The Best Affordable Strollers That Parents Say Rival Luxury Models

The Chicco Bravo Quick-Fold is an affordable full-size stroller that delivers many of the perks you’d expect in a higher-end model. It’s a popular pick in the What to Expect community, and many parents say they love how versatile and easy to use it is, as well as how high-quality it feels for the price. Standout features include multi-position seat recline, a UPF canopy with a mesh peekaboo window, a cup holder and parent tray, and an adjustable handlebar. But the biggest perk is how easy it is to fold with one hand: True to its name, you can collapse this stroller with a single motion.

The Chicco Bravo Quick-Fold can also be used as part of a travel system. If you have any Chicco infant car seat, you can clip it without needing any additional adapters. (Know, too, that if you haven’t yet purchased an infant car seat, it’s more cost effective to buy both this stroller and the popular KeyFit 30 car seat as part of the Chicco Bravo travel system.) Using the stroller with an infant car seat clipped in also means you can use it from the newborn stage onward — otherwise, you’ll need to wait until your baby is at least 6 months old and can sit in the forward-facing seat.

Parents in our community overwhelmingly recommend the Chicco Bravo as an affordable pick, and most have good experiences with this stroller in terms of quality and longer-term use. Some parents, however, do say that the wheels aren’t as well suited for rough or bumpy terrain, which may be something to consider depending on where you’ll mostly be pushing it.

Finally, the Chicco Bravo is not a convertible stroller, so it wouldn’t be the best affordable stroller if you anticipate having multiple kids a few years apart. If you like this stroller but are looking for something that can accommodate multiple kids, the Chicco BravoFor2 LE Standing/Sitting Double Stroller might be a good solution.

You might be considering an umbrella stroller for travel, a backup stroller for Grandma’s house, or even as your primary stroller. Whatever the reason, the Summer Infant 3Dlite is a top option. As one of the most affordable small strollers on the market, the 3Dlite already scores points for its excellent price point. But What to Expect parents also rave about its overall quality and noteworthy features.

Unlike many other umbrella strollers, which tend to be super pared-down, the 3Dlite has under-carriage storage and four different reclining positions. (Just remember that strollers shouldn’t be used for routine sleep, so always keep a close eye on your baby if she falls asleep in any stroller.) It weighs just 13 pounds and has a fairly compact fold, making it an ideal travel stroller (though worth noting is that it doesn’t fit in the overhead bin). And at 43 inches tall, this is also one of the taller umbrella strollers, so it’s comfortable for taller caregivers.

Parents also appreciate that Summer Infant doesn’t skimp on nice-to-haves. Despite the lower price, it comes with a cup holder (many high-end strollers sell this as a separate attachment), zippered parent pocket, handy phone holder and anti-shock wheels.

"It doesn't have much of a sun shade or very much storage, but it's lightweight enough to pack up and throw in the back of the car, or gate-check on an airplane," says Jeanne Beacom, What to Expect's Campaign Performance Manager.

One feature you don’t get on this affordable stroller are one-push brakes; there are two brakes on the front wheels and two on the back, and they need to be pressed individually. However, parents say they’re all very easy to operate. You’ll also want to be careful not to overload the basket — while spacious, it has just a 10-pound capacity.

Travel systems are car seat-stroller combos — you’re getting a full-size stroller along with a compatible infant car seat that can be clipped into the stroller frame. These products can be incredibly convenient when traveling with your baby by car, since you can simply lift the car seat out of its base then attach it to the stroller frame without disturbing your little one.

Because they include multiple items, travel systems tend to be pricier than individual strollers. However, the Graco Modes 3 Lite DLX Travel System is one of the most affordable and top-rated travel systems on the market. At $320, it’s at the higher end of this list in terms of price. But it still represents excellent value, since you’re getting a stroller, the SnugRide 35 Lite LX Infant Car Seat and a base all in one — and you’ll save $20 compared to if you were to buy each of these items individually. 

Graco has a few different stroller/car seat combos, but the 3 Lite DLX is an especially popular one among What to Expect parents. This affordable travel system includes the line’s jogger-style stroller along with the infant car seat. One benefit of the jogging style is that the two wheels are positioned close together, which makes the stroller easier to maneuver, parents say.

And despite being a jogging stroller — this style can sometimes be heavy and bulky — parents say it’s easy to fold with one hand and not overly heavy, so you can lift it into the back of your car without much difficulty.

Some parents have no preference about whether their baby faces in or out, but others strongly prefer a reversible seat option. This can be particularly important in the first few months of your baby’s life, when you’ll be keeping an extra close eye on her and get peace of mind from having her in view.

Parents like that the Chicco Corso LE Modular Quick-Fold has a reversible seat that can face in either direction — and it’s one of the few affordable strollers to offer this functionality. Additionally, the Corso LE includes a newborn insert and a multi-position seat that lays completely flat, so you can use it to transport the youngest babies. You often have to purchase a separate bassinet to use many full-size strollers from day one. 

This is also an excellent option if you’re interested in a travel system. The frame works with all Chicco infant car seats, and the adapter is included. Compared to the regular Corso, the LE has upgraded wheels with treaded rubber tiles that many parents say help it better navigate bumpy sidewalks.

And while it’s certainly not as important as functionality, many parents rave about the Corso’s good looks, pointing out that its sleek, high-end appearance (those leather accents!) rivals that of more expensive models. 

The Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular Stroller is an affordable convertible double stroller that often gets compared to much pricier strollers. Not only does the Xpand feel substantial and durable (this is especially notable since many cheaper strollers tend to be a bit flimsy-feeling), but it offers long-term versatility and 23 different seating configurations.

The Pivot Xpand starts as a single stroller, but you can convert it to a double with the second seat attachment (which is sold separately for $140). To use it with a newborn, clip in a compatible infant car seat (you can also buy this stroller as a travel system) or transition the toddler seat to “newborn mode” by lying it completely flat (this means you don’t need to purchase a separate bassinet attachment). Parents appreciate the slide and lock system that cleverly expands the frame to add extra components, eliminating the need for additional fiddly adapters. Both seating modes are reversible, so you can face your child in or out depending on preference.

What to Expect parents also appreciate how well-made the Xpand is and how thoughtful its features are. You’ll get an adjustable handle, adjustable footrest, cup holder, peekaboo window in the canopy and removable bumper bar. When folded, the stroller is also fairly compact and self-stands.

Weighing more than 42 pounds, the Xpand is one of the heaviest affordable strollers on this list (as most double or compatible strollers tend to be), so it wouldn’t be the best choice for families who’d prefer a lightweight model. And while parents say it’s relatively easy to maneuver in double mode, keep in mind that it’s still nowhere near as nimble as a single full-size or umbrella stroller.

While it’s possible to spend hundreds of dollars on a travel-friendly stroller (see: the excellent but pricey Babyzen Yoyo+), you can also spend far less on a pared-down, lightweight model that’s a breeze to take from A to B. The Kolcraft Cloud Plus is one such affordable stroller. 

This is another umbrella stroller, which means it’s more basic and lacks some of the perks you get in a full-size stroller. But What to Expect parents love how easy it is to use (the simple closing mechanism is a favorite feature), its compact size (folded, it’s just 18 inches wide) and how lightweight it is (the entire thing weighs under 12 pounds). Caregivers say it’s easy to push, easy to lift up and down stairs or into the trunk of a car, and so simple to open and close.

The wheels, while decent, aren’t built for tough terrain or lots of bumps, so this wouldn’t be the best travel stroller for hiking or trips where you’ll be doing a ton of outdoor activities. And although the under-carriage storage is far smaller than the space you get in a full-size stroller, it’s actually roomy compared to many other umbrella models. You’ll have enough room to stash a few on-the-go essentials, like a diaper bag. 

Finally, if you’re heading to Disney, you’ll be happy to know that the Kolcraft Cloud Plus meets the park’s size requirements for strollers.

Caregivers who love to jog or walk will love Baby Trend’s Expedition Jogger Stroller. Available in a handful of colors, this three-wheel stroller comes with all-terrain tires. It’s also compatible with Baby Trend infant car seats — you can buy them together as a travel system, just keep in mind that it’s not recommended to jog with the infant car seat clipped in.

Baby will appreciate the seat padding and adjustable canopy, and you will love the large storage basket, footrest reflectors and ergonomic handlebars. Two cup holders mean you’ll have plenty of space for a water bottle.

The Baby Trend Expedition is ideal for lighter jogs, brisk walks and strolls in uneven terrain. But for long runs, reviewers say that the shock and suspension aren’t quite as good as some higher-end jogging strollers on the market. Some parents note that you have to lock the front wheel when jogging, otherwise it becomes a little wobbly. Like most jogging strollers, it’s also bulky and not easy to get in and out of a car.

This double stroller is perfect for families of babies and toddlers. Your little one can recline in the front seat while your older child stands on the back Caboose. (Don’t worry — there’s also a rear backward-facing bench seat if he gets tired of standing.) Even better, it includes a universal car seat adapter that fits most infant car seat brands, so you don’t have to purchase that piece separately the way you do with most other strollers.

For a double stroller, the Joovy Caboose Ultralight is fairly compact and, true to its name, super lightweight: It weighs just 23.5 pounds, making it one of the lightest affordable strollers on this list. The overall weight capacity is 90 pounds, so you can continue pushing tots in this stroller until they’re in the preschool years or beyond. It’s relatively easy to collapse, although you do need two hands.

Gingrich, who also has this stroller, says she chose the Joovy Caboose Ultralight because her kids are 3 1/2 years apart and she wanted a double stroller for her older kid to sit or stand on. "It worked well with the car seat attachment, but we like it better now that the little one can sit in the seat," she says. "We also like that it's fairly small in comparison to other double strollers and fits in the trunk of our hybrid SUV."

Other features parents appreciate include the parent organizer on the handlebar (with two cup holders and a zippered pocket), as well as a child tray and spacious under-carriage storage. 

Like most sit-and-stand strollers, the back bench isn’t a full-size seat; it’s intended to be used standing or sitting with a three-point harness, which isn’t as secure as the five-point harness the AAP recommends. Many parents are comfortable with this as a bench for an older child, but make sure your younger child sits in the front-facing seat, which does have a five-point harness. If your child is standing on the back bench, they should be holding the stroller frames with both arms and both feet fully on the platform at all times.

You can use this stroller with a newborn if you have a compatible infant car seat, otherwise the front-facing seat can be used after 3 months. If you have two tots closer in age, the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Too may be a better fit, since it includes a full-size rear seat that can also be converted into a rear bench.