Best Everyday Strollers for City Families: Full-Size and Mid-Size Picks

To navigate your neighborhood in the city, most families choose a full-size or mid-size stroller that has great wheels, suspension, and storage, such as our city-vetted favorites from UppaBaby (Cruz V3, Vista V3 and the new Kona), Bugaboo (Fox 5 Renew, Kangaroo, Donkey, or Dragonfly), Cybex (Mios, Priam, or Gazelle), or Silver Cross (Breez). All of these models have an array of city-friendly features that will make them a great choice for the right family. 

In this article, we’ll tell you our top full-size and mid-size stroller picks for the city and why we think these are the top models for NYC life.

TLDR

Full-size or mid-size, city families need a stroller with real suspension, good-sized wheels and enough storage to survive a full day out. Our full-size favorites are the UppaBaby Cruz V3, Cybex Priam, Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew, Vista V3, Kangaroo, Donkey and Gazelle. These all go the distance for daily neighborhood life and growing families. Our mid size favorites are the Silver Cross Breez, UppaBaby Kona, Bugaboo Dragonfly, and Cybex Mios, which deliver nearly the same ride in a smaller, easier-to-manage footprint. Come test them all in person at Babesta, and we’ll help you match the right model to your family and your building.

How We Chose These

Choosing the fleet of strollers we think best serve the city lifestyle means we try to look at them from many different angles – from parents in elevator buildings that want one stroller to take them from one child to two or three, parents of twins, parents in walk-up buildings, those that are always on the go, and those who want the smallest model that still has the quality, suspension, and wheels for a comfortable push. 

We build them, read the brand’s fact sheets, test out the features, and then road test them. We face each of them off against the others, too, so we can see what need each stroller serves best. If our customers are clamoring for a model, we’ll proactively ask a brand for a test drive and then decide whether it should be added to the line up. Lastly we look to the manufacturer’s customer service in case anything goes wrong - we want to be sure they’re attentive and quick (and that issues are minimal) as our city families are so dependant on their stroller to navigate life in the Big Apple!

Best Full-Size Strollers for Daily City Terrain

When it comes to full-size strollers that fit the city lifestyle best, our picks balance suspension and wheels with storage, style, sustainability, and adaptability. Some picks are simple singles, while others can grow as families grow serving one, two, and even three children. 

Single

Some parents prefer the smaller, lighter single strollers over something that can accommodate another child down the road. Here are the models we think rock the single life.

UppaBaby Cruz V3 (GREENGUARD Gold Certified)

First up, the UppaBaby Cruz V3. If you’re looking for a single full-size stroller with great suspension, decent sized wheels, a relatively small frame with an easy fold, and a key safety certification (GREENGUARD Gold), look no further. It’s smaller than its “big brother” the Vista V3 and only serves one, but does it exceptionally. The Cruz is also newborn-ready from day one coming with a newborn insert included. 

Cybex Priam (Best Fashion & Seat)

The Cybex Priam is our pick if you’re a stickler for style, and want a stroller that checks the boxes of great wheels and suspension as well as look and feel. The Priam’s seat is our favorite of all — it’s long and comfortable, reclining ergonomically for children 6 months and up. Pair it with the carry cot for newborn-readiness. The Priam has smaller storage than some of the others, but the storage is more discreet with a magnetic close. 

Bugaboo Fox Renew (Easiest for Storage & Sustainable)

When you feel the Fox Renew on the street, you’ll be struck by how light it feels. Compared to other strollers that have separate bassinets that you have to store, the Fox is genius in the way that you get one stroller frame and two pieces of fabric — the bassinet fabric and the seat fabric. This means when it’s time to move from bassinet to seat, you’re not scrambling for storage space - as your bassinet is just a piece of fabric that can be folded in a drawer. Also, when it comes to sustainability, the Fox Renew delivers with a low carbon footprint and recycled materials. 

One-To-Two

Other parents are keen to make one stroller decision that will last them through all their kids - from one to two to three. 

UppaBaby Vista V3 (Best In-Line for Twins and Sibs)

The UppaBaby Vista V3 has long been a champion of city life. As a single, it’s aces - a comfortable seat, large wheels that handle anything the city throws at it, and top notch suspension. It is a bit heavier and wider, but that’s for a reason: the Vista can be used for one, two, or three kids (with a wheeled board), positioning them in-line in a relatively small and manageable footprint. For parents looking for an in line twin solution, too, the Vista is the go-to as it can accommodate two bassinets or two car seats no problem. 

Bugaboo Kangaroo (Best with Newborn on Top)

The Bugaboo Kangaroo is Bugaboo’s answer to in-line strolling for one-to-two kids (and three with a wheeled board). Its sweet spot is that with the newborn adapter, you can put the newborn on top (the Vista V3 only allows your newborn on bottom in a double scenario unless it’s for twins). Keep in mind, the Kangaroo cannot accommodate twins. 

Bugaboo Donkey (Best Side by Side, Easy Storage, Curbs)

If you’re looking for a single stroller that can be a double down the road in a side by side configuration, the Donkey is the go-to. The ride is incredible thanks to the big wheels and amazing suspension, the push is feather light, and it handles curbs like a dream. When in single mode, you get a darling side basket for groceries or even a small dog, along with the ample underseat basket. 

Cybex Gazelle (Best for Older Kids)

If you want a one-to-two option but are prone to have larger children (tall parents) or plan to have them farther apart, the Cybex Gazelle is our choice, as it handles higher weights adn bigger kids well. It’s also quite practical with a large stroller basket on the single stroller for groceries or other goodies. It features large wheels, good suspension and push. It is a bit longer (giving ample space for two larger children) so you’ll use a tad bit more muscle navigating curbs.

Best Mid-Size Strollers for Everyday Use

Many parents these days are really feeling the mid-size strollers — these models are smaller than their full-size sibs yet still deliver enough with their wheels and suspension to be comfortable while being all around more manageable. Keep in mind none of these do the one-to-two thing, so that’s one of the main trade-offs. 

Silver Cross Breez (Most Compact)

The Silver Cross Breez is a great mid-size option, with its surprisingly easy push on a city street (seriously, you have to try it). It also has a bassinet accessory that folds down and both the seat and bassinet have two levels which are very nice for those who want to keep baby as far from city streets and car exhaust as possible. When it comes to folding, the Breez is really petit for packing such a punch which is why we’ve named it “most compact.”

UppaBaby Kona (GREENGUARD Gold Certified)

The UppaBaby Kona is Uppa’s latest model, slotting in between the Cruz and the Minu. We love its full-size push with a smaller footprint. The Kona is also GREENGUARD Gold Certified, meaning it meets a strict standard when it comes to chemicals and VOCs — something that all parents can get behind. 

Bugaboo Dragonfly (Most Impressive Fold)

If you’ve ever seen the Dragonfly folded you’ll have to agree that it’s got the most impressive fold of them all. With a flick of the wrist, the mid-size stroller folds flat and stands, whether you have the bassinet on it or the seat. It’s a bit taller than some of the other options but certainly very simple. The wheels are decently sized and the push is good as well. Purchase it with the bassinet and seat to get the most of this mid-size offering from the stroller geniuses at Bugaboo. 

Cybex Mios (Best style)

The Cybex Mios is a mid-size stroller with a lot of style. It’s got smaller wheels than some of the other options, which allows it to be lighter and even more agile. In typical Cybex fashion, this stroller is a looker — especially the Fashion Collection where it has more upscale hardware and details. Pair it with the foldable bassinet (it also works with the Coya, Cybex’s lightweight stroller) for a truly elevated experience. 

Picks at a Glance 

On the Road with Babesta

Babesta’s been facing off strollers for over20 years, always with the city lifestyle in mind. Our selection edits out models that don’t hold up to the heavy daily use city life requires, or where the price-value ratio just isn’t there. We’ve done the work so you don’t have to: Come see us, test the fleet in person, and trust Babesta as your stroller experts every step of the way.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need both a full-size and a mid-size or just one?

Most city families only need one: the right size comes down to your day-to-day, not a rule. If you’re mostly in your neighborhood and want the smoothest ride and most storage, a full-size is worth the extra bulk. If you’re managing stairs, tight elevators or just wanting something easier to lift and store, a mid-size gives you nearly the same ride quality in a smaller package. The exception is families who travel often or want a true lightweight for quick subway trips - that’s when a second, smaller stroller earns its keep alongside your everyday one. 

Will a full-size stroller fit in my elevator?

It depends on your building and the model’s folded width: full size strollers are the ones most likely to be tight in a small elevator or narrow hallway, so it’s worth checking before you buy. Measure your elevator door and any narrow points at home, then compare against the folded dimensions of the model you’re considering. Come by Babesta and we’ll walk you through real dimensions on our floor models, or point you toward a mid-size if a full-size is too snug for your building.

What car seats click in without needing an extra adapter?

This varies model to model, but generally strollers pair most easily with an infant car seat from the same brand family: UppaBaby strollers with the Mesa V3 and Aria V2 (Cruz, Kona & Vista it clicks directly no adapter needed), and Cybex with the Cloud T or G (their strollers come with the adapter included). Sometimes in-brand you still need an adapter and pairing a model with a different brand’s car seat usually means picking up an adapter — though it’s truly a one-second click and go. If you’re unsure, bring your car seat to us or ask before you buy and we’ll confirm exactly what clicks in for the model you’re eying.

Shop Our Everyday Stroller Edit for City Famlies.

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