The Best Baby Stroller and Car Seat in One Combo

The baby stroller and car seat in one, also known as a travel system, is an essential piece of infant gear. Whether you’re running everyday errands or planning a day of outdoor fun, the right combo set can make your life much easier. If you’re shopping for a new travel system, look for a model that fits your lifestyle and budget. Read our reviews of all the top strollers and car seats to make an informed decision about which combo is best for your family.

Our parenting experts review hundreds of car seats and strollers to determine the best ones for families. When we find a car seat and stroller that work well together, we award them a “Best Combo” designation. We consider the following factors when evaluating combos:

Fit and Comfort

The stroller and car seat in one must fit your child for safety, so we test for this. Moreover, it must be comfortable for you to push and navigate. Look for a suspension system and durable tires that will allow you to easily maneuver the car seat, your child, and other belongings.

In addition, look for a handlebar that is easy to grip and a suspension system that provides shock absorption. This will help you keep control of the stroller and prevent your child from bouncing around too hard, which can disrupt their sleep.

When it comes to the car seat, you’ll want a model with a full five-point harness that keeps your child secure. Check that the car seat fits the model of your vehicle and your baby’s height and weight.

Some models of infant car seats only have rear-facing seats, so you’ll want to choose a stroller that will accommodate a forward-facing car seat as your child grows. Fortunately, many travel systems include convertible car seats that will convert to a forward-facing toddler seat when your child is ready.

Finally, look for a stroller that has a storage basket big enough to hold your baby’s diaper bag and your groceries. Some models even have a parent tray with two cup holders and a snack holder, which will come in handy as your child becomes a toddler.

Graco, for instance, offers a budget-friendly travel system that works with its popular SnugRide infant car seat. The stroller folds compactly, which will help you navigate narrow aisles and tight corners. The car seat snaps into the stroller using a LATCH system that requires little effort. Our testers appreciated the fact that the stroller and car seat in one were both lightweight for easy transport.

However, the Graco stroller and car seat in one didn’t score as highly as some other travel systems we tested. For example, the UPPAbaby Minu and the Chicco Keyfit Caddy had lower maneuverability scores than some of our other best stroller models. The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Combo and the Bugaboo Fox 5 Stroller combined with the impressive Nuna Turtle Air by Bugaboo earned higher scores in our maneuverability tests, as did the Doona car seat stroller combo. However, the Doona combo has a limited lifespan of 6-9 months and a high price tag, so it may not be an option for all parents.