The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold Travel Strollers

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

This stroller is an excellent value for less than $100. It features an easy, compact fold and a carry strap, which makes it easy to sling over your shoulders or take with you on public transport.

1. Lightweight

The most important thing to consider when choosing a travel stroller is that it should be light and easy to fold. The best models we tested can be folded with one hand and sometimes two, and they can fit into overhead compartments for luggage. They also can roll easily and are compact enough to maneuver easily in tight spaces. Some models have a telescoping hand for parents with different heights. If you're planning a brief trip with a newborn or a long-haul trip with a toddler, look for an easy-to-pack stroller that will make the journey -- and return -- easier for your family.

To find the best strollers for travel, we analyzed nine strollers that met our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets as well as on country side walks and at the airport terminal to assess its mobility, the ease of carrying and folding and overall comfort for the child.

Our top choice is the Babyzen YoYo2 (320) that folds the easiest of all the strollers we tested and can fit in the overhead bins of airplanes. Its seat reclines almost flat and is compatible with car seats which means it's suitable from birth. The car also features an undercarriage with a deep design, a bag-hook on the handle, and UPF50+ canopy to provide plenty of protection for your child.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is an alternative that is a great choice. It features the ability to fold in concertina that can be done with one hand and is very light. The padded five-point harness, an adjustable crotch strap and a an reversible seat will keep your child safe with a huge 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 the age of birth.

The Coya TRVL ($320), one-handed, one-step fold that is also compatible with car seats and comes with an enormous canopy. It's more expensive than the other models in the same category but it also comes with extra features, including a spacious cupholder and a parent's pocket, a handlebar that can be adjusted to fit parents of all heights, and a comfortable carry strap. The simple design isn't without its drawbacks, when contrasted with other models in this category.

2. Folding is simple

If you're constantly on the move, a travel stroller needs to be easy to open and close. If you're carrying a load of groceries, or children in your arms you shouldn't have to wrestle with a complex stroller to close it. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even when you only have one hand. Many come with a padded carrying strap that is comfortable over your shoulder.

In our tests in our tests, the Libelle stroller scored highly for its effortless fold and compact size. It also has a few nice features: It rolls smoothly over all surfaces and has a large canopy that provides ample coverage. It's also surprisingly lightweight and stands by itself when folded. This makes it easy to keep in storage.

If you're a parent who wants to walk straight to the plane gate and pop their stroller into the overhead bin, we recommend looking for one that can fit into. The Munchkin Sparrow is a good example. It can fit into the smallest folding space and comes with an enclosed travel cover. However, it does not have an adjustable seat and its cargo space is too small to hold anything other than an infant diaper bag or tote.

Another option is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds into a concertina style but also features a reversible seat for face-to-face or back-to-back riding. The handle is hidden behind the seat, however our editor didn't like the fold.

The newest model of stroller for travel is the tri-fold, which folds in thirds and provides the most compact combination of size and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu, for example, has a reclined seat, a non-structured rear storage pouch, and a locking clasp to keep it folded. It's a bit bigger than the umbrellas from the brand, but can be folded more compactly than G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts. It also comes with a shoulder strap that is cushioned.

3. Easy to store

The best travel strollers can fold down to a size that can be easily stored. They can be easily stored in the trunk of a vehicle or the overhead bin of the plane. Some models even come with a carrying strap that makes it simple to sling over your shoulder and not need to worry about your hands getting tired. They're also lighter than regular strollers. This makes them easier to lift or carry for a stroll in the neighborhood or at the airport.

This stroller performed exceptionally well on our durability tests and was easy to maneuver across any type of surface. From smooth hardwoods to sag flooring, this stroller is a great option. Some of our testers found it a bit flimsy and the handlebar wasn't cushioned to keep your hands comfortably. Another thing to think about is how big the basket is: It's on the smaller side, and some parents found it difficult to fit an enormous diaper bag in it.

In general, we suggest calling your airline prior to time to confirm their specific guidelines regarding the use of strollers on planes and strollers, as they may vary. This is especially important if you wish to gate-check your stroller 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 require an infant car seat or booster).

If you're looking for a simple travel stroller that's lightweight and folds down to an extremely compact size, the Contours Itsy is a great choice. The Contours Itsy comes almost fully assembled and all you need to do is put in the bumper bar. It comes with a cup holder for the parent facing pram and a back pocket. However, it does not have an extra-large basket. This may make it difficult to pack the essentials for a long journey.

If you are frequent travelers, we suggest that you consider a stroller that is more robust, with more features and the ability to carry more cargo. The UPPAbaby Minu, for instance, comes with many of the same features like its G-Luxe or G-Link counterparts but is smaller and folds faster. It's also a bit more robust than an umbrella stroller and has a strap that is padded to lift some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Confortable

It is important to be comfortable when using strollers over long periods of time. Seats with plenty of padding and a recline system that can be adjusted to different angles are the best Travel stroller. Be aware of whether the canopy extends to provide sun protection and if mesh windows encourage airflow. Look for a model with an organizer for parents and a cupholder as well as an ample basket under the seat in case you need to carry things with you. If you're looking for a stroller for older children, look up the age range and determine whether your child is comfortable in the stroller without an infant car seat.

It is also important to think about the way a stroller moves. It needs to maneuver easily over various surfaces, from smooth hardwoods and shag carpets to cobblestones, and gravel. It should be able to handle curbs, stairs and other obstacles easily. Consider a stroller with a light weight for those who intend to do a lot of walking during your trip. This will prevent leg and back pain.

A quality stroller for travel is one that is easy to use, too. It should be easy to put together and snap together when it is placed in the right location. It should also be able fold flat and fit into the trunk of a car or in the overhead compartment of planes. It should also remain upright when folded so that you can grab it using one hand and hold your baby in the other.

For parents looking for a premium lightweight stroller for their child, the Joie Tourist is a great alternative. It has multiple recline positions, so your child can sleep comfortably. Its extensible canopy provides plenty of sun protection with UPF protection. Additionally, it comes with a lot of other accessories such as a footmuff and coffee cup holder and rain cover are included. Charlotte is thrilled that it's suitable for babies up to four years and doesn't require a separate car seat adapter.