Car Seat Strollers

Stroller frames

According to experts, the most economical solution is a low-priced stroller frame that accommodates most major brand infant car seats. This allows parents to buy the car seat of their choice and to wait until their child is older before investing in a good stroller. The Baby Trend Snap-N-Go (*est. $50) was the first stroller of this kind on the market. The Baby Trend stroller frame weighs about 16 pounds. It has a lower storage basket and parent tray, and it is compatible with Evenflo, Kolcraft, Cosco, Century, Safety 1st, Graco and Peg-Perego infant car seats. (See our report on infant car seats for reviews on the car seats themselves.)

The Kolcraft Universal Car Seat Carrier (*est. $50) is another stroller frame option like the Baby Trend Snap-N-Go. Its features are virtually identical, with a lower storage basket and a removable parent tray. Some parents say the basket is a little larger than on the Baby Trend.

Some parents posting to Amazon.com complain that the top-rated Graco SnugRide car seat doesn't fit well in the Snap-N-Go or Kolcraft stroller frame; however, other parents say that it fits just fine. The problem here is that parents may be talking about models from different years, which can vary slightly. Your best bet is to try attaching your infant car seat of choice to the stroller frame in the store before buying.

Graco now makes its own stroller frame. Company representatives told us that it is only meant to work with Graco infant car seats, but we found comments from parents who say it works with other seats as well. If you own or plan to buy a top-rated Graco SnugRide car seat, this stroller frame may be the way to go, since your car seat is guaranteed to fit. Features on the Graco SnugRider stroller frame (*est. $60) are similar to the others, with a storage basket along with two parent cup holders. The one big difference is that the Graco SnugRider has a height-adjustable handle, so it would be a good choice for parents of differing heights, or for shorter parents. Comments for all of these stroller frames are very good overall; many parents say they started out with a full-size travel system but found it much too cumbersome -- the stroller frame is just a better idea, many parents say.

Combi has also entered the stroller frame market with the Combi Flash (*est. $60) . The Flash weighs ten pounds, collapses into a tri-fold with a shoulder strap and claims to accommodate most leading manufacturers' infant seats. This stroller frame gets slightly lower scores in one comparative review and from parents posting to Amazon.com. A couple of parents say its basket is too small, and one reports that the handle snapped soon after purchase.

Travel systems

Some parents like the look of a coordinated travel system, and experts say if you have your heart set on one, you should get one with a top-rated car seat. Most Graco travel systems come with the top-rated SnugRide car seat, with comes with a stay-in-car base and is rear-facing for infants up to 22 pounds (see our report on infant car seats for more information on the SnugRide). Some Graco travel systems come with their SafeSeat car seat, which does not get quite as high ratings as the SnugRide.

Graco sells a bunch of its strollers as travel systems complete with a car seat, including the Quattro Tour Deluxe (*est. $230) and Passage (*est. $180) travel systems. But we found the best reviews for the Graco MetroLite travel system (*est. $230) , which isn't as heavy. The MetroLite stroller weighs just over 17 pounds without the car seat. While it has more features, the Quattro Tour system weighs close to 30 pounds.

The Graco MetroLite (*est. $230) has been a long running favorite, and is intended for babies up to 40 pounds. It performs well in safety tests. The stroller's features include an ergonomic handle, pivoting snack tray, windowed canopy, height-adjustable handle and a three-point harness. Testers and parents say this model folds easily one-handed and is light enough for one person to transfer in and out of the car without too much trouble. We did notice some complaints from parents who say the seat doesn't sit upright enough for older children. The MetroLite car seat stroller system comes with a SnugRide car seat and is sold in tasteful shades of tan, pink and blue.

The Quattro Tour Deluxe (*est. $230) gets the best reviews of Graco’s full-size travel systems, but experts really don't recommend such full-size systems overall. The Quattro Tour is a full-featured stroller, and as such is very heavy. It weighs close to 30 pounds empty, and has what one reviewer refers to as "feature bloat," with a fully enclosed hood, all-weather boot and plush padding. Since reviewers say that most parents end up buying a lighter weight stroller once their baby outgrows the infant seat, you might want to opt for a lightweight travel system like the MetroLite from the start.

You can spend an incredible amount of money on a travel system, especially when a manufacturer mandates that you have to buy their car seat as well to make it work. Some expensive systems are taking a stab at innovation. The Orbit Baby Stroller System (*est. $900) has been getting glowing reviews from parents since it was first introduced in 2006. Parents love the seat’s 360-degree rotation and praise the stroller for its smooth ride and easy steering. As for the car seat, reviewers like the infant seat’s soft carry handles and the fact that it snaps into the base from any angle. Negative comments about the Orbit are hard to find, and most parent reviewers say it’s worth the high price. Besides the basic stroller system, options include a toddler seat (*est. $180) and a bassinet attachment with a stand (*est. $240). While reviewers give the Orbit credit for its innovative features, they say you’ll do just as well with a moderately-priced lightweight system like the Graco MetroLite. We haven't seen the Orbit car seat tested by any independent organizations.

Instead of buying a complete travel system, one option is to select a car seat compatible stroller that you like and pair it with a separately purchased infant car seat. Highly rated strollers like the Peg-Perego Pliko P3 Classic (*est. $330) and the Inglesina Zippy (*est. $300) come with a universal car seat adapter, which lets you snap in a separately purchased car seat. Buying these components separately is one way to ensure you end up with a stroller you really like rather than a compromise.

In summary, we consistently found reviewers who advise against buying a travel system, saying that the bulk and expense don't justify the short-term use, since many parents end up scrapping them for a lighter, better-quality stroller after their child outgrows the infant seat. Experts say the best solution is to buy a stroller frame like the Baby Trend Snap-N-Go or Graco SnugRider. Make sure to try your infant seat on the frame in the store to be sure it fits. If you really want a matching set, consider a lightweight travel system like the Graco MetroLite. You get a coordinating set at less expense than high-end strollers. That's a plus since parents and experts say you'll probably prefer a different stroller down the line anyway.

Important Features: Car seat strollers

Reviews say the following about buying a travel system:

• Avoid buying a used travel system. It may seem like a tempting bargain, but worn mechanisms and potential recall notices should make you wary of buying a used car seat. In addition, car seats come with an expiration date -- that's because over time (experts say about six years), plastic can dry out and degrade, making the car seat susceptible to cracking.

• Look for a three- or five-point harness on the stroller and car seat. Experts say a three-point belt (around the waist and between the legs) or five-point belt (which also goes over the shoulders) is preferable. Five-point belts are the best option on a car seat.

• When looking at a travel system, make sure to pay close attention to the wheels. Front and rear swivel wheels are easier to move; larger wheels mean a smoother ride. Some fancier strollers now come with air-filled wheels, but this significantly adds to the cost. In addition, note the wheel brakes. Some have one wheel that can be locked, others have two. No matter how many wheels lock, never leave the stroller unattended with the baby in it.

• Check the stroller for balance. Make sure the travel system doesn't tip backwards when light pressure is placed on the handlebars, and check for sturdiness and stability (i.e., a wide wheel base with seat mounted low and deep within the frame). This may be more difficult to judge with a car seat/universal frame combination, so make sure to try this out at the store before you make your purchase.

• Taller parents may want longer or adjustable handlebars for easier pushing. Many of the more popular travel systems are equipped with adjustable bars so that taller parents may push the stroller with as much ease as shorter parents. A tip for effective shopping is for all primary users of the stroller to shop together so that everyone has a chance to test out the handle height.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (With Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	Graco MetroLite Travel System (*est. $230)	details
2	Graco SnugRider (*est. $60)	details
2	Baby Trend Snap-N-Go (*est. $50)	details
1 each	Evenflo Easy Comfort Premiere, Evenflo Comfort Dimensions , Graco LiteRider , Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe , Chicco Cortina Travel System , Graco Mosaic Travel System

Most reviews actually suggest avoiding travel systems due to their weight and short lifespan. If you really want a coordinated travel system, most suggest getting something inexpensive like one of the Graco travel systems. We found good reviews for a bunch of stroller frames, including the Kolcraft Universal Car Seat Carrier, the Baby Trend Snap-N-Go and the Graco SnugRider.

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