Written by admin on October 30, 2009 – 6:21 pm -
Full-Featured Stroller Reviews
Updated July 2009
Best Stroller Overall
Inglesina Zippy
*Est. $350
The Inglesina Zippy is the best standard stroller, especially if easy folding and handling is a priority. Using a special mechanism, the Zippy stroller easily folds with one hand. The seat is fully reclining, so it'ssuitable for newborns. The Italian-designed Inglesina stroller is stylish, though not as modern as some $700 European strollers. The 22.5-pound Zippy has plush, washable seat padding and comes with a universal car-seat adaptor that fits the most popular infant car seats, including the top-rated SnugRide and SafeSeat from Graco. The sun canopy is adjustable, and a rain cover is included. The 2009 Zippy also comes with height-adjustable handles, rear-wheel suspension and one-hand steering. Built to last, stroller reviews say the Zippy is a great choice.
Many strollers claim to be easy to fold, but parents posting to review sites say the Inglesina Zippy stroller actually delivers and can be folded with one hand. The Inglesina Zippy also has the most important features: a fully reclining seat and car seat adapter for infants, plush padding that is removable and washable, a sun canopy and a rain hood. New for the 2009 versions are height-adjustable handles, rear wheel suspension and one-hand steering. For parents on a budget, the Graco Quattro Tour Sport (*Est. $170) gets high marks for features and ease of use, but reviewers say it doesn't offer the same long-term durability.
The most credible professional reviews of the Inglesina Zippy umbrella stroller come from ConsumerReports.org and "Baby Bargains." While Consumer Reports is known for its reputable independent testing, "Baby Bargains" has a more detailed write-up. The best user reviews of the Inglesina Zippy can be found on the parent forums of the book's web companion. There is also a credible report on this stroller at Baby-Gaga.com, where ratings are based on hands-on tests along with parent interviews. Cookie magazine has a balanced write-up backed by parent testing. In addition, we found several dozen owner postings at Amazon.com.
Best Budget Stroller
Graco Quattro Tour Sport
*Est. $170
Although heavier than most other top-rated strollers, the 26.5-pound Graco Quattro Tour Sport stroller gets high marks in professional and parent reviews as a good budget stroller. Users generally praise its durability,maneuverability and ease of use. It has a fully reclining seat, rotating canopy, storage basket and cup holder. It is also compatible with the Graco SnugRide and SafeSeat infant car seats. The Quattro Tour may not have the same sophistication found in the other options, but it makes up for this with a far lower price tag.
The Graco Quattro Tour Sport is a full-featured stroller that builds on the success of the similar Quattro Tour Deluxe (*Est. $150). Owner feedback is similar, but professional reviewers give the Sport's updated elliptical frame better scores for maneuverability and ease of use. Parents like the Quattro Tour Sport's reversible sun canopy, storage space, smooth ride and the fact that it reclines fully for newborns. We found several complaints about this stroller's 26.5-pound weight, however. Owners say the Inglesina Zippy (*Est. $350) is easier to fold and steer, and it weighs less, but it costs nearly twice as much.
Both ConsumerReports.org and its British counterpart, Which? magazine, offer independent test-based reviews of the Graco Quattro Tour Sport. Both sources offer impeccable ethics track records and comparative ratings, but only Which? adds a short write-up on each model. "Baby Bargains" doesn't commission laboratory tests, but reviews are based on solid research and consumer feedback. The Sport doesn't get as many user reviews as some other top-rated strollers, but there are a few posts each on Amazon.com and the Baby Bargains discussion forum.
Best Luxury Stroller
Uppababy Vista
*Est. $670
Competition is fierce among $700 luxury strollers, but reviewers say the Uppababy Vista offers a good blend of style, practicality, comfort and maneuverability. The Vista is highly configurable and adjustable: It comeswith telescopic handles, a no-kick rear axel, zip-in weather and bug shields, three recline positions, and interchangeable bassinet and stroller seats. There's also an optional second seat (the $130 RumbleSeat) and a running board (the $90 Piggyback) to accommodate friends and siblings, allowing you to extend the functionality of the Vista as a double stroller. Reviewers say the Vista is comfortable for babies and parents and exceptionally maneuverable in urban conditions (it's not an all-terrain stroller).
Among full-featured luxury strollers, reviewers say the Uppababy Vista stands out for practicality and value. Although it's not cheap, it is considerably more affordable than its closest competitors, the Stokke Xplory (*Est. $1,000) and the Bugaboo Cameleon (*Est. $900). As with the Stokke, the Vista allows babies to ride up high, close to mom or dad. The Vista is singled out as an excellent choice for urban parents who want an easy-to-fold stroller that delivers a smooth ride for the baby. Taller parents posting to user review sites say they also like the telescoping handles and no-kick rear axel. The one caveat is that the extra-wide wheel base can be a nuisance in cramped store aisles. The Inglesina Zippy (*Est. $350) is another top-rated, quick-fold stroller with a narrower profile, but with a less cutting-edge look. If you need to accommodate more than one child, the Vista can be equipped with a RumbleSeat (*Est. $130) toddler seat or Piggyback (*Est. $90) running board.
"Baby Bargains" and Cookie magazine have the best coverage of the Uppababy Vista. Neither source conducts controlled independent testing, but both include owner feedback and detailed write-ups. StrollerQueen.com and BabyGizmo.com are more focused on demonstrating features than evaluating performance. BabyGizmo.com's video review does an especially good job of explaining exactly how the Vista works. Owner feedback on the latest model is still sparse, but Buzzillions.com is accumulating a useful number of posts.
Full-Featured Strollers Runners Up:
Bugaboo Bee *Est. $530
5 picks including: Amazon.com, StrollersandPrams.com…
Bugaboo Cameleon *Est. $900
2 picks including: Baby-Gaga.com, JoggingStroller.com…
Quinny Buzz *Est. $480
2 picks including: BabyWorld.co.uk, EliteCarSeats.com…
Micralite Toro *Est. $550
2 picks including: Amazon.com, Baby Bargains…
Peg Perego Pliko P3 Classico *Est. $365
1 pick including: Amazon.com, Baby-Gaga.com…
Icoo Targo *Est. $600
1 pick including: Amazon.com, Baby Bargains…
Chicco Cortina *Est. $150
1 pick including: Amazon.com, Baby Bargains
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