Stroller Types Explained: Full-Size, Travel, Jogging & More
“Stroller” covers a dozen very different things. Here’s each main type explained in plain English, so you can quickly narrow down which one fits your life.
Ready to choose?
We compared 10 strollers on ride, comfort, fold, build and value - full-size, travel, jogging, travel systems and doubles, for every stage and budget.
The seven stroller types at a glance
Most strollers fall into one of these types. The right type matters far more than the brand - match it to your baby’s age and how you actually get around.
| Type | Best for | Weight | Age from | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-size / convertible | Everyday from newborn, for years | 10–13 kg | Newborn | Bulky, heavier |
| Lightweight / everyday | Daily walks, easy fold | 6–10 kg | 6 mo (or newborn w/ adapter) | Smaller basket |
| Travel / compact | Flying, taxis, small trunks | 5–7 kg | 6 mo (newborn pack optional) | Small wheels, pricey |
| Travel system | Newborn + car in one kit | 10–12 kg | Newborn | Car seat outgrown fast |
| Jogging / all-terrain | Running, rough paths | 11–14 kg | 8 mo to run | Heavy, large |
| Double / convertible | Two kids or a growing family | 13–17 kg | Newborn (varies) | Wide, heavy |
| Umbrella / budget | Backup, travel, tight budget | 4–6 kg | 6 mo | Not for newborns |
Full-size and convertible strollers
The do-everything option. A full-size stroller is newborn-ready (via a bassinet or a flat-reclining seat), has a big basket and a comfortable ride, and many convert to carry a second child later. They’re the heaviest and priciest type, but they last for years and hold resale value.
Lightweight and travel strollers
Lightweight strollers strip weight for easy daily steering and folding; travel (compact) strollers go further, folding to roughly cabin-bag size for flying and city life. Both usually suit babies who can sit up (around 6 months), though many accept a newborn pack or car-seat adapter.
Travel systems
A travel system bundles a stroller, an infant car seat and a car base. The seat clicks between car and stroller, so you can move a sleeping newborn without waking them. It’s the easiest, best-value way to start from birth if you drive - see our travel-system guide.
Jogging, double and umbrella strollers
Jogging strollers have air tyres and a lockable front wheel for running on rough ground (from about 8 months). Doubles (side-by-side or tandem) carry two children. Umbrella strollers are cheap, ultra-light backups for older babies - never for newborns.
Ready to choose?
We compared 10 strollers on ride, comfort, fold, build and value - full-size, travel, jogging, travel systems and doubles, for every stage and budget.