Stroller 101 Guide: How to Choose the Best Baby Stroller
8 minute read
Automobiles, planes, hikes in the woods, walks around the neighborhood. Having the right stroller can make a world of difference when it comes to being on the go with your little one.
But there are so many options out there! Shopping for a stroller can quickly become an overwhelming experience. Because it can be hard to anticipate what kind of stroller will fit your lifestyle and which stroller features you can’t live without.
That’s why we put together this quick Stroller 101 guide to help you make this big decision. We’ll cover what things to consider when buying a stroller, the types of strollers out there, top stroller features…and we’ll show you our favorites! Ready to roll?
What to Consider When Choosing a Stroller:
Choosing the type of stroller that works best for your family can depend on a lot of factors. But strollers can cost anywhere from $30 to over a thousand dollars! So it’s important to take some time to think about your family’s needs to make sure you get the stroller that’s the right fit for you.
- What’s your budget? It can be shocking to find out how expensive some strollers are. But there’s no need to stress — there are lots of options available, it’s all about finding what works best for your family’s needs and budget! A good rule of thumb? Typically as the cost of the stroller increases, so does the quality and number of features available.
- Where do you plan to use your stroller? Will you go on frequent neighborhood walks with bumpy sidewalks or hikes with uneven terrain? Do you travel frequently and need a stroller that’s portable? Or has lots of storage space?
- Are you having a newborn? Newborns need to lie flat or be in a safety-approved infant car seat. You’ll want to look for models that have a deep recline or bassinet — or look for a stroller where you can attach an infant car seat or bassinet.
- How long do you plan to use a stroller? Do you plan to have multiple kids in the next few years? If so, consider shopping for a stroller that will convert to a double. And it could pay off to invest a little bit more now so that you can use the stroller for many years to come.
- What stroller features are the most important to you? Do you need the stroller to easily fold and unfold for simple storage? Is the stroller weight a deal breaker? How easy is it to steer and maneuver? Prioritizing your needs can make shopping for a stroller so much easier.
Top Stroller Features to Consider:
Here are some of the top stroller features that you’ll want to be mindful of as you shop for your family’s stroller. There are so many stroller features out there — so it can help to prioritize your wants and needs!
- Safety features: Check the stroller’s safety features to ensure that they have practical brakes, a five-point safety harness, and a wide base — to prevent the stroller from tipping over! Also check the strollers height and weight limits per seat. It’s important to know roughly how big your child can get and still be safe in the stroller.
- Foldability: Many parents look for strollers with a “one-handed” fold. This can make it so much easier to store your stroller in your home or the trunk of your car…All while holding your little one with your other arm!
- Wheel quality: If you plan to take lots of walks with your little one — opt for air-filled or rubberized foam filled wheels. These will hold out much longer than a stroller with plastic wheels.
- Washable fabric: It’s inevitable that your little one’s messiness will overflow onto your stroller. Whether it’s spit-up, drool, snacks, or dirt — being able to toss the fabric portions of your stroller in the wash can be a real lifesaver. If the fabric isn’t removable, check to see how cleaning is recommended.
- Stroller basket storage: Think about how many items you may need to put in the stroller basket. This could be your baby’s gear, or items you pick up while out around town. Look at the accessibility and go for a wider opening that will make it easier to store and remove things more easily.
- Sun canopy: You may want to consider a sun canopy if your baby will be exposed to lots of sun, rain, or other elements. A sun canopy can provide a safe, comfortable place for them to enjoy the ride — especially if there are clear plastic portions that allow you to check on your little one.
Types of Strollers:
Once you’ve honed in on your family’s needs, it’s time to take a look at the six types of strollers available. Each comes with its own pros and cons. But no matter how you plan to use your stroller — going for a jog, hopping on a plane, or grabbing a coffee from down the street…One of these types of strollers is sure to fit your family’s needs!
- Travel System:
A travel system comes with a stroller, infant car seat, and car seat base for your vehicle.
Pros: This can be a cost-effective option if you’re looking to bundle these items together. They’re also great for newborns, since you’ll have everything you need. And you can let your baby keep sleeping when moving them from the stroller to the car or vice versa.
Cons: Most likely, your baby will outgrow the infant car seat more quickly than other car seat options. You’ll want to keep an eye on the maximum height and weight limits for your car seat and plan to purchase a convertible or toddler car seat down the line.
- All Purpose / Full-Sized Stroller
All purpose strollers are great for everyday activities. They’re bigger, sturdier, more durable and will last through your little one’s toddler years.
Pros: All purpose strollers have amazing features and are compatible with infant car seats, bassinets, and second seats.
Cons: They can also be bulky and heavy, making it more challenging to navigate tight storage spaces or maneuver public transportation or busy streets.
- Jogging Stroller
Jogging strollers are great if you love to run, hike on bumpy terrain, or explore in the snow.
Pros: These strollers will have three wheels instead of four and have larger air-filled tires and suspension systems for a smoother ride.
Cons: Jogging strollers are wider and often a bit heavier than other strollers. They can also be more challenging to fold up and store which can be problematic if you have a small space.
- Lightweight or Umbrella Stroller
Umbrella strollers are great for traveling because they’re lightweight and easy to fold.
Pros: These strollers are incredibly easy to use on the go, whether you’re popping the stroller in the trunk or taking it on a plane.
Cons: Most umbrella strollers aren’t made for infants. If you have a newborn, look for an option that reclines. They’re also more limited and can’t convert into a double stroller, so you’ll want to keep this in mind if you plan to have more than one child that need to be carted around!
- Double Stroller
Double strollers are great if you have two kids that are close in age. They come in side-by-side, tandem and convertible models.
Pros: A double stroller is great for toting around two kids at once! They usually offer lots of storage as well.
Cons: This shouldn’t come as a surprise, but double strollers are larger and heavier! If you go with a lightweight option, they may not handle bumpy terrain as well.
- Car Seat Carrier
A car seat carrier is simply a frame that your infant car seat will snap into. Some are universal to many car seats, while others are specific to their brand of car seats.
Pros: These strollers are very lightweight. If you plan to be getting in and out of the car a lot, a car seat carrier makes the transition super easy and smooth.
Cons: Car seat carriers are relatively simple and may not have many extra accessories. And once your little one outgrows their infant car seat, you’ll need a new stroller to accommodate them.
Shopping for Strollers
Once you’ve narrowed down your family’s needs, top stroller features, and ideal type of stroller…it’s time to start shopping! We’ve pulled together our favorites for each type of stroller to make picking out your favorite as easy as possible.
And remember, it’s always nice to take a stroller out for a test drive! Stop by the Babies in Bloom Boutique to learn more about these strollers and to give them a spin.
Our Favorite Travel Systems:
The Nuna Baby travel system strollers are our go-to. They simply have everything you need when you’re on the go. If you’re looking for the best car seat and stroller combo — you’re in luck!
Nuna Mixx Next + Pipa RX Travel System
Pack up and go anywhere with MIXX next + PIPA rx travel system. This smooth riding stroller features a compact fold-away axle, adjustable reline, and MagneTech Secure Snap —the self-guiding magnetic buckle that automatically locks into place. Use with the stroller seat facing you or facing the world, or paired with the PIPA rx.
Nuna Tavo Next + Pipa RX Travel System
Roam near or far with the perfect pairing of TAVO next with PIPA rx. Take baby from car to curb, all with just a click (no adapters needed!). Enjoy TAVO next’s Free-flex suspension for a smooth ride for baby while they lounge on PIPA rx’s soft organic jersey insert with Dream drape for coverage. Then easily install in your vehicle directly using the belt path on the shell, or with the included PIPA RELX base.
Our Favorite All Purpose Strollers:
We love Nuna Strollers for their built-in features and convenience! They’ve thought of all the little things so you can be on the go with ease. They have great all-purpose strollers and travel systems to provide for all your family’s needs! It is also worth noting that many of these strollers, while not sold in travel system bundles, are compatible with the brands infant car seats. So feel free to build your own travel system!
Nuna Triv Stroller
This fully-featured compact stroller is perfect for city living or jet-setting travelers. TRIV is cleverly designed with a seat that can face both ways and fold both ways, and can easily convert to a travel system. It also has a compatible bassinet!
The UPPAbaby CRUZ V2 Stroller comes standard with full-grain leather detailing for added grip and durability. Compact, lightweight design offers premium features and larger wheels that can be easily maneuvered in tight or busy urban environments.
The Bumbleride Era Stroller features an infant-safe, reversible seat to bond with your precious cargo until they’re ready to adventure facing forward. And with all-wheel suspension and air-filled tires, your little one will enjoy a smooth ride while you enjoy an easy, one-handed push on city streets or bumpy sidewalks.
Our Favorite Lightweight Strollers:
We also love UPPAbaby’s strollers for their portability, high-quality and stylish designs. Here are our top sellers:
UPPAbaby MINU
Designed for your daily adventures and exciting excursions, the UPPAbaby MINU Stroller offers modern conveniences in a portable, lightweight stroller. Go where you want, how you want – there’s nothing extra holding you back.
UPPAbaby G-LUXE Stroller
The UPPAbaby G-LUXE is a great umbrella stroller with lots of features like the pop-out sunshade, spacious storage basket, and one-step brake.
Nuna PEPP Next
The Nuna PEPP Next’s ultra-compact fold easily tags along to all your adventures. It’s the ultimate space saver opening up to a fully loaded, sophisticated ride.
Out around town, on a whirlwind weekend trip, or exploring faraway places – an extra hand is always helpful for any parent. At the touch of a button on the push bar, the Nuna TRVL stroller self-folds into a super-compact, free-standing package – giving you the convenience and mobility you need to discover the world in style.
Our Favorite Joggers
We love Bumbleride’s eco-friendly strollers that allow you to get out and do what you love! These are some of our top picks:
Bumbleride Indie Stroller
The Bumbleride Indie Stroller is the only one you’ll need from birth through toddlerhood and is unmatched in versatility. Its air-filled tires and all-wheel suspension give you the smoothest push and most comfortable ride no matter where you explore.
Bumbleride Speed Stroller
The Bumbleride Speed is a single jogging infant stroller that combines performance and sustainability giving you a purpose-built running companion made with responsible materials. It’s the only stroller available equipped with 3 modes of transport RUN.JOG.WALK, so you can change your pace to match your workout.
Built for performance, the all-terrain RIDGE jogger goes more places, at all paces. Smart, adjustable features keep pusher and passenger comfortable from road to trail to off the beaten path. Refined yet durable, RIDGE offers new horizons to explore.
Our Favorite Double And Convertible Strollers
The UPPAbaby VISTA V2 Stroller is uniquely designed to adapt as your family grows. Boasting an extended canopy, luxurious fabrics and full-grain leather details, this premium stroller can transport up to 3 children while strolling like a single.
You’ll love the custom dual-suspension and all-season seat with the Nuna DEMI Grow Stroller. With the ability to expand to a double or even a twin, the DEMI grow really does have it all — no matter what fate may throw your way.
Bumbleride Indie Twin Stroller
A responsible choice for the planet and a parent’s lifeline for multiple children, the Bumbleride Indie Twin Double Stroller gets you outside doing what you love. Beginning at birth and through toddlerhood, its side-by-side seat design allows you to customize for your little passengers with quick access to each.
Lightweight and narrow, the UPPAbaby G-LINK 2 Stroller is a convenient way to go from point A to B. It’s the one that does the work for two.
Stroller Accessories:
There are tons of stroller accessories out there. But the right accessory can make being out and about with your little one much more convenient and comfortable — for both of you!
Here are our most popular accessories:
- Snack trays and cup holders
- Toy attachments
- Rain and sun shields
- Stroller caddies
- Travel storage bags
To shop these accessories and more, check out the Babies in Bloom Boutique.
