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Best Car Seat Stroller Combos (2023 Ratings)

Apr 22, 2024

Aidan Pounder is a Motor1.com product tester who has written reviews spanning from car insurance to rooftop cargo boxes. He regularly traveled both cross-country and internationally for cycling throughout his youth, having been awarded multiple state titles and podiuming at national championships across several different disciplines of the sport. He spent his more formative years under the hood of a car making sure he could get to his next bike race and knows the best way to secure all of your gear out on the road. His reviews have appeared in major automotive digital publications such as HotCars and Motor1. Aidan brings road trip know-how and a touch of DIY spirit to our team. If he’s not burning through the clutch on his 2003 Ford Focus Zx3, you’ll find him keeping up with the latest happenings in the world of European football.

Speed Reads:

In terms of safe, portable, and hassle-free travel systems, this is as good as it gets.

An exceptionally easy-to-use, lightweight travel system able to be taken anywhere.

A lightweight travel system that includes many useful features for families.

A car seat and stroller travel system with a compact design that’s built to last.

An innovative travel system with great features.

Both a car seat and a stroller are must-have items for parents of young children. The best car seat stroller combo is a safe and reliable car seat that quickly transforms into a comfortable stroller. These kits typically consist of three parts: a car seat base, a foldable stroller, and a plush infant carrier that can be easily attached to the car seat base and stroller.

A car seat stroller combo can save a lot of time and energy transitioning your child from the car to the sidewalk, and these are especially useful for air travel when speed can be a priority.

Our review team has scoured the web to formulate our top recommendations for the best car seat stroller combos. Taking into account prices, safety standards, and customer reviews, our recommendations are well-researched to help you keep your baby safe and sound while on the move.

After spending hours researching car seat stroller combos and pouring over customer reviews, our team decided that Donna offers the best car seat stroller combo because the Doona Infant Car Seat is lightweight, made from soft, comfortable materials, and boasts three layers of side impact protection.

To select the car seat stroller combos featured in this buyers guide, our team first combed through dozens of resources such as DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer and car seat-specific websites, instruction manuals from manufacturers, and reviews from online retailers. We pay particularly close attention to quality reviews and recommendations that highlight the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability.

We also factored in the quantity and quality of online retailer reviews from websites such as Amazon, RealTruck, Advance Auto Parts, and more. We looked at factors such as standout customer reviews, prices, meaningful superlatives, and discount shipping eligibility.

Why You Can Trust Us

Since 2020, we have published over 300 auto product reviews in an effort to make shopping for auto products easier. Our team of writers, editors, researchers, and product experts collaborates to thoroughly vet top products. We try to perform in-house testing on real vehicles whenever possible before making our recommendations.

When testing is not feasible, however, our aim is to make your life easier by doing all the online research for you and presenting that research in the form of easy-to-read product comparisons and buyers guides, rather than outright recommendations. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.

Cost, weight rating, maximum height rating, and product weight are a few common determining factors for those looking to buy a new stroller and car seat combo.

We list the following specifications below along with a few of the best car seat stroller combos on the market:

*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.

For those interested in learning more, below are detailed reviews for each of the top five car seat stroller combos:

The Doona Infant Car Seat is a good all-around choice for a car seat stroller combo due to its exceptional design and safety features. This lightweight infant car seat stroller is rear-facing only with a five-point harness, adjustable handlebar, and three-layer side impact protection. The Doona even includes a two-year warranty.

The car seat stroller combo from Doona is approved by both the FAA and the Technischer Überwachungsverein (TUV). The TUV, or, Technical Inspection Association in English, is an independent company that certifies products to limit the number of defects. These certifications ensure taking your child and their travel system through the airport is a breeze.

Many reviewers find the car seat comfortable for their child and are impressed with the convenient design.

“Since [my child’s birth] we have been using the Doona every day and our baby has always felt comfy and happy when we seat him in it. It’s very maneuverable and it has served its purpose for every use we have thought of for it.”

– Molo via Amazon

A few people complain that the stroller handle does not reach high enough. Those over 6.0 feet tall say they need to lean to reach it. Another reported issue is the lack of a canopy. There is no visor to protect your child from the rain or sun.

Featuring a multi-position reclining backrest, five-point harness, child tray with two cup holders, parent tray, and large adjustable canopy, the Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System is one of the best travel systems available. The car seat stroller combo is self-standing for when parents need to give their arms a rest. It features all-wheel suspension with large swivel wheels and treaded tires capable of handling various surfaces while on the move.

The Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System distinguishes itself from the competition through its fast-action fold. The handle to collapse and fold away this stroller is easy to activate and can be done with a single hand. This stroller is a good pick if you need something that can quickly be compressed for convenient storage.

Reviews point to the Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System’s excellent maneuverability and how easy it was to fold or unfold the car seat stroller. Quite a few customers mention the ease of assembly, while others appreciate the peek-a-boo window to check in on their child.

“We’ve now been using this with the newborn for a few weeks and we love it. Love how it folds easily to open and close. Love the extra large cargo space in the bottom, which fits my big diaper backpack. The stroller runs smoothly and the car seat clicks in and out easily.”

– B via Amazon

A few have noted that the stroller begins to squeak a lot after extended use.

The Evenflo Pivot Modular Transport System features a peek-a-boo window, bumper bar and snack tray, oversized storage basket, and one-hand recline. This product has been tested for structural integrity at energy levels twice as high as the federal crash test standard and features an anti-rebound bar to absorb and dispel crash forces.

This car seat stroller combo differentiates itself by offering a variety of configurations. The Evenflo Pivot has six height-adjustable modes for your child. That means more options for your child’s safety and comfort. This stroller also features large cruiser wheels for ease of transport and a removable arm bar for getting your child in and out of the stroller.

Reviews note things such as the large canopy of the bassinet, the compact design, and the large storage basket. It is also easy to assemble and use.

“[The Evenflo Pivot] was very very easy to put together and the instructions were very clear and straightforward with images.”

– Tania Loaisiga

Negative reviews mention that the front wheels will get stuck in grass or mud, as they are made out of rubber and plastic. A few reviews also note the low quality of the cup holders.

The Graco FastAction SE Travel System is a great car seat stroller combo from one of the leading brands in the industry. This rear-facing travel system is 25 percent smaller than the previous FastAction model when folded close and self-standing. It features a removable child’s tray with cup holders and an extra-large storage basket that’s perfect for storing diaper bags and other baby items.

Two factors separate this travel system from competitors: Graco Modes™ and the signature FastAction fold. Graco Modes allow for your child to sit or lay down in a variety of positions, while the FastAction fold means you only need one hand to fold and close your travel system in under a second.

Reviews point to the sturdiness of this jogger travel system and its convenient portability. Quite a few parents note that the jogging stroller makes it exceptionally easy to click connect the car seat to the base.

“Baby has been home for about a week and a half now and we love [the Graco FastAction SE]. Tall enough for us both. Car seat is easy to maneuver.”

– Lampkins via Amazon

Negative reviews for the product mention how heavy the travel system is and how tiring it is to carry around.

Featuring a lightweight aluminum frame with a steel reinforced base, the Britax B-Lively and B-Safe Gen2 Travel System is built to last. This rear-facing car seat stroller combo has a one-hand quick-fold mechanism, ventilated canopy, and a removable cover that’s machine washable. Additionally, the travel system is designed to offer full body protection for your child by surrounding the head, neck, and torso.

The Britax B-Lively and B-Safe Gen2 Travel System features SafeCell technology that crumples to absorb crash energy to keep your baby safe in the event of an accident. This stroller also utilizes SafeCenter LATCH, ensuring your baby is secured with a tightening base.

Because of its light weight, one-handed folding design, and one-click car seat installation, the B-Lively and B-Safe travel system is among the easiest to use.

Reviews speak about the travel system’s lightweight and easy-to-use design, with many reviewers lauding the Britax’s safety features.

“It’s so easy to use and I’m able to easily fold and unfold the stroller to get it in and out of my SUV.”

– Kalyn via Amazon

Most negative reviews mention that the baby stroller isn’t listed on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website. However, this is not true, the B-Safe Gen 2 is listed on the NHTSA website where it has an overall ease-of-use rating of 5.0 out of 5.0 stars.

When trying to determine the best car seat stroller combo for your family, you’ll want to consider safety, weight, accessories, and your lifestyle.

Whenever purchasing travel equipment for your child, safety should be the first priority. All car seats sold in the US must meet federal safety standards. However, even the safest seat is unsafe if improperly installed. Parents should refer to the product manual for instructions on how to effectively operate any travel system and watch out for any product recalls.

As a general rule of thumb, our review team strongly recommends checking out the weight of the car seat and stroller combined. Getting an idea of how much weight you’re carrying around and how long you think you could manage to carry that weight is imperative when picking a travel system.

While you may have a partner by your side to help carry the weight of the car seat stroller combo, this won’t always be the case, and it’s good to get a travel system that you can manage on your own. It should also be noted that adding the weight of your baby to the travel system is something many parents forget when trying to figure out how much weight they feel comfortable lugging around.

Knowing what specific features and accessories will be most useful to you and your family will make all the difference when shopping for car seat stroller combos. Whether you’re looking for child trays with cup holders, a large bassinet canopy, or even a peek-a-boo window, there are travel systems available to suit your needs. It’s best to predetermine what you need from a travel system rather than realizing you’ve purchased something that isn’t what you really need.

This is a question of the parent’s lifestyle, as a baby will learn to adapt to the lifestyle his or her parents lead. Whether you plan on taking your little one out when you go for your morning run or want a travel system that will work in a variety of scenarios, there are two main options to choose from.

Any car seat stroller combo sold in the US is required to meet federal safety standards, and so most of the options available are safe for your child. After safety, it’s important to consider comfort and ease of use.

In 2022, our review team launched a study to gauge what shoppers valued most while searching for car seats. Our team also found that 73 percent of respondents say they rarely uninstall their car seat once it is in place. Roughly a quarter of those surveyed said the most they removed the car seat was a handful of times each month.

Below is our list of the best car seat stroller combos in 2023:

Below are some common frequently asked questions about car seat stroller combos:

Travel systems often include car seat bases, bassinets, and a host of other accessories that make a travel system worth the investment. Bassinets are essentially sleeping spaces that are smaller than cribs accommodated specifically for newborns and babies.

Most car seat stroller combos are safe, but it’s important to do your research. We recommend looking for certifications, paying attention to recalls, reading consumer reviews, and ensuring that you feel confident in the materials used in the construction of the travel system.

Your baby can sit in a stroller in reclined positions once the baby can support their head on their own, which is usually around three months old. When the baby can sit up on their own, then they can sit fully upright in a toddler seat or car seat stroller combo, which is typically between five and seven months old.

As long as the child falls within the height and stroller weight limits of the stroller, you’re able to use the product for its intended purpose.

Once the child can begin to support their head independently of the stroller, going on short walks or trips to places nearby is one way to help acclimate your baby to a stroller.

If you plan on walking quickly or in a way that could compromise storage space, a more ergonomic stroller may be needed. Some strollers are only intended for gentle walks and the back seat, not types of terrain like gravel where someone may decide to jog.

*Data accurate at time of publication.