Based on 10,529 analyzed reviews
Table of contents
NerdWallet Shopping’s scoring of the best umbrella strollers is based on our analysis of the opinions of experts and shoppers like you.
Choosing a stroller takes careful thought and consideration — after all, your baby’s safety while you’re out and about is important. We researched some of the most popular models on the market to help you decide.
To narrow down the field, we looked at expert opinions from review sites such as The Sweethome, CNET and Good Housekeeping. We then analyzed user reviews to get their opinions on each stroller’s best and worst attributes.
We recognize that consumers look for different qualities in strollers, so we scored these user observations based on a handful of features, including ease of use, weight, safety, accessories and more.
Our analysis
Our final stroller scores run from a low of 1 to a high of 10. Here’s how we came up with the numbers:
Overall score: This score shows reviewers’ overall satisfaction level with the stroller as a whole across 13 criteria, including ease of use, maneuverability, accessories and durability.
Functionality: This score reflects reviewers’ satisfaction with the stroller’s level of functionality, in particular how it relates to the baby. Categories that factor into this score include: comfort, safety features and noise level.
Ease of use: This score indicates reviewers’ satisfaction with how easy it is to use the stroller. Categories that factor into this score include: ability to fold the stroller, the stroller’s weight and its maneuverability.
These strollers are our top picks, ranked in order of overall score.
The strollers
1. Chicco Liteway
Lightweight and compact, the Chicco Liteway (17 pounds, 3 ounces) features rear-wheel suspension with foot-locking rear brakes, precision-swivel front wheels for maneuverability, a padded five-point harness to keep baby safe, and a multiposition adjustable seat that accommodates children from birth up to 40 pounds.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 9.3 | 8.5 | 9.8 |
Buyers Like
- Lightweight and compact when folded
- Smooth ride, easy to maneuver
- Stable and safe
Buyers Dislike
- Inadequate sun shade
- No tray for baby
2. UPPAbaby G-Lite
The UPPAbaby G-Lite is a no-frills, lightweight (15 pounds) umbrella stroller with a generous canopy, an underseat storage bin and handles that are high enough so even tall parents can push the stroller with ease.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 8.8 | 8.4 | 8.5 |
Buyers Like
- Wide, comfortable seat for baby
- Maneuverable
- Large storage basket and cup holder
Buyers Dislike
- Seat doesn’t recline enough
- Too large when folded up
3. Chicco Liteway Plus
The lightweight (15 pounds), easy to fold, two-in-one Chicco Liteway Plus seamlessly transitions from a sturdy stroller to a car-seat carrier. It has a five-position reclining seat, a removable canopy with peek-a-boo window, and high handlebars, making it easy to push for parents of all heights.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 8.7 | 9.0 | 9.0 |
Buyers Like
- Fast and easy to fold and stow
- Comfortable for baby, whether reclining or sitting
- Lightweight yet sturdy
Buyers Dislike
- Lack of accessories for baby and parent
- Small, inconveniently located storage basket
4. Summer Infant 3D Lite
The Summer Infant 3D Lite umbrella stroller is easy to fold and stow and is surprisingly sturdy for something so lightweight (15 pounds, 4 ounces). It has anti-shock front wheels and lockable rear wheels for easy maneuverability and stability, along with a five-point harness to keep baby safely strapped in. It’s available in nine colors.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 8.67 | 7.7 | 8.8 |
Buyers Like
- Lightweight, sturdy and easy to fold
- Easy to maneuver
- Comfortable and safe, with a five-point harness
Buyers Dislike
- Small storage area
- Inadequate sun shade
5. UPPAbaby G-Luxe
Removable, washable padding makes cleanup a breeze, while the UPPAbaby G-Luxe’s reclining seat offers baby comfort and back support. Its tall handlebars, light weight (15 pounds) and high-performance wheels make for easy pushing.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 8.4 | 8.5 | 8.4 |
Buyers Like
- Comfortable, with excellent support
- Lightweight yet sturdy
- Maneuverable
Buyers Dislike
- Small, inadequate storage basket
- Lack of cup holders
- Bulky
6. Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight
The stow-and-go Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight umbrella stroller weighs less than 12 pounds and features a three-tier sun canopy, cup holders for parents and child, and a five-point safety harness. It also features one-hand folding, which some parents complained doesn’t work very well.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 8.1 | 6.7 | 8.3 |
Buyers Like
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to maneuver
- Generous sun canopy
Buyers Dislike
- Lack of back support
- Feels flimsy
- Difficult to open and close
7. Chicco C6
At only 11 pounds, the aluminum-framed Chicco C6 is the lightest stroller on our list. It opens and folds with ease, and it features all-wheel suspension, front wheel swivel locks and a padded five-point harness for comfort and safety. However, the fact that its seat doesn’t recline fully made it less than ideal for some users.
| Overall score | Functionality | Ease of use |
| 7.8 | 8.0 | 8.1 |
Buyers Like
- Easy to open and fold
- Lightweight and compact
- Easy to maneuver
Buyers Dislike
- Low-quality harness
- Does not recline
- Handles are oddly placed and uncomfortable
Best umbrella strollers buying guide
Umbrella strollers are great for on-the-go parents who want a lightweight stroller they can stow without it taking up a lot of room. They’re great if you travel, live in a city where you’re constantly getting on and off public transportation, or live in an apartment building with stairs. But as we’ve demonstrated, not all umbrella strollers are created equal, and finding the right one can be confusing. Here are a few factors to keep in mind while you’re shopping:
Safety
Keeping your child safe is obviously topmost in your mind. A three-strap harness might be all you need to keep a 3-year-old in place, but smaller toddlers and babies are going to need the security that a four- or five-point harness will provide. Straps that adjust as your child grows are also important so you can make sure they’re never too loose or too tight.
Portability
Is this a stroller you’re going to roll in the front door and park in your spacious foyer or mudroom after a day at the park? If so, you can probably easily handle the relative bulk of the UPPAbaby G-Lite, which is comfy for baby but not exactly streamlined once folded. But if you’re going to need to pack your stroller in the trunk, carry it up a flight of stairs and then find closet space for it, a lighter, more compact model such as the Chicco Liteway or Chicco Liteway Plus might make more sense.
Foldability
The ease with which you can open and fold a stroller can be one of its strongest selling points. Parents praised the Summer Infant 3D Lite and the Chicco Liteway Plus for their foldability.
Stowability
Once you’ve folded that stroller, is it small enough to stow? The Chicco C6 and the Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight earned high marks for their compact size once folded down into storage mode.
Terrain
Most strollers can navigate a lap or two around the mall with ease, but if you live where you’re going be walking an obstacle course of potholes, curbs, dirt trails or unexpected dips, you’re going to want a stroller that offers excellent suspension, like the Chicco C6 or the Summer Infant 3D Lite.
Accessories
Aside from holding your child, strollers can serve other purposes as well. For example, if you tend to shop while out with your kids, you’re going to want one that comes with a large, easy-to-access storage basket, like the UPPAbaby G-Lite. If you can’t deal without your Starbucks, a cup holder is going to be something you look for — though those usually are available as an add-on even if they don’t come in the standard package.
Special needs
Maybe your child is very small or you are very tall. In either case, you’re going to want a stroller that accommodates your needs. Users praised the Chicco Liteway Plus and the UPPAbaby G-Luxe for their relatively high handlebars, whereas more diminutive users considered that height a demerit. Parents with taller children should also take their child’s height into consideration. Some said the Summer Infant 3D Lite was too small for some children who fell within the stroller’s weight range.
For more stroller roundups, check out:
Compare other popular strollers here:
- Graco Snugride vs Chicco Keyfit
- BOB Motion vs BOB Revolution SE
- BOB Revolution SE vs Baby Jogger City Mini GT
For more stroller buying advice, check out:
Top image via iStock.
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