Best Travel System Strollers, According to Parents and Expert Guidelines
What to Expect selects products based on real-life testing conducted by staff, contributors and members our user community, as well as independent research and expert feedback; learn more about our review process. Prices and details are accurate as of the published date. We may earn commissions from shopping links.
- Best All-in-One Travel System : Doona Infant Car Seat & Base
- Best Luxury Travel System : Nuna Mixx Next Stroller and Pipa Lite LX Car Seat
- Best Lower-Priced Travel System : Graco NimbleLite Travel System
- Best Overall Travel System Stroller : Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System
- Best Travel System Stroller for Second-Time Parents : Graco Ready2Grow Click Connect LX 2.0 Stroller and SnugRide SnugLock 35 Elite Infant Car Seats
- Most Lightweight Travel System Stroller : Britax B-Lively/B-Safe Gen2 Travel System
- Best Travel System Jogging Stroller : Baby Trend Expedition LX Travel System
- Best Travel System for Everyday Use : Uppababy Vista V2 Stroller
- Best All-Terrain Travel System : Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Travel System
- Most Versatile Travel System : Maxi-Cosi Zelia 5-in-1 Modular Travel System
When it comes to traveling with a baby — whether it's a big road trip or just a few quick errands around town — convenience is everything. That's where a travel system stroller comes in handy: These car seat-stroller combos make getting from point A to point B with your little one so much easier. Not to mention, travel systems let you knock two big items off your baby checklist with one swipe of your credit card (and you can often save money by purchasing both at once).
What is a travel system stroller?
A travel system is basically a full-size, stand-alone stroller and a compatible infant car seat that clips into the stroller when you're on foot or into the car when you're on (big) wheels. Car seat-stroller combos let you travel with baby from infancy right up through the toddler years.
Not only do travel system strollers make traveling with baby easier, they can also be a smart way to save money (kind of like when you buy a vacation package instead of paying for airfare and hotel separately).
Not in love with a car seat and stroller from the same brand? That's okay! You can buy the exact stroller you want, the exact car seat you want and can often get an adapter to make them work together.
Is a travel system stroller right for my baby?
A travel system stroller allows you to switch your baby from car to stroller easily. Most seats in infant stroller travel systems recline all the way to safely hold the car seat (with your infant tucked inside). Keep in mind that even though your little one is reclined, a car seat isn't a safe sleeping space. If your little one starts snoozing in a car seat, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that you move your baby to a firm sleep surface on her back ASAP. Once your baby is big enough, he can sit in the stroller as is (without the car seat). If you've already invested in a full-size stroller, or you have a universal car seat carrier (a bare-bones frame with wheels that a car seat snaps into), a travel system isn't necessary.
Still, although a travel system can come in handy, there are some downsides:
- The car seats that come in travel system strollers are for infants only (read: your baby will grow out of them fairly quickly). So, you'll often need to invest in a toddler car seat later on, in addition to the travel system. However, an infant stroller travel system still provides the only stroller you'll ever need. Once your baby outgrows the infant car seat, the stand-alone stroller goes solo for the long haul.
- Even the best travel system stroller (read: the lightest-weight models) can be bulky, making it tough to load into and out of your trunk.
- Infant stroller travel systems may not be good for dirt and gravel roads, since they're heavier than most strollers and tougher to push on uneven surfaces. They can also be tight squeezes through narrower grocery-store aisles.
- You can only use the car seat that comes with the stroller (and not all companies sell extra car seat bases separately from the travel system). So if you have more than one car, you'll need to buy a second car seat if you don't want to unhook and reattach the one base the stroller comes with.
How to use a travel stroller system safely
Take these steps to ensure that your little one's secure:
- As you put the system together, be sure to include all the pieces. There may be a lot of them, but every last one has a purpose.
- Practice clipping the car seat into the stroller and unclipping it again before your baby's sitting in it (so you're a pro before you add a wee wiggler to the mix). Once your baby's in the car seat, gently shake the handle to make sure the seat's fully attached to the stroller before you hit the road.
- Check the car seat's expiration date. Sounds odd, but they do have these, most around six years from the time the seat hits the store. And for good reason: Older models might not have the advantage of the latest safety features. It's also important to note that plastic and webbing wear out and may not perform as expected if your car seat is past its expiration date. So check the manual to make sure your seat doesn't expire before your baby grows out of it.
- Look for a label that reads "This restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards. This restraint is certified for use in all motor vehicles and aircraft." This label means the seat has passed rigorous federal safety standards.
- Always remember that infant car seats should not be used for routine sleep, according to the AAP. The safest sleep position for a baby is flat on her back.
Different types of travel system strollers
At their core, travel system strollers have a few things in common: They allow you to nestle baby’s car seat right inside and wheel away. But there are a few different types out there:
- One-piece travel system strollers. These convert the car seat into the stroller, vs. having a separate stroller.
- Two-piece travel system strollers. Most stroller systems are designed this way, with a separate car seat and stroller that work together.
- Adjustable travel system strollers. These stroller systems allow you to change the height for your comfort — and baby’s.
- Two-seat travel system strollers. While many travel stroller systems are designed for one car seat, some can fit two to accommodate twins.
How to choose the right travel stroller system
There are a few things to consider when choosing the right travel stroller system for you:
- Extra features. Some travel system strollers are basic, and focused on getting baby from point A to point B; others have additional features, like cup holders and special suspension systems for a smooth ride.
- Storage. If you tend to tote a lot of gear with you, you’ll want to look for a travel stroller system that can handle your stuff, too.
- Price. Travel system strollers aren’t cheap in general, but there is a wide price range with these. Depending on your needs, more expensive doesn’t always mean better.
- Number of children. If you have multiples, you’ll need a travel stroller system that can handle more than one baby at a time.
How we made our picks for the best travel stroller systems
Several factors influenced What to Expect’s choice of the best travel stroller systems: First, we ensured that the car seats and strollers met the guidelines above, and federal law requires that all carriages and strollers follow the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety guidelines and that car seats comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards.
From there, our editorial team conducted research to focus on popularity, innovation, design, quality, value and ease of use for travel system strollers. We also sought feedback from pediatricians and other relevant experts. Finally, the What to Expect staff and contributors road-test products at home with our own families, and we asked real parents in the What to Expect community about the travel systems they use and love the most.
If you think a travel system is right for you, check out a few of our favorite options below.
Best All-in-One Travel System
Doona Infant Car Seat & Base
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Unlike a traditional travel system, what’s unique about the Doona is that it’s one piece: The car seat converts into a stroller. How cool is that? With a new baby, it’s possible the most traveling you’ll do will be between home and the supermarket, and that’s totally fine; this system can definitely handle that. But its design also makes it perfect for venturing beyond your zip code, even abroad, and the whole thing weighs just under 17 pounds. Keep in mind that the length of use is fairly limiting, as Doona estimates that parents should opt for another travel system around 12 to 15 months.
Weight: 16.5 pounds; 10 pounds (LATCH base)
Dimensions: 39 x 17.3 x 32.2 inches (unfolded); 23.6 x 17.3 x 26 inches (folded); 9.6 x 15.7 x 20.9 inches (LATCH base)
Weight/height limit: Up to 28.6 pounds, or until the baby's head goes beyond the top of the car seat; the level of the harness must be at baby's shoulder or just below
"My first baby was big, so it was way too hard for me to carry him, so the Doona was awesome [in[ that I could just pop the wheels out right out of the car and not carry him anywhere. Negatives are it’s extremely heavy, so when you do carry it into the car it’s HARD! But it’s really nice especially if you plan on going places."
Best Luxury Travel System
Nuna Mixx Next Stroller and Pipa Lite LX Car Seat
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The Nuna brand prides itself on products that are both practical and beautiful, and Mixx Next Stroller and Pipa Lite LX Infant Car Seat work together to check both boxes. Even though they're often sold separately, the brand assures that they're perfectly compatible. The car seat is appropriate for babies weighing 4 to 32 pounds, or up to 32 inches, while the stroller will work until your child weighs 50 pounds.
Dimensions: 45.3 x 32.7 x 23.6 inches (stroller); 22.5 x 27.25 x 17.5 inches (car seat with included base)
Weight: 28.3 pounds (stroller); 5.7 pounds (car seat without base); 19.7 pounds (car seat with base)
Weight/height limit: Newborn to 50 pounds (stroller); 4 to 32 pounds, or up to 32 inches (car seat)
“I love Nuna! I’ve never regretted a penny spent on their stuff."
Best Lower-Priced Travel System
Graco NimbleLite Travel System
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One of the lower-cost travel systems on the market is also simply one of the best. The Graco NimbleLite Travel System is surprisingly lightweight (weighing under 15 pounds, it's easy to collapse, so you can fold it up or down in a flash when traveling, or store it in a closet at home when not in use). Parents also rave about the large sun canopy with peekaboo window, roomy storage basket and cup holders. The travel system includes the brand's top-rated SnugRide 35 Lite Infant Car Seat.
Dimensions: 21 x 34.62 x 42.25 inches (stroller)
Weight: Less than 15 pounds (stroller); 7.2 pounds (car seat)
Weight/height limit: Up to 50 pounds (stroller); 4 to 35 pounds, or up to 32 inches (car seat)
"I got a Graco travel system with my first baby and it was great for the price range! I used it every day at the park."
Best Overall Travel System Stroller
Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System
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While you really want to feel good about a stroller you’ll hopefully use for a long time, you also need to feel 100 percent comfortable driving with your new baby in the backseat. That's why many parents love the Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System, which comes with the brand's Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat — a 2019 What to Expect Award winner for best infant car seat. Without the base, the car seat clocks in around 9.5 pounds and is suitable for babies weighing between 4 and 30 pounds. The stroller has a higher weight limit of 50 pounds.
Dimensions: 35.2 x 22.8 x 42.7 inches (toddler stroller); 27.5 x 17 x 24 inches (car seat)
Weight: 24.9 pounds (toddler stroller); 9.6 pounds (car seat without base); 16.6 pounds (car seat with base)
Weight/height limit: Up to 50 pounds (stroller); 4 to 30 pounds, or up to 30 inches tall (car seat)
"[We] got the Chicco Bravo travel system for [our] first baby. Love the car seat, and the price."
Best Travel System Stroller for Second-Time Parents
Graco Ready2Grow Click Connect LX 2.0 Stroller and SnugRide SnugLock 35 Elite Infant Car Seats
The Graco Ready2Grow is a versatile stroller that accepts two Graco infant car seats (sold separately) at once and offers multiple riding options, from infant to youth. So while you could keep one seat in stroller mode for an older child and just click in one car seat for your new baby, you have the option to use both car seats at once — making it perfect for twins or young siblings. It also boasts a one-step, self-standing fold, making it easy to stow away when you and baby aren't using it. Note that the weight limits vary slightly: The front seat, bench seat and platform can hold kids weighing up to 50 pounds, while the rear seat has a lower limit of 40 pounds.
Dimensions: 25.6 x 47.4 inches
Weight: 32 pounds
Weight limit: Up to 50 pounds (front seat, bench seat and platform); up to 40 pounds (rear seat)
Most Lightweight Travel System Stroller
Britax B-Lively/B-Safe Gen2 Travel System
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If you opt for a travel system, you’ll most likely use the stroller for much longer than the car seat, so it’s really important that you love it. And, at 20 pounds, this Britax stroller is incredibly lightweight, which is a huge bonus if you’ll be lifting it up stairs, in and out of your car — you name it. The car seat is meant to be used rear-facing for babies between 4 and 35 pounds, while the stroller can stay in rotation until your child hits 50 pounds.
Dimensions: 33 x 23 x 40 inches (stroller); 26.6 x 17.9 25.9 inches (car seat)
Weight: 20 pounds (stroller); 10.9 pounds (car seat without base); 19.9 (car seat with base)
Weight/height limit: Up to 55 pounds (stroller); 4 to 35 pounds, or up to 32 inches (car seat)
“The stroller is what really sold me. It's so lightweight, easy to set up and fold — I can pretty much do it with one hand if needed. It maneuvers well and is comfortable to handle.”
Best Travel System Jogging Stroller
Baby Trend Expedition LX Travel System
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The Baby Trend Expedition LX travel system has all the features of a standard jogging stroller. It has all-terrain bike tires and the front wheel can be left to swivel or locked into place. The car seat is suitable for babies between 4 and 30 pounds, while the stroller will work until your child weighs 50 pounds or reaches 42 inches tall.
Dimensions: 17.75 x 13.5 x 34.75 inches (stroller); 16.75 x 16 x 29.5 inches (car seat)
Weight: 24.5 pounds (stroller); 9.45 pounds (car seat without base); 15.45 (car seat with base)
Weight/height limit: Up to 50 pounds or 42 inches (stroller); 4 to 30 pounds, or up to 30 inches (car seat). Remember: The infant insert must be used for babies at the small end of the weight range.
“It’s very sturdy — handles off-road terrain great. I go hiking a lot, and it has no issues. It's easy to clean, and my toddler is a slob! I love [how] it has shocks so he's not being super jostled around all the time. It's a little on the bigger side, but I'd rather my son be comfortable than worry about how much trunk space it takes up.”
Best Travel System for Everyday Use
Uppababy Vista V2 Stroller
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If you're planning on using your stroller every day, we recommending investing in this editor-favorite travel system. Not only is it super versatile, but it's also one designed to grow with your baby (and family, if you have more kids). The Uppababy Vista V2 set comes with the stroller as well as a bassinet to complete the ensemble, and it can be attached directly to the brand's Mesa car seat (sold separately), no adapter required. Plus, the Vista can be adapted to work as a double stroller and a third can even ride along on a Piggyback board (sold separately). The toddler stroller seat can hold children up to 50 pounds, and even the storage basket has a generous weight limit of 30 pounds, so you can feel free to toss plenty of baby gear underneath.
Dimensions: 36 x 25.7 x 39.5 inches
Weight: 27 pounds (frame with seat); 8.8 pounds (bassinet)
Weight limit: 3 months to 50 pounds (toddler seat); birth to 20 pounds or until infant shows signs of starting to push up on hands and knees, whichever comes first (bassinet)
“I bought the Uppababy Vista for my first and LOVED it. The bassinet was so convenient when she was an infant and then the seat worked perfectly until she was too big/active for a stroller."
Best All-Terrain Travel System
Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Travel System
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Parents love the City Mini GT2 stroller for good reason, and this set gives you that plus a very safe car seat that clicks right in. The stroller is best known for its maneuverability and its ability to collapse with a simple one-handed fold. And although it’s on the heavier side — nearly 42 pounds — it has a slim profile that fits swiftly through doorways, plus handles curbs and turns with ease.
Headed out of the city or suburbia? This stroller combo can handle that, too. It also has Forever Air rubber tires complete with all-wheel suspension that helps the unit glide over just about any terrain without getting stuck or jostling your precious cargo.
Dimensions: 25.6 x 32.5 x 13 inches (stroller); 28.5 x 17.25 x 26.5 inches (car seat)
Weight: 22.4 pounds (stroller); 18.1 pounds (car seat without base); 26.5 pounds (car seat with base)
Weight/height limit: Up to 65 pounds (stroller); 4 to 35 pounds, or up to 32 inches (car seat)
"Love the maneuverability... [it] has great control and easy collapse. I also like how pretty much every piece can be taken off and washed. It also has an infant car seat adapter for basically any brand."
Most Versatile Travel System
Maxi-Cosi Zelia 5-in-1 Modular Travel System
This travel system really is five-in-one: The toddler stroller also has a "bassinet mode," so it can be used both rear- and forward-facing in the two adjustments. Plus, it's compatible with the included Mico 30 Infant Car Seat. Parents love the versatility of the set, and say that it's high quality at a lower price point than others
Dimensions: 37 x 25.8 x 45 inches (stroller); 29 x 16 x 25.5 inches (car seat)
Weight: 21.5 pounds (stroller); 9 pounds (car seat without base)
Weight/height limit: Birth up to 50 pounds (stroller); 5 to 30 pounds, or up to 32 inches (car seat)
- American Academy of Pediatrics, How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained, June 2021.
- American Academy of Pediatrics, Car Seat Checkup, January 2019.
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, Carriages and Strollers Business Guidance & Small Entity Compliance Guide, 2021.
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