Best Strollers 2026: Full-Size, Travel & Hybrid Picks for New Parents

Choosing a stroller can be overwhelming, and stroller regret is real. In this Babylist class, Senior Gear Editor Jen LaBracio breaks down what actually matters when shopping for the best strollers for your lifestyle, including ride quality, size, weight, fold, storage, newborn readiness, travel use, and everyday convenience. In this video, Jen explains the differences between a full-size stroller, a lightweight travel stroller, and a hybrid car seat stroller. She shares Babylist’s standout picks: the UPPAbaby Cruz V3, Joolz Aer2, and Doona, along with practical advice on which type of stroller may work best for city living, frequent travel, daily walks, smooth pavement, rougher terrain, or growing families. You’ll also get answers to common questions about newborn stroller use, modular seats, travel strollers, airplane compatibility, car seat adapters, bassinet options, safe travel with babies, and whether the Doona is really worth it. Whether you’re building your baby registry, shopping for your first stroller, or trying to decide between a full-size stroller and a lightweight option, this guide will help you choose the right stroller for your family. Chapters 00:00 Why stroller lifestyle fit matters 00:37 There is no perfect stroller 00:52 Why many families end up with two strollers 01:18 UPPAbaby Cruz review 01:29 Ride quality and suspension 01:49 Newborn-ready stroller features 02:30 Durability and thoughtful design details 03:16 Full-size stroller downsides 03:39 Can the Cruz seat face both ways? 03:43 Car seat compatibility and attachments 04:06 Can you take the Cruz on an airplane? 04:35 Joolz Aer review 04:52 One-handed fold and lightweight design 05:15 Why this travel stroller stands out 05:38 Is the Joolz Aer newborn ready? 05:57 Can a travel stroller work as your primary stroller? 06:41 Travel stroller tradeoffs 07:28 How do you put a newborn in the Joolz Aer? 07:44 Does the Joolz Aer face both ways? 08:09 Do you need the Doona? 08:14 Doona review 08:42 Who the Doona is best for 09:06 What to know before buying the Doona 09:49 Doona weight and ride quality 10:42 Who should consider the Doona 11:06 Doona base and safety features 11:41 Is the stroller part removable? 11:44 Flying with a stroller and car seat 12:08 How serious is time in a car seat for newborns? 12:57 When do babies outgrow the Doona? 13:25 Do stroller harnesses need rethreading? Shop Babylist’s Best Strollers guide: https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/b... — Create your baby registry and get our free Hello Baby Box: http://bit.ly/babylist-registry Discover more stroller reviews and comparisons: https://www.babylist.com/hello-baby/gear Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/c/Babylist-Vi... — Babies are too tiny to use social media, but we aren't! Instagram:   / babylist   TikTok:   / babylist   Facebook:   / babylist   Twitter:   / babylist   Pinterest:   / babylist   **This information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only. We do not accept any responsibility for any liability, loss or risk, personal or otherwise, incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, from any information or advice contained here.