The best strollers of 2024 and how to choose the right stroller type for your family.
Being a mom of three has meant seven years of stroller testing for me. From my journey of welcoming one baby, then two, and now three, I’ve had the chance to explore various types of strollers, including single strollers, double strollers, and even wagons. Strollers have played a pivotal role in helping me navigate the challenges of motherhood, making everyday outings, errands, and family adventures much more manageable. They really are one of my most used baby essentials!
In this post, I want to share my 5 best baby stroller types that have become essential for me as a mom of three in 2024. Plus, I’ll let you in on the strollers that I wish I had given a try as well.
When you’ve got your hands full with multiple kids, practicality and ease of use are key. The right stroller can be a game-changer in simplifying your daily routines. So whether you’re in the thick of parenting or prepping for the journey, come explore these stroller options that have made my life as a mom of three a little more relaxed. I’ve done a ton of research over the years searching for the best strollers and I’m excited to pass on what I’ve learned to help you find the perfect fit for your unique needs.
Top 5 Baby Stroller Types
Stroller Guide Overview:
- Best Travel Systems / Car Seat Hybrids
- Best Convertible Strollers
- Save: Baby Jogger City Select 2 Stroller
- Splurge – Tandem: UPPAbaby VISTA V2 Stroller
- Splurge – Side-by-Side: Bugaboo Donkey 5 Duo
- Best Jogging Strollers
- Save: JOOVY Zoom360 Ultralight Jogger
- Splurge – Single: BOB Revolution Flex Single Jogging Stroller
- Splurge – Double: Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller
- Best Lightweight and Compact Strollers
- Best Wagon Strollers
- Save: Radio Flyer Odyssey Stroll ‘N Wagon
- Splurge: Keenz 7S+ 4-Passenger Wagon
NOTE: I’ve included pricing and options below from one of my favorite online retailers for baby gear – Goodbuy Gear. They specialize in selling open box and gently used baby products at great prices! I’ve purchased multiple items from them and have been so happy with the quality and pricing of each of them.
Best Travel Systems / Car Seat Hybrids
Save: Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System Stroller
This travel system stroller has great reviews and is a budget friendly option with high-end features like the option to turn the regular seat into a newborn bassinet, a large canopy, a seat that can face forward or toward you and a removable child tray
Splurge: Doona Infant Car Seat and Stroller
This is the infant Car Seat / Travel System we decided to purchase and it is one of my favorite baby items we’ve ever had! It has been sooooo incredibly convenient to have a car seat that immediately transforms into a stroller. It is a splurge but has been 100% worth it for us.
Best Convertible Strollers
Save: Baby Jogger City Select 2 Stroller
This is the convertible stroller that we have used for the past 5 year and we have loved it! There are some more budget options out there but I think the quality of this stroller is definitely worth the price, and it is still half the price of other luxury options. I love that it can hold all three of my kids (2 in seats and 1 on the glider board) and I can still store items in the basket and steer it well with all that weight! The different seat positions have been helpful as well. One of my favorite features of the City Select stroller is that it is so easy to fold up and store in the car. The seats detach from the frame easily and stack on top of the frame neatly in the car. It is a great travel stroller!
Splurge – Tandem: UPPAbaby VISTA V2 Stroller
If you already own other UPPAbaby products this would be a good choice for you so they are all compatible. People love the maneuverability and the different seating options, including the bassinet for newborns and the ride along board for older children. The finishes are more high-end than the less expensive options and the suspension system is very strong allowing for a smooth ride even with three kids in tow.
Splurge – Side-By-Side: Bugaboo Donkey 5 Duo
If you prefer side-by-side set ups, this stroller is the one for you! I love the seating configurations and all of the different accessories that are available! It is one of the most expensive options I’ve seen, especially with all of the add-ons, but if you are planning to have multiple children it might be an investment worth making. I love that you can adjust the overall width to fit one seat or two, and the option to add on a large side basket. Perfect for outings when you want to carry along snacks, toys and a diaper bag.
Best Jogging Strollers
Save: JOOVY Zoom360 Ultralight Jogger
The Joovy Ultralight Jogger is slightly more expensive than other budget jogging strollers, but it is the best quality for your money with a smooth ride even on bumpier trails and nice big wheels.
Splurge – Single: BOB Revolution Flex Single Jogging Stroller
The BOB Revolution Flex is the single jogging stroller we have and love! We have had an older verison for the past 7 years and it has held up sooo well! I just purchased a new version from Goodbuy Gear because we loved it so much and I know I will be using it with our new baby for the next 5+ years as well. The seat is so large and comfortable that my (tall) 7 year old can still sit in it comfortably, and the ride is so smooth on the bumpiest trails. I love how far the sun canopy extends to really protect the baby. There’s a reason why the BOB jogging strollers have been the most popular option for years!
Splurge – Double: Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller
The Baby Jogger Summit X3 is the double stroller we decided to get 5 years ago and it has been our most used stroller…and it is still in perfect condition! It’s very easy to hose off and clean. My older kids still love riding in it and the baby fits well now, too. The reason I chose this stroller over the double BOB jogging stroller is because of the hand brake (which looks like a bike brake). It is really helpful to have when we are walking down hills (with the weight of the stroller and my two kids it would be very hard to walk down steep hills without it).
Best Lightweight and Compact Travel Strollers
Save: Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Ultra-Compact Travel Stroller
The Baby Jogger City Tour Stroller is a great budget-friendly option for traveling and keeping in your car. It folds up compactly and is very light-weight making it easy to pick up.
Splurge: UPPABaby MINU V2 Stroller
The UPPAbaby Minu Stroller is another great option with a nicer look and materials. Again, perfect for traveling and keeping in your car for outings, shopping, and everyday use. It folds up easily with one hand and is compatible with other UPPAbaby accessories like the ride along boards.
Best Wagon Strollers
Save: Radio Flyer Odyssey Stroll ‘N Wagon
This is a nicer, foldable version of the old radio flyer wagon we have but still very affordable. I love the different push/pull handle options and how compactly it folds up.
Splurge: Keenz 7S+ 4-Passenger Wagon
If you are looking to splurge on the best wagon stroller option, this Keenz wagon has the best reviews! There are 2-seater and 4-seater options which would be great for families with multiple kids, and the seats look comfortable. Reviews claim it is very study, has a great suspension system, and is easy to steer and maneuver, making this a great pick for trips to the park, the beach, or for a walk around the neighborhood!
How to Choose the Best Stroller for your Family
Selecting the perfect stroller for your family is a big decision. It’s not only a substantial investment but a piece of baby gear that will play a crucial role in your daily life for years to come. Before making your choice, consider several key factors. Keep in mind that there’s no one-size-fits-all stroller—what suits one family’s needs might not align with another’s. Here’s some key factors you should keep in mind:
1. Cost:
Strollers come in a wide price range, spanning from a couple hundred dollars to over $1,000. This all depends on the type of stroller, the size, and the features. Pricier strollers often boast advanced features like all-wheel suspension and high-end fabrics, but there are also plenty of high-quality, more affordable alternatives available.
While your budget is definitely a top factor to keep in mind, consider the lifespan of the stroller when determining your budget. We have had our first stroller for 7 years now and while it was a more expensive model, I’m so happy with how durable it has been. Also keep in mind that strollers have a high resale value on online marketplaces so if you keep it in good shape you could make a good amount of your money back when you are ready to part with it.
2. Lifestyle:
Your location and everyday routines play a significant role in stroller selection. Think about how and where you will most often be using a stroller (city sidewalks, hiking trails, grocery stores…). Also consider where the stroller will be stored (garage, car trunk, inside the house…) and how easy it is to fold up and carry. If you are loading and unloading it out of your car often you want to test out how different options fold and how easy they are for you to carry.
3. Family Size:
If you think you might have multiple children, it’s worth thinking about a convertible stroller from the start, rather than initially opting for a single stroller and later needing to purchase a double. If they are close in age this is especially important, but even if they are farther apart (like 5 years) it may still be nice to have a double stroller option! We go on long walks and my 5 and 7 year olds can still sit comfortably in the stroller if they need a break.
4. Features:
If you are planning to use your stroller right away, make sure it is compatible with your carseat (you may need to purchase a separate adapter) as it’s recommended to keep babies in their carseats until they can sit unassisted (around 6 months old). Also consider factors like storage space, how adjustable the seat is, the accessories that come with it (we use our snack trays and this wind shield all the time!) and how cleanable the fabric is. Some strollers also come with rider board options which are soooo nice to have for older siblings or toddlers that need a little excitement to keep them entertained!
Personal Testimonial: The Best Stroller Types that Worked for our Family
As I mentioned above, choosing the right stroller/s for your family is a personal decision that depends on many different factors. But, I want to share with you what worked for our family personally in case it is helpful in your decision making process!
A little background on our family – as of now (November 2023) we have 3 kids: a 7 year old, a 5 year old, and an 8 month old. We live in a suburb near Denver, CO and I love to go on walks and hikes on all different types of trails (paved, smooth dirt roads, and bumpy dirt hiking trails).
Strollers We’ve Owned
Since having our first baby over 7 years ago, we have owned multiple stroller types, and I love and use them all for different reasons.
We started with a BOB single jogging stroller. I purchased it used, in good condition, and to this day we still use it and it has held up amazingly well! We used it with the infant car seat adapter until he was able to sit in the stroller on his own. I love how comfortable it is for the baby, how durable it has been, and we have taken it on walks all over Colorado (even on many golf courses, haha)! This stroller folds up easily and is not super heavy but a little awkward to lift in and out of the car trunk.
Once I found out I was pregnant with our second boy, I purchased the Baby Jogger City Select Convertible Stroller. I love how many different seat positions there are, the storage basket at the bottom is nice and big, and the overall size is compact, especially for a double stroller. I use this stroller the most when we are shopping or in busy areas like the at Mall, the Zoo, or in the city. We’ve used this stroller with one kid, with two, and even with three by attaching the rider board! This stroller folds up easy, and the seats come off, making it easy to lift in and out of the car and stacks neatly in the trunk.
NOTE: I find that even though my kids are old enough to walk on their own, I love that they can still sit in the stroller if I want them too when we are in really crowded spaces or if they are tired of walking.
Because we go on so many hikes and walks, I also purchased a Baby Jogger Summit X3 Double Jogging Stroller after having our second baby. We have used this stroller the most over the past 5 years. It still looks brand new (when it’s clean haha) and is in perfect shape. My 7 year old and 5 year old can still sit comfortably in it if they ever need to, and my 8 month old now sits in it as well! It is heavy though. It fits in our trunk (which is admittedly large; we have a VW Atlas) but it is not that easy to get in and out.
Now that we have our third baby, I was fortunate enough to be able to upgrade our BOB single jogging stroller with a new model. Our old model is definitely still usable, but we’ve had it for 7 years (and it was used to begin with) and it has some wear. I know I’ll be using the new stroller for at least the next 5 years and am so excited that I was able to purchase it! The new BOB jogging stroller model is actually very similar to our old model. The only really differences that I’ve noticed is the handlebar is adjustable and there is a built-in pocket in the sun shade.
Would I have done anything differently?
If we only had 1 kid, or 2 kids that were farther apart in age, I would have opted for a jogging stroller and a lightweight travel stroller.
The one stroller type I wish we have tried when my two older kids were younger, is a stroller wagon! We have a Radio Flyer wagon that they still use all the time but it is not too easy to steer and push around. However, my dad uses it to go on walks with the kids allll the time! I think he like that it is not technically a “stroller” so it feels cooler for him to use, haha. If we had a better quality stroller wagon I’m sure he would love to use that and it would be much easier for him to push up the hills!
Tandem vs. Side-by-Side Double Stroller??
They both have their pros and cons, but overall I prefer the side-by-side double strollers. My kids have more room and are much more comfortable in them (and don’t bother each other as much), and I think they are easier to steer and maneuver. Tandem strollers are better for crowded areas and stores (it’s hard to fit a double stroller through a standard door opening) but overall i’d choose the side-by-side!
I hope this round-up was helpful for you to figure out what is the best stroller for your family! Please let me know if you have any questions in the comments below!
This post was all about the best baby strollers of 2024 and how to choose the right stroller for your family.
This post was sponsored by Goodbuy Gear. All thoughts, opinions, and selections are my own. See my disclosure here.
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