The best stroller isn’t the one with the longest feature list. It’s the one that suits your baby’s age, fits your car and your front door, and that you can fold one-handed while holding a baby. Work through the questions below before you compare models and you’ll rule out most of the options quickly.

Start with five questions

  1. Where will you use it most? City pavements, public transport, rough paths, malls and car trips all favour different designs.
  2. How old is your baby now? Newborns need to lie flat or ride in a compatible infant car seat or bassinet. Older babies can sit up.
  3. How much space do you have? Measure your car boot (trunk), hallway and any stairs or lifts you’ll use daily.
  4. Will you carry it? If you’ll lift it onto buses, up stairs or into overhead lockers, weight and fold size matter more than suspension.
  5. Is another child likely soon? Some single strollers convert to doubles; most don’t.

Stroller types at a glance

Type Best for Watch out for
Full-size Everyday use from birth, big storage baskets, smooth ride Bulk and weight; check the folded size against your car
Lightweight or compact Errands, public transport, travel, older babies Smaller wheels and baskets; many aren’t suitable from birth without an add-on
Travel system A stroller sold with a compatible infant car seat You’ll outgrow the infant seat; check the stroller is still useful afterwards
Jogging or all-terrain Rough paths, running, gravel and grass Long and heavy when folded; follow the minimum age for running
Double (tandem or side-by-side) Twins or two young children Side-by-side models can be too wide for some doorways; tandems are longer
Umbrella Very occasional use, older toddlers Usually minimal recline and support; not for newborns

Using a stroller from birth

Young babies can’t support their heads or sit up, so for a newborn you’ll need one of these:

  • a stroller seat that reclines fully flat, if the manufacturer says it’s suitable from birth;
  • a carrycot (bassinet) attachment; or
  • an infant car seat that clicks into the stroller with the correct adapters.

Check the manual for the minimum age or weight for each configuration. Strollers and car seats aren’t designed for long, unsupervised sleep. If your baby falls asleep on a long walk, move them to a flat, safe sleep space when you get home. Carrycots are a different case: only use one for overnight or unsupervised sleep if the manufacturer specifically says it’s designed and certified for sleep. See our safe sleep guide for more.

Measure before you buy

Manufacturers list folded dimensions and weight. Compare them with:

  • the width and depth of your car boot, with any other things you usually carry;
  • the narrowest doorway or lift you use regularly;
  • where you’ll store it at home.

A stroller that’s a few centimetres too long for your boot will be a daily frustration.

Features that make a real difference

  • Fold: try (or watch a video of) the fold. One-hand folds help when you’re holding a baby. Check whether it stands up on its own when folded.
  • Recline and seat: a multi-position recline is useful for naps on the go and for babies who are still developing head control.
  • Harness: a five-point harness that’s easy to adjust as your child grows.
  • Brakes: a foot brake you can engage and release easily, ideally without scuffing your shoes.
  • Wheels and suspension: larger, air-filled or rubber wheels handle rough ground better; small plastic wheels suit smooth surfaces.
  • Canopy: good coverage and ventilation for sun and weather.
  • Handlebar: an adjustable handlebar helps if carers are different heights.
  • Basket: check its weight limit and whether you can reach it with the seat reclined.

Safety essentials

In the U.S., carriages and strollers must meet a mandatory federal safety standard (16 CFR Part 1227, which incorporates the ASTM F833 standard). Buying from a reputable retailer is the simplest way to get a compliant product. Beyond that:

  • Always use the harness, even for short trips.
  • Set the brake whenever you stop.
  • Don’t hang heavy bags on the handlebar. It can make the stroller tip backwards. Use the basket and stay within its weight limit.
  • Keep fingers clear when folding and unfolding, and make sure the stroller is fully locked open before putting your child in.
  • Register your stroller with the manufacturer so you’re told about recalls, and check for existing recalls before buying second-hand. Our guide to checking baby product recalls explains how.

Budget: where to spend and where to save

Spending more often gets you a smoother ride, better materials, and more accessories such as carrycots or adapters. It doesn’t automatically mean a safer stroller, because all strollers sold in the U.S. must meet the same mandatory standard. If your use is mostly short trips on smooth pavements, a well-made mid-range or compact model may be all you need.

Next steps

Once you’ve decided on a type, write down your must-haves (for example, “suitable from birth, folded length under 80 cm, one-hand fold”) and compare models against that list. Our strollers section has guides and comparisons as we publish them.