A 2 in 1 Travel System With Car Seat

A 2 in 1 travel system with car seat-in-1 travel system with car seats offers parents the convenience of a car seat for their infant as well as a stroller that can are able to work together. However they can be costly.

These combos let parents easily move a child asleep from the car to the stroller and in reverse, without disturbing them up. This is a great option for families who spend a lot of time on the move.

Comfort

Travel systems with a stroller and an infant car seat are a great way to make the transition from the car to stroller a breeze. Unlike stroller-only combinations, these all-in-ones usually have an infant car seat as well as stroller that connect, and are suitable for toddlers and newborns. Many of the car-and stroller combinations that make our list also have a bassinet included, which can be used as a safe alternative to a traditional stroller for naptime walks.

A 2 in 1 travel system that comes with a car seat will cost more than buying the products separately, but you'll save money and time by purchasing them together. And if you decide later that the stroller and car seat aren't quite right for your family, many brands offer adaptors that allow you to use your chosen car seat alongside a stroller (provided it is able to meet the weight and height requirements).

One thing to be aware of when looking for a travel set is that these sets usually include an infant car seat and a stroller designed to work together, and is intended to be used for the first 12 months. If you plan on keeping the seat and using it beyond this period, look for an option with a convertible car seat that can also be used as a toddler seat and has a greater weight limit.

Some travel systems include an additional seat that can be used to boost older children. While this is a great option, it's not a necessity and may not be practical based on your life style.

If you're looking to purchase a travel system that will last for a couple of years, look through our top picks for car seats as well as strollers. The UPPAbaby, a favorite of our editors, PIPA stroller and car seat combo come with many features that will keep your child and you comfortable. They have a springy all-wheel suspension to smooth the ride and the PIPA car seat comes with a built-in drape canopy to shield a sleepy child. They also have LATCH connectors that can be used on vehicles that do not have a base, making it an ideal choice for families who frequently use ride-sharing services or have two cars.

Convenience

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

A few of the top stroller-car seat combinations can be transformed to a double as you expand your family. The Thule Urban Glide 2 Combo is an amalgamation of a stroller and a baby car seat that can be pushed into place to instantly convert them into chariots that can accommodate two. This feature is particularly important if you plan to use the car seat as your baby's only car seat.

Other car seat and stroller combinations have more complicated conversion methods that may require you to manually connect the car seat of your infant onto the stroller or use the straps that are attached to the base to fix it. This method was more difficult to master during our tests than the Doona's one-step conversion. It could pose a safety risk when you forget or misplace the straps to secure the straps prior using the travel system.

A combination of a car seat and stroller is convenient, but you should also consider whether the infant car seats and strollers can be used together for as long as you want them to. The majority of car seat/stroller 2 in 1 car seat combos utilize rear-facing infant car seats designed to be used until your child reaches the age of one. The car seats do not snap onto a stroller when they are no longer needed in the car. Some all-in-one car seats and strollers such as the Doona is able to be used as a car seat for toddlers with an additional seat belt booster once your child outgrows the infant car seat but is too tall for the standard strollers.

Car seat/stroller combinations are best for infants and toddlers until the early years of childhood. When your child grows out of the car seat for infants, you can replace the travel system with larger strollers that can be used by older toddlers and older children. Also, keep in mind that you must always make sure your infant car seat is installed properly and never remove it from your vehicle without taking off the straps first.

Safety

The combination of the car seat and stroller allows you to easily transfer infants from a car to a stroller, and reverse the process without disturbing or waking them up. This is particularly useful when you're doing errands or traveling, says Rothman. To ensure security, opt for a car seat that is attached to a stroller via an incredibly strong LATCH system or an easy-on system. This will ensure that the car seat is secured when used and will not fall off or fall off during transportation. Car seat and stroller combos that can work with or without bases are also great options for vehicles that ride-share.

When purchasing a travel system, be sure to check the weight and age restrictions for the stroller as well as the car seat. 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 which can either be used in the vehicle, or snapped into the stroller. It is important to be aware of the labels and follow all instructions precisely, advises Stanton particularly when it comes to making sure your child is within the proper weight and height limits for both the car seat as well as the stroller.

While some parents prefer to purchase separate products and design their own travel system, it's not uncommon to see companies offer pre-packaged car seat and stroller set-ups. These sets are usually cheaper than purchasing them separately. For instance, UPPAbaby's Vista stroller and Mesa infant car seat is a sought-after set. The stroller features smooth riding with springy suspension on all wheels, and a large basket to hold all the baby pram 2 in 1's toys. The car seat is low-profile and has a SafeCell crumple zone for extra security. The SafeCenter LATCH makes it easy to set up. The car seat features an adjustable headrest with four positions, four harness heights and a padded insert to ensure your child's comfort. It's easy to clean and has a one-hand fold, making it convenient to store.

Style

While it's tempting to purchase a travel system for the ease of moving your child from car to stroller and back without having to wake them up, it's not the only reason to look into one. You should also consider an option with a fashionable design, that is easy to move around and comes with a variety of other features for your child's comfort as well as yours.

The travel systems that are the best include an infant car, stroller and car seat base all in one box to help you to move from your vehicle to the street. They usually have a one-piece infant car seat that snaps into a stroller compatible with it and some include an attachment for a bassinet for naptime strolls (safety research shows that babies sleep better in reclined positions).

Strollers and infant car seats made to work with two in one travel systems are light and robust, making them simple to move, push and fold. Look for models with rubber tires and a swivel front wheel for city streets, and a spacious cargo basket that can accommodate several shopping bags. Also, you should consider how compact the car seat and stroller are when they're folded to make it easier to store them.

Certain travel systems let you change the included infant car seat with a toddler's seat as your child grows out of it, which gives you an extra 1-2 years of use. This is 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 is an excellent choice for families who are looking for a solution that is all-in one. It's easy to transfer from a car seat to a stroller and back again, thanks to the LATCH system that secures the seat quickly and securely in your car. It's also certified for air travel, so you can board and get off public transport in peace. The All-in-One Car Seat and Stroller can also be converted to a double stroller, allowing you to take your little one on global adventures. It's also available in a range of vibrant colors to match any wardrobe.