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:
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT | Phil & Teds Smart
We are absolutely smitten with this new Phil & Teds Smart stroller – a lightweight stroller system that will last through every stage of your child’s stroller-using years. First of all, its lightweight aluminum frame isn’t much heavier than umbrella strollers, making it incredibly nimble and maneuverable (we’re talking luxury-stroller maneuverability). Unlike other strollers (like the Bugaboo Cameleon or Mamas and Papas Sola), you’ll have to buy more accessories for it to accommodate newborns, namely the peanut bassinet ($149.99), infant car seat adaptor ($34.99) and/or Verso attachment ($34.99) – which flips the seat from facing forward to backward. However, there are certain features that will make this the only stroller you’ll want to use.
One of the best is the molded seat, ergonomically designed for your baby’s comfort, more supportive than most lightweight strollers and completely washable. (Easily washable, we should add.) For parents who feel uneasy about a non-cushioned seat, Phil & Teds sells colorful plush inserts, which range from $19.99 to $74.99. We also really love the thin, sun-protecting canopy, generously covering your little one while blocking over 98.5% of UV rays. (It also looks way cooler than the typical canopies made from thick fabric.) Downsides: The seat is a bit narrow, so you might want to try it out first on larger kids. (It’s recommended for kids aged 3 months to 4 years.) Also, you’ll have to buy many of the accessories separately. *22,000 strollers were recalled because a finger can get caught in the hinge. Call 877-432-1642 for a free repair kit.
Runners Up:
Features
