The Best Affordable Strollers
Editor-tested picks for strollers under $500—easy folds, newborn-ready options and smooth rides without the splurge.
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Many factors contribute to how much a stroller costs, and even a quick search yields seemingly endless options across vastly different price points. There are also tariffs to consider. Recent increases have hit baby gear hard, especially strollers, and you can easily spend upwards of a thousand dollars or more on what most parents consider a must-have baby registry item. But do you need to?
While there are some tradeoffs to consider with less expensive options, there are dozens of strollers on the market that won't break your budget and still deliver on durability, maneuverability and style. And as Babylist's Senior Gear Editor, I've tested many of them. The Mockingbird Single Stroller 2.0 stands out. This stroller's features and overall performance are particularly impressive, especially given its price tag.
Alongside the Mockingbird, we’ve rounded up four other budget-friendly picks, none of them over $500 and each with something unique to offer, whether you’re prioritizing a lightweight travel stroller, a compact fold or a newborn-friendly option you can use from day one.
How We Judged
Best Affordable Stroller Overall
Mockingbird Single Stroller 2.0 - Black/Windowpane Canopy With Penny Leather
From $380.00Pros
- Packed with high-end features
- Lifetime warranty
- Comparable to pricier brands like UPPAbaby and Nuna
Cons
- Maneuverability and suspension not as good as some higher-priced competitors
- Taller parents may kick lower crossbar while walking
- Fold takes practice
Love the look and feel of high-end strollers like the UPPAbaby Cruz or the Nuna Mixx Next but not the $700–$800 price tag? Direct-to-consumer brand Mockingbird delivers many of the same features for about half the cost.
“I absolutely love this stroller and use it almost daily,” one parent told us in our annual survey. “It's easy to fold and unfold, glides and turns beautifully and is easily adaptable from newborn to baby and beyond! I have been highly recommending this stroller to everyone I know!” (Babyist editor Amylia Ryan agrees; check out her detailed Mockingbird stroller review to find out why.)
The Mockingbird mirrors many of the features that parents love most about pricier strollers from brands like UPPAbaby or Nuna, including oversized wheels, all-wheel suspension, a modular seat with a full recline, a large canopy and a generously sized storage basket. The stroller is compatible with over 40 of the best infant car seats or with a bassinet (sold separately), so you can use it right from birth. It folds with one hand and stands upright when not in use, a stroller feature I always appreciate. And if you’re concerned about the lower price tag equalling less durability, don’t be—the Mockingbird comes with a lifetime warranty.
A few things to consider. This is a single-stroller only; if you want a convertible option that expands to two seats, check out the Single-to-Double 2.0 version, which is over $500 but my pick for the best affordable convertible option. (You can also add a riding board to the single stroller, a great option if you need to transport an older + younger kiddo.) Despite the adjustable handle, tall parents may kick the bottom crossbar of the stroller while pushing it—I did (I’m 5’10”, for reference), so I had to adjust my gait. The Mockingbird is heavy stroller and pretty bulky, even when folded. And while the suspension is very good, I don’t think it’s quite as cushy—or as easy to turn—as the Vista or Mixx.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 26 lbs
Age Range: 6+ months; suitable for use from birth with Mockingbird’s Infant Seat Insert, Bassinet or Car Seat Adapters (all sold separately)
Easiest to Fold
Chicco Bravo LE ClearTex Quick-Fold Stroller - Pewter
From $329.99Pros
- Quick, one-handed fold
- Three modes of use (can use from birth)
- All-wheel suspension + foam rubber tires = smooth ride
Cons
- No bassinet option
- Heavy
- Lacks high-end fabric and finishes
A good fold can make or break a stroller, especially if you'll be hauling it in and out of the car or tucking it into a small space at home. The Chicco Bravo LE makes it effortless—just lift the seat cover and pull the handle, and it collapses into a compact, self-standing fold. “I love how quick and easy the stroller is to put away,” one parent commented in our survey.
The Bravo LE offers three modes: a lightweight infant car seat carrier (the canopy and toddler seat pop to convert the stroller into a car seat frame carrier for any Chicco infant seat, no adapters needed), a travel system and a full-size toddler stroller. The seat is modular, so it can parent-face or face the world, and the ClearTex fabric is made with no added chemicals. It’s also GREENGUARD Gold Certified.
Like many similarly sized strollers, the Bravo LE is on the heavier side, weighing just over 26 pounds. There’s no option to add a bassinet, and some parents complain that the stroller lacks a high-end “feel”—but considering the price, we don’t see this as a big deal.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 26.5 lbs
Age Range: 6-60 months (or from birth with an infant car seat), up to 50 lbs
Upgrade Pick
Baby Jogger City Mini GT3 All-Terrain Stroller - Frosted Ivory
From $299.99Newly updated, the City Mini GT3 features an infamously easy one-handed fold and sneaks in just under the $500 mark. It has all-wheel suspension, an adjustable handelbar, a large storage basket and a near-flat recline.
Best for Newborns
Graco Modes Pramette Stroller - Pierce
From $223.99Pros
- Can use from birth (seat turns into a bassinet)
- Has several high-end features
- One-hand fold
Cons
- Handlebar isn’t adjustable
- Less suspension = a bumpy ride
- Takes time to assemble
Most strollers can’t be used from birth unless they attach to an infant car seat or include a bassinet. The Graco Modes Pramette does both, and more, for about $250. It's three strollers in one: an infant car seat carrier, a pramette (a bassinet) and a toddler stroller. That versatility means you can use it from day one without buying extra gear, which is why the Modes line stands out among Graco’s many options.
In Pramette mode, the sides of the toddler seat drop down, and the seat flattens completely, transforming it into a newborn-safe space. The seat is also modular (parent- or forward-facing), and the stroller includes a one-hand fold, plus small but useful touches like a parent cup and phone holder. Parents love the value: “Of all the items purchased on my registry, this is what I use most,” one told us.
There are trade-offs at this price point. According to many parents (and our own testing), the ride is bumpier due to limited suspension, it doesn’t maneuver as smoothly as higher-end strollers and assembly can take 30+ minutes. The handlebar isn’t adjustable, either.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 20.8 lbs
Age Range: Newborn up to 50 lbs
Best Affordable Travel System
Pros
- Great value considering features
- Stroller includes bassinet mode
- Lightweight car seat
Cons
- Stroller has hard wheels (but all-wheel suspension, which helps)
Newer to the US but well established in Europe, Joie is quickly becoming one of my favorite affordable brands thanks to its thoughtfully designed, durable gear with a sleek, modern look. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly travel system (a stroller and car seat that work together), this one impressed me from the moment I opened it and continues to be a favorite.
Like the Graco Modes Pramette, the Ginger stroller features a built-in, lie-flat bassinet so you can use it from birth without a car seat. Other thoughtful touches include an adjustable handlebar, adjustable leg rest, oversized basket, cup holder and a unique three-height seat setting that lets you bring baby closer or farther depending on their age and stage. The fold is quick and compact—I appreciate that it doesn't take over my SUV trunk.
The included Rue infant car seat weighs under eight pounds, making it easy to lift as baby grows. It fits even smaller babies well (it comes with a three-piece infant insert) and the installation is straightforward and works in most vehicles of all sizes.
One caveat: the stroller’s hard wheels don’t glide as smoothly as higher-end models, though the all-wheel suspension helps. I find the ride a lot smoother than many other comparable plastic-wheeled strollers in this price range.
Additional Specs
Car Seat Weight: 7.8 lbs
Car Seat Age Range: 4-30 lbs, up to 30”
Stroller Weight: 22 lbs
Stroller Age Range: From birth up to 50 lbs
Best for Travel
Pros
- Weighs just 13 lbs
- Compact when folded (fits in an overhead bin)
- Deep recline + XL canopy
Cons
- Doesn’t roll well on uneven ground or rougher terrain
- Fold requires 2 hands and takes some practice
- No carry strap
A travel stroller isn’t essential, but if you take more than a few trips a year, it will make your life—and your vacation—a lot easier.
Zoe’s Traveler is affordable, but it’s also lightweight, one of my hallmarks of a good travel stroller. (It weighs just 13 pounds, a full 10+ pounds lighter than many popular full-size strollers.) It checks all the other boxes for travel stroller essentials, too: a quick, easy and self-standing fold; a compact design, both when open but especially when closed; a large canopy to shade your baby from the elements when you’re out and about; and a deep recline for resting on the go. It’s not the cushiest of rides (I tested it on bumpy sidewalks near my home, and there was definitely a lot of bouncing), but considering the price and other features, I don’t find that to be a dealbreaker.
The stroller’s fold is quick, but it did take some practice to get the hang of it. And I wish there was a carry strap that comes with some higher-priced travel strollers like the Joolz Aer2 or the Bugaboo Butterfly 2.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 13 lbs
Age Range: 3 mos and up to 60 lbs
Other Affordable Strollers We Love
Best Umbrella
With thousands of rave reviews and a price tag under $100, the Summer 3D Lite is a standout affordable umbrella stroller. It’s lightweight, easy to fold, reclines nearly flat and offers more storage than you’d expect for its size—perfect for day trips or travel when you don’t want to bring a full-size stroller.
Best Stroller Wagon
Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon - Adventurer
From $280.99Eyeing a stroller wagon but don’t want to part with a ton of cash? The Pivot Xplore is a budget-friendly two-seater with large all-terrain tires, a flip handle for pushing or pulling and a quick, stroller-like fold. It also comes loaded with extras like canopies, a snack tray and a storage basket, making it a great value pick.
Most Stylish
Known for value, Mompush offers a range of well-priced strollers with a modern aesthetic. The Meteor works from birth with a seat that converts to a bassinet and has a decent suspension system, considering the stroller's price point. It's also simple and stylishly designed.
One to Watch
I've been eagerly awaiting the release of Joie's first convertible stroller since I heard it was happening, and while I haven't had the opportunity to test it firsthand quite yet, I've heard nothing but good things. Parents love the price point, of course, as well as the suspension and maneuverability and high-end details. Updates to come as soon as I test it out.
Why Trust Babylist?
Babylist is the expert in baby; we know baby gear inside and out. We talk with parents face-to-face in our showroom and on our user panels and hear from thousands annually via our Best Baby Products online survey. We know what items millions of expecting parents are adding to their baby registries.
Firsthand professional and personal experience. As Babylist’s gear editor, I’ve been writing about baby gear since 2019 and have been the gear editor since 2021. I’ve personally tested and reviewed dozens of strollers over the years across all categories and price points. I’m also a mom of two boys, ages three and ten—so I have plenty of hands-on stroller experience, too. I’ve lived in a major city and two different suburbs and have used strollers on and off for the better part of the last decade.
Stroller data. I regularly analyze which baby products our users are adding to their baby registries the most (and which ones they aren’t) and what our team of Merchandising experts—our buyers who are responsible for ensuring the Babylist Shop is stocked with the best and newest gear—is excited about. Studying this kind of data helped us choose which strollers to narrow in on and which ones to recommend to new and expecting parents.
Feedback and reviews. I reviewed comments and feedback from Babylist’s annual product survey of thousands of parents, read customer reviews from hundreds of Babylist users and spoke to parents on our staff about their real-life product experiences.
Are Expensive Strollers Worth It?
When it comes to strollers, the saying “you get what you pay for” proves to be (mostly) true. Strollers with higher price tags tend to be a bit more durable, have better suspension systems, can expand to hold more than one child at a time and offer different riding positions for kids. Many also have higher-end features like fancier seats and canopy materials, adjustable handlebars and more streamlined open and close processes.
BUT—and this is a big but!—there are plenty of strollers on the market that will more than meet your needs and won’t cost a thousand dollars. The key to finding one that works for you is to think about your lifestyle, how and where you’ll use your stroller the most and what features you really need—and which ones you don’t. Here are a few tips to help you think it through.
Where do you live, and how often do you plan to use your stroller? If you’re a city parent without a car, for example, your stroller is your lifeline. It holds your child, but also your groceries, diaper bag, morning coffee, park toys…you get the idea. And most city parents use their stroller multiple times a day for many, many years. An affordable option may work, but you might also consider upping your stroller budget and saving in other areas if possible. But if you’re a suburban parent who’s mostly in the car all day, you’re likely going to use your stroller less frequently—so you may not need all the bells and whistles a high-end stroller offers. (You may even be able to get by with a travel stroller or an umbrella stroller day-to-day.)
What’s the terrain like where you plan to stroll the most? If you’re facing bumpier sidewalks or dirt or gravel roads, prioritize an affordable stroller with large wheels and a heftier suspension system. If you’re mostly planning to walk on smooth paths, you can skip the XL tires and choose a stroller with other features.
What features do you really need? Specialized stroller features come at a cost. High-end travel strollers, for example, are light and feature super compact folds—but they're pricey. The same goes for jogging strollers and their souped-up suspension systems. If you don't travel frequently, or you're not a big runner, you can likely skip these stroller splurges and opt for a more affordable option.
