Tested: Best Travel Stroller of 2026

Travel strollers promise to make family trips easier, but compact size alone does not make a stroller pleasant to use. A tiny fold is helpful at the airport, yet it matters less once you arrive if the stroller has an uncomfortable seat, limited storage, or wheels that struggle on ordinary sidewalks.

For this guide, we compared six notable travel options using manufacturer specifications, current safety information, and recent hands-on reports. We focused on the details that tend to matter most away from home: folded size, stroller weight, folding difficulty, child comfort, storage, maneuverability, and whether the stroller can reasonably serve as more than an occasional airport ride.

The Joolz Aer2 is our favorite overall because it delivers one of the strongest combinations of low weight, an exceptionally simple fold, useful storage, and everyday comfort. However, families wanting a slightly sturdier daily-use option may prefer the Bugaboo Butterfly 2, while the Ergobaby Metro 3 stands out for naps and newborn use.

Keep in mind that “cabin compatible” does not guarantee that an airline will allow a stroller in its overhead bins. Aircraft, routes, and individual airline policies vary, so checking the exact carry-on allowance before departure is still necessary.

Our Top Picks of 2026: Stroller Recommendations for Travel

Joolz Aer2

Pros: Very easy one-hand fold, lightweight, comfortable seat, large basket for its size
Cons: Premium price, small wheels remain better suited to maintained surfaces

The Joolz Aer2 is the stroller we would choose for families who travel regularly but do not want a product that feels useful only inside an airport. At 14.3 pounds, it is noticeably lighter than the Bugaboo Butterfly 2, UPPAbaby Minu V3, and Ergobaby Metro 3. An integrated shoulder strap makes that lower weight particularly useful when climbing stairs, boarding public transportation, or carrying the stroller while holding a child’s hand.

Its standout feature is the folding mechanism. The Aer2 collapses quickly with one hand and remains a compact 20.9 by 17.3 by 9.2 inches with the seat attached. This is easier than the multi-step process used by the Stokke YOYO3 and can make a meaningful difference when a boarding line starts moving before you are ready. Recent hands-on reviewers also found the fold intuitive and praised the updated wheels and suspension for creating a smoother push than the previous Aer+.

The Aer2 does not give up as much everyday functionality as its low weight suggests. Its seat supports children up to 50 pounds, while the shopping basket is rated for 17.6 pounds—an unusually generous limit for a stroller this compact.

However, its narrow frame and small wheels still make it better for airports, stores, public transportation, and reasonably maintained sidewalks than loose gravel or badly broken pavement. Families prioritizing a more substantial everyday ride may prefer the Bugaboo Butterfly 2, but the Aer2 provides the most balanced package for frequent travel.

Bugaboo Butterfly 2

Pros: Stable push, roomy seat, strong storage capacity, fast self-standing fold
Cons: Heavier than the Aer2 and YOYO3, bumper bar and some accessories cost extra

The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 feels closer to a scaled-down everyday stroller than a minimalist travel buggy. It weighs 16 pounds, making it heavier to carry than the Joolz Aer2 or Stokke YOYO3, but the extra weight contributes to a more planted and substantial feel. Its upgraded wheels and full suspension are designed to reduce vibration over curbs, sidewalk joints, and other common urban obstacles.

Its one-second fold is one of the easiest in this group. The Butterfly 2 closes into a self-standing package measuring 17.6 by 9.6 by 21.8 inches, so it stores neatly in small trunks, closets, and many airplane overhead compartments. In hands-on use, reviewers found the folding action genuinely manageable with one hand while getting on and off trains and buses. However, at 16 pounds, carrying it through a large airport is not as effortless as carrying the YOYO3 or Aer2.

Comfort and storage are where the Butterfly 2 begins to justify its extra weight. It has a relatively spacious seat, a 50-pound child limit, and an underseat basket rated for 17.6 pounds. The basket can be accessed from the front and rear, which is useful when a bulky diaper bag does not slide easily under the seat. The downside is that several items parents may expect at this price, including the bumper bar and travel bag, are sold separately. Still, families hoping to use one compact stroller for vacations, errands, and regular city walks may find the Butterfly 2 more practical than a lighter but less substantial alternative.

Graco GoMax Frame Stroller

Pros: Extremely lightweight, affordable, one-hand fold, adjustable handlebar
Cons: No built-in seat, useful only during the infant car-seat stage, limited long-term value

The Graco GoMax Frame is substantially lighter and less expensive than every other option in this guide, but it is important to understand what it is before comparing it directly with a conventional travel stroller. The GoMax is a wheeled frame designed to hold a Graco infant car seat. It does not include a reclining toddler seat, canopy, harness, or leg rest of its own.

For the right stage of parenthood, that simplicity can be highly useful. The frame weighs only 8.7 pounds, has a one-hand self-standing fold, and is marketed as overhead-bin friendly. A height-adjustable handlebar helps accommodate caregivers of different heights, while front-wheel suspension provides some cushioning on smooth sidewalks and indoor surfaces. The open basket also gives parents more storage than they might expect from such a minimal frame.

Its limitation is longevity. Once a baby outgrows the infant car seat, the GoMax frame can no longer function as a stroller. There is no separate toddler seat to attach later, and owners will need to purchase another stroller. Product testers also noted that the installed car seat sits relatively low and that the basket is smaller than those found on full travel strollers.

UPPAbaby Minu V3

Pros: Newborn-ready seat, excellent storage, sturdy construction, useful car-seat compatibility
Cons: Relatively heavy, expensive, not as compact-feeling as the lightest competitors

The UPPAbaby Minu V3 makes sense for parents who want a travel stroller that can take on more of the work normally assigned to a full-size model. Its seat has a deep recline and can be configured for newborn use, while adapters allow it to work with selected UPPAbaby and third-party infant car seats. This gives the Minu V3 a longer useful life than travel strollers designed mainly for children who can already sit independently.

It also has one of the most useful storage setups in the group. The underseat basket is rated for 20 pounds, giving it slightly more capacity than the baskets on the Aer2 and Butterfly 2. Parents traveling with bottles, clothing layers, snacks, and a diaper bag may appreciate that additional allowance more than a one- or two-pound reduction in stroller weight. Testers have also praised the Minu V3’s easy turning, solid push, and ability to handle ordinary daily outings without feeling fragile.

However, the Minu V3 sits on the heavier end of this comparison. Its approximately 16.7-pound weight is reasonable for lifting into a trunk but less appealing when carried for long periods. The fold operates with one hand and meets IATA carry-on dimensions, but it does not feel as effortlessly portable as the Aer2 or YOYO3. The Minu V3 is therefore best for families who value storage, newborn compatibility, and everyday durability more than obtaining the lowest possible travel weight.

Ergobaby Metro 3

Pros: Comfortable padded seat, newborn-ready configuration, adjustable handlebar, smooth suspension
Cons: Heavier than several competitors, bulkier to carry through airports

The Ergobaby Metro 3 prioritizes passenger comfort more than extreme weight savings. Its padded seat, near-flat recline, adjustable leg support, and built-in newborn nest make it particularly appealing for families expecting their child to nap in the stroller. It can be used from birth and is rated for children up to 50 pounds, giving it the potential to serve as both a travel stroller and a compact primary stroller.

This comfort comes with a portability trade-off. At approximately 16.7 pounds, the Metro 3 is more than three pounds heavier than the YOYO3 and more than two pounds heavier than the Aer2. Its 22-by-17.3-by-9-inch folded package meets IATA carry-on dimensions, but the weight is noticeable when lifting it into an overhead compartment or carrying it over a long staircase. The fold is compact and operates with one hand, though this is not the stroller we would choose if minimum carrying weight were the main objective.

On the ground, the Metro 3’s additional weight is less of a disadvantage. Its suspension, adjustable handlebar, and comfort-focused seat make longer walks easier for both the child and the person pushing. Parent testing has also highlighted the lie-flat position as especially useful for naps and younger babies. The Joolz Aer2 remains easier to carry, but the Metro 3 is a compelling alternative for parents who would rather accept a few extra pounds than compromise on seat padding and recline.

Stokke YOYO3

Pros: Very light, exceptionally thin fold, shoulder strap, broad accessory ecosystem
Cons: Less intuitive folding process, small wheels, early production units were recalled

The Stokke YOYO3 remains one of the easiest strollers to carry through an airport. At 13.7 pounds, it is the lightest full stroller in this lineup, and its folded depth of only 7.1 inches is particularly impressive. The thin package fits into spaces where bulkier travel strollers may not, and the integrated shoulder strap is useful when navigating stairs, security lines, or crowded public transportation.

However, the YOYO3’s fold is not as simple as its compact result might suggest. Folding requires lowering the handlebar before releasing a latch beneath the seat, after which the frame collapses as it is lifted. Once learned, the process is manageable, but it is less intuitive than the one-action mechanisms on the Aer2 and Butterfly 2. The folded stroller also does not stand independently, which can be inconvenient when loading luggage or waiting in a narrow boarding area.

The YOYO3 supports several configurations, including a newborn pack, bassinet-style shell, car-seat adapters, and the YOYO Connect system for transporting a second child. Most of these additions cost extra, and the smaller wheels are less forgiving on rough surfaces than the Butterfly 2’s updated wheel system. Buyers should also check the serial number carefully: certain early YOYO3 frames beginning with “142AA” and followed by a number below “0062239” were recalled because the parking brake could unexpectedly release. Current or replacement inventory should not be assumed affected, but used buyers should verify the frame through Stokke’s recall program before use.

The YOYO3 is not our favorite all-around stroller, but it remains one of the strongest choices for frequent flyers who prioritize the lightest, thinnest package above seat space, rough-surface performance, and folding simplicity.

How to Choose a Travel Stroller

Consider How Often You Will Carry It

A difference of two or three pounds may seem minor on a specification sheet, but it becomes more noticeable when carrying a stroller through an airport while also managing a child and luggage. The 13.7-pound YOYO3 and 14.3-pound Aer2 are easier to carry than the approximately 16- to 17-pound Butterfly 2, Minu V3, and Metro 3.

The heavier models can compensate with better comfort, storage, or stability. Families who mostly roll the stroller to the gate may prefer those benefits, while parents frequently using stairs and public transportation should place more emphasis on stroller weight.

Do Not Judge Portability by Folded Volume Alone

The way a stroller folds matters almost as much as its final dimensions. A slightly larger stroller with a reliable one-hand fold may be less stressful than a smaller model requiring several actions.

The Aer2 and Butterfly 2 are particularly easy to collapse while managing a child. The YOYO3 folds into an impressively thin package, but its multi-stage mechanism requires more practice.

Think About the Trip After the Flight

Very small wheels are adequate inside airports and shopping centers but can struggle on cobblestones, gravel, grass, and damaged sidewalks. The Butterfly 2 and Metro 3 are better choices for families expecting longer daily walks, while the YOYO3 is at its best when maximum compactness matters more than rough-terrain performance.

Decide Whether You Need Newborn Support

The Minu V3 and Metro 3 offer useful newborn-ready seat configurations. The Aer2 and YOYO3 can also accommodate younger babies through optional accessories, but the total purchase price increases quickly.

The Graco GoMax works only with an infant car seat, making it convenient during the first stage but unsuitable once the child outgrows that seat.

The Joolz Aer2 is the most balanced travel stroller in this group. It is light enough to carry comfortably, folds more easily than most competitors, and retains enough comfort and storage for regular use. The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is the better choice for parents who expect their travel stroller to double as an everyday city stroller. Its additional weight buys a roomier seat, strong storage, and a more substantial ride. Families prioritizing newborn use and storage should consider the UPPAbaby Minu V3, while the Ergobaby Metro 3 is especially appealing for naps and child comfort. The Stokke YOYO3 remains a standout for minimum folded size, though its folding mechanism and recall history deserve consideration. Finally, the Graco GoMax Frame offers excellent short-term convenience for parents already using a Graco infant car seat, but it is not a complete long-term stroller.