Types of Baby Strollers – Stroller Comparison
There are many different types of strollers on the market today. There is absolutely no reason for you to feel bummed if you have no idea which one to choose. A lot of people are in your shoes.
By the end of this article, you should be able to narrow it down a lot and figure out the type of stroller that may work best for you and your little one.
Since the strollers in the store may not be labelled according to their types, here are some things you need to know to be able to compare strollers effectively.
Traditional strollers
Also called standard strollers, these units are made in wide variety of styles. They are usually padded with reclining seats and often have a sunshade.
There is usually storage underneath the seat and the stroller can be either designed that the baby faces forward or facing the parent. Some models actually have interchangeable positions so the parent can decide the direction that the child faces.
Umbrella strollers/ Lightweight strollers
As the name suggests, these strollers are not usually very heavy and can be folded to a very compact unit.
They do not usually have as much padding as a standard stroller and are usually more suited for older children rather than young babies. They are good for traveling and some can recline.
Jogging strollers
Mostly made with 3 larger sized wheels, these strollers are ideal for taking a child along with you as you jog. They are made to navigate curbs and hills very well but are often a bit bigger in size and as a result they are not the easiest to carry around.
Even when they are folded, they tend to occupy a large amount of space.
Travel systems
Travel systems are basically any jogging or standard stroller that is able to carry an infant car seat. These types of strollers are often very big and heavy but they offer a very great benefit.
They are large enough to fit older children so you would not have to upgrade your stroller to fit your growing child.
Car seat stroller frames
Often very lightweight and simple, these strollers are designed to fit an infant car seat. They do not have a regular seat and the car seat usually snaps into place very easily.
Many of these strollers can be folded to form a very compact unit and are especially good when babies are very young. In most cases, they have a weight limit up to 40 pounds so they are not recommended for use with older babies.
All terrain strollers
As the name suggests, these strollers are easily pushed on a wide variety of terrains. They are made specifically to handle very rough terrain easily.
If you love nature and desire to take your baby along small hiking trails or unpaved areas, these strollers are highly recommended.
Double and triple strollers
These strollers are not only for twin or triplet babies. Some parents prefer to buy these types of strollers if they have small children that are close in age.
Rather than having separate strollers, the children can be placed in one unit to be pushed around on those days where you have to do a lot of walking.
There are different variations of this model and selecting any of these options is solely based on personal preference.
To further help you compare strollers effectively, here are some important questions that you need to ask yourself to help determine the type of stroller you need:
- Where do you live? If you have to walk several flights of stairs, you may want to think about a stroller that is lightweight.
- Where do you expect to push your stroller? If you will be pushing your stroller in rough terrain, it might be good to actually get a stroller that is made especially for that.
- How much you are willing to spend? The answer to this question will determine just how much you can splurge.
- If you are athletic, would you want to take your child on walks or jogs? If your answer is yes, a jogging stroller or an all terrain stroller that can be used for jogging may be most suitable.
- The type of lifestyle that you have? If you are usually on the go, a lightweight, easy to use and fold stroller may be your best fit.