Is the Graco Ready2Jet the Best Budget Travel Stroller?
If you’ve been searching for a lightweight, affordable travel stroller with an automatic one-hand fold, you might be wondering: Is the Graco Ready2Jet worth it? At first glance, it looks like a budget-friendly alternative to the Nuna TRVL—but can it really compete?
One of the biggest selling points of this stroller is how seamlessly it pairs with Graco infant car seats. There are no adapters or extra purchases—just click the car seat onto the bumper bar, and you’re set. That alone makes this stroller stand out in the budget category.
I first saw this stroller at the ABC Kids Expo in Las Vegas and was intrigued, but I didn’t get my hands on it until it popped up at Costco, and parents started flooding my DMs on Instagram asking for a review. I reached out to Graco, and they sent me one to test—no strings attached. Now, let’s get into my full, honest review.
Why Trust Me?
Looking for honest baby gear reviews you can trust? I get it. When I was pregnant with my first, I struggled to find real, mom-tested reviews that didn’t feel like sales pitches. That’s why I started The Stroller Mom—because baby gear is an investment, and every parent wants the best for their kids.
Since then, I’ve helped thousands of parents like you navigate the overwhelming world of baby gear by sharing my honest experiences. As a mom of three kids four and under, I personally use every product I recommend, sharing what works, what doesn’t, and everything in between—so you can make the right choice for your family. I’ve tested over 60 strollers, and I know the details that actually matter in day-to-day life.
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Table of Contents
Graco Ready2Jet Quick Summary
If you don’t have time to read the full review, here are the highlights you need to know before purchasing
- Price: $159.99 (even cheaper at Costco!), has an included parent cup holder and built-in car seat adapter
- Super lightweight stroller: It weighs just 13.2 lbs, making it easy to carry and great for travel.
- Smooth auto-fold: After pressing the button, the stroller practically folds itself.
- Car seat compatibility: Clips directly onto the bumper bar—no extra adapters needed! Graco car seats only.
- Tall seatback: Surprisingly tall and sturdy, though I wish it sat a little more upright.
- Canopy is small: There is no extension, and when retracted, it rests on my hands, which isn’t ideal—one of the biggest downsides of this stroller.
- Storage basket: It holds up to 10 lbs, and I could fit my diaper bag in it, though the materials feel a little cheap.
- Flame retardants: Like most Graco strollers, chemical flame retardants are used to meet U.S. regulations. I noticed a smell out of the box, but I recommend letting it air out in indirect sunlight or a garage for a few days.
Also, if you prefer a video, check out my short YouTube review of the Ready2Jet stroller:
Graco Ready2Jet Price and What’s Included
At $159.99, the Graco Ready2Jet offers solid features for the price. You get:
- A bumper bar that doubles as a car seat adapter
- A parent cup holder (which is a nice freebie—many strollers charge extra)
You can also purchase this stroller as a Ready 2 Jet travel system, including the Graco SnugRide lite infant car seat for $269.99.
Graco Ready2Jet From Top to Bottom
If you’ve seen my YouTube videos, you know I’m thorough and cover all the details that matter most to parents. In this section, I’ll walk you through the Graco Ready to Jets compact stroller from top to bottom, highlighting key features that could help you decide if this is the right stroller for your needs.
Handlebar
The handlebar is not adjustable, but it was at a decent height. Neither my husband nor I kicked the bottom of the stroller. The stylish leatherette stroller handle is nice, but I do not like that the canopy rests on my hands when not extended. There is a wire in the canopy that makes it kinda uncomfortable.
The stylish leatherette stroller handle gives this budget-friendly stroller a more high-end look and feel, which is a nice touch. While the handlebar isn’t adjustable, I found it to be a comfortable height. Neither my husband nor I kicked the frame while walking.
Canopy
If you’re hoping for an oversized canopy, this isn’t it. The Ready2Jet’s canopy is on the smaller side, with no extension, which was a bit disappointing. While the jersey-like fabric provides UPF 50+ protection, I found that the coverage wasn’t enough for younger babies—especially when the sun is lower in the sky.
Also, there’s no peek-a-boo window, which is a bummer because I love being able to check on my baby without stopping.
Also, one other small annoyance: when the canopy is pushed back, it rests on my hands, and the built-in wire makes it somewhat uncomfortable.
Seat & Child Comfort
The stroller seat on the Graco Ready2Jet was a pleasant surprise, especially for a budget-friendly travel stroller. It features a multi-position reclining seat, which allows you to adjust it for naps on the go or a more upright position for curious toddlers. While I wish it sat just a bit more upright, I could tighten the strap enough to get a decent angle.
One of the biggest pros? The seatback is taller than the Nuna TRVL, making it a great option for taller toddlers who need more room to grow.
For safety, the 5-point harness keeps little ones secure, though I did notice that the harness covers tend to fall off occasionally—slightly annoying and something to be aware of.
Whether navigating the streets of New York or just running a quick errand at the grocery store, this stroller seat provides a safe place for your child without feeling too flimsy. The materials and buckles in both the seat and the basket felt lower quality to me, but it is a budget stroller and was consistent with other Graco products in this price range.
Bumper Bar
The plastic removable belly bar doubles as the car seat adapter for any Graco SnugRide infant car seat. I absolutely love this feature and think it is very nice. The carry handle I also have a snack tray you can attach to this once you are through the car seat stage.
Footrest & Calf Support
The stroller has two footrest positions—an adjustable calf support for babies and a lower footrest for toddlers. I was happy with both.
Brake
The break is small and plastic, but it is flipflop friendly.
Basket & Storage
The stroller has an easy-access storage basket, though the materials feel cheap. The under-stroller storage basket can hold 10 lbs, and I could easily fit my diaper bag in it.
Graco Ready2Jet Infant & Car Seat Compatibility
Graco says this stroller is safe to use from birth when paired with a Graco infant car seat and can hold up to 50 lbs in the regular seat.
One of my favorite features of the Ready2Jet is how seamlessly it works with Graco SnugRide infant car seats. Instead of needing extra adapters, the car seat clips directly onto the bumper bar, making it one of the easiest budget-friendly travel systems.
Graco Ready2Jet Folding, Portability, and Ease of Use
Can we talk about how easy the one-handed folding mechanism is and how great this stroller’s self-standing fold works? The fold is what’s catching everyone’s attention with this stroller, and for good reason. It makes new parent life much easier when you’re out and about.
The stroller folds tall rather than flat, and while it’s ultra lightweight, it won’t always meet the specific carry-on requirements for overhead compartments. If you’re planning to fly, check with your local airline first.
One thing to note is that the self-standing compact fold can be a little wobbly when folded. I found that it tipped over sometimes, so I balanced it on my leg while waiting to load it. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s something to keep in mind. On the bright side, unfolding it was super easy!
Maneuverability & Performance of the Graco Ready2Jet
This stroller has a decently smooth ride and will get you from place to place. It was fine on smooth pavement, but the wheels are nothing fancy, and I would not take it off-roading.
Graco Ready2Jet Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 13.2 lbs |
| Seat Weight Capacity | Up to 50 lbs |
| Storage Basket Weight Limit | 10lbs |
| Open Dimensions | 20.5” W x 27” L x 43” H |
| Folded Size | 16.5″L x 12″W x 25″H |
| Car Seat Compatibility | Graco |
| Seat to Canopy Height | about 26 in |
| Seatback Height | 20.5 in |
| Handlebar Height | 39.5 in |
| Front Wheels | about 6.5 in |
| Rear Wheels | about 6.5 in |
Other Strollers You May Be Considering
If you are looking for a travel stroller you might be considering other company’s strollers like Nuna and Zoe. Here’s some high-level information on the Nuna TRVL and Zoe Tour V2:
| Feature | Graco Ready2Jet | Nuna TRVL | Zoe Tour V2 | Joie Nutmeg |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $159.99 | $449 | $249 | $199.99 |
| Weight | 13.2 lbs | 14.6 lbs | 13 lbs | 14.4 lbs |
| Fold | Auto-fold | Auto-fold | One-handed fold | Auto-fold |
| Car Seat Compatibility | Graco SnugRide | Nuna PIPA | Various (adapter required) | Joie Car Seats |
| Canopy | Small | Large with extension | Large with extension |
Non-travel system version is small. Travel system version is large with extension. |
| Seatback Height | 20.5 in | 19.3 in | 18 in | TBD |
Nuna TRVL VS Graco Ready2Jet
- The Nuna is a luxury stroller that offers many of the same features as the Ready2Jet but at a higher price.
- For the price, though, you get a stroller that is Green Guard Gold, free from chemical flame retardants, and made of higher-quality materials.
- The seat back is a little taller on the Ready2Jet, but is more upright on the Nuna TRVL.
- Check out my full review of the Nuna TRVL on YouTube.
Zoe Tour V2 VS Graco Ready2Jet
- This stroller also works with a Graco infant car seat with the purchase of an additional adapter.
- The materials are better quality and it does have an easy fold (just not an auto fold).
- The canopy extension is much better on this stroller.
- Both strollers are very similar in size.
- Check out my full review of the Zoe Tour V2 on YouTube
Joie Nutmeg V2 VS Graco Ready2Jet
- These strollers have similar auto folds and bumper bar car seat compatibility.
- The Joie has a near flat newborn recline and a better canopy when you buy this travel system.
- Check out my full review of the Joie Nutmeg on YouTube
Final Thoughts: Who is the Ready2Jet Best For?
If you’re looking for a perfect airport companion, especially if you have a Graco infant car seat, the Ready2Jet is a solid choice. The one-hand activation auto-fold makes getting through security and gate-checking a breeze.
This could be one of the best affordable infant car seat-stroller combination travel systems. Very few strollers at this price let you clip a car seat onto the bumper bar without needing extra adapters, which makes quick errands and travel so much easier.
This could also be a great grandparent stroller because of its compact size, lightweight frame, and simple fold. It’s easy to store, easy to push, and doesn’t require any complicated setup.
While this stroller isn’t perfect, it’s a great option if you want a budget-friendly travel stroller that’s easy to use and pairs seamlessly with a Graco infant car seat.
