Graham FisherBy Graham Fisher

Strollers range from compact travel models you can fold with one hand to rugged jogging strollers and wide doubles. No single stroller is right for every family. The best choice depends on your baby’s age, where you walk, what you drive, where you store it and whether another child is on the way.

Questions to answer before you compare models

  • Will you use it from birth? Newborns need a seat that reclines flat, a bassinet attachment or compatibility with an infant car seat, as the stroller manufacturer specifies.
  • Where will you walk? Smooth sidewalks and malls, uneven city streets, gravel paths or trails all favor different wheels and suspension.
  • How will you transport it? Measure your trunk. Check folded dimensions in the specifications.
  • Where will you store it? Apartments, stairs and small entryways favor lighter, more compact strollers.
  • How many children? A sibling now or soon changes the decision.

Full-size strollers

Full-size strollers are built for everyday use over several years, often from birth into the toddler years.

  • Typical features: large storage basket, generous canopy, multi-position recline, adjustable handlebar, larger wheels, sometimes a reversible seat or bassinet option.
  • Pros: comfortable for baby, smooth ride, plenty of storage.
  • Cons: heavier and bulkier to fold, lift and store.
  • Not ideal for: families who rely on public transit, live up several flights of stairs or have small trunks.

Lightweight and umbrella strollers

Lightweight strollers reduce weight and bulk. Umbrella strollers, named for their long, narrow fold, are the simplest form.

  • Pros: easy to carry and store, good for errands and older babies and toddlers.
  • Cons: smaller baskets, less padding and suspension; many are not suitable for newborns because they do not recline far enough.
  • Not ideal for: newborns (unless the manufacturer states the stroller is suitable from birth) or long walks on rough surfaces.

Travel strollers

Travel strollers are designed to fold very compactly, sometimes small enough to fit an airline’s carry-on size limit. They are often used as a second stroller or as the main stroller for city families.

  • Pros: very compact fold, light, quick to set up.
  • Cons: small wheels and baskets, less comfortable on rough ground; airline cabin acceptance depends on each airline’s rules.

See our travel stroller buying guide for fold, weight and airline considerations.

Jogging strollers

Jogging strollers have three large air-filled or foam-filled wheels, suspension and usually a front wheel that can be locked straight for running.

  • Pros: handle rough paths and trails well, smooth ride, stable at speed when the front wheel is locked.
  • Cons: long and bulky, heavier, may not fit small trunks.
  • Age guidance: many manufacturers and pediatric sources advise waiting until a baby has good head and neck control before running with them. Follow the stroller manual’s age guidance and ask your pediatrician.
  • Not ideal for: families who mainly navigate shops and crowded sidewalks.

Use the wrist strap that jogging strollers provide, and lock the front wheel when running as the manual directs.

Double strollers

  • Side-by-side: both children get an equal view and easy access; the width can make doorways and aisles difficult. Check the width against your doorways.
  • Tandem (inline): one seat in front of the other, so the stroller is no wider than a single; longer and sometimes harder to steer.
  • Convertible single-to-double: starts as a single and accepts a second seat later.

Check each seat’s weight limit and which seat positions are suitable for a newborn or infant car seat.

Travel systems

A travel system pairs a stroller with an infant car seat that clicks directly onto it, so a sleeping baby can move from car to stroller without being unbuckled. See Travel System vs Separate Stroller and Infant Seat for the trade-offs.

Comparison table

Type From birth? Weight and bulk Terrain Best for
Full-size Often, per manufacturer Heavier Sidewalks, light paths Everyday main stroller
Lightweight/umbrella Often not Light Smooth surfaces Errands, older babies
Travel Some, per manufacturer Very compact Smooth surfaces Flights, city living, second stroller
Jogging Varies; running often later Bulky Rough paths, trails Active families
Double Varies by seat Heavy, wide or long Varies Two young children

Safety basics for any stroller

  • Use the harness every time, as the manual directs.
  • Engage the parking brake whenever you stop.
  • Do not hang heavy bags on the handlebar unless the manual permits it; this can tip the stroller.
  • Keep children’s fingers clear when folding and unfolding.
  • Stay within the stated weight limits for the seat, basket and any accessories.
  • Check for recalls using the model number. Strollers sold in the U.S. are subject to a federal safety standard (16 CFR Part 1227).

Frequently asked questions

Can a newborn use any stroller?

No. Newborns need a stroller the manufacturer states is suitable from birth, typically with a near-flat recline, a bassinet or a compatible infant car seat.

Do I need more than one stroller?

Many families manage with one. A second, lighter stroller becomes useful for travel or if the main stroller is too bulky for some trips.

Graham Fisher

About Graham Fisher

Graham Fisher is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our baby gear guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.