The Best Mid-Size Strollers
Full-size features, half the size. These are the best mid-size strollers, according to our testing.
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As a gear editor who’s covered the baby industry since 2016, I don’t often see a whole new gear category emerge. But lately, one has been impossible to ignore: the mid-size stroller. Mid-size strollers hit the sweet spot between a full-size stroller and a lightweight, travel-friendly option: not too big, not too small. And the best part—they’re packed with the same features you’d find in a full-size stroller, just in a smaller, lighter package.
After testing almost every single option currently on the market, the UPPAbaby Kona is the best mid-size stroller overall and the one I’d recommend to most families. Its effortless one-handed fold, newborn-ready seat and generous basket make everyday outings easier, without the bulk.
How We Judged the Best Mid-Size Strollers
Best Mid-Size Stroller Overall: UPPAbaby Kona Stroller
UPPAbaby Kona Stroller - Ada
From $649.99Pros
- True one-handed fold with seat facing either direction
- Newborn-ready seat with lay-flat recline
- Large storage basket holds up to 30 lbs
- Tall seatback + height-adjustable canopy = room to grow
- Most affordable mid-size on our list
Cons
- Suspension is good, not great
- Handlebar wobbles when fully extended
- Seat sits low to the ground
The UPPAbaby Kona is the best mid-size stroller overall because it gets the everyday essentials right: an effortless fold, a newborn-ready seat and a large basket, all in a stroller I can lift without a struggle. It’s the one I’d recommend to most families.
I’m a big UPPAbaby stroller fan—and Babylist parents are, too. The ideal combination of form and function, I’ve used both the Vista and the Minu with my own two kids over my last decade-plus as a mom, and the Cruz, the brand’s full-size single stroller, tops our Best Strollers list. After a sneak peek of the Kona at the ABC Kids Expo last spring, I was especially curious whether it lived up to the UPPAbaby standard—and I’m happy to report it does.
Fold and footprint are the two hallmarks of a mid-size stroller, and the Kona nails both. You can fold this stroller with one hand in seconds, with the seat either parent- or world-facing and the handlebar and front wheels in any position. There are no steps to memorize; I figured it out without even opening the manual. It’s also self-standing when folded.
Size-wise, the stroller also shines. It’s exactly what a mid-size stroller should be: a true happy medium between a traditional full-size and a travel option. It’s just over 20 pounds and folds compactly. I could easily sling it over my shoulder and carry it up stairs or wherever I needed to go. Another tester, a Babylist team member and New York City mom of one, agreed. “It really was light enough for me to wear a diaper bag backpack, carry the baby in one hand and have the stroller on my shoulder—and get it down a set of subway stairs,” she said.
And the best part? The smaller frame doesn’t mean giving up the features I use every day. The Kona’s basket is impressively roomy for a mid-size stroller, even if it isn’t as large or as easy to access as the baskets on the Vista or Cruz. The adjustable handlebar felt comfortable at my 5'10" height, the seat can face either direction and the brake is flip-flop friendly. The lay-flat recline also makes the seat ready for a newborn right out of the box, no extra attachment required.
One more small but very important detail I love: how much room the seat gives a growing child. The seatback is tall, and the canopy slides up to create more headroom. Those sound like small design choices, but they make a real difference in how long a stroller can work for your family.
Worth noting:
My biggest knock against the Kona is suspension. It’s not bad; in fact, compared to many strollers, it’s actually quite good. But if you’re used to pushing a full-size stroller (or even a mid-size with larger wheels, like a few others on this list), you’ll feel the difference. Will your baby go flying over every bump? Absolutely not. But it’s noticeably less smooth than, say, the Cruz or even the Nuna Triv lx.
How easily the Kona folds is a huge part of its appeal. But with every pro comes a con, and in this case, it’s the seat height and the handlebar. Because the seat needs room to collapse when the Kona folds, there’s a lot of space between the seat and the top of the handlebar. That results in two things: a seat that’s low to the ground (and therefore farther away from you), and a handlebar that wobbles a bit when it’s fully extended. The wobble didn’t make the stroller feel unstable to me—zero concerns there. It’s just something to know so it doesn’t catch you off guard while pushing.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 22 lbs
Age Range: Birth to 50 lbs or 40”
Car Seat Compatibility: UPPAbaby Aria and Mesa (direct attach); Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex (adapters sold separately)
Honorable Mention: Nuna Triv lx
Pros
- Excellent suspension, smooth ride
- Newborn-ready seat with lay-flat recline
- Removable liner + mesh seatback for warm weather
- Tall, adjustable handlebar
Cons
- Fold is easy but requires a few extra steps
- Expensive
- Only compatible with Nuna infant car seats
- No adjustable canopy
- Smaller basket than Kona
Earning the honorable mention spot, the Nuna Triv lx is one of the best mid-size strollers on the market. Choosing between it and the UPPAbaby Kona for the top spot was very tough, and you truly can't go wrong with either. The Kona's easier fold and lower price ultimately earned it the top spot, but the Triv lx is a very close second—and depending on what matters most to you, it may be your first.
Where the Triv lx pulls ahead is the ride. Its larger rear wheels, all-wheel suspension and additional spring suspension under the seat help smooth out bumpy sidewalks. If you love how a full-size stroller pushes but want something more manageable, this is a big part of the Triv’s appeal. The Kona’s suspension is good, but the Triv’s is better, and that can be a deciding factor if you routinely use the stroller on bumpier or more uneven terrain.
A few other design standouts include the seat and the buckle. Like the Kona, the Triv lx’s seat is reversible and newborn-ready, with a near-flat recline that converts to carriage mode when you raise the calf support and secure the closure flaps. But beneath the removable liner is a mesh seatback for more airflow in warm weather—a thoughtful feature if you live in a warm or humid climate. I also like the magnetic buckle, which guides the pieces together without making you line up a puzzle of clips first, and the extra-tall handlebar. Like with the Kona, these details may sound small, but they add up when you’re using your stroller several times a day.
And while the Triv lx’s compatibility with only Nuna infant car seats can be a con (more on that below), it’s less of a drawback if you’re already leaning toward a Nuna seat. The Triv lx initially launched as a travel system bundled with the Pipa series infant car seats; it only recently became available as a standalone stroller. But that bundle can make shopping easier. Nuna’s car seats top many of our best-of lists, including Best Infant Car Seats and Best Convertible Car Seats, and in my experience, the brand’s infant seats often offer a better newborn fit than UPPAbaby’s. So if you want to stay in the Nuna family and simplify things with a travel system, this is a great option.
Worth noting:
Where the Kona falls slightly short on suspension, the Triv falls slightly short on fold. It takes more prep than the Kona; to get the Triv lx to stand when folded, you need to lower the handlebar and lock the front wheels facing forward each time. (Then you fold the seat and pull the folding strap.) You’ll also need to unlock the wheels again each time you unfold it. None of this is especially difficult, but it adds steps that the Kona skips.
The Triv lx basket holds up to 22 pounds, compared to the Kona’s 30. The brake isn’t flip-flop friendly. And while the seatback is tall, it’s not as tall as the Kona’s (about an inch shorter), and the canopy isn’t adjustable, so you’ll lose that extra height flexibility.
You’ll need a ring adapter (sold separately) to attach an infant car seat to the Triv lx.
It’s expensive. At $950 for the standalone stroller, it’s about $300 more than the Kona.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: Approximately 23.7 lbs with canopy, insert and armbar; 21.1 lbs without
Age Range: Birth to 50 lbs
Car Seat Compatibility: Nuna PIPA series infant car seats using the included ring adapter
Best Newborn-Friendly Mid-Size Stroller: Silver Cross Breez Mid-Size Compact Stroller
Pros
- Adjustable seat height brings baby closer to you
- Newborn-ready seat with lay-flat recline
- Folds with seat or bassinet attached
Cons
- Fold is easy but requires a few extra steps
- Doesn’t lock when folded
- Smaller basket than Kona
- No adjustable canopy
The Silver Cross Breez is the best mid-size stroller for newborns because of two standout features: a fold that works with the bassinet attached and an adjustable seat height that brings your baby closer. Both make a real difference during the newborn months, and the height adjustment stays useful well into the toddler years.
The fold is the first thing that sets the Breez apart from other strollers on our list. You can fold the stroller with one hand and the bassinet still attached—no removing it first, finding somewhere to put it or fitting two separate things into your trunk. Very few strollers offer this feature, and if you plan to use a bassinet often over those first few months, it’s a compelling reason to choose the Breez. (The overnight sleep-approved bassinet is sold separately.) The stroller also folds with its regular seat attached, stands on its own when folded and has a cushioned shoulder strap for carrying.
The second is the adjustable seat height. A low seat is a common trade-off in the mid-size category, leaving your baby farther away and forcing you to bend down to reach them. The Breez lets you slide the seat between two heights with one hand, bringing your little one closer and opening up more room to access the basket underneath. The height adjustment works with the bassinet and a compatible infant car seat, too—a really nice perk.
Suspension-wise, the Breez rides really well; I’d put it closer to the smoothness of Triv lx than the Kona. I’m also a fan of the roomier seat (it holds a child up to 55 pounds) and the wide range of handlebar adjustments for parents of different heights. And like on other Silver Cross strollers, the seat’s memory buttons are a thoughtful touch: you can press and release each button in turn (and with one hand), then lift the seat off, rather than needing two hands to hold both buttons down at once. (The wheel locks and seat-height adjustment also features these memory buttons.) When you’re making the same adjustments to your stroller several times a day, these small design features add up—and help justify a stroller’s higher price.
Worth noting:
Like the Triv lx, the Breez fold requires a few extra steps. In parent-facing mode, you’ll need to adjust the handlebar to the lowest position first. In world-facing mode, you’ll also need to lower the handlebar, then lift the footrest to access the fold mechanism.
The basket holds up to 22 pounds, compared to the Kona’s 30, and its openings are smaller. Raising the seat helps with access, but the Kona is still the better option if storage is a top priority.
The canopy extends for more coverage, but its height doesn’t adjust like the Kona’s. That’s something to keep in mind if you have a tall toddler.
Infant car seats require adapters (sold separately). The upside is compatibility with several brands; the downside is another thing to buy and manage not to lose.
It’s expensive, especially if you add the bassinet.
Additional Specs
Stroller Weight: 22.6 lbs without bumper bar and seat liner
Age Range: Birth to 55 lbs
Car Seat Compatibility: Clek Liing; Cybex Aton G and Cloud G; Maxi-Cosi Mico Luxe+; Nuna PIPA RX and PIPA aire RX, with adapters sold separately
Other Mid-Size Strollers to Consider
The mid-size stroller category is growing and changing quickly. Here are a few more favorite picks.
The 21-pound Swiv falls on the smaller end of the mid-size stroller range. Its claim to fame is that all four wheels swivel 360°, making it easier to navigate crowded spaces. (I often recommend it to city families who regularly encounter tight areas like small elevators and narrow bodega aisles.) Otherwise, it shares many of the same features parents love about Nuna’s full-size strollers: a modular seat that holds up to 50 lbs, oversized wheels with all-wheel suspension, a height-adjustable handle and an all-season seat.
This mid-size stroller was designed specifically for city life, but works just as well for suburban families. It combines a compact frame with many of the features parents want in an everyday stroller, and, at just under 20 pounds, it’s lightweight enough to carry up stairs or lift into the trunk but still feels sturdy and comfortable for daily use. Just note: it has a few folding quirks; it’s the least intuitive stroller on our list to fold.
Bugaboo Dragonfly Plus Seat Stroller - Heritage Black
From $1,099.00Like the Breez, you can also fold the Bugaboo Dragonfly with a bassinet attached. Designed especially for urban living, the Dragonfly folds down small enough to fit in tight spaces while still delivering the smooth push and premium feel Bugaboo strollers are known for. It also packs in thoughtful everyday features, including full suspension, a large underseat basket with flexible storage pockets and a one-handed fold. It does have a unique fold that takes a bit of getting used to, though.
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. I've been Babylist's Gear Editor since 2021 and have personally tested and reviewed dozens of strollers across all categories, including most of the mid-size strollers on this list. I'm also a mom of two, with over a decade of real-world stroller experience with my own kids.
Registry and sales data. I analyzed which mid-size strollers Babylist users add to their registries most often, working with input from our Merchandising team, which selects and stocks every stroller in the Babylist Shop.
Parent feedback at scale. I reviewed responses from Babylist's annual Most Loved Baby Products survey of thousands of parents, along with customer reviews from Babylist users and conversations with parents on our own team.
What is a mid-size stroller?
A mid-size stroller gives you the best parts of a full-size stroller—smooth handling, lots of storage and everyday comfort—without the extra bulk and weight. Think of it as the “in-between” category: more capable than a lightweight travel stroller, but easier to lift, fold and maneuver than a traditional full-size option.
Most mid-size strollers weigh somewhere around 18 to 22 pounds, compared to full-size options that can easily land upwards of 30. Mid-size strollers also have more compact frames than their full-size counterparts. But unlike many lighter-weight strollers, they’re still built for everyday use. Many include features like all-wheel suspension, roomy storage baskets, extendable canopies, adjustable handlebars and newborn-ready seating options.
The bottom line: these “in between” strollers make daily strolling easier, whether that’s lifting a stroller into your trunk, carrying it up a flight of stairs (without dreading it) or navigating tight coffee shop aisles. For many families, they're a one-and-done option—something that was hard to come by before now. They’re the stroller equivalent of a good crossover SUV: practical, versatile and easy to live with.
What are the trade-offs of a mid-size stroller?
Mid-size strollers pack a lot into a smaller frame, but you’re still giving up a few things compared to a traditional full-size stroller. For most families, these trade-offs are manageable. But depending on how you use your stroller, they’re worth thinking through before you buy.
You may notice a difference in the ride. Many mid-size strollers have good suspension, and some come very close to the smooth push of a full-size. But smaller wheels and a lighter frame can mean you’ll feel more bumps and need a little more effort to get over uneven sidewalks or rough ground. If you’re used to pushing something like an UPPAbaby Vista or a larger Nuna stroller, you’ll likely notice the difference. For errands and neighborhood walks, it’s usually not a big deal. But if longer walks on bumpy sidewalks are a big part of your day, pay closer attention to wheel size and suspension—and try the stroller in person if you can.
The basket is smaller. Not necessarily small, just smaller. Many mid-size baskets easily fit a diaper bag and everyday essentials, but they don’t have the same room or easy access as the baskets on larger strollers. This matters most if you use your stroller like your car: hauling groceries, toys, bags and all the other things you need for a day out. It’s also worth considering if you simply like bringing a lot of stuff along. Check the basket’s weight limit, usable space and accessibility, especially with the seat in both directions.
Who is a mid-size stroller best for?
Because they’re versatile and share many features with full-size strollers, mid-size strollers are a solid option for many types of families. But they really shine in a few situations.
Families who are often in and out of the car. Mid-size strollers are often marketed to city families, as their smaller footprint makes them well-suited to crowded spaces. And they are a good option in cities—but they really shine for families who drive frequently, which often means suburban families. That’s because many suburban parents want the comfort and performance of a full-size stroller for neighborhood walks and everyday outings—think good suspension, larger wheels and plenty of storage—but don’t want to wrestle a 30-pound stroller into the trunk multiple times a day. A mid-size stroller offers a more manageable alternative without sacrificing the features that make everyday strolling easier.
City families, especially if you’re short on space or live in a walk-up. For urban parents, especially those living in apartments or walk-ups, a smaller, lighter stroller can make a huge difference. Mid-size strollers are easier to maneuver through crowded sidewalks, tight store aisles and busy restaurants, and many fold compactly enough to stash in small entryways or closets. The lighter weight also makes them much less cumbersome to carry up and down stairs.
All that said—you don’t have to fit neatly into one of these categories to justify a mid-size stroller. For many families, it can be their only stroller. The biggest question is whether the easier fold and smaller footprint are worth giving up a little ride smoothness and basket space. And if frequent travel is your priority, a dedicated travel stroller may still be easier to carry and pack.
