The best travel strollers: Real parents picked a clear winner 

We put some of the best travel strollers to the test: the Joolz Aer+, UppaBABY MINU 3, Bugaboo Butterfly, YOYO2, GB Pockit, and Baby Jogger City Tour 2

There are two kinds of travel stroller reviews: the ones written by someone who skimmed the product manual and maybe pushed the stroller across their living room—and the ones written by parents who’ve sprinted to a departure gate with a baby strapped to their chest and a preschooler yelling that they dropped their donut. Guess which one this is?

At Fathercraft, we don’t mess around. We tested six of the best travel strollers in the wild—real-world conditions, real kids, and real travel chaos. In this article, we’ll break down what actually matters when choosing a compact stroller (and what doesn’t) when you’re trying to survive a trip with tiny humans in tow.

We put these six strollers through their paces:

• Joolz Aer+ ($449)
• UPPAbaby MINU V3 ($549)
• Bugaboo Butterfly ($399-$479)
• Babyzen YOYO2 ($449)
• GB Pockit All-Terrain (~$270)
• Baby Jogger City Tour 2 (~$260)

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Our travel stroller testing process

We didn’t just wheel these things around the driveway. This was real-world, real-parent testing in the chaos that is family travel. Mark—dad to a 20-month-old son—ran these strollers through solo airport missions, neighborhood walks, and daily errands, often while juggling a diaper bag and the squirmy toddler. Kristan—mom to a 3-year-old and a 7-month-old—tested the gear in full family-travel mode, including vacationing with two kids, a baby carrier, and a coffee run that became a full-body workout (more on that later).

• Looking for our favorite full-sized strollers? Read about our top 2025 picks here.

Between the two of us, we folded and unfolded these strollers dozens of times, navigated TSA lines, fit them into overhead bins, and saw how they held up when pushed one-handed across gravel while balancing a drink carrier. We tested for what actually matters to make travel easier: ease of folding on the go, maneuverability, comfort for both baby and parent, and how much stress each stroller saved—or created—when it counted.

Is a travel stroller worth it?

If you’re looking at these prices, you might be asking yourself if a travel stroller is worth it at all? Can I just use my full-size stroller for travel?

If you’re traveling with small kids (4ish or under), the answer is a resounding yes. You’re going to need to move your kids around, just like you do at home, but your full-sized Mockingbird setup isn’t going to fit on a plane.

You might also be asking yourself if you can skip this review and get the $20 umbrella stroller at Costco. Kristan owns that stroller and has vacationed with it… and she wouldn’t do it again.

Two reasons:

• This is how much luggage we (Kristan + my husband, Tim) brought with us when we were traveling with ONE kid. And we were packing light. It would have been really nice if that stroller would have folded up into a tiny square with a strap.

• This is 6’0″ Tim trying to push that stroller. He ditched two things after this vacation: that stroller… and the beard.

The best travel strollers, reviewed

When choosing a stroller for travel, here’s what to consider:

• Is it lightweight and compact? Strollers that fit in overhead bins are really convenient—you’ll benefit from it in the airport. Plus, it won’t get banged up during the checked baggage journey. Weight matters too…at some point you will end up carrying this thing on your trip, and a your back will thank you for choosing a lightweight travel stroller.
• How the stroller folds… and in particular, can you fold it one-handed?

The more you check these boxes, the more you can enhance your travel experience.

Joolz Aer+: The MVP

If you’re the kind of parent who wants their gear to just work—without a manual, without a meltdown, and preferably with a latte in the other hand—the Joolz Aer+ is your dream machine. This stroller was hands-down the favorite in our testing, thanks to a folding mechanism so smooth it borders on magic. It’s a true lightweight stroller, compact, and built with the kind of no-nonsense precision you want when navigating an airport solo. As Mark put it, “I could shut this thing down with a baby in one arm and a coffee in the other.” It’s not cheap, and the storage space is minimal, but for ease, reliability, and daily use? This thing takes the cake for the best travel stroller.

Best for: solo air travel, urban explorers, anyone who values smooth operation above all else.

What we loved: One-handed fold so smooth it feels like magic. Tight construction. Small footprint makes it a true compact travel stroller (and fits in the overhead bin). Just works.

“Holy crap” moment: “I could shut this thing down with a baby in one arm and a coffee in the other.” – Mark

Downsides: Modest storage basket. Premium price.

UPPAbaby MINU V3: The Cadillac

The UPPAbaby MINU V3 is practically neck and neck with the Joolz. Of the travel strollers we tested, it’s the one that oozes quality, from the plush seat fabric to the leather-wrapped handlebar, and pushes like a dream. Mark compared the experience to “driving a Cadillac.” It’s solid, stable, and feels premium in every way. The harness is secure and familiar if you’ve used UPPAbaby’s full-size models, and the fold is easy (though not quite Joolz-easy). The downside? It’s heavier and more expensive than its rivals. But if comfort, craftsmanship, and a brand name you can trust are your top priorities, the MINU V3 delivers.

Best for: Parents who value premium materials and don’t mind a slightly larger frame.

What we loved: Most solid in-hand feel. Leather-wrapped handlebar. Great harness system. Quality everywhere. Comes with a travel bag.

“Holy crap” moment: “Everything about this just feels nice—like driving a Cadillac.” – Mark

Downsides: Carry strap is weird. Said travel bag is huge and awkward. A little heavy. A lot expensive.

Bugaboo Butterfly: The Almost–Winner

The Bugaboo Butterfly sits comfortably in the upper tier of travel strollers—just a smidge behind the Joolz and MINU. It’s compact, well-built, and comes with thoughtful features like a roomy basket and a stellar canopy that actually blocks the sun (yes, it matters). It folds up small enough to fit in the overhead compartment, but finding the carry strap once it’s folded is a mini scavenger hunt—Mark gave up and just started carrying it by the frame. The brake system also left something to be desired, with Mark noting it was stiff and annoying to use. Still, it’s a well-rounded, everyday-use contender for parents who value premium functionality.

Best for: Families looking for a sleek travel stroller that doubles as a daily driver.

What we loved: Great canopy. Solid construction. Spacious basket. Compact fold.

Downsides: Brake is stiff. Carry strap is buried. Slightly behind Joolz in folding finesse.

Babyzen YOYO2: The Smooth Operator

The YOYO2 is the stroller equivalent of a city scooter—slick, agile, and kind of expensive for what it is. It earns high marks for its maneuverability and ultra-smooth one-handed steering. Kristan pushed her three-year-old with one hand, while wearing a baby and balancing coffee in the other. That level of agility makes it great for urban parents who value portability and style. But the folding process? A nightmare. Kristan FaceTimed her husband in a coffee shop just to figure it out, but even together they were unsuccessful in getting it folded on the fly. The harness is frustrating, storage is minimal, and at nearly $500, you’re paying for brand recognition (the YOYO is now officially a Stokke stroller) more than convenience.

• Stokke typically does make great products. Check out our Tripp Trapp high chair review here.

• Best for: One-handed steering lovers. Those interested in modular accessories (newborn kit, ride board).
• What we loved: Rides like a dream. Extremely maneuverable. Compact. Carry-on compliant.
• “Holy crap” moment: “I pushed my almost-4-year-old one-handed while balancing a coffee carrier and wearing a baby. This thing rocks.” – Kristan

Downsides: Folding is frustrating. Harness sucks. Pricey for what it offers.

GB Pockit All-Terrain: The Tiny Marvel (that hurts to push)

If your priority is ultra-compact size and nothing else, the GB Pockit is…fine. It folds down small enough to fit under an airplane seat, making it a marvel of engineering—but not one of comfort. The handlebar is a nightmare for tall users (Mark is 6’3” and hated it), the harness system is weak, and the fold involves more steps than you’d expect. It’s not intuitive or fun to use, but it’s lightweight and good in a pinch. Think of it as your “emergency stroller”—the one you keep at grandma’s or in the trunk just in case. Just don’t expect it to feel good to push.

• Best for: Packing into a backpack or fitting under a plane seat.
• What we loved: It’s impossibly small. Like, fits-under-the-seat small.
• Downsides: Two tiny handles. Terrible for tall people. Folding is multi-step and slow.
• “This drove me insane”: Handlebar ergonomics and the harness system.

Baby Jogger City Tour 2: The Budget Backup

The Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is the kind of stroller you might begrudgingly accept as a hand-me-down. It’s affordable and reclines nearly flat (which is rare in this group), but that’s about where the praise ends. Mark was “over it before he even used it,” thanks to the awkward folding mechanism and cheap-feeling materials. It doesn’t stand up on its own when folded, and the handlebar flops around like it’s given up on life. It’s an okay option as a backup for occasional use, especially if you want something inexpensive, but it lags behind the rest in nearly every way.

• Best for: Secondary stroller at grandma’s house or for budget-conscious travelers.
• What we loved: Price. Nearly flat recline. Decent canopy.
• Downsides: Clunky fold. Cheap materials. Doesn’t stand when folded. Build quality = meh.

Who Should Buy What?

• Solo traveler: Joolz Aer+ all day
• Luxury lover + accessory chaser: UPPAbaby MINU V3
• One-handed driver: Babyzen YOYO2
• Tiny trunk or tight overhead space: GB Pockit
• Just need something that works (and works well): Bugaboo Butterfly

Spare stroller for backup duty: City Tour 2

Final verdict: what’s the best lightweight, compact stroller for travel?

If you’re going to spend $400+ on a travel stroller, get the one that actually delivers on every front: Joolz Aer+. That one-handed fold isn’t just a gimmick—it’s a sanity-saver.

But the UPPAbaby MINU V3 is a very close second. And if you’re more into modular upgrades or one-handed steering, you might find yourself leaning YOYO2 despite some frustrations.

Bottom line: don’t buy based on hype. Buy based on what actually matters when you’re juggling bags, boarding passes, and babies.

Travel stroller FAQs

Can I use these strollers from birth?

Some travel strollers can be used from birth, but most are better suited for babies around 6 months and up. Models like the Babyzen YOYO2 and UPPAbaby MINU offer optional newborn attachments or car seat adapters that make them newborn-friendly. That said, if you’re traveling with a very young baby, wearing them in a carrier might still be your best move—especially when navigating airports.

Are they compatible with car seats?

Yes—many of the best travel strollers are car seat compatible, but it depends on the brand and adapter. The MINU, YOYO2, Joolz Aer+, and Bugaboo Butterfly all offer adapters that work with popular infant car seats. If car seat compatibility is a must for your travel setup, be sure to check the brand’s compatibility chart before buying.

Can you bring a stroller through TSA or onto the plane?

Yes—TSA allows you to bring a stroller through security, and most airlines allow you to either gate-check it or carry it onboard if it meets size requirements. In our experience, a quick fold matters most during airport security. Strollers like the Joolz Aer+ and Bugaboo Butterfly made the process smooth, while others like the YOYO2 required a full-on folding tutorial (and, in one case, a FaceTime call to a spouse).

Do they work on rough terrain?

Travel strollers aren’t built for trails or cobblestones, but some handle bumps better than others. The UPPAbaby MINU and YOYO2 were the best performers on uneven sidewalks or gravel. Just don’t expect all-terrain wheels or suspension systems—these are designed for portability, not off-roading.

What accessories should I consider?

Travel stroller accessories to consider include:

• Cup holders or snack trays
• Travel bags (some are included, some are sold separately)
• Ride-along boards (especially for the YOYO2)
• Car seat adapters
• Rain covers and sunshades

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