Best Pet Strollers for Dogs and Cats

The PetSite 3-in-1 earns the top pick for being multifunctional, easy to assemble and fold, lightweight, sturdy, comfy, and less expensive. The removable car seat carrier is a game changer, making it really versatile for travel. It serves as both a car seat and portable carrier, complete with a carrying strap. I used the carrier to take my pup with me shopping and was able to pop it right into a shopping cart with ease. The short strap wasn’t bulky, but it’s not meant for long walks (it didn’t include a shoulder strap). I used it to transport my dog from the car to a shopping cart, and then secured it right back into my car with the hook and loop fasteners.

With a max capacity of 33 pounds, my 12-pound dog had plenty of space for himself and there was plenty of room for a second small pup. The seating space felt very secure, held in place by a substantial fabric fastener on one end and a pocket on the other.

The adjustable canopy and mesh window add breathability and protection from harmful UV rays, according to the company. I liked being able to see my dog through the mesh, even with the canopy closed, which was easy to do. Latching my pup into the stroller was simple with the attached cord.

Popping this pet stroller into the trunk and using the car seat for my pooch made for a comfy ride for him, which I appreciated. This stroller was easy to assemble (which says a lot because most of the models we tested definitely were not), and seemed sturdy. It glided smoothly even on uneven surfaces, like the unpaved lot where I evaluated each of these. Our lab results on maneuverability (below) aligned with my experiences. In fact, my dog actually fell asleep in the PetSite stroller during one of our walks, so I’d say this stroller was his favorite.

Folding the pet stroller to store it away was also easy, and it fit well underneath a bed. There’s a nice heft to this stroller that makes it feel like it’s made with quality materials vs. some of the less sturdy options we tested, though it’s not heavy by any means. It’s actually quite light and easy to maneuver. 

Bonus: The PetSite 3-in-1 stroller looks chic. I didn’t have “must look nice” on my must-have list, but there’s something to be said for a piece of equipment that feels luxurious for both the stroller and the pet inside.

The PetSite didn’t include cup holders, but I found those to be flimsy at best in some of the other models we tested, so I didn’t miss that feature. It did have a basket and an extra pocket for storage.

In our lab tests, it scored second for stability and maneuverability. Amézquita also said it had the shortest “jump off” distance, meaning that in the event that your pup jumps out while in the main stroller area, the distance to the ground is less than the other models (15 inches).

With nice extras like storage underneath and pockets to hold additional items like doggy bags and treats, this pet stroller earns the designation of Editor’s Choice. Though not as luxurious as the highest-end option we tested, the PetSite stroller is a more cost-conscious stroller that’ll give your pet a comfy, sturdy ride whether you’re out for a quick walk or a longer hike, or taking it traveling. And it was much easier to assemble than the most expensive pet stroller we tried. Check for sales; we purchased the PetSite 3-in-1 for under $100.

The Pet Gear Happy Trails Lite is a solid pick. It was the easiest to assemble of all the models we evaluated, and the no-zipper functionality on the canopy gave quick and easy access to my dog while we strolled. 

True to its name, the Happy Trails Lite is incredibly lightweight at just 11.5 pounds, which makes for very easy transport by car. From start to finish, this pet stroller earned high marks for ease of use, from assembly to popping it into the trunk to storing it under a bed.

My dog enjoyed his strolls in the Happy Trails Lite. He was able to see through the mesh, and he even got a little height boost thanks to a nice added feature—an elevated paw rest. But there wasn’t a ton of room. The stroller can accommodate pets up to 25 pounds, but my little guy definitely seemed cramped, and I wouldn’t have been able to fit another dog in the stroller comfortably.

I appreciated the cup holders for my iced coffee and a large storage basket underneath, which held a decent-sized blanket and my handbag. The canopy was easy to open and close due to the lack of zippers.

Because this pet stroller is so lightweight, it does have a less high-end feel than others we tested. The wheels are made of plastic, and in general, the stroller felt less sturdy. It had a bit of trouble rolling through the unpaved lot—I noticed the wheels squeaking a bit here—and it didn’t really work in grass. Amézquita said in his testing that the front wheels sometimes lift as you walk. For sidewalk jaunts, it worked just fine. Folding and storing were both easy and quick, and it took up very little room in my trunk.

In our lab tests, it received a low score for stability and an average score for maneuverability. It was also noted by Amézquita as having the highest “jump off” distance at 26 inches. So if your pup jumps out while in the main stroller area, the distance to the ground is greater than the other models.

The Happy Trails Lite is a good lightweight option if you’re looking for something with few frills to take on everyday sidewalk walks.

This was the only option we considered that’s designed specifically for multiple pets, with two separate spaces for your furry friends. For this review, I included my second pup, a sweet yet anxious Chihuahua who wasn’t a fan of being in the “top bunk,” so I tried the lower level as well, but she just didn’t enjoy this stroller at all. For reference, she went for a stroll in both the Happy Trails Lite and the PetSite 3-in-1 by herself. My theory on why she didn’t like this particular pet stroller is that it might have been visually intimidating due to the double-carrier design.

The assembly instructions were unclear, and I ended up attaching one of the wheels to the axle backward. Realizing my mistake, I tried to remove the wheel, but the wheel cap that I’d inserted wouldn’t come off. I tried multiple ways to remove it, including with tweezers, a bobby pin, and a small screwdriver, and ultimately injured my finger pretty badly in the process (a trip to urgent care and a few stitches—ouch!). Of course, I’m responsible for assembling the wheel wrong, but the Magshion Double Pet Stroller gets low marks for unclear drawings in the instructions and for not offering an easy way to disassemble the wheels when assembled incorrectly.

The wheel wouldn’t come off, so CR ended up purchasing a second one for me, which I assembled correctly. Once I got past the initial problem, I saw the upsides of the stroller. The detachable carrier bags work as small crates in a pinch and eliminate the need to buy additional carriers for your pets for trips to the vet, etc. 

There were dual safety tethers, and the interiors felt soft and comfortable. I liked that I could take both dogs in one stroller without having them infringe on each other’s space. It’s perfect if you have a cat and a small dog or pets that get territorial. Each carrier holds up to 35 pounds and is plenty spacious. Fold-down and storage were a bit of a bear because both carriers had to be removed. The carriers themselves fold down. 

That said, the stroller’s plastic parts felt flimsy, and I found it challenging to fold down and fit into my car. I also had a really hard time getting my dog into the bottom carrier. I realized after I’d secured both top and bottom carriers onto the stroller that I should have added the lower one first, then placed my dog inside, then attached the top carrier. Instead, I secured both before putting my dogs inside, which didn’t leave enough room to open the bottom carrier from the top, so I had to use the smaller mesh “door” to get my dog inside. It might be easier with cats.

In our lab tests, the Magshion received the top score for stability and landed in the middle of the pack for maneuverability. It has the second highest “jump off” distance of 23.25 inches, so if your pup jumps out while in the top portion of the stroller area, the distance to the ground is greater than all but one of the models.

My second dog was too anxious to stroll comfortably even after following the vet’s advice (below) about slow introductions. And given the confusing assembly instructions, this pet stroller received low marks. But if you can get it put together and need separate spaces for multiple pets, the Magshion Double Pet Stroller might be an okay option.

The HPZ Pet Rover is the most stylish, heavy-duty option in the mix. The stroller certainly did its job, providing a smooth and comfortable ride for my pet, but the unclear assembly instructions left a sour note, and its weight made it more difficult to store and transport.

First things first: The assembly was incredibly confusing. I spent nearly 2 hours trying to put this pet stroller together. There are a lot of pieces, and the instructions were unclear, with confusing drawings that didn’t help. After a frustrating assembly attempt, I resorted to YouTube videos for help and was able to finish putting the Pet Rover together.

The pros of this product go to its sleek design, and the automotive-grade rubber tires made for a really nice strolling experience for both pup and myself. Amézquita noted, “It has a very smooth and quiet ride.” The seating area also works as a car seat, making it convenient for travel, and the stroller navigated easily on uneven terrain and grass. The HPZ boasts a capacity for pets up to 50 pounds and could have easily fit another small dog or two cats. The canopy was easy to open and close.

This pet stroller got high marks for its reversible, adjustable-height handlebar, which is a nice addition for multiple-pet parents, and the reflective material for safer nighttime strolls. There’s storage underneath and three pockets to carry all your extras.

At 24 pounds, the HPZ was the heaviest pet stroller we tested, and while that added to the sturdiness of the ride, it was the most difficult to transport. Folding for storage was relatively easy but required taking apart multiple pieces in order to close it, which I didn’t love. It’s a sizable stroller that felt more like something you’d buy for a baby, and it takes up quite a bit of space even stored.

In our lab tests, the HPZ was the overall highest scorer and also received the highest score for ease of maneuvering, though it landed in the middle of the pack for stability. It had a “jump off” distance of 19 inches.

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty pet stroller that looks great, provides a very sturdy ride, and can be used as a car seat or carrier, this might be a great option. But the higher price and confusing assembly kept the HPZ out of the running for top pick.

The BestPet is an inexpensive, lightweight option that might be best for puppies or small cats. It was very easy to assemble: Just unfold it and pop on the cup holder and wheels. That said, one of the wheels popped off pretty quickly after I assembled the stroller, and I realized that the included wheel clip had dislodged. I was able to adjust it relatively easily, but it gave me pause.

In general, this pet stroller felt fairly flimsy. It does offer a nice padded cushion for comfort, but the plastic lightweight wheels made for the wobbliest ride among the strollers we tested. Amézquita agreed. He said that the front swivel wheels got stuck often and could make it difficult to turn and that it wasn’t smooth and was noisy when running. It did poorly on bumpy terrain, and I had problems maneuvering the stroller in general. The canopy was a bit more of a struggle to close than other pet strollers we tested.

My iced coffee also didn’t survive one of the walks in this pet stroller. The cup holder wasn’t quite deep enough for the cup, and once we hit a few bumps, my java tipped right over. I didn’t feel confident storing much of anything in the tray either after I tried to set my phone there and watched it bobble around.

In our lab tests, the BestPet was the lowest overall scorer and also received the lowest scores for maneuverability and stability. Its “jump off” distance was 17 inches.

The BestPet folded easily and its light weight made it simple to store, but this was our least favorite option for actual strolling. It simply didn’t feel well made.