The Best Full Size Strollers of 2021

Best Overall Full-Size Stroller

Thule Urban Glide 2

Weight: 24.4 lbs | Folded Size: 15,388 cubic inches

The Thule Urban Glide 2 is a cool jogger with impressive features for everyday use. This stroller has covered storage, a giant canopy, excellent suspension, and a lockable swivel front wheel with adjustable tracking. The Urban Glide 2 is easy to push and turn and equally up to the task of running. Parents enjoy the foam-covered adjustable handlebar with twisting handbrake, and passengers like the deep recline seat back, seat-side storage pockets, and padded sling-style seat. The Urban Glide 2 is compatible with various infant car seats with an adapter purchase.

The Urban Glide 2 is somewhat more cumbersome and awkward when folded, making it a possible no-go for parents searching for lightweight or compact. It doesn't have a parent console or cup holder (they offer accessories for purchase). Overall, this stroller is a useful choice that can double-duty for running at a reasonable price. This stroller is an excellent choice for parents on the move who like being outdoors or going for an adventurous run. It is also a potential contender for anyone looking for a one-and-done purchase who doesn't need a lightweight stroller.

Read review: Thule Urban Glide 2

Best Off-road Full-Size Stroller

BOB Rambler

Weight: 25.1 lbs | Folded Size: 13,150 cubic inches

The BOB Rambler won our hearts with impressive ease of use and maneuverability. This BOB is easy to push and turn with off-road and running capabilities with adjustable tracking and suspension for passenger comfort. This stroller has large pneumatic tires, a giant canopy, and a locking swivel front wheel that offers versatility for errands and adventures off the beaten path. The Rambler has various features and functionality for the child's comfort and parent convenience. We think parents will be attracted to the versatility even if it is a scaled-down version of other BOB products. Others will love that the Rambler is more petite, lighter weight, and less expensive than similar BOBs.

The Rambler is somewhat heavier and more cumbersome than a traditional full-size stroller (model dependant). So, it may not be the best choice for families looking for lightweight and compact. However, if outdoor adventures are your bread and butter, then the Rambler is an excellent contender. This stroller is less expensive than other BOB's so it will save you money without sacrificing overall functionality.

Read review: BOB Rambler

Best High-end Stroller

UPPAbaby Cruz v2

Weight: 25 lbs | Folded Size: 12,469 cubic inches

The UPPAbaby Cruz v2 is a sleek, no-nonsense full-size option that is easy to use with impressive performance for quality, setup, and functionality in comparison to the competition. While this stroller is not the lightest in the group, it does fold relatively flat, unlike the jogging-style strollers. The Cruz v2 has a huge, versatile canopy and some of the best storage in the business with a 30 lb capacity limit! This stroller comes with one seat that can face either direction and has recline and leg rest adjustments for comfort. The new v2 also sports suspension and never-flat rubber tires. It is also compatible with several brands of infant car seats including the impressive UPPAbaby Mesa that works without an adapter.

The Cruz v2 lost a little ground for maneuverability as the four-wheel design paled in comparison to the three-wheel models. However, it isn't hard to push or turn and scored above average compared to the traditional full-size options we tested. The Cruz v2 may not be the best bet for adventurous parents who plan to go off-road or hope to jog with their older baby. However, it is great for days out in the city, running errands, and even picnics in the park. It is hard to find a better full-size stroller with the same performance, quality, or features.

Read review: UPPAbaby Cruz v2

Best Budget-friendly Full-size

Baby Jogger City Mini 2

Weight: 19.3 lbs | Folded size: 8,472 cubic inches

The Baby Jogger City Mini 2 is a lightweight, compact stroller with a quick, easy fold, and cozy napping space. It has a large canopy with two peek-a-boo windows, adequate storage, and a well-padded seat with an almost flat recline and pop-up footrest for superior comfort. This basic stroller offers everything you need (including car seat compatibility) without the high-end design and features that typically create a heavier stroller and higher price. The Mini 2 impressed as an umbrella stroller too, which means it is a potential one and done for parents who don't run or go off the paved path.

The City Mini 2 is not the best for going off-road regularly as the plastic wheels and limited suspension makes pushing a chore and potentially uncomfortable for kiddos. It also isn't suitable for jogging despite its "Jogger" moniker. The new Mini 2 is somewhat heavier and larger than its predecessor. However, if you have a small budget and don't want to sacrifice features or comfort, then the Mini 2 is a double-duty powerhouse that works as a full-size go-to or your lighter-weight travel marvel.

Read review: Baby Jogger City Mini 2

Budget-friendly & Easy-to-Push

Baby Trend Expedition

Weight: 23.7 lbs | Folded Size: 12,463 cubic inches

The Baby Trend Expedition is a jogger that can easily work for everyday use saving money over time by buying a single stroller instead of two. We like the air-filled rubber tires and locking front swivel wheel that makes it ideal for maneuverability and for going off-road or running. The Expedition has under-seat storage, a sling-style seat, and a parent tray (a rare find).

This budget stroller isn't the highest quality, and the lack of adjustable tracking or suspension makes it less suitable for serious runners. However, if you want an easy-to-push and turn stroller that can head off-road for occasional fun, then the Expedition could be the right fit that saves you money.

Read review: Baby Trend Expedition

Best for Growing Families

UPPAbaby Vista v2

Weight: 27.1 lbs | Folded Size: 14,157 cubic inches

The UPPAbaby Vista v2 earned impressive results in almost every test. This stroller is easy to use, easy to push, and can accommodate up to three children, making it a versatile choice for growing families with top-quality materials that should last for the long haul. The Vista v2 comes standard with a bassinet and toddler seat. The frame accepts up to two infant car seats, two toddler seats, or other variations, including several using a bassinet with seats that can sit forward or back (the possibilities seem endless). These seating variations make the Vista v2 one of the most versatile we've seen and an excellent contender for growing families and those with multiple little ones. The Vista v2 also has a giant storage basket (30 lb max limit!), an upgraded canopy, easy fold, and foam-filled rubber tires.

The Vista v2 is one of the most expensive products in our lineup. It is also heavier due to its multi-seat design. So unless you need more than one seat, it may not be the right choice for your family. Overall, this full-size stroller is a stylish option we love for its seating versatility and easy-to-use features, making it an excellent choice for growing families, multiples, or twins.

Read review: UPPAbaby Vista v2

Perfect for Growing Families on a Budget

Evenflo Pivot Xpand

Weight: 28.4 lbs | Folded Size: 16,790 cubic inches

The Evenflo Pivot Xpand is an inexpensive multi-seater that has a lot to offer for a smaller price. We like that this option has versatile seating choices such as facing forward or backward and the ability to accept up to two infant car seats. It can accommodate up to 3 riders at one time with accessories (sold separately), and it has large storage with a quick fold and adjustable handlebar.

There is much to love about the Xpand, but it isn't the highest quality compared to more expensive competitors. It is also somewhat heavy and large, so if you don't need three seats or aren't planning on more children, it may not be the right selection for your family. Despite these minor downsides, we like what the Xpand has to offer for parents with multiple children with saving money on the brain. The price is very budget-minded, and we think it has everything a growing family needs without breaking the bank.

Read review: Evenflo Pivot Xpand

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price	Our Take
	80	Thule Urban Glide 2	$580	A cozy, stylish jogger that is easy to move and use for everyday outings
	74	BOB Rambler	$450	Features for jogging or everyday use in a versatile, quality stroller
	73	BOB Revolution Flex 3.0	$550	Capable jogger with all-terrain tires that moves well and works as a full-size option
	72	Baby Jogger City Mini GT2	$400	Good stroller but it doesn't merit the price increase over the regular City Mini
	72	BOB Alterrain Pro	$680	Impressive jogger with upgraded features and enough functionality for every day activities
	72	UPPAbaby Cruz v2	$680	A great choice for most families with useful features that are easy to use and upgrades you'll appreciate
	71	UPPAbaby Vista v2	$970	A versatile seating option for growing families with great storage and useful features
	71	Baby Jogger City Mini 2	$280	A wallet-friendly option with useful features and a straightforward design
	70	Mountain Buggy Swift	$450	Cute, easy to push stroller that does well in small space but is harder to use
	69	Bugaboo Bee5	$700	Chic urban product with average performance and inadequate storage
	69	Cybex Balios S	$500	Average option with limited features but it might be good fit for Cybex infant car seat owners
	68	Britax B-Lively	$250	Average stroller with impressive price, sturdy design, and useful features
	63	Baby Jogger City Select	$540	Harder to push and heavier Baby Jogger but it is easy to use
	63	Nuna MIXX2	$600	The performance and features of this expensive option don't justify the price
	62	Peg Perego Booklet 50	$400	Dull stroller with harder to use features and a dated design
	60	Baby Trend Expedition	$120	A budget-friendly choice that is easy-to-push but is limited overall
	59	Evenflo Pivot Xpand	$280	A versatile stroller can hold up to 3 with lots of features for the growing family
	58	Bugaboo Cameleon3	$1,149	Disappointing performance overall despite a nice look and quality parts
	57	Graco Aire3	$180	Hard to push and harder to use make this a poor choice despite the lower price
	55	Chicco Bravo LE	$250	Nicer features, but its so hard to push there are better options for the price

Why You Should Trust Us

Our experienced team of top-notch stroller testers is run by our BabyGearLab founder, Dr. Juliet Spurrier, Board Certified Pediatrician, Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and totally awesome mother of two. She uses her education and experience as a Pediatrician, combined with her expertise as a mom, to define the BabyGearLab safety standards. She makes the final selection of the top products we include in this and most reviews. The lead for the hands-on stroller test team is Senior Research Analyst, Bob Wofford, father of 7 who has been the stroller testing development and execution leader since 2013. It's safe to say Bob has pushed, pulled, and assembled more strollers than anyone on the planet. Bob's team includes Senior Review Editor and mother of two, Wendy Schmitz, who has reviewed and researched over 200 strollers since joining BabyGearLab in 2014, including hundreds of hours of hands-on use. The team also includes Senior Review Editor, Abriah Wofford, who joined the BabyGearLab stroller testing team in 2015. Overall, the team has more than 20 years of combined experience using and testing all types of strollers.

Our testing takes place in the BabyGearLab in-house lab and the real world during day-to-day use with little ones. The full-size stroller reviews use research and details on performance derived from real-world applications and comparison to the other contenders. We handle each stroller from unboxing to in-house testing and hours of use to determine which are the easiest to use, have the most useful features, are the most maneuverable, and the quality level compared to the competition.

Related: How We Tested Full-size Strollers

Analysis and Test Results

We chose 21 finalists for our exhaustive, side-by-side testing that includes everything from maneuverability and ease of use to quality and overall weight. We chose each contender after extensive research on quality, innovation, and popularity. Our goal is to provide practical, detailed information to help you generate a short list of potential strollers to purchase.

Related: Buying Advice for Full-size Strollers

Value

A full-size stroller can often be more expensive than other stroller types because you typically use it more frequently, so they have more features. However, this truth doesn't mean you need to break the bank to find a top-performing option with the best features. Many of the best strollers in our review happen to be jogging strollers with middle-of-the-road prices. The jogger design features create a dual-purpose solution for a reasonable price, theoretically saving you money over buying two strollers. Are you on a tighter budget? The Baby Jogger City Mini 2 and the Britax B-Lively are both attractively priced with useful features and above-average performance in our tests. These two can also fill in as lightweight strollers, doing two strollers' job in one, allowing you to save some cash. The Baby Trend Expedition is a standout with one of the lowest prices and easy maneuverability, but you sacrifice some quality for this price. If you have a growing family or multiple children, then the Evenflo Pivot Xpand can provide the versatility you need without breaking the bank.

Ease of Use

Ease of use includes the features you use frequently that impact everyday functionality. Your stroller's ability to perform well on demand is the difference between a stroller you enjoy and one you'll want to kick to the curb.

In our tests, the UPPAbaby Vista v2 (above left) and the UPPAbaby Cruz v2 (above right) impressed with easy-to-use features. These strollers use quality materials that work well. They both offer high maximum storage limits (30 lbs) and the largest canopies around. The UPPAbaby strollers have adjustable leg rests, easy-to-use recline adjustment, and indicators on the seat attachment. The Thule Urban Glide 2 is also easy to use with intuitive features that are useful and improve the passenger's andparents' overall experience.

The UPPAbaby strollers and the Thule Urban Glide 2 lack amenities like a parent or child console, but both companies offer these accessories for purchase. We believe these conveniences can be useful depending on your lifestyle, and we recommend you consider the additional cost in your decision-making process if you think you want them. However, we don't believe these features are strictly are mandatory. In fact, during testing, we found that many of these kinds of features weren't that useful or were poorly designed and only check a box instead of adding real benefits.

The worst performer in our ease of use tests is the Mountain Buggy Swift, which is somewhat awkward, has smaller storage, and is harder than most to operate.

Maneuverability

Our maneuverability tests include a convoluted pathway of turns and corners over various surfaces, including hardwood, pavement, gravel, grass, snow/ice (when the weather allows), and dirt. We also created the crowded-supermarket-from-hell simulator, a multi-surface obstacle course containing tight corners and real-world challenges. We push each stroller through it all and then compare their results for ease of pushing, turning, and performance over various surfaces and in tight spaces like a crowded city sidewalk.

The top performers for maneuverability all share a 3-wheel design and larger rubber tires, which is not a surprise. The top-scorers are the BOB Alterrain Pro, Thule Urban Glide 2, BOB Rambler, and the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0, all with 9 of 10. These jogging strollers feature pneumatic (air-filled) rubber tires, suspension, adjustable tracking, and a swivel front wheel for tight navigation that locks in place for uneven terrain and running. The strollers with designs for jogging were notably better than the traditional full-size options.

Related: The Best Jogging Strollers of 2021

The Mountain Buggy Swift, Baby Jogger City Mini GT 2, and the Baby Trend Expedition all earned 8s. These strollers perform well in our obstacle course and managed uneven terrain better than most of the competitors.

The Mountain Buggy Swift and the Baby Trend Expedition offer solid construction that makes them more responsive and easier to guide through tight aisles and corners. Bumps in the sidewalk were no problem thanks to the larger air-filled tires with minimal impact passed on to the passenger.

It is worth noting that most of the high-scoring strollers perform well on both paved and unpaved surfaces. On pavement, the more substantial wheels make for effortless pushing, single-handed turning, and they excel in smaller spaces with tight turning radiuses. When going over grass or gravel in the park, their advantages were even more pronounced. Smaller wheel products with solid tires got bogged down on rough surfaces, often to unworkable levels. The plastic wheels also transmit jarring shocks directly to the baby because they do not absorb the energy and often lack suspension. Also, smaller plastic wheels can become dented or deform over time depending on the terrain you regularly traverse. If you need to stroll frequently over grass, gravel, or dirt, maneuverability should be an essential consideration in your decision-making process, and those with rubber tires should be at the top of your list.

The Baby Jogger City Mini GT 2 is a little bit of an anomaly in this metric. It performed well in our tests but has smaller wheels than the other top contenders. It is not as good at traversing rougher terrain as the larger wheel joggers, but it is still superior to the plastic wheeled options, dual front wheel designs (2 wheels on 1 leg), and products that lack suspension. Baby Jogger advertises the GT 2 as an all-terrain option. While we disagree that it is suitable for regular off-roading (like hiking in the backwoods), our tests indicate it does manage uneven surfaces better than other small-wheeled competitors. However, its overall performance in all of our metrics is only average, making it a less impressive option that failed to win an award.

The worst performer for maneuverability is the Chicco Bravo LE with its foam-filled plastic wheels (under 7" in the front and less than 8" in the back). We found turning the Bravo through our obstacle course challenging and pushing over bumpy or non-paved surfaces frustrating and near impossible.

Quality

Many believe that quality is directly related to price, and while this is somewhat true, we find that some of the mid-range products offer quality on par, or better than, the more expensive options. This observation is good news for anyone hoping to find a high-performing, quality product that won't break the bank.

The top-quality options are the Thule Urban Glide 2 and the BOB Alterrain Pro, each earning 9 of 10. The BOB Revolution Flex 3.0, UPPAbaby Vista v2, BOB Rambler follow close behind with 8s. These strollers combine quality components and high-end materials with a fit and finish that stands out in a crowd, and they have a significant price range between them. Products earn higher scores for quality if they have comfortable and durable fabric, pneumatic or foam-filled rubber tires, and sturdy frames with smooth finishes and little flex or rattle. The lowest scoring options earn only 4s and include the Baby Trend Expedition and the Graco Aire 3; most of the low-scoring strollers have plastic wheels (not true of the Expedition), stationary handlebars, and a lot of flex with multiple, often visible, connection joints. However, the Baby Trend Expedition combines some nicer features like rubber pneumatic tires and larger wheels, which give it excellent maneuverability and the ability to run. It suffers from problems like a uselessly small canopy.

Weight and Folded Size

To test the weight and folded size of each stroller, we perform our own measurements. This practice is important as we discovered that some manufacturers provided weights or measurements that excluded components such as wheels or detachable seats. This results in their stated stroller weight appearing much lighter on paper than it is set up for actual use. Our measurements include wheels and seats but do not include accessories like bassinets or rain covers.

The best scoring competitors for weight and folded size are the Britax B-Lively with a weight of 18.9 lbs and a folded size of 6,612 cubic inches. The Baby Jogger City Mini 2 is hot on its heels with 19.3 lbs and 8,472 cubic inches folded. These two strollers are light and small enough to consider them potential choices for travel or situations where weight and size are factors. That said, they can't touch the size of a true travel stroller which are often under 15 lbs. The Mountain Buggy Swift and the Bugaboo Bee5 are also on the smaller and lighter side but didn't perform well in most metrics overall.

Related: The Best Umbrella Strollers of 2021

The heaviest option is the BOB Alterrain Pro at just over 31 lbs, and it is the largest when folded at 17,357 cubic inches. These measurements could make it a no-go for some families for various weight and size-related reasons. These could be your ability to lift the stroller or its ability to fit in your car when folded. The group's average is closer to 11,500 cubic inches and 24 lbs, with the UPPAbaby Cruz v2, at 25 lbs and 12,469 cubic inches coming in close to the average.

Car Seat Compatibility

Most of the full-size strollers in our review are compatible with at least one if not a variety of infant car seats, and some are light enough to work as a stand-in for a car seat frame stroller. Some are restricted in the brands they work with, or they don't accept infant carriers at all. Other strollers have significant cross-brand compatibility, including the Chicco Keyfit 30 and the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 which both won awards in our infant car seat review.

If you hope to combine your stroller with an infant car seat, then we encourage you to make your car seat selection first, as safety is critical when it comes to car seats. We also think some parents should consider a car seat frame stroller for the first 6-9 months instead of a traditional full-size stroller. These frame options are easier to use with an infant car seat carrier, lighter, cheaper, and can give you a better idea of how you'll use a full-size stroller going forward, so you can make a better buying decision. While you'll end up buying two different strollers, it could still translate to saving money if it prevents you from buying a stroller that doesn't meet your strolling needs.

We try to test each stroller with their brand car seat if we have a compatible option in the lab, and we order an adapter for the Chicco Keyfit 30 infant car seat if a compatible adapter is available. We like to test the Chicco because it has broad compatibility and is an award-winning seat with a budget-friendly price. For the most part, the strollers work best with their same brand seat (i.e., the UPPAbaby Vista v2 and UPPAbaby Cruz v2 with the UPPAbaby Mesa). However, we were surprised to find that many strollers work equally well with the Chicco Keyfit 30, and a few even seem more stable or easier to install than their native brand seat.

Some car seats use a click-in attachment, while others click and strap the carrier in place. As a rule, we prefer the click-only options because they are more straightforward, relatively foolproof, and usually feel more stable. The strap method isn't challenging, but it is a second step, and we worry parents will skip it (accidentally or intentionally), which could create safety issues. If you choose a strap-in product, like the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 adapters, we encourage you always to use the straps as the manufacturer recommends to avoid safety risks.

Ease of Setup

Assembly is a one-time task but still relevant to some parents who lack assembly savvy. We consider how long it takes to set up, difficulty, tools, and manual usefulness.

The easiest option to assemble is the UPPAbaby Cruz v2, with a perfect 10. It took almost six minutes to put the Cruz v2 together with a straightforward manual; we believe it is so intuitive that you may be able to do it without the manual. The Baby Jogger City Mini 2, Baby Jogger City Mini GT2, BOB Alterrain Pro, and the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 are all also easy to put together, just slightly more involved than the Cruz v2. The UPPAbaby Vista v2, the Thule Urban Glide 2, and several others also earned 9s. The hardest options to set up are the Baby Jogger City Select, Bugaboo Bee5, and the Peg Perego Booklet 50 which all took over 10 minutes to assemble with harder to follow instructions.

We were disheartened to discover that many higher-end strollers were the most challenging to assemble, primarily due to sub-par documentation and excessive parts. These include the Bugaboo Bee5 and Baby Jogger City Select. We feel that the combination of a higher price and a poor user manual to be particularly distasteful. Excellent documentation is mostly a result of an intentional decision to generate clear, easy-to-understand manuals in each market language. In our experience, inferior manuals typically have an "international approach" with vague illustrations lacking text are in one part of the guide, and written text is in another.

Conclusion

We don't believe there is one best stroller that is perfect for everyone. All families have different lifestyles, strolling habits, travel requirements, home location, family size, and budget. However, we believe there is a perfect choice for each family based on their needs and goals, and we hope to highlight these standout options through testing and analysis. In our review, we share our experiences and observations about each product and provide this information so you can make an informed purchase perfect for your family. We believe you can narrow the field to the right option for your little one and wallet between our award winners and the higher-ranking strollers.