Top Stroller Picks: How to Choose the Best Model for Your Baby!

What stroller should you choose for the birth of your first child? And for a second? With so many models available, it’s not always simple to pick the ideal stroller for walks with your baby. Start by considering your needs, especially if you frequently use public transport with your baby, a lightweight stroller, easy to maneuver and fold, might be perfect for you. Double strollers are ideal for closely aged children or twins. Jogging strollers for the active, travel strollers for the globetrotters, with carrycot or infant car seat for new parents… Here are the different types of strollers and our advice on choosing the right one for you!

What Stroller to Choose from Birth?

Perfect for newborns, strollers with a carrycot or bassinet provide a good sleeping environment for the child thanks to their lie-flat position. The advantage: the carrycot can double as a small bed during the first months. Nowadays, nearly all strollers are designed to be convertible to last over time. Choose either a 2-in-1 duo stroller or a 3-in-1 trio stroller. They adapt as your child grows until about 3 years old because they include both a comfortable bassinet version (for the lie-flat position, recommended until the age of 6 months to support sleep and because the child’s muscles are not yet strong enough to support their back and neck), an infant car seat (for the semi-seated position up to 9 months, convertible into a car seat for road trips), and finally a seat unit for the seated position (the classic stroller). Models with an infant car seat are perfect if you often drive. If you don’t drive much, a duo model may suffice.

Which Double Stroller to Choose for Twins?

If you are parents of twins or children with a small age gap (18 to 24 months apart), a double stroller is most suitable. Thanks to its sturdy frame, it can easily support the weight of two children. Note that there are side-by-side double strollers where the children sit next to each other, or tandem models, where one child sits behind the other. Additionally, some models are adjustable, adapting to the children’s ages and offering various seat positions and reclines. Others are ultra-convenient, lightweight, compact, and fold in a flash for easy transport.

Duo or Trio Stroller: Which Combined Stroller to Choose?

Whether it’s a duo or trio, the combined stroller is suitable for urban or rural use and all come equipped with a safety harness and a comfortable, padded seat. However, they are available with different features (more or less ergonomic, lighter or heavier frames, easy to fold, swivel wheels…) and various accessories (rain cover, storage basket, canopy…).

Duo Stroller

Usable from birth to about 36 months, the duo stroller (also called 2-in-1) consists of two elements: a seat unit and either a carrycot or an infant car seat.

Trio Stroller

The trio stroller (known as 3-in-1) includes three elements: a seat unit, a carrycot (which can be used as a bassinet during the first three months) and an infant car seat.

What Stroller to Choose for the Countryside?

When buying a stroller, consider your daily life. If you live in the countryside or a rural area, an all-terrain model is most appropriate. While they are heavier and wider, they are designed to navigate bumpy paths with their large wheels and high-quality shock absorbers. For options, look towards brands like Bébé Confort, Cybex, or Stokke, which offer a range of prices and features.

What Stroller to Choose for the City?

If you’re primarily city-based and need to move around easily, opt for urban strollers, which are compact, light, easy to maneuver, and quick to fold and unfold (prefer the “umbrella” or “frame fold” models), like the highly favored Babyzen Yoyo, or the more affordable lightweight strollers. Some lightweight strollers are also rated “from birth,” like the Ohlala model by Chicco or the Pockit+ by gb, which can be used until the child is 3 or 4 years old (max weight: 15 kg). Their seat units are fully reclining, allowing the child to lie flat. Ideal for parents who frequently use public transport or travel a lot, opt for a comfortable model with a reclining backrest, multi-position seat, solid suspension, and an adjustable leg rest. The plus: its generally affordable price, lightness, and maneuverability.

What Stroller to Choose for Traveling with Baby?

If you plan to fly with your baby, cabin strollers make life easier as they can be stowed on board the plane as carry-on luggage due to their compact dimensions once folded. However, keep in mind that if your stroller is too large, the airline may still take your stroller at the gate and return it upon landing. The Babyzen Yoyo strollers, for example, are well-suited for air travel. Here’s also our selection of cabin strollers:

Stroller Weight: A Criterion to Consider in Choosing a Stroller

Depending on the materials used, their size, and accessories, not all strollers weigh the same. There are lighter and heavier models! Since you’ll frequently be walking your child and carrying your stroller from home to your car, through daycare, public transport… the weight of the stroller is a crucial factor in your choice. Feel free to lift the stroller, fold and unfold it in the store to check its maneuverability and whether the model is light enough for you. For an idea, there are strollers weighing between 4 to 6 kilograms: these are often lightweight strollers, easy to handle, and perfect as a secondary stroller for urban use.

The Size of the Stroller

Finally, when you buy a stroller, consider the size of your car’s trunk. For example, avoid a too bulky model if you have a tiny trunk. Conversely, a sedan or an SUV can more easily accommodate a larger stroller. To do this, there’s no magic formula: fold the stroller and see if it fits into your car’s trunk. If you’re ordering online, check the dimensions of the model once folded (they’re listed in the product specifications) and compare them with those of your trunk. Do the same with your front door, the elevator door, and the room where you plan to store the stroller.

What are the Safety Standards for Strollers?

When choosing a stroller, make sure it meets safety requirements. Look specifically for the standards NF S 54001 and EN 1888. Also check the braking system, as well as the presence of straps or a harness to secure the baby. Finally, consider the features offered by different models: a rain cover (prefer a thick, waterproof fabric that is removable and washable) or a sunshade can be very useful during your walks. And that’s not all: an adjustable handlebar to match the parent’s height, a central handle to steer the stroller with one hand, and a centralized braking system are all valuable features when purchasing a stroller!

Can You Buy a Used Stroller?

New strollers, especially those with many features, can sometimes be expensive. Know that there are strollers in good condition in second-hand stores or on resale websites that have hardly been used. However, since the used stroller has already been utilized, you must check its overall condition: the state of its wheels, handlebar, brakes, seats, and especially if it meets French (NF S 54001) or European (EN 1888) safety standards. Don’t hesitate to test it before buying, unfold it and check if all accessories are included (bag, cover, storage baskets, footmuff…). Make sure the seat foam is still in good shape, well-padded, and comfortable. Above all, purchase the stroller only if you are completely satisfied. Once acquired, clean it with soap and warm water and oil the wheels.

Stroller Glossary and Accessories

• Infant Car Seat: a shell used from birth up to about 9 months of the child. It attaches to the stroller’s frame and converts into a car seat (category 0+). Also called an infant car seat.
• Footmuff: a thick, cozy sleeping bag that attaches to the stroller. It keeps your child warm during your outings. It also fits car seats.
• Frame: the stroller’s base, namely, the metal structure and the wheels. Depending on the type of stroller, the frame supports a carrycot, an infant car seat, or a seat unit.
• Infant Car Seat: the seat attaches to the stroller’s frame; it allows the child to be in a semi-seated position and converts into a car seat for short car rides. Note: the infant car seat should not replace the carrycot, which offers the child more comfort and a completely flat lying position.
• Canopy: a foldable sunshade that attaches to the top of the stroller (either at the front or back depending on the model) and protects the child from the sun.
• Seat Unit: a second-stage seat, usable from 6 months to about 3-4 years old. There are models that recline and are very padded (quite comfortable).
• Harness: the stroller’s safety belt. It adjusts based on the weight and size of your child. Check that your stroller is equipped with one. If the harness is labeled “5 points,” it means it clips in 5 different places. There are also 3-point harnesses available.
• Carrycot: the first-stage bassinet in which the child can lie completely flat and is attached to the stroller’s frame. The carrycot provides good sleeping conditions and meets the physiological needs of the baby.

Whether sophisticated or a folding (umbrella) type, the stroller offers the child a rest during the walk and simplifies the life of parents who can decide to walk fast without feeling guilty. With the many versions and options available (double, with basket, canopy, steering handle or bar, fixed or reclining backrest, locked or mobile wheels…), the main thing is that it meets your mobility and durability needs: if you use it occasionally in the countryside, it’s not the same as a daily trip in the city center. Similarly, if the stroller needs to fit in the car trunk every morning, your choice criteria will lean towards models that are compact and fold quickly. Safety is a key element to consider before finally opting for a stroller: the belt is essential to prevent the child from slipping forward, and the brake will ensure a complete stop of the stroller on a slope. Your future stroller should match your lifestyle and meet your expectations in terms of comfort and performance.