Mirta Madden

The Lightest, Most Compact and Easiest to Fold travel strollers (wavesocialmedia.com)

This stroller is among the lightest, most compact and easiest to fold. It is a great stroller, a great sun canopy, and a multi-position recline.

At less than $100 it's an excellent value. It's lightweight and easy to fold away, making it ideal for public transport, or even slinging over your shoulder.

1. Lightweight

When it comes to travel strollers lightweight and easy to fold are the most important factors. The top travel models we tested fold down with only one hand (and sometimes two hands) and can be tucked away in overhead luggage compartments. They are also compact and roll well making them easy to maneuver into tight space. Some even offer a telescoping handle for parents of various heights. If you're planning a short trip with a newborn or pushchairs Prams pushchairs a long-haul trip with a toddler, find a lightweight, easy-to-pack stroller that will make the journey -- and return for your family.

To determine the top travel strollers, we evaluated nine strollers that met our minimum weight and size requirements. Each model was tested on city streets, country streets, and in the airport terminal for maneuverability as well as ease of folding and carrying, and overall comfort for your child.

Our picks include the Babyzen YoYo2 ($320), which has the simplest fold of all the travel strollers we've tested and can fit into overhead bins on airplanes. The seat reclines to a flat position and is car seat compatible and is suitable from birth. Other features that parents will appreciate include a deep undercarriage storage basket, a bag hook on the handle, and a UPF 50+ canopy which provides plenty of coverage for your little traveler.

The Cybex Orfeo (320) is another great option. It features an articula fold that can be completed by one hand and is extremely light. Its five-point harness, padded and crotch strap will keep your child safe, while the reversible seat and hefty undercarriage basket ensure there's plenty of space for their possessions. It's also compatible with the brand's infant car seat which makes it a feasible option for families that start at the time of birth.

The Coya TRVL ($320) is a one-handed, one step fold and is also compatible with car seats and has a large canopy. It's a bit more expensive than the other models in this category however it has additional features, including a larger cupholder and parent pocket as well as an adjustable handlebar for parents of all sizes, and a comfortable carry strap. The simple design does not mean it's as durable, as relative to other models in this class.

2. Easy to fold

If you're constantly on the move the stroller you use for travel needs to be simple to open and close. If you have a bag of groceries or kids in your arms you don't want to wrestle with a complex stroller to close it. The best travel strollers fold up easily and compactly, even with one hand. Many come pushchair with car seat a comfortable strap that can be comfortably placed over your shoulder.

In our tests In our tests, the Libelle stroller scored highly for its easy folding and baby transport compact size. But it also has other nice features: It rolls effortlessly across all surfaces and comes with a huge canopy that gives plenty of coverage. It's also extremely light and stands up in its own right when folded. This makes it easy to keep in storage.

For parents who want to stroll right up to the gate and pop their stroller into an overhead bin, we suggest looking for an option that will fit in. The Munchkin Sparrow, for example is perfect for the smallest fold and comes with a handy protective travel cover, but it has no recliner, and a tiny cargo area that can only hold a small tote or diaper bag (no backpacks).

Another alternative is the Babyzen Yoyo 2, which folds into a concertina style but also has a reversible seat for back-to-back or face-to-face riding. The handle is tucked behind the seat, but our editor didn't like the fold.

The newest type of stroller that is a travel model is the tri-fold, which folds in thirds, and offers the best combination of compactness and features. The UPPAbaby Miniu for example, comes with a reversible seat and a storage compartment that is unstructured on the rear, and a lockable latch to keep it folded. It's slightly larger than the umbrella models made by the brand however, it folds more compactly than its G-Luxe and G-Link counterparts and has a padded carry strap that can be worn over your shoulder.

3. Easy to store

The best travel strollers can fold down to a small size that can be easily stored. They can be easily stored in the trunk of a car or the overhead bin of the plane. Some models come with a strap can be used to carry the stroller on your shoulder so your hands don't get tired. They're also lighter than standard strollers. This makes them easy to lift and carry around for a quick stroll in the neighborhood or at the airport.

This stroller performed exceptionally excellently in our durability tests and was easy to maneuver on all kinds of surfaces. From smooth hardwoods to shag flooring this stroller is an excellent option. However, some of our testers found it to be a bit thin and the handlebar does not have any padding to keep your hands comfy. The size of the storage basket should also be taken into consideration. It's quite small and some parents have had difficulty difficult to fit a large diaper bag inside it.

We recommend that you call your airline in advance to inquire about their specific rules concerning strollers. They may differ. This is crucial in case you intend to gate-check a stroller. You can then take it on the plane, and then navigate through the airport without the stroller.

If you're looking for a simple travel stroller that's lightweight and folds down to an extremely compact size the Contours Itsy is a great option. It's nearly assembled straight out of the box, and the only thing you need to do is put the bumper bar into the appropriate spot. It comes with cups holder for the parent as well as a back pocket. However, it does not have an oversized basket. This could limit your ability pack essentials for long trips.

If you are frequent travelers, we recommend you look into a more robust stroller that has more features and the capacity to hold more cargo. The UPPAbaby Mini, for example has many of its G-Luxe and G-Link siblings' features, but is smaller and folds much faster. It's also a bit more robust than an umbrella stroller and has a padded strap to help alleviate some of the burden off your shoulders.

4. Confortable

It is important to be comfortable when using strollers over long periods of time. Find seats with plenty of padding and a recline system that allows you to position it at multiple angles. Note if the canopy extends to provide sun protection, and if the mesh windows promote airflow. You should consider a model that comes with an organizer for parents and a cupholder as well as an ample basket under the seat, if you have to carry things around. When you are looking for a travel jogger for older children, make sure to check the age range. Also, consider if your child is comfortable in the seat, even without a car seat.

The way a stroller is rolled is also crucial. It needs to maneuver effortlessly over a variety of surfaces, from smooth hardwoods and shag carpets to cobblestones and gravel. It must be able of handling curbs, stairs and other obstacles easily. Consider a stroller with a light weight for those who intend to do a lot of walking during your journey. This will help to prevent leg and back pain.

A high-quality travel stroller should be simple to use, too. It should assemble in under 30 seconds and snap together securely when it is popped in the right place. It must also be able to fold flat and fit into the trunk of a car or the overhead compartment of planes. It should also remain upright when folded so that you can pick it up using one hand and then hold your child in the other.

The Joie Tourist is an excellent option for parents looking for a lightweight, high-quality travel stroller. It comes with various recline positions, to allow your child to sleep comfortably. The extendable canopy offers lots of sun protection and UPF protection. Plus, it comes with lots of extras including a footmuff, cup holder, and rain cover are included. Charlotte is thrilled that it's suitable from newborns up to four years and does not require a separate car seat pram seat adapter.