Some parents want a cheap umbrella stroller to take traveling with them. The beauty of a cheap stroller is that can get banged around and abused, and because they are inexpensive, they just be thrown away when they are no longer useful. Instead of purchasing a luxury travel stroller that runs the risk of being damaged in transit, parents can purchase a cheap stroller that they don’t need to worry about damaging. If it sustains some damage, then their primary stroller is safe and sound at home. These cheap umbrella strollers work best as secondary strollers. They supplement the use of an everyday stroller.
When deciding which umbrella stroller to buy, consider these criteria:
Maneuverability, Child Comfort, Weight, Folding, and Compactness
These features are crucial for umbrella strollers to be functional. While almost all umbrella strollers are lightweight strollers are compact, the other pieces of criteria are what make our recommendations stand out. Keep in mind that some inexpensive strollers will compromise on features to keep costs down. We have selected the best umbrella strollers to give you the most bang for your buck, while still being easy to use. At the end of the day, a baby stroller should make your life easier, not give you a headache. We’ve looked at the best lightweight umbrella strollers that cost less than $100! (Okay, so we may have some that exceed our price limit by a few dollars, but they’re just a few dollars over!).
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Why Your Stroller Should Be Easy To Maneuver
No matter the price point, a stroller should have good maneuverability. If it does not roll well or you have a hard time pushing it, you will not want to use it. Be mindful that the wheels on an umbrella stroller are typically small and made of plastic. They perform best on smooth and paved surfaces. They’re not designed to take on rough terrain. Some umbrella stroller will have some form of suspension system in place to help make the ride smoother. A suspension system may be on all four wheels or just two. Suspension also makes the stroller easier to push. Another feature that aids in maneuverability is the ability to lock the front wheel. When pushing the umbrella stroller over bumpier surfaces, some strollers have the option to lock the front wheels in place to make it easier to navigate. Keep these features in mind as you decide on what stroller to purchase.
Why Your Stroller Should Be Comfortable
If your child does not enjoy being in the stroller, they will be reluctant to use it. If they don’t use their baby stroller, then what’s the point of having it?! Padded seats help make the ride comfortable for your little one. It’s a bonus of the straps are padded too. While not all umbrella strollers recline, it gives your baby the option to nap while you are out. However, if your baby doesn’t fall asleep while in a stroller, then you may not care about the reclining ability.There are some umbrella strollers that offer footrests, which may increase overall child comfort. The sunshade is another thing to consider when looking at child comfort. A good sun canopy will keep the sun out of your baby’s eyes while simultaneously protecting them from harmful UV rays. At the end of the day, you want your baby to be comfortable in the stroller.
Why Your Stroller Should Be Lightweight
The main appeal of an umbrella stroller is its lightweight construction. Umbrella strollers typically do not exceed 15 pounds. As result, they are popular for traveling and for using on public transportation. Lightweight umbrella strollers are a favorite among parents who travel frequently. They are easy to bring to airports, and some are compact enough to bring onto airplane cabins. Parents who are going on a road trip can enjoy the sleek fold of an umbrella stroller. They will not need to worry about how to fit all the luggage and the stroller in the trunk of a car. Umbrella strollers are great for the family that’s on the go since they’re easy to transport and won’t make your life a hassle.
Why Your Stroller Should Be Easy To Fold
Umbrella strollers are known for their folding method. It’s usually easier to fold an umbrella stroller than a big and bulky everyday stroller. Again, since umbrella strollers are used for parents on the go, they should collapse easily. Their compact fold is great for taking onto transportation or bringing in the car. Once folded, umbrella strollers should be compact. Some stoller have one-hand folding capabilities, though this is more rare on umbrella strollers. There are also some strollers that have self-standing fold. This feature is great since you won’t need a wall to prop the stroller on. It also means that you won’t get your stroller as dirty since it does not need to sit on the ground once folded.
Why Your Stroller Should Be Compact
Parents opt for umbrella strollers for their small build. They are small enough to maneuver through busy cities or in subways, and they are great for bringing on trips. Their compact nature is great for plane travel too. Some strollers may be small enough to fit in a plane’s overhead compartment! If you need a small stroller, a lightweight umbrella stroller are a great choice. There are some strollers that are so large that parents have trouble fitting them in car trunks. But with an umbrella stroller, parents will never run into that problem. Umbrella strollers eliminate the burdens of carrying around a bulky stroller.
Our Recommendation
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Summer Infant 3DLite
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 |
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PROS Accessories Brakes Durability Child Comfort Compact Easy to Assemble Easy to Clean
Folding Grip Maneuverability
Storage
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CONS – |
Ease of Use
Rough TerrainThe Summer Infant 3D lite is an umbrella stroller that does not compromise price for features. At a mere 13 pounds, this lightweight umbrella stroller can be easily transported, taken on public transportation, or fit in the back of your car. You won’t need to worry about the size of this stroller. Since this stroller is so compact, you may be able to fit in into a plane’s overhead compartment! At just over $50, the bang for your buck is unbelievable. It’s extremely easy to use, pushes well, and your child will be comfortable. One of the greatest advantages for the 3Dlite is its recline. Many lightweight strollers lack the ability to recline, but this stroller has a 60 degree recline, allowing your child to nap on days out. This stroller struggles on rough terrain, which is no surprise. While it has front wheel suspension, the 6-inch wheels don’t work great on bumpy surfaces. It’s important to note that this stroller does have a smooth ride compared to many other umbrella strollers. Another disadvantage of this stroller is its small sun canopy. While it does offer an okay amount of protection, you may still want to bring a blanket to cover your child’s legs. Read our full Summer Infant 3DLite stroller review here »
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Kolcraft Cloud Plus
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 |
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PROS
Grip
Sun Canopy
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CONS Suspension |
The Kolcraft Cloud is a fantastic stroller that can sustain some abuse without hurting your wallet. If you are looking for a stroller to take on your next adventure, then this is a good one to consider. Its super lightweight build allows you to take it onto a plane, or other form of transportation, with any issues. It has an easy fold, which may that is advertised to be one-hand folding. However, most parents agree that you’ll probably need two to close the stroller. The giant storage basket is a huge plus. It allows parents to throw all their stuff into the stroller and eliminates the need to carry an additional bag. The Kolcraft Cloud performs best on flat surfaces, and while it has front-wheel suspension, it won’t bear all the impact of bumpy surfaces. This Kolcraft umbrella stroller comes with a child tray and parent console. The sun canopy on the Cloud is great too. It is large and has a peek-a-boo window, which many other umbrella strollers do not have. The 130 degree recline option lets children nap on long days out. And there is a built in cup holder! This is a popular umbrella stroller for a reason. Read our full Kolcraft Cloud Plus stroller review here »
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J is for Jeep Brand North Star Stroller
Amazon Rating: 4/5 |
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PROS
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CONS – |
The J is for Jeep Brand North Star Stroller is a highly regarded umbrella stroller. Its one of the cheapest umbrella strollers on the market, but it still performs well. This stroller lacks the ability to recline, thus your child may have a hard time napping while in North Star Stroller. The seat itself has minimal padding. While it is better than no padding, it may not be the most comfortable stroller to sit in. Maneuvering this stroller is easy. The front wheels have a forward locking feature that makes it easier for users to push this stroller over bumpier surfaces. Keep in mind that this stroller works best on flat and paved surfaces. There is also front-wheel suspension, but because of the small plastic wheels, this stroller does not offer the smoothest ride. The super compact fold is convenient for parents who like to travel. Some parents have managed to bring this Jeep stroller into an airplane cabin and store it in the overhead compartment. While the stroller has little undercarriage storage, it does come with an additional bag that may be attached to the seatback. This tough little umbrella stroller is a wonderful budget option for families. Read our full Jeep North Star stroller review here »
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Summer Infant 3D Tote
Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 |
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PROS
Brakes
Ease of Use
Suspension
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CONS – |
The Summer Infant 3D Tote is one of the newer models released by Summer Infant. While it just barely breaks our budget (by $3.11) we just had to include it. The 3D Tote was designed to make parents’ lives easier. This stroller excels in storage space! The undercarriage basket is enormous and you won’t have any trouble fitting your stuff in the basket. The stroller also has an extra drink holder and diaper bag clips on the handlebar. This lets you put bags on the back of the stroller without tipping it! With this stroller, you will never struggle to bring all your stuff on your trips. This stroller is not quite as compact as other umbrella strollers, but even so, transporting it is no issue. Your kiddo will also enjoy the 3D Tote – it has great features for children. The adjustable recline and footrest will allow your little one to comfortably relax or nap. The padded straps offer additional comfort as well. The large removable sun visor offers wonderful sun protection too. The front wheels have locking abilities that help maneuverability on rougher surfaces. This is probably the most efficient and easiest to use of the bunch, but it comes with a slightly higher price tag. Read our full Summer Infant 3D Tote stroller review here »
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Disney Umbrella Stroller
Amazon Rating: 4/5 |
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PROS
Easy to Clean Ease of Use
Weight |
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CONS Storage |
In the spirit of cheap lightweight strollers, the Disney Umbrella Stroller fits the bill perfectly. Its $30 price tag is unbeatable. For the parent who wants something cheap to throw around and travel with, this is an excellent choice. It only weighs 8.5 lbs, so taking it on your next adventure will be painless. You can carry this stroller up stairs, or toss it into the back of your car with no trouble. Folding the Disney Umbrella stroller is a breeze and has a typical umbrella fold. It’s an easy to use stroller and works best on paved or smooth surfaces. The sun hood is removable, if needed, and makes cleaning a bit easier. The fun design is enticing for young children and they will love sitting in the stroller. This stroller is inexpensive, and this is reflected in its durability. The seat is made of nylon, so it may break easily. The stroller is quite small, which makes the handlebars quite low. If you are a taller parent, then pushing this stroller can feel tedious. The low height also means that the child’s feet run the risk of dragging on the ground. This stroller is prone to breakage if not cared for, so keep that in mind when considering it. It will not withstand the use as a primary stroller, but as a lightweight and cheap travel stroller, this does the job!. Read our full Disney Umbrella stroller review here »
The Disney Umbrella Stroller’s fun design is appealing to kids and the super low price tag is simply unbeatable. Sure, the stroller may not last that long, but it’ll get the job done.
How We Chose These Strollers
Selecting a stroller, no matter your budget can be challenging. These cheap umbrella strollers are all less than $100 (for the most part) and should fare well for traveling. They may not be the best option for your primary stroller, but if you are looking for something to chuck in your trunk or bring with you on vacation, these will suit you well. We looked at a few criteria to make sure that these strollers would make your life easier. For example, we wanted to make sure they they were easy to use, since there is no reason to get a stroller if you’re going to spend all your time being angry at it! The criteria we considered were: Maneuverability, Child Comfort, Weight, Folding, and Compactness. Even if you are looking for a budget stroller, it should meet these criteria. Typically, umbrella strollers are used for traveling, and in a travel stroller, these are necessities.
Other Considerations
Other than the criteria that we used to determine the usefulness of these cheap umbrella stroller, there are other things you should take into account. There are some criteria that you may need to suit your need. If you are tall, then you will want to make sure that the stroller you choose has a tall handlebar height. Or, you may want strollers that have one-hand folding. Perhaps, you need a stroller with good suspension for using on the boardwalk. Does the stroller need to be car seat compatible? There are plenty of other things to consider in order to ensure that you’re getting the best stroller for you and your family.
Picking a stroller is not easy and there’s a lot of thought that goes into the selection process. We think that most parents agree that Maneuverability, Child Comfort, Weight, Folding, and Compactness are all important features for a good and cheap umbrella stroller. This article is a great starting off point. To get a more in-depth review of the strollers, check out their individual review pages that we have linked to. The user-based perspective is helpful since real moms give real reviews. You’ll get a better understanding of how these inexpensive strollers work and what they are good for.
Why You Should Trust Us
We get it – there’s so many stroller review posts out there, why is ours any different? Well, we don’t just read the expert reviews. And we don’t just buy a stroller and push it around for 10 minutes. We consider what actual users have said about it. We’ve read through thousands of reviews and figured out what parents are actually looking for in a stroller. Then, we then took these 20 most important criteria and evaluated each stroller for them. Once each stroller has been rated based on user feedback, we look towards the experts to confirm what the users are saying. That’s phase one.
Phase two is figuring out what which of these criteria matter to parents who are joggers or enjoy outdoor activity, which we established to be: Maneuverability, Child Comfort, Weight, Folding, and Compactness. From there, we’ve filtered through all the strollers to get the ones that best match this description. We hope that you agree with us and we can help you find the stroller that best suits your travel needs!