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Before You Do Anything Else

Answer these three questions. They'll eliminate 80% of your options instantly.

1. What will you use it for most? Daily errands? Commuting? Air travel? Occasional use? The stroller that's perfect for one use case is often wrong for another.
2. Where do you live? City apartment? Suburban house? Rural area? This affects storage, dimensions, and terrain needs.
3. What's your budget? Under $200? $200-$500? Over $500? Be honest with yourself. Knowing your price ceiling prevents endless analysis.

Step 1: Choose Your Category

There are six main stroller categories. Most first-time parents need one of the first three:

The other three categories — aesthetic, twin, and budget — are specializations. Most parents start with one of the first three.

Step 2: Measure Your Space

Before you buy anything, measure these four things:

1. Your front door width. Standard is 30-36 inches. If you have an older building with narrow doors, you'll need a narrower stroller.
2. Your car trunk opening and floor area. Folded strollers vary widely in size. A stroller that doesn't fit your trunk is useless.
3. Your storage area. Where will the stroller live? A closet? A garage? Your apartment hallway? Make sure it fits.
4. Your most-used sidewalks and pathways. Narrow sidewalks (under 4 feet) or rough terrain change the recommendation significantly.

Step 3: Test the Controls in Person

Before you commit, test these three things on your finalists:

1. One-hand fold. Fold the stroller while holding something in your other hand. If it's awkward, walk away.
2. One-hand steer. Push and turn the stroller with one hand. If it wobbles or resists, it's going to be annoying.
3. Brake engagement. Set the brake while standing. If you have to bend down or use both feet, it will be annoying.

Step 4: Know the Common Mistakes

These are the mistakes we see most often:

• Buying based on the manufacturer's "lightweight" claim. A stroller that's marketed as "lightweight" might still be 18 lbs fully assembled. Get the measured weight.
• Assuming "one size fits all." A stroller that's great for a 5'6" parent might be uncomfortable for someone 6'0". Handlebar height matters.
• Not checking the weight limit. Many lightweight strollers cap out at 40 lbs. Kids hit that at age 3.
• Skipping the brake test. Brakes fail. Test them before you buy and after every 3 months.
• Buying "the cheapest that works." Cheap strollers fail faster. The $250 stroller that lasts 3 years is cheaper than the $150 stroller that fails after 1.

Step 5: Match Your Situation

Once you have a shortlist, use these specific guides to pick a finalist:

• If you're a new parent: Read our tutorials — "How to Choose a Stroller" is essential reading.
• If you fly frequently: Airline-by-airline stroller compatibility.
• If you're tall or short: Parent-type specific guides.
• If you have twins or 2+ kids: Twin and multi-child guide.
• If you're on a tight budget: Budget stroller analysis.
• If aesthetics matter to you: Aesthetic stroller guide.

Step 6: Buy Wisely

Where you buy matters. Here's our recommendation:

• Buy new from authorized retailers. Amazon, Target, and Buy Buy Baby all sell authorized strollers with full warranties.
• If buying used, check recalls first. Go to cpsc.gov/Recalls and verify the model and serial number.
• Register your stroller. Most premium brands extend warranties when you register. Takes 5 minutes.
• Keep the receipt. You'll need it for warranty claims.

Recommended Reading Order

If you have 30 minutes, read these in this order:

1. Tutorials — start with "How to Choose a Stroller"
2. Complete Guide to Lightweight Strollers — if applicable to your situation
3. Our Scoring Methodology — understand how we evaluate
4. Our Manifesto — understand who we are and how we make money

Frequently Asked Questions