There are several different types of stroller to choose from.  Each option benefits different activities.  You wouldn’t want to use the same stroller for jogging as you do for walking in the mall.  Even though you probably could use a jogging stroller in the mall, it may be rather bulky and inconvenient.  Perhaps having a second lightweight stroller would be more beneficial for shopping trips and airplane rides.  And you could definitely not use a standard stroller for jogging.  Believe me, I’ve tried, it doesn’t work, everything starts to wobble so hard because the stroller isn’t built for the speed of jogging.  Most likely you will find that investing in two or three different types of strollers will fit you best for each of your activities.  Below is a discussion of each type and a few recommended brands.

Standard strollers are basic strollers. They are great for flat areas. The wheels are usually only about 3-4 inches in diameter, so trying to push these strollers too quickly or over too many bumps can result in excessive wear and tear to the stroller. They usually have a basket for storage, and typically a few other pockets and cup-holders for convenience. Standard strollers are usually fairly large and are quite heavy, so they are best used for long shopping trips, or slow walks. They will fold up for travel, and depending on the stroller, this can be easy or not. Also, pay attention when looking at these strollers to see how high the handles are. If you are tall, you could have to deal w/ a tired lower back often if you get handles that are too low.

Recommended brands for standard strollers: There are less and more expensive strollers (of course). These stroller manufacturers are trying to reach different markets. After extensive research, the best less expensive brand of stroller is Graco. The other less expensive brands have very low ratings compared to Graco stroller & the average of all the other more expensive brands. The best of the more expensive brands are Inglesina and Baby Planet. These decisions were made based on reviews of durability, maneuverability, ease of use, and how easy it was to work with the company.

Jogging strollers are for jogging and running as their name implies. They are built with large all terrain tires. They are usually much sturdier than standard strollers and also cost a lot more. However, they are a must have for jogging/running or intense walking. Trying to use a stroller that is not made for this use will result in damage to the stroller, and may be dangerous to the child(ren) in the stroller.

Recommended brands for Jogging Strollers: Baby Jogger and Instep both make very high quality joggers. Both are highly rated by users and are reasonably priced.  You can also find high quality double jogging strollers from each of these brands.

Umbrella strollers are the simplest stroller. Most often they are a very small stroller with just a cloth back and a small canopy. There are not usually any storage areas in this stroller because it is made as a light, easily transported stroller. The nice thing about these strollers is that they are so light and easy to compact that even a double umbrella stroller is easy to travel with. The downside to these strollers, is that usually they are not very durable, and the handles are very low so anyone who is very tall (I would say 5 feet 7 and taller) easily gets a lower back ache from pushing it for too long.

Recommended Brands: If you just want a cheap umbrella stroller, go to WalMart. If you want a good umbrella stroller, check out the recommendations under Lightweight Strollers.

Double strollers are for two children. They sit side by side. You can find double strollers in virtually any form (except a pram). When looking for a double stroller, some of the most important aspects to consider are maneuverability and weight (as it will be larger than a single stroller). Be sure that it is a stroller that you will be able to handle okay.

Recommended Brands: There are so many brands out there that make double strollers. Check out my list at the end to see ratings.

Travel systems are strollers that a car seat fits into.  They include a full car seat and a standard stroller.  The frames that a car seat goes into creating a seat is not considered a travel system.  Travel systems are intended to grow with the child.  Infants are not safe in a standard stroller, so a travel system is designed for the car seat to fill the time until the child is old enough to transfer into the stroller.  It is also convenient for parents while running errands.  They don’t have to wake their baby up to put them in the stroller from store to store.  They can keep them in their car seat and just fit the car seat into the stroller.  Also, a travel system allows for the stroller to be used without the car seat as well.

Sit and stand strollers are neat for children. These are good for one or two children. Often when a child is a toddler, they want to explore on a walk as well, but in order for you to get your exercise, it is nice to be able to walk further than a toddler can. For a very active child, it is much easier to have them jump onto the stroller (stand) and you keep walking than having to buckle them in several times.

Lightweight strollers are the answer to many women’s complaints that umbrella strollers are too cheap.  There are several different varieties of lightweight strollers, but generally they are a souped up umbrella stroller.  Lightweight strollers are easy to travel with, fold up very compactly, & are light and sporty.  They are great for short walks & traveling.  They’re probably not the stroller for shopping or long walks, as they don’t have very limited storage if they have any at all.

Recommended Brands: Peg Perego & MacLaren

Tandem strollers are inline double strollers.  There are some neat tandem strollers that have swivel seats so the children can face the same way, or face each other.  These strollers are obviously the best for more than one child.  The disadvantages of these strollers are that they can be a little bulky, heavy, and hard to maneuver.  It is sometimes hard to take these strollers places because of this.  However, Phil & Teds makes a really cool single stroller that converts into a tandem.  It is lightweight and has great maneuverability.

Prams are old fashioned baby strollers. They are only for infants, but are great because they infant can be engaged with the person pushing the stroller instead of facing forward. This is comforting to a lot of parents because they can keep track of what their child is doing and if they have any needs. There are also some studies done lately in the UK that show children do better in “backward” facing strollers. Also, you don’t have to “waste” your money because there are a lot of convertible strollers that start out as prams, and can be converted into forward facing strollers as the child grows older.

Special needs strollers are built to fit children of any age. They come standard, as well as with jogging compatibility.

Chassis are a base to fit a car seat into.  These are nice for first time moms who don’t really know what stroller to get.  They are rather inexpensive, and are a great stroller for infants (since the infant car seat can be put right in them).  It may not be a bad idea to start with this before buying just any stroller.  You don’t want to make an investment in a stroller to have it break readily or for it not to fit your needs.

Whatever stroller you decide on, do your homework. See if you can try out friends’ strollers before you buy.  Push their kids around in them.  Also, when you are shopping, push several strollers to make sure the stroller you choose is a fit for your body. Checkout reviews online to see what strollers other people have liked. Below I have listed several of the most popular stroller brands giving a rating of 5 stars, price range of strollers, and the variety you will find in that brand. I hope this helps you narrow your search, so you know what type of stroller fits you best.

Peg-Perègo
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Cost: $200 - $800
Variety: Plenty of single strollers, convertible systems, and twin & triplet strollers.

Phil & Teds
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cost: $300 - $700
Variety: 3 lines, lightweight, double (side by side), and 3 wheeled single that converts into a double.

Mutsy
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cost: ~$600
Variety: Five different varieties of virtually the same product. However, they are all convertible and so can grow with your baby.

Maclaren
Rating: 4.39 of 5 stars
Cost: $100 - $400
Variety: Single lightweight strollers many varieties, a few choices of doubles, and a travel companion (a base that an infant car seat can fit into).

Baby Jogger
Rating: 4.75 of 5 stars
Cost: $200 - $800 (800 for the triple)
Variety: 4 lines of 3 wheel urban use & 3 lines of joggers (both include double & they even sell a triple stroller)

Bumbleride
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cost: $350 - $500
Variety: 4 different styles. A 3 wheel, single, double, and pram.

Inglesina
Rating: 4.75 of 5 stars
Cost: $150 - $1100
Variety: They have prams, convertible strollers, and regular strollers (rather high end). A few varieties of each kind.

Mountain Buggy
Rating: 3.6 of 5 stars
Cost: $200 - $1100
Variety: Four basic designs, all 3 wheeled. Provide single, double, and even triple strollers! They also have a pram design.

Stokke
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Cost: $1200
Variety: Just the Stokke Xplory

Bugaboo
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cost: $500 - $1000
Variety: 3 different strollers, the chameleon, the bee, and the frog. All are convertible.

Jeep
Rating: 3.83 of 5 stars
Cost: $45 - $170
Variety: Just four lines of stroller, umbrella, standard, 3 wheeled, and jogger

Instep
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cost: $100 - $370
Variety: Jogging strollers- but a lot of variety

Gogo Babyz
Rating: 4 of 5 stars
Cost: $70 - $180
Variety: They sell 3 stroller products, Urban Advantage, and 2 other innovative strollers which you can on their website.

Graco
Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Cost: $30 - $250
Variety: Light weight, standard, and double. Large variety to choose from

Evenflo
Rating: 3.67 - Great ratings for the Xsport Line, very poor for the Journey Line
Cost: $40 - $150
Variety: Large variety – Umbrella, standard, tandem, and travel systems.

Eddie Bauer
Rating: 3.5
Cost: $200 - $250
Variety: Travel Systems

Cosco
Rating: 3.54
Cost: $15 - $175
Variety: Travel system, single strollers, and umbrella

Contours
Rating: 4
Cost: $80-$250
Variety: Lightweight, Tandem, & Reversible 3 wheeler

Baby Planet
Rating: 4.75
Cost: $100 - $400
Variety: The same single stroller focusing on different animals. One double stroller and one other travel system stroller.

Stroll-Air
Rating: 3.31
Cost: $300 - $600
Variety: Zoom – convertible pram

Combi
Rating: 3.64
Cost: $100 - $400
Variety: Large variety: singles, standards, lightweights, travel systems, doubles, etc