The 8 Best Travel and Lightweight Strollers, Tested by Moms on the Go

Let’s start our journey into the wonderful world of compact, lightweight strollers with the winner of this year’s Best of The Bump award for overall best travel stroller: The Bugaboo Butterfly Stroller. (See all of this year’s Best of The Bump winners.) Some travel strollers can be light and flimsy, but while the Butterfly is lightweight, it boasts a stable frame that can be pushed and steered with ease, no matter where your travels take you. “I have pushed it on the road, grass and sand. It does not get stuck anywhere,” explained our product tester Mannibell, who gave the stroller a perfect 10 out of 10 for ease of pushing. This is an experience shared by Ashlee Neuman, content director at The Bump and an urban mom of two, who shared, “The Butterfly is lightweight but sturdy and easy to steer with one hand—even across crowded streets and over city curbs, with me holding my older daughter’s hand.”

This best-in-class travel stroller shines not only in its robust maneuverability, but also in its quick, compact fold. This engineering miracle features a (truly) one-second, one-handed fold that Neuman says “makes me want to give the Bugaboo product designer a hug.” It collapses small enough to fit into overhead airplane bins (and small car trunks, tight apartment closets and even under city bus seats). Our product tester Manibell highly praised this aspect, telling us: “It stands up with ease when not in use […] and when folded, it takes up less space than my carry-on luggage.”The stroller includes a shoulder carry strap, although testing found it can often get stuck in the folded stroller. Still, Neuman added, “The Butterfly is so light, I can easily pick it up by the handle when folded and transport it up and down subway steps or toss it into a taxi trunk.”

When your little one inevitably falls asleep in the middle of your journey, expect the adjustable seat (which reclines from 111 to 145 degrees) to keep them comfy as they snooze. Mannibell was a fan of this, saying: “That’s one of the features I love the most.” She also appreciated the large UPF 50+ canopy that “goes almost all the way down,” thanks to the zip-to-expand feature with a vented mesh window. Other highlights include an adjustable handlebar and roomy undercarriage basket, which can hold just under 18 pounds—one of the highest capacities among the travel strollers we tested. “The basket is quite substantial compared to other competitors,” Mannibell said.. All in all, it’s easy to see why she gave the Bugaboo Butterfly a 10 out of 10 score for its features.

While some compact travel strollers have a small seat that only fits little ones, you can use the Butterfly with infants and older toddlers alike. This set of wheels is compatible with a range of leading car seats (with the use of adapters). Plus, it features one of the most spacious seats we’ve seen (big enough to comfortably sit Neuman’s 6-year-old!) and an adjustable calf support bar, all to provide a comfy ride for your child as they grow. With so many awesome features, it’s no wonder the Bugaboo Butterfly was chosen as the overall best travel stroller.

Suitable from: 6 months | Dimensions (open): 36.4" (L) x 17.7" (W) x 40.3" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 17.7" (L) x 9.1" (W) x 21.3" (H) | Weight: 16 lbs. | Capacity: 48.5 pounds | One-handed fold: Yes | Carry strap: Yes | Car seat compatible: Yes |

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Looking for a lightweight stroller for everyday use and trips away? Look no further than the Mountain Buggy Nano Urban. Clocking in at just over 13 pounds, this model is one of the lightest stroller on this list yet sturdy enough for the rigors of daily use, making it our Best of The Bump winner for best everyday lightweight stroller. It’s the versatility that really sold it for us: It functions as both a full-featured stroller and a more compact travel stroller thanks to the inclusion of two sets of interchangeable wheels—a larger set for urban settings and a smaller set for travel. Our product tester Emily appreciated the ability to swap out wheels depending on where she’d be going. “The type of wheels you use makes a difference—if you use both sets of the smaller wheels, which are more compact for traveling, they aren't going to roll around as smoothly with different terrain, while the larger wheels perform very well on all terrain,” she explained.

Further proving its versatility, this lightweight stroller is newborn-friendly, using either the lie-flat seat or an attachable bassinet or car seat—meaning you can use this pick every day, starting from day one.

The Nano Urban offers a bunch of additional features for convenient daily use. “This stroller was very easy to fold and unfold once we figured out how to do it,” Emily reported, adding, “It’s very compact and lightweight when it’s folded and super easy to pack into a car.” (If you’re using it for travel, it’ll also fit into many (but not all) overhead plane compartments and comes with a travel satchel that slips over the stroller to keep it clean and protected.) The stroller seat reclines for on-the-go naps, and the seat buckle boasts a patented “tail-free” safety harness with short straps that clip into a streamlined centerpiece, which Emily absolutely loved. “I honestly like this better than my everyday stroller I currently have, because you don't have to have the two buckle pieces fit together before it fastens,” making it “much easier to use,” she gushed. What would have made the stroller even better in her eyes is a bigger basket and included cup holders.

In addition to its ease of use and reliable features, Emily was sold on the gorgeous aesthetics of this stroller. “The brown leather accents with the black stroller looked stylish and sleek,” she said. She even shared a story of going on a walk with a friend with a far more expensive stroller and feeling like “this stroller kept up with her stroller and looked just as nice” despite costing a fraction of the price. All in all, Emily said, “I really liked the style and appearance of this stroller and could definitely see us using it as our daily lightweight stroller as well as for travels.”

Suitable from: Birth | Dimensions (open): 34.2” (L) x 41.3” (H) x 20.9” (W) | Dimensions (folded): 20.5 (L) x 11.8 (W) x 20.8 (H) | Weight: 13.3 lbs. | Capacity: 48.5 lbs. | One-handed fold: Yes | Carry strap: Yes | Car seat compatible: Yes

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While there are a ton of travel strollers on the market right now, not all of them are suitable for the youngest babies. Why? Many don’t accommodate an infant car seat or bassinet and have seats that don’t recline all the way. Since an infant typically can’t sit up unassisted until 6 months or older, that simply won’t do. Luckily, the ultra-lightweight Joolz Aer+, our Best of The Bump winner for best travel stroller for an infant, was designed with babies in mind. While the bassinet attachment is sold separately, the stroller can, amazingly, be folded with the bassinet still attached! According to our product tester Mallory, “adding the bassinet to the stroller was hassle-free and convenient.” And if you don’t have the budget for add-ons, don’t worry: The ergonomic stroller seat has ample neck and back support and reclines to a fully flat position, making it suitable from birth through toddlerhood. Mallory said her little one was comfortable, and added that “the recline of the stroller is perfect for naps on the go and was baby-approved by my 6-month-old.”

Aside from the baby-friendly features, the travel stroller is also ultra-light at 13.2 pounds and also has an intuitive one-handed fold (which activates with a push of a button). It took Mallory “about 30 seconds” to master the folding mechanism. “I was able to fold and unfold the stroller using one hand, and felt comfortable and safe even while holding my baby,” she shared. Once folded, the travel stroller “does not take up much space at all” and is small enough to fit inside an airplane overhead bin.

It even comes with a travel pouch to protect the stroller from getting scuffed or dirty during transit. “The carrier strap allows for a quick and easy pickup and go for over the shoulder. I loved that I didn't have to dig around and find the strap—it was just right there as soon as I folded the stroller,” Mallory added, highlighting its convenience. One thing she would change about the stroller was the basket underneath the seat, which is on the small side. While her diaper bag fit neatly inside, she noted that no other items fit into the storage basket.

But how does it handle once you’ve reached your destination? Mallory awarded it 10 out of 10 scores for both ease of use and ease of pushing and steering. “I was very impressed,” she told us, noting that this stroller far exceeded her expectations. “The stroller itself is very lightweight and feels so smooth and light to push. The tires and steering held up great when pushed over gravel.”

Suitable from: Birth | Dimensions (open): 32.7" (L) x17.7" (W) x 41.5" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 17.7" (L) x 8.5" (W) x 21" (H) | Weight: 13.2 lbs. | Capacity: 50 lbs. | One-handed fold: Yes | Carry strap: Yes | Car seat compatible: Yes

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Finding a travel stroller that comfortably fits both babies and toddlers can be somewhat of a challenge. Fortunately, the Ergobaby Metro+ Deluxe Stroller fits the bill. This model has the widest seat of all the travel strollers we tested and a 50-pound weight capacity, and our product tester Brittany, a mom of two, said, “both my 7-month old and (big) 2-year-old fit comfortably.”

Brittany awarded this stroller 10 out of 10 for ease of pushing and steering. “Pushing my baby and my toddler was very easy,” she said. “The wheels glided nicely on multiple terrains, and were also functional pushing with just one hand when needed.” She also praised the adjustable handlebar, which was critical as she described herself as “very short” while her husband is “very tall,” adding, “At the shortest option, I felt comfortable pushing it.” Another huge plus for Brittany was how “incredibly easy” the straps on the five-point harness were to adjust when switching between her toddler and baby.

The Metro+ Deluxe has features to keep both parents and toddlers happy. Features like a spring suspension system and an adjustable footrest for additional calf support make for a particularly comfortable ride, and a generously sized canopy offers plenty of shade. “I also really appreciated the huge airflow vent in the back to keep baby cool,” Brittany said, and found that the padded seat with a near-flat recline “was AMAZING also!”

Brittany didn’t appreciate the complex folding mechanism, which involved a steep learning curve, but once it was collapsed, she found it “easy to carry” with the attached strap. The basket on the Metro+ Deluxe is on the smaller side, but since many toddler parents no longer carry a massive diaper bag with them, it’s still roomy enough to toss in the essentials like water bottles and snacks.

Suitable from: Birth | Dimensions (open): 17.3" (L) x 34.3" (W) x 37.8" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 17.3" (L) x 9.8" (W) x 21.3" (H) | Weight: 18.1 lbs. | Capacity: 50 lbs. | One-handed fold: Yes | Carry strap: Yes | Car seat compatible: Yes

Like its larger, more well-known cousin, the UPPABaby Vista, the Minu V2 has a large basket that holds a whopping 20 pounds, which can be a godsend for parents who are constantly carrying around a million things. “I have a bigger diaper bag,” admitted Savannah, our product tester and mom of two, and “it fit easily in the storage underneath.” Given its ample storage space and an overall impressive performance—with 10 out of 10 scores for ease of pushing, folding and unfolding, design and value—it’s no surprise that Savannah called the Minu V2 “a new favorite” in her arsenal of strollers, or that it won a Best of The Bump award for best travel stroller with a big basket.

In terms of maneuverability, Savannah reported that, thanks to the all-wheel suspension, it was easy to push on trail walks even with her 35-pound toddler, while still being “easy to use in boutiques and stores with smaller spaces to push.” It’s also worth noting that, even though the handlebar isn’t adjustable, both 5' 3" Savannah and her 6' 2" husband said the handlebar was at a comfortable height to push. And, if you need to make a sharp stop, she noted that the brake is incredibly easy to operate: “Just push the red pedal down for brake and the green pedal down to turn it off.”

Savannah also liked the fact that it can be unfolded with the push of a button and folds up just as easily. While the fold is less compact than others on this list, Savannah had no issues with its size: “I have an SUV and some strollers take up the entire trunk with no room for anything else. This easily leaves room to carry luggage or an ice chest and would easily fit in a smaller vehicle,” she said.

Savannah used the stroller with her 2-and-a-half-year-old and said “the seat was perfect for my toddler.” An extendable UPF 50 canopy with magnetic peekaboo window makes napping on the go a comfortable experience, the leg rest that adjusts with a single hand and the seat reclines to 145 degrees. (While that recline isn’t flat enough for newborns, the stroller can accommodate a bassinet or car seat attachment.)

At the end of the day, the Minu “definitely exceeded my expectations with how lightweight it was and easy to unfold and fold,” Savannah said. “It far surpassed the quality of the strollers I have that are half the price. After using it, I would absolutely buy this stroller.”

Suitable from: Birth with additional bassinet | *Dimensions (open): 35.5" (L) x 20.3" (W) x 41" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 36.4" (L) x 17.7" (W) x 40.3" (H) | Weight: 16.9 lbs. | Capacity: 50 lbs.| One-handed fold: Yes | Carry strap: Yes | Car seat compatible: Yes

Many parents prefer a stroller that has a reversible seat, so baby can face you or the world, but it’s a feature that’s rare to find on travel strollers. Enter the Bugaboo Dragonfly. Marketed as a “city stroller,” it combines premium features—like a reversible seat—with a compact frame. Our product tester Jannell gave this stroller a perfect 10 out of 10 score across several categories, helping to earn it a Best of The Bump award for best lightweight stroller with a reversible seat.

Jannell said that while she “has tried a ton of strollers,” the Dragonfly was “the easiest to maneuver.” She noted that it performed “precise turns” on various surfaces like the pier at the beach, the mall and going up and down curbs around the city. She also raved that it had the easiest fold of all the other strollers she had already tried, thanks to its truly one-handed fold. Once collapsed, the stroller stands up on its own, making it easy to tuck away into a corner, like Jannell did, when not in use.

Convenient features such as the extendable UPF 50+ sun canopy, adjustable footrest and easy-to-recline seat (“a godsend for when our toddler takes a nap”) all helped to keep Jannell’s daughter comfortable. Plus, storage is no concern with this luxury stroller—the basket was one of the largest travel stroller baskets we’ve seen, and was “big enough to carry our drinks, snacks and diaper bag,” Janell said. There’s even an extra rear pocket that “was sturdy enough to hold my Stanley,” she added. While the price tag is definitely on the higher side, Jannell noted that since the stroller can be used with an (optional) bassinet from the newborn days on, she definitely felt “it was worth the money.”

It’s important to note that there was a recall of approximately 1,000 Dragonfly strollers in December 2023 due to a safety issue with the seat. However, only units with certain serial numbers were recalled, and the strollers currently on the market do not pose a risk.

Suitable from: Birth with additional bassinet| Dimensions (open): 42" (H) x 20.5" (W) x 41" (L) | Dimensions (folded): 14.2" (L) x 20.5" (W) x 35.4" (H) | Weight: 17.4 lbs. | Capacity: 50 lbs. | One-handed fold: Yes | Carry strap: Yes | Car seat compatible: Yes

Next up on our list is an option that’s light on your wallet as well as the scale, making it one of the best travel strollers you can score on a budget. Weighing in at just 14 pounds (and under $130), the umbrella-fold stroller, Summer Infant 3D Lite+, is one of the lightest models we tested and was a big hit with our product tester Guillani, who gave it high marks for ease of use, steering, features, style and—naturally—value.

“This stroller could definitely be priced a little more and still be worth the value,” says Guillani, noting that it was one of the “easiest” strollers she’d ever tried. “It was super smooth riding and pushing with my one-year-old inside,” she reported. During the testing process, Guillani loaded up the storage compartment with stuff and still found it “super smooth and easy to maneuver.”

Speaking of storage, Guillani said the basket was a great size and liked that it was easily accessible underneath the seat. “I could fit my decent sized diaper bag as well as a light blanket,” she shared. She also noted that nothing fell out during her testing, which is a huge pro when you’re traveling and trying to cram as many things down there as you can. Other features of note include the extendable sun canopy, which was effective at protecting baby’s face whether they’re sitting up or napping, and the easy-to-recline seat. “The drop-down recline was amazing because it was just the push and grab of two buttons and it reclined really well for my baby to be in /[an almost flat] position.”

Learning to fold and unfold the stroller took our product tester a minute, but once Guillani figured it out she said it was “a piece of cake,” explaining that “it's just a matter of pushing down and out and it pops open completely.” While some parents found it easier to operate with both hands, Guillani said “you also can certainly fold it down with one hand.” Thanks to its narrow footprint and quick folding mechanism, this is a particularly good option for theme parks and travel as you can easily fold it up to hop on trolleys and shuttles.

Suitable from: 6 months | Dimensions (open): 42.5" (H) x 19.5" (W) x 33.5" (L) | Dimensions (folded): 10" (W) x 13.9" (L) x 42.6" (H) | Weight: 14 lbs. | Capacity: 50 lbs. | One-handed fold: Yes | Carry strap: Yes | Car seat compatible: No

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This top-rated (and Best of The Bump-winning) product isn’t your average travel stroller. The Doona Car Seat & Stroller is an innovative all-in-one device that converts from a car seat into a stroller and back again, thanks to its wheels that unfold from the bottom of the seat in seconds. For traveling parents, that means lugging one less item of baby gear around, as well as seamlessly transitioning from the sidewalk to a safe and secure seat.

“I really loved how easy it was to take my baby out and put him back into the seat,” our product tester Juanita commented. Moreover, she told us that “the harness is very easy to adjust and tighten.” The Doona can be used as an everyday stroller for regular commutes and errands, but also stands out as a great travel stroller for flying. This is because in its car seat mode it’s been approved by the US and European authorities for air travel, meaning you can install the car seat for your child to sit in as you fly on most airlines.

While some travel strollers are only recommended for 6-month-olds and up, the Doona can be used with a baby from day one without any extra adaptors or accessories. Juanita tested it out with her 3-month-old and found it super supportive. “My baby fit very well in the car seat/stroller. We can see that there’s room for growth when he gets a bit bigger and heavier. /[Also,] the headrest gave my baby a lot of support when he napped,” she said, giving the stroller high marks for its features. Just keep in mind that the Doona isn’t suitable for toddlers, so it’s a short-term investment compared to other options in our roundup. But despite that limitation, Juanita shared that the Doona was “durable” and “well made,” ultimately making “the price fair for what you are getting.”

Suitable from: Birth | Dimensions (open): 32.2" (L) x 17.3" (W) x 39" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 23.6" (L) x 17.3" (W) x 26" (H) | Weight: 16.5 lbs. | Capacity: 35 lbs. | One-handed fold: No | Carry strap: No | Car seat compatible: Built-in car seat

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