Babble Best Picks:
Strollers
One of the biggest purchases for your baby is the stroller, riddled with safety, style, and status issues - as well as affordability, of course, considering some strollers climb above the $1,000 mark. The choices and questions are seemingly endless: How do you accommodate your newborn without wasting money on a short-lived purchase? What are the features you absolutely need? Are luxury strollers really worth it? Can you find a good stroller in the $100 range?
To make your search easier, Babble assembled and test-drove over 30 of the newest strollers - from lightweight umbrella strollers to all-terrain joggers - to find the best of the best for every budget, geographic location, and age group. Did we miss one? Nominate your
favorite stroller here.
BEST OVERALL | Bugaboo Cameleon
Shocking, right? Bugaboo landed at the top of yet another "Best Of" round up. We know the Bugaboo Cameleon seems a bit expensive for many people, but it's truly the only stroller you'll ever need to buy.
Included in the hefty price tag is a stroller that accommodates newborns through toddlers, saving you from buying multiple strollers. The Bugaboo Cameleon (appropriately named for its variety of color choices and customizable features) comes with a newborn bassinet and a seat with various levels of recline, literally accommodating any age.
It's more lightweight than the typical full-service stroller and has infinitely more features than the typical lightweight stroller, pretty much making it the stroller to end all strollers. In fact, the Cameleon was the single most maneuverable stroller we tested - ideal for city sidewalks as well as bumpier paths. It includes everything you'd possibly need in one design: The handlebar reverses so the larger wheels can be in front to handle all-terrain paths, or the smaller wheels can be in front to maneuver around sharp corners and tight spaces. Also, an infant bassinet comes with the stroller (not sold separately as an accessory), which adds to the longevity.
The only downside? You have to remove the stroller's seat before folding it, so it isn't a one-handed process. However, to be fair, the seat can be removed with the slightest push of a button, and the frame and seat fit more compactly than most all-terrain strollers.
Runners Up:
READERS’ CHOICE | Mutsy 4Rider
Like the other Mutsy strollers we reviewed, the 4Rider – their full-service stroller – has the same quality feel, easy maneuverability, and luxury features that we love about Mutsy. If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to the Bugaboo or iCandy, this is a great option.
With a reversible, interchangeable seat, decent-size storage basket, and full-coverage canopy, it really gives you everything you need in a luxury stroller. Plus, the wheels are small enough to be maneuverable but big enough to climb effortlessly over uneven ground.
Although we only tried the standard stroller seat, there are a ton of accessories to make this the only stroller you’ll ever need to buy: The car seat adaptor and bassinet accommodate newborn babies, the step-up board can be attached on the back for older kids to ride on, and a bigger shopping basket can be attached for more storage options. You can also buy a dinner tray, parasol and rain cover, as well as a “babysitter” that turns your stroller seat into a rocker or feeding seat. Pretty cool, huh?
While we do wish the stroller came with more accessories – at least the rain cover and shopping basket – this is one of the most sturdy, high quality strollers we’ve ever test driven.
Features
