“You need a stroller that will keep your baby safe and comfortable, and also fit your budget,” says Consumer Reports. “But you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a good stroller; it’s all about how you will use it, and what’s important to you.”
There are many types of strollers. This is how Consumer Reports categorise them.
Single traditional strollers. “The workhorses of the stroller world, many go from birth until you and junior no longer need it. […] Sturdy, solid, and easy to use. […] Heavier than umbrella strollers.”
Single combination strollers. “Also called modular strollers, these strollers adapt to the changing needs of a growing child. […] Can be costly. […] Important accessories are sometimes optional.”
Umbrella and lightweight strollers. “These lightweight strollers often have curved handles, like an umbrella, and are easy to fold. Perfect for travel. […] The compact size may cramp older babies and toddlers.”
Travel systems. “A travel system consists of an infant car seat, a car seat base for your vehicle, and a stroller. […] [It] allows you to move a sleeping baby, undisturbed, from car to stroller. […] [It] can be bulky.”
Car seat carrier strollers. “A lightweight frame with no seat of its own; it may accept more than one brand and model of infant seat […], and allows your baby to go strolling while still in his car seat. […] Compact, lightweight, and inexpensive. […] Once your child outgrows the infant car seat stage […] the frame can no longer be used as a stroller.”
Double side-by-side strollers. “The side-by-side has two seats attached to a single frame or a unit resembling two strollers bolted together. […] If children of different weights ride in the stroller, it can pull to one side. […] Some strollers might not fit through all doorways or elevator openings.”
Convertible strollers. “This newcomer to the market is a car seat fully integrated with a stroller frame. […] There’s a learning curve, and some features are just not intuitive. It’s heavy to lift even without a baby in the seat.”
Here is the Consumer Reports’ selection of recommended strollers. The maximum overall score is 100, and “Best Buy” models offer more value.
- Single traditional strollers
- Single combo strollers
- Single umbrella style strollers
- Travel systems
- Single car seat carrier strollers
- Double car seat carriers
- Double side-by-side strollers
- Convertible strollers
Single traditional strollers
Single combo strollers
Single umbrella style strollers
Travel systems
Single car seat carrier strollers
Double car seat carriers
Double side-by-side strollers
Convertible strollers
Consumer Reports is an American magazine published monthly since 1936. It features reviews and comparisons of consumer products and services based on reporting and results from its in-house testing laboratory and survey research centre. The magazine accepts no advertising, pays for all the products it tests, and, as a not-for-profit organisation, has no shareholders. It also publishes cleaning and general buying guides. (Wikipedia.)
Source: Consumer Reports
Last checked on: 28 November 2017
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