The Best Umbrella Strollers

Best Overall Umbrella Stroller

BabyZen Yoyo2

$449 at Amazon

69

OVERALL
SCORE

• Weight/Folded Size 6.2
• Ease of Use 6.5
• Maneuverability 7.8
• Quality 8.0

Weight: 14.3 lbs | Folded size: 3,534 cubic inches

REASONS TO BUY

Small fold

lightweight

High quality

REASONS TO AVOID

Expensive

Not for full-day use

The BabyZen Yoyo2 is an amazing, lightweight stroller with one of the best maneuverability performances in the review. The Yoyo2 is a dream to push and turn with better wheels than most competition. With a stylish look and attention to detail, the Yoyo2 is everything it promises. This stroller folds into thirds, making it compact and easy to carry for enjoyable on-the-go use. The Yoyo2 has many popular features parents want and enough functionality for fun in the town, making it an excellent choice for city folks.

The Yoyo2 is expensive for an umbrella stroller, and the price rivals that of some full-size strollers. If your budget is smaller, something like the Zoe Traveler could be a better fit without sacrificing much in terms of functionality. However, we think this is a case of "you get what you pay for," with features and quality that arguably merit the price. The storage bin is also small, resulting in fewer onboard supplies or taking shorter trips. This lack of storage makes us feel like it isn't a useful replacement for a full-size stroller for most families. However, if your budget allows, we think the Yoyo2's performance, size, ease of carrying, and looks are worth the price if you need something travel-sized.

Read more: BabyZen Yoyo2 review

Best Budget-friendly Umbrella

Zoe Traveler

Read the Review

The Zoe Traveler is a lightweight umbrella stroller that folds in thirds. This stroller has loads of features parents want and passengers need for cozy napping. We like this stroller's recline and adjustable legrest, and the canopy is one of the biggest in the business. An even better advantage is this option is budget-friendly for most.

This stroller isn't the best quality in the competition, but it is better than most in its price range or lower. The Babyzen YoYo is better quality but will potentially require a budget stretch as it has a much higher price. It is also hard to push off flat surfaces and isn't one you'll want to take over grass and gravel very often. Overall, we think this wallet-loving choice is excellent for those who want a good stroller with passenger comfort in mind for a reasonable price.

Read more: Zoe Traveler review

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	69	BabyZen Yoyo2 Best Overall Umbrella Stroller	$530
	65	UPPAbaby Minu	$450
	63	Inglesina Quid	$300
	60	Zoe Traveler Best Budget-friendly Umbrella	$179
	60	Mountain Buggy Nano	$330
	52	Kolcraft Cloud Plus	$80
	52	UPPAbaby G-Luxe	$200
	50	Dream On Me Coast Rider	$120
	50	GB Pockit	$229
	48	Chicco Liteway	$110
	48	Summer Infant 3D lite	$115
	45	Graco Breaze	$150

How We Test Umbrella Strollers

We've purchased and tested more than 190 strollers since 2014, including more than 55 lightweight umbrella strollers. And, as always, we accept no freebies or advertising from manufacturers and purchase each stroller ourselves to assure complete independence. Our testing protocol for strollers is extensive and involves real-world, day-to-day use testing and a set of 50 individual lab tests to inform our ratings.

Our testing of umbrella strollers is divided across four rating metrics:

• Weight & Folded Size tests (35% overall score weighting)
• Ease of Use tests (30% of weighting)
• Maneuverability tests (25% of weighting)
• Quality tests (10% of weighting)

We handle each stroller from unboxing to in-house lab testing and hours of use to determine which offers the best combination of lightweight and compact folded size, which are the easiest to use, and how they handle in terms of maneuverability, and quality. The weight and folded size metric most influence this stroller style because finding a compact, travel-friendly product for baby is the primary reason parents look for an umbrella stroller.

Why You Should Trust Us

This umbrella stroller review is led by Dr. Juliet Spurrier, our founder and mother of two. Dr. Spurrier is a board-certified pediatrician who uses her experience and medical background to help choose products with safety and functionality in mind. The team also includes our Senior Review Analyst, Bob Wofford, father of seven. Bob has been on the BabyGearLab team for nine years and has potentially assembled and tested more strollers than anyone on the planet. Bob is a strolling expert with over 435 stroller reviews under his belt across the best strollers. Senior Review Editors, Wendy Schmitz (mother of 2), and Abriah Wofford complete the team. Wendy has been part of the stroller testing team since 2014, and Abriah since 2016.

How to Choose an Umbrella Stroller

Finding the best lightweight stroller can be frustrating as they are definitely not created equal, and the price range is vast. However, if you ask yourself some key questions, you can narrow the field to a couple of options that can meet your needs without breaking the bank.

Where Will You Stroll

Knowing where you plan to use your stroller makes a big difference in the kind of stroller you choose. If you only need it for inside pushing at the museum or the airport, then maneuverability might take a back seat over child comfort and smaller wheels will be acceptable. Alternatively, if you plan to use your stroller on a world tour, then features and ease of pushing might take more of a main role in your search.

How Long and How Often

Determining how long your trip might be and how often you might be using the stroller is important. If it is used frequently, then finding a quality option with the features you need for comfort and convenience will be key. If you only need it for a one-off trip, you might get away with a lower-quality option with fewer features to save some money. You might even determine that a full-size stroller is a better choice if it looks like it will be used frequently.

Pick Your Budget

The umbrella stroller category has a price range that spans several hundred dollars. A high-priced option might be a no-go, especially if it is a second or even third stroller you are adding to your lineup. While we know budgets can be tight, we recommend taking a hard look to ensure you even need a travel stroller at all, and if you do, ask yourself if you can get by with a slightly less flashy option to meet your needs and save your wallet.

Analysis and Test Results

We put top-ranked, lightweight, and umbrella strollers through exhaustive testing to determine which competitors are better than the rest. Each is observed, used, and rated on weight and folded size, ease of use, maneuverability, and quality to help you find the right stroller for your plans and budget.

Value

Some of the high-ranking products in our review are fairly budget-friendly. However, for a stroller group that is most likely a backup or secondary stroller for most families, the prices can feel high if your budget is tight or you have limited plans to use it. The Zoe Traveler is also lower-priced and scored well overall with features for passenger comfort.

Weight and Folded Size

How much a stroller weighs and how small it can fold are the factors that make or break a lightweight stroller. It needs to be easy to fold and transport. This product should simplify travel by folding quickly, being easy to carry, and stowing easily at your destination or public transportation. A few of our lineup's products are heavy, making them more of a burden to carry. Others are lightweight but are too long for compact trunks when folded. If you're looking for a traditional umbrella option, this metric is the one to watch when deciding which stroller to buy.

The highest-scoring product for Weight and Folded Size is the GB Pockit with the smallest folded volume and the second lightest weight. If you need a small fold that fits almost anywhere and is easy to carry, then the GB Pockit is the king. However, the Pockit was challenging to push and hard to use in our tests, scoring below average for overall performance.

The largest folded option is the UPPAbaby G-Luxe, making it a poor choice if your space is limited.

Ease of Use

Ease of use encompasses daily experience and the features that make a product easier to use or potentially versatile.

Parents usually find that products with better results in this metric are good for a wider variety of activities or make life easier. An ample sunshade or larger storage bin could translate to grocery shopping or an unexpected trip to a farmer's market. Alternatively, a quick fold can make a stroller better for commuting when speed and space are typically prized over bells and whistles. This metric could be important to your final decision, depending on your specific goals.

The Devil is in the Details

Within our ease of use rating, we perform multiple tests that combine to make up the overall score. We weigh sub-metrics according to their value in creating a highly functional lightweight stroller. To better evaluate the unique features of each stroller, we show how each stroller stacks up when compared to the competition.

Fold and Unfold

We fold, pick up, put down, unfold and stroll with all the products. We take time to note which ones can be folded one-handed (with a diaper bag in your other arm or a baby on the hip) and which ones have convenient features like a self-stand or automatic lock.

Lightweight strollers should be quick to fold and straightforward to operate. While a compact fold is essential, executing the fold quickly and without complications is just as important. We favor products that fold with one hand and have fewer steps. Strollers that lock automatically or stand on their own earn extra points.

The UPPAbaby Minu is also easy to fold and creates a compact package of thirds. The hardest strollers to fold in this review are the UPPAbaby G-Luxe, which requires two hands with multiple steps and can be harder to do if you're rushed or flustered (think crying baby and impatient commuters).

Brakes

All the brakes work. We did not experience any faulty brakes or accidental releases in our testing. However, some of the brakes are much easier to operate than others. Good brakes should be easy to set and release and pain-free for sandal-wearing feet. Color coding is also a plus. The brakes should engage without sticking or feeling locked if they aren't.

Several of the umbrella options we tested have double-action brakes that require pressing two pedals for brake engagement. We worry that parents will forget or intentionally skip engaging a pedal, which could lead to preventable accidents or injuries. We prefer single-action brakes that only require one pedal to set.

The best brakes in this review are on the BabyZen Yoyo2 with one pedal that has plenty of foot-room and is a press to set and release. The UPPAbaby Minu are also easy to use. In our opinion, the Kolcraft Cloud Plus and Summer Infant 3D lite have the most challenging brakes, with double action brakes that are very stiff compared to the competition.

Storage

The amount of useful stroller storage greatly influences its ease of use. The main storage area is typically an under-seat bin, and we look at the size and accessibility by attempting to slide diaper bags in when they are stuffed to the max. We also take into account additional storage features such as parent pockets, cup holders, and child trays.

Most of the products offer some storage, but how much and where are the main differences? Some have a traditional under-seat storage bin, but they vary widely in size, weight capacity, and ease of access.

The UPPAbaby Minu has the highest weight allowance of 20 lbs. Some strollers have pockets on the back of the canopy, like the BabyZen Yoyo2, and the pocket is good for convenience items like smartphones and keys.

Sunshade

The size and functionality of the sunshade account for 20% of the overall ease of use score. While all of the products offer a sunshade, some have small shades and many lack peek-a-boo windows. We note the UPF rating, the size of the shade, and whether it has a peekaboo window. The ease of extending and folding also plays a part. But ultimately, we test to see how well a sunshade can protect a baby from the sun.

The GB Pockit has the tiniest shade that provides only direct overhead protection with no front or side benefits. Alternatively, some of the strollers have giant shades with exceptional coverage, even for a reclining passenger.

The photos above show the varying sizes of canopies in this review. From left to right, they are the flat shade on the GB Pockit and the medium canopy on the BabyZen Yoyo2.

Harness

Harness testing makes up 10% of the ease of use score. Although the products in this review have 5-point harnesses, there are different designs and methods for adjustability. We check the stiffness of each buckle and note if the straps have any padding or if there is abrasive fabric.

Five points are considered the safest design because the two extra points from the shoulder restraint straps help keep children from slipping or falling out should the stroller tip. We consider how difficult the straps are to adjust for height and correct fit and how hard the buckle is to use. We also include whether the product has an adjustable crotch strap and if the lowest shoulder height will work for smaller babies.

We believe parents are more likely to use a harness if it is easy. The UPPAbaby G-Luxe and the UPPAbaby Minu have the easiest harnesses and buckles to use. In contrast, some buckles are so hard that even two hands didn't feel adequate during testing. Some harnesses are easy to adjust for size, but the shoulder straps' height level is more challenging. The BabyZen Yoyo2 has the easiest-to-use harness in our tests.

Seat

A reclining seatback and adjustable leg rest are useful features to keep passengers comfy, and testing for these features accounts for 15% of the overall ease of use score. Napping and being comfortable can be the difference between a successful journey and a disaster of epic proportions. We measure recline angles, note the presence of adjustable leg rest, check the footrest size, and rate seat padding.

Unfortunately, finding a comfortable seat is harder than you'd think when it comes to lightweight strollers. Some of the contenders offer a reclining seatback but lack an adjustable leg rest, a few include both, and some don't have either. In our opinion, many of the recline angles are shallow (almost non-existent) and not as nap-worthy as others. Depending on the sort of trip you take, a straightforward option with no comfort features may suffice, but if you're going to the zoo for the whole day, the trip will be much easier if your little one can snooze as the day progresses.

The adjustable leg rest on the Mountain Buggy Nano (above) provides additional legroom for nappers.

The UPPAbaby G-Luxe has the deepest recline and adjustable leg rest, a rare find in this type of stroller. If your trips could last for hours, then a comfortable seat is a must and may mean you need to sacrifice features like lighter weight.

Car Seat Compatibility

Only a few of the lightweight options are compatible with the best infant car seats. For the most part, this stroller category isn't known for infant or car seat compatibility, so it isn't a strike against them. The UPPAbaby Minu, and the Mountain Buggy Nano accept infant car seats with additional adapters. The BabyZen Yoyo2 works with a handful of infant car seats, and the Graco Breaze works with various Graco brand seats.

Maneuverability

We believe maneuverability can make or break whether or not you love (or use) your stroller. Depending on the journey and the terrain you'll cover, the umbrella stroller you choose can make a big difference in getting your little one where you want to go frustration-free. Some of the products were easy to push and turn, while others felt clunky and struggled over grass and gravel.

Compared to other stroller types like our favorite jogging strollers, all lightweight options lack superior maneuverability, but a few were better than the competition. The BabyZen Yoyo2 and UPPAbaby Minu performed well in our maneuverability tests. Still, they are much smoother on flat roads than on grass and gravel.

While we assumed most of the strollers would struggle in the grass and gravel, we were surprised that some had difficulties on flat surfaces. The products that struggled in this metric were those with smaller wheels, wheels with fake tread, and dual front wheel designs (2 wheels on one leg). Products with single front wheels and larger wheels performed better than most of the others. The hardest stroller to push is the Summer Infant 3D lite. This stroller is hard to push on the smooth hardwood, and it gets harder with a child in the seat.

These photos show the single front wheels on the BabyZen Yoyo2 (above left) and the dual front wheels of the Summer Infant 3D lite (above right).

Quality

We consider a product's construction, materials, and durability during testing and how they may hold up over time for quality.

The look and feel of the materials, design, and performance indicate the quality level of the construction and components. Other considerations include frame flex, wobbly wheels, exposed fasteners, errant stitches, and loose connections.

The UPPAbaby Minu earned the high score for quality, tying with the Babyzen Yoyo2 (above left). These products look good and feel sturdy, with little frame flex and limited manufacturing flaws. The Kolcraft Cloud Plus (above right) has the lowest quality with inferior materials compared to the competition and loose connection points that create more frame flex with a child in the seat. This stroller also has a low price, so this may be a "you get what you pay for" situation.

Ease of Setup

Most of the strollers in our lineup come virtually fully assembled. Most of the strollers only require attaching the wheels, canopies, or sometimes the seat. None of the options require full assembly, but the BabyZen Yoyo2 has more parts and pieces than the competition, so it took more time to unpack and put together than the competitors. It also didn't supply the best directions, and for parts, we had to find a video online to help us. Alternatively, the GB Pockit is easy to set up, with an assembly time of under two minutes for our seasoned stroller assembly team (individual results may vary).

Conclusion