Best Affordable Strollers Under $400

Best Affordable Strollers Under $400

A stroller is one piece of baby gear that is absolutely essential for most families, and one of our most popular registry purchases. While it’s likely that a stroller will be one of your bigger baby gear investments, you don’t have to break the bank to find some pretty great options. These are our picks for best affordable strollers under $400.

Albee Baby’s Budget Friendly Stroller Picks

Our affordable stroller picks feature tried-and-true parent favorites and budget-friendly strollers jam-packed with unexpected high-end features we love.

Best All Around Affordable Stroller

Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Single Stroller

Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Single Compact Stroller

The Albee’s rundown:

  • Quick and easy one-handed fold
  • Near-flat recline
  • Meets Disney size requirements

The City Mini GT2 is jam-packed with awesome features that make braving the concrete jungle a breeze, and for less than $400.  It’s a perennial Albee bestseller, and for good reason: it goes toe-to-toe with pricier strollers, sporting high-end touches like forever-air rubber tires, all-wheel suspension for a smooth ride on any terrain, adjustable handlebar, and hand-operated parking brake.

An adjustable calf support and near flat recline mean cozy strolling for your little one, and the large storage basket will keep all your knickknacks sorted. We also love that the City Mini GT2 is compatible with almost all of our most popular infant car seats for a custom travel system.

But our favorite feature may be the signature Baby Jogger one-handed fold—just pull a strap and the stroller folds itself. 

Noteworthy specs:

  • Max child weight limit 50 lbs
  • Folded dimensions 15″ L × 9.75″ W × 22.8″ H
  • Stroller weight 10 lbs

Best Affordable Travel System

Graco Modes Element LX Travel System

Graco Modes Element LX Travel System

The Albee’s rundown:

  • Includes the Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX Infant Car Seat
  • Reversible toddler seat
  • Includes tray and cup holders

The Graco Modes Element LX Travel System is seriously versatile, and sports premium looks at a wallet friendly price. This system grows with your child: use as a travel system with the Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX (no adapters necessary); recline the seat fully for a cozy infant stroller; and finally, transition to a toddler stroller.

The seat is reversible, so your baby can face you or turn forward and explore the world (a reversible seat is a rarity at this price point). Toting essentials is a breeze in the roomy storage basket, and 2 organizing trays are included, too. The parent’s tray has cup holders and space for keys and wallets, and the child’s tray wrangles snacks and sippy cups.

Noteworthy specs:

  • Birth – 50 lbs
  • Stroller weight 19 lbs
  • Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX 4 – 35 lbs and up to 32”
  • Graco SnugRide 35 Lite LX weight 7 lbs

Best Affordable Luxury Stroller

Thule Spring Stroller

Thule Spring Stroller

The Albee’s rundown:

  • Lightweight and compact
  • All terrain ready
  • Luxury at an affordable price

This lightweight and compact stroller—it’s 30% smaller than traditional 3-wheel strollers—is the perfect choice for everyday urban adventures. The Spring has a small self-standing fold, so it won’t take up storage space if you’re short on square footage.

The Spring looks and feels like a luxury stroller, but the price tag is decidedly more affordable. We love the thoughtful and high-end touches like foam-filled no-puncture tires, sliding handlebar with one-handed adjustment, and sun canopy with an integrated extension and peekaboo window. The premium fabrics are durable and easy to wipe clean, and the zippers glide smoothly without resistance.

The swiveling front wheel has suspension and can be locked in place for a smooth ride on any terrain, and the push and maneuverability are exceptional for a stroller under $400.

Noteworthy specs:

  • 6 – 64 lbs
  • Folded dimensions 17.7″ L × 12.6″ W × 30″ H
  • Stroller weight 23 lbs

Best Affordable Stroller for Newborns

Britax B-Lively Stroller

Britax B-Lively Stroller

The Albee’s rundown:

  • Compact but full-featured
  • Full recline
  • Easy access storage

The B-Lively is a compact workhorse with plenty of features that make it a great option for use as your everyday full-size stroller. It’s super newborn friendly, too: the seat fully reclines, and car seat adapters are included (the B-Lively is compatible with all Britax infant car seats). All-wheel suspension means smooth cruising for your little one, and the extra large storage basket is accessible from any angle.

It has a super compact one-hand fold that makes it easy to store and go, and at 19 lbs, is pretty lightweight for a full-size stroller. The large ventilated UPF 50+ canopy keeps kiddos cool and covered on sunny strolls, and the fabric is waterproof if you happen to get caught in the rain.

Noteworthy specs:

  • Birth – 55 lbs
  • Folded dimensions 29″ L × 23″ W × 12″ H
  • Stroller weight 19 lbs

Best Affordable Travel Stroller

GB Pockit Plus All-Terrain Ultra Compact Lightweight Stroller

GB Pockit Plus All-Terrain Ultra Compact Stroller

The Albee’s rundown:

  • Ultra lightweight
  • Fits in large diaper bags or under plane seats
  • Travel system ready

The GB Pockit Plus All-Terrain stroller is the ideal option for parents on-the-go: It weighs less than 13 lbs and has a super compact fold (stashing it on a plane or tucking it under a restaurant table while dining out are equally effortless). The front swivel wheels can be locked for more stability on uneven surfaces like cobblestone, and the seat features an infinite recline for when your kiddo needs some chill time. Plus, it’s compatible with Cybex infant car seats for use as a travel system.

While the GB Pockit Plus All-Terrain stroller is an incredible travel stroller, it may be too basic for your everyday stroller. The storage space is limited, the canopy is on the smaller size, and the modest wheels and lack of  suspension system can mean a bumpier ride for your little one.

Noteworthy specs:

  • 6 months – 55 lbs
  • Folded dimensions 7.9″ L × 13.4″ W × 16.5″ H
  • Stroller weight 12.34 lbs

Best Affordable Stroller Wagon

Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon

Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon

The Albee’s rundown:

  • All-terrain wheels
  • Compact fold
  • Fully-loaded with accessories

If you’re budget conscious—and who isn’t—you may have assumed the hefty price tag of most stroller wagons meant they were out of your price range. But the Pivot Xplore won’t break the bank compared to some other popular options, and performs just as well as other stroller wagons (if not better).

This 2-person ride has rugged all-terrain wheels that go from sidewalks to the beach and beyond, and its telescoping handlebar can be flipped to either side, allowing you to push or pull your kiddos (whichever is most comfortable). The Pivot Xplore folds as compactly as a full-size stroller, so if you’re short on storage space, this stroller wagon is a great option.

The Pivot Xplore comes with a lot of convenient accessories, including double UPF 50+ canopies, snack tray, and a storage basket. And it’s car seat compatible if you’d like to use it as a travel system, too.

Noteworthy specs:

  • 6 months – 55 lbs (per seat)
  • Folded dimensions 37.5″ H × 27.5″ W × 23” D
  • Stroller wagon weight 34.7 lbs

Best Affordable Umbrella Stroller

UPPAbaby G-LITE Umbrella Stroller

UPPAbaby G-Lite Umbrella Stroller

The Albee’s rundown:

  • Large extendable canopy
  • All-wheel suspension
  • Ample storage

UPPAbaby’s G-Lite is incredibly lightweight, super portable, and is loaded with tons of features you may not expect to find in an umbrella stroller. The extendable UPF 50+ sunshade is actually substantial, and the sling mesh body will keep your kiddo cool in warm weather. The G-Lite has an all-wheel suspension system that ensures a smooth ride and the storage basket is big (especially considering the size of the stroller) and easily accessible.

The fold is quick, effortless, and requires zero foot action (hello, flip-flops), making the G-Lite a convenient option for traveling or tackling public transit. A dishwasher-safe cup holder is included for sippy cups, water bottles, or phones.

Noteworthy specs:

  • 6 months – 55 lbs 
  • Folded dimensions 42″ H × 11.5″ W ×7.5” D
  • Stroller weight 11 lbs

Finding What’s Right for You

Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents, and hope you’re feeling empowered to find the right car seat for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or by email at [email protected].