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After putting in seven hours of research and 86 hours of testing—including using a total of eight strollers on everyday trips as well as on outings such as a day at the lake, a kids outdoor concert, and a camping trip at the Mississippi River’s source—we found that the reasonably priced, lightweight, and easy-to-use Summer Infant 3D Lite has all the best features of a great umbrella stroller while still being one of the most affordable models we considered.
This easy-to-use stroller capably delivers on all our basic requirements. It’s not the most full-featured option, but it costs (and weighs) less than high-end competitors.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $63.
The Summer Infant 3D Lite offers all of the most useful features an umbrella stroller needs to make travel easier, including a quick one-handed (and one-footed) fold, a multiple-position seat recline for naps, a shoulder strap that works well even when you’re also carrying a baby, relatively large wheels that can handle rough terrain, and a capacious and accessible storage basket—at a price that’s a fraction of what many competitors cost. At 13 pounds, it’s one of the lightest models we found. Its straps also adjust for kids of different sizes more easily than those on competitors, and it has one of the most compact folded footprints of all the strollers we tested. However, while the 3D Lite is convenient in many ways, it does not stand up on its own when folded, its sun shade could be bigger, and it doesn’t have all the features you can find on our upgrade pick or other higher-end models.
This umbrella stroller weighs and costs more than our pick, but it can stand on its own when folded and offers other features you’d find on a full-size stroller.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $137.
The Joovy Groove Ultralight manages to pack nearly every convenience and feature possible into a truly excellent umbrella stroller that still weighs under 16 pounds. Some people may find it worth paying extra for the Groove Ultralight’s two standout features: Unlike the 3D Lite, it can stand up on its own when folded, and it has a well-placed peekaboo window that lets you check in on your tiny passenger without having to stop and walk around to the front. The Groove Ultralight offers lots of storage options, including two cup holders and mesh seat pockets, but its main storage basket holds just half the weight that our top pick can.
This easy-to-use stroller capably delivers on all our basic requirements. It’s not the most full-featured option, but it costs (and weighs) less than high-end competitors.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $63.
This umbrella stroller weighs and costs more than our pick, but it can stand on its own when folded and offers other features you’d find on a full-size stroller.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $137.
We spent seven hours researching umbrella strollers, including interviewing stroller authority Janet McLaughlin (aka StrollerQueen), who offers personal stroller consultations and has reviewed scores of strollers online, and Brian Pulice, owner of Los Angeles stroller shop Traveling Tikes, which has been around since 1998 and offers “test rides” of a curated selection of about a dozen strollers.
In order to understand the safety issues involved when choosing and operating strollers, we consulted an online guide by the American Academy of Pediatrics and read about the latest stroller safety guidelines released by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, as well as the stroller safety standards developed by ASTM International. We also checked to see if strollers had been certified to meet Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association safety standards, an independent, voluntary program that tests strollers to ASTM specifications.
Personally, I’m a former newspaper reporter with more than 15 years of experience interviewing experts in countless fields, including health, parenting, and safety. I’m also the mom of two girls, ages 3 years and 9 months, and I have logged at least 300 stroller miles, including carrying a stroller and my elder daughter down three flights of stairs before pushing her 1.2 miles to her Brooklyn daycare each weekday morning for a year and, after we moved to the midwest, doing endless midday circles around our Minneapolis neighborhood to coax her to nap.
Umbrella strollers are generally suitable for babies once they can sit up unassisted, usually around 6 months. Many parents start with a stroller that’s compatible with their infant car seat and add an umbrella stroller once their child gets a little bigger.1 Others purchase umbrella strollers for a trip that involves air travel or a lot of walking. Some parents may use a baby carrier with their infant and decide that an umbrella stroller is the only stroller they need. In fact, no parent should feel obligated to get both an umbrella stroller and a full-size—families who travel often, use public transportation, need to go up and down lots of stairs, or simply have difficulty lifting, operating, or storing a bigger stroller may find that an umbrella stroller is all that’s essential.
In 1965, inspired by his granddaughter’s bulky baby carriage, pilot and engineer Owen Finlay Maclaren designed a stroller that folded like an airplane’s landing gear—and the umbrella stroller was born. While full-size strollers can top 30 pounds, umbrella strollers generally weigh about half that, and many weigh even less. With a more compact footprint and usually smaller wheels, an umbrella stroller folds up into a bundle that is very portable and easier to stow in a trunk or closet than a full-size model. That compact fold also allows the umbrella stroller to pass through on the belt at airport security, while larger standard strollers often require hand-checking by TSA staff, hampering a family’s trip to the gate. (My family recently learned this the hard way, when our otherwise wonderful full-size BabyJogger City Mini slowed us down considerably at JFK International Airport security; we made it to our flight with just six minutes to spare.)
No parent should feel obligated to get both an umbrella stroller and a full-size—families who travel often, use public transportation, need to go up and down lots of stairs, or simply have difficulty lifting, operating, or storing a bigger stroller may find that an umbrella stroller is all that’s essential.
While most full-size strollers collapse like lawn chairs, umbrella strollers fold like camp chairs, and you can then carry them with a strap slung over your shoulder. But because of those smaller wheels, the average umbrella stroller doesn’t handle as well as a standard stroller on more difficult terrain. Full-size strollers also tend to be more full-featured and versatile, too. But we’ve found that the best umbrella strollers can narrow some of those performance gaps significantly, and they typically cost much less.
In our research and interviews, both parents and experts stressed that they preferred an umbrella stroller that was light, easy to push, comfortable for napping children, and equipped with a sizable storage basket. We found that an excellent umbrella stroller should be:
Lightweight yet sturdy: The umbrella stroller’s raison d'être is to be light enough to be carried easily, and the best models have aluminum frames that keep them at around 15 pounds or less. (Heavier strollers tend to be made of steel.) We tested strollers ranging from 8.4 to 15.7 pounds and decided not to test anything that weighed 16 pounds or more.
Full featured: The balance between weight and functionality is a tricky one, as many ultralight strollers weigh less because they lack important or useful features. The best umbrella strollers have a large canopy, a storage basket, recline settings so that a baby can nap comfortably, a cup holder, and a five-point harness to keep a curious kid from leaning all the way over and trying to touch the wheels. Traveling Tikes owner Brian Pulice told us that his customers usually looked for an umbrella stroller that reclined and had a great storage basket. “If it doesn't have any recline, they don't want it,” he said. We decided to test only strollers that reclined and had a five-point harness (we did include one especially cheap but popular model with a three-point harness as a baseline comparison). We thought that a cup holder, while nice to have, wasn’t necessarily a dealbreaker if it was missing. Some of the strollers we tested had even more helpful features, including the ability to stand up when folded, a peekaboo window in the canopy for you to check on your baby while you walk, and an adjustable footrest. While not necessities, these features do make strolling life easier.
Easy to push and maneuver: Pulice told us that wheel size was very important for maneuverability: “Smaller wheels pick up more vibration, they're more likely to get stuck in nooks and crannies. The bigger wheels roll over obstacles more easily.” While umbrella strollers have small wheels compared with most full-size strollers (from about 4 to 6 inches in diameter, as opposed to about 5 to 12 inches), the best models’ wheels have a larger diameter plus suspension, which together help a stroller push straight and easily and handle turns smoothly. All the umbrella strollers we looked at have four sets of double wheels, and all have EVA-foam tires, of varying width and thickness. While they don’t offer the excellent maneuverability you get with the large single wheels on many full-size or all-terrain strollers, these durable, low-maintenance wheels save on cost and weight. We also wanted the handles on a good umbrella stroller to be at a comfortable height for most adults’ sizes, since the height settings on these models are not adjustable (unlike on most full-size strollers).
Easy to fold and carry: Umbrella strollers should fold up and collapse easily into a compact bundle that is relatively painless to carry. Generally, they all have a variation of the same folding mechanism: You reach down with one hand or foot to lift the safety lock, step down hard on a second lever, and push down with one hand on the handlebars to collapse the stroller. Even so, some models are simpler to manage than others. The best models fold smoothly without requiring excessive force and allow you to set them up and fold them down with one hand—which is a huge plus, as you’ll likely have a baby in the other arm. Most umbrella strollers (with the exception of the most basic, inexpensive models) also have a carry strap so that parents can lug them up and down stairs, onto a bus, or out to the car.
A good value: Because an umbrella stroller is a second (or third...) stroller for most people, we dismissed models that cost more than $400. StrollerQueen Janet McLaughlin advised us to look beyond the most basic, cheap umbrella stroller models. “In many, but not all cases, you get what you pay for. Don't buy the cheapest stroller you can find for your next trip to Disney,” she said. “I can't tell you how many families I have seen limping along on three wheels because a cheap plastic bit fell off that was holding on the fourth wheel.” We tested strollers that ranged from about $20 to $300.
“I can't tell you how many families I have seen limping along on three wheels because a cheap plastic bit fell off." —Janet McLaughlin (aka StrollerQueen)
Easy to clean: This criterion did not prove to be all that significant in distinguishing models. The fabric on most of the strollers we looked at did not come off easily (or at all) for cleaning, but all materials were easy to spot-clean or hose off when muddy. Darker-color fabrics do tend to hide dirt and scuffs more easily than lighter-color fabrics.
Applying our initial criteria left us with a list of 37 models, including the top choices from Consumer Reports (subscription required), BabyGearLab, and Lucie’s List, as well as the best sellers at Amazon, Target, Babies“R”Us, and Walmart. We talked with more than a dozen parents across the country and scanned hundreds of online reviews, dismissing all the models that weighed 16 pounds or more, did not recline, did not fold like true umbrella strollers, lacked availability, or had a preponderance of negative reviews. We also limited our list to strollers that had carry straps and strollers that were under $400. That step narrowed our list down to seven models for testing:
We also tried out the very inexpensive Cosco Umbrella Stroller with Canopy, the most popular low-priced umbrella stroller we could find. It didn’t recline and didn’t have a carry strap, but it did help us figure out exactly what you’re giving up if you buy a dirt-cheap, bare-bones umbrella stroller.
I personally spent 86 hours over six weeks testing eight strollers. All of the models were fairly quick and easy to put together, so assembly time ended up not being an important criterion. I did real-world testing with each umbrella stroller, using it to run errands in the neighborhood, walk to the library, and schlep kids to and from day camp. I also took each stroller along on at least one outing—from a day at the pool to an outdoor kids concert to a camping trip. I paid attention to what each stroller was like to push, what it was like to fold and carry, and what happened when one of my kids fell asleep on board. I also checked to see if it was possible to carry, open, and fold each stroller while holding my 9-month-old in one arm.
The American Academy of Pediatrics and most instruction manuals caution against hanging anything from an umbrella stroller’s handlebars. But because many caregivers will hang a diaper bag or purse from the handles of their stroller anyway, I also hung my well-stocked, 6.9-pound diaper bag on all of the top contenders to see if they tipped. None of them tipped with my baby on board, but some did once I took her out of the seat.
Finally, I put the top contenders through a maneuverability course in front of my house, setting up cones on the sidewalk and trying out S-curves and U-turns, and then pushing up onto our front lawn and out into our bumpy back alley.
These firsthand tests were short-term evaluations—important for comparing the strollers side by side, seeing and feeling their differences in person, and noticing those details you can’t find on a specs sheet. But in spite of the hours I spent testing, my experience doesn’t prove that our picks will hold up over a few years. For that, I leaned on the considerable volume of owner reviews for these strollers, especially reviews from parents who had owned multiple strollers for several years and could make comparisons of their long-term performance. I will continue to use our picks over the long term as well, and I will report my findings in updates to this guide.
This easy-to-use stroller capably delivers on all our basic requirements. It’s not the most full-featured option, but it costs (and weighs) less than high-end competitors.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $63.
The lightweight yet sturdy Summer Infant 3D Lite offers all of the features a great umbrella stroller needs at a much lower price than other comparable models. Its multiposition recline extends lower and its straps are easier to adjust than on many competitors, it provides good sun protection, ample storage, and comfortable handles, and its 6-inch wheels make it easy to push and turn. It also folds easily, and when collapsed it’s the most compact of all the strollers we tested (with one forgettable exception). It’s more comfortable to carry by its attached shoulder strap than other models we tried, too. This model is not the most full-featured stroller we found, but it is an excellent value.
The 3D Lite has an excellent combination of features, including a recline mechanism that smoothly slides into one of four positions when you press the two red buttons behind the seat. Although this procedure takes two hands, the mechanism is easier to manage than on umbrella strollers that use straps or zippers to recline. It lowers to nearly flat (not quite as flat as our upgrade pick and a few other strollers we tried, but to a good angle for napping), and it returns to upright when you push on the seat back with one hand. The seat is comfortably roomy and lightly padded, and the five-point safety harness has fabric covers on the buckle and shoulder straps to prevent them from digging into the passenger’s crotch or arms. No other strollers we tested had shoulder-strap covers; only one competitor (the Inglesina Net) had a fabric buckle cover.
As with most of the strollers we tested, the 3D Lite’s shoulder straps are adjustable to three different settings to accommodate the child’s height. Unlike most of the competitors we looked at, however, the 3D Lite has external fabric loops—instead of slots—on its straps so you can adjust the height without having to take off and reroute the straps completely. This design makes it much easier than on other models to adjust the straps for two children of different ages: When my 3-year-old got too tired to walk, for example, I was able to adjust the straps quickly from the settings for my 9-month-old to accommodate my older child without much fuss (from her or for me). In addition, while some of the strollers in our test group have buckles that can be frustrating to secure, with shoulder components that need to slide onto a lap-belt buckle every time you put the baby in, on the 3D Lite the shoulder straps are secured with clips that are easy enough to undo (for cleaning or height adjustment, for example).
The canopy, while not as generous as on some other umbrella stroller models, is large enough to shade its little passenger’s face and has a flip-down sun visor. The canopy’s fabric is rated to block 98 percent of UVA and UVB rays—equivalent to the rating of UPF 50+, according to sun-protective clothing experts. That’s the highest possible rating for sun-protective fabric and the same as in the fabric used in our upgrade pick, the Joovy Groove Ultralight, plus several high-end strollers we tested (including the Uppababy G-Luxe and the Maclaren Triumph and Quest). Note, though, that many nylon and polyester fabrics are effective at blocking UV rays too; just because a fabric isn’t promoted for sun protection doesn’t mean it isn’t in fact protective.
The 3D Lite’s storage basket is large for that of an umbrella stroller, and it has the highest weight limit (10 pounds) among all the models we looked at—only the G-Luxe basket holds as much. Similar to the underseat storage for most umbrella strollers, the 3D Lite’s basket is difficult to access when the seat is fully reclined. But the opening to the basket is particularly easy to access with the seat upright, and it can fit bulkier objects as effectively as (or better than) the other strollers we tried. This stroller also has a useful Velcro-closure back pocket, which can fit a phone and keys, plus a (tippy but okay in a pinch) cup holder. The manual warns not to put hot drinks in the cup holder.
We found in testing that, just as Traveling Tikes owner Brian Pulice had told us, bigger wheels made a stroller easier to push and control. We also found that the width of the wheel and tread mattered too; the model that performed the best off-road (the Uppababy G-Luxe) had the fattest tires and deepest tread pattern. The Summer Infant 3D Lite worked extremely well on trips around the neighborhood and on a camping outing to Itasca State Park. We also ended up taking it to the Minnesota State Fair and found that it was small enough to maneuver through crowds and comfortable to push for hours from attraction to attraction. Both of my girls ended up taking a long nap in it at some point. With 6-inch wheels—only the Joovy Groove Ultralight’s wheels are as large—the 3D Lite was one of the top performers on our maneuverability course, making turns well on the sidewalk but struggling some on grass and uneven ground, as did many of the much more expensive strollers we tried. It was one of three models we tested whose tires had a tread pattern, which can provide some traction on slippery surfaces.
The Summer Infant 3D Lite is designed for use with kids 6 months and older. Its weight limit is the same as that of most models we tested, 50 pounds, which can accommodate older children (it’s about the weight of an average 7-year-old). With my 18-pound 9-month-old on board, it did not tip when I hung my 6.9-pound diaper bag from the handles. It did tip when I took her out of the stroller with the bag still hanging on it, but so did the much more expensive Maclaren Triumph.
The 3D Lite has a three-step fold that requires just one hand and one foot, so it’s easy to collapse even while you’re holding a baby in one arm. To fold, you lift the rear black handle with one hand, push down on the side lever with your foot, and then push down on the stroller handles with one hand. The stroller has a clasp that secures automatically to keep it folded, as well as an attached carry strap so you can comfortably sling it over one shoulder. The 3D Lite has the most compact fold—about 11½ inches wide by 41 inches long by 7 inches thick—of any stroller we tested, except for the very cheap, bare-bones, hard-to-use Cosco Umbrella Stroller. When we headed out on our Itasca State Park camping trip, it fit nicely between the car seats in the back of a Subaru Forester packed to the gills with gear.
We took the stroller to the Minnesota State Fair and found that it was small enough to maneuver through crowds and comfortable to push for hours.
As for weight, the 13-pound Summer Infant 3D Lite was about average among the umbrella strollers we tested but more than 2 pounds lighter than the heaviest model, and we found that a 1- or 2-pound difference really did count when carrying a stroller with a strap over the shoulder. This model was comfortable to carry over a shoulder, even when we held a baby in the opposite arm—not a feature unique to this model, but a nice capability just the same.
The Summer Infant 3D Lite has a one-year warranty. This stroller, the company’s best seller, was introduced in 2013. Summer Infant last updated it in 2015, with an easier fold, a stronger plastic footrest, different harness covers, different carry-strap clips, and a one-piece lock to keep it folded. It comes in seven colors, including the cheerily bright hibiscus pink and tangerine, as well as basic black. On the colorful models only the canopy and accents have the color; the seat and the rest are black, so the parts that usually get dirty are all dark, and easy to keep clean. Black is the most popular.
The 3D Lite is an Amazon best seller, with more than 1,700 positive reviews at this writing. One mother of three writes, “I have owned more than 7 strollers (that I can remember) from the top of the line to the $20 umbrella…. If I had it to do all over again, I would buy this stroller for all 3 [kids] for airplane travel and walks around town.” She was especially impressed that, on a visit to see her in-laws, the 3D Lite “maneuvered through the bombed out, potholed sidewalks of Bosnia with ease”—a test she had performed with “no less than 4 different strollers.” Another parent writes, “The Summer Infant 3Dlite Convenience Stroller saved my sanity after my discount umbrella stroller … bit the dust after a few outings.” And because the Summer Infant stroller was taller than that discount model, it “SAVED my back [and is] much more sturdy, easy to fold up and lift.”
Consumer Reports (subscription required) named the 3D Lite one of its “best buys” in the single umbrella stroller category, noting that the model has “very good maneuverability” and is a “good value” but that it’s annoying to have to use two hands to recline the seat. Lucie’s List named the 3D Lite the best economy umbrella stroller, saying it “gives you some excellent bang for your buck.”
The Summer Infant 3D Lite does not stand up on its own when folded, unlike our upgrade pick, the Joovy Groove Ultralight, and some other more expensive models. This limitation makes the 3D Lite a little harder to unfold when you’re holding a baby in one arm. It’s also more difficult to store in a closet, entryway, or garage, and compared with umbrella strollers that do stand up on their own, it makes basic parent maneuvers (like setting your stuff down to get situated at a restaurant, or loading kids into a car) a bit harder.
Unlike the canopies on the Joovy Groove Ultralight and the Maclaren Quest, the 3D Lite’s canopy does not include a peekaboo window so that you can check on your baby without stopping and walking around to the front. (This is not a huge problem unless you’re trying to inconspicuously watch for a nap to happen.) And while the Inglesina Net and the Maclaren models we tested have mesh in the seat or canopy to let in more air, the 3D Lite has a solid seat and canopy. That said, it’s easy enough to remove two Velcro straps and open up a space between the seat and the back of the canopy to let air in. My daughter did not get sweaty in the seat, even during our summer camping trip.
Some more expensive models, including the latest edition of the Uppababy G-Luxe, have more convenient single-action linked brakes, while the Summer Infant 3D Lite has independent brakes on each back wheel. You need to step on both to engage them and flip up each brake individually to release.
The seat is less padded than those of more expensive models we looked at, and while it reclines for naps, it doesn’t recline as far as our upgrade pick’s seat. The canopy fabric, while designed to block sun, is thinner and feels cheaper than that of other models we tried out. The canopy is also smaller than many others in our test group, and unlike the Maclaren canopies, the 3D Lite’s is not waterproof.
While Amazon reviews of the 3D Lite are overwhelmingly positive at this writing, some reviewers do find the canopy to be too small and complain that the cup holder fell off. Others report that the front wheels broke, and one parent writes that one of the handles broke when they gate-checked the stroller during a flight. “One of the front wheel plastic lock lever broke off,” notes another mom. “I'm not sure how as I'm not rough with it. Now one wheel is stuck in the lock position so it won't maneuver as well on sidewalks.” An update to that post says that Summer Infant quickly contacted her and arranged to send her a replacement wheel.
This umbrella stroller weighs and costs more than our pick, but it can stand on its own when folded and offers other features you’d find on a full-size stroller.
*At the time of publishing, the price was $137.
The Joovy Groove Ultralight reclines into multiple positions for comfortable napping—including full recline, which our top pick does not offer. Unlike our pick, the Groove Ultralight can stand upright when folded, which is a huge convenience for storage and regular use. This model also has a more generous sun canopy and more versatile storage than our pick, and it handles just as well thanks to its similar 6-inch wheels. But it weighs 2.7 pounds more than our pick, and currently it costs about twice as much.
One argument in favor of the Groove Ultralight’s value is that it can potentially work for a child at an earlier age (and at a later age) than our main pick. The Groove Ultralight includes a mesh foot pocket that you can safely use with a newborn when the stroller is reclined flat; aside from the Maclaren Quest, this model is the only stroller we tested that you can use so early. Its weight limit of 55 pounds is 5 pounds higher than that of the 3D Lite, which suggests that it could stay in service longer than our main pick as well.
The Groove Ultralight’s canopy, which is larger than the 3D Lite’s, offers the best peekaboo window of all the strollers we tested (the 3D Lite has none). You can look in without ducking, unlike with the Maclaren Quest, and the Velcro-secured window easily opens and closes. The canopy also incorporates light-reflective material for strolling at night. The brushed fabric on the Groove Ultralight’s canopy and the nicely padded seat both feel much softer than the 3D Lite’s, and, like the much more expensive Maclaren Quest and Uppababy G-Luxe, the Groove Ultralight has an adjustable footrest, a feature that our top pick lacks.
When folded, the Groove Ultralight can stand up on its own; for some parents, that feature alone might be worth the extra cost. Beyond the advantages noted in our pick’s flaws section, because the Groove Ultralight stands, you don’t have to bend to the ground to unhook the latch that keeps it folded, which makes it easier than the 3D Lite to unfold while you’re holding a child. This umbrella stroller is not the only one that can stand when folded—the Uppababy G-Luxe and others have this feature.
The Groove Ultralight also has more storage options than any other stroller we tested, with two exterior cup holders, a decently sized underseat basket, a large zippered pocket on the back, and mesh pockets on the inside of the seat for the passenger’s snacks or water bottle. The Groove Ultralight has another advantage if you tend to bring a lot of stuff: During our diaper-bag tip test, this Joovy stroller stayed stable both with and without a baby inside (our pick tipped when we tested it with no baby; only a handful of competitors stayed stable without the baby).
Joovy added bigger, 6-inch wheels to this latest, third edition of the Groove Ultralight, and during our testing, this version did great on the sidewalk and pushed better on grass and uneven ground than strollers like the Maclaren models, which have 5-inch wheels. Only the Uppababy G-Luxe, which has wider, yet slightly smaller, 5¾-inch wheels with a deep tread pattern, performed better than the Groove Ultralight on rough or uneven surfaces (like most of the strollers we tested, the Groove Ultralight has a smooth tread).
The trade-off for all those added features is more bulk and weight. The Joovy Groove Ultralight, at 15.7 pounds, is the heaviest stroller we tested. It’s also bigger than our top pick when collapsed, with a folded size of 43¾ inches long, 14 inches wide, and 10 inches thick.
We also found some drawbacks to the Groove Ultralight’s design. The stroller’s recline mechanism consists of a strap with a buckle; you squeeze the buckle to slide the seat down to any position you want, including totally flat. To bring it back up, you pull on each end of the strap with both hands. This design makes the mechanism a little harder to use than the recline on other models we tested, including the 3D Lite.
The Groove Ultralight’s storage basket is very similar in depth, width, and ease of access to that of our top pick, but it is rated to support just half of the weight of the 3D Lite’s basket. Like the 3D Lite, the Groove Ultralight has independent brakes on each back wheel, instead of single-action linked brakes. It also has a canopy and seat made of solid fabric, without any mesh to let in air.
The Groove Ultralight has a two-year warranty, and while it’s usually pricier than our top pick, this model still offers excellent value and is much less expensive than other strollers that offer similar features, including the Uppababy G-Luxe and the Maclaren Quest.
The 2017 version of the Joovy Groove Ultralight had amassed only 48 Amazon reviews at the time of our research, and most of the editorial reviews we found discussed earlier versions. Many parents who did weigh in about the 2017 Groove Ultralight found that it was excellent for travel. “Took it to Disneyland and it was perfect! A lot of umbrella strollers have the handles further down but these handles are higher so you don't have to bend over. The carrying strap also is a plus for walking through the airport. I liked that there were mesh cup holders on the sides so my son could hold onto his cup and snacks. Great stroller,” writes one mom. Some Amazon reviewers, though, found it difficult to open and close, and others thought that the most upright position did not sit their child up straight enough. We’ll continue watching these reviews to see if any negative patterns develop.
Summer Infant has four other models in its 3D line, including the 3D-One, which solves many of the issues the 3D Lite has: It stands on its own when folded and has a peekaboo window. However, this model is considerably heavier than our main pick and slightly heavier than our upgrade pick at 16 pounds, and most of the negative Amazon reviews complain about quality and durability issues, so we excluded it from our list of finalists. Given how well the 3D Lite performed in our testing, we will give the 3D-One closer consideration in future testing.
The pricey but well-made Uppababy G-Luxe has a padded seat, deep recline, and rugged wheels that offer your baby a remarkably comfortable ride. It has a large, UPF 50+ canopy that extends to provide even more cover if you desire. Unlike the 3D Lite and Groove Ultralight, the newest, 15-pound G-Luxe has a convenient single-action foot brake. This stroller was the easiest to push and maneuver of all the strollers we tested, and it stands up on its own when folded. The folding mechanism, however, is a dealbreaker: You push a button at hand level and then use both hands to pull triggers on each handle. Doing this while balancing a baby on your hip is technically possible but difficult—and it’s impossible to do while you’re holding on to a wiggly toddler’s hand. Overall, while the G-Luxe is a very good stroller, in comparison with our upgrade pick it doesn’t offer enough additional value to justify the extra cost.
The lightweight, relatively inexpensive Inglesina Net has an airy mesh-seat base, stands up on its own when folded, and pushes and turns very easily. Its canopy is generous but does not have a peekaboo window. This stroller’s major flaw is its limited recline: The seat back zips and unzips to allow for two positions, but the recline angle is very slight and not ideal for naps on the go.
Maclaren’s entire line of umbrella strollers is very popular, and the company offers a lifetime warranty, but these models are considerably overpriced compared with our picks and many of the other strollers we tested. We tested two Maclaren umbrella strollers, the full-featured Quest and the simpler Triumph, the latter of which has a more limited recline and lacks the former’s quilted seat and adjustable footrest. In our tests, both models handled very well on the sidewalk but struggled a bit on grass and uneven terrain, and neither stroller stands up on its own when folded. The new Maclaren canopies are terrific, with waterproof material and a zipper to extend them even farther. The Quest includes a poorly placed but functional peekaboo window, which I had to duck to look through. Both strollers come with a rain cover that shields the child, stroller, and canopy, but cup holders are sold separately. In spite of the added cost, we don’t see a substantial increase in capability or value compared with our upgrade pick.
The 11-pound Chicco Ct0.6/Capri costs slightly more than our main pick at this writing and has most of the features we deem necessary, including a tiny yet functional storage basket, a carry strap, and a zippered, two-position recline (although this too is minimal). We found it generally easy to use, and it folded smoothly with one hand. However, the 37-pound weight limit is extremely low, even lower than that of the bare-bones Cosco stroller we tried. Because many parents still want to use an umbrella stroller with a 4- or 5-year-old (especially on the fun but exhausting occasions where an umbrella stroller is most needed), this stroller’s use is too limited.
We considered but did not test Maclaren’s ultralight Mark II Recline. Other reviewers, including BabyGearLab, found that this model was difficult to push and turn, and that the recline was too slight.
We dismissed popular strollers such as the Uppababy G-Lite (which BabyGearLab called an “uncomfortable, non-adjustable” version of the G-Luxe), the Maclaren Volo, and the J is for Jeep Brand North Star because they did not recline at all.
We decided not to test strollers that weighed 16 pounds or more, a group that included, aside from the Summer Infant 3D-One, the Chicco Liteway, Peg Perego Pliko Four, Urbini Reversi, Cosatto Supa, J is for Jeep Brand Scout, Evenflo Minno, and Graco Breaze. With the exception of the Cosco stroller, we also did not test strollers with three-point harnesses, including the Kolcraft Cloud.
The popular Babyzen Yoyo travel stroller is not a traditional umbrella stroller, but it is lightweight and designed to fold into a compact package that fits in an airplane’s overhead compartment. Its price, however, was well beyond the range we considered at the time of our research.
Some parents might want an umbrella stroller just for a family vacation—and they might wonder if it’s worth spending more than $20 on something they may use for only a week or two.
The answer is yes. After our side-by-side testing, we’re convinced that the Summer Infant 3D Lite is a true bargain compared with a dirt-cheap, bare-bones umbrella stroller.
We tried out the Cosco Umbrella Stroller with Canopy, which is a Target best seller and a design similar to the basic umbrella stroller we most often see parents pushing. This stroller is very inexpensive (about $20 currently), light (8.4 pounds), and as minimal as an umbrella stroller can be, with no features at all except for an ineffective canopy. It is tiny when folded and easy to open and close, even with a baby in one arm.
But its small, 4-inch wheels, its low, plastic handles, and its lack of storage made this model such a pain to push and use that I found it much easier to just carry my baby in my arms. I’m 5 foot 10, and I had to hunch over to push this stroller; going three blocks made my wrists, knees, and back hurt. In comparison, all of the other strollers we tested were very comfortable and easy to push for a mile or more.
This super-cheap stroller was such a pain to push and use that I found it much easier to just carry my baby in my arms.
Many Target reviewers say they’ve found this Cosco model uncomfortable to use and lacking in other ways as well. “I am a bit over 5 feet tall and I was kicking the back of it while walking,” writes one. “My husband is less than 6 feet tall and hated pushing it, he was hunched over and taking tiny steps.” Another parent complains, “[The canopy] only works if the the sun is directly overhead. Otherwise it was useless and did not come forward enough to keep the sun out of my sons eyes.” Dozens of parents in reviews on multiple sites say they’ve had problems with the wheels: “They don't roll unless you have them in the exact right position (facing forward), and even then you'll get stuck while pushing your little one,” writes a parent who calls the Cosco the “worst stroller ever.” The Cosco’s three-point harness, which goes around the baby’s waist but doesn’t have shoulder straps, allowed my daughter to bend down and reach for the wheels as I pushed her. This stroller is JPMA-certified, but it didn’t feel safe for me to push when she did this. And with no recline, this model isn’t comfortable for naps on the go.
The American Academy of Pediatrics, in its stroller safety guidelines, recommends strollers with a wide base, which are more difficult to tip over. It also cautions parents to make sure that their child cannot reach the stroller’s wheels when riding and that the stroller’s brakes are easy to operate.
All umbrella strollers, because of the way their metal frames collapse and open, must be used with caution so that fingers (either yours or a child’s) don’t get caught in the hinges or frames. In 2009, Maclaren voluntarily recalled 1 million of its umbrella strollers sold in the US after a side hinge amputated 12 kids’ fingertips. The company has since added a hinge cover. Currently, the Maclaren manual suggests keeping kids 3 feet away when you’re folding or unfolding an umbrella stroller. The manuals for the Summer Infant 3D Lite and Joovy Groove Ultralight also caution you to make sure that children are at a safe distance when you’re folding and unfolding.
In addition, both companies warn you not to put hot coffee in the cup holders, and while it might be a no-brainer, the Summer Infant manual cautions people against putting a kid in the storage basket underneath the seat.
Falls are the most common injury associated with strollers. Make sure to adjust the safety harness to fit the child securely both at the shoulders and around the waist, and confirm that the stroller locks open before putting a baby in the seat. Engage the brakes when putting a kid in or taking a child out of a stroller. It’s important to check a stroller’s parts periodically to make sure they’re secured and working properly and not damaged or compromised in any way. If anything breaks, stop using the stroller until you can get replacement parts from the manufacturer.
The Joovy manual cautions that when you’re using the Groove Ultralight with babies under 3 months old, the stroller must be reclined flat, and the mesh foot pocket needs to go over the baby’s feet. Joovy also advises parents to use the fully upright seat position only with children 6 months or older.
Summer Infant suggests cleaning the seat and canopy fabric with cold water and mild soap and using a damp cloth to clean the plastic and metal surfaces. Don’t use bleach or abrasive cleaners. Joovy says that its stroller’s fabric material, frame, and wheels can all tolerate cleaning with mild soap or detergent, warm water, and a sponge or warm cloth. You should clean the wheels after every stroll in the rain or snow, the manual advises. The fabric needs to air dry completely before you use the stroller.
“Compatible” could mean a caddy that’s designed to work with the car seat or a full-size stroller that can carry the car seat, sometimes with an adapter.
Janet McLaughlin, founder and CEO of StrollerQueen, phone interview, June 14, 2017
Bryan Pulice, founder of Traveling Tikes, phone interview, June 9, 2017
Stroller Guide (subscription required), Consumer Reports
Juliet Spurrier, MD & Wendy Schmitz, The Hunt for the Best Umbrella Stroller of 2017, BabyGearLab, September 12, 2017
Umbrella Strollers, Lucie’s List, February 23, 2017
How to Buy a Safe Stroller, HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics), November 21, 2015
by James Austin, Daniel Varghese, and Sarah J. Robbins
After 66 hours of research, during which we used 48 umbrellas through rain and snow, we found the Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella to be the best umbrella for most people.
We logged over 130 miles testing nine strollers and took four on five flights, and we found that the best travel stroller is the Uppababy Minu.
We’ve covered over 125 miles testing 13 strollers, and we’ve found that the Baby Jogger City Mini 2 offers the best combination of features and performance.
We spent 87 hours testing 11 double strollers. The Chicco BravoFor2 is the best tandem and the Baby Jogger City Mini Double is the best side-by-side.
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