The All-Time Best Strollers, According to Hundreds of Hours of Testing

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One of the biggest purchases you make as a new parent is a stroller. After a crib and a bassinet, a stroller is the biggest ticket item you'll need to invest in before your little one arrives — and the cost can be pretty high. That being the case, you want to make sure that you choose the model that best fits your family's needs. It's also one of the top baby registry must-haves, with gifters often going in together to buy one for the lucky expectant parents, which makes pinning down your favorite critical. Fortunately, there are a ton of great choices on the market right now, and there's something for every taste and budget.

The Best Baby Strollers

• Best Overall: UppaBaby Vista 2

• Best Stroller Travel System: Nuna urbn and Mixx

• Best Stroller Wagon: Veer XL

• Easiest to Fold: Bugaboo Butterfly

• Highest Weight Limit: Silver Cross Wave

Before you commit to a stroller, you should know that it's possible, even probable, that you'll buy more than one stroller to serve different needs. For example, if you're a runner, you may want a jogging stroller in addition to your everyday model. Or, perhaps, you'll start with a basic click-in car seat stroller and then upgrade to something with different features once your baby grows out of the infant car seat.

Alternatively, many parents prefer a bigger stroller or a travel system for going on all-day outings or visiting amusement parks, but they want a more compact stroller when heading out for a quick jaunt.

What to Consider When Buying a Baby Stroller

Safety

First and foremost, you should make sure the stroller you're considering fits all of the requirements put forth by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC). They have guidelines for safe hinges, wheel locks, seat belts, fabrics — everything. While all new strollers sold in the United States must conform to these regulations, secondhand retailers and certain imports may not, so you won't find any of those on our list.

The primary things you want to consider when buying a stroller are how you're using it, whether you need a single or a double, how and where you will be storing it, and comfort and convenience for the parent.

General Use

This is the most important question to ask yourself when buying a stroller. Do you live in the suburbs and plan on using it for neighborhood walks and trips to the park? Are you in the city and need to go from Uber to Uber with ease? Do you jog and need something easy to run with? Or are you just looking for something light and breezy to take on the go?

Single vs. Double

This isn't as straightforward a question as you think. Most people think that if you're not having twins, a single will suffice. I'd argue that a double stroller is fantastic for siblings up to the age of 4. If this is your first and you're planning on having more kids, you should definitely consider a combination stroller, such as the Uppa Baby Vista. These strollers start as a single stroller and can be expanded to accommodate multiple kids using different attachments.

Storage

If this is going to be stashed in a garage or mess room, you're not going to be worried about the size of the stroller, which for some of them, is significant. However, apartment dwellers or parents with small car storage might consider a slimmer, smaller stroller that folds up into a compact space.

Comfort and Convenience

This is where you consider things like what accessories are available, how much storage space does it have, and if its fabric is machine-washable or not. For petite or taller parents, is the handlebar adjustable? If you travel a lot, you may want to consider a stroller that can fit in the overhead bin, so you don't have to gate-check it.

How We Selected

I spent weeks testing strollers, meeting with manufacturers, and talking to parents about their needs and what they love in a stroller. I used my own experience as a parent and a researcher and considered criteria such as manufacturing, sustainability, availability, budget, repair options, and materials. I made sure that if something goes wrong with the stroller, there is someone ready to help — and a solid repair chain. That means that there is a real human on the support line, and if necessary, parts can be ordered easily, or the entire stroller can be sent in for repairs.

I tested to determine that these strollers were roadworthy, comfortable for both babies and toddlers, and easy to assemble. And while very few strollers are going to be simple to put together, I made sure the instructions were clear and concise, providing ample direction for new and expecting parents. I've spent hundreds of hours testing strollers over the years, including every stroller on this list, and these are really the best of the best.

While strollers can very much be a personal choice item, the following picks meet my criteria (which are based on 5 years as a parenting journalist and 13 years as a parent) and will suit a broad range of needs. Here are the best baby strollers of 2023.

VISTA V2 Stroller

The Vista V2 by UppaBaby has been our best overall stroller for the past 3 years, and it's still at the top of the pack. The combination of luxury, utility, and convenience cannot be outdone.

I can remember a time in New York City when you'd only see one fancy stroller everywhere. Nowadays, you never see that model — instead, the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Stroller is the preferred baby-toting machine of the schmancy people of the Upper East Side.

And it’s for good reason. If you can swing the price, this is a heck of a travel system. The bassinet is luxurious and soft, equipped with a breathable canopy and easy click-and-go attachments. The seat is cushy and gorgeous without being fussy. The undercarriage storage holds up to 30 pounds of stuff, which is why it's our best overall. Everything is top tier.

Plus, it has a ton of reclining functions, seat configurations (parent- or front-facing), and a telescoping handlebar. It has a vented base for maximum breathability, and the aluminum and magnesium frame is lightweight and durable.

It might cost more than your crib, but it is worth every penny. One of our testers has been using this stroller for over a year now and loves how durable it's been. Her two boys aren't easy on it, either. Plus, because it is easy to maneuver the seats between facing in and facing away, you can have your child looking at you to chill out or looking at the world to engage them.

PIPA urbn™ infant car seat & MIXX™ next Stroller Travel System

I am so rarely excited about new products in this space, and honestly, not that many new stroller travel systems have been released in recent years. However, the Nuna PIPA urbn infant car seat and MIXX next stroller system are redefining what we think of when we talk about stroller travel systems. It's a top-of-the-line luxury system with top-of-its-class safety.

Why do i say that? The PIPA urbn (released in 2022) has a rigid latch that's steel enforced — that means that what anchors your car seat to the car are two steel connection points that click right into your latch system. It also has an auto-reclining foot to keep baby at the right level and stable, more-than generous side-impact protection with their own proprietary foam, and the buckle on the seat doesn't get gunked up quickly (a miracle in itself), and there are magnetic holders on the side of the seat to keep them out of the way when you're accessing your baby.

The Nuna MIXX next stroller is next-level brilliant. You'll be astonished to find out how something can be so high-end, with such posh finishings, and yet collapse into a compact package that sits on its back wheels and takes up no more room than your average carry-on.

I love the harness on this one. The magnetic closure on the no-rethread harness was such a special thing to have for me, as I have a partially-paralyzed left hand that's often a hindrance with closures.

The five-position recline, telescoping handle, breathable all-weather seat with removable insert, and huge UPF 50+-rated canopy, makes the MIXX next a joy for both rider and driver. Did I mention the fabrics are machine washable? If you want something that combines luxury, safety, and plain ol' practicality, the Nuna PIPA urbn with MIXX next is truly the system for you.

Cruiser XL All-Terrain Hybrid

The Veer XL stroller wagon has become indispensable to my family. The four-seater wagon does the impossible — it makes hauling around a gaggle of toddlers not only manageable, but fun. And when you're done? It folds up tighter than any other stroller wagon on the market.

The accessory tray in the center pops right off to get cleaned, which will need to happen basically every time you use it with toddlers, given how undeniably gross they can be. My family loves the foot well at the bottom of the wagon that has ample space for all four pairs of feet, and can be hosed out from the top or the sides. Personally, I recommend flooding it from the top and then spraying out the sides. Each of the four seats has a three-point belt system that keeps kids tucked in snug, but doesn't take forever to get them in and out of.

You can push or pull this wagon, and it's equally easy on smooth ground, but pulling is your friend when you're going uphill. It's so much easier than pushing, you'll wonder how you ever pushed your double stroller uphill. And yes, it's car-seat adaptable.

It is on the pricier side, but it's nowhere near some of its competitors, and for durability alone, not to mention the storage space, the nap possibilities thanks to the added mat, and the massive weight limit of 220 pounds? I think it's worth it.

Butterfly Seat Stroller

This is one of the fastest to fold, lightest strollers you can get. It's only 16 pounds, and you can fold it with one hand. It's soft and luxurious feeling, and good from 6 months to 48 pounds. There's also plenty of cargo space given the fact that this folds up to the size of the average backpack, and fits in overhead bins.

I adore how simple the whole thing is, but I will note that it takes a minute to figure it out — as is the case with every stroller. But once you know it? You could do it in your sleep.

The size isn't the only convenience. It's also made of fabrics that are machine-washable. They come off quickly, and the five-point harness is an easy-thread, so you can get it on and off without much fuss. I actually washed the fabrics before testing it because it smelled "new," and let me tell you, that makes a huge difference. (Clean linen over plastic any day of the week.)

It's a heck of a lot more durable than you're anticipating, taking the hard ruts of pavement as easily as it does grass and sidewalks. It's a giant leap forward from other lightweight strollers I've used.

Wave Stroller

Our Deputy Editor, Joana Mascioli, loves this stroller. A single-to-triple style, that has an included bassinet and is car-seat adaptable, this is a top-of-the-line stroller, and it's easy to see its worth when you get behind it. Having had the opportunity to test it myself as well, I can tell you that this is the most luxurious stroller I've ever pushed.

Normally, large strollers like this have issues with maneuverability, but not the Wave, it's a cinch to push around according to Mascioli, and takes different terrain without blinking. The turning radius is easier and shorter than the Vista, even in double mode. Thanks to the leather-wrapped, telescoping, adjustable handles, it's also a comfortable stroller to push.

The luxury fabrics aren't precious, in fact, though they are spot-clean, they are stain-resistant, and take spot and stain cleaning easily.

Yes, it's large and heavy, and it doesn't collapse into the smallest unit, but when you consider that the chassis is built to hold multiple seats, each with a 55-pound weight limit, and it has a huge cargo area, it makes sense.

This is definitely a bougie stroller, but it's also the only one on the market with a single-to-triple design, and it's a best-in-class per seat weight limit. It's something to consider, for sure.

YOYO2 Stroller

If you're short on space, or if you travel with any regularity, you should consider the Babyzen Yoyo2. This compact design from Babyzen folds down in one move, making it small enough to fit in an overhead bin in an airplane or sit in one seat in the car. It's that small.

It has a multiposition reclining seat that can be used from the time baby can sit with assistance until they weigh 40 pounds. There’s plenty of storage below, especially given the stroller’s size, but it isn’t really adjustable, so it’s best for average-height parents. All of the fabrics are machine-washable, and the canopy is UPF 50+ rated.

Our deputy editor, Joana Mascioli, has been using it for her little nugget, and she’s been super impressed. She notes it’s “the perfect stroller for a mom on-the-go who doesn’t want to lug around a super-heavy stroller.”

The only real drawback is that this isn't an infant-to-elementary stroller. This is an infant-and-toddler stroller made for traveling and small spaces. Mascioli also notes that the wheels, while sturdy, could become a bit unwieldy or imprecise with heavy use. When I tested it with my generously-proportioned young nephew, I noticed that after about 7 to 10 miles, I needed to tighten the wheels. It wasn't a problem, but it is something to consider.

Infant Car Seat & Latch Base

Oh, sweet mystery of baby travel, I have found thee.

If you're a city dweller or simply get in and out of your car a lot with your baby, this infant car seat and stroller combination will be your new BFF.

It's a great car seat with an easy thread, five-point harness, three layers of side impact protection, and the ability to be secured in the cab of the car with a latch or a seat belt — making it a real commuter's dream. The entire thing unfolds with a click, the wheels dropping down like it's in Top Gun mode, and it instantly becomes a sturdy, easy-to-push stroller.

The DOONA is an editor-approved stroller and is not only one of the best strollers for many families, but it's also one of the best car seats — period. The Doona can be used from four to 30 pounds and up to 32 inches tall, making it a solidly extended-use infant seat.

Although the lack of built-in storage on this model can be a pain, what you're lacking in storage, you make up for in convenience. Thankfully, Doona offers accessories that offer plenty of storage, which proved to make a world of difference when it came to convenience for our testers. The Doona Essentials Bag offers storage that rests under the handlebars, ideal for holding things like a phone, water bottle, and even your baby's bottles with two handy bottle compartments. You can add even more storage with the Snap-On Storage Bag, which adds storage space underneath your baby in the back of the stroller for things like a diaper bag or a cooler. Both options feature unique quick-release connectors, making attaching and removing the bags quick and easy.

The one drawback of this stroller is that it's not the best for taller parents. When I get behind it, I feel a bit like a grownup using a child-size shopping cart. My average height sister has no problems with this, though.

Urban Glide 2 Stroller

I have run at least 100 miles (conservatively) behind the Thule Urban Glide 2, and it's the smoothest stroller I've ever had the pleasure of pushing for 18+ miles at a time. Whether you're a serious runner or casual jogger, you will find that there's a big difference between your average jogging stroller and the Thule.

This jogging stroller is one of the easiest to collapse and assemble. Suitable to use from your baby's infancy with the addition of a bassinet, the stroller almost makes you forget about the fact that you're running at zero-dark in the morning because your baby decided that it was time to get going.

The front wheel can be locked in the straight position for long runs, and the air-filled tires are easy to refill with any standard bicycle tire pump. The canopy gives tons of cover in the sun without blocking circulation, and the one-hand recline feature makes gently reclining a sleeping baby so much simpler. Collapsing it is a bit of a pain, and there's a learning curve.

Running parents love how this stroller is so easy to maneuver and how it takes the ruts in the road with no problem. It's designed by runners — and it shows (in the best way). Unfortunately, it is hand-wash only, but reviewers note that it takes a hose and some dish soap like a champ.

Element Single-to-Double Stroller

You might not be familiar with this brand, but let me tell you why you should be and why this is the best stroller for twins. It's easily one of the most versatile double strollers out there, with 35 different configurations possible. The telescoping handle is a luxe leatherette, which doesn't seem like a big deal, but push a stroller through an amusement park with a crappy handle and get back to me.

It's a side-by-side double stroller that's car seat compatible, even in double mode. It's several hundreds of dollars less than similar side-by-side adjustable models, and it's every bit as posh and pushable.

The fabric wipes off extremely well, but it is not machine-washable. The frame is deep, and the ability to collapse it with one hand is a real bonus.

As if that wasn't reason enough to love this stroller, its accessories blow the competitors out of the water. The bags and basket are top-of-the-line, well-designed, and oh, so useful.

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