car seat travel system reviews

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The Best Travel Car Seats

Let’s face it: Traveling with little kids can be a slog. But a lightweight, compact, easy-to-install travel car seat is one tool that can make trips a bit easier.

We’ve tested 17 travel car seats for infants and up, and we examined how they performed in various circumstances, including during air travel and in rental cars. The Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks for the best infant car seats , is an excellent choice for both travel and everyday use. For an affordable and easy-to-use convertible car seat for toddlers and preschoolers, we recommend traveling with the Cosco Scenera Next , which fits kids up to 40 inches tall for rear-facing or 43 inches for forward-facing. For kids bigger than that who still need a seat with a five-point harness, we recommend the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 , which also converts to a high-back booster. The backless, lightweight Cosco Rise is great for booster-age kids.

If you’ll be hopping in and out of taxis or ride shares with a baby, the Doona is a unique but expensive infant car seat that converts to a stroller. And instead of purchasing a dedicated convertible car seat for travel, another option is to bring yours along with the Britax Travel Cart .

Everything we recommend

Chicco KeyFit 35 ClearTex

The best infant car seat for travel.

If you’re a frequent traveler, the Chicco KeyFit 35 is easier than most infant car seats to install securely without its base.

Buying Options

An infant car seat and stroller in one

This unusual car seat has integrated wheels that pop out to turn it into a stroller. It’s best for parents who frequently need to move their car seat in and out of different vehicles.

Cosco Scenera Next

The best convertible car seat for travel.

This affordable and easy-to-use car seat weighs 6.8 pounds and can be used rear- and forward-facing. But kids can outgrow it quickly.

Cosco Finale 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat

The best harness booster car seat for travel.

This no-frills seat converts from a forward-facing five-point harness to a high-back booster. It weighs just 12 pounds.

Britax Travel Cart

A travel cart for lugging your own seat through the airport.

This sturdy, smooth-rolling travel cart helps you transport your own convertible car seat—and avoid buying a standalone travel seat. You can even strap your child into their seat and use it like a stroller.

The best backless booster seat for travel

This basic booster seat weighs only 2.2 pounds and can work for children as small as 40 pounds. But it has a rather large footprint and will be too big to fit in most carry-ons.

How we picked

A seat that’s lightweight is more manageable to carry between multiple locations. A more compact seat is also easier to pack.

We considered the seat’s comfort and ability to adjust straps and buckles.

Ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it will be done properly.

We looked at crash-testing scores and ease-of-use ratings. Our infant, convertible, and harness booster picks are FAA-approved for use on a plane.

The Chicco KeyFit 35 is a great all-around infant car seat—and one of the ones we recommend for everyday use. But for travel it stands out: It has a European belt path that makes it easier to get a secure install without the base than for many car seats, and it’s cheaper than other seats that have this belt routing option.

Weight of seat: 10 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

Parents who can’t leave their infant seat base installed in a specific car but instead need to travel by taxi or rideshare frequently may find the innovative Doona to be a convenient option. This sleek infant car seat has integrated wheels and converts to a stroller that maneuvers easily, plus the seat is FAA-approved for use on an airplane. But the versatile Doona is much heavier and more expensive than a regular infant car seat.

Weight of seat: 14.3 pounds Orientation: rear-facing only Weight range: 4 to 35 pounds Height limit: 32 inches

The Cosco Scenera Next is a notably lightweight, affordable convertible car seat that is simple to install and carry on an airplane. It receives strong safety ratings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is FAA-approved for use on a plane. But many kids will outgrow it before they reach the height or weight limit because of the low position of the shoulder straps.

Weight of seat: 6.8 pounds Orientation: rear- or forward-facing Weight range: 5 to 40 pounds rear-facing; 22-40 pounds forward-facing Height range: 19-40 inches rear-facing; 29-43 inches forward-facing

For children using a forward-facing five-point harness, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a lightweight and affordable travel option that is FAA-approved for use on a plane (in harness mode only). It also converts to a high-back booster. However, it has lower height limits than some boosters, so kids may not get as many years of use from it, in comparison with pricier options.

Weight of seat: 12 pounds Orientation: forward-facing only Weight range: 30 to 65 pounds for harness mode; 40 to 100 pounds for high-back mode Height range: 32 to 49 inches for harness mode; 43 to 52 inches for high-back mode

Bringing your own car seat to the airport has one big advantage—you don’t have to learn how to install yet another seat. But your own convertible car seat is likely to be heavy (our picks in our guide to convertible car seats range from 19 to 33 pounds). The Britax Travel Cart is compatible with most convertible seats, and when your car seat is secured to it with LATCH, you can use it like a stroller to push your toddler through the airport. The cart can then be stored in an overhead bin during your flight.

Weight of cart: 7.6 pounds

If you need a cheap, no-frills booster seat, we recommend the Cosco Rise . It’s a bit too large to fit into a carry-on suitcase or backpack, but it’s easy to attach with a bungee cord to a carry-on for plane travel. It’s also a great option if you just need a spare booster for carpools or to order ahead for use at the grandparents' house.

Weight of seat: 2.2 pounds Weight range: 40 to 100 pounds Height range: 43 to 57 inches

The research

Why you should trust us, who should get this, the best infant car seat for travel: chicco keyfit 35, an infant seat and stroller in one: doona, the best convertible car seat for travel: cosco scenera next, the best harness booster seat for travel: cosco finale 2-in-1, a great car seat caddy: britax travel cart, the best booster seat for travel: cosco rise, other good travel car seats, should a kid sit in a car seat on the airplane, what about checking a car seat, the competition, care, use, and maintenance.

The authors of this guide have collectively interviewed 40 industry experts, safety authorities, and physicians. Among them were certified Child Passenger Safety Technicians (CPSTs) such as Lani Harrison, who installs more than 300 car seats each year; Dr. Aditya Belwadi, a biomechanics research scientist who previously led the child passenger safety research team at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and now works at Tesla in Crash, Safety, and Occupant Protection/Biomechanics; and Bill Horn, head sled testing engineer at Calspan , one of the country’s top crash-testing facilities. The authors also talked with dozens of parents and representatives from leading car seat manufacturers.

The original version of this guide was written by Rebecca Gale, whose reporting on policy and parenting has appeared in outlets including The New York Times, Slate, and The Washington Post. Rebecca has also been certified as a CPST, completing a 40-hour training program through the Safe Kids Worldwide organization.

In 2022 and 2023, this guide was updated by Christina Szalinski, a science writer whose reporting on health and parenting has appeared in The Atlantic and Kaiser Health News . In addition to writing the most recent versions of Wirecutter’s infant and convertible car seat guides, Christina is responsible for Wirecutter’s guides to the Best Baby Formula and kids face masks .

Few people strictly need a separate car seat for travel as you can gate- or baggage-check any car seat for free with most airlines. But lugging your regular (likely heavy and bulky) seat in and out of the car and through the airport can be a major hassle. Investing in a smaller, lighter-weight option may be worthwhile, especially if you fly or use ridesharing services or taxis frequently.

Infant car seats for travel

If you’re traveling with an infant or baby, bringing along your usual infant car seat without its base (to cut down on weight and heft) is typically the best option. Our top infant car seat pick, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX , is relatively lightweight and, like other infant car seats, can be safely strapped in with a seatbelt only and no base.

There are two possible ways to install an infant car seat without a base: either with the belt directly across the top, called “American routing,” or with the shoulder belt placed around the back of the seat in addition to the top, called “European routing.” It’s easier to get a secure fit with European routing, and two seats we recommend in our guide to infant car seats, the Chicco KeyFit 35 and the Clek Liing , are designed to allow for that type of install. If you know you’ll be traveling with your infant often, it may be worthwhile to choose one of these as your baby’s first car seat.

Many infant car seats are compatible with easy-to-fold stroller frames, such as the Chicco KeyFit Caddy , which turns an infant car seat into a stroller and can be convenient for travel. Most infant seats are FAA-approved for airplane use, should you decide to purchase an airplane seat for your infant.

Convertible car seats for travel

When your child has outgrown their infant car seat, deciding on a car seat for travel can be trickier. Alisa Baer, a pediatrician, CPST, and co-founder of the website The Car Seat Lady , recommends bringing your own convertible car seat and using a travel cart . That way you have a seat that you’re already comfortable installing. But some people will prefer a dedicated travel car seat, as they can be significantly lighter than regular seats—as little as 7 pounds versus 20 to 30 pounds.

If you do buy a dedicated travel seat, it’s a good idea to practice installing it before your trip—you don’t want to be figuring it out for the first time when you, and your kid, are potentially jet lagged and feeling extra cranky. Installation can be the most time-consuming and frustrating part of using a car seat—and particularly a convertible car seat—and is often the point of failure for using a car seat correctly.

Booster seats for travel

If your everyday booster seat has a removable back (as with our top pick and runner-up pick, the Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus and the Graco TurboBooster LX ), you may prefer to simply bring that seat for travel, leaving the bulky back at home. But like with convertible seats, it’s also an option to get a dedicated travel booster that may be significantly lighter and smaller than the one you rely on every day.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, offered several tips for bringing along a backless booster, especially if it’s not one that’s compact: “I bungee cord them to my luggage while traversing the airport. On most flights, my kids could shove them under the seat in front of them and still have room to throw their backpack on top. On some flights, I’ve put them in a tote in the overhead compartment.”

Travel car seat alternatives

If you’re headed to a familiar destination, you could look into borrowing a seat from friends or relatives. Or, you may be able to rent one through a baby equipment rental service.

Many car rental companies also offer car seats for a daily fee, but it can cost up to $15 a day—adding up to much more than the cost of a travel car seat, which can be less than $50. And though you can reserve one in advance, rental car seats are subject to availability, so there’s no guarantee that one will be available when you arrive. The car seat provided may also be difficult to install properly, especially in an unfamiliar car. That said, you may be able to find discounts or other benefits through programs such as AAA, which offers one free car seat rental for members when they book a car through Hertz, Dollar, or Thrifty. Ridesharing and airport and town car services may also provide a car seat with advance reservations.

There are hundreds of travel car seat options for infants, toddlers, and older kids. We began the whittling down process by examining online customer reviews and existing media coverage, which included going to Car Seats for the Littles , Lucie’s List , and the Car Seat Lady . We found the travel car seat category to be sorely lacking in an abundance of great options, so we also considered some “regular” car seats and alternatives.

We knew from our expert interviews that proper installation is generally a far bigger problem than the level of protection that a seat inherently provides, so we searched the NHTSA ease-of-use installation database to help determine which seats offer easy installation and come with clear instructions. We also relied on the personal experience of Wirecutter staffers, volunteer testers, and car seat techs who had used the car seats in the past.

Our research led us to conclude that the ideal travel car seat should be:

Lightweight and compact: A travel car seat will likely need to be carried between multiple locations, sometimes with a baby inside (if we’re talking about an infant). The less the seat weighs, the easier it is to deal with when combined with children and carry-on items. A more compact seat can also fit more readily in a wide variety of vehicles.

FAA approved: For parents who want to use their infant seat, convertible car seat, or harness booster on a plane, FAA certification is crucial.

Easy to install: As with all of our car seat recommendations, ease of installation is paramount, as the easier it is to do, the more likely it is to be done properly.

Easy to use: Straps should be simple to adjust to get a snug but comfortable fit in a five-point harness. The buckles should be easy for parents to clip and unclip but difficult to impossible for children to mess with. We considered the experience of both parents and kids in using the seats, as well as how easy each seat was to clean.

Safe: When it comes to travel, convenience can trump a minor safety advantage; a seat that you can bring along with you is vastly superior to no seat at all. Still, we did take the relevant government safety data from NHTSA into consideration.

Over the past five years we’ve tested 17 car seats with travel specifically in mind.

If you’re shopping for an infant car seat with travel in mind, we recommend the FAA-approved Chicco KeyFit 35 , one of our picks in our guide to infant car seats . It is lightweight and easy to use, and it can be installed securely without its base using the European belt path, a method that generally provides a superior install. (Any infant seat can be installed without its base, so if you already have an infant seat, using what you already own is likely the easiest choice.)

You can save on weight and bulk by leaving a car seat base at home when traveling. There are two ways to install an infant seat without its base. The most common is American belt routing, in which the seat belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the baby’s knees. We’ve found that it can be very difficult to secure an infant seat in the car securely using this method.

A few seats also offer the option to rely on the European belt path, the method we prefer, in which the lap belt goes over the top of the infant seat and the shoulder belt goes around the back. It’s easier to get a secure install with the European belt path, but it’s only found on a few car seat models. Of the four infant car seats we recommend, only the Chicco KeyFit 35 and Clek Liing offer the option of using the European belt path.

Beyond the advantage of the European belt bath, the Chicco KeyFit 35 has everything we love about the more popular Chicco KeyFit 30 with a few bonus features, such as an anti-rebound base as an added safety option. The KeyFit 35 can also accommodate a slightly larger baby (up to 35 pounds) than the KeyFit 30.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The KeyFit 35 is about $50 more than our top infant car seat choice, the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX . It probably doesn’t make sense to buy this seat just for travel if you already own a similar infant car seat. But if you plan to be jet-setting with your baby, it may be worth the additional $50 or so to get a better on-the-go install from the start.

The Doona is an FAA-approved infant car seat (rear-facing only) with built-in wheels that allow it to convert to a stroller. For travel, this is about as convenient as it gets, allowing caregivers to rely on a single piece of equipment to accomplish two goals: avoid gate-checking a stroller—assuming an airline seat is purchased for the infant—and hop in and out of cabs without having to stow anything in the trunk.

Compared with a regular infant car seat, the Doona has some drawbacks. For one thing, it did not perform particularly well in Baby Gear Lab’s crash testing (there are no government crash tests available yet for this seat). For this reason, and because it’s tricky to install without its base (as most infant seats are), one of our car seat experts does not recommend this seat. At 14.3 pounds, it’s heavy and bulky to carry and maneuver when in car seat mode. The Doona also has the steepest price of any of the car seats (including infant, convertible, and boosters) that we’ve reviewed. It does come with a traditional infant car seat base that allows for an easy click in and out of a car, but the extra width means it could be impossible to fit three across in a backseat. And it would defeat the point to use that base for travel.

Switching the Doona from car seat mode to stroller mode and back requires “both hands and concentration,” said one tester, as well as “quite a bit of practice for me. It takes a rather specific, subtle motion to collapse it back and tuck the wheels.” It’s harder than taking a regular infant car seat off of a stroller with an infant seat attachment. Plus, once your child outgrows this seat, you’ll have to buy another stroller.

As a stroller, the Doona maneuvers easily, and the brake is intuitive and easy to use. But though it comes with an attached storage bag, the Doona lacks a storage basket.

The inexpensive Cosco Scenera Next weighs just 6.8 pounds, is relatively easy to carry and install, and can be used rear-facing from 5 to 40 pounds and forward-facing from 22 to 40 pounds. It’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane (using the plane’s seatbelt).

The Cosco sells for $60, which is a bargain compared with many convertible car seats (the Graco Extend2Fit , our favorite convertible seat for everyday use, is a little over $200). The seat gets strong safety ratings from NHTSA, and given its low weight and heft and easy-enough install, we think it’s the best option available for an on-the-go or backup car seat. We strongly prefer the (heftier) Graco Extend2Fit for everyday use. That’s because it’s easier to get a safe, secure install with that seat and to adjust it to fit the child. Plus, it can be used forward-facing until a kid is 65 pounds and 49 inches tall—a much longer usable life than the Scenera Next.

Several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Scenera Next, appreciating its low cost, low weight, and small size. They’ve found that the seat’s slim profile makes it a great option for smaller cars (specifically, a Prius or Renault Scenic). Senior editor Courtney Schley found that the Cosco allowed her to get three seats (two Coscos and one infant car seat) across in her family’s car.

The Scenera Next’s low shoulder straps mean that a child may outgrow this seat well before they are ready for a booster. ( Shoulder straps should hit at or below the shoulders when a child is rear-facing; when forward-facing the straps should hit at or above the shoulders.) The low straps mean that many 3-year-olds with longer torsos may outgrow the seat in forward-facing mode, even though the seat’s height and weight limits indicate that it should fit an average-size kid up to age 4. With a long torso, the straps end up hitting below the shoulders, a situation that can compromise safety.

Though the Scenera Next is simple to install compared with other lightweight convertible car seats we tested, some of our testers still found it difficult to get a tight, secure install. It has hook LATCH straps that aren’t particularly easy to use—you really have to tug on the LATCH straps to get a tight fit, and getting them off can be an even bigger challenge. We preferred installing the seat with a seat belt in unfamiliar cars, which was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt), and made it much easier to uninstall.

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness wasn’t as responsive or easy to use as those on more expensive seats. The Scenera Next also has less padding than many seats, though Baer points out that the padding on most seats is highly compressible, meaning that just because a seat looks fluffier doesn’t mean it provides much more cushion.

This seat also has a few downsides if you bring it on a plane. Like most convertible car seats, it’s wider than the aisle, so you have to carry it awkwardly down the plane to get to your seat, which can be quite a challenge if you’re on your own and have other carry-on items (plus your child). Additionally, the plane’s seat belt buckle is going to be pushing into your child’s back if the seat is oriented forward-facing. Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends installing any seat with this issue rear-facing, even if a kid is used to forward-facing. Or you can put a diaper or other soft item over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

The Cosco Finale 2-in-1 is a solid option for kids who are no longer rear-facing but still benefit from a five-point harness. It’s affordable, weighs just 12 pounds, and is relatively easy to install using the car’s seat belt while in harness mode (it also comes with LATCH straps, though we didn’t find these as easy to use). In booster mode Like other boosters, in booster mode this seat relies on the car’s seat belt to secure the child, so there’s no need to install it.

This bigger-kid seat can see a growing child through years of travel: It can be used as a forward-facing five-point harness booster seat from 30 to 65 pounds and then as a regular (harness-free) booster from 40 to 100 pounds (up until a child is 52 inches tall).

As a five-point harness, it’s FAA-certified and easy to install on an airplane using the plane’s seatbelt. However, when it’s in booster mode, like all boosters, it cannot be used on an airplane.

In harness mode, the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 performed well in an NHTSA crash test. And several Wirecutter staffers use or have used the Cosco Finale 2-in-1 while traveling after their child outgrew the Cosco Scenera Next—they liked the price and straightforward install. Converting the seat to a booster is fairly straightforward , and the seat has storage for the harness, crotch buckle, and chest clip. Once the seat is in booster mode, your child can’t use it on an airplane, but many airlines will allow you to check a booster seat for free (you may wish to check with your airline in advance).

A more expensive version of the Cosco Finale 2-in-1, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 , is also available. The only difference between the two is the fabric—the DX has a tiny bit more cushion and a slightly less slippery texture. We asked several children to try each seat and then report their favorite (they wore blindfolds, to remove color preference as a factor). There was no clear winner between the two seats, and our adult testers could hardly distinguish a difference in the cushioning. For this reason, we don’t think it’s worth the extra $20 for the DX.

When using the Finale 2-in-1 in harness mode, you first have to install it in the car, which you can do either with the seat’s LATCH straps or with the car’s seat belt. We found the Finale 2-in-1’s hook LATCH straps difficult to use—it’s hard to get a tight fit in the car, and getting them off can be a big challenge. As we did with the Cosco Scenera Next, we preferred installing the harnessed seat with a seat belt; this was an easier way to get a tight install (try the inside/outside trick with the shoulder belt) and also made it much easier to uninstall. (When the harness is removed and the seat is in booster mode, you do not need to install it in the car, since the car’s seat belt holds it in place and secures the child.)

Our testers also found that the chest clip on the harness was a bit more difficult to open compared to those on more expensive seats like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 . The straps have to be manually threaded through the car seat, which isn’t particularly difficult or time consuming, but you have to remember to do it before you install the seat. It also has less padding than many seats, though our child testers didn’t complain (however, we didn’t take it on any long road trips).

This seat won’t have as many years of use as other travel options, like the Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1, because the Cosco has a maximum height of 52 inches (most boosters go to 57 inches) and does not convert to a backless booster.

If you need to travel with a convertible car seat, you can bring the one you already have to the airport and onto the airplane with the Britax Travel Cart . The main benefit of bringing your own is that you’ll have a seat that you (and your child) are comfortable with, and that you know how to install confidently.

There are a number of similar travel carts out there, but we think this one offers the most for the price. We like that when the car seat is strapped onto the cart using the car seat’s LATCH clips, you can use the whole thing like a stroller and push (or pull) your child through the airport. The frame is also studier than other models—it can hold a total of 100 pounds of car seat and child. Plus, when it’s time to get on the plane you can fold the cart to stow it in an overhead bin.

At about $100 for the cart, it is cheaper to purchase a budget convertible car seat like the Cosco Scenera Next. However, depending on your circumstances, the Britax Travel Cart may outlive the expiration of many car seats (which are between six and 10 years), and could be used for future car seats, or passed along without as much consideration as a used car seat.

For a cheap, no-frills booster seat, the Cosco Rise is a reliable option that weighs only 2.2 pounds. It’s simple to use: Like other backless booster seats, it does not need to be physically attached to the vehicle; a child simply sits in it and fastens the car’s lap belt over their knees (under the seat’s sides).

The Chicco GoFit Plus is our overall top pick for the best backless booster seat because it’s cushy, made with easy-to-clean materials, and includes two cup holders and a LATCH system to anchor the seat to the car. But it’s bulky, heavy, and not great for travel. The Cosco Rise has fewer bells and whistles, but it offers a key safety feature: Unlike many other boosters, this seat has a strap that attaches to a car’s shoulder belt to adjust the belt’s position for smaller riders (the shoulder belt should always rest on a child’s collarbone, and not against their neck).

The Cosco Rise can accommodate children as small as 40 pounds, as long as they are also 43 inches tall, meaning it will work for most kids 5 and up but may not accommodate some 4-year-olds.

This seat is a bit too large to fit easily into a carry-on suitcase or backpack (it takes up almost all the room top-to-bottom in a standard-sized carry-on, with only a little room left on the side). There is also almost no padding on this seat, merely a polyester cover, but for short rides, our testers didn’t complain.

If you want an upgraded infant seat that’s great for travel : We recommend the Clek Liing , one of our favorite infant seats . Like the Chicco KeyFit 35, the Clek Liing can be installed without its base using a European belt path, which is much easier to get secure than the standard American belt routing found on most infant car seats. And when you’re at home, we love how easy it is to install the Liing’s base, which includes an added safety feature: a load leg .

If you want a high-end infant seat and don’t own a car: The lightweight, easy-to-clean Clek Liingo is similar to the Clek Liing but without the base. In general, we think installing a seat with the base is an easier and more secure option with infant car seats. But if you don’t own a car, the Liingo can be installed without a base in several ways. It has the same European belt path that the Liing has, which routes the lap belt over the top and the shoulder belt around the back for more security than an install that just goes over the top of the seat. The Liingo also comes with a LATCH strap that routes in the same spot as the lap belt—though we found this was not nearly as secure as the European belt path routing.

If you want a longer-lasting five-point harness seat for older kids: The Graco Tranzitions 3-in-1 is a good choice. This forward-facing-only seat has a five-point harness that holds kids from 22 to 65 pounds and up to 49 inches tall, and it can be adjusted without rethreading it, so it is easier to modify as your child grows. When your child is ready for a regular booster, you can remove the harness and crotch buckle, converting the seat to a high-back booster that can hold a child from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall. Finally, you can remove the back and convert the seat to a lightweight backless booster that can also be used from 40 to 100 pounds and up to 57 inches tall.

First off, a car seat must be FAA-approved—as all of our recommended infant and convertible seats are—for a kid to ride in one on an airplane. (Booster seats are reserved for older children and not intended for use on airplane seats.)

Both the Federal Aviation Administration and CPSTs believe it is safer for kids under 2 to ride in a car seat aboard a plane rather than in their parents’ arms. In the event of turbulence or rough air, a child is much safer if strapped in. Being injured in turbulence , though very unlikely, does affect a handful of American flyers each year, and recent research indicates that turbulence is on the rise due to climate change.

Many parents find that air travel is easier when their child has their own seat (though of course you have to pay for that additional seat). Children are allowed to sit on caregivers’ laps on planes until age 2, but few toddlers can sit still for a long period of time, and that extra harness and recline (as well as familiarity) provided by the car seat may keep a child seated comfortably longer, especially once they are mobile but still too young to fully understand how to sit still in a lap belt.

There are a number of challenges to bringing a car seat, especially a convertible seat designed for a toddler, onto a plane. Some smaller planes may have seats that aren’t wide enough for many convertible car seats. And even if the car seat is narrow enough for the plane, not many seats are narrow enough to easily fit down the aisle. The Clek Foonf , one of our convertible car seat picks, is one of them, but it is pricey and heavy. (The Clek Fllo , Graco SlimFit3 LX , and Graco True3Fit also fit on an airplane seat, but we did not test them.) You’ll generally have to lift a car seat above the seats to carry it to the rear of a plane.

Finally, unlike a car seat buckle, which sits on your hip, a plane’s seat buckle sits right in the middle of your lap. That means for many car seats, once you install them on the plane, there’s going to be a large metal buckle below your child’s legs or behind their back (the Clek seats are among the few without this issue). Alisa Baer, co-founder of The Car Seat Lady, recommends using convertible seats with buckle-in-the-back issues rear-facing, even with a larger child—they’ll likely be more comfortable if their feet have a place to rest, plus they won’t be trying to rest their feet on the passenger’s seat in front of them. You can also put a diaper or spare T-shirt over the buckle to make it a bit more comfortable.

Some parents may find it simpler to use a CARES harness (Child Aviation Restraint System) to help keep kids in their seats on a plane (and their kids may prefer sitting in an airplane seat over a car seat); you install this four-point harness around the child’s seatback and under the tray behind it.

Most airlines allow at least one car seat to be checked for free but doing so has several potential problems . The luggage can be handled roughly and tossed, damaging the car seat in the process. Seats, like any piece of luggage, can also be lost or misplaced in transit. Ultimately, the main reason you may want to have your child use a car seat on the plane is so that you are absolutely confident you’ll have the car seat when you arrive at your destination.

For people who do check in their car seats, Harrison recommends—ideally—using the original box and styrofoam that the seat came with if they are available or using Bubble Wrap and a garbage bag if not. Examine the seat for visible damage when it comes out at baggage claim, and be prepared to replace the seat if it’s broken or bent.

Infant travel seats

The Chicco Fit2 can accommodate infants as small as 4 pounds and toddlers as large as 35 pounds or 35 inches. Like the Chicco KeyFit 35 we recommend as the best infant car seat for travel, it can be installed with a European belt path. But because of this seat’s large size, some seat belts are too short to route over the car seat securely.

Convertible travel seats

We previously recommended the lightweight, foldable, forward-facing WAYB Pico (rhymes with “baby”) as a good travel car seat for kids who are too big for the Cosco Scenera Next but still need a five-point harness. Its adjustable seat back allows it to accommodate taller kids, and its slim design means it takes up less room in the backseat than other car seats. The 8-pound seat is exceptionally convenient to install, uninstall, and carry around, including through airports and onto a plane. In September 2019, however, WAYB announced it was recalling 4,558 Pico car seats manufactured between March 1 and May 12, 2019, due to reports of breakage in the aluminum tube connecting the headrest to the seat. You can read NHSTA’s report (PDF)  for details about the recall, how to identify your car seat’s date of manufacture, and how to inspect your car seat for damage. Since the recall, there have not been further reports of problems. Like all car seats sold in the US, the Pico was self-certified by WAYB to pass NHTSA standards (PDF) for safety testing.

The EvenFlo Tribute is a lightweight seat (9 pounds) similar to the Cosco Scenera Next and also has a weight limit of 40 pounds, but as our convertible car seat guide testing showed us, it’s not as easy to get a good install with this seat. CPSTs like Harrison recommend using a towel or pool noodle when using the Tribute to address this. It’s also more expensive than the Cosco Scenera Next.

Booster travel seats

We previously recommended the BubbleBum , an inflatable, portable backless booster seat for older kids. However, in February 2022, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety raised concerns about the safety of inflatable boosters. A study using a computerized model determined that an inflatable booster may not have the stiffness required to keep a child from sliding out from under the lap belt upon impact in a car crash.

The backless Cosco Topside is too large to fit into a carry-on or a backpack. Unlike the Cosco Rise , our favorite backless booster for travel, this booster seat also doesn’t have a belt-positioning clip, which can help the shoulder belt fit better on a smaller rider.

We liked the Graco RightGuide booster seat because it was small enough to fit inside a carry-on or backpack. But it was recently discontinued.

The Immi Go is a booster car seat with a five-point harness that folds conveniently into its own carrying bag. Due to low sales, it is no longer for sale in the US, but you may see this seat if you travel abroad.

The MiFold backless booster seat (currently unavailable) is small enough to fit into the back pocket of some pants and weighs less than 2 pounds. It works by moving the seat belt down to fit the kid (as opposed to raising the kid to fit the belt, as other boosters do). However, our testers found its hard plastic shell uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time and said that the seat was complicated and unintuitive to set up. Also, a car seat safety expert we consulted noted that the design of the seat may encourage a child to use bad posture while they’re sitting in it—in an effort to find a more comfortable position, the child may tend to scoot forward, moving the slick-bottomed seat along with them, which could pose a safety concern.

Travel carts

The Torevsior Car Seat Travel Cart is about $25 less than the Britax Travel Cart we recommend, but it’s also less robust—the frame just doesn’t feel as sturdy. The weight limit is also lower than the Britax’s, at 70 pounds versus Britax’s 100 pounds. Like the Britax travel cart, the Torevsior cart has hooks for LATCH straps, to secure a car seat onto the cart so that your child can ride in it as you’re moving through the airport. It’s 6.4 pounds (Britax is 7.6 pounds), and extends up to 46 inches (Britax to 42 inches).

All of the guidelines for car seat care, use, and maintenance in our other car seat guides apply to travel car seats as well.

This guide was edited by Ellen Lee, Amy Miller Kravetz and Kalee Thompson.

Jessica Jermakian, vice president for vehicle research at the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety , email exchange , August 1, 2022

Alisa Baer, pediatrician, nationally certified child passenger safety instructor, and co-founder of The Car Seat Lady , phone interview, July 15, 2022 and January 9, 2023

Lani Harrison, CPST, Car Seats for the Littles , email interview , January 28, 2019

Meet your guides

Christina Szalinski

Christina Szalinski is a freelance science writer with a PhD in cell biology.

Rebecca Gale

Further reading

The Best Booster Car Seats

by Rebecca Gale

After researching over 50 booster car seats and testing 13, we’ve concluded that the convenient Chicco KidFit ClearTex Plus is the best overall choice.

Traveling With Little Kids Can Be Tough. The Right Gear Can Help.

by Kerry Davis McGuinness

From compact car seats and cribs to portable blackout shades and white noise machines, the right tools for travel can lead to less fuss—and more fun.

The Best Travel Strollers

by Elise Czajkowski

After testing seven travel strollers on various trips and excursions, we’re confident that the Uppababy Minu V2 is the one to get.

The Best Infant Car Seats

by Christina Szalinski

After extensive research and field testing, we found that the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 DLX is the best infant car seat for most families.

• Strollers /
• Car Seats /

Best Travel Systems of 2024

Travel systems—car seat + stroller combos—make getting out with your baby a whole lot easier., by jen labracio.

When you’re ready to roll with your little one, a car seat and a stroller is key. Thanks to the smarty who designed the first travel system―a car seat that clips onto a matching stroller―you can make one purchase and get both essentials. If you’re a new parent and just heard the term “travel system,” don’t worry—we’ll explain it all. (And if you came here looking for a travel stroller or a travel car seat , those are different, but we’ve got you covered there, too.) We’re also sharing important car seat safety information from a pediatrician and our top picks for the best travel systems.

Babylist’s Top Picks for the Best Travel Systems

• Best Travel System: Chicco Corso LE Modular Travel System
• Best More Affordable Pick: Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System
• Easiest Install: Britax Willow Brook Travel System
• Best Car Seat: Nuna MIXX NEXT with Mag Buckle and PIPA Rx Travel System
• Most Versatile: Graco Modes Nest Travel System
• Best for a Growing Family: UPPAbaby MESA V2 Infant Car Seat & VISTA V2 Stroller Travel System
• Best Jogger: Baby Trend Expedition Race Tec Jogger Travel System
• Easiest to Fold: Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All-Terrain Travel System
• Best Lightweight: Nuna PIPA urbn + TRVL Travel System
• Best More Affordable Lightweight: Graco FastAction Fold Sport Click Connect Travel System

In This Article

How we chose the best travel systems.

• Our Top Picks

What Is a Travel System?

Do you need a travel system.

• When Do You Need a Travel System

Are Travel Systems Safe for Newborns?

How to pick the best travel system, babylist’s picks for the best travel systems, best travel system stroller.

Chicco Corso LE Modular Travel System - Veranda

• Great combo of features, price + performance
• Stroller can be used as a frame carrier
• Includes parent-favorite car seat

What Our Experts Say

The price of a travel system can range from a few hundred dollars to well over a thousand. The Chicco Corso Travel System sits squarely in the middle of that price range and has a lot to offer, making it one of our favorite travel systems on the market. The car seat, the KeyFit 35, is a popular parent favorite that’s easy to install, packed with safety features and fits most babies really well. (It also works well for extended rear-facing use, with a good amount of headrest room and a weight maximum of 35 pounds.) The stroller shares many features with high-end strollers that cost upwards of a thousand dollars, including large, foam-filled tires and rear-wheel suspension for a smooth ride, a multi-position reclining seat, an adjustable canopy and footrest and leatherette trim. The stroller seat is fully removable, turning it from a full-featured toddler stroller into a lightweight, skeleton frame that’s much easier to manage when you’re using it with just the infant car seat.

What’s Worth Considering

If you want to spend a little less, check out the brand’s Bravo Trio Travel System . You’ll get the same infant car seat as part of the package deal, but not the same stroller—the Trio has plastic wheels instead of rubber and the ride isn’t as smooth as compared to the Corso. Parents also say the materials overall are a bit less durable. But considering the price, it’s still an excellent choice if you’re in the market for a solid travel system. favorite.

What Babylist Parents Say

“As a CPST I trust Chicco and all of their products. The ease of the KeyFit35 install is to die for. The car seat also feels comfortable and sturdy. I also love this stroller! The one-hand fold and the sleek design. It looks beautiful with the flower-like wheels and leather handle. It’s also a beautiful color. I would recommend to anyone.” -Patience Mabin

Additional Specs

Best More Affordable Baby Travel System

Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System w/Litemax - Desert Tan

• Higher-end features at affordable price
• Six different stroller seating configurations
• Car seat exceeds industry safety standards

Parents rave about this travel system that offers so much for so little, and we couldn’t agree more. The Pivot has features we’ve come to expect from much pricier strollers, like the option to turn the regular seat into a newborn bassinet, a large canopy, a seat that can face forward or toward you and a removable child tray. The Litemax infant car seat that’s included far exceeds industry standards and is a favorite of CPSTs (Child Passenger Safety Technicians, AKA car seat safety experts). The base is made of impact-absorbing materials and has an anti-rebound bar to deflect the force of a crash, along with lots more impressive safety features.

The car seat included here is really where this travel system shines, especially for the price. The stroller doesn’t handle uneven terrain all that well, and parents complain that the wheels start to squeak over time. Users also note that attaching the car seat to the stroller may take a bit of finesse.

If you’re looking for a similarly affordable travel system that also converts from a single to a double stroller, check out the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Travel System with Litemax .

Craving a few upgrades? Take a look at the Evenflo Gold Shyft . It’s also a multi-mode seat that features SensorSafe technology (an app paired with a special car seat buckle that alerts you if your child is unbuckled, overheats or is left behind in the car) as well as upgraded fabrics, trim and wheels.

“I like the flexibility—it can easily change from holding the car seat to a bassinet to a “big kid” seat.” -Marie

Travel System with Easiest Install

Britax Willow Brook Travel System - Onyx Glacier

• Infant car seat is quick and easy to install
• Four ways to stroll
• One-step fold

Parents and car seat experts rave about ClickTight, Britax’s installation technology, calling it “ a remarkably simple and effective way to install a car seat .” But it’s never been available in an infant seat—until now. The Willow infant car seat included in this well-priced travel system features this installation system that makes getting a safe, secure install quick and easy. The seat also features three adjustment points (hips, shoulders and between the legs) for a custom fit and naturally flame-retardant fabrics (which are also washer and dryer safe). The stroller is on the lighter side and has a modular seat, a one-step fold and a large storage basket.

The stroller’s wheels are plastic and the suspension system isn’t the best, leading some parents to complain about a bumpy ride when on uneven terrain.

“We are on our 4th child so we have tried several other strollers and car seats before. I have to say that this set is top-notch. The stroller is fairly light and glides very smoothly with easy turns. The seat can lift up and turn around so baby can face frontward to see ahead or rearward to see us. The cupholder for the “pusher” is a nice touch. Car seat and base are also great but the cool thing about the ca seat is that it also clicks into the stroller until baby is big enough for the toddler seat. No complaints.” -bmshaw

Best Car Seat Travel System

Nuna MIXX Next with Mag Buckle and PIPA Rx Travel System - Caviar

• Includes ultra-light, ultra-safe parent favorite car seat
• Luxury features
• Stroller has great maneuverability and suspension

This travel system is (much) more than just its good looks—it’s also super functional. It combines the Nuna Mixx Next stroller, loved for its smooth ride (oversized tires + all-wheel suspension = one high-performing combo), generous storage basket, magnetic seat buckle and compact fold with the Pipa Rx Infant Car Seat, one of the lightest, safest and most popular infant seats on the market. (It also includes the Relx Base, Nuna’s anti-rebound base that features a fold-down stability leg to absorb collision forces and four latch positions for a better fit against your vehicle’s seat.)

The stroller fully reclines and boasts excellent maneuverability and the car seat is a breeze to snap in and out at only a little over seven pounds. This travel system is pricey, but well worth it if you’re looking for a luxury car seat + stroller combo that combines safety, durability and performance features.

This is a really pricey travel system, especially considering the stroller doesn’t convert to hold more than one child. Although the car seat is super light, the Mixx stroller is on the heavier side. The car seat’s seat pad is machine washable but the rest is spot-clean only.

Most Versatile Travel System

Graco Modes Nest Travel System - Sullivan

• Three different modes
• One-hand, self-standing fold

This travel system combines one of Graco’s most popular strollers, the Modes Nest, with their popular SnugRide 35 Lite Elite infant car seat, and the result is one pretty awesome travel system. The standout feature of the Modes Nest stroller is optionality. It’s three strollers in one, working as an infant car seat carrier (you can click the car seat directly onto the stroller frame), a bassinet (pram) and a toddler stroller with the ability to flip the seat parent- or forward-facing. Especially considering the price, this is a pretty impressive (and convenient) feature. Parents also love the snack tray and parent cup holder, large canopy and removable newborn head and body support. The car seat, the SnugRide 35 Lite Elite, weighs under 10 pounds and is easy to install. It works up to 35 pounds and has a four-position recline.

The stroller wheels are plastic, so it’s not ideal for rougher terrain or traversing over curbs.

Looking for a similar stroller but need it to work for a growing family? Check out the Graco Modes Nest2Grow Travel System . It expands to a double stroller and has over 15 configurations.

“We love this travel system for our daughter! The car seat is light, which I definitely appreciated after my C-section as I was not supposed to carry a lot of weight. The stroller is also lightweight and has great features! We were drawn to this stroller for the bassinet feature. We put our daughter down for walks and she naps peacefully while getting some fresh air. The stroller is also easy to fold and unfold. I feel like I could do it with one hand if I tried, which is great for any mom who already has their hands full with their little one!” -JCains

Best Travel System for a Growing Family

UPPAbaby MESA V2 Infant Car Seat & VISTA V2 Stroller Travel System - Mesa V2 Greyson/Vista V2 Greyson

• Grows with your family
• Tons of configurations

When this travel system hits the sidewalks, other strollers give it the jealous side-eye. The Vista (which consistently makes it into our best stroller guide) grows right along with your family. It can accommodate two infant car seats, two bassinets and countless other combinations. It has an amazing amount of high-end features and is a true delight to push—it easily steers with one hand, turns on a dime and can effortlessly take on rougher surfaces like cracked sidewalks and gravel. The Mesa infant car seat is reversible (parent-facing or front-facing) as are the toddler seats, and there’s shade galore with an enormous SPF 50 canopy, a huge storage basket, a telescoping handlebar and a red-to-green light indicator on the car seat base so you know when it’s been properly secured.

The Vista V2 travel system is expensive. It’s a large, bulky stroller and isn’t the easiest to break down. It can also be tough to push when it’s fully loaded with two kiddos. Unlike the Evenflo travel system above, the stroller component of this system is what shines rather than the car seat. While it’s not the hardest to install, it’s not always the easiest (always read your manual!) and the fit isn’t always the best for smaller babies.

“The flexibility!!! It was wonderful with one child and a lifesaver now that we have two under two. It has incredible storage capacity, many configuration options and so easy to use!!!” -Nicole

Best Jogging Travel System

Baby trend expedition race tec jogger travel system - ultra grey.

• Super affordable jogging stroller
• XL wheels for any terrain
• Oversized storage basket

Jogging strollers aren’t known for being affordable, so it’s surprising that a travel system with a car seat and a jogger that handles as well as this one does could cost so little. The Expedition boasts the ability to make quick, sharp turns and has bicycle wheels to coast over gravel, grass, uneven pavement and other types of rough terrain. (The front wheel also locks for jogging.) It also features a jumbo storage basket, a removable XL canopy to block out the elements and an effortless fold that engages by pulling the triggers beside the handlebar.

You can’t jog with the stroller until your little one can sit up and has strong head and neck control, usually around eight months old. It’s also on the shorter side for a jogger, so a taller toddler may not fit in it for very long, meaning you won’t get as much use out of it as some of the larger (and more expensive) jogging strollers like BOB or Thule. The car seat can be tough to install.

“I am tall so this stroller was great for my height. The price was right and the car seat was very lightweight. It did not take up a lot of space in my small car and was easy to attach to the stroller. I love how smooth the jogging stroller was to push.” -Ashley

Ready to Add a Travel System to Your Registry?

With Babylist, you can add any item from any store onto ONE registry. Start your registry today and get a Hello Baby Box full of free (amazing!) goodies.

Easiest to Fold Travel System

Baby jogger city mini gt2 all-terrain travel system - opulent black.

• Includes bestselling stroller
• Quick and easy one-handed fold
• Great for urban and suburban families

The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 stroller is a parent favorite and a Babylist bestseller thanks to its agility and its unparalleled one-handed fold. Combine that with a versatile, ultrasafe car seat and you get a travel system that’s tough to top. The GT2’s slim profile and ability to quickly turn corners makes it perfect for crowded city streets as well as suburban sidewalks. With one hand you can quickly whip it closed and carry it up stairs or onto a commuter train no problem—it’s lighter than most full-size strollers. And because of its tight fold, it fits in smaller trunks.

The compatible City GO 2 car seat is just as great. You can safely secure it in a vehicle with or without a base (perfect for taxis or ride shares) and it pops right into the stroller.

The storage basket on the stroller is small and tough to reach, and the infant car seat is on the heavier side.

“My baby loves this stroller the most and we take it everywhere. Love the light weight, easy to fold feature and comfort.” -Lee

Best Lightweight Travel System

Nuna pipa urbn & trvl travel system - caviar.

• Baseless infant car seat
• Lightweight travel stroller + 7-pound car seat
• Perfect for travel

If you plan on traveling frequently while your baby is an infant, or simply prefer a more lightweight stroller for everyday use, this is the travel system for you. It’s pricey, but it’s an extremely high-quality, safe and innovative stroller + car seat combo that is truly one of a kind.

This travel system from Nuna combines the brand’s TRVL stroller with the urbn, a baseless car seat. What’s so special about a baseless car seat? Most infant car seats can be installed without a base, but require a seat belt—along with time and patience. That’s not the case here. There’s no base to worry about AND the latch system is built right into the seat’s base. Simply press a button on each side to attach the seat directly to your vehicle’s lower anchors. It’s about as foolproof as it gets, and especially ideal if you’ll be using your car seat on the go in rideshares or taxis. It’s also an extremely safe way to secure a car seat to a vehicle.

Standout features of the TRVL stroller include a quick, one-handed fold, a compact size (it stands on its own and weighs just over 13 pounds) and an easy-access storage basket.

This travel system is expensive. The stroller doesn’t have a carry strap and doesn’t have many of the perks you’ll find on a full-size stroller. The urbn car seat has a lower height and weight limit than most infant car seats.

Best More Affordable Lightweight Travel System

Graco fastaction fold sport click connect travel system - gotham.

• One-second, one-hand fold
• Modular seat
• Includes lightweight car seat

The second Graco travel system on our list, this one stands out as a much more affordable lightweight travel system that’s known for its one-handed, one-second fold. The FastAction system is a great choice if you’re looking for a safe, popular car seat and a stroller that’s easy to navigate. The stroller features a multi-position reclining seat, a large storage basket underneath and lots of extras like child and parent trays and cup holders. Another feature to love? The SnugRide 35 Lite infant car seat weighs less than eight pounds an is a parent favorite.

If you prefer a four-wheel stroller (and a modular seat) instead of a three-wheel configuration, Graco’s FastAction SE Travel System is a good option to consider.

“My husband and I bought this travel system for our grandson. It is so easy to use, and we can take it anywhere. The stroller is lightweight, and opens/closes with little effort. The front wheels make it simple to maneuver through doorways, around obstructions, and even rides like a breeze through grass and rocky terrain. I would recommend this system for anyone, but, it is especially convenient for people who may have difficulty with heavy, or more complex systems. Best of all - our grandson loves it!” -grandma2

• We analyzed results from Babylist’s Best Baby Products survey, which polled 6,000 Babylist users and asked them to share the baby products they love the most and why.
• We interviewed pediatrician Dr. Kelly Fradin and researched information on car seat safety and reviews from car seat safety experts and from the American Academy of Pediatrics.
• We utilized insight from the Babylist editorial team, including Gear Editor Jen LaBracio, an expert in the baby space for over six years and a mom of two who has written hundreds of baby gear guides and personally researched and tested hundreds of baby products, including many travel systems.
• We reviewed customer reviews from hundreds of real Babylist parents.

A travel system is a car seat and a stroller that attach to each other. Just unclip the car seat from its base in the back seat, snap it into the stroller and you’re off.

A travel system, sometimes also referred to as a stroller travel system or baby travel system, can be purchased in two ways:

• As a package deal from the same brand (the type of travel systems we’re reviewing here), or
• As a “make your own” set that combines a stroller and a car seat from different brands using adapters.

Package deals tend to be more economical than the DIY version and are guaranteed to work together—no adapters required. If you’re eyeing up a stroller and a car seat from different brands, however, don’t stress. Just keep in mind that not all brands work together and you’ll often need to buy separate adapters. Check out Babylist’s Infant Car Seat and Stroller Compatibility guide to learn more.

Unless your stroller comes with a bassinet attachment or fully reclines and is approved for newborn use, it’s not suitable for your little one until they can sit up unassisted—which usually happens around six months of age. And even if that is the case, you’ll still need to move your infant every time you want to transfer them from the car seat to the stroller (and back again).

Here’s where a travel system comes in. A travel system solves for strolling with your newborn before they’re able to sit up independently. It also means you won’t have to disturb your little one every time you need to make the switch between your car seat and your stroller.

When Do You Need a Travel System?

You’ll need a travel system right at birth if you plan on using your car to transport your little one. Most parents choose to research travel systems prior to baby’s arrival and have one ready to go before birth so they’re prepared.

Around six to nine months, your baby will be sitting up and will likely want a better view of the world—and then you can use the full-size stroller on its own. And because you can use the stroller from infancy through toddlerhood, it’s the only stroller you’ll need to purchase.

Yes, travel systems are safe for newborns. There are a few guidelines you’ll want to keep in mind, though.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against the use of car seats for sleep outside of a car. If your infant falls asleep in their car seat, they should be removed and placed in a crib or bassinet (or other safe sleep space) as soon as possible.

But what if your baby falls asleep in their car seat while you’re driving and is still asleep when you arrive at your destination? According to pediatrician Dr. Kelly Fradin , the best practice is to remove them and transfer them to a safe sleep environment.

“However, many parents, myself included, will want the child to finish their nap for a brief period. If you choose to do this to reduce risk be sure the baby is not overheating by removing hats, blankets and ventilating the car. Also, keep the straps snug and place the car seat on the floor under your direct supervision.”

“If babies are in an approved stroller with the car seat properly restrained, I think of it the same as being in a vehicle,” explains Dr. Fradin. “Keep them cool and supervised.”

Since a travel system includes two products—a car seat and a stroller—you’ll want to think through how you’ll use each piece of gear, both together and separately.

You’ll be using your stroller longer than your infant car seat, so that’s a good place to start. Think about the travel system stroller’s:

• Size and weight
• What type of terrain it can handle
• Ease of use (how it opens and closes, if it’s washable, etc.)
• Features and accessories (adjustable handlebar, canopy, etc.)

When selecting a car seat, it’s comforting to know that regardless of price, all car seats sold in the US must adhere to the same federal safety regulations. Other features to consider include:

• The seat’s age, height and weight minimums and maximums
• Features like washability, harness adjustment and side-impact protection
• How the seat will fit in your car

Expert sources in this article:

• Jennifer LaBracio, Babylist Sr. Gear Editor
• Dr. Kelly Fradin , Pediatrician
• American Academy of Pediatrics, “ How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe ”

Best Travel Systems of 2024, Tested & Reviewed

They say never wake a sleeping baby. Smooth transitions from car to stroller make that a reality!

Mommyhood101 independently tests and curates baby gear to help you make informed decisions. If you buy products through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

A travel system combines an infant car seat  with a compatible stroller , allowing you to easily attach and detach the car seat as needed.

The ability to easily pop the car seat onto the stroller is a game-changer, helping your baby stay sound asleep when transitioning into and out of the car.

Just for fun, what does ChatGPT think is the best travel system!? "The UPPAbaby Vista Travel System consistently receives high ratings and positive reviews, making many experts and parents consider it the best travel system available on the market." -ChatGPT

Our robot overlords have spoken, and we tend to agree!

Fortunately, we've been reviewing travel systems for over 10 years, and if we made our own, here is what it would look like:

✔️  Fits Chicco car seats. ✔️  Fits Britax car seats. ✔️  Fits UPPAbaby car seats. ✔️  Fits Graco car seats. ✔️  Reversible seating position. ✔️  Expands to fit two+ children. ✔️  Bassinet & toddler seat included. ✔️  Easy car seat attachment. ✔️  Stroller weight limit ≥50 pounds. ✔️  Stroller frame ≤20 pounds. ✔️  One-handed recline & fold/unfold. ✔️  Compact fold fits midsize trunk. ✔️  No-rethread harness. ✔️  Big, UPF 50+ canopy. ✔️  Canopy with peek-a-boo. ✔️  Four-wheel suspension. ✔️  Large diameter wheel. ✔️  Locking front wheel(s). ✔️  Smooth and easy to maneuver. ✔️  Adjustable handlebar height. ✔️  Durable construction. ✔️  Stands when folded. ✔️  Storage pockets & large basket.

Of course, you will also want the travel system to fit your style (color, patterns) preferences and meet your budget constraints. That's a lot to ask, and very few travel systems meet the needs of picky parents!

Every year we test new travel systems and update this list with the best we find. Below are the top 5 models we've tested, followed by detailed reviews of over a dozen different options.

• Top 5 Travel Systems Comparison Table
• 1. Best Overall: Chicco Bravo Trio
• 2. UPPABaby Vista V2 & Mesa
• 3. Britax B-Free & B-Safe 35
• 4. Doona Travel System
• 5. Britax Willow Brook
• 6. Evenflo Pivot Xpand
• 7. Baby Jogger City Mini GT2
• 8. Graco Modes Nest
• 9. Maxi-Cosi Zelia
• 10. Nuna Mixx Pipa
• 11. Chicco Viaro
• 12. Graco FastAction Fold
• 13. Baby Trend Expedition

Full disclosure: Some of these travel systems, including the Maxi Cosi, Doona, Britax, and Baby Jogger models, were sent to us as free test samples by the manufacturer.

If you've been around our site, you know that we absolutely love the Chicco, Britax, and UppaBaby car seats. Conveniently, those same companies also make several awesome strollers, including the Chicco Bravo, Britax B-Free, and UppaBaby Vista.

Unfortunately, sometimes putting the perfect car seat on top of the perfect stroller can cause unexpected issues: the stroller can become top-heavy and unstable, the car seat doesn't attach or detach easily from the stroller, or the stroller suddenly becomes challenging to maneuver.

Here are our Top Travel System Picks!

1. Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System.

The Chicco KeyFit 30 and KeyFit 35 are two of the most popular and best-selling infant car seats on the market, next to its new sibling, the Chicco Fit2. Take that awesome KeyFit car seat and combine it with the versatile Chicco Bravo stroller, and you have a stellar combination. What makes this travel system different is that the stroller can be used in several ways. When your baby is too little for the big stroller, you can completely remove the stroller seat and use it as a lightweight frame for attaching the car seat. Super easy to fold up, throw into the trunk, and pop open. Or, you can leave the stroller seat attached and use its huge canopy to completely cover the car seat and your baby. In this manner, the stroller can function as simply a stroller frame for connecting the car seat, or as a complete stroller that can also have the car seat attached. Of course, both seats can't be used at the same time by two children, but it does give you access to the large canopy. That's an awesome feature and we really appreciated Chicco's ingenuity. A couple of other things make this stroller stand out, including the cup holder and parent tray, all-wheel suspension, adjustable handlebars, a large storage bin, decent canopy size, and one-handed folding (the handle is under the seat). The KeyFit 30 and 35 car seats support infants as small as 4 pounds and as heavy as 30 or 35 pounds (respectively), and the stroller seat supports kiddos up to 50 pounds.

The car seats are amazing, safe, and overall great quality; it has been at the top of our best infant car seat list several times and for good reasons! The KeyFit car seats are a hair smaller and lighter than the B-Safe, and some of that weight savings is by not having a steel-reinforced frame, though it is equipped with energy-absorbing foam, side-impact protection, and an easy installation process. The KeyFit's big brother, the Fit2, also has some excellent features and specifications (see our review of it here ), so if you prefer that seat you can buy it separately and attach it easily to the Chicco Bravo frame. Speaking of attachments, the travel system comes with a car seat attachment bar that looks a bit like a bumper bar, that the car seat attaches to (and detaches from) super easily. No issues there, and we loved the versatility of this combination! A bit less expensive than the UppaBaby or Britax travel system, coming in at around $300-350 depending on color options, but definitely not cheap! Who else loves the Chicco Travel System? Our friends at Babylist, BabyCenter, and WhatToExpect all consider it a top pick! Impressed? Check out the Chicco Trio Travel System here .

2. UPPABaby Vista V2 & Mesa Travel System.

The UPPABaby Travel System is definitely one of the sharpest-looking travel systems on the market, with the sleek urban lines and aluminum on the Vista stroller, and the high-end detailing of the Mesa car seat. This is definitely head-turning baby gear, and you'll pay for it! This UPPABaby travel system is the most expensive on our list, coming in at about $1000 for the stroller, car seat, and bassinet . We'll let you decide whether it's worth it. While it's a big investment, you're getting some great features and luxury. Starting with the Mesa car seat, which is usually around $350, is a top-rated infant car seat that is usually listed in the top 5 of our best infant car seats list . It's one of the easiest-to-install and use car seats we've ever tested, with its auto-tightening LATCH system, seat belt lock-offs, adjustable recline base, easy-to-use level indicators, and no-rethread shoulder harness. For safety, it has a double layer of side-impact protection, EPS energy-absorbing foam, and supports babies from 4 up to 35 pounds rear-facing. In our testing, we found it super comfortable and easy to use, with premium quality throughout.

We didn't like that some of our test babies had sweaty backs after sitting in it during the warmer months, but the Merino wool option did help alleviate that situation (Merino Wool is very breathable). The stroller is one of the best in existence, though it is quite expensive. It has class, style, durability, reliability, and versatility. It's truly a one-in-a-million stroller, and if we could take the Chicco Fit2 or Britax B-Safe and combine it with this stroller, we would be like kids in a candy store! The stroller has an enormous canopy, a big storage bin, a reversible seat (front-facing or parent-facing), and extraordinary versatility. It can be used with the carriage alone, with the toddler seat, or with the car seat that snaps in without any adapter. Or, it can be used with TWO kids! You can do two car seats, two toddler seats, a car seat and toddler seat, two carriage bassinets, and several other configurations. It has amazing versatility, and that baby carriage attachment is second-to-none. In our testing, we fell in love with the stroller and we don't know how we've survived without having it in our lives! This is really the travel system of your dreams, save for some minor limitations of the car seat and the extravagant price. If you can afford it, we think it's worth the splurge! Who else loves the UppaBaby travel system? Our friends at Babylist, WhatToExpect, and The Bump also call it a top pick! Interested? Check out the UPPABaby Travel System here .

3. Britax B-Free or B-Lively and B-Safe Gen2 Flexfit+ Travel System.

What do you get when you combine the top-rated Britax B-Safe Gen2 infant car seat with the awesome all-new Britax B-Free or B-Lively stroller? You get a winning travel system that is truly awesome in every way! The car seat itself is feature-rich and carries the Britax reputation for safety, reliability, versatility, and quality. Made right here in the USA, the B-Safe Gen2 supports babies as little as 4 pounds and as heavy as 35 pounds (or 32" in height). The Britax car seat is a little bit heavier than most options (just like with its convertible car seats ), but that's because it has a steel-reinforced frame, substantial side-impact protection, and EPS energy-absorbing foam. Safety always comes first with Britax, and the B-Safe is their flagship car seat with a fantastic crash test and safety reputation. The new Gen2 version of the B-Safe is bigger and roomier than the previous version, providing a more spacious and comfortable shoulder area for bigger babies. It comes in two versions, the FlexFit and the FlexFit+, only the latter of which includes an anti-rebound bar on the car seat base. While it's a bit more expensive, we strongly recommend the FlexFit+ for added safety. Now for the stroller. Britax offers their travel systems with several stroller options, including the B-Free (our favorite), B-Lively (lighter weight), B-Ready (good versatility), and B-Agile (good price). In our experience, the B-Free and B-Lively are the best all-around strollers for use as a travel system. In addition to their core features (lay-flat recline, one-handed fold, all-wheel suspension, huge canopies, and compatibility with all Britax and BOB infant car seats), the B-Free adds a higher weight capacity (65 vs 55 pounds), adjustable handlebar, all-terrain tires in a three-wheel configuration, and more storage pockets. We really love the folding mechanism of these strollers, which is truly a 1-handed operation (push a button on the side and then grab the handle at the back of the seat and pull up - super easy!), and the 20-pound (B-Lively) or 22-pound (B-Free) weight makes them more manageable than other strollers with a similar feature list.

The B-Free is also easy to push and steer with one hand, which is nice given that there's no cup holder to hold your coffee! Some cool things we found were the hidden zipper pocket underneath the footrest area, which you flip up to access the storage bin, the zip-open canopy extension that made the canopy truly huge, and the zip-open peek-a-boo window. Attaching the car seat to the stroller is very easy - the travel system comes with two car seat adapters, one for each side of the stroller. Once you snap the adapters on, you can leave them on for as long as you need, and the car seat very easily snaps onto and off the stroller. It worked like a charm, and were super impressed with this combination! Definitely worthy of this top spot on our list, though it is a bit pricey coming in at about $550. Who else loves the Britax travel systems? Our friends at Babylist, What2Expect, and The Bump consider them a top pick! Interested? Check out the Britax Travel System here .

4. Doona Travel System Integrated Car Seat & Stroller.

The Doona gets a lot of points for originality and convenience as the only travel system that converts from a car seat to a stroller using an integrated frame and wheels. This integrated travel system is for parents who are tired of lugging around a separate stroller and car seat, having the stroller take up too much space in the back of the car and entrance to the house, and worrying about car seat and stroller compatibility. The Doona solves all of that by mounting a folding stroller frame right to the bottom of the car seat, allowing you to switch quickly back and forth between the car seat and stroller mode in about 5 seconds. It's a perfect option for families with smaller homes or apartments, smaller vehicles, and families that travel a lot by ride-sharing or taxi. The Doona accommodates babies as small as 4 pounds, making it a nice option for preemies, and all the way up to 35 pounds (or 32" tall). Those are pretty standard specifications for a car seat, and match the best ones out there (such as the Britax B-Safe Gen2 and Chicco Fit2). To accommodate such small babies, it has a super soft lower infant insert that you can remove once your baby is about 2-3 months of age. The head support side impact system has plush memory foam, and all of the seat fabrics are high quality and soft. Speaking of safety, it has three layers of side impact protection, EPS energy-absorbing foam, and a handlebar that doubles as an anti-rebound bar when installed in a vehicle. Clever! The Doona system does include a separate LATCH-equipped car seat base, though it can also be installed using the European belt path for a base-free installation. The car seat is surprisingly easy to install into the vehicle, especially if you're using the base. The only downsides are: the harness requires rethreading, no steel-reinforced frame, the canopy isn't as large as we'd prefer, and the seating area is somewhat narrow for larger babies.

So what about the stroller? Well, we don't need to consider how easy or hard it is to attach the car seat to the stroller since they're integrated, so that's a definite bonus! To transition between the car seat and stroller modes, you pick up the car seat with one hand and use the other hand to push a red button on the back and squeeze the wheel release lever. The wheels drop down from the bottom and click into position. Because the Doona weighs about 16.5 pounds, this isn't an easy feat if you don't have reasonable upper body strength. Once the wheels are down, there are two modes - you can use it in what Doona calls pull-along mode which simply means that the car seat handle is pointing straight up, and full stroller ("on the go") mode which involves positioning the handle down and towards yourself. The stroller is pretty bare-bones and basic, which is to be expected given that it has to fold up into the bottom of the car seat and maintain a reasonably low profile. Specifically, the wheels provide a somewhat rough ride quality and there are none of the basic stroller features you might want: storage basket, pockets, cup holders, trays, etc. One of our biggest gripes with the Doona concept is that we got our backseats a bit dirty from the stroller's wheels; not a huge deal and can be solved with a seat cover if you're worried. This is a truly innovative travel system that solves a very common problem, and we're overall impressed with the idea and execution. Who else loves the Doona travel system? It's a top pick by our friends at Babygearlab and WhatToExpect! Interested? Check out the Doona Car Seat to Stroller Travel System here .

6. Britax Willow Brook Travel System.

Britax is world-renowned for making high-quality car seats and strollers with superior safety features, comfort, and versatility. Their flagship infant car seat, the B-Safe Gen2, is one of the best-selling car seats in the world and consistently sits at or near the top of our annual list of the best infant car seats . Traditionally, Britax travel systems combine a full-size one-piece stroller with an adapter that allows you to attach the B-Safe car seat; these work well but are somewhat heavy and can have limited versatility. That said, we were excited to see this new addition to the Britax lineup for three primary reasons. First, the Willow Brook stroller uses a modular design that allows you to attach a toddler seat in a forward- or rear-facing position, or the Willow infant car seat in a forward- or rear-facing position. Second, the ability to detach the toddler seat (rather than it being integrated into the stroller frame) means that the stroller is much lighter weight when the infant car seat is attached. Finally, the Willow Brook travel system is much more affordable than most other travel system options from Britax, including the B-Free and B-Lively, coming in at about $400 including the stroller frame, toddler seat, and infant car seat.

We were lucky enough to get our hands on a sample of the new Willow Brook travel system late last year (thanks for the sample, Britax!) and were excited to test it out. Starting with the Willow infant car seat, we absolutely love how Britax took the successful ClickTight system from their convertible and booster car seats and integrated it into the base of the Willow. The ClickTight system provides a very secure installation that gives you confidence that your child is safe in the vehicle. They also integrated their new RightSize system that helps you make fine-tuned adjustments to the hip, shoulder, and crotch areas, resulting in a perfect fit as your little one grows. The car seat also uses the famous SafeCell crumple zone technology, quick-push LATCH connectors, anti-rebound bar (on the Willow S model), and the cover can be removed and machine washed. Limitations include a relatively low weight limit of 30 pounds, and the shoulder harness requires manual rethreading to adjust the height. Of course, at this price point, those features shouldn't be expected from a Britax travel system. For the stroller, we loved the toddler seat, its canopy and recline settings, the comfort and quality of the seating materials, and the easy-to-use five-point harness. Attaching and detaching the toddler seat and infant car seat was simple and intuitive, and we loved how both seats can be attached front-facing or rear-facing. The toddler seat can be used with a child up to 44" tall or 50 pounds. The stroller wasn't quite as smooth, sturdy, or nimble as the Britax B-Free (see above), but at this price point, we thought it performed surprisingly well. The frame is lightweight yet strong, the folding/unfolding sequence is easy and effortless, and our test toddler loved the tray with its snack area and cup holder. Oh, and parents get a cup holder too! Notably missing was an adjustable handlebar, expansion to two children, and wheel suspension. Overall, we loved this new addition to the Britax lineup of high-quality travel systems that prioritize safety and functionality. The Willow Brook does this at a relatively accessible price point and we thought it showed surprising levels of quality and versatility. Highly recommended for parents looking for the Britax reputation without breaking the bank! Interested? Check out the Willow Brook Travel System here .

6. Evenflo Pivot Xpand Travel System.

We've always associated Evenflo with inexpensive baby gear that was never really impressive in any given way. Our experience with the Evenflo Pivot Xpand travel system changed our opinion for the better. We were super impressed with what Evenflo pulled off here. They made a truly impressive travel system that not only feels, looks, and acts like a much more expensive stroller and car seat combination, but is available for about $400. We realize that seems expensive for an Evenflo travel system, but hear us out! This system combines the great Evenflo SafeMax infant car seat (about $200) with the new and super versatile Pivot Xpand stroller. Add those two together and you end up with a truly awesome travel system that caught us off-guard! Where do we start with this stroller? Evenflo pulled out all the stops. This stroller has a super rich feature list: adjustable handlebars, a HUGE lower storage bin, self-standing fold, rear-wheel suspension, cup holder, and versatility that makes any stroller on this list look like a chump! This stroller has 22 different modes and functions as both a single stroller and double stroller, combining the infant car seat and toddler seat in tons of different ways. The fact that it can work as a double stroller is why they call it the "Xpand" system, a little bit like the Britax "B-Ready" system, and it defies the assumption that double strollers need to be huge and cumbersome. Here are some of the things we loved: the toddler seat can be reversed to be front-facing or parent-facing, or it can be reclined back to make it more like a baby carriage. And it can be put up front or lower down, without using any adapters. That's right, the adapters are built right into it, which is truly amazing!

We never thought we'd be saying this about an Evenflo product, but this stroller really rocks - it feels high quality and sturdy and looks super chic and modern. One of our reviewer moms wrote "this stroller is amazing, can I buy the sample?" That's a ringing endorsement from a mom who uses the UPPABaby system, which costs three times as much. The only thing we'd suggest to Evenflo is to make the tires a bit thicker and better quality, they are somewhat thin and cheap. So how about that car seat? This travel system includes the Evenflo SafeMax, which is their top-of-the-line infant car seat. It supports babies as small as 4 pounds (with the infant insert) and as heavy as 35 pounds (or up to 32" tall). What makes it so safe? Well, it has big side-impact protection and kudos to Evenflo because it is the only car seat that has been roll-over tested. It also has an anti-rebound bar, which reduces rotational forces and the potential for injury in the event of an accident. And it's very comfortable, with thick padding and soft-touch fabrics that are also pretty easy to clean. Installation was easy, it was easy to attach and detach from the base and the stroller, and we thought the seat actually felt very high quality (especially for the price) and we were impressed overall. Cons? Well, the handlebar was a bit cumbersome to adjust, the shoulder harness required rethreading from behind to adjust, it's surprisingly heavy, and it's just not up to par with the Britax, Chicco, or UppaBaby car seat options. There's a lot to love here, especially with the stroller, and we think you'll be happy overall with this travel system. As an update, we've been testing this system for over 2 years now and it has withstood the test of time! The wheels are a little worn at this point, but nothing major to report. Who else loves the Evenflo travel system? It's a top pick by our friends at Babylist, BabyCenter, Babygearlab, and The Bump. Interested? Check out the Evenflo Pivot XPand Travel System here .

7. Baby Jogger City Mini Travel System.

Baby Jogger is well-known for their awesome City Mini GT2, City Select, City Tour, and City Summit (jogging) strollers. But they aren't so big in the car seat market, though their City View convertible car seat has some pretty good reviews (including ours!). This travel system comes with the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2, their most popular and one of their most expensive strollers. The City Mini GT2 is stylish, versatile, high quality, easy to maneuver, and comfortable for the littles. It is ranked in the top 5 for the best luxury strollers of the year, given its easy fold, sturdy and durable build quality, adjustable handlebar, big forever air all-terrain rubber tires, large UV50 canopy coverage (and peek-a-boo window), and the super high weight limit of 65 pounds. In our testing, we loved the hand brake (rather than the foot brake), how easy it was to steer, the super comfortable seat (with adjustable calf support), and the one-handed fold. The GT includes a car adapter for the City GO infant car seats. However, we didn't like that everything is an add-on for more cost - like the parent tray, cup holder, other car seat adapters, child tray, rain cover, etc. It's expensive as-is (about $370), and it really starts to add up when you add in accessories. Relative to the regular City Mini, the GT2 version brings the higher weight capacity, the hand brake, adjustable handlebar, and big wheels; so a lot of what we like is bound specifically to the GT2 model. There's a lot to like here, but also some limitations that keep it from ranking higher in our lists. By default, the City Mini stroller is compatible with the Baby Jogger City GO infant car seat. The City GO is a pretty decent car seat, and this was the first time we actually got our hands on it for testing. It supports babies from 4 to 35 pounds (or up to 32" tall), and has nice plush infant inserts. The fabric itself is great, but the padding is substantial. We liked certain things - the seating area itself is nice and wide, when placed on the floor is has a rounded base so parents can rock it front-to-back, and the base and car seat aren't excessively wide.

But we didn't like a few things. First, it felt a little outdated relative to the top-rated Britax, Chicco, UPPABaby, and Peg Perego car seats. Second, clicking it into and out of the base, or attaching/detaching from the stroller wasn't anywhere near as easy as the higher-rated travel systems. Third, the canopy was large but also a little clumsy - it clicks loudly and has a crunchy fabric noise when you're adjusting it. Fourth, adjusting the harness didn't involve rethreading (which is great), but it also was a total pain to adjust since you need to do it from the rear. And we couldn't figure out how to remove what we assumed was the upper infant insert padding (around the shoulders and head), but it doesn't come out and makes it really cramped once our test babies were over about 4 months old. Together, those are some big limitations for an infant car seat priced around $250. So what are the other options? If you really like the City Mini GT2 stroller, you can purchase an adapter to make it work with your favorite car seats. For example, there's an adapter for the Britax B-Safe, the Chicco KeyFit 30/35 or Fit2, the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio, and the Graco SnugRide Click Connect models ( see all their adapters here ). That was smart of Baby Jogger, to provide so many adapters to make it possible for parents to purchase one of the best strollers on the market (the City Mini GT2) and couple it with their favorite car seat (which was not likely to be the City GO). That's also one of the reasons we've included this travel system up here on our list, since the City Mini stroller has so many compatibility options that make it a potentially winning situation for picky parents who want to mix and match! Who else loves the City Mini GT2 as a travel system? Our friends at Babylist! Interested? Check out the Baby Jogger Travel System here .

8. Graco Modes Nest Travel System.

We love the Graco Snugride car seats, which offer serious bang for the buck, with high-quality materials, comfort, versatility, and safety at a very reasonable price point. What Graco was lacking, however, was a high-end stroller to match the Snugride car seats. Well, enter the new lineup of Graco Modes travel systems! From the fewest to most features, they have the Modes Element, Modes Pramette, and Modes Nest. The Modes Nest system adds the Snugride 35 Lite Elite model (rather than the DLX or LX), a height-adjustable seat, an expandable storage basket, and a self-standing fold. It's the most expensive of the Modes models, coming in at about $399, but we think it's also the most sophisticated and functional of the models. You already know we love the Graco Snugride car seats, and the 35 Lite Elite is no exception. This car seat usually sells for about $170 and is one of Graco's higher-end models, offering Snuglock installation, Simply Safe (front adjust) harness system, side impact protection, and a washable removable cover. It supports babies from 4 pounds up to 35 pounds, or 32" tall, while maintaining a super lightweight build of only 7.2 pounds. The Modes travel system includes not only the car seat but also the base with its 4-position adjustable recline to fit a variety of rear seat inclines. The car seat pops into and out of the stroller using the Snuglock system, which is a simple and easy mechanism.

The stroller has a ton of helpful features, with highlights including a seat that is not only reversible (front- or rear-facing) but can also recline and turn completely into a lay-flat infant bassinet (so you don't need to purchase a separate one!)! One of the most unique aspects of this stroller is that the seat is height adjustable, allowing you to raise the seat up closer to you, or push it down farther away. That simple feature is something we ended up loving during our tests, because it helps suit parents of all arm lengths (maybe not a t-rex, however) and makes it possible to easily pop a pacifier back in, or even bottle feed your baby while strolling. Awesome idea, and well executed! The stroller also has a huge storage basket, folds very easily, and we found it highly maneuverable and sturdy. It was smooth over the bumps, nicely sized for doorways and tight turns, and fit readily into the back of a CR-V, Outback, Accord, or RAV4. And bonus points for having a cup holder. Cons? Well, attaching the car seat and toddler seat wasn't entirely confidence-inspiring. Sometimes we thought we heard an audible click but it wasn't actually attached, so you need to double-check that things are lined up appropriately. Also, assembly took about 45 minutes and seemed needlessly complex! Other than those minor gripes, we love this new addition to our list and think it's an awesome solution for parents looking for Snugride travel system! Who else considers the Graco Modes travel systems a top pick? Our friends at Babylist! Interested? Check out the Graco Modes Travel System here .

9. Maxi-Cosi Zelia Travel System.

Maxi-Cosi, as the name suggests, makes some of the coziest baby products on the market, including their adorable and comfy infant car seats (the Maxi Cosi Mico Max) and the super versatile and luxurious convertible car seat (the Maxi Cosi Magellan Max). But comfort is not the only thing they do right. Their products are well-made, high quality, safe, and versatile; this Zelia travel system is no exception. While the Maxi Cosi Mico infant car seat is on our best infant car seat list, it isn't near the top of our list. That's mostly because we found things a little finicky, cumbersome, and too pricey for our tastes. But to be fair, it's in the top 10 for the year, making it a really great option. It supports babies from 4 to 30 pounds (or up to 32" tall), has big inflated side impact protection, EPP energy-absorbing foam, and it's actually pretty lightweight given its relatively bulky footprint (mostly in its width). While the canopy of the car seat isn't great, the canopy of the Maxi Cosi stroller is pretty impressive.

In fact, there are a ton of things that are really impressive about this stroller. First, the seat can be folded down into a lay-flat carriage bassinet for your baby. Second, the seat is completely reversible so your baby can face forward or backward. Third, it supports babies as small as 5 pounds and kiddos up to 50 pounds, which is a pretty respectable range. It also has a cup holder, a huge canopy (did we say that already!?), a peek-a-boo window, a well-sized storage bin, one-handed folding, a bumper bar, and a decent recline. There were some limitations, however. First, it was a bit of a pain getting the car seat to attach and detach from the stroller because it requires really good hand-eye coordination to attach it, and then two hands to detach it from each side. Second, it was nice that it was a little lighter weight than some others on this list, but it also didn't feel as sturdy or well-constructed as others. And that's unfortunate because it's about $400 for the travel system, and that's a lot to cough up. Interested? Check out the Maxi Cosi Zelia Travel System here .

10. Nuna Mixx and Pipa Travel System.

Nuna makes several very high-quality strollers and travel systems, all of which are compatible with the popular Nuna Pipa infant car seat (the Pipa, Pipa Lite, and Pipa Lite LX). These include the Nuna Demi Grow stroller, Nuna TRIV stroller, Nuna Mixx, Nuna Pepp, and Nuna Tavo. Most of these strollers are available as travel systems, simply combining the sale of a Nuna stroller with one of the Nuna Pipa models. Typically the Nuna Pipa is about $300 if purchased alone, the Nuna Pipa Lite is about $350, and the Nuna Pipa Lite LX is about $399. Note that the Lite versions need the base, while the non-Lite version can be installed in a vehicle without a base. When you purchase a Nuna travel system that combines one of these car seats with a stroller, you end up spending only a little bit less than you would be purchasing them separately. For instance, the Nuna Mixx stroller costs about $650 alone, but when combined with the Pipa Lite LX it's about $999, saving you about $50. We got our hands on the TRIV, Mixx, and Tavo for testing, and we were impressed with the quality of all of them. Nuna makes high-end products that are simple, stylish, lightweight, and functional. So while we're including the Mixx travel system here, realize that you'll be very happy with any of these options - this just happens to be the model we fell in love with! So what's to love? Let's start with features. The Pipa Lite LX supports babies from 4 up to 32 pounds (or 32" tall), and only weighs 8 pounds without the base (the base is about 14 pounds and includes a load leg). The car seat is Greenguard Gold certified and contains no fire retardant chemicals. It has an awesome "dream drape" canopy that provides full UPF 50+ coverage from the elements (with a peek-a-boo window), side-impact protection, a base crumple zone, included infant insert, FAA certified for air travel, and modern quick-connect LATCH. What it doesn't have is a no-rethread harness, anti-rebound bar, or steel-reinforced frame.

Regarding the stroller, its integrated toddler seat supports up to 50 pounds while weighing a hefty 27 pounds. But that weight brings some awesome features, like a true lay-flat sleeping recline (with 5 positions), a no-rethread harness, a super intuitive and easy one-handed fold, very high quality and plush padding and fabrics (including a removable and washable seat liner that is insanely comfy, revealing a high airflow mesh back), four-wheel suspension, an amazing full-coverage canopy, reversible seat, adjustable handlebars, pop-up footrest and boot cover, an included Mixx ring adapter (that allows one-handed attachment of any Pipa car seat), and super easy fold and unfold. In our testing, we fell in love with the smoothness and maneuverability of this stroller, which were both fantastic. We also think it's the most comfortable stroller we've ever tested, and that's saying a lot! We loved the magnetic canopy extension (the dream drape), the no-rethread harness height adjustment (which is really rare), and the fact that the seat can be converted from a thick and warm pad to a relatively minimalist and high airflow mesh seat back. Together, the Nuna Pipa and Mixx make great partners, and you can also purchase the Nuna Mixx bassinet to attach for newborns, infants, and hopefully longer naps! That's another $150. To be honest, we're not in love with the Nuna Pipa in general, we think for the price it's rather limited in features while prioritizing style and weight savings. But the stroller more than compensates for those limitations, with its comfort, maneuverability, and style. We think it's an excellent stroller, making this a pretty darn good travel system overall. Limitations of the stroller include no cup holders or storage pockets for parents, no ability to expand to two children (check out the awesome Nuna Demi Grow for that), and a somewhat limited-size storage bin. Overall, if you're sold on the Nuna Pipa already, this is a great way to integrate it with a super high-quality, stylish, and surprisingly functional stroller. Who else recommends Nuna travel systems? Our friends at Babylist, WhatToExpect, and The Bump! Interested? Check out the Nuna Mixx and Pipa Travel System here .

11. Chicco Viaro Travel System.

This Chicco Viaro baby travel system is very similar to the Chicco Bravo (above) in a few ways. First, it includes the top-rated Chicco KeyFit 30 or 35 infant car seat, which is a truly fantastic infant car seat with a great reputation and track-record for safety, comfort, versatility, ease of use, and style. You can't go wrong with the KeyFit 30, making this automatically a great option for discerning parents. Second, it includes a quality stroller that uses a lightweight aluminum frame, a 3-wheel design, and many features (a great storage basket, one-handed fold, weight limit of 50 pounds, etc) that will sound very familiar with the Chicco Bravo. What are the differences between the Chicco Bravo and Chicco Viaro? The Viaro uses a 3-wheel design while the Bravo uses a 4-wheel design, which makes for some differences in stability and maneuverability: the Bravo is a bit more stable, while the Viaro is a bit more maneuverable. Another difference is that the Bravo uses an awesome adjustable-height handlebar that makes it suitable for both shorter and taller parents, whereas the Viaro's handlebar is not adjustable.

In our testing, the height was fine for average-height parents, but taller parents or grandparents (over about 6 feet) might get a sore back and shoulders after pushing this stroller. The Viaro also isn't as versatile in its settings - the Bravo lets you reconfigure the seat and canopy to remove elements to shave off weight and basically allows you to use it as a car seat stroller frame without all the added bulk and weight. But the Viaro doesn't let you reconfigure in this way. There are also some other differences worth considering: the Bravo's canopy is bigger, its rear brake is more substantial, and it has a four-wheel suspension (the Viaro is only front suspension). How about some benefits of the Viaro: it has a great snack and bottle tray for your toddler or big kid, and it is a bit lighter (18 versus 23 pounds). In our testing, we loved that the Viaro was easy to maneuver, relatively simple and lightweight, and easily fit the KeyFit (and Fit2) car seat. We found some minor annoyances such as the fact that it doesn't lock into a folded position, and the rear brakes were individually locked as opposed to a yoked locking system. So overall, the Viaro generally pales in comparison to the Bravo. But if you're looking for a relatively simple and more cost-effective travel system that works perfectly with the KeyFit 30, this could be a great option for you. Interested? Check out the Chicco Viaro Travel System here .

12. Graco FastAction Fold Travel System.

Graco is famous for its expansive line of SnugRide Click Connect infant car seats. In fact, the assortment of SnugRide car seats is so expansive that it confuses the heck out of parents, so much so that we created our SnugRide buying guide to help clarify the features and cost of each model. This Graco travel system includes the SnugRide Click Connect 35, which is the most basic of the SnugRide car seats. Let's start with what it has: a broad weight range from 4 to 35 pounds (or up to 32" tall), a narrow (just over 18" wide) and lightweight (7.5 pounds without the base) shell, 6 recline positions, side-impact protection, energy-absorbing foam, the Click Connect system that makes it super easy to snap into and out of compatible Graco strollers, and it's FAA approved for air travel (just like all of the car seats on this list). Now let's consider some of this car seat's limitations: the harness requires rethreading from the rear for height adjustment, it uses old-style hook LATCH connectors, it doesn't have the rapid remove cover, nor does it have the True Shield or Safety Surround side impact protection. As we said, it's a pretty basic car seat. Some minor annoyances with it include the smaller-than-ideal canopy, the somewhat flimsy padding and infant insert, and the handlebars requiring two hands to adjust. So you're getting an overall very basic car seat that usually sells for around $130. Now for the stroller.

This thing is very heavy and sturdy, coming in at a hefty 30 pounds that rivals even some of the biggest double strollers! But we do admit that while all that weight makes it cumbersome to lug around, it actually makes it feel very firmly planted on the ground, which is a nice feeling. It has pretty large diameter wheels, and the front wheel can be locked out for jogging. We love the fact that it has two cup holders for parents, a tray for your cell phone (though it's a little small for some newer devices), and a little compartment for holding keys and anything else you can squeeze in there. Your child has a pretty similar bumper bar and tray, also with two cup holders and a little tray in the center. The best part of that is you can open one side of it and swing it out of the way, which makes it much easier to pull toddlers in and out of the stroller. You can also remove that bumper bar entirely, but that makes it impossible to attach the car seat since it's part of the Click Connect attachment. It has a good-sized storage bin on the bottom, folds easily with one hand (though it's super heavy), reclines reasonably well (but nowhere near lay-flat, only about 45 degrees), and it supports kids up to about 50 pounds. Not bad for a stroller that amounts to only about $160. Cons? Well, in addition to being excessively heavy, it doesn't fold down into a very compact package. You need to have big biceps to lift it, and a big vehicle to fit this in, and that's not helped by the fact that the rear wheels are so big and don't quickly detach like some other models. And frankly, it's not so easy on the eyes - it doesn't look anywhere near as nice as the $90 more Evenflo. So overall, you're getting a jogging travel system for less than $300, which is about half the price of the BOB jogger (above). So if you're looking for a jogger travel system for a reasonable price, this could be a great option. Interested? Check out the Graco FastAction Travel System here .

14. Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System.

If you're looking for the cheapest jogging travel system with a decent quality jogging stroller and a super basic car seat, this might be a great option for you. This Baby Trend travel system screams basic, and the low (about $199) price tag is evidence of that. Starting with the stroller, this travel system uses the Expedition Jogging Stroller, which is down near the bottom of our best jogging strollers list. It's not bad, it's not great, but it really is a sweet deal for parents looking for a basic jogging stroller. There are some impressive things going on here: it has very large diameter rubber pneumatic tires that are 16" (front) and 12" (rear) in diameter, which is actually quite large and that makes it great at absorbing small and moderate bumps, and going over cracks and gaps in the sidewalk without any issues. It also has cup holders and a small cubby for phones and keys, comfortable handlebars, a decently-sized lower storage bin, and a reclining seat (but doesn't go anywhere near lay-flat). Those big wheels make for superior comfort and maneuverability, especially impressive for a stroller at this price. There is no front suspension, however, which makes it a bit more jarring over the bumps than most other options on this list. It also doesn't have adjustable handlebars for taller parents, and the seating surface doesn't feel anywhere near as comfortable as other options on this list. Folding it up, it folds into a decent footprint, but it's still quite large with those hulking wheels popping out from the sides.

Now for the car seat, which is the Baby Trend EZ Flex-Loc infant car seat, which typically sells for around $110 or so. That low price always means limited features. It supports babies from 5 to only 30 pounds, and only up to 30" tall. So that's a pretty limited range of height and weight for an infant car seat, making the transition to a convertible car seat happen pretty early for many parents. But to be fair, most toddlers will be itching to get out of this seat anyway, given that it's relatively sparse in its padding and comfort features. It does have side-impact protection and energy-absorbing foam, an infant insert, and a surprisingly comfortable handlebar for carrying. The seat itself is also pretty lightweight and snaps into and out of the stroller with ease and convenience. So that's all good. So overall, this Baby Trend travel system is the most inexpensive travel system on our list, and it shows in many ways. But it might be sufficient for parents looking to save some cash and get a pretty decent jogging stroller and a super basic infant car seat. Interested? Check out the Baby Trend Expedition Travel System here .

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The 12 Best Stroller & Car Seat Travel Systems [2023]

Amar Hussain

Senior Content Contributor

757 Published Articles

Countries Visited: 63 U.S. States Visited: 9

Keri Stooksbury

Editor-in-Chief

29 Published Articles 3048 Edited Articles

Countries Visited: 45 U.S. States Visited: 28

Things To Consider With Travel Systems

1. a travel system for parents on-the-go, 2. compact travel system that saves room, 3. a seamless travel system for all occasions, 4. budget-friendly system that doesn’t give up quality, 5. a travel system that guarantees a smooth ride, 6. a carseat that offers your baby privacy, 7. a quick travel system to set up, 8. easy and lightweight travel system, 9. a travel system option that’s trusted worldwide, 10. environmentally-friendly travel system, 11. a travel system you can use for years, 12. makes trips a breeze with 1-handed setup, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Being a parent is a rewarding adventure, but you can’t just run around town unencumbered anymore. You have to take your baby with you, and you have to make sure that they’re safe.

That’s where travel systems come in. These tools are essential for making sure your child is safe and comfortable in your car and while walking around.

While the main goal of every travel system is the same — to give you an all-in-1 option for your car seat and stroller needs — there are tons of little differences between models. When trying to figure out which travel system is the right one for you, here are a few things to consider:

Size and Weight

A travel system’s size and weight are the first thing you must keep in mind before purchasing one. If you anticipate you’re going to be carrying your system for any reason, like up the steps of an apartment building, for example, you’ll want to opt for lighter travel system models.

Hot Tip: You also want your travel system to be large enough that your baby has enough room to be comfortable. This is also true if you want your travel system to last a few years as your child grows.

The material of a travel system is another primary thing to consider when you’re looking at different options. You want a material that will be easy to clean since it’s very likely your child will make messes while strapped in.

You also want a material that won’t be uncomfortable for your baby to sit in or for you to push.  Heavy-duty plastic is a good choice, particularly if there are cushions in the travel system to add extra comfort. That will ensure both comfort and the longevity of your product.

You want to keep your baby safe, so it’s important that you look into travel system options that are durable.

A sturdy travel system means you’ll be able to push it on rough surfaces or take it on bumpy rides without your child getting jostled. It also means you don’t have to worry about damaging any of its components when it’s not in use, thus compromising its structural integrity. 

Weather Conditions

You should also consider the weather when you’re considering which travel system to buy. If you live in a climate with all 4 seasons, you’ll want to make sure you purchase an option that you’ll be able to use both in the summer heat and in the snow .

You’ll want to make sure you pick a model that isn’t made of material that will melt or become deformed in hot weather if that’s your climate. You’ll also likely want wheels that have some traction when used in snow or rain.

You should consider your child’s age when picking the right travel system. While many travel systems are designed to last through at least a few growth spurts, they might have specifically designated age ranges.

For example, some travel systems are designed to be used from newborn age to 3 years. Others have car seats that are suitable for up to 18 months, but the stroller can last longer. Decide how long you want your travel system to last and your child’s age to help narrow down your options.

The 12 Best Travel Systems

Choosing the right travel system can be daunting. There are so many options out there and so many little differences between them that can make one option better than another.

To help you, we’ve weighed the pros and cons to decide which are the best travel systems on the market.

Baby Trend Pathway 35 Jogger Travel System

If you’re a busy parent who likes to keep their little one nearby, this travel system from Baby Trend is perfect.

It was designed for jogging parents to use so they can keep up with their exercise while still keeping their children by their side . Due to that, when in the stroller, kids will be in for a nice, smooth ride without bumps and jostles.

It’s also lightweight and easy to push for that same reason. However, the jogger also allows for safe car travel as well, thanks to its sturdy car seat that will ensure absolute safety on drives around the block or long road trips. With a maximum weight of 35 pounds, you can use this travel set for a while.

What We Like:

• Super comfortable

What We Don’t Like:

• Not for toddlers

Graco FastAction Fold Jogger Travel System

People looking for a travel system that can be compact for easy storage should look into the Graco FastAction model.

Though the system is nice and spacious when the stroller portion is set up, it can fold into itself so it can fit in most closets and storage areas.

This also makes this model a breeze to travel with as it passes most public transportation regulations for stroller sizes.

Thanks to its 5-point harness, you also don’t have to worry about safety. Your baby will be nice and snug in their seat for as long as needed.

• Elevated maximum weight of 50 pounds
• Wheels deflate quickly

Hot Tip: Check out our in-depth buyer guide to the best travel strollers for newborns and toddlers for more great options!

Evenflo Pivot Vizor Travel System

Some travel systems are designed to make long days and travel easier. Others are designed for walks around the block. This model by Evenflo is designed for both.

The system is sleek and easy to maneuver, making it perfect for any occasion. So whether you’re able to walk leisurely or you’re in a hurry, you can get where you need to go with this travel system’s stroller.

The car seat is also designed for any occasion . It’s able to fit in most vehicles without any problems, and it’s easy to install, so you don’t have to deal with a headache every time you have to strap your baby in for a car ride.

• Sun-protective and privacy visor
• Wheels struggle on rough surfaces

Baby Trend EZ Ride 35 Travel System

If you’re looking for a reliable and high-quality travel system, but you’re on a tighter budget, this model from Baby Trend is worth looking at.

The seating is made out of plush material that won’t be uncomfortable for your baby to sit in. Thanks to its soft grip, you also won’t get uncomfortable pushing or carrying it.

You can even adjust the stroller handles so you don’t have to crouch or stretch. The stroller portion comes with 2 cupholders as well, so you and your baby can stay hydrated while you’re out and about.

The system was even designed to sit your baby further back while the system creates “wings” around them to offer maximum protection on both sides.

• All-encompassing protection
• Lower weight allowance

Safety 1st Smooth Ride Travel System

If your main concern when looking at travel systems is the comfort of your child, then look no further than this Safety 1st option.

With  “Smooth Ride” in its name, you might expect a lot from this travel system, and it delivers. It has sturdy wheels that can stand up to most floors and terrain. So, whether you’re inside or out, you can easily use this stroller.

The wheels also glide effortlessly. They won’t make any noise and help smooth the ride if you push it over a bumpy surface. The car seat also keeps your baby secure and in one place during rides without being jostled around.

• Good for motion-sickness-prone children
• Not intuitive

Graco Modes Pramette Travel System

Your baby can’t speak up and tell you when they want some time to themself, so it’s up to you to make sure you can give them some peace. That’s why this Graco pramette travel system is such a great option.

The stroller can be front- or rear-facing , meaning you can decide if your baby needs some stimulation by seeing the world or if they need some peaceful time. It’s also an added safety measure.

For example, if you’re going to be using your travel system in areas with potential dust or debris or you’re worried you might stumble, a rear-facing system will help keep your baby safe.

• Large storage basket
• 20-pound limit

Graco FastAction SE Travel System

If you want a travel system you can set it up in the blink of an eye, Graco has you covered. Thanks to the way it’s designed to fold compactly, you don’t have to fight with the system to get it open or closed.

The system also comes with a lightweight but heavy-duty car seat to keep your baby safe on the road. It’s even a rear-facing seat, giving it extra points where safety is concerned.

The stroller has a parent tray that comes with a cup holder and a small storage area, so you can keep your essentials within easy reach without having to fumble in the storage compartment too much.

• Convenient design
• Only for newborns and young babies

Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All

If you’re in need of a travel system, but you don’t want something heavy and bulky that will weigh you down, consider this option from Baby Jogger.

The system is made with breathable material that isn’t just lightweight but will also ensure your child isn’t uncomfortable no matter what time of year it is.

The system also has a single-handed locking mechanism to make folding or unfolding it a breeze.  You don’t have to worry about the stroller trying to fold back in on itself or coming undone either. Once the junctions are locked in place, they stay that way until you unlock them.

The car seat has also been designed to protect your precious cargo by using anti-rebound and trauma-blocking technology.

• Not budget-friendly

Hot Tip: If you prefer to travel lighter, check out our guide to the best travel baby carriers, including wraps, slings, and backpacks .

Chicco Mini Bravo Plus Travel System

If you’re generally undecided about which direction you want to go with your travel system, then consider an option with international respect. Chicco is a brand known worldwide, and it knows what it is doing when it comes to babies. This system was designed to ensure your baby is comfortable on the sidewalk or in the car.

The soft material isn’t just for your baby’s comfort, it also adds another layer of safety. Keeping your baby nice and cozy can absorb any potential trauma by the cushions and the system structure. The system itself is also lightweight and weighs under 20 pounds.

• Highly recommended
• Difficult to clean

Century Stroll On 3-Wheel 2-in-1 Lightweight Travel System

Environmentally-conscious people on the hunt for a good travel system should check out this option from Century. With fabrics made from recycled material, this system helps you do your part in being a little greener .

It also doesn’t hurt that the material is also lightweight, making the system easy to move around. Your baby, on the other hand, will love how breathable the material is. You don’t have to worry about overheating or problems with temperature regulation with this option.

Since the stroller has 3 wheels instead of 4, it also gives it an aerodynamic design that makes it great for moving around quickly.

• Easy-gliding wheels
• May show more wear and tear

Graco Verb Travel System

Graco’s got an option for you if you want a travel system that has a lot of longevity. Whether you want to make sure you can use your travel system for future children down the line or you plan on giving it away as a hand-me-down, you don’t have to worry.

Made of high-quality material that meets strict size standards, this option won’t break down for years. The rear-facing car seat can fit most newborns and infants up to 30 pounds.

On the other hand, the stroller is large enough to give your baby plenty of room to be comfortable. At the same time, it’s also compact enough to suit the stroller-size allotments at most theme parks.

• Suitable for anywhere

Chicco Viaro Quick-Fold Travel System

If you want to be able to take your child on adventures with you and you’re looking for a travel system to help you do just that, Chicco has a great option for you.

This travel system has a quick-fold design that allows you to assemble and fold up the frame in a breeze. That means you can go from the car to the stroller in no time. You can even open it up 1-handed.

The system also had plenty of padding both for your baby and for you while you push the stroller or hold the carrier.  Your child even has 2 cupholders and a tray available to enjoy snacks or otherwise keep busy while you’re on the go.

• Reclining seat
• Only rear-facing car seat

Ideally, a travel system will allow you to seamlessly transfer your child from your car to a stroller and allow you to move around while keeping them secure.

However, there are hundreds of travel system options on the market to choose from. We hope that this list has helped you begin to narrow down which travel system is right for you.

All information and content provided by Upgraded Points is intended as general information and for educational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as medical advice or legal advice. For more information, see our  Medical & Legal Disclaimers .

Frequently Asked Questions

Are travel systems safe for newborns.

Travel systems are generally safe for newborns. However, that might not be universally true for all travel systems. Some travel systems might be designed for older babies and toddlers, for example. Before purchasing or using a travel system with a newborn, check the suggested age group of the product first.

How do travel systems work?

Travel systems typically work the same way their separate parts work normally. The stroller frame will usually fold up or collapse for easy carrying and storage, and the car seat will fit into your vehicle. However, these 2 parts will snap together as well, turning the stroller into a carriage.

What is the difference between a travel system and a stroller?

The biggest difference between a stroller and a travel system is the fact that a stroller is just 1 tool while a travel system is 2, sometimes 3 tools, all in 1. Travel systems include a stroller, but they also have a car seat and, sometimes, a baby carrier, too.

How long does a travel system last?

Since travel systems are typically multiple-in-1 tools made up of a stroller, car seat, and sometimes even a baby carrier, they can last a varying amount of time. As your child grows, they’ll eventually be too big for the car seat and carrier. However, the stroller may last through toddlerhood.

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About Amar Hussain

Amar is an avid traveler and tester of products. He has spent the last 13 years traveling all 7 continents and has put the products to the test on each of them. He has contributed to publications including Forbes, the Huffington Post, and more.

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The 7 Best Travel Car Seats of 2024

These top picks combine convenience and peace of mind

Jordi is a freelance contributor to TripSavvy. Her personal passions gravitate toward wellness and adventure, leading her to frequently plan trips that blend zen relaxation with urban and rugged exploration.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

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Traveling with small children is a great way to make memories. You expose little ones to new experiences and see the world through their eyes. But there are still everyday tasks to worry about on the road, from meal times to naps. Safety is the top priority, of course, and this means ensuring your kids have a good car seat.

If you're flying with small children or frequently switching cars, the thought of lugging around the car seat you have perfectly installed in your vehicle can seem daunting. Luckily, many companies make travel car seats lighter and easier to install on the go. These models also emphasize portability and legroom for your child to grow into.

To find the best choice for you, we looked closely at the installation process, weight ratings, and certification status of some of the most popular options on the market today.

Final Verdict

• What to Look For

Why Trust TripSavvy

Best overall, cosco scenera next convertible car seat.

 Amazon

Easy to carry

Budget friendly

Sizing issues for older childen

The Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat receives excellent marks for lightness and simplicity. This affordable car seat is a great choice for those who already have a regular car seat but need a second option for traveling. Safety features include side-impact protection built into the headrest and a five-point harness that adjusts to accommodate your growing child. The car seat can be used rear-facing for kiddos 5 to 40 pounds and 19 to 40 inches tall or front-facing for those 22 to 40 pounds or 29 to 43 inches tall. The car seat will last from infancy through toddlerhood.

Use the LATCH connectors or a seat belt to secure the car seat in any rental car or taxi. It's also designed with air travel in mind: It's FAA-approved and lightweight at just 7 pounds. Additionally, its 17.5-inch width makes it a good fit for most airline seats. Other highlights include a removable, machine-washable, and dryer-safe car seat pad and a dishwasher-safe cup holder. Colors range from Moon Mist Grey to Ocean Breeze.

Dimensions: 17.6 x 15.8 x 30.3 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 40 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH

Best Lightweight

Wayb pico travel car seat.

Very compact

Includes a travel bag

Only for toddlers and older

Car seats are a hassle to travel with because they're bulky, heavy, and unwieldy. Luckily, this travel car seat by Wayb won't add much extra weight to your suitcase. Weighing under 8 pounds, the FAA-approved Pico Travel Car Seat is easy to transport everywhere you go. It's front-facing and can hold kids between 22 to 55 pounds or measuring 30 to 45 inches tall. It has an AeroWing aluminum frame that is durable yet lightweight, and the AstroKnit performance mesh lining will keep your kids comfortable throughout their journey. Best of all, this car seat folds into a small enough package to store in overhead bins and comes with a carrying bag that can slip onto your suitcase.

Dimensions: 15 x 11 x 20 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 50 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or car/airplane seat belt

Most Compact

Safety 1st guide 65 convertible car seat.

Supports a variety of sizes and ages

Sleek design

Machine-washable cover

Complaints about installation

Safety 1st's Guide 65 Convertible Car Seat weighs 14 pounds; it's sturdy enough for everyday use yet light enough for travel. This car seat's frame is so compact that you could place three in the back of your car, making it an excellent option for larger families or smaller European rental cars. Plus, it can accommodate a wide range of weights, making it a budget-friendly pick that can last for years. It's for children who weigh between 5 and 40 pounds to use in a rear-facing position and children 22 to 65 pounds to use in a front-facing position.

Side-impact protection and five harnesses that adjust in the center ensure your child stays secure throughout their ride and help deflect impact away from their head, neck, and spine in the event of an accident. Other safety features include three buckle locations and an adjustable headrest. This car seat also has a LATCH connector system, making it easy to take the seat in and out of the car quickly. Both the cushion and cup holder are removable for easy cleanup. It's available in multiple colors.

Dimensions: 27.3 x 18.5 x 20.3 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 65 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH

Best for Bigger Kids

Graco extend2fit convertible car seat.

Harness storage makes loading and unloading easy

Rigorously crash tested

Several customizable features

Most of the car seats on this list are appropriate for children up to 40 pounds, but the Graco Extend2Fit is rated for up to 65 pounds. It also allows children up to 50 pounds to ride rear-facing and provides an extra 5 inches of legroom. This, plus a headrest that can also be adjusted to 10 different positions, ensures the child is comfortable and secure as they grow.

Two integrated cup holders keep juice bottles within easy reach and help to prevent spills. While there are multiple ways to install this model, it is easy to remember after the first time. Although this seat is designed with car travel in mind , it is FAA-approved. If you're flying economy class, consider calling ahead to check that the restraint is compatible with the airline seat.

Dimensions: 21.5 x 19.5 x 23.5 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 65 pounds | Installation Type: InRight LATCH

Best Booster Combo

Cosco finale dx 2-in-1 booster car seat.

Can fit three across

Easy to clean

Accommodates older children

Durability complaints

If you're shopping for a child aged 12 months or older, the Cosco Finale DX 2-in-1 Booster Car Seat will last from toddlerhood until after they start school. It has a 10-year lifespan and can be used as a forward-facing car seat or as a high-back booster seat. As a car seat, it's appropriate for kids between 30 to 65 pounds and 32 to 49 inches in height. The five-point harness has three different height settings, and the LATCH connectors can be used until your child reaches 50 pounds. In addition, the FAA approves the Cosco Finale for aircraft use in its car seat capacity.

It suits kids between 40 to 100 pounds and 43 to 52 inches in height as a booster seat. Its 17-inch width and 9-pound weight make it ideal for quick transfers between rental cars, taxis, and family cars back home. Other useful features include a removable cup holder and a machine-washable cover in colors that range from gray to pale pink. Lastly, thrifty families will appreciate this seat's affordable price tag.

Dimensions: 18.3 x 19 x 29.8 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 100 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

Most Innovative

Maxi-cosi pria max 3-in-1 convertible car seat.

Easy to buckle

Not the lightest pick

If you don't want to invest in multiple car seats, the Pria Max 3-in-1 Convertible Car Seat is your best bet. It can handle children from birth to 10 years old, making it one of the most versatile options on the market. Plus, the high-end brand makes each stage supremely comfortable for your child and easy for adults to use. It has a spring-assist harness system, so the straps don't get tangled; a one-hand magnetic chest clip; a simple integrated headrest and harness system, so you don't have to rethread as your tot grows; and machine-washable fabric. Keep in mind it comes with a hefty price tag and heavier weight.

Dimensions: 25.3 x 24 x 19.9 inches | Weight Rating: Up to 100 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

Best For Road Trips

Chicco keyfit 35 cleartex infant car seat.

FAA-approved

Eco-friendly textiles

UPF 50+ canopy

Rear-facing only

This car seat is a great option for road trips —or as your primary car seat that occasionally travels—as the stay-in-car base is a breeze to install correctly and the carrier itself clicks into place in one motion. When it's time to stretch your legs and explore simply detach the seat and click it into any Chicco stroller base for a lightning-fast travel combo. The base has an anti-rebound bar for added stability and extra legroom for a rider up to 32 inches tall, and the headrest has five different positions to accommodate an infant's growth.

If your plans include air travel, this is still a solid pick. The best thing about this carrier is that it can be installed in an aircraft or rental vehicle without the base, using the European or American routing method. The base and carrier together weigh 18 pounds but you'll only have to manage 10 pounds if you go baseless. It comes with removable newborn positioners so little ones from 4 pounds are ready to roll.

Dimensions: 28 x 16.5 x 24 inches | Weight Rating: 4 to 35 pounds | Installation Type: LATCH or seat belt

The Cosco Scenera Next Convertible Car Seat is light, FAA-approved, and supports young travelers up to 40 pounds. We love the accessible price point and easy-to-clean cover. If you're shopping for a toddler or older but still want to prioritize portability, go for the Wayb Pico Travel Car Seat .

What to Look For in Travel Car Seats

Installation.

All models on our list use LATCH systems and some can also be installed using the vehicle's seat belt, but you should never use both anchoring methods together. LATCH, also known as Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, is an alternative way of securing the car seat to the vehicle without using the seat belt. Both the vehicle and the car seat must have LATCH parts to install the seat properly, but most car seats (and vehicles manufactured after 2002) will do so. The car seat has straps that come from the bottom and a tether at the top. These attach to the lower anchors in the car, found in the space between the rear back seat and seat cushion, and to the top anchor, which could be near the rear window or on the car ceiling. When in doubt, check the vehicle manual and seat instructions.

Weight Rating

Like their everyday counterparts, travel car seats include maximum weight ratings that must be adhered to. Additionally, your decision to install the car seat front- or rear-facing is based on the weight and height of your child. Most models can transition from rear- to front-facing as your tot grows, or even from front-facing to a booster seat like the Cosco Finale DX . Consider the kid's age, weight, height, and the manufacturer's notes to choose a travel seat that will give you the longest practical use.

Certification Status

Most importantly, the car seat you buy should meet all safety standards. If you're flying, look for an FAA-approved or similarly aircraft-approved seat.

"All legal car seats must meet the same crash test criteria, or safety standards, and be properly labeled," said Amie Durocher, a CPS Tech at SafeRide4Kids.com. "If you are worried about counterfeit car seats, check the label. Certified seats in the U.S. are required to have very specific language on the labels. Beware if it doesn't mention federal motor vehicle safety standards or FMVSS213 or if it lacks a model name or number or manufacture date."

Yes, you can travel with a car seat on the plane —and it's actually recommended. "We recommend that parents purchase a seat even for children under 2 who could be 'lap babies' and use the FAA-approved child restraint on the airplane," said Durocher. "This makes it safer for the child—and the parent—in case of an incident during takeoff or landing and in case of turbulence during the flight."

The hardest part of traveling with a car seat is figuring out the logistics through the airport. “Infant car seats that click onto a compatible stroller are easy, but travelers might need a car seat cart, luggage strap, or bungee cords to lug a convertible car seat through the airport,” said Michelle Pratt, founder and owner of Safe in the Seat. “Some people prefer to check their stroller with their luggage and use a car seat cart to get their child and seat through the airport easily. Others babywear or let their toddler walk and load up their stroller with all their gear, then gate check the stroller planeside.”

“Rear-facing is the safest way for kids to ride in the car, but it’s not always possible on planes due to the tighter space,” added Pratt. “If the car seat fits rear-facing on the plane, that’s best. But kids who rear-face in the car can forward-face on the plane if they are at least 1 year old and meet their car seat’s forward-facing requirements. Then they seamlessly go back to rear-facing in the car at the destination.”

Author Jordi Lippe-McGraw has researched and written about travel and lifestyle products for nearly a decade. She is also the mom of a 3-year-old. When making this list, she researched dozens of products, looking at key specs like dimensions and weight rating and the number of positive and negative reviews. While researching the best travel car seats, we spoke with Amie Durocher , a CPS Tech at SafeRide4Kids.com, and Michelle Pratt , founder and owner of Safe in the Seat.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. " Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) Restraint System ." Accessed Feb 6th, 2023.

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The 9 Best Stroller and Car Seat Combos for Families on the Go

Move your newborn seamlessly from the car to the stroller with these editor-tested travel systems.

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Parents / Joy Kim

When a fussy newborn finally finds a comfortable snoozing position, the last thing you want to do is move them and potentially wake them up. This is where a great car seat and stroller combination comes in handy. Also known as a travel system, these are generally made up of an infant car seat and a matching stroller that work together. They allow you to move your infant car seat from its base in your car to your stroller where the seat would normally be. 

Most travel systems consist of two separate pieces (a car seat and a stroller) that work together or apart, but some newer versions are made up of a one-piece car seat that converts into a stroller. The best car seat and stroller combinations are safe, easy to use, easy to clean, and versatile. You also want to find a stroller that maneuvers well, even when a fully loaded car seat is attached. 

To find the best travel systems, we evaluated 23 highly rated models in our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. 11 editors and testers first assembled the strollers, when applicable, noting how intuitive that process was. Then, they took note of the stroller’s design features, looking at if the handlebar was adjustable, if the canopy was spacious, if the seat reclined, and more. We then installed the car seat bases into actual cars outside our lab, noting the ease of installation. Next, we loaded each car seat with a sandbag to mimic a baby’s weight and attached it to the car seat base, noting how intuitively it clicked in and detached, and if there were any level indicators (or an audible click) to let you know you’ve installed the car seat safely. We repeated this process with the strollers, observing if the car seats clicked in and out of their corresponding stroller easily. Then, testers took the travel systems for a spin, maneuvering them around tight corners and across multiple terrains to see how well they steer.

Since car seat and stroller combos can be on the pricier side—our picks range from $330 to $1,350—you really want an option that can be used for as long as possible. Many models can grow with your family and be used as a stroller for your toddler, or you can pass it down to a younger sibling.

Our Favorites

Best overall: britax b-free premium & b-safe gen2 flexfit plus travel system.

• Easiest to Use: UPPAbaby Cruz V2 + Mesa V2 Infant Travel System
• Best Luxury: Nuna MIXX Next + Pipa RX

Best for City Use: Doona Car Seat and Stroller

Best handling: chicco corso le modular travel system, best for growing families: graco modes nest2grow travel system, best compact: evenflo shyft dualride, best for your money: graco modes pramette travel system, best for shopping: graco modes nest travel system.

Why We Like It: Both the car seat and stroller feel durable and sturdy, and they’re easy to use all around. Plus, the three-point tire system makes the stroller a breeze to maneuver. 

But Take Note: Detaching the car seat from the stroller or the base requires the use of two hands. We also think the fabric storage bag on the stroller could be a little more sturdy. 

This premium Britax travel system earned the top spot on our list with its durable, strong feel and overall user-friendliness. Installing the car seat base into a vehicle is a total breeze—and when using the LATCH system, we were able to get it securely in the car in just about two minutes. The anti-rebound bar on the base offers another level of protection, and the easy-to-read level indicators offer a feeling of confidence about installation. 

A six-position harness and headrest are easy to adjust for your baby’s comfort. Plus, attaching the car seat to the base and stroller is extremely simple as well, as both can be done one-handed—then a satisfying click lets you know that it’s where it should be. To detach the car seat from the base and the stroller, you’ll need to use two hands: The button needs to be depressed while you are lifting the seat out of either option. Though we wish that weren’t the case, we do appreciate how sturdy the car seat feels when connected to the base and stroller.

The stroller is comfortable to use, thanks to an adjustable handlebar that lets caregivers of different heights navigate with ease. The rubber handlebar allows for a firm grip, too. A three-point tire system makes maneuvering over most super simple, though it did fall over when we tried to take it over a curb, so it might not be ideal for steps. We love that the wide canopy has a small mesh viewfinder so you can keep an eye on your baby, and the flap’s magnetic closures make it super easy to open or close. Your baby will love the softness of the fabric, while you’ll appreciate that it’s easy to wipe clean with water and a little bit of soap. 

We’re particularly impressed by how easy this stroller is to push around, even with a full car seat in it. “It feels substantial in a good way when pushing—not too heavy that it’s an inconvenience and not too light,” one editor noted. It also features a one-handed fold to close it, and it folds down to a fairly compact size. 

One thing we don’t love about the stroller is the fabric storage bag hanging off the handlebar. While it’s a great spot for holding extra items, we wish it were a bit more structured and sturdy—we felt like our items were just going to get lost at the bottom of it. Overall, though, we love how sturdy and high-quality this entire system is. 

One other thing to note is that although we tested and loved the premium version of this Britax travel system, it’s very hard to find retailers that sell it. The non-premium version is more readily available (and cheaper at $670). Both use the same stroller and car seat, and the biggest difference we can notice is that the premium version is made of a stain-resistant Nanotex fabric for easier cleaning and extra cushioning. 

The Details:

• Stroller weight: 20 pounds 
• Car seat weight: 11.6 pounds for car seat, 9 pounds for base 
• Stroller dimensions: 33 x 23 x 40 inches
• Car seat weight/height limits: 4-35 pounds, up to 32 inches 
• Stroller age/weight limit: For use from birth to 55 pounds

Easiest to Use: UPPAbaby Cruz V2 + Mesa V2 Infant Travel System

Why We Like It: Installing the car is very intuitive, and overall, the entire system was easy to use. We appreciate the sleek design and that it can grow with your child over time.

But Take Note: This is definitely on the more expensive side. We also had difficulty getting the canopy on the infant seat to stay attached and in place. 

In terms of ease of use, it’s hard to beat the UPPAbaby Cruz travel system. The stroller’s intuitive assembly, the straightforward installation of the car seat, and its thoughtful design meant that we barely needed to consult the instructions. The stroller came almost entirely put together in the box—all we had to do was pop on the wheels. We installed the base of the car seat with almost no problems, aside from figuring out how to get the latches to release on either side (but once we got it, we had no further issues). The no-rethread harness is easy to adjust, and there are storage pockets for harness buckles. 

Attaching and detaching the car seat into both the base and stroller is super simple: You push it down, and a loud click lets you know it’s in place. There are no attachments necessary. Detaching the car seat is also easy, as you push down on a button that releases the seat so you can lift it out. There is also a level indicator on the base that turns green when it’s leveled correctly, so you can be assured your baby is secure. If you’re switching between a toddler seat and an infant seat, that’s also easy, since the toddler seat comes out with the push of a button. 

The stroller is easy to use—the handlebar and seatback are adjustable—and we had no problems figuring everything out on our own. Its sleek, modern design is aesthetically pleasing, and the full-grain leather handlebar is a chic touch. We appreciate the large cargo area that easily holds a medium-sized diaper bag, although we did note that a bar in there makes it sort of impossible to hold anything too bulky and large. The stroller has a lightweight feel and folds in half easily, and though it’s on the pricier side, it comes with several extras: a rain canopy, a mesh canopy to keep bugs away, and an extendable sun shade for super sunny days. One thing we did notice is that we couldn’t get the canopy on the infant seat to stay up and attached, which was disappointing. 

Overall, the stroller was easy to push on all terrain, with a smooth glide and a lightweight feel that was still sturdy. We never felt like we were struggling to get it over any surface. The only thing we had trouble with was getting it up steps due to the large tires, but it was light enough to be picked up and carried. It’s also worth noting that the toddler seat has a pretty high weight capacity, so this can grow with your child as they get older, and the stroller can be used beyond the first year. And if you own the UPPAbaby Vista V2 stroller, this car seat is compatible with that as well. While this travel system is pricey, we think it’s worth the investment. 

• Stroller weight: 35 pounds 
• Car seat weight: 10 pounds for car seat, 19 pounds with base 
• Stroller dimensions: 22.75 x 37.5 x 40 inches 
• Stroller age/weight limit: Seat capacity is 50 pounds, storage basket capacity is 30 pounds

Best Luxury: Nuna MIXX Next + Pipa Lite RX

Pottery Barn Kids

Why We Like It: With an overall sleek and aesthetically pleasing design, this combo has a high-quality feel, grows with your child, and maneuvers like a dream.

But Take Note: We found that the base of the car seat was tricky to install into a vehicle. We also wish it came with more extra features to justify the high price point. 

If you don’t mind spending more, this Nuna travel system is a lightweight option, and the stroller couldn’t be easier to use and grows with your child. Both pieces have a high-end design and are made with luxe fabrics that feel soft, comfortable, and durable. The stroller came fully assembled—we only had to glance at the instructions to figure out how to unfold it, which was an easy process. The suspension system on the stroller gives it a super smooth ride and the rubber wheels have good traction. We also found that the overall lightweight feel made it extremely easy to maneuver it no matter where we were. The stroller can even fold closed with the toddler seat still in it, and it has an adjustable handlebar. We do wish that the cargo area were a little bit bigger, but it still holds a decently sized diaper bag. 

The car seat is impressively light at just under 7 pounds, making it one of the lightest options for an infant car seat. This makes it extremely easy to carry and move from the infant seat base to the stroller. Attaching the car seat to the base and stroller—as well as detaching it from both—was really simple, and we could do it one-handed with the press of a button. You can also easily adjust the infant seat or toddler seat to face forwards or backwards in the stroller. However, we did find that installing the car seat base is a little tricky. It took about 30 minutes to install the base, and we had to consult the manual and instructional videos to figure it out. Ultimately, we discovered that you have to be at a very specific angle to successfully use the LATCH system, and overall, this was and it was just a little more difficult than many other options we tested. 

Details like a leather carrying handle, magnetic buckle holders to keep straps out of the way, and no-rethread harnesses are all great touches. While we love how high-end this stroller and car seat combo feels, we do think it could have come with some extra features to make it worth the higher price point. The stroller does not have a storage bag at the handlebar or any cup holders, which would have been nice. However, we love the one-touch brake that keeps the stroller securely in place. Plus, the UPF 50+ canopy is water-repellent with an extendable sun shade, a flip-out eyeshade, a ventilation panel, and a peek-a-boo window to see your baby. 

• Stroller weight: 28.5 pounds 
• Car seat weight: 6.9 pounds without base 
• Stroller dimensions: 23.75 x 32.75 x 45.5 inches 
• Car seat weight/height limits: 4-32 pounds, up to 32 inches 
• Stroller age/weight limit: Birth to 50 pounds

Why We Like It: This is just one piece of gear, so it’s a convenient space saver and ideal for people who use ride-shares or public transportation often. 

But Take Note: This can be a little awkward to use since the handlebar is so low, and it doesn’t grow with your child as much as some other options. Using it also requires a little bit of a learning curve. 

The standout feature of the Doona is its innovative design: It is a one-piece car seat and stroller. You simply take the seat out of the base, unfold the wheels, pull up the handlebar, and it becomes a stroller. This not only makes it a space saver (you don’t need to store a stroller anywhere when the car seat is in use) but also makes it ideal for city dwellers and people who use ride-shares or public transportation frequently. 

That said, this combo definitely comes with a little bit of a learning curve. During our first try, we found it a little tricky to figure out how to release the wheels down, although once we knew how to do it, it was actually pretty simple. We also had trouble figuring out how to attach and detach the seat from the base. Instead of clicking a button on the seat to release it from the base, you have to click a button on the base, which isn’t intuitive. But again, once we figured it out, it was simple to do. 

Overall, we’re impressed with how easily this stroller maneuvers and how well it takes corners. It offered a pretty smooth glide on most terrains, although its lack of suspension made us dubious of how it would perform on a rocky or bumpy surface. It’s pretty small and narrow, so it’s easy to navigate crowded spaces and tight spots. While the stroller is comfortable and straightforward to clean, it doesn’t feature any sort of storage basket or cup holder, and the seat does not recline. The handle is short, so it’s a little awkward to handle, especially if you’re on the taller side. We also found the car seat to be pretty heavy: One tester found that the weight made it awkward to lift up when clicking it into the base. 

It’s also worth noting that the Doona does not grow with your baby the way other combos do. This one doesn’t have a toddler seat, since it’s all one piece, so it will only be sufficient until your baby reaches 35 pounds. Overall, this is a niche piece of gear that won’t be the best choice for some families, but if you live in the city and plan on bringing your baby out often, it’s a game-changer. 

• Stroller/car seat weight: 17 pounds 
• Stroller dimensions: 17.3 x 23.6 x 26 inches  
• Car seat and stroller weight/height limits: 4-35 pounds, up to 32 inches

Parents / Dera Burreson

Why We Like It: With a sleek design, convenient extra features, and a stroller that maneuvers easily on almost any terrain, this is easy to use and grows with your child.  

But Take Note: This combo requires a separate attachment to get the car seat onto the stroller, so it cannot be attached or detached one-handed. 

This Chicco Corso travel system looks and feels more expensive than it is. It’s easy to use all around, and the stroller handles turns and various terrains extremely well. We really like the trendy design with the mixed colors and leather accents, but we’re even more impressed that installing the car seat base into the vehicle using the LATCH system only took us a few minutes. We had no problem attaching and detaching the car seat to the base with one hand, and throughout the process, each piece felt sturdy and secure. To detach, you simply pull up the lever and lift it out of the seat, and it doesn’t require any wiggling, like some other brands. 

The stroller also comes with several convenient features: It includes a cup holder, a removable handlebar for kids, and an extendable canopy for full sun coverage. Plus, the spacious cargo area holds a lot of stuff. We appreciate the simple one-handed fold (“It is awesome that this can be done with a baby on your hip at the same time,” one editor noted), and since the stroller stays upright when folded, it’ll stay cleaner than if it were lying down.

Even when a loaded car seat is locked in and the cargo space is full, this travel system moves seamlessly. It did surprisingly well on almost every surface we drove it on; the only time we had a small issue was when going over a crumbling sidewalk. Otherwise, we’re impressed with its maneuverability.

One thing to note is that this combo requires a separate piece to click the car seat into the stroller. While this attachment is included with your purchase, it does mean that you have to use two hands when you’re putting the car seat and stroller together, as well as when you’re connecting the car seat and base. The stroller grows with your child, with a comfortable toddler seat that can be used forwards or backwards, and you get a lot for the price. “It is everything I’d hope for in a car seat stroller combo and exceeded my expectations,” a tester raved.  

• Stroller weight: 18.7 pounds, 24.8 pounds with toddler seat
• Car seat weight: 10 pounds for seat, 18.5 pounds with base 
• Stroller dimensions: 34.5 x 24.8 x 42.8 inches
• Stroller age/weight limit: Not listed

Why We Like It: Intuitive installation and assembly make this one easy to put together, and it can convert into a double stroller if needed, making it ideal for families with two small children. 

But Take Note: It’s heavy and bulky, and doesn’t offer the smoothest ride. We also found it difficult to attach the car seat to the stroller, especially with a baby inside. 

What we really love about this Graco travel system is that it’s ideal for families with two small children. When you use the included infant car seat and toddler seat, this can easily convert into a double stroller . You can also separately purchase a bassinet attachment for an infant. Basically, this is a four-in-one stroller that truly grows alongside your family and can be used for years to come.

Assembling the stroller and installing the car seat into its base is straightforward. We were able to assemble the stroller most of the way without looking at the instructions. While installing the car seat with the LATCH system is a breeze, the seat belt method was a little more difficult because the openings to thread the seat belt through are narrow. It was also tricky to remove the base from the car since you have to unhook the LATCH connectors, so it’s really best to keep the base in one spot. If you are going to be switching the car seat between cars, we don’t feel this is the best option. 

It’s easy to detach the car seat from the stroller since you just push a button on the back of the seat and lift it up. Attaching it, on the other hand, was more complicated, and it took us some practice to be able to smoothly position the car seat so it clicks into place. You have to adjust the seat to the exact right angle on the stroller, which makes us feel a little weary with a baby inside. 

The stroller offers a huge cargo area that holds a lot of gear, and its leather accents make it look more expensive than it is. We also like the adjustable handlebar and easy fold. However, it’s important to note that this travel system is heavy and bulky. Turning it when fully loaded was a challenge, and it requires a lot of effort to push. It’s not super portable and doesn’t glide as smoothly as we’d like due to its weight. Because of this, though the system feels super solid and protective. “Nothing can drive this tank off the road,” one editor said. “You feel like your baby is safe.” So if you don’t mind a bulky, heavy stroller, then this can be a good thing. The travel system’s biggest selling point, though, is that grows with your family: For an infant, you can use the included car seat or bassinet attachment ( sold separately ), and as your kid gets older, they can ride in the toddler seat. Or, you can convert it into a double stroller to accommodate siblings.

• Stroller weight: 30.6 pounds 
• Car seat weight: 7.5 pounds without base 
• Stroller dimensions: 50.38 x 26.38 x 50.25 inches ‎
• Stroller age/weight limit: Up to 50 pounds

Why We Like It: This one-piece option is compact and great for parents who are always on the go or want a space-saver, and it has a nice ride that makes it easy to push in different terrains. 

But Take Note: To remove the car seat from the stroller frame, it must be clicked into the car seat base. This isn’t intuitive, and it could be inconvenient for families on the go.

Like the Doona, the Evenflo Shyft DualRide is more of a one-piece item: Once it’s out of the base, the car seat unfolds into a stroller, then folds back down again to go back into the base. This makes it a more compact option compared to the other two-piece travel systems since you don’t have to worry about storing a stroller when it’s not in use. This is a great option for parents who are always on the go and don’t want to have to deal with a bulkier stroller. Assembly is simple, as is installing the car seat base into your vehicle using the LATCH system. 

The easiest way to use this system is to remove the car seat from the base and unfold it into a stroller. Unlike the Doon, removing the actual car seat from the stroller base is possible (and necessary to adjust the straps), but it’s a complicated process: You can only do it when the entire set is attached to the base in the vehicle. So if you’re on the go and away from your car, you won’t be able to remove the infant carrier from the stroller frame, which isn’t an intuitive design.

We found it mostly easy to attach and detach the car seat from the base—you just pull a white lever to release the seat and pop it back in when needed. A loud click confirms when it is secure to the base and a level indicator lets you know it’s in the right position. However, we did find that the wheels are a little wonky and have to be slightly adjusted to ensure everything locks into place. 

Folding and unfolding this into a stroller requires a little bit of a learning curve, but once figured out, it’s fairly simple. Folding it requires you to push the wheels down or apply some pressure, so while not entirely seamless, it’s also not extremely difficult. Overall, the stroller feels solid and sturdy, and the canopy is thick and durable. The handlebar is about an inch and a half taller than the Doona, which makes a difference. While we struggled a bit to get the stroller over sand, we otherwise found it to offer a smooth ride. 

One thing to point out is that we had trouble adjusting the belts in the car seat and adjusting the strap length. There is a tiny button you have to press on the bottom of the car seat to adjust or loosen the straps, and doing that with a baby in the seat is difficult (this is where you need to remove the infant carrier from the stroller base, which we struggled with). A nice touch is the sensor technology on the buckle that lets you know if they’re buckled in correctly or if the child is left unattended or in the seat for too long. This also comes with a removable carryall storage bag and a parent cup holder, which is a nice bonus. 

• Product weight: 29 pounds 
• Stroller dimensions: 18 x 18 x 31 inches 
• Car seat/stroller weight/height limits: 3-35 pounds, up to 32 inches

Why We Like It: This is one of the most inexpensive travel systems out there, and it offers a smooth ride and plenty of storage space. We also love that it grows with your little one. 

But Take Note: We had a little trouble assembling the stroller. 

If you want a travel system but don’t want to spend a lot, this Graco system is your best option. We found that it works just as well as other more expensive travel systems and looks nice, too, making it an excellent value. While we did have a little trouble assembling the stroller, installing the car seat base into the vehicle using the LATCH system is a simple process that only took us a few moments. The car seat felt secure when we were done, and it’s fairly lightweight at just about 10 pounds. 

Attaching the car seat to the base is a breeze: Just pop it in without much force, and a clicking noise lets you know it’s stable. (There’s no need to break a sweat adjusting it to an odd angle, like some other options.) We found detaching the car seat slightly more tricky, as you need to press a button on the base that is nearly buried under the canopy. But, the seat pops right in and out of the stroller and clicks when it’s in securely. To detach it from the stroller, you push a lever on the back of the seat up, which we were able to do one-handed. We could attach the toddler seat one-handed as well, but detaching it requires two hands. 

As far as the design of the stroller, we’re impressed with the quality. While the fabric isn’t the most luxe, it gets the job done and is nice enough. The cargo area is pretty big and holds a lot of items, and we appreciate the extra features, like a phone holder and cup holder. Folding it is easy, but not something that can be done one-handed. The canopy is easy to adjust and the toddler seat can recline and face forwards or backwards, but we do wish the handlebar was adjustable. 

The stroller offers a very smooth ride and was easy to navigate around corners and through narrow spaces. It is also pretty lightweight, and even when loaded with a child and items, it was easy to maneuver and didn’t feel much harder than when it was empty. Overall, you get a lot for a reasonable price. “My baby doesn’t wake up when I take him in and out of the car to the stroller, and I can put it together and apart by myself so quickly that my 5-year-old doesn’t get impatient,” our tester reported. It checks most of the boxes at a budget-friendly price. 

• Stroller weight: 20.9 pounds 
• Car seat weight: 9.8 pounds without base 
• Stroller dimensions: 23.5 x 34.5 x 44.75 inches

Why We Like It: This glides smoothly and has some convenient features that make it a good option for running errands. 

But Take Note: It’s a little heavy to push, especially with a child inside the infant seat. 

This budget-friendly Graco travel system is easy to use and offers ample storage space. With some guidance from the manual, installing the car seat was mostly simple, but we did have some difficulty assembling the stroller and had to consult the instructions several times. We had no trouble installing the car seat base into the vehicle using the LATCH system, though it also feels secure when installing it with a seat belt. Attaching and detaching the car seat and toddler seat into the stroller is easy: Both snap into the frame with a click that lets you know it’s in correctly. And, attaching and detaching the car seat to its base is similarly easy, with a click that lets you know it’s secure. At just 7.5 pounds, this car seat is very lightweight, so it’s a great option if you plan to carry it around often.

The stroller glides pretty smoothly and drove well over different terrains. It was also surprisingly easy to lift up a flight of stairs. While it feels light on its own, it definitely feels heavier to push with a child inside. So this isn’t your best lightweight pick. We also struggled to figure out how to unfold the stroller, and that process requires two hands. 

That said, it has some nice features that are worth pointing out. The cargo area is massive and can hold a lot of items, from a diaper bag to your groceries. (This is particularly useful for city dwellers who walk to the store.) It comes with cup holders for the parent and toddler, as well as a snack tray. We appreciate that you can move the seat up or down to your preferred height, and though the fabric does feel a little scratchy, it looks pricier than it is. 

This is a secure and durable travel system that will last for years. It comes in at a reasonable price point, and we feel confident you’ll get your money’s worth. 

• Stroller weight: 21.96 pounds 
• Car seat weight: 7.5 pounds
• Stroller dimensions: 38 x 26.77 x 41.85 inches 

Other Notable Stroller Car Seat Combos

• Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System : This stroller is sturdy with large wheels that offer a pretty smooth ride. It was very easy to install the car seat base into our vehicle, and it’s fairly simple to attach the car seat to the stroller one-handed. You need two hands to detach it, though. A major downside was that one of the back wheels wasn’t secure: It would roll around and go out of place while pushing the stroller, which was not only inconvenient but didn’t seem safe. It was also pretty heavy, and we’d prefer something more lightweight.  
• Baby Jogger City Sights Travel System : We really like the sleek and modern design of this travel system. Assembly was easy and installation was mostly simple, aside from the fact that we initially couldn’t find the base clips needed to secure it into place. However, we did have difficulty folding it and felt the cargo area was small. It also requires an attachment in order to get the car seat onto the stroller, which is an added step in assembly. And although it had a nice ride, we didn’t feel it had enough features to be worth the steep $900 price point—if you’re going to splurge, we recommend the Uppababy Cruz V2 and Mesa V2 combo or the Nuna Mixx Next travel system.
• Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System : Although this travel system is inexpensive and the stroller was easy to use, it wasn’t sturdy or secure enough for us to feel comfortable putting our kids in it. The car seat felt wobbly when attached to the stroller, and we also didn’t like that there weren’t any clicks or levers indicating that the car seat was installed correctly in the base, It offered an okay ride on smooth surfaces, but wasn’t impressive on gravel or grass. 

Our Testing Process

To find the very best stroller and car seat combinations, 11 testers evaluated 23 highly rated models from top brands in our testing lab in Des Moines, Iowa. Our criteria included the ease of assembly of the stroller, ease of installation of the car seat into the base, ease of use when using both pieces together, design and features, maneuverability of the stroller, and the overall value of the entire travel system. To simulate the weight of a baby, we placed sandbags in the car seat. For strollers that came unassembled, we timed how long it took to put it together. 

When looking at the installation of the car seat, we timed how long it took to install the base into the car using the seat belt or LATCH system, paying attention to how simple it was to click the car seat into the base and remove it. We noted whether these things could be done one-handed, and if doing so jostled the seat enough to potentially wake a sleeping baby. To assess how the two products work together, we noted if the seat popped easily into the stroller (and if this could be done one-handed) and if the sandbag inside the seat was jostled during the process. 

In terms of design, we considered the weight of the car seat and how easy it was to handle. For the stroller, we considered how the fabric felt, the various features it had (like cup holders and recline positions), how adjustable it was, and how much it held in the cargo area. We walked the stroller around to check how well it held up on various terrains and noted how stable it felt, even going up and down steps. To determine overall value, we considered whether each travel system offers enough to justify its price. 

After the lab test, we selected the nine top performers and sent them home with our editors to use with their own babies, asking them to look at the same criteria. They also evaluated how these travel systems perform in the real world and how well they hold up over time. They’ve been using them for over two months now, and we’ll continue to update this article as we learn more.

We also consulted experts on safety tips and features to keep in mind when shopping: Petra Stanton , car safety seat installer and trainer at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida; and Kelly Moriarty , Injury Prevention Coordinator at Novant Health in Charlotte, North Carolina.   

Factors to Consider When Buying a Stroller Car Seat Combo

There are a few things to think about when shopping for a great travel system. Consider your lifestyle, how often you’ll be using it, and what you’re trying to gain from it. 

Age, Weight, and Size Limits

Read the label and instructions carefully and pay attention to the age, weight, and size limits for both the car seat and the stroller. Most of the stroller and car seat combos out there use infant car seats that have weight limits of 35 pounds and are only meant to be used in the first 12 months of a baby’s life. Of course, these limits will vary depending on the product and brand. 

Strollers vary more in weight and size limits, and if they come with a separate toddler seat aside from the car seat, check those limits to see how long you’ll be able to use it. “Keep in mind that your child may be ready to transition into a larger car seat in the first year of life, so look at the stroller and decide how easy and convenient it will be to use the stroller after the child outgrows the car seat,” says Stanton. “Thinking ahead is the key here.” 

Stroller Size and Portability

In general, most parents want a stroller that is fairly compact, easy to store when not in use, narrow enough to fit through most doorways, and portable enough to be taken almost anywhere. Bulky, large strollers may quickly feel inconvenient. “If the combo is very heavy or the stroller is very heavy, it may be challenging for a caregiver to fold and transition on their own,” says Stanton. 

The best size depends on your preferred method of transport, too. If you frequently use public transportation or ride shares, “Pick a combo that allows you to remove the car seat and fold the stroller easily,” says Stanton. If you tend to travel by car, Moriarty points out that you need to think about how well the stroller fits in your car, since that’s where it will be stashed a lot of the time. Consider how easily it folds and how large it is when folded. 

Comfort and Design

It’s easy to focus on the fun features a stroller offers, but it’s more important to think about how comfortable it is to use. “Make sure the stroller is a good height and that you are able to operate it comfortably,” says Moriarty. Plus, a car seat that can be attached to or detached from the base and stroller with just one hand makes it a lot more simple for caregivers with their hands full. If these processes require two hands, it may not be the best option, especially if you have more than one child. 

Stanton points out the advantages of using a car seat that transitions into a stroller, explaining they are particularly useful for families who use rideshares and public transportation or switch between caregivers. “These are one product. The wheels are attached to the car seat and therefore the parent can easily fold the system into the car seat that can be used in the vehicle,” she says. This makes them more naturally portable. Lastly, consider how versatile the travel system is. Can the stroller be used with a seat for a toddler after your baby sizes out of the infant seat? Does it have convenient features like cup holders, sun shades, and a large cargo basket? These are all things that can make using the stroller a better experience. 

Ease of Use 

A lot goes into a stroller and car seat combo. You want to make sure it’s easy to use at all times, whether you’re assembling the stroller, installing the car seat into the vehicle, or attaching and detaching the car seat to the stroller. Consider the weight of the stroller and the car seat in terms of lifting, carrying, and also pushing. You’ll want buttons and levers that are easy to push, but not so easy that a child could do it, Moriarty says. Pay attention to how easy it is to attach and detach the pieces together. Ideally, you should be able to do it one-handed with little to no adjusting. And since safety is the biggest priority, “Ease of car seat installation is one of the main points to look for,” Moriarty says. You want to make sure it is safely installed, or it may not work properly in a crash or a sudden stop. 

Maneuverability

When you receive your stroller, push it around as much as possible to see how well it rides. Consider how durable it seems, noting if the wheels are sturdy enough to be pushed over a variety of terrains, like grass, gravel, and the sidewalk. See how easily it turns, and take note of what terrain it’s meant for. You want your stroller to be easy to push, even if you’ve reached the max weight limit. 

How to Use Infant Car Seats and Strollers Safely

Don’t assume that learning how to use your car seat and stroller is intuitive. “Read the manual that comes with it to make sure you are using the products correctly, from strapping the child in properly to correctly installing the carrier in your car,” Moriarty urges. “Remember to pay attention to and follow weight and size limits.” 

Keep the American Academy of Pediatrics’ (AAP) safety guidelines in mind when installing the infant car seat base into your vehicle: You can use either the seat belt or LATCH system, but regardless of the method you choose, make sure the car seat is tightly secured with no wiggle room. The safest spot for a car seat is in the backseat, with the middle seat preferred if possible. Look for safety features like load legs and anti-rebound bars that can reduce the side effects of a crash. Remember that infants should ride in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible until they max out on height or weight. If you are unsure of how well you installed the seat or experienced an issue, don’t hesitate to consult a professional. “Find a local nationally certified car seat technician in your area,” says Stanton. “The list of technicians can be found on cert.safekids.org . If there are none in your area, look for technicians who offer virtual education.” 

When using a car seat and stroller combo, remember to always make sure you are clicking the car seat into the stroller correctly. Ensure it is secure and will not move around or slip off. Also, don’t completely replace the stroller seat with the car seat. “Car seats are for riding in cars, not all-day stays,” Stanton warns. “While it’s easy to keep the baby sleeping in the car seat, it may not be the safest choice. Safe sleep research shows that babies are safest in their empty beds on their backs.” So, it may be beneficial to opt for a travel system that also has a bassinet attachment for safer sleeping on the go. 

Other safety tips include always keeping your baby properly harnessed in the car seat—even when outside of the vehicle. And once your baby starts sitting up, it might be time to switch to the stroller seat alone so they can sit more comfortably, says Stanton. Also, always check the Consumer Products Safety Commission’s site for recall notices. You can register your car seat and stroller to get notifications about any safety recalls. 

Your Questions, Answered

What age is a travel system best for.

Both Stanton and Moriarty agree that car seat and stroller combos work best for infants. This is because they typically include an infant car seat that is often not used after the first 12 months of a baby’s life. That said, you may find a travel system that has a stroller with a toddler seat that can be used for several more years. Look for this versatile feature if you want to get the most for your money. 

Are stroller car seat combos safe?

The short answer? Yes. As Stanton points out, the infant car seats that come as part of a travel system have to meet the same federal safety standards for use in a vehicle in the United States as car seats that don’t come in travel systems. She recommends looking for labels on the side of the car seat to see how it meets federal motor vehicle standards. As long as you purchase a legitimate travel system where the car seat is meant to click into the stroller, it should be safe, if used properly. If you are purchasing a system online or buying something used, make sure the car seat and stroller are meant to work together and have not been recalled. 

Is it worth it to buy an infant car seat and stroller together?

This really depends on your lifestyle. Travel systems are very convenient for families and caregivers who are often on the go. Think practically about how many times you’ll need to click your car seat into a stroller. If you plan on running a lot of errands with your baby or taking them out a lot, it might be really helpful. If you don’t plan on doing this, it’s not necessary—you can just purchase a separate car seat and stroller. Also, if you find the entire system too frustrating to use, then it isn’t worth the money. 

Jessica Booth is a freelance writer who covers parenting, shopping, wellness, entertainment, and wedding content. She has been freelance writing since 2017 and before that worked as an editor at an online publication for seven years. She has written for sites such as Brides, People, Insider, Bustle, Romper, Refinery 29, Cosmopolitan, Delish, The Daily Beast, Reviewed, She Knows, Scary Mommy, The Knot, and What to Expect. She also has two young daughters and has been through several different strollers, car seats, and a travel system herself.

Car Seats: Information for Families. American Academy of Pediatrics

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The 7 Best Travel Car Seats

We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more .

Verywell Family / Danie Drankwalter

Car seats are not optional for babies and kids who are riding in vehicles, which makes this already difficult but essential purchase all the more daunting for families who like to travel a lot. If you’re frequently switching cars, boarding airplanes, or getting into taxis, you need a car seat that is lightweight, easy to install and uninstall, comfortable for your child, and somewhat compact.

When shopping for a car seat, you'll want to decide if it's rear- or forward-facing . According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, rear-facing seats are the safest for all kids under 2 years old and most kids under 4 years old. For forward-facing seats, they recommend following the car seat's weight and length limits. Other important features to look for include a LATCH system, a five-point harness system, ease of cleaning, and more. We researched a variety of options from trusted brands with these features in mind. A physician from our Review Board also reviewed this article for medical accuracy and integrity surrounding travel car seats, safety features, and size and weight limitations.

Here are some of the best travel car seats available now.

• What to Look for

Why Trust Verywell Family?

Best overall, graco slimfit 3-in-1 car seat.

 Amazon

Convertible

Base is attached for easy traveling

Straps can't be removed to clean

We like this Graco option because it will take your baby from infancy into toddlerhood. It converts from a rear-facing car seat to a forward-facing car seat to a high-back booster seat. It has a slimmer frame than other similar models, making it more versatile if you’re changing vehicles often.

The seat uses the LATCH system, which makes installation a breeze. It also has a five-point harness (with the option to tuck away behind the child's back for a booster seat ) and an adjustable headrest to grow with your child. The rear-facing harness holds children weighing between 5 to 40 pounds, while the forward-facing harness holds children weighing between 22 and 65 pounds. When used as a booster seat, it can accommodate children weighing between 40 to 100 pounds. The seat itself measures ‎21.5 x 19.9 x 25.5 inches and weighs around 20 pounds. Reviewers note that it's easy to carry around, especially in airports. It is FAA certified as well.

Your child gets two cup holders with this seat, and they rotate away when not in use to create a slimmer profile for the chair. If there’s a spill you can easily clean it up because the seat cover is removable and machine washable.

Key Specs: Item Weight: 25 pounds | Weight Limits: 5-100 pounds | Height Limits: Up to 57 inches | Age Range: N/A | Convertible: Yes

Best Convertible

Evenflo tribute 5 convertible car seat.

Lightweight

Machine washable seat pads

Thin padding

Continuous loop harness causes twisting

Available in several colors, this car seat can be either rear or forward-facing and can safely transport newborn babies . It has a five-point harness with four shoulder strap positions to accommodate growing kids.

The seat is also very lightweight, making it great for transporting during travel. The cup holder is removable, the seat pads are machine washable, and the seat is designed with a slim frame so that you can safely install three of them across most backseats.

Key Specs: Item Weight: 9.29 pounds | Weight Limits: 5-40 pounds | Height Limits: 19 to 40 inches | Age Range: N/A | Convertible: Yes

Best for Toddlers

Diono radian 3r 3-in-1 convertible car seat.

Slim, three across frame

Learning curve for installation

While this seat is safe for babies as small as 5 pounds, it’s also a great option for a toddler as it can be installed both rear-facing and forward-facing with a five-point harness. Once they've grown out of those positions, your kiddo can sit in the seat as a highback booster.

It has a slim design that doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles but is great for traveling in compact cars. The cover comes in several color options and is removable and machine washable.

Key Specs: Item Weight: 26 pounds | Weight Limits: 5-120 pounds | Height Limits: Up to 57 inches | Age Range: N/A | Convertible: Yes

Best Budget

Cosco scenera next convertible car seat.

Aircraft certified

Low weight maximum

Super lightweight, this Cosco convertible car seat can accommodate your little one in a rear or forward-facing position. As your tot grows, you can adjust the straps using the five different height positions and three buckle locations. If you have a family vacay on your wishlist, this convertible car seat is the perfect companion as it is certified for use on an aircraft. The removable cover is available in several cute designs and can be tossed in the wash.

Key Specs: Item Weight: 10.40 pounds | Weight Limits: 5-40 pounds | Height Limits: 19 to 43 inches | Age Range: N/A | Convertible: Yes

Best with Stroller

Doona car seat and stroller.

All-in-one design

Quick installation

Not ideal for tall parents

Seat isn't convertible

For easy travel with an infant, this is about as simple and compact as it gets. This infant car seat easily snaps in and out of a car seat base and can also convert into a stroller. When it’s set up as a stroller, the infant seat carrying handle extends out to make it easy to push and the car seat base can be quickly installed and removed using the LATCH attachment. This travel car seat is especially great for families who are frequently in and out of taxis. 

Key Specs: Item Weight: 16 pound seat/stroller, 17 pound base | Weight Limits: 4-35 pounds | Height Limits: Up to 32 inches | Age Range: Infant | Convertible: No

Best Forward Facing

Wayb pico travel car seat.

Under 10 pounds

Folds down for overhead storage

Not suitable for kids under 2 years old

Can be difficult to install

It’s hard to believe a car seat could be so small and easy to use, but this one weighs under 10 pounds and uses the LATCH system for quick and simple installation and removal. Kids as young as 2 years old (and minimum of 22 pounds) can use the forward-facing seat which features a five-point harness and has a slim design suitable for air travel or three-across car travel.

When it’s not in use, this seat folds down for easy carrying and can fit into most airplanes’ overhead compartments. 

Key Specs: Item Weight: 9.7 pounds | Weight Limits: 22-50 pounds | Height Limits: 30 to 45 inches | Age Range: 2 years | Convertible: No

Best Highback Booster

Evenflo chase plus booster.

Plane-friendly

Adjustable buckles

Headrest is not adjustable

This lightweight seat can be used as a front-facing car seat with a five-point harness or a highback booster seat. When it’s being used as a booster, it features a seatbelt guide to ensure your child is safely buckled in. With an easy-to-install LATCH system, the seat features two adjustable buckles that secure between your child's legs to allow them to sit comfortably as they grow.

Your kiddo will have a place to store their snacks and sippy cups with the two handy integrated cup holders. For the adventurous family, this car seat is FAA Inversion compliant so you can bring it with you on a plane.

Key Specs: Item Weight: 11 pounds | Weight Limits: 22-110 pounds | Height Limits: 28 to 57 inches | Age Range: Booster 4 years+ | Convertible: Yes

Final Verdict

There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing the best travel car seat for your family, but in general, we think the Graco SlimFit 3-in-1 Car Seat ( view at Amazon ) is the best because of its convertibility, ease of use, and size.

What to Look for When Buying a Travel Car Seat

Safety is always the most important thing to look for when purchasing a car seat. Make sure you’re familiar with the American Academy of Pediatrics’ car seat guidelines to ensure you’re getting a seat that meets all safety requirements.  

Size and Weight

Since you will be using this car seat while traveling, be mindful of size to ensure it will easily fit into a variety of car seats and that it’s not too heavy to carry through an airport or city if necessary. If you have plans on taking the car seat on a flight, check with your airline before you make a purchase to ensure you're choosing one that is compliant with their guidelines. While most car seat brands are designed to comply with the Federal Aviation Administration , it is important that you double-check with your specific airline.

Ease of Installation & Removal

Travel for your family could mean hopping on a plane or jumping in and out of taxis. Depending on your travel needs, you'll want to prioritize finding a seat that installs and removes easily. To avoid the frustration of having to go through a complicated installation process over and over again, you can opt for a seat that doesn't need a base and utilizes a LATCH system.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you’re traveling by plane, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children under 40 pounds sit in their own seat with an FAA-approved car seat. If your child is over 40 pounds, most airlines will allow you to check your child’s car seat as luggage free of charge. If you’re going on a road trip , install the seat into your car as you would any other time.

Stop frequently to let your kids stretch their legs and get some energy out, make sure you have plenty of snacks and entertainment, and ensure the car seat is comfortable enough for your child to stay in their seat when the car is moving.  

Most car seat manufacturers, health care professionals, and safety experts advise babies spend no longer than two hours in their car seat at a time (known as the two-hour rule) because the curve of those seats can create problems with a baby’s developing spine. Additionally, while the American Academy of Pediatrics notes that the safest place for a baby in a vehicle is in a car seat, they don’t recommend babies sleep in them for extended periods of time.  The exception to this rule is if you are on a long flight, which in this case the safest place for your baby is buckled up in their car seat.

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer, mom to a 1 and a 4-year-old, and she has personal experience in researching and using infant carriers, rear-facing, and forward-facing car seats. Key considerations she focused on when selecting these products include personal experience, safety features, longevity, and user reviews.

Car seats: information for families . HealthyChildren.org.

Durbin DR, Hoffman BD, COUNCIL ON INJURY, VIOLENCE, AND POISON PREVENTION, et al. Child passenger safety .  Pediatrics . 2018;142(5):e20182460. doi:10.1542/peds.2018-2460

Flying with Children .

Travel safety tips . HealthyChildren.org.

Wyckoff AS. Large study sheds light on infant deaths in sitting devices . AAP News.

The Best Car Seats for Kids of Every Age

From rear-facing infant seats to boosters for big kids, we've got you covered with our top-tested picks.

We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.

We've evaluated 25 car seats in the last six years based on safety compliance, ease of use, safety features, functionality and value. We conduct evaluations in the Lab as well as in different vehicles and then have our consumer testers test them out in their everyday lives.

Our top picks:

Best Overall Infant Car Seat

Chicco keyfit 35 zip cleartex.

Best Overall Convertible Car Seat

Britax one4life clicktight all-in-one.

Best Value Car Seat

Maxi-cosi pria all-in-one.

Best Car Seat for Small Cars

Graco slimfit3 lx.

Best Premium Infant Car Seat

Uppababy mesa max.

Best Booster Car Seat For Big Kids

Diono monterey 5ist fixsafe.

Best Backless Booster Car Seat

Graco turbobooster lx.

Best Car Seat and Stroller Combo

Doona car seat stroller.

Best Rotating Car Seat

Baby jogger city turn.

Car seats reduce the risk of death by as much as 71% when used correctly, according to Safe Kids Worldwide . That's why every state in the nation has car-seat laws , particularly for kids age 5 and younger.

For parents, there's a lot to get acquainted with when it comes to car seats: when to turn from rear-facing to forward-facing (usually not before age 2), the simplicity of the LATCH system, the Herculean strength sometimes required to get a secure fit and the benefit of a removable, washable car seat cover. In general, when determining the right car seat for your family, you’ll want to factor in the ease of installation (including if it has built-in level indicators), ease of cleaning (largely based on fabric and removability) and stroller compatibility (only related to infant car seats). Of course, the most important thing of all is that the car seat actually fits well in your car and that it's installed properly. For that, we recommend you get a car-seat check .

After you’ve checked out our recommendations, keep scrolling to find more info on how we test car seats, what features to look for when shopping, and how to make sure you select the best fit for your child.

You have a lot to juggle as a caregiver to a newborn, so finding an easy-to-install car seat is critical. A unique system in the KeyFit 35 base uses LATCH connectors to pull it into place so it fits nice and tight without much force required . Two bubble indicators let you know that the seat is at the correct angle.

This is designed for infants up to 32 inches tall or 35 pounds, so you can keep your child rear-facing for the first two years. It's an upgrade of a GH Institute perennial favorite, now Greenguard Gold-certified , which means the fabric has been reviewed for low chemical emissions. An integrated anti-rebound bar provides stability in the event of an accident. The large, extendable canopy to keep the sun out of your baby's eyes during rides is an often unheralded touch that our testers appreciated. There's even a zip-down car-seat cover with a mesh panel if you want to give your baby privacy, totally shielded from lights and sights.

This car seat without the base weighs just over 10 pounds, which will start to feel like a lot as your baby grows. We suggest snapping the seat into a stroller if you plan to transport it long distances. Many baby strollers , not just those from Chicco, are compatible with this popular car seat, often with the help of an adaptor.

RELATED: The Best Infant Car Seats

As the name suggests, this is part of a new class of convertible car seats designed for up to 10 years of use . First, install it rear-facing for your infant. It might initially look large for a young baby and it can't come out of the car and snap into a stroller — which is our favorite feature of an infant car seat — but the major benefit of this car seat is that your child can stay in the safest rear-facing position all the way up to 50 pounds.

"I was able to keep my son rear-facing a long time in this because he was so comfortable," says our Chief Technologist & Executive Technical Director Rachel Rothman . The seat is the heaviest on our list, however it has 15 recline positions and many testers report keeping their child in the One4Life rear-facing through age 3.

When switched to a forward-facing convertible car seat, the One4Life can hold your child in the car-seat harness up to 65 pounds. After that, you'll want to convert it to booster mode, using the seat belt to secure your child in the seat throughout the rest of their childhood. It's good as a booster up to 120 pounds or when your child reaches 63 inches tall (yes, that's a little over five feet, two inches — so this can last!). There are easily accessible LATCH straps for rear-facing installation. Britax's Clicktight system is located underneath the seat pad where you'll thread the vehicle's lap belt and tighten the seat securely for the forward-facing position. The fabric can be machine-washed and dried. The two cupholders are removable and dishwasher safe.

RELATED: The Best Convertible Car Seats

The Pria can handle a four-pound newborn rear-facing, and then go all the way up to a 100-pound child, forward-facing in booster mode. It transitions from extended rear-facing (for a baby up to 40 pounds, which takes you well past the second birthday) to forward-facing and then to a booster.

Generous side-impact protection and a thick headrest provide comfort for naps and a feeling of security. This is also the rare car seat that comes in a bevy of pretty colors including violet, peach and jade.

A look at the online reviews shows that some parents struggle to install this over-30-inch-tall car seat and they blame its bulk. It's also got the widest base of any car seat on our list. For that reason, it may fit better in an SUV than in some sedans. However, once it's in, the no-rethread harness makes adjusting your baby in the seat a breeze. Little pegs on the side of the seat can hold the harness out of your way as you get your child situated, which is a nice touch.

This easy-to-install, all-in-one convertible car seat is slim enough for you to fit three across in most backseats , making it popular with families who have more than two kids and parents who have compact cars.

The SlimFit3 grows with your child from infancy through childhood as it transitions from rear-facing for a baby, forward-facing for a toddler and high-back booster for a big kid. If you're fine with an infant car seat that can't be pulled out of your car and carried around, then using this from birth will save you money in the long run.

You can keep this seat rear-facing until your toddler weighs 40 pounds. The SlimFit3 features a 10-position headrest, four-position recline and no-rethread harness, making it simple to adjust for your child's comfort. But there is a downside to the slim design: "It runs narrow and it’s a bit tight for a bigger-framed kid," says GH editor Yolanda Wikiel , whose son is 4 years old. "We bought it when we had a smaller car — and a smaller kid. Also, we find that the straps get twisted and stuck a little too easily."

The premium design and quality fabric of the UPPAbaby Mesa make it a standout rear-facing seat for infants up to 35 pounds.

Add in its easy-to-understand leveling guide (an indicator changes from red to green when it's flat) and the fact that it's very lightweight, and our parent testers were quite happy with this pick. Our engineers lauded the no-rethread harness for easy adjusting and the noteworthy extendable canopy as impressive features.

New on this Mesa Max version is an anti-rebound panel and a load leg built into the base, both of which help stabilize the seat and distribute crash forces in the event of an accident. The base is slightly larger than the regular Mesa , but we are still running Lab and user testing on the updated version. If for some reason you can't use the base, perhaps in a ride-share situation, this car seat can also be secured with a seat belt.

The Mesa Max also features Greenguard-certified fabric. Every Mesa car seat is designed to attach directly to the GH-recommended UPPAbaby Vista V2 stroller and to the UPPAbaby Cruz stroller . With an adapter, it can attach to other strollers as well.

RELATED: 9 Best Car Seat and Stroller Combos

This new booster car seat, a 2023 Family Travel Awards winner, does not look babyish, so your older child who still needs a booster in order to have the seat belt hit at the right height likely won't object to sitting in this.

Twelve headrest positions and sides that expand mean your big kid can find a comfortable fit. It can safely accommodate children up to 120 pounds. You install this forward-facing using LATCH connectors, then strap your child in with the car's seat belt.

What impressed our testers: This actually folds down for storage and travel and includes carry straps to make it easy to cart around. Families who use ride-share vehicles or are in and out of different cars like this option for a big kid. However, it should be noted that this does not become a backless booster; the back remains attached. If you want just a booster seat with no back, consider the Graco TurboBooster on our list.

RELATED: Best Booster Car Seats

The LX Turbobooster is for older kids who don't require additional neck or back support but do need to be literally boosted up a few inches so the seat belt fits them correctly. It's portable, affordable and features a machine-washable seat pad so you can clean up inevitable messes. Testers loved the hidden storage compartment and easy-to-install cupholder.

Once your kid hits the age when you'll be carpooling them and their friends to different events and activities, it can be a lifesaver to have one or two of these in your trunk to be able to pull out for visiting passengers. Just know that a convertible car seat, with its five-point harness and high sides, is a safer option for kids up to about 65 pounds, so don't be in too much of a rush to change to this kind of booster seat. It is best for elementary-school kids.

It's a splurge and heavier than the typical infant car seat, but the Doona is innovative because it transitions into a stroller in seconds without the need for any extra adapters or equipment .

Ideal for travel, this infant car seat means you won’t have to lug around a separate stroller. It's also great if you're a family that uses multiple cars or ride-shares, because, though this comes with a car seat base, it can also be installed with just a seat belt. We like this model so much, it's our best overall pick for car seat and stroller combos — plus, it has over 11K five-star reviews on Amazon.

Testers who use this rave about it during their baby's first year. It does become obsolete, however, around or just after your child's second birthday, when they will outgrow it, or even a bit sooner. At that point, you'll want a convertible or other forward-facing car seat.

Another new category that has emerged in the car seat market: convertible car seats that rotate, so you can strap your baby in with them facing the car door, then spin your baby back into a rear-facing position. This makes the load-in easier, since you can face your baby as you clip the harness buckle into place . No more leaning into the backseat and twisting yourself like a pretzel!

While testing, we loved how exceptionally comfortable the padding is on this seat, which along with the rotation helps justify the high price. But the swivel feature does not work in for the forward-facing setup, and this does not become a booster seat. There are five recline positions but tilting the seat forward and back is a little tougher with this than with other seats.

Finally, due to the innovative swivel base, this seat is rather large and doesn't fit in all vehicles, so if you have a sedan, pay attention to the seat's dimensions to make sure it will fit inside.

How we test car seats

When the parenting and engineering experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute assess car seats, we review safety compliance, ease of use and features for the car seats as well as how responsive the company's customer service is.

We test out the car seats in vehicles of varying sizes and with consumer testers who have children at every age and stage so we can get real-life feedback. In the past six years, we've tested 25 car seats.

Ease of use if a huge factor, so we evaluate how easy it is to perform each of the following actions with each car seat:

• Installing the car seat
• Adjusting the angle of the car seat
• Adjusting harness height
• Adjusting harness tension
• Securing a child in the car seat
• Removing seat from base (for infant car seats)
• Removing car seat cover
• Cleaning the car seat
• Following the instruction manual

What type of car seat is right for your child?

Infant car seats: As the name implies, these are car seats specifically designed for use from birth, and this is often the kind of car seat families drive a newborn home from the hospital in. Infant car seats can only be used rear-facing, which is the safer position for babies until the second birthday.

• Infant car seats are designed specifically around the needs of an infant with extra support for their neck, head and spinal cord.
• You can easily remove an infant car seat from your car, taking it off its base (which stays in the car) and carrying your baby in the seat for easy transitions in and out of your vehicle.
• Infant car seats are often compatible with strollers and can clip right on a stroller seat or a stroller frame. This allows you to use some lightweight strollers from birth. Car seats and strollers sold together are called a travel system . If you'd like a stroller from one brand and an infant car seat from another, they can usually work together when you buy a separate adapter.
• Height and weight limits vary by brand and model, but usually, the weight limit maxes out at 30 or 35 pounds. Whenever your child hits either the height or the weight limit (usually after the second birthday), you have to stop using your infant car seat and move to a convertible car seat.
• If you have more than one car, you can buy an extra base for your infant car seat. Each base stays installed in a car so you can readily click the car seat in and out.

Convertible car seats: These are designed to convert from rear-facing to forward-facing. They're meant for use from birth through the toddler years and beyond. Many families start with an infant car seat and move to a convertible car seat for their toddler.

• Infants can often use a convertible car seat. If you want to start with one of these from birth, check the age grading first. Many convertible car seats have additional inserts that can be used for the comfort and safety of smaller children.
• The downside is you can't click a convertible car seat out of your car and carry it — there's not a base or a carry handle. In addition, no convertible car seat can fit onto a stroller. Installation takes a bit more time, so it's not practical to frequently move a convertible car seat between different cars.
• Increasingly, many convertible car seats have the option to convert further into booster seats, meaning you could get a full 10 years of use out of one of these.

Booster car seats: These literally boost a big kid up so that the adult seat belt will hit across the center of the child's shoulder and chest correctly.

• A high-back booster includes a backrest, which is helpful for small children, and sometimes side wings that give kids a place to rest their head when they want to sleep.
• A backless booster is just a little seat and nothing else. For children who weigh over 100 pounds who might be embarrassed by the babyish look and feel of a high-back booster, these portable seats keep them correctly positioned with their tween dignity intact. Read all the rules for having a child of any age safely buckled in, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

What to look for when shopping for a car seat

✔️ Weight and height limits: Make sure you get a seat that fits your child’s weight and height. Car seats are limited by both. The specs should be specified on the packaging or in the car-seat description online. Many convertible seats have multiple configurations for your growing child. Whenever your child hits the maximum for either height or weight, it's time to move to the next.

✔️ Return policy: Some car seats may fit better in certain cars than others depending on the size of the car seat, the size of the car, the angle of the vehicle seat and the type of vehicle seat belt. There is no way of knowing which car seat will fit and install easily in which vehicle just by looking at it, so make sure you can test out the fit and installation in the vehicle you plan on driving. Every car seat will fit every vehicle differently.

✔️ NHTSA: Use the NHTSA guide (see below) to help you identify the appropriate car seat. It will help you narrow down to the best position (rear- or front-facing) and type (infant, convertible car seat or booster). You input your child's date of birth, height and weight and it will produce a list of appropriate car seats, along with their agency's ease-of-use ratings.

NHTSA car seat guide

This is an example of an NHTSA search for a 3-year-old that's three feet tall and 33 pounds. The blue bar indicates that they recommend a forward-facing car seat with a built-in safety harness, which often means purchasing a convertible car seat.

Do's and don'ts for car seats

• Pay close attention to the instruction manual when installing the car seat for the first time. Correct installation is essential for your child’s safety. Fortunately, many seats also have visual instructions on the product itself to help guide you, and increasingly brands have installation videos available on YouTube. Most also list a phone number that you can call to get help from a human who can walk you through the installation steps.
• Register your car seat with the manufacturer to get updates about recalls. You can also sign up on the NHTSA recall alerts page.
• After tightening your infant seat, double-check that the level indicator is in the correct zone. Install your seat on level ground (which might mean driving your car to a flat parking spot if your driveway is on a slope) to ensure the leveling aids are working properly.
• Get your car seat inspected for proper installation. Check NHTSA.gov for more details on finding a pro in your area.
• Adhere to state laws for appropriate restraint for your child.
• Look for the FMVSS 213 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) designation on your car seat. These are minimum safety requirements for child restraint systems including car seats for children who weigh up to 80 pounds. Seats with this designation have conditions to meet for crashworthiness, flammability and buckle and release pressure, among other things.
• Use a car seat that is past the manufacturer’s expiration date (printed on the car seat) or one that has been in anything more than a minor fender-bender. Once the protective elements have done their job in a collision, they do not snap back into place; you will need a new car seat. For this reason we also recommend buying a new car seat unless you know a car seat's previous owner well and can trust that it hasn't been compromised.
• Fasten children in car seats while they're wearing bulky garments like a puffy winter coat. The clothing can compress in a crash and the child may be able to come loose from the restraint. While grandparents may roll their eyes at you leaving the house with your toddler dressed in regular clothes and their coat packed separately, all car seat manufacturers recommend not restraining a child wearing bulky clothing . The best way to keep your child safe and warm is to secure them in the harness with normal clothing and then lay a blanket or jacket over them so it does not interfere with the harness.

Know the car seat lingo

• Five-point restraint system : All infant seats use a five-point harness system, which consists of a crotch strap with harness buckle, chest clip and harness strap. Buckle your child in every time. You tighten the harness by pulling the strap located at the base of the seat.
• LATCH: Most car seats can be secured either with a seat belt or with included LATCH connectors. LATCH stands for Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children and is a required standard on car seats and cars made from September 2002 on. LATCH’s lower anchors attach to brackets often located between the bottom and the back of the car's seat cushion. The top tether anchor location varies from vehicle to vehicle, though it's traditionally located behind the seat you're trying to anchor.
• Base and recline : Most infant car seats have a base that helps you with installation and makes it easy to adjust your infant to the proper reclined angle, which is important for their safety since infants do not have strong neck control. If you start with a convertible car seat from birth, it's vital that it is installed rear-facing and at a properly reclined angle for a newborn. Levels or reference lines are designed to help the installer get the proper angle, and again, many brands post installation videos on YouTube so you can check their images against your own work.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

The Good Housekeeping Institute is a go-to resource for parents and their product needs, as its team of engineers and product experts (many parents themselves!) thoroughly evaluate everything from car seats to strollers, toys and more.

GH's lead engineer and head of testing, Rachel Rothman , has been evaluating juvenile products for more than 15 years using her product knowledge as a mechanical engineer, coupled with her real-life experience as a mother of three kids age 6 and younger. She also oversees the auto testing for the Best Family Car Awards , which means she gets to marry her two areas of expertise when car seats enter the testing calendar. The majority of the picks included in this round-up have been tested by her and used for continued long-term testing with her family (among other testers).

This article was written by contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn , a veteran of Parents magazine who has reported on the car-seat market for more than 20 years.

More kid-safety product buying guides

For car seats:

• Infant car seats
• Convertible car seats
• Booster car seats
• Car seat and stroller combinations

For strollers:

• B est strollers
• Lightweight strollers
• Double strollers
• Jogging strollers
• Travel strollers

For other baby necessities:

• Baby humidifiers
• Convertible cribs
• Crib mattresses
• High chairs

Rachel Rothman was the chief technologist and executive technical director of the Good Housekeeping Institute for over 15 years , overseeing testing methodology, implementation and reporting for all GH Labs. She also managed GH's research division and the analysis of applicants for the GH Seal and all other testing emblems. 

Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents .

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9 Best Travel Systems to Buy – Car Seat Stroller Combo

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Buying a travel system is a sound choice – and often an affordable option, too! As a set usually comes with a stroller, car seat , and base, you can save a considerable amount of money!

However, which travel system to choose may be a more difficult decision. After all, there are various systems available, from deluxe to affordable, heavy-duty to lightweight.

In this post, I’ll review nine of the best travel systems available, including both affordable and premium options. I’ll cover each set’s pros, cons, features, and more.

So, you can make a sound decision on which to buy for your new arrival! All of these travel systems have garnered top marks from parents around the country, too.

At A Glance: Our Top 9 Best Travel System Picks for 2021 :

• Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System With SafeMax Car Seat
• BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Travel System With B-Safe Gen2 Infant Car Seat
• Peg Perego YPSI Travel System With Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido Infant Car Seat
• Baby Trend Nexton Travel System With Flex-Loc Infant Car Seat
• Graco Modes Travel System With SnugLock 35 Infant Car Seat
• Chicco Mini Bravo Plus Travel System With KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat
• Britax B-Free Travel System With B-Safe Endeavors Infant Car Seat
• Britax Pathway & B-Safe 35 Travel System With B-Safe Ultra Infant Car Seat
• Evenflo Sibby Travel System With LiteMax 35 Infant Car Seat

What is the Best Travel System?

A travel system is an investment, and an important one, too! However, you may be wondering what makes a set one of the best travel systems to buy?

Well, as each system comes with an infant car seat, the best are undoubtedly those that meet or exceed safety specifications. After all, safety comes first – especially when it comes to babies!

If safety comes first, comfort surely comes in a close second, though! After all, a comfortable infant is also a happy one who won’t scream until taken out of the seat or stroller.

Ultimately, the best car seat stroller combos are those that are safe, cozy, and meet your needs, too. So, do take into consideration where you will use the system when picking one.

1. Evenflo Pivot Modular Travel System With SafeMax Car Seat

• 6-mode multi-position modular stroller
• Rear-facing SafeMax car seat with base
• Detachable stroller seat
• Large storage basket
• Removable snack tray with cup holder
• Large cruiser wheels with brakes
• Available in grey, rose, red, and sandstone
• Car seat weight limit – 4-35 lbs
• Stroller weight limit – 4-50 lbs
• Car seat height limit – 32”
• Stroller weight – 15.5 lbs

Things We Love!

What I love is that this affordable modular travel system looks much like a set that costs three times the price. And, it acts like one, too!

The 4-piece set includes a car seat, base, stroller, and removable stroller seat. You can configure these parts in a variety of ways, including as a forward or rear-facing stroller!

You can easily remove the stroller seat and clip in the car seat, as well. So, it’s easy to move sleeping babies from the car to the stroller and vice versa!

If that wasn’t enough, the stroller seat also converts from an upright seat into a baby bassinet. So, you really are spoilt for choice with this fantastic, affordable modular travel system! 

• The lightweight stroller is easy and quick to fold down.
• The modular stroller design offers plenty of position configurations, including forward and rear-facing bassinet carriage, regular stroller, and car seat stroller.
• Many parents reported the set is very comfortable.
• Not the best quality build.
• The stroller can be difficult to push on certain rougher terrains.

Overall Thoughts

Overall, I think this is one of the best car seat stroller combos in the affordable range. It comes with all the bells and whistles that much more costly options do.

If you’re planning on using this stroller occasionally at the shops and around town, it’s the perfect option. However, it’s not the most rugged stroller.

2. BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Travel System with B-Safe Gen2 Infant Car Seat

• 3-wheel FLEX 3.0 jogging stroller
• Rear-facing Britax B-Safe Gen2 infant car seat with base
• Extra-large cargo basket
• Six storage pocket, incl a cellphone pocket
• Adjustable handlebar
• Extra-large canopy with a magnetic window
• Off-road tires and shock absorbers
• Available in Graphite black only
• Stroller weight limit – 4-75 lbs
• Stroller weight – 28.5 lbs

I love that this all-terrain stroller works just as well on the tarmac as it does on a hiking trail. Yes, thanks to its mountain-bike-style suspension, you can use it almost everywhere!

Aside from this, the stroller can handle a bit more weight than the average, with a maximum weight limit of 75 lbs. As such, it will be useable for much longer than the included car seat, too!

Speaking of which, the set comes with a Britax B-Safe Gen2 car seat, making it one of the best safe travel systems. Yes, this ultra-safe, comfy car seat is a top-quality option.

Overall, I love the quality build, comfort, safety, extra features, and versatility the system offers. The stroller is just as useful at the shops as it is when exercising or going hiking.

• The set includes one of the safest Britax car seats with a steel-reinforced base, Safe Cell Crumple zone, and protective shell.
• You can use the stroller almost anywhere, thanks to its rugged tires and off-road suspension.
• The stroller is ideal for use while jogging or on hikes, unlike many regular strollers.
• A pricey option.
• The  snack tray  is sold separately.

Are you an avid jogger or hiker and need a top-quality travel system to bring your baby with you ? If so, this set is an excellent choice – and very good value for the money, too!

The safe car seat also plays its part on the log journeys to wherever you plan on hiking. 

Yes, if you’re looking for a safe, versatile travel system to take with you almost everywhere, this is one of the best. Though it is pricey, it definitely delivers in quality, build, and usability.

3. Peg Perego YPSI Travel System with Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido Infant Car Seat

• 12-mode YPSI stroller
• Rear-facing Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido car seat with base
• Reversible detachable stroller Companion Seat
• Primo Viaggio car seat to stroller adapter links
• Roomy expandable storage basket
• Height-adjustable telescoping handle with an eco-leather hand bar
• Easy-push wheels with suspension and 12 ball-bearings
• Available in Atmosphere or Onyx
• Car seat weight limit – 35 lbs
• Stroller weight – 22.6 lbs

Italy is renowned for many things, not least its design and fashion! This gorgeous Italian-made set undoubtedly lives up to expectations as one of the best stylish car seat stroller combos, too!

Besides looks, though, it comes packed with plenty of features and is versatile, too! In fact, the neat single YPSI stroller can adapt into many positions, as well as into a double stroller!

You only need to buy the separate double adapters if you want to change it into a double stroller. The car seat then acts as the second seat – so the baby can sit just above their sibling!

Aside from the Companion Seat and car seat, the stroller is also compatible with the  YPSI baby bassinet . This is available for purchase separately.

• The set converts into a double-stroller with the use of the double adapters (not included).
• The stroller is compatible with the Peg Perego car seats, YPSI baby bassinet, or Companion Seat.
• The stroller and the various seats can get configured into a forward or backward-facing stroller.
• The narrow 20” wide stroller chassis can fit through tight spaces.
• The stroller features an easy, compact fold.
• The car seat has a shady extendable Pagoda hood and Dual-Stage cushioning.
• The car seat base features a built-in Load Leg and Anti-Rebound Bar to reduce rotation by up to 50% in case of a collision.
• There’s a fun, YPSI-compatible  ride with me board  for kids available for purchase separately.
• The  YPSI Double Adapters  and extra  Companion Seat  are sold separately.
• There’s no matching snack tray available for the YPSI stroller at present.

If you’re looking for a quality, stylish stroller, then this Peg Perego set is a sound choice. It may be pricey, but you do truly get what you pay for in terms of quality, safety, looks, and design.

It’s also the perfect set for multi-child households or for those planning to have more kids in the future. Unlike many single strollers, it has the capability to adapt easily into a double stroller.

4. Baby Trend Nexton Travel System with Flex-Loc Infant Car Seat

• 3-wheel Nexton stroller
• Rear-facing Flex-Loc infant car seat with base
• Shady expandable canopy with mesh window
• Parent tray with two cup holders
• Removable child snack tray
• Extra-large storage basket
• One-hand fold
• Available in Coral Floral only
• Car seat weight limit – 5-30 lbs
• Stroller weight limit – 50 lbs
• Stroller weight – 25 lbs

This cute and affordable travel system is quite a steal! It’s airy, spacious, and easy to use and even comes with both a snack and a parent tray.

So, you can stow your cup of coffee or tea safely while taking your baby for a morning stroll. In fact, this little set makes for an excellent urban stroller to take around the neighborhood.

The included car seat is quite satisfactory, too, having a shady canopy and easy-grip handle to ensure no accidental drops.

• The car seat clips into the stroller for easy car-to-stroller baby transfers.
• This affordable travel system includes all the necessities like storage.
• The set comes with both a parent tray and a removable child snack tray.
• It is only available in pink floral colors at present, though  other similarly-priced travel system  designs are available from Baby Trend.
• The car seat is not one of the safest on the market.

If you’re looking for a low-cost option for light use, this is undoubtedly one of the best travel systems to choose from. It ticks all the boxes, plus it’s easy to slip the car seat into the stroller.

So, taking a baby with you to the supermarket, family visits, or check-ups is a breeze. Though certainly not the most rugged or heavy-duty option, it will surely perform well around town.

5. Graco Modes Travel System with SnugLock 35 Infant Car Seat

• 3-mode Graco Modes stroller
• Rear-facing SnugRide SnugLock 35 car seat with base
• Reversible detachable stroller seat
• Adjustable leg rest
• Removable snack tray with two deep cup/bowl indents
• Available in black or plum
• Stroller weight – 21.05 lbs

Graco is one of the foremost names in baby products, offering parents quality at an affordable price. As such, it’s no surprise to see one of their travel systems on this list!

This utilitarian all-in-one set ticks most boxes, coming with a versatile stroller and a safe, comfy car seat. The stroller is quite versatile, being compatible with both the car seat and stroller seat.

You can set these up in a variety of ways, too – forward or rear-facing, bassinet, car seat, or toddler mode! So, it really adapts to every situation and occasion and will grow with your baby.

I love that the set comes with the top-of-the-line Graco SnugLock 35 car seat, though.

• The car seat clips into the stroller with the seat on as well as into the bare stroller frame.
• Both the car seat and stroller seat can get set up either forward or rear-facing.
• The stroller seat converts into a baby bassinet, infant seat, and toddler seat.
• The stroller comes with a detachable snack tray with two cup indents.
• This set is one of the pricier Graco travel systems.
• Not a good option for use off-road or on rugged terrain.

As far as quality, affordable sets go, this is one of the best car seat stroller combos around! It is easy to use, fold, and drive, as well as very versatile for use from newborn up to toddler age.

6. Chicco Mini Bravo Plus Travel System with KeyFit 30 Infant Car Seat

• Mini Bravo Plus stroller
• Rear-facing KeyFit 30 infant car seat with base
• Shady vented extendable canopy
• Parent tray with cup holders and a cellphone pocket
• Moderately-sized storage basket
• Quick one-hand fold
• Available in Slate and Midnight
• Car seat weight limit – 4-30 lbs
• Car seat height limit – 30”
• Stroller weight – 19.6 lbs

This lightweight set is no doubt one of the best affordable travel systems to use around town. Weighing in at just under 20 lbs, the stroller itself is light and easy to set up and maneuver.

I love that the car seat clips into the stroller, though! So, it’s easy to transfer little sleeping ones from the car to the stroller and back without waking or disturbing them.

Aside from this, the Chicco Mini Bravo has a sleek “mom-about-town” look to it. The removable snacks tray and parent tray are both quite handy, too, allowing for vital hands-free moments.

• The stroller is easy to fold with its unique one-hand fold handle.
• Once folded, the stroller stands upright for easy storage.
• The stroller is compatible with KeyFit and Fit2 car seats.
• The set includes a useful parent tray and a child snack tray.
• The set may not be ideal for tall parents or babies.

If you’re looking for an affordable, ultra-lightweight system to use around town, this is an excellent option. Apart from its low weight, it also folds and packs down so effortlessly.

7. Britax B-Free Travel System with B-Safe Endeavors Infant Car Seat

• 3-wheel B-Free stroller
• Rear-facing B-Safe Endeavors infant car seat with base
• Clip-in stroller/car seat adapters
• Seven storage pockets
• Shady, expandable canopy
• One-hand quick fold
• All-terrain solid rubber tires
• Available in Midnight
• Stroller weight limit – 65 lbs
• Stroller weight – 20 lbs

This Britax set is undoubtedly one of the safest, and therefore best travel systems on the market. The car seat included with it has a ton of safety features to keep babies secure.

In fact, this Endeavour car seat is one of the highest-rated for safety. Yet, the set comes in at a fraction of the price compared to many other similarly-rated travel systems car seats.

• The ultra-safe Endeavours car seat has plenty of safety features, including side impact protection, an anti-rebound bar, steel frame, and an impact-absorbing base.
• The baby car seat clips into the stroller.
• The car seat is very easy to install, level, and use.
• The set is modern and sleek.
• The included stroller is not a sport stroller, though there is also a  B-Free Sports travel system  available.
• The car seat is a bit heavy, though it is very protective, too.

If safety is important to you, it’s well worth considering this Britax travel system. The safe car seat is excellent, especially if you spend a lot of time driving with a baby on board.

Overall, this system is a good all-rounder that is both affordable, safe, and good to look at!

8. Britax Pathway & B-Safe 35 Travel System with B-Safe Ultra Infant Car Seat

• 4-wheel Pathway stroller
• Rear-facing B-Safe 35 car seat with base
• Car seat to stroller adapters
• Available in Crew or Sketch designs
• Stroller weight limit – 55 lbs
• Car seat height limit – 32“

This all-in-one lightweight travel system is affordable yet also safe and of superior quality and build. The Britax B-Safe car seat comes packed with plenty of safety features, too.

These include a steel frame, side-impact protection, and an impact-absorbing base. So, you know your baby is safe and sound when strapped in.

Otherwise, I love this set’s modern look, which also comes in two unique yet understated shades.

• The set is modern and lightweight.
• The car seat is easily clipped into the stroller using the included adapters.
• The car seat is a bit on the heavier side.

I think this is one of the safest and best car seat stroller combos on the market. If you’re looking for a system with a secure car seat, do consider it.

9. Evenflo Sibby Travel System with LiteMax 35 Infant Car Seat

• Evenflo stroller
• LiteMax 35 car seat with base
• Unique fold-out child ride-along board
• Detachable parent cup holder
• Large mesh storage basket
• Shady canopy with peek-a-boo window
• Extra-long sports-grip handles
• Available in Mineral Gray or Charcoal Gray
• Ride-along board weight limit – 50 lbs
• Stroller weight – 12 lbs

This affordable travel system is a steal for the price. Aside from coming with a stroller, car seat, and base, the set also includes a parent cup tray and more!

I love the unique ride-along board, though – which lets older siblings hitch a ride! How fun! We know how kids can get when dragged along to run errands.

So, this extra is not only a fun touch but also practical! Aside from this, the stroller is so lightweight, and therefore very easy to carry, especially if you’re using public transport.

• The fun built-in ride-along board allows a fully grown child to ride along on the stroller.
• The stroller is very lightweight, weighing in at only 12 lbs.
• The set is great value for money, coming with plenty of added extras.
• Not ideal for use off-road or on bumpy surfaces.
• The parent cup is a bit flimsy.

If you’re looking for a very affordable set, this is one of the best travel systems to pick. Aside from coming with all the regular features, it has some fun extras, too!

Buyer’s Guide to Buying the Best Car Seat Stroller Combo

Buying anything online can be daunting, let alone buying a costly travel system! If you want to get the best car seat stroller combo for your child, there are some tips you can follow, though.

These pointers will help ensure you pick the perfect travel system and avoid lengthy and unwanted returns. So, you can spend more time enjoying outings with your new bundle in tow!

Why Do I Need a Travel System?

Transporting a baby anywhere is a complicated affair, especially if doing so via a vehicle such as a car. As a basic, a rear-facing car seat is a necessity by law, though.

However, beyond getting to your location safely and lawfully, you also need to take your baby out of the car with you after! This is where a travel system with the matching stroller comes in.

Travel systems usually include a car seat, base, and a matching stroller. So, you can conveniently remove your car seat (with a likely asleep baby) and clip it into your stroller.

In this respect, I think a travel system is an absolute necessity, especially if this is your first child. The best travel systems come with plenty of vital extras, like storage, too, though.

At What Age Should I Start Using a Travel System?

Unless your baby is premature, you can start using your travel system immediately after they are born. Of course, you can also buy an infant insert to help smaller babies fit comfortably.

Usually, travel systems, including strollers and car seats, are for infants from 4 lbs up, though. Not all sets get created equal either – some might be a tad uncomfortable for smaller or bigger babies.

So, do be sure to consider this when selecting your travel system. If you have a small car, you might want to check the car seat dimensions and stroller size, too.

Car seats usually fit babies up until they are around 32” tall or 35 lbs. And, the strollers will likely fit your baby a little longer until they are around 50 lbs or more.

Types of Travel Systems

There are a few types of travel systems on the market, and each suits a specific use. So, before you buy, do ask yourself what you expect from your travel system.

Do you want to be able to jog or hike with it, or just use it regularly to run errands? Do you want a set that’s lightweight and easy to carry? Or do you need tons of storage space?

At the end of the day, the best car seat stroller combo for you will depend on your unique needs. Here are the most common types of travel systems to consider buying.

Lightweight Travel Systems

Lightweight sets are exactly that – light and easy to carry. As such, these systems suit mums with limited lifting power or those who may need to carry the set on public transport.

If this is you, do take a look at the system’s stroller and car seat weight before buying! Ideally, ensure your stroller is around 15 lbs or less and the car seat around 5 lbs or so.

Rugged Travel Systems

Rugged, off-road travel systems are those that you can take with you off the beaten track or tarmac. As such, they’re perfect to use on a hike or nature outing.

If you plan on going to places less traveled, you may want to consider investing in one of these rugged travel systems. It will make these excursions with baby not only possible but pleasant!

Jogging Travel Systems

Jogging travel systems are lightweight, easy-to-push sets that you can run or jog with. If you’re planning on getting back to jogging and want to bring baby along, pick one of these.

These easy-to-maneuver strollers won’t hold you back. And they will let you get some much-needed exercise without leaving your little one out of the fun!

Deluxe Travel Systems

If you’re all about plush, deluxe baby items that come with all the bells and whistles, then you won’t be disappointed. There are plenty of deluxe travel systems available to choose from.

From plush padding to high-tech safety features, these options don’t come cheap, though. But, they definitely deliver in terms of comfort, quality, looks, versatility, and durability.

All-In-One Travel Systems

All-In-One travel systems are those that feature two or more of the above categories. For example, some systems may be both rugged and deluxe.

These days, you don’t need to settle for one type of car seat stroller combo, especially if you have special requirements! So, be sure to check each set’s unique features.

How to Choose the Best Travel System ?

So, how does one go about picking the best travel system? Well, there are plenty of fantastic options out there. However, the best one for you is ultimately whichever suits your needs. 

There are a few steps you can follow to ensure you buy the best product, though. Follow these to ensure you don’t spend valuable time and money returning an unwanted travel system!

Read Through Customer Reviews

After watching a convincing ad for a travel system, it may be tempting to buy it straight away. But, before you do, take the time to read some real customer reviews, if only to skim them!

These reviews will fill you in on real customer experiences of using the product. So, you can make a sound decision of whether to buy it or pass and keep on looking!

Pick From the Top Rated Options

Highly-rated travel systems don’t just get popular for no reason. It takes hundreds (and, maybe even thousands) of positive customer reviews for the product to achieve this status.

As such, picking from only the highest-rated baby items, including travel systems, is always a good idea. After all, if hundreds of customers loved a product, you’re likely to, too!

Go With Companies Who Offer Superior Customer Support

When buying a product anywhere, mishaps do occur. Perhaps the set gets broken during shipping or arrives missing a part?

Or, maybe you get an entirely incorrect product, or your set comes in the wrong color? At this point, stellar customer support becomes a necessity, not a luxury!

Check the Warranty and Returns Policy

Even if a product is sold by a company with excellent customer support, they still may not accept returns or replace broken or defunct items.

That’s why it’s so important to check the warranty, guarantee, and returns policies. So, you won’t be left with a costly yet defunct, unwanted, or duplicate travel system.

Conclusion:

Navigating the purchase of all your baby essentials can be a confusing and costly affair. Hopefully, this post has helped you find the best car seat stroller combo for your little one, though!

Check out these other great posts!

How to Choose the Best Booster Seat for a Table

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Best Baby High Chair Reviews and Buyer’s Guide

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The 6 Best Travel Systems of 2024

Wondering what the best travel system of 2024 is? Wondering what stroller car seat combo is best for your family? Finding the best infant car seats and the best strollers on the market gave our team a pretty good idea of the different combinations available today and which travel systems are best for different situations. A travel system consists of an infant car seat that easily attaches to a baby stroller, allowing you to travel with ease. We recommend getting the same brand for your car seat and stroller, but if you are interested in different brands check out our compatibility guide to ensure they will work together.

Recommended

The ultimate car seat and stroller compatibility guide.

In this article you will discover the top travel systems of 2024 and which is the best travel system for your family based on your lifestyle and desired features. When it comes to selecting the best travel system for your needs, there are several factors to consider. First, look for durability and stability – you want to ensure the travel system is built well enough for regular use without compromising on safety or comfort. You’ll also want something lightweight and compact in size , as this will make transportation easier when traveling by airplane or public transit. Additionally, make sure the travel system includes basic and additional features you are looking for such as adjustable handlebars, swivel wheels and storage. Read more about stroller features in our stroller buying guide .

Baby Stroller Buying Guide

Finally, consider your budget when selecting a travel system. Many travel systems come with features that may be unnecessary for your needs, so it’s important to understand what you need before making any purchases . Traveling with a baby can be both exciting and daunting. That’s why having the right travel system is essential to make sure your journey remains safe and stress-free . By taking into account all these factors, you can rest assured you’ll find the perfect travel system for your family! Without further ado, here’s our list of the 6 best travel systems of 2024 :

1. Chicco Bravo Trio: Best Overall Travel System

• Exceeds crash test ratings.
• Durable tires.
• Large cargo space.
• Easy to move the car seat in and out of.
• Overlapping sun shades.

We don’t like:

• Almost no shocks.
• Car seat is a little on the narrow side.

Where to buy: Check price on Amazon

The Chicco Bravo Trio includes the Bravo quick-fold stroller and the Chicco KeyFit 30, one of the best infant car seats on the market (read our full review of the Chicco KeyFit 30 ). The stroller is easy to use, comfortable to push and provides a smooth ride. It provides ample storage, and can be accessed from the front and back of the stroller. And once the child grows out of the car seat, the main seat has a child tray and the seat reclines far enough back for sleeping and even changing a diaper when on the go.

2. UPPAbaby Cruz: Best Travel System for the City

• High quality fabric.
• Stroller drives very smoothly.
• Easy to clean and maintain.
• Canopy slides up and grows with your child.
• More expensive than others.
• One of the heavier travel systems.

We recommend the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 and Mesa Infant Car Seat if you can bump up your budget for a premium travel system. The extra features are great and we love the natural wool fabric (less nasty chemicals and more breathable for your baby). It is a stylish travel system, and there is even an additional bassinet you can purchase if you want.

3. Baby Jogger City Select: Best Travel System for the Outdoors

• Easy to steer and provides a smooth ride.
• Converts to a double stroller.
• Lighter frame than similar strollers, and very compact when folded.
• Lifetime frame warranty for the stroller (which the customer service does deliver on).
• Not the most comfortable handlebar (although it is adjustable).
• A little tricky to fold and unfold.

W here to buy: Check price on Amazon

We recommend the Baby Jogger City Select 2 Travel System with the City GO 2 Infant Car Seat. Baby Jogger is a reputable brand in the market with high quality strollers known for safety and flexibility — since the stroller can easily be converted to a double tandem stroller. Another notable difference is how compact the stroller is when folded. However, they claim “all-terrain” wheels, whereas we find them appropriate for the city, but not “all-terrain”.

4. Chicco Activ3 Jogging: Best Travel System for Jogging

• Durable foam filled tires and suspension, great for smooth or rugged terrain.
• One-hand fold, and three different fold configurations.
• Extendable canopy with two peek-a-boo windows.
• Like many jogging strollers, a bit on the heavier side.
• No child tray.

Not only is this one of the few jogging travel systems, but it is a superb system in general. It is built of high-quality materials, is super easy to put together and operate, and has the most advanced safety options available today. In addition, it includes just about any feature you can think of: additional wrist strap, parent storage, reclining seat, front wheel lock, and more. It is also easy to securely snap the car seat into and out of the stroller and the base.

5. Evenflo Pivot Xpand: Best Double Stroller Travel System

• All the different configurations!
• Car seat sits directly on frame.
• Self-stand fold.
• Spacious under-carriage.
• Folding mechanism is more complex than competitors (although still able to figure out).
• May have to purchase an additional car seat and/or toddler seat.

The Evenflo Pivot Xpand stroller is a “Modular Travel System” that works well with the SafeMax Infant Car Seat, and can be transformed into 22 different configurations including a double stroller requiring no tools or extra parts. But keep in mind that a double stroller takes up more room than your standard single stroller.

6. Baby Trend Expedition: Best Budget Travel System

• Excellent price!
• Stroller can stand upright when folded.
• The lightweight car seat, 6.6 lbs.
• Metal frame on stroller.
• Padding/cushion and fabric not the highest quality (but it is machine washable).
• More difficult to fold than a standard stroller.

The Baby Trend Expedition Jogger stroller wins as our best value stroller when it combines with the lightweight Baby Trend Ally 35 infant car seat, plus it is also a jogger stroller. The stroller is meant for any terrain and includes the standard features of a jogging stroller including air-filled tires, wrist-strap, brakes, and an excellent grip on the handlebar. It also comes in a variety of color options!

How we select the best Travel Systems of the year?

We worked hard to make this list of the top travel systems of 2024 as objective as possible. For us, this started by recognizing that there is no absolute best. Every family has different needs and lifestyles , so we needed to first understand what the different expectations might be before evaluating strollers and car seats against those expectations. For example, you’ll have very different expectations from your car seat if you’re always using it with its base fixed in your car versus using the seat in taxis without its base. Similarly, families who already have a stroller and want a car seat that is compatible with that stroller, will have different criteria (take a look at our ultimate infant car seat and stroller compatibility guide if that’s the case for you). Read our guides on buying the best infant car seat or the how to find the best stroller for your family .

So how did we go about selecting the best travel systems of the year? We started by creating a list of the top 35 best infant car seats available today and cross-referenced with the best strollers . In addition, we used authoritative resources (see the full list below) and then analyzed safety ratings, scores, and reviews for each model to narrow down our list to the top models. We purchased each infant seat on our top list and gave two models to each family in our group. Everyone used their seats for a period of five months with their kids. Each seat was used extensively to get hands-on experience. We paid particular attention to their pros and cons and what they are like on a day to day basis. To read more about our favorite infant car seats, read our Best Infant Car Seats article .

Further reading recommendations about infant car seat and Stroller safety

We used several authoritative sources to help with our list of the best travel systems, for both infant car seats and strollers. We recommend that you read them if you want to learn more about car seat or stroller safety in general. These are also great resources if you want to understand a particular aspect of child safety or want to stay up-to-date with the latest research. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the National Child Passenger Safety Board have excellent in-depth resources on car safety for children. We recommend you start there:

• www.nhtsa.gov
• www.cpsboard.org

If you want to explore car safety even further, we recommend the following resources that were used when writing this article:

• www.safekids.org
• www.nsc.org

For additional information on stroller safety we recommend reading:

• https://www.cpsc.gov

Best Travel Systems: Frequently Asked Questions

Are travel systems safe for newborns.

Yes, travel systems are safe for newborns. Travel systems must meet certain requirements and should always be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions, including age/height limits, installation guidelines, and proper stroller usage (with adapters if needed).

Which travel system is best for baby?

We found the overall best travel system to be the Chicco Bravo Trio . There are a variety of types of travel systems, the best travel system depends on your family’s lifestyle and is one that is safe and durable, is easy to use, but overall makes portability and travel easier.

How long do travel systems last?

Travel systems typically last about 3-5 years, depending on the quality of the stroller, the wear and tear the family placed on it, and the height and weight limits of the stroller or car seat.

Which travel systems have a bassinet or carry cot?

There are several strollers that support a bassinet, aka carriage or carrycot. Some strollers like the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 and the Evenflo Pivot Suite include a bassinet. While others require you to purchase the bassinet separately, like the Mockingbird stroller and Britax Willow Brook S+ .

Megan is a wife and mother of three, as well as an experienced foster mother. She loves building and testing new products, and helping identify what works best for readers and clients. She has her degree in Computer Software Engineering and has been a Product Lead with over 8 years of experience designing, building, testing, and selling products to companies ranging from sole proprietors to the largest retailers in America!

Best Baby Monitors of 2024

• Infant Optics DXR-8 Pro
• Eufy SpaceView Pro

Best Strollers of 2024

• Summer 3DLite
• UPPAbaby Cruz v2
• Evenflo Pivot Xpand

Best Infant Car Seats of 2024

• Chicco KeyFit 30
• Peg Perego Primo Viaggio
• UPPAbaby MESA V2

Best Travel Systems of 2024

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Nuna’s Pipa Urbn Travel System Tested Review: City Dwellers Will Love This Baseless Model

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The Nuna brand, known for its luxury baby gear, recently released a new baseless car seat offering: the Pipa Urbn. It weighs just 7 pounds, making it one of the lightest infant car seats out there. It’s sold only as a travel system with your choice of one of three Nuna strollers: the Triv Next, Mixx Next or the Trvl, so it comes with a hefty price tag ($900-$1,200). But where it truly aims to differentiate is with its baseless design, ideal for those who don’t have a car where the infant seat’s base would normally dwell around the clock. Instead, the Pipa Urbn car seat installs to the latch system on its own sans base, making it easy to pop into a taxi or a rental as needed and then back onto the stroller to cruise around.

The new Pipa Urbn infant car seat from Nuna installs to a car without a base. We took a closer look ... [+] at it.

The Forbes Vetted team has raved about some of Nuna’s items in the past, including its sought-after, aforementioned travel stroller, the Nuna Trvl, so we were curious to check out its new car seat stroller combo offering. I tested the car seat with the Triv Next stroller and my 6-month-old. As a mother to three children and a baby gear and fitness product reviewer for the last decade, I felt well equipped to review it. The initial setup of the whole apparatus was overly complicated, but in the end, I found the car seat sleek and convenient for rideshares—and the stroller particularly compelling. Read on for my full review of the new Pipa Urbn infant car seat stroller travel system.

My older kids (3 and 5.5) spent their infant days in the Chicco KeyFit , and my 6-month-old was riding in that until the Pipa Urbn came along.

Nuna Pipa Urbn Travel System Review

Nuna pipa urbn and triv next infant travel system.

Weight: 7 pounds (without infant insert and canopy) | Child height max: 29 inches | Child weight max: 22 pounds | Seat width: 17.5 inches | Stroller compatibility: Nuna travel systems | Special feature: Baseless model

• Urban dwellers
• Frequent travelers or those who rely on car shares
• Families looking for luxury baby gear
• You have a bigger baby
• Those on tighter budgets

The Initial Setup Needs Work

The best infant car seat, according to experts, is one that you can install correctly and buckle your child into without issue every time. That ensures your child will be as safe as possible. The initial setup of the Pipa Urbn car seat was sadly not simple.

The directions for this car seat were confusing, and I had just assembled four treadmills for another review. Part of the confusion stemmed from the fact that the car seat (and the stroller) were already partially assembled. So instead of starting from the pictured step one, I started halfway through the setup instructions. But there were other issues.

When setting up the car seat canopy, the directions were unclear on which direction it should face. It took my husband and me some 30 minutes to get it right, not helped by the fact that the instructions didn’t show us that the canopy attachment points are moveable. Given my baby’s length, we had to adjust the shoulder straps, but once it was time to reattach the headrest, it was nearly impossible; the hook and loop straps that thread through the the back of the seat were not of equal length, which meant we were pulling and holding a very short strap while trying to attach it to the other strap. Eventually we secured it, but the headrest never sat right.

The baseless Nuna Pipa Urbn infant car seat attaches to the car's Latch anchor system or via the ... [+] seat belt.

How The Baseless Install Works With LATCH And Without

I’m used to popping my infant car seats into a base, which remains in the car after initial installation. A base makes it easy to click the seat in and then to remove it with just one hand. The upside of the Pipa Urbn model is it comes with LATCH guides—bright yellow tubes that attach to the car’s LATCH system. From there, you can guide the car seat’s LATCH system into the tubes and click them into place. When properly done, you’ll hear two clicks (one for each side) and there is an indicator that switches from red to green when installed correctly. (The uninitiated can read more about the LATCH system here , but essentially it’s a handy feature for installing car seats that comes preinstalled to most new cars these days.)

Overall, clicking the latches in place was easier than I’d thought it would be. That said, it required me to use two hands and drape myself over the entire car seat to ensure a safe install to the LATCH system. Does it take me 5 minutes to do it? No. But it does take longer than the brand’s advertised 2 seconds. It may be 10 seconds. However, I also have the advantage of extra room to maneuver it into the right position as we have a minivan in which I can nearly stand up in. Doing this procedure in a more cramped sedan, such as is typical with taxis, would be even harder. Of course, this is typical of what it takes to install any car seat baseless, pushing and pulling it into an ideal safe position, which is why if you’re able to use a base with your infant car seat, you’ll certainly save yourself some time and frustration. The base install is going to be much, much easier every time.

Buckling my baby into the seat was easy, and I found the shoulder straps twisted around less often than my existing car seat. But because the shoulder padding is so padded, it’s tricky to get them to sit under her chubby cheeks where they meet her shoulders.

Unbuckling, thanks to the magnetic closure system, is easy, but loosening the straps is most decidedly not. The release button is not visible under the fabric and pressing it forces you to turn your finger around so your knuckle is facing downward instead—counterintuitive, to say the least.

Taking the car seat out of the car, however, was quite simple and required just one hand, as advertised.

The Canopy Provides Unparalleled Coverage

If you’ve ever toted around an infant in a car seat, you know that the sun always has a way of finding itself right in your baby’s face. And although a little rain or snow never hurt anyone, weather can wake that baby from the coveted nap.

In order to better cover my babies in my Chicco Keyfit, I used two coverings (like this and this ). But the Nuna canopy with SkyDrape is what dreams are made of. The canopy provides UPF 50+ protection, and the mesh SkyDrape pulls out from the canopy and connects at the feet with magnets. It also keeps baby tucked away from germ-ridden hands—at home or in public.

A Luxurious, Stylish Ride

Once I got past a tricky setup, riding with the Pipa Urbn was smooth sailing. If you’re a first-time parent with a big budget and a chic style, the Pipa Urbn travel system feels like a worthy splurge especially if you lack a car or prefer walking over drives.

The car seat is the Mercedes Benz of car seats, thanks to its padding, versatility (it can be used from birth, even for low-birth weight infants), and oversized canopy, all at just 7 pounds, meaning it doesn’t feel too heavy to carry on your arm either.

Even the car seat handle feels (and looks) nice, thanks to the leatherette—yes, that’s a nice name for fake leather—material.

It’s Easy To Clean Too

If you have kids, easy-t0-clean gear is essential. The shoulder straps on the car seat and in the stroller snap off easily and can be tossed into the washing machine. All three of my kids spit up, and it blows my mind how some companies make it impossible to clean shoulder straps. Per the company’s website, all the inserts and inserts can be removed for machine washing. That said, we recently had a poop explosion on the car seat’s fabric—not the insert—and because the cover doesn’t pop off (YouTube videos show you can remove it with some effort), I had to wash with soap and water and spray with a deodorizer. Not great.

The stroller was extra special.

The Best Rain Boots For Kids To Keep Little Feet Dry And Comfortable

The best places to buy a tv whether you’re looking online or in person, nuna’s triv next stroller steals the show.

The Triv Next stroller is not a new product from Nuna, but it’s being released as one of the options to be bundled with the Pipa Urbn car seat. The stroller itself is an investment at $700. That said, the Triv Next is an excellent stroller with plenty of coveted features. It’s lightweight (18.4 pounds without the canopy, insert and arm bar) and collapses easily with just one hand. There are three riding options: The car seat has a frame attachment for infant use, a rear-facing seat and a forward-facing seat.

Once again, the Nuna canopy delivers with its extendable ability, SPF 50+ coverage, and window. There’s a one-handed, five-position recline to the seat and height adjustable handlebar.

Unlike many strollers designed for everyday use (versus, say, running strollers), the Triv uses rubber wheels for traction and durability, and the spring suspension makes for a smooth ride.

I did struggle with the stroller’s shoulder straps popping out of the magnetic closure. Rethreading takes time, but it’s necessary for your kiddo’s safety.

The high-end infant car seat is extra lightweight at just 7 pounds, but it also has a lower max ... [+] weight limit, meaning your child may outgrow it sooner than others.

Is It Worth It?

The Pipa Urbn car seat is the first Nuna car seat to go baseless, and as its name suggests, that makes it perfect for city dwellers who rely on taxis and car services for travel. Parents can use the LATCH or seat belt path for installation and then pop the car seat into the stroller.

But it’s not the only baseless car seat out there. The Clek Liing is another baseless option (at 9 pounds) and has a price tag of $460. Most other car seats at more affordable price points can be installed, baseless, with the car’s seat belt .

Compared to other infant car seats, which have a max allowable weight of 30 to 35 pounds and a max length of 30 to 32 inches, the Pipa Urbn might mean you’ll need to buy a larger seat, such as a convertible car seat , sooner. Its max weight limit is 22 pounds or when your baby reaches a height of 29 inches.

The Pipa Urbn is also ideal for those seeking a premium infant travel system given the way the car seat easily moves from taxi back to the stroller. It’s also FAA approved for flying, and the stroller is easy to collapse for gate checking. You also have the option to pair the car seat with our favorite travel stroller for even lighter, easier traveling: the Nuna Trvl.

Car Seat Safety Regulations

It’s important to note that when it comes to car seats, paying more doesn’t mean you’re getting a safer car seat. That’s because all car seats must be tested against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) FMVSS 213 performance and design criteria for child restraint systems for children up to 80 pounds. (Some of these criteria include flame retardant for fabric and webbing, buckles and release pressure, anchor or seat belt security, height and weight limitations and head-on crash simulation.)

Last year, NHTSA updated its guidelines to include side-impact testing standards; before June 2022, companies may have advertised “side-impact tested,” but they were not regulated by the government.

That said, there has also been a rise in recalls in the baby and children’s gear market in general over the last year, so it’s also worth considering those companies with fewer recalls under their belts. You may also search the NHTSA recall database for safety information on a particular car seat model.

My Expertise

I have been testing products for nearly a decade, including baby, running and fitness gear. As a journalist for two decades, I’ve learned how to vet products and sources and ask important product questions. In testing the Pipa Urbn and Triv Next Travel System, I used my experience as a parent of three who’s fought with strollers and car seats for five years (and counting).

Methodology

In reviewing the Pipa Urbn and Triv Next stroller travel system , I wanted to focus on the ease of use for the newly released car seat in particular. My 6-month-old daughter has been my guinea pig for nearly two months, riding in this car seat and stroller. My newly minted 3-year-old daughter has also been testing the stroller.

We’ve gone on short around-town drives and longer treks with the car seat. I also tested the stroller in all of its seating options. Both girls prefer facing outward.

I tested putting the car seat into and out of my car and driving with my daughter in it. Once that was up and running, I tested it with the stroller. I gauged how easy it was to click into the stroller insert as well as the car’s latching system. I considered the overall features and functionality as they compared to the price, too.

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Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System Review

This unflashy stroller and car seat combo is perfect for seamless trips and transitions

When you shop through retailer links on our site, we may earn affiliate commissions. 100% of the fees we collect are used to support our nonprofit mission. Learn more .

The Chicco Bravo Trio travel system is a simple-to-use stroller and car seat combo built to accommodate newborns to toddlers. The stroller is sold as a stand-alone item or as part of the travel system. The latter bundles the stroller with the highly rated Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat, designed for children between 4 and 30 pounds.

Because it’s so adaptable, the Bravo system will serve your child well from birth until he or she has outgrown strollers altogether. It may not be the most stylish option, but what this workhorse lacks in flash, it makes up for in practical design and carefully considered features. 

Notable Features

• Adaptable design: Because the stroller converts easily from an infant car seat carrier to a traditional stroller, the system can accommodate children from 4 to 60 pounds. Many traditional strollers (including most jogging and umbrella strollers) are unsafe for newborns, and infant car seat carriers are suitable for only kids from birth until they’re about a year old (though some may outgrow them sooner).
• Car-seat compatible: Because the stroller can accept the Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat, you can transfer the car seat (and your child) directly to the stroller without waking him or her or fussing with extra straps. The car seat locks into the stroller frame or into the included plastic car seat base, which you leave mounted in the back seat.
• Easily collapsible: With the car seat removed, the Bravo can collapse with a single pull of a lever. That one-handed operation means you can do that even if you’re holding your baby and car seat in your other hand. The stroller also stands upright even when collapsed, making it easier to store at home or stash in the corner of a restaurant.

How Well Does the Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System Work?

We ran the Chicco Bravo Stroller and the Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat through CR’s lab tests and used them in real-world situations. Here’s what we found:

Our stroller engineers put the Chicco Bravo through our standard battery of tests, where it earned stellar marks for being easy to use, fold, and move through our maneuverability course. I can attest to that after using it for more than four years in the suburbs, on rural walking trails, and in the heart of New York City. Time and again, the stroller proved adept at everything from uneven city pavement to smooth suburban supermarket aisles. The large wheels tackle occasional sticks and tree roots on outdoor trails, though serious hikers and joggers may want to consider a three-wheeled jogging stroller with larger rubber wheels. The Bravo is refreshingly easy to collapse and fold; you just pull a lever beneath the seat. Because it collapses in half when folded, it’s harder to knock over than a lot of other models, which tend to topple if you just graze against them.  

While the Bravo may not have been the flashiest stroller parked outside New York City restaurants (it definitely lacks the cachet of a Bugaboo or UppaBaby), I often found myself grateful for its thoughtful design. And as stellar as the stroller is on its own, the real magic comes from its effortless integration of the KeyFit 30 car seat. 

That was particularly true when it came time to transfer my sleeping youngster from the back of my car to the stroller for a quick run to the store. The built-in cup holders and feeding tray were a must once my son was old enough to feed himself. And I appreciated the small storage compartment near the base, tucked under the seat, which is big enough to stash a small diaper bag plus a few extra essentials like sunblock and snacks.

The car seat—which provided a secure fit in the vehicles we test and high levels of protection in simulated frontal crashes—was equally easy to use. Out and about, I particularly appreciated the effortless locking mechanism that allows the seat to move from car to carrier by simply lifting a latch.

Consumer Reports has full test results for the Chicco Bravo stroller and Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat , as well as ratings for more than 90 strollers and travel systems and more than 120 car seats . 

Consumer Reports has  full test results for the Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System and 15 other travel systems. 

Who Is the Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System For?

It’s suitable for urban and suburban parents who favor real-world practicality over trendy brand names or gimmicky features (like motorized self-folding mechanisms or oversized shock absorbers). At only 22 inches wide and 23 pounds without the seat, this system is also helpful for parents searching for something relatively light and nimble. While you can buy the stroller separately, you’ll get more out of it as part of the system bundled with the equally impressive KeyFit 30 car seat, which weighs 9 pounds without its base. Between the two, you’ll be able to transport your little one comfortably almost anywhere. Parents with two youngsters who are close in age should consider the Chicco BravoFor2 LE Double , which adds a rear-facing toddler seat and standing platform for older kids.

This system isn’t for joggers who want to bring their little ones along on a run, nor is it for avid hikers, who may favor a jogging stroller with off-roading features like oversized rubber wheels. And if you live in a walk-up building, the size and weight of the stroller (while in line with the competition) may prove to be too much, and you may want to consider an umbrella stroller for everyday strolls.

How Consumer Reports Tests Strollers and Car Seats

Our test engineers put every stroller through a course designed to gauge maneuverability and handling on multiple surfaces. We also look for helpful, easy-to-use features and smart design, including things like integrated cup holders, parent trays, and ample storage, and we assess how easily the stroller can be collapsed for storage. And we do critical safety checks on parts including the harness, looking for a secure fit while making sure that none of them pose a risk to small fingers, particularly when the stroller is being collapsed. 

For car seats , we assess the ease of securing them in a variety of vehicle types, using a seat belt and the LATCH connectors with their installed base. We also evaluate how easy it is to use the seat and make key adjustments to it and the harness. And we compare each seat’s ability to protect children in a crash by comparing it with the competition, using child-sized test dummies during simulated front-end collisions at 35 mph.

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Nuna Tavo Travel System Review [Features & Ratings]

I have heard great things about the Nuna Travel System and was delighted to have the opportunity to test it out. 

Right off the bat, this travel system is expensive. Almost twice as much as a Graco or Evenflo travel system. It does come with a Nuna Pipa car seat, so that kind of makes it worth the price. However, this is the only car seat that will work with the stroller. 

I liked how easy it was to install the base. It has a True Lock system with installation confirmation indicators. The base can be placed in multiple positions to make your baby more comfortable. Additionally, the LATCH connectors were easily attached to my vehicle’s anchors. It took me less than 10 seconds to attach. 

The stroller was very user-friendly. The canopy protected my child well and provided them with 50+ UPS protection. It can be completely removed as well, which was a cool feature. When it came time to fold it, the one-hand fold system performed perfectly. Overally, I enjoyed the smooth flow of the stroller’s movement. 

As much as I don’t like the price, I do like the stroller and recommend it. It has notable features and very few complaints from me and other people who have used it.

Compatibility

The Tavo Stroller is only compatible with Nuna Pipa car seats. The Pipa Lite car seat is only compatible with the Pipa base and cannot be installed in a vehicle without the base.

True Lock System

The Pipa base boasts its True Lock system with installation confirmation indicators. For extra security, you can use the base with the included steel-reinforced stability leg.

The base allows for multiple positions to accommodate your baby and varying seat angles. The bubble level indicators will let you know when you have achieved the perfect install.

Super Easy Installation

Finally, check the recline bubble indicator and adjust your stability leg if necessary.  The Tavo stroller is the third component of the travel system. This stroller will last your little one through their early childhood due to its spaciousness and durability.

The child seat has four recline options and lays back nearly flat. The entire stroller is outfitted with weather-resistant materials to keep your little one cool and dry. 

User-Friendly Stroller 

Parents will appreciate the leatherette lined handlebar, oversized storage basket, and one-touch braking system. The Tavo stroller’s canopy is truly state of the art. It is quite large to provide the maximum amount of 50+ UPF protection. It has a flip-out sun visor and can be removed all together.

Other convenience features include a simple one-hand fold system with trolley function, a quick-release convertible harness, and an optional infant insert and armbar.  Combined, the Tavo stroller and Pipa Lite infant seat provide you and your family with the ultimate stylish and safe travel system.     

Specifications

• Seat weight: 5.3lbs (19.3lbs with base)
• Seat height: 22.5”
• Seat length: 27.3” 
• Listed seat width: 17.5”
• Length: 35.6” 
• Height: 42.5”
• Weight: 24.3lbs 

Nuna Tavo Travel System vs. Nuna Mixx Travel System

The difference in these two travel systems is confined to the strollers. The Nuna Tavo travel system features the Tavo stroller that pairs with Nuna car seats . The Mixx travel system includes the Mixx stroller that can pair with the Pipa car seats or the Mixx bassinet . 

The Mixx stroller is considered an upgraded version of the Tavo. It offers more features, including a reversible child seat with more recline options, a double compartment storage basket , and a no-rethread harness.  

Similarities

• All season fabrics
• Large UPF 50+ canopy with sun visor
• Four-wheel design
• Infant insert 
• Pairs with Pipa car seats

Differences

• Nuna Mixx stroller has a reversible child seat
• The Nuna Mixx is more expensive
• The Tavo stroller is more compact
• The Nuna Mixx has a no-rethread harness
• The Nuna Mixx has a five-position recline and removable two-part child seat
• The Mixx pairs with the Mixx bassinet in addition to the Pipa car seat
• The Nuna Mixx has a double compartment storage basket

Nuna Tavo Travel System vs. Nuna Pipa Lite LX

Just as the Tavo Travel system and Mixx Travel system vary due to the stroller model, the Tavo system and Pipa Lite LX system vary because of their car seat components.

Both systems feature the Tavo stroller.  The Pipa Lite LX car seat is, unsurprisingly, an upgrade to the Pipa Lite. It includes additional comfort features such as Merino Wool and TENCEL fabrics that wick away moisture and a dream drape in addition to the canopy. 

• Weight and height limits
• Flame resistant fabrics, aerospace aluminum, Aeroflex foam
• Canopy with eyeshade
• Leatherette lined handle
• Crumple zone and side-impact protection
• The Pipa Lite LX includes a dream drape to provide full protection from the elements
• The Pipa Lite incorporates Merino wool and TENCEL to keep your child cool and dry

System Components 

This travel system consists of three components: the Tavo stroller, the Pipa Lite infant car seat , and the Pipa series base . One astonishing feature of this travel system is the lack of adapters. The car seat clicks directly onto the stroller’s child seat for a secure connection.

The Pipa Lite car seat is considered to be exceptionally safe. The combination of materials, including Aeroflex foam, aerospace aluminum, and the steel-reinforced base allows this seat to meet and exceed all safety standards. 

Side Impact Protection 

The Pipa Lite also includes side impact protection, and incorporated crumple-zone in the leg area to absorb shock, and fire-resistant fabrics. The car seat is a breeze to carry thanks to its lightweight and comfortable leatherette carrying handle.

Car seat occupants will be kept safe and cozy with the removable memory foam headrest and micro-knit breathable fabrics.  Both parents and little ones will appreciate the UPF 50+ extendable canopy that has an extra segment of fabric that flips out to provide additional eyeshade.

The car seat attaches seamlessly to the TAVO stroller without the use of adapters, just click it onto the child seat and go. When it is time to transition back to your vehicle, click the car seat onto the installed base. 

Customer Reviews for The Nuna Tavo

In general, parents approve of all of the fine details and craftsmanship that went into the Nuna Tavo travel system. Both the stroller and car seat were crafted with parents in mind, as is apparent in the one-handed fold and simple base installation.

Also, parents liked that the stroller is exceedingly easy to push thanks to its progressive suspension technology. There were not many dislikes, but the price was certainly one of them.

However, when compared to other high-end luxury brands, the cost is not outrageous. The only other con was the lack of a reversible option for the child seat. This can be remedied by upgrading to the Nuna Mixx.

Parent Likes

• Attention to detail, such as extra flip-out sun visor on canopy
• Very easy to push and maneuver
• Effortless fold regarding the stroller and installation of base

Parent Dislikes

• Stroller child seat cannot be reversed to parent-facing position
• Available in three colors: granite, caviar, or aspen
• Both the stroller and car seat use Featherlite all-weather materials
• The car seat seamlessly attaches to the base and stroller without the use of adapters
• Includes luxury features like the leatherette handle and extendable sun visor on the canopy

Recommended Use

• Car Seat : 4-32lbs and 32” or less 
• Stroller: birth to 50lbs

What We Like 

• Car seat and stroller connect without adapters
• The base is exceedingly easy to install and features ensure secure installation
• High-quality fabrics used throughout all the travel system components
• The car seat, base, and stroller are all very adjustable to grow with your little one

What We Don’t Like 

• Pipa Lite car seat must be installed with Pipa base
• Four-wheel design of stroller may decrease maneuverability
• The stroller is a bit on the heavy side

The Pipa Lite car seat has an expiration date of seven years after the date of manufacture.  This date is located on your car seat’s information sticker. In addition, all Nuna car seats have a one-year warranty that begins on the date of purchase.

Nuna gear, including the stroller, has a two-year warranty beginning on the date of purchase. If you would like to take advantage of the warranty, you only need to contact Nuna. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is nuna tavo reversible.

Unlike the Nuna Mixx, the Tavo does not have a reversible child seat.

How do you use the Nuna Tavo Stroller?

To fold the stroller, close the canopy and press down on the bottom folding button and slide the top button both located on the handlebar.

With the buttons compressed, push forward and downward on the handlebar. The stroller will click into a secure fold.  To unfold, unfastened the storage latch on the side of the stroller. Then, pull upwards and forwards on the handlebar until it clicks into the open position.  

What Stroller does Nuna PIPA work with?

The Nuna Pipa works with the Mixx stroller, the Tavo stroller, the Pepp stroller, the Uppababy Vista, the Mixx2, and Bugaboo Cameleon3. Other manufacturers may produce adapters that allow the seat to work with non-Nuna brand strollers.

Nuna Tavo: A Car to Curb Travel System

The Nuna Tavo travel system doesn’t leave much to be desired. It can accommodate your child from infant up to 50lbs, and it does so effortlessly. Every component of this travel system is easy to install, use, and store. 

There are many features that both parents and occupants will appreciate. The high-quality fabrics are sure to last you through many outings. Though not exactly budget-friendly, this travel system will not disappoint if you decide to splurge. You may be interested in Nuna Mixx2 Review .

Welcome to my car seat blog! As a mom of 3, I put together with other hard-working moms a highly informative one-stop car seat resource, full with many reviews and buyer guides. I hope you find it invaluable. Thank you for trusting me & my team! - Keren

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One-hand, 360-degree rotation in all modes

Extended rear facing up to 50 pounds

Converts to forward facing and booster

SensorSafe senses potentially unsafe conditions

14 headrest positions and multiple recline positions

Zip-on, reversible leg rest

On the bulkier side

Harness buckle is shorter

The Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Extend Rotational All-in-One Convertible Car Seat has just about everything you’d want in a car seat, which is why it’s our best overall pick. This unit allows you to rotate it 360 degrees with just one hand, and that swivel capability is available as it converts from rear facing to forward facing to high-back booster mode. It was designed to keep your child up to 50 pounds rear facing, the safest position for an infant or toddler, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), for an extended period of time.

This best rotating car seat uses the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) system for installation, and it can also be used with your vehicle’s seat belt. It features a SensorSafe clip that lays across the chest and alerts parents to four potentially unsafe conditions, including an unexpected unbuckled chest clip, temperatures that are too hot or cold, an unattended child in the car, and a child seated for too long.

This Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA)-certified model lasts until your child reaches 120 pounds or 57 inches tall, making it well worth the fair cost. And they’ll be plenty comfortable for years to come with the included zip-on, reversible leg rest.

Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Rotating Car Seat  »

Car seats are a regularly used piece of baby gear that serve the ultimate safety purpose, which is why price tags are typically in the hundreds. The Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Rotating Car Seat is the top option you can get at a relatively budget-friendly price. It has gone through Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 213 crash testing and is Graco ProtectPlus Engineered, meaning it has passed a combination of rigorous crash tests for frontal, rear, and rollover crashes.

Its first standout feature is its no-rethread harness, meaning you’ll be able to move the straps up and down without having to reroute them as your child grows. Speaking of which, this best rotating car seat accommodates your child from rear facing to forward facing to high-back booster. The downside, however, is that the seat is only able to rotate in the rear-facing position.

Installation with this Graco is quick, as it utilizes InRight LATCH connectors or your vehicle’s seat belt. It’s also certified to be used on your next airplane ride, though it does weigh 30 pounds.

Nuna Revv  »

GOTS organic cotton head and body inserts

GreenGuard Gold Certified and fire retardant-free

360-degree rotation

Rear-facing and forward-facing modes

Magnetic buckle holders

10 headrest positions and 10 recline positions

Doesn’t convert to a booster seat

Although the Nuna Revv doesn’t convert to a booster seat, it does convert from rear-facing to forward-facing mode – and it has 360-degree rotation in both positions. Magnetic buckle holders come in handy when you’re trying to place a fussy newborn in the seat quickly.

This unit’s high price tag might come from the fact that it’s GreenGuard Gold Certified – meaning it’s built to contribute to safer, healthier air and has been screened for more than 15,000 volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Plus, it uses Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) organic cotton in the included infant head and body inserts. So you’ll feel good about putting your infant in this option. The seat pads are machine washable, too.

To make sure your little one is as comfortable as possible, this model offers 10 headrest positions (that can be adjusted with one hand) and 10 recline positions. The integrated anti-rebound bar will minimize rotation in the unfortunate event of a collision. There are so many appealing features that make sure infants will be carefully cradled during their earliest days.

Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat  »

Premium padding and removable infant insert

CoolMax moisture-wicking material

10 headrest positions and five recline positions

One-hand, 180-degree rotation

Patented rotation brings child 10 inches closer to you

Durable steel-reinforced frame

Only rotates in rear-facing mode

You want your baby to be as comfortable as possible, especially if long car rides are on the horizon. With the Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat, the fabric is the star of the show. It has premium padding and an infant insert that you can remove when your child outgrows it. The seat features CoolMax moisture-wicking material so their temperature will be regulated in the back seat. Plus, there are 10 headrest positions and five recline positions to help them enjoy their seat.

One downside, like our best budget pick, is that the City Turn only rotates when it’s in the rear-facing mode. So once you convert it to the forward-facing position, you’ll lose that capability. Baby Jogger says that when you’re able to use the 180-degree rotation, however, it’ll bring your baby 10 inches closer to you for easy in and easy out, thanks to patented technology.

This unit has a no-rethread harness, an integrated push-button LATCH, and a dishwasher-safe cup holder for additional nice touches that make the Baby Jogger a high contender.

Maxi-Cosi Emme 360 Rotating All-in-One Convertible Car Seat  »

360-degree FlexiSpin technology in all modes

Rear-facing, forward-facing, and booster modes

ClipQuik magnetic chest clip

Machine-washable and dryer-friendly fabrics

Two rotating, dishwasher-safe, sippy cup-compatible cup holders

May be difficult to install

May be difficult to swivel with one hand

There’s a lot to love about the Maxi-Cosi Emme 360 Rotating All-in-One Convertible Car Seat. This American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)-certified and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)-compliant model features 360-degree FlexiSpin technology, which can be used as it converts from rear-facing to forward-facing to booster modes. Scooting yourself into the car to get your baby out is a thing of the past.

The LATCH connectors make installation quick, and the red-to-green tension-sensitive indicator ensures it’s done correctly. You can also just use your vehicle’s seat belt. There isn’t room for extensive finagling to get your child out of the car seat either, as it features a ClipQuik magnetic chest clip for a struggle-free moment.

The Maxi-Cosi Emme has 10 headrest positions and five recline positions. The unit has two innovative cup holders, which also rotate, are removable and dishwasher safe, and can hold your toddler’s sippy cup. To make cleanup easy, the fabrics can be tossed in the washing machine and dryer for all of life’s little accidents. The toughest decision you’ll have to make here is which of the six color combinations to select.

The Bottom Line

The big appeal of rotating car seats is that they allow parents to get their child in and out of their vehicle with ease. Not all models, however, can be turned a full 360 degrees. And not all of them include that swivel feature after it converts out of the rear-facing position. You have to decide if either of those factors are deal breakers for you. (Remember that by the time your little one is in the forward-facing position, they’ll be more helpful with getting themselves in and out of the seat). Once you decide on those two things, move on to the can’t-live-without features. Look for things that make your life easier, like machine-washable fabrics and various headrest and recline positions. It also doesn’t hurt to have magnetic buckle holders, dishwasher-safe cup holders, and a GreenGuard Gold Certified status, but things like that are most likely not make-or-break additions. We stand by our best overall pick, the Evenflo Gold Revolve360 Extend Rotational All-in-One Convertible Car Seat, which packs in the safety features and nice extras.

Things To Consider When Buying Rotating Car Seats

Safety Certifications and Ratings

In order for a car seat – rotating or not – to be sold in the United States, it must meet stringent safety regulations, as set by the NHTSA, explains Joe Colella, JPMA director of Child Passenger Safety and 2020 Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame Inductee. “A car seat that meets these standards is required to be labeled with, ‘This child restraint system conforms to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards,’” he says.

You may have noticed that some car seats, and other baby gear, have additional certifications. When a product is JPMA certified, it means that an independent laboratory tested it to ensure it meets the highest standards for quality, safety, performance, and functionality. The process is voluntary and focuses on baby products. The ASTM establishes the performance requirements and test methods that organizations, like the JPMA, use to test products.

Ease of Installation

Installing a rotating car seat isn’t necessarily different from any other car seat. Most have LATCH connectors for a secure, stable fit that makes the process painless. Many are also compatible with just your vehicle’s seat belt. And some are even approved by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for aircraft use.

Properly setting up a car seat can be intimidating, so it’s helpful when it includes other features to ensure you’ve done it right. Some models have level indicators or colored seat belt paths for a stress-free installation. Don’t forget to check for manufacturer videos that walk you through the steps.

Compatibility With Your Vehicle

There’s a very good chance that the rotating car seat you have your eye on is going to work just fine in your vehicle. But it doesn’t hurt to check, and that’s where your car’s user manual comes in handy. Look at the dimensions and any information that would suggest the car seat might not be a fit.

“Rotating car seats, while offering enhanced convenience, may be slightly larger than traditional seats,” says Alli Cavasino, co-founder and CEO of JoyLet. “This size consideration is important for ensuring a secure fit in your vehicle and maintaining the comfort of other passengers. For this reason, if you’d like to install three rotating car seats in a row, that might not be possible in your vehicle. If they do all fit together, you will likely not be able to use the swivel functionality.”

Rotating car seats are, for the most part, designed to stay put in the vehicle. However, some models may be compatible with travel stroller systems. As if we haven’t said it enough: Check the specific model to be sure either way.

Weight and Height Limits

Even if two car seats are from the same brand, that doesn’t mean they have the same weight and height limits. These numbers are specific to each model for a reason, so always check the manufacturer’s guidelines for your specific seat. “These allowed ranges are reflected in the instructions and on the labels, and they must be followed to ensure optimal crash protection,” says Colella.

All the best rotating car seats on this list are convertible from rear facing to forward facing, and some go up to a booster, too. “To make it easy for parents to learn about the proper use of each mode, many manufacturers color-code their labels and instructions by mode of use,” says Colella. “That allows you to easily find the information appropriate for the way you are using the car seat at the time, and helps reduce confusion when instructions differ among modes of use.”

Seat Rotation Mechanism and Positions

The rotation feature is part of the base, so you do need it to use it. Not all rotating car seats are the same, though, and some extend a full 360 degrees while others stop at 180 degrees. Be sure to check if the swivel is available in all the car seat’s modes, including rear facing, forward facing, and booster. It’s only possible in rear-facing position for some models.

“The swivel feature may also help parents stick to their rear-facing goals longer. If it’s easy to get a toddler into their seat with a rotating car seat, you may not be tempted to transition to forward facing as soon,” says Cavasino.

It’s a perk when a brand specifies that its rotating car seat can be operated with one hand, but that’s not the case for each unit. “Parents should be aware that the ease of the seat rotation mechanism can differ among various models,” says Cavasino. “When selecting a rotating car seat, consider the comfort and convenience of the swivel mechanism for yourself.”

How We Chose the Best Rotating Car Seats

At U.S. News 360 Reviews, we know that safety is the most important factor when considering baby gear. When selecting the best rotating car seats, we looked at their safety certifications and features to make parents as comfortable as possible with their choice. We spoke with Joe Colella, JPMA director of Child Passenger Safety and 2020 Child Passenger Safety Hall of Fame Inductee, who offered his expert insight on car seats’ weight and height limits. We also consulted Alli Cavasino, co-founder and CEO of JoyLet , a baby registry site, who has extensive experience with baby gear, about car seat features, such as vehicle compatibility. Other considerations were ease of installation, headrest and recline positions, and price. With all of this in mind, we narrowed down our search to the best rotating car seats.

WHY SHOULD YOU TRUST US?

Caitlyn Fitzpatrick , the author of this piece, has been researching, writing, and editing stories in the commerce space since 2017. Her expertise includes baby gear, and she has tested top accessories in their categories. For U.S. News 360 Reviews, she’s covered a range of the best products for little ones, including the best strollers , best bassinets , and best baby bathtubs and bath seats . As a mom herself, Fitzpatrick understands the importance of spending your money on quality items that stand the test of time and keep your child comfortable in the process. Megan Wood is U.S. News 360 Reviews Senior Editor, focusing on baby gear, a role that perfectly combines her decade of product review and editorial testing experience with her love of obsessively helping parents find the right products for their families.

Who knew a simple rotation would change the way you get your child in and out of your vehicle?

“The swivel feature allows you to turn the seat to face you, eliminating the awkward twisting and bending often associated with traditional car seats,” says Cavasino. “This convenience is especially valuable for parents dealing with the challenges of placing a child in a car seat, making the process smoother and more comfortable.”

Cavasino suggests considering a rotating car seat for your family if:

• You struggle with bucking or harnessing.
• You will be getting your child in and out of the car multiple times a day.
• You have medical issues or challenges.

For the most part, you shouldn’t have a problem fitting most rotating car seats in most vehicles, but there are exceptions. To make sure yours isn’t one of them, do a bit of research.

“We recommend checking both the car seat and vehicle manuals to ensure proper installation,” says Cavasino. “Pay attention to size constraints, ensuring the seat securely fits in your vehicle without compromising the safety or comfort of your child or other passengers.”

Rotating car seats add a layer of convenience that parents appreciate. It allows them to get their child more easily in and out of the car without twisting themselves to get at the right angle. It also has its perks for kids, too.

“For young infants, they provide the parent easy access to the seating surface, the harnesses, and adjustment features,” says Colella. “For toddlers who may be uncooperative at times, in the case of convertible or all-in-one models, similar easy access allows parents and caregivers to better control the situation. For older children, the rotating feature can allow them to be seated more easily.”

About Our Team

Caitlyn Fitzpatrick

Contributor

Senior Editor

U.S. News 360 Reviews takes an unbiased approach to our recommendations. When you use our links to buy products, we may earn a commission but that in no way affects our editorial independence.

The 5 Best Rotating Car Seats in 2024 That Make Trips So Much Easier

Gone are the days of struggling to buckle baby in when they’re facing away from you.

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These car seats are one of those things that people may put on their registry thinking that they’re aspirational. Really, they pose the perfect chance for a group to go in on one big gift , as opposed to everyone buying separately. It’ll automatically make you the baby shower heroes. Still, since rotating car seats are so new, most people don’t really know what to expect. That’s where I come in. Read on for things you should consider when buying or registering for one of these seats, followed by our reviews of the best.

The Best Rotating Car Seats

• Best Overall: Maxi Cosi Emme 360 All-In-One Rotating Convertible Car Seat
• Easiest to Install: Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Car Seat
• Best Smart Seat: Cybex Sirona S SensorSafe Convertible Car Seat
• Best for Hot Babies: Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat
• Best High-End Seat: Nuna Revv Rotating Convertible Car Seat

The Basics of Rotating Car Seats

Rotating car seats spin on the base, allowing parents to get their babies and toddlers in and out of the car with a great deal more ease. They’re convertible and appropriate for kids through the late toddler stage. The way that they work is that the base of the car seat is stable and unmoving, but the seat itself is slightly bowl-shaped at the bottom, and it runs on a track on the base, spinning either 180 or 360 degrees. You secure the base into your car’s latch system, and the car seat attaches to the base, clicking in at the back with a slide-like mechanism that holds it steady in the forward or rear-facing position.

I understand that many people are concerned that the strength of the connection between the seat and the base is less than traditional car seats, but that’s not true. These pass all the same tests in the U.S. and often Europe as the standard seats. You may have seen the viral video of an empty Evenflo Revolve that came off of the base during a collision. The reason that happened is that it was not installed properly . That can happen with any car seat, which is why it is so critical to install it correctly, follow all instructions for usage, and keep it maintained according to the brand's directions.

Most major brands have a rotating car seat, and some, like Cybex, have more than one. But I’m only including the best on this list—car seats that I have tested personally or have had a trusted tester use and comment on. (Though even in those cases, I’ve seen and operated them myself.)

What You Need to Know Before You Buy

These are undeniably creative, helpful, and convenient car seats. Anyone who has ever tried to put a baby in a car seat when the baby decided they want to plank can understand why these would be a great asset. As someone who has a partially paralyzed left hand, I can tell you that the accessibility level of these car seats is worth the price of entry all on its own. But that’s not to say they’re perfect. There are a few issues that come up that might mean these car seats are not a good fit for your family. First: They take up a lot of space. They’re never going to be a model that you can fit three across, like something from Clek. In fact, they make the middle seat of a bench virtually unusable unless the person is quite small and gets out before the baby and in after the baby is locked in place.

Another sticking point for a lot of families is that these seats are hard to fit in some cars, or in cars where the front or middle-row seat is close to the row where the seat is installed. For example. my sister-in-law tested the Baby Jogger , and when my gigantic brother is driving, the car seat clips the corner of the front seat on the turn. It doesn’t affect the safety at all, but it might start damaging the corner of the car’s seat.

These also have a lower limit for weight and height in rear-facing mode than traditional car seats. There are parents for whom this is an automatic no.

And yes, rotating car seats are more expensive than standard, fixed-position ones. There’s no getting around that, and lo, though I wish that weren’t the case, it is. The majority of rotating car seats are over $500, though two on this list are under that threshold.

What to Consider

As with any car seat purchase, there are a few major things that you need to prioritize when shopping: the size of the seat, the height and weight limits, how you care for or clean it, and the style of the leveling indicator. In most car seat reviews, I bring up what the harness type is on the seat. However, with these, they all have five-point, no-rethread harnesses.

• Size of the seat: Does it fit in your car? With these car seats, I tell parents to look at the dimensions and add a few inches in every direction except the side nearest the door to see if it fits in your space. That top part really does jut out, and it can clip your seat or plain old not fit in the space.
• Height and weight limits: Pay close attention to these, especially if your kids are on the taller or heavier side.
• How to clean it: Is the cover machine-washable or spot-clean-only? Is the base easy to clean? Kids are wonderful, gross little humans, and cleaning up after them can feel like a full-time gig.
• Leveling indicator: This is a crucial functioning item of the rotating car seats. This is the indicator that tells you whether or not the seat is safe and ready for driving. Some are bead indicators, and others, like the Nuna, do not have one, as it’s a permanent connection.

How We Tested

Each of these seats has gone through the testing gauntlet either by myself personally or a trusted tester. We installed them in different sizes and makes of cars, tested them with different ages and sizes of children, cleaned their fabrics, cleaned the bases, and scrubbed the mechanisms. And they went through the wringer. We’re talking kids with juice, kids who get car sick, and a few accidental diaper blowouts. (We tested two at the height of norovirus season, so you know intense cleaning followed.) All of the seats on this list have enhanced safety measures, like anti-rebound mechanisms in the Cybex Sirona S 360 or the SnugLock technology of the Graco, that assists parents in easy and safe installation.

Check out the very best rotating car seats you can get your hands on.

Editor's note: A previous version of this list included the Evenflo Revolve 360º. This car seat is currently under investigation by the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) because the rotating bucket seat portion of the car seat is designed to be removed from the base, but not used independently without the base, which is the current standard. The car seat is not recalled, and has not been declared unsafe when used properly with the base.

Maxi-Cosi Emme 360 All-In-One Rotating Convertible Car Seat

This is my favorite rotating car seat and I’ll tell you why before I break it down — it accommodates your kid all the way up through when they’ll need a traditional seatbelt booster seat. You can’t rotate it any more at that point, but the added value is pretty wonderful, especially considering this is a $450 car seat.

This Emme 360 is big, and it’s quite heavy at nearly 30 pounds. But thankfully, it’s easy to install. What’s also easy: getting your baby in and out of the seat, with the QuickFit 10-position shoulder harness and magnetic chest clip. No more wrestling with the arm straps. Plus, once they’re in, the red/green indicator lets you know if the harness is properly tightened.

The machine-washable PureCosi fabric and padding are made without wool or fire-retardant treatment, relying on a tight weave to keep it safe. Did I mention it’s dryer-friendly?

What Our Tester Loved: In our testing, one of the features we found to be the most intriguing is that the foam, which is rated for side-impact crashes, doesn’t feel overly rigid or uncomfortable as many car seats can. It feels luxurious. It was by far the easiest to clean rotating car seat we tried, with the base never getting gunked up, and the machine-washable, dryer-safe fabrics were easy to remove, clean, and deodorize. The cup holders are also dishwasher-safe.

What Our Tester Didn’t Love: It’s really heavy, so lugging the box wasn’t fun. Also, the adjustability does take a bit of futzing to get it right, though, after you learn, it becomes second nature.

More: The Best Strollers You Can Buy

Graco Turn2Me 3-in-1 Car Seat

Like the Maxi Cosi Emme, the Graco Turn2Me also becomes a high-seat booster for older kids. Graco is known for more affordable, high-quality car seats, and this one really shines. You can install it in about a minute thanks to Graco’s super easy latch system.

The seat has a 10-position, no-rethread harness and headrest and is tested to both American and European standards. Plus, the cushioning is some of the best I’ve felt. Overall, the Turn2Me is hard to beat for the money.

What Our Tester Loved: She adored the Turn2Me and told me: “I would pay way more than $450 for this car seat. It has saved my back, and it was just so easy to stick in my truck.” She was also a fan of how easy it is to adjust, even when she’s holding her other child.

What Our Tester Didn’t Love: What she didn’t love was that getting the machine-washable cover off of the seat wasn’t as easy as it should be. It’s also not dryer -safe, the plastic around the cupholders gets gross, and it’s hard to get around it to clean.

Cybex Sirona S SensorSafe Convertible Car Seat

The biggest fear many parents have is that their exhausted brains forget to remind them that their child is still in their car seat when they leave the car and the unimaginable happens. The Sirona 360 allays that fear because the chest clip is “smart,” connecting to an app and alarm on your phone that lets you know if your child is still in the car or if they’ve opened the clip while the car is moving. Yes, it can be a pain if your partner is in the car with the child while you run in the store, but the safety and peace of mind it brings cannot be overstated.

This car seat can rotate 360 degrees, while a load leg stabilizer provides additional support. Others in the Sirona’s laundry list of features: a one-time vehicle belt installation for both rear-facing and forward-facing mode; 12 positions of recline; a 12-position harness; two level indicators; and a latch system that is both intuitive and simple.

What Our Tester Loved: I didn’t have any issues installing it, and the load leg really makes it feel like they’ve covered all of the bases. I am nervous at heart, so having this makes things so much better for me. It’s also super easy to spin.

What Our Tester Didn’t Love: The reason this is not the best overall is that it’s a spot-clean-only seat, and the base and load leg can both get pretty sticky thanks to their location relative to the child. I also found it to feel a bit bulky, taking up a lot of space in the backseat, though the turning mechanism is one-handed and the smoothest on the market.

Baby Jogger City Turn Rotating Convertible Car Seat

The City Turn is the coolest car seat of the bunch — literally. The light Coolmax (as Baby Jogger calls it) wicks moisture and allows the seat to breathe in a way that many technical fabrics do not. My nephew is a sweaty little dude in the best of circumstances, and he’s comfy in his Baby Jogger.

The City Turn is large, there’s no doubt about that. But one of the bonuses of that size is that, when you spin baby, the car seat actually brings them 10 inches closer to you. And your back will thank you for it.

Unlike other rotating car seats, this one only spins 180 degrees, so there’s no option to remove your baby from the opposite side of the car. The 10-position headrest and harness are simple to operate, and surprisingly, some magic on them makes them resistant to baby puke, which normally clings to seat belt straps like glue.

The cool belt tensioner makes belt installs a lot easier – though the latch is just as easy if you have that in your car.

What Our Tester Loved: It’s cool, the sliding turn is smooth and easy, and the whole thing is very stable. Our tester particularly loved how close your child gets to you in this seat. She tested it when she was pregnant, so this was maximum comfort.

What Our Tester Didn’t Love: First of all, even though the straps seem to be magic, the fabrics are not when it comes to cleaning. You can only spot-clean them, which isn’t ideal for many parents. The seat is also really big, with a large amount of clearance required to fit.

Nuna Revv Rotating Convertible Car Seat

Our tester couldn’t stop raving about this seat. It feels like a tank, it’s made with top-shelf everything, and you can operate the spinning mechanism even when you’re holding another baby and your keys.

Alas, you are certainly paying for it at $650. The fabrics have to feel amazing, and the Revv has to feel like a tank at that price. So, like most Nuna products, every cent feels worth it. It has a 10-position harness and headrest, an easy-to-adjust fit strap, and ample cushions. The seat doesn’t require a leveling indicator because as soon as it stops in rear or forward-facing position, it locks.

The initial install is a bit trickier than others, but once the seat is in, it’s in, and feels grounded and stable. Like others on this list, the Revv is flame-retardant-free. But unlike some others, it’s still very breathable because of its merino wool.

What Our Tester Loved: Our tester felt like everything about the Revv was top-quality. He loved that the Nuna has these little magnetic buckle holders that keep them out of the way when you’re putting baby into the seat, which doesn’t seem like it would be that big of a deal, but it really is.

What Our Tester Didn’t Love: Nuna purports that the install is simple and straightforward, but the latch buckles are not the easiest to open, and the initial setup is also a bit tricky.

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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Apart Hotel Yantar

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APART HOTEL YANTAR - Reviews, Photos (Elektrostal, Russia)