How to Choose a Stroller?

With so many strollers on the market today, choosing the right stroller can be overwhelming. A stroller is typically part of your family’s everyday life for the first few years with a child. Finding out which features are important to you and what kind of lifestyle you need a stroller to fit into can help narrow down your search. 

Here are a few factors to consider when choosing which stroller is right for your family.

In this article:
What to consider when choosing a stroller?
What are the different types of strollers?
What stroller features should you consider?
FAQ
What to do next?

What to consider when choosing a stroller?

What is your budget?

The variety of stroller prices can be shocking. Strollers can range from 100$ up to the thousands. A few factors to consider with your budget are what age range your child or children are, the longevity you would like to get out of your stroller along with the extent of features you would like. 

Some of the lower priced strollers have age restrictions and do not provide a wide variety of features. However, they can provide the everyday basics a pricer stroller can offer. In consideration of longevity and lifestyle, instead of buying multiple strollers for different uses or as your child or family grows, finding one stroller that can fit your family’s lifestyle and transition as you need can end up costing the same as buying multiple strollers in the long run. Pricer strollers are more known to offer a wider range of features such as converting from 1 to 2+ seats, color and fabric selection and more available accessories. 

In the end, whether a basic or advanced model, either can be well worth the price depending on what works best for your family.

What is the size of your family?

Here are a few questions that can help in the decision of which stroller to get the most years out of and the most bang for your buck. 

Number of Children and Age Range:

1. 1 child or a gap between the next can have you consider a stroller for 1. Do you want the stroller to grow with your child or buy a different one for each growth stage?
2. 1 to 2+ children can have you consider strollers that can transition from 1 to 2 with additional add ons or a double stroller.
3. Age range: There are multiple variations to consider when choosing which stroller can grow with your child or convert with a growing family.
   1. Newborn to toddler
   2. Newborn + Toddler
   3. Toddler + Toddler

Considering these factors can have you buying a pricer stroller now but ultimately save your budget in the long run.

Where will you use your stroller? 

A big factor when choosing the right stroller for your family is what’s your lifestyle like? Can you use one stroller for all you will need or will you need multiple with different features? Here are some questions to consider:

• Where do you live?
• What is the weather like?
• What kind of storage space do you have?
• Do you travel – Plane, Train, Car, Boat?
• Is the stroller for occasional outings?
• Is the stroller for heavy everyday use?
• Do you need a basic lightweight stroller for lifting into a car or upstairs?
• Do you need a more heavy duty stroller for outdoor uneven ground activities?

Taking into consideration a few a these aspects can help narrow down your search.

What are the different types of strollers?

Full-sized Stroller 

Full-sized strollers are strollers that your child can use from the time they are born until they are a toddler. Being “full-sized” allows for your child to sit comfortably and provides storage space to accommodate everything you and your family need. Some models of full-sized strollers are convertible and can change to a double inline stroller with the purchase of a second seat.

Pro:

• Longevity and Durability 
• Available options to convert from single to double stroller
• Compatible with car seats and bassinets 
• Adequate storage space

Con:

• Not as compact to store 
• Heavier 

Umbrella / Lightweight Stroller

Lightweight Strollers are also widely known as “Umbrella Strollers”. The biggest convenience of these strollers is their simplicity and how easy they are to fold, transport and store.

Pro: 

• Affordability
• Travel Friendly 
• Lightweight 
• Easy to compact and store

Con: 

• Age restrictions
• Lack features, durability and sturdiness that heavier and pricer strollers can offer
• Does not recline completely

Car Seat Carrier-Stroller

Car Seat Carrier-Stroller is a carriage frame that you buy separately and allows the car seat to be attached or detached without having to remove your child from the car seat. These types of strollers are a great option for infants. Makes transitioning from car to stroller and vice versa easy and quick for everyday life on the go.

Pro:

• Affordability 
• Lightweight
• Travel Friendly
• Easy to compact and store

Con: 

• Age Restrictions: Can only be used as long as the child fits into their car seat
• Lack features, durability and sturdiness that heavier and pricer strollers can offer

Car-Seat Stroller

A Car-Seat stroller is a combined all-in-one car seat and stroller. When being used as a car seat the stroller frame folds underneath the car seat so the car seat can be locked into the vehicle base or be carried. These strollers are great for on the go. They make the transition from car seat to stroller and vice versa very simple.

For additional information about a Car-Seat Strollers check out the Doona Car Seat/Stroller.

Pro: 

• Travel Friendly
• Easy to compact and store
• All-in-one

Con:

• Heavy or Bulky to lift
• Age Restrictions: Can only be used as long as the child fits into the car seat

Jogger Stroller

Jogging strollers can be used for everyday outdoor activities. They feature 3 air-filled wheels that are larger than regular strollers. The jogger stroller is built with added suspension capabilities and fixed brake controls to help assist with uneven ground and downhill slopes. These features make for a smoother ride and make it the most suitable to use during workouts. 

Pro:

• Suspension
• Outdoor functionality 
• Adequate storage space
• Fixed brake controls
• Front wheel lock mechanism

Con: 

• Age restrictions
• Not easily folded and compact to store
• Larger bulkier size
• Does not recline completely 

Double Stroller 

Double Strollers are the perfect choice when you have two children. There are multiple variations of double strollers available. There are double jogging strollers, standard strollers, lightweight/umbrella strollers and convertible strollers that can transition from 1 to 2 seats. Keep in mind your children’s ages. Whether they are still and infant or are no longer always check the stroller manufacturer’s limits to ensure they will be safely seated.

Pro:

• Longevity and Durability
• Available options to convert from single to double stroller
• Can seat both children for travel
• Adequate storage space

Con:

• Side by side – width can make it difficult to navigate 
• Inline – length can make maneuverability difficult 
• Larger bulkier size
• Not easily folded and compact to store
• Age restrictions – depending on model 

Travel System Stroller

A Travel System Stroller is when an infant car seat pairs with a stroller. When buying these strollers they usually come with an infant car seat, the stroller frame and a car seat base. Some even have an additional bassinet that converts into an upright belted seat that can add to the longevity of a travel system stroller. This type of system has many different styles of strollers: Full-sized, jogger, standard and lightweight. 

Pro:

• Travel Friendly
• Do not have to move infant from car seat from car to stroller
• More bang for your buck
• Can have longevity

Con:

• Age restrictions  

What stroller features should you consider?

When researching a stroller it is important to think about what features matter most to you? While some features are a must for some, other factors aren’t as important. Below are some factors to consider for your family:

• Accessories (add-ons)
  • Most every stroller has additional add-on accessories to help enhance the overall quality of your stroller. Even if your stroller does not have accessories there are available universal options that are worth looking into. Here are a few examples of accessories:
    • Sun Canopy
    • Storage baskets & Organizers 
    • Snack & Cup Holders
    • Fans 
    • Winter Cover
    • Adapters 
• Sun Canopy
  • This feature can differ in size and characteristics depending on your stroller but is a great way to protect your child from rain, UV sun rays and wind.
• Storage
  • Depending on your activities children can need more or less supplies for their day. The allotted storage room on your stroller can make your trip easier and less for you to carry. However, if your stroller does not come with the adequate amount of storage space you need there are always options to buy added storage bags and organizers.
• Wheel Quality
  • The type of wheel on your stroller can affect your everyday use. Consider where you will be using your stroller and what activities will you be needing it for. 
• Adjustable Handlebar
  • This feature may not matter to everyone but it can really affect your everyday life with your stroller if the set handlebar is too high or too low for your height. It can be very frustrating to have to push a stroller around that is not adjustable for your height.
• Able to transition from carrying 1 child to 2+
  • This is a great feature for families planning to grow, get the most longevity out of their stroller and more bang for your buck.
• Car Seat Compatible
  • If you have an infant, a car seat compatible stroller can make everyday trips much smoother. They offer the ability to not have to transfer your child in and out of the car seat when getting to your destination.
• Weight and Maneuverability
  • These aspects can matter depending on where you live and lifestyle. If you’re on the go, a lighter weight stroller that can be stored easily or pushed through tight and crowded spaces might be the better option. If you’re not on the go and don’t need to lift and store your stroller through multiple trips, but planning on heading outdoors on uneven ground a heavier duty stroller may suit you better.
• Washable
  • It’s inevitable, children are bound to get messy. Having the ability to easily remove the stroller fabric to wash instead of having to scrub it clean while attached to the stroller will help make the cleaning process a lot more pain free. 
• Easily Folded and Stored
  • It can make a world of difference having a stroller that is easy to fold. “One-handed” foldable strollers are very popular because they can make storing your stroller in your trunk or in your home easier, especially if you need to do so with your hands full. 
• Safety Features
  • Knowing your stroller’s safety features is the best way to ensure your child is traveling safely. Check the stroller’s manufacturer limits for the height and weight, confirm the stroller has a five-point safety harness, workable brakes, and a sturdy base. 

What to do next?

Take into consideration what features will matter most to you and your family when finding the right stroller. Check out our tips and guides on Double Stroller vs Wagon for some more insights!

Please drop a comment with any questions, opinions, or on your experience with a stroller. All content is valuable!