2022's 10+ best ultra-compact strollers for summer, travel, shops & more: check the best cabin-sized buggies on the market
This year's finally a year we start to go to the offices more, travel more, and therefore, we will need an ultracompact stroller that will travel with us. We sill want the smallest size of our stroller possible while wanting all the full-sized stroller features like a roomy seat, a tall seatback, an upright sitting position, a fully lie-flat seat, a large sun canopy and more. I am trying to put a few of the best ultra-compact pushchairs in this article for you so you know what good is now available and worth looking at on the global stroller market.
In the world of ultra-compact buggies, always remember no stroller has it all, and the smaller the strollers get, the fewer features they have. It's a matter of physics: how do you make something smaller? By making everything smaller, simpler, and taking away a lot of features that are not the stroller's priority. If you'll understand that quality is the key and that if your priority's the folded size (meaning other features will have to "pay"), you'll be golden ;-)
Bugaboo Butterfly: the high-quality do-a-lot ultra-compact
The Bugaboo Butterfly was conveniently released right before summertime, meaning a lot of stylish, quality-seeking parents will look at Bugaboo right now. The stroller is placed number one in this article for one simple thing - it is made very well in terms of longevity. It doesn't offer a lie-flat fold, but it is compatible with a Maxi-Cosi/Cybex-style car seat, which is pretty much newborn-friendly even without the full recline. Otherwise, it has A LOT – the tallest backrest of 56 cm, a bar in the back making it sturdier, an integrated leg rest, an extendable hood (hame the extension part is mesh only, but still nice to have), and a fold that is approved by IATA (International Air Transport Association). So YES, you can take it on board as cabin luggage with pretty much any airline.
... and it is so much better that the reversible Bugaboo Ant.
Stroller weight: 7.3 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l): 102.4 cm x 45 cm x 92.5 cm
Folded dimensions (h×w×l): 54 cm x 45 cm x 23 cm
Joolz Aer: the best before the BGB Butterfly
The Joolz Aer stays in this top 2022's ultracompacts article as, before the release of the Butterfly, it was one of my best recommendations in terms of longevity and quality. With a tall seatback and a well-made frame with a nice suspension system, the Joolz Aer was pretty much the inspiration behind the Butterfly as many features, including the high seat back with a nice padded insert and an only partial recline because of that, are too similar to be random.
The one thing the Aer has extra, compared to the Butterfly, is the carrycot option to fully use the stroller from birth.
Stroller weight: 6.1 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l): 105.5 cm x 45 cm x 83 cm
Folded dimensions (h×w×l): 53.5 cm x 45 cm x 21.5 cm
Recaro Lexa - the tall-seatbacked modern buggy
The Recaro Lexa ultra-compact stroller is a 2022 release that shows great promise (for the countries it is available in, that is). It is so not only for its tall seat back, but aso its sturdily-built frame and a straightforward, no-fuss design. Also good to know is that it was released in a reversible seat-design, too, as the Recaro Lexa Elite that feels like a better, updated Cybex Eezy S-Twist².
Stroller weight: 6.4 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l): 104 cm x 47 cm x 80 cm
Folded dimensions (h×w×l): 58 cm x 47 cm x 27 cm
Cybex Beezy - the right ultra-compact functions in a straightforward design
The Cybex Beezy is a middle road in terms of price, design, or materials. It is a travel pushchair to be considered for sure, as it works very pleasantly, it pushes smoothly enough, and tehe size of the seat is definitely nice even for a larger toddler. Perhaps not the most luxurious of all available ultra-compacts, but it works better than expected, and the reviews are actually very positive.
Stroller weight: 8.1 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l): 105 cm x 44 cm x 81 cm
Folded dimensions (h×w×l): 58 cm x 43 cm x 26 cm
Koelstra Buggy Gen - the value for the money from the Netherlands
I really wanted to put the Buggy Gen by the Koelstra brand from the Netherlands as it is a VERY affordable one while being made very nicely for that price. It has all the basics, from a lie-flat seat to a nice, unique design in a time when many other budget-friendly options look very similar from stroller to stroller (which means are made in one factory). The Buggy Gen is simple but "effective" (think practical), and for such a price tag, it simply does its job reasonably well.
Stroller weight: 6.7 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l): 100 cm x 48 cm x 82.5 cm
Folded dimensions (h×w×l): 60 cm x 48 cm x 26.5 cm
Uppababy Minu V2 - larger than most, more durable than most
While the Uppababy Minu V2, a 2022 update of the original Minu, still doesn't fit the requirements of all airlines because of a slightly larger size, it is so because of an even stronger, durable frame that really pushes and lasts well even on different levels of bumpy sidewalks or dirt roads. I cannot recommend it as a plane-stroller only, but for those needing as small as possible but for everyday use (which is often almost an oxymoron), the Minu V2 is a very nice choice that will take even a larger toddler, and now comes with a more elegant hood, a bumper bar, and many fancy details such as a perforated latherette bumper and handlebar.
Stroller weight: 7.66 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l): 104 cm x 51.6 cm x 90 cm
Folded dimensions (h×w×l): 58.4 cm x 51.6 cm x 29.2 cm
Ergobaby Metro+: the comfort for the baby
The Ergobaby Metro+ (Plus) definitely deserves a space in our top 2022 ultra-compacts as a stroller that can be taken on board of an airplane while taking the baby's comfort into consideration. Superly padded, with a slightly larger/chunkier wheels and a funky but large enough canopy, the fully reclinable Ergobaby Metro Plus buggy is a nice option for smoother surfaces and smaller little ones.
Stroller weight: 7.8 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l): 105 cm x 44 cm x 97
Folded dimensions (h×w×l): 54 cm x 44 cm x 25 cm
Kinderkraft Nubi – the budget ultracompact with a Reddot Design Award
The Kinderkraft Nubi is a very affordable little pram, BUT it offers a design different than most. With the T-bar instead of a normal belly bar and the shape and color of the whole frame and sun hood that stand out, the Nubi was awarded 2021's Red dot Design Award, which is rather rare for budget strollers. It is also rather nicely made, and a definite option for those needing something cheap but pretty and still working well enough.
Stroller weight: 7 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l): 102 cm x 43 cm x 84 cm
Folded dimensions (h×w×l): 55 cm x 43 cm x 22 cm
Leclerc Magicfold - the popular auto-folding stroller with the next iterations that are not built too badly
The leclerc Magicfold (Plus) and its new updates, now called Influencer, MF Plus and Hexagon, start to be seen more and more, and it is so because of a nice design combined with glossy finishes and the "magical" auto fold function. I am putting it at the end because I personally feel like it is not that special compared to other strollers, and it doesn't feel that sturdy to me. The price-performance ratio and the wow Magifold factor make it an ok candidate, especially in some countries where not all of the mentioned strollers are available.
Stroller weight: 6.6 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l): 101.5 cm x 47 cm x 61 cm
Folded dimensions (h×w×l): 56 cm x 47 cm x 24 cm
Babyzen Yoyo - the original is still the smallest
The Babyzen Yoyo 2, along with its sibling tandem Babyzen Yoyo Connect feature, is still one of the sturdiest frames on the market, and with that, the smallest-folding, any airline-accepted original ultra-compact. I actually don't like the super slanted Yoyo seat with a very short seat back (for a very, very high price)... but in terms of timeless design and a well-made chassis, which, yes, is not auto-folding nor one-hand folding but works nice enough, it is still a stroller that deserves a place in the top ultracompacts of pretty much any year.
Stroller weight: 6.2 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l): 106 cm x 44 cm x 86 cm
Folded dimensions (h×w×l): 52 cm x 44 cm x 18 cm
Extra /honorable/ mentions: Maxi-Cosi Jaya & Hamilton One
These two ultra-compact strollers, the Maxi-Cosi Jaya & Hamilton One (Prime) are in this guide because of their sheer popularity. Even if perhaps not in the 10 best ultra-compacts, they have one (popular) feature in common - a "magic" autofolding system similar to the Chicco Goody+ and the leclerc Magicfold. Apart from that, they both sport nice padding and rather good fabrics, oval lines, and, unfortunately, shorter, slanted seatbacks. Still fine in quality, the Jaya and the Hamilton stroller deserve to be mentioned as interesting choices for younger babies.
Maxi Cosi Jaya is superbly padded but quite slanted. Still a very nimble one:
Hamilton One (R1) is a bit like other models, but quite available and affordable at some places; looks sporty and pushes nice enough:
P.S. A new Easywalker Miley2 with a taller seatback is going to be launched soon, and the color-updated Easywalker Jackey is a definitely worth mentioning, too! ;-)
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I hope the world of travel buggies is now clearer, at least for this year. As always, do not overthink it, and bear in mind that the "how to choose a stroller" is often based on feeling, affection, popularity, and availability – and, of course, your budget and available finances. Please, always consider the fact that no ultra compact is meant for everyday use or all-terrain strain, and their small size will be reflected in a narrower, shorter seat space as well as limited use. Now, take your pick, be sure to have sunglasses and sunscreen at hand, and enjoy your travels, trips, vacations, and holidays with a bit more car boot space 😎 Have a great summer!
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The newest article with top 2023's travel strollers can be found HERE btw ^-^