The Best Umbrella Strollers

Your average all-purpose or jogging stroller tends to be larger and more cumbersome than necessary for a quick trip away or for getting around town when you’re not in the car. Luckily, umbrella strollers are here to fill that portability niche.

Whether you are are looking for something simple for your relatives to use when they babysit, or are planning to hop on a plane for a vacation, the compact design of umbrella strollers makes them a much-needed item for all parents. While you won’t find a lot of bells and whistles on these strollers, they will go a long way in making your life easier.

Our picks of the best umbrella strollers

How is an umbrella stroller different from a regular stroller?

If the term ‘umbrella stroller’ is new to you, you’re not alone. However, it’s likely that you’ve already seen these lightweight picks in use – they’re beloved by parents for traveling and running errands, because, unlike regular strollers, they’re slim, light, and easy to fold.

This makes them a lot easier while on the go, especially because they fit more neatly into small spaces and tightly packed cars than a regular stroller would. Though the streamlined design of an umbrella stroller certainly has its advantages, there are a few drawbacks that should also be noted.

They aren’t a suitable pick for newborn babies, who normally lie flat, and, as umbrella stroller seats are generally not able to fold that way, it’s best for baby to begin to lift their head independently. This usually occurs around 12 weeks.

Another minor drawback is the lack of storage that larger regular strollers tend to have. While there may be a few pockets on an umbrella stroller, it won’t really serve as a replacement for your baby bag, which you may need to bring along if you’re out for a long period of time.

How can parents benefit from buying an umbrella stroller?

It might seem a little extravagant to consider a second stroller in addition to all your other baby gear, but if you’ve taken a road trip or vacation with a baby’s regular one, you’ll know that the spatial logistics are challenging, at best.

Here’s how a less bulky stroller can be a better option for that on-the-go experience:

Parents who spend a lot of time out and about with their baby, especially in crowded areas where maintaining an orderly path is necessary to avoid chaos, will appreciate that umbrella strollers are slimmer and easier to navigate in narrow areas, without blocking paths or causing disruptions.

They’re lightweight and easy to fold. If you need to hold your toddler while folding their stroller in a public place, the last thing you want is to have to struggle; they’re also easier to carry when folded.

Because of their slim design, they’re perfect for day trips, road trips, and vacations; they tuck away neatly in the trunk of the car.

As long as umbrella strollers meet TSA regulations, they can also be taken onto a plane. If intending to travel by air with your umbrella stroller, make sure your model meets TSA regulations before purchase.

At what age is it safe for my baby to ride in an umbrella stroller?

In order for newborns to be safe riding in a stroller, they need to lay flat. That’s how new babies obtain the most oxygen and breathe in the healthiest way, and also the best position for encouraging healthy hip and spinal development.

This means that prams and buggies where babies can lie flat safely are the best picks until they reach around 12 weeks, when they become able to hold their heads up on their own. At that point, it’s safe to begin using an umbrella stroller.

When it comes to the high end of the age range, most umbrella stroller models will advertise age and weight ranges, allowing parents to determine when a stroller is no longer suitable for their child.

Most models have a weight limit of 40 lbs. or above, which, for the average child, is approximately 5 years.

Can my baby sleep in their umbrella stroller?

Yes, your baby can nap or sleep safely in their umbrella stroller as long as they are old enough to be riding in it. Whether they’ll be able to get a truly comfortable nap, however, is something that varies from model to model.

As we’ve mentioned, umbrella stroller seats almost never flatten out entirely. However, the seats in some models do offer a variety of reclining positions. Your baby is more likely to nap comfortably in a reclining seat than one that makes them sit almost upright.

What features should savvy shoppers look for in a great umbrella stroller?

When you’re shopping for baby gear, knowing the qualities that can make or break products is essential. Strollers can be tricky because some models promise a lot more convenience than they actually deliver. Wondering what qualities to focus on when shopping for your umbrella stroller?

• Lightweight and durable: It needs to be both, and the best umbrella strollers are. Good picks can weigh as little as 5 lbs, but their sturdy metal construction means they can hold up to both baby’s weight and your shopping adventures around town.
• One-handed or easy folding: One of the biggest benefits of umbrella strollers is that they simplify travel by storing quickly and easily; if an umbrella stroller is hard to fold, it’s missing the mark. There are lots of picks that offer easy or one-handed folding, so hold out for one so you can pull a slick ‘James Bond’ move with your baby on your hip.
• A reclining seat: As we’ve mentioned, reclining seats can help babies sleep better, so if you’re out for long periods and baby winds up napping in their stroller, the comfier they are will make them less cranky later.
• A canopy: Since they’re lightweight and designed to be smaller, not every umbrella stroller comes with a canopy. Picks like this should be reserved for short errands or indoor excursions to the mall or shops, because baby’s skin is especially vulnerable to direct sun exposure. If you’re spending some time outside with your umbrella stroller, seek out one with a canopy.

What features should I look for to make sure I’m choosing a safe umbrella stroller for my baby?

Responsibly choosing gear for our kids means always making sure it’s safe before they even lay eyes (or hands) on it. This is especially true of strollers, as one study states that two children per hour are injured in stroller and baby-carrier related accidents.

There are four important safety features and stroller guides all parents should be aware of with any stroller their baby will ride in. Here are the features that make for a safe umbrella stroller:

• Quality restraints: In order to restrain your baby, a stroller needs to have a durable t-strap restraint formed with thick nylon straps. A crotch and waist strap are both essential for baby to be safe. When it comes to the harness, look for buckles baby can’t unfasten, but that you can undo quickly if necessary. The harness should be comfortably snug and adjustable to their height. Five point harnesses are available with some models, offering maximum security.
• Good brakes: Brakes are an essential safety feature for obvious reasons, and seeking out picks with parking brakes on both rear wheels doubles the amount of security offered when your stroller is stationary.
• Functioning wheels: Though not starting out that way, wheels on strollers can become misaligned and come loose. This can stop the front wheel from swiveling correctly, making navigation difficult, unstable and less safe. Checking for and fixing wheel alignment issues and loose wheels on a regular basis will ensure a smooth and safe ride for your little one.
• A canopy: We’ve already mentioned this as something savvy shoppers will want to look for, and we’re not alone in considering strollers without canopies as unsuitable for outdoor use. They’re great inside, as they let baby take in the view, but when outside, it can be unsafe for your baby to be exposed to the degree of direct sunlight that strollers without canopies attract.

What are the pros and cons of umbrella strollers vs other styles of stroller?

Umbrella strollers

PROS

• Umbrella strollers are lightweight and durable, which means that carrying and folding them is a breeze. They also hold up to plenty of outdoor adventures.
• They’re much slimmer than a standard stroller, which means that navigating tight outdoor spaces with narrow paths or packed crowds is much easier than it would be otherwise.
• Travel is made vastly simpler by umbrella strollers, as they’re slim when folded, which means they store easily into a car’s trunk with other belongings for a road trip or day trip; some picks also meet TSA regulations, which means it’s okay for parents to bring them on board an aircraft (always double check that a model is TSA approved before purchase if you intend to fly with it).
• If you’re dreading a price tag that’s similar to the one you paid for your original stroller, you’ll be happy to know that umbrella strollers tend to run cheaper than their bulkier counterparts – so they’re economical, to boot!

CONS

• Because they’re designed to be smaller than a standard stroller, umbrella strollers offer less room for you to stash bottles, diapers and other essentials, which may mean needing to bring your baby bag or only using it for short trips out.
• As the seats of umbrella strollers do not typically recline to full flatness and feature fully open leg holes, they are not considered safe for newborn babies. Parents must wait until their child reaches 12 weeks, or can hold their head up on their own, before placing them into an umbrella stroller.
• Taking a nap in their stroller is easier for babies when the seat reclines, which is not true of all umbrella strollers. Some picks that are designed to be more simple also lack a canopy, which means they’re really only suited for brief use indoors.

Standard strollers

PROS

• Standard strollers are large and in charge, with plenty of places to stash baby stuff (and yours!) with underseat storage, side pockets, and sometimes even cup and key holders.
• Many standard strollers allow parents to conveniently and securely place their car seat right into their baby’s stroller, which helps to avoid disrupting a peaceful nap.
• Because they’re large and stable, standard strollers often feel more secure and supportive than umbrella strollers, especially when pushing older, larger babies and toddlers.

CONS

• The large size of standard strollers means that spending time in public places can be frustrating, as it’s hard to fit wide strollers into narrow spaces and can be disruptive, especially when trying to navigate big crowds.
• Folding and carrying bigger strollers can be difficult and unwieldy, and if you’re trying to balance your tot while also securing your gear, a serious struggle could ensue.
• The bulkiness of standard strollers can make them a detriment when travelling, as it’s less likely they’ll meet TSA regulations, which means that flying with them is a major no-go. You may also struggle to wrestle them into the car trunk, particularly if it’s already full.

Wrapping up

While they might not be the Mercedes of strollers, they are certainly a very reliable way to get your family from point A to point B. Besides, who wants to lug around a fully loaded, bulky stroller when really, you just need to get through the subway station or pick up something at the grocery store?

Considering that prices range from expensive to very affordable, it can’t hurt to have an umbrella stroller in your home. Even if you’re a new mom who balks at the idea of leaving the house without an arsenal of baby products, including that fully loaded stroller, trust us, that feeling will pass as soon as you need to make a quick trip with your baby in tow.

And when it does, you’ll be delighted to quickly unfold that little umbrella stroller and be on your way.