When it comes to umbrella strollers, there are several factors to consider: its weight, reclining position, storage... and the list goes on. Make your job a little easier by choosing the features that are most important to you and looking at those strollers first.
Full Featured
Full-featured umbrella strollers are lightweight and easy to carry but also come with lots of features and extras like large baskets, extra storage, carrying straps, and more. The full-featured umbrella stroller is ideal for someone who needs something more than just a quick and easy stroller to take out at the mall. These strollers should last at least a few years and probably through a few children.
Joovy Groove Ultralight 2017
If you've ever been pushing a stroller and thought, 'I love this but I wish it had...' the Joovy Groove Ultralight is for you. It's so chock-full of helpful features, it won a spot on the 2017 Momtrends Must-Haves list. The Joovy Groove works for newborns up to 55 pounds, so this can be your go-to stroller from the first day. It runs about $140 on Amazon.
Features
Moms on the go will love this stroller because it has a fully reclining seat and footrest, which means your baby can lay flat and ride comfortably. The canopy offers SPF 50 protection and is larger than most other umbrella strollers. In addition, the stroller features extra storage including a bottle holder for both mom and baby, as well as an open design basket underneath that can hold up to 10 pounds. You can fold it with just one hand, and when you have it folded, you can stand it on its own without having to lean it up against something. In addition, the carrying strap is unique in that it is designed so you carry the stroller perpendicular to your body. (Most strollers that have carrying straps are designed so you carry the stroller parallel to your body - which means you are forever hitting stroller wheels into the back of your legs.)
Reviews
Baby Gizmo recommends the stroller as a great option for a portable lightweight stroller, and this mom from Mom's Stroller Reviews sings its praises for all the features already mentioned. Parents love the fact it is newborn ready and can last through 55 pounds of toddler, making it feasible that you'll only have to ever buy one stroller. On the downside, it weighs 15 pounds, which is actually pretty heavy for an umbrella stroller. Also, Baby Gizmo noted to put the seat back into a seated position requires two hands and likely some good muscle once your child gets older.
guzzie+Guss Pender Stroller
If you're looking for something convenient and a little urban, the guzzie+Guss Pender might be your model. While the Pender looks like just about any other stroller on the market, it comes with some additional perks that make it oh-so-convenient, especially for urban-dwellers. The Pender works for infants as young as 3 months (or newborns with a car seat attachment) up to kids who are 55 pounds. It's a Canadian brand, but it's available online at Amazon for around $100.
Features
The stroller is easy to maneuver - from braking to folding it up with a single foot action to the way the wheels work. It is designed for ease of mobility, and it definitely delivers. In addition, the stroller offers a larger sun shade than most umbrella strollers, as well as under-carriage storage and a very large pocket in the back for parents' things. It also reclines almost all the way down, and the foot rest folds up to 'cocoon' your baby.
If you've ever had to carry a diaper bag, plus infant, plus stroller, you are certain to appreciate that you can carry the stroller by the carrying handle or by the shoulder strap. Both are convenient and make it so you can juggle all the baby's things, and maybe even the baby. It's also more than 42 inches tall - making it ideal for tall parents.
Reviews
Most reviewers on Amazon praise the stroller for its sturdiness and how lightweight it is, and customers at Best Buy praise how easy it is to maneuver as well as how sturdy it is for an umbrella stroller. However, some reviewers have noted they would prefer something with a steeper recline so the baby could lay in a fully prone position.
Best for Sunny Walks
If you find you're going to use your umbrella stroller for walking around outside a lot, it might be important to make sure it carries a certain amount of sun protection.
UPPA Baby G-Lite
UPPA Baby G-Lite is ideal for the mom who will primarily use her umbrella stroller outside in a warmer climate. This feature-rich stroller is surprisingly lightweight, weighing not quite a full 11 pounds (which is around what most umbrella strollers weigh), and it has won the Family Choice Awards for being an incredibly convenient and lightweight option. You can pick it up for about $190 from Amazon.
Features
It comes with a cup holder for mom, removable fabric covers, and a large storage basket underneath. It can fold with one hand and stands on its own when folded. However, what outdoor lovers will embrace is the fact that it has an extendable UPF 50+ canopy to protect your little one from harmful rays and a breathable mesh sling seat. The canopy is adjustable, which means it will continue to be useful even after your little one is not so little. There is a shoulder strap that also makes it easy to carry. It is suitable for babies 6 months old up until they weigh 55 pounds.
Reviews
Reviewers generally loved the stroller design and the quality of the stroller. However, one downside noted was that you cannot put a lot of things into the storage basket if the seat is fully reclined, and the folding mechanism is a bit unusual.
Inglesina Net
If you're looking for something lightweight but incredibly sturdy with enviable sun protection, you may want to check out the Inglesina Net. Baby Gear Lab named this stroller best value, and it's not hard to see why. At a price point of about $150 (available on Inglesina's website), it won't cost you an arm and leg, but it does offer incredible value for babies from 3 months to 55 pounds.
Features
The Inglesina has a full UPF 50+ canopy, as well as a breathable mesh seat and sides, making it ideal for sunny afternoon strolls. In addition, it is easy to fold and open, requiring only one hand - perfect for a mom holding a fussy baby. In addition, it has shoulder straps so you can carry the stroller easily if you need to. The pad is removable and washable, and the stroller has a cup holder for mom to carry her beverage.
Reviews
The Inglesina tends to be a sturdy even though it only weighs 11 pounds, and reviewers from Parent and Newborn magazine note they took it out to a variety of destinations, and the Inglesina was up to the task. Other reviewers note it closes and opens easily and love the mesh aspect for hot summer days. The big downside is that the undercarriage basket is a little on the smaller side for most people.
Best Budget Stroller
Most umbrella strollers, even if they are not super high end, tend to run at least $100 or more. However, some parents only want the umbrella stroller for the occasional quick outing or for an exhausted toddler. If you're looking for a quality stroller but don't want to spend an arm and a leg, budget selections might offer what you need for a child over 6 months but under 40 pounds.
Kolcraft Cloud
The Kolcraft Cloud's claim to fame is that it gives mom the standard features of a 'regular' stroller but in a convenient umbrella stroller format. For less than $50 (available on the Kolcraft website), this sleekly designed stroller combines convenience, a few key features, and a budget-friendly price, and the folks at Mom Picked rated this as one of their top ten strollers for 2018. (Which is especially impressive considering it is ranked with full featured and non-budget options.)
Features
The Kolcraft Cloud works for babies from 6 months up to 40 pounds. With mom's cup holder and a storage basket, you will have a place to put all your things while you're taking a stroll. It's surprisingly lightweight, weighing only nine pounds. In addition, the handle height is 42.5 inches, making it comfortable for taller parents. It also features an extended canopy that is larger than most umbrella strollers.
Reviews
Reviewers on the site praise the stroller for being so lightweight and easy to maneuver. Other consumers love that it is so lightweight, which is a huge plus if you have a heavy toddler. The big downside among reviewers is that the stroller is very small, even compared to other umbrella strollers. So if you have a toddler who tends to be a little on the bigger side, you might need to skip this in favor of something more full-sized.
Cosco Umbrella Stroller
It's hard to beat $20 for a stroller, even an umbrella stroller. If you're looking for a simple, easy, and cheap option that just covers the bare minimum, the Cosco Umbrella Stroller is a good bet.
Features
The Costco stroller has minimal features, but you can purchase it with or without an umbrella. It does not have a basket, although there are universal accessories you can buy for strollers like these. (And purchasing the stroller and the accessories is still cheaper than other models if cost is a big issue.) Also, it weighs less than 7 pounds, making it very easy to move around. The stroller also comes in a variety of designs and colors.
Reviews
As expected, reviewers love the price and the fact it is small. Many note the stroller maneuvers easily and is ideal for grandparents who only need it once or twice, or a family going on vacation that doesn't want to lug their big stroller with them. The downside, of course, is that this stroller is not likely to last you for years and years.
Your Best Stroller
An umbrella stroller tends not to be your biggest investment in terms of baby gear. With that said, choosing a stroller with features you love that is lightweight and works for your lifestyle will ensure you and baby are both happy and comfortable.
