What do you get when you combine an umbrella with a stroller? The umbrella stroller.
An umbrella stroller takes the lightness of the umbrella – and often, the handle – and pairs it with the practicality of a stroller.
What you end up with is a lightweight stroller that folds up nicely. This makes it a perfect second stroller, tucked in your vehicle for quick trips or taking with you on vacation.
Twenty years ago, the umbrella stroller was still similar to the lightweight, aluminum framed, compact stroller it was designed to be in the 1960s. But over the last ten to fifteen years, the umbrella stroller has added a few bells and whistles to it.
It has truly evolved.
What was once a cheap stroller that you couldn’t wait for your kids to grow out of – because they were so “bare bones” and flimsy; just like an umbrella – has now become much more like a regular stroller.
Just lighter and more compact.
Why Get an Umbrella Stroller?
- great as a back up stroller.
- store in your vehicle for quick trips when you’re out and about.
- collapses to save room making it perfect for traveling.
- lighter than a typical stroller and easier to pick up and carry.
The downside to the typical umbrella stroller is that their initial design and purpose was meant for infants older than 4 months old. Infants who had the ability to properly and safely hold up their heads.
But recent changes have seen the umbrella stroller offer more padding and support for the passenger, a five point harness, and some have the option to partially or fully recline the seat.
Today’s umbrella strollers combine these benefits and more with the compactness you would associate with a folded up umbrella.
These strollers use lightweight fabric and aluminum frames to keep their weight down and most of them also offer:
- under seat storage baskets.
- cup holders and trays for parent and/or child.
- easy collapsibility.
- protective canopies.
- brakes on swivel wheels.
- secure harnesses.
Are Umbrella Strollers Safe for Infants?
Typically, umbrella strollers should not be used for young infants.
However, some umbrella strollers can safely carry an infant car seat. And some umbrella strollers can fully recline, meaning that a newborn baby can be in an umbrella stroller without having the ability to sit up and support his or her head.
Most umbrella strollers accommodate children up the weight of 50 to 55 pounds, or at least four years old.
How to Choose the Best Umbrella Stroller
What should you consider when you are looking to purchase an umbrella stroller?
- canopy – almost all umbrella strollers now come with a collapsible canopy. Some filter out harmful UV rays, some have a window you can see your child through.
- easy to steer – typical umbrella strollers require two hands to operate. Some newer umbrella strollers have one long handle, which allows you one handed steering.
- weight guidelines – most strollers will accommodate your child until they are 55 pounds. But not all will accommodate a baby under 4 months old.
- infant car seat accommodations – if the stroller you want can’t fully recline and it can’t support an infant car seat, you should not use it until your child is at least four months old.
- cup holder tray for child and/or parent – these are nice bonuses that you may or may not want.
- brake or locking system – all back tires should lock and unlock quickly and easily.
- good seatbelt system – most umbrella strollers have 5 point harnesses. Some can also switch to a 3 point harness.
- good swivel wheels – some strollers offer a wheel guarantee. Wheels can make or break a good stroller.
- weight – umbrella strollers vary in weight. Some are as light at 9 pounds, others weigh closer to 20 pounds.
Top Best Umbrella Strollers
This lightweight Amazon best seller comes without the high price tags some other umbrella strollers have.
This affordable stroller can accommodate your child from birth since it reclines completely. It’s 5 point harness has comfortable padded straps and the canopy has a sun visor which flips out.
General information about the Summer Infant 3Dlite stroller:
- weight of stroller: 12 pounds.
- one hand quick collapse with new and improved fold with auto lock.
- comes with carrying strap.
Steering and more:
- two handed steering.
- four wheel design.
- front wheel suspension.
Bonuses:
- has multiple recline positions.
- has cup holder for parent.
- has foot rest for older babies and children.
The Summer Infant 3Dlite has recently been upgraded to give you an easier time folding it up. It comes in a gender neutral black and grey with your choice of contrasting colour.
The stylish ZOE umbrella stroller comes in a variety of contrasting colours, all with a black base.
The padded belly bar and removable cup holders for both parent and child are two of the bonus features on this umbrella stroller.
The large canopy has an extra extension that offers ample protection from the sun while a plastic window lets you view your child in their seat. A storage pocket in the back is the perfect place to put your phone and keys.
ZOE offers free return shipping and a no-risk, lifetime warranty on wheels.
What you need to know about the ZOE Umbrella XL1 stroller:
- weight of stroller: 9 pounds.
- one hand quick collapse.
Steering and wheel design:
- four wheels.
- one handed steering.
- no suspension.
Bonuses:
- multiple recline positions.
- removable cup holder for parent and child.
- child foot rest.
ZOE recommends that only children aged 6 months and older can ride in this stroller.
The UPPAbaby stroller is the first stroller on this list that stands on it’s own when folded up. The bonus carrying strap makes this ten pound stroller easy to pick up and take with you.
It has a lightweight, mesh sling seat that helps keep your child cool in summer. The two tiered canopy is removable and you can adjust it’s height for better sun protection.
What you need to know about the UPPAbaby G-LITE Stroller:
- weight of stroller: 10 pounds.
- two hand collapse and fold.
- stands on it’s own when folded.
- mesh under seat storage basket.
Steering and wheel design:
- four wheel design.
- two handed steering.
Bonuses:
- multiple recline positions.
- cup holder for parent.
- carrying strap.
- adjustable child foot rest.
- your choice of colours with a black coloured base.
You can use the UPPAbaby G-LITE stellar for infants 6 months up to 55 pounds.
Another free-standing stroller when folded, the Inglesina Net Stroller has been designed with the traveling parent in mind. It’s lightweight, compact design makes it perfect for bringing it with you wherever you go and it comes in a variety of bright colours.
If you’re out in the sun, the canopy is sun safe with a UPF of over 50. The removable seat pad is washable.
What you need to know about the Inglesina Net Stroller:
- weight of stroller: 11.2 pounds
- stands on it’s own when folded.
Steering and wheel design:
- comfortable two-handed steering.
- four wheel design.
Bonuses:
- two positions including recline.
- cup holder for parent.
- adjustable child foot rest.
- your choice of colours with a black base.
Inglesina recommends this stroller for children over 3 months and up to 55 pounds.
The most expensive stroller on the list, this easy to steer, three-wheeled stroller has a very small turning radius, perfect for navigating through crowds and narrow aisles.
What you need to know about the Britax B-Agile stroller:
- weight of stroller: 18 pounds.
- one hand quick collapse.
- padded five point harness.
- canopy with window.
- under seat storage basket.
Steering and wheel design:
- one hand steering.
- three wheel design.
- front wheel suspension.
Bonuses:
- multiple recline positions.
- fits the Britax infant car seat with adaptor.
- can fit other infant car seats with additional adaptor sold separately.
- parent cup holder and child tray sold separately.
- padded child leg rest.
- available in several bright colour options.
The Britax stroller can transport children up to 55 pounds.
One of the most affordable strollers on this list, the Graco Verb Click Connect stroller is compact and does the job. It supports infant car seats and has multiple recline positions. It’s seatbelt converts from a 5 point to a 3 point harness.
The Graco has locking front-swivel wheels that makes navigating crowded areas easier. Plus it stands on it’s own when collapsed.
General information about the Graco Verb Click Connect Stroller:
- weight of stroller: 19 pounds.
- one hand quick collapse.
- stands on it’s own when folded.
- canopy has a window.
Steering and wheel design:
- one hand steering.
- four wheel design.
- front wheel suspension.
Bonuses:
- multiple recline positions.
- fits infant car seat.
- has a cup holder for parent
- has a cup holder tray for child.
- comes with a carrying strap.
- has a foot rest for the passenger.
Best lowest price – Best value![]()
Kolcraft gives us another economical choice with this lightweight stroller. It has all the essential components of a full size stroller but in a compact design.
The Kolcraft has a quick, one hand fold up and stands on it’s own when collapsed. It does not support an infant car seat. However, it has multiple recline positions.
The manufacturer has provided a one year warranty and if you read the fine print, you’ll find the user-friendly term, “certified frustration-free.”
What you need to know about the Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Stroller:
- weight of stroller: 12 pounds.
- multiple reclining positions.
- one hand quick collapse.
- stands on it’s own when folded.
- three-tier canopy with window.
Wheel design and steering:
- four wheel design.
- one hand steering.
- front wheel suspension.
Bonuses:
- cup holder and tray for parent.
- removable child tray for child.
- child foot rest.
- available in several bright colours.
Best Jogger umbrella Stroller![]()
This easy to maneuver mini jogging stroller is perfect for the busy city lifestyle. It’s compact size and removable, washable seat fabric are two things parents like about it.
The Baby Jogger 2016 can accommodate a car seat if you purchase the adapter separately. It can also support a bassinet. A child tray and parent console designed for this stroller are also sold separately.
General information about the Baby Jogger 2016 City Mini:
- weight of stroller: 17.6 pounds.
- one hand quick collapse.
- large canopy with two windows.
- large under seat basket for storage.
Steering and Wheel Design:
- three wheel design.
- front wheel suspension.
- one hand steering.
Bonuses:
- multiple recline positions.
- padded child leg rest.
- available in several colours.
- certified “frustration-free.”
Choose the Best Umbrella Stroller for You
As with many decisions you will make as a parent, choosing the right stroller for you should be based on you and your child’s particular needs.
If you’re buying it as an everyday stroller and you want to get as much use out of it as possible, consider getting a stroller that can either fully recline or is able to support an infant seat. You will also want to consider getting a stroller with suspension if you are using it for a newborn.
Would you prefer one hand or two hand steering? Choose your handle and wheels accordingly. And if you have a free hand, will you be using it to reach for a drink? Then you’ll want a cup holder for yourself. And perhaps one for your child as he grows.
One important think to consider is the ease with which you want the stroller to fold up. One handed collapsibility is convenient and so is the ability for the stroller to stand on it’s own once folded up.
Before you purchase your stroller, consider what you need most in a stroller and then shop accordingly.
