The humble stroller is an essential piece of kit for all parents and caregivers. Whether you’re bumping them down subway steps or rolling them through the woods, your baby or toddler will log long hours in their home on wheels - playing, napping, eating and watching the world go by.
Although most strollers do an adequate job transporting a child from A to B, each has a unique feel and specific features that may prove more or less important to any individual parent.
What stroller should I buy?
Which stroller is best for a newborn? One that fits a bassinet or fully reclines. Regularly go to the market with little ones in tow? An under-seat storage space will come in super-handy. Live in an apartment up a flight of stairs? You'll need a stroller that is light and easy to collapse and store. Love running? Wide tyres are ideal for gliding over uneven terrain (and just really simple to maneuver in everyday use). Safety, reliability and comfort are also key factors to consider.
Because there are hundreds of models and brands on the market, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help you choose your baby’s first ride, we’ve put together the Pish Posh Baby stroller guide: our recommended stroller picks as well as essential features and benefits for every parent and caregiver.
What Different Types Of Strollers Are There?
Whatever your need, there’s a baby stroller to suit you. PishPosh Baby offers an array of models from reputable brands such as Bugaboo, UPPAbaby, Silver Cross, and Baby Jogger. The main stroller types to look out for are:
Full-size Stroller
What is a full-size stroller?
A full-size stroller can accommodate a child from birth through the toddler years. They tend to have more features and are often sold as part of a ‘travel system’, which means the stroller comes with a compatible infant car seat. To make the search a little less daunting, you can begin by choosing your car seat, then find the stroller that’s part of the travel system in the same brand, instead of the other way around. Trying to mix and match different brands is confusing and could end up costing you more in the long run.
Full-size Stroller Essentials
- Click-in car seat compatibility
- Bassinet option for a newborn baby or deep recline with a supportive insert for newborns
- Five-point safety harness from six months
- Canopy to protect little ones from sun and wind
- Storage basket
- Simple and intuitive to use
- Linked brakes - activated with a single action (usually by stepping on a pedal)
- Easy to push and maneuver
- Easy to fold, carry and store
- Longer serving than umbrella strollers, whose more compact size, typically lower weight and folding mechanisms limit their performance.
- Lighter and smaller than double strollers or jogging strollers but…
- … some are convertible. This is a single stroller that can turn into a double stroller, such as the UPPAbaby VISTA or Silver Cross Wave, which is ideal if you plan to have multiple children as it has the option of adding a second seat for a second baby.
Silver Cross Wave Full Size Stroller
Full-size Stroller Drawbacks
- Can be heavy, so not always ideal for city living
- Can be bulky, so may not be convenient for compact living spaces.
Full-Size Strollers To Consider
Have a look at the Bugaboo Fox, UPPAbaby CRUZ, UPPAbaby VISTA, Silver Cross Wave, and Nuna Mixx.
Double (Side-By-Side or Tandem) Stroller
What Is A Double Stroller?
Parents with twins or two children under 4 may find that a double stroller is the easiest way to get around. There are two main categories: side-by-side double strollers, which have two seats next to each other and tandem (also called 'in-line') double strollers, which have one seat in front of the other.
Double Stroller Benefits
- Essential for twins and multiples
- Super-convenient as they can be converted from single to double and back to single when needed. Try the Silver Cross Wave, Bugaboo Donkey Twin, or UPPAbaby VISTA V2.
- Add on a ride-along board for a third, older child.
UPPAbaby VISTA V2 Double Stroller
Double Stroller Drawbacks
- Bulkier than a single stroller
- Side-by-side double stroller can be difficult to maneuver through narrow doorways and sidewalks
- View and leg-room can be constricted for the backseat rider in tandem double strollers
Double Strollers To Consider
Try the Valco Baby Duo Trend, Baby Jogger City Mini GT double, or Bumbleride Indie Twin.
Jogging Stroller
What Is A Jogging Stroller?
Jogging strollers give a smooth ride at higher speeds over uneven terrain and are loved by both runners and those who want something easy to push and maneuver.
Jogging Stroller Essentials
- Recommended for use with children who are at least six months old and can sit up unassisted
- Bring your little one along for the ride!
- Fixed or locking front wheel
- Hand brakes
- Fat tires
- Robust suspension
- Lightweight materials
- Larger wheels, which helps them roll over obstacles more easily
Jogging Stroller Drawbacks
- Heavier than single strollers
- Air-filled tires need to be inflated regularly and are prone to leaks and flats
- Fixed wheel makes the stroller harder to turn
Jogging Strollers To Consider
Take a look at the Bob Revolution Flex 3.0, UPPAbaby RIDGE, or Thule Glide Stroller.
Lightweight Stroller
What Is A Lightweight Stroller?
Also known as an umbrella stroller, the lightweight stroller is as safe and reliable as a full-size stroller but more compact and portable. Great when on the go, if you do a lot of walking and for traveling.
Lightweight Stroller Essentials
- Suitable for babies once they can sit up unassisted, usually around six months
- Perfect if you would prefer to use a baby carrier for the first six months and then decide that an umbrella stroller is the only stroller you need
- Lightweight yet sturdy
- Easy to fold and carry
- Five-point harness
- Easy to push
- Reclines comfortably for napping children
- Decent-sized storage basket
- Ideal for use on public transport or up and down lots of stairs
- Compact, portable and easy to store
- Durable, low-maintenance wheels
- Handles at a comfortable height for most adults’ sizes
- Budget friendly
Lightweight Stroller Drawbacks
- Smaller wheels are harder to handle on more difficult terrain
- Less storage space
- Smaller canopy
Lightweight Strollers To Consider
Joolz Aer+, Cybex Beezy, UPPAbaby MINU, Bugaboo Butterfly, BabyZen YOYO, and Cybex Orfeo
Take a look at our run down of the most popular lightweight strollers with parents right now.
Which Stroller Is Best For Me?
There is no such thing as a perfect stroller, but there will be one that’s best for you and your family. And even that one will depend on where you are on your parenting or caregiving journey!
You need different things for different occasions, which is a big reason why many families own multiple strollers. A basic model may suit a grandparent for occasional use but if you’re a young family who is likely to have more children, splurging on a more advanced travel system may be more economical in the long term.
Each parent’s situation is individual – a lightweight, ‘umbrella’ stroller that might work for someone who lives in an apartment in the city may not be right for someone who lives in the suburbs and goes trail running every day. It’s important to really examine where you live, whether it’s the city or suburbs, how you’re going to use the stroller, and how much you want to spend.
And although there are some seriously jazzy colors and patterns out there, sometimes black is best. Like the classic little black dress or a timeless suit, black is so good at hiding all the spills and stains that will inevitably end up ‘decorating’ your baby’s pristine chariot! This will ultimately give you more longevity.
How To Choose A Stroller: Questions To Ask Yourself
When it comes to choosing the best stroller for you and your family it may be helpful to ask yourself the following questions to get an idea of what features are most important to you.
Do you plan to have more kids?
If you're buying for your first child and you know you'd like to continue to grow your brood, consider buying a stroller that can convert to accommodate multiple children. Strollers like the UPPAbaby VISTA V2, and Silver Cross Wave are perfect for your first baby, but can also grow to accommodate toddlers and preschoolers with the addition of a toddler seat or buggy board. You can buy these accessories as and when you need them.
Where and how will you use the stroller?
Consider the day-to-day use you envisage for your stroller. It'll give you an idea of the features that will be most practical and useful for you.
Will you be hopping on and off public transport around the city? If so, consider a stroller that can quickly fold/unfold and is easy to carry when folded like the Bugaboo Butterfly with its one-second fold.
Perhaps you need a stroller to carry all your shopping alongside the usual baby paraphernalia as you walk around town. In which case, you'll be looking for a large storage basket and a stroller that is easy to maneuver up and down curbs. The VISTA V2 has avery generous storage basket and is easy to push with one hand whilst you hold your coffee in the other.
Where will you store your stroller?
Do you have a large utility room to store you stroller in? Or are you hoping to hide it away in a cupboard? Depending on the space you have available you'll want to consider how much space your stroller takes-up when folded. The BABYZEN YOYO2 is one of our most compact strollers that can be used from birth (when used with the YOYO bassinet).
Do you plan to travel with baby?
Plenty of strollers are suitable for storing as carry-on luggage on the plane, making travelling with a baby that bit easier. If you hope to be travelling across the country or abroad regularly consider choosing a stroller like the Joolz Aer+, BABYZEN YOYO2, or Cybex Orfeo.
Who will be using the stroller?
Consider if anyone else will be using the stroller besides you. Perhaps your partner? Or someone helping with childcare? If possible ensure that they find the stroller comfortable to use too. For example, if you are taller than your partner (or vice versa), you may need a stroller with an extendable handlebar like the VISTA V2 so that you're both able to push the stroller comfortably.
Try Before You Buy
We also recommend trying before you buy – you wouldn’t buy a car without taking it for a test drive. It’s the same with strollers. See how it handles when pushing, check you can collapse and erect it with minimum fuss and ensure you can easily snap on and off those extra features like car seats and bassinets.
If you are local to our New Jersey store you can schedule an appointment with our baby gear expert who will help you find the stroller you need. Just call us at 877-747-4767. Or feel free to walk in and browse our showroom at your convenience.
Need to learn more about our strollers? Visit our blog or get in touch - we'd love to answer your questions and help you choose the best stroller for you.