15 best lightweight strollers for travel, tested by a parenting writer

The much-loved aer+ just had a makeover in time for summer travel. This refined, lightweight stroller is very practical, with a one-hand fold, a fabulously roomy shopping basket, and the newly added adjustable leg rest.

It feels robust despite its size, thanks in part to larger front wheels for improved stability and a smoother ride, and the higher-positioned footbrake that doesn’t catch when walking. But its standout feature is the one-handed fold, ideal for travel or tight storage, and it is the best I’ve experienced.

Comfort hasn’t been overlooked. The generously padded seat offers a relaxing ride, and the improved one-pull strap harness is easy to use once you get the hang of it. The UPF50 sun hood and mesh ventilation panel make this stroller ideal for sunny holidays, though a bumper bar costs extra (£44.95, Joolz.com).

I also love how it looks. Stylishly finished with a faux leather handlebar, chrome chassis, and durable recycled fabrics, it’s both eye-catching and sustainable – it’s backed by a 10-year transferable warranty, which is good if it finds a new home if you no longer need it, and a tree is planted for every stroller sold. For taller parents, the slightly higher, curved handlebar is a welcome improvement, too.

Read my full Joolz aer2 review

Given how easy the fold is, and how blissfully lightweight the myavo is – the lightest I tested – I didn’t expect it to be the cheapest on the list. While it doesn’t have luxury touches such as viewing peepholes in the sun hood or plush fabrics, when it comes to getting a baby or toddler from A to B, it’s all you need. In fact, out of all the purse-friendly options I tried, this was the hardiest, with chunky wheels. It’s not perfect, and rattles a little over big bumps, but it’s perfect for pavements and paved paths.

While you can’t use this as carry-on luggage due to the dimensions, you can attach a car seat, and it lies super flat. The seat is spacious, and there’s an adjustable leg rest, but the padding is minimal. However, this didn’t seem to bother my toddler tester, and he loved the included bumper bar – bear in mind, depending on the size of your baby, you may have to remove the bar completely to get your baby in and out, as it doesn’t pivot.

The shopping basket is roomy and easy to access, but I found the seat cushioning, straps, harness pads (which are just loose), and buckle pretty basic. I also found adjusting the straps a little trying. You have to pull them through pre-cut holes, and it’s a squeeze. Nor does it self-stand. However, if you don’t need all the bells and whistles and just want an affordable, lightweight, easy-to-fold option, the myavo is brilliant.

I loved testing out the Bugaboo fox5 earlier this year, and much like the Joolz aer, Bugaboo has done some serious refining from the first model of its stroller, the butterfly. The butterfly 2 is a super stroller; not only does it look sleek and feel plush to the touch, it’s practical to use. However, as I’ve come to expect from this popular brand, it comes at a cost.

Unlike the original butterfly, this seat fully reclines, making it newborn-friendly, and also goes fully upright. The wheels are bigger too, making it a joy to push, even if there’s some texture underfoot. Storage has been well considered with a roomy basket underneath, and there’s even a backseat pocket to slide keys or your phone.

A highlight is just how comfortable it is. The seat itself feels more cocooning than the others with the side panels, so my little tester didn’t look exposed when strolling. While it’s not as light as some of the others, it feels incredibly robust from the wheels to the overall stability. For city dwellers, this really is the only pushchair you would ever need, which justifies the price tag.

I adore the ErgoBaby carrier, so I was eager to test out this stroller from the celebrated Australian brand. As one of the heaviest I tested, the Metro3 certainly felt more rugged than some of the lighter options. While you might not think you’d feel the difference in an extra kilogram of weight, you’d be surprised how this requires a little extra effort when lugging in and out of the car or lifting up high. The fold is fabulous, though, pressing two buttons on the handlebar, and there are even clear instructions printed on the handlebar. It folds into self-standing mode, and I found the placement of the carry handle on the seat super useful.

The handlebar is a highlight. It’s adjustable, which isn’t typical on travel strollers, and the highest setting is up at 108cm, which makes pushing this stroller a much more pleasurable experience if you’re tall. It handles even rougher terrain exceptionally well, but it did make a few rattly noises when pushed.

My little tester seemed very comfy; Ergobaby has gone to town on the plush padding. The footrest can be folded up or down, and the shopping basket is not only easy to access, roomy. As I’d expect from a sunny Australian brand, the sunshade is brilliant, offering plenty of coverage, UPF50 (ultraviolet protection factor), and a great mesh peephole to check on your kid.

I also love this stroller for its easy recline function, with a pull tab that allows you to customise the recline to nearly flat, and there’s also car seat compatibility. I found the straps a little fiddly, and the footbrake is not flip-flop friendly, but overall, this stroller is a worthy contender.

iCandy is a much-loved pushchair brand, but the Pip is its first lightweight stroller. However, it was certainly worth the wait. The fold is brilliant; you can fold it with one hand, and it folds up compactly into self-standing mode. It’s a super smooth ride thanks to the superior suspension, the front wheels can swivel or be locked, and it handles curb hopping brilliantly, and doesn’t go to pieces with rougher terrain.

The handlebar is smooth to the touch and sits at 105cm, which was a good height for me, though I found it quite narrow. Nevertheless, it feels high-end to push, as you’d expect from a premium brand. It also comes with a bumper bar, which my little tester couldn’t stop touching, but it’s great for attaching toys and distracting toddlers. You’ll need to adjust the bumper bar when folding, but that’s a small price to pay. The fabric is plush, and the padded insert is easy to attach, and it’s reversible, which is useful for messy toddlers.

I was impressed with the sunhood that not only boasts great coverage but also has a larger ventilation panel than most. And the under-seat basket, plus a zipped pocket, offers plenty of storage when out and about. I also appreciated how easy the recline feature is, with a simple clip and pull tab, while the buckles were easy to navigate, clipping in two rather than four. The only drawbacks are that it’s expensive and can’t be used with a car seat. However, it’s a very good stroller.

Out of all the travel strollers, the yoyo was the one I was most excited to try out. The OG of cabin-friendly strollers, in 2012, Babyzen released the yoyo; the first evolutionary ultra-compact stroller that also delivers against needs for on-the-go parents. In 2019, Norwegian brand Stokke acquired the brand and launched the yoyo³ last year.

You’ll see by the size of the box (or should I say boxes, with colour pack arriving separately) just how dinky this stroller is. Frustratingly, you’ll have to set aside a bit of time to “build” it; attaching the seat and colour pack, and adding the hood. While this isn’t a huge ask, given the price point, I wasn't expecting much labour. Once assembled, you have a sleek, stylish stroller, which is lightweight and easy to carry when folded.

While I was impressed with the compact nature of the yoyo, I didn’t love folding it down. It’s a little more laborious than the likes of the iCandy pip (£429, Icandyworld.com) or Joolz aer (£439, Joolz.com) as there’s an awkward lock underneath the seat that you need to pull. Having said this, you can sling it over your shoulder brilliantly, and unfolding it is super slick.

I found the padding plush, and there’s a good level of recline, but sadly, no adjustable legrest (you can buy this at an additional cost, or a bumper bar). I was also surprised to see that it doesn’t come with a rain cover. While the storage basket is pretty roomy, the entry point at the back is quite narrow, and because of the chassis design, almost hopeless at the front, and I also thought the sunhood could be larger. For a smooth ride, though, the yoyo takes some beating with suspension across all four wheels, making strolling with this a pleasurable experience.

The libelle was by far the most compact stroller I tested, so for those with limited space, this stroller really is miniature. It folds differently from any of the others I tested, folding into the centre, but it’s a quick process.

But while I loved the size, I’m less positive about the pushing experience. If you’ve never pushed a typical travel stroller, it might not be such a significant change, but I struggled to adjust to this wider, joystick-style handlebar. I’m used to pushing with one traditional handlebar across the top, whereas the libelle has two handle grips, much like the old umbrella-style strollers, and it isn’t as ergonomic. The handlebar is also a little low for my preference, and I also struggled with the footbrake, which is positioned much higher.

However, I found the storage basket extra roomy, and I loved its one-pull harness, which is great for strapping my wriggly tester in at speed. There’s an adjustable legrest, but it’s a little fiddly to tweak. Given its dimensions and weight, I found it pretty robust, and while the wheels are small, the suspension keeps it a smooth ride.

The clic 2 is a stylish stroller. From the geometric stitching in the plumply padded seat, to the tan accents on the bumper- and handlebars, it looks better than most boring black strollers. Unlike the jet (£295, Silvercrossbaby.com), the clic is less about travel and more about everyday use, and while the dimensions are a little larger than the jet, I much prefer the simpler fold, which was great for getting it in and out of the car in a nursery-run rush.

I found the carry strap is well placed, which I used on more than one occasion when my toddler wanted to walk and hold my hand instead. That’s not to say he wasn’t comfortable; he looked super relaxed as he held onto the bumper bar, with his feet elevated on the legrest.

But while I loved the bumper bar, it comes with its shortcomings. Frustratingly, if the leg rest is up, there’s no swing room to plug the bumper bar in, which means you have to remove it completely to get your baby in or out. I also grappled with the brake, which is positioned a little awkwardly. That said, I found pushing this stroller a pleasure, with good suspension and a well-positioned handlebar height. I question how quickly the covers will need a wash, but I love the understated aesthetics.

The Joie pact pro is a budget stroller, so my expectations were fairly low. But I was proven totally wrong. It does everything you need it to do, and well. The fold is seamless with the simple two buttons on the handlebar. It’s very lightweight, and it can lie flat effortlessly with the clip behind the seat. There’s a faux leather bumper bar included, a peephole in the sunhood, and the footrest adjusts. Plus, I found the storage basket below extra roomy and best of all, the brake was one of the easiest to operate.

My little tester seemed content in this stroller, the padding is plush, and while the fabrics aren’t as soft, they feel hardwearing. It stands easily, and while it’s not as compact, storing it is a doddle. However, adjusting the strap lengths is a bit laborious as you have to thread through the back, and I did find the sunhood a little limited in terms of coverage.

But the big drawback – and where you can notice the price difference – is the wheels and suspension. This stroller is only suited to flat surfaces, which, let’s be honest, is most of the everyday terrain you’ll face with a stroller. If you live somewhere with perfect paving, this is a great option. If, like most of us, you’re navigating old pavements with dodgy slabs, tree roots and dropped kerbs, you’ll find that this rattles a little.

Now in its fifth generation, the jet is a popular travel stroller for many reasons. It was one of the first to market and still a top contender, so I was keen to take it out and about. Out of the box, it looks great, and the blue colourway is a refreshing break from the usual boring black. It’s made from soft jersey fabrics which have been crafted using recycled plastic bottles and feels super breathable, which is a bonus when using on hot holidays.

The jet is all about holidays, from the brilliant sun hood which provides great coverage to the flip-flop friendly brakes (push on the red to stop, or push down on the green to go), and the fact that you can wheel it like a suitcase with the bumper bar becoming your handle. This is useful when you have a toddler with a sitting-down time limit.

There’s no denying that this was one of the sturdiest I tested, and the robust wheels feel up for adventure, but that did lead to a heavier pushchair, with it weighing in a whole kilogram heavier than the likes of the Joolz aer2 (£439, Joolz.com). It’s super compact, and the self-stand is great for storage. It folds much thinner than most, but it’s much longer, particularly if you keep the bumper bar attached. The only time this bothered me was when lying it flat in the boot, and you can just alleviate the problem by taking the bumper bar off.

I did have some gripes, though. You have to be quite forceful when unfolding it, as you need to have a tight grip on the frame of the stroller to click the wheels in place. While the process became easier over time, I didn’t find it very natural. I was also deflated by the storage basket as you can only really access it from the front, which is easier said than done when your baby’s legs are dangling in the way. I found the peephole to be in a strange position, as I didn’t gain much of a look from that angle.

That said, it’s very comfortable. My little tester seemed content in the roomy seat with plush padding, the seat lies nicely flat, and the magnetic buckle speeds up the means of strapping in.

Cosatto is a British brand known for its loud prints and whimsical patterns; however, the whisper pattern (white and beige) is a more understated choice. Falling into the lower price bracket, I wondered how much the yo! would deliver, but I was pleasantly impressed.

Let’s start with unboxing. You have to attach all four wheels, but then you’re ready for action. The fold is a breeze. You have to remember to unclip the lock, but it’s an effortless process. I instantly noticed how big the basket was, as it can take a whopping 8kg and is easy to access. I also appreciated that the straps don’t thread through the whole seat, so you push and pull the shoulder straps to sit where you like. Although clipping was a bit fiddly, as you slide the components together to secure the straps.

When out and about, this pushchair was smooth on flat surfaces, and it handled kerbs well, but anything rougher was too much for the small wheels. I found the handlebar a little lower than I’d like, and I found that it was easy to push the brake on by accident. There’s also a bit of a rattle when pushing, and I’d appreciate a more upright seat position for my nosy baby. I question how this pushchair would look after a snack or two, because it’s not the most practical colourway, but when it comes to the main features, it’s lightweight, compact and made using recycled plastic bottles, which is a lovely touch.

The Maxi-Cosi 360 pro car seat won high praise in our review, but how would the brand’s lara2 stroller fare? I found that the fold and unfold is simple, and the result is a compact stroller. It doesn’t self-stand and you do have a little lock on the arms to hold it in place, but it’s lightweight, one of the lightest I tested, but it feels sturdy.

This is also the only stroller I tested with double wheels at the front, and while I found they helped with stability, it wasn’t the smoothest at manoeuvring around corners and up and down kerbs. I also felt it dated the stroller and looked chunkier than necessary.

It didn’t feel as premium as the top-tier strollers in this review, and I found the bumper bar a little fiddly to unclip, but in general, the lara2 does the job. My little tester seemed very comfy thanks to the generous padding and legrest, and I could check on him through the fabulous mesh peephole. I also thought the harness was super straightforward to adjust.

Shop around and you can get this pushchair for around £150, which is a considerable amount cheaper than many. For this low price point, there is a lot to love.

What sets the airies prime autofold stroller apart is that it comes as a bundle, with accessories galore. Inside the box, you’ll find a foot muff, storage bag, buggy organiser, rain cover and even a cup holder to keep hydrated on the go, all with change from £200.

Sadly, the fold isn’t compact enough to take as carry-on luggage, but it’s super roomy, and there was plenty of space for my growing baby. I found the seat padding, straps, harness pads and buckle to be fairly standard for this price point, but there were no complaints from my tester, who looked comfy. I loved the included bumper bar, which pivots to allow easy access to your toddler, plus there’s a leg rest, too.

The shopping basket is roomy and easy to shove bits and pieces underneath. The sunhood has a peephole, and the coverage does the job. The wheels are quite small, but when strolling on smooth surfaces, they’re adequate. What I loved the most was the fold. It’s a doddle, and can be done with one hand as it auto-folds into itself. It’s also delightfully lightweight, weighing in at just over 6kg.

I’m a big Mamas and Papas fan, and while it’s a large retailer, you often find that its in-house brand offers good quality parenting gear at more affordable prices than the other brands. The airo is its travel-friendly stroller, and while it may be the lightest pushchair in their range, it was one of the heaviest of those I tested, weighing 7.6kg. You mightn’t think you’d notice, but it did feel bulkier than most. On the plus side, this doesn’t affect how compact it folds, as I found it great for putting in the back of the car or even the footwell.

The fold itself has taken me a while to master and, compared to others, has a few more steps (you have to unlock the frame, twist the handle, and flip back the sunhood), which is a much lengthier process than the other strollers I tried.

There are plenty of positives, though. You can fold it with the bumper bar attached, the suspension is great, and it offers a smooth ride. You can adjust the handlebar, but the highest setting is 99cm, which, as taller parents, my partner and I found too low. You can adjust the footrest, and it has excellent safety features, with a clearly marked, flip-flop-friendly brake and a wrist strap.

While the seat felt comfy enough, and I had no complaints from my little tester, he looked a little exposed. It’s not a particularly wide seat, and his arms were often out in the open. Because the frame is angled away from the seat, I felt quite a distance between us. It comes with a cover and backpack straps (although I wouldn’t recommend carrying it for long periods). I found this one of the flattest, and you can choose between three settings using the clip behind the seat.