Choosing a Baby Stroller System

As any parent can attest, shopping for baby gear is an overwhelming task. One of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make is what stroller system will best suit your family. A travel system, which combines a stroller with an infant car seat or carrycot, makes getting out and about with your little one that much easier. Whether you opt for the eye-catching Jane travel system with its fully lie-flat car seat and carrycot or the affordable Noordi Fjordi Matrix Light 2 with its sleek pushchair frame and matching accessories, both offer innovative smart features to keep your child comfortable on your outings.

A baby stroller system will also make it quicker and easier to get out the door on time, especially if your toddler is in the car seat. With some systems, you simply click the car seat into its base in one easy step, and the indicator lights up to show you it’s secure. Others, like the Graco Modes Nest2Grow Travel System, have a unique feature that allows you to set up the infant car seat without having to remove it from the stroller, which is helpful for new parents who may not know what they’re doing.

When choosing a stroller system, there are other factors you should consider beyond price and ease of use, including whether it will grow with your child. Many models, such as the Graco Modes Nest2Grow, are designed to be used in single or double mode well past the infant car seat stage and can even accommodate a second child, without having to purchase a separate second seat.

Other things to look for in a stroller travel system include its storage, suspension and comfort. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow’s large, roomy cargo basket has multiple dividers to keep items organized and its canopy zips open or closed for additional coverage. We also love its handlebar, which is placed high for easy access (and no bending down) and offers a clip-on cup holder.

While the Noordi Fjordi Matrix has an incredibly spacious pushchair and seat, it’s worth noting that the parent’s cup holder is shallow and feels flimsy. And we found that the stroller isn’t as smooth as some of its competition, especially when driving over rough terrain.

If you’re in the market for a baby stroller system, check out our top picks below and make sure to read up on our tips for buying a car seat and stroller. And if you’re not in love with the car seat or stroller that comes with your package, remember that most brands have adapters that will allow you to pair different pieces of baby gear. You can also use Babylist’s infant car seat and stroller compatibility tool to find your match.