Whether it's your first baby or your last, buying one of the best strollers for your child can be a seriously daunting task.
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1. Baby Jogger City Mini 2
Best full-size stroller for on-the-go parents
REASONS TO BUY
+Lightweight
+One-hand folding mechanism
+Compatible with a number of car seats
REASONS TO AVOID
–The storage basket is small
–Handlebars feel too high for shorter parents
The Baby Jogger City Mini 2 is one of the best strollers for both new and veteran parents. It's one of the lightest strollers available and offers a quick and convenient folding mechanism. Its three-wheel design makes it maneuverable around corners and sharp turns, and its peekaboo windows let you see how your baby is doing. The City Mini 2 is also compatible with a variety of car seats, including the Baby Jogger City Go and third-party car seats like the Britax B-Safe and the Chicco KeyFit 30.
The only drawback is that the storage bag is a bit small compared with other strollers, and it's hard to access when it's filled up with stuff. But if you don't mind carrying an extra bag on you, or you don't plan on using the stroller as a grocery cart, the Baby Jogger City Mini 2 is a surefire choice for getting baby from point A to point B without much fuss.
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2. Thule Urban Glide 2
A great stroller for jogging
REASONS TO BUY
+Best maneuverability
+High-quality build
REASONS TO AVOID
–Harder to transport and stow
–No parent console
The Thule Urban Glide 2 is the best stroller for parents who want to stay active after their baby arrives. Not only does it offer plenty of features for everyday use, but it also comes with the fixings of regular full-size strollers, like a giant canopy and covered storage. The Urban Glide 2 is also compatible with a variety of car seats as long as you purchase the $60 adapter.
Since this is a stroller meant for sustained movement, the front wheel is lockable, so you don't have to worry about the stroller going off the path. It's also able to handle different surfaces, from paved roads to dirt trails. You don't even have to be a runner to choose the Thule Urban Glide 2; it's lightweight and versatile enough to use as a first-time stroller for any parent, and its hand-activated brake and tight turn radius make it a good choice for parents who want to get moving.
3. Uppababy Cruz
This full-size stroller is worth the splurge
REASONS TO BUY
+Cushy ride with front-wheel suspension
+Extra-large storage
+Reversible seat
REASONS TO AVOID
–Expensive
–Two-handed fold isn't super intuitive
The Uppababy Cruz is a splurge, but the extra cash will get you a smoother ride that can handle a variety of surfaces, including bumpy city streets. It has extra-large storage space, something to consider if you're prone to go grocery shopping with your little one.
The Cruz is a four-wheeler stroller, though the wheels are small and extra-durable, and the front-wheel suspension makes for a smooth ride. The Uppababy Cruz offers an adjustable handlebar for parents of all heights and allows for reversed seating, so you can stare at your baby while picking through bushels of broccoli. The Cruz is compatible with a range of car seats, making it easy to transfer baby from car to home.
While the higher price may net you more storage space and a smoother wheelbase, consider that the Cruz is a bigger, more cumbersome stroller that requires you to use two hands when folding it up. It's also bulkier when folded up compared with our top picks, which may make storing it in tight spaces and smaller trunks a bit of a doozy.
4. Britax B-Lively
Plenty of storage in a full-size stroller
REASONS TO BUY
+Large storage basket
+Easy braking mechanism
+Great wheel suspension
REASONS TO AVOID
–Brakes don't always lock into place
–Folding requires an additional step
Another three-wheel, full-size stroller, the Britax B-Lively is as convenient to push around as the Baby Jogger City Mini 2 and offers a large, zippered storage bin that's easy to access. The B-Lively also comes equipped with a simple braking mechanism, though it's not always clear that it's fully engaged, so you'll have to check twice before leaving the stroller. Your baby can also recline in this stroller, so it provides comfortable sleeping for the little one.
If you're looking for a universally compatible stroller, the Britax B-Lively is not it. It's only compatible with other Britax and BOB-brand car seats. And though it weighs only a pound more than the City Mini 2, it requires an additional step when folding up, which might be the last thing you want to think about when you're holding a screaming baby and all your child's items.
5. Uppababy Vista
The best expandable full-size stroller
REASONS TO BUY
+Multiple accommodations
+Reversible seat
+Storage basket carries up to 30 pounds
REASONS TO AVOID
–Can be more stroller than you need
–Takes up a lot of space–Very expensive
The Uppababy Vista sports many of the Uppababy Cruz's features and is also a bonafide transformer for every stage of your child’s life, making it the best stroller for parents who want something that will grow with their kid. When your baby is an infant, you can transport them in the bassinet, which will support the baby until he or she is 20 pounds. Then, you can switch to the toddler seat, which will last until your child reaches a weight equaling the maximum capacity of 50 pounds. In addition to being compatible with your child's growing body and working for growing families, the Vista also accepts up to two infant car seats or toddler seats at the same time. Or, you can add the PiggyBack Ride Along board for a sibling who wants to stand and ride. The Vista's foam-filled rubber tires are also great for handling changing terrains, whether you need to trudge through rain, gravel or snow.
The extremely high-end price of the Uppababy Vista might make it less of an option for you, however, and the entire kit may be more stroller than you need if you plan on having just one little tyke. The Vista and its different accessories also take up a lot of space, and it's not the most intuitive when you're opening and closing it.
(sources: tomsguide.com, whattoexpect.com)