11 Best Strollers for Almost Every Budget and Need (2025) | WIRED

Best Full-Size Stroller

Best Compact Full-Size Stroller

Best Electric Stroller

The Classic Splurge

When I started shopping for a stroller, I purchased the cheapest one that worked with my car seat and called it a day. To no one's surprise, that stroller was terrible. Both my child and I hated using it.

A good stroller goes a long way for you and your little one's enjoyment while going for a walk, running errands, enjoying a day at the beach or park, or just surviving while trying to get yourself and your kids from one location to the next. When your kid is small, safely using a stroller requires car seat adapters or the right bassinet-style attachment. Then, they get bigger, and so does all the stuff you have to carry around. But if the wheels don't work or something breaks? I don't know about you, but I'm going home.

It's easy to get overwhelmed with all the options and scared off by the sticker shock. After a bad experience with a cheap stroller, I'm here to tell you it's worth investing in a great one. These strollers endured months of testing by WIRED parents, and I can say the 11 below are all fantastic and cover a wide range of styles and budgets. If you aren't sure what type of stroller you need, get our tips over on How to Shop for a Stroller, or read more stroller advice in our guide to the best travel strollers. And don't miss our other parenting guides on baby carriers, baby monitors, and our favorite baby gear.

Updated February 2025: We've added the Cybex e-Gazelle S, the Cybex Libelle, and the Wonderfold X2 Stroller Wagon as new picks. We've also added thoughts on the Uppababy Vista V3.

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How To Choose a Stroller

There are several different kinds of strollers: everyday or full-size strollers, lightweight or compact strollers, jogging strollers, double strollers, and even trike strollers and wagons. It can feel overwhelming to try to predict what kind you need before your kid arrives, and to invest in something you'll use for years to come. We dive into more buying advice in our guide on how to choose the right stroller.

My top advice? Ask yourself what you'll use the stroller for most, and check how difficult it'll be to lug heavier strollers out of your home and into your car. That can narrow down several choices quickly. For me, a lightweight option has been best, but that's because I have a staircase outside my front door and no garage.

Another easy option is whether you already have an infant car seat. If you do, you can use that to narrow down strollers that are compatible. Some brands like Maxi-Cosi have a ton of compatibility, while UppaBaby's car seats have much more limited lists. You can also buy a travel system if you want your stroller and car seat to be a matching set that works from the infant stage to well beyond.

How I Test Strollers

Initially, I test all strollers the same. I grade how easy they are to set up, how smooth the ride is (taking type of wheels and price point into consideration) and how easy it is to get my kid in and out of them. I take them on walks with my kid through the neighborhood and park, testing on sidewalks, streets, grass, and flat trails. I also compare how easy they are to fold, how large each stroller is when folded, and place them all into a sedan trunk to see if it fits.

Joggers I take on both streets and trails, and test the hand brakes on hills to confirm they help my posture and control. I am sometimes spotted going for a jog with weights in the stroller instead of my son, since he isn't always available (or interested) in partaking in my comparison runs. Wagons also get more tests on tougher terrain to see how the wheels and control hold up.

I grade lightweight and compact strollers more strictly on the ease of fold and lift, since that's a primary feature. If a stroller has multiple modes (like inward and outward facing), I make sure to test those both, too, though sometimes without my toddler since he won't face inward any longer.

Full-size strollers are powerhouses. You can face kids both inward and outward, and attach car seats and bassinets so you can use them from baby's early days right up until they grow out of strollers forever. My favorite is the Mockingbird 2.0. It's one of the more affordable strollers I've tested, but still packs a ton of features.

The Mockingbird 2.0 faces both inward and outward, has a massive storage basket (but not so large I kick it with my feet!), and you can add on car seat attachments, a bassinet, or even an entire second seat to turn this into a double stroller. There's even a rider board to tote up to three kids. Mockingbird also has some of the best car seat compatibility options available—it's one of the few non-Uppababy strollers that can work with the Mesa car seat ($330), and has tons of other compatibility options from other popular brands. It's a fantastic all-around stroller for a great price. My only complaint is it's on the heavy side and doesn't fold down as compact as other strollers. I was able to fit it into my sedan trunk, but it's much easier to use if you have a larger vehicle and won't be lugging it up staircases.

Bassinet attachment (sold separately), infant car seat adapter (sold separately). Weight limit: 45 pounds per seat.

This full-size stroller does it all, particularly for that first year of your baby’s life. The Thule Shine (9/10, WIRED Recommends) works with both an infant car seat adapter and a bassinet attachment (both the adapter and bassinet are sold separately, though), making it a nice modular stroller or full travel system that can grow with your child. The default seat also faces both inward and outward. It's not cheap, but it's priced a little better than other popular strollers with similar features. The small wheels still provide a smooth ride and can handle your regular bumps better than lightweight strollers can.

The Shine’s handle has four adjustable heights, which is fantastic if your household has a lot of heights (and even with only a few inches between us, my husband and I both had different handle height preferences). It has a slim profile that feels comfortable on busy sidewalks and store aisles. I also love how low the canopy can go to shade my little one’s eyes when we take late afternoon walks. The stroller folds pretty easily too—just make sure you do all the steps (folding the front down, then activating the handlebar release) in the right order. I will say it doesn't fold quite as small as I’d like, and it was a pain to fit into a smaller sedan trunk, but it still had a nice enough fold for daily use. I also wish it came with a cup holder, but you can buy both a cup holder ($25) and a snack tray ($50) as separate, attachable stroller accessories.

Infant bassinet attachment (sold separately), infant car seat attachment (sold separately). Weight limit: 49 pounds.

Do you need an electric stroller? Probably not. Are they insanely helpful? Yes. The amount of times I got looks of envy from my friends as I glided up the steep hills of the zoo with the Cybex e-Gazelle S (8/10, WIRED Receommends), or the number of jaws I made drop when I told fellow parents there's a stroller out there that could rock their baby to sleep for them, showed me how much interest and desire there is in the features this Cybex stroller has to offer.

It's not cheap—you'll pay more than you would for an Uppababy Vista v2 for these features, and you won't get a bassinet. But you will get a stroller that comes with a handy shopping basket, a toddler seat, and a slim battery pack that powers the motor to help you go up and down hills. There's a button to turn on the electric abilities, plus a little lever on the handle that sits easily for your thumb to reach and activate the assist mode. Four LED lights will show you how much power you're using, and it's easy to control. It's super handy, and a perfect splurge for a fussy baby who needs to be rocked or any parent struggling to push two kids in a single stroller. The e-Gazelle can become a double stroller like the Vista V2, though you'll need to purchase additional seats on your own. I do wish this came with a bassinet, though there are car seat adapters included, and I loved the market basket for farmers market and grocery runs with my toddler.

Car seat adapters and market basket included. Compatible with Cybex, Maxi-Cosi, and Nuna car seats. Weight limit: 50 pounds per seat.

You can't talk about strollers without talking about the Uppababy—namely, the Uppababy Vista v2. This stroller is similar to the Mockingbird 2.0 I recommend above. It folds a little better (but not as small as the Thule Shine) and comes with a baby bassinet, rather than needing to add one on like most strollers. It has a beautiful build and is pretty intuitive to use, too. However, it also costs twice as much as the Mockingbird, and more than any other stroller we recommend.

So is it worth it? If you have an Uppababy car seat, which has limited compatibility compared to the likes of Graco, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex, or if you know you'll be walking frequently enough in baby's early days to use the bassinet a bunch, then it's a great splurge. I do like that it folds a little smaller and more easily than the Mockingbird, and was easier to lift and move around, but it's still large and heavy at a hefty 27 pounds. The storage basket is huge—I can easily fit two large diaper bags in it—but I found myself kicking it while I walked if I wasn't on the highest handlebar setting, and a tall dad friend of mine had the same complaint. It does allow you to add on a second seat, so you could invest in it for kids to come, and it has great resale value. I'd recommend it for anyone who already has an Uppababy car seat since the compatibility is a pain otherwise, or anyone who's certain they want a full-size stroller and a bassinet. But for everything else? You can buy the Mockingbird I recommend above.

Uppababy also has the Vista V3 ($899), which starts at a lower price point. But that's because you have to choose to add on things like a bassinet, though the handy thing is that the V3 can handle up to three children, so you can add on enough seats for three kids when you choose your V3. It looks like the V2 will become less available over time, though I don't think anyone needs to upgrade from the V2 to the V3 unless they have three stroller-aged children. Vista's seats are also on the small side, designed more for young toddlers than older ones; my tall 2-year-old is already too tall for me to use the sun shade if I seat him in the Vista V2.

Bassinet included. Car seat adapters (sold separately) for non-Uppababy car seats; Uppababy car seats are compatible without attachments. Weight limit: 50 pounds.

A WIRED Guide on Our Fave Stroller, the Uppababy Vista V2

I live in an apartment building that has a small staircase right before the path to my door, which means I need to break down my stroller in the parking lot before lugging it, and my baby, inside. So many strollers require me to fold the stroller flat and then lean all the way down to grab it again, while balancing my baby and a diaper bag. Not this stroller. The Nuna TRVL is a lightweight travel stroller that basically folds itself after I hit the buttons on the handle. Once it’s folded, it has a bar that sticks straight up so I can grab it and start walking down the stairs without bending over. It sounds lazy, but after a day of bending over to pick up my child and everything he throws on the ground, it’s a relief to not have to bend and lift a larger item while balancing my son at the same time.

The stroller is lightweight and super easy to carry while also carrying a kid. It has a large lower pocket that fits a large diaper bag backpack and a couple water bottles while walking around Legoland or the zoo. (It doesn't have room for more than that, though, if you plan to shop.) It also comes with a travel bag to place it in, so you can bring it on a plane. It’s pricier than other travel strollers that have just as many features, but I love it now that my kid faces forward, and he looks the most comfortable lounging in this soft stroller. It’s not as full-featured as something like the Thule Shine, and doesn’t have storage extras like the Joovy Kooper or Zoe Tour, but I love the easy fold and standing feature so much that I come back to it every day. It's my favorite travel stroller, and I've got a whole guide on the best travel strollers for your adventures.

Compatible with Nuna’s car seats only. Weight limit: 50 pounds.

If you're looking for a stroller that truly folds small, then you want a Cybex Libelle 2. It folds into a compact square that only measures 18.9 inches tall and 7.8 inches wide, making it super easy to bring anywhere without even noticing the stroller is with you. It's not the only stroller you'll find with this kind of fold—the GB Pockit is the most famed for it, and Munchkin also makes strollers with this design—but the Libelle 2 comes in a nice range of colors and finishes. The Libelle 2's included car seat adapters work with Cybex, Nuna, and Maxi-Cosi car seats, so you can use this in the early days before your baby is ready to sit facing forward on their own.

The downside of such a small form is that the storage basket on the bottom is petite, too. I could still fit my favored 7AM diaper backpack down there with some expert shoving, but bringing my own stroller organizer was a big help to put my son's and my water bottles into. The handles are also a little weird; very angular and small, and they force you to take a wider position than other strollers with a full bar handle. It's something you can adjust to, though. It's all to get a nice small size to make it easy to bring on a trip or compact trunk, and Cybex also sells a travel bag ($40) made specifically for the Libelle to make it easy to bring on the plane or any other journey.

Car seat adapters included. Compatible with Cybex, Maxi-Cosi, and Nuna carseats. Weight limit: 55 pounds.

This handy trike stroller (7/10, WIRED Review) lets your kid feel a little more involved in your strolling adventure. The cute folding trike has five different modes to grow with your child from 10 months old all the way to 3 years old, and even becomes a regular trike they can drive once they're big enough. It travels nice-ish, since it breaks down super small and has a soft carrying handle, but the large parent handle doesn't fold and has to be removed (Doona sells a little backpack that can hold both the trike and handle). The seat cushions are thinner and there's less room to lounge, though, so my 1-year-old got more annoyed with longer walks in this trike than he would in a regular stroller. It's great for short walks on nice days, though, and now that he's nearly two, he loves helping to push the trike just as much as he loves riding it. Next, we'll transform it into a bike he'll ride on his own—but I'm milking these stroller days for as long as I can.

No infant options (only for ages 10 months and up). Weight limit: 37 pounds.

The Wonderfold name turns out to be seriously accurate. This wagon stroller compresses into itself like an accordion, making it one of the easiest wagons to tote around. It's also a great option if you have two kids, though long-legged kids might kick each other since there's no drop-down for their feet. I really liked it with my one child, but my friend with two kids—one who's nearly 3, the other recently turning 1—absolutely loves this wagon for toting her two kids around. There are straps to strap them in, and the canopy is easy to set up or remove depending on how sunny it is. I've seen my friend set up the canopy and balance a boogie board on top of it as her family heads to the beach.

There are pulls from both sides, too, which is handy. The main handle on the X2 is for pushing, and then there's a smaller drop-down handle to pull the wagon along, say, a sandy beach. The wheels aren't the best I've used and can be a little slow on the sand, but not the worst, especially for the price point.

No car seat attachment or bassinet options; use with ages six months and up. Weight limit: 180 pounds of carrying capacity.

The Veer Cruiser (9/10, WIRED Recommends) stroller wagon was WIRED reviewer Adrienne So's favorite stroller for years. She took it everywhere as a double stroller from when her son was 5 months old until her two kids were 6 and 8. The rugged wagon is made of matte-black aluminum, with a locking handle that allows you to either pull or push it. The airless tires have made it through muddy trails, beaches, and gravel paths. It is large and folds down flat rather than into itself, and feels similar to a large boogie board in the fold formation. There's also the Veer Cruiser City, which is the exact same as the Veer Cruiser but with the wheels swapped (aka big wheels next to the handle instead of in the front of the wagon). If you aren't hitting rugged trails and tougher terrain often, you might prefer this arrangement. It was frustrating to drag the City Cruiser along the beach, but great to tote my kid on sidewalks or grassy parks. (Veer now has a beach wheels kit for $249 you can add on to fix this problem.)

What's especially impressive about this stroller wagon is that it's great for hauling multiple kids or other stuff. Adrienne has hauled chairs for a picnic in the park, or fit four kids under 7 years old into the four-seat formation. I've used it to tote around two toddlers on the beach and around town or to carry a bulky diaper bag on one seat while my son sits on the other with his soccer ball. It's a great wagon for multiple kids and multiple stages of life, which is more than almost any other double stroller can say.

Infant car seat attachment (sold separately). Weight limit: 55 pounds per seat (two seats, can have two or four seatbelts).

Joggers are big, but the Thule does a good job of not being too big—or at least not as big as the competition. The Thule Urban Glide 3, like its predecessor the Urban Glide 2, has a slim enough form to pass through the walkway dividers meant to discourage my local skateboarders, and folds a little flatter than other joggers, so it's easier to walk past in my entryway. It's a smooth ride and easy to fold with one hand, though at 26 pounds it's too heavy to carry with your kid in your other arm safely.

There are a few changes on the new Thule Urban Glide 3 from the earlier model. One is the hand brake, which is now less circular and instead designed for ergonomic hold to make it easier to use. I personally preferred the earlier version, but the new one is a little more straightforward for where to place your hand and pull from and works just as well to help control your downhill speed. There's also a new, extended canopy to better shade your little one on your runs, and it comes in a bunch of fun colors similar to the Thule Shine. Finally, there's a new built-in footrest for kids to place their feet instead of dangling. I didn't really notice the footrest improving my son's comfort while in this jogger, but that was when he was under 2, so it might make a bigger difference for bigger kids.

Thule also sells stroller accessories that let you use this jogger with an infant, either with Thule’s bassinet attachment or one of the various car seat adapters. There are also attachable cup holders ($25) and water bottle cages ($30) you can purchase separately to add onto the Urban Glide 3.

★ An alternative: The BOB Gear Wayfinder ($529) is pretty similar to the Thule, but folds a little bigger, is a few pounds heavier, and stands taller than the Urban Glide 3, so it’s a good fit for taller folks. I found the height a little uncomfortable, but I'm only 5'4". It’s also a little cheaper than the Thule.

Bassinet attachment (sold separately), infant car seat adapter (sold separately). Weight limit: 49 pounds.

I remember looking at the Doona while I was pregnant, seeing the price tag, and closing the tab. But I had assumed, wrongly, that the $550 price tag was for a car seat plus a separate car seat carrier, like the Baby Trend Snap-N-Go ($90). It’s not! It’s a two-in-one! The legs and wheels fold into the car seat itself, so you can easily switch it from stroller mode to car seat mode, no additional stroller or wheeled device required. Instead of needing an entire travel system for that first year, you can just get the Doona and have everything you need to go for a walk or a drive.

It takes a little practice to get the motion right, but I was impressed with how easy it was once I got it down. I was also pleasantly surprised that it wasn’t heavier to carry than the Graco infant car seat I had used, even though it comes with wheels. The price tag of $550 is scary, but many of us will spend that much on a car seat, stroller, and bassinet accessories anyway. This way, you can buy just one device you know you’ll use right away, and decide what kind of long-term stroller you want once you’re more settled into parenthood.

Built-in infant car seat. Weight limit: 35 pounds (and 32 inches).

I'm appalled to tell you that lots of strollers come without any kind of drink holder or pockets for the parents to use, and even the cup holders that come with it might still not be strong enough to hold your big dumb cup. While every stroller brand has its own range of cup holders and accessories you can add on to your purchase, there are also plenty of stroller organizers you can attach to almost any stroller you might buy. Here are some of my favorites, all tested with multiple strollers in this guide.