Best umbrella strollers: lightweight prams for easy travel and storage

Tested by parents: Read the full Joie Nitro Stroller review

Suitable from birth, the Joie Nitro is a great all-rounder, offering a lightweight yet surprisingly robust chassis with a comfortable padded seat that can be positioned in a choice of five recline settings. You can even lie the seat entirely flat should you wish - adjusting with one hand if your child nods off when you’re out walking.

With lockable front wheels, dual suspension and a good handlebar height of 108cm, you won’t find yourself crouching to push this stroller, even across varied terrain. It’s simple to fold with an incorporated carry handle making it easy to carry, even while holding your little one’s hand.

The shopping basket is relatively compact but it’s ideal for stashing your essentials. The pushchair also comes with a rain cover, which is easy to fit if the weather suddenly takes a turn for the worse. We do wish the rain cover was a little longer however, as there’s a small risk you may find soggy socks if those tiny toes stick out the end!

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If you’re looking for a basic lightweight stroller suitable for travel, they don’t come much more affordable than the Cuggl Laurel stroller.

This small ‘no-frills’ umbrella fold pushchair is suitable for babies from 6 months to approximately 3 years and makes a handy choice for reluctant walkers, who may tire quickly during trips where you cover some distance.

There’s no sun hood or rain cover included, making it less suited to everyday use, however with an upright, high handlebar, it’s comfortable to manoeuvre through busy crowds before folding up flat when not in use.

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If you’ve got a toddler who struggles to walk long distances, this lightweight Red Kite stroller could be a great solution.

Weighing just 6.3kg with a compact umbrella fold, this feather-light stroller can easily be packed down and carried when your toddler is determined to walk, before popping back up in seconds when they inevitably change their mind.

With a deep, padded seat for children aged six months plus, it offers a safe and secure ride with an adjustable five-point safety harness. While it doesn’t lie completely flat, it has a choice of two recline settings, allowing your child to lean back in a more relaxed position if they start to tire on their travels.

With a detachable hood and rain cover, the Red Kite Push Me 2U stroller is ready for whatever the weather may bring, with a small mesh basket providing space for a coat or blanket beneath the seat.

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Tested by parents: Read our full Joie Aire Twin review

As parents of twins and multiples know only too well, travelling with two children can be challenging, especially with toddlers who seek their independence but aren’t quite confident yet on foot.

With a lightweight aluminium frame that weighs less than 12kg, the Joie Aire Twin offers great flexibility for parents - this easy umbrella fold double stroller can quickly be opened as and when required. It’s freestanding when folded and while it inevitably takes up some space, it still folds small enough to fit into the boot of most modern cars.

Featuring two comfortable seats with secure five-point safety harnesses, you can reverse the liners to switch between pink and blue as preferred. Each seat can be customised entirely to the child, with the ability to lie flat, recline or sit more upright to see the world around them - ideal if you've got a curious toddler and a younger baby who needs to nap on the go.

The basket is deep and spans both seats, so there’s plenty of space for your shopping and essentials. It’s worth noting however that this may not be the best choice for busy city environments as its wider frame may struggle to fit through narrow doors and passageways.

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Tested by parents: Read the full Silver Cross Reflex review

It may be pricey but this luxurious Silver Cross umbrella stroller is a high-quality option that’s built to last. While it’s a little heavier and bulkier than some, it offers significant flexibility in terms of recline features - with a choice of five settings that can be adjusted one-handed to suit your child’s needs as they grow.

With leatherette features and premium fabrics, this stroller has a stylish, high-quality design with roomy, ergonomic seats that can comfortably accommodate your baby from birth to 25kg (approx four years of age). We love the inclusion of a head hugger for your newborn and it's even travel system-compatible when used with car seat adaptors (sold separately).

With a large extendable SPF50 sun hood and a rain cover included, it’s as well suited to everyday use as a convenient and compact stroller for travel.

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Cosatto is well known for its bright, colourful and striking designs and this one is no exception with its fun dinosaur pattern.

Built with parents' convenience in mind, we love the high handlebar and large shopping basket, with side zip access so you can access the contents even when the seat is fully reclined. There’s even a handy pocket for stashing your mobile phone, and a cup holder for those morning coffee essentials.

The comfortable, multi-recline seat can be adjusted one-handed, while the bumper bar opens for easy access, even with the wriggliest of children.

The large SPF100 hood is ideal for bright sunny days but the rain cover and footmuff ensure your baby will stay warm and dry when the weather takes a turn. That said, reviewers aren’t keen on the rain cover design, finding it fiddly and difficult to secure during a sudden downpour.

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If you live in a rural location, it can be hard to find the right balance between a lightweight, compact stroller and the ability to tackle varied terrain.

Thankfully, the Ickle Bubba Discovery Max Stroller offers the best of both, with a lightweight chassis weighing less than 10kg and an all-wheel suspension for a smooth and comfortable ride.

Featuring a luxury quilted liner and footmuff, a fully padded harness and variable calf support, you can easily adjust the seat to meet your baby’s needs as they grow.

We love the extendable UPF50+ hood and spacious shopping basket, although it can be a little tricky to access when the seats are fully reclined. It’s also worth noting that the handlebar is relatively low when compared to other umbrella strollers on our list, which may cause some discomfort over time if you’re particularly tall.

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With a beautiful colour palette ideal for spring, the Mamas and Papas Cruise buggy is a lightweight easy-fold umbrella stroller suitable from birth to 15kg (approximately three years).

With a narrow frame and comfortable padded seats, it makes a convenient second stroller for travel. It has an easy-steer option that’s easy to manoeuvre around your local shops and features added suspension for a smoother ride.

The mesh basket could be stronger but there’s plenty of space to stash your essentials. We love the extra-large SPF50 sun hood with a peekaboo visor, protecting your napping child from the elements but allowing you to easily check on them without the risk of waking them up.

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With an affordable price tag, this My Babiie MB02 Stroller is well rated by Mumsnet users and online reviewers, especially by those who have small cars. With a compact umbrella fold that measures just over a metre lengthwise when folded, it’s small enough to fit easily into your car boot and features a handy side handle to help transport it as required. Plus, it’s simple to unfold with just a quick release of the side lock buttons on either side of the stroller.

Suitable from birth to around four years of age, this stroller is incredibly sturdy and has soft cushioned seats, an adjustable footrest to accommodate older children and a large three-position sun canopy to keep your baby safe in the shade during strolls in the sunshine. It’s also lightweight and easy to steer, however, even with the suspension, the wheels are small and may not roll over all terrain easily.

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