Best Strollers Under $500

What separates the best strollers under 500?

Four strollers, four different answers to the same budget. The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 scores 8.5 at $399.99, and its Forever-air rubber tyres and suspension handled gravel almost as well as the Vista. It also has the fastest fold in the test — pull one strap. The catch: the seat does not reverse, and there is no bassinet in the box, so a car seat adapter costs extra.

The Mockingbird Single-to-Double scores 8.4 at $495. It gives you a reversible seat, all-wheel suspension and a double option, plus a huge basket and a lifetime frame warranty. Adapters and the second seat are cheap next to UPPAbaby's. Ride on gravel was a step behind the Vista, and it is sold direct only — no store to try it.

The Graco Modes Pramette scores 7.8 at $329.99 and puts a car seat, base and stroller in one box. The seat reverses and converts to a pram for newborns, and the one-hand fold self-stands. Plastic wheels rattled on gravel, the ride is the roughest here, and the handlebar is not adjustable.

The BABYZEN YOYO2 scores 7.7 at $499. At 13.6 lb it fits in an overhead bin, folds in two seconds and still steers one-handed. Small wheels struggled on gravel, and $499 buys the 6+ frame — the newborn pack is extra.

What should I check before buying a stroller under 500?

Our scoring puts manoeuvring and ride at 25 points, fold and portability at 20, comfort and features at 20, build and safety at 15, and value at 20. Match those weights to your week.

• Where you push it. Gravel and broken pavement favour the City Mini GT2 and Mockingbird. The Graco and YOYO2 both struggled there.
• How you fold and carry it. The City Mini GT2 folds with one strap pull; the YOYO2 takes two seconds and has a shoulder strap.
• Newborn use. The Graco converts to a pram in the box. The City Mini GT2 needs a car seat adapter, and the YOYO2 needs the newborn pack.
• Seat direction. Only the Mockingbird and Graco reverse the seat.
• Where you buy. The Mockingbird is sold direct only, so you cannot try it in a store first.

Baby Jogger City Mini GT2

Best for all-terrain wheels and a one-hand fold at $400 — the stroller we would recommend to most families.

Mockingbird Single-to-Double

Best for a Vista-style convertible with a reversible seat, second-seat option and big basket for less than half the price, sold direct.

Graco Modes Pramette

Best for a complete travel system — stroller, infant car seat and base — for the price of some adapters.

BABYZEN YOYO2

Best for flying: 13.6 lb, a two-second fold, and it still steers one-handed.

For most families the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 at $399.99 is the pick, thanks to its gravel-capable ride and one-strap fold. Choose the Mockingbird Single-to-Double at $495 if you want a reversible seat and a second-seat option, or the Graco Modes Pramette at $329.99 if you need the car seat and base in the box. The BABYZEN YOYO2 at $499 is the one to take on a plane.