The Strollers and Car Seats That Make Parenthood Easier

For this upgraded version of an already popular stroller, Colugo added features such as latch-free folding and unfolding, an extended canopy, a higher handlebar, and an adjustable footrest—all while keeping the price under $300 and the weight at about 16 lbs. It comes with a rain cover, a cup holder, and a travel bag and is usable for ages 4 months and up.

TEST RESULTS: Parents deemed the features useful during travel. One mom said, “I love that the back canopy opens up; it’s amazing for airflow when you live somewhere hot.” Another told us, “It is lightweight, folds and stores easily, and was easy to maneuver." And despite its compact size, a parent said the 10-lb-capacity basket was “all that we needed, especially when traveling.”

Families who travel often or spend long days out and about would do well with a Joolz Aer2, with its 14.5-lb weight and deep recline for rests. Because the seat goes back nearly flat and the backrest is extra long, it's one of the few compacts you can use from birth through toddlerhood.

TEST RESULTS: It’s the most luxe travel stroller we’ve tested, thanks to its deep recline and comfy fabric. It earned high marks in our tests for coming ready to go out of the box, including a storage bag, having easy-to-use buckles, and having a convenient and compact fold. “Arguably the best part is that you can fold and unfold it with one hand,” a parent said. Every tester praised the overall quality. “It’s very upscale, well-made, and chic,” one said.

This ultra-lightweight stroller—just 12.3 lbs—easily stores in its travel bag or can be slung over your shoulder. BabbleRoo includes a rain cover and a cup holder too. It reclines nearly flat and has a flip-up footwall, so you can use it from birth until your child weighs 55 lbs.

TEST RESULTS: Despite its low weight, it impressed with function and comfort you might not expect from a compact stroller. Parents gave it perfect scores for comfort (both for the baby and of the handlebar) and being easy to store. “I have a large baby, and he seemed very comfortable and had enough room to stretch out,” one said. Another told us, “It easily stores in a trunk; it was easy to travel with.”

With 44 configurations to transition from working for a newborn baby to working for a family with multiple children, Mockingbird’s newest version of its stroller added a unique leg shade for full sun protection, a larger canopy that’s height-adjustable, magnetic buckles, and adaptors that can handle more than 40 different car seats.

TEST RESULTS: After assembling all the strollers, GH's engineer raved that this one was “super easy to put together.” Parents gave it top ratings for handlebar comfort, appearance, and overall quality, with one saying it “felt comparable to a $1,500 stroller” they’d used and adding, “It maneuvered like butter.” Another told us, “The large storage basket and hidden storage areas were a huge plus.”

Ideal for minimalists and city dwellers, this Nuna travel system uses an 11.3-lb stroller frame with a slim fold that stands on its own for easy storage. The companion 7-lb infant car seat rides on the frame or can be installed in a car (no base needed!), clicking in via a rigid LATCH system.

TEST RESULTS: Its high-end touches, such as durable wheels and privacy drape that stays in place with magnets, were noticed by experts and testers. All parent testers said the car seat was both quick and easy to install, which was especially appreciated by those who regularly removed it from the car to use it with the frame. “It feels very safe, lightweight, and thoughtfully designed for daily use,” one said. “I appreciated how easy it was to transfer between the car and the stroller.”

Checking off all the boxes for a full-size travel system, this top-of-the-line Chicco model is packed with useful features. The seat can be reversed, the huge basket zips shut, the child gets a snack tray, parents get extra pockets as well as a height-adjustable handle, the seat reclines fully, and it comes with the brand’s KeyFit Max Zip ClearTex infant car seat, which attaches to the frame.

TEST RESULTS: All the stroller pieces connected easily and it was simple to fold in our Tech & Engineering Lab tests, and analysts found the car seat straightforward to install and adjust. They also praised the “huge wheels” for being “easy to maneuver.” Testers loved the system’s appearance and functionality. “Very user-friendly,” one noted, and another said, “I like the full canopy and the breathable mesh panel you can open when needed.”

Evenflo’s set transitions from bassinet to stroller to wagon (no extra accessories required!) and includes its innovative LifeMax NXT car seat with soothing lights and sounds built right into the carrying handle. Its nine configurations include variations with the car seat, the stroller seat, and the wagon setup, allowing it to grow with families.

TEST RESULTS: GH Tech & Engineering Lab experts had never seen anything like this and praised the clever design. Testers noted big advantages—such as the fact that this can transition to hold two kids—and small ones, such as the useful snack tray, and were in agreement that it was useful for families that were expanding, with one saying, “It is awesome and will come in handy for several years.” All noted that the car seat was lightweight and easy to get into and out of a vehicle.

Britax’s booster delivers a slim design to let three across fit in a car and a contoured seat that helps a child sit up straight with good posture and use the adult seat belt. A rigid LATCH system makes it easy to click in and pull out when you need to switch vehicles. It’s designed for kids up to 120 lbs and 63 inches tall, and it includes arm rests and cupholders for kid comfort.

TEST RESULTS: Analysts found it lightweight to carry and easy to install. Parents were also impressed, unanimously praising the secure fit, which made it more comfortable for their children. “The click-in method on this booster is much better and more secure than on our previous purchase,” one said. “Also love the removable cupholders, because—kids!”

For growing families who need to fit multiple kids in car seats, Chicco’s slim model lets you fit three in the back seat of most vehicles. Two cupholders fold in to maximize space, and the cushy headrest adjusts to 12 positions. It grows from a rear-facing seat to a forward-facing one to a booster seat.

TEST RESULTS: Lab experts and parent testers all found it easy to install, with parents saying their children were comfortable in it. “I can’t emphasize enough how intuitive it was to use and set up,” one parent told us. Another said, “I enjoyed the buckle ‘holster’ that forced the buckle forward. That one change really helps limit the need to dig out the buckle. I also love how easy it was to adjust the sizing for a child. No re-thread harness is clutch!”

You can spin Nuna's 360° car seat easily with just one hand, letting you buckle in your child and then position them facing forward or to the rear with ease. You can also recline the seat in either direction and adjust the headrest to any of 11 positions. It is convertible seat for use from birth to 65 lbs and works in the safest rear-facing position for kids up to 40 lbs.

TEST RESULTS: Lab experts were wowed by the ease of turning the seat and the cushiony fabric. Testers raved about it too. “I am short and drive a tall car, so getting my large 5-month-old in was getting difficult. The swivel of this seat is game changing,” said one. Another noted, “My baby sits high in this car seat and enjoys seeing through the window.”

Most birth-to-booster car seats lack a canopy for infants. This Cybex has that and more: The canopy is easily removed after babyhood, the seat reclines in all positions (even booster mode!), it comes with two cupholders, and it's easy to rotate 360° for simple loading and unloading. Use it from birth to elementary school with its rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster modes.

TEST RESULTS: Parent testers unanimously loved it, praising its comfort and ease of use. “We have installed many car seats, and this was by far the simplest to install and to swivel!” one said. Another described it as “comfy, luxe, and very sturdy.” Analysts were equally impressed—one installed all car seats for the test and said this one was her personal favorite and that she used it with her own daughter.

Romer’s high-end car seat is built with innovative safety features, including the ability to be used rear-facing for kids up to 50 lbs and an anti-rebound bar in the rear-facing position. It’s an all-in-one, so it grows to forward-facing and high-back booster modes, and it has a slim profile to avoid excess bulk in your back seat.

TEST RESULTS: This was (by far) the sturdiest installation setup during our Tech & Engineering Lab’s car seat test. Plus, adjusting the no-rethread harness and the head rest to any of the 15 positions was simple. Parents praised its comfort. One said, “We’ve taken several four-hour road trips, and my son didn’t fuss.” Another commented, “The seat feels very high end—the cushions are very soft, and it looks sleek.”

This double stroller from Bombi gives you features you won’t find in a modular tandem stroller, including easy visibility of both kids and a one-handed fold for compact storage. Plus, it has all the bells and whistles, including wide seats that recline fully, a wide canopy, a sun cover for legs, mesh openings for airflow, magnetic buckles, and more. It’s ideal for twins and siblings of different ages, especially because it comes with a built-in bassinet feature.

TEST RESULTS: Parent testers were over the moon using it. One told us, “This is the best stroller I’ve ever used (and I’ve used many)!” Another said, “We loved the one-handed fold, the large storage compartment, and how smoothly it rode. Both of our kids were happy in it.”

With all-terrain wheels, a robust suspension, and a seat that can be reversed to face either the parent or the road ahead, this Veer jogging stroller keeps both parents and children comfy during runs. It can combine with other Veer products, such as the brand’s bassinet, so it can be used it as a regular stroller from birth before going into jogging mode at 6 months and older.

TEST RESULTS: Parents approved. “An incredibly smooth ride, and the shock absorption worked so well,” said one. “My little guy was able to nap while I jogged. We also took this on a walk on a trail and it did well on super-tough terrain.” In the Tech & Engineering Lab, experts noted the locking front wheel and the wrist strap for safety and said that it was somewhat compact for a running stroller.

Designed to be pushed, pulled, rolled, and easily folded, this Bombi wagon for two kids has all-terrain wheels fun outings like the beach, the boardwalk, the park, picnics, parades, and more. The walls are low, so kids can get in and out independently (no lifting required). You can purchase add-ons such as sun canopies, rain covers, and snack trays separately.

TEST RESULTS: The compact fold impressed our Tech & Engineering Lab pros, and testers loved the ease of use. “The opening for where the kids could climb in or out was genius!” a mom said. “The steering was extremely smooth, and the storage space was so helpful with all our gear.” Another parent raved, “My kids each had their own individual space. I’ve already recommended it to others.”

Stroll four kids in this Radio Flyer wagon. It is built for ages 6 months and up, and you don’t even have to remove the accessories to fold it up. All-terrain wheels and a rear suspension offer a comfy ride, and drop-down mesh sides offer full sun protection. Other features: a snack tray, cupholders, a basket, and storage pockets.

TEST RESULTS: Tech & Engineering Lab experts had a “Whoa!” moment when testing it. They’d seen a lot of stroller wagons, but never one that folded, turned, and went from sun-shaded to open-top so smoothly. Parents were equally impressed. “My kids loved riding in this,” one said. “It was like an activity for them, versus a regular stroller. And I found it easy to maneuver, which is impressive, since it’s large.”