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Best Discount Strollers, Travel System Reviews
Filed in:
Baby,
Car Seats,
Children,
Double Strollers,
Family,
Jogging Strollers,
Mother's Day,
Strollers,
Travel Systems
Price Range
Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$40
$280
$600...+
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Discount Strollers (Travel Systems) Buying Guide
Before the baby even arrives, the expenses start piling up. The good news is, when it comes to travel systems, many of the best products in the marketplace are also reasonably priced at under $300.
Although there are several players in the inexpensive travel system category, Graco and Chicco have the widest variety of products and get the most positive reviews from experts and users. While manufacturers such as Safety 1 st and Evenflo do offer standout models, it's important to do your research before buying: Graco and Chicco perform more consistently across their entire discount travel system line.
Most low-cost travel systems have all the bells and whistles of higher-end models, such as snack trays, drink holders, shopping baskets, sun shades and adjustable handles. In fact, many expensive models come with fewer options. So aside from style and fabric pattern, choosing the best travel system is a highly personal choice and comes down to a few key factors. Here are some things to consider when deciding which low-price travel system is the best fit for the baby and you.
Back to top »What to Look for: Cheap Stroller Travel System Features
Inexpensive Baby Travel Systems Safety.
Above all else, the best travel systems provide a safe, secure way to transport your child from point A to point B. At the very least, the travel system car seat should meet government crash test ratings, and experts recommend a 5-point harness for the most “wiggle-free” fit. Most car seat injuries are due to incorrect use and set up, so make sure the seat you choose is easy for all caretakers to properly install. It must also fit securely in each vehicle the baby will ride in. Some models feature installation aids on their car seat bases, such as the Chicco KeyFit's (starting at $158, Amazon
) bubble level, the Combi Shuttle's (starting at $139, Amazon
) level indicator and the one-hand dial adjustment on Graco's SnugRide 32 (starting at $140, Amazon
). Nearly all new infant car seats are compatible with the LATCH system. Parent posts on Toysrus.com praise the safety record of the Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe (starting at $230, Amazon
), and one father says the car seat saved his son’s life.
The travel system stroller should be sturdy and evenly distribute your child's weight so that it isn't prone to tipping. Tires should be adequately sized and shock-absorbent, and strollers should lock open securely and collapse only upon purposeful release of the latch. Especially with lower- priced travel system strollers, watch for sharp or jagged edges that the baby can scrape or cut himself on and latches or hinges located too close to the baby's hands and fingers. Stroller seat belts and safety harnesses should fasten securely and prevent the baby from squirming free or climbing out and all materials should be nontoxic. Also look for one-touch brakes, which models such as the Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe Travel System and the Chicco Cortina Travel System (starting at $258, Amazon
Discount Stroller Travel Systems Comfort
. Although most experts don't factor it into their rankings, the baby's comfort is one of the most important considerations for economical travel system purchasers. Users like the soft and washable fabric and cushioned padding of the Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe travel system, for example. And the Chicco Cortina travel system is frequently praised for the ergonomics of its KeyFit infant seat and the amount of head support it provides, as in this travel systems review on Epinions; critics, however, lament that the fabric isn't breathable and leaves their babies hot and sweaty. Most other travel systems get mixed reviews. Some consumers, like this Viewpoints reviewer, find the Combi Cosmo travel system doesn't hold up to normal wear and tear and others, such as this Amazon mom, note that the Safety 1st Acella Sport Stroller Travel System (starting at $170, Amazon
)does not fully recline and lacks adequate padding. Parents generally consider the Evenflo Journey Elite Travel System a good value for the price, but one parent commenting on the Walmart site would prefer that the sun shade be attached to the back of the infant seat.
Cheap Baby Travel Systems Weight and Size.
One of the biggest user complaints surrounding budget travel systems is the weight of the strollers. Because these strollers are full-featured and must safely accommodate an infant seat, it's a problem that plagues both reasonably-priced and high-end travel systems. The Combi Cosmo stroller is better than most in this category, weighing a mere 11 pounds, though some, like this Amazon buyer, consider it flimsy. On the other hand, the Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe is consistently rated as sturdy, as evidenced by this Amazon user review -- although at 27 pounds, it is by far the heaviest economical travel system stroller. Most strollers weigh between 18 and 22 pounds on their own, and take on an additional 8 to 10 pounds when combined with an infant seat; now add the weight of the baby.In addition, these multi-functional strollers are bulky even when folded flat for storage. Consumers with compact cars or who rely on public transportation may find this impractical or even impossible. Urbanites, like this Florida mom on Buzzillions, also complain that travel system strollers like the Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe are too wide, making it difficult to negotiate crowded streets or shopping aisles. To combat these size and weight issues, many consumers opt to purchase lightweight car seat strollers instead of, or in addition to, a travel system. Of these, the Baby Trend Snap N Go (single starting at $55, Amazon
Budget Stroller Travel Systems Capacity
. Consumers want to know two things when buying a cheap travel system -- how much gear will it hold and how much baby will it hold. As to the first concern, the Combi Cosmo and the Safety 1 st Acella strollers are frequently dinged for their small and inconvenient storage baskets. One Buzzillions user comments that her Combi Cosmo stroller barely accommodates her small diaper bag, let alone anything else. The Acella is panned by purchasers, like this parent on Amazon for having narrow drink holders. There is some debate on opinion sites, however, as to whether those drink holders are meant for baby bottles or morning lattes, as one user ponders in his Amazon review. The Combi Cosmo has no child or parent trays at all, though it does come with a detachable child drink holder. The Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe, Chicco Cortina and Evenflo Journey stroller are all deemed more adequate for storage, with the Graco model getting rave reviews for its unusually large shopping basket.When it comes to the baby, most travel system strollers hold children up to 50 pounds, making them useful well into toddlerhood. The main capacity difference here seems to be with the travel system infant seats. The Graco SnugRide 32 holds babies up to 32 pounds and 32 inches long, making it the largest capacity infant seat in this category. The Chicco KeyFit holds infants up to 22 pounds and 30 inches, whereas the newer KeyFit 30 accommodates up to 30 pounds and 30 inches. Most other infant seats meet standard specifications of 22 pounds and 29 inches. For parents more concerned about minimum capacity, experts on Howstuffworks.com note that the Chicco KeyFit infant seats are designed to safely transport preemies and infants weighing as little as 4 pounds. Clearly, the size of your baby should be taken into consideration when purchasing an economical travel system, as child safety experts recommend children remain in rear-facing child seats until they are both 20 pounds and one year old. If your child reaches the maximum weight prior to the first birthday, it could require investing in an additional, convertible car seat.
Discount Strollers Style
. The biggest difference between less costly travel systems and higher-end systems costing $300 to $600 more is in the styling. That said, discerning buyers find that many economical travel systems are also quite fashionable. The Baby Trend Expedition Travel System (starting at $200, Amazon
) turns heads, although purchasers, such as those on Buzzlillions, frequently find it bulky, heavy, and hard to use. Users like this Amazon dad compliment the Combi Cosmo and Safety 1 st Acella Sport Stroller for their sporty good looks, finding their aluminum frames more appealing than the models Chicco, Graco and Evenflo offer; the biggest complaint voiced by parent testers for Cookie magazine about the Chicco Cortina Travel System is its untrendy appearance. On the other hand, Chicco and Graco travel systems come in a wider array of fabric options and colors than do other discount models. While it can be difficult to find a lower-priced travel system with both cutting-edge styling and top ratings, frugal shoppers need to ask themselves how much they're willing to shell out for appearances alone.
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What to Expect: Discount Stroller Travel Systems Performance
Beyond securing a brand name image, more money doesn't buy you much more travel system, experts seem to agree. Inexpensive travel systems are consistently praised for their safety standards, ease of use, maneuverability and comfort. Quite a few affordable infant seats receive top scores in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Child Safety Seat Ease of Use Ratings. For instance, the Chicco KeyFit and KeyFit 30 receive five out of five stars for both evaluation of instructions and installation features and four out of five stars for overall ease of use. The Graco SnugRide is rated four out of five stars for installation features and three out of five stars for overall ease of use.
Lower-priced Travel Systems Performance
. While most purchasers of less-costly travel systems don't expect off-road performance, most do expect their travel system to easily negotiate suburban sidewalks, trips to the mall, and the occasional stretch of playground mulch. Experts and users alike give the Chicco Cortina, the Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe, and the Evenflo Journey Elite a thumbs up for durability and maneuverability. For example, this enthusiastic travel systems review on Buzzillions details the smooth, efficient, and nearly effortless navigation of the Chicco Cortina. And yet, some consumers say the width of the Chicco and Graco models makes them hard to steer through narrow spaces; city dwellers testing the Graco Quattro for Cookie magazine grumble about its width and bulk, noting in particular the difficulty of taking it on buses and subways and maneuvering through narrow grocery store aisles. The Combi Cosmo does poorly with expert product testers in both durability and maneuverability, although users who like it for its light weight and compact profile find it adequate for shopping malls and airports. One Viewpoints user remarks on its portability and the extra space it leaves in her trunk. Experts from Howstuffworks.com find the Safety 1st Acella Sport Travel System easy to maneuver, but challenging to turn.Inexpensive Travel Systems Setup
. Because travel systems cater primarily to caretakers of infants, nearly all are designed for ease of setup. All the top-rated models, including the Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe, the Chicco Cortina, the Evenflo Journey and the Combi Cosmo, are considered very good or excellent for their ease of use. One parent on Buzzillions finds her Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe simple to fold, unfold, and stow, despite her back problems. The Graco and Chicco models feature one-hand fold up, while the Evenflo model has a patented one-hand steering system. Travel systems user reviews across the board indicate that consumers generally don't find significant differences among travel system models in the Cheapism price niche when it comes to ease of setup.Cheap Travel Systems Longevity.
Other than style, the primary difference between pricey and bargain travel systems is longevity of use. If you plan to use your travel system with multiple children or over several years, you may decide it worthwhile to invest in a brand-name version. If you envision your travel system as a relatively short-term solution, however, your dollars may be better spent elsewhere.While $200 to $300 isn't chump change, the three-in-one nature of travel systems ensures that budget consumers get the most bang for their buck. The convenience of transporting the baby in and out of the car and grocery store without awakening them from a much-needed nap is worth its weight in gold. Similarly, the peace of mind parents get from knowing their infant seats, strollers, and bases are safety compatible is priceless. Although an infant car seat is a purchase with an expiration date, users will find the stroller portion of their travel system useful even after their tot rides forward-facing.
One final note
: Often, thrifty parents choose to save money by purchasing second-hand baby gear or using hand-me-down equipment. It is strongly suggested that you not do this in the case of car seats or strollers. If you do decide to use a previously-owned car seat or stroller, make sure you do a background check on where it's been and how it's been used; also check for recalls at www.cpsc.gov. By all means, opt for a new model if the used car seat has ever been involved in a crash or if it is more than six years old, as safety standards have likely changed. Back to top »
Please see our Discount Travel Systems Features Comparison Table »
Best Discount Stroller Travel Systems
Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe Travel System
(Includes the Quattro Tour Deluxe Stroller, SnugRide 32 Infant Car Seat and a car seat base.)
LATCH equipped car seat features convertible 3 to 5-Point Harness and holds infants up to 32 lbs. and 32 inches. Stroller seat reclines fully, converts into bassinet, and holds children up to 50 lbs. Includes child tray, adjustable canopy, two drink holders and large storage basket. Users find it easy to set up and maneuver and love the sturdy frame and all the “extras” but some say the large size and weight make it hard to stow in smaller cars or on airplanes.
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Chicco Cortina Travel System
(Includes the Cortina Stroller, KeyFit Infant Car Seat and a car seat base.)
LATCH system compatible with a 5-Point Harness and holds infants up to 22 lbs; KeyFit 30 model, which holds babies up to 30 lbs., also available. Stroller holds up to 50 lbs. and features height adjustable handle, adjustable leg rest, fully reclining seat, and all wheel suspension. Parents give it top marks for ease of car seat installation and child comfort, with some complaints about size and weight of the system and breathability of car seat fabrics.
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Good Cheap Stroller Travel Systems
Evenflo Journey Elite Travel System
(Includes Journey Elite Stroller, Discovery Infant Car Seat and a car seat base.)
Experts like this stroller for its safe, smooth ride and simple set up, but the car seatranks well behind the more popular Graco and Chicco models in fit and ease of use.
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Safety 1st Acella Sport Stroller Travel System
(Includes Acella Sport Stroller, Designer Infant Car Seat and a car seat base.)
Both experts and users like the lightweight design and easy maneuvering of the stroller, and experts rate the infant seat as good overall. Consumers like the sporty design but prefer the system with the infant seat inserted because stroller doesn't recline and seat isn't well padded. Some bemoan small shopping basket and drink holders.
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Children's weight loss
Save money and your waistline all in one shot. Give up those sweet sugared beverages, says The Sun-Times, and you and your children will be a whole lot healthier. Water anyone?
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Traveling with the kids is always a barrel of fun. Here are some tips from The Los Angeles Times that will keep vacation costs down without spoiling the family's good time.
Don't Bother Stroller Travel Systems
Combi Cosmo Travel System
Includes Combi Cosmo Stroller, Shuttle Infant Car Seat and car seat base. This travel system trails in expert ratings, with the car seat getting poor marks for ease of use. Happy consumers like the light stroller and low price but detractors say the system is flimsy, wears out quickly, and doesn't have much seat padding.
Products Mentioned in This Review
Combi Cosmo Travel SystemEvenflo Journey Elite Travel System
Safety 1st Acella Sport Stroller Travel System
Graco Quattro Tour Deluxe Travel System
Chicco Cortina Travel System
Thrifty Resources
Article Sources
Consumer Reports Consumer Search Consumer Reports Buzzillions Amazon Viewpoints Wize.com Consumer Search Travel Systems on Amazon Epinions Buzzillions Viewpoints Wize.com Consumer Product Safety Commission How Stuff Works Epinions Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association Buzzillions Stroller Queen Strollers.com Toys R Us Consumer Reports Consumer Search TargetFinancial Advice
Better BudgetingFrugal Advice
Wise BreadManufacturers
Safety 1stReview sites
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