Have you been looking for a way to conveniently take your toddler’s car seat and stroller on trips to no avail?
Well, look no further because we have compiled a comprehensive list of the 10 best car seats that turn into strollers keeping in mind their key features, ease of use, functionality, value, pros, and cons to help narrow your search.
Car Seats That Turn Into Strollers
A travel system combines a car seat and a stroller, sometimes including extras like a bassinet.
One can be turned into the other and vice versa by unhooking a few clips. This way, you don’t need extra luggage to provide the comfort your toddler needs for the road.
Whether you choose a combo with a bassinet or not, having one of the car seat and stroller combo saves time and space and will guarantee that your baby is enjoying a smooth ride in the car seat and, later, the stroller.
This combo remains useful for years. You can still use the stroller even when your toddler must have outgrown an infant car seat.
Here are 10 of some of the top car seat and stroller combos based on their functionality, price, and pros and cons:
1. Best Overall Car Seat and Stroller Combo
Doona Infant Car Seat and Latch Base
This rear-facing single-piece car seat can easily be turned into a stroller within seconds. Since it is a single-piece, there’s less gear to handle, and it can expand and retract quickly. It easily fits into a car seat latch base without disturbing the toddler.
Features
- It weighs 16.5 lbs, making it heavier than many travel systems.
- It has a rear-facing car seat.
- It is a two-piece travel system.
- Recommended child weight and height are 4-35lbs and 32.”
- Dimensions 17.3 x 23.6 x 26″
- Six color variations are available
- The price is $550 on Amazon
| Pros | Cons |
| Guaranteed child safety | Babies outgrow it easily |
| Ideal for switching vehicles | |
| Easy to travel with |
2. Best Value Car Seat and Stroller Combo
Safety 1st Smooth Ride Travel System
This car seat and stroller combo are lightweight and easy to maneuver for just $200. It is FAA approved for airplane seats during a flight.
Features
- Lightweight and easy to maneuver
- It is FAA approved
- It has a snack tray and two cup holders on the patent organizer
- Recommended child weight and height are 4-35 lbs for the car seat and up to 50lbs for the stroller
- The Stroller weight is 17 lbs
- The car seat weight is 10 lbs
- Car Seat dimensions 15.75 x 18 x 30.5″
- Stroller dimensions 19.7 x 17.7 x 31.5″
- Three color variations are available
- It costs $200 at Amazon and Walmart (At the time of this publication)
| Pros | Cons |
| Simple and easy to use | Too light and not sturdy for bumpy roads |
| Can hold up to 36 lbs in the car seat | It is costly |
| Includes a parent organizer | |
| Easy to carry about | |
| It is cheat |
3. Best Full-Size Car Seat and Stroller Combo
Chicco Corso Modular Travel System
This modular car seat and stroller combo is a new travel system by Chicco that you can easily remove the stroller and push the KeyFit car seat on the frame to save space.
Features
- It has a fabric boot to cover the baby’s feet and keep them warm
- It has a mesh on the canopy for extra breathability
- Removable and washable fabrics
- Reclining stroller seat
- Recommended child weight and height are 4-30 lbs for the car seat and up to 50 lbs for the stroller.
- The car seat weight is 9.6 lbs
- Stroller weighs 23. 4 lbs
- Car seat dimensions 34.5 x 24.8 x 42.8″
- Only one color option
- Costs $550 at Amazon, Bed Bath, and Beyond and Albeebaby.com
| Pros | Cons |
| The car seat and stroller face in either direction | No parent organizer |
| Easy one-hand fold | |
| Washable car seat fabrics |
4. Best Versatile Car Seat and Stroller Combo
Evenflo Pivot Vizor Travel System with LiteMax Infant Car Seat
This is a 3-in-1 car seat and stroller with a bassinet. Your toddler can be rear or forward facing in any mode you set.
The LiteMax Infant Car Seat can hold up to 35 lbs and has a privacy shade to prevent strangers from leaning in close to your sleeping baby. Even though this combo doesn’t include a parent organizer, it has a clip-on cupholder.
Features
- Plastic wheels for other terrains
- Clip-on cupholder
- Recommended child weight and height are 4-35 lbs for the car seat and 55 lbs for a stroller. 32″ for car seat and 38″ for a stroller.
- The car seat weight is 8 lbs
- The stroller weight is 20 lbs
- Car Seat dimensions 17.5 x 24 x 29″
- Stroller dimensions 25.5 x 47 x 34″
- Five color variations are available
- Costs $277 at Amazon, $330 at Walmart, and $346 at Bed Bath and Beyond
| Pros | Cons |
| It can be a bassinet or upright stroller seat | Plastic wheels are not suitable for all terrains |
| Baby can face forward or rear in any mode | |
| Includes a privacy shade | |
| Stroller holds up to 55 lbs, and 35 lbs for the car seat |
5. Best-Styled Car Seat and Stroller Combo
Nuna TAVO Next Stroller & PIPA RX Car Seat Travel System
Some parents know they will largely carry their baby around in the car seat more so than in a stroller.
It can be especially problematic if you frequently drive to grandparents’ houses and daycares or drive a lot and suspect you’ll mostly be worried about smoothly transitioning your passenger back home.
The PIPA car seat only weighs 7.5 pounds, making it among the most accessible car seats to take out and carry around.
The TAVO is a luxury stroller with a fully reclining seat and an easy magnetic buckle, and the built-in full-protection canopy keeps the baby safe.
If it’s cold, you can use the thick padding on the stroller seat, but if it’s hot, you can take it off and use the mesh seat below.
Adjusting the handlebar to the perfect height for taller parents is easy. The wheels are rubber on the outside instead of plastic, and the stroller folds into a remarkably small rectangle about 28 inches long, 22 inches wide, and 20 inches high. This makes it easy to fit in your car and store in your foyer.
Key Features
- Recommended child weight and height is 4-32 lbs. for a car seat and up to 50 lbs. for a stroller; up to 32 inches in height for a car seat.
- The car seat weight is 7.6 lbs.
- The stroller’s weight is 25 lbs.
- Car seat dimensions are 25.2 x 17.5 x 23 inches
- Stroller dimensions are 28.4 x 22.4 x 43.7 inches
- It has two color options.
| Pros | Cons |
| Lightweight car seat | Expensive |
| Premium fabrics and detailing | |
| It folds very small. Suitable for houses with small spaces | |
| Snappy magnetic buckle |
6. Best Luxury Car Seat and Stroller Combo
UPPAbaby Vista V2 Stroller and Mesa Infant Car Seat
This car seat is exclusive to parents who want a smooth ride for their toddlers and are willing to pay the price.
It has a spring wheel suspension to maintain a smooth ride even on bumpy roads. The full travel system has a Mesa car seat, a bassinet, a bug shield, and a rain shield.
The Mesa car seat can be easily clipped into a vehicle with the Smart Secure System. It has a LATCH system that makes installation easy and fast.
It also has an adjustable handlebar for adults of different heights. No parent organizer, but it has a large basket underneath it to accommodate any extra stuff.
Key Features
- Recommended child weight and height: 20 lbs for the bassinet, 4-35 lbs for the car seat, up to 50 lbs for the stroller, and 32″ for the car seat.
- The car seat weight is 9.9 lbs.
- The stroller’s weight is 27 lbs.
- Car Seat dimensions 26.4 x 17 x 23″
- Stroller dimensions 36 x 25.7 x 39.5
- Four color variations are available
- It costs $1,300 at Amazon.
| Pros | Cons |
| Easy steering and smooth gliding | Heavy stroller |
| Includes a Smart Secure System | Expensive |
| Includes a bassinet, rain cover, and mesh shield for breathability | |
| Converts to a double or triple with extra attachments |
7. Most Adjustable Car Seat and Stroller Combo
Graco Modes Nest Travel System
Since the 1950s, Graco has been on the market. In the late 1990s, the company introduced its first travel system concept, a car seat that snaps into a stroller. With its SnugRide infant car seat line, Graco has led the way in car-seat safety in this century.
It includes the popular SnugRide 35 Lite Elite Infant Car Seat, and the stroller seat slides up and down on the frame, turning forward and backward.
Tall parents like to set the stroller seat high since they don’t have to bend over as much to tend to their infants. Once your baby grows into a toddler, you can adjust the height as needed.
When fully reclining the stroller seat, you can unbuckle a belt under the footrest to form a bassinet for the infant months.
To stroll around with the car seat, remove the stroller seat altogether and use the frame as an infant car seat carrier. The car seat can be adjusted to fit your preference and can face forward or backward.
The SnugRide 35 Lite Elite is among the very lightest infant seats on the market, and at just over 7 pounds, it is easy to carry around.
The stroller has a few standard details instead of a luxury. It has no parent tray — just a clip-on cup holder. There’s no parent tray — just a clip-on cup holder.
In addition to the child snack tray, the storage basket underneath expands higher so that more can be loaded without tipping out.
One thing to note from our testing is that the stroller does not come with any of the wheels attached, so read the instructions carefully and give yourself about 30 minutes to assemble it.
Key Features
- Recommended child weight and height limitation is 4-35 lbs. in the car seat and up to 50 lbs. in the stroller; up to 32 inches in height for a car seat.
- The car seat weight is 7.2 lbs.
- The stroller’s weight is 23 lbs.
- Stroller dimensions are 25.75 x 35.5 x 47 inches
- Car seat dimensions are 14.41 x 18.07 x 27.4 inches
- It has four color options.
| Pros | Cons |
| The stroller seat can convert to a pram for infants | The plastic wheels are not the top standard |
| The car seat is lightweight and can hold up to 35 pounds | Not ready to go out of the box |
| The stroller seat and car seat slide up and down, facing either direction | |
| Storage basket expands |
Read Also: How To Clean a Graco Stroller
Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System
The Baby Trend Expedition Jogger travel system is an excellent choice for the right car seat and stroller combo for your mini running buddy.
Its three-wheel, bike-tire design allows it to navigate rougher terrain easily. When you’re out shopping and need to make tight turns, the front wheel can be locked straight to keep the stroller from veering as you jog or set to swivel.
When it’s time to put your baby back in the car, the stroller folds down to fit in the trunk, and the car seat clicks into the LATCH base.
The low price reflects the fact that there is nothing flashy about the canopy, fabric, padding, or the heavy alloy steel frame. (about 27 pounds).
The EZ-Flex Lock 30 infant car seat can only hold 30 pounds, whereas others can hold up to 35. This is an Amazon best-selling product with close to 10,000 five-star online reviews.
The child tray is one of our favorites. It is useful when your baby grows into a toddler and requires a constant supply of snacks, and the parent tray has a compartment that closes to keep your phone in place. There are also two parent cupholders.
Key Features
- Recommended child weight and height is 4-30 lbs. in the car seat and up to 50 lbs. in the stroller; up to 30 inches in height for a car seat and 42 inches for the stroller.
- The car seat weight is 9 lbs.
- Stroller’s weight is 27 lbs.
- Car seat dimensions are 16.25 x 14.66 x 26 inches
- Stroller dimensions are 44 x 46 x 22 inches
- It has nine color options.
| Pros | Cons |
| Affordable | It is heavy |
| All-terrain bike wheels glide over jogging paths | The canopy is small |
| Nice child and parent tray |
9. Best Installation Car Seat and Stroller Combo
BRITAX B-Free Premium & B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit Plus Travel System
Installing a baby car seat base into your vehicle can sometimes be daunting (potentially dangerous), so we appreciate how easy this one from Britax is to install.
Starting with the assembly, this travel system performed admirably when used: we only needed to insert the wheels, canopy, and car seat adapter.
During our testing, we were able to attach the car seat to the stroller and car seat base with one hand and detach it with the same, though depressing a lever required a second hand.
The installation of the travel system took less than two minutes and was particularly impressive.
We tightened the base by pulling on the middle straps after the LATCH system clicked it into place. Once installed, the base felt incredibly sturdy and stable in the vehicle.
Folding the stroller wasn’t intuitive at first, but it was simple once we figured it out, and the loop you pull to collapse doubles as a handle when folded.
While we liked that the toddler seat reclines, we found it difficult to adjust: we had to push both the slider and the straps at the same time, which took some effort.
A medium-sized diaper bag fits snugly in the cargo area, but the carrying bag attached to the handlebar has room for additional small items.
The canopy is adjustable, and there is a mesh peekaboo window with a magnetic closure for viewing. A hook and loop closure secures it to the base.
Unlike most of our other favs, this stroller only has one front wheel, allowing us to easily navigate curbs. The stroller struggled a little when going over sticks and was a little heavy to turn, but it overall turned smoothly.
It costs $650, which is more than the Graco Modes Pramette Travel System and the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System (both of which are under $350). Nonetheless, we believe that the ease of installation makes it worthwhile.
Key Features
- Recommended child weight limitation. Weight: 22 pounds | Dimensions: 44 x 24 x 42 inches (unfolded) | Weight Limit: Newborn to 55 pounds
- Recommended car seat weight and height limitation Weight: 11.6 pounds | Dimensions: 26.6 x 17.9 25.9 inches | Weight/Height Limit: 4 to 35 pounds / 32 inches tall | Cross-Compatibility: Select Britax models (with included adapter) and BOB Gear jogging strollers (with adapter)
| Pros | Cons |
| It is easy and quick to assemble | It has no snack tray or cup holder |
| Magnetic peekaboo window |
10. Best Boutique Car Seat and Stroller Combo
Maxi-Cosi Zelia Max 5-in-1 Modular Travel System
While many of the features of this travel system are similar to others (the stroller seat has a pram mode and can face either way), there are a few that stand out.
Fans of Maxi-Cosi adore the vibrant colors and soft, premium fabrics. To keep the cushions looking nice, most of them can be washed and dried. Furthermore, the fabrics contain no added fire retardants.
The Mico car seat is lightweight, and the handle is ergonomically shaped to comfortably fit your hand. The stroller seat’s leatherette bar (ideal for attaching toys) swings out of the way so you can quickly load your baby in.
The wheels are small, but they swivel smoothly, allowing for tight turns. There is no parent organizer, but there is a cup holder and a four-position handle that allows you to pull it out for a taller adult or push it in for a shorter caregiver.
Key Features
- Recommended child weight and height limitations are 4-30 lbs. for a car seat and up to 50 lbs. for a stroller, up to 32 inches for a car seat, and 49 for a stroller.
- The car seat weight is 8.7 lbs.
- Stroller’s weight is 20.9 lbs.
- Car seat dimensions are 31.5 x 18 x 15.5 inches
- Stroller dimensions are 31 x 31 x 22.44 inches
- It has two color options.
Related Posts:
- How to fold a single and double Bob stroller
- How to install baby trend car seat
- Graco Car seat Vs Chicco – Which is Better?
Why Do I Need A Travel System?
Moving your baby from the car to the stroller can be difficult, and until your precious bundle can sit up on its own, it will require a bassinet or fully-reclinable seat to relax in a stroller safely.
A travel system will be your new best friend in this situation: A travel system protects your baby in the car and in a stroller and requires only one purchase.
Consider it a two-for-one deal in which you save money by purchasing a stroller and a car seat together.
Parents who want an easy and quick way to transport their children without packing as many extra items will benefit from travel systems.
With a single click, you can remove the seat from the stroller and quickly snap it into your car. There’s also no need to worry about compatibility because your products are packaged.
If you have your heart set on one brand’s infant car seat and another brand’s stroller, you will not want a travel system.
In that case, you can test the stroller with an adaptor to see if it can accommodate your preferred car seat.
If you can’t use the stroller and car seat together, read the product specifications carefully before purchasing them separately.
How Safe Are Car Seats That Turn Into Strollers?
Many recommended options here have safety features that ensure your toddler is safely strapped into the car seat or stroller to prevent them from falling out during a stroll or a ride.
However, no gear is 100 percent efficient. Therefore, as a parent, you must prioritize and ensure your baby is safe before and during a ride.
- Ensure your toddler is within the recommended age, weight, and height limitations.
- Follow up keenly on the installation processes based on the manufacturer’s directives.
- Check for safety features before hitting the road.
- Don’t leave your toddler unattended. When not in use, fold the stroller and stow it away to prolong its usage.
What To Look For In A Car Seat Stroller Combo
Before you choose a car seat for your little one, there are some key things to look out for that can enhance your experience with the car seat combo.
Height and weight limits: every model has weight, height, and even age limits that you must consider to avoid buying one your baby has outgrown already.
Value: Some car seat stroller combos have extra attachments that make them more functional and valuable than others. Extras like a cup holder, basket, bassinet, and rain shield are good examples of functional attachments that make the combo preferable. Also, the cost at which you buy them matters.
Features: The features of a car seat and stroller combo will hint at how safe and usable that combo is.
Ease: You must also consider using a particular car seat combo when choosing one. Some car seats and stroller combos are simpler to maneuver than others, making them preferable when in a hurry or during an emergency.
Conclusion
Many car seats turn into strollers, and trying to pick one out of the many can be confusing if you don’t have any specifics in mind. However, the search will be less stressful if you know what to look for in a standard, safe car seat, and stroller combo.