A travel stroller earns its place on the days you carry it more than you push it: the airport, the bus, the boot of a small car. A second-hand one makes sense because it usually spends a few holidays a year in use and the rest folded in a cupboard. There is no single best one, so this guide sorts the travel strollers in our catalogue by the job you need done. Figures are from the catalogue, in centimetres and kilograms, and "RRP" is the original UK price.
At a glance
| Model | Status | Weight | Folded (cm) | RRP | Seat lies flat | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Babyzen YOYO3 | Current | 6.2kg | 18 x 44 x 52 | £399 | No | | Babyzen YOYO2 | Discontinued | 6.2kg | 18 x 44 x 52 | £399 | No | | Joolz Aer+ | Discontinued | 6kg | 53.5 x 45 x 21.5 | £429 | Yes | | Bugaboo Butterfly 2 | Current | 7.3kg | 24.5 x 44.8 x 55.5 | £435 | Yes | | Bugaboo Butterfly | Discontinued | 7.3kg | 23 x 45 x 54 | £395 | No | | Cybex Coya | Current | 7.3kg | 53.5 x 45 x 22 | £499.95 | Yes | | Silver Cross Jet 5 | Discontinued | 7.5kg | 25 x 37 x 60 | £345 | Yes | | UPPAbaby Minu V2 | Discontinued | 7.6kg | 31.7 x 52 x 58.4 | £429.99 | No |
Which one for which trip
Flying with a newborn
You need a seat that lies flat. In the catalogue that means the Bugaboo Butterfly 2, Joolz Aer+, Cybex Coya and Silver Cross Jet 5. The Aer+ is the lightest of the four at 6kg. The Butterfly 2 folds in one piece and stands up on its own. Check the watch-outs on each model page, since the Aer+ and Jet 5 are forward-facing only and the Coya is world-facing only.
Smallest and lightest
The Babyzen YOYO3 and YOYO2 fold to 18 x 44 x 52cm and weigh 6.2kg, the smallest fold in this list. The trade-off is that the seat does not lie flat. The YOYO2 has been replaced by the YOYO3, which makes it the one to look for second-hand. Its basket takes 5kg, against 10kg on the YOYO3.
One stroller for holidays and for home
The UPPAbaby Minu V2 is the sturdiest here and the catalogue lists a 9kg basket. It is also heavier at 7.6kg and, at 31.7 x 52 x 58.4cm, too tall folded for most cabin-bag sizers. Pick it if it will also be your everyday second buggy rather than only a flight companion.
Older baby, tight budget
The original Bugaboo Butterfly has an original price of £395 and is discontinued, so it turns up second-hand. Its seat does not lie flat, so it suits babies from about six months.
What to check on a second-hand one
- Fold it and unfold it a few times. Travel strollers are folded far more often than other buggies, so the fold is where wear shows.
- Check the wheels turn freely and the brake holds.
- Check the harness clips and the fabric around the seat hinges.
- Ask what is included, since rain covers and travel bags are often sold separately.
Every stroller we sell has been through our refurbishment checks. Browse the current stock in our shop.
Cabin size is not a guarantee
Airlines set their own limits and decide at the gate. Our guide to cabin-approved strollers explains how we decide which models count as cabin-size, and what to check before you fly.
More detail on each model
Our buggies pages list full specs, the fold guides show how each one folds, and the compare pages set two side by side. See what yours is worth on our value pages.
Got one to sell?
Get an instant price, with a free box and free FedEx collection, and we pay you within 48 hours of it passing our check. Get your price.