Travelling with a pushchair or pram can be stressful, and whether you're trying to cram-fit your car boot for a holiday or squeeze yourself onto public transport, compact strollers are a must for many parents on the move. Perfect for city living, commuting, or jet-set travellers, compact strollers are often lightweight and easy to fit in small areas, whether that's a car boot or airplane storage.
Designed to be lightweight pushchairs and easy-folding for all your space-saving requirements, these travel systems will make any trip effortless with your little one in tow. Folding up small for those big adventures: the best compact strollers are packed full of practical features, making them a quality choice for an everyday stroller on the road with the bonus of being extremely compact.
The best compact strollers at a glance:
Best compact stroller overall: Nuna TRIV - View offer on Nuna
Best for compact fold: BABYZEN YOYO² Chassis and Colour Pack Bundle - View offer on Mamas&papas
Best portable compact stroller: Mamas and Papas Airo Pushchair - View offer on Mamas&papas
Best two-in-one stroller: Doona Infant Car Seat and Stroller - View offer on Mamas&papas
With several mums on the team, Mother&Baby is best placed to find the best travel strollers as used and tested in real life by our own babies. Plus, we have a huge panel of real mums who test products every year for the annual Mother&Baby Awards, meaning we get to find out the best award-winning products that have been put through their paces thoroughly and independently by our readers.
Best compact strollers
1.
Nuna TRIV
Best compact stroller overall
nunababy.eu
Description
Award: Won Silver at the Mother&Baby Awards 2023 for Best Pushchair
One hand fold and recline. This fully-featured compact pushchair is perfect for city living or jet-setting travellers. TRIV™ is cleverly designed with a seat that can face both ways and fold both ways and can easily convert to a travel system. The ring adaptor can even fold with the frame, creating the perfect sidekick to your everyday adventures. For a quick trip to the corner store or getting across town, TRIV packs up quickly, folds with one hand and stands on its own, keeping your busy hands free. Proof that great things can come in small packages.
One mum tester said: "Henry was comfortable in it whether he was lying down for a nap or sitting upright. Henry isn't great at napping but there seemed to be something about this pram that helped him get off to sleep quickly and comfortably. It is easy to manoeuvre and good for getting into tight spaces. It is very user friendly and I was able to put it up in about 10 minutes with minimal need for the instructions. It is very quick and easy to put up and down after use and slots nicely into the car boot."
Read our full Nuna TRIV Review
Pros
- Very compact when folded
- Lightweight
- Easy to steer
Cons
- Poor suspension
Best auto fold
www.pramworld.co.uk
Description
Awarded Gold for Best Lightweight Buggy/Stroller at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022
The Cheerio is Chicco's most compact auto-folding stroller, homologated from birth to 15kg (approximately three years). Extremely compact and easy to use, thanks to its one-touch folding mechanism, it is the perfect solution for parents looking for both functionality and compactness. It comes with a UV50+ protective canopy, rain cover and carrying bag included.
Our mum tester Laura said: "This product definitely makes my life easier as it's so lightweight and compact. It's so easy to get in and out of the car one-handed because it's so light I'm able to hold the baby and open or close the pram. It's super easy to unfold, possible to do one-handed so it really is quick and convenient. It also doesn't take up loads of space in shops so easy to wiz around with."
Read our full Chicco Cheerio Review
Pros
- One-hand fold
- Lightweight
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Poor protection from the sun
Best travel-system
Description
The City Tour 2 is the ultimate travel companion. Weighing only 6.5kg - this fully-featured stroller includes multiple recline positions, adjustable calf support, a UV 50+ canopy, a carry bag, and a comfortable padded seat with added depth. Ultra-compact, it can fold in seconds with just one-hand operation and has auto-lock for easy transportation and storage. Awarded Silver for Best Lightweight Buggy/Stroller at the Mother&Baby Awards 2022, it's perfect for newborns too - pair with the compatible carrycot (sold separately) so you can stroll with your little one from birth to tot.
Our mum tester Haylee said: "The City Stroller makes my life easier as a Mum by being extremely easy to open and close. I have even been able to do this one-handed while holding my little girl which is very helpful. It is also small and compact when folded down so it can easily be tucked behind the seat of the car if the boot is full, and easy to store at home in the cupboard under the stairs It's a very lightweight stroller which makes quick trips to the shop much easier than with a full travel system. My little girl wants to be in and out of the stroller every 5 minutes so the quick release straps are very handy."
Read our full Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Compact Fold Stroller Review
Pros
- One-handed fold
- Quick release straps
- Includes carry bag
Cons
- Poor wheel suspension
Best for included features
Description
Appealing to Disney and Marvel fanatics, this pram is lightweight at only 6kg and folds neatly into a carry bag. Features include a removable canopy, a peekaboo visor, a 5-point adjustable harness, an adjustable backrest, a storage basket and a cup holder.
Our mum tester Clare said: "It's a smooth and easily manoeuvrable pram, suitable for shopping trips and city running. Its best feature is the easy fold and is incredibly small in comparison to the bigger travel systems. Its only downside was the location of the break but as someone with long legs, I tend to find that an issue."
Pros
- Child-friendly design
- One-hand fold
- Includes storage basket
Cons
- Some mums found issues with the difficult-to-reach location of the break
Best for storage
www.argos.co.uk
Description
The Joie Litetrax 4 is parent-friendly thanks to the one-hand instant fold, and it's infant-friendly too. The SoftTouch harness welcomes even the tiniest riders, whilst the super shady UPF50+ extendable canopy keeps them protected from the sun's harmful rays. The multi-position, flat reclining seat and adjustable leg rest provide cosy resting options. We love the super spacious storage basket, great for trips to the supermarket, that can hold a whopping 5kg.
One reviewer said: "I bought this a month ago as a travel pram and love it so much that I've now started using as his everyday pram too. It's easy to fold up and very smooth to push."
Pros
- Freestanding when folded
- Four recline positions
- Adjustable leg rest
Cons
- Front wheels can be tricky to manoeuvre
Best for compact fold
www.mamasandpapas.com
Description
Available in a choice of trendy colours, the YOYO² takes the win for having the most compact fold, making it ideal for taking on holiday and onboard airlines. It's extra lightweight, and you can even carry it on the shoulder with its padded shoulder strap. Offering complete comfort for your child, plus suspension for a smooth ride, a five-point harness for safety, and a UPF50+ sun canopy - it's designed to make exploration an enjoyable experience for both you and your baby. It's also a favourite with celeb parents, such as Emma Louise Connolly and her hubby, Ollie Proudlock.
One reviewer said: "We bought this pram a couple of weeks ago as we needed a smaller pram for future flights and trips away. It was a little tricky to put together, but after watching a YouTube video it was much easier. It took a few attempts to get the hang of putting the pram up and down. Great for city walks, popping to the shops or a short walk around the block. I wouldn't recommend for bumpy surfaces such as woodland or fields. The wheels would be far too small. My son seems very comfortable in it although the seat is a little more reclined that I would have liked, he does tend to forward to be upright more. Great to be able to recline it further for naps times.
"Overall, a must-have pram! I think we'll get many years out of it and it's already become extremely handy to have."
Pros
- Four colour ways
- One-handed folding and driving
- Easily converts to lie flat
Cons
- Not great on rural terrain
Best for child-friendly design
www.cosatto.com
Description
The playful designs in Cosatto's range make their strollers stand out, and this one more, so thanks to the combined style and compact fold. This sturdy yet lightweight stroller is easy-to-use and can be used for longer than most other compact strollers. As well as boasting a UPF100+ hood and double-length sun visor, the Woosh 3 comes with a travel-friendly telescopic pull handle so you can pull the stroller easily around after you once folded down. Features include eco-fabrics, a cup holder, a roomy seat for extra comfort, and adjustable support for your little one.
One reviewer said: 'Beautiful colours and easy to push. The only problem I found is that the handle isn't movable. It's set quite high for a shorter person like me.'
Pros
- Includes cup holder
- Large storage basket
- Lightweight
Cons
- Doesn't include adjustable handle
Best portable compact stroller
www.mamasandpapas.com
Description
Super-slim, cabin-friendly, and perfect from birth and for growing toddlers, the Airo is perfect for navigating tight spaces. Not only is it Mamas & Papas' lightest ever pushchair, but the stroller can even be worn as a backpack when your little one would prefer to toddle on their own. It folds with one hand and is solid and sturdy, thanks to the unique dual-sided wheel lock. With adjustable positions for your baby, a bumper bar, and a quick-fit five-point harness, you can be safe in the knowledge that your little one is comfy and secure.
One reviewer said: "Airo is well designed, lightweight and compact. Feels more flimsy than a full size buggy but perfect for trips to town."
Pros
- Cabin friendly
- Lightweight
- One-hand folding
Cons
- Not the most sturdy design
Best two-in-one stroller
www.mamasandpapas.com
Description
The Doona offers a revolutionary type of compact fold; the stroller can fold into a car seat that your little one can use in the car and on flights too. With one simple motion, you can switch between a stroller and car seat in seconds with all the necessary safety features needed to keep your baby safe on the road. A safe and practical solution for parents on the go, it saves you from needing to disturb a sleeping baby and is easy to carry when going upstairs, travelling on public transport, or nipping to a friend's house.
It's worth keeping in mind that this is a great compact option to have alongside a regular full-size stroller, as it's not recommended to keep your baby in a car seat for longer than two hours.
One reviewer said: "We love our Doona pushchair, very convenient and lightweight for parents on the go."
Pros
- Comes with newborn insert
- Adjustable handlebar
- Rocking function
Cons
- Difficult to fasten
What's the difference between a compact stroller and an umbrella stroller?
Whilst an umbrella stroller is compact too, there are some differences between a compact stroller and an umbrella stroller.
• Folding mechanism: An umbrella stroller collapses like an umbrella at a single point and, once folded, remains the full length of the stroller. In comparison, a compact stroller folds down, usually into thirds, to create a square or rectangle-like shape. You may find that this sizing makes it easier to store when travelling.
• Handlebars: Umbrella strollers have two handles, whilst compact strollers have a single, sturdier handlebar that provides more support to the stroller and makes it easier to manoeuvre.
• Features: If you're after a small and lightweight stroller that closely resembles a full-size stroller, a compact stroller has many of the shared features and provides your little one with more ergonomic comfort on the move. Most umbrella strollers offer limited storage space and won't fully recline, making them unsuitable for babies under four months old.
• Sturdiness: Compact strollers are typically more robust with sturdier frames and wheels, making them more functional for modern parents.
Both an umbrella and compact stroller are easy to carry and small enough to push around busy locations. Lightweight, portable, and convenient to store, both make a handy travel alternative to have alongside your little one's main buggy. However, if you're after a stroller that folds up to a more travel-storage size - a compact stroller takes the trophy.
Can you take a compact stroller on a plane?
According to British Airways, "If you have a small, fully collapsible and lightweight pushchair/stroller (with maximum dimensions of 117cm x 38cm x 38cm/46in x 15in x 15in when the pushchair is collapsed), you can take this right to the aircraft door and collect at the aircraft door at most airports."
"Pushchairs that fold down into a carry bag, such as the Yo-Yo Zen and are within the maximum hand baggage dimensions, can be taken on board in place of, but not in addition to, your larger cabin bag."
That being said, you should always check the requirements with your chosen airline before you fly so you don't get caught out at the gate.
Eleanor Weaver is the Deputy Homes & Garden Product Editor and has been a writer for titles such as Mother&Baby and Yours. In her role, she has researched and recommended the best products for parents, from breast pumps to toys, nursery décor to car seats. She's also kept a keen eye on celeb mums and influencers to share what they've been using to help make parenting that little bit easier.