The Best Car Seat Stroller Combo Systems to Make Traveling with Your Baby a Total Breeze

Calling all city dwellers—this is the travel system for you. The PIPA urbn car seat weighs just 7 pounds, making it one of the lightest options on the market, and it can be teamed with three of different NUNA strollers (the Triv Next, Mixx Next or the Trvl). Our tester paired hers with the Triv Next and raved about how easy the travel system was to use around New York City, whether strolling down cobblestone streets or getting in and out of Ubers. “I love that the Triv is still a substantial model with an all-terrain spirit, but it’s not as heavy as the Mixx Next,” she tells us. “It’s designed to be a compromise between a travel stroller and workhorse, and I think it really achieves that. Plus, it works seamlessly with the baseless, ultra-light PIPA urbn car seat, which makes travel or car hopping a breeze.” Indeed, the baseless car seat (LATCH connectors are built right into the seat) is a big draw of this travel system, but the stroller is also a popular choice with parents thanks to its easy fold (it can fold with the seat installed rear- or front-facing), three riding options (the car seat for rear-facing infant use and a seat that faces both ways) and luxe finishes (like the thick seat padding and leatherette-accented push bar). We’re also big fans of the oversized canopy that provides UPF 50+ protection, and features a mesh SkyDrape that pulls out from the canopy and connects at the feet with magnets for full coverage. The only downside, per our tester, is that it isn’t as heavy-duty as some other combos on the market: “If you’re looking for a full travel system or an SUV-type stroller, keep in mind that this system is meant to be a middle ground.”

Fast Facts

• Child weight and height limitations: stroller accommodates babies from birth to 50 lb.; car seat accommodates babies 4 to 22 lb. and up to 29".
• Weight: 18.4 lb (stroller); 7.6 lb (car seat)
• Color options: 2

The minimalist Pivot stroller is our pick for infants because of its nifty seat that can be used both as a toddler seat and a bassinet in the lay flat carriage mode. All you have to do is recline the stroller seat flat and pull up the footrest—the seat is now a rolling bassinet. You can also use the stroller with the LiteMax car seat, and no matter which mode you choose (bassinet, car seat or regular seat), you can have your baby rear- or forward-facing. This gives you six different stroller seat configurations (i.e., way more options than other car seat stroller combos). There’s also a built-in mesh privacy shade that can be attached to all modes to keep nosy strangers out and an oversized storage basket for your diaper bag. The car seat accommodates babies weighing 4 to 35 pounds and comes with a stay-in-car base (so you wouldn’t be able to use this system in an Uber, for example). In terms of maneuverability, some users say that attaching the car seat can be challenging. “Trying to attach the car seat to the stroller can be a little tricky, as well as removing it from the stroller or the base inside your vehicle sometimes is a pain,” says one reviewer. But overall, parents like this system for its affordability and clever stroller functionality.

Fast Facts

• Child weight and height limitations: stroller accommodates babies from birth to 50 lb.; car seat accommodates babies 4 to 35 lb. and up to 32".
• Weight: 20 lb (stroller); 8.17 lb (car seat)
• Color options: 3

While many strollers have the option to accommodate two children, fitting three kids can be quite a challenge. Enter the UPPAbaby Vista—a tried-and-true luxury stroller that is designed to grow with your brood. For twins, you can attach two car seats to the stroller to have both babies on-the-go. For families with an infant and an older child, you have the option to add on the UPPAbaby RumbleSeat V2  ($220) to make it a double stroller. For three kids, you can even add the UPPAbaby Piggyback ($135) kickstand for bigger kids to stand and ride along behind. This fan favorite also wins rave reviews for its maneuverability, shock absorption and over-sized undercarriage (“I can fit tons of groceries in there and have even tossed my older kid’s bike underneath,” one parent tells us). While the add-ons are pricey, the original travel system comes with lots of features and accessories, including the Mesa car seat, a bassinet, a bug shield and a rain guard. “We loved this travel system for my son and even lugged it with us on international trips,” one tester tells us. “Then when my daughter was born, we added the RumbleSeat so that they could ride together—it definitely made the stroller heavier to wheel around and my 3-year-old’s feet were almost touching the ground but it was honestly a great investment. Same goes for the Piggyback that we added on after my son’s feet really did touch the ground—it made pushing a little awkward but way better than having to carry anyone!” 

Fast Facts

• Child weight and height limitations: stroller accommodates babies from birth to 50 lb.; car seat accommodates babies 4 to 35 lb. and up to 32".
• Weight: 27 lb (stroller); 9.9 lb (car seat)
• Color options: 3

The Chicco KeyFit30 is one of the most popular car seats on the market, thanks to its easy installation, high quality and affordable price. And reviewers say the top-rated seat easily snaps into the Chicco Bravo Quick-Fold Stroller to create a lightweight but sturdy travel system. Extra cool feature: The car seat can snap into the stroller frame with or without the included stroller seat. Also included in the price are parent cup holders and a child tray for snacks (they always want snacks). Reviewers appreciate that the stroller is easy to fold with one hand and stands when folded, a feature that comes especially handy while traveling (because holding a baby, a bag and a stroller at the airport is no fun). One mom we spoke with remembers doing stroller “test drives” at the store and how she kept coming back to the Chicco travel system. “It was so brainless to use—and upon the arrival of my son, he always felt safe and secure in there.” She also loved the ease and portability of the system. “The only downside is that wheels aren't exactly all-terrain, so it’s less helpful in ice and snow. But it gets the job done and I love the price point!” she adds.

Fast Facts

• Child weight and height limitations: stroller accommodates babies from birth to 50 lb.; car seat accommodates babies 4 to 30 lb. and up to 30".
• Weight: 23 lb (stroller); 9.6 lb (car seat)
• Color options: 3

Famous for their car seats, the FlexFit Travel System combines Britax’s top-rated B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit infant car seat with the B-Lively stroller for an impressive system that users rate for its maneuverability, ease-of-use and sturdiness. The all-wheel suspension and three-wheel configuration makes it especially well suited for smooth riding on different surfaces (one user notes that it’s great on “mixed terrain” while another says it pushes much better on grass than other brands). While it won’t stand up straight while folded and the seat is not reversible (meaning once your kid outgrows the car seat, they will have to face outwards), many parents love how easy the stroller is to use. “I can easily move this with one hand, the swiveling front wheel is so smooth. The storage is accessible from front and back, and the seat can be all the way upright while the car seat is installed into the stroller, which will make putting the diaper bag in and out so much easier. I am so happy with this purchase!” says one happy customer.

Fast Facts

• Child weight and height limitations: stroller accommodates babies from birth to 50 lb.; car seat accommodates babies 4 to 35 lb. and up to 32".
• Weight: 22 lb (stroller); 11.6 lb (car seat)
• Color options: 6

Considering that Graco debuted the first travel system concept to the market, it’s no surprise that the family-favorite brand has a spot on our list. The Nest Travel System combines the popular Modes Nest stroller with the SnugRide 35 Lite Elite infant car seat to offer parents three different modes: car seat carrier, bassinet and toddler stroller that can be rear- or forward-facing (the toddler seat can fold out into a bassinet). It also comes with a snack tray and parent cup holder. One reviewer says: “Everything clicks into place so simply. Car seat base installs in a snap. Car seat clicks into base or stroller in seconds. Stroller unfolds by lifting a lever and folds up so easily with button pushes (takes a second to get the coordination down). The stroller comes with an insert for pram-mode (in case you don't want to use the car seat) that folds into a traditional stroller seat for when baby is older. Overall super sturdy and easy to use!”

Fast Facts

• Child weight and height limitations: stroller accommodates babies from birth to 50 lb.; car seat accommodates babies 4 to 35 lb. and up to 32".
• Weight: 23 lb (stroller); 7.2 lb (car seat)
• Color options: 5

Is this the coolest car seat and stroller combo on the market? Quite possibly. Unlike other two-piece travel systems, the Doona is just one single piece. That means less attachments and fiddling for parents. Use it as a car seat (with or without the included base) with the wheels folded up underneath. Then when you’re ready to move, the wheels drop down for stroller mode. The transition from car seat to stroller only takes a few seconds and it’s also FAA-approved for flying. One PureWow mom told us she was obsessed with her Doona: “The Doona was a life saver and eliminated the need for a stroller + adapter + infant car seat. It's easy to collapse when getting into a taxi, walking down subway stairs, or popping onto the base in your own vehicle. Lots of ‘oohs’ and ‘ahhs’ from passersby.” The biggest downside, she adds, is that when you’re using it as a stroller there is no basket for your diaper bag. “We solved this by adding a hook to the handle but you have to be mindful of the weight.”

Fast Facts:

• Child weight and height limitations: 4 to 35 lb. and up to 32".
• Weight: 26.5 lb
• Color options: 6