Best strollers for 2026, as recommended by parents

I used the Uppababy vista v2 for a year and a half, and I didn’t think it could get better — the all-terrain wheels made it easy to ignore any bump in the road, it moved over curbs with ease, the underseat storage offered plenty of room for my diaper bag and park toys, and collapsing is a breeze. When you need to pack it, the seat is easy to remove before folding the bottom half of the stroller, or you can collapse it all as one piece.

But I’ve since tested the upgraded version, the Uppababy vista V3, and I couldn’t believe the perfect stroller has been made even more perfect.

The wheels deliver a smoother-than-smooth ride, and the brand goes so far as to call them “never flat tires” — I’ve not had the stroller long enough to attest to this, but the tires on my v2 are still in excellent order. The easily adjustable harness now features a magnetic closure on the buckle, which makes for easy fastening.

All versions of this stroller are designed for growing your family — you can install the included toddler seat, a compatible car seat, or the bassinet attachment as a standalone piece, or go into “double mode” with two infant car seats, two bassinets, two seats, or a combo. With the piggyback ride-along board, you can fit a third child on for your next stroll. Truth be told, I cannot fault this and would recommend it wholeheartedly. It is easy to assemble and operate, and offers a great ride.

Mockingbird launched onto the stroller scene with a more cost-effective alternative to popular full-size strollers from companies like Uppababy and Bugaboo. I was eager to take one for a spin, and Mockingbird’s single-to-double stroller 2.0 didn’t disappoint.

Along with a solid price point, it’s thoughtfully designed and has a whopping 22 configurations, from newborn-friendly bassinet setups to dual toddler seats. It can even accommodate a third child with the riding board attachment ($115, Hellomockingbird.com). While maneuvering wasn’t quite as simple or smooth as Uppababy’s vista v3, the ride was comfortable for my son and me.

At just less than $599 and with a seamless setup process, in my opinion, there’s no better value stroller on the market today.

The Bugaboo brand is known for its high-end, hefty-priced baby gear. And while the Bugaboo donkey 5 mono is the most expensive stroller on the list, it is easily the most luxurious. I didn’t feel one bump while strolling, and even though it has a larger frame than the others, it was surprisingly lightweight and maneuvered over curbs with a gentle push. When I was using it with one child and the storage compartment on the side, it did feel a bit bulky, but I could easily maneuver it through tight spaces.

If you’re willing to spend more and like the idea of a non-stacking double stroller as your family grows, it’s certainly worth the splurge. You can purchase the mono to duo extension bundle to convert it into a side-by-side double stroller.

The only downside is that the stroller arrived almost completely deconstructed, and the build was particularly challenging — despite watching the brand’s how-to video several times, I had to enlist my husband to figure out the wires and clamps for the framework to the canopy.

I’ve been on more than a dozen flights with my baby, and what I miss most from his first year is the Doona — the stroller version of a Transformer; it can shapeshift into a car seat. It’s most useful when you need to take a cab to and from the airport, and you can also install the car seat with or without a base.

For anyone who travels frequently, the Doona is an absolute must. While the height and weight requirements don’t make it the most long-lasting stroller (it’s suitable for babies up to 35lbs), it’s essential during your first few trips.

It doesn’t offer the same all-terrain suspension as other strollers, and the handles might be a bit short for taller parents. If you plan to use this as your go-to stroller and car seat, take note that there are no convenient storage compartments (though plenty of accessories are available). It’s sometimes heavy and awkward to get it in and out of the car multiple times per day, too. That said, I would argue it’s the perfect infant travel stroller.

Graco creates the most dependable, cost-effective lineup of baby gear — and its nest2grow is no different. The stroller is an excellent choice for parents looking for an affordable single-to-double stroller. It can be used in conjunction with a car seat, carry cot, or second seat, and, much like the Uppababy’s vista strollers or Mockingbird’s models, there are multiple configurations. Where it differs from these brands' models, though, is that it doesn’t offer a comparably smooth ride — I found that I needed to use a little extra muscle for maneuvering curbs and bumps.

The brand’s signature “clickconnect” technology is perhaps my favorite part of the nest2grow stroller — it gave me confidence that everything was in place each time I heard a clear “click” sound. I also appreciated how simple the seat was to move up or down, showing just how straightforward it is to add another seat into the system.

The Graco nest2grow stroller has a very straightforward assembly process and plenty of storage. But, best of all, it costs significantly less than most other single-to-double strollers, making it a solid choice for parents looking to save.

Thule’s urban glide 3 is a jogging stroller that allows you to take your toddler along for the ride. It has it all: hand brakes for quick maneuvering, a lightweight feel (I was able to jog with just one hand on the handlebar), and a noticeably easy ride for my little passenger.

While it doesn’t have the convertible benefits of full-size strollers, it’s a great day-to-day pram, not just for jogging. The underseat storage area has plenty of room for my diaper bag and other must-haves, and the sunshade provides solid protection. My one gripe is that it’s difficult to determine when the tires need extra air, but we’ll see how long it takes to reach that point.

Nuna manufactures some of the most popular and lightweight infant car seats on the market, and all of them are compatible with this stroller, the Nuna mixx next. Together, the travel system is a convenient choice for parents, and the included car seat adapter makes it easy to switch modes.

During my tests, I noticed that the ride is ultra-smooth, and at times, the toddler seat even bounces a bit for a calming effect. It also maneuvered up and over curbs without more than those small motions from the toddler seat. You will need two hands to pack it up, but the handlebars, seat, and basket fold uniformly, and the compact fold makes it easy to store in the trunk.

Impressively, Nuna mixx next stroller has five reclining settings — my only challenge was that it didn’t always click into place, an issue I’ve not experienced with Uppababy’s vista V3.

Baby Jogger’s all-terrain stroller is well-suited for city sidewalks and trails alike, but don’t let the brand name fool you — it’s not a jogging stroller. While it does have some qualities runners will appreciate — such as a locking front wheel to take on more uneven surfaces — it doesn’t have as many configurations and bells and whistles. But its maneuverability (even with the front wheel locked) was a standout feature — I found I could easily get through tight spaces, and the wheels roll smoothly.

The simple design makes for a straightforward setup, and I appreciated the magnetic buckle, which made it easy to get my little one in and out. As for the fold, it can be done with one hand, and it is compact when folded down. The fabrics feel high quality and durable, so this is certainly a stroller built to last.