Stroller Alternatives for Thrifty + Also Moms

When working with a smaller budget, the stroller is an excellent place to be thrifty.

If you’re buying new, the Joovy Qool is my favorite budget-friendly stroller out there. It handles beautifully on most terrain, is newborn compatible with a bassinet sold separately, and converts to a double stroller should you decide to have a second little one within the next three or so years. The only downsides are its weight and size.

If you’re buying used and can find a great deal, the sky’s the limit. Strollers by brands like UPPAbaby,

Below are some other strollers I recommend for you, including the pros and cons of each.

The three best new strollers for Clever Thrifters + Also Moms like you are the…

Joovy Qool ($380+) – The Less Expensive Convertible Stroller [Full Review]
ZOE Traveler XLC ($175+) – The Less Expensive Compact Stroller [Full Review]
Summer Infant 3D Lite ($70) – The Super Inexpensive Travel Stroller [Full Review]

Strollers you may want to consider if you find an excellent deal on a new or used model include…

Convertible Strollers:

- UPPAbaby Vista – The More Practical Luxury Convertible Stroller [Full Review]
- Silver Cross Wave – The Super Luxury Convertible Stroller [Full Review]
- Thule Sleek – The Sportier Luxury Convertible Stroller [Full Review]
- Baby Jogger City Select Lux (the UPPAbaby Vista is similar and better)
- Nuna Demi Grow (the UPPAbaby Vista is similar and much better)
- Joolz Geo2 (the UPPAbaby Vista is similar and better)
- Bugaboo Donkey (the Silver Cross Wave is similar, better, and less expensive)

All-Terrain / Jogging Strollers

- Thule Urban Glide 2 – The Luxury Jogging & All-Terrain Stroller [Full Review]
- Bob Strollers (all styles are significantly less attractive than the Urban Glide 2)
- Mountain Buggy Strollers (all styles are significantly less attractive than the Urban Glide 2)
- Burley Trailers / Strollers (all styles are significantly less attractive than the Urban Glide 2)
- Bumbleride Speed (more expensive and less attractive than the Urban Glide 2)
- Bumbleride Indie (more expensive and less attractive than the Urban Glide 2)
- Baby Jogger Summit X3 (significantly less attractive than the Urban Glide 2)

Single Strollers:

- Nuna Mixx2 – The Lower-Priced Luxury Single Stroller [Full Review]
- Silver Cross Coast (the Nuna Mixx2 is similar and less expensive)
- Bugaboo Fox (the Nuna Mixx2 is similar and less expensive)
- Cybex Priam Lux / 2-in-1 (the Nuna Mixx2 is similar and less expensive)
- Joolz Hub (the Nuna Mixx2 is similar and less expensive)
- UPPAbaby Cruz (size up or size down rather than choose this “in betweener”)

Compact Strollers:

- Bugaboo Ant – The Compact Luxury Travel & City Stroller [Full Review]
- Babyzen YOYO+ (the Bugaboo Ant is better and similarly priced, see a side-by-side comparison here)
- UPPAbaby Minu (the Bugaboo Ant is similar and a more compact fold)
- Bugaboo Bee (the Bugaboo Ant is similar and a more compact fold)
- Silver Cross Jet (the Bugaboo Ant is similar and has a taller backrest for taller kids)

Hunt for deals on used strollers online. You may find a great deal on something you love!

Joovy Qool – The Less Expensive Convertible Stroller

Joovy Qool Pros

- Significantly less expensive than most convertible strollers out there ($499 for the stroller only, $649 including bassinet sold separately)
- Converts into a double stroller with the addition of a second seat

Joovy Qool Cons

- Heavy (30.6lbs)
- Large fold (37″ x 24.8″ x 17.7″)
- Not a luxury stroller and has more budget details

Get the Joovy Qool if…

- You want a new convertible stroller but don’t want to pay an arm and a leg.
- You don’t mind sacrificing luxury details.
- You don’t mind a heavier stroller with a larger fold, because you will not be heaving this stroller in and out of your car with much/any frequency.

Learn more about the Joovy Qool here.

Zoe Traveler XLC – The Compact Stroller

Zoe XLC BEST Pros (vs. Joovy Qool)

- Significantly lighter (11lbs)
- Significantly smaller (and very simple) fold (22” x 17” x 6”)
- Significantly less expensive ($175)
- Compact and easy to navigate through tight spaces

Zoe XLC Best Cons (vs. Joovy Qool):

- Not newborn compatible with a carseat or otherwise
- Not suitable for taller children (16” seat-to-canopy height)
- Does not handle bumpy terrain well (great for sidewalks/pathways only)
- Does not convert into a double stroller

Get the Zoe XLC BEST instead of the Joovy Qool if…

- You live in a tiny apartment and only have room for to store a small stroller.
- You mostly walk on pavement. When you walk off-road, you wear baby instead.
- You plan to babywear exclusively for the first 3-6 months of your baby’s life.
- You want to spend as little as possible on a super compact travel stroller.

Learn more about the ZOE Traveler XLC here.

Summer Infant 3D Lite – The Inexpensive Travel & City Stroller

Summer Infant 3D Lite (vs. Joovy Qool) Pros:

- Designed for serious runners, with a large, fixed front wheel, excellent suspension, and a twist handbrake for speed control on hilly terrain
- Significantly lighter (12lbs)
- Simple, umbrella stroller fold (42” x 10.2” x 9”)
- Very inexpensive ($100)

Summer Infant 3D Lite (vs. Joovy Qool) Cons:

- Not newborn compatible with a carseat or otherwise
- Does not handle bumpy terrain well (great for sidewalks/pathways only)
- Does not convert into a double stroller

Get the Summer Infant 3D Lite instead of the Joovy Qool if…

- You live in a tiny apartment and only have room for to store a small stroller.
- You mostly walk on pavement. When you walk off-road, you wear baby instead.
- You plan to babywear exclusively for the first 3-6 months of your baby’s life.
- You want to spend as little as possible on a decent stroller.