13 travel system strollers to use both at home and on your 2023 family vacation

If you’re a family that likes one product to satisfy multiple lifestyle needs, then a travel system stroller is a must-have. While a lightweight travel stroller is great for just travel, you might find yourself needing another full-size stroller for your everyday needs — especially one that allows for a car seat to easily snap in. A travel system stroller will work not only for travel but also for your lifestyle at home.

A travel system is a stroller and car seat combo, which you typically purchase together. This allows you to have just one setup where the two items fit perfectly together — for the most part, no adapters are needed. More simply put, just one purchase can take care of two expensive items from your baby list. Many times, purchasing a stroller system can also be less expensive than piecing the items together from separate companies.

With a stroller system, the car seat snaps on and off the stroller, which allows for easy access when getting in and out of the car. You can have the car seat snap right into a base in your home car, or you can use the regular seat belt to secure your stroller into a taxi or rental car. But just remember, the car seats that come with these strollers are commonly known as “bucket” seats, which your child will most likely grow out of between 8 and 15 months, depending on the car seat and other factors such as your child’s height and weight.

These strollers are also robust and many times can be used without a car seat at just a few months old due to their full recline feature. Having a stroller with a generous recline offers the perfect napping position for a baby or toddler on the go. With large weight limits, the stroller will then grow with your child into toddlerhood and for many years thereafter.

When traveling on an airplane, you can always check the stroller with the rest of your luggage. Or, depending on the size, you can gate-check the stroller to give you the convenience of having it to navigate a large airport.

While these systems won’t necessarily fold down to allow you to throw the stroller in your travel backpack or in the overhead bin — yes, those types of strollers do exist — the stroller will grow with your child and can serve as an all-encompassing package with supreme versatility and maneuverability.

The car seat features a large canopy that is made from a breathable merino wool blend. And if you use the car seat base, there’s a steel-enforced stability leg for a safer fit. Additionally, the stroller is compatible with all of the “Pipa” line car seats if you’d prefer to combine with a different car seat option.

The system includes the SnugRide 35 Lite Infant Car Seat, which is from Graco’s well-known line of car seats. The car seat can fit a child between 4 pounds and 35 pounds and up to 32 inches in height. At just 7.2 pounds itself, moving the car seat from the stroller to the car is incredibly easy.

The included car seat base is very easy to install, with a bubble indicator and a latch tightener. You will find, however, that the car seat has slightly lower height and weight limits than some other car seat options at 30 pounds or 30 inches in height.

If you like this stroller but you’re looking for a slightly upgraded model, you can instead opt for the Chicco Bravo Primo Trio Travel System. Although more expensive, the stroller upgrades include treaded rubber tires with a foam core, a four-panel extendable canopy with a pullout visor and the KeyFit 35 Zip car seat.

The stroller features an extra-large — and easy-to-access — under-storage basket that is up to 2 feet long when expanded. You’ll also enjoy a three-position adjustable handlebar, five-position adjustable footrest and large cruiser tires. The system comes with the Evenflo SafeMax Infant Car Seat, which can be used in single or double mode, although the stroller will not fit two car seats at once.

The Safety 1st OnBoard 35 LT Infant Car Seat also fits a baby from 4 pounds to 35 pounds and includes a head and body insert, offering extra support for your newborn.

The stroller also features an incredibly large sun canopy, seven storage pockets and six different handlebar positions. The stroller is also easy to close with the one-handed fold. The system comes with the B-Safe Gen2 Flexfit Car Seat, which offers a steel-reinforced frame, side-impact protection and energy-absorbing foam.

The stroller travel system comes with the Baby Jogger City Go 2 Car Seat, which features a one-hand adjustable headrest with no-rethread harness, a quiet canopy and even a taxi guide loop for easy installation without the base. Additionally, the car seat base uses the easy-to-install RAPIDLOCK technology and an anti-rebound bar to provide extra safety. However, to connect the car seat to the stroller, adapters are needed, but they can be kept on the stroller at all times without getting in the way — even when the car seat isn’t being used.

Included in this travel system is the Maxi Cosi Mico 30 Infant Car Seat, which has become extremely popular due to its energy-absorbing foam, side impact protection and no added fire-retardant treatment.

The stroller features a gigantic canopy, one of the largest storage baskets compared to the other stroller systems and a reversible seat. Unfortunately, though, you’ll need to remove the toddler seat to attach the car seat or bassinet.

One of the more unique features of this stroller is that you can move the seat around and fit two children. With many configuration options, it can hold two car seats, two bassinets, one car seat and one toddler seat or two toddler seats. This means the stroller can even be used for twins.

The travel system comes with the EZ Flex-Loc Infant Car Seat, which can fit a child between 4 pounds and 30 pounds and up to 30 inches tall.