Moving your baby from a stroller to a car seat can be a real workout and make your downtime in the car feel like a game of Tetris. But both items are necessary for new parents, which is why so many choose a car seat and stroller combo to save space, time, and money. They can be used in many ways, are easy to use, and save a lot of space for families on the go: Often called “travel systems,” these sets come with a car seat that can be easily clipped into the matching stroller. This way, you don’t have to waste time moving your baby back and forth between the two.
The parenting and product experts at The Auto Square test a wide range of car seats and strollers, including booster seats, infant car seats, and lightweight strollers. We looked at how easy they were to use, how well they worked, how safe they were, and how much they cost.
When testing strollers, the Institute uses a gage to measure how much force is needed to move the strollers with the brakes on. We also hang weights from the stroller’s handlebars and measure how much force it takes to make the stroller fall over. We weigh and measure each stroller when it’s folded up to see how easy it is to carry and store. Our testers also put the travel systems in different kinds of cars and took notes on how easy each one was to install, fold and unfold, move around, clip and unclip, and do many other things.
Best Car Seat and Stroller Combos
1. Doona Infant Car Seat & Latch Base
Pros –
- Smooth steering and soft ride
- Features Smart Secure car seat system
- Vista V2 can be configured to carry more than one child
Specifications –
• Child weight and height limitations: 4-35 lbs. for car seat, 20 lbs. for basinet and up to 50 lbs. for stroller; up to 32 inches in height for car seat
• Car seat dimensions: 26.4 x 17 x 23 inches
• Stroller dimensions: 36 x 25.7 x 39.5 inches
• Car seat weight: 9.9 lbs.
• Stroller weight: 27 lbs.
Many people like the Doona infant car seat and latch base for many reasons. The car seat that faces backwards can quickly be turned into a stroller. Unlike other options, this car seat and stroller combo is all one piece, so you don’t have to worry about forgetting the stroller when you get in the car. It quickly opens and closes, and it’s easy to put into the car seat latch base without waking up your child. Baby stroller 3 in 1.
Even though the car seat weighs 16.5 pounds, which is a bit more than other options, our reviewers liked that it was all-in-one that didn’t need any extra attachments. We can say without a doubt that the device “changes the game, especially for parents who live in cities or who travel a lot.” One of the best foldable travel car seat.
2. Safety 1st Smooth Ride Travel System
Pros –
- JPMA certified
- Four harness heights for all sized babies
- Features a canopy with mesh window for checking on baby
Specifications –
• Child weight and height limitations: 4-35 lbs. in car seat and up to 50 lbs. in stroller
• Car seat dimensions: 15.75 x 18 x 30.5 inches
• Stroller dimensions: 19.7 x 17.7 x 31.5 inches
• Car seat weight: 14.99 lbs.
• Stroller weight: 32 lbs.
The Safety 1st car seat and stroller set costs less than $200 and is light, easy to move, and JPMA-certified. This travel system is made for newborns and toddlers. It has extra head and body inserts to keep your baby safe and snug. With trays for both the parent and the child and a big basket, the stroller is a great way to carry all of your little things.
If you’re walking with your baby by yourself, the easy-fold stroller can be put away in a blink. The canopy protects baby’s head from the sun and has a mesh window so you can keep an eye on them as you walk. Even though our testers say this stroller isn’t as sturdy as the others, it’s a great travel or lightweight option, and the brakes are easy to use in flip-flops, which makes it great for trips. Even though the car seat weighs 16.5 pounds, which is a bit more than other options, our reviewers liked that it was all-in-one that didn’t need any extra attachments. We can say undoubtedly that the device “changes the game, especially for parents who live in cities or who travel a lot.” One of the best foldable travel car seat.
3. Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System
Pros –
- Features premium LATCH connectors
- Includes removable head and body support cushions
Specifications –
• Child weight and height limitations: 4-30 lbs. in car seat and up to 50 lbs. in stroller; up to 30 inches in height
• Car seat dimensions: 27.5 x 17 x 24 inches
• Stroller dimensions: 35.2 x 22.8 x 42.7 inches
• Car seat weight: 9.6 lbs.
• Stroller weight: 24.9 lbs.
Chicco’s Bravo Trio Travel System is a great choice if you don’t care about all the extra bells and whistles. Our testers have used both the stroller and the car seat, and they would both recommend them because they are such good deals. The trio travel system can be used in three different ways: as an infant carrier, a car seat, or a stroller. It’s perfect for your baby from birth to about two years old.
The stroller’s treaded tires and all-wheel suspension make it easy to use on any surface, and the car seat can be put in quickly and easily. Premium LATCH connectors make it easy to click the car seat into your car without much trouble, and the stroller’s one-hand smart fold makes it easy to put away.Even though the car seat weighs 16.5 pounds, which is a bit more than other options, our reviewers liked that it was all-in-one that didn’t need any extra attachments. We can say undoubtedly that the device “changes the game, especially for parents who live in cities or who travel a lot.” One of the best foldable travel car seat.
4. Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System With SafeMax Car Seat
Pros –
- Full coverage canopy and storage basket
- Includes both basinet and upright seat
- Six modes of travel
Specifications –
• Child weight and height limitations: 4-35 lbs. in car seat and up to 50 lbs. in stroller; up to 32 inches in height for car seat and 38 for stroller
• Car seat dimensions: 17.5 x 24 x 29 inches
• Stroller dimensions: 25.5 x 47 x 34 inches
• Car seat weight: 20 lbs.
• Stroller weight: 38 lbs.
The pivot modular travel system is a huge hit with our testers because of how flexible and adaptable it is. Its three modes are good for a baby from the time they are a newborn to when they are a toddler. Each mode can be used both rear-facing and front facing stroller. With sturdy wheels and a bassinet mode, you and your baby will have some of the most relaxing walks of your lives.
Its full-coverage canopy is great for walks in any weather, and you can just click the seat into the latch base when you’re ready to get in the car. After your trip, you can easily clean the whole travel system with mild soap and water. Even though the car seat weighs 16.5 pounds, which is a bit more than other options, our reviewers liked that it was all-in-one that didn’t need any extra attachments. We can say undoubtedly that the device “changes the game, especially for parents who live in cities or who travel a lot.” One of the best foldable travel car seat.
5. BRITAX B-Lively Travel System with B-Safe 35 Infant Car Seat
Pros –
- Incredibly lightweight
- Holds up to 55 lbs. in stroller mode
Specifications –
• Child weight and height limitations: 4-35 lbs. in car seat and up to 55 lbs. in stroller
• Car seat dimensions: 17.75 x 25 x 26.5 inches
• Stroller dimensions: 40 x 24 x 39.5 inches
• Car seat weight: 10.9 lbs.
• Stroller weight: 30 lbs.
If you want a stroller that will last for a long time, this travel system has the highest weight limit of all the strollers on the market. Our testers liked how easy this travel system was to use and how safe it was for babies up to 55 pounds. With this car seat and stroller set, your baby won’t outgrow his stroller before you can blink your eyes. 3 wheel stroller with car seat system and also Baby stroller 3 in 1.
It’s small and easy to store, and the three wheels make it easy to move around on different types of terrain. The car seat has a strong steel frame, protection from side impacts, and uses the SafeCenter LATCH system, which is a special latch system made by Britax that helps make LATCH connections more smooth.
6. Nuna TAVO next Stroller & PIPA RX Car Seat Travel System
Pros –
- Lightweight car seat
- Good storage space
- Adjustable handlebar
Specifications –
• Child weight and height limitations: 4-32 lbs. for car seat and up to 50 lbs. for stroller; up to 32 inches in height for car seat
• Car seat dimensions: 25.2 x 17.5 x 23 inches
• Stroller dimensions: 28.4 x 22.4 x 43.7 inches
• Car seat weight: 7.6 lbs.
• Stroller weight: 23.2 lbs.
With this one-of-a-kind system, your baby can travel in style. It will be one of the most stylish strollers you’ve ever had. The seat is easy to move from the car to the stroller, and it only weighs a little more than seven pounds, so your arms won’t get tired. Baby stroller 3 in 1.
The full-coverage canopy is great for keeping a sleeping baby safe, and the storage basket is the perfect place to keep everything you need to keep your baby clean, happy, and fed. Parents who are taller can easily adjust the height of the handlebar to make walking as comfortable as ever.
7. Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System
Pros –
- All-terrain three wheels offer great maneuverability
- JPMA certified
- Stroller is easy to fold
Specifications –
• Child weight and height limitations: 4-30 lbs. in car seat and up to 50 lbs. in stroller; up to 30 inches in height for car seat and 42 inches for stroller
• Car seat dimensions: 16.25 x 14.66 x 26 inches
• Stroller dimensions: 44 x 46 x 22 inches
• Car seat weight: 16.87 lbs.
• Stroller weight: 41 lbs.
The baby trend expedition jogger travel system has the right car seat and stroller for your little running buddy. You can take it with you on your morning runs. The three wheels make it easy to ride on rougher terrain, and the big bike tires make it easy to turn.
You can lock the front swivel wheel if you want to, and when it’s time to put baby back in the car, the stroller easily collapses to fit in your trunk, while the car seat just clicks into the LATCH base. This model is a best-seller on Amazon with almost 9,000 five-star reviews, but we haven’t had a chance to test it yet. Our experts also like the parent and child trays, which let you store water and snacks for both you and your child. A unique 3 wheel stroller with car seat system.
8. UPPAbaby Vista V2 Stroller & Mesa Infant Car Seat
Pros –
- Smooth steering and soft ride
- Features Smart Secure car seat system
- Vista V2 can be configured to carry more than one child
Specifications –
• Child weight and height limitations: 4-35 lbs. for car seat, 20 lbs. for basinet and up to 50 lbs. for stroller; up to 32 inches in height for car seat
• Car seat dimensions: 26.4 x 17 x 23 inches
• Stroller dimensions: 36 x 25.7 x 39.5 inches
• Car seat weight: 9.9 lbs.
• Stroller weight: 27 lbs.
Even though the UPPAbaby car seat and stroller combo is pricey, it is a great travel system that you won’t be sorry to buy. All-wheel suspension and soft tires make for a smooth ride, and the system comes with both a bassinet and a car seat so that it can be used from birth until the child is a toddler. One of the best baby stroller 3 in 1.
Our experts love that the Vista stroller is easy to steer and that the Mesa car seat can be clipped into your car in seconds with its Smart Secure system, which is UPPABaby’s version of LATCH that makes installation easier.
9. Maxi-Cosi Zelia Max 5-in-1 Modular Travel System
Pros –
- Five different stroller configurations
- Narrow frame great for maneuverability
Specifications –
• Child weight and height limitations: 4-30 lbs. for car seat and up to 50 lbs. for stroller; up to 32 inches in height for car seat and 49 for stroller
• Car seat dimensions: 31.5 x 18 x 15.5 inches
• Stroller dimensions: 31 x 31 x 22.44 inches
• Car seat weight: 18.4 lbs.
• Stroller weight: 45.9 lbs.
This system is great for parents of babies and young children because it looks good and is safe. Like many of our other picks, it has a base that stays in the car. This makes it easy to take your baby out of the stroller and click the seat right into your car. Once you’re on the road, the seat’s air protect technology will keep your baby safe at all times in the event of a side impact.
It’s easy to set up and can be set up in five different ways, such as facing forward or backward. The narrow frame makes it easy to move through busy sidewalks or doorways, and the mesh window in the canopy lets a lot of air in. The safety features, like the strong protection against impact, were especially liked by our testers. Its a good front facing stroller.
What to look for when shopping for a car seat and stroller combo
Height and weight limits
Before you buy something, make sure you know how tall and heavy it can be. The details of these things will be different for each car seat and stroller set. Make sure your baby is the safest they can be by making sure they are the right height and weight.
Purpose
Are you looking for a travel system for your baby that will grow with him or her, or just something to make jogging to the park easier? Depending on how you plan to use your car seat and stroller together, you should look for a model that fits your needs.
Features
A no-frills option can be good for your budget, but some car seat and stroller combos have great features that make all the difference. Are you going to take a lot of walks in the sun? Choose a unit that has a big UV canopy. Do you want to bring along a lot? Find something with large baskets for storage. And, of course, trays and cupholders are great for storing baby’s snacks and toys when you’re out and about. 3 wheel stroller with car seat system is easy to handel.
Ease of use
You should look for a car seat and stroller combo that is light, easy to set up, and can be moved between the car and the stroller quickly and easily.
Weight
Make sure you know how much the car seat weighs before you buy it. You might think it will be easy to pick up a 20-pound car seat, but don’t forget to add the weight of your baby to that arm workout. Think about getting a travel system that is easy to carry and a stroller that can be opened with little effort.
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