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I’ll be honest, having a baby can really put a dent in your budget. All the essential must-have items like formula, diapers, and gadgets to nurture, feed, and safely transport an 8 lb infant can really add up!
But that doesn’t mean you skip out on safety. Smart purchases and wise decisions can help you get the best products for your money. And here’s my favorite hack.
If you are on a budget, skip buying separate car seats and strollers. Instead, invest in the best stroller travel system under $200.
What Is A Stroller Travel System And Why You Might Want One?
To a novice parent, it may seem like an extra purchase. But for a mama on a budget, the travel system is the best-kept secret in the world of strollers.
A travel system is a car seat and stroller that can be connected to each other. Simply put, these are designed to make your life easy.
Here’s why every new parent should consider one:
- Two for one: You can check off a stroller and a car seat with one purchase.
- Compatible: The car seat clicks or attaches to the stroller. So no worrying about compatibility issues.
- Travel: The strollers can be gate-checked and folded quickly using one hand.
- Car seat: There is no need to switch from a car seat to a stroller and risk waking up the baby. You don’t have to spend time unbuckling the baby out of a car seat and then strapping him into a stroller.
- Age Range: They are perfect for infants and toddlers.
In short, whether you plan to fly to Hawaii for the summer. Or run errands while daydreaming about flying to Hawaii for the summer, a travel stroller system is a must. However, if travel is definitely not on your cards, or you need a good value double stroller for example, have a look at our more general list of best strollers under $200.
But how do you choose the best stroller travel system in this price range?
As a mom who has had years of experience dealing with strollers and carrying car seats, I can help. There are 6 features I focus on when choosing a travel system, I’ve described them in more detail at the end of this post.
Here are the top 4 best car seat stroller combos under $200 based on these 6 key features.
| Weight | Seat & Stroller Locking Mechanism | Suspension system | Maneuvering and Braking | Folding system | Trays, Storage and canopies | |
| Graco FastAction SE Travel System | Less than 40lbs | Click and connect | Good | Left and right brakes | 1 sec, one hand fold | Parent tray, child’s tray, storage basket |
| Safety 1st Smooth Ride Travel System | 24 lbs | Easy with quick-click | Good *Added support for infants | Flip-flop friendly breaks | Lift to fold with one hand | Parent tray, child’s tray, storage basket. Oversized canopy with visor and peek-a-boo windows |
| Graco Verb Travel System | Less than 20 lbs | Click and connect | Good | Lockable front-swivel wheels | 1 sec, one hand fold | Parent tray, child’s tray, storage basket |
| Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System | 35 lbs | Connects | Best | Lockable front- swivel wheel | Easy-trigger fold | Parent tray, child’s tray, storage basket, XL canopy |
The Winner: Graco FastAction SE Travel System
Note: Apologies, the price of this stroller has recently gone above $200. I still think this is great value for money so I kept this option in our list.
Hands down, one of the best stroller travel systems is Graco’s FastAction SE Travel. It includes the FastAction SE Stroller and the SnugRide 30 LX Infant Car Seat. The two easily attach using the click-and-connect mechanism.
It is light and weighs less than 40 lbs and the stroller can be used by a child of up to 4.5 years.
But what makes it a hit is the one-second, one-hand fold feature. This feature allows a busy parent to quickly fold the stroller. Other specifications include a multi-position reclining seat, front swivel wheel, and adjustable five-point harness. Plus it has an extra-large storage basket that makes it a great choice for everyday errands.
The Graco FastAction SE Stroller is compatible with all Graco Click Connect car seats. So if you already have a car seat, you can skip the system and get a stroller. Here are some of the best strollers under $200.
The Safest: Safety 1st Smooth Ride Travel System
The Safety 1st Aerolite Sports Travel System Stroller is all about safety and storage space. This travel system includes the OnBoard 35 LT Infant Car Seat and a stroller. It comes with a child’s tray and a parent’s tray and plenty of storage space.
The 35 LT car seat has added back and neck support for newborns. The stroller also offers a multi-position reclining seat. It also has a three-point safety harness and flip-flop-friendly brakes.
The peekaboo windows and agile wheels were a lifesaver on long trips. And if your paths involve rocky inclines or cobbled streets of European cities, this travel system is the perfect choice for you.
The Lightest: Graco Verb Travel System in Merrik (a pretty light blue)
Note: Arghh, another one just jumped above the $200 since selected for our list ($209 when I looked last)!
Need a solid Graco travel system but with more features?
Then the Verb Travel System with the Verb Stroller and SnugRide 30 Infant Car Seat is the travel system for you.
Like FastAction, it has a click-connect system and an easy-to-fold feature. But this stroller weighs less than 20 lbs. This makes it the lightest stroller. Plus, the suspension ensures even the bumpiest roads don’t feel like camel rides.
I’m all about this travel system because of the front swivel locking feature. This makes multi-tasking while pushing the stroller a breeze.
The Most Well-Designed: Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System (orange and other colors!)
Itching to go out for a run?
Ready to explore the outdoors with your mini-me?
Then the Baby Trend Sky View Plus is the Travel System for you. It has a lockable front swivel and all-terrain bicycle back wheels, making navigation easy. It is designed to protect your baby from the elements of nature. And the tray features keep food and supplies accessible.
The well-designed parent tray has space for bottles as well as a compartment to store keys and coins. It also comes in a range of pretty colors, including the ‘Millennium Orange’ as shown in the picture above.
However, it might not be ideal for travel since it weighs around 35 lbs, making it the heaviest of the four.
Criteria For The Best Stroller Travel System Under $200
1. Weight:
When it comes to finding the best travel systems, weight is an important factor to consider. After all, you want the stroller to do the work for you—and not make you work out.
A decent travel system stroller will weigh less than 50 pounds. Some good ones will be in the range of 35 and 45 pounds.
2. Seat & Stroller Locking Mechanism
There will be a lot of installations and in-and-outs. So the locking mechanism has to be simple and easy. The best travel system under $200 will have a simple button or handle and a click-and-connect mechanism.
3. Suspension System
A good suspension system is essential for any type of stroller. But most stroller travel systems in this budget will have a basic spring suspension system, which only seems fair.
4. Maneuvering and Braking
The braking system in this price range is usually limited to foot brakes for parking. However, all-terrain wheels and a lockable front swivel are great features to have.
5. Folding System
Travel systems need to be travel-friendly folding into compact sizes with just one hand.
6. Trays, Storage and Canopies
A good canopy, a child and parent tray and storage space are critical when traveling with children. Unless you don’t want them spilling their snacks or whining about the sun getting in their eyes.
Top tip for choosing the best stroller travel system under $200
List down what features are important to you based on your commute and lifestyle. Then choose the car seat stroller combo that best meets your needs.