The Best Stroller

Like anything involving your kids, buying a stroller is a lot more complicated than it should be. You’ll want something that fits both your car trunk and your budget, but that’s just the beginning of factors to consider — and the constant upgrades, innovations and recalls from the stroller industry don’t make things any simpler. The important thing is to know what kind of stroller will suit your needs, and the questions narrow down from there.

In the beginning, strollers were a one-piece affair: Take the baby out of the car seat, put them in the stroller and walk. While some traditional strollers still sport that self-contained design, the default these days is the broad category of a car seat carrier. In this case, you have a car seat that’s secured to your car by a base. The car seat lifts out of the base and can be locked directly into the stroller. Some face forward, some face back, but most have the option to do either one. Some strollers have the option to install a car seat for infants (sometimes with adapters), but still have an integral seat to accommodate larger toddlers.

Jogging strollers can also incorporate car seats, and they’re popular with active parents in both rural or urban settings. This smaller design usually has three wheels for quicker maneuverability. Their tires are suited to the environment and can sometimes be switched out. There are knobby ones for off-road areas, as well as models with inflated tires with a tight grip for mommy marathons on asphalt or indoor floors. In most cases, these strollers aren’t recommended for children under 6 months.

Then there’s the lightweight, or umbrella, stroller. Small both in profile and price, these are the ultimate in portability. A good umbrella stroller can weigh as little as 10 pounds, folds up quickly and should fit into just about any car. Most of them can also use a car seat, but bear in mind, they are not generally good for newborns, especially if you’re simply using the integrated seat.

There’s a lot of variation among all these types, and we’ve recently begun to see car seats that incorporate the entire stroller, wheels and all, into the base. A popular, if more expensive, option is a “travel system” that gives you a car seat and base along with a compatible stroller. Others have a bassinet as their default carrier. If there’s a common selling point among modern strollers, it’s adaptability. A carrier that might be perfect for you one year is going to be useless by the next year unless it can change to handle your rapidly growing child.

You’ll want your stroller to get you from point A to B easily, but also safely. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has a raft of new federal requirements that strengthen the standards on things like non-pinching hinges, latch mechanisms, seat belts and detachable wheels. If reliability is a key concern, definitely look for strollers made after those standards were enacted in September 2015. You can also look for certification by the JMPA (Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association), which ensures that products for children meet those federal guidelines as well as their own.

Strollers of any type can vary widely in weight, from 10 pounds on umbrella models up to 30 pounds or more. And that’s just the beginning of the variety: Bells and whistles these days might include bench seats so that larger kids can ride upright and extensive compartment space and cup holders. But don’t sweat the small stuff to begin with. The best thing is to first determine if it will fit your child and car, then explore your perks from there.

• The seat is the first thing you’ll want to consider when buying a stroller. If it’s a self-contained, traditional type, simply check the specs to see what the carrying capacity is, usually listed by age or weight range. If it’s a car seat carrier, you’ll want to make sure that it can accommodate the brand and model of car seat you already own, unless you’re buying an all-in-one travel system. Most strollers are only compatible with car seats made by their company, but some do allow other brands to be mounted — usually with an adapter, which you may have to buy separately.
• Weight of the stroller is also a big concern, especially for the elderly, those with bad backs or mothers dealing with the aftermath of a C-section. You can usually find the weight listed prominently on the product specs. Heads up if the stroller doesn’t come with a car seat include: That car seat is going to add a significant amount of pounds.
• More than likely, the stroller’s method of assembly and disassembly is going to make you love it or hate it. Is it able to fold up quickly and easily? A lot of engineering goes into the bestselling strollers, so much so that they seem like origami creations when in use. Some will tout “one-handed” folding, which may not necessarily translate to “easier,” but can certainly be a plus when it works well. If you can’t try out the stroller first-hand, check online for a video that shows how it breaks down.
• If you plan on keeping your stroller for the long haul, adaptability is key. You may save money on a quick and sporty umbrella carrier, but it won’t be much use after your child outgrows the only car seat that fits on it. There’s a lot to be said for a fully integrated seat with adjustable seat belts that can be moved as your child grows.
• Got a small car? That probably does more to limit your options than anything else. Be sure to measure the space that your stroller will fit into when folded, whether that’s a trunk or a closet. Some strollers will even stand upright when disassembled, which can help with indoor storage.
• Safety should always be a main concern, no matter what type you get. The frame should definitely be made of durable materials, and the buckles situated or padded so that they don’t pinch tiny fingers. In general, when it comes to harnesses, a five-point restraint system is the gold standard. There are federal specifications on strollers that have been upgraded since 2015, so models made after that year may be better constructed. You can also look for certification by the JPMA, an industry group that sets their own exacting standards.
• Next, let’s kick the tires. Some parents enjoy the three-wheel feel of most jogging strollers, while others prefer the relative stability of a four-wheel setup. Bigger wheels will give you a better ride on uneven surfaces either way. As for the actual tire, most are made out of plastic and rubber — although some jogging strollers may sport actual inflatable tires. That can definitely result in a smooth ride, but bear in mind you will have to keep them inflated just like any car tire. Many strollers feature detachable wheels, either to give you the option of different tire styles or to make the product smaller when not in use. Either way, double check that the wheels are securely fastened before you roll out.
• Storage will be another key concern for busy parents or those who like long walks. The primary spot for diaper bags or other light luggage is under the seat, so make sure there’s enough room there for whatever you’re likely to carry. Whatever you do, don’t hang heavy items from the handlebars. Too much weight can tip the stroller. If a stroller has a cup holder, that’s another big plus. Some even have a second one for baby right there on a tray, and deluxe models might feature insulated holders to keep that milk or juice cold for the jog home.
• Especially short or tall parents, do yourself a favor and check that the handlebars are positioned at a comfortable height. On many models, they will be adjustable, but it’s not a given. Bending over too far to push a heavy stroller can be harder than just carrying a child around.
• When you get that stroller home, you may want to check out after you’ve gotten through the assembly. But you may want to keep reading. There’s typically an option to register your stroller. Sign yourself up, and you can get notified in case of a recall.