The Best Infant Car Seat and Stroller Combinations
Stroller shopping is one of the more exciting parts of preparing for a baby - it's a lot like car shopping! You start picturing yourself cruising around the neighborhood and imagining how it'll fit into your daily routine. The frustrating part is that so many strollers aren't available in stores to actually try out, which makes it much harder to know what you'll really love. And since I'm such a big believer in test-driving anything before you buy it, this feels like a real missed opportunity for parents!
If you’re new here—hi! I’m Kelly, The Car Mom. I help families find the perfect car and car seat combination for their unique needs. As a Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) and mom of four, I’ve spent years learning the ins and outs of family vehicles. My mission is simple: to help you cut through the overwhelm and create the ideal car seat setup for your family.
Car seats and strollers go hand in hand.
Your infant car seat isn’t just for the car—it’s also your baby’s first carrier. It clicks into a base in your car for driving, but it can also click right into a stroller, so you can pop in and out of places without waking your baby.
When your car seat and stroller work well together, it makes everyday life so much easier. But remember, your infant seat is just the beginning of your car seat journey.
Want to dive deeper? Check out my blog on the Best Car Seats for Newborns for everything you need to know about starting off safely.
And if you're considering a convertible seat, I always recommend waiting until your baby fully outgrows their infant seat before making the switch. When your little one is ready to move up, be sure to check out my guide on the best convertible car seats.
Can I help you choose a car seat?
Not sure which stroller will fit in your trunk? Confused about whether your car seat works in the middle row? Wondering what’s next after the infant seat? Ask ChatCPST! ChatCPST is an email consultation with a certified Child Passenger Safety Technician. You’ll fill out a quick questionnaire, and Sam, a CPST and mom of four, will email you personalized advice, product suggestions, and step-by-step guidance so you can feel confident your car seat setup is safe and right for your family.
The Truth About the Doona (And Why You Probably Don't Need It)
You've probably seen the Doona or Evenflo Shyft DualRide all over social media. These car seat-stroller combinations fold out into a stroller in seconds, and I get the appeal! When you're running into the store or catching a flight, it's nice not to juggle two big pieces of baby gear.
But here's the thing: they're not always the most practical choice for daily use. The Doona weighs over 17 pounds because it combines both functions into one integrated frame, making it significantly heavier than traditional infant seats and more expensive too.
Doona Height and Weight Limit:
Weight limit: 4 to 35 lb
Height limit: Up to 32 inches
The bigger issue? Neither the Doona nor the Evenflo Shyft have storage baskets. This means you'll likely find yourself wanting a traditional stroller anyway for longer outings where you need space for diaper bags, groceries, or shopping. Traditional infant car seats click into compatible strollers just as easily and conveniently, but give you the storage you actually need for daily life.
Though these combination seats may seem more convenient, your baby will outgrow them in about a year, and then you'll need a stroller regardless. If budget isn't a concern and you want the convenience for quick trips, they can be nice to have, but most families get better long-term value from a traditional setup.
If you're set on having a combination option, my personal favorite is the Evenflo Shyft DualRide. It has removable wheels, a wheel tray to keep your car clean, and more installation flexibility than the Doona. It addresses many of the complaints people have with the Doona while usually costing less. You can read my full comparison of the two here.
A Few Of My Favorite Infant Car Seats and Compatible Strollers:
Here are some of my favorite infant car seats (from my newborn car seat guide), along with the strollers they work with:
Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35: Lightweight, easy to install, and affordable. Works with the Mockingbird stroller (with an adapter) or any of Graco’s travel system strollers.
Chicco KeyFit 35: Known for being one of the easiest seats to install correctly. Works with the Mockingbird stroller (with an adapter) and Chicco strollers.
Nuna PIPA RX: Lightweight, stylish, and packed with premium features. Works with the Mockingbird stroller (with an adapter) and Nuna strollers like the Mixx Next.
Evenflo LiteMax 35: A budget-friendly option that’s lightweight with a large canopy. Works with the Mockingbird stroller (with an adapter) and Evenflo’s own stroller systems. (One note: Evenflo requires 1.5 inches of clearance between the car seat and the front vehicle seat, so it can take up more room in smaller cars.)
Why I love the Mockingbird Stroller
When families ask me for a stroller that balances style, function, and affordability, Mockingbird is always at the top of my list. It has a lot of the same features you’d find in luxury brands, but at a much friendlier price point.
Mockingbird is versatile for newborns. From day one, you can use the Mockingbird three different ways: with a car seat adapter, the bassinet, or the infant insert in full recline. I love that it grows with your baby without needing to buy extra gear right away.
I love how the Mockingbird easily converts from a single to a double stroller. If you’re planning on having more than one kiddo close in age, this can save you from needing to buy a whole new stroller later.
The Mockingbird works with over 30 different car seats, including all of my favorites listed above. This flexibility gives parents the freedom to choose the seat they love most without worrying about whether it will fit their stroller.
For a lot of parents, pairing a Mockingbird stroller with your chosen infant car seat is one of the most practical, cost-effective ways to get started. It’s a stroller that doesn’t sacrifice style or function for the price, and that’s hard to beat.
If you want a deeper dive into the features, pros, and some of the limitations, check out my full review of the Mockingbird 2.0 Single-to-Double Stroller..
What to Remember When Choosing Your Infant Car Seat and Stroller
Finding the right car seat and stroller combo doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are the big things to remember:
Start with the car seat. It’s the most important piece of baby gear when it comes to safety.
Traditional car seat + stroller combos are the most practical choice for everyday life.
It’s normal to own more than one stroller. Your needs will change as your baby (and family) grows.
Two-in-one options can be handy for travel, but most families get more long-term value from a separate seat and stroller.
If you do want a two-in-one, the Evenflo Shyft DualRide is more versatile than the Doona.
At the end of the day, the best setup is the one that fits your car, your lifestyle, and your budget. Whether you go with a traditional travel system, a two-in-one option, or pair your favorite infant seat with a stroller like the Mockingbird, the goal is always the same: keeping your baby safe and making your everyday life a little easier.