New parents do not have it easy. And, if you’re anything like the parents we know, you will probably appreciate just about anything that makes your life a little easier. Well, one of those things is a stroller with adjustable handles.
If you and your partner are different heights, it is a big help to have a stroller with an adjustable handle, especially if one of you is a tall parent. However, the benefits don’t stop there. A stroller with an adjustable handlebar is great for jogging, multi-tasking, pushing through different environments, and carrying groceries or other items.
Like everything else, there are countless options available when you start looking at strollers with adjustable handles. To make the selection process a little easier, we’ve put together a complete guide to these strollers. This guide gives you an idea of what to look for, things to avoid, and shows you some of the best strollers on the market are.
So, without wasting any more time, here’s our complete guide to the best strollers with adjustable handles.
Why Buy A Stroller With Adjustable Handles?
There are pros and cons to everything. That being said, when it comes to stroller handles, we can’t think of too many drawbacks to having an adjustable handle height. Even if you don’t use them that often, the ability to use them if you need to is a pretty good option to have.
Still, we know that you probably want to have an idea of the benefits of these arms, so we’ve broken it down simply. Here’s a look at the reasons you might want a stroller with adjustable handles.
- Convenience: This is one of the most obvious advantages of a stroller with adjustable handles. If you have adjustable handles, you can easily account for the unexpected: shopping bags, hills, tight spaces, and more. A stroller with adjustable handles simply makes life more convenient.
- Exercise: Many people buy strollers with adjustable handles to exercise while they have their child with them. If you are jogging with a regular stroller, you’re likely to run into issues with your knees. However, tall handles might be a bit of a pain once you’re done jogging. With adjustable handles, you get the best of both worlds!
- Multiple Users: Though one person usually pushes the stroller more often than others, it is unlikely that only one person will ever be pushing a stroller. If you have multiple users pushing a stroller, it can help to have adjustable handles. Otherwise, a taller or shorter person might struggle. It is not usually practical to buy two different strollers simply to accommodate different heights. Therefore, an adjustable stroller is a huge help.
What To Look For In A Stroller
If you’re a first-time parent, you might not know just how important it is to have the right stroller. In a bind, just about any stroller will do. But, having the right stroller for your child and lifestyle makes a huge difference. For instance, if you have a baby under a certain age, you’re going to need to pick up a bassinet stroller. If you live in an area with a lot of sun or rain, you’re going to need a stroller with a good canopy.
Here’s a look at some of the things you might want to keep an eye out for when picking up a stroller:
- Size: Depending on what you need your stroller for, you need to factor in the size. If you need to carry the stroller through tight spaces, you will want a smaller size. The same can be said if you are short on storage space – compactness is your friend. If, however, you need a lot of space for storage or have multiple children to the seat, you will want a larger unit.
- Adjustability: Strollers can be adjusted in many ways, it is not restricted solely to the length of the handlebars. Many can even convert for multiple uses. For example, some strollers have bassinet functions that you can adjust to turn into a toddler seat. You can covert others for use as a car seat, and others can be adjusted to change from a single to a double or even a triple.
- Weight: Weight is an important and often overlooked factor. If you are pushing a stroller day in and day out, a few pounds make a lot of difference, which is even more true if you need to throw your groceries into the basket beneath your child. Generally, lightweight strollers are preferred. As long as the stroller is sturdy and has a solid weight distribution, a lighter stroller will not be detrimental.
- Canopy: The canopy is the “umbrella” or “guard” that comes down over your child to protect them from sun, rain, and weather. Not all strollers come with canopies. However, particularly with young children, canopies are a huge perk. Even if the sun does not seem to be too strong to you, your young child should not be exposed to it for too long.
- Storage: Finding a stroller with the right mixture of compactness and storage space is like searching for the holy grail. When your hands are full pushing a stroller, you’ll need a place to put your diaper bag, groceries, and other items. Keep this in mind when you’re looking for the right stroller.
- Age-range: All strollers accommodate children of a specific age. Though you can adjust for different ages, it is important to know that your stroller can accommodate your child. If your child is too young for the stroller in question, it may be a safety concern. If your child is too old for the stroller in question, they are unlikely to fit inside comfortably.
Ultimately, your stroller should be suited to you and your child. It needs to account for your lifestyle. It also needs to account for your area, whether urban, rural, snowy, wet, or hot.
Best Strollers With Adjustable Handles
Here is what you’ve all been waiting for – the list of the best baby strollers with adjustable handlebars available right now. We’ve done a pretty thorough market survey and have come up with a list of the products that impressed us the most.
Rather than wasting any time, let’s jump right into it. Here’s what we found:
Thule Urban Glide Jogging Stroller
Features:
- All-terrain
- Lightweight
- Canopy included
- Five color options
- One-handed compact fold
- Hand brake
- Many storage compartments
Overview:
This product is one of the best strollers out there. It is an all-terrain, lightweight, and adjustable stroller designed for both everyday use and jogging. As its wheels are rugged and large, you can even take it on slightly bumpier paths, widening your potential course. Of course, you will still want to avoid any rough terrain to avoid jostling your baby around as you run!
Our Take On This Stroller:
We loved Thule’s Urban Glide stroller. It is light, easy to run with, and you can control it with one hand. The brake system is very effective, making your run less stressful overall.
Nuna MIXX Stroller
Features:
- Four color options
- Large canopy
- Five-position recline system
- All-season seat
- One-touch brake system
- Two-compartment storage basket
- Wheel suspension included
Overview:
The Nuna MIXX stroller is kind of like a luxury car for babies and toddlers. This stroller comes with a one-touch brake system, a suspension system, and two-compartment storage spaces. Also, it is a lightweight stroller weighing under 30 pounds. It can hold a child of up to 50lbs, meaning your toddler can likely use this stroller for years before outgrowing it. To top it off, the stroller has four color options, all of which look great.
Our Take On This Stroller:
Unlike many strollers, this jogger has a suspension system, which means that you can run freely without worrying about jostling your child around in their seat. As your child rests back comfortably in the all-season, winter-protected seat, you can blow off some much-needed steam and keep yourself active. If you’re looking for a great jogging stroller, this is an excellent option.
BOB Revolution Flex
Features:
- Nine different positions for handlebars
- Enclosing canopy
- Tons of storage space
- Great wheel size
Overview:
This stroller is in a higher range than some others on our list. However, it makes up for the price with the features, ruggedness, and storage space included in this stroller. Also, it has the most highly adjustable handle of any stroller we came across, with nine different possible positions.
Our Take On This Stroller:
This one is a heavy-duty stroller. Though designed for the runner, it is a bit on the bulky side due to its highly adjustable handle, additional storage space, and excellent canopy system. If you can deal with something a little on the bigger end, this is a great option.
Graco FastAction Jogger LX Stroller
Features:
- One-step attachment
- Air-filled tires for smooth ride
- Car seat compatible
- Highly adjustable handle
Overview:
This jogger is well-fitted for exercise. It has larger rear wheels, air-filled rubber tires for any terrain, and a comfortable seat pad for its passenger.
Our Take On This Stroller:
Graco knows how to make a safe, functional transportation system. This stroller is no exception. If you’re looking for a quality athletic stroller, look no further.
Chicco TRE Performance Jogging Stroller
Features:
- Suspension system
- Car seat compatible
- Dual hand brake
- Waterproof fabric
- Five-point harness
Overview:
The Chicco TRE is another lightweight running stroller. The suspension system is adjustable by foot, making it perfect for the parent who has their hands full or needs to adjust the suspension system mid-run. Also, it has a great dual hand brake system to ease the speed of the run gradually or suddenly, depending on your needs.
Our Take On This Stroller:
Though this running stroller has many great features, it is not quite as good as some others in the same price range on this list. We liked the canopy, the wheel size, and the weight of the Chicco TRE. We were also impressed with the storage space on such a lightweight and compact model.
Mountain Buggy Terrain Premium Jogging Stroller
Features:
- Aerodynamic canopy
- Three wheels
- Fully reclinable seat
- Locking front wheel
- Suspension system
- Hand brakes
Overview:
Like some of the others on this list, the additional features and intelligent design make this stroller stand out. We love the suspension system, the aerodynamic design, and the brakes. All of these aspects make it a safe and comfortable stroller for your child and an unobstructed object for the jogging parent.
Our Take On This Stroller:
Here’s another really solid option. The Mountain Buggy Terrain has the athletic parent in mind. It is intended for use when jogging, and all of its features are catered specifically to that purpose. At the end of the day, if you’re in the market for a jogging stroller, you really can’t go wrong with this aerodynamic and stylish option.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it. You’ve reached the end of our guide!
Hopefully, you have a better understanding of the benefits of a stroller with adjustable handles. We showed you some of the uses of a stroller like this and some options for the best strollers with adjustable handles available. This guide is meant to make your life easier by giving you all of the information you need to pick out the right stroller for you!
To recap, strollers with adjustable handles are great for jogging, sharing between multiple users, and carrying groceries. They can make the struggle of pushing a toddler around a lot less difficult. If you’re looking for a stroller with adjustable handles, some of the best options include Thule Urban Glide Jogger, the Bob REVO Flex 3.0, and the Schwinn Turismo Swivel Single Jogger.