I’m a Mom of 2 and Test Baby Gear for Work—These Are My Favorite Strollers

I’ve tested dozens of luxury strollers over the years, and while the price tags can be steep, I’ve come to love the smooth rides and standout features. Lower-priced options often lack suspension, maneuverability and durability—which is why the Joie Ginger is such a standout.

For just over $300—a serious steal for a stroller of this level—the Ginger feels like a stroller twice the price. It’s a dream to push thanks to all-wheel suspension and works from day one with a built-in, lie-flat pramette (aka bassinet). I also appreciate its just-right size (about 20 pounds), roomy storage basket, adjustable handlebar and easy fold.

I like pairing it with the Joie Mint Latch Baseless Infant Car Seat to create a seamless travel system—adapters included, another win—and highly recommend the combo.

There’s a reason UPPAbaby strollers are so popular—they’re just that good. If a family has a bigger budget, the Cruz is my go-to and has been since it was introduced in 2011.

It checks nearly every box: smooth to push, easy to steer and built to handle a variety of terrain thanks to oversized wheels and a strong suspension system. The storage basket and canopy are both generously sized, and it’s packed with thoughtful features like a full recline, telescoping handlebar, adjustable footrest, no-rethread harness and reversible seat.

Yes, it’s pricey—but it’s also incredibly durable, easily lasting through multiple kids and countless miles.

A true hybrid, the innovative Roam can be used as a jogger or, with the turn of a dial, a traditional stroller. I used it as my main stroller for years with my second son and loved that it eliminated my need for a separate jogging stroller.

The other standout feature is size. A jogger is a must-have if you want to run with your child (regular strollers aren’t designed for running), but traditional joggers are bulky, heavy and tough to fit in a trunk. The Roam is about 50% smaller than other popular joggers like BOBs and Thules, making it much easier to fold, carry and stash—without sacrificing performance. It handles rough terrain with ease, provides a smooth, cushioned ride, and offers a surprisingly roomy storage basket.

Bonus points for the clever folding instructions printed right on the stroller’s canopy. Genius.

I ♥️ the Vista. It was my go-to stroller for nearly four years, so I’m a bit biased, but I promise it does not disappoint.

The Vista V3 is a workhorse that’s built to last. Way back when, my V1 took on bumpy streets, curbs, stairs and even snow with ease. Now, two upgrades later, the V3 is even more impressive; it handles the best out of the dozens of strollers I’ve tested over the years. The storage basket is a lifesaver, especially for city families (it holds a good-sized grocery haul), and thoughtful features like a reversible seat with full recline and mesh back, telescoping handlebar, extended canopy and magnetic buckles make everyday outings easier. And it grows with your family. With a second seat and a ride-along board, it can accommodate up to three kids.

The V3 now includes a few configuration options. You can purchase just the stroller, add on a bassinet or opt for a bundle. You can also create a travel system with the brand’s Aria or Mesa V2 infant car seats.

I love the Vista, but I don’t love its price tag. At about half the cost, the Mockingbird Single-to-Double gives the Vista V3 a run for its money. To learn how these two popular convertible strollers really stack up, you can check out my head-to-head Vista vs. Mockingbird comparison guide, but the TL;DR is that the Mockingbird is a solid option if you love the idea of the V3 but don’t love the cost. It’s a similar weight and size, holds up to three kids with the addition of a ride-along board, maneuvers well and has features like an adjustable handlebar, an extendable canopy, the ability to add bassinets or infant car seats, an extra-large storage basket and a standing fold.

A differentiator between the two strollers is the Mockingbird’s configuration options. While the Mockingbird can’t hold two bassinets in double mode like the Vista, it can hold a bassinet in the top spot (the Vista cannot), and each toddler seat has the same weight limit of 50 pounds. (The second seat on the Vista has a 40-pound weight limit.) 

And because three Babylist editor opinions are better than one, know that the Mockingbird is also a favorite of two other team members. “The ride is so smooth, but what I love the most is the ability to move just about any piece of the stroller to fit my needs,” says Latifah Miles, Babylist’s senior commerce editor. “I’ve been using this stroller twice a day, every day (for morning and evening walks) for three years, and out of all the strollers I’ve tested as both a parent and a professional, I recommend the Mockingbird to literally everyone,” adds associate editor Amylia Ryan. “It really made me feel like we were getting something special for our second baby without paying luxury prices.”

A travel system should offer both convenience and value. Both components—the car seat and the stroller—should be good quality and easy to use. This travel system from Chicco nails it. It includes the KeyFit 35, a top-rated infant car seat that’s easy to install, fits most vehicles and fits babies of all sizes well, and an equally impressive stroller with foam-filled tires, rear-wheel suspension and a modular seat. It’s not the cheapest travel system on the market, but it’s far from the most expensive, and is a great value considering the quality of both pieces.

Since the Ginger is one of my favorite strollers, as noted above, it’s no surprise that this travel system also makes my list. It combines everything I love about the stroller with an equally excellent infant car seat, the Mint Latch, all at an affordable price point for such a great pair.

The Mint Latch is a baseless car seat with built-in rigid LATCH. I don’t love to overuse the “game-changer” label, but baseless infant seats truly deserve this accolade. They’re quick to install and the process is near foolproof, greatly improving the chances you’re doing it right—and a properly installed car seat equals a safe car seat. The seat weighs just nine pounds, making it easy to move between vehicles. It’s a great car seat (and a great travel system) for any parent, but especially if you’re a city family or routinely rely on rideshares.

Travel strollers have become one of my favorite categories of baby gear over the last few years because of how much they’ve improved. Features once found only in full-size strollers now come in a much smaller package, and a good travel stroller can make adventuring with your little one (which can feel very daunting) a whole lot easier. The Aer+ has been my number one travel companion for years. It’s also a favorite among other Babylist team members. It’s an investment, but worth every penny if you travel often. 

The two standout features are maneuverability and size. It’s so easy to steer and push, and has the same four-wheel suspension found in full-size, $1,000+ strollers. “We initially started using this exclusively as our travel stroller, BUT! We very quickly started also using it for our daily walks to daycare drop-off instead of our full-size stroller; the ride was just as smooth for my toddler, but without all the bulk of a full-size stroller,” says associate editor Amylia Ryan. And the fold…🙌 It’s one-handed, quick and works every time, and the stroller breaks down to a compact overhead-bin-friendly size and includes a built-in carry strap. You can also add on a bassinet and several infant car seat brands. Pro tip: When I’m not traveling, I stash the Aer in my trunk for everyday use.

If you don’t need a travel stroller with quite as much suspension and you’re looking to spend a bit less, the Traveler is my favorite option. It’s lightweight, compact and the fold is quick and easy. The recline is deep enough for resting on the go and there’s an adjustable footrest built in for comfort. You can’t add on an infant car seat or a bassinet, but you can purchase helpful accessories like a snack tray and a parent organizer.

All BOB strollers are great, but as a runner who has used a few different models over the years, I’m partial to the Wayfinder. With independent suspension and air-filled tires, it handles all types of terrain smoothly. And it has all the jogger essentials: a swivel-locking front wheel, hand brake, wrist strap, adjustable handlebar and a large cargo basket. But what really sets it apart is its slimmer profile. At just 22 inches wide when folded, it’s more compact than most joggers, making it easier to store and fit in your trunk. It does take a run or two to adjust to the narrower feel, especially if you’re used to wider models, but after a few runs becomes second nature.

Note: In my years of testing joggers and running frequently with my own kids, I’ve found you get what you pay for. Higher-end models are more stable, durable and ergonomic—worth the investment even if you only run once a week. That said, if you’re mainly walking or tackling uneven terrain, a budget jogger can work. The Baby Trend Expedition Race Tec Jogger Stroller is an excellent, affordable choice, and the Joovy Zoom360 Ultralight Jogger offers a step up without breaking the bank.