The Best Strollers of 2026

The UPPAbaby Cruz V3 is the best stroller overall thanks to its standout suspension, unmatched durability, roomy storage and premium features. No one stroller is going to check every box for every family, but the Cruz is about as close as you can get.

In addition to being a parent favorite (almost a quarter of the thousands of Babylist parents who took our Best Baby Products survey voted UPPAbaby as their favorite stroller brand, ranking the Cruz as their number one choice for a single stroller), the Cruz is also a personal favorite and a stroller I've been recommending to families for years—and even more so after its recent V3 upgrade. It's ready to use from day one thanks to the lay-flat, modular seat and included infant insert. It has incredible suspension for tight turns and all types of terrain, a huge storage basket, countless parent- and baby-friendly features and an easy fold. “The Cruz is perfect,” said one parent in our survey—and I couldn't agree more.

Size-wise, the Cruz is ideal, another big reason why it nabs the top spot on my list. The Vista, UPPAbaby's popular convertible stroller, is incredible—but it's big. The Cruz takes all the comfort and convenience features parents love about the Vista and packs them into a more manageable package. "I love our stroller's size," one parent noted. "Full-size, but not a boat."

The stroller's suspension system is a true standout. Combined with the Cruz's durability (I've known families who've used it for five+ years), it’s an especially great choice for urban families who don’t own a car and use their stroller multiple times a day for all the things (“It handles so well on city streets," noted one parent). And it's just as great for suburban families who do a lot of walking.

Other features I love are the Cruz's reversible seat with magnetic buckles, the no-rethread harness, the telescoping leather handlebar and the nearly full-coverage extendable canopy. You can use either of UPPAbaby's infant car seats, the Mesa or Aria, directly with the Cruz, or add adapters to pair it with popular seats from brands like Nuna and Chicco. (If you prefer to go the bassinet route, that's also an option.)

Worth noting:

• The fold is easy, but it does require two hands.

• Like many traditional full-size strollers, the Cruz is heavy and fairly bulky when folded. It's smaller than the Vista's fold and will fit in most car trunks, but it's not compact or lightweight.

• It's expensive, especially if you add on the bassinet and other accessories—but it's an investment that will last for years.

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: 27.6 lbs

• Age Range: Birth up to 50 lbs

“The best bang for the buck,” “not only cute but well built so well,” an “awesome” product and “very nice and half the price of some other strollers” are just some of the raves Babylist parents have about the Mockingbird Single Stroller 3.0, one of my two honorable mention picks. And they’re right; the Mockingbird does have a lot going for it. I've been pushing and testing various iterations of this stroller since it first launched way back in 2019, and I'm thrilled to say the newest 3.0 version is better than ever.

The Mockingbird is packed with features you’re more likely to find in strollers with a much higher price tag: all-wheel suspension, a reversible, fully reclinable seat, a huge storage basket, a no-rethread harness, an extendable canopy with a peekaboo window and a one-handed fold. Also, like many higher-priced strollers, it's a pleasure to push and steer, easily navigating bumps, sidewalk cracks and off-the-beaten-path terrain.

The 3.0 version has even more to love, including magnetic buckles and a reversible, seasonal seat liner, plus two innovative features: a leg covering and a height-adjustable canopy. The LegShade is a smart (and unique) addition; it pulls out from beneath the seat base to cover your little one's legs and feet. It's great for kids of all ages, especially younger babies who may need extra shade. The height-adjustable canopy is also a great addition. It extends up the frame to offer more headroom for taller toddlers, so you can use your stroller longer. (It's great for my super-tall four-year-old.)

The Mockingbird is compatible with about 40 different infant car seats (using adapters, sold separately) if you’d like to use your stroller from birth. If you prefer a bassinet, that’s an option too, or you can skip add-ons and use the stroller as-is with the Infant Seat Stroller Insert for the tiniest riders. It’s also covered under a lifetime warranty.

And while they may not seem like a big deal at first, the Mockingbird's thoughtful features are really nice to have—and really helpful, too. I love the black-and-white pattern on the inside of the canopy (cute and perfect for visual development) and the hidden seatback pocket, which is perfect for phone storage.

Need to stroll with multiple kids, or prefer to invest in a stroller that will grow with your family? Check out the Mockingbird Single-to-Double 3.0 convertible stroller. It features everything we love about the single model but expands to hold two+ children. (It’s also a Babylist editor favorite.)

Worth noting:

• The Mockingbird is comparable to the Cruz in size and weight, which is to say it's pretty heavy and fairly bulky.

• The handlebar rotates rather than telescopes (it pivots up and down instead of extending in and out). As a taller parent (I’m 5’10”), I occasionally kick the crossbar at the bottom of the stroller if I’m not paying attention.

• I don’t find the stroller quite as easy to turn and steer as some other slightly more expensive competitors—but I'm being pretty picky. I'm not sure the average parent (AKA, someone who doesn't test strollers for a living) would notice a significant difference.

• Compatibility note: the 3.0 works with all existing Mockingbird accessories, and the Second Seat Kit 3.0 works on all 2.0 strollers. However, the 3.0 canopy won't fit a 2.0 seat.

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: 27 lbs

• Age Range: Birth up to 50 lbs or 42”

The most value-forward pick at the top of our list, the Joie Ginger DLX earns its honorable mention spot for what it doesn't do: sacrifice ease-of-use features, quality and durability at an accessible price point.

More affordable strollers are surprisingly hard to get right. In my nearly ten years of testing baby gear, I’ve found that many less expensive models compromise on features that really impact how easy (and enjoyable) a stroller is to use day in and day out. The Ginger DLX doesn't; it truly feels and maneuvers like a stroller triple its price tag.

Almost everything about the Ginger DLX feels luxe. The oversized foam wheels (an upgrade from the wheels on the standard Ginger, which are large but not nearly as cushy) easily handled everything from smooth pavement to bumpy sidewalks during my testing. The stroller turns easily, even one-handed, the handlebar adjusts for users of different heights and the storage basket is roomy enough to hold everything you need for a day out.

The stroller seat is just as impressive, especially considering the Ginger DLX's price point. It's modular and features a lie-flat pramette mode, so you can use it from day one without needing an infant car seat or a bassinet add-on. The seat also adjusts to three height positions, so you can bring your smaller baby closer for easier check-ins, then slide the seat farther away as your baby gets older.

"It has everything we need and nothing we don't," noted one parent in our annual survey. "Excellent value, especially because the pramette setting makes the stroller suitable for a newborn without needing extra attachments. The suspension keeps our little one comfy through bumpy paths, and I appreciate the roomy storage basket with a smaller lidded compartment."

Worth noting:

• You'll need two hands to fold the Ginger DLX. It's not especially hard, but there is a sequence of steps to follow and it does take some practice. And the stroller only folds when the seat is in world-facing position.

• You'll need to manually reroute the harness straps as your child grows.

• The brake isn’t flip-flop friendly.

• It’s only compatible with Joie infant car seats. (Adapters are included, though.)

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: 26.7 lbs

• Age Range: Birth up to 50 lbs

The Nuna Triv lx + Pipa urbn is the best travel system for its unmatched ease of use and thoughtful, premium design. The stroller delivers a smooth ride and folds in seconds, while the infant car seat installs quickly and fits a wide range of cars.

This Triv lx and Pipa urbn bundle is a travel system: a car seat + stroller combo that attaches. Travel systems are convenient, eliminate some decision fatigue and guarantee that your car seat and stroller will work together. Unlike many travel systems that may fall short in one area—the stroller might be great, but the car seat not so much, or vice versa—both the stroller and car seat in this pair shine.

The Triv lx is one of my top mid-size stroller picks. (Babylist parents love it, too.) The oversized wheels lets the stroller handle bumps really well, and the one-handed fold is quick and intuitive. Since you’ll be using your stroller long after your baby outgrows their infant seat, choosing one you’ll love pushing for years is a big part of getting a travel system right, and the Triv lx really delivers.

The urbn is another big win. It's a lightweight, baseless car seat that features built-in rigid LATCH. (This means it skips a base and instead installs directly to your car using rigid lower anchors built directly into the seat.) Installation is as straightforward as it gets and, once you've done it a few times, takes just a few seconds. Size is another big pro of this seat; because there's no base to deal with, it's pretty compact, so it works in a wide range of cars, even smaller ones.

Worth noting:

• The Triv lx is a mid-size stroller, which means it sits between a full-size and a lightweight. (More on mid-size strollers later in this guide.) For many parents, this is a pro; mid-size strollers have a relatively compact footprint + a quick fold while still retaining most of the features of a full-size. But mid-size strollers have smaller storage baskets, slightly smaller seats and less suspension than their full-size counterparts, so be aware of that as you're figuring out what's right for your family's needs.

• Baseless car seats have many perks, but you will have to reinstall the seat every time you put it in your car. (It's quick, though.)

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: 23.7 lbs

• Stroller Age Range: Birth to 50 lbd

• Car Seat Weight: 7 lbs, without canopy and inserts

• Car Seat Age Range: 4-30 lbs, 16-29"

A value-packed stroller that works from day one without extra add-ons, the Graco Modes Pramette is the best affordable stroller. It's three strollers in one, all for just over $250: 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, which is why I recommend the Modes line over the brand’s (many) other models.

"The pram attachment has been a lifesaver having a summer baby," shared one Babylist parent in our annual survey. "We go to farmers markets and outdoor events and he can nap and move around if needed! Don't have to worry about getting out of his car seat. It's extremely easy to use!"

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 Modes Pramette seat is modular, another big pro for a stroller in this price range. It also has a one-handed fold and includes a parent cup and phone holder.

Worth noting:

• My biggest knock against the Modes Pramette is its lack of robust suspension—something true of many more affordable strollers—which can make for a bumpy ride over rough or uneven terrain. It also takes more effort to turn it.

• The stroller's handlebar isn't adjustable.

• Assembling the Modes Pramette is not high on my list of things I'd love to do again. It takes about 30 minutes.

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: 20.86 lbs

• Age Range: Newborn up to 50 lbs

The UPPAbaby Vista V3 is the best convertible stroller if you plan on having kids close in age. Nearly a quarter of parents named it their favorite stroller in our annual survey, often calling its quality “unmatched” and even the best item on their entire registry. I count myself among its biggest fans—it’s the stroller I pushed multiple times a day for years while raising kids in New York City.

The Vista’s biggest strength is its flexibility for growing families. From birth, you can use it with the SnugSeat or add a bassinet (sold separately or as part of a bundle). The bassinet works for both strolling and overnight sleep and includes a foam-free air mesh mattress with plenty of ventilation.

“A bassinet is a great option because it allows baby to continue to move freely on their stroller ride,” says Courtney English, a Pediatric Occupational Therapist. “I also love bassinet stroller rides for newborns because it stimulates their visual and vestibular systems as they explore looking at trees, clouds or a mobile as their body moves in space. This is all great for their development.”

If you prefer a car seat setup, the Vista pairs with UPPAbaby’s Mesa or Aria infant car seats—or other compatible seats with adapters. As your child grows, swap in the toddler seat, and if a second baby joins the picture, you can add a Rumble Seat or the PiggyBack ride-along board for older kids.

Performance and durability-wise, the Vista shines. “It’s lasted through all three of my kids and held up great,” one Babylist parent shared. The V3 boasts an even better suspension system than the brand’s previous versions (something I didn’t think was even possible), called FlexRide, that holds up to just about anything you throw at it, including high curbs, bumpy sidewalks and off-road terrain. I’ve pushed a lot of strollers, and the Vista handles like no other.

Thoughtful details round things out. The telescoping handlebar works for parents and caregivers of different heights (I’m 5’10” and find it comfortable to push). The huge storage basket is a plus, too. When I lived in the city, I easily fit a few days’ worth of groceries in it. The full-recline seat and extendable canopy are good kid-forward comfort features. And speaking of seats, the V3 now features an all-weather option: there’s a mesh back for warmer days and a seat liner for cooler days. UPPA also added magnetic buckles, something I’ve been hoping for on this stroller for years. They’re just as great as I imagined, making it quicker and easier to get your squirmy baby or toddler into or out of the seat than ever before.

Worth noting:

• The Vista is large and heavy, even when folded.

• Like many tandem (also called inline) strollers, the Vista is tough to steer when it's loaded with two (or more) kids. If you think that may frustrate you, your other option is a side-by-side stroller. Just note that side-by-sides are wider and bulkier than tandems and often less compact when folded. Most also only have world-facing seats, not modular options

• It's expensive, especially when you start adding on accessories. But, like the Cruz, it's a worthwhile investment if you're looking for a durable stroller that will hold up through multiple kids.

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: Frame + seat: 27.6 lbs

• Age Range: From birth (with infant car seat or SnugSeat) up to 50 lbs; with toddler seat only, from 3 mos up to 50 lbs

The Doona X Infant Car Seat and Stroller is the best stroller for families on-the-go. “Makes everything easier,” “so convenient for our lifestyle,” and “once you have the Doona, you don’t need anything else” are just a few Babylist parent raves about this newly updated car seat + stroller hybrid.

The Doona X transforms from an infant car seat into a stroller with the click of a button. When it’s time to get in the car, the stroller legs and wheels pull up and fold under the car seat. This feature makes the Doona X ideal for parents who travel or fly with baby frequently, who are in and out of the car often (think a suburban parent of multiple kids who’s doing daily preschool dropoff, sports practices, etc. with a baby in tow) or for a city family who uses rideshares or rental cars regularly. It’s also great if you’re a minimalist trying to cut down on the baby gear you need, especially during the first year.

This most recent upgrade addresses almost every pain point I have with the original version: the handlebar now adjusts to a taller height, there's built-in suspension for a smoother ride and there are add-on storage solutions. It also has a no-rethread harness, so you don't have to reroute the straps every time your baby hits a growth spurt.

Safety note: First and foremost, the Doona is a car seat, not a stroller. And as with any car seat, it's important to take regular car seat breaks. (It's not safe for baby to sleep in a car seat for long stretches, and if you're taking a long road trip, the AAP recommends taking baby out every few hours for a break.)

Worth noting:

• The Doona X is very heavy, clocking in at almost 20 pounds—almost 10 pounds heavier than some other popular car seats. That's light(ish) for a stroller, but really heavy for a seat you'll need to lift in and out of your car regularly.

• There’s no built-in storage basket, so you'll have to buy one separately.

• The seat sits quite low to the ground.

• The suspension and steering are much improved from the original Doona, but aren’t nearly as good as you’ll find in traditional strollers.

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: 19.2 lbs

• Age Range: 4-30 lbs, up to 32”

The UPPAbaby Kona is the best mid-size stroller because it gets the everyday essentials right: an easy fold, a newborn-ready seat and a roomy basket, all in a stroller I can lift easily. I’ve used UPPAbaby strollers with my own kids for years, and the Kona delivers much of what I love about the brand in a smaller, lighter package.

Mid-size strollers fall between full-size and travel options, offering many of the features you want for everyday use with less bulk and weight. The Kona's self-standing fold is the standout. It takes one hand and a few seconds, and the stroller folds with the seat both parent- and world-facing. It's really intuitive; I folded it once and never had to look at the user manual again.

At 22 pounds, the Kona was easy for me to sling over my shoulder and carry up stairs or life into my trunk. But the smaller frame still fits plenty of useful features. The basket holds up to 30 pounds, the adjustable handlebar was comfortable at my 5'10" height and the reversible seat reclines flat for newborn use without an extra attachment. I also love the tall seatback and height-adjustable canopy, which give growing toddlers more headroom.

Worth noting:

• One sacrifice you'll notice on most mid-size strollers is suspension. The Kona's suspension is good, but not great. (The Vista and the Cruz, for example, offer much smoother rides.) If you’re used to a full-size stroller or larger wheels, you’ll notice the difference over bumps.

• The seat sits low, putting your child farther from you, and the handlebar wobbles a bit when fully extended. The wobble didn’t make the stroller feel unstable during my testing, but it’s something to know before buying.

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: 22 lbs

• Age Range: Birth to 50 lbs

A travel stroller is a good investment if you plan to fly or travel frequently with your family, but it’s also worth considering if you need a lightweight, easy-to-fold stroller to keep in your car or use when you don’t want to deal with a larger stroller. With so many incredible features at a price point a few hundred dollars less than its main competitors, the Mockingbird Travel Stroller is the best travel stroller for most families.

I've spent over a decade traveling with two kids, which means I've pushed a lot of travel strollers through airports, across bumpy sidewalks, over gravel paths and up and down countless curbs. Mockingbird's travel stroller is hands-down the best of the best. It checks all the boxes (and then some) of the big features I look for in any travel stroller: fold, push, size and weight, and storage.

The Mockingbird travel stroller folds in a few seconds with just one hand. It ends up in a self-standing position without any effort on your part, a feature I was so thankful for on the various outings I brought it along on. The integrated shoulder strap is long enough to sling over your shoulder and has a padded cover for comfort. (It's also small enough when folded to fit in a plane's overhead compartment.) As for the push, it's really good. I had no problem pushing and steering it one-handed, and the all-wheel suspension shines over rougher terrain. And the handlebar is angled high enough for taller folks (🙋🏻‍♀️) but still comfortable for shorter ones.

The basket is roomy and easy to access, a big con with most travel strollers. And the seat is really unique. The full recline makes it newborn-compatible, but you can also add near-universal car seat adapters to easily attach 50+ infant car seats. This is a big deal; no other travel stroller on the market offers this level of infant car seat compatibility.

Worth noting:

• The only (slight) downside of the Mockingbird travel stroller is weight. At a bit over 17 pounds, it's a few pounds heavier than my next-favorite travel option, the Joolz Aer2. But what you gain in weight you'll lose in features; the Joolz has a much smaller basket that's harder to access, fewer compatible infant car seats and costs more.

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: 17.7 lbs

• Age Range: Birth to 50 lbs

The BOB Wayfinder Jogging Stroller is the best jogging stroller for parents who run frequently thanks to its overall functionality, performance and profile.

BOB strollers are a longtime favorite of running parents. The Wayfinder is a newer addition to the lineup and a home run for me. It features independent, dual suspension and air-filled tires, so no matter what type of terrain I tried it on (dirt path, sandy road, bumpy sidewalk), it provided a smooth ride every time. It checks all the feature boxes I look for in a jogger: a swivel-locking front wheel, a hand brake, a wrist strap, an adjustable handlebar and a large cargo basket. The fabrics and finishes look and feel high-end, there’s a great canopy and the seat reclines all the way back. And it’s compatible with many popular infant car seats with the addition of adapters.

The biggest plus of the Wayfinder, though, and why I think it stands above other BOB joggers, is its slimmed-down profile. While not small by any means, this jogging stroller is narrower and more compact than many of its competitors. And when you fold it (which is also easy), it gets even smaller; the Wayfinder is only about 22 inches across, so it’s easier to store or load in your trunk than other joggers.

Worth noting:

• The slimmer profile does take some getting used to when running, especially if you’re used to a lower, wider jogger like I was, but it only took me a few runs to get the hang of it.

• Although the stroller’s weight limit is 75 pounds, the height limit is 44 inches, so your little one will likely outgrow it height-wise long before they come close to the stroller’s max weight capacity.

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: 31.1 lbs

• Age Range: 6 mos up to 75 lbs or 44”; from birth with car seat, but do not jog or walk fast with a child that does not have sufficient head and neck control, usually around 6 mos

With the functionality of a stroller and the fun factor of a wagon, the Veer Cruiser City is the best stroller wagon for most families. The brand was one of the first stroller wagons to hit the market—and I still think it’s the best.

This hybrid offers the best of both worlds. Its oversized tires and front-wheel suspension mean it can easily tackle all sorts of rugged terrain, sand and snow included. (The Beach Wheel Kit is a great add-on if you'll be lugging it through the sand regularly.) You can even attach an infant car seat using adapters, along with tons of other fun accessories. When it gets dirty—and it will—just hose the whole thing down and be on your way. I prefer this City version over the classic Veer as it features swivel wheels that make it easier to push and steer.

Worth noting:

• While not as large as some stroller wagons, there's no getting around its size: it's big, heavy and takes up a lot of trunk space. (It does fold down easily, though, and the wheels pop off for better storage.)

• It's pricey. If you plan on using it frequently, I think it's 100% worth the cost, but if you're looking for a stroller wagon to use occasionally, the Veer isn't it. I'd recommend the Bombi Waggle or the Delta Children Jeep Sport All-Terrain Storage Wagon instead.

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: 32.6 lbs

• Age Range: 55 lbs per seat (two seats total); Cargo-only or pet weight capacity: 250 lbs

The Bugaboo Donkey 6 Stroller is the best stroller for twins because of its unmatched performance. It's expensive, but there's simply no better twin side-by-side on the market.

Finding a twin-friendly double stroller is tricky. Many are bulky and unwieldy to push, don’t fit through doors and don’t accommodate two bassinets or two car seats at a time. The Donkey 6 does all this and (much) more. Its slim profile lets it slide through most standard doorways. It holds two bassinets, two car seats and two toddler seats at the same time. And it converts from a single to a double in three easy clicks. It’s easy to push and steer even when fully loaded and has an incredible suspension system for a cushy ride.

Not a dealbreaker, but:

• This stroller's biggest con is pretty obvious: the price. The Donkey 6 is expensive. If your stroller is your primary mode of transportation and you use it multiple times a day (think an urban family that doesn't own a car and walks everywhere), it's worth every penny. If you're looking for a less expensive side-by-side, check out the Valco Baby Duo Trend.

• It's a huge pain to break down, which is why I generally recommend it to city families who can leave it unfolded in their hallway or apartment entryway, or for suburban families who can park it in their garage and don’t need to load and unload it into and out of their car often.

Additional Specs

• Stroller Weight: 33.7 lbs with 1 toddler seat; 39.8 lbs with 2 toddler seats

• Age Range: 0 mos-4 yrs; Bassinet: birth until 20 lbs, stop using when baby can push up on hands and knees or rollover; Max child weight 50 lbs per seat