Simulated side-impact and roll-over events reinforce its robust safety features. The car seat is complemented by an easy-to-use vehicle base, facilitating quick installation and removal. Because it’s the width of a single, it measures about 26.5” wide, meaning it fits through standard doorways. That said, when you add a second seat — whether a car seat or toddler seat — some reviewers say it makes the stroller bulkier, which makes it tougher to maneuver through tight spaces. Some parents know they are going to be largely carrying their baby around in the car seat more so than rolling them around in a stroller. This can be especially true if you’re frequently driving to a grandparent’s house or to daycare, or if you drive a lot and suspect you’ll mostly be worried about smoothly transitioning your passenger back into your home.
Think about what you’d like out of the product to help you narrow down your best options. If you plan to have another baby close in age, a double travel system that can fit an infant and a toddler is a useful choice. After our lab test, editors took our top picks home to continue testing them with their own families.
(It would be a better fit for an SUV rather than our editor’s sedan.) Once you’ve hoisted it into the car, though, the Shyft clicks right into the car seat base, which can be installed via the LATCH system or the car’s seat belt. A level indicator and a loud click tell you when the seat is correctly attached to the base. To remove the carrier, all you need to do is pull a white lever on the back, and the car seat is released right away. If you’re looking to save on space, the Doona Infant Car Seat is a single piece of gear that pulls double duty as a car seat and a stroller.
The car seat’s interior was soft and cozy, and the stroller’s canopy had a handy magnetic peekaboo flap. Finger grooves on the top and bottom of the stroller assist with folding. Contributing writer Jessica Hartshorn updated this story in January 2023.
That said, the ride will be smoothest (and thus, more comfortable for your kiddos) on flat, even terrain (as in, this stroller is best for gravel-free sidewalks, trips to the zoo and walks around the ‘hood). Yes, the push you get with the higher end strollers in this category is far superior. Jamie (she/her) evenflo car seat and stroller is a parenting and pets reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she spends her time testing, researching and writing about pet and family products. Prior to starting at GH in 2021, she worked at BuzzFeed and People, covering a combination of product reviews and lifestyle content.
It’s a two-in-one bundle, providing you with a seat and an attachable stand-on platform. It has large cruiser tires with rear-wheel suspension and front-wheel swivel function. It’s straightforward to adjust and provides a smooth ride for your babies. Another reason why the Pivot Xpand is far less expensive than its higher-end counterparts are the wheels. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products.
However, there’s a bar along the bottom of the back cargo space that can make it awkward to wiggle items in and out. The stroller has the same beautiful, modern look and ergonomic leather handle as other Uppababy strollers, and we liked the car seat’s handle, which can be repositioned to be an anti-rebound bar while driving. We did struggle to keep the Mesa V2’s canopy on securely, though we appreciated that the travel system comes with a rain canopy and a mesh canopy.
This stroller also includes the rigorously tested LiteMax 35 infant car seat and base, embodying Evenflo’s commitment to safety. Evenflo car seats and strollers are rigorously tested to meet or exceed industry safety standards. These products feature advanced safety technologies, including side-impact protection, energy-absorbing foam, and secure evenflo car seat and stroller harness systems, ensuring optimal protection for your child while on the road or during outdoor adventures. If you’re looking for the right car seat and stroller combo for your mini running buddy, the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger travel system is a great choice. The three-wheel, bike-tire design means it can tackle rougher terrains with ease.
With easy installation, adjustable harnesses, and ergonomic handles, the car seats and strollers provide a seamless and enjoyable experience for both babies and parents. The company invented the baby swing in the 1950s and debuted the first travel system concept, a car seat that snapped into its matching stroller, in the late 1990s. In this century, Graco has often led the way in car-seat safety with its SnugRide infant car seat line. This set comes with the popular SnugRide 35 Lite Elite Infant Car Seat, and the stroller seat slides higher and lower on the frame as well as turning forward and backward and converting into a pram. Use the adjustable features to find the height and direction your baby loves, then change it as needed as your baby grows into a toddler. You remove your baby, then just lift up a strap on the seat and the stroller folds in an instant.