If you've ever pushed a huge stroller through either crowded festival lanes or city streets, it's likely that you understand the importance of a lightweight stroller that's easy to maneuver. Even just a few years ago, the pickings in this category were pretty slim: You had to choose from a few of the biggest brands, and just hope they worked for you.
Well, those days are long gone, my friends. Now, every stroller company has a lightweight stroller in its catalogue, and it's just a matter of finding the one that is right for your needs. The best lightweight strollers combine ease of use, safety, and convenience. A good one needs to be able to be picked up with one hand, but it also needs to be a place to haul your baby's stuff. (Because as you know, a third of parenting is just lugging your baby's crap around from one place to the other.)
Best Lightweight Strollers
What to Consider
Whether it's your everyday stroller or something you use when you don't want to deal with the bulk of your regular, more heavyweight stroller, there are a few things you really want to consider when it comes to buying one. The biggest aspects to look at are weight, safety, foldability, maneuverability, style, and cleanup.
➥ Weight
First, how much does it weigh? I’ve seen strollers advertised at “lightweight,” that are well over 25 pounds, and that’s not it. For a truly lightweight stroller, it needs to be weightless enough to carry on the same arm that you also carry your diaper bag and a large iced coffee. That puts its ideal weight at under 15 or 16 pounds for standard strollers, and under 25 pounds for something more rugged.
➥ Safety
What kind of harness does it have? Is the buckle easy to operate — but not so easy that your baby escapes in the middle of the park to terrorize a flock of pigeons? You also want the wheels to have easy brakes that you can operate with a gentle step. And for lightweight strollers, I like a low center of gravity for baby: Old-school umbrella strollers were prone to tipping because the baby was simply too far off the ground. Most newer, lightweight strollers have a chassis system that makes this less of a problem, but some do not. So in that case, you want a low rider.
➥ Maneuverability
This is probably the most important thing to look for. If it feels like it's going to tip over or like the wheels just can't handle the terrain, there's no point getting it. In fact, it should glide over small ruts with ease, and be able to turn on a dime. Your lightweight stroller should be able to zip between people and objects with very little required from you.
➥ Collapsibility
How does it collapse, and how small does it collapse? This is extremely important airline travel or gatherings with limited storage space. Most lightweight strollers are designed to collapse using only one hand, and that really makes a difference.
➥ Style
Color and car seat compatibility are the big things to look at with regard to the style when it comes to lightweight strollers. Beware that different strollers will be compatible with different car seats.
➥ Cleanup
Make sure to buy a stroller that's easy to clean, especially if you're going to be using it every day. Some will simply require a quick hose-off, but if you know your baby is especially messy, buying something machine-washable or stain-resistant is key.
How We Chose
Each lightweight stroller on this list has either been tested personally, or has been researched by talking to people who use them daily. I lugged them up subway stairs and the stairs of my Victorian home, where the staircases are narrow and winding. I put them in car boots, in luggage storage, and even in airplane storage compartments, in some cases. (My mind was blown.)
I tested for how well they cleaned, how easily they folded and unfolded, and how well they maneuvered. I only chose lightweight strollers with 5-point harnesses, plus buckles that can be opened easily — even when gunked up with kids' sticky foods. You can be rest assured that the following lightweight strollers are truly the best of the best.
1
Best Overall
Metro+ Compact City Stroller
- Huge cargo compartment
- Weather shield included
Key Specs:
- Weight: 16 pounds
- Maximum weight held: 50 pounds
- Machine-washable fabric
I was not expecting to love this stroller as much as I did. I tested it out just a few months ago, and let me tell you: This baby glides.
What makes this compact stroller really stand out is the fact that it really could be your everyday stroller as well. It's perfect for city dwellers who really need the Swiss army knife of strollers.
It can be used from birth to preschool, thanks to its car seat compatibility and “infant nest” with a 175-degree fold-out. It has a great UPF 50+-rated canopy — which means it provides the maximum sun protection available for strollers — and even comes with a weather shield. And here’s the kicker: It fits in most overhead bins! The cargo compartment beneath holds quite a bit, and the mesh bin is smooth and breathable.
As the seat is machine-washable, you can take every piece of fabric off the stroller for cleaning. (And trust me: I put this puppy through its messy paces.)
2
Easiest to Fold
The Compact Stroller
- Fits in overhead bin
- Cup holder included
- Puncture-proof tires
Key Specs
- Weight: 16 pounds
- Maximum weight held: 55 pounds
- Machine-washable fabric
She's beauty, she's grace, she fits in the overhead compartment space.
A few things about the Colugo: While it’s been a real underdog of a brand, it’s recently been gaining popularity — and for good reason. The fabrics and colors are to die for, and the way it folds is unlike anything else on the market. It’s basically a self-powered fold that you just need to guide.
While it isn't car-seat friendly, it does recline completely flat for the younger babes and sleepy toddlers, and an infant kit can be purchased separately. The chassis is stable and easy to push, and the cargo compartment is a parent's dream.
But let's talk accessories. This set comes with the stroller, the cup holder, a rain cover, and the dang carrying bag. Once it's folded, there's a strap to carry it with, too: You can just sling the stroller over your shoulder and carry it anywhere.
The canopy is UPF-rated and the fabrics are wipe-clean. The cushioned seat is completely machine-washable, even for the fancier fabrics.
3
Super Light
Babyzen YOYO Stroller Frame
- Fits in overhead bin
- Great suspension
Key Specs
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Maximum weight held: 48 pounds
- Ultra luxe, machine-washable fabrics
This stroller has tons of accessories available, and it's one of the easiest to push on the market. It's also easy to carry at 13 pounds. What it isn't easy on, however, is your wallet: The stroller is almost $450, and potentially hundreds more with other accessories added. But the incredible durability, the ease of carry, and the overall comfort of the stroller makes us believe it's worth it.
It is overhead bin-friendly, and there's an infant kit available that is simply dreamy. You really notice the detailing with the fabric quality and the stability of the ride.
Even though the tires are smaller, they're able to take on harsh sidewalks and packed dirt easily, thanks to their unique Hytrel elastomer suspension, which makes the stroller wheels hug the ground, and gives a ton of cushion impact.
4
Best Foldable
GB Pockit Air All-Terrain Compact Stroller
- Affordable
- Fits in an overhead bin
- Folds up tiny
Key Specs
- Weight: 10 pounds
- Maximum weight held: 55 pounds
I've never carried a stroller in my purse before, but I could with the GB Pockit Air All-Terrain Compact lightweight stroller: It folds up smaller than the laptop you used in college. Seriously.
It weighs only 10 pounds and has adjustable handles. Plus, the canopy storage on the bottom is no joke. (It's called an all-terrain stroller for a reason.) The eight-wheel suspension gives this stroller the ability to hit dips and curves without causing instability. The front wheels can also go from swiveling to locked for more ambitious road surfaces.
But with all that wonder does come some drawbacks. The stroller is spot-clean only, it does not recline flat, and there's no car seat adaptor. It is under $200, though, which is a very good deal for such a unique item.
5
Most Affordable
Evenflo Urbini Reversi Lightweight Stroller
Key Specs
- Weight: 17 pounds
- Maximum weight held: 50 pounds
- Machine-washable seat
There aren't a lot of strollers that have the ability to change the position of the seat, and yet, this lightweight, very affordable stroller from Evenflo does just that.
The lightweight stroller is car seat-adaptable with Evenflo SafeMax or LifeMax car seats. It has a rock-back recline function, a two paneled canopy, and standing fold. The seat pads are easy to clean in the washing machine, and the cupholder is included.
Where this one is lacking is in the quality of the materials and stability of the ride. It's fine on hard surfaces that are mostly even, but going over a dip in the road or strolling on grass isn't great. The fabric could be better, and the cushion could be a bit more padded. But if you need something affordable, it's a great option.
6
Best for Tall Parents
Graco NimbleLite Stroller
- Tons of cupholders
- Snack tray for baby
Key Specs
- Weight: under 15 pounds
- Maximum weight held: 50 pounds
- Machine-washable seat
Graco really thought about the convenience and comfort of both the parent and child when they designed the NimbleLite. Everyone gets drinks and snacks when they're around this stroller, because both the person pushing the stroller and the child have drink trays attached directly in front of them.
The parent's portion has two cup holders for an especially thirsty mom (or for when you have to take your kid's sippy cup because they keep launching it at people).
On top of that, the stroller fits Graco's wildly-popular car seats. The storage underneath is ample, and the suspension is very road-worthy. The seat is machine-washable, too, but note that it's not as plush as it could be.
7
Best Canopy
CYBEX Beezy Stroller
- Adjustable leg rest
- Super soft seat
- One handed collapse
Key Specs
- Weight: under 14 pounds
- Maximum weight held: 55 pounds
- Machine-washable seat
This is hands down the best canopy of any lightweight stroller. It extends well beyond the seat, and it's rated UPF 50+, which is ideal if you live in a particularly warm and sunny place.
It's compatible with Cybex car seats and weighs under 14 pounds, while the all-wheel suspension makes navigating tricky surfaces a cinch. I took this to the ballfields and the boardwalk, and it coasted over both with no problems. It has one-handed collapse capability for when you want to close it up.
Note that it is not overhead bin compatible, but with features like the adjustable leg rest for baby and a machine-washable, gorgeous, soft seat, it more than makes up for it.
I do wish the storage were a little bigger and the price tag a little smaller, but keep in mind that Cybex has spectacular customer support — which not all companies do.
8
Best Luxury Stroller
Silver Cross Jet
- Fits in overhead bin
- Comes with carrying bag
Key Specs
- Weight: under 14 pounds
- Maximum weight held: 55 pounds
- Leather trim
You're bad, you're bougie ... and you may also be on a bit of a budget.
Silver Cross is the stroller that people think about when they think extravagance. It also happens to be one of the best stroller companies around. At over 100 years old, they know what they're doing, and The Jet — one of their newest strollers — proves just that.
It's made for a Jet-setting lifestyle. It fits in the overhead bin, and because it comes with the most durable cover I've seen for a stroller, that stroller can take the beating the other passengers will bestow upon it when they store their own luggage.
The trim is every bit as opulent as you’d expect from Silver Cross, with leather-wrapped handles and a matte frame. The fabric is butter smooth, but know that it’s not machine-washable. The tag says “hand wash only,” but to be honest, I washed it in the machine on cold and gentle, and it did just fine.
The ride? It's the Cadillac of strollers. Easy to push, easy to maneuver, and works on many surfaces. The front wheels can be fixed or allowed to swivel with the push of a button, making it even more stable.
9
Best Lightweight Urban
Thule Spring Stroller
Key Specs
- Weight: under 23 pounds
- Maximum weight held: 65 pounds
At just under 23 pounds, the Thule Spring is about the lightest rugged stroller you can get. It's truly a very decent stroller: I pushed it for an easy five miles in the park, and it felt like it was gripping the pavement.
It's car seat compatible, and it has a higher weight limit than other strollers do, at 65 pounds. The one-handed fold is the best I've seen on any rugged city stroller, and it goes down nearly unassisted. The Thule Spring lightweight stroller really makes use of the added real estate beneath the seat to give parents a huge storage bin. The step-in footrest is also genius, and really helps kids get in and out of the stroller easily.
Alas! It's hand-wash only, and taking out the seat is a pain. But thankfully, it's pretty stain-resistant and wipes clean really well.
Cat Bowen
Parenting Editor
Cat Bowen is the parenting editor at BestProducts.com where she researches all of the best products for families from pre-conception through their teen years, focusing on matching scientific evidence with real-life needs.
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