Car Seat Strollers: Reviews

Reviews say many traditional travel systems, otherwise known as car seat stroller combinations, are too bulky and expensive, and that cheaper travel systems often have quality issues. The Baby Trend Snap-N-Go solves both… expandproblems. This model isn't a complete travel system. Rather, it's a metal frame with stroller wheels that will accommodate most brands of infant car seats -- although if you have a Graco infant car seat, the Graco SnugRider (*Est. $65) stroller frame is made to match perfectly. Stroller frames are a great temporary choice for parents who plan to purchase a higher-quality stroller when the baby outgrows his infant car seat. The Baby Trend Snap-N-Go frame weighs 12 pounds. collapse

The Graco SnugRider is a stroller frame meant to accommodate a separately purchased Graco infant car seat. It weighs 12.5 pounds. The only big difference between the SnugRider and other stroller frames is that the Graco… expandhas an adjustable-height handle, a nice option for parents of differing heights. The Graco stroller frame is guaranteed to fit Graco car seats (though some parents say other brands also fit). If you plan to buy a top-rated Graco SnugRide or SafeSeat infant seat, the SnugRider frame is the way to go. If you have another brand of car seat, the Baby Trend Snap-N-Go (*Est. $60) stroller frame is the better bet. collapse

A stroller frame like the Baby Trend Snap-N-Go (*Est. $60) is a better choice than a full travel system, some experts say. That's because many parents eventually purchase a lighter, less bulky stroller anyway. However, if… expandyou like the coordinated look of travel systems, the Chicco Cortina Travel System pairs the top-rated Chicco KeyFit infant seat with a matching lightweight stroller. At 22 pounds (without the car seat), the Cortina isn't terribly heavy, and it's a highly rated, full-featured stroller in its own right. Parents say the Cortina is sturdy, easy to steer and easy to fold, with a height-adjustable handle. The stroller comes with a removable child tray, child and parent cupholders and a bottom storage basket you can access even with the stroller seat reclined flat. It can hold a child up to 50 pounds. The included KeyFit car seat holds babies up to 22 pounds; you can also buy a version of the Cortina travel system that comes with the KeyFit 30 car seat, which has a weight capacity of 30 pounds. collapse