In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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Searching for the best stroller and infant car seat combo? We considered over 100 strollers and compatible car seats before purchasing 13 popular options for testing in combination with award-winning infant seat carriers to determine which combinations are the best. We understand how confusing trying to combine products from different brands or even the same brand can be. We've done the research so you can get the details you need to find the best combo for your family. Whether you hope for a stroller for the long haul or worry about ease of car seat attachment, you'll find the information you need to create a great stroller and car seat combo.
The UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo is an excellent stroller to combine with an infant car seat. It includes a smaller and relatively lightweight frame and easy car seat attachment. Plus, it is compatible with many top car seat brands that click to attach. The Cruz folds easily and is light enough for most parents to lift and carry. It also folds small enough to fit in most cars. This stroller is an excellent choice for parents who want to buy a single, full-size stroller for the long haul and value a high-quality product that is easy to use and works well as a travel system.
The list price for the Cruz might seem high compared to a traditional frame stroller or a pre-combined travel system. However, it is on par or average for a full-size stroller (with many more expensive options on the market). We believe the ability to use it from birth through the toddler years makes it a great value that could be your one-and-done stroller if you don't plan to jog or head off-road with your baby. The Cruz is a stroller we would purchase and recommend to our friends for its car seat compatibility, impressive test results across reviews, and high-quality features.
The Evenflo Pivot Xpand Combo is a versatile multi-seater with a very friendly price for what it offers. This stroller works with two infant car seats, and if you choose Evenflo brand options, the adapters are built-in and easy to use. This design makes the Xpand one of the few to consider if you expect twins. Other adapters are available, and all click in place with no straps.
This stroller is on the heavier side and somewhat large when folded, so if space is limited, you may want to take some measurements before you take the plunge. If your budget can stretch, the UPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo is a great choice with higher performance in most metrics. Overall, the Evenflo stroller is tough to beat for multiple children, with quick car seat attachment and great ease of use.
The Chicco Keyfit Caddy is a wallet-friendly frame stroller that works with Chicco Keyfit infant car seat carriers. This compact, easy-to-fold stow option is a straightforward alternative to carrying your car seat or being forced into choosing your primary stroller too soon. This product offers a quick and easy car seat connection and a parent console for those quick-grab items. The carriers snap in the frame and require no straps for secure attachment.
All frame strollers have a limited lifespan of roughly nine months, or however long your little one fits in their infant car seat, which could make this a no-go for anyone looking for a one-and-done solution. If you don't plan to jog, the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 Combo could be a one-and-done as the frame component is lightweight and the storage basket is huge. However, if you aren't sure what kind of stroller you'll need or want for your strolling years, then the Caddy could be the ticket to a stress-free first nine months of getting around with your baby and car seat before making a bigger commitment to a more expensive option you might use for years to come.
The Doona Combo is an innovative product where the stroller and car seat are the same product. This unique, niche-filling piece of gear is a one-and-done infant transportation solution for families who live in the big city or frequent public transportation and travel. We love that the Doona is a car seat and a stroller so city parents can safely buckle their baby into a taxi and then hit the ground strolling at their destination. There is no need to worry about two different products, where the stroller will go, who will hold it, or how it folds.
The Doona isn't suitable for all families, thanks to its limited 6-9 months lifespan and a higher price tag. However, we think it fills a niche for urban parents who may not otherwise use a car seat in a taxi or want the convenience of taking their baby out on the town without the hassle of managing two items. If you want a higher-ranking car seat with better crash test analysis results, the Chicco Keyfit Caddy could be more useful as it allows connection with higher-ranking car seats. Unfortunately, purchasing the Doona requires purchasing another stroller once your baby has outgrown the car seat. Parents will want to keep this in mind if their budget or long-term costs are a concern. However, for city dwellers, this may be the solution they are looking for, and it is worth the money to keep a baby safe in public transportation.
The Britax B-Lively Combo is an attractive budget-minded stroller with useful features and the ability to work with an infant car seat. This stroller has a comfortable sling-style seat, a large canopy, an easy-access storage bin, and rear canopy pockets for quick access items. The B-Lively folds quickly and compactly, making it suitable for travel and smaller spaces.
The B-Lively only works with Britax infant car seats, which is limiting and hurts its chances of winning an award. Traditionally, the Britax seats haven't fared that well in our infant car seat review, so it is difficult for us to say we'd necessarily recommend this combination to a friend. However, the B-Lively is a good stroller, and the Britax seats meet the safety requirements of an infant car seat. If you already have a compatible Britax seat or plan to purchase one, then the B-Lively is certainly a stroller to consider, especially if you have an eye on the budget.
B-Lively Only Available as Combo
Currently, the B-Lively is only available with the related Britax infant car seat. If you want to pair your stroller with a car seat of your choice that is not the available Britax option, then we recommend looking elsewhere.
The B-Lively works well with the B-Safe car seat as it sits snuggly inside the toddler seat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Compare Products
The Doona is a quality product and while not as nice as some of the competition it is definitely above average and will last for baby's first nine months.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Stroller and Car Seat Combos
The combo testing took place at BabyGearLab and on outings with little ones in the real world. The review includes our in-depth product research and real-world experience gained from years of experience from testers who compare each combination to the competition, including capturing the differences from one car seat to another on the same stroller. Our daily use testing helps determine which competitors are the best combinations, easy to use, navigate, and bring quality materials to the table.
The strollers and the compatible car seats were tested and compared. Wherever possible, we test the strollers with their native brand car seat and at least one other product, usually the Chicco Keyfit 30 because it is top-ranked with a reasonable price that is also popular. We emphasize the metric scores for ease of car seat attachment and weight and folded size in the overall rating because we believe they are the most important for this kind of gear.
Why Trust GearLab
The BabyGearLab car seat and stroller combo testers are led by our founder, Dr. Spurrier. Juliet is a Board Certified Pediatrician, a mom of two, and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Dr. Spurrier's background as a pediatrician, education, and years of experience as a mom helps her create BabyGearLab's safety standards. She approves all product selections and has the final word on testing procedures. Our stroller and car seat combo team lead, Bob Wofford, is the Senior Research Analyst here at BabyGearLab. Bob is the dad to 7 children and has led our car seat and stroller testing almost since the beginning. The combo team also includes Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Editor, and mother of two. Wendy has researched and reviewed over 200 strollers and car seats plus their combinations since 2014. Rounding out our combo review team is Senior Review Editor, Abriah Wofford. Abriah joined BabyGearLab testers in 2015, and this is her fifth time participating in the combo review. This team has over 20 years of collective experience testing car seats and strollers of all kinds.
How to Pick the Best Stroller and Car Seat Combo
Finding a compatible stroller and infant car seat can be challenging if you want to build your own travel system and aren't interested in making compromises on either product. Often, strollers accept car seats from the same brand, but many offer compatibility with competing brands with the purchase of a car seat adapter.
Pick Your Car Seat
Because car seats are a safety consideration, we don't think you should compromise your seat. This means choosing the best safety seat first. Our best infant car seat review can provide the details you need on ease of installation, ease of use, and crash test analysis.
Consider Your Family and Lifesytle
To find the best stroller, you need to consider your family size or plans for growth. Need a double stroller? Love to jog? Have twins? These are important factors in choosing the right stroller. Other considerations could be the size of your vehicle or home and how well your chosen stroller will fit into your lifestyle.
Make a Match
Once you have your car seat and know what kind of stroller would be the best match, you can then investigate which strollers on your shortlist will work with your chosen car seat. This is often only a few options and your budget can help finalize your choice.
The Rambler car seat connection includes the metal bar and the red attachment straps seen here.
The Urban Glide 2 works with a variety of infant car seat brands including Chicco car seats with an adapter that clicks in without the need for straps.
Analysis and Test Results
Using a stroller with your infant car seat can make getting around with your baby more comfortable. Seamlessly transferring your little one from the car to a stroller can make leaving the house more accessible and convenient. It also helps keep your baby peacefully asleep while you manage errands and outings with greater ease. We think most parents will appreciate the convenience of a great stroller and car seat combo.
What's the Best Value?
Finding an exceptional value in this group can be challenging as you need to consider each component in the combination's price to get the final price. We love the Chicco Keyfit 30 car seat if budget is a concern. Typically, it is less expensive than competing seats while maintaining a higher safety and performance level. Also, if your long-term budget is a concern, you may want to avoid purchasing a short-term use product like a frame stroller or the Doona, which will last only nine months, requiring the purchase of another stroller. The Keyfit 30 is also compatible with most of the top-ranked strollers. An option like the UPPAbaby Cruz v2 may be ideal as it works well with the Chicco car seat, and its lifespan lasts as long as your little one needs a stroller. This longer life makes it a good value as it can potentially act as your only stroller. If you plan to jog later and want to buy only one stroller, the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 is a suitable choice, but the Chicco adapter includes straps we aren't fond of. If your short-term budget is more of a concern, and you aren't sure about your later strolling needs, then the Chicco Keyfit Caddy can meet short-term goals. You can always skip combining products by wearing your baby and waiting to make your stroller purchase until your little one outgrows their infant car seat carrier.
The infant carrier or adapters (depending on the car seat) attach to the same points as the toddler seat.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Car Seat Attachment
The best car seat attachments almost feel like they install themselves with minimal effort required beyond shifting the carrier from the car to the stroller. We like the stroller and car seat pairings with a click-in-only attachment as opposed to those that require a second step of strap attachment. The strollers and adapters that create an easy drop-in/on the connection that requires little pressure translate to fewer opportunities for mistakes. These combos score higher than those with obstructions or that can be installed incorrectly. Any installation that includes restraint straps lost points, as the straps inherently have a higher margin for error (intentional or accidental). We worry parents will forget or intentionally skip using the straps as the carrier often feels secure without them (always follow the manufacturer's instructions to avoid injury).
The Chicco Keyfit Caddy also impresses in this metric. This dedicated frame product is designed for Chicco brand infant seats. The carrier opening requires only a small amount of pressure to connect with an audible click, and there are no obstructions. The UPPAbaby strollers also performed well in our tests. However, two of the UPPAbaby options are full-size, which hurt their overall rank in a category where being lightweight is critical. The UPPAbaby Minu is light enough to compete with the frame strollers.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Alternatively, the universal frame stroller, Baby Trend Snap-N-Go Ex disappoints as it requires straps to attach the seat. The carrier sits in a strap net, and the rim of the car seat rests on the edge of the stroller, then more straps attach over the center of the carrier to secure it to the frame. Theoretically, the bottom straps only need adjustment once, but the top straps need adjustment with each use. We worry parents will nestle the carrier in the frame and skip the straps because it feels secure even though it isn't.
The BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Combo also disappoints with a 2-step attachment process that includes clicking in place and straps that go over the carrier's bottom portion. This two-step attachment is particularly worrisome because some parents consider the click step as secure enough. After all, the car seat feels secure once attached. However, the manufacturer includes the straps for a reason, and we think it would be negligent but very tempting for parents to forgo them. This lack of detailed attention could have disastrous results. The BOB Alterrain Pro has a 3-part adapter with no straps for a jogger with a click-in-only attachment for all car seats.
The Doona beats them all with a car seat permanently attached to the stroller as one product. This unique little product skips the attachment process as the stroller components are part of the car seat in a design like no other. We like that you can't make mistakes affixing your carrier to the stroller, and there are no adapters or additional components to lose with this all-in-one product. However, it has a shorter lifespan (6-9 months), so you'll need to purchase a second stroller when your baby outgrows the infant car seat.
The Cruz folds surprisingly small for a full-size stroller. It is seen here without the toddler seat, which is how you'd use it for car seat combination.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight and Folded Size
There is nothing better than a frame stroller regarding weight and folded size. Frame strollers are lightweight, easy to lift, and compact. Given that some new moms often have a weight restriction on how much they can lift, a frame stroller could be the only option they can manage, and the lower price tag makes it a good value.
However, many parents skip a frame stroller because it has a short life of only about nine months. Alternatively, some of the full-size strollers are lightweight and work about as well as a frame stroller, so many parents prefer to buy an option they can use for a more extended period.
If finding the lightest product is your primary goal, look no further than the Chicco Keyfit Caddy. This dedicated frame stroller has fewer features but weighs only 11 lbs. While weight is critical, we believe most parents would prefer less weight to carry instead of coping with a hard-to-use stroller. Not convinced a frame option is best for you? You're in luck. The UPPAbaby Minu is a lightweight option that is close to 12 lbs when prepped for a car seat and works through toddlerhood as a lightweight stroller, extending its useful years by more than three.
The B-Free fold is only bested by that of the Britax B-Agile with a difference of less than 20 cubic inches. This makes it the second smallest option in the group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Chicco Keyfit Caddy is about 7,628 inches when folded, making it relatively small. In comparison, the full-size Britax B-Free Combo is 6,674 cubic inches, weighing 22.6 lbs. A good option that is not too heavy and not too big (much like the story of Goldilocks and the 3 Bears) is the UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo, with the lowest full-size stroller weight of 15.25 lbs and a folded size of about 7,860 cubic inches. This product will also last for the baby's entire strolling years, so theoretically, you may not need to buy another stroller (unless you plan to jog).
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Doona Combo is about 16.5 lbs, which sounds heavy, but the weight includes the car seat and the stroller portion for an overall lighter total package. The folded size is slightly larger than an infant car seat, and because you will be using it as your car seat, you don't need to think about where the stroller can fit or stow. So while the Doona is going to be heftier to put into and take out of the car, it has the lightest combined weight for a car seat and stroller and prevents the need for prolonged infant car seat carrying.
The Minu folds in thirds so it is compact and squat, but thick compared to a traditional umbrella fold.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The most substantial product in the group is the BOB Alterrain Pro, weighing over 33 lbs with a size measuring over 17,357 cubic inches.
The Cruz has foam-filled rubber wheels and the v2 includes larger wheels than the old version for better maneuverability.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Maneuverability
While maneuverability is vital in a stroller you plan to use for the long haul, it is less critical for the first nine months when you'll be using a stroller and car seat combo. Because your baby doesn't weigh that much, and you should stick to hard flat surfaces where maneuverability is less of an issue, you can manage with a less agile stroller without feeling the frustration of using a poorly designed option.
If your primary goal is to find a great stroller and car seat combination, then choosing a stroller based solely on this metric might not be wise. However, using this metric to help you decide between similar options might be useful as it can impact your everyday experience. We tested maneuverability in typical scenarios and through obstacle courses that simulate tight situations (like supermarket aisles) to see which products allow for one-handed pushing, tight turns, quick responsiveness, and curb hopping.
If you think a frame stroller is the best for you, be aware that none of them performed that well in this metric. They all have smaller plastic wheels and other limited features for pushing on flat or paved surfaces only. However, the relatively light weight of a newborn makes pushing any stroller relatively easy. Also, it is less likely that you'll encounter rough surfaces on strolls with your baby because you should avoid them until little ones have more muscle control over their necks and core. When your little one outgrows their infant seat, you can replace the frame stroller with a full-size or jogging stroller that offers more features and functionality, including better maneuverability. The Doona is similar in functionality to a frame stroller, and its small plastic wheels managed a relatively high score for maneuverability with a 7 of 10. This ease of pushing score makes it one of the better choices for lightweight strollers.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The top performers for maneuverability in this review aren't surprising. They include the BOB Alterrain Pro Combo, Baby Jogger City Mini GT 2 Combo, and the BOB Revolution Flex Combo 3.0, all with rubber tires and a single front wheel. These options are easy to push (even one-handed) and have the versatility of a swivel front wheel for stores and errands. While the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0, and BOB Alterrain Pro are easy to push, they are also hefty and cumbersome when folded, making them an imperfect match for an infant car seat. The metrics for weight and folded size, and ease of car seat attachment influenced the final score more than maneuverability, so the top-ranking strollers didn't perform that well in this metric. The Baby Jogger City Mini GT 2 is smaller than the joggers, but it isn't the best overall performer and has only one use, strolling.
The Chicco Keyfit Caddy earned a lower score for maneuverability, but it is better than the other frame strollers thanks to its single wheel per leg design. The UPPAbaby Minu wasn't super impressive either, but it isn't the worst. The *UPPAbaby Vista v2 Combo, UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo, and the Doona Combo provide frustration-free pushing with higher maneuverability scores in this group.
The Minu storage bin is relatively large for a travel stroller with ample room and a large maximum capacity.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Use
Features and overall functionality are the ease of use consideration. If it impacts your daily experience, this is where it is considered. We perform tests designed to determine how well the stroller and car seat combos work together.
We compare sunshades, storage bins, and other convenience items like cup holders, parent's consoles, and child trays. For the canopy, we consider the SPF, size, ventilation, adjustability, and peek-a-boo window. Though for some strollers, the canopy does not work with the car seat in place. We compare storage size, shape, accessibility, and maximum weight allowance.
The giant storage basket on the Vista v2 is easy to access and has a 30 lb weight limit. Unfortunately, a crossbar does inhibit the shape and size of what will fit inside.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Several strollers require sunshade removal, and other canopies catch on the car seat when you attach them. Even though it is useful to utilize the stroller canopy with the carrier sunshade, we think the extra weight and potential hindrance usually negate the benefit. We found that those without sunshades are typically easier to manage, especially when folding. The frame products lack sunshades, but the infant carriers usually have them, so we think parents won't miss them. The UPPAbaby Cruz v2, Vista v2, BOB Alterrain Pro, and the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 are the largest. Neither of the full-size stroller UPPAbaby canopies remains on the stroller when used with an infant carrier, but the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 and the BOB Alterrain do.
The UPPAbaby Cruz storage bin (left) is considerably larger than the Bugaboo Bee3 (right) and holds 25 lbs compared to the Bee's 8.8 lb limit.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The biggest storage bins in the review are the UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo and the UPPAbaby Vista Combo with a max of 30 lbs each. The Chicco Keyfit Caddy holds up to 10 lbs, which is the average for the group. If you plan to carry your diaper bag and not much else, then 10-11 lbs will work. If shopping and errands are in your plans, then the UPPAbaby strollers might be better choices.
Folding the Caddy begins with the pull of the lock release handle.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
The Chicco Keyfit Caddy and the Baby Trend Snap-N-Go EX Universal score well for convenience, sporting parent consoles with cup holders. Both are nothing special with relatively shallow cup holders, but they do check the box. The UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo fails to impress with no other conveniences. Still, at least the 30 lbs over-sized bin on the Cruz v2 Combo helps make the lack of other convenience features easier to swallow. We understand most parents want a cup holder. However, in our experience, objects often fall from cup holders and can land on the baby. We think it is smarter to use an option without a holder or purchase a side cup holder that helps keeps the contents out of baby range. The Doona Combo earned the lowest score for ease of use. This specialty product's lack of storage and convenience features and the smaller canopy hurt its ease of use results. So while it isn't challenging to use, it lacks what many consider necessities.
The Vista v2 is a streamlined, minimalist stroller.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Quality
Quality encompasses the materials, design, and construction of each competitor. While some options use aluminum frames and rubber tires, others have plastic wheels and rough, unfinished-feeling components. Our tests only include the quality of the stroller component, not the combo's car seat portion.
Top-quality marks go to the BOB Alterrain Pro. The BOB Revolution Flex 3.0, and the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Combo are just behind. These products have rubber tires, suspension, wrapped adjustable handlebars, and sturdy fabric that fits nicely with no loose threads or scrunchy material. The UPPAbaby Cruz v2 and the Doona are similar to the top scorers but have slight variations in materials and design that left them somewhat short in comparison. The UPPAbaby Vista v2 frame and handlebar are akin to the UPPAbaby Cruz v2 but a little more defined and sleeker. The Baby Jogger City Mini GT 2 Combo has better than average foam-filled rubber tires. Still, they are smaller than the pneumatic tires on the Thule and BOB, which are better quality overall.
The Graco SnugRider Elite, shown here with the Graco Snugride Classic Connect 30 attached, did not perform well in our tests for quality.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
On the lower side, you'll find the Baby Trend Snap 'n Go, which struggles for quality compared to the other options. It has a flexing frame, visible connection points, and no attention to detail. While it suffers compared to the more expensive options, it also doesn't need to last as long. The Graco SnugRider Elite earned the same low result with what appears to be unfinished plastic parts with rough edges and plastic shavings attached to the stroller.
Ease of Setup
The difficulty level of setting up your stroller might feel critical initially, but it is something you only do once in the lifetime of your stroller. In our opinion, this makes it noteworthy but not a major deciding factor in which product to choose compared to other metrics like ease of use or maneuverability. We think knowing the assembly details is helpful, so you know what you're in for, but frankly, most of the products were simple enough, and many don't even require tools.
The easiest to assemble is the UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo. This UPPAbaby includes a helpful quick-start guide that makes the intuitive setup straightforward and trouble-free. It took us around 5 minutes to put the Cruz v2 together, with much of that time spent unpacking. The UPPAbaby Vista v2, Baby Trend Snap-N-Go EX Universal, and the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 were also easy to assemble. The Donna is the real standout, with no assembly.
Some options tested over the years for stroller and car seat combinations.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
It can make life with an infant somewhat easier to pair your infant car seat with a stroller. No matter what your long-term strolling plans are or your lifestyle that mandates combining the two, we believe there is a pairing out there for you. Our testing results and detailed analysis of combinations during side-by-side testing can help narrow your options to a handful of exceptional pairings to meet your needs and budget. Whether you hope to wear your baby in the early days or plan to push your little one everywhere, we have the specifics you'll need to make a wise investment. We think it is also important to note that some parents never combine a car seat with a stroller and survive easily without it. If you don't think a stroller is useful for frequent use with your infant car seat, then a baby carrier you wear might be the better investment.
