Top Picks for Strollers in 2026
After testing more than 100 models, three stood out in our lab tests for safety, performance, and thoughtful features
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For many families, a stroller is the MVP of their baby gear team. It’s one of the few pieces used regularly from the newborn through toddler stages (and sometimes even into the preschool years). And it needs to function in various scenarios—from a quick trip to the grocery store to a week rolling around Disney World. Some strollers even grow with a family, starting out with a single seat and converting into a double stroller to accommodate more kids later on.
Because it’s usually a baby’s primary mode of transportation, a good stroller needs to offer a smooth and comfortable ride, plus ample storage and accessories, and it should be easy to use, maneuver, and store away. Oh—and if it doesn’t cost a million dollars, that’s great, too.
When shopping or registering for a stroller, “if there’s a way parents can test-drive a stroller before deciding to buy, that is the best way to go,” says Joan Muratore, an engineer who oversees the testing of baby products at Consumer Reports. “It doesn’t have to be in a brick-and-mortar store. Maybe a friend has a stroller you’re interested in buying, and they let you push it around for a few minutes.”
Top Picks for Baby: See more top performers in bassinets, cribs, diapers, high chairs, infant car seats, convertible car seats, all-in-one car seats, lightweight strollers, double strollers, and travel systems.
Consumer Reports tested over 100 strollers and double strollers, including those from Bugaboo and Uppababy, to find the best. We test them for ease of use (going through each and every feature a parent will have to use), maneuverability (pushing each stroller over our CR-designed indoor maneuverability course, which includes smooth and rough terrain, hills, curbs, and a series of cones), and of course, safety (looking at harness configuration and integrity, stability, braking, and how the stroller performs in an impact test). The three that impressed us the most are our Top Picks for Strollers for 2026.
CR’s Top Pick for Strollers, below, is the highest-rated widely available model from our rigorous lab tests. We’ve also designated a Value Pick that earns a great score and has a good price. And because not every family’s needs are the same, our Expert Pick is a modular stroller that offers a number of clever configurations.
Top Pick for Strollers: Baby Jogger City Mini GT3
Graphic: Consumer Reports, Baby Jogger Graphic: Consumer Reports, Baby Jogger
The highest-rated stroller in CR’s lab tests, the Baby Jogger City Mini GT3 stands out for its ease of use, maneuverability, and strong safety score. “It delivers a smooth, responsive ride—even on rough terrain—thanks to forever air rubber tires and all-wheel suspension,” Muratore says.
The City Mini GT3 is also extraordinarily easy for caregivers to use, thanks to features like a no-rethread harness with a magnetic buckle, a self-standing one-handed fold, and a large storage basket. “Convenience is a highlight,” Muratore says. Other features our testers appreciate include:
- A seat that reclines nearly flat to be used with babies under 6 months
- A locking front swivel wheel
- A UPF 50+ canopy with magnetic peekaboo windows
- A high upper weight limit
- Compatibility with Baby Jogger and Graco infant car seats (adapters are included)
Keep in mind that while the City Mini GT3 has three wheels, it’s not designed for jogging. Compared with some other strollers on the market, this one is also on the heavy and bulky side.
Our Value Pick in Strollers for 2026 is a lightweight workhorse that offers easy car seat compatibility at a budget-friendly price, and our Expert Pick is a top-rated modular stroller that offers maximum flexibility and a super-smooth ride. Depending on your family’s needs and budget, one of these strollers might be right for you.
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