Umbrella strollers can be a hit or miss when it comes to features and price. In this article, we compiled the best of both worlds to help you get the best stroller for your needs.
- Best Umbrella Stroller Overall: Summer Infant 3Dlite Umbrella Stroller
- Best For The Budget: Kolcraft Cloud Plus Umbrella Stroller
- Best For Full-Sized Stroller Experience: Maclaren Techno XT Umbrella Stroller
- Best For Reclining / Storage Options: Joovy New Groove Ultralight Umbrella Stroller
- Best For Travel: GB Pockit Umbrella Stroller
- Best For Compact Setup: Babyzen Yoyo+ Umbrella Stroller
- Best For Warm Weather Strolling: Uppababy G-Luxe Umbrella Stroller
- Best For Easy Handling: Zoe XL2 Double Stroller
- Best For Double Strollers: Delta Children City Street LX Umbrella Stroller
- Best For One-Handed Fold And Unfold: Graco Breaze Click Connect Umbrella Stroller
Table of Contents
When Should You Use An Umbrella Stroller?
Baby strollers are quite the wonder when you’re a parent. This tool helps a lot in traveling with children safely and comfortably. If you’re quite the traveler and want to travel with your baby, an umbrella stroller is one of the best options. But when is the best time for a baby or toddler to use an umbrella stroller?
According to Amazon, parents should consider getting their children an umbrella stroller as early as 3-month-old. Strollers with full-reclining functionality are preferred for babies of any age. But if the stroller is not designed to recline, parents should avoid using it on babies under 3 months. Toddlers who are more than a year of age should have a lightweight umbrella stroller instead for easier maneuverability.
Things To Consider Before Buying
Like any other baby products, parents must be aware of the critical factors they need to consider when buying umbrella strollers. Umbrella strollers are the type of products designed for regular usage. And since strollers can be quite expensive, parents should put the top priority on the list. Follow us for more baby product reviews and more. For now, here are the things you need to consider in buying the best umbrella strollers in the market right now.
Safety Features
First and foremost, the most important factor in choosing your umbrella stroller is its safety features. As parents, we should only use safe and certified products. Choosing strollers with Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association or JPMA certification is preferred by experts for safety and quality reasons.
Here are some safety features to look for when choosing a stroller.
- The umbrella stroller should be able to handle the supported weight advertised
- Should have a decent base to avoid tipping sideways
- Slip-proof and safe with 5-point harness system
- Should not have parts and mechanisms that can hurt the baby
Comfort
Babies and toddlers are known for their sensitive skin. Hence, they are more irritable in hot seasons and vulnerable during a mildly cold one. When going outside, you should always keep your young one’s comfort in mind. To make sure that your child is comfortable during your regular strolling trip, make sure that the following are accounted for:
- the stability of the front wheels
- reclining positions supported
- soft seat padding with air circulation
- wide enough canopy to shield your little one from the sun
- footrest for more support in the baby’s lower part
- snug-fit harness (not too tight, not too loose)
Lightweight
Umbrella strollers should be lightweight and easy. What’s the point of buying a stroller when it would be lighter to just carry your little ones around? Most models that weigh from 10 lbs to 20 lbs are still considered as lightweight. Know what weight you can push and pull and choose your stroller with that knowledge. You would be dreading to use the stroller if it’s cumbersome and unmanageable.
Durability Over Price
Are you going to use the umbrella stroller regularly? If yes, then durability is an important factor to consider. Lots of manufacturers use aluminum for their products to make lightweight yet durable. These options are clearly more expensive than their plastic counterpart.
Don’t cheap out on umbrella strollers; choose durability over price. You would often replace cheap and unreliable ones made in plastic, which are easy to break. It would be too late when you realized that buying cheap products five times is more expensive than buying premium ones.
Unless your budget is minimal, buy strollers that can support your child’s weight limit and is known for its durability. If you want to save money on your stroller purchase, it’s preferential to miss out on premium features instead.
Portability
Portability is another thing to consider when looking for the best umbrella stroller if you’re a frequent traveler. Nothing is more frustrating when traveling than running out of space to put your stuff on. And a bulky umbrella stroller won’t be of any help in this situation.
If you travel often, choose the most compact and lightweight umbrella stroller, which also attaches to car seats. You might also want to consider the ease of setup and assembly. You should be able to gear up on the go or pack up once the trip is over.
Pockets And Other Features
Not all umbrella strollers have additional features such as cup holders and pockets for storage. But for parents who are willing to spend more money for a little bit of convenience, getting extra features is worth it. Different manufactures give different extra features, but here are the most common ones:
- additional storage pockets
- storage basket
- peekaboo window
- parent cup holder, phone, and key holders
- rain protector
- travel bags
- stroller connectors (for dual strollers with one push)
Although the additional features are tempting, you should consider that more premium means more money to spend. If budget is of concern, it’s better to make adjustments and let go of these premium features to save money.
Maneuverability
If you’re going to jog with your stroller, one factor that you shouldn’t miss is maneuverability. A lot of parents would want to have a lightweight umbrella stroller for this. However, if the stroller has stiff movement, flimsy handles, or does not spin around corners, it’s better to find a replacement. When maneuverability is one of your major concerns, getting a test drive is recommended.
Looks And Aesthetics
And last but not least, the aesthetics and style of a stroller should also be in consideration. Though not as critical as some of the classification mentioned above, looks should still matter if you can afford it. You’re already buying something for your baby, why not buy a stylish one, right? Just remember that before looking at the aesthetics, the umbrella stroller should have all the bells and whistles of the considerations mentioned above.
Now that we know what to look for when buying the best umbrella stroller, here are some products worth checking out in 2020.