For many of us, when you first learn you’re expecting a baby, your practical mind turns straight to gear. Babies need so much stuff, and as an expecting or new mom, you want to make sure you have the best tools in your toolbox–including the best strollers and wagons. After all, as any seasoned mom will tell you, the right tools can truly make or break your days of “mom-ing.”
I absolutely love talking about strollers and wagons. In today’s world, there are thousands of options to choose from. From single-to-double strollers to multi-seater wagons–all of which run the gamut of price points–it can feel absolutely overwhelming to know which one is right for your family.
Here at Detroit Mom, we’ve been in your shoes asking the questions while scanning the websites. How much is too much to spend? And what if I have another baby soon? Will this stroller be comfortable for them? These questions are real and our moms are here to help guide you. Without further ado, we present to you Detroit Mom’s favorite strollers and wagons. Happy shopping!
Detroit Mom’s Favorite Strollers
City Mini
“My favorite stroller was the City Mini! The brand has several options and double strollers as well. It’s lightweight, and easy to open and close! It also has a five point harness and reclines back for when they want to sleep and many accessories you can add for more convenience.” -Faten
GB Pockit Stroller
“The GB Pockit stroller was amazing for us while traveling!!! It folds down to a super small size to be able to easily pack and store it!” -Katie
“My favorite stroller hands down was the GB Pockit. I loved it for its compactness and ease of travel specifically. It’s able to be folded down completely–and once folded can fit inside of a backpack or diaper bag (hence the name “pockit”)! It actually even won a Guinness World Record for being the world’s most compact stroller!
“While I never carried it in my diaper bag, once folded I was EASILY able to fit in an overhead compartment on an airplane—or under the seat if all the overhead compartments were full. This was my favorite feature since I’ve never once had to check my stroller, which meant no broken stroller at my destination. Bonus: no squirming toddlers either since it’s thin enough to fit in the airplane aisles. Yup, I’ve even strolled my squirming toddler to her airplane seat before, and only unstrapped her there—much to the amazement of my fellow passengers!
“Eventually it became my daily stroller since it barely took up trunk space, saving me room for other things like groceries. The only suggestion I’ll make is if you have babies or young toddlers, purchase the one that reclines fully, as there are a couple versions.
“This stroller is beach sand-friendly (stroll it backwards), cruise hallway-friendly, Disney park-friendly, mall-friendly, baby-friendly, toddler-friendly, and I’ve gifted it to friends and family with new babies who all thank me later. Trust me, if you’re looking for a super compact travel and daily stroller, this is the only one you’ll ever need!” -Rana
Graco Infant Carseat + Jogging Stroller Travel System
“When our first was born a few years ago, we had bought the Graco infant carseat with jogging stroller travel system. I wanted a stroller with a good suspension because we like going on trails and camping. It used the Graco Click-Connect system which was a plus! When my first was a couple weeks old, I realized I didn’t need the jogging stroller for shorter walks in the neighborhood so I purchased a Graco stroller frame that the car seat could click into. This was a great decision and worked well for shopping in those early days too!” -Karli
Guava Family Roam
“Our “Adventure” stroller is the Guava Family Roam. I have not met a terrain this thing can’t handle. Snow, sand, mud, off-roading, you name it–it can do it. Plus, it folds up really well for a jogging stroller.” -Dana
Nuna DEMI next
“The Nuna DEMI next is our everyday/neighborhood walk stroller. It is a single-to-double and just so beautiful! It is well-made, which I love, and my toddler loves the rider board. Definitely on the pricey side but we will have this forever . . . like probably for our grandkids.” -Dana
Zoe Twin Double Stroller
“When I had three girls in three calendar years I knew I was in the market for a minimum of a double-stroller. While I was fortunate to have gotten my single infant/convertible from my baby shower, and it served me well, three under age five had me shopping for a double.
“When I accidentally broke the wheels on it (more than 12 months later), they were happy to ship me out a new set . . . no questions asked. It was the most user-friendly stroller I have come across and we did our research before we invested. Price-point may seem a bit high, but it was worth it. Hands down would purchase again.” -Molly
And, Detroit Mom’s Favorite Wagons
Baby Trend Expedition 2-in-1 Wagon
“We LOVE our Baby Trend Expedition 2-in-1 wagon! I feel like we had three other strollers before this, and then we have the original version of this wagon that sadly broke on our trip back from Florida, so we ended up getting the upgraded version that has the basket on the back for extra storage and rubber on the handlebar, and I have been so happy with it. My kids are now 4.5 and 3 and we still use it weekly.” -Lauren
Enenflo Pivot Wagon
“I love our Evenflo Pivot wagon! It is great for different types of terrain. I’ve used it on dirt trails and through the streets in our neighborhood with no problem. I have a 4.5 year old and almost 3 year old and it fits both kids no problem. I also love how the snack tray/drink holder is removable.” -Laura
Jeep Wagon
“We love our Jeep wagon! Still using it with our five & eight year old. Has held up well since pre-COVID and gotten a ton of miles.” -Amanda
MacSports Wagon
“Didn’t love any of the strollers we ever had! But we love our MacSports Wagon. It collapses easily to put in the trunk and holds at least two children or ALL the gear and chairs I bring to our kids’ outdoor sports events.” -Elizabeth
Veer Wagon
“When our second-born came along, we purchased a Veer wagon and still use it 3.5 years later! It had an attachment for an infant car seat, and is low enough to where a toddler can get in and out by themselves.
“Now my kids are 5 and 3.5, and we still use the Veer two-seater for the farmers market and trips like the zoo or Cedar Point. I like that it has attachments like an extra basket and canopies to block the sun, and it’s really sturdy. I like that it can be pushed or pulled easily, and it is easily cleaned with a hose and some soap. It’s a workhorse wagon, and we’ve used it to carry firewood, pumpkins, and extra nieces and nephews.
“One downside is that it is not easy to nap in. There is an insert you can purchase for naps, but I would just babywear whoever needed a nap. My kids would hardly nap outside of a quiet room anyways, so it wasn’t a big deal breaker for us. Now they make a four-seat wagon, but we have been happy with our two-seater with two kids.” -Karli
Wonderfold Wagons
“Wonderfold Wagons offer a significant discount to families of children with disabilities . . . 40%! Their wagons are large and have a capacity up to 350 lbs, which make them ideal if you have a larger child that needs a safe space.
“The wagon’s large enclosure acts as a sensory deprivation space for my Benny giving him his space to decompress, especially if we put the cover on it. For us, it’s wagon over stroller. We need room to bring all the things we could need, and Benny likes to move around. Additionally, with a wagon, my girls can jump in for a ride as well!” -Jamie
Whether you choose a stroller, a wagon, or both, we hope our real moms have helped narrow your search. It can be totally overwhelming to choose the right one for your fam, but know that whatever you choose, the way you push (or pull!) it with love will be what truly counts.
