First Baby Mall

Which strollers are easiest to carry and fold?

Carrying a folded stroller up subway stairs (illustration)
Illustration

The short answer

Weight and the fold decide it. The lightest we have is the Stokke YOYO² at 13.6 lb; 21 strollers have makers who describe a one-hand fold. Weights aren't all measured the same way, though.

Pick your stroller for its fold, step by step, and what its maker says when it won't fold.

Your stroller

Pick it to see its weight, how it folds, and the maker's answers when it won't. We'll remember your picks on this device for the other guides.

What catches parents out

  1. Weights aren't measured the same way: UPPAbaby's "true weight" counts the canopy, wheels and basket

    UPPAbaby Minu (original), UPPAbaby Minu V2, UPPAbaby Minu V3, UPPAbaby Ridge (original) and 1 more

    What the maker says
    • “Specifications Suitable from 3 months to 50 lbs True Weight (includes canopy, wheels, and basket) 14.8lbs Unfolded: 35.5″ L x 20.5″ W x 41″ H Folded: 11.5″ L x 20.5″ W x 23″ H” UPPAbaby product page (archived copy)
    • “Suitable from 3 months to 50 lbs True Weight (includes canopy, wheels, and basket): 16.9 lbs Unfolded: 35.5″ L x 20.3″ W x 41″ H Folded (with Bumper Bar): 12.5″ L x 20.3″ W x 23″ H” UPPAbaby product page (archived copy)
    • “Suitable from 0–50 lbs True weight: 16.7 lbs Unfolded: 34.5” L x 18” W x 41” H Folded: 10” L x 18” W x 21.5” H” UPPAbaby product page
  2. Several strollers only fold with the toddler seat facing forward

    Mockingbird Single Stroller 2.0, UPPAbaby Vista V3, UPPAbaby Vista V2, UPPAbaby Cruz V3

    What the maker says
    • My Mockingbird won't fold with the seat or car seat adapter on: The stroller folds only when toddler seats face forward. If a seat faces you, take it off, turn it around and reattach it. With Chicco or Graco car seat adapters, move the support bar down before folding. The original ring-style Nuna adapter (bought before August 2022) has to come off to fold the Single Stroller. Take off the riding board (leave its hub on) before folding. Mockingbird help article
    • My Vista V3 will not fold: Put the foot brake on. Raise the handlebar all the way up. Set the seat facing forward and in its second most upright recline. Check the front wheel brakes are unlocked (the clear setting); the stroller will not fold properly with them locked. Pull up both release triggers and swing the handlebar down to the ground. UPPAbaby help article
    • My Vista will not fold with the Toddler Seat on it: You can fold the Vista with the Toddler Seat still attached, but only when the seat faces forward. Turn the seat to face forward before folding. For a smaller fold, recline the seat to its second most upright position first. UPPAbaby help article
  3. Convertible doubles fold with one seat on, not two

    Baby Jogger City Select 2, Cybex Gazelle S

    What the maker says
    • My City Select 2 won't fold with both seats on: The City Select 2 only folds with one seat attached. Take the second seat off first, then fold the stroller. Baby Jogger help article
    • Can I fold the Gazelle S with two seats still on it?: Yes: Cybex says the Gazelle S can be folded with two seats attached. The seats can face either direction when you fold. Cybex product page
  4. The most common reason a YOYO won't lock open is its own carry strap

    Stokke YOYO²

    What the maker says
    • My YOYO won't stay locked open after I unfold it: Make sure no fabric is in the way of the lock. The carry strap is the most common culprit. Check the folding mechanism for anything stuck inside; repair partners have found toys, gummy bears and pebbles in there. Never force the lock closed; that can cause permanent damage. If you cannot find the cause, contact Stokke. Stokke help article

Three strollers worth knowing about

Every stroller by weight

As each maker weighs it, lightest first.

Next: A small trunkWhich strollers fold smallest? →

Everything here is built from the makers' published data and changes when it does. How we verify.