The most compact strollers for traveling, according to Consumer Reports

A bulky stroller that won't fold down small can turn airport security, a rental car trunk or an overhead bin into an unexpected hassle. Weight, fold size and ease of maneuvering all matter more for travel than they might for everyday use at home.

Consumer Reports tested travel strollers for ease of use, safety and maneuverability, so parents can find one that packs down small without sacrificing performance.

Credit: Chicco

The Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System costs $450 and earned Consumer Reports' top rating among travel strollers for newborns and infants, with both the stroller and its included Chicco KeyFit30 car seat rated excellent across the board. CR found this nearly 25-pound model easy to use and maneuver, with the 9-pound car seat simple to transport and simpler to install securely than many competitors, using LATCH or a vehicle seat belt. Testers noted travel systems tend to run bulkier than other travel-friendly strollers, though this one folds relatively compactly despite a still-generous storage basket, making it easier to fit in a car than some alternatives. CR pointed out the car seat maxes out at 30 pounds or 30 inches, but the stroller itself keeps working well beyond that, with a drawback being front swivel wheels that don't lock and a weight limit lower than some other strollers in this lineup.

Credit: Nuna

The Nuna TRVL LX costs $600 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as notably lighter and slimmer than other infant travel strollers tested, weighing 14.6 pounds and measuring a slim 21 inches wide. CR found it folds down with one hand to an especially compact size, easy to lift and carry, making it more compact than any other stroller among the newborn and infant options in this lineup once collapsed, while also earning the top maneuverability score in testing along with strong ease-of-use and safety results. Testers appreciated a canopy treated to resist water with UPF 50+ sun protection, a five-point harness with a magnetic buckle and brakes engaged with one touch, though the canopy rests against the handlebar when folded and the peekaboo flap lacks a way to stay closed. CR noted it's fully compatible as part of a larger travel system.

Credit: UPPAbaby

The UPPAbaby Minu V3 costs $500 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation for a lightweight yet sturdy build that impressed testers with its maneuverability and compact, self-standing, one-handed fold. CR found the seat reclines nearly flat and comes with a pop-up canopy enclosure, making it safe for infants under 6 months, adding convenient touches like brakes that engage with one touch, a footrest that adjusts using a single hand and a hidden pocket built to hold a tracking device in case the stroller gets lost or stolen. Testers found it performed well on many surfaces but struggled somewhat on rough terrain, since its front swivel wheels don't lock like many lightweight strollers, and also flagged a shoulder strap that stretched too easily along with uncomfortable handlebar stitching after extended use. CR noted onboard storage runs limited, with a cup holder, snack tray and grab bar all sold separately.

Credit: Doona

The Doona Car Seat & Stroller costs $650 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as a unique hybrid built to carry a child from infancy to about age 1, converting directly from car seat to stroller without needing to unclip anything. CR found it extremely user-friendly and easy to maneuver in testing, weighing just 17 pounds with the car seat attached and measuring only 17 inches wide, with strong marks in both safety and ease-of-use evaluations. Testers liked that a single pedal operates both brakes, though the front swivel wheels don't lock and the design skips trays or a basket for a diaper bag entirely. CR pointed out that once a child outgrows the car seat's 33-pound limit, typically between 12 and 18 months, families need an entirely new stroller, making the upfront cost harder to justify for some.

Credit: Chicco

The Chicco KeyFit Caddy costs $120, priced lower than every other stroller in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as a standout car-seat-carrier stroller compatible with the Chicco KeyFit and KeyFit30 infant car seats, sold separately. CR found the car seat snaps into the frame the same way it would connect to a base installed in a back seat, letting parents transfer a sleeping infant between car and stroller without disturbance, and rated it excellent for safety and ease of use with a very good maneuverability score. Testers praised the simple one-handed fold as ideal for busy parents juggling multiple tasks, though the frame isn't quite as compact as some pricier travel strollers once collapsed. CR noted the stroller becomes unusable once a child outgrows the compatible car seat, requiring a completely different stroller afterward.

Credit: Ergobaby

The Ergobaby Metro 3 costs $350 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation for a compact, lightweight build that's easy to carry and maneuver, weighing just 17 pounds with a slim 17.3-inch width. CR found it responsive and safe in testing, equipped with one-touch brakes and a one-handed fold that lets the stroller stand on its own once collapsed. Testers noted Ergobaby sells compatible car-seat adapters separately, though confirming compatibility with a specific seat can take some extra research. CR pointed out the design skips a parent or child tray, cup holders and a grab bar entirely.

Credit: Mountain Buggy

The Mountain Buggy Nano costs $220 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as an ultra-lightweight pick small enough to fit in many airplane overhead compartments, complete with its own carrying bag. CR found it weighs just 13 pounds and folds to an especially compact size, with a handle and shoulder strap that let it double as a tote bag once collapsed, while testers found it easy to maneuver and user-friendly with helpful one-touch brakes. This model also works as a travel system, a less common feature among compact strollers, and comes with universal car seat adapters fitting many infant car seat brands, though storage runs limited as a tradeoff for the convenience. CR noted the largely pictorial instruction manual proved a bit tricky to decipher, though instructional videos on the brand's website filled in the gaps.

Credit: Graco

The Graco Ready2Jet costs $190 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as a lightweight pick well suited to quick errands or travel, weighing just 13 pounds with testers finding it smooth and responsive to push. CR found its compact folding system activates with one hand and stands alone once collapsed, a feature not always found on less expensive models, and noted it packs down small enough to slide into overhead airplane bins on numerous flights. Testers found handling grew less precise on bumpy or uneven ground, though the stroller still converts into a travel system just by clicking in any Graco SnugRide car seat, with no separate adapters needed. CR called it an excellent overall option for travel despite that one terrain-related tradeoff.

Credit: Bugaboo

The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 costs $599 and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as a notably lightweight traditional stroller, at 16 pounds, that folds easily with one hand into a particularly small, self-standing size. CR found it scored well across every test category, delivering very good overall performance for a compact, travel-friendly design, even with front swivel wheels that stay unlocked at all times. Testers found the harness especially easy to adjust and appreciated the included rain cover and one-touch brakes, though the storage basket ran a little shallow and the design skips trays for parent or child, a feature some snacking toddlers benefit from. CR noted the handle isn't adjustable, though access to the storage basket remained good despite its limited depth.

Credit: Chicco

The Chicco Liteway costs $110, priced lower than every other stroller in this lineup, and earned Consumer Reports' recommendation as a basic, super-light umbrella stroller ideal for trips, weighing just 17 pounds and collapsing easily like a classic umbrella design. CR found it responsive and sturdy in testing, handling well despite its small footprint, holding up even when the path underfoot got bumpy, with particularly strong marks for safety performance and testers reporting an overall pleasant experience using it. A cup holder attachment for adults added a nice touch not always found on more pared-down strollers, though CR noted basket access runs limited when the seat is reclined and a diaper bag didn't fit completely inside. Testers also found the harness requires some rethreading to adjust properly.