A 2 in 1 Travel System With Car Seat

A two-in-one travel system with car seat gives parents the convenience of having a baby car seat and a stroller that can work together. However they can be costly.

These combos allow parents to easily transfer a sleepy child from the car to the stroller and reverse the process, without disturbing them up. This is a great choice for families that spend a lot of time on the move.

Comfort

If you're looking for an easy way to transfer your baby from car to stroller without waking them up the next morning, a travel set-up that includes a stroller seat and infant car seat could be the thing you're looking for. Contrary to stroller-only systems, all-in-ones typically include an infant car seat and a stroller that click together, and are suitable for toddlers and newborns. A lot of the car-and-stroller combos that make our list also have a bassinet included, which can be used as a safe alternative to a traditional stroller for walks during naptime.

While a 2 in 1 pushchairs in 1 travel system with car seat [new post from Mensvault] may cost more than separate items, you'll likely save time and money by purchasing them all in one package. And if you decide later on that the stroller and car seat aren't quite right for your family, many manufacturers offer adapters that allow you to use your selected car seat with another stroller (provided it is able to meet the weight and height requirements).

When looking for a travel set, be aware that a majority of these sets include an infant car-seat as well as stroller designed to work together. They are designed to be used within the first year. If you plan on keeping the seat after this time, choose a model that includes a convertible car seat that can be used by toddlers and has a greater maximum weight.

Some travel systems also have a second seat that can be used as a booster seat for older kids. This is a nice option, but it may not be practical for your lifestyle.

If you're looking for a great travel system that will last a couple of years, look through our top choices for car seats and strollers. The UPPAbaby, a favorite of our editors, PIPA stroller and car seat combo have numerous features that will keep your child and you comfortable. These strollers feature a springy all-wheel suspension that smooths the ride and the PIPA car seat comes with an inbuilt drape canopy that is perfect for protecting a snoozing child. They also come with rigid LATCH connectors that can be used on vehicles without a base, making it a perfect option for families who regularly use ride-sharing services or have two cars.

Convenience

Car seat/stroller combinations are great for parents who often run the errands of their children or take them out on public transportation such as trains and buses. They let you easily move your baby who is sleeping in the car to the stroller without disturbing them or waking them up.

A few of the top stroller-car seat combinations can be transformed to a double as you grow your family. We love the Thule Urban Glide 2 Combo which comes with an infant car seat and stroller that click into place to instantly transform them into a sleek chariot for two. This is especially crucial if the car seat will be the sole vehicle seat for your baby.

Other stroller-car-seat combos might have more complex conversion methods. It is possible to manually connect the car seat to stroller or use straps attached to base to ensure it is secured. This method was more difficult to master in our testing than the Doona's one-step conversion. It could pose an accident hazard if you misplace or forget to secure the straps prior to using the travel system.

While a combo of a stroller and car seat is convenient, you should take into consideration whether the infant car seat and stroller will work as long as you require them to. The majority of car seats and strollers use rear-facing infant car seats designed to be used until your child is the age of one. These car seats are not attached to a stroller once they're no longer required in the car. Some all-in-one car seat/stroller products like the Doona, can be used as a toddler car seat with an additional seat belt booster once your child has outgrown the car seat for infants but is too tall to fit in the standard strollers.

Car seat/stroller combos are ideal for newborns through the early years of childhood. When your child is no longer in the infant car seats and you are looking at buying a separate stroller and replacing the travel system with a larger model that can handle older children and toddlers. Always make sure your infant car seat has been fitted correctly. Do not remove it from your car without first untying the straps.

Safety

The combination of a car seat and stroller makes it easy to transfer infants from the vehicle to a stroller, and vice versa without disrupting or waking them. Rothman states that this is especially useful when you are conducting errands or travel. For extra safety, look for a car seat that is attached to the stroller via a simple click or rigid LATCH system. This will ensure that the car seat will remain secure while in use and won't fall off or loosen during the course of transport. Combinations of car seat and strollers that can be used with or without the base are also an excellent option for vehicles that ride-share.

When looking for a new travel system, be sure to check the age and weight limits of both the car seat as well as the stroller. Typically, the infant car seats included in these systems are rear-facing and only meant for use in the first 12 months of your child's life. These car seats can be changed to a forward facing car seat that can be used in the car, or snapped into the stroller. It's important to read the labels and follow instructions precisely, advises Stanton, especially when it comes down to ensuring your child's height and weight are within the correct weight and height limits for both the car seat and the stroller.

While some parents prefer to buy separate items to create their own travel system and others prefer to buy pre-packaged car seats and stroller combinations, it is not uncommon to find companies that to sell these sets. These sets are generally less expensive than buying them separately. For instance, UPPAbaby's bestselling Vista stroller with the Mesa infant car seat is an extremely sought-after set. The stroller offers an easy ride, with a suspension that is all-wheel and springy and a large storage basket that can be used to store all of your baby's equipment. The car seat has a low profile and features a SafeCell crumple zone for added security. It has a quick and easy install, thanks to the exclusive SafeCenter LATCH. The car seat comes with an adjustable headrest that can be adjusted in four positions with four harness settings, as well as a padded insert to ensure the comfort of your child. It's easy to clean and has one-hand fold, which makes it easy for storage.

Style

While it's tempting to purchase a travel system to enjoy the ease of moving your child from stroller to car and back without waking them up, that's not the only reason to consider one. You should also consider one that is elegant, well-balanced, and has a number of other features that make it comfortable for both your child and yourself.

Travel systems that are the best include an infant car, stroller and car seat base in one box to help you to move from your car to the street. They typically feature a one-piece infant car seat that snaps into a compatible stroller and some include a bassinet attachment for strolls during nap time (safety research has shown that babies sleep best in an upright position).

Strollers and infant car seats designed to work with 2 in 1 stroller car seat in 1 travel systems are lightweight and durable, making them easy to push, maneuver and fold. Make sure you choose models with rubber tires and a swivel wheel at the front to allow for city streets as well as a large basket for cargo and the capacity to hold several shopping bags. To make it easier to store your items it is important to know how compact strollers and car seats fold when folded.

Certain travel systems allow you to change the included infant car seat with a toddler one as your child grows out of it, giving you an extra 1-2 in 1 stroller with car seat years of use. That's a great option if you're planning to use the car seat for longer than one year, or your partner is frequently using ride-sharing services or commutes by bus or train.

Graco’s All-in One Car Seat and Stroller makes a great choice for families seeking an all-in one. The integrated rigid system of LATCH allows you to effortlessly change from stroller to car seat and back. It's also approved for air travel so you can get on and off public transportation with confidence. The All-in-One Car Seat & Stroller can be converted to a double stroller so that you can take your child on excursions around the globe. It's also available in a variety of vibrant colors that will match any outfit.