Best Stroller-Car Seat Combos and Travel Systems
The logistics of getting a newborn from point A to point B can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re a first-time parent. That’s why many folks fill their baby registry with travel gear designed to make the task simpler. (Think: A stroller, car seat or carrier.) While each of the items mentioned above can be used individually, transferring a fussy newborn from a stroller to a car seat and back again can be an added stress you simply don’t need. The good news? Travel system strollers can be a saving grace.
A travel system—also known as a stroller-car seat combo—is simply a stroller and car seat designed to be used together. A car seat-stroller combo lets you easily clip the seat into a stroller frame, so you can transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the outside world without waking them up. Genius! There are a few factors to consider when choosing this type of transport system. To help you narrow down the options we’ve selected seven of the best car seat and stroller combos, so you can find one that works for your lifestyle and budget.
While travel system strollers aren’t an absolute must, they do offer a couple key benefits. If your family takes frequent trips in the car, you can relax knowing that if baby happens to doze off, you don’t need to wake him when you reach your destination—simply lift the car seat from its base and click it into the stroller frame, and you and your sleeping babe are ready to roll.
The other major upside to travel systems is that you only have to buy one stroller that’ll see you and your child from birth through the toddler years. Newborns can’t ride in a regular stroller seat until they can sit up on their own (usually around 6 months), so if you don’t opt for a travel system, you’ll have to hunt for a stroller with a seat that fully reclines or stick with a baby carrier. Plus, buying a car seat-stroller combo instead of purchasing the gear separately can save you some money.
There are different types of stroller-car seat combos available, including:
- Three-wheel travel systems. These are narrower and more compact than other travel system strollers, making them ideal for city-dwellers who need to navigate crowded spaces on a daily basis.
- Four-wheel travel systems. Sturdier than their three-wheeled counterparts, four-wheel travel systems are best for strolling over uneven terrain. Their wider profile means more storage space and a durable construction, but they tend to be bulkier than those with just three wheels.
- Jogger travel systems. These are designed for parents who want to take their little ones with them on the running trail. The larger wheels ensure a smooth ride (even over rough terrain), and the streamlined design makes jogging travel systems easy to steer.
- Double travel systems. Expecting twins, or have two kiddos very close in age? Double travel system strollers allow you to easily transport both babies, and can be customized to fit your family’s needs depending on the ages of your children.
A stroller travel system is a big investment, so it’s important to find the right fit for your family. Below find a few factors to consider while browsing stroller and car seat combos.
- Height and weight limit. Travel systems include a rear-facing infant car seat and a stroller. Each item has its own height and weight limit, outlined by the manufacturer. Always double check these guidelines to make sure that the stroller-car seat combo is safe for your child to use.
- Additional safety features. All car seat and stroller combos are subject to strict federal safety standards and are safe when used appropriately. With that said, some options have additional features designed to keep your little one safe and secure. For example, some infant car seats have load leg or anti-rebound bar features that absorb energy in the event of a crash. Other elements to look for include a five-point safety harness, brakes that lock the stroller wheels and a UPF sun canopy.
- A lightweight car seat. Travel systems are designed for convenience, meaning the car seat section should be lightweight with an easy to grip carry handle.
- Configuration options. Most car seat-stroller combos offer multiple configuration options, so you can use them long after the newborn stage.
Stroller Travel System Comparison Chart
| Overall best car seat and stroller combo | Best versatile car seat and stroller combo | Best lightweight car seat and stroller combo | Best budget-friendly car seat and stroller combo | Best jogging car seat and stroller system | Best all-terrain car seat and stroller system | Best hybrid car seat and stroller combo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overall Best  UPPAbaby Vista V2 Stroller and MESA Max Infant Car Seat & Base |  Evenflo PivotSuite Modular with Litemax car seat |  Nuna PIPA urbn + TRVL Stroller & Car Seat Travel System |  Graco FastAction Fold Sport Click Connect Travel System |  BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Travel System with B-Safe Gen2 Infant Car Seat Graphite Black |  Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Travel System |  Doona Car Seat and Stroller | |||
| Price | $$$ | $ | $$ | $ | $$ | $$ | $$ | ||
| Stroller dimensions | 36" (L) x 25.7" (W) x 39.5" (H) | 39" (L) x 25.8" (W) x 40.5" (H) | 32.5" (L) x 20.25" (W) x 44" (H) | 40" (L) x 25" (W) x 42" (H) | 46" (L) x 25" (W) x 45" (H) | 41.3" (L) x 25.6" (W) x 43.1" (H) | 17.4" (L) x 32.3" (W) x 39" (H) | ||
| Car seat dimensions | 25.75" (L) x 17" (W) x 23" (H) | 28.5" (L) x 19" (W) x 24" (H) | 25" (L) x 17.5" (W) x 22" (H) | 30.6" (L) x 11.7" (W) x 15.6" (H) | 26.6" (L) x 17.9" (W) x 25.9" (H) | 28.5" (L) x 17.2" (W) x 26.5" (H) | N/A | ||
| One-handed fold | |||||||||
| Combined weight of stroller and car seat | 36.5 lbs. | 35.5 lbs. | 21.2 lbs. | 28.9 lbs. | 38.9 lbs. | 33 lbs. | 17.2 lbs. | ||
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Get ready to click and go. Here are some of the best travel systems on the market right now, including a few options that have been put to the test by our product reviewers—aka new parents just like you!
Overall best car seat and stroller combo
- Four wheel suspension
- Multiple configurations
- LATCH base with bubble indicators
- High price point
- Infant car seat sold separately
First up is the UPPAbaby Vista V2 stroller and the Mesa Max car seat. Pegged as the top stroller-car seat combo in this year’s Best of The Bump awards, this dynamic duo is as good as it gets. Why? The stroller itself includes a bassinet attachment that can be used from birth as well as a toddler seat that accommodates children over 3 months. All-wheel suspension makes for a comfortable ride and a large under-seat basket has enough space for a diaper bag, plus any other supplies you may need. Better yet, it’s compatible with the new and improved Mesa Max car seat (sold separately). This infant car seat hits the mark in terms of safety thanks to a base with an anti-rebound bar and a load leg. It’s also incredibly easy to install and use with the Vista V2 stroller. Our product tester noted that the “the car seat was easy to click into the frame” and remarked upon the “smooth transition” when transferring her sleeping baby from the car to the stroller. Looking for an all-in-one travel bundle? Try the UPPAbaby VISTA V2 and MESA V2 travel system out for size.
Dimensions (open): 36" (L) x 25.7" (W) x 39.5" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 17.3" (L) x 25.7" (W) x 33.3" (H) | Stroller weight: 26.6 lbs. | Stroller capacity: 50 lbs. | Car seat weight: 9.9 lbs. | Car seat capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Car seat height limit: 32"
“When baby fell asleep in the car seat I was able to detach the other seat and place the car seat right inside!”
Best versatile car seat and stroller combo
- Six configurations
- Lightweight stroller frame
- No adapters needed
- Handlebar isn’t adjustable
The Evenflo PivotSuite travel system is a super-versatile option for modern family life. It offers six modes of travel: infant car seat mode, lay-flat carriage mode and toddler seat mode, each with a forward- and rear-facing option. Our product tester was a big fan of the carriage configuration saying “my baby felt safe and snug in the bassinet and it seemed to do well over bumps too in that position.” A particularly cool feature is the Pivot's built-in adapter that allows you to transition from infant mode to a toddler seat with a simple flip motion, no extra parts or tools required. Our tester vouched for the ease of switching modes and said: “The stroller is super easy to convert from a normal toddler seat, to reclining, to the bassinet option.” Plus, it can be folded in parent or forward-facing mode with the toddler seat still attached. (Trust us, this is a major win!) Meanwhile, the included Litemax car seat has an anti-rebound bar for baby’s safety as well as an easy to grip carry handle.
Dimensions (open): 39" (L) x 25.8" (W) x 40.5" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 19.5" (L) x 26" (W) x 40" (H) | Stroller weight: 26.8 lbs. | Stroller capacity: 55 lbs. | Car seat weight: 8.7 lbs. | Car seat capacity: 35 lbs. | Car seat height limit: 32"
“Having a car seat that is easily attached to the stroller frame is such a great feature and the stroller itself is worth the money in my opinion, it's a great stroller with so many cool features.”
Best lightweight car seat and stroller combo
- Lightweight design
- One-handed fold and unfold
- Auto-recline feature
- Lower height and weight limit than other options
Nuna TRVL Stroller weighs under 14 pounds, making it one of the lighter options on the market. It comes with the PIPA urbn car seat, which at 7.6 pounds won’t add much weight to the system. Aside from being lightweight, this pick earned a spot among the best car seat and stroller combos thanks to its impeccable steering system and baseless car seat attachment. As the name suggests, the TRVL is a travel-friendly stroller that’s incredibly compact and portable. One-handed steering provides exceptional maneuverability, and as our product tester put it “this baby GLIDES!” Meanwhile, a self-guiding magnetic buckle on the five-point harness makes it easy to safely strap your little one in. But the clever features don’t stop there. The PIPA urbn is the only baseless infant car seat with pipaFIX rigid latch that can install in two seconds flat, and it’s feather-light to boot. This was a huge bonus for our product tester “because it takes the hassle out of switching vehicles,” especially if you’re a two car family. Aside from the top-notch safety features and practical design, this travel system looks and feels luxurious. According to our tester, “the leather really makes it look sleek and high-end” and the neutral color palette was an added bonus. Sounds like a winner to us.
Dimensions (open): 32.5" (L) x 20.25" (W) x 44" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 24" (L) x 20.2" (W) x 11" (H) | Stroller weight: 13.6 lbs. | Stroller capacity: 50 lbs. | Car seat weight: 7.6 lbs. | Car seat capacity: 4 to 22 lbs. | Car seat height limit: 29"
“I would most certainly recommend this travel system for the storage space alone! But also for the convenience.”
Best budget-friendly car seat and stroller combo
- One-hand standing fold
- Car seat clicks into place
- Cup-holder and parent tray
- Plastic tires
Searching for the best car seat and stroller combo on a budget? Look no further than the FastAction Fold Sport Click Connect by Graco. Lightweight yet sturdy, the stroller can be folded with a single hand in one second flat. A lockable front wheel makes it easy to maneuver through crowded streets and the compact frame meets Disney size requirements. It also has a cushy reclining seat, a roomy storage basket and an expandable sun canopy with a peekaboo window. The travel system comes with the SnugRide Click Connect 35 infant car seat that clicks onto the stroller frame in one simple step, no adapters needed! The car seat has a removable infant body support that cradles your baby's head and neck for added comfort and safety. It also weighs less than 8 pounds and the base is super-easy to install in your car thanks to a nifty level indicator.. All that for under $350? Bargain.
Dimensions (open): 40" (L) x 25" (W) x 42" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 16" (L) x 25" (W) x 28" (H) | Stroller weight: 21.4 lbs. | Stroller capacity: 50 lbs. | Car seat weight: 7.5 lbs. | Car seat capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Car seat height limit: 32"
Best jogging car seat and stroller system
- Air-filled tires
- Adjustable handlebar
- Car seat snaps into place without adapters
- No cup-holder
- Bulky fold
The BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Travel System is a great option for fitness-loving parents. The stroller features mountain-bike-style suspension and air-filled tires that glide over gravel, grass, running trails and uneven pavement. It may be streamlined but this design doesn’t skimp on storage, the stroller has six pockets (including a spot for your cell phone) and a roomy cargo basket underneath the seat. The bundle includes the Britax B-Safe Gen2 Infant Car Seat that slides into place on the frame and is easily removed using the one-press release lever. The car seat employs SafeCell technology, which acts as a crumple zone absorbing crash energy away from your little passenger. A UPF 50+ canopy keeps them shielded from the elements while you stroll. And the base can be installed in your vehicle in three simple steps. Keep in mind that, as with all jogging strollers, you won’t be able to actually run with baby until they’re able to sit in the regular stroller seat.
Dimensions (open): 46" (L) x 25" (W) x 45" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 38" (L) x 25" (W) x 16" (H) | Stroller weight: 28 lbs. | Stroller capacity: 75 lbs. | Car seat weight: 10.9 lbs. | Car seat capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Car seat height limit: 32"
Best all-terrain car seat and stroller system
- Air-filled tires
- All-wheel suspension
- Car seat has anti-rebound bar
- Accessories sold separately
The best car seat and stroller combo is often one that meets your individual needs. So if you like to wander off the beaten track, you’re going to need an all-terrain transport system. Introducing the City Mini GT2 by Baby Jogger: A travel system that meets the mark in terms of safety and performance. Forever-air rubber tires will never go flat and all-wheel suspension provides a smooth ride over any terrain. While an adjustable handlebar and hand-operated parking brake make it easy to push and steer. A reclining seat and an adaptable calf support panel also offer an added layer of comfort for your little one, so they can sit back and enjoy the ride. The stroller frame comes with the City GO 2 Infant Car Seat, which easily clicks into place and can be installed in any car, even without a car seat base, thanks to the taxi-safe belt path. Perfect for country living or urban life, this stroller-car seat combo is one of the best out there.
Dimensions (open): 41.3" (L) x 25.6" (W) x 43.1" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 10" (L) x 25.5" (W) x 31.8" (H) | Stroller weight: 22.4 lbs. | Stroller capacity: 65 lbs. | Car seat weight: 10.6 lbs. | Car seat capacity: 4 to 35 lbs. | Car seat height limit: 32"
Best hybrid car seat and stroller combo
- Incredibly lightweight
- Built-in car seat
- Low weight limit
- Not suitable for tough terrain
Last up on our list of the best stroller-car seat combos is a hybrid option by Doona. The all-in-one travel system is the first (and only) infant car seat that converts to a stroller with the press of a button. Once activated integrated wheels pop out of the base and the carry handle flips up to function as a handlebar. Genius! Initially unsure, our product tester did a complete 180 after taking the Doona for a spin: “At first I was concerned about how this was going to work because it’s a two in one. But I was very surprised at how efficient it was.” Lightweight and compact, this pick is certified for air travel and in car-seat mode it can be used with or without the LATCH base. The best part? You can switch to stroller mode without having to unbuckle baby from the car seat.
Dimensions (open): 17.4" (L) x 32.3" (W) x 39" (H) | Dimensions (folded): 17.4" (L) x 26" (W) x 22.4" (H) | Stroller weight:17.2 lbs. | Stroller capacity: 35 lbs.| Car seat weight: N/A | Car seat capacity: 35 lbs. | Car seat height limit: 32"
“I really loved how easy it was to take my baby out and put him back into the seat. The harness is very easy to adjust the height and tighten; he feels and looks very comfortable.”
We get it—parenting requires a lot of gear, and it can be hard to find the best fit for your family. To streamline your decision-making process, The Bump editors did extensive research, leveraging our familiarity with leading baby brands and relying on our own experiences as parents, narrowing the field to only the most popular, reliable and innovative stroller-car seat combos available today. We read user reviews to get the low-down on how these products work for families, and typically don’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating. With the help of real parents, we also tested a selection of travel systems and assessed them for ease of use, adaptability, value for money and, of course, safety.
We also follow the safety recommendations of the American Academy of Pediatrics and look for certifications and seals of approval from key organizations, such as JPMA. Interested in learning more about our editorial process? Read about how our team develops and reviews all articles here.
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