Strollers and wagons are an essential piece of baby gear! No matter your lifestyle, you’re going to need something to transport your children inside whether you’re going on a quick walk around the block or traveling overseas. Strollers and wagons make going places with kids MUCH easier, so chances are, your stroller or wagon will be one of your most-used pieces of baby gear!
All that being said . . . buying a stroller or wagon isn’t an easy task. There are so many to choose from, and making the wrong choice can make outing a real headache. To help you find the best stroller or wagon for your family, we’re sharing our stroller and wagon buying guide!
How to Pick a Stroller or Wagon
There are a lot of things that make a stroller or wagon a “good” choice for a family. It’s important to know all the things you should be looking for and considering when making this big purchase (or choosing one to put on your registry.) Here’s how you can pick the best stroller or wagon for your family:
What Is A Good Stroller or Wagon?
Safety
First of all, you want your stroller or wagon to be safe! This is pretty easy, since all strollers and wagons sold in the U.S. must meet CPSC safety standards. But, beyond the basic requirements, you may look for enhanced safety features like foot-activated brakes, reflective strips, metal framing, and suspension systems.
Maneuverability
There’s nothing more frustrating and impractical than a stroller or wagon that isn’t easy to maneuver. A good stroller should be easy to push and pull in any terrain you encounter on a daily basis.
Comfort
For a trip out of the house to be enjoyable with your stroller or wagon, your child needs to be comfortable. That starts with ensuring your stroller or wagon is the right size. Beyond that, a good stroller or wagon may have additional features for comfort like padded straps, a foot well, an adjustable recline, and cushioned seats.
Versatility
A good stroller or wagon needs to work for your family, no matter who’s coming or where you’re going! For example, if you have multiple younger kids, the right wagon or stroller for you should accommodate everyone through car seat compatibility, multiple configurations, or additional seats.
Practically
When you’re going somewhere with kids, convenience is huge! It can make or break your excursion. Extra features like cup holders, storage space, washable padding, and an adjustable handlebar can make your stroller or wagon a lot more practical.
Portability
A stroller or wagon has to be portable. Whether you’re just getting it in the back of your sedan or you’re shoving it into an overhead bin on an airplane, portability is key to the usefulness of your stroller or wagon.
How to Choose a Stroller or Wagon:
Step 1: Set a budget.
First, decide how much you’re willing to spend. Strollers and wagons can range anywhere from $50 – $1,000! However, a majority of them are going to be in that $200 – $500 range. Decide how much you’re willing to spend before you start looking. There are plenty of budget-friendly options, and you don’t need to overspend on a luxury stroller or wagon if it’s not in the budget.
Step 2: Note your children’s ages and future family planning.
Different types of strollers and wagons will be appropriate for different ages and family sizes! For example, a baby will still need to be in their infant carrier or in a bassinet. If you have additional kids, or plan to have additional kids, the stroller or wagon may need to have multiple seating options to be practical for your family! Think not only about what will be useful when you have a newborn, but what will be practical long-term.
Step 3: Consider how and where you’ll use your stroller or wagon day-to-day.
Ask yourself when and how you’ll be using your stroller or wagon each day. For example, if you’re going to be doing a lot of jogging and exercising with it, that will require a different stroller/wagon than someone who is going to the beach regularly. Think about things like running errands, attending appointments, participating in weekly activities, and going to your favorite local outings.
Step 4: Measure your available vehicle space.
Your stroller or wagon has to fit in your vehicle. So, measure your available trunk space and ensure that you know how large your chosen stroller or wagon can be before you purchase. Some of them are very large, and you don’t want to find out too late that it’s too big! You should also consider the weight and having to load and unload the stroller or wagon on your own. Some strollers and wagons are as heavy as 58 lbs!
Step 5: Looking into storage, car seat compatibility, and other features.
Now it’s time to consider other features that may make your stroller or wagon more convenient! First of all, if you’re planning to use your infant carrier in those early months, your stroller or wagon needs to be compatible with that carrier! Beyond that, you may want a good storage basket, cup holders and snack trays, a canopy, footwells, and more. Browse available strollers and wagons to find must-have features for your family.
Step 6: Think about travel and family vacations.
Though you won’t be on vacation every week (we wish, right?), your stroller or wagon will be a valuable asset on those trips! Consider how your chosen stroller or wagon may work on vacation. For example, a compact stroller may make more sense for frequent fliers or people that travel to heavily populated areas. However, road trippers that travel to more remote locations may get more use out of a full-size wagon with all-terrain wheels.
(P.S. If you love to go to Disney, make sure you read their strict stroller requirements!)
Step 7: Look into the pros and cons of a wagon vs. stroller.
Both wagons and strollers offer plenty of benefits! You need to decide what’s most appealing to you and what’s ultimately going to be more practical. Strollers are often easier to maneuver in tighter spaces, they’re more compact, and they often have infant carrier adapters. Stroller wagons, however, often hold multiple children, offer more storage, and are more versatile in use over a stroller. Those are just a few things you may consider when choosing between a stroller and stroller wagon!
Step 8: Read lots of reviews.
Once you’ve narrowed down the type of stroller or wagon you want and you know your budget, start hunting for your perfect gear! Read reviews of all your options to make sure you’re fully aware of what you’re purchasing.
Step 9: Test drive it if possible.
If there’s any way you can test drive your stroller or wagon at a local store, do so! The way the stroller or wagon maneuvers is essential information when choosing the best seat for your family. However, aside from reviews, you can’t really get a few for how the stroller or wagon feels.
Step 10: Make your final decision.
Finally, it’s time to make your final choice! To help you narrow down your search, here’s a list of our favorite strollers, travel systems, and wagons!
7 Different Types of Strollers and Wagons
Travel Systems
A travel system is a type of stroller that can be used with your child’s car seat! Your baby’s infant car seat can click into the base of the stroller for easy riding during those infant months! Usually, the travel system converts into a toddler seat later on for more longevity. Here’s some examples of travel systems!
Convertible Strollers
Convertible strollers (also called modular strollers) transform as your child ages! Sometimes, they are compatible with your child’s infant car seat. Other times, they come with a bassinet instead for the early months. Then, they convert to a toddler seat. You’ll find some convertible strollers that will even convert into double strollers like some of these!
Full-Size Strollers
A full-size stroller is for children who no longer need the support of an infant carrier or bassinet. It’s suitable generally for kids ages 6 months – 3 years old. However, some strollers can accommodate up to 50 lbs! Here’s some that’ll be useful for a long time!
Compact Strollers
A compact stroller is used for children ages 6 months – 3 years old like your full-size stroller. However, this one is made to be ultra-portable for easier travel. Whether you have a small car or you’re a frequent flier, a compact stroller may be necessary to fit where you’re going. If this is what you want, check out these compact strollers!
Umbrella Strollers
Some people don’t like the hassle of bulky strollers. An umbrella stroller generally has no bells and whistles or extra storage, but it’s lightweight and easy to use! It simply unfolds like an umbrella and is ready to use.) You’ll find an umbrella stroller is best when used for toddlers, and it can be handy in crowded areas.
Jogging Strollers
A jogging stroller is a specialized stroller with three wheels, including a large front wheel. The wheels have air-filled rubber tires for better stability and a smoother ride. These strollers also come equipped with a suspension system and handbrake. And, you guessed it, these strollers are for moms who want to get a run in while hanging out with their little ones. Here’s an example of a great jogging stroller!
Double Strollers
Double strollers are made to fit two kids (you can find triple strollers too!) These strollers come in lots of configurations to accommodate either two kids of the same age or two kids of differing ages. Some double strollers are side-by-side and some are front-to-back.
Stroller Wagons
Stroller wagons are generally large push or pull wagons with all-terrain wheels. A wagon seats two kids at minimum, but you can find stroller wagons that seat up to 4 kids, making it a great choice for multiple kids of multiple ages. They tend to be bulkier, but offer more storage and seating capacity.
Picking the perfect stroller or wagon isn’t a decision you should take lightly!
If it’s time for you to pick out a stroller or wagon, make sure you don’t just grab the best deal or the first one you see available at Target. There are thousands of strollers and wagons out there for different situations and lifestyles. The perfect one is out there for your family, you just have to take some time to find it!
We hope this guide helped you make the right choice. If you still need to buy a car seat, you can read our guide on choosing the right seat for your newborn! And, don’t forget to check out Safe in the Seat for all the best, in-depth safety information on vehicle and car seat safety for your littles.
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