a reversible chair, an unstructured storage pouch at the rear, and a lockable latch that keeps it folded. It's a little bigger than the umbrella models from the brand, but it folds far smaller than its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts, and comes with a padded carry strap that can be slung over your shoulder.

3. Easy to store

The best travel strollers can be folded down to a small size that can be easily stored. They can easily be tucked away in the trunk of a car or the overhead bin of an airplane. Some models even come with a carrying strap that makes it simple to carry on your shoulders and not have to be concerned about your hands becoming tired. They also tend to be lighter than standard strollers, which can make them easier to carry and lift when it's time for an easy stroll around the neighborhood or at the airport.

This stroller did exceptionally well on our durability tests and was easy to maneuver over all types of surfaces. From smooth hardwoods to shag flooring, this stroller is a great option. However some of our test subjects noticed that it was a bit thin and the handlebar does not include any padding to keep your hands comfy. The size of the basket should also be taken into consideration. It is on the small side and some parents have reported that it was difficult to fit a large diaper bag into it.

We suggest that you contact your airline prior to departure to confirm their specific guidelines concerning strollers. These can vary. This is especially important if you want to check your stroller's gate-ability that allows you to navigate the airport without it and still use it once you're on the plane (though that option won't work for families who need an infant car seat or booster).

The Contours Itsy travel stroller is an excellent option if you are looking for a compact, lightweight stroller. It's nearly assembled right out of the box The only thing you need to do is snap the bumper bar into the right position. It comes with an apron for a cup for the parent, as well as a back pocket. However, it does not have an extra-large basket. This may limit your ability pack essentials for a long journey.

If you're a frequent traveler, we recommend considering a more robust stroller that offers better features and is able to hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Minu, for instance, comes with many of the same features similar to its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts however, it's smaller and folds faster. It's also a bit more durable than an umbrella stroller, and it comes with a cushioned carrying strap to take some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Comfortable

Strollers are often used for long periods of time while traveling, and the comfort of the stroller is crucial. Seats with plenty of padding and a recline system that can be adjusted to different angles are the best. Be sure to check if the canopy extends to give protection from the sun, and if it comes with mesh windows to promote airflow. Look for a model with an organizer for the parents or a cupholder, as well as an enormous basket underneath the seat in case you need to carry things around. If you're looking for a stroller for older children, look up the age range and assess whether your child is comfortable in the stroller without an infant car seat.

How a stroller rolls is also crucial. It should be able to move easily across a variety of surfaces that include smooth carpets, hardwoods, cobblestones, and gravel. It should also handle stairs and curbs with ease. If your plans for travel include lots of walking, choose an easy stroller to avoid leg and back soreness.

A good quality travel pram stroller should be simple to use, as well. It should assemble in under 30 seconds and snap together securely when you put it in the correct place. It should also fold flat and fit into the boot of your car or the overhead compartments of planes. It should also be upright when folded so that you can pick it with one hand while holding your baby in the other.

If you are a parent looking for a premium lightweight stroller for travel The Joie Tourist is a great option. It comes with several recline positions, which means your child can rest comfortably, and its extendable canopy provides plenty of sun protection with UPF protection. It also includes a rain cover as well as a coffee cup holder and a footmuff. Charlotte loves that it's suitable from newborns to four years and doesn't require the purchase of a separate car seat adapter.