A Compact Travel Stroller Should Be Easy to Carry

When it comes to picking the best compact travel stroller, you should choose one that folds into a compact, easy-to-carry package. It should be lightweight, feature an auto seat-compatible design and fit in overhead bins for airlines.

This streamlined stroller from UPPAbaby fits the bill. It is easy to fold and comes with a padded strap for carrying. It also fits in the overhead compartments of planes. It features an easy, almost flat recline and smooth movement.

Easy to Assemble

When you're strolling through the airport to get to the gate or navigating an unfamiliar city with your child with you, traveling can be stressful enough without having to worry about how to pack and transport everything. This is why we believe that a good travel stroller is one that is easy to put together and fold up to carry around. And that's exactly the features this light Kolcraft model offers. The stroller is lightweight and compact. can be opened and closed by pressing two buttons at the handle while standing upright. It can be tucked away in overhead bins of most aircrafts and comes with a bag to sling the stroller over your shoulders when you're out and about.

In our tests, this lightweight stroller easily rolled over any terrain and maneuvered well, making it a great pick for travel. It also has a massive sun canopy with a mesh zipper that provides plenty of coverage and visibility for your child and also a simple adjustable leg rest and padded shoulder straps. It also fits many Nuna PIPA car seats (just click and you're done) and comes with an enormous storage bag that can accommodate all your essentials on the go.

This ultra-compact Babyzen stroller is a popular choice among parents who like to travel or reside in cities. It comes fully assembled and just as simple to open by pushing two buttons on the handle. It also folds back up with the same ease and fits into the convenient bag that comes with it. The only drawback is that it might be a bit large for some overhead bins used by airlines, and we've seen reports of the handles being somewhat flimsy that some parents find to be a bit unsettling. It's a great option for those who want a lightweight, compact travel stroller. We would like to see pockets for parents to store things like dollar bills for the ice cream!

Easy to Fold

Like the name suggests, travel strollers are designed to be compact. They fold down smaller than regular strollers and are equipped with fewer features, like cup holders and a large storage basket. They should be able to function well for everyday use, and be easy to carry. If you are planning to travel a lot with your child, consider getting a stroller for travel with features that meet your requirements.

The UPPAbaby G-Luxe, for example, is easy to fold up and can be tucked away in overhead bins. It's also easy to move and roll, even on rough terrain. The UPPAbaby is equipped with a variety of nice features, including a deep recliner and an additional sun canopy to give your child ample coverage. The only downside is that the folding mechanism isn't as smooth and you may need to carefully time your hands to make sure it's just right.

Another option is the Babyzen YOYO2, which can be folded to a tiny size and opens by a single hand. It may not have the same amount of storage as other travel strollers but it does have some great features. These include an ergonomic strap for carrying, a spacious basket under the carriage and a wide-extending umbrella. It's the most expensive of our top travel strollers, but it's also the most luxurious.

The Cybex Libelle 2 is another stroller for travel with a small fold that's easy to unfold. It's heavier than other travel strollers but still lightweight and compact enough to make it a great option for city living and luxury travel. It has many nice features, such as the cup holder that can be used for the typical mug, a convenient handle and a canopy that extends to protect your child against the sun.

The Mini model from UPPAbaby is a great choice for those who already own the Vista or Cruz strollers of this brand but want an easier version. It weighs less than the original Minu, but it's still quite heavy for a stroller designed for travel. It comes with a myriad of other interesting features like a large storage basket as well as a deep reclining seat and an extendable canopy with UPF protection of 50+.

Easy to Carry

If you're taking your baby on an airplane or putting it into the car for an excursion the ease at how your stroller folds down can make a huge difference in the ease to get through a busy airport or crowded bus. When folded, a good travel stroller should fit easily into your trunk or overhead bin with only a few controlled movements. It should also be able to stand up on its own. You should be able to carry it up by the handle, attach a carry strap or slip it into the storage bag included to make it easier to transport it.

If you want to use your stroller while traveling, look for one that's certified by the airline or is guaranteed to fit into overhead bins. The International Air Transport Association recommends that carry-on luggage be no greater than 22 x18 10 inches, which means that the majority of our top picks -- including the super lightweight, $100-plus Nuna TRVL--will fit in there (though some of them will require you to gate-check them). The TRVL is also lightweight enough to be carried as a handbag with the help of an attached strap for the shoulder that is padded and a bumper bar that can double pram pushchair as a handle for carrying.

The TRVL is a great option for parents who are on the move and is compatible with all Nuna Pipa infant car seats without the need for adapters. Our experts like the simple two-position recline mechanism and the no-rethread safety harness, which is made to expand with your baby. Additionally, it's lighter than most other travel strollers--which makes it the ideal choice for families who are frequent traveller.

Other great features on this compact travel stroller include a spring-loaded back-of-the-underseat basket that's big enough for a backpack, diaper bag, or purse, and a flat, open sun canopy that offers some coverage and blockage (though it's not as large as the ones on some of our other top picks). It is also one of our lightest strollers. However, keep in mind that most airlines allow gate-checking a full-sized pushchair with car seat but may require you to take the stroller folded out of the cabin and through security. If this is the case, twin Pushchairs you may want to consider purchasing a protective travel bag to protect it from damage by baggage handlers.

Easy to store

A compact travel stroller is perfect for frequent travelers as it doesn't require a large stroller trunk or take up too much space in your hotel room or in your car. Some models are so compact that they can easily be tucked away in the overhead bins of airplanes, while others are so lightweight that they don't add much weight to carry-on luggage. They are also easy to maneuver around crowded airports or on crowded city sidewalks.

If you're a frequent traveler it's worth investing in one of the top travel strollers we've tested. The Silver Cross Jet 4 is a top-quality, well-constructed stroller with many features. It has a large basket under the seat and an adjustable bar that is padded with a strap for the wrist which makes it ideal for long-distance trips. The stroller's reclining mechanism is simple to operate, and it fits in an airline's overhead compartment (though you'll need to check it at the gate). This model is compatible starting at birth with the Nuna Pipa infant car seat and has an included carry bag with insurance against the possibility of damage to your stroller while traveling.

The Babyzen YoYo2 stroller is also lightweight and light, which is ideal for travel, or for quick vacations. The stroller is simple to maneuver around airplane aisles and remains upright when folded. This is a great feature when trying to maneuver the stroller along with other luggage. The YoYo2 isn't quite as large as a full-size stroller when it's folded, but it offers plenty of features, including a convenient oversized under-seat basket as well as a recline mechanism that's easy to operate with one hand.

A stroller is an essential piece of equipment for many parents traveling with their children. A good quality compact stroller will provide you with peace of mind when traveling and allow you to navigate the busy streets and public transportation easily. Think about your family's needs and lifestyle when looking for an infant stroller. Take a look at the top picks for finding the perfect stroller for your needs and your family. This guide is based on the latest research and has been evaluated by the Good Housekeeping Institute for more than 100 years. Editorial and writer contributors, who are parents with children aged 6 and below, independently reviewed the guide. They tested the strollers in the lab, with their families and on road trips. They also consulted consumer testers to get additional feedback.