The Best Travel Strollers for Toddlers – We’ve Tried them All!
Navigating the world with a toddler can be both a joy and a challenge. One of the most important pieces of gear for any parent on the go is a good stroller.
Over the past couple of years, I’ve tested SO MANY strollers, each with its own set of features and benefits. Here are my personal reviews of the best travel strollers for 1-3-year-olds:
Winning Lineup
1. Joolz Aer
The Joolz Aer is a lightweight, compact stroller that promises both comfort for your child and convenience for you. It opens with one hand and is small enough to fit in the overhead bin of an airplane, which we love.
Key Features:
- Weight: Only 13.4 lbs, making it incredibly easy to carry and maneuver.
- Foldability: One-handed fold mechanism, perfect for airport security.
- Recline: Slight recline, comfortable for short naps.
- Storage: Not great, but such is the case with every stroller this small
- Design: Sleek and stylish, with premium materials.
Personal Experience: When I first tried the Joolz Aer, I was immediately impressed by its lightweight design. Carrying it up and down stairs was a breeze, and it fits easily around airports and tight spaces. The one-handed fold mechanism is a must, especially when juggling a wriggly toddler and baggage.
While the recline isn’t fully flat, it’s enough for my 2-year-old to take a quick nap. The stroller feels sturdy and well-built, though it’s no match for cobblestone (only an all terrain stroller or a full sized like the UPPABaby Vista can handle that). The storage basket is enough for a purse, but not a diaper bag backpack. When we want something that will definitely fit in the overhead bin and can fold with one hand, we grab this one.
Downside: The main drawback is the limited recline, which might not be suitable for longer naps. We also had to buy the additional footrest, which is kind of a joke. There’s also no lap bar, but you can buy it if needed.
2. Ergobaby Metro+
The Ergobaby Metro+ is designed for parents who value both comfort and compactness, offering a balance between the two. It’s an affordable option that’s become one of our favorites.
Key Features:
- Weight: 14.9 lbs, still quite light and portable.
- Foldability: Two-handed, ultra-compact fold.
- Recline: Deep recline, almost flat, suitable for naps.
- Storage: Not amazing, but better than the Joolz.
- Comfort: Ergonomic seat padding and adjustable handlebar.
Personal Experience: The Ergobaby Metro+ quickly became one of my favorites for its deep recline feature, which is almost flat, making it perfect for my child’s nap times during outings. The ergonomic seat padding is a noticeable upgrade, providing extra comfort for longer rides. The adjustable handlebar is a thoughtful addition, accommodating both my height and my partner’s.
The stroller’s compact fold makes it easy to store in small spaces, and it can fit down almost any airplane aisle, which is so nice if you’re traveling solo and need to juggle multiple things. It’s also quite maneuverable, handling bumps and curbs with ease.
Downside: The canopy isn’t ideal for super sunny locales, as it’s way narrower than the Joolz Aer’s. This also requires two hands to fold.
3. GB QBit
The GB QBit is a compact and practical stroller, and it comes with bells and whistles some of the others don’t.
Key Features:
- Weight: 14.8 lbs, lightweight and easy to carry.
- Foldability: Ultra-compact fold, fits into small spaces with one hand.
- Recline: Multi-position recline, including a nearly flat position.
- Storage: Good-sized basket and additional storage pocket.
- Travel-Friendly: Compatible with car seats for travel system use.
Personal Experience: The GB QBit impressed me with its ultra-compact fold and ease of use. It’s one of the most travel-friendly strollers I’ve tried, fitting easily into overhead compartments on planes and the backseat of my car. The multi-position recline is a great feature, allowing my child to nap comfortably. The stroller feels solid and well-built, handling daily use without any issues.
I like that it has a lap bar, foot rest, and nice canopy built in. It’s also the only one in the GB lineup of smaller travel strollers that has a one-handed fold. The GB Pockit is even smaller, but is a little too bare bones for me.
Downside: This isn’t a stroller that technically can fit in the overhead bin (it’s within an inch of most airline regulations), but we’ve had no problem on any international sized aircraft.
4. UPPAbaby Minu
The UPPAbaby Minu is a premium lightweight stroller that offers a blend of style, functionality, and durability, plus a much larger storage area than the others on this list.
Key Features:
- Weight: 14.8 lbs, lightweight yet sturdy.
- Foldability: One-handed fold, stands when folded.
- Recline: Multi-position recline, suitable for naps.
- Storage: Large under-seat basket and additional storage pocket.
- Design: High-quality materials and sleek design.
Personal Experience: The UPPAbaby Minu is yet another amazing stroller from the UPPAbaby brand. We love them for their car seats, the UPPAbaby Vista (compare here with the Minu), and UPPAbaby The one-handed fold is incredibly convenient, and I love that it stands on its own when folded.
The multi-position recline ensures my 2-year-old can nap comfortably on the go. The large under-seat basket is a major plus, easily accommodating our diaper bag, snacks, and a few toys. The stroller handles smoothly, even on uneven terrain, and feels durable enough to last through multiple kids. It’s also a stylish option.
Downside: It’s on the pricier side, but the quality and features justify the investment.
5. Babyzen YOYO2
The Babyzen YOYO2 is a popular choice among parents for its compact size, lightweight design, and how many attachments it can have. It’s known by airlines as a stroller that can fit in the overhead bin, and you’ll see it everywhere in Europe!
Key Features:
- Weight: 13.6 lbs, extremely light and portable.
- Foldability: One-handed fold, fits into overhead compartments.
- Recline: Multi-position recline, but not as far as I’d like
- Storage: Tiny basket and storage pocket.
- Customization: Various color options and accessories.
Personal Experience: The Babyzen YOYO2 Is everyone’s favorite travel stroller and I can understand why. Its compact size and light weight make it incredibly easy to carry and maneuver, fitting into tight spaces and overhead compartments effortlessly. I wish it was a one-handed fold, but it will unfold with one hand, which is nice. The stroller is also highly customizable, with various color options and accessories available. I prefer the Joolz Aer to the Babyzen, though, and the Ergobaby Metro+, too.
Downside: The storage basket is smaller compared to some other models, which might be a limitation for longer outings.
6. MiaMily Ride-along Suitcase
The MiaMily Ride-along Suitcase isn’t a stroller, per-se, but it can be a great alternative if you’re not sure you’d use one at your destination and just need a way to zoom around the airport. It has a fold-up seat back that’s great for littles.
Key Features:
- Weight: 10.2 lbs, lightweight and easy to transport.
- Foldability: functions as a carry-on suitcase with a seat that’s easy to latch.
- Recline: Fixed seat, not suitable for naps.
- Storage: Functions as a suitcase, providing ample storage for travel.
- Versatility: Can be used as a stroller or ride-along suitcase.
Personal Experience: The MiaMily Ride-along Suitcase is a fantastic travel companion. The concept of combining a stroller with a suitcase is brilliant, saving space and making travel more manageable. It’s lightweight and easy to transport, fitting into overhead compartments with ease. While the seat is fixed and not suitable for naps, it’s perfect for keeping my toddler entertained and contained during travel. The suitcase function provides ample storage for our travel essentials, reducing the need for extra bags. It’s particularly useful for short trips and navigating airports.
Downside: This isn’t really a replacement for a stroller if you’d need one for naps or long distances. The smaller wheels mean it’s not able to handle curbs or even small bumps like a stroller can.
Finding the Right Stroller for You
Each of these strollers has its own strengths and potential downsides, but they all offer excellent solutions for parents of 2-year-olds. Whether you’re looking for something ultra-portable, packed with features, or simply stylish and functional, there’s a stroller on this list to meet your needs.
While it’s easy to get overwhelmed with the choices and features, the most important thing is finding a stroller that fits your lifestyle and keeps your child comfortable and safe. Happy strolling!
*Some links in this post are affiliate links that support us at no extra cost to you when you purchase through them. We only recommend products we love and use ourselves. Your trust always comes first!
