Best Travel System Strollers
The logistics of getting a newborn from point A to point B tend to be a bit overwhelming, especially when you’re a first-time parent. The good news: Travel system strollers can be a saving grace. The bad news: With so many to choose from, the options are often mind-boggling. We’ve narrowed the list down to our top 10 favorite car seat-stroller combos to help you find the travel system that works best for your lifestyle and budget.
Travel systems are sold as car seat-stroller combos that let you easily clip your infant car seat into a regular stroller frame, so you can transfer your sleeping baby from the car to the stroller without waking her up. There are different types of travel systems 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 make 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.
The benefits of travel system strollers
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.
Get ready to click and go! Here are some of the best travel systems on the market right now.
Best overall travel system
The Britax B-Free travel system snags the spot for the best car seat-stroller combo. An updated version of the B-Agile stroller, a perennial fan favorite, this three-wheel travel system offers enhanced maneuverability and a smooth, sturdy ride with rubber all-terrain wheels. It’s extremely easy to use thanks to the one-hand fold design, and features a full recline seat, seven storage pockets, an expandable SPF canopy and an adjustable handlebar to boot. The stroller comes with the Endeavours car seat but is compatible with any infant car seat on the market.
Buy it: Britax B-Free Travel System, $540, Amazon.com
Best lightweight travel system
Peg Perego’s Booklet Travel System weighs in at just 19 pounds, making it one of the lighter options on the market. It comes with the Primo Viaggio car seat, which at 9 pounds won’t add much weight to the system and attaches to the stroller without the need for any adaptors. The Booklet is easy to steer, has a compact fold and features front wheels that both swivel and lock. The adjustable handlebar is also a selling point, as is the hook under the canopy that can hold baby’s favorite toy.
Buy it: Peg Perego Booklet Travel System, $599, Amazon.com
Best 3-in-1 travel system
If you’re looking for the most versatile travel system on the market, the Nuna JETT collection is the answer. Designed with jetsetting parents in mind, this travel system consists of the Nuna MIXX2 stroller, the MIXX2 bassinet and the PIPA infant car seat, which weighs in at just under 8 pounds. Parents can use the car seat-stroller combo when they’re out running errands with a newborn, or opt for the bassinet when taking longer strolls around the neighborhood. (Bonus: The bassinet is approved for overnight use, making it a great travel crib option.) The Nuna MIXX2 stroller features four all-terrain wheels and all-wheel suspension for smooth strolling over all kind of terrain, plus a large storage basket and an adjustable handlebar. Perhaps best of all, the reclining seat is a true flat sleeper and can reverse positions, letting you face baby toward you or the passing scenery.
Buy it: Nuna JETT Collection Travel System, $1,030, Strolleria.com
Best luxury travel system
UppaBaby is known for their high-quality strollers, and the Cruz Travel System is no exception. The Cruz can be easily steered with one hand, and the sturdy frame and wheels can take on cracked sidewalks and rough terrain no problem. The slim design makes it easy to navigate narrow doorways and store aisles, the reversible stroller seat can be parent-facing or front-facing, and the sizeable storage basket has room to hold all your gear. As for the compatible Mesa car seat, a favorite feature is the red-to-green light indicator on the base to let you know when it’s been properly secured.
Buy it: UppaBaby Cruz with Mesa Car Seat, $850, Strolleria.com
Best cheap travel system
Bargain hunting for a travel system stroller that won’t break the bank? Good news—the Evenflo Pivot—winner of the 2018 Best of Baby awards for best travel system stroller—is a super-versatile option that’s easy on the wallet. It offers six modes of travel: bassinet, frame stroller or toddler stroller, each with a forward- and rear-facing option. A particularly cool feature is the Pivot’s bassinet, which converts from the stroller seat with a simple pop and lock, no extra parts or pieces required. Another bonus: The system’s SafeMax infant car seat is outfitted with a chest clip that reminders parents upon arrival that baby is in the backseat.
Buy it: Evenflo Pivot Travel System, $214.16, Walmart.com
Best compact travel system
If you’re looking for a compact, lightweight travel system, the Mountain Buggy Nano Protect Travel System is the perfect choice. The Nano weighs an impressive 13 pounds and measures just 22 inches wide, and when folded up it’s small enough to qualify as carry-on luggage. The equally lightweight Protect car seat (just over 8 pounds) snaps right into the stroller frame and can accommodate infants up to 35 pounds. Once your kiddo graduates from the infant car seat, she can ride in the Nano until approximately age 4.
Buy it: Mountain Buggy Nano Protect Travel System, $450, Amazon.com
Best jogging travel system
The Baby Trend Expedition has bicycle wheels that allow it to coast over gravel, grass and uneven pavement, making it the best option for fitness-loving parents. The Expedition maneuvers easily, folds effortlessly and has an oversized storage basket. It’s the travel system deal of the century, considering the cost of the car seat-stroller combo is less than the price of some car seats alone. Keep in mind that, as with most jogging travel systems, you won’t be able to actually jog with your little one until he’s able to sit in the regular stroller seat.
Buy it: Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System, $226, Amazon.com
Best double travel system
Baby Trend’s Sit N Stand Inline Double Stroller travel system is a great choice for parents with twins or kids close in age. Designed to have the youngest child ride up front, the rear seat can be removed, giving your older kiddo the option to sit on the bench seat or stand on the back platform. Parents of two kids will especially appreciate the one-hand seat release and one-hand fold, as well as the large storage basket. Note that the system is sold with one infant car seat, but a second one can easily be purchased.
Buy it: Baby Trend Sit N Stand Inline Double Stroller Travel System, $300, Amazon.com
Best travel system for kids far apart in age
When you have a newborn and an older child who isn’t quite old enough to walk everywhere, you need a travel system stroller that can accommodate both. The Evenflo Sibby Travel System is a car seat-stroller combo that features a rear ride-along board for your older child, which easily detaches for storage. The stroller features include an adjustable three-position footrest, a large sun canopy and a parent cup holder, and comes with the LiteMax infant car seat.
Buy it: Evenflo Sibby Travel System, $220, Amazon.com
Updated June 2018
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