Baby Stroller Reviews - Lightweight Baby Stroller Review
In the quest for the perfect stroller, many parents will end up eventually buying more than one baby stroller. The first (and typically their main stroller) will be purchased around the birth of the baby, perhaps the best selling Maclaren Techno XT Stroller
Cameleon Stroller
Lightweight baby strollers are typically not appropriate from birth as many will not be able to fully recline the seat. However for a 6 month plus baby, they can offer a convenient and lightweight solution. However, there is a balance between strength, practicality and weight.
When looking for the perfect lightweight stroller, we looked at the following key features.
- Lightweight - easy to hold and carry
- Small size when folded - can easily fit into a typical sedan trunk
- Low cost - offers value for money as a second stroller
- Strong - being light should not compromise the strollers quality
Please keep in mind that our ratings are based upon these criteria, and its use as a second stroller.
- Jeep All-Weather
$28.75 (discounted price on Amazon.com) - Graco LiteRider
$53 - Chicco C6
$60 - Chicco C5 $90
- Maclaren Volo $100 to $130
- Britax Preview Onyx
$140
We have tried to cover a wide price range, helping to determine if the very cheap strollers are actually good value, or spending a few dollars more will get a significantly better stroller. We have identified standout stroller from our testing, and 2 close runners-up.
Jeep All-Weather Umbrella Stroller
The Jeep® Wrangler All-Weather Umbrella Stroller
Where other strollers from Jeep offer pretty good value for money (even though we are not too keen on the design), the Jeep® Wrangler All-Weather Umbrella Stroller
The stroller is also very hard to push unless you are around 5′ 6″ to 5′ 10″, since the handle bars do not adjust for height. For the shorter parent, it can leave your arms in an awkward position, and for the taller parent, it can hurt your back to push because you have to hunch over to reach the bars.
There is no 5-point harness that is found on some of the other strollers and for safety reasons we like having the shoulder straps.
Strengths
- Low cost
Weaknesses
- Wheels or very poor
- Handle bars do not adjust, it is not comfortable to push for shorter or taller parents
- Only a 3-point harness
The Jeep® Wrangler All-Weather Umbrella Stroller
Unfortunately, you get what you pay for with the Jeep. It is a low cost stroller, and does have a cheap feel to it. For a few dollars more you can get a significantly better stroller.
Average
Graco LiteRider Stroller
The Graco LiteRider Stroller
The stroller support infants and children up to 4 years old and less than 40 lbs. It cannot be used from birth due to the lack of a fully reclining seat. One of the reasons the stroller sells well is its support of the Graco Snugride and SafeSeat baby car seats. This is becoming a popular feature, and a number of families can capitalize on their car seat investment.
A storage basket is included under the stroller, the canopy includes a peek-a-boo window, and a sun shade is included.
The seat supports a 2-position recline, and includes only a 3-point harness with a fabric crotch strap. It is a shame a 5-point harness is not included, as we do like the inclusion of shoulder straps.
A very convenient parent organizer tray is provided that includes two cupholders, and a removable childs tray with cupholder/juice box is included. We were very impressed with these included features, something that not even expensive features include. Some strollers offer these as accessories, but it is nice that Graco have included them with the stroller.
The patchwork cows pattern dominates the fabric. We actually think the pattern is pretty cool, but can think that it may not appeal to everybody.
Strengths
- Supports the Graco Snugride and SafeSeat baby car seats
- Light and compact
- Large storage tray below seat
- Parent and childs trays are very convenient
- Included sun shade
Weaknesses
- Patchwork cows pattern may not be for everyone
- Not as rugged as some of the other strollers
The Graco LiteRider Stroller
We did enjoy using this stroller. It does not seem to be as rugged as the Chicco C5/C6 or the Maclaren Volo, but we did like the included accessories, such as the parent and child trays and the sun shade. The Graco LiteRider Stroller
Recommended
Chicco C6 Stroller
The Chicco C6 Stroller
We were happy to see a 5-point harness included. The straps are not as padded as the Chicco C5, but offer good support for the baby. The stroller includes a 2 position reclining seat. The wheels features lockable swivels on the front wheels, and includes front and rear wheel suspension. A mesh storage basket provides enough storage for essential shopping underneath.
One point to note is the handle bars are positioned at a good height and seem higher than most other small strollers. They are comfortable and can accommodate shorter and taller parents. It seems that many strollers are designed for the average person at the detriment of taller or shorted owners. The designers of the Chicco C6 (and Chicco C5) have been able to provide comfortable handle bars for a wider height range of users.
The stroller comes with its own carrrying bag and includes a sunshade and carrying strap. It folds very easily, folding quite small and is comfortable to carry.
One thing we did notice was how easy it was to kick the back wheels of the stroller when walking. The wheels are positioned further back than other strollers. Whilst this does result in a more balanced and comfortable stroller, taller users may find themselves tripping up on the wheels. We also thought it would recline more (it only goes down about 10-15 degrees from upright).
The Chicco C6 comes in 2 other colors than shown, Tangerine (orange) and Key Lime (however, we felt that this color was more flourescent yellow than green!).
Strengths
- Great value for money
- 5-point harness
- Handle bars are comfortable for shorter and taller users
Weaknesses
- Seat does not recline that much
- Taller users may trip on wheels that are positioned far back on stroller
The Chicco C6 is great little stroller and represents exceptional value for money. At this price point it is by far one of the best strollers available. When compared to some of the other strollers we tested, you can understand why it receives such glowing reviews.
The Chicco C6 Stroller
Highly Recommended
Chicco C5 Stroller
The Chicco C5 Umbrella Stroller
The stroller features a padded 5-point safety harness. The front swivel wheels are lockable and the rear wheels feature individual locking brakes. Front and rear wheel suspension is provided. The ride is surprisingly comfortable, and it seemed to soak up the bumps very well.
The seat padding is firm and supportive. The child footrest features an extending legrest. As with the Chicco C6, we did feel that the seat should recline more.
A rain cover and sun canopy are included. As with the Chicco C6, the handle bars are very comfortable for shorter or taller people. The Chicco C5 feels very sturdy and well made.
The included shopping basket underneath is quite small and does not seem to be very strong; however, it is large enough to store the essential shopping.
Strengths
- Padded 5-point safety harness
- Very comfortable for shorter and taller parents
- Supportive seat and harness padding
Weaknesses
- Small shopping basket
- Seat does not recline that much
The Chicco C5 Umbrella Stroller
This is nearly a 5 star stroller. For 30 dollars more than the Chicco C5 it offers some improvements and additions over is smaller sibling.
Recommended
Maclaren Volo Stroller
The Maclaren Volo Stroller
The Volo features a lightweight aluminum chassis (8.6 lbs) with a quick and easy folding mechanism. The stroller folds very small and includes an adjustable shoulder carry strap.
We like the inclusion of the adjustable 5-point harness, which looks similar to that found on the more expensive Maclaren strollers.
The Volo has to be the best small strollers for taller parents. Both the Chicco C5 and C6 handle taller parents well, but the Volo seems to go one step beyond the Chicco’s.
One problem we did notice (and a by-product of such a compact folded size), was that the dirt from the wheels gets over the canopy. The only way to avoid the canopy getting dirty would be to use a towel or other item when folding to keep wheels from touching, or to not use the canopy at all.
One criticism would be the lack of a seat recline. It would have been nice to include a 2 position recline as offered by the other strollers. I can understand that Maclaren were looking at developing the lightest and smallest (when folded) stroller, and the inclusion of an additional recline mechanism would add extra weight and size. Also, the Volo would start to compete with the more expensive Maclaren’s, as apart from the lack of a recline, it offers a lot of the features offered by the more expensive Maclarens.
Strengths
- Very lightweight yet strong frame
- 5-point harness
- Very small and compact when folder
- Very comfortable for both shorter and taller parents
Weaknesses
- There is no peek-a-boo window on the canopy
- Canopy can get dirty from wheels when folded
The Maclaren Volo Stroller
The Maclaren Volo Stroller
Highly Recommended
Note: If you are looking for a Maclaren stroller that reclines that you can use everyday and still travel with, I highly recommend the Maclaren Quest ($225) or Triumph ($175). Both have 4-position reclines, adjustable footrests, rain shields, storage baskets, washable liners, reflective accents, carry handles and easy one hand two-step fold. The Quest is lighter in weight but has no suspension, a window in back, and its smaller canopy is only water resistant. Its weight capacity is 55 lbs, like the Volo. However, at the price point of the Maclaren Quest or Triumph, a wider range of good quality strollers become available, and your choice would not be limited by only these 2. We will be looking at a range of standard strollers at a later date.
Britax Preview Stroller
The Britax Preview
The Britax Preview is a lightweight and compact folding aluminum umbrella stroller. It includes all wheel suspension and easy to maneuver 6.5″ wheels.
A 5-point easy adjust harness is included and the four position back rest can be adjusted with only one hand. An adjustable leg rest is included.
One of the things we noticed was how short the handle bars were. Even for an average height person, they were not that comfortable. Also, the stroller was hard to turn/maneuver on non-smooth surfaces. The storage basket underneath is too small and not very easy to access. Finally, the umbrella mechanism was not as easy to open and close as the other strollers. It seemed that the additional mechanism to support the 4 position recline was limiting the ability to create a simple and quick mechanism for opening and closing.
Strengths
- 5-point harness
- Adjustable leg rest
- 4 position recline
Weaknesses
- Short handle bars
- Hard to open and close
- Can be hard to turn and maneuver on non-smooth surfaces
- Small storage basket
The Britax Preview
Recommended
Conclusion
In the end there can only be one winner. For $60 the Chicco C6 represents amazing value for money. Coming close behind in second are both the Chicco C5 and the Maclaren Volo, at $90 and $100 - $130 respectively.
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