If you are a new parent, at some point you probably wish you could grow another arm or two just to get everything done. You have more stuff to carry, including your kid (or kids), places to go, things to do, and not nearly enough hours in the day to do them all and still have semblance of your old life. This is why choosing the right stroller is crucial for your lifestyle. Choosing the right stroller for what you need can make a world of difference. The right stroller will be an awful lot like having an extra limb to help you get everything done.
Skip straight to the top picks!
Types of strollers
Strollers have evolved beyond the prams of the old days. They’re almost the Swiss Army Knife of baby and toddler gear. If you are on the go a lot, a compact stroller might work best. If you are active and trying to stay in shape, a jogging stroller might be what you are looking for. For just about every type of lifestyle out there for parents, there is a stroller that will fill that niche. Below are listed our favorite picks for each category, from umbrellas to joggers, budget to the deluxe model, representing our picks for best strollers of 2023.
How to choose the right stroller for your family
With so many different types of strollers to choose from you can fit your needs with just about any one of them. Depending on the size of your home, travel needs, budget, whether you are using it for an infant, a toddler, or a child with special needs, you have many options. Take into consideration portability, quality of construction, size, materials, ease of use, ease of cleaning all the jelly and crumbs off of it, how well it fits into the trunk of your car or cargo hold of your SUV.
Other considerations
Chances are you are going to be using this stroller through the majority of your child’s early years, unless you want to take the risk of building a significant collection of strollers to fit every occasion. Be warned, though—strollers multiply like rabbits, start with two at your own risk. And unlike that collection of nametags and hairnets you built up in college, strollers can take up a lot of room. Depending on the construction quality, some might creak and squeak like the suspension on your first car. Choosing the right stroller will help you cover as many bases as you can without having to add a stroller parking garage to your home. Like any good tool in your garage (or kitchen) a stroller should be good for more than one specific purpose, otherwise, you’ll have a surplus of the things in no time at all. Look for durability too if you plan on using your stroller for more than one kid over the years.
Below, you’ll find our top picks for:
- Most versatile stroller
- Best compact stroller
- Best jogging stroller
- Jogger that doubles as everyday
- Best luxury stroller
- Best wagon stroller
- Best umbrella stroller
- Best budget stroller
- Best double stroller
One more thing before we dive into our list of best strollers of 2023: please note Fathercraft is reader-supported, meaning, at no cost to you, we may earn a commission if you buy after clicking an affiliate link. Learn more. Also, we are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
If you’d like to learn more about our top picks in video form, you’re in luck … we launched our best strollers of 2023 YouTube video:
Most versatile stroller—the Mockingbird Single to Double
If you want to cover more than one base, the Mockingbird Single to Double gets our vote for most versatile stroller.
- Why we love it: Built from sturdy aluminum with a utilitarian fabric pattern, cargo sling underneath, and the option to add another seat for another passenger, this stroller is like the Jack of All Trades when it comes to strollers. It’s also compatible with other makes of infant car seat with the use of an adapter (sold separately).
- What you need to know: This stroller gets the job done right out of the box, but you could find yourself on a slippery slope when it comes to add ons. $15 here, $30 there, you might be tempted to add another seat, cupholders, snack trays, and even footmuffs.
- Our review: In short, a strong buy that would suit any family with plenty of room to grow. You might get nibbled to death by ducks with all the add-ons however.
- Price & where to buy: Buy directly from Mockingbird on their website to save some money. It runs about $450 for the single and an addition $120 to add another seat.
Check Mockingbird pricing here.
Read and watch our full Mockingbird stroller review here.
Best compact stroller—the Colugo Compact
They say go big or go home, but the Colugo Compact brings large functionality when going big is the last thing you need. This stroller is ideal for portability such as traveling on airplanes, buses, trains or even just along for the ride as an everyday stroller in a smaller car or city apartment.
- Why we love it: It gets the job done while maintaining a low profile. With additional attachments, you can incorporate a bassinet for newborns on the go. The wheel design and suspension allow for active use such as jogging and navigating those city streets, using buses, and even catching a cab.
- What you need to know: The basics that come with the stroller hit some of the high points with us. Included is a cupholder, rain cover, and carry bag. What isn’t included is a zippered storage bag or compartment, but you can add one for extra if you like.
- Our review: A no-frills stroller out of the box, it isn’t without its quirks, but more than makes up for these with portability, ease of maneuverability, and surprising comfort for your passenger (the seat lays back for much-needed naps).
- Price & where to buy: Still holding its price on the Colugo website, you can buy direct for $295. Also available from BuyBuyBaby.
Shop Colugo Compact on Colugo’s site here.
Shop Colugo Compact at BuyBuyBaby here.
Read and watch our full Colugo Compact stroller review here.
Best Jogging Stroller—Thule Urban Glide 2
For the parent who just can’t sit still or enjoys the rush of the wind through their hair, the Thule Urban Glide 2 (Amazon) is our pick for best jogging stroller of 2023.
- Why we love it: This stroller is an absolute beast when it comes to jogging strollers. With 18″ rear wheels and a 16″ front wheel, this tricycle design lets you cover lots of ground on your daily run over just about any kind of ground. It features a handbrake, spoked wheels, and the harness keeps your kid where you buckled them, so no more surprise exits!
- What you need to know: Like many jogging strollers, it is sturdy and built for speed more than maneuverability with a fixed front wheel. Also more expensive than the BOB (below). Reflectors on the body and wheels help provide visibility. Jogging with infants isn’t recommended until at least 6 months of age. Ask your pediatrician!
- Price & where to buy: Buy from Amazon, that free Prime shipping is going to help with a big heavy box. The Glide 2 starts at $649.
Check Urban Glide 2 pricing on Amazon.
Read (and watch) our Thule Urban Glide 2 review
Go-To Sturdy Built Jogger—the BOB Revolution
If the last stroller was a beast, this one is a tank. The BOB Revolution (Amazon) is another tricycle type stroller with large wheels and inflatable tires to handle the bumps in the road.
- Why we love it: This stroller is a solid build with a handbrake, the ability to convert to a double stroller, and the ability to incorporate other brands of car seats with the use of an adapter. The stroller is built tough for all-terrain use, whether it’s the beach, a mountain trail, or a run through the park. Also often retails for considerably less than Thule (above), our top jogging stroller pick
- What you need to know: This stroller is heavy and cupholders come separately. Adapters could be better marked and less confusing to use. Overall, this stroller feels a bit clunkier and didn’t ride quite as well as the Thule (above), hence why it comes in second in the jogging stroller category. But, it does the job, and there’s a reason it’s the 800-lb gorilla of the jogging stroller space …
- Our review: Worth the price, durable, and you will use it every day, especially if you are active. It is durable and you won’t feel like you are breaking it when you collapse or open it up. Loved it!
- Price & where to buy: You can buy this stroller on Amazon by using our affliliate link! It helps us continue to bring you quality content and also with jelly removal. Right now it starts at $439, but lists as high as $549.
Check pricing on the BOB Revolution (Amazon).
Read (and watch) our full BOB Revolution review.
Money is No Object—the Bugaboo Bee 6 (best luxury stroller)
Have you ever wanted to know what a Bentley would look like if it was a stroller? Look no further. This aluminum framed stroller (Amazon) features stylish, clean lines, lightweight maneuverable casters, and a cushioned ride thanks to its spring suspension—it defines what it means to be a premium stroller.
- Why we love it: It’s all about the details when it comes to luxury rides, and this stroller is no exception. Seriously. In testing, it reminded us of driving a high-end European car vs driving a Camry. With a fully adjustable aluminum alloy pushbar, spring suspension for a smooth ride, and a padded lap bar, the Bugaboo Bee6 folds up cleanly to fit into your Benz or Hyundai equally as well.
- What you need to know: Available with gray melange or bright yellow fabric, the Bugaboo Bee6 is conspicuously devoid of cupholders with the standard package. It does come with a really cool sun/rain visor to peek in on your kiddo, or ask them if they have any Grey Poupon. Oh, yeah, and it’s freaking expensive. We loved it, we didn’t pony up our own money after testing to keep it.
- Price & where to buy: Available on the Pottery Barn Kids site, and also on Amazon. Price can vary up to $100 based on color—MSRP at time of writing is $779—$879.
Shop the Bugaboo Bee on Amazon.
Best Wagon Stroller—the Wonderfold W2 Elite
When if comes to wagon strollers, you might feel a little bit like you are playing Oregon Trail again with all the stuff you can haul with the Wonderfold W2 Elite. A two-passenger stroller wagon with built in sun shade that easily adjusts, all sorts of zippered storage panels, and ease of use when if comes to folding and opening on the go, you might not want to go back to a conventional stroller again once you’ve used this wagon stroller.
- Why we love it: Not only can you carry two kids, buckled in and facing each other, this stroller wagon makes transporting a sleeping newborn simple when converted to a bassinet. With plenty of storage, leg room, and a sturdy design you can easily maneuver, your kids can enter and exit through a fun hatch, and it folds up neatly for transport.
- What you need to know: This stroller wagon is heavy, and though it folds up, it still has a fairly large footprint which could eat up a lot of space in your vehicle. The seats are adjustable, but for laying back you have to slide the seats up, at the expense of leg room. Though the fabric is washable, it might be less time-consuming to spot clean with a wet cloth and soap than it is to dismantle the whole assembly to wash on a delicate cycle.
- Our review: Overall a quality stroller wagon that will be a joy to use. With plenty of storage space, solid construction, and clean looks it’s a solid buy, if not on the higher end of the price scale.
- Price & where to buy: Starting at $529, you can purchase the W2 Elite on the Wonderfold website or on Amazon.
Shop Wonderfold W2 on the Wonderfold site.
Read (and watch) our full Wonderfold Wagon review.
Best Umbrella Stroller–Summer Infant 3D Lite
Umbrella strollers are a common staple in just about every parent’s assortment of kid gear, especially when space is a commodity and comfort can be sacrificed for portability. That isn’t to say that you can’t have those features as well as durable, quality design and the convenience built in. And that is where the Summer Infant 3D Lite (Amazon) shines as our pick for the best umbrella stroller of 2023.
- Why we love it: It is a cut above most other umbrella strollers, with ergonomic push handles, a light yet durable aluminum frame, and cup holders, of course! The seat is padded for comfort and features a padded, adjustable five point harness. Unlike other strollers of this type, it features a cargo area underneath the seat and four anti-shock dual wheels. And, all this comes in at just under $100.
- What you need to know: A little on the heavy side, the Summer Infant 3D Lite weighs in at 13lbs, but the wider seat means more comfort, especially for bigger kids. The seat features a four position recline for comfort, naps, and relaxation for your passenger. A sunshade keeps your little one protected from the elements when outside. While this stroller is cheaper than the others on our list, it’s not the lowest-price umbrella stroller you can find (and there’s a reason for that—build quality is better).
- Price & where to buy: Purchase from Target or on Amazon. Prices start at $99.99.
Shop Summer Infant 3D Lite on Amazon.
Shop Summer Infant 3D Lite at Target.
Best Budget Stroller–Graco FastAction Fold Sport Travel System
The Graco FastAction Fold Sport comes from a pedigree of tried and tested strollers and other kid gear from mega baby brand Graco. This quick-folding, tricycle type stroller is more like the Honda Civic of strollers compared to the Bee6 above. But it does come with cupholders, a sunshade, and snack tray.
- Why we love it: It’s a combo! (Exploding head emoji 🙂 ) Meaning: this is both a stroller and a car seat, and they work together! Not only do you save money buying as a package, you’ll also get to experience the joy of taking your sleeping baby out of the car and putting her in the stroller without disturbing her slumber — the car seat clicks into a base that stays in your car, and clicks into the stroller base, too.
- What you need to know: While this stroller’s wheels are marketed as ‘off road’, we found that to be a stretch. Big rocks and sidewalk bumps can bring the front wheels to a grinding halt.
- Price & where to buy: Purchase on Amazon.com through our affiliate link! Prices start at around $330.
Shop Graco FastAction Fold Sport (travel system) at Amazon.
Shop directly on Graco’s website.
Read our Graco FastAction Fold Sport review
Best double stroller (and best stroller for twins)
Our pick for best double stroller goes to a familiar favorite—the Mockingbird single-to-double. Yep, our pick for best overall is also our pick for best double. And for good reason. In addition the what we mentioned above, the Mockingbird has a key double stroller design — it is NOT a side-by-side design. Allow us to shoot you straight—side by side doubles are enormously wide. They’ll drive you crazy trying to Tetris them through doors, they’ll take up the whole sidewalk and cause dogs walking the other way to try and jump into traffic … we could go on. But, just don’t. Get a Mockingbird instead.
- What to know. Mockingbird does get pricey when adding a second seat (which is why it’s nice you can do it later if you only have one baby right now). Learn more about the Mockingbird stroller by reading our review.
- Price and where to buy. A Mockingbird with a second seat kit retails for $595. You can buy it from the Mockingbird website and Target (note you need to add the second seat kit separately. And you might need to use the search function on Target’s site to find it if you go that route.
Honorable mentions in the double stroller category go to the Wonderfold W2, also mentioned above (though note your kids need to be old enough to sit up on their own for this option), and, for you hardcore running parents out there, BOB does make the Duallie, and absolute beast of a double jogging stroller. Find wide paths for running and prepare to see pedestrians jump for their lives like you’re living a car chase scene in a Bond movie.
Best for what keeps you moving
Strollers are an important part in staying active, getting your kids out into the world, and having new experiences. With so many different choices to suit a multitude of lifestyles, you almost can’t go wrong. Not every stroller does all the things any of us probably want them to do, but until they make one that hovers, we still have a lot to choose from! There’s always next year, and who knows what the future will bring!
Looking for more? Check out all of our stroller reviews here.