Best Affordable Strollers Under $400
Shocked by stroller price tags? We feel you. These favorites won’t break your budget.
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A quick search for baby strollers yields endless options across all price points. You can easily spend upwards of a thousand dollars on what most parents consider a must-have baby registry item—but do you need to? We don’t think so.
After researching and real-world testing dozens of strollers, we think the Mockingbird Single Stroller 2.0 is your best bet if you’re looking for an affordable baby stroller. This stroller's features and overall performance are particularly impressive, especially given its sub-$400 price tag. We also selected four other budget-friendly options we think are worth checking out if you’re looking for a stroller with a particular feature, like a lightweight, travel-friendly option or one with a quick and easy fold.
Why Trust Babylist?
Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands annually via our Best Baby Products online survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.
Firsthand professional and personal experience. As Babylist’s gear editor, I’ve been writing about baby gear since 2019 and have been the gear editor since 2021. I’ve personally tested and reviewed dozens of strollers over the years across all categories and price points. I’m also a mom of two boys, ages three and ten—so I have plenty of hands-on stroller experience, too. I’ve lived in a major city and two different suburbs and have used strollers on and off for the better part of the last decade.
Stroller data. I regularly analyze which baby products our users are adding to their baby registries the most (and which ones they aren’t) and what our team of Merchandising experts—our buyers who are responsible for ensuring the Babylist Shop is stocked with the best and newest gear—is excited about. Studying this kind of data helped us choose which strollers to narrow in on and which ones to recommend to new and expecting parents.
Feedback and reviews. I reviewed comments and feedback from Babylist’s annual product survey of thousands of parents, read customer reviews from hundreds of Babylist users and spoke to parents on our staff about their real-life product experiences.
How We Judged
Best Affordable Stroller Overall
Mockingbird Single Stroller 2.0 - Black/Windowpane Canopy With Penny Leather
From $395.00Pros
- Packed with high-end features
- Lifetime warranty
- Comparable to pricier brands like UPPAbaby and Nuna
Cons
- Maneuverability and suspension not as good as some higher-priced competitors
- Taller parents may kick lower crossbar while walking
- Fold takes practice
If you’re in love with the UPPAbaby Cruz or the Nuna Mixx Next but not with their $700-800 price tag, meet the next best thing for about half the cost: the Mockingbird. This direct-to-consumer brand launched with the mission to create well-designed products that offer real value, and we’d say they succeeded.
“I absolutely love this stroller and use it almost daily,” one parent told us in our annual products survey. “It's easy to fold/unfold, glides and turns beautifully and is easily adaptable from newborn to baby and beyond! I have been highly recommending this stroller to everyone I know!” (Babyist editor Amylia Ryan agrees; check out her detailed Mockingbird stroller review to find out why.)
The Mockingbird mirrors many of the features that parents love most about pricier strollers from brands like UPPAbaby or Nuna, including oversized wheels, all-wheel suspension, a modular seat with a full recline, a large canopy and a generously sized storage basket. The stroller is compatible with over 40 of the best infant car seats or with a bassinet (sold separately) so you can use it right from birth. It can be folded with one hand and stands upright when not in use, a stroller feature I always appreciate. And if you’re concerned about the lower price tag equalling less durability, don’t be—the Mockingbird comes with a lifetime warranty.
A few things to consider. This is a single-stroller only; if you want a convertible option that expands to two seats, check out the Single-to-Double 2.0 version, which is over $400 but my pick for the best affordable convertible option. (You can also add a riding board to the single stroller, a great option if you need to transport an older + younger kiddo.) Despite the adjustable handle, tall parents may kick the bottom crossbar of the stroller while pushing it—I did (I’m 5’10”, for reference), so I had to adjust my gait slightly while pushing it. The Mockingbird is also a heavy stroller and still pretty bulky even when folded. And while the suspension is very good, I don’t think it’s quite as cushy—or as easy to turn—as the Vista or Mixx.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 26 lbs
Age Range: 6+ months; suitable for use from birth with Mockingbird’s Infant Seat Insert, Bassinet or Car Seat Adapters (all sold separately)
Easiest to Fold
Chicco Bravo LE ClearTex Quick-Fold Stroller - Pewter
From $299.99Pros
- Quick, one-handed fold
- Three modes of use (can use from birth)
- All-wheel suspension + foam rubber tires = smooth ride
Cons
- No bassinet option
- Heavy
- Lacks high-end fabric and finishes
One feature I consistently look for in any good stroller is how easy it is to fold. If you know you’ll be taking your stroller in and out of the car a lot or storing it in a small space when it’s not in use, fold is even more important—and the Chicco Bravo LE nails it. All you need to do is lift the seat cover and pull the handle and the stroller collapses into a self-standing, compact fold. “I love how quick and easy the stroller is to put away,” one parent commented in our survey. It’s especially impressive considering the stroller’s price; the popular Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 has a similar fold and is double the cost.
The Bravo LE offers three modes: a lightweight infant car seat carrier (the canopy and toddler seat pop to convert the stroller into a car seat frame carrier for any Chicco infant seat, no adapters needed), a travel system and a full-size toddler stroller. The seat is modular, so it can parent-face or face the world, and the ClearTex fabric is made with no added chemicals. It’s also GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
Like many similarly sized strollers, the Bravo LE is on the heavier side, weighing just over 26 pounds. There’s no option to add a bassinet, and some parents complain that the stroller lacks a high-end “feel”—but considering the price, we don’t see this as a big deal.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 26.5 lbs
Age Range: 6-60 months (or from birth with an infant car seat), up to 50 lbs
Best for Newborns
Graco Modes Pramette Stroller - Pierce
From $219.99Pros
- Can use from birth (seat turns into a bassinet)
- Has several high-end features
- One-hand fold
Cons
- Handlebar isn’t adjustable
- Less suspension = a bumpy ride
- Takes time to assemble
Unless your stroller attaches to your infant car seat or features a bassinet, you won’t be able to use it until your baby has good head and neck control and is starting to sit up—usually around six months or so. The Pramette, however, is three strollers in one, all for just about $200: an infant car seat carrier, an infant pramette (AKA a bassinet) and a toddler stroller. This versatility means you can use the stroller from birth right out of the box, and is why I recommend the Modes line above the brand’s (many) other models.
In Pramette mode, the sides of the toddler seat drop down, and the seat flattens completely, transforming it into a newborn-friendly space—which means you can skip purchasing a bassinet separately. (You’ll also save space, since a bassinet is yet one more thing to store when the newborn days are over.) The seat on the Pramette is modular, another big pro for a stroller in this price range, and there’s a one-handed fold and a parent cup and phone holder included.
Parents love this stroller's value and versatility. “Of all the items purchased on my registry this is what I use most,” said one parent in our annual favorite products survey. “I love this system! The stroller is very easy to set up and take down…[and] the bassinet is very useful to use during the newborn stage.”
The Pramette lacks the suspension found in many higher-priced options, so the ride is a bit bumpier, according to many parents and our own testing. It also doesn’t turn as effortlessly as some pricier models. Parents also mentioned that the Pramette took a bit of time to assemble, usually about 30 minutes or so. And the handlebar isn’t adjustable.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 20.8 lbs
Age Range: Newborn up to 50 lbs
Best Affordable Travel System
Pros
- Great value considering features
- Stroller includes bassinet mode
- Lightweight car seat
Cons
- Stroller has plastic wheels (but all-wheel suspension, which helps)
New-to-the-US brand Joie (they’ve been a mainstay in Europe for years) is quickly becoming one of my favorite affordable baby brands. Their car seats and strollers are durable and safe, packed with thoughtful features and have a modern, sleek look. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly travel system (a stroller and car seat that work together), this one impressed me from the moment I opened it and continues to be a favorite as I test and use it with my son.
This car seat stroller combo looks and handles like a travel system twice its price. Like the Graco Modes Pramette, the Ginger stroller features a built-in, lie-flat bassinet, so you can use it sans car seat right out of the box. The stroller also has an adjustable handlebar, an adjustable leg rest for calf support, a large storage basket and a cup holder. And one more unique feature: the stroller seat has three different height positions so you can bring your baby closer to you (great for the newborn days) or farther away to see the world (for curious toddlers). The fold is quick and easy, and the stroller is really compact when it's broken down—I liked how it didn't take up the entire trunk of my SUV.
The included car seat, the Rue, weighs just under eight pounds, so it’s easy to lift even as your baby grows. The three-piece infant insert ensures a good fit for even smaller babies, and the seat is easy to install in most vehicles using either the LATCH system or a seat belt.
It is worth noting that the Ginger stroller's wheels are made from plastic, so the ride isn’t as cushy as with some higher-priced strollers; however, because the stroller also features all-wheel suspension, I found the ride a lot smoother than many other comparable plastic-wheeled strollers.
Additional Specs
Car Seat Weight: 7.8 lbs
Car Seat Age Range: 4-30 lbs, up to 30”
Stroller Weight: 22 lbs
Stroller Age Range: From birth up to 50 lbs
Best for Travel
Pros
- Weighs just 13 lbs
- Compact when folded (fits in an overhead bin)
- Deep recline + XL canopy
Cons
- Doesn’t roll well on uneven ground or rougher terrain
- Fold requires 2 hands and takes some practice
- No carry strap
A travel stroller isn’t a must-have, but if you’re a family who takes more than a few trips a year with your baby along for the ride, owning one will make your life—and your vacation—a lot easier.
Zoe’s Traveler is affordable, but it’s also lightweight, one of my hallmarks of a good travel stroller. (It weighs just 13 pounds, a full 10+ pounds lighter than many popular full-size strollers.) It checks all the other boxes for travel stroller essentials, too: a quick, easy and self-standing fold; a compact design, both when open but especially when closed; a large canopy to shade your baby from the elements when you’re out and about; and a deep recline for resting on the go. It’s not the cushiest of rides (I tested it on bumpy sidewalks near my home and there was definitely a lot of bouncing), but considering the price and other features, I don’t think that’s a dealbreaker.
The stroller’s fold is quick, but it did take some practice to get the hang of it. And I wish there was a carry strap that comes with some higher-priced travel strollers like the Joolz Aer+ or the Bugaboo Butterfly.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 13 lbs
Age Range: 3 mos and up to 60 lbs
Other Affordable Strollers We Love
Best Sit and Stand
Pros
- Good for kids of different ages
- Lightest tandem on the market
- Compact fold
Cons
- Hard to turn
- Some kids don’t like/can’t handle bench seat or stand-on board
- Tough to access storage basket when riding with 2 kids
A sit-and-stand stroller is a great choice when you’re out and about with two kids of a different age, and the older one isn’t quite ready to walk on their own. The Caboose is the lightest weight tandem stroller on the market, an important feature when you’re pushing two kids at once. This one lets the younger child sit in the front (in either a seat or a car seat, with adapters) while your older kiddo can access a bench or a stand-on board in the back.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 23.6 lbs
Age Range: Front seat: 3+ mos or at birth with infant car seat adapter, up to 40” and up to 45 lbs; Rear seat: 2.5+ yrs, up to 44” and 45 lbs; Maximum stroller weight: 90 lbs total
Best Umbrella
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Lightweight
- Easy fold
Cons
- Large and bulky when folded
- Need 2 hands to fold
- Small storage basket
With over 14,000 glowing Amazon reviews and a price point under $100, it’s easy to see why the Summer 3D Lite checks the box for the best affordable umbrella stroller. It has a lightweight frame and an easy fold, a reclining seat that lays nearly flat (making it great for relaxing on the go) and a decent amount of storage considering the stroller’s size. It’s a great option for a day trip when you don’t feel like lugging along your full-size stroller or when you’re traveling with your little one.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 13 lbs
Age Range: 3+ mos, up to 50 lbs and 43”
Best Stroller Wagon
Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon - Adventurer
From $280.99Pros
- Stroller + wagon hybrid
- Works well on different terrains
- Lots of accessories included
Cons
- Can only accommodate Evenflo infant car seat
- Doesn’t push well on sand
Been eying a stroller wagon but don’t want to part with a ton of cash? This one is much easier on the wallet than many popular options that cost upwards of $700 (or more). It’s a two-person ride with large tires that work on varied terrain and a flip handle that lets you push or pull it depending on what’s more comfortable. The fold is similar to a stroller, making it fairly quick and easy. And there are lots of accessories already included, like canopies, a snack tray and a storage basket.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 34.7 lbs
Age Range: 6 mos to 5 years (120 lb total weight limit with storage)
Are Expensive Strollers Worth It?
When it comes to strollers, the saying “you get what you pay for” proves to be (mostly) true. Strollers with higher price tags tend to be a bit more durable, have better suspension systems, can expand to hold more than one child at a time and offer different riding positions for kids. Many also have higher-end features like fancier seat and canopy materials, adjustable handlebars and more streamlined open and close processes.
BUT—and this is a big but!—there are plenty of strollers on the market that will more than meet your needs and won’t cost a thousand dollars. The key to finding one that works for you is to think about your lifestyle, how and where you’ll use your stroller the most and what features you really need—and which ones you don’t. Here are a few tips to help you think it through.
Where do you live, and how often do you plan to use your stroller? If you’re a city parent without a car, for example, your stroller is your lifeline. It holds your child, but also your groceries, diaper bag, morning coffee, park toys…you get the idea. And most city parents use their stroller multiple times a day for many, many years. An affordable option may work, but you might also consider upping your stroller budget and saving in other areas if possible. But if you’re a suburban parent who’s mostly in the car all day, you’re likely going to use your stroller less frequently—so you may not need all the bells and whistles a high-end stroller offers. (You may even be able to get by with a travel stroller or an umbrella stroller day-to-day.)
What’s the terrain like where you plan to stroll the most? If you’re facing bumpier sidewalks or dirt or gravel roads, prioritize an affordable stroller with large wheels and a heftier suspension system. If you’re mostly planning to walk on smooth paths, you can skip the XL tires and choose a stroller with other features.
High-end travel strollers are great for families who are frequently on the go, but they come at a cost. If you only travel a few times a year, a lower-priced travel or lightweight stroller will still make your life a lot easier when you’re away from home.
