Best Strollers for Newborns
Best strollers for newborns in 30 seconds.
Don't want to read the full guide?
- Start with one great full-size stroller. Add a travel stroller later only if you actually need it.
- Choose based on your real life: city = steering; suburbs = trunk-fit; rough sidewalks = bigger wheels.
- For newborns: car seat for short trips, bassinet/lay-flat for longer walks.
- If baby #2 is even a maybe, get a single-to-double now.
Mockingbird Single-to-Double 2.0
Why You Need a Stroller
A stroller is one of the most-used pieces of baby gear you'll own. You'll use it for walks, errands, doctor visits, and just getting out of the house. While you can technically wear your baby in a carrier in most cases, having a stroller gives you options and makes longer outings much more manageable.
Buying Tips
Buy Used?
- Strollers are generally safe to buy used. This is a really great way to save money. Just check wheels, frame integrity, and folding mechanism.
Spend or Save?
- This is a category where spending more can improve steering, fold quality, and long-term durability.
How to Buy Smart
- Check car seat ↔ stroller compatibility before buying.
- Look for used strollers on Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, and local buy/sell groups.
What Actually Matters
- Fold & unfold: Can you fold and unfold it quickly? How about one-handed, while holding a baby?
- Weight & trunk fit: Can you actually lift it, and does it fit in your trunk without playing Tetris?
- Car seat + newborn setup: Make sure it's compatible with your infant car seat or has a truly newborn-safe seat.
- Steering & wheels: Does it push smoothly? Bigger, better wheels matter a lot on rough pavement or gravel.
- Single-to-double (future-proofing): If you might have another baby within ~3 years, seriously consider something that can add a second seat.
- Handlebar height & comfort: Does it feel good for both parents, or are you kicking the back of the stroller every step?
- Washability: Can you reasonably clean the fabric after milk, mud, and/or mystery goo gets on it?
Best Full-Size Strollers
UPPAbaby Cruz
Great choice if you want a premium experience and don’t care about adding a second seat later.
Mockingbird Single-to-Double 2.0
If you like the Vista concept but not the price, start by looking here.
Graco Modes Nest2Grow
If you want maximum features per dollar and don’t mind a bigger, heavier stroller, this is a very solid bet.
UPPAbaby Vista V3
If the budget allows and you care a lot about ease-of-use and future-proofing, you're unlikely to regret this.
UPPAbaby Cruz
Best for families who want a premium everyday stroller and aren’t planning on using a single-to-double.
Pros
- Top-tier maneuverability and suspension; pushes like butter.
- Reversible seat, deep recline, and newborn options via car seat or bassinet.
- Huge, easy-access basket and very refined details.
Cons
- Pricey for a non-convertible stroller.
- Not the lightest or most compact fold in the world.
Runner-up: Mockingbird Single-to-Double 2.0
Gives you most of the Vista experience for hundreds less. A great option if you want premium features without the premium price.
- Single-to-double for future-proofing without committing Vista money.
- Smooth enough push for most neighborhoods.
- Really solid feature set: modular seat, good storage, nice materials.
- A smart pick if you want high-end functionality at a mid-range price.
Caveats: Not actually a “budget” stroller. It’s still mid-to-high tier, and the push isn’t as buttery as the Vista.
Check out our runner up!
We picked the UPPAbaby Vista V3
It’s the smoothest, most intuitive everyday stroller we tested, and one we'll actually enjoy using!
- It has the best push of any other strollers we tested. It feels super smooth.
- They have great warranty and customer support, which gives us peace of mind.
- We love the look of it and everything on this stroller feels premium.
- We're hoping to have another baby at some point, so we're ok with spending a little more now.
Caveats: It’s pricey, and all the accessories cost a lot too. They add up over time, but we're planning to buy a lot of the add-ons used.