Best Budget Travel Stroller: Can You Find One for Under $200?

A travel stroller is a must-have when you plan on traveling frequently with your children. You need something small and easy to fold and store, but at the same time you need the stroller to withhold the intensity of the trips.

I have owned over 40 different travel strollers throughout my time as a parent, and close to 80 strollers overall. One thing that people always ask me is: is there a budget travel stroller under $200?

Is it actually cheaper to buy a budget compact stroller?

Ask yourself whether you actually need a cheaper stroller. Most people think that they won’t use a stroller enough to be able to justify the price of a luxury travel stroller, and I see the concern.

Budget options for travel strollers exist, but one thing you should keep in mind is that once your child outgrows a stroller you can’t really resell a budget option. People just don’t buy them unless it’s a thrift shop. You can on the other hand resell a luxury travel stroller for at least 50% of the original price, if not more (depending on the condition).

In the end, after 3 years of using a $500 lightweight stroller you can easily get $250 back. If you buy a stroller for $200, the chance of reselling it for more than $20 is next to none, so in the end, you’re spending the same amount but often can get better features.

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Detailed Guide to the Lightweight Budget Strollers

Best Overall Budget Travel Stroller for Flying: Mamazing

Fits in the overhead? YES ✔

I admit that I originally didn’t include Mamazing stroller, because I thought it would be a cheaply made item. Yet, the stroller proved me wrong and it’s truly awesome.

Mamazing is small enough to fit in the overhead compartment and it folds and also unfolds one handed and easily. The bumper bar is included which is a nice thing considering the already low price.

I honestly have zero complaints about this stroller, which is rare for me to say after testing so many strollers on the market. It has a big enough canopy, a sturdy seat that reclines well, there are ventilation options and small pockets – honestly, it’s just as good as many luxury travel strollers.

The only true downside I noticed is that the straps are impossible to adjust, so when you need to move them it will take a while, but it’s not really a day-to-day issue. I know some parents had issues with the way you clip the harness ( it’s the same mechanism as on Joolz Aer). Could it be better? Yes, but it’s not terrible.

Runner-up: Baby Jogger City Tour 2

Fits in the overhead? YES ✔

The BabyJogger City Tour 2 falls between the Mountain Buggy and the Yoyo in terms of sturdiness although I wouldn’t recommend you hang things from the handlebar as it would probably still tip over. 

It’s a decent stroller with a big enough basket and sturdy frame. The canopy isn’t huge, but sufficient to keep your little one in the shade.

The two biggest cons are that the accessories aren’t included, plus this stroller is relatively long. The length of it doesn’t sacrifice the comfort of the parent or the child, but it might make it slightly harder to navigate tighter spacer or have a child seated on tram or restaurants.

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Best Budget Option for Disney: Dream on Me

Fits in the overhead? YES ✔

Dream on Me is not your typical stroller, but it serves the purpose of a stroller. It’s a tiny little thing that folds small and flat and can be a scooter or basic rolling seat.

This stroller doesn’t recline at all and while you can attach a bit of a shade it’s really not truly covering. This is why I recommend this option for short excursions, in and out of the car trips, or for older kids going to Disney or theme parks.

Most Accessories included: Chicco Presto

Fits in the overhead? NO ✘

Chicco Presto is what I would call a solid stroller, with multiple cup holders and bumper bar included. It does self-fold, just like Nuna TRVL, and unfolds easily. Ironically, it doesn’t have the seatback recline issue which makes it usable for longer and works better for taller kids than Nuna.

But, similar to Nuna it won’t fit in the overhead. It might not be a dealbreaker to some, but personally after flying with children a lot I do want to have a model that fits in the overhead.

Best Umbrella Stroller: Chicco Liteway Stroller

Fits in the overhead? NO ✘

Umbrella strollers are the old-school travel strollers, but they still work fine. It won’t fit in the overhead, but it’s small enough to carry or stick into a car.

Chicco Liteway stroller pushes best of all umbrella strollers I tested. It is long when folded (46″), so that’s something to keep in mind.

It weighs next to nothing, which makes it the best option even for an older child, or quick getaways when you don’t think you would use a stroller all day as the recline is minimal.

Best Umbrella Stroller: Delta Children Icon

Fits in the overhead? NO ✘

Delta Children Icon Ultra Compact stroller is a solid contender for high-end options like Uppababy Minu. It includes a bumper bar and cup holder which consider the price is amazing.

It’s a solid stroller with a big enough sunshade and deep recline. It locks and unlocks easily and I had zero issues with anything. I just wish that it was slightly smaller when folded.

While the International Air Transport Association (IATA) recommended max dimensions of 22” by 18” by 10” as our guideline for carry-on luggage and this stroller technically fits within these limits, it’s about 1-2″ over the hand luggage size for most airlines so it might get rejected and would have to be gate checked. There’s next to zero chance of being able to bring it on board on European airlines or Emirates as they’re stricter when it comes to limits.

Best Double Budget: Baby Trend Sit N Stand Ultra Stroller

Fits in the overhead? NO ✘

Pretty much every single lightweight double stroller costs a lot, starting at $400. This is why for two kids I recommend Baby Trend Ultra Stroller is perfect for the outdoors and has amazing maneuverability.

Baby Trend allows you to have a younger sibling in a stroller seat, while the older one can hop in and out using a sitting platform. While this option won’t fit in the overhead bin of an airplane, it folds flat for storage and transport.

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Option with Snack Tray: Joovy Kooper

Fits in the overhead? NO ✘

Joovy Kooper is a model that automatically arrives with a snack tray. The seats are super colorful, which made my son fall in love with this stroller, but when folder it was honestly too big for us.

It’s a very sturdy and quality stroller. You can fold and unfold it one handedly, and steer with one hand as well.

Ultra Budget: Summer Infant 3Dquickclose

Fits in the overhead? NO ✘

Summer Infant 3Dquickclose is a TikTok viral travel stroller, because it costs just $99. People were comparing it to standard travel strollers. I have to say that while it works fine, the quality of it is definitely what you pay for.

Folding and unfolding often get stuck and it appears to be a common issue among customers. The break also doesn’t lock the stroller 100%, which again, might not be a dealbreaker but could lead to declining quality. The stroller is also huge to carry on the shoulder and incredibly uncomfortable.

Is it usable? For sure, but if you can spare $50-80 more I just recommend any of the other strollers below before this one.