Travel Strollers 2025: The Best for Family Adventures

Beyond the Bestsellers: Hidden Gems & Essential Insights for Your Next Stroller Adventure Let's face it: the world of strollers can feel like a jungle. With countless models vying for your attention, how do you find the *perfect* travel companion for your little one? While our top recommendations shine brightly, sometimes a stroller offers a unique feature or specific benefit that makes it a true contender for *your* family.

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What if there's a lightweight stroller that folds almost flat, making travel a breeze? Or a compact city stroller with suspension so smooth it rivals a jogging model? We've explored a fleet of contenders, each with its own story, its own strengths, and a few quirks. These are the "almost perfect" picks – the ones that didn't quite make our top list but might just be *your* ultimate choice. Dive in to discover these specialized gems and then arm yourself with the essential knowledge you need to make the smartest stroller decision, from navigating airline carry-on rules to understanding critical safety features. Your perfect ride awaits!

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--- The Contenders: Strollers That Almost Stole the Show

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Every parent's journey is unique, and so are their stroller needs. Here are some remarkable strollers that offer specific advantages, even if they didn't clinch a top spot overall. They might be exactly what you're looking for! **Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 ($400): Urban Explorer with a Travel Heart**

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Imagine navigating bustling city streets with ease, then effortlessly folding your stroller away like a seasoned traveler. That's the magic of the **Baby Jogger City Mini GT2**. This **city stroller** boasts a nearly flat fold reminiscent of the best **travel strollers**, making it surprisingly compact for storage. It’s a fantastic choice if you need **car seat compatibility** right from day one, thanks to attachments that work with many popular **car seat brands**. Plus, its fantastic **wheel suspension** gives you a smooth ride, feeling much like a **jogging stroller** – just with more agile, smaller wheels perfect for urban adventures. **Bugaboo Butterfly ($439): The Stylish Jet-Setter**

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If you dream of sleek design and effortless travel, the **Bugaboo Butterfly** is your answer. With its **easy fold** and remarkably **lightweight** frame, it’s a direct competitor to top **travel strollers** like the Nuna TRVL. Its elegant colors and **oversized canopy** add a touch of luxury, and it’s almost perfectly sized to be a **carry-on** for most airlines. Our only wish? A slightly sturdier frame for the price and the addition of a bumper bar for added security and play. Still, its grace and portability are undeniable. **Colugo The One ($249): The Budget Challenger**

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Looking for a solid, no-frills option? The **Colugo The One** is a fine stroller, especially if you're mindful of your budget. While it offers good value, we found that for just a little more, some of our top picks deliver an even better experience. Alternatively, if a compact fold is your absolute priority, some of our budget-friendly recommendations might offer a smarter fold for less. It’s a respectable choice, but perhaps not "the one" for everyone. **Ergobaby Metro+ ($299): Tall Parents, Rejoice!**

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Finding a **travel stroller** that accommodates taller parents is like striking gold – and the **Ergobaby Metro+** delivers! Unlike many compact models, it features a rare **adjustable handlebar**, making those long walks much more comfortable. It’s also **car seat compatible**, meaning you can use it with your infant sooner. Plus, a slightly larger seat means your little one can enjoy it for longer than many other affordable strollers. While its frame feels sturdier than some competitors, be aware that its fold isn’t as lightning-fast, nor is it as easy to carry as our absolute top picks. But for the comfort of an easy reach, many tall parents find these trade-offs entirely worth it. **Joie Tansy ($100): The Classic Umbrella Stroller with a Twist**

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The **Joie Tansy** embodies the classic **umbrella stroller** design. It’s compact and efficient in many ways, but here’s the catch: when folded, it stands quite tall. This can make fitting it into car trunks or airplane overhead compartments more challenging than our other recommendations. A classic choice for quick trips, but perhaps not the most travel-friendly for every scenario. **Joovy Kooper ($299): Snack Time On-the-Go Champion**

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If snack time is a serious affair for your little one, the **Joovy Kooper** might just be your new best friend. This is one of the most affordable strollers we tested that comes with a full **snack tray** – a feature almost unheard of in other **travel strollers**! It’s a fantastic perk that often gets overlooked. It also offers a flat fold, rather than upright, which can be a space-saver depending on your storage needs. **Munchkin Night Owl Travel Stroller ($254): Illuminated Adventures Await**

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Planning evening strolls or navigating dimly lit paths? The **Munchkin Night Owl Travel Stroller** shines, quite literally! With a **compact fold** similar to the Cybex Libelle 2, its standout feature is the integrated lights on the front wheels. This makes it an excellent option for families who frequently travel to places with night activities or simply want enhanced visibility during dusk and dark walks. **Silver Cross Jet 5 ($439): A Former Favorite's Farewell**

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The **Silver Cross Jet 5** once held a coveted spot in our guide. It offers a **compact fold** and boasts **IATA certification**, suggesting it’s truly **carry-on** friendly. However, after hearing from numerous parents (and experiencing it ourselves), the notoriously tricky fold became a deal-breaker. While it promises portability, the struggle to collapse it smoothly pushed it off our top-tier list. If you're considering it, be prepared for a bit of a folding challenge. **SmarTrike Travel Stroller ($350): The Trike Transformer**

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The **SmarTrike Travel Stroller** is an intriguing concept, merging a **travel stroller** with a stroller trike. It’s cool, innovative, and aims to offer versatility. However, for true **compactness** and ease of use in a trike combo, we found ourselves gravitating towards the Doona Liki Trike (7/10, WIRED Recommends), which offers a significantly smaller fold. A novel idea, but perhaps not the ultimate execution for every traveler. **Thule Spring ($319): The Compact Everyday Performer**

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Don't let the name fool you – the **Thule Spring** isn't a feather-light **travel stroller** for dashing through airports. Instead, think of it as a beautifully designed, **compact stroller** for everyday use. With a three-wheel design and impressive **suspension** akin to the Baby Jogger, it handles like a dream. While it folds taller and thicker than many of our top picks, it does stand on its own when the handle is set at a mid-height. It's a fantastic choice if you want something more agile and smaller than a full-size stroller, but without the extreme **lightweight** and hyper-compact focus of true travel models. **Wonderfold X2 Stroller Wagon ($389): The Family Adventure Machine**

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Here's a true game-changer: the **Wonderfold X2 Stroller Wagon**. This impressive wagon folds down almost as compactly as a **travel stroller** – yes, you read that right! It's incredibly comfy for two kids, comes complete with a **canopy**, a built-in storage bin, and handles for both pushing and pulling. Though currently out of stock, if you ever spot one, grab it! We’ve heard firsthand accounts of friends successfully checking this wagon on a plane in place of a stroller. Imagine the possibilities for family outings! **Zoe Tour v2 ($259): The Accessory King**

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The **Zoe Tour v2** once reigned as our budget pick, and for good reason! It remains a good stroller, particularly for parents who value included extras. It comes with the best range of **accessories** you’ll find on a **travel stroller** at this price point. While the seat fabric and overall build quality aren't quite as premium as some cheaper or similarly priced models we’ve tested, the sheer value of all those accessories makes it a strong contender for many families. --- Your Stroller Questions, Answered: Essential Knowledge for Smart Shopping Stroller shopping can feel like preparing for a marathon. It’s a significant investment, one you hope will last until your child outgrows it (typically around 50-55 pounds). Feeling overwhelmed by the sheer number of **travel stroller** options? Don’t worry! We’ve gathered the most important considerations to help you navigate the choices with confidence. What Does a Travel Stroller Absolutely Need to Have? Picking the perfect ride involves more than just looks. Here are the non-negotiables and key features to consider: * **The Unbreakable Bond: A 5-Point Harness:** This is your child’s primary safety feature. A **five-point harness** securely fastens your baby in the stroller via straps over the shoulders, hips, and between the legs. Every stroller we recommend features this standard. It's a non-negotiable safety must-have. * **Infant Ready? Car Seat Compatibility is Key:** If you're traveling with an infant, you need a way for them to lie flat or connect their car seat. You can create your own **travel system** by pairing almost any stroller with a compatible car seat. Many strollers offer **car seat attachments** that work with popular brands, providing flexibility. Be aware, however, that some premium brands (like Uppababy) only work with their own car seats. * **Cradling Your Newborn: The Travel Pram Question:** A **travel pram** or bassinet mode allows newborns to lie completely flat on their back, offering a vital alternative to extended car seat use (infants shouldn't stay in a car seat for more than two hours at a time). While some bassinet modes on **travel strollers** can feel a bit flimsy, we're actively testing new models and will update this guide with top recommendations soon! * **Unpacking the "Umbrella" Mystique:** You might hear "lightweight," "travel," or "umbrella stroller" used interchangeably. Traditionally, **umbrella strollers** are known for their distinct rounded handles. Our guide primarily focuses on modern **travel strollers**, but we're planning to test dedicated umbrella models in the near future! * **Two Tiny Travelers? Double Stroller Solutions:** If you’re juggling two children, you might wonder if a **double stroller** is your only option. Not at all! For siblings with an age gap, consider a stroller that allows a **rider board** attachment, like the Thule Shine (perfect if one child is old enough to stand). If you need full seats for both, the Zoe Twin V2 ($529) is a fantastic **double stroller** version of the Tour V2 and can even use Zoe’s infant car seat attachment. Can Travel Strollers Really Go on a Plane? Your Ultimate Guide to Flying with Gear One of the biggest reasons families invest in a **travel stroller** is for air travel. But can you really bring it on board? It's a common question with nuanced answers. * **Navigating the Skies: Gate-Check vs. Carry-On:** Most major airlines (like American Airlines and British Airways) require you to **gate-check strollers**. This means you can use your stroller through the airport right up to the boarding gate, but it will be loaded with checked baggage and retrieved at your destination. Some airlines even allow **compact wagons** like the Wonderfold X2 to be gate-checked. However, other airlines, such as United, Emirates, and Virgin Atlantic, allow a **travel stroller** (often called a “collapsible stroller”) as **carry-on luggage**, provided it fits their specific size requirements (usually around 8 x 14 x 22 inches). * **The Overhead Challenge: Size Matters (Almost Always):** Here's the kicker: *technically*, very few **travel strollers** perfectly fit standard carry-on dimensions. But some come remarkably close! The **Bugaboo Butterfly** and the **Silver Cross Jet 5** (if you remove its handle) are two of the most **compact fold** strollers that get closest to **carry-on** size. * **IATA Certified: The Gold Standard (with a Caveat):** Look for **IATA certification** (from the International Air Transport Association). This designation *should* mean a stroller is safe to pop into the **overhead compartment**. But here's our crucial advice: *always* double-check your specific airline's rules before you fly, as policies can vary widely. The **Silver Cross Jet 5** and **Bugaboo Butterfly** in this guide are IATA certified, and we're currently testing the Babyzen Yoyo, another certified model, for future updates! --- **Ready to explore more incredible gear and expert insights?** Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting and exclusive subscriber content that's too important to ignore. Subscribe Today.