Which stroller is good

Strollers are expected to meet federal safety standards established by the Consumer Product Safety Commission , which relies on the testing rubric determined by ASTM International.

I took these standards as well as American Academy of Pediatrics safety guidelines into account in my research, and also considered whether individual strollers had Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association certification, which meant that they had been independently tested to meet ASTM safety standards.

We came up with an initial list of 59 strollers. We eliminated strollers that did not accommodate newborns or were not compatible with popular car seats, as well as those in which car seats were secured by straps instead of a more convenient and secure click-in mechanism.

We dismissed strollers that weighed more than 27 pounds, had multiple complaints about quality, or had few or no reviews. This step winnowed the field to nine finalists, all but one of which are independently certified by the JPMA for safety:.

For each stroller, with the exception of two that came already assembled, I unboxed the model and consulted the manual to put the stroller together. The strollers that took the most time to assemble required inserting a retaining pin to hold the rear wheels to the axle—a design common among inexpensive models. After assembly, I read the instructions to learn how to use the safety harness, seat recline, canopy, and brakes, as well as additional features that came with some models, such as a car seat, reversible seat, bassinet, peekaboo windows, and adjustable handlebars.

I also tried to see what fabric I could remove for machine washing or hand washing, disassembling all of the fabric parts if possible. In , I used each of the strollers for at least four days, logging more than miles testing all nine strollers over three months. My husband and I pushed all of the strollers through rain, on grass, on sidewalks, and on paved and cobblestone streets. We traveled with them on subways, buses, and airplanes.

I set up a maneuverability course on a soccer field for a friend who is 6-foot With cones set 36 inches apart, the minimum width of a hallway in an American home, we performed S-curves, U-turns, figure eights, and a one-handed push with my 8.

For the update in , I tested four additional strollers using the same general regimen, with the exception of the maneuverability course with a taller person. All of the strollers we tested performed well in the basic tasks of pushing, maneuvering, reclining, shading, and storing things. One of these strollers had independent brakes, which were inefficient and had a lot of slide before reaching a hard stop.

Though the American Academy of Pediatrics and most instruction manuals advise against hanging bags on handlebars due to the tipping hazard that causes, the reality is that most caretakers ignore this advice. For the remaining stroller contenders, we conducted two tip tests: one with my 4. In both cases we started with an 8-pound medicine ball in the seat to simulate the weight of a newborn. All of the strollers passed the purse test, but in the diaper bag test one stroller failed and three others were at the verge of tipping over.

Compared with many other full-size strollers, the intuitive-to-use Baby Jogger City Mini 2 is simpler to adapt for newborn use and offers a roomier seat for bigger kids. As the update to the original City Mini, our former main pick, the City Mini 2 adds front access to the underseat storage and an adjustable leg rest, both helpful, if minor, improvements. The only popular brand missing from this list is Uppababy, for which Baby Jogger says support is forthcoming.

It comes with adapters for the Baby Jogger City Go and Graco car seats and it will become available as part of a travel system later this year after Baby Jogger releases the updated version of the City Go. In addition, the stroller reclines fully to support a newborn—a pram attachment will become available later this year.

At the other end of the age spectrum, the City Mini 2 can hold a child weighing up to 50 pounds, and it has one of the largest seats 10 inches deep and 14 inches wide with a inch backrest we saw. Larger, four-wheeled strollers such as the Uppababy Vista and Cruz or the Graco Modes make wider turns, and their overall bulk makes seeing around them challenging.

At Its patented fold is the quickest we found: You tug on a strap on the seat bottom to snap it shut like a book. The stroller is also among the easiest to unfold—simply unlatch the lock on the side and lift the handlebar if you want to bypass the lock step entirely, you can remove it from the frame.

The folded stroller is compact, with the wheels neatly aligned on the bottom. You can use the folding strap to carry the stroller as you would a large garment bag without much hassle. Many of the other strollers we looked at had more complicated folding mechanisms that resulted in an asymmetrical heap of dangling wheels and jutting handles that we found awkward to carry. The City Mini 2 was one of the easiest full-size strollers to carry up and down subway stairs, and when we took the folded stroller on the bus there was still room for other passengers to get past it in the aisle.

The City Mini 2 is also easier to store than most other strollers we tried: When folded, it can balance upright on the handlebar and front wheel locking it improves stability. The safety harness adjusts to four different heights—on most strollers the harness adjusts to only three.

You recline the City Mini 2 by pulling on straps with one hand, and you can adjust it to any height within the range; there are no predetermined positions as there are with push-button-operated recline. Because the canopy remains stationary when you recline the seat, it provides more protection.

Three much more expensive models we looked at the Bugaboo Bee5, Uppababy Cruz, and Uppababy Vista had canopies attached to the seat that moved out of position when we reclined the seat. The City Mini 2 is the only stroller with three large flap-covered peekaboo windows—two vinyl ones in the canopy and one mesh back panel that offers ventilation when the seat is reclined.

The rest have just one or two. You can adjust the canopy to two different heights, and you secure it to the chassis by a zipper instead of the usual loop and hook. In addition, you can raise the leg rest to support shorter legs, an action that also allows for front access to the underseat basket. Since the City Mini 2 was released only in March , few reviews are available online. The City Mini 2 comes in five colors: black, turquoise, taupe, and two shades of gray. Baby Jogger offers a limited lifetime warranty for the frame and a one-year warranty for the fabric and other soft materials.

You can purchase additional accessories such as a belly bar , a child tray , a rain cover , a parent console , a cup holder , and a glider board for an additional, older rider separately.

Fortunately, unlike the original version, the City Mini 2 provides front access to the underseat storage, which makes the space much more usable. The positioning of the handlebar also makes access to the back pocket cumbersome. Because the storage space is meager, parents often resort to hanging bags on the handlebar. If ample underseat storage is a primary concern of yours, our runner-up or our upgrade pick is likely a better choice for you. This limitation may be frustrating for older babies and toddlers who want to sit more upright: In our tests, my daughter would often try to pull herself up from the sides of the stroller to get a better view of her surroundings she also did this with the B-Lively.

However, it is a great everyday option that can also do double duty for travel despite these limitations. We think most parents will love this economical choice that is compatible with many infant car seats. The Mini 2 won awards in the full-size review and our lightweight category.

Read review: Baby Jogger City Mini 2. The UPPAbaby Vista v2 is a fantastic high-end choice we recommend for parents that want a little more of everything and aren't worried about the price tag that comes with it.

The Vista v2 is also a great double stroller as it can easily grow with your family, carrying up to three little ones with ease age-dependent.

The Vista v2 is stylish, easy to use, and includes quality parts and attention to detail. This product has various seating configurations and includes a toddler seat and bassinet in the purchase price.

The Vista v2 works with two toddler seats, two infant carriers seats and adapters purchased separately , and two bassinets, or any combination of seating, facing forward or backward. It features a giant storage bin and canopy, with a nap-worthy seat recline. Compared to similar competitors, the Vista v2 delivers high functionality, a lower price tag, and usually lower weight.

The Vista v2 moves well for its size, and we think parents will enjoy its adjustable handlebar and giant under-seat storage bin with an unheard-of 30 lb max allowance. The Vista v2 has one of the highest prices in our reviews, making it a potential no-go for families on a tighter budget. Also, it is not suitable for running, which makes it a lousy choice for parents who want to run or hike.

However, if your budget allows, we think it's tough to beat the Vista v2, especially for families with multiple children or plans to grow. If the price tag is not in your wheelhouse or a double option isn't a necessity, then the less spendy, smaller, and lighter UPPAbaby Cruz v2 should make your list instead.

The Doona Combo is a unique car seat and strolling combo that combines two products. This cool mash-up makes the Doona a ridiculously easy-to-use product that is good for those who frequent public transportation and city dwellers. This combo lets parents push their baby from place to place from home to a day on the town, including public transportation.

The car seat is easy to use, installs quickly without the base, and fills a niche for parents who live in the city and may otherwise choose to forgo a car seat for the sake of convenience. The Doona Combo may not be the ideal option for every family, thanks to a relatively higher price, heavy carrying weight, and limited lifespan. Still, it can't be beaten for city families that may otherwise legally skip using a car seat because they are a pain to carry or require a strolling companion.

We think this is the easiest way to get your baby from an apartment to an Uber to strolling with ease and enviable style, making it a must-have for parents on-the-go, and those who frequent public transportation. Read review: Doona Combo. This high-end, lighter product has many features parents want in a small package that is good for travel. The Yoyo is easy to push and turn, a rarity in the umbrella world, and it is stylish and sleek.

While it is harder to push and a wee bit heavier, it is easier to use overall and earned a higher score for quality than the competition in our umbrella review. It is also more expensive than similar choices, so it isn't a great option for families on a tight budget or parents who only need a travel option for a single event.

The Thule Urban Glide 2 is a great jogger that is easy to use, super maneuverable, and relatively lightweight you know, for a jogger. This jogger works as well for serious runners as it does for casual errands with covered storage, tight turning radius, and comfortable seating for longer trips. These features make the Urban Glide 2 a product we recommend for families that want an option for double duty or for serious runners that don't want to miss a step once your baby is old enough to go.

The Urban Glide 2 is a favorite from our Jogging Stroller testing, out-maneuvering the competition with its adjustable tracking for straight moving, nice suspension, locking swivel front wheel, and adjustable handlebar. This product is not a good choice for families who don't intend to run or go hiking off-road. The added weight and bulk will make it hard to lift and stow, so you can avoid this hassle if jogging isn't in your future.

We love that the Urban Glide 2 is so functional and thoughtfully designed that parents can use it for almost any kind of outing. With a price tag lower than some of the competition, and cheaper than many full-size options that offer less, we think this cool jogger is an excellent buy that fills multiple needs that saves you money all in an enjoyable package.

The Thule Urban Glide 2 also works with a variety of infant car seats with the purchase of the appropriate adapter, making it a product that can fill three niches with ease. The Baby Trend Expedition is an inexpensive jogger that is easy to push and turn with pneumatic rubber tires and a locking swivel front wheel. This budget-friendly product is good on uneven terrain, has under-seat storage, and a three-wheel design that is easy to turn in tight spaces.

With a low, low list price, this jogger is less than half the price of most joggers, proving you can have a nice moving product that is easy to push without the sticker shock. These features helped the Expedition win kudos for strong bang-for-your-buck in our Jogging Review.

This jogger lacks suspension and tracking adjustment, making it a poor choice for serious runners. It is also heavy and large if you hope to travel with it or have limited space. That being said, we would still recommend this product to a friend that wants a jogging look with large rubber tires for greenbelt traversing but may not really be interested in regular jogging. Read review: Baby Trend Expedition. The Chicco Shuttle is a frame product designed specifically for carrying infant car seat carriers.

The Shuttle is a lightweight, compact product with a lower price tag making it an excellent choice for the first nine months of a baby's strolling life. This convenient option is easy to fold and stow with adequate storage for running errands and cup holders for within-reach hydration. We think this choice can give you more time to decide what kind of strolling option you want in the future.

It could potentially save you money and frustration in the long run by preventing a purchase you might regret. This kind of product has a limited lifespan of about nine months, so it isn't a one-and-done purchase.

Looking at age limit is important, too: for example, not all strollers are safe for newborns. You never want to put a newborn baby in a stroller without a deep reclining seat or bassinet, because at that age they definitely still need neck support. The Good Housekeeping Institute constantly runs tests on baby items to find only the best car seats , crib mattresses , baby formula , and every baby product you can think of to make parenting a little easier.

To help you find the best stroller for your newborn, infant, toddler, or growing family, our experts evaluated different types to test factors like maneuverability, stability, ease of use, and storage space. This round-up is based upon Lab-tested picks, road tests of newer entrants, category expertise, and real-life consumer feedback.

Our top picks for strollers are:. There are several types of strollers on the market, so it's ideal to purchase a stroller that best matches your lifestyle. Three-wheel strollers are great for stability when maneuvering through crowds, while four-wheeled strollers are more likely to feature extra storage and cup holders. If you live in a city and travel with your kids a lot, you'll probably want a stroller that can easily fold up and stay upright.

If you want more undercarriage storage, you'll likely have to tradeoff on having the most compact and lightweight stroller. Below are the six stroller styles to know about:. As for pricing, strollers and stroller systems can range from a few hundreds to over a thousand dollars, so the Good Housekeeping Institute experts suggest you weigh which features you need in a stroller versus what features you care most about to find the sweet spot of value and usability.

Our pros recommend taking into account the following features:. See below for best strollers of , from brands that have performed well in our Lab tests, like UPPAbaby and Bugaboo, plus other top-tested strollers.

Whether you need a stroller for newborns, twins, city moms, or newborns, there is an option for you. This stroller is great for growing families — a newborn child can sit in the bassinet, a three-month old gets the toddler seat, and an older child can ride along on the kickstand board accessory. The updated version of this perennial favorite now features even better maneuverability, a roomier toddler seat, dedicated rain-shield storage, an extendable canopy, plus a no-rethread harness, which our Lab experts described as a "big deal" since it makes readjusting straps so much easier.

Take note that the you'll likely have to unload packages to fold up, and that the stroller itself takes a bit of space. The 3DLite umbrella stroller is a good choice for everyday errands and travel especially given the affordable price tag. It features ample storage and a five-point safety harness.

Beyond the affordable price, our Lab experts liked that the stroller was lightweight and easy to fold. They note to not put heavy items on the handlebar to avoid the stroller tipping. It features a compact fold and self-standing capability — plus, according to the brand, it meets Disney park size requirements. Despite its more compact size, it can fit children up to 65 pounds, which is on the larger side for maximum weight capacity and great for growing toddlers.

Do you think this content is helpful? Let our editors know! This popular stroller boasts an unbeatable combination of price and performance. The GT2 is perfect for city and suburban dwellers alike and can be stored in compact spaces when folded.

I can attach the various accessories, and I like that the sunshade goes so low that it shades my baby completely. The Vista is all about options to accommodate growing families. From birth, use the included bassinet for strolling or for sleep. When your child gets older, switch out the bassinet for the front or rear-facing toddler seat. Adding baby number two?

The Vista is packed with high-end features parents love like an incredible suspension system, full seat recline, telescoping handlebar, huge underseat basket and an extendable canopy, just to name a few.

The Vista is a heavy duty stroller that takes up a decent amount of space in a trunk or a hallway, even when folded. Love the size and maneuverability. Love the bassinet. Bought the stand and have used it in our bedroom for three kids now. Well worth the money.

This newborn-to-toddler stroller has almost the same amount of configurations as other strollers three times the price: a built-in bassinet; the ability to click in a Graco car seat facing either direction ; and a regular baby and toddler seat that can either rear- or forward-face. Any Graco ClickConnect car seat will automatically work with this stroller, but no other car seat brand will.

It is very sturdy without being too heavy. It folds up easily, has a roomy storage basket underneath, and cup holders. We are very happy with this stroller.