The best tested lightweight travel strollers – perfect for stress-free family holidays

With an automatic, one-handed fold, the Graco Myavo is ideal for taking on the go, especially when travelling with a little one. It excels in usability and build quality. Our tester, Senior Writer Samantha Ball, said, "It's a brilliant compact design, incredibly easy to use, and lightweight enough to carry."

What we love
Testers liked the compact design and integrated folding lock, which ensures hassle-free transportation and storage. They also noted that it fits easily into car boots, leaving ample space for other essentials. The lightest travel stroller on our list can be folded one-handed, and our tester Sam found that was enough to impress her." Its smooth manoeuvrability over various terrains and easy recline feature make it a practical choice for everyday use. Little ones also seem to find it comfortable, with Samantha adding, "I loved that my daughter felt comfortable enough to stay seated in it, as she would normally try to climb out." It has the option of a three-or five-point harness system to keep your little one secure and a detachable bumper bar to make it easier to put them in and take them out. Additionally, the UPF50+ canopy provides fantastic comfort and protection from UV rays.

What we don't love
Some found that the mechanism for the one-handed fold can be tricky to get hold of at first.

Read our full Graco Myavo review

The iCandy Pip is a stylish and practical travel stroller. Our Reviews Editor Emily Gilbert found it great at “gliding along pavements” with ease and even effortlessly managing grass and curbs.

What we love
Thanks to its one-handed fold mechanism, you can go from box to stroll in seconds with no complicated setup or instructions needed. Approved as IATA cabin luggage and featuring a 10kg basket storage capacity, the Pip is ready to jet-set with you (double-check airline specifications first). Once folded, it stands upright and can be carried using its strap/handle. It also fits into a dedicated carry bag with the bumper bar and rain cover, which is handy for travelling.

Emily Gilbert, M&B's Reviews Editor, found it fit comfortably in a range of car boots, from a spacious Kia Sportage to a more compact Volkswagen Polo. Despite its slim profile, it boasts a surprisingly spacious seat, providing comfort for growing toddlers. The reversible liner adds versatility, while the multi-position footrest and lie-flat recline make it suitable from birth. “My baby has never looked anything less than seriously comfortable in it", commented Emily. Available in five chic colours, it blends fashion with function. The UPF50+ canopy with a mesh window offers excellent sun protection and visibility. The harness system is thoughtfully designed to simplify buckling in wiggly babies, and the “flip-flop-friendly brake” is a welcome feature for on-the-go parents.

What we don't love
It’s not built for off-road adventures and lacks an adjustable handlebar. Emily also noted that the "seat is forward-facing only, which may not suit everyone".

Read our full iCandy Pip review.

As you can guess from the name, the Aer 2 is the newer model of the original Joolz Aer+. This iteration has had a few improvements, including a smoother one-handed fold, a slightly larger storage basket, a leg rest, and some wheel improvements, so we got our tester, Emma Dodds, to try it out.

What we love
Emma was super excited to give this a test run with her 9-month-old and 4-year-old. "The quality is fantastic; the aluminium chassis feels sturdy but not bulky, and the fabric has a premium feel – even better that it’s made of recycled materials!" She was blown away by how easy the one-handed fold was and spent a few minutes testing this feature. During a month's testing, the stroller fared well and went on a week’s holiday to Whitby, where our tester encountered rain, blazing sunshine and wind, and tried it out on different terrain, including pavement, grass and sand. Emma thought the brake was really intuitive and easy to use and mentioned the rain cover completely covered the pram. You can use the lie-flat recline from birth, or buy the foldable carrycot, but for older babies it has multiple recline positions. "My daughter, who usually refuses to nap in our other pram, fell asleep in this one at least once a day during our week's holiday in Whitby" Emma added. The pram also features a high handlebar, which proved incredibly useful. Both Emma's 6ft 5in father-in-law and 5ft 3in mother-in-law found it comfortable to push.

What we don't love
You have to buy the safety bar which is a little disappointing as for parents this adda an extra layer of security. A huge selling point is how lightweight the pram is, but that does mean that you sacrifice just a tiny bit of stability especially if you're trying to push it with one-hand which both Emma and her husband noted. Although the sunshade covered the face, it doesn't completely cover the legs/feet.

Read our full Joolz Aer2 review
Read our full Joolz Aer+ buggy review

The Cosatto Yo! is a compact, lightweight stroller that is very easy to carry. Its free-standing fold makes it perfect for navigating busy streets or storing in tight spaces. It's also airline compatible, ideal for travelling abroad, and comes in six fun designs.

What we love
The stroller offers a fully reclining seat suitable from birth, and a magnetic 5-point harness for quick and safe securing. The double-tiered UPF100+ hood provides excellent coverage while the all-terrain suspension ensures a smooth ride. The spacious under-seat basket can hold up to 8kg, and the eco-conscious fabric - made from over 34 recycled plastic bottles per stroller - highlights Cosatto’s continuous dedication to sustainability. Parents loved that there's a good amount of space underneath while still being airline-compatible when folded. "Being able to have a readily transportable pushchair is an ease you don’t know you need until you have it", said one parent tester. Testers found it very responsive when pushing, but it loses the ease when you are not on a smooth surface, such as gravel and grass, but this isn't a significant issue as it is light. The fabric is great for cleaning post-toddler messes and meets the needs for unexpected naps. It can grow with the child’s needs as they develop further, whilst meeting the parents' needs as well.

What we don't love
Our tester commented that the "handle height is not adjustable, so for anyone taller than 5ft 5” (I, for reference, am 5ft 3”), you will feel like you’re stooping.

Read our full Cosatto Yo! review.

The Cybex Beezy is the heaviest stroller on our list, but it still neatly fits into small car boots and overhead aeroplane compartments. It also features a lie-flat recline and adjustable leg rest.

What we love
Our mum tester Charlotte loved how easy the stroller was to move. "The Beezy is great to manoeuvre... I live on a farm and use it to walk along the tracks and for travel." She also found it fit perfectly into the boot of her small car and in the overhead compartment of a plane, "but would equally fit under a seat in a larger vehicle." The brakes worked efficiently and ensured the pushchair was safe and sturdy when putting baby inside and when in a parked position. Also worth mentioning that the fabric covers are machine washable at 30°C and the XL UPF50+ sun canopy offers ample sun protection during sunny outings.

What we don't love
While the stroller excels in many areas, some users have noted minor drawbacks. Adjusting the seat position via the toggle mechanism can be challenging when the child is seated, and the one-pull harness system was not as smooth as it sounds and may require some getting used to.

Read our full Cybex Beezy review.

Super-slim and perfect from birth and for growing toddlers, the Airo pushchair is ideal for navigating tight spaces. Not only is it Mamas & Papas' lightest ever pushchair, but the stroller can be worn as a backpack when your little one would prefer to toddle on their own.

What we love
Mother&Baby Digital Group Editor Maria Martin tested the pushchair and loved that it was ready to use when she opened the box. She also commented that "it folds down to a compact size and is super lightweight. We've been able to fit this into every car boot possible." Plus, it is cabin-friendly and can be carried onto the plane. "The pushchair has served us well as a light, compact travel assistant that's useful when boarding aeroplanes and when out on busy city day trips", Maria added.
Other testers liked that it folds with one hand and is solid and sturdy, thanks to the unique dual-sided wheel lock. It also comes with adjustable positions for your baby, a bumper bar, an adjustable handlebar, and a five-point harness. Despite being compact, it also has great under-seat storage. Maria found that "the under-seat storage compartment is big enough for snacks, water bottles, hats, etc. We added some buggy clips, which helped attach a change bag whilst on the move."

What we don't love
If you want to use it from newborn, you do have to buy a separate package.

Read our full Mamas & Papas Airo review

The Hauck Travel N Care Stroller was awarded Gold for Best Lightweight Buggy/Stroller at the Mother&Baby Awards 2024.

The Hauck Travel N Care Stroller is a premium-looking but budget-friendly option for parents. Setting it up is a breeze, and the nifty one-handed fold mechanism makes it an amazing time-saver for busy parents.

What we love
The Hauck Travel N Care Stroller boasts impressive features, including an adjustable footrest, removable and washable covers, and ample storage underneath. Deputy Digital Editor for M&B Stephanie Spencer said, "Really compact and easy to open, especially if you’re alone! I like that you can easily sling it over your shoulder." Another mum tester, Jodie, loved the colours and design, saying, "I am impressed with the design; it offers a variety of positions for your baby and allows them to be sat upright, which is great if you have a curious baby like mine, who detests nothing more than being laid downwards. He enjoys holding onto the safety bar during our walks, and the straps are easy to clip - no fiddly or complicated restraints." Another tester was impressed with how flat it lies for naps and how smooth it is to push along.

What we don't love
Some users did note that the canopy could be extended further to provide more extensive coverage from the sun, especially during intense sunlight hours or when travelling in sunny locations.

Read our full Hauck Travel N Care Stroller review.

Easy to assemble, fold and wonderfully light, the Graco TraveLite is also the most affordable, so it will no doubt tick a lot of boxes for parents. The stroller features a simple one-hand fold and is suitable from birth up to approximately 3 years (15kg), with a multi-position recline that includes a near-flat position for newborns.

What we love
Its adjustable calf support ensures comfort as your child grows, while the large, easy-access storage basket provides ample space for essentials. Parents love its portability, commenting, "Its lightweight design makes it incredibly easy to manoeuvre and transport, perfect for travel or quick trips around town." Another shared, "It's compact when folded down, super easy to put up and down, and brilliantly lightweight."

What we don't love
However, some reviewers have mentioned areas for improvement for comfort, "The seat reclines down to let the baby lie down or sit up; however, there is not a huge amount of support on the seat, and when it was up, my baby would slouch sideways." Some also noted the back isn't long or comfortable enough for taller babies

What we love
Our parent tester, Hatty, loved its standout auto-fold feature. This stroller folds down effortlessly at the push of a button, making it ideal for city living and travel. She said, "It promises to be lightweight and easy to fold, and it certainly delivers on this." "The lightweight nature meant it was much easier to push up the hill, and the narrow size meant that we were no longer forcing others on the pavement to have to walk in the road, and we could finally fit inside the quirky knick-knack shops without fear of knocking items off the shelves," explains Hatty. It also boasts a sleek, modern design and offers convenience with a roomy shopping basket, extendable UPF50+ canopy, and adjustable footrest for added comfort. For city dwellers it's a great investment as it's affordable, lightweight and grows with your child. "It now lives in our car as we know that in most circumstances, it will be the most convenient pushchair to use," Hatty noted.

What we don't love
Hatty found that it doesn't ride smoothly on uneven terrain. The storage basket also caused some issues, "As the Ickle Bubba Aries is both narrow and compact it means the storage basket isn’t overly spacious and we struggled to fit in the changing bag. Getting it in is okay, but trying to get it out, especially when our daughter is sitting in it, is tricky."

Read our full Ickle Bubba Aries review

If you're a frequent flyer looking for a practical travel pushchair, the Joie Pact might just be it. Impressively light (just 6kg!), a doddle to fold, and seriously compact, we love that it even comes with its own storage bag and has an integrated carrying strap.

What we love
Our tester, Lynne, said, "Very lightweight – light as a feather when open and not heavy to carry or lift up onto an overhead shelf on transport." Another reviewer said, "I bought this because I must travel by train with my 5-month-old. I can easily fold and unfold it with one hand while holding my baby. It's extremely lightweight, and the strap is great for carrying it." Testers liked the all-wheel suspension, which ensures a smooth ride for your baby on all terrains. We love the lie-flat seat, which is suitable for birth. Overall, testers were impressed and said the stroller was of good quality. They also liked how compact it is, so it doesn't take up too much room in the boot of the car. It's also compatible with some Joie car seat models, making it even more convenient when travelling.

What we don't love
Although Lynne thought it was sturdy, she did comment, "If you are in a rural area, I would not recommend. It's okay on grass, but not for any duration with a heavier child." There was also some criticism about the backrest, which doesn't fully rise and could be more comfortable "The seat doesn’t sit forward enough for an older child over a longer journey, so he can’t sit fully upright..."

Read our full Joie Pact review

The Maxi-Cosi Lara 2 is a compact, lightweight stroller designed for modern parents on the move. Weighing just 6.4kg, it's easy to carry and navigate through busy streets or public transport.

What we love
With breathable fabrics, the Lara 2 ensures your child stays cool and comfortable, especially in warmer climates. It offers three recline positions, including a lie-flat option, making it suitable from birth. As one reviewer noted, "The lie-flat position is perfect for naps, while the 3 recline options allow your child to sit back and relax during longer strolls." Storage is another standout feature, with two spacious shopping baskets accessible from both front and back. Another feature worth mentioning is the quick, one-handed automatic fold. A simple push of the handle collapses the stroller in seconds, making it ideal when juggling bags or a baby. The Lara 2 is compatible with Maxi-Cosi car seats like the Pebble, Pebble Plus, Pebble Pro, and CabrioFix, integrating seamlessly into a travel system.

What we don't love
It's worth noting the Lara 2 has some limitations; it doesn't fit in most aeroplanes' overhead compartments, doesn't have a lie-flat function and some users found it slightly flimsy on uneven terrain. One reviewer mentioned, "The wheels feel too small for normal use, and the frame not sturdy enough – it shakes and vibrates on bumps."