6 Best Car Seat and Stroller Combos for Your New Baby
A travel system—a car seat and stroller together—makes it a easy to transition your newborn from the car and can save you money.
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Transitioning your infant from a stroller to a car seat can be fraught: Will your baby fuss when you release one set of buckles just to strap them into another? There's a product that solves this dilemma. It's called a travel system: a car seat and stroller combo that work together. In my 25 years of evaluating baby gear I have seen a lot of them, and they keep getting better.
Our top picks:
- Best overall: Doona Car Seat & Stroller
- Best value: Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System
- Best traditional travel system: Chicco Corso Primo ClearTex Modular Travel System
You can use a travel system from birth. Often your child can only ride on the stroller seat starting at 6 months, but you can put them in the car seat sitting atop the stroller right away, when they're a newborn.
Travel systems feature rear-facing-only infant car seats. If you're looking to invest in a convertible car seat or an all-in-one car seat that will eventually turn forward-facing, those are built to stay in the car and can not snap onto a stroller.
Pros
- Popular and a Parenting Award winner
- Only choice that is just one piece, not two
- Quickly, easily transforms from car seat to stroller
- Easy to use across multiple vehicles and rideshares
- Ideal for travel
Cons
- No basket storage
- Babies typically outgrow it within two years
Best for: Frequent travelers in and out of different vehicles.
Why I like it: The Doona is a favorite among my friends who have used it, colleagues who are parents, and Amazon reviewers. It also won a Good Housekeeping Parenting Award.
Unlike a traditional two-piece travel system, Doona is a rear-facing infant car seat on wheels. The wheels fold up for car seat mode and drop down for stroller mode—the transition only takes a few seconds. Because this is a car seat and stroller in one, you have less gear to contend with.
It's a game-changer, notably for city families and parents who travel frequently. It works with its base or without (making use of a backseat's seat belts), so it is prized by parents who move between different vehicles or who use rideshares.
Testing notes: We also recommend the Doona if you'll often fly with your baby. "This is the easiest stroller to maneuver through airport security and around a terminal," said one of my frequent-flying friends who has two young kids. "When we get to our destination we snap it right into a car without having to fit both a stroller and luggage into the trunk."
The Doona is cleared for airplane seats but is a tight squeeze in some; if you don't take it onboard, you can wheel it up to the gate and gate check it.
There's a new Doona X available with upgraded features, including a no-rethread harness and several recline positions. We have not yet tried it in our Lab but are currently having consumers test it.
Any downside: The Doona is better at being a highly mobile car seat rather than a stroller. There is no basket underneath, for instance, and no built-in parent organizer. Most babies outgrow the Doona by about their second birthday.
FULL REVIEW: Doona Car Seat & Stroller
| Baby weight and height limits | 4 to 35 lbs; up to 32" in height |
| Weight | 17.2 lbs |
Pros
- Low price for a stroller and car seat
- All-terrain bike wheels
- You can jog with this stroller
- Nice child and parent trays
Cons
- Canopy is small and the stroller is heavy
Best for: An all-terrain stroller that you can jog with, sold with a matching car seat.
Why I like it: This is an affordable pick with good reviews. The three-wheel, bike tire design means it can tackle rough terrain. The front wheel can be locked straight to keep the stroller from veering as you jog, or it can be set to swivel when you're out shopping and need to make tight turns.
You should wait to jog with your baby until after the newborn period, when they have better neck control, at around the 6-month mark. But you can safely use this for long walks right from birth.
Testing notes: "This travel system may cost you less than a year's gym membership," a friend of mine pointed out. "And you might get a lot more exercise with it since you're able to bring your baby along."
I like the child tray, useful for when your baby turns into a toddler and demands a steady supply of snacks, and the adult tray that has a compartment that closes to keep your phone in place. There are two parent cupholders too.
Any downside: The low price reflects the fact that there's nothing splashy about the small canopy, the fabric, the padding, or the heavy alloy steel frame. Folded, the wheels do take up a lot of space in your home or in your car.
RELATED: Best Jogging Strollers
| Baby weight and height limits | 4 to 30 lbs for car seat and up to 50 lbs for stroller; up to 30" for car seat and 42" for stroller |
| Car seat weight | 9 lbs |
| Stroller weight | 27 lbs |
Pros
- Includes a highly rated KeyFit car seat
- Seat can face either direction
- Large basket can be zipped shut
- Huge canopy has mesh panels you can unzip for airflow
Cons
- This is not a compact, it's a luxe full size stroller with all the bells and whistles
Best for: Snagging one of the best-reviewed infant car seats with a premium matching stroller. The set won our most recent Parenting Award.
Why I like it: The Corso Primo includes the KeyFit Max Zip ClearTex infant car seat, worth $300 on its own and rated as a top infant car seat. (By itself, the car seat won a previous Parenting Award.)
The stroller checks all the boxes for useful features: The seat can face either direction, the huge basket zips shut, the child gets a snack tray, parents get a removable (and wearable) parent organizer that hangs on the back plus extra pockets as well as a height-adjustable handle. The seat reclines fully for rest, and the giant canopy has mesh panels you can unzip for more airflow.
Testing notes: Home testers praised the “huge wheels” for being “easy to maneuver" and they loved how the stroller looked, in addition to it being "very user-friendly.” There's a jumbo canopy for sun protection.
For the newborn months you can completely remove the regular stroller seat and just push the car seat around on the stroller frame. The car seat includes a privacy shield that comes down from the canopy for naps and additional sun protection. When you fold the stroller it can stand upright. This set features Greenguard Gold Certified materials.
Any downside: I feel the price is worth it for the features, but if you need to spend under $500, there's an original Chicco Bravo 3-in-1 Trio Travel System for less.
| Baby weight and height limits | 4 to 30 lbs for car seat and up to 50 lbs for stroller; up to 32” for car seat |
| Car seat weight | 18.5 lbs |
| Stroller weight | 26 lbs |
Pros
- Lightweight, compact travel system for a baby
- No car seat base needed, installs with a rigid LATCH system
- High-end touches like a privacy drape
- Parents found it easy to use
Cons
- No stroller seat, so only good while your baby fits in the car seat
Best for: Simplified travel with a newborn, especially if you are in and out of multiple vehicles. This lightweight combo won a recent Parenting Award.
Why I like it: City parents balk at anything bulky, and I get it. This beautiful system pares everything down. It's a 11.3-pound stroller frame with a slim fold that stands on its own, combined with a 9-pound infant car seat that can ride on the frame or can be installed in a car (no base needed!), clicking in via a rigid LATCH system.
High-end touches include durable wheels and a lightweight privacy drape that stays in place with magnets.
Testing notes: Parents said the car seat was 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.”
Any downside: This is not sold with a stroller seat, but if your baby outgrows the car seat and you still want to use the frame, you can purchase the Flex stroller seat separately.
| Baby weight and height limits | 4 to 30 lbs for car seat and up to 50 lbs for stroller; up to 29" for car seat |
| Car seat weight | 9 lbs with canopy and infant insert |
| Stroller weight | 11.3 lbs |
Pros
- Stroller seat or car seat can slide up and down
- Face your baby in either direction
- Includes the popular SnugRide infant car seat
- Stroller seat can convert to a newborn pram
Cons
- Fairly standard plastic wheels, not for rough terrain
Best for: Parents looking for a highly adjustable system that grows with the baby.
Why I like it: Unique to this, the stroller seat slides higher and lower on the frame and turns forward or backward, plus it can convert into a bassinet. Use the adjustable features to find the height and direction your baby loves or that you need, then change it as needed as your baby grows into a toddler.
You get the popular SnugRide DLX Infant Car Seat, one of the most highly rated infant seats in the industry. To stroll around with the car seat—which is, after all, the appeal of a travel system—remove the stroller seat altogether and use the frame as an infant car seat carrier.
Testing notes: As an alternative to sitting your newborn in the car seat on top of the stroller, you can turn the seat into a bassinet. Fully recline the seat, unbuckle a belt under the footrest and voila, it's a bassinet for the infant months. (Graco calls it a "pramette.")
The canopy is a traditional size, not oversized. There is a child snack tray, and a wide, if shallow, basket.
If you're looking something more lightweight, we have not yet tested Graco's new Ready2Jet Travel System but it features the SnugRide and a matching, compact stroller that weighs only 13 pounds.
Any downside: Some of the stroller details are fairly standard as opposed to luxe. The plastic wheels are strong but not built for rough terrain. There's no parent tray, just a clip-on cup holder.
| Child weight and height limitations | 4 to 30 lbs for car seat and up to 50 lbs for stroller; up to 32" for car seat |
| Car seat weight | 7.2 lbs |
| Stroller weight | 26.8 lbs |
Pros
- Push along the bassinet, car seat, or just the stroller
- Baby can face rear or forward in any mode
- Add a seat later to make this a double stroller
- Add a ride-on board and it becomes a triple!
Cons
- Plastic wheels are not all-terrain
Best for: Getting a bassinet attachment along with a car seat—and a stroller that can hold two.
Why I like it: This works three ways: as a rolling bassinet in carriage mode, a car seat carrier, or a regular stroller, and in any mode, you can place your baby rear- or forward-facing. Turn it into a double stroller by clipping in the car seat and the stroller seat at the same tine.
Carriage mode is an adorable, luxury-looking perk, even if new parents don't use it for long. You recline the stroller seat flat, pull up the footrest and turn the seat into a little bassinet on wheels. In that mode, you're not using the car seat, so you'd have to unbuckle your infant and transfer them when it's time for a drive. You can only use the bassinet until your baby starts to try to sit up.
Online reviewers say that the stroller is easy to assemble out of the box. We had no trouble setting it up for testing and found it easy to convert it from one mode to another. Add the Evenflo Rider Board and your older kid can stand and ride behind your younger one.
Any downside: There's no parent organizer on the handle, but there is a clip-on cupholder. The basket underneath is wide if not very deep. Relatively small, plastic wheels are fine for most strolling but do not do well on rough terrain.
| Child weight and height limitations | 4 to 30 lbs for car seat and up to 55 lbs for stroller; up to 32" for car seat |
| Car seat weight | 7.8 lbs |
| Stroller weight | 30 lbs |
How I chose the best car seat and stroller combos
These picks are based on my 25 years of reporting on the juvenile product market and reflect a mix of editorial expertise, Parenting Awards testing, and GH Institute expert evaluation—not one single unified test. All are models that I've seen in person, but I've also researched vetted retailer reviews on sites such as Amazon and Walmart to cross-check how these combos have performed for families over time.
The Doona, Chicco, and Nuna were tested in consumer homes as part of the annual Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards. Others, including the Graco, Baby Trend, and Evenflo, were evaluated hands-on by Good Housekeeping Institute pros who are also parents, focusing on ease of use and everyday practicality.
What to look for when shopping for a car seat and stroller combo
If you're buying something called a travel system, be sure you're getting both the car seat and the stroller if that is what you want. A few brands advertise a "travel system" and just mean that they are able to hold a car seat that you buy separately.
For instance, if you need a double car seat stroller combo for newborn twins, check out the Baby Trend Universal Double Snap-N-Go. You'll have to buy infant car seats separately but the frame, about $90, is an easy way to to push young twins around in their car seats.
Other factors to consider:
✔️ Height and weight limits: To make sure your baby is as safe as possible, ensure that they fit into both the height and weight range.
✔️ Features: While a no-frills option can be great for your budget, some car seat and stroller combos offer extra features that make life easier. Are you planning on taking a lot of sunlit walks? Opt for a unit with a large canopy. Do you want to carry a lot with you? Find something with an ample-sized storage basket. Trays and cupholders are little things you'll use daily.
✔️ Weight: Although heavy strollers often roll more smoothly than lightweight ones, if you have a lot of steps to contend with, or don't feel confident about lifting a heavy stroller in and out of your car's trunk, look for a lighter stroller. I love the new class of under 10-pound car seats, too.
Do you need a car seat and stroller combo?
Transferring your baby from car to stroller can be a lot of hassle, so using a car seat that snaps into a stroller is fairly genius. It also means you only have to make one purchase for both items. Think of it as a two-for-one deal, getting you a stroller and a car seat at a discount when you buy them together.
With a few clicks, you can pop the car seat out of the stroller and snap it into your car. In most cases, even after your baby outgrows the car seat, you will still be able to use the stroller.
You will not want a travel system if your heart is set on one brand's infant car seat and another brand's stroller. In that case, check to see if the stroller can hold your chosen car seat with the help of an adaptor. Read all the product specs carefully to be sure you can use them together, and buy an adaptor if necessary.
Another instance when you might not want a travel system is if you're buying an all-in-one car seat for your newborn, intending to use that car seat from birth through the big kid years. Extended-use car seats stay in the car and do not snap into a stroller.
What's the safest car seat and stroller combo?
All of the car seats and strollers we recommend meet the federal ASTM standards, and many have the third-party JPMA seal as well, so your baby will be safe as long as everything is installed properly.
- Make sure your travel system is correct for the age and weight of your baby. All of the stroller/car seat combos we list are safe from birth. You can sit your infant car seat on top of the stroller base for the first year or two. A 1-year-old might prefer to sit on the stroller seat directly, but you can continue to safely use the infant car seat rear-facing in the car until your baby reaches the weight and height limit, which often happens soon after their second birthday.
After age 2, you can continue to use the stroller by itself but will want a convertible car seat for your child. - Always install an infant car seat rear-facing. Every car seat-stroller combo includes an infant car seat, not a convertible car seat, so your baby needs to be facing the rear of the car. See the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration instructions for how to properly install an infant car seat.
- Thoroughly read the directions for your car seat and stroller combo prior to use to ensure that you've included all of the parts and put them together correctly. Many brands provide assembly and installation videos on YouTube.
- Double-check the security of the car seat when you place it on the stroller or in your car. Many make an audible click when in place. For safety, pull up a bit on the car seat to make sure it's really in there.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn, a mom of two, worked closely with Good Housekeeping Institute engineers and experts to write this article. She's evaluated baby gear for 25 years, including at Parents magazine and American Baby magazine.
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