When I had my first baby, I traveled several times that first year with a big single-to-double stroller. It was heavy, complicated, and a total pain to get down the jet bridge. By the time I had my second, I knew I wanted a true travel stroller. If you’re on the fence about whether it’s worth it, it absolutely is. Even if you end up gate-checking it, having something lightweight and compact makes travel so much easier.
But when it comes to choosing a travel stroller, the options can feel very overwhelming. And if you want one that works well from birth, it adds a whole new level of complexity.
In this post, I share what to look for in a travel stroller that works well from birth through toddlerhood, as well as 8 of the best travel strollers for newborns on the market today.
Prefer to watch? Check out my YouTube Review:
*Depending on when you are watching this video, new travel strollers may have been released, which I why I am making this blog post to give you the most up-to-date list. Keep reading below!
This blog post contains affiliate links. You don’t get charged any extra, but my family receives a small commission when you shop through one of my affiliate links, and we are grateful for your support!
Table of Contents
What to Look for in a Newborn Travel Stroller
Here are a few things to look for when choosing a travel stroller that actually works for a newborn:
Newborn Compatibility Without A Car Seat
Many strollers say they’re “newborn-ready,” but that usually just means you can attach a car seat. That’s fine for quick errands, but babies shouldn’t stay in that curved “C” position for more than about two hours. If you’ll be out for longer, like walking around a city or sitting at a café, look for a stroller with a flat recline, carry cot, or bassinet option so your baby can lie flat safely.
Car Seat Compatibility
You’ll have lots of options that allow you to click in an infant car seat, which can be great for airport transfers or short outings. Just note that not all car seats are compatible with all travel strollers.
Lightweight and Compact
A good travel stroller should make your life easier, not add another bulky piece of gear to haul around. The main reason to bring it on board is that airlines can be rough on strollers stored under the plane. The ones on this list fit in most overhead bins, so you can keep yours with you and avoid damage. Look for something around 13 to 17 pounds that’s easy to fold and carry.
Baby and Parent Comfort
Little details matter when you’re out all day. Mesh panels for airflow, decent canopy coverage, a large basket, a peekaboo window, and soft seat padding make a big difference for newborns.
Longevity
Ideally, your travel stroller should take you from newborn through toddlerhood. Look for a taller seat back, a good recline range, a sturdy frame, and a solid seat weight limit that can accommodate a growing child. The goal is to buy once and use it for years.
Most of the strollers I’m sharing next check these boxes. A few budget-friendly options may cut a corner here or there, but overall, they work from birth, fit in most overhead bins, and give you the flexibility to travel light without sacrificing comfort for your baby.
8 Best Newborn Travel Strollers
We will start with the most affordable newborn travel stroller options and work our way up! I also have a few discount codes below.
1. Mountain Buggy Nano V3
I was so excited when I discovered the Mountain Buggy Nano travel stroller because it filled a gap that was missing in the current travel stroller market.
If you have a Graco, Chicco, or Joie infant car seat, you may have noticed there are not many newborn-ready travel strollers that fit in an overhead bin to pick from. The Nano gives parents a solution at an affordable price point. This stroller offers a lot for its price, and the push is decent for a travel stroller.
Here is what you need to know:
- Price: $249 (Order on Amazon and Target)
- Stroller Weight: 13 lbs
- Age: Birth to 44 lbs
- Car Seat Compatibility: Includes a universal adapter that works with most car seats (Great for Graco, Chicco, and Joie Car seat owners)
👍 Pros:
- Very compact fold with carry strap
- Good push for a travel stroller
- Newborn ready recline and add-on newborn cocoon
- Mesh in the back of the seat for added airflow
👎 Cons:
- Multi-step fold
- More budget-feeling materials
- No extension on the canopy or peekaboo window
2. Mompush Velo
The Mompush Velo is an amazing travel stroller, especially for the price. The basket is a good size, I love the newborn recline, mesh for added airflow, and the upright seat for your toddler. It has an IATA-compatible (fits in the overhead bin of most airplanes) fold that can be done with one hand.
The biggest downside is that, because of how it folds, you cannot fold it with the car seat adapters or snack tray attached. One other thing to note is that if you are taller or have a long stride, this may not be the best option.
Here is what you need to know:
- Price: $299.99 (Order on Amazon or Mompush Website and use code: THESTROLLERMOM to save 15%)
- Stroller Weight: 16.7 lbs
- Age: Birth – 50 lbs
- Car Seat Compatibility: Nuna, Maxi Cosi, Cybex with adapters
👍 Pros:
- Easy and Compact Fold
- Great newborn-ready recline!
- Great value for the price
- Decent canopy, basket space, and upright seat
👎 Cons:
- Parents with long strides may kick the wheels
- Cannot be folded with the car seat adapter or snack tray
- Canopy can get stuck on the bumper bar when unfolding
Check out my comparison of the Uppababy Minu V3 vs Bugaboo Butterfly vs Mompush Velo on YouTube:
3. MomCozy ClickGo Stroller
The Momcozy ClickGo is a travel stroller that comes with a lot of accessories and upgraded features while still being at an affordable price point. If you do not need car seat compatibility, this is a great option, especially since it has a near flat recline with a newborn nest mode.
Here is what you need to know:
- Price: $299.99, $224 with code EMSTROLLER
- Stroller Weight: 17 lbs (although they advertise 13.2 lbs…)
- Age: Birth to 50 lbs
- Car Seat Compatibility: None
👍 Pros:
- Very easy fold
- Good value for the price (cup holder, snack tray, bumper bar, rain cover, and dust bag)
- Newborn ready recline
- Tall seat back and good canopy extension
👎 Cons:
- No car seat compatibility
- Not the most upright seat
Check out my quick review of the Momcozy Clickgo!
4. Ergo Metro 3 & Metro 3 Deluxe
The Ergo Metro 3 has an amazing newborn recline, a tall upright seat back, a decent backrest, and an easy auto-fold. It is also the only travel stroller that offers an adjustable handlebar, making it a great option for tall parents! The brake is not the easiest to use in sandals, and the unfolding mechanism is a little sticky. It is also the largest option on this list when folded.
Wondering what the differences are between the Metro 3 and Metro 3 Deluxe?
The Deluxe includes a bumper bar, rain cover, and cup holder, all of which are sold separately on the regular Metro 3. It also upgrades to magnetic buckles and a convenient carry strap instead of just a handle in the seat. The materials are a bit more premium on the Deluxe, though I found the Metro 3’s fabrics perfectly nice for the price.
Here is what you need to know:
- Price: Metro 3 = $349 and Metro 3 Deluxe = $499 (Order on Amazon or on the ErgoBaby Site and save 15% with code: STROLLERMOM15)
- Stroller Weight: 16.7 lbs
- Age: Birth to 50 lbs
- Car Seat Compatibility: Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, and Cleck with adapter
👍 Pros:
- Tall and upright seat back
- Great newborn recline
- Mesh for added airflow & peekaboo window stays open with magnets
👎 Cons:
- The fold might be too large for some overhead bins
- Sticks on the unfold
- Brake is not sandal-friendly
Check out my full review of the Ergo Metro 3 or watch my review here:
5. Silver Cross Clic
The Silver Cross Clic is a beautiful stroller with premium materials. The seamless car seat compatibility with Nuna and Joie car seats is AMAZING for the travel day, as you do not need to worry about any extra adapters. Because the seat has a newborn recline, you’ll want to avoid fully reclining it when using a car seat so it stays in the correct position.
The Clic is lightweight, easy to fold, and includes a convenient carry strap. The basket isn’t huge, but it’s roomy enough for a small diaper bag.
Here is what you need to know:
- Price: $449.99 (Order on Silver Cross and Nordstrom)
- Stroller Weight: 13.9 lbs
- Age: Birth to 50 lbs
- Car Seat Compatibility: Nuna & Joie – No adapters needed (seat should not be fully reclined to keep the car seat at a proper angle)
👍 Pros:
- The lightest travel stroller on this list!
- Good newborn ready recline
- Easy Car Seat compatibility with Joie and Nuna infant car seats
- Compact, easy fold & built-in carry strap
👎 Cons:
- Small basket, but bigger than the Silver Cross Jet 5!
- The frame feels a little flimsy, but reviews don’t show any issues!
- The bumper bar does not swing out, so you must remove it completely to let toddlers out.
Check out my quick review of the Silver Cross Clic!
6. UPPAbaby Minu V3
The UPPAbaby Minu V3 is a high-quality travel stroller that features a large storage basket, a tall seat back, and a built-in newborn recline. This is a great travel stroller if you are on the taller side, love UPPAbaby quality, or are looking for one compatible with UPPAbaby infant car seats. The biggest downside for me is that the seat is not the most upright for toddlers, but this is not a deal-breaker for every family.
Here is what you need to know:
- Price: $499.99 (order on Nordstrom, Amazon, and Pottery Barn Kid)
- Stroller Weight: 16.7 lbs
- Age: Birth to 50 lbs
- Car Seat Compatibility: Uppababy (with this adapter), Nuna, Maxi Cosi, Clek, and Cybex (with this adapter)
Check out my full review of the UPPAbaby Minu V3 or watch my review on YouTube:
👍 Pros:
- Compact, easy fold (IATA compatible)
- Large Storage basket (holds 20 lbs)
- Newborn ready recline
- Tall seat back and good canopy extension
👎 Cons:
- No mesh for added airflow
- The seat is a little reclined in the most upright position
- Some parents note a clicking sound when on bumpy roads (Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is the same)
7. Joolz Aer2
The Joolz AER2 is one of the best travel strollers on the market today! Not only does it offer a newborn recline, a tall, decently upright seat, a good basket, and an easy, lightweight, compact fold that fits in most overhead bins.
It also features two other newborn setups, including a parent-facing seat that can be used during the early toddler years (parents ask me for this all the time) and a foldable bassinet! The biggest downside is that there is no peekaboo window, and the zipper recline is somewhat inconvenient, but overall, it is a great option.
Here is what you need to know:
- Price: $579 (Order on Amazon, Nordstrom, or Bloomingdale’s)
- Stroller Weight: 14.3 lbs
- Age: Birth to 50 lbs with 3 newborn options (Recline, Bassinet/Carrycot, & Nest to Grow Seat)
- Car Seat Compatibility: Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, and Clek with adapters
👍 Pros:
- Super easy and compact fold
- Tall seat back
- 4 newborn options (car seat, bassinet, nest to seat, and full flat recline)
- Good push
- Wide seat for toddler
👎 Cons:
- No peekaboo window
- Zipper recline
- No snack tray
Check out my full review of the Joolz Aer2 on YouTube:
8. Stokke YoYo3
The Stokke YOYO3 (formerly known as Babyzen YOYO) is the OG full-feature travel stroller.
You will see these all over Europe and parents love it for its smooth push, super compact fold (the smallest on this list), and multiple newborn configurations, including a removable bassinet that can fold to be a second piece of luggage or the newborn pack that allows the stroller to fold with the newborn seat still attached and it will still fit in an overhead bin.
The biggest downsides of this stroller, aside from the price, are its multi-step fold, small basket that doesn’t fit most diaper bags, and the fact that the toddler seat is very reclined in its most upright position. It also doesn’t include a footrest with the toddler seat, and you have to purchase a bumper bar from a third-party brand.
Here is what you need to know:
- Price: $649 (Buy on Nordstrom, Stokke, and Amazon)
- Stroller Weight: 17.2 lbs (newborn pack) and 16.3 lbs (toddler seat)
- Age: Birth – 48.5 lbs or 2 years old according to the Stokke Website
- Car Seat Compatibility: Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, and Clek with adapters
👍 Pros:
- One of the most compact folds for a full full-feature travel stroller
- Offers three different newborn setups: bassinet, newborn pack, and car seat
- Smooth ride
- Second seat that can fold and be hung from the handle bar when not in use
👎 Cons:
- Multi-step fold
- Reclined toddler seat (even in the most upright position)
- Small basket
- Footrest not included in the toddler seat version
- No bumper bar option
Check out my short review of the Stokke YoYo3 here:
Final Thoughts
Depending on what you are looking for, all eight of these travel strollers could be a great option for traveling with your newborn! A newborn recline is currently one of my favorite features to find in new strollers I am testing, because the first 6 months of your baby’s stroller time are just as important as the end. Would you like to see some other great travel strollers? Check out my other YouTube Stroller Reviews! I also have a Newborn Stroller Guide with all the strollers currently sold today that offer a newborn-ready setup right out of the box.
Did this post help you decide on the best newborn travel stroller for your family? If so, I would greatly appreciate you shopping through one of the links above! It helps me to continue making honest content like this.
