Best Strollers Under $250

Pros: Earned top scores for safety with some nice-to-have features.
Cons: The storage basket is somewhat hard to access from certain angles.

The Graco Outpace LX stroller demonstrated very good maneuverability in our lab tests, though it didn’t do as well as others in the category when going up and down hills or over grass. But our testers appreciated the many features, including a magnetic harness, a large storage basket (though it can be a little tricky to access it from the sides and the front of the stroller), one-handed folding, self-standing capability when folded, and easy child car seat attachment. The Outpace LX stroller is compatible with Graco SnugRide infant car seats with the Click Connect feature. 

Weight: 19 pounds
Width: 25 inches
Car seat compatible? Yes

Pros: This budget-friendly stroller converts to a travel system.
Cons: The seatback recline is a little difficult to use.

The Baby Trend Tango is just $100, but it checks many of the same boxes as much pricier traditional strollers. There’s a one-handed, self-standing fold with large cup holders and an easy-to-adjust restraint system. It also earned top safety scores and can convert to a travel system by clipping in any Baby Trend infant car seat. It also earned top safety scores. In the lab, our testers found that the Tango maneuvered well over smooth surfaces, though its performance was a little less impressive on rougher areas and up and down curbs or hills. The front swivel wheels don’t lock, which makes navigating bumpy surfaces more challenging. And the seatback recline is also annoying to use because the straps get twisted easily. 

Weight: 20 pounds
Width: 23 inches
Car seat compatible? Yes

Pros: Offers six seating combinations and converts to a travel system.
Cons: It’s on the large side, and the front swivel wheels don’t lock.

The Baby Trend Passport Switch is a 6-in-1 combination stroller that comes with an infant car seat (the Baby Trend EZ-Lift Plus) to create a full travel system. It offers multiple seating modes, making it a flexible option. The stroller seat is reversible and easily converts to “pramette” or carriage mode to accommodate a newborn. Though our lab testers found this stroller smooth and easy to maneuver, the front swivel wheels don’t lock, which can make navigating a bumpy surface more difficult. It’s also a bit large and cumbersome, which may limit its usefulness if you’re trying to fit it into the trunk of a smaller car. The stroller stands when folded, and it includes a large storage compartment and cup holders.

Weight: 21 pounds
Width: 25 inches
Car seat compatible? Yes

Pros: Top safety scores, great versatility, and solid maneuverability.
Cons: The front swivel wheels don’t lock.

Some lightweight strollers lack the bells and whistles you tend to find on full-sized models, but the Chicco Presto holds its own against traditional strollers. It’s compatible with all Chicco infant car seats with no adapter needed, offering versatility as a travel system. The Presto also features one-touch brakes, a medium-sized storage basket, a cup holder that can fit a large water bottle, and a one-handed, self-standing fold—and it’s very compact when folded. The Presto weighs just 17 pounds and has very good maneuverability overall, though it was less responsive on rougher terrain. The biggest downside is that the front swivel wheels don’t lock, and other than the main basket, there are no additional storage options, such as a console for parents.

Weight: 17 pounds
Width: 20 inches
Car seat compatible? Yes

Pros: Easy to use and maneuver, and it’s car seat compatible without adapters.
Cons: The handle isn’t adjustable, and the stroller isn’t well-suited for rough terrain.

Weighing just 13 pounds, the Graco Ready2Jet is a very lightweight stroller that’s ideal for travel. It earned top scores for maneuverability in CR’s labs. Our testers found it smooth, responsive, and easy to use overall, thanks to one-touch brakes and a one-handed, self-standing, very compact fold. The Ready2Jet also easily converts to a travel system and is compatible with Graco SnugRide car seats with ClickConnect; no adapters are needed. Though very easy to push, the wheels fared a little less well on rougher terrain, and the fabric sits against the handlebar, which can be a little annoying.

Weight: 13 pounds
Width: 21 inches
Car seat compatible? Yes

Pros: Super easy to fold and use, and very maneuverable.
Cons: Doesn’t have one-touch brakes.

The Chicco KeyFit Caddy stroller is a standout, thanks to strong maneuverability and top-notch safety and ease of use, despite its small swivel wheels that don’t lock. It’s lightweight—11 pounds—and its folded size is very compact, making it an excellent choice for families on the go, and particularly well suited to flat, regular surfaces. Top features include one-handed folding, a large basket with good accessibility, a console for parents, and cup holders, but it lacks one-touch brakes. It has an adjustable handle and parent cup holders, too. But as with any car seat carrier, once your baby outgrows their infant car seat, you’ll need another stroller. 

Weight: 11 pounds
Width: 20 inches
Car seat compatible? Yes

Pros: Lightweight, compact, and very versatile.
Cons: Front swivel wheels don’t lock.

The Baby Trend Snap-N-Go EX stroller is a lightweight and compact car seat carrier that’s compatible with multiple brands and models of car seats, without adapters. It’s very easy to fold, though it takes two hands for the best results, and it’s self-standing. It also has a large storage basket and a tray for parents with a small covered compartment and 2 cup holders. The front swivel wheels don’t lock and are better suited to smooth surfaces—our testers found that the stroller pulled somewhat in turns and around corners—but it’s a well-priced, convenient option. 

Weight: 14 pounds
Width: 25 inches
Car seat compatible? Yes