Here's your NYC‑tested guide to the top compact strollers for urban families

Navigating New York City with a baby is no small feat. Between subway stairs, narrow sidewalks, taxi hops, and the everyday hustle of downtown neighborhoods like Tribeca, SoHo, FiDi, and Battery Park City, city parents need a stroller that’s light, compact, and ready for action.

The Best Lightweight Strollers for 2026 are built for exactly that. These models balance portability with performance, giving you the freedom to move through the city with ease — whether you’re running errands, traveling, or simply strolling your neighborhood.

This guide breaks down the top lightweight strollers of the year, what makes them stand out, and how to choose the right one for your NYC lifestyle.

Key Takeaways for 2026

1. Lightweight strollers are all about balance.

Weight, fold, wheels, comfort, and storage all matter — especially in a city where you’re constantly on the go.

2. This year’s top picks include:

• Joolz Aer²

• Bugaboo Butterfly 2

• UppaBaby Minu V3

• Stokke Yoyo3

• Cybex Coya

• Cybex Libelle 2

• UppaBaby G‑Luxe

• SilverCross Clic

3. The best way to choose? Visit Babesta.

Reading about them online can be confusing. Even reviews may not properly take your lifestyle and needs into account. It's best to test them on real NYC sidewalks, try the fold, compare the push, and find the stroller that fits your life.

Babesta has chosen all of the models we sell for city-readiness. These are each a little different and represent a different parent's set of priorities --- but they are all top picks for city families who are on the go!

Why Lightweight Strollers Matter in NYC

City living demands gear that works as hard as you do. A great lightweight stroller should:

• Fold quickly for taxis, Ubers, and subways

• Navigate tight sidewalks and crowded streets

• Be light enough for walk‑ups

• Fit into small apartments

• Handle curbs and uneven pavement

• Travel easily — especially through airports

Whether you’re in Tribeca, SoHo, FiDi, BPC, exploring the rest of NYC, or taking some far-flung adventure, the right stroller makes every outing smoother.

Best Lightweight Strollers for 2026: NYC‑Approved Picks

1. Joolz Aer² 

The Aer² is a city favorite — sleek, compact, and incredibly easy to use. With a new lie‑flat recline, upgraded wheels, and a roomy underbasket, it’s ideal for NYC families who want something lightweight without sacrificing comfort.

Why NYC Parents Love It: Perfect for walk‑ups, subway riders, and frequent travelers. For a lightweight stroller, we are very impressed by the Aer² wheels and the smooth push. 

Specs:

• Weight: 14.3 lbs

• Age: Newborn–50 lbs

• Recline: Flat, Newborn ready when fully reclined and newborn net is in place

• Bassinet available: Yes - both a hard-shell bassinet and newborn nest both sold seperately

• Car Seat Compatible: Yes

• Fold: 20.9" x 17.3" x 9.2"

• Price: $579

2. Bugaboo Butterfly 2

Bugaboo refined their beloved Butterfly travel stroller with bigger wheels, a more upright seat, and an expanded underbasket. The one‑second fold of the Butterfly 2 is still unmatched — a lifesaver when juggling baby + bags + city chaos.

Why NYC Parents Love It: Overhead‑bin friendly and perfect for families who travel often.

Specs:

• Weight: 16 lbs

• Age: 6 months–50 lbs: Newborn appropriate with car seat

• Recline: 6 months+  

• Bassinet: No

• Car Seat Compatible: Yes

• Fold: 17.6" x 9.6" x 21.8"

• Price: $599

3. UppaBaby Minu V3

The Minu V3 is a lightweight stroller that still feels substantial. It folds with one hand, fits in overhead bins, and — rare for this category — works for newborns right out of the box.

Why NYC Parents Love It: A great blend of comfort, convenience, and UppaBaby quality.

Specs:

• Weight: 16.7 lbs

• Age: Newborn–50 lbs

• Recline: Newborn ready

• Bassinet: No

• Car Seat Compatible: Yes

• Fold: 10" x 18" x 21.5"

• Price: $499.99

4. Stokke Yoyo3

The Yoyo 3 by Stokke remains a New York classic — compact, stylish, and endlessly accessorize‑able. Its tiny fold makes it a favorite for frequent travelers and apartment dwellers.

Why NYC Parents Love It: It’s the OG travel stroller and still one of the best.

Specs:

• Weight: 13.7 lbs

• Age: 6 months–48 lbs (It can accommodate a newborn with accessories such as the 0+ newborn pack and car seat)

• Recline: 6 months unless have newborn pack which lies flat

• Bassinet: Yes - soft bassinet that folds with the stroller

• Car Seat Compatible: Yes

• Fold: 20.5" x 17.3" x 7.1"

• Price: $499

5. Cybex Libelle 2

If size is your top priority, the Libelle 2 is your stroller. It’s the smallest fold in the group and incredibly light.

Why NYC Parents Love It: Perfect for travel, tiny apartments, and families who want the smallest possible footprint.

Specs:

• Weight: 13.7 lbs

• Age: Birth–55 lbs

• Recline: 6 months + unless using car seat

• Car Seat Compatible: Yes

• Fold: 12.6" x 7.9" x 18.9" - note you need 2 hands with this fold

• Price: $299.95

6. UppaBaby G‑Luxe

The G-Luxe classic umbrella stroller by UppaBaby — simple, comfy, and easy to fold. Great for quick trips and grandparents.

Specs:

• Weight: 16.3 lbs

• Age: 3 months–55 lbs; 45" max height 

• Fold: 19.2" x 12" x 41.8"
• Recline: suitable for 3 months, no car seat compatibility

• Price: $249.99

7. Cybex Coya

The Cybex Coya is the luxury lightweight — sleek, stylish, and packed with premium details. It’s overhead‑bin compatible and pairs with Cybex car seats for a seamless travel system.

Specs:

• Weight: 14.6 lbs

• Age: 6 months-55lbs (Newborn with car seat only)

• Recline: 6 months +

• Fold: 20.5" x 17.3" x 7.1"

• Price: $599.95+

8. SilverCross Clic 

Replacing the Jet, the SilverCross Clic is modern, lightweight, and easy to fold. It’s ideal for families who want something simple, stylish, and ready for everyday city life.

Specs:

• Weight: 13.9 lbs

• Age: Newborn-55lbs

• Recline: 0+ / lies flat

• Car Seat Compatible: Only Nuna Pipa RX works with this stroller; no adapter needed

• Price: $449.99

🧡 Lightweight Stroller Comparison Chart (2026)

Choosing the Right Lightweight Stroller for NYC: Questions to Ask

When you're in the market for a new lightweight stroller, it's time for some soul searchig - or at least a quick self-assessment! Ask yourself:

• Do you live in a walk‑up?

• Do you take the subway often?

• Do you travel by plane?

• Do you need newborn compatibility?

• Do you want the smallest fold or the smoothest ride?

Your stroller should match your lifestyle — not the other way around. Keep in mind though that strollers are often about trade offs - for instance, if you want more features, it's generally going to be both heavier and more expensive. So you're really looking for your own sweet spot - the balance between all your needs and nice-to-haves. 

Visit Babesta — The Best Stroller Store in Downtown Manhattan

The best way to choose a stroller is to test it in person. At Babesta, you can:

• Compare models side‑by‑side

• Test drive on real NYC sidewalks

• Try the fold (one‑handed, two‑handed, overhead‑bin‑friendly)

• Learn the features and trade‑offs

• Get expert guidance from our team - we do this every day and we have over 20 years of experience! 

On top of that, we’ll assemble your stroller and make sure you leave confident and ready to roll by giving you an in-store refresher before you roll out.

Whether you’re in Tribeca, SoHo, FiDi, Battery Park City, or anywhere else in NYC Metro Area, Babesta is your go‑to spot for the best lightweight strollers of 2026.

More NYC Parenting Guides

Need some more help navigating the parenting scene? Let our guides help. 

• Best Strollers for NYC

• Best Twin Strollers for NYC

• Best Nursery Furniture for Small Spaces

• Best High Chairs for City Living

• How to Build the Best Baby Registry

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a bassinet for my lightweight stroller?

The short answer is that it depends: How old is your child and how deep is the stroller's recline? You want to be sure if your child is a newborn they have a lie-flat option. Some strollers recline suitably for a newborn so you will be good. Others can only accommodate newborns with the car seat or an additional accessory, like a bassinet. 

Is it safe to only have a lightweight stroller or do I need another bigger one?

Yes, it can be safe to only use a lightweight stroller for your baby, though it might not offer the most comfortable ride. You want to think about how much you're strolling on a daily basis, where, and how old your child is. If your lifestyle is in the car and occasional strolling or strolling on very flat surfaces it should be fine. But if you're, say, in a city where you're strolling all day every day, it might be less comfortable and more bumpy for your little one.

Can I use a lightweight stroller with a car seat as my newborn solution?

You can, but generally speaking, only for a limited period of time if your baby is under six months. That's because car seats are in sit-up position and this can be tiring for your little one. As under 6 month olds don't yet have fully developed head and neck control, it's recommended that they don't sit in the car seat for over 2 hours at a time.

So, you can use the car seat, but only for 2 hours at a time, which may or may not be tenable for your lifestyle. Note that longer than that can be a safety hazard, as if baby gets tired, their head can drop into a "c" position which could cut off their airway.