The Best Full-size Strollers of 2018

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 jogging stroller with impressive features for everyday use. This stroller has a covered storage bin, giant canopy, nice 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 will enjoy the foam covered adjustable handlebar with twisting handbrake and passengers will like the deep recline seat back, seat-side storage pockets, and padded sling style seat.

The Urban Glide 2 is somewhat heavier and awkward when folded. It doesn't have a parent console or cup holder (though they do offer accessories for purchase), making it a possible no-go for parents looking for every possible accessory. Overall though, this stroller is an impressive option that does double duty at a reasonable price. This stroller is a good choice for parents on the move who like being outdoors or going for an adventurous run.

Read review: Thule Urban Glide 2

Best Off-road Full-Size Stroller

BOB Revolution Flex

Weight: 27.4 lbs | Folded Size: 14,497 cubic inches

The BOB Revolution Flex won our hearts with impressive ease of use and maneuverability. This BOB is easy to push and turn with great off-road capabilities and the potential for running. It sports large pneumatic tires, adjustable tracking and suspension, and a locking swivel front wheel with adjustable tracking that keeps it moving straight no matter what it encounters. This stroller offers a variety of features and functions for baby's comfort and parent convenience, and we think many parents will be attracted to the versatility of being jog and trail worthy while still meeting the needs of an everyday errand runner.

This stroller is somewhat heavier and awkward to lift and carry making it a poor choice if your space is limited or your vehicle is small. While it may not be the best choice for families that want something more compact, if outdoor adventures are in your future it is a great cross-over choice for the busy family that is sure to keep everyone happy.

Read review: BOB Revolution Flex

High-end with a Reasonable Price

UPPAbaby Cruz

Weight: 21.1 lbs | Folded Size: 11,911 cubic inches

The UPPAbaby Cruz is a sleek, no-nonsense stroller that is easy to use with good scores for quality, setup, and weight and folded size. While this option is not the lightest in the group, it does have a low weight of 21.1 lbs, which is about four lbs lower than the average and the lightest stroller in the top four. The Cruz has a large canopy, giant storage with a 25 lbs capacity, and easy to use seatback recline and leg rest adjustability. It is also compatible with several brands of infant car seat and has a fairly compact and easy fold.

The Cruz lost a little ground in testing for maneuverability because it is a little larger and the four-wheel design paled in comparison to the three-wheel models with pneumatic tires that were easier to navigate. However, it isn't hard to push or turn and scored above average in our tests. The Cruz may not be the best bet for adventurous parents who plan to off-road with their baby or hope to jog when the baby is older, but it is great for days out in the city running errands and picnics in the park and it is hard to find a lighter full-size stroller with the same level of performance or features.

Read review: UPPAbaby Cruz

Best Bang for the Buck

Britax B-Agile 3

Weight: 17.4 lbs | Folded Size: 6,658 cubic inches

The Britax B-Agile 3 is an inexpensive stroller with a simple design and high performance. This lightweight product has an effortless fold and is small enough to fit in most trunks or carried with ease. The rubber covered handlebar feels good in the hand and is an adequate height for most parents. It is easy to setup with single action brakes that are easy to use. This reasonably priced option is a nice looking, simple option made with quality materials. This stroller also performed well in our lightweight stroller review, proving it has what it takes to do double duty as an umbrella product.

While the B-Agile has a lot going for it, it is also fairly barebones and has smaller plastic wheels that make it harder to push and turn, especially when moved off the paved path. However, given the lower price and impressive ease of use, it is still a great choice for parents that plan to limit strolling to the beaten path.

Read review: Britax B-Agile 3

Money Saving Full-size Stroller

Baby Jogger City Mini

Weight: 17.5 lbs | Folded Size: 8,300 cubic inches

The Baby Jogger City Mini is a lightweight, compact stroller with high scores for maneuverability and weight and folded size. This stroller has a very friendly price made even friendlier if you consider its ability to function as a lightweight stroller. The City Mini is easy to push and turn with a trike design that makes turning and navigating crowded spaces a breeze. We were able to push it one-handed on most flat surfaces, but despite its moniker, it is not suitable for jogging. The City Mini has an easy to use harness and recline adjustment, as well as a nice sized storage bin and canopy with two peek-a-boo windows.

The City Mini may not be the best option for parents who want to go off the beaten path as the plastic wheels and limited suspension will make it frustrating to push and uncomfortable for passengers. However, while it only has shocks on the front wheel and a stationary handlebar, it is still a nice product for a very nice price. We think if you stick to city streets and running errands, that you'll be happy with the City Mini and what it has to offer for such a wallet-friendly price.

Read review: Baby Jogger City Mini

Best for Versatility

UPPAbaby Vista

Weight: 25.9 lbs | Folded Size: 13,043 cubic inches

The UPPAbaby Vista earned the top score in this review with impressive results in almost every test we threw at it. This stroller is easy to use, easy to push and can accommodate up to three children, making it a versatile option for growing families with top quality materials that should last for years. The Vista comes standard with a bassinet and toddler seat, and the frame accepts up to two infant car seats at the same time, or 2 toddler seats, and other variations including several using the bassinet with seats that can sit forward or back. This variety makes the Vista one of the most versatile in the review and a great choice for growing families. The Vista also sports large storage, a nice canopy, easy fold, and foam-filled rubber tires.

Unfortunately, the Vista has a $820 list price and is heavier than much of the competition. Plus, if you don't have a need for multiple seats, the UPPAbaby Cruz is smaller and less expensive. However, the truth is, this full-size stroller is a very nice product that testers loved for its versatility of seating and easy to use features.

Read review: UPPAbaby Vista

Analysis and Test Results

We considered more than 150 full-size strollers and narrowed our options to 20 popular finalists for our comprehensive side-by-side testing process that includes everything from maneuverability to ease of use. The finalists were chosen based on their quality, innovations, and popularity. Our goal is to give you practical and detailed information to help you create your short-list of possible options.

We focused on six key metrics during testing where ease of use and maneuverability were emphasized. Our ratings were based on a combination of real-world testing and extensive in-house lab tests.

Value

A full-size stroller can be more expensive than other stroller types largely because you will use it more frequently and they normally come with more features. However, this doesn't mean you need to break the bank to find a high performing workhorse that has what you need. The two top scorers in this review are jogging strollers and near $450. This means you get a dual purpose option for a reasonable price in a single product. Were you hoping for something even less expensive? The Britax B-Agile and the Baby Jogger City Mini are both under $270 with useful features and above average scores in most of our tests. These options also make good lightweight strollers, once again doing the job of two strollers in one product.

Ease of Use

Ease of use includes the features you will use repeatedly that impact ordinary everyday functionality. These kinds of features will impact your everyday experience, and your stroller's ability to perform as desired and expected can be the difference between a stroller you enjoy and one you'll want to leave on the curb.

In our tests, the UPPAbaby Vista (above left) and the UPPAbaby Cruz (above left) both earned impressive scores for ease of use. These strollers have nice features that work well. Both offer high maximum storage limits and the largest canopies with great coverage. The UPPAbaby strollers have adjustable leg rests, easy to use recline adjustment and indicators for proper seat attachment. The Thule Urban Glide 2 earned a second-place rank for ease of use with intuitive features that are useful and improve the overall experience for passengers and parents.

The UPPAbaby strollers and the Thule Urban Glide 2 lack amenities like a parent or child tray, but these accessories are available for purchase if you think you need them. We believe these conveniences are useful and we recommend you consider the cost of adding them to your decision-making process. However, we don't these features as mandatory, and we feel that even when a stroller comes with these features they are often not that useful.

The worst performers in our ease of use tests are the Quinny Buzz Xtra and the Mountain Buggy Swift. Both are somewhat awkward, have smaller storage and are harder to operate.

Maneuverability

To test maneuverability, each product was put through a course of convoluted turns and corners covering a variety of surfaces including hardwood, pavement, gravel, grass, snow/ice, and dirt. To compare each stroller, we created the crowded-supermarket-from-hell simulator which is a multi-surface obstacle course that contains all kinds of tight corners and real-world challenges you'll face in real life. We then compared each product to the others for ease of pushing, turning, and general performance over various surfaces.

The top performers for maneuverability all share a 3-wheel design and larger rubber tires. The top scoring options are the Thule Urband Glide 2 and the BOB Revolution Flex both with 9 of 10. These jogging style strollers feature pneumatic (air-filled) tires, suspension, adjustable tracking, and a locking swivel front wheel. The Mountain Buggy Swift, Baby Jogger City Mini GT, Baby Trend Expedition and the Bumbleride Speed all earned 8s. These strollers performed well in our obstacle course and managed uneven terrain better than the rest of the competition. The BOB Revolution Flex, Thule Urban Glide 2, and Baby Trend Expedition also won awards in our jogging stroller review providing a versatile full-size option you can easily take on off-road adventures moving at speed.

The Bumbleride Speed, Mountain Buggy Swift, and the Baby Trend Expedition all provide impressive pushing, smooth rides, and effortless turns. Quality construction made these options more responsive and easier to guide through tight aisles and turns. Bumps in the sidewalk were no problem thanks to the larger air-filled tires with minimal impact passed on to the baby. The strollers with designs for jogging were noticeably better than the traditional full-size options.

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 made for very easy pushing, single-handed turning, and they excelled in smaller spaces. When we went over grass or gravel in the park, their advantages were even more pronounced. Smaller wheel products with solid tires got bogged down off the pavement and 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. If you need to stroll regularly over grass, gravel, or dirt, then maneuverability should be a critical factor in your decision-making process, and those with rubber tires should be at the top of your list.

The Baby Jogger City Mini GT is a little bit of an anomaly in this metric. It performed well in our tests but has smaller wheels. It is not as good at traversing rougher terrain as the larger wheel products, but it is still superior to the plastic wheeled competition, dual front wheel designs, and options without suspension. Baby Jogger advertises the GT as an all-terrain option. While we don't feel it is a good choice for regular off-roading (like hiking in the backwoods), our tests indicate it manages uneven surfaces better than the rest of the small wheeled competition.

The worst performer for maneuverability is the Chicco Bravo LE. This option has foam filled plastic wheels under 7" in diameter on the front and less than 8" in diameter in the back. We found turning the Bravo through our obstacle course is difficult, and moving over bumpy and/or non-paved surfaces is frustrating or impossible.

Quality

Many parents believe that quality is directly related to price, and while this is somewhat true, we found that some of the mid-range products offer quality on par, or better than, the more expensive choices. These observations are good news for parents hoping to find a high-performing, quality full-size stroller without breaking the bank.

The highest quality option is the Thule Urban Glide 2 ($450) with a 9 of 10, followed closely by the BOB Revolution Flex (with a price of $450) and the UPPAbaby Vista ($799) each with an 8. These strollers combine quality components made of high-end materials with a fit and finish that stands apart from the crowd. As you can see there is a significant price gap between them. In general, products earn higher scores in this metric if they offer comfortable and durable fabric, pneumatic or foam-filled rubber tires, and sleek frames with smooth finishes and little flex. The lowest scoring products in the group earned 4s including the Baby Trend Expedition and the Graco Aire 3. These low scoring options show the full range of price possibilities for similar quality with a range from $120 to $850. Most of these strollers share plastic wheels, stationary handlebars, and have a lot of flex in the frames with multiple connection joints. The Best Value winner, the Baby Jogger City Mini earned a 6, which is above average with a budget-friendly price under $280.

Weight and Folded Size

To test weight and folded size we performed our own measurements. This proved important as we discovered that some manufacturers provided weights or measurements that excluded components such as wheels or detachable seats. Our measurements all include wheels and seats. We did not include accessory items like bassinets or rain covers.

The best scoring products for weight and folded size, scoring 8 of 10, are the Britax B-Agile 3 and the Baby Jogger City Mini. Both strollers weigh about 17 lbs and are close to 6,500 cubic inches. These strollers were also included in our umbrella stroller review because their lighter weights and smaller sizes were on par with many lightweight strollers currently on the market.

The lowest scorer for weight and folded size are the Bugaboo Cameleon3. It is 25.7 lbs, which isn't the heaviest, but it is fairly large when folded taking up 16,022 cubic inches. The largest is the Quinny Buzz at 17,160 cubic inches and the heaviest is the Baby Jogger City Select at 29.3 lbs. The average for the group is closer to 11,500 cubic inches and 24 lbs, with the BOB Revolution Flex (27.3 lbs) and UPPAbaby Cruz (21.2 lbs) coming in closer to these values.

Car Seat Compatibility

Most of the full-size strollers we tested are compatible with different infant car seats, and some are light enough to work as a possible stand-in for a car seat frame product. Some of the products are restricted in the seats they work with or they don't accept car seats at all. Other strollers have significant brand compatibility, including the Chicco Keyfit 30, Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, and the UPPAbaby Mesa, which all won awards in our review of infant car seats.

The photos above show the UPPAbaby Cruz coupled with the Chicco Keyfit 30 (left) and the UPPAbaby Mesa (right).

If your plan is to use your stroller in conjunction with an infant car seat, then we encourage you to choose a car seat first before choosing the best strolling product to use with it. We also think most parents should consider purchasing a car seat frame stroller for the first 6-9 months because they are easier to use, lighter, cheaper, and can give parents a better idea of how they will be using their primary full-size stroller.

We tested the strollers with their brand compatible car seat if we had it in the lab and we ordered an adapter for the Chicco Keyfit 30 if one was available. We used the Chicco because it is compatible with the most products in the review, and it is an award-winning seat with a reasonable price tag. For the most part, the strollers work best combined with the same brand seat, i.e. the UPPAbaby Vista and UPPAbaby Cruz with the UPPAbaby Mesa. However, many of them work equally well with the Chicco, and a few even seemed more stable or easier to install.

Some seats connect using a click-in method, while others require click and strap-in steps. On the whole, we prefer the click only variety because they are easier, more foolproof, and sometimes feel more stable. That being said, the strap isn't more challenging, it is just another step in the process and we worry parents will fail to use the strap, which could lead to potential safety issues. If you choose a product that has a strap, like the BOB Revolution Flex, we encourage you to use the straps every time as the manufacturer describes.

Ease of Setup

Ease of setup has the least impact on the final score because it is a one-time task. We considered how long it takes, difficulty, required tools, and how useful the manual is.

The easiest to assemble is the UPPAbaby Cruz, with a perfect 10 of 10. It took just over four and a half minutes to put the UPPAbaby Cruz together with a simple startup guide, and we found it is so intuitive you may not need the manual. Close behind is the BOB Revolution Flex, Britax B-Agile 3, and UPPAbaby Vista, all of which set up in about 5 and a half minutes with great documentation. The worst to set-up is the Bugaboo Bee 3, which took us more than 23 minutes to assemble, due to far more component assembly than the competition and documentation so poor that we put different portions together incorrectly.

We were disappointed to find many of the more expensive products ($500-$1,200) were the hardest to set up, due in part to poor documentation and sometimes a lot of parts. These include the Bugaboo Cameleon 3, Quinny Buzz Xtra, and Baby Jogger City Select. We find the combination of a high price tag and poor documentation to be particularly distasteful. Excellent manuals are largely a result of an intentional investment decision by the manufacturer to create clear, easy-to-understand documentation in each language they consider a target market. In our experience, poor documentation typically takes an "international approach" where vague illustrations without text are in one part of the manual, and small text referring to the figures is in a different section.

Conclusion

Is there a perfect stroller for everyone? We don't think so. Everyone's needs vary due to different strolling habits, travel needs, where you live, family size, and budget. In this review, our goal is to share the differences we saw between top competing products and relay information on performance so you can make the most informed decision for you and your baby.

We hope that between our award winners and ratings you can narrow down your options to a few contenders. We strive to provide the information to make it significantly simpler to find the exact right option for your family's budget and needs. If you still aren't sure which option is best for you and feel that none of the top performers offer what you are looking for, then our Buying Advice can provide further guidance to help you narrow your options. Also, you can compare select options in the comparison chart to review the metrics you are most interested in.