1Best for newborns overall
Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus
The Butterfly 2 Plus seat reclines flat and has a newborn foot cover built in, so you don’t buy a bassinet. It also takes the widest range of infant car seats on adapters.
- Weight
- 16 lb
- Folded
- 21.8 x 17.6 x 9.6 in
- Child up to
- 50 lb
- 22 x 14 x 9 bag
- Too big
Why it stands out
- Lay-flat seat and newborn foot cover, so no bassinet needed
- Adapters fit Nuna PIPA, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, Clek and Bugaboo Turtle seats
- 17.6 lb basket plus a seat-back pocket
- 4-year warranty when bought from Bugaboo
Watch out for
- 16 lb, about 1.7 lb heavier than the Joolz Aer2
- Folds to 21.8 x 17.6 x 9.6 in, over a 22 x 14 x 9 in carry-on
- Adapters ($69.95) and transport bag cost extra
Read the full Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus review
2Lightest lie-flat seat
Joolz Aer2
The Aer2 lies flat from birth at 14.3 lb, with a baby net in the box. A cot and nest-to-seat insert are optional.
- Weight
- 14.3 lb
- Folded
- 20.9 x 17.3 x 9.2 in
- Child up to
- 50 lb
- 22 x 14 x 9 bag
- Too big
Why it stands out
- Seat lies fully flat, so it works from birth without a bassinet
- One-hand fold that stands on its own, with a shoulder strap and travel pouch included
- 17.6 lb basket, big for a travel stroller
- Up to 10-year warranty if you register it within 6 months
Watch out for
- At 20.9 x 17.3 x 9.2 in folded, it is wider than a 22 x 14 x 9 in carry-on
- Car seat adapters ($59.99) are extra
- Fabrics are hand-wash only
Read the full Joolz Aer2 review
3Best value for newborns
Mountain Buggy nano urban
For $389.99 the nano urban lies flat and holds an infant car seat with a built-in belt, so you need no adapters.
- Weight
- 13 lb
- Folded
- 21 x 20 x 12 in
- Child up to
- 49 lb
- 22 x 14 x 9 bag
- Too big
Why it stands out
- Lay-flat seat from birth
- Built-in travel-system belt holds an infant car seat, no adapters
- Two wheel sets in the box: small travel wheels and bigger urban wheels
- Folds into an included satchel
Watch out for
- Mountain Buggy’s page lists conflicting weights (13 lb and 7.6 kg)
- Handlebar does not adjust
- Reviews of the earlier nano found the basket hard to load
Read the full Mountain Buggy nano urban review
4Best newborn stroller for home and travel
UPPAbaby Minu V3
The Minu V3 seat goes flat with a foot barrier and insert, and UPPAbaby Mesa seats click on with adapters. It has a 20 lb basket and a 3-year warranty.
- Weight
- 16.7 lb
- Folded
- 21.5 x 18 x 10 in
- Child up to
- 50 lb
- 22 x 14 x 9 bag
- Too big
Why it stands out
- Flat recline with a foot barrier, usable from birth
- 20 lb basket and a hidden pocket for a tracker
- One-hand fold and unfold, carry strap built in
- 3-year warranty
Watch out for
- 16.7 lb, the heaviest single stroller in our list
- Folds to 21.5 x 18 x 10 in
- Non-UPPAbaby car seats need a separate adapter set
Read the full UPPAbaby Minu V3 review
5Best with a newborn pack
Stokke YOYO5
The YOYO5 Newborn Pack is a separate fully flat cocoon for babies up to 19.8 lb. Bought as a bundle, it costs $699.
- Weight
- 15.4 lb
- Folded
- 20.5 x 17.7 x 8.7 in
- Child up to
- 48.5 lb
- 22 x 14 x 9 bag
- Too big
Why it stands out
- Folds one-handed with the seat or newborn pack still attached
- 20.5 x 17.7 x 8.7 in, within Air France and KLM cabin stroller limits
- 22 lb basket limit, the biggest of the singles
- Shoulder strap and carry bag included
Watch out for
- Seat pack is for 6 months and up; newborns need the $150 newborn pack
- At 15.4 lb, it is heavier than the YOYO3 it replaced
- YOYO3 accessories do not fit the new frame
Read the full Stokke YOYO5 review
6Best travel system
Nuna TRVL
If you own a Nuna PIPA seat, it clicks onto the TRVL with no adapters. The TRVL seat itself is for babies who can sit up.
- Weight
- 13.6 lb
- Folded
- 24 x 20.25 x 11 in
- Child up to
- 50 lb
- 22 x 14 x 9 bag
- Too big
Why it stands out
- Self-folds and stands with one button
- Nuna PIPA infant seats click straight on, no adapters
- Carry bag included; rear wheels pop off to shrink the fold
- 50 lb child limit at 13.6 lb
Watch out for
- Seat does not lie flat; newborns ride in the PIPA seat
- Folds to 24 x 20.25 x 11 in, too big for most cabins
- 10 lb basket limit is low
Read the full Nuna TRVL review
7Best car seat stroller
Doona X
The Doona X is a rear-facing infant car seat with wheels, usable from birth up to 30 lb or 32 in.
- Weight
- 19.6 lb
- Folded
- 28.5 x 18 x 17.3 in
- Child up to
- 30 lb
- 22 x 14 x 9 bag
- Too big
Why it stands out
- Infant car seat and stroller in one, FAA approved for aircraft
- New 3-position recline in stroller mode
- LATCH base, infant insert and seat protector included
Watch out for
- 19.6 lb to carry as a car seat
- Outgrown at 30 lb or 32 in
- No basket; $850
Read the full Doona X review
Three Ways to Use a Travel Stroller From Birth
A seat that lies flat
Simplest and lightest. The Butterfly 2 Plus, Aer2, Minu V3, nano urban and Silver Cross Jet 5 all recline flat.
A newborn pack or bassinet
The YOYO5 swaps its seat for a flat Newborn Pack. It is a softer, more enclosed bed, but it costs extra, and you outgrow it at about 6 months.
An infant car seat on the frame
Handy if your baby falls asleep in the car or on the plane. Nuna PIPA seats click onto the Nuna TRVL with no adapters; most other frames need an adapter set. Our strollers for airplanes page covers using a car seat on board.
What About the Smallest Folds?
The two smallest folds we found, the Cybex Libelle and the gb Pockit+, start at 6 months in the seat. With a newborn you can still use them with a Cybex infant car seat on the included adapters. Once your baby sits up, see our travel strollers for toddlers.