graco evo travel system reviews

Graco Evo XT and Baby SnugSafe travel system review

• Kimberley Finn

In a nutshell

From American powerhouse Graco, the Evo XT is an all-terrain pushchair made with outdoorsy parents in mind, from its extendable canopy to its mudguards.

What we tested

• Looks good, Footmuff (snugglewrap), large basket.
• Difficult assembly, unclear instructions, car seat too deep.

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Currently in its fourth decade as a nursery merchandise manufacturer, Graco originally began life as a Philadelphia-based metal works company back in 1942.

The company credits itself with creating the first wind-up infant swing, portable playpen/travel cot combination and the first travel system, which are all no small feats.

Having only been available on the European market since 1997 the company has become one of the most recognisable brands in the UK for its car seats. Now aiming to make more of an impact on the pushchair market with its new pushchair, Graco has released the Evo XT.

An all-terrain pram, it has been built with a long wheel-base for added stability, comes with extra suspension and even has mud guards to deflect those nasty splash backs from dirty puddles.

Much like the Mothercare Xpedior , Baby Jogger City Mini and Chicco Activ3 , it is at the lower end of the buggy market in price, but unlike its predecessor, the lightweight Evo Mini , the XT is built to stand up to rough environments and all types of weather.

What’s in the box?

• Mosquito net

Any additional extras?

• Carrycot - £134.99
• Snug Safe car seat -£129.99

How is assembling the Graco Evo XT pram?

It is not easy, in fact it was very difficult and at times, frustrating.

When I received the product, I noticed that the assembly instructions were quite hard to follow for both the Evo XT and the Snugsafe car seat.

I am usually very quick at putting things together but spent almost two hours trying to assemble the pushchair correctly (I’ll come back to this later).

The instructions are simply some drawings showing how to assemble the product stage by stage. They are not to the best scale and it would be much better to have text instructions to back up the pictures.

What is it like out and about?

The Graco Evo XT feels nice and smooth to push around; it manoeuvres well on pavements and is sturdy enough to tackle the unruly and sometimes hidden tree roots that hike up among the slabs on our street.

However, the frame is quite bulky compared to others I’ve used and takes some time to get used to, especially when going through doorways and narrow shopping aisles.

As I said earlier it was a bit of a faff putting the buggy together and I fixed the wheels to the chassis as best I could. At the time they did not seem secure enough and because I only had the picture instructions to go by, I was left feeling unsure whether it was correctly fixed.

My question was answered early now when one day I took the pushchair out with the car seat attached and one of the wheels fell off!

After speaking to Graco about this, it was established that there was a small part missing that needed to be threaded through the hub cap in order for the wheels to be fixed on properly.

As this part was not in the box, Graco sent it out to me separately by post within a few days. I was able to fix this on as instructed and finally use the pushchair again.

Is the pushchair comfy for your little one?

Yes, I think so, but it’s better for smaller children. I tried the Evo XT with my three-month-old daughter Chelsea, who seemed very comfortable. I really like the Snugglewrap, it is, actually, snuggly and perfect for the cold days – not to mention it looks lovely.

When trying out the seat unit, my two-year-old daughter Hazel was the perfect tester. The specifications show that the age range is from birth to three years but I feel that even with the harness adjusted, Hazel, who is 94 cm, is too tall for this particular pushchair and for this reason, I didn’t put her in it for too long.

How does the Evo XT fold?

The pushchair was very easy to collapse and open up and this can all be done with one hand! It also folds down very small, which is perfect if you have a small car boot.

Tell us about the basket.

I really appreciate the basket, as it is large. I enjoy shopping and think a secure and good size basket is vital, especially when trying to get the many baby bags and essentials from one place to another.

So how is Snug Safe Car Seat?

The car seat is very bulky compared to other Group 0+ chairs on the market. And despite there being plenty of room for my daughter Cheslea, she looked uncomfortable in it because the seat was just too deep.

Saying that, I was impressed with how the car seat fits onto the ISOFIX base and found it quite easy to fix into the car.

The fact that the car seat included an adapter to fit onto the chassis was great because I am aware that many other brands require you to purchase this separately and it can be quite costly.

Product Specifications

10 Best Graco Travel Systems (2024 Reviews)

The Graco brand is renowned the world over for being strong and truly reliable. If you travel around every quite often, you want to tap into this specific brand. We are glad to present to you the best Graco travel system . Our goal in the conversations that follow shall be to guide you through appropriately.

To do this, we have identified the top travel items that are manufactured by the brand. Next, we shall provide insights concerning these items typically in the form of reviews. How about you taking your time to learn about these items in totality? You will certainly get to know more about them.

Top 10 Best Graco Travel Systems

Graco modes travel system, graco modes bassinet travel system, graco fastaction se travel system, graco fastaction fold jogger travel system, graco verb travel system, graco fastaction fold sport travel system, graco trax jogger travel system, graco modes 3 essentials lx travel system, graco modes jogger 2.0 travel system, the best graco travel systems reviews:.

Buy on Amazon

This system comprises a stroller and an infant car seat in one package. You will hence find it great for your common everyday baby transportation needs. The main factor that sets it apart from the others is the fact that it is strong enough to manage a 7 km walk.

Using it, you may run, jog and walk together with your child. Being strong and durable, it also allows you to ‘grow’ with your baby from infancy through to the toddler stage. All factors considered, the item also allows for smoother and unimpeded maneuverability. That enables simplified and easy navigations.

Short on the necessary muscle power? You need not fret as this system is designed with you in mind. It is for all practical purposes lighter in weight, a fact that makes for easier and unimpeded handling. Next comes the sturdy frame which lets you maneuver it out and about smoothly.

These are not to mention the highly portable nature of the structure that sees it easier to handle and take to the desired area of use fine. Unlike the other alternative strollers, this one also folds to give you the ultimate convenience you need to be able to use it fine.

For the maximum comfort of your baby, you want a stroller that may apply or deploy for use in multiple directions. Look to none other than this one. It is reversible in the sense that it may be used in whichever direction you desire per unit time.

Adding to this trait of reversibility is the multi-position recline. Its role is to add some comfort to the system primarily by adjusting the angle at which the baby stays when in it. By virtue of incorporating some three modes, you will also be able to use it on the go and for varying purposes at a time.

As its designation implies, this is a system that is almost exclusively designed for the matters of jogging. Its core features the air-filled rubber tires. Onto these are fixed the visible suspension. They jointly provide smoother rides on just about any other terrain you might want to ply.

For the safety of your child, the front wheels of the system lock to manage a smoother transition from the actions of strolling to jogging. By locking the front wheels also give the stability you need to juggle your way just fine. A deluxe, padded, and multi-position recline on the other hand allows for maximum comfort.

Are you a fan of sporting activities? You need not forfeit this love for the matters of sports even if you have to travel around every now and then. Not when there is this travel system that is strong enough to bear the excessively higher weights of operations.

The stroller also folds faster to allow for smoother applications and transportation if need be. Being strong, it is also capable of upholding and supporting a whopping 50 pounds of weight. That also extends its reliability for years on end. Have we also added that it costs less overall to maintain?

Operating on a timeline that is somewhat squeezed? Pick and dedicate this wonderful system to your use. It does boast of a click connect system that basically attaches the infant car seat to the stroller in a faster, one-step procedure. As soon as it is through with the job, it emits an audible click to alert you.

Further to the above, the system also provides a smoother and more enjoyable rise across numerous terrains thanks mainly to the reliable suspension that adorns much of its makeup. What’s more? Its front wheels swivel and lock at the same time. These two combine to make your trips safer.

Just in case you are a jogging enthusiast who is similarly always on the move, you want a specialized system that also folds. Look to no other than this one. It incorporates all those traits in one comprehensive packaging. Particularly, it acts faster than many alternatives that be at present.

Of all the vital traits that the system has, it is the air-filled rubber tires that stand out. As you may have guessed, the tires are the ones that give the system the support and stability it needs to carry your baby around smoothly. The wheels themselves also lock to guarantee and uphold your maximum safety.

Short on space or simply want to carry around a smaller baby? If you answered either question in the affirmative, this is the stroller you have to set your eyes on. It is overall 25% smaller than the many alternatives that be in the market as of now.

Though small, the item is still practical in every regard. You will find it good enough and reliable for many of the common issues and applications that strollers of these kinds are supposed to meet. That it folds is yet another advantage altogether. That makes it all the more simple to carry around as need be.

These items are ordinarily quite expensive. You do not want to keep buying a new one every now and then. That can only happen if you choose to purchase one that is stronger, long-lasting, and able to ‘grow’ with your child from scratch through to the toddler stage.

Why not set your eyes on this one? It is not only strong but also able to serve the needs of infants aged 1 year through to the toddlers aged 60 months (5 years). That is not all! It is also able to accommodate the toddler in the front and rear-facing positions smoothly.

Of all the systems we have in place, it is this one that is optimized for the matters of crashes and accidents. It is tested and found to be truly effective for use in the most difficult environments imaginable. Several factors combine to make this feat achievable.

The rigorous crash tests stand out from the list of all these. Thanks to the tests, the item is able to withstand the harshest impacts that may come it’s the way. All these notwithstanding, the item is also light enough to allow for seamless portability for you to carry it to the desired location of use smoothly.

Just to recap an earlier point, it is no secret that the Graco Travel System is the most reliable and reputable when it comes to matters of child transportation and overall care. This being the case, you do not want to forfeit the benefits that come along.

We hence emphasize the need for you to read through the explanations above with a keener eye of attention. As you do so, try and narrow to that item that is more likely able to meet your unique needs as much as possible. Do we need to add that this is the time to start out?

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Graco Evo XT Pushchair Review

Disclosure: We were sent the featured products for the purpose of this post however all opinions are my own.

This post contains affiliate links and I may receive commission if you visit a link and buy something. Purchasing via an affiliate link doesn’t cost you any extra, and I only recommend products and services I trust.

I love reviewing Graco pushchairs and love the Graco brand – our first pushchair was a Graco one and I absolutely loved the Graco Sky Travel System – it’s one that I will always recommend to people expecting their first child. With this love of Graco I was excited when they launched the Graco Evo XT and I have finally had a chance to review it.

What were our first impressions of the Graco Evo XT Pushchair?

The Graco Evo XT arrived all in one box and was easy to put together, literally just clipping the axle, wheels and basket into place. The pushchair was up and ready to be used within no more than fifteen minutes and I was impressed with how sturdy it was and generally how great it looked. The Graco Evo XT is a really solid option for anyone with an outdoors lifestyle – It comes complete with front and rear mudguards, large puncture resistant wheels with rubber tyres and a multi terrain tread to handle rough ground, refined suspension on all the wheels and even a mosquito net and luxury footmuff. The package is fantastic.

What’s the shopping basket like on the Graco Evo XT Pushchair?

The first things I noticed about the Graco Evo XT were the huge basket – I’d been impressed with the size of the Graco Sky, Graco Evo and Graco Evo Mini baskets but the Evo XT has the biggest basket I have ever seen on a pushchair. This is a great selling point as it doesn’t detract from how good the Evo XT looks and uses all the room available.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Donna – What the Redhead Said (@genuineplacebo84)

The Graco Evo XT also has a multi position handle which is a great feature. I find a lower handle better but Dave prefers the handle to be higher as he is taller than me. The only slight issue is that when the handle is in lower positions it makes it hard to maneuver the pushchair up and down kerbs as the leverage isn’t quite right.

How does the Graco Evo XT Pushchair fold?

The Graco Evo XT folds really nicely with a smooth one handed fold. It collapses with the seat attached in forward facing position but needs the handle in the upright position to fold fully. When folded it is fairly compact although still bulky, as is the same with most pushchairs of this style.

Little Man loves being in the Graco Evo XT. The footmuff is really soft and comfortable but the normal pushchair seat on the Evo XT is well padded anyway, making for a very snug environment. The footmuff folds over and closes using a toggle and velcro which is a great design although Little Man has worked out how to get his feet out of the footmuff so a standard design could be better where they are zipped in and completely secure and safe from the elements.

What’s the Graco Evo XT Pushchair rain cover like?

The rain cover is huge and covers the Evo XT really well. It’s simple to put on and stores easily in the shopping basket, leaving plenty of room for other things. It also has really useful air vents in the sides and the size of the rain cover makes it harder for Little Man to kick off which is a definite tick in the box for us.

The Graco Evo XT also comes with a padded bumper bar which is great for Little Man to hold onto. Unfortunately though it is covered in foam and Little Man chose to bite a hole in it and then pull it off with his fingers on the first day we used it. This is definitely a design issue and I wouldn’t choose a pushchair with a foam bumper bar in future although Graco did replace the bumper bar the following day which was fantastic customer service.

What modes are available with the Graco Evo XT Pushchair?

The Graco Evo XT quad travel system can be used both forward facing and parent facing and can be turned into a travel system with the help of the Graco Evo XT carrycot and Graco Snugsafe car seat (sold separately).

What age is the Graco Evo XT Pushchair suitable for?

The pushchair is suitable from newborn as it reclines fully and the multi position recline means it has a seating position to suit any age and need. Little Man sleeps well in the pushchair fully reclined and the extendable sun hood stops most light coming in so he is safe from the sun at all times and less likely to get disturbed when sleeping.

What were our overall thoughts of the Graco Evo XT Pushchair?

Having used the Graco Evo XT for a while now I have to be honest and say that it really isn’t the pushchair for us. It’s great to push out and about over grass or rough terrain, and it’s great when all you have to do is push the pushchair with both hands however, we use our pushchair daily for the school run and more often than not I am holding onto LP’s hand at the same time as pushing the pushchair. I am used to pushing pushchairs with one hand and choose pushchairs with one solid handle for this reason but the Graco Evo XT is very heavy to push and keeping it moving in a straight line with one hand is impossible, it’s just too heavy to steer one handed.

If you have a mainly country, off road lifestyle and don’t often need to push a pushchair with one hand and don’t have to go up and down kerbs very much then this would be a great option for you – the wheels and suspension are fantastic as well as the comfortable seat, extendable canopy, mosquito net and vast shopping basket. But for a mainly urban lifestyle there are alternative pushchairs that would be a better choice.

The Graco Evo XT has an RRP of £379.99

Donna Wishart is married to Dave and they have two children, Athena (12) and Troy (11). They live in Surrey with their two cats, Fred and George. Once a Bank Manager, Donna has been writing about everything from family finance to days out, travel and her favourite recipes since 2012. Donna is happiest either exploring somewhere new, with her camera in her hand and family by her side or snuggled up with a cat on her lap, reading a book and enjoying a nice cup of tea. She firmly believes that tea and cake can fix most things.

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I loved the grace brand when my son was little as well

Looks like a great pushchair for country walks – very robust!

How do you completely take-off the bumper, cause I manage to take out mine only from one side ?

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• Reviews Product
• Baby & toddler

• Mum’s reviews

A smart all-in-one, from birth, pram and pushchair system at a good price point, that for added flexibility can be used as a travel system too.

A practical and mid-priced 3-in-1 travel system that is an ideal buy for new parents on a budget, but who are still waiting a sturdy and long-lasting model. Suitable from birth, it converts from a lie-flat pram to a reversible pushchair seat quickly and easily

But why are 3-in-1 travel systems so popular? Unlike a traditional pram they can be used in three different ways, firstly with a carrycot as a lie-flat pram for newborns, and also as a travel system by attaching a car seat to its chassis. This has the advantage of making travelling by car much more straightforward with a baby in tow, as you can move them from house to car and back again without have to pick them or disturb them. Once they’re bigger you can then move the 3-in-1 to its final configuration by removing the carrycot and attaching the pushchair seat. This means you can then use the seat well into the toddler years. The downside is that they tend to be pretty heavy and bulky, and you’ll also have to have space to store all the pieces you’re not using.

The pushchair has a three position seat back, including full recline in forward and rear-facing modes. We love that the seat is reversible, as it gives the child the option to have reassuring eye-contact with their parent, or to face forward to watch the world go by. You can either use the seat in the flattest position for newborns, or invest in the compatible carrycot for extra cosiness. The seat although padded, with an adjustable leg support for nap time, doesn’t give the same level as comfort as a carrycot, so we think it's good idea to invest in one if you are using the Evo from birth. A car seat, sold separately, can also be attached to turn it into a travel system.

It's a great system for using around town, with a convenient one-handed fold, useful for public transport, a huge shopping basket for stashing all your purchases, and front wheels that can be locked or left to swivel depending on what type of terrain you’ll need to tackle. Lock them for pushing over grass or gravel, and then release them to swivel for extra maneuverability in busy streets and up and down kerbs.

The Evo also comes complete with a raincover, and also includes a cosy footmuff and seat liner which is easy to remove for washing.

Brown|Blue|Yellow|Purple|Grey

Dimensions folded (H x W x D)

41 x 60 x 106 cm

Position options

Parent & forward-facing

Compatible car seats (without adapters)

Graco Snugfix, £130

Lie-flat seat

Number of seat reclines, one-hand fold, safety harness, lockable wheels, shopping basket, suitable from, maximum age, maximum child weight, dimensions (h x w x d).

102 x 60 x 89 cm

Product weight

Included in the price.

pushchair, rain cover, foot muff, bumper bar

Removable fabric

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• Pushchairs, Buggies and Strollers

Graco Evo review

2015 – Shortlisted for 'Best Travel System' Award!

The Graco Evo is a lightweight travel system that includes a carrycot and car seat both of which fit securely into a brightly coloured (or black) pushchair.

The car seat is comfortable and not at all bulky, and the accompanying Isofix base is easy to install.

The pushchair has a nice basket and comes with a rain cover. The hood is a bit flimsy but the pushchair folds easily. The toddler seat is also fully reversible with a three-position recline to full lie-back.

The carrycot is great albeit a bit low in the pram, and even comes with a useful stand.

Great value for money!

2014 – Shortlisted for 'Best Travel System' Award!

The Graco Evo travel system is sturdy and easy to steer although quite large when folded. The car seat fits easily onto the pram but it’s a bumpy ride and could definitely do with air-filled tyres to accommodate rougher terrains. Great for city living but think twice if you live near anything cobbled.

2014 – Shortlisted for 'Best Pushchair' Award!

The Graco Evo pushchair looks great and is very practical. It’s comfortable, with a nicely padded seat and is easy to push and turn. It includes a parent-facing option and the seat reclines all the way back into a lie-down position. The pushchair has a large basket and an effective brake mechanism.

It folds compactly and is lightweight although some might consider it flimsy. The pushchair is perhaps not ideal for a newborn but is great for babies post 6 months. The bumper bar is not fully removable, which can be inconvenient but overall, a well-priced, quality product.

This is a very light, well designed pram system with plenty of storage space. There are lots of colour options and the carrycot is a great feature, folding compactly and also suitable for overnight sleeping. A really good value package that we highly recommend.

The Evo is a reasonably priced option and very light for a pram system – weighing less than 10kg. Both the carrycot and reversible, fully-reclining pushchair seat are comfortable, plus there’s an unusually spacious shopping basket. The package includes the raincover and footmuff.  The ride is a little bumpy but on the whole the Evo handles different surfaces well. It does feel a little heavy to push and steer with one hand, though.

Discover the best pushchairs and carseats that won at the Mother&Baby Awards

The carrycot is warm, well cushioned and folds down for transporting and storage. As another bonus you can buy a stand for the carrycot (49.99) making it ideal for occasional overnight sleeping when you’re on holiday or staying with relatives. The system is available in seven different colourways and when in pushchair mode can be collapsed easily with one hand.  We think it’s a great buy if you want a proper carrycot pram with plenty of features but without breaking the bank.

Discover the questions you need to ask when buying a 3-in-1 pushchair .

Product Information

Graco Evo Pushchair

Graco Evo XT

Graco evo xt features & specifications, the seat unit, the canopy (hood), the bumper bar, the suspension, the handlebar, the carrycot, the car seat, the accessories & extra features, parent reviews of the graco evo xt, fine for the city and perfect for traveling.

• Very easy folding
• Compact dimensions when folded
• Large basket
• Seat can be reclined fully
• Easy to use and handle
• Lightweight construction is not suitable for off-road use
• Smaller seat size

I've only had the stroller for a short time, but I can say that this brand (I had another model and it folded the same) has probably the easiest folding I've ever encountered. It can be done with one hand and in a matter of seconds.

Another big + is the very light weight of the stroller, and last but not least the large basket. I would also like to praise the system of attaching the bassinet/seat to the stroller, which is also very easy.

The size of the bassinet is a kind of middle ground. The seat is rather smaller - but up to the 24 months the manufacturer states, it is fine. The car seat is really huge, easily up to 1.5 years, but for a newborn I would probably buy a reducer insert.

The chassis is cushioned, but the stroller is still quite hard and difficult to steer when driving off the pavement. You can also feel that the wheels are not inflatable + the whole chassis makes all sorts of noises, so for me for off-road rather do not get this model. The stroller is fine for the city and perfect for traveling, or if you need to carry the stroller up and down stairs – a super choice.

This is your place to ask us a (quick) question about the Graco Evo XT

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Review of the Graco Evo XT – one rather fabulous stroller #GenerationGraco

Posted By Laura in Baby , Featured , Out and About , Review | 0 comments

Last in our #GenerationGraco series is a review of the Graco Evo XT  – a fabulously sturdy pushchair that appears to be perfectly suited to our rural lifestyle.

Once unpacked, clipping the axle, wheels and basket into place was a doddle, and we were literally ready to roll within minutes. Even with all the fab pushchair testing we’ve done recently, this one created an immediate impressed face. It looks great, of course, but more importantly it feels really solid and sturdy – certainly ready for  a hefty toddler resisting the pushchair straps.

The Graco Evo XT is actually now my top choice for any parent who enjoys and active outdoors lifestyle – (the first clue is in the mudguards, I think!). I’ve been a total fan of proper rubber tyres since we had our first all terrain pushchair some 15yrs ago, and they never fail to impress. the one thing you ave to watch out for is punctures, obviously, but Graco even thought of that with their puncture-resistant tyres. To aid the ride in the great outdoors there’s a decent tread for good grip on the mud and sand, and suspension on all the wheels.

Now – I know I’ve said it before (and I’ll no doubt say it again), but the shopping basket is an often-overlooked design feature by new parents. Trust me when I say you want a big basket. And the Graco Evo XT has a  huge basket – probably the biggest basket you’ll see on a pushchair (and my oldest Graco pushchair had a basket large enough for the toddler to curl up in when I wasn’t looking and steal a ride…).

If you just remember this pushchair is designed to keep you outdoors

you’ll understand every design feature you come across.  The loo-o-ong wheelbase (not too long to be tricky to handle through the shops, but it definitely adds stability over rough ground), the brilliantly encompassing raincover AND snuggly soft footmuff that come as standard, those mudguards, the huge swivel wheels which lock for easy traversing of rough ground… it’s all there and you’ll bless it more every time you use it and discover yet another thing it can do without thinking about it.

Having an adjustable handle height is also a great feature – not so much for me personally as I’m 6′ tall, and we don’t need to move it much between parental pushing swaps. But my 5’2″ sister married a 6’2″ man, and he would always get hideous backache when pushing a pushchair at a perfect height for her.

As I’ve come to expect from the new Graco designs, the folding system is a slippery smooth one handed maneouvre of joy. It’s relatively bulky even when collapsed, but should fit in most car boots.

Okay, nitty gritty bits you need to know about the Graco Evo XT :

• Suitable from newborn as it fully reclines – and even without a carrycot, the seat alone is certainly enough to keep a tiny baby safe and cosy.
• can be used both forward facing and rear facing
• You can use it as a travel system if you purchase the Graco XT carrycot and/or the Graco Snugsafe car seat

In short, we love this big sturdy stroller. It handles beautifully, like one much smaller and lighter, and yet has all the features that mean it’s up to withstanding a tough outdoors life. It will look after your new baby, and yet will still be a perfect place to rest for a bumptious toddler who just can’t quite manage the last mile home – meaning it’s a perfect one-buy pushchair to see your baby all the way through to pre-school.

The G raco Evo XT pushchair can be bought at Mothercare for a snip under £400 currently – and for us, as an investment in the next 5 years of pushing, it’s worth every penny.

Author: Laura

A 70's child, I’ve been married for a Very Long Time, and appear to have made four children, and collected one large and useless dog along the way. I work, I have four children, I have a dog… ergo, I do not do dusting or ironing. I began LittleStuff back in (gulp) 2004. I like huge mugs of tea. And Coffee. And Cake. And a steaming cone of crispy fresh fluffy chips, smothered in salt and vinegar. #healthyeater When I grow up I am going to be quietly graceful, organised and wear lipstick every day. In the meantime I *may* have a slight butterfly-brain issue.

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What the Kids Wore

Saturday 20 August 2016

Graco evo xt review.

I have always kind of snubbed Graco...rightly or wrongly! This review showcases Graco at it's best so far. It looks like a decent pram/buggy!

I love comments, so please let me know what you think!

Graco Evo XT Pushchair - Review

6 comments:

That looks excellent: versatile and sturdy. Thanks for the review.

Great pushchair. I like the ergonomic handles!

It looks fantastic, I prefer the parent facing pram, I have used them on all tee of my children, I do have an umbrella fold stroller but only use it for holidays xxx

Looks a great pushchair

A stroller is one of your most crucial purchases. Even if you try it out in the store, it’s hard to know how it will handle in real life. Find the best best graco stroller here.

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Review: Graco Evo Avant Pushchair & SnugRide i-Size Baby Car Seat

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I'm also one of those people who loses adapters all the time! It's great that I don't have that worry with my Evo.

I lose everything, I am useless! Sian x

We got the same and it's definitely a hit! Loving the car seat too - so much roomier than our old one... #generationgraco

It is so spacious! Sian x

Hi, we love this pushchair but potentially refunding it tomorrow as can't seem to click the car seat on to the frame. Its like they are different widths. This is the 3rd order as staff thought originally it was a fault. But none of them fit! And thats without a baby in it yet. Are we missing something, is there an attachment we are supposed to have on there when using the car seat? Any help much appreciated.

Hello! Oh no, sorry to hear that! It doesn't have any attachments, it clicks straight on the same way the seat unit goes on. Have you put it on the right way round? The car seat needs to be go on parent-facing, that's the only thing I can think of that it could be? Sian x

Great photos! May we share them on the official Graco Scandinavia account on instagram? Best regards Marketing team for Graco Sweden

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Graco Evo Travel System Reviews

Review score: 9.3/10 – updated august, 2024, latest price: £224.98.

Let’s see what it is about Graco Evo Travel System that gets it a review score of 9.3/10.

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• Brand – Graco
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View at Argos

Whenever we’re reviewing toys or gadgets, we like to explore several aspects of the product. These include the quality, price, the brand and looking at reviews from customers.

So let’s get straight to it by looking at the quality of Graco Evo Travel System.

Quality, as you’d imagine is one of the most important considerations for buying any products. This is especially true for Travel systems.

Of course, one downside to buying online is that you aren’t able to see the product in-person. But there are many ways to help you determine a product’s quality without seeing it.

The first factor that you can look at is the brand . Often we can get a really good understanding of the quality of toys and other gadgets by just looking at the brand. There are some brands that are really well known for great quality, whilst others might be better known for value.(and some are known to be poor in both areas).

So take your time to think about the sort of brands you’d be happy to buy when buying Travel systems.

Next up is the material . Take a look at what Graco Evo Travel System is made from. Often you can spot the quality of the product based on the materials used to make it, with some obvious signs of a cheaper product with certain types of material. With some toys this will be more important than others. So you’ll already have a good idea of whether the material is actually a big deal or not when buying Travel systems.

Then we’re on to features . Again this will vary in importance depending on the type of toy you’re buying. You’ll no doubt have a view on whether you care about features or not for Travel systems.

The point here though is that you can get a good idea of the quality of a product by the number and type of features that are available on the product. So take the time to look at the features listed for Graco Evo Travel System and it will help guide you on the quality.

Pricing . We’ll go into detail on the price of Graco Evo Travel System in a moment but it’s worth covering in the quality chapter here too.

The price of a product is another really good indicator of the quality because, as you’ll already know, you often get what you pay for. In the pricing section shortly you’ll see how the price of Graco Evo Travel System compares to all of the other Travel systems available from our recommended retailer, Argos .

If the price appears to be significantly lower than you’d expect for the sort of product you’re buying, then you’d be wise to start looking in a bit more detail at other indicators of the quality.

So let’s dive into a bit more specific detail on Graco Evo Travel System, starting with the price.

Pricing of Graco Evo Travel System

As with any purchase, the price of Travel systems is the top of the list of considerations for consumers.

With that in mind, we wanted to really explore and analyse the price of Graco Evo Travel System to see how cheap you can get it, but also see how it compares to other products. To do this we looked all the products available in the “Travel systems” category, as well as looking at the products available from the brand Graco .

The first thing we should say before we get really into the detail on the price, is to get you to think about a budget. Budgeting is a really key part of the buying process, as without a budget you might end up blowing a lot more money than you had planned to. So take a look at your finances and get a bit of an idea of how much you are willing to spend before you take too much time shopping around.

So the first step is to look at the price of Graco Evo Travel System. Here we run a search to find the price of products that we review. If it’s a product offered by lots of retailers then we get you the best price. If it’s only offered by one retailer then we find you the latest price.

For Graco Evo Travel System the price we found was £224.98 at Argos.

Based on that price, when we compare it to the other options available, we’ve given it a price score of 9.5 out of 10.

Travel systems category average cost

The next step for us is to look at the products in the Travel systems category. In this category we found 28 product at Argos.

The average price of these 28 products was £503.70, making it below average at £224.98.

Next we looked at how much the price of products can vary. The product that costs the most, that we found, was £1099.95 and the lowest was £99.99.

After that, we worked out how many products were more expensive or cheaper. From the 28 products, 23 cost more and 4 cost less than Graco Evo Travel System.

Prices from Graco

Now we’re moving on to look at how much you can expect to pay for products from Graco.

In total we found 32 products. The average cost of the 32 was £107.75 so Graco Evo Travel System is above average.

The highest cost of any product we found from Graco was £224.98 and cheapest £35.00. Of all the products from Graco, 0 of them cost more and 31 cost less.

Graco items in Travel systems category

Then we went a step further to look specifically at items made by Graco but they had to feature specifically in the category of: Travel systems. 1 items met this criteria in total over at Argos. The average cost of these items was £224.98, which makes Graco Evo Travel System below average.

After that we again looked to see how much the prices can vary for Graco Travel systems. The highest cost was £224.98, whilst the cheapest was £224.98.

It’s why you’re here of course. Or at least it’s how you found this page. Reviews . These are the most important consideration before you commit to make a purchase online. As with any toys, gadgets or games you’d want to try before you buy, but it’s not that simple when buying online (and actually with many retailers in-store too).

But reviews can really help to replace the fact that you can see the product first. Especially if you are lucky enough to get the reviews that really go into detail on the product, features, benefits and durability after the reviewer has used the product over an extended period.

The other thing we love about customer reviews, is that they have no hidden agenda. They’re not getting paid to write the review, so for the most part, they’re unbiased and just giving genuine useful feedback.

For our review we’ve scored Graco Evo Travel System 9.4 out of 10. We take a number of criteria into account here including what customers have to say about the product, the features, quality and price.

As you’d imagine, reviews are extremely important to you and other future buyers. It can help you to decide whether you go with Graco Evo Travel System or to start looking at other Travel systems like Hauck Pacific 3 Travel System reviews or Ickle Bubba Moon 3-in-1 Travel System reviews . Or there are even other products that you could consider, or at least spend some time reading the reviews of, such as Ickle Bubba Moon 3 in 1 ISOFIX Travel System reviews . Or if you’d be interested in something different again then perhaps Ickle Bubba Stomp V3 ISOFIX Travel System reviews or Ickle Bubba Stomp V4 ISOFIX Travel System reviews .

Whatever you do end up choosing, we’d love to hear your views. If you do go on to buy any of the Travel systems that we review, please leave a comment with your thoughts at the bottom of this page. You never know, your helpful review might just help another customer just like you to find their perfect item.

As we mentioned earlier, the brand you choose is quite a personal thing. We each have our own views on which brands are best suited for our needs and that goes for anything we’re buying. Even toys, gadgets, games and Travel systems.

Our suggestion here is that you spend a bit of time looking around to see the sort of brands that are offering Travel systems and if you know you have a preference on which brand you’d buy then write yourself a list of top brands. Once you have complied your list of brands you can use this as a great way of filtering or narrowing down your search, great then there are 28 options in the Travel systems category.

Some brands are better known for delivering great quality, and as you’re on our Graco Evo Travel System review you’re probably already well aware of how good quality Graco Travel systems are.

Graco Evo Travel System on YouTube

You can’t beat a video review. As we mentioned earlier, one of the downsides to buying online is the inability to actually see and test the product. This is where videos can really help to bridge the gap and give you an almost just as good alternative.

The video below has been found by searching for Graco Evo Travel System on YouTube.

To summarise, we’re hugely impressed overall with Graco Evo Travel System in terms of the price, how it compares to alternatives. The quality is obviously very good and there aren’t many options that deliver such a great overall package for the money.

So overall we’ve given it a score of 9.3/10

Additional Details

• Product ID 1: 8684277
• Product ID 2: 8684277
• Brand: Graco
• Model number: 5060624770159
• MPN: 8684277
• Delivery time:
• Category: Baby and nursery > Travel > Travel systems

General Advice

We also thought it would be really useful to give you some top tips to help you when shopping online. Rest assured that shopping online is safer now than ever before, with the advanced security features we now benefit from when buying online.

That said, these top tips will help you along the way.

Firstly, always make sure you’re clued up on online shopping. If you’re fairly new to it then we’d suggest you take a bit of time reading advice from trusted websites like Wikipedia or Money Advice Service .

Buy from trusted comapanies – it sounds obvious but don’t get suckered into a deal that looks too good to be true and buy from an unheard of retailer. Only buy from brands that you’re familiar with, especially if it’s expensive goods. There are of course many amazing independent retailers out there that offer fantastic service, so if you choose to use a retailer that you haven’t heard of, do some due-diligence to check them out first. There are great sites to check a company’s reputation like TrustPilot.

Look at the payment options available where possible it’s better to use a payment option that can offer you added peace of mind and protection. Often where it’s available we would choose to use Paypal . Credit and debit card are the most popular options, so just check that your browser shows the little padlock next to the website address, as this indicates that you’re on a secure connection with the website.

Thank you for reading our Graco Evo Travel System review tips and guidance. As we mentioned earlier, if you do go on to buy one of these products mentioned, please do drop us a comment as it will be great help to other customers like you.

Your next step is to go-ahead and read any customer reviews over at Argos, which you can find by clicking the green button below.

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Best Baby Travel System – Stroller and Car Seat Combos Reviewed

Today’s parents are out and about, and their babies are, too. That’s why a baby travel system is totally essential to a parent’s ability to be busy.

The best baby travel system? Depends on your needs.

Best Double Stroller Travel System

Although the Graco Uno2Duo Travel System is bigger than single stroller systems, it offers more flexibility for your family.

Graco Uno2Duo Travel System

Great for Growing Families

No matter if you are just beginning your family or expanding it, flexibility is key. The Graco Uno2Duo Travel System offers the ability to work as a single or double stroller so that you can adjust according to your needs. 

The Car Seat

Graco makes some of the best infant car seats, and the SnugRide SnugLock 35 that’s included with the Uno2Duo system is no exception. Here is a quick overview of the specs of the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 infant car seat:

• Holds infants from 4 to 35 pounds, and up to 32 inches
• SnugLock technology means you can install the base tightly every time
• Click Connect compatible with Graco strollers
• Weighs only 7 pounds
• Adjustable reclining base connects to vehicle with latch connector straps for added security
• Meets or exceeds all US car seat safety standards
• Made with EPS foam for safety, and has particularly good side impact protection
• 5 point safety harness with one hand adjust system
• Large canopy to protect baby from the sun
• Removable infant support pillow

At this point, you’re probably wondering if Graco is secretly paying me to give all their products rave reviews. While I wish they would, they aren’t. I have simply compared Graco products to other products and they hold their own. This lovely travel system is no exception. It’s gotten outstanding reviews on many websites.

You can check out our full review of the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 30 , which is an extremely similar car seat model that can be bought separately.

The Stroller

Graco has taken the best of the single stroller world and combined it with the best of the double stroller world. Graco says that this stroller “is ready for 1 and grows for 2.” And that’s exactly what it does.

It has a lightweight design . This stroller frame alone weighs in at 23.2 pounds, which is not too bad, considering that it can hold two children. The car seat adds an additional 7 pounds, and the toddler seat adds 6.5 pounds, so, all told, this stroller weighs 36.7 pounds before babies and bags are added.

As for that flexibility we talked about, there are 18 total ways to configure the stroller – 10 for one child and 8 for two children. Think about it this way: you have a toddler seat that can sit in front or back of the stroller. That same toddler seat can convert into an infant bassinet, which can sit on the front of the stroller. There’s a standing platform for an older child. And finally, the car seat can attach to either the frame, front or back, or it can click into an extra toddler seat. For those who like math, that second toddler seat (sold separately) adds an additional 4 ways to ride, for a grand total of 22 ways to ride!

It sounds like that second seat is really going to crowd the stroller, but not when you expand the frame! The frame expands out 5 inches and locks into place, which allows for 2 kids to ride comfortably and not be squashed. And if you are only rocking with 1 baby and need a little extra storage? Go ahead and expand that frame and get 5 extra inches of room out of the big storage basket. It’s amazing!

A double stroller needs double storage, that’s just baby science. Thankfully, while the Uno2Duo doesn’t have a parent console, it does have a dishwasherable cup holder and a parent phone caddy that clicks onto each side of the handle. And don’t worry, baby has their own snack tray and double drink holder, so they won’t be hogging up your precious space. This snack tray also acts as the adapter for clicking the car seat in and out if you choose to use it with the seat and not just on the stroller frame. 

Some double strollers require super-human strength, a full-length truck bed, and a Ph.D. in mechanics to fold. Graco is well known for their “fast action fold,” which is supposed to take one second and be done with one hand . This stroller can definitely be folded easily. While most strollers fold in half at the seat, this stroller collapses down upon itself. Just pull the release lever on the handle and push down, and you are left with a compact stroller ready to store. Bonus: no handle drags on the ground when folded!

For your baby’s comfort, there’s a convertible 5 point safety harness to 3 point safety harness. This is nice, since baby can stay in the toddler seat until they reach 50 pounds. There’s also a multi-position reclining seat that can recline to be almost all the way flat (that’s how you get that bassinet, remember?). It’s got a large canopy that’s extendable with a visor and has a peek-a-boo window. 

Exact Specifications

Car seat weight limit: 4 to 35 pounds

Car seat height limit: Up to 32 inches

Car seat weight: 7 pounds

Stroller weight: 23.2 pounds frame, 29.7 pounds with toddler seat

Stroller weight limit: 50 pounds per seat

Areas for Improvement

• Tires need some work – they get stuck and start to wear down easily
• Bigger price tag
• Configuration can be awkward with second seat in the lower back – not much space to get in/out and can’t see ahead
• Bigger and bulkier than other single stroller systems

Here’s the full breakdown of the Graco Uno2Duo stroller . 

Best Baby Travel Systems

The Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 and Doona Infant Car Seat are best for travel, while the Evenflo Pivot Travel System and Safety 1st Smooth Ride Travel System are more affordable options for your family.

UPPAbaby Vista + Mesa Travel System

Pricey-But-Plush

Let’s start with the biggest thing for the UPPAbaby Mesa + Vista travel system : safety. The UPPAbaby Mesa infant car seat has a big head pillow that provides both comfort and an additional level of side impact protection for your growing child. The EPP foam helps absorb the energy of the impact away from your child and also helps them stay comfy.

This best car seat was awarded the NHTSA 5-Star rating for ease of use . That means that this seat makes it simple for parents to get a safe and secure fit every time. The Smart Secure system helps you to get the car seat in and ready in just a few seconds. It has an adjustable base, self-retracting latch connectors, and a tightness indicator . It even has levels on each side and a smooth, finished base for no vehicle seat indents.

Oh, and to get it out of the base? The release button is on top of the carrying handle . Genius!

Babies of all sizes will fit in this seat thanks to the 5 position adjustable and no-rethread harness . It’s even padded! You can move the bottom buckle to one of 2 positions to get the perfect fit.

The merino wool fabric of the UPPAbaby Mesa is stylish, naturally fire resistant , and even moisture wicking. The canopy is huge. You can wash both the seat cover and the canopy. One note: despite the cool fabric, babies tend to get hot in this seat.

At just 17 inches wide , the UPPAbaby Mesa Infant car seat fits well in smaller vehicles . The size of the UPPAbaby MESA car seat, together with the adjustable straps and plush infant insert , makes it perfect for preemies as small as 4 pounds.

Like the Mesa car seat, the UPPAbaby Vista Stroller has a ton of features .

The big draw of this stroller is that you can fit up to 3 kids in it. There are 2 seat options and a stroller board option. Both seats can face either forward or backward and can be reclined. The only downside is that you have to have the second seat and the stroller board removed in order to fold and store the stroller.

Speaking of folding, it’s really easy to do. And once you get it folded, the stroller will lock and stand on it’s own .

For when there’s just one baby, you can attach the cozy bassinet . It has a lot of padding, and a complete coverage sun shade. The bassinet can be detached and used as a carrier to keep baby sleeping. (Note: we said carrier, NOT car seat)

The toddler seat has inifinite recline, a massive sun canopy, and removable/washable fabrics .

As for working as a travel system, it’s the stroller base that accommodates the Mesa Infant Car Seat. Just click in the adapters and click the car seat down in. You can even haul around 2 bassinets or 2 car seats if you have 2 little ones! Many parents have complained that it can become crowded with the second seat, though.

For this price, you get more than just plastic wheels on a frame. Both the front wheels and the rear wheels have suspension and no-puncture tire design . The result is the baby stroller Cadillac equivalent. Like riding on air.

The storage for this stroller is so-so. The under seat basket is big and easy to get to. But that’s all there is. No drink holders or snack trays here. At least the telescoping handle bar and child arm bar are swaddled in real leather!

See how the Vista stroller compares to the Cruz stroller in our Uppababy comparison .

Car seat weight: 10 pounds

Stroller weight limit: Up to 50 pounds

Stroller frame weight: 19.3 pounds (26.6 pounds with toddler seat attached)

• Luxury features mean very high prices
• Car seat gets pretty hot (not breathable)
• Second seat must be removed in order to fold and store stroller
• No snack or drink trays on stroller
• Crowded with second seat attached

Evenflo Pivot Travel System

Small-Budget Friendly with Great Features

The Evenflo Pivot travel system features a fantastic car seat: the Evenflo SafeMax Infant Car Seat. This best infant car seat works for babies that are 4 to 35 pounds and up to 32 inches tall .

The SafeZone base and has an anti-rebound bar (similar to some Britax models). It reduces the amount of movement that can happen after impact.

You can install the base with Evenflo’s very user-friendly latch system . Simply hook on the two lower anchor hooks (with button release!), tighten, and use the integrated belt lock off system to lock the base tightly into place. If you are using the vehicle belt, you’ll get just as secure of an installation because of this lock off system.

The base also has recline to get it at the right angle. You can use the built-in knob to adjust the seat until the built-in indicator level is in the right spot. With all these base safety and convenience features, it’s almost impossible to install it wrong .

The seat clicks easily into the base and the stroller and has an easy to access release latch on the back of the car seat. It might take you a couple tries to line it up, but once you do, it clicks into the base or stroller tightly.

Safety is most important. Like all Evenflo car seats, this seat has been designed and tested to meet or exceed all US safety standards two times over . It’s also got extra rollover and side impact protection to keep baby safe in any scary scenario.

The SafeMax has lots of padding , including an infant pillow insert, and uses breathable fabrics, so baby stays comfortable. There’s a 5 point safety harness that has an easy front adjust and padding, a big 3-panel canopy , and a padded handle for better carrying.

The stroller is the main attraction when it comes to this modular travel system. This one stroller actually functions as three different strollers: a baby carriage, an infant stroller, and a toddler stroller.

The Pivot stroller features 6 different ways to ride . How does it do this? Well, within the three different modes that I just mentioned, you can have the baby facing you or facing the world.

That means that as a baby carriage , which is probably the first mode you’ll use, you can have the baby bassinet facing toward you or toward the world .

This is not a totally unique feature but there aren’t that many bassinet stroller travel systems.

Then when you have a toddler on your hands, You can put them in the toddler seat , complete with padded harness, reclinable seat, and huge, 3 panel canopy with peek-a-boo window . You’ll have a convenient snack holder for baby too.

(I love seats that can face both ways! Check out my Urbini Reversi review for another great travel system that has a flippable seat.)

But do you want to hear the best part of the Evenflo Pivot ? The toddler seat and the baby carriage are the same piece of gear. You can convert it from one into the other with just a buckle and a strap. It works as a seat until baby reaches 50 pounds .

Finally, there is frame stroller or infant stroller mode . This is when you detach all seats from the stroller frame and use the frame itself to carry the SafeMax car seat . You can attach the car seat so that it faces you or so that it faces away from you. No adapters needed – it simply attaches to the frame itself on the sides.

The Pivot stroller is foldable . All you do is click the button on the sides of the frame, and the frame folds in half on itself. It can be folded with the toddler seat on, or when its just the frame alone. It is then pretty flat and easy to load into a trunk. It weighs in at about 15 pounds, so it’s not terribly heavy to fold and move. Maneuverability is nice, with front swivel wheels that are nice and thick. The back wheels feature a two-step (aka not linked) braking system .

Besides the amazing versatility and easy use of the stroller, you’re going to get a stroller that has very stylish design . Anyone looking at this stroller would have no idea that it’s an Evenflo. It honestly looks like an expensive boutique purchase.

The storage basket at the bottom has ample room and can be accessed from both the front and the back. There is a simple parent cup holder that can be placed anywhere on the handle.

Bonus: The Evenflo Pivot Xpand

I want to mention another version of this stroller really quickly. The Evenflo Pivot Xpand Travel System has all the same features and user-friendliness of the single version, but with a bonus seat.

There are just as many ways to ride with the double version. There are up to 22 configurations with the second seat option. You can turn the seats in several different ways and you can adjust it with the amazing slide-and-lock feature that attaches the seat to the frame.

You still get a big storage basket, a peek-a-boo canopy, large tires, standing fold, adjustable handles, and other great extras. If you might expand your family some day, and love the idea of the Pivot, then the Pivot Xpand is definitely for you.

Car seat height limit: 17 to 32 inches

Car seat weight: 8.9 pounds

Stroller weight: 15 pounds

• Frame is a bit large, even when folded
• Front wheels get stuck
• Requires 2 hands to fold/unfold

Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System

A Reliable and Very Traditional Stroller Combo

The seat included with this travel system is the Chicco KeyFit 30 car seat. This best infant car seat is one of the safest on the market . It meets or exceeds all safety standards and also has EPS foam and a contoured shell for outstanding protection in an accident.

The included base has latch connectors and an easy tightening system to make sure that it’s installed properly. It does have clear belt routing and integrated lock-offs to install it easily without the base in place.

This car seat can hold an infant from 4 to 30 pounds and up to 30 inches in height. It has a newborn head and body support. It also has a nice, large canopy, and it’s easy to tighten and adjust five-point safety harness. It’s also easy to clean.

This seat is also relatively narrow. If you have multiple kids and need a narrow seat , there are quite a few good options.

See the different Keyfit versions in our complete Chicco car seat analysis.

They call this the Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System because it has a trio of modes for use. The first mode is a car seat carrier. You can completely remove the seat, footrest, and canopy of the stroller to have just a frame to attach the car seat carrier. You do have to have the adapter, which is included when you purchase the travel system, in place to be able to click the KeyFit 30 car seat into place.

The next mode is a travel system mode, where you can have the Bravo stroller with the adapter for the car seat. This allows the baby to either sit in the car seat or sit in the stroller, as long as you remember to bring the adapter with you.

The final mode is the toddler stroller which is just the regular Bravo stroller. In this mode, the stroller can hold a child up to 50 pounds.

Besides these modes, it has a multi-position recliner for the back of the seat. It has an extra-large canopy with a peek-a-boo window. There’s a fantastic folding system that can be done one-handed. You just grab the handle under the seat and pull it up, then the auto-swivel wheels rotate inward automatically, and the stroller folds to a small and compact standing form . It’s basically foolproof.

The brakes of the all-wheel suspension stroller are linked, which means that braking one wheel in the back will also brake the other wheel. This stroller has two front wheels that can be swiveled or locked into place as you need.

The Bravo Trio stroller does weigh about 23 pounds. To finish out, the stroller also features a very large storage basket that’s easy to access in any mode, a small parent tray with two cup holders, and a 3-position adjustable push handle.

Car seat weight limit: 4 to 30 pounds

Car seat height limit: Up to 30 inches

Car seat weight: 9.6 pounds

Stroller weight limit: 5o pounds

Stroller weight: 23 pounds

• Stroller seat only faces out (can’t switch)
• Uses adapters for travel system (included)

Graco Modes Travel System

Lots of Flexibility and Features

The seat included with the Graco Modes combo is the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 Infant Car Seat . It’s really similar to the Graco SnugRide Click Connect 35 car seat that’s included with most Graco travel systems.

The big difference is that is uses the SnugLock installation instead of Click Connect . But the good news is that the Graco SnugRide SnugLock 35 is compatible with Click Connect strollers , just in case you ever change strollers or have a separate jogging stroller or something.

The SnugLock tech still gives that comforting and very audible “click!” when the car seat is attached to the base or stroller. You can install the car seat using the latch system or the seat belt . Either way, it takes 3 steps and it’s in nice and tight because of the unique locking arm that keeps the base in place.

The install is made even easier by the 4 position recline base and the bubble indicator that’s simple to read and use.

You’ll know it’s safe because it meets or exceeds all Federal safety standards . It also has EPS foam to keep baby comfortable and safe in any situation. This foam also keeps this best car seat lightweight, with it weighing just 7.5 pounds .

It’s got ample newborn head and body padding and an easily adjustable safety harness . There’s also a large rotating canopy . It’s meant for babies from 4 to 35 pounds and up to 32 inches .

Oh, and one last cool thing! It has a storage compartment to keep the product manual and latch straps in place for when you need them. I love little extras like this!

This stroller can function as 3 different types of stroller : an infant car seat carrier, an infant stroller, and a toddler stroller. Between those 3 functions, there are a grand total of 10 different ways to ride in the Graco Modes stroller.

Here’s a breakdown of the 10 modes:

• Infant car seat carrier with car seat facing parent
• Infant car seat carrier with car seat facing outward
• Travel system with both stroller seat and car seat attached, facing parent
• Infant stroller with seat facing parent
• Infant stroller with seat facing outward
• Little toddler stroller (footrest all the way up) with seat facing parent
• Little toddler stroller with seat facing outward
• Older toddler stroller (footrest all the way down) with seat facing parent
• Older toddler stroller with seat facing outward
• Big kid stroller, with no snack tray and footrest extended

There are a ton of cool features on this versatile stroller. The 3 position leg rest is what really helps give this the many modes, because it can be f olded all the way up to enclose an infant, or folded down flush with the seat for a big kid.

The reclining seat helps, too. It can be folded up straight, or it can be laid down flat to make the bassinet-like infant enclosure .

The wheels have suspension and do a pretty good job at turning. The front wheels have locks to make keeping on the straight and narrow (sidewalk) easy.

The standing, one-hand fold is really nice. Just click down the button on the handle and fold down. There’s a kickstand that keeps it up and there’s a lock that keeps it shut. Just undo the lock and pop it back open when you need it again.

You’ll also find a 3- or 5-point safety harness with removable pads. There’s a parent tray with drink holders and a covered compartment. There’s a similar snack tray for the kiddos . This snack tray and the supporting arm rests can both be removed when your baby gets big.

Finally, there’s a big canopy with a peek-a-boo window and a large under-seat storage compartment with both front and rear access.

If you have 2 kiddos (or might some day), check out the version that can hold two seats: the Graco Modes2Grow . There’s also a straight-up double version called the Graco Modes Duo .

Stroller weight limit: 50 pounds

Stroller weight: 21 pounds

• Harness is hard to buckle and unbuckle sometimes
• Can’t fold the stroller when in infant mode
• Handlebar can’t be adjusted
• Plastic wheels aren’t ideal, but still handle well

Baby Jogger City Mini GT Travel System

Tiny Fold for Easy Travel

This travel system comes with the Baby Jogger City GO infant car seat . This rear-facing car seat has a fully adjustable stay-in-car base with integrated belt lock-offs. The push-button latch hooks are so much easier to use when installing and removing the base! And if you want to go baseless, you can use the taxi-safe seatbelt path to secure the car seat in the vehicle.

This safe car seat meets or exceeds all safety standards. It has been side impact tested to ensure maximum safety. It uses EPS foam for both comfort and protection. It’ll fit a baby from 4 to 35 pounds and up to 32 inches.

This best car seat only weighs 10.2 pounds on it’s own, and even more with the base attached. This makes it one of the heavier, more solid car seats on the market. 

The 5 point safety harness is comfortable and easy to adjust. You don’t have to rethread the harness to adjust it, which is an incredible feature. It has a large carrying handle , a removable infant support insert , and a massive UPF50+ canopy as well. This car seat might not have a ton in the way of features, but it’s basic, simple, and safe. That’s all you really need!

This stroller will hold a child up to 65 pounds . This is nice since you’ll get many years of use out of it.

Your kiddo can relax in the reclining and padded seat . They’ll be protected by the large canopy with a mesh peek-a-boo window .  The large basket at the bottom has plenty of storage for bags, toys, snacks, and anything else you need.

The braking system is hand-operated and works really well. You can easily click it in and you don’t have to worry about snapping a toenail off.  The handlebar is adjustable as well. The front swivel wheels provide easy maneuvering for the sturdy frame. You can lock the wheels if you prefer.

There is no snack storage for kiddos. There’s also no storage for parents, aside from the bottom basket. You can purchase these items separately. You also have to use the adapters to put the car seat in, so that’s one more piece (well, technically 2) to keep track of. 

The fold is incredible . It only takes one hand to pull the strap to fold it and lock it into place. It’s just as easy to unfold. The fact that it folds up to be smaller and is light  means that you can carry it around with just one hand, too.

• Car seat weight limits: 4 to 30 pounds

Stroller weight: 22 pounds

• Folded stroller dimensions: 29.53″ x 24.21″ x 10.24″
• Stroller canopy is flimsy and comes undone easily
• Getting car seat lined up in car seat adapters is a learning curve
• Opening the folded stroller takes two hands
• Due to larger size overall, stroller is still pretty large when folded
• Name is deceiving; you can’t actually jog with this stroller!

Doona Infant Car Seat

All-in-One Option for City-Dwellers

The Doona Infant Car Seat is a sensational, one-of-a-kind product that incorporates all the best of the car seat and stroller worlds. 

As a car seat, this works for babies 4 to 35 pounds and up to 32 inches, just like every other car seat on the market. It’s also approved for use in the car and on airplanes, just like most other car seats. 

This rear-facing only car seat has a unique carrying handle that turns into the stroller’s handle. It also acts as an anti-rebound bar while the car seat is installed in the vehicle. 

One of the best things about this best car seat is that it’s super narrow . Even with the reclining base , it’s small. At only 17.3 inches , it won’t hog the whole back seat. This does mean that it is smaller in general, though, so big babies beware.

The car seat is the stroller. I know, your mind is blown.

This stroller works as a true travel system base: the car seat just attaches at the snack tray to get pushed around. The stroller’s peek-a-boo canopy means that you can cover baby and still keep an eye on them. It’s got a 3 wheeled design with durable plastic wheels and front wheel suspension .

The height adjustable handle and parent snack tray/drink holders are great to have. The bottom basket is large, but hard to get to if the stroller seat is reclined.

The child seat reclines to several different positions. There’s a 5 point child safety harness, too. All this is topped off by an awesome 2 drink-holding snack tray that can be clicked off.

You can fold the stroller relatively easily with just one hand. The folding mechanism takes some practice and some muscle, since the stroller still weighs 33 pounds . Once folded, it’s nice and compact .

Car seat weight limit: 5 to 30 pounds

Car seat weight: 9.45 pounds

Stroller weight: 33 pounds

• Less-than-perfect quality
• Front wheel is hard to maneuver
• Car seat buckle is annoying
• No infant insert for car seat
• Smaller height and weight limits on both seat and stroller

Britax B-Free & B-Safe Gen2 Travel System

Streamlined Safety and Style

The seat included with the Britax B-Free and B-Safe Gen2 travel system is the Britax B-Safe Gen2 FlexFit. This is Britax’s newest car seat and an update to the much-loved Britax B Safe 35 Infant Car Seat . This seat will hold an infant from 4 to 35 pounds and 32 inches tall or shorter. For the smaller babes, it has a lovely head and body cushion that’s removable as baby grows.

The B Safe Gen2 meets or exceeds all US safety standards. This is one of the best infant car seats because it features Britax’s SafeCell impact protection. This little network of plastic honeycombs inside the base and the car seat itself does wonders for absorbing energy in a crash. The car seat was also designed with a steel frame to help stabilize the car seat at the connection point to the vehicle, which is where the most durability is needed. The car seat has a wonderful contoured shell design, now with more interior room for baby to sit. Not only does this make it smaller in your vehicle , but it also helps the car seat to move around less and also offers deep side impact protection.

The base has SafeCell impact protection, and it also has the SafeCenter latch feature. This is a set of center-pull straps that make tightening the base in the car a cinch . The latch connectors are created with an on/off button that allows you to make placing and releasing the anchors very easy as well. It also features built-in lock-offs for when you want to use your car seat belt to install it.

The Gen2 FlexFit, just like the B Safe 35, also features a quick-adjust harness. This allows you to move the safety harness and the headrest up as your child grows. You simply remove a lever and the entire headrest and shoulder strap system moves upward. There’s no need to rethread straps every time you need to make an adjustment.

Extras: In addition to the wonderful safety features, this car seat has perks like an extra-large canopy, spring-assisted recline, and ergonomic handle for comfortable caring, and an extra-padded 5 point safety harness. And as an added bonus, you can use this car seat with any Britax stroller, just in case you buy an additional one or buy a different one later.

Video Review of the B-Free B-Safe Gen2 Travel System

The B-Free is a high-quality and lightweight stroller. It’s got a light aluminum frame, weighing in at only 22 pounds. That makes the stroller both easy to carry and easy to push . This holds true all the way through the 65-pound child weight limit. 

All-wheel suspension and a swivel front wheel give you additional ease of movement and a really tight turning radius . You can easily hit the brakes by using the linked parking brake . That will stop both rear wheels with just one push of the toe. And the no-flat wheels have the feeling of being air-filled without the hassel. 

The stroller is both fast and easy to fold . You can do it with one hand, and it folds to be very compact. It has a frame lock that’ll keep the stroller together while traveling or while in storage.

Additional features include an extra large canopy with the ventilation window/peek-a-boo window and UV 50+ sun protection, a huge under seat storage compartment that can be accessed from the front, additional zippered pockets for storing parent items, a reclinable seat that can even adjust to be all the way flat for an infant, and a very padded and comfortable 5-point harness.

The click and go capabilities of the stroller mean that you can attach any other Britax car seat, as long as you have the adapters. It does require 2 tower adapters, which are 2 small plastic pieces, to get the car seat to click in. This personally isn’t my favorite way to click a car seat into a stroller, but it does work. Just come up with a smart system of keeping the adapters with the stroller so you don’t lose them.

I haven’t had the pleasure of using this exact system myself, but I can tell you that thousands of parents swear by this system and this company alone. And with a 1 year warranty on the car seat and a 2 year warranty on the stroller, you can see why.

You can read our Britax B-Lively review to see another 3-wheel stroller from this brand.

Or, if you prefer a 4 wheeled stroller, but love the Britax brand, check out the Britax Pathway stroller review from Experienced Mommy.

Car seat weight: 9 pounds

Stroller weight limit: Up to 65 pounds

• Car seat is heavy
• No storage for parents
• Known to have recalls on parts

Safety 1st Smooth Ride Travel System

Modern Look with Small Price Tag

The Smooth Ride Travel System comes with the Safety 1st OnBoard 35 LT Infant Car Seat. This is a comfortable and safe car seat for babies up to 35 pounds.

For starters, it has exceptional safety with side impact protection and a deep shell design . It meets and exceeds all Federal safety standards in the US.  

It’s a good choice for small babies, since it has soft and thick newborn padding . The head and body inserts are removable as baby grows. You can also adjust the harness to one of 4 different heights as baby grows. And to tighten the harness? Just use the easy adjustment strap in the front.

The base is fully adjustable thanks to the recline foot, This helps make sure that you get a safe and secure fit in your vehicle. It has easy-to-use latch straps of the normal kind (just plain hooks).

The best infant car seat attaches to both the stroller and the base with Safety 1st’s QuickClick technology . It stays in the stroller very securely , and the loud noise helps you know when it’s in place so that you don’t have to wonder if it will fall out of place.

Finally, the soft seat pad on this lightweight, 7.6 pound car seat is removable and machine washable . There is a canopy to keep everything shaded as well.  

Let’s start at the bottom of the Smooth Ride stroller. It has decent wheels that, while small, actually do a pretty good job at maneuvering . The best part of the wheel system is that the separate back brakes are flip-flop friendly . The brake lever looks like a teeter-totter, so you don’t have to crack a toenail to release the brakes.

Then there’s the fold . It’s really easy- just pull the strap in the center of the seat and it folds and stands on its own . Once folded, you will need both hands to undo the lock and open it back up. But the fold is pretty flat and would work well for most trunks.

This stroller doesn’t lack in storage. It has a huge mesh storage basket at the bottom. There’s also a child tray with drink holder, and a parent tray with 2 drink holders and an open compartment. You can fit pretty much everything you need in here.

The canopy is thin, but it’s large. Your sitting child has a lot of headspace even with the canopy open. You can also completely cover the car seat’s opening when used as a travel system. The canopy has a mesh window for spying and for airflow on a hot day.

Your child will be comfy in the padded 5 point safety harness and the soft fabrics .

Overall, while a very cheap option, it works well for most parents that don’t want anything too fussy.

Stroller weight: 18.2 pounds

• Car seat latch straps are tiny and so hard to get undone once clicked in
• Shell design means car seat is on the narrow side (kind of like Chicco)
• Not the highest quality materials overall
• Stroller doesn’t like to stay open

Chicco Viaro Travel System

One of the Top-Rated 3-Wheeled Strollers

This Chicco Viaaro travel system comes with the KeyFit 30 infant car seat. Let’s get some quick stats on this best car seat:

• For babies 4 to 30 pounds and up to 30 inches
• Meets or exceeds all safety standards
• Deep, contoured shell design
• EPS foam lining
• Base has button release latch connectors and SuperCinch easy belt tightening
• Integrated lockoffs and clear belt routing for use with vehicle belt
• Newborn support pillow
• Large canopy
• 5 point safety harness with padding and easy tightening

The Chicco Viaro stroller is a lightweight and sleek stroller. It weighs only 18 pounds . The 3-wheel design makes it easily maneuverable and easily pushable. The nice suspension gives a smooth ride for baby.

The front wheel swivels to allow for better movement and a tight turning radius. However, the plastic wheels don’t seem as durable. The wheels are thin and soft and get peppered by rocks or gravel. At 7 inches for the front wheel and 8.75 inches for the back wheels, they’re big enough to tackle a lot of terrain.

It has a two-step braking system . This means that you have individual toe top brakes to lock the back wheels individually. This makes quick stops easy, but it requires more effort and isn’t foot friendly.

The fold on the stroller is fantastic. It’s my favorite feature. It’s a truly one handed fold . All you do is push a release button under the seat of the stroller, pull up on the strap, and you have a compact and self-standing folded stroller . It doesn’t lock once folded , so you have to be careful when getting it in and out of the trunk. The perk of it not locking is that you can reopen the stroller quickly and easily with just one hand as well. Just pull up on the handle and click it open.

Chicco claims that this is their most lightweight stroller. And even though it’s light, it can still hold a child up to 50 pounds . The multi-position backrest (which unfortunately can’t lie flat) and the a djustable 5 point safety harness easily grow with your child for many years of use.

The stroller features an extra large canopy . It’s made from a thick and sturdy material that shades the baby well. And the best part is that it can completely shade the baby when used with the KeyFit Car Seat . This protects baby from nosy people and hot sun alike! I do wish that the canopy had a spy window, since it’s so big and blocks the parent’s view of baby.

This stroller features great storage for being so sleek. There’s a parent storage area on the push handle with two cup holders and a middle tray. There’s a child snack tray with two cup holders and a place for food. The bottom storage basket is wonderful. It’s deep and big. It can also be accessed from the rear, like a normal stroller, or it can be accessed from the front by lifting up the seat’s footrest. I like this added convenience.

The Chicco Viaro travel system has a lot of fantastic features. See our full review of the Chicco Viaro Travel System .

We’ve talked about both the Chicco Bravo and Chicco Viaro strollers as part of travel systems. Want to know which is best? Read our Chicco Viaro Stroller vs Chicco Bravo Stroller article.

Car seat height limit: Up to 30 pounds

Stroller weight: 18 pounds

• Stroller doesn’t lock when folded
• Takes up lots of space when folded
• Cheap wheels and fabrics
• No peek-a-boo window on huge canopy

You can check out how the B-Agile stacks up against the Chicco Bravo in our Chicco Bravo vs Britax B-Agile article. There’s also a head-to head battle of the lightweight B-Agile and City Mini in our Britax B-Agile vs Baby Jogger City Mini review.

Maxi Cosi Zelia Max Travel System

High-End Features and a Lifetime Warranty

The Maxi Cosi Zelia Max travel system comes with the Mico Max 30 car seat. This is a highly-rated  car seat that meets or exceeds all federal safety standards. The Air Protect side shields offer strong protection, and the included base has an anti-rebound bar to direct any impact force away from baby in a crash. 

The base is safe and easy to use, but you can also install this car seat safely without the base. That makes it ideal for travel . 

This car seat works really well for all babies up to 30 pounds . This big upper limit means that your baby can stay rear facing longer -well after their 1st birthday- since that’s the safest position for babies to travel in . But since the weight limit is so low, at just 4 pounds, it is nationally recognized as a good car seat for low birth-weight babies , too. The Cozi Dozi infant padding  gives head and neck support and is also reversible.

The seat padding itself is both moisture-wicking and comfortable. And if baby makes a mess, which they will at some point, you can remove the entire pad and machine wash and dry it, all without having to unthread the harness!

The 5 point safety harness has 4 different shoulder positions for baby’s comfort. The easy adjust harness controls are front and center by baby’s feet. All of this is shielded by the very large canopy with flip-out visor .

This best car seat is made from heavy duty and durable plastic , making it 25% lighter than other car seats in the same category. It weighs in at just over 8 pounds ! That includes the large, contoured carrying handle , with multiple positions for carrying and convenience.

The Maxi Cosi Zelia stroller has 4 wheels , like a traditional stroller. The rear wheels are larger, which helps with steering and durability . This smooth riding stroller will fit a child up to 50 pounds for use well into the preschool years.

You can fold the Zelia in half with the folding system . The folding system is more complicated than some other models, but it does break down each part of the stroller. Once folded, it is small enough to fit into most trunks . It’s self-standing , too.

Because this is a modular stroller , there are 5 different modes . You can easily turn the stroller seat into a carriage by reclining it and zipping up the sides. It can then face in or out. You can carry the car seat on the frame and you can switch the stroller seat to face inward or outward. 

Parent features include a large underseat storage basket with front and back access , adjustable handles with vegan leather details  and a flexible cup holder on the handle. Kiddo features include a 3 to 5 point safety harness with padded straps and buckle, reclining seat ,  adjustable foot rest, a moveable bumper bar for safety, and a large, full-coverage canopy with peek-a-boo window.

The whole thing is wrapped up with a lifetime warranty. You seriously can’t beat that.

Stroller weight limit: 0 to 50 pounds

Stroller weight: 21.5 pounds

• Drink holder is flimsy and falls off when folding stroller
• Need two hands to fold or transition to different modes
• Wheels seem flimsy and can get stuck

Best Baby Jogging Travel Systems

The car seat included in the Baby Trend Expedition system supports up to 30 pounds, while the BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 can be combined with the car seat of your choice.

We have a comprehensive review of jogging baby travel systems here Best Jogging Stroller Travel System , but these are the leading products:

Baby Trend Expedition Jogging Travel System 

Works on All Terrains

The best car seat included with the Baby Trend Expedition travel system is the Baby Trend EZ Flex Loc infant car seat. This is a top rated infant car seat that’s designed to hold a baby between 5 and 30 pounds. It will accommodate your child until they reach 30 inches. It comes with a small and soft head support for those little tiny babies.

Made with EPS foam, it provides superior protection in a car accident. It even has extra padding that helps with side impact protection. It meets or exceeds all safety standards in the US.

It’s called EZ Flex Loc because of the latch system that it uses. The base has flexible latch hooks as opposed to rigid, one-piece latch hooks. If you look at the latch connectors, you can see that they’re hinged . This means that once they’re hooked in, you can adjust the seat to get a secure fit without having to re-attach the anchors.

Besides having the Flex Loc, the base also has a push-button that allows you to adjust the height to 4 different positions for correct installation. It even has a level indicator that let you know when you have it at the proper level for installation.

This car seat has a small and lightweight design . It weighs just over 7 1/2 pounds, and the car seat is about 16 1/2 inches at its widest spot. This means that it takes up less room in your car and makes it really easy to put more than one car seat in the back of your car. This is definitely a good choice for parents that have to do two or more car seats in the back.

The way that you release this car seat from the base and stroller is unique. Usually, there’s a lever at the front of the car seat, behind where the baby’s head is, that you will pull to get the car seat to pop out. With this one, it’s down by baby’s feet . This is both good and bad. It works really well in smaller cars where you don’t have a lot of headspace for the car seat, but it does make it tricky because you have to put your hand down between the car seat and the backseat of your vehicle to get the car seat free.

The harness system of this car seat is good, but it can be frustrating. It’s a 5 point safety harness with some good qualities. You can adjust the car seats harness straps by simply turning a knob on the back of the car seat. This makes it nice because you won’t have to rethread harness straps every time your baby grows. It also has a one-handed release mechanism in the front. The biggest pain about this harness system is that you have to stack the buckles in order to buckle them in.

Finally, the best car seat has the delta multi-grip carrying handle. This is a smooth carrying handle with a triangle shape. It’s designed to not irritate your arm and make it much easier on your back and arms . I personally love this type of car seat handle, because it makes holding the car seat in both your hands and on your arms a lot easier in nearly any position.

The Expedition Jogging Stroller is included with this travel system. This stroller is specially designed for running or jogging on nearly any surface. It has 16 inch rear tires that are air-filled bicycle tires . It’s got a 12-inch front tire with swivel or locking capabilities. Having it locked is great for going for a run, while being able to swivel will make this stroller be able to go from the trail to the mall in a snap. And having such large, air-filled tires means that you get a smoother ride on any surface. This translates to the stroller gliding more easily during a run so that you don’t encounter as much resistance.

This stroller features 3 separate brakes . One brake is on the front wheel that allows it to lock in a straight and non-swiveling position. Both of the back wheels have their own brakes. This is somewhat inconvenient, but it is nice if you’re just going to make a quick stop, as you can just apply one of the brakes.

The stroller’s made with a lightweight steel frame . The overall weight of the stroller is about 26 pounds. Now, this is much more than a regular stroller, but you have to remember that you have much bigger tires and you need a bigger frame to support that. Still, at 26 pounds, this is one of the lighter ones on the market.

The Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Travel System is so easy to use.

Folding this lightweight stroller is a breeze, as it features a trigger fold that easily folds the stroller in half in a compact unit. You just pull the two triggers on each side of the handle and the stroller will fold in half, and then it can be locked into place. It does stand on its own as long as all three wheels are touching the ground.

The stroller features a lot of great safety features. For starters, it’s got a fully adjustable 5 point safety harness for the kid. This 5 point safety harness is a bit complicated to buckle, but it’s very secure. The stroller also features a tether strap for the parent to hold onto while running . This means that you won’t have a runaway stroller going downhill. Another safety feature is the footrest reflectors. This means that if you’re going for an early-morning or late-night jog, everyone will be able to see you and your stroller.

Some comfort features included are a seat that can recline to many different positions , including flat, and an adjustable canopy with a peek-a-boo window. The handle is extra wide and ergonomically shaped. It’s covered in a soft rubbery material that provides good grip during a run while also providing comfort. These features will come in handy across the life of the stroller, which will last you until your kiddo reaches 50 pounds.

The Expedition Jogger Stroller has no shortage of storage. For starters, it has a parent tray that has two cup holders and a covered compartment. There’s also a child tray that has two cup holders. This tray also doubles as the adapter that allows the car seat to click in. There’s an extra-large storage basket underneath that fits a lot of items, including a larger diaper bag. It’s also easy to access.

Read up on this system in our Expedition Jogger review.

Car seat weight: 7.5 pounds

Stroller weight: 26 pounds

• Newborn insert puts small babies at a weird angle
• Base is tough to get tight
• Have to align harness buckles to click them in
• Carrying handle is hard to push back
• Swivel wheel sometimes shakes when running

BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Travel System

Perfect for Active Families

The setup for the BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Travel System is pretty simple. There’s a car seat, an adapter, and a stroller. The car seat is actually the freshly-updated Britax B-Safe 35 Gen2 infant car seat .

Since we’ve already gone over the B-Safe 35, here’s a quick look at the specs on the B-Safe Gen2, which is the roomier and softer update to the B-Safe 35:

• Safe Cell impact protection on the base
• Steel frame
• Safe Center latch installation
• FAA approved
• Huge canopy
• Clicks easily into stroller and base
• Spot clean only
• Base recline
• Ergonomic handle
• Padded 5 point safety harness
• One-hand buckle release
• No obnoxious tags!
• Roomier/wider seat design

The BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Travel System is for serious runners only ! I’m talking training for a marathon, 7 miles a day type running.

That’s because it utilizes one of the best jogging/running strollers ever. Here are the outstanding features:

• 75 lb weight capacity
• Mountain bike-style suspension
• Locking front 360-degree swivel wheel
• Air-filled 12 inch tire on front and 16-inch tires on back
• 28.5 lb aluminum frame
• Easy fold (can even remove rear wheels to make smaller!)
• Linked rear parking brake that’s foot-friendly
• Hand strap for safety
• Padded seat with 5 point safety harness and recline
• HUGE UPF 50+ canopy with magnetic peek-a-boo window
• Under child storage basket and parent pockets

This stroller is wonderful. As a runner/hiker/walker/generally super-active person, I can’t sing its praises enough.

Check out more BOB strollers on our Best Lightweight Jogging Stroller list.

If you have the money and are serious about running, please DO NOT hesitate to get this system , because you’ll get a very safe car seat and base, together with a top-of-the-line jogging stroller.

Stroller weight: 28.5 pounds

Stroller weight limit: 75 pounds

• Much more expensive than non-jogging stroller systems
• Heavy car seat
• Can’t wash car seat cover

Comparing the Best Travel Systems

The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.

How to Choose a Travel System

How would you pick a travel system?

If you’re anything like me, then you’d probably spend hours and hours online pouring over reviews from a bunch of different sites to try and weed out which travel systems are the best. You probably go to your local Target or Toys R Us and test out a few travel systems in person. You’d probably ask around and talk to all of your mom friends to see what they use and what they like and don’t like about it.

Well, that’s exactly what I’ve done here. I have looked at all of the big websites, from Amazon to Target to Toys R Us and beyond. I have spent hours reading through each and every customer review to see what people have to say about these travel systems. I’ve even looked at the strollers and the car seats separately and looked at their reviews to see what people say about them on their own.

I have been that lady in the middle of Target playing with a stroller. I have let my son push them around and even sat my baby in a car seat or two. This is all done in the name of research. Because, if at all possible, the best thing to do is actually get your hands on a travel system. Looking at pictures and videos is one thing, but actually using and manhandling the stroller and car seat is another thing altogether.

I’ve talked to all my mommy friends to see what they like and don’t like about their current travel systems. The mommy friends that I’m close enough to would let me try out certain features, like folding the stroller or clicking the car seat in and out, or buckling their baby in and out. I’d ask them what they would change about the stroller and car seat, and what they love. I’d ask them if they had to do over, would they buy that system again?

Basically, as part of my review process, I’ve done everything that you would do. I’ve done all the footwork for you, so that all you have to do is sit back, read my reviews, and decide for yourself if you like these top travel systems just as much as I do.

FAQ for Baby Travel Systems

How much should i pay for the best travel system.

Don’t get stuck on a certain number in regards to how much you want to pay. Instead, you’ll want to look for a good value.

Notice that I said a good value, not a good deal. There might be travel systems on the market that are really cheap, but you’re probably going to get what you pay for. You’ll probably get a system that’s not going to hold up and won’t have as many features as you want or need.

And while I don’t believe in just purchasing a cheap travel system, I also certainly don’t believe in spending oodles and oodles of money on a car seat and stroller. Especially because your baby is probably going to outgrow the whole thing in about 3 years.

That’s when you find the balance of getting a good stroller and car seat for your money and your budget. You want a car seat that is safe and effective, but not overly expensive. You want a stroller that has all the bells and whistles you desire, without costing as much as your monthly mortgage payment.

How do I choose a travel system for my baby?

It’s not easy to choose a travel system. Although it seems like such a straightforward purchase, it’s actually not. There’s many parts and pieces to consider and you also have to consider how they all work together. 

Look at the car seat you’d like to get. Consider safety and comfort and size of the car seat, because it’ll be protecting your most precious cargo for about 2 years.

Then look at the stroller. You’re going to use the stroller a lot longer than one year, since most strollers will accommodate children clear up until they’re into preschool, so make sure you get one you like. Consider things like the number of wheels, weight limits, storage, and other things (more on that below).

Don’t overthink it – use your budget and your judgment and make the best choice you can! I’ve used all kinds of car seats and strollers from cheapest to most expensive. They all do essentially the same thing. 

How do car seat and stroller combos work?

The stroller of a travel system will accept the car seat, either by clicking it onto the snack tray or bar or by clicking directly into the frame itself.

I look for a travel system where the car seat easily clicks in and out of the stroller. I don’t want it to be a 10-step process. I would prefer 1 or 2 steps that can easily be done. 

You might want a car seat and stroller set up that is compatible with more than one brand of car seat . For example, I love the Inglesina USA Triolgy lightweight stroller, but it’s only compatible with a couple of expensive and hard-to-find car seats from one brand. I prefer the Uppababy or Britax approach, where you can mix and match from a few different car seats.

Also, there are a lot of car seats and strollers that you can make into a travel system on the market, but they aren’t designed that way. You have to use adapters or other special tools to make it work as a travel system . Keeping track of the extra parts is a pain, but I will go for this method if the car seat stroller combo is so great, that the extra parts are justified.

Do they make travel systems for twins or two kids at once?

If you are looking for more than one car seat, check out tandem travel systems .

If you have more than one child, these strollers are amazing! Most of them work as a travel system for your baby, while your bigger kid gets a seat somewhere else on the frame. Some also work for doing 2 car seats at once. I personally think that these strollers are smart for parents who might someday extend their family, or for those who already have a couple of kids to tow around.

Check out our Britax B-Ready vs UPPAbaby Vista article to see 2 of my favorite tandem travel systems. Or, if you like more high-end items, be sure to check out the Baby Jogger City Select stroller review.

Which is more important, the stroller or the car seat?

I think the car seat is arguably the most important part of the travel system. It’s what you need to keep your baby safe whether or not you’ll use the stroller.

So when I look for a good travel system, I look for a reliable and well-tested car seat. It has to meet or exceed all standards, and be completely safe for my child. I look for a best infant car seat that can be installed with the base and a latch system, or without a base using the car seat belt for when I’m traveling. I also look for a car seat that has high weight and height limits, as it means my child can stay in it and stay rear-facing for longer.

What are the best stroller features to have?

The stroller, while probably not quite as important as the car seat, still is extremely important. Here’s what you’ll want out of a great stroller:

Mobility : You want a stroller that can go where you want to go, so you may need an all-terrain or jogging stroller option.

Number of wheels :  You can go with the traditional, 4-wheeled stroller, or, you can go with the newer model 3-wheeled strollers. The biggest difference in these is going to be stability and maneuverability, as well as weight and size. Also, it usually comes down to personal preference.

Tires: I look for tires that have good traction, good maneuverability, and a nice long life. Even if the tires are air-filled, I want them to be stable and not have to fix them constantly. And if they’re made from plastic, I want them to be a thick and sturdy plastic that’s not going to get tore up quickly.

Storage: I also look for a stroller that has good storage underneath the seat, as well as snack trays for both mom and child. Making sure that my kiddo can have a snack and drink when they need it and that I have a place to put my drink and keys and phone and snacks is very important to me. I love Britax strollers, but they always let me down in the storage category because of the lack of a child or parent tray. Like the Britax B-Free stroller – amazing underseat storage, but nothing else!

Canopy: I prefer a canopy with a peek-a-boo window, as I like to be able to keep a sneaky eye on my child. I also like a canopy that extends far out so that it shades them from rain or sun. This feature is really important when you have a newborn, and it still is important when your child gets older, because they get vocal about things like sun and rain in their face. One of my all-time favorite canopies is on an incredible stroller called the Joovy Ballon . You have to see it- it’s huge!

Braking system : Some strollers have single braking systems, while some of them have a bar braking system, while still more have a hand brake system. I personally prefer either a handbrake or a dual braking system with a bar. Single brakes are fine, and they serve their purpose, but I just feel like they’re a hassle. I personally want a braking system that’s really easy for me to use and doesn’t require me to crack a toenail every time I want to park my stroller.

• 13 Best Strollers of 2024, Tested by Parents , www.thebump.com
• Chicco KeyFit 30 Car Seat Review , www.consumerreports.org
• Car Seat FAQs – AAA Exchange , safeseats4kids.aaa.com
• Car Seats for Preemies and Low Birth Weight Babies , www.consumerreports.org

Hi there, I'm a proud mamma of 4 kiddos (ages 2, 4, and 8 plus one on the way!). We are Jesus-loving, homeschooling, curious adventurers and our home is never quiet! I want to help fellow moms find the best products to help their families thrive! In the tiny shreds of free time I get, I love to hike, sing, bake, and watch Netflix. Or sleep.

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Graco Modes Travel System | Includes Modes Stroller and SnugRide... › Customer reviews

Customer reviews.

Graco Modes Travel System | Includes Modes Stroller and SnugRide SnugLock 35 Infant Car Seat, Dayton

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

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Free delivery plus 2-year warranty!

• Where to Buy

Graco® Evo® Trio

SKU: 7CL98XXXXX

From birth to approx. 3 years (0-15kg)

EAN: 7CL98XXXXX

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Available exclusively at some one

coming soon

Free Shipping & Return

Free delivery usually within 1 to 2 working days

2-Year Warranty

All the essential products for families who love to explore

All the features you will love.

PUSHCHAIR, CARRYCOT AND CAR SEAT

Comes with everything you need.

Baby can slumber in style in the Graco Evo carrycot that connects seamlessly to the Graco Evo pushchair. Want to make the transition from your vehicle more smoothly? SnugEssentials i-Size infant car seat attaches securely with just one click.​

REVERSIBLE SEAT

Ride your way.

The versatile seat of the Graco Evo pushchair easily switches from front to back, allowing your little one to interact with either you or the world ahead.

ADJUSTABLE HANDLE AND CALF SUPPORT

Comfort for parent and child.

Parents love the handle that adjusts up and down to best suit their height, and your growing child will ride in a relaxing position thanks to the adjustable calf support.

ONE-HAND FOLD

Quick ups and downs.

Collapse the Graco Evo pushchair with one hand while holding baby in the other thanks to the simple one-hand fold.

Is Graco Evo Trio Right for Me?

Ready to pull it all together? Suitable from birth to approx. age 3 (15kg), the Graco Evo Trio travel system has everything you need for travelling with your little one. Especially great for busy parents, the quick, click-and-go system gets you out the door faster no matter what your day has in store.

With the carrycot’s lie-flat riding position, you can transform the pushchair into a cosy pram for your newborn. On the go? Pair the Graco Evo pushchair with the included SnugEssentials i-Size infant carrier for a road-trip-ready travel system.

Graco Evo pushchair - Adjustable handle - One-hand fold mechanism for quick and easy folding - Rearward and forward facing seat​ - Apron and raincover included - Large canopy provides extra shade and protection​ - Multi-position recline ensures your child is comfortable​ - Easy-release bumper bar for quick ins and outs​ - Adjustable 3- or 5-point harness​ - Front swivel-lock wheels for easier manoeuvrability - One-step brake - Adjustable calf support​ - Removable seat liner with harness and buckle covers included

SnugEssentials i-Size infant car seat - ISOFIX compatibility with isoFamily base - EPS energy-absorbing foam provides effective impact energy management - 5-point harness that easily adjusts with one hand - Integrated colour-coded indicators show when the seat is secure and ready to go when used with isoFamily base - Intuitive vehicle belt routing - Super lightweight baby car seat at only 3.66kg - Compatible with all Graco strollers that have Click Connect compatibility - Ergonomic carry handle that rotates - Machine-washable covers - Padded memory foam insert and headrest will keep baby comfortable and happy - Large canopy provides shade and sun protection - Rearward facing i-Size car seat from birth to approx. 12 months (40-75 cm)

Graco Evo Carrycot - Easily collapsible for practical and space-saving storage - Reclining canopy with integrated handle - Padded carry handle to easily transport carrycot and baby - Use for occasional overnight sleeping - Easily attaches to the Graco Evo XT pushchair frame with one click

(1) Graco Evo pushchair with canopy and bumper bar

    - (1) luxury fleece-lined footmuff

    - (1) raincover

    - (2) harness pads

    - (1) stroller chassis with 2 front and rear wheels

    - (1) rear brake assembly unit

(1) SnugEssentials i-Size infant car seat

    - (1) headrest

    - (1) crotch pad

(1) Graco Evo carrycot

    - (1) mattress

    - (1) apron

(1) instruction manual

Graco Evo pushchair

L 99.5 x W 62.7 x H 115.7 cm

Folded dimensions:

L 106.2 x W 62.7 x H 39.4cm

Product Weight: 11.55kg

SnugEssentials i-Size infant car seat

L 45.4 x W 57.5 x H 63.5cm

Product Weight: 3.66kg

Graco Evo carrycot

L 84 x W 42 x H 62.5 cm

L 39 x W 17 x H 84.2cm

Product weight: 4.82kg

What products are included in the Graco Evo Trio? With the purchase of the Graco Evo Trio, you receive 3 products: 1 Graco Evo pushchair, 1 SnugEssentials i-Size infant car seat and 1 Graco Evo carrycot. This makes shopping for baby gear more straightforward.

Does the canopy on the Graco Evo pushchair offer UPF protection? Yes, Graco Evo pushchair's canopy has UPF 50+, giving your child the necessary protection from the sun.

The pushchair is suitable from birth to approx. 3 years (0-15kg).

Use of the pushchair with a child weighing more than 15kg in rearward or forward facing mode will cause excessive wear and stress. For newborns, always use the most reclined seat position.

The car seat is suitable from birth to approx. 1 year (40-75cm). Rearward facing seat only.

The carrycot is suitable from birth to approx. 6 months (0-9kg).

To wash the removable seat pad: hand wash only with warm water and household soap. Drip dry only. Do not use bleach.

Metal and plastic parts: clean with mild soap and cool water. Do not use bleach or detergents.

To wash the apron and raincover: hand wash only with warm water and household soap. Drip dry only. Do not use bleach.

From time to time check your pushchair for loose screws, worn parts, torn material or stitching. If damage is found, contact Graco Customer Services for advice on replacement or repair.

To wash the covers: machine wash in cold water only on delicate cycle 30 degrees and drip dry. Do not use bleach.

Inspect and clean harness buckle from time to time to remove any objects or debris that could prevent correct installation.

Metal and plastic parts: clean with mild soap and cool water. No bleach or detergents.

To clean the harness straps: surface wash only with mild soap and a damp cloth. Do not immerse the harness straps in water, doing so may weaken the straps.

Remove the mattress from the carrycot and mattress pad from the liner. Clean liner and mattress with a damp cloth and dry flat. After removing mattress pad from liner, hand wash and drip dry. Do not use bleach. Only use a damp cloth to clean the mattress pad. Never iron.

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Graco Modes Nest Travel System Review: Worth Your Money?

Graco Modes Nest Travel System Review: A Comprehensive Guide

Navigating the vast world of baby travel systems can be a daunting task for new parents. Today, I’m diving deep into one option that’s been the talk of the town: the Graco Modes Nest Travel System. This system promises to make outings with your little one a breeze, offering unparalleled versatility and convenience. Let’s see if it lives up to the hype.

🌟 Unpacking the Graco Modes Nest Travel System

First things first, this travel system is a jack-of-all-trades in the baby gear world. Graco has designed it to adapt to your growing child’s needs, from newborn snuggles to curious toddler explorations. With an aluminum frame and polyester fabric, it’s both sturdy and easy to clean, a win-win for busy parents.

The standout feature? Its Slide2Me seat adjustment. This allows you to bring your baby closer for those all-important face-to-face interactions, whether you’re navigating city sidewalks or taking a leisurely stroll in the park. The reversible stroller seat, which can face either the parent or the world, adds another layer of flexibility.

🚼 From Infancy to Toddlerhood: The 3-in-1 Design

Let’s break down the three modes this system boasts:

• Infant Car Seat Carrier: The included Graco SnugRide 35 Lite Elite Infant Car Seat is a gem. It’s lightweight and engineered for safety, fitting infants from 4-35 lb and up to 32″.
• Infant Pramette: For those early months, the stroller seat converts into a pramette, providing a cozy, flat surface for your baby to lie on.
• Toddler Stroller: As your child grows, the stroller adapts, offering a spacious and comfortable ride for toddlers up to 50 lbs.

🛒 Graco Modes Nest Travel System Review – Features That Make Life Easier

The Graco Modes Nest doesn’t skimp on conveniences. The expandable extra-large storage basket is a lifesaver for storing all those baby (and parent) essentials. And let’s not forget the one-step, self-standing fold that simplifies storage and transport.

However, it’s not without its limitations. The fixed handlebar height might not be everyone’s cup of tea, especially for shorter parents. And while it’s a fantastic single-child solution, families with twins or siblings close in age might miss the ability to convert it into a double stroller.

📊 Graco Modes Nest vs. The Competition

To give you a clearer picture, let’s see how it stacks up against some of its rivals.

Table 1: Feature Comparison

Table 2: ease of use and convenience.

As you can see, each system has its strengths. The Graco Modes Nest shines in its versatility and ease of use, offering a great balance between functionality and cost. While it may not have the all-terrain capabilities of the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 or the luxury finishes of the Maxi-Cosi Zelia, it covers all the bases for a practical, everyday travel system.

🎯 Graco Modes Nest Travel System: Who’s It For?

The Graco Modes Nest Travel System is a fantastic choice for parents looking for a mid-range, all-in-one solution. It’s especially suited for those who appreciate the ability to keep their baby close and value the flexibility of a travel system that grows with their child. Urban and suburban families will find it meets their needs perfectly, offering a smooth ride on paved surfaces and easy maneuverability in tight spaces.

🚼 Ease of Use and Daily Handling

The Graco Modes Nest Travel System shines when it comes to ease of use—a crucial factor for busy parents. The one-step, self-standing fold is a game-changer, making it a breeze to pack up the stroller with one hand while holding your baby in the other. The height-adjustable seat feature is not just a convenience; it’s a thoughtful design that allows parents to keep their growing babies at the perfect height for interaction and engagement during strolls. This feature alone sets the Modes Nest apart from many competitors, underscoring its commitment to both parent and child comfort.

🛠️ Durability and Build Quality

Graco is known for its durable and reliable baby products, and the Modes Nest Travel System is no exception. With an aluminum frame, it strikes the right balance between lightweight design and sturdy construction. However, it’s important to mention that, like any product, it may show signs of wear over extensive use, especially if you’re navigating rough terrain regularly. That said, for city and suburban use, you’ll find it holds up well, offering a smooth ride with its quality wheels and suspension.

📏 Compactness and Storage

For parents who are space-conscious or often on the go, the compact fold and self-standing feature of the Graco Modes Nest are significant advantages. It fits well in most car trunks, and the expandable extra-large storage basket is a boon for shopping trips or long day outings, ensuring you have all your baby essentials within easy reach.

🔍 Table 2: Ease of Use and Convenience

Comfort for your child.

The comfort provided by the Graco Modes Nest cannot be overstated. With plush padding, multiple recline positions, and a large canopy, your child is in for a cozy ride, whether you’re just popping out to the store or on a longer adventure. The reversible seat feature allows your baby to face you for reassurance or face the world when they’re ready to explore.

Safety: A Top Priority

When it comes to your baby’s safety, Graco doesn’t cut corners. The included SnugRide 35 Lite Elite Infant Car Seat is testament to that, meeting or exceeding all US safety standards. It’s reassuring to know that the travel system you’re using has been rigorously tested to ensure your little one’s protection on the road.

Graco Modes Travel System Comparison

🆚 competitor comparison.

Graco Modes Nest stands its ground when compared with alternatives like the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 and the Maxi-Cosi Zelia. While each has its strengths, the Modes Nest offers a unique blend of affordability, versatility, and user-friendly features that cater to both infants and toddlers.

Table 3: Price vs. Key Features

💡 graco modes nest travel system reviews final thoughts.

The Graco Modes Nest Travel System offers an exceptional combination of versatility, convenience, and comfort, all while maintaining a reasonable price point. Its thoughtful design touches, like the height-adjustable seat and the one-hand fold, make it a practical choice for modern families. Although it may lack some of the high-end features or the double stroller capability of its competitors, its overall value is undeniable. For parents seeking a reliable, flexible, and user-friendly travel system, the Graco Modes Nest is a contender that deserves serious consideration.

In summary, the Graco Modes Nest Travel System stands out for its adaptability to growing children, ease of use for busy parents, and the balance it strikes between affordability and valuable features. It’s a travel system that grows with your family, making it a smart investment for those early years of adventure.

About The Author

• Brilliant baby buys

Graco Modes 3 Lite Trio Review: We Try A New 3-In-1 Travel System

If you’re looking for a travel system, read our graco modes 3 lite review.

Have you heard about the new Graco Modes 3 Lite Trio? It’s a brand new three-in-one travel system, suitable from birth to 15kg, that comes with the Graco SnugRide first stage infant car seat, baby carrycot and toddler seat all as part of the package.

Sounds intriguing, and in an impressive display of pram-product Tetris, it all arrives in one box.

Here’s Our Graco Modes 3 Lite trio review:

We’re working with Graco and our next review is of the Graco Modes 3 Lite Trio; so what did we think?

Firstly, What Type Of Pram Is The Graco Modes 3 Lite? 

• The Graco Modes 3 Lite Trio is a three-wheeled travel system that offers up to seven different modes of travel, from the car seat through to rear-facing and forward facing seat
• It’s suitable up to about three years old.
• It has a five-point safety harness, FastAction one second fold (really…more on this later) 
• It also has ClickConnect technology to make it easy to add and remove the various seat configurations.

Testing Out The Modes 3 Lite Trio

Having a  two-year-old we’re well past the baby carry cot and car seat stage – you can see them in the video – so we’ve been testing it out with the forward facing stroller mode. Although the two-year-old was having a ‘no photos’ day, hence her older sister stepping in…

As part of our Graco Modes 3 Lite Trio review, we filmed an unboxing video of us taking everything out and assembling the pram. So what’s in the box and how easy is it to assemble?

(More about our  Pokemon Christmas jumpers  here!).

How Easy Was The Graco Pram To Assemble?

The Graco Modes 3 Lite was reasonably easy to assemble – the biggest issue we had was with the back wheels, which were fairly fiddly and took a while for us to get right. But apart from that it is easy to assemble and also to change the configurations (the seat / cot / car seat clips in to the frame).

What We Liked From Our Graco Modes 3 Lite Trio Review:

• The FastAction Fold: An amazing design feature is the fold on the pram. It is SO simple –  you just pull the fabric lever that’s on the seat – and quick, it folds in seconds, actual seconds. Considering it’s taken me an embarrassingly long while to master the fold on most of the prams we’ve had this is a big bonus (I demonstrate this at the end of the video, so make sure you watch!).
• The shopping basket: It’s huge! I know there’s more to prams than the shopping basket but it makes life easier (especially in those days when going to the shop is all you do).
• The colour scheme: I’m not a massive fan of patterned prams and so this simple design is perfect.
• The design: For a travel system it’s pretty light – even with the toddler seat in – but still really sturdy. And it’s still comfortable, though – both girls liked the deep, padded seat and even my very tall four-year-old who is way past pram age could sit in it.

What We Didn’t  Like About Our Graco Modes 3 Pram Review:

• A big sticking point for us is the big back wheel span. We live in a standard-sized Victorian terrace house and the pram only just fits down our hall; we also really struggled to get it in and out of the front door unless it was at an awkward angle. The bus is usually our litmus test for prams and I wouldn’t take the Graco Modes 3 Lite on unfolded as the back wheels are too wide to fit comfortably down the aisle and it would take up most of the pram space.
• The handle height:  You can’t adjust the handle so it’s permanently at one height. I’d expect than on an umbrella fold but not a travel system.
• The cup holder: I’m not a massive fan of this as a permanent feature on any pram. On the Graco car seats the cup holder is removable, which I think would be a better pram feature. Although saying that the girls loved this most of all:

But the biggest plus point is the price. It retails at £389 for *everything.* Considering most people buy a pram then pay extra for the car seat, car seat adapters, carry cot, foot muff and so on, this is really good value for money.

As in our Graco Milestone review,  we liked the fact this is a baby product that will last your child a lot longer without you having to buy any additional extras. It’s sturdy and light for a travel system. and the fold is make-your-life-easier fantastic. You’d get the greatest benefit buying this from birth so you can use the car seat and carrycot (it would be a waste to buy this as a stand-alone stroller for a toddler). But if you’re looking for a more budget-friendly pram or travel system that doesn’t compromise on features – and you don’t have small hallways – then this is a really good option. More info on the Graco website.

If you liked our Graco Modes 3 Lite Trio review then read our Quinny Moodd review , tips for using public transport in London with a pram , how to get a baby on board badge and post-natal depletion – do you have it?

Related Posts:

I write A Baby On Board, a London mum blog for the parenting journey

December 16, 2016 at 10:40 am

Great review Gill! Loving the sound of the FastAction Fold. Also – NICE BLUE WALL!

December 16, 2016 at 12:15 pm

The best thing is the drink (doll) holder – how cute! Great review and as Alison says, that’s a fabulous wall! x

Eleanor (TheBristolParent)

December 17, 2016 at 8:58 am

I love a cup holder, but mainly because it’s the only thing my trusty Baby Jogger doesn’t have! Great review, and you look fab in that colour coat, btw. x

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Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer Review

You need this awesome airless paint sprayer for your next DIY project

Updated August 22, 2024

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Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer

Simple to use

Easy to clean

Sprays evenly for a nice finish

Struggles with thicker paints

Leaves paint in the bucket

Most of us instinctively reach for a brush and roller when painting. However, painting by hand can take a long time and can be physically exhausting. It can also leave behind visible brush or roller marks, which aren’t always ideal. When it came time for me to paint the interior of the new addition to the house, I decided to try out the Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer .

About the Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer

• Weight: 13 pounds
• Engine size: 0.5HP
• Maximum flow rate: 0.27 GPM
• Maximum Pressure: 3000PSI
• Maximum tip size: 0.015
• Fluid outlet size: ¼-inch

The Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer is designed with usability in mind. The setup, operation, and cleanup instructions are straightforward and conveniently printed on a laminated sheet with the machine. I referred to these instructions regularly, not because it was a complex process but because they were so easy to follow that it took no extra time to use the step-by-step guide.

If you don’t have the instructions, the machine itself is well-labeled. The pressure regulator is a simple knob on the side with icons showing suggested settings for priming, rolling, or spraying. The primer switch is easy to reach and activate.

The feeding and discharge tubes are long enough to fit into a bucket easily but not so long that they get tangled or in the way. All components come apart quickly for cleaning and go together just as easily—the only tool you might want on hand is an adjustable wrench.

The spraying process is straightforward. Take your time, overlap your coverage, and don’t stop moving while the sprayer is spraying. The sprayer does clog periodically, which is annoying. Still, it’s simple to clear by turning the sprayer tip around and spraying it into your waste bucket until the obstruction is gone. I never had to spray more than a second to clear the line.

The unit I purchased came with a 25-foot hose, and that was all I needed, even though the machine can handle up to 75 feet. I also bought a 12-inch extension to make it easier to reach 8-foot ceilings from the ground and two 40-inch extensions to help me reach the peak of my vaulted ceiling. These accessories were invaluable, and I recommend at least getting the 12-inch. I can’t articulate why, but it was much more comfortable to use than just the handle that comes with the unit.

One word of caution before you embark on spraying anything: This and most sprayers give off a lot of overspray. So, cover or remove everything that you don’t want paint on. This includes the entire floor, ceiling, or walls that are not being painted. I made the mistake of only covering the ceiling 18 inches from the wall, and the wall paint fogged up onto the uncovered areas, so I had to repaint the ceilings.

What is a paint sprayer?

A paint sprayer is a machine that forces paint through a small nozzle, distributing it evenly and smoothly over the surface it is intended to cover. There are several different types of paint sprayers.

Pneumatic air sprayers run off an air compressor, using that air to blow the paint. These tend to be the cheapest sprayers, but they use and waste the most paint and require a separate air compressor. HVLP sprayers use lower-pressure air to spray the paint and, as such, don’t require an air compressor to function. They also aren’t ideal for thicker paints.

Finally, airless paint sprayers pressurize the paint and spray it evenly through the tip. These work very well on large projects with heavier-duty paints, though they are flexible enough to run smaller jobs.

When should you use a paint sprayer?

At first glance, paint sprayers seem a no-brainer for any painting project. They’re fast and easy to use, and they can paint a room in ten minutes, which might take someone with a roller an hour or two to finish. However, they’re not for every situation.

First and foremost, they make a mess. The air fills with paint particles, so you must wear a heavy-duty respirator and cover absolutely everything you don’t want to get paint on. The upfront prep work can take much longer than with a traditional roller.

You also probably don’t want to spray much in a place where people are living. Because of that paint fog produced, there’s a pretty unpleasant aroma for several hours, and you don’t want the people in the house to breathe those paint fumes for that long.

Paint sprayers also require more cleanup than rollers and brushes because you need to flush the machine before the paint thickens. You also have to clean the machine in between any color changes, unlike hand painting, where you can swap a new brush or roller for a new color.

I decided to spray the addition because it’s all new construction. All I had to cover were the windows, outlets, and ceiling. I didn’t have to worry about floors or furniture, and I sealed off the access to the existing home to keep most of the fumes away from my family. Even with the requirements, I guess the paint sprayer saved me at least five or six hours, and my arms and back weren’t sore at the end of every painting day.

What we like

This paint sprayer is easy to use and control.

If there’s one word, I’d use to describe the Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer, it’s easy. Setup takes just a few minutes, mainly after you’ve used it a few times, and there’s not much tinkering to do. Find the pressure setting for your spraying material and get to work. The handle is easy to control and maneuver around, even at weird angles. There’s nothing about this machine that’s confusing or complicated. Follow the laminated instruction card, and you’ll be ready, even if you’ve never used a paint sprayer.

It sprays paint smoothly and evenly

The Graco X5 gave our walls a beautiful finish. It’s smooth even after a couple of coats, and I haven’t found any areas where coverage is missed. When I switched tips and did some tests with polyurethane, it performed equally well. Though most of the projects I build are small enough, setting up and then cleaning this size sprayer isn’t worth it.

The cleanup is straightforward

Cleanup is one of the downsides of any paint sprayer, but Graco X5 has a good system setup. Simply flush water or mineral spirits/paint thinner through the machine, depending on whether you used water or oil-based paint. Then, clean up the handle and sprayer parts with the same solvent and a brush (I use an old toothbrush).

If I do a thorough scrub before long-term storage, cleanup takes about 15 minutes (sometimes 20 minutes).

What we don’t like

It's a bit underpowered for thicker paints.

The Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer is the smallest of Graco’s Project Series line, and there are moments when that is noticeable. For example, when spraying the ceiling paint, the X5 wasn’t powerful enough to get complete and even coverage, even after thinning the paint. I did a final coat on all the ceilings with a roller because those spray lines were still visible. While the colored wall paints went on better, there were still visible spray lines after the first coat, which meant uneven spray coverage. The second went on much better and hid those lines, but I wouldn’t think this sprayer could handle any of the “one coat guarantee” paints. If large home painting were my primary use case for this sprayer, I’d consider upgrading to the X7 or even one of the Pro models.

It leaves a lot of paint in the pail

This sprayer is designed with a suction hose to pull paint directly from the pail, which is a great feature. However, it doesn’t do a great job picking up that paint as you get to the bottom of the pail. It stops pulling when the paint level gets about an inch and a half deep, leaving a lot of paint behind. It’s not a huge problem; you can refill the pail before it gets too low. However, it would be nice if the suction mechanism could be more efficient.

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Should you buy the graco magnum x5 airless paint sprayer, yes, if you’re looking to paint a large, empty area.

I don’t have any meaningful complaints with the Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer. It’s meant for medium to large-size jobs, and in that application, it excels. Even with the additional wall prep, machine setup, and machine cleaning, I do not doubt it saved me hours of rolling and brushing the paint, particularly on the ceilings. It’s easy to use and has a minimal learning curve. Once I got the hang of it, I could do an entire room in 15-20 minutes.

That said, a sprayer of this size is overkill for many projects. If I were only interested in applying finishes to furniture I’m building, I could have gotten a much smaller, easier-to-clean, and manage gravity-feed HVLP sprayer—and indeed, I still might. But I’ll keep the Graco X5 on hand for when I inevitably have to paint the house, stain the deck, or decide to build a large bank of cabinets for my home or someone else’s.

As with any tool, you need to make sure that you’re getting what you need for your specific use case, but if the Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer fits your needs, it’s an excellent sprayer that provides a lot of value.

Shop the Graco Magnum X5 Airless Paint Sprayer at The Home Depot

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• Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Best of Moscow by high speed train

By shuguley , February 15, 2014 in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.

Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?

My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

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If you are considering this on the 2015 June Baltic cruise on Voyager; my suggestion is don't. There is so much to do in St. Petersburg and although a train is one of my favorite ways to travel the time would be far better spent in St. P.

Thanks for the advice. Yes, this would be on the Voyager during the 2015 season but not yet sure exactly which cruise.

We did the Moscow excursion "on a different luxury line", but from your brief description it sounds very much like the same trip, so I will operate on that assumption. It is a VERY long day! We left the ship at 5:30 AM and returned at 12:30 AM. The highspeed train trip is comfortable, and while they call it "Business Class" it does not compare well to the equivalent class on say Rail Europe. When we did it in 2011, we did have highspeed both ways, and the trip back seemed much longer as the adrenaline and excitement had worn off!:D

Moscow itself is not that terribly different from any other big city in the world, but this Cold War kid never thought he would ever stand in Red Square, never mind walk the grounds of The Kremlin, or tour The Kremlin Palace, or see (but not visit) Lenin's Tomb, or visit The Armoury. But he did, and he loved every minute of it! Yes, it is a long day, and you barely scratch a scratch on the surface, but it is worth it. There is a tremendous amount to see in St. Petersburg, but every Baltic cruise goes to St. Petersburg, so you can go back if you choose to. Not every cruiseline offers you the chance to see Moscow.

I have not personally done this tour, but our last time in St Petersburg, the private guide that we hired for a day was leading the regent tour to Moscow on the high speed train the next day. He said it was way better than the previous alternative, which was flying to Moscow and back. He said that you actually got to Moscow faster because you didn't have to deal with airline checkin etc. it did seem like a very long day to me, and there is so much to see and do in st. Petersburg that I didn't consider doing it.

countflorida

We toured to Moscow from St. Petersburg via the hi-speed SAPSAN train last September, from a Baltic cruise on the Oceania Marina. You need to have a two-night, three day port call in St. Petersburg to take this tour because the tour typically leaves the ship around 5:00 - 5:30 AM and doesn't return until after midnight the next day. We didn't take the ship's tour; we made private arrangements with TravelAllRussia for three days of touring, the first and third days in St. Petersburg and the second day the tour to Moscow by train. Our cost for the private tour for three days was about the same as what the ship charged for the excursion to Moscow alone. There are a number of private tour agencies that operate in St. Petersburg and offer the Moscow train tours; we would strongly recommend them over the ship's tours.

All three days had private guides with car and driver. The second day, the driver picked us up at the ship and took us to the train, but we were alone on the train, and met in Moscow by the guide on the station platform. After our tour and dinner, we were brought back to the train and after the return train trip met by the driver and taken back to the ship. Because you are alone on the train you must have your own Russian visas.

If this is your first visit to St. Petersburg, I would agree there is much more to see there. We found Moscow somewhat a disappointment, particularly Red Square. The Kremlin and the cathedral in Red Square were also worth seeing. But the best thing we saw was the Moscow subway! I worked for the Washington Metro system back in the 1980s as it grew from 40 to 80 miles and although I was in the computer area, I learned a lot about the challenges of running a subway system. We used the Moscow system to get across the city from where we had dinner to the train station, and I was amazed at the cleanliness', speed of operation, the short headways maintained, and the courtesy of everyone involved. A very impressive experience!

We had been to St. Petersburg before, and so had the time to take a day and go to Moscow. Also, I really like trains, and the SAPSAN is a German train set running on Russian rails. Seats are like first class domestic air, spacious but not too plush or comfortable, but with enough room. Not too much recline, and almost 8 hours on the train in two shots is a lot for an old man. They come through and sell drinks, candy, etc. but the sellers don't speak English and no one around us helped, so we had just poor coffee once coming, and brought stuff with us for the trip back. Not too much to see from the train either, particularly on the return when it is night the whole way.

If you decide to go, take a private tour and avoid the overly expensive ship's tour. I'm glad we did it, but wouldn't bother to repeat the tour; we've seen Moscow.

Thanks so much to all of you for the thorough and thought insight. Yhe information you have provided is most helpful.

countflorida: Your detailed post is very helpful. We are not quite ready for a Baltic cruise but should do so within a year. Time enough to do our pre travel research, bookings and visa gathering.:) Thank you!

Emperor Norton

Sure would appreciate someone who has taken "Best of Moscow by high speed train" from St. Petersburg could please share their impressions of this shore excursion. From the description this sounds like a very long day.   Wondering how the 4 hour train trip was in terms of accommodations, etc. Also what time did you leave the ship and what time at night did you return? Were both legs of the trip on the high speed rail (I read that slower trains also travel the same tracks)?   My wife and I are considering this excursion. We thought that if we are making all the effort to go to Russia then how could we pass up going to Moscow, walking in Red Square, seeing St. Basil, etc.

I did this on Seabourn. IMO DONT. Take Aeroflop (er Aeroflot). The train has non folding seats where you are literally knee to knee with your fellow passenger (facing each other). Further they don't believe in air conditioning. It's also the worlds slowed bullet train. I think I would have found more enjoyment wandering around the St. Petersburg and Moscow airports.

Countflorida,

This is a little off topic,, however we had planned a river cruise in Russia but decided we would rather stay on land and have booked about two weeks with Travel-All-Russia using the private guide and driver. I'm curious as to how you found them as a tour company.

The guides they provided were fine. We had a different guide each of the days in St. Petersburg, but both were flexible, pleasant, knowledgeable and spoke English very well, as did the guide in Moscow, incidentally. She was a bit aloof, distant, not too friendly, but otherwise fine. In fact, she was the one who suggested taking the Metro, which unexpectedly became one of the highlights of the Moscow excursion. If I have a complaint with AllTravelRussia, it is with their plan and its execution (more later).

I had requested emphasis on World War II (in Russia, the Great Patriotic War) sites and info. In scheduling us, they weren't careful about dates and a couple of the sites we wanted to see were scheduled on the third day, after we'd been to Moscow. But both sites were closed that day of the week, and that info was readily available, right on web sites describing them. Also, the included meals (lunches in St. Pete, dinner in Moscow) were not what we asked for: light meals with some choices, so we could avoid things we didn't like and choose things we did like. My request was ignored; we were given full Russian meals with a fixed menu, no choice. On the first day, a fish dish was the entre, but I am allergic to fish. Fortunately, I had the e-mail I'd sent with me and showed it to the guide, and she was able to change my entre to chicken, which was very good actually. But we didn't want a 3-4 course lunches or dinner (in Moscow). We had the guide drop the lunch the third day, although we never got any credit or refund. But, particularly in contrast to the ship's tours, the prices were so reasonable we didn't worry too much about it.

The people who were on the ship's tour to Moscow saw us boarding the same train for which they were forced to queue up and wait on the way back, and asked us what we had done. I was candid and open so they were not happy when I explained what we had arranged and particularly what it had cost. Also, when we returned to the ship, we found they had laid on a late supper for those who had gone to Moscow, so up we went and had something. Well, it turns out the late supper was supposed to be just for those on the ship's tour, but we and others on 'independent' tours, there were a dozen or more of us, crashed the party, actually got there first, and they didn't realize it until the larger group arrived and there weren't enough tables/places set. By that time, the 'independents' had all gotten served and were eating; what could they do?

A couple from the larger group sat down with us and asked us about our tour, and they were the ones I told about our arrangement and its cost. They turned to others who’d been with them and announced the details, loudly enough so the whole room heard, which started a lot of bitching and complaining. I gathered they weren't very happy with the ship's tour to begin with, and this was the straw that broke the camel's back. We finished up and beat it out of there, but overheard later that one of the excursion staff came to check on something and ran into a real mess. I caught a cold on the trip, which forced me to bed the second day following in Tallinn, so by the time we reappeared we heard about the contretemps' but apparently no one recalled who started it, thankfully.

Because of what happened to us, I would probably not use AllTravelRussia if I were to go again, or if I did, I would be sure to get confirmation of every detail of the tour. They do have good reviews generally, and we were certainly helped by their visa department and liked the guides and drivers. Their weakness, I say now with full 20:20 hindsight, is that once the sales person who plans the tour, sells it to you and collects your money, he (or she) transfers the plan to their Russia office for implementation; there is no follow-up to make sure it gets done right. And that is where our problems arose; we paid for a custom tour but got a standard package with a few destinations switched, and no one checked them out, even to see when they were open the day we were scheduled to go. If you check every detail that’s important to you, it should be OK, but that’s a hell of a way to have to do business, in my opinion.

Thank you for the 20/20 hindsight observation on your Russian tour operator, and better priced than the ship's excursion cost.

Thanks very much for the feedback.

We had the same experience as you so far as price. We originally booked a Viking Cruise but, hearing some things about the river cruises that made us unhappy, looked into other options. T-A-R cost the same or less than a cruise and had us in hotels for 11 days. We opted for the private tour. They have three tour levels, based on hotels. We originally opted for the four star as it did not cost much more than the three star hotels. Finally we decided to throw it all in and upgraded to five star. In Moscow we will be at the newly opened Kempinsky which is two blocks from Red Square. In St. Petersburg it is the Grand Hotel Europe, one of the most vaunted luxury hotels in Russia. Location is important for us as the tours use up only part of the day so being in the center of everything for our independent touring is important. As with many other cities, the less you pay, the farther out of the center of town you are.

We have been working with our salesman in D.C. and he seems to get back to us with the changes we want. He recently returned from Russia so is up on everything. When I asked they said they paid the full TA commission if I wanted so I got my usual TA on board so he is watching our back and giving us that extra level of comfort. He also set up our air, which I know pays him little or nothing, and got us business class for much less than T-A-R wanted for economy, though it took working for a while with a consolidator. He's happy to get his 10 percent on this trip without having booked it. He also took care of the trip insurance. We've been doing a lot of research on the CC sister site Trip Advisor and will write a report there. We will, I guess, become a source of info for CC members after having spent 5 days in Moscow and 6 in SP.

• 4 months later...

scubacruiserx2

Anybody considering a day trip to Moscow from St. Petersburg on the Sapsan may want to look at our travelogue filled with pictures.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1927687

Very informative. Thanks dor sharing. Jeff

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