Based on 10,529 analyzed reviews
Table of contents
NerdWallet Shopping’s scoring of the best travel system strollers is based on our analysis of the opinions of experts and shoppers like you.
Choosing a stroller takes careful thought and consideration — after all, your baby’s safety while you’re out and about is important. We researched some of the most popular models on the market to help you decide.
To narrow down the field, we looked at expert opinions from review sites such as The Sweethome, CNET and Good Housekeeping. We then analyzed user reviews to get their opinions on each stroller’s best and worst attributes.
We recognize that consumers look for different qualities in strollers, so we scored these user observations based on a handful of features, including ease of use, weight, safety and accessories.
Our analysis
Our final stroller scores run from a low of 1 to a high of 10. Here’s how we came up with the numbers:
Overall score: This score shows reviewers’ overall satisfaction level with the stroller across 13 criteria, including functionality, ease of use, maneuverability, accessories and durability.
Functionality: This score, which factors into the overall score, reflects reviewers’ satisfaction with the stroller’s level of functionality, in particular how it relates to the baby. Categories that factor into this score include comfort, safety features and noise level.
Ease of use: This score, which also factors into the overall score, indicates reviewers’ satisfaction with how easy it is to use the stroller. Categories that factor into this score include the ease of folding the stroller, the stroller’s weight and its maneuverability.
These strollers are our top picks, ranked in order of overall score.
The strollers
1. Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System
Pop the stroller seat out and the three-in-one Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System functions as a lightweight car seat carrier for infants; pop it back in and use it as a stroller for babies and toddlers.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 8.63 | 8.5 | 8.2 |
Buyers Like
- Easy to open and close
- Smooth, safe ride
- Straightforward transition from car seat carrier to stroller
Buyers Dislike
- Lack of accessories
- Relatively bulky when folded
2. BOB Motion Travel System
The BOB Motion Travel System won high marks for its lightweight, one-hand fold action and adjustable five-point harness, as well as the smooth ride on the shocks and air-filled tires. Parents were less enamored with the lack of storage and accessories.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 8.4 | 9.1 | 8.3 |
Buyers Like
- Light and compact when folded
- Shocks and air-filled tires make for a smooth ride
- Easy to steer
Buyers Dislike
- Accessories must be purchased separately
- Small, inaccessible storage basket
3. Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Travel System
Parents loved the Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Travel System’s rapid one-hand folding action and multi-position reclining seat for when kids grow out of the car seat and into the stroller.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 8.12 | 7.5 | 7.6 |
Buyers Like
- Fast action fold and unfold
- Locks in car seat securely
- Comfortable ride
Buyers Dislike
- Customer service was subpar
- Stroller is bulky
- Car seat is relatively heavy
4. Britax B-Agile and B-Safe Travel System
The Britax B-Agile and B-Safe Travel System features an ergonomic handlebar, an expansive canopy to block out wind, rain and UV rays, and an adjustable base that can safely hold a car seat for infants, or be used with the comfortably padded seat as baby grows into a toddler.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 7.92 | 8.0 | 7.8 |
Buyers Like
- Comfortable
- Sturdy, safe ride
- Easy to fold and stow
Buyers Dislike
- Lack of cup holder and other accessories
- Small, inconvenient storage basket
- Heavy padding can be too warm
5. Graco Alano Travel System
Users had high praise for the durable Graco Alano Travel System’s easy, one-hand folding feature, and they also loved the stroller’s maneuverability. But they were significantly less impressed with the included Graco SnugRide Classic Connect Infant Car Seat.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 7.87 | 6.8 | 7.2 |
Buyers Like
- Easy one-hand folding
- Cup holders and storage
Buyers Dislike
- Car seat is too small
- Instability
- Limited adjustment possibilities
6. Chicco Cortina KeyFit 30 Travel System
With its all-wheel suspension and one-hand steering maneuverability, the Chicco Cortina KeyFit 30 can handle trails as well as it navigates roads, giving children up to 50 pounds a smooth, safe, secure ride.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 7.62 | 8.4 | 6.5 |
Buyers Like
- Very user-friendly
- Easy to fold, unfold and adjust
- Comfortable, smooth ride
Buyers Dislike
- Relatively heavy and bulky
- Inconvenient storage basket
7. Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Jogger Travel System
Whether you’re taking your child for a run around the track or just a stroll through the mall, the Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Jogger keeps your baby strapped in safely with its six-point harness, and air-filled rubber tires ensure a smooth, comfortable ride.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 7.50 | 9.2 | 5.7 |
Buyers Like
- Sturdy and safe, with a six-point harness
- Comfortable ride, walking or jogging
- Easy to fold up and down
Buyers Dislike
- Relatively heavy and large
- Outdated accessories
Best travel system strollers buying guide
Travel system strollers are great for on-the-go parents who want to be able to combine their car seat with a carrier and a stroller. They’re also great if you travel or live in a place where you’re constantly getting in and out of a car. But not all travel system strollers are created equal, and finding the right one can be confusing. Here are a few factors to keep in mind while you’re shopping:
Safety
Keeping your child safe is obviously top of mind, and so picking a travel system that securely locks your car seat into place is very important. Most of the travel systems in this roundup got high marks for safety, although a few users had reservations about the stability of the Graco Alano Travel System.
Portability
Because they include several elements — including a car seat and stroller — most travel systems are relatively bulky. And that’s fine if you’re going to roll the stroller in the front door and park it in your spacious foyer. But if you’re going to be getting in and out of the car, or doing some plane or train travel, you’re going to want a more compact model, like the Britax B-Agile and B-Safe Travel System. And though it costs more than other models, the BOB Motion Travel System won points for being relatively lightweight.
Foldability
The ease with which you can open and fold a stroller can be one of its strongest selling points. Parents praised the Chicco Cortina KeyFit 30 and the Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Travel System for their foldability.
Elements
Because travel systems have more moving parts than traditional strollers, there’s more potential for design flaws. While users liked the Graco Alano Travel System’s easy one-hand folding action, they complained that the car seat was just too small.
Terrain
Most strollers can navigate a lap or two around the mall with ease, but if you live someplace where you’re going be walking an obstacle course of potholes, curbs, dirt trails or unexpected dips, you’re going to want a stroller that offers excellent suspension, like the Graco FastAction Fold Click Connect Jogger.
Accessories
Aside from holding your child, strollers can serve other purposes as well. For example, if you tend to shop while out with your kids, you’re going to want one that comes with a large, easy-to-access storage basket, like the Graco Alano Travel System. If you can’t deal without a cup of coffee, you’ll need a good cup holder; they’re usually are available as an add-on if they don’t come in the standard package. BOB strollers are notorious for their lack of accessories, though they win high marks in nearly every other area.
For more stroller roundups, check out:
- The best side-by-side strollers
- The best umbrella strollers
- The best double strollers
- The best lightweight strollers
- The best strollers
Compare other popular strollers here:
- Graco Snugride vs Chicco Keyfit
- BOB Motion vs BOB Revolution SE
- BOB Revolution SE vs Baby Jogger City Mini GT
For more stroller buying advice, check out:
- 4 Tips Before Buying a Stroller
- Is a Bugaboo Stroller Worth It?
- 3 Best Strollers for Twins
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Top image via iStock.
from NerdWallet
http://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/shopping/the-best-travel-system-strollers/
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