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Strollers Buying Guide

Strollers  are an essential item for new parents. Luckily, the stroller industry has anticipated all of your needs. Read on for the varieties of strollers available to you. If you want to learn more about a specific stroller type, click on the links for in-depth articles on the stroller style of your choice.

After you've made your choice, it's time to soup up your stroller with a few accessories.  No fear--we've got a buying guide for that too!  Visit our stroller accessory page.

Stroller Basics

Most Popular Stroller Styles

Lightweight and Umbrella Strollers 

  • Not meant for babies less than 6 months old or with weak necks.
  • Compact, portable, lightweight, and perfect for urban settings.
  • Also full-featured lightweight strollers  available.
  • To learn more about lightweight and umbrella strollers, go to the buying guide.
  • Great for travel.
  • Universal strollers  are lightweight and designed to accommodate a variety of car seats.

Full-Featured 

  • Models come in either single or double styles, such as tandem  or in-line strollers. 
  • These are the most common and most versatile types.
  • Full of extras, which also means that the price is significantly higher.
  • Pricier models are better constructed and will last longer.
  • Also remember that with all the added options comes extra weight and bulk.
  • To learn more about full-featured strollers, go to the buying guide.

Travel Systems 

  • Also known as all-in-one strollers  because they have a unique feature: the stroller consists of a base and a removable carrier that doubles as a car seat.
  • Can take a sleeping baby from car to stroller without having to wake them.
  • Eventually an investment will have to be made in a new car seat, while the stroller can still be used.
  • Lots of features, very versatile, suitable for children of all ages.
  • Reclining seats  work well for infants.
  • Expensive, but you don't have to spend extra money on a carrier or car seat in the initial stages of a child's life.
  • Keep in mind their bulk, weight, and lack of maneuverability and portability (compared with lightweight strollers).

More Stroller Styles

Carriage Strollers 

  • Aimed at infants because they feature a completely reclined bed.
  • Not really suitable for children more than 6 months old and are somewhat pricey without long term usefulness.
  • Usually full-featured with plenty of safety elements, a full canopy, and lots of padding.
  • Make sure all surfaces are easily cleaned.
  • Romantic and reminiscent of English prams. 
  • Modern Strollers include the popular Xplory,  a model that brings babies up closer to their parents' faces.

Tandem Strollers 

  • Come in several types: side-by-side, in-line,  and face-to-face. 
  • The only way to push two children single-handed.
  • They are not as easy to maneuver as single models.
  • Can be quite heavy, making them less portable.
  • Side-by-side models fold up easily, are often less expensive, and don't offer as many features, like an umbrella stroller.
  • Face-to-face and in-line models are most often full-featured strollers.
  • To learn more about tandem stroller options, go to the buying guide.

Jogging Strollers 

  • Good for the active parent who likes to go jogging or running (stroller manufacturers do not recommend inline skating).
  • Very likely not your only stroller, so storage space is an issue.
  • Not all are meant for all-terrain use, be sure to check the specifications.
  • Serious joggers need 20" wheels minimum to ensure a safe and smooth ride for the child.
  • Specifically for children more than 6 months old.
  • Use caution with the less stable three-wheel setups when going over curbs.
  • To find out more about jogging strollers, go to the buying guide.

All Terrain Strollers 

  • Can be either three  or four -wheel style.
  • Heavy-duty suspension system, over-sized, air-filled tires, and a sporty look.
  • Appeal to off-roaders and to parents who want to look cool in the city and on the trails.
  • Heavy, awkward, and don't fold up well. Bad for errands.
  • Requires a lot of storage space.
  • Swiveling front wheels  are better for everyday use.
  • If you want an all-terrain stroller that doubles as a jogger, make sure to check that the stroller is meant for dual-use.

Mobile Car Seats 

  • Eliminates the need for a stroller and a car seat.
  • Ideal for traveling short distances.
  • Not ideal for long walks.
  • May be harder to install that regular car seats.
  • Some Strollers double as car seats  as well. 
  • Baby Jogger Car Seat adapters  take a regular infant car seat and securely strap it into a stroller.

Extra Features

  • Safety
    • Five-point harness: Ensures the safest ride for infants. Three-point harnesses are the most basic and usually come on lightweight and umbrella strollers.
    • One-touch brakes: More convenient than standard brakes. Hand brakes are essential on jogging strollers. Also look for a parking brake to lock the stroller while removing the child to increase convenience.
    • Locking mechanism: This keeps the stroller from spontaneously collapsing.
    • Safety flap: Combined with the harness, helps keep infants from sliding out of the leg-holes.
    • Dangerous corners: Make sure all angles and hinges are covered and padded and that there are no sharp protrusions.
    • Be aware of recalls! Check out which models to steer clear of at Consumer Product Safety Commission.
    • Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association has certification stickers that show that a stroller is safe. Check their Web site for information on recalls as well.
  • Freestanding models
    • Can be useful to have a stroller that can stand by itself when folded. Helps for storage and portability.
  • Washable Fabrics
    • At some point you are going to have a child vomit, poop or worse in the stroller. Gross? Yes, but you will have to deal with it. A well-designed stroller will accomodate quick and easy clean-up.
  • Storage
    • Baskets: Nice place to put your purse, groceries, diaper bags, etc.
    • Trays and cup holders: Gives your children a place to store their snacks and drinks. Trays can turn a stroller into an impromptu dining table for meals on the go.
    • Under carriage storage: Another option for storing items that you don't need immediate and constant access to.
  • Adjustable Handle
    • If the parents and/or caretakers are of different heights it allows everyone to stand up straight when pushing the stroller. This is especially important on all-terrain and jogging strollers.
  • Canopy
    • Protects the child from the elements, such as sun and rain.
    • Very important on a jogging stroller. 
    • Most higher-priced and full-featured models come with a canopy.
    • Check for the coverage size, since not all canopies are the same.
    • There is always the option of buying an add-on canopy later on, but chances are that they won't fit as well as one that comes pre-installed on the stroller.
  • Wheels
    • Front wheel: Swivel/locking version increases maneuverability on three-wheel models.
    • Wheel size: The larger the wheels, the more stable and smooth the ride will be.
    • Nylon wheels are stronger than soft plastic.
    • Inflatable tires come on some strollers and can greatly improve the smoothness of the ride, but they do require periodic inflating.

Brands by Price Range

Related Guides

Baby Carriers

Aside from Strollers, here are some common carriers for your baby.

Car Seats

If you don't have a convertible Stroller/Car Seat you'll need one of these, too. 

Infant and Toddler Clothing

Make sure your little one has the right outfit for any weather. 

Booster Seat

Every toddler will need a booster seat someday, here's a guide to help you find the perfect one. 

Baby Walkers

Before your baby can walk on his or her own, these walkers can help strengthen leg muscles. 

External Links

  • About.com: Before you buy a baby stroller, they want you to read this.

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
NL: Kinderwagens Shopgids
FR: Guide des poussettes

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