The best lightweight strollers make errands, appointments and travel that much easier for active parents with young children. While there’s often be a place in our home for a beloved full-size strollers, a lighter model is ideal for grabbing and heading out the door in a hurry. Many of the best lightweight strollers are less expensive than full-size strollers, and yet, easier to handle, store and fold, especially if your family travels a lot, lives in an urban area or needs something simple to stash in the trunk for outings. I’ve pulled together some top lightweight strollers for all occasions, selecting the Joolz Aer+ as the best overall for everyday use. I also like the similarly priced Bugaboo Butterfly if you live in a city.
Adding one of the best lightweight strollers to your baby gear arsenal can make errands and travel ... [+] that much easier with little ones.
Illustration: Forbes / Photos: Retailers
When picking a lightweight stroller, its weight might be your main concern, so I prioritized selecting the absolute lightest strollers for this story, with many of my choices weighing less than 15 pounds—and one coming in at just 7 pounds. “Customers who are looking for a lightweight stroller usually want to see options that are simple and easy to work with. A good lightweight stroller should have a smooth push, and you'll want it to have an easy fold and unfold,” explains baby gear expert Rikki Wechsler of PishPosh Baby.
Keep in mind that some of these strollers do not accommodate newborns and are more typically used around 6 months old or with young toddlers unless they allow for a car seat or bassinet attachment. Take a look at the best lightweight strollers below, and if you don’t find what you’re looking for, consider perusing our guides on the best umbrella strollers, the best car seat stroller combo systems or the best double strollers.
Weight: 13.2 pounds | Car seat compatible: Yes, with add-ons | One-handed fold: Yes | Weight limit: 50 pounds
Best for: Parents who want a luxury stroller but don’t want the added weight of additional features.
Wechsler recommends the Joolz Aer+ stroller. It’s almost a cross between a luxury stroller and a more traditional lightweight umbrella stroller. It’s compact yet the seat is still roomy for your child. “The seat is very spacious and comfortable,” says Wechsler. “It has a wider seat than most other strollers.” The back of the seat reclines for naps, and the stroller folds easily and fits in most overhead bins, making it great for travel. In fact, Forbes Vetted chose it as the best travel stroller overall.
At 13.2 pounds, it’s one of the lightest strollers on our list, too. Yet, a four-wheel suspension system makes it easy to maneuver. It also has a one-touch brake and UPF 50+ water repellent canopy. It comes with a carry strap and travel pouch. The stroller features storage under the seat, but you’ll have to pay extra for accessories like a cupholder, footrest and organizer. You can also add on a bassinet for newborns or a ride-along board for older siblings.
Best High-End Lightweight Stroller
A High-End Stroller That Folds With The Touch Of A Button
Best for: Caregivers who are always carrying too many things.
You can certainly buy less expensive lightweight strollers than the Nuna Trvl, but this is a great choice if you’re looking for something high-end. At only 13.6 pounds, it’s one of the lightest strollers, and it folds itself with just the touch of a button, which impressed another of our parenting writers in this review of the Nuna Trvl. It fits in most overhead bins, and it comes with a carrying case, making it a solid pick if you travel a lot.
The stroller can hold children up to 50 pounds and is compatible with Nuna Pipa car seats without an adapter, so it can work from birth through toddlerhood (not something every lightweight stroller can do). The one-touch break and multi-position seat recline are ideal, and it also has a child handlebar, which I really appreciate for better security for younger kids.
Best for: Parents looking for a lightweight stroller with a sturdy push and smooth ride.
One of the most important features of a good city stroller is a solid suspension system for navigating uneven sidewalks, as well as an easy fold and more narrow frame for maneuvering tight spots. The Bugaboo Butterfly offers all this and more with its four-wheel suspension, one-handed fold and lightweight design. “It does have a very sturdy push even though it's lightweight,” Weschler says.
It also fits in most overhead bins, which is a nice perk if you plan to do a lot of traveling. The Bugaboo Butterfly is car seat compatible with a number of brands and an adapter; it holds kids up to 50 pounds. Older kids also like the extended footrest while parents appreciate the adjustable handlebar when sharing strolling duties.
Best Lightweight Stroller For Travel
An Extra Compact Stroller To Fit Into The Overhead Bin
If you’re looking for something that folds up so small you almost forget it’s a stroller, the Babyzen Yoyo2 is the stroller for you. When you’re planning on traveling, a lightweight stroller that has a compact and easy fold is essential. It weighs only 14 pounds, and it fits in most airplane overhead bins, eliminating waiting for that gate check after you deplane. Wechsler points out that this stroller is a popular choice for travel, because it’s extra compact especially when folded. The stroller easily folds with one hand, so you can get it into the trunk or onto public transportation quickly. The padded shoulder strap is a perk too.
The BabyZen Yoyo2 is compatible with a variety of car seats, or you also have the option to attach a bassinet, so you can also use it when traveling with a newborn. Big kids in tow? Add a standing board so they can hitch a ride too.
Best Budget Lightweight Stroller
A No-Frills Option That's Just 7 Pounds
Walmart
Cosco Umbrella Stroller
Weight: 7 pounds | Car seat compatible: No | One-handed fold: No | Weight limit: 40 pounds
Best for: Short errands with a toddler or as your backup or secondary option stashed at the grandparents’ house.
At just 7 pounds, the Cosco Umbrella Stroller is by far the lightest stroller on our list, and it’s quite compact when folded. But keep in mind that this stroller has limited features and adjustability, not to mention a simple three-point harness. It’s strictly for older toddlers who can be trusted to sit in their seat for short rides. The handlebars don’t adjust either, there’s no recline and no storage basket. That said, it holds kids up to 40 pounds, includes a canopy and is super simple to use.
What our editors say: Forbes Vetted deputy editor Rose Gordon Sala told me she purchased one to stash at her parents’ house, so they didn’t have to lug their full-size stroller on every visit and another when she lived in Brooklyn. “I wanted something extra lightweight to carry onto buses or up the subway stairs with a toddler under my other arm,” she says. “I also loved that I didn’t have to worry about it being stolen while parked outside of a store or baby class.” The wheels have held up surprisingly well, she adds.
Best Umbrella Stroller
A Value Option That Doesn’t Skimp On Features
Amazon
Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller
Weight: 13 pounds | Car seat compatible: No | One-handed fold: No | Weight limit: 50 pounds
Best for: Parents of toddlers or babies older than 6-months in need of an inexpensive but full-featured basic stroller.
If you’re looking for an inexpensive lightweight stroller but want more features than you’ll find with the Cosco Umbrella Stroller, the Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller is an ideal umbrella stroller with loads of positive ratings (a 4.6 out of 5 and more than 14,000 reviews on Amazon). It weighs just 13 pounds, roughly the same as higher-end travel strollers. It features all the necessary basics: a reclining seat, storage basket, an adjustable canopy and footrest. It also has padded handlebars and a foot brake. Additionally, the 50-pound weight limit is 10 pounds more than our other value pick, and a five-point harness add security for younger tots.
The stroller has four-wheel suspension, making it easy to maneuver. It’s not compatible with any car seats, so this pick, as with most umbrella strollers, is best for older kids.
What our editors say: Sala says she purchased this one to have on hand as a spare set of lightweight wheels for errands with her toddlers. “It’s lasted nearly a decade, including a few gate checks, with zero issues,” she says. “It’s pretty basic as strollers go and the canopy is short, but we still use it on road trips and day trips now that my youngest has outgrown her full-size baby stroller.”
Best Lightweight Stroller For Newborns
This Stroller And Car Seat In One Pulls Double Duty
Amazon
Doona Infant Car Seat Stroller
Weight: 17 pounds | Car seat compatible: Yes | One-handed fold: No | Weight limit: 35 pounds
Best for: Newborn parents who travel by car a lot.
The Doona stroller took the baby world by storm when it came out in 2015. It’s unique and convenient because the wheels fold right under the seat while in the car. There’s no need to attach the car seat to a separate stroller or transfer your baby out of their car seat, which is frankly genius. When installed in the car, the seat is rear facing, and the handlebar of the stroller serves as an anti-rebound bar. It comes with a LATCH-friendly infant car seat base or you can opt to install the car seat baseless.
The biggest downside of the Doona is that it’s really only for babies. Once they outgrow the weight limit (35 pounds) or the height limit (32 inches) of the infant car seat, you’ll need to purchase both a new stroller and a new car seat. The push bar is also a bit low to the ground, which can be frustrating to taller parents.
Best Lightweight Stroller For Twins
A Side-By-Side Double Stroller That’s Only 20 Pounds
Amazon
Mountain Buggy Nano Duo
Weight: 20 pounds | Car seat compatible: Yes | One-handed fold: No | Weight limit: 33 pounds per seat
Best for: People with young twins or young kids close in age.
As a mom of twins myself, I know how important a quality double stroller is, and I also know how the weight of a stroller plus two kids, plus extra gear can add up quickly. The Mountain Buggy Nano Duo weighs only 20 pounds, which is an excellent weight for a double stroller, and less than many full-size single strollers. It includes reclining seats, adjustable leg rests and under-seat storage. The seats recline independently of each other, so you can keep each child comfortable without one needing to compromise (another key for twins!). The weight limit is 33 pounds per seat, which is a bit lower than most single strollers, so keep this in mind as your kids get older.
It’s also compatible with infant car seats when you add adapters, and you can use two car seats at a time or just one, making it one of the best lightweight strollers to use with twins from birth. It comes with a carrying strap, so it’s easier to transport when folded.
At Forbes Vetted, the kids and baby gear writers and editors spend countless hours researching, testing and writing about products. We take our recommendations seriously.
Author Alicia Betz is a mom to three, and she has tested nearly 20 strollers over the past year.
We consult with experts to help inform our process and picks. We interviewed to baby gear expert Rikki Wechsler among others. She provided insight on which strollers are popular and which ones parents tend to be happy with. Rose Gordon Sala, a deputy editor at Forbes Vetted and the former baby and kids gear editor, also shared her top picks.
Our team regularly reviews and updates our lists to ensure they’re accurate and up-to-date. This article was most recently updated by Betz in June 2024.
How We Chose The Best Lightweight Strollers
To choose the best lightweight strollers, we first narrowed down the contenders to the absolute lightest strollers. For everyday single strollers, we only considered options that weigh less than 20 pounds and are ideally under 15 pounds. We also conducted in-depth market research, and tried out strollers firsthand.
We tested some of the top lightweight strollers ourselves, and in some cases, have used these strollers with our kids for years.
We considered features like overall size, ease of the fold and suspension for smoother strolling.
Wechsler provided valuable insight into many of the top picks based on first-hand experience. We included strollers at various weights and prices, to meet the needs of different types of families and budgets.
What To Look For In The Best Lightweight Stroller
Before you choose a lightweight stroller for your child, consider the following features.
Weight
Some inexpensive umbrella strollers can weigh under 10 pounds, and most lightweight strollers are under 20 pounds. Our top picks range from 7 to 20 pounds. “Once you've determined that the stroller is sturdy and dependable, the basic rule of thumb is the lighter the better,” says Wechsler.
Easy To Use
Lightweight strollers are usually usually pretty simple, as they don’t have all the features and add-ons that might weigh down a full-size stroller. “Customers who are looking for a lightweight stroller usually want to see options that are simple and easy to work with,” says Wechsler.
You’ll probably want something that’s easy to fold and unfold. If you do want any additional features, such as a snack tray or an adjustable footrest, for example, make sure you seek those features out and don’t assume they’re included in each lightweight stroller.
Smooth Push
In my experience testing nearly 20 strollers over the past year, lightweight strollers are often more difficult to push than full-size strollers. You want to look for something that has a good suspension system and quality wheels so that you’re not sacrificing safety and comfort just to get something that’s lightweight.
Age, Height And Weight Compatibility
Consider the age, height and weight of your child before purchasing a stroller. Some lightweight strollers are not suitable for newborns, and others have lower weight limits making them not suitable for toddlers and older children. Be sure to look at these restrictions in the strollers you’re considering.
Storage
Often, lightweight strollers are smaller than full-size strollers, which means they don’t typically have as much storage space. “There should be enough storage space for items you'll be keeping on hand,” says Wechsler. Especially if you’ll be using the stroller for travel or if you have a younger baby that needs lots of gear on outings, you want to double check the storage space before purchasing.
Which Is The Lightest Baby Stroller?
The lightest baby stroller we found in our research is the 7-pound Cosco Umbrella Stroller, beloved for its no-frills, inexpensive vibe.
What Is The Best Stroller To Take On A Plane?
One of the best strollers to take on a plane is the Babyzen Yoyo2, because it folds easily and fits in most overhead bins. “We highly recommend the Babyzen Yoyo for plane travel, since it's so compact with a tiny fold-up size and will fit in the standard overhead compartment,” says Wechsler. “However, we do generally recommend that customers contact the airline before to check the dimensions.”
If you’re shopping for the best travel stroller, however, there are plenty to consider that also fit in the overhead bin or are lightweight enough with an easy fold to make them ideal to tote to the airport or on a road trip, including the Nuna Trvl.
What Is The Easiest Stroller To Fold?
The Bugaboo Butterfly and Nuna Trvl strollers both fold with the touch of a button, making them the easiest strollers to fold.
What Are The Best Strollers For Newborns?
Strollers that are compatible with car seats or bassinet attachments are best for newborns. The Doona is an ideal stroller for newborns, because it’s a car seat and stroller in one, so there’s no need to haul both items around.
