Buy the UPPAbaby Cruz V3 ($899.99) if you push one child on pavement and want a Mesa V3 infant seat to click on with no adapters. Buy the Vista V3 (from $899.99) if a second child is likely, since UPPAbaby lists it for up to three riders with add-ons. For flying, the Nuna TRVL LX ($600) is 17 lb with canopy and arm bar. For gravel and running, choose the Ridge V2 ($699.99).
Prices update automatically from our store. Specs are UPPAbaby's and Nuna's, as listed on our product pages, with the basis each maker gives for its weights.
No single stroller wins for every family, so this guide sorts seven strollers we sell by the job they do: everyday pavement, a growing family, compact city use, flying, and trails. Four questions narrow the field before any brand comes into it:
- How many children will ride in the next three years? A frame that takes a second seat costs less than a second stroller.
- Which infant car seat will you use? UPPAbaby's Mesa V3 clicks straight onto the Cruz V3 and Vista V3. Nuna's PIPA series clicks onto Nuna strollers. Other pairings need adapters, or do not work at all.
- Will it go on planes? Then carried weight and folded size matter more than basket size.
- What surface is it for? Sidewalks suit any of these. Gravel, grass and running call for the Ridge V2.
Seven strollers side by side
| Stroller | SugarBabies price | Weight, maker's stated basis | Rider range (listing) | Infant car seat path |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UPPAbaby Cruz V3 | $899.99 | 26.5 lb (frame 17 lb, seat 9.5 lb) | Birth to 50 lb, up to 40 in | Mesa V3 attaches directly, no adapters |
| UPPAbaby Vista V3 | From $899.99 | 27 lb frame and seat, including canopy, wheels and basket | Toddler seat 3 months to 50 lb. From birth with the bassinet or Infant SnugSeat accessory | Mesa V3 attaches directly, no adapters |
| Nuna TRIV Next | $800 | 18.4 lb without insert, arm bar and canopy (those add about 2.6 lb) | Birth to 50 lb | Nuna PIPA series seats click on |
| Nuna MIXX Next | $900 | 29 lb true weight | Birth to 50 lb | PIPA series seats, with the ring adapter included in the box |
| Nuna TRVL LX | $600 | 17 lb including canopy and arm bar | Birth to 50 lb | PIPA series seats click on, no adapters |
| UPPAbaby Minu V3 | $499.99 | 16.7 lb true weight | Birth to 50 lb, up to 40 in | Adapters sold separately (see the Minu note below) |
| UPPAbaby Ridge V2 | $699.99 | 29.2 lb true weight | Seat 3 months to 55 lb. From birth with approved accessories | Adapters sold separately (see the Ridge note below) |
Prices update automatically from our store. Specs: UPPAbaby and Nuna, as listed on our product pages. Weights are not on one basis: Nuna gives the TRIV Next without its insert, arm bar and canopy, while the TRVL LX figure includes the canopy and arm bar. "True weight" is the maker's term.
Weights on the same footing
Put the two compact Nunas on the same basis and the gap changes. The TRIV Next is 18.4 lb bare, and Nuna says its insert, arm bar and canopy add about 2.6 lb, so it is roughly 21 lb dressed (our arithmetic). The TRVL LX is 17 lb with its canopy and arm bar already counted. Among the full-size strollers, the Cruz V3 (26.5 lb) and Vista V3 (27 lb) sit close together, while the MIXX Next (29 lb) and Ridge V2 (29.2 lb) are the heaviest here.
What the stroller costs with an infant car seat
Most newborn months run on an infant car seat that moves between car and stroller, so the real number is the pair. These totals use the seats each stroller takes without adapter shopping.
| Pairing | What you buy | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Cruz V3 + Mesa V3 | Cruz V3 plus the Mesa V3 infant car seat and base ($349.99) | $1,249.98 |
| Vista V3 + Mesa V3 | Vista V3 (lowest-priced color) plus the Mesa V3 and base | From $1,249.98 |
| TRIV Next + PIPA RX | TRIV Next plus the PIPA RX with RELX base ($550) | $1,350 |
| MIXX Next + PIPA Aire RX | Our MIXX Next + PIPA Aire RX travel system, seat with RELX base | $1,550 |
| TRVL LX + PIPA urbn | Our TRVL LX + PIPA urbn travel system. The urbn installs without a base | $800 |
Prices update automatically from our store. Totals are our arithmetic from the prices in each row. Compatibility is as stated on the UPPAbaby and Nuna listings we sell from.
Two things stand out. The TRVL LX bundle adds the PIPA urbn for $200 over the stroller alone, and the urbn needs no base in any car. The Cruz V3 and Vista V3 pairings use the same Mesa V3, so the gap between them is only the stroller price, and the choice comes down to whether a second rider is coming. If you are weighing a matched set against buying the pieces separately, our travel system or separate guide works through that decision, and our cross-brand compatibility guide covers mixing a seat from one brand with another brand's stroller. Torn between the brands? Our Nuna vs UPPAbaby travel system comparison lines the two up, and Why Buy Nuna and Why Buy UPPAbaby look at each brand on its own.
Everyday pavement, one child: Cruz V3 or TRIV Next
The Cruz V3 is UPPAbaby's full-size single. Its lay-flat, reversible seat works from birth to 50 lb, it has UPPAbaby's FlexRide suspension and an extra-large basket, and the Bassinet, Mesa and Aria infant seats attach without adapters. Folded with the seat attached, UPPAbaby lists it at 17 by 22.5 by 32.4 inches.
The TRIV Next is Nuna's compact everyday stroller. It folds with one hand and stands on its own, its seat faces and folds either way, it has all-wheel suspension and never-flat airless tires, and the MagneTech Secure Snap buckle guides itself into place. Folded, Nuna lists it at 24 by 22.5 by 15 inches. Choose it over the Cruz V3 if a PIPA seat is already on your list.
A growing family: Vista V3
UPPAbaby lists more than 30 configurations for the Vista V3, from a single stroller up to three children with add-on seats and boards. Its included toddler seat runs from 3 months to 50 lb, the basket carries up to 30 lb, and FlexRide suspension is built into the frame. For a newborn, use the bassinet, the Infant SnugSeat accessory or a Mesa V3. Our Vista V3 review covers whether the extra frame is worth it for your family, and our Vista V3 vs MIXX Next comparison sets it against Nuna's full-size frame.
One Nuna frame through every stage: MIXX Next
The MIXX Next runs four modes: PIPA series infant seat, bassinet, seat facing you and seat facing out. The ring adapter for the PIPA comes in the box, the seat reclines true-flat for a newborn, and the compact fold-away axle lets it fold smaller and stand on its own. It carries from birth to 50 lb. It is the Nuna side of our Vista V3 vs MIXX Next comparison.
Flying: TRVL LX or Minu V3
The TRVL LX is the lighter of our two Nuna travel picks at 17 lb with canopy and arm bar. It folds with one hand, stands on its own, ships with a carry bag, and takes any PIPA series seat with no adapters. The Minu V3 is UPPAbaby's answer: 16.7 lb, a one-second, one-handed fold, and dimensions UPPAbaby describes as IATA-compatible for an overhead compartment. If you are flying with an infant seat as well, check your airline's rules and the seat's FAA certification on its label before you go. Our lightweight infant car seats for travel guide compares the seats for that trip.
Trails, gravel and running: Ridge V2
The Ridge V2 is the only stroller here that UPPAbaby engineers for walking, running, trail and all-terrain use. It has never-flat tires, a patented two-stage suspension, a front wheel that swivels or locks for running, and a disc hand brake. UPPAbaby lists the seat from 3 months to 55 lb, and says it is suitable for jogging once your child can hold their head up unassisted, with a physician's advice on whether your child is old enough to run with.
Who each stroller is not for
- Cruz V3, not for: families expecting a second child soon. Its listing describes a single-child stroller, while the Vista V3 lists configurations for up to three. At 26.5 lb it is also no travel stroller.
- Vista V3, not for: a newborn-only budget. The included toddler seat starts at 3 months, so from birth you also need the bassinet, the Infant SnugSeat or a Mesa V3. It is also the widest fold here at 25.7 inches.
- TRIV Next, not for: anyone who wants a bassinet mode on the same frame. That is the MIXX Next. Dressed, it is also about 4 lb heavier than the TRVL LX.
- MIXX Next, not for: regular flyers or walk-up apartments. At 29 lb it is the heaviest Nuna in this guide.
- TRVL LX, not for: trails or running. Nuna makes no all-terrain or jogging claim for it, and it has no bassinet mode.
- Minu V3, not for: anyone who wants an infant seat to click straight on. A Mesa V3 or Aria needs UPPAbaby's Minu V3 adapter ($39.99), whose listing covers all Aria and Mesa models.
- Ridge V2, not for: small trunks or a newborn with no accessories. It folds to 36 inches tall, weighs 29.2 lb, and its seat starts at 3 months. For infant seat pairings, see our car seat and stroller compatibility guide.
Stroller FAQ
Which baby stroller is best overall?
It depends on the job. For one child on pavement we point to the UPPAbaby Cruz V3. For a family that will grow, the Vista V3 lists more than 30 configurations for up to three children. For flying, the Nuna TRVL LX weighs 17 lb with canopy and arm bar, and for trails and running the Ridge V2 is the one built for it.
How much does a full-size stroller weigh?
Among the strollers in this guide, the full-size models run from 26.5 lb for the Cruz V3 to 29.2 lb for the Ridge V2. The travel strollers are much lighter: 16.7 lb for the Minu V3 and 17 lb for the TRVL LX with canopy and arm bar. Check the basis, because some makers quote weight without the canopy or insert.
Can these strollers be used from birth?
The Cruz V3, TRIV Next, MIXX Next, TRVL LX and Minu V3 are listed from birth. For the TRIV Next, Nuna rates it from birth to 50 lb but recommends using it with a PIPA series infant car seat until about 6 months. The Vista V3 toddler seat starts at 3 months, so use the bassinet, Infant SnugSeat or a Mesa V3 before then. The Ridge V2 seat also starts at 3 months, or from birth with approved accessories.
Which stroller is best for flying?
The Nuna TRVL LX and UPPAbaby Minu V3. The TRVL LX is 17 lb with canopy and arm bar, ships with a carry bag and takes PIPA series seats without adapters. The Minu V3 is 16.7 lb and UPPAbaby describes its folded size as IATA-compatible for an overhead compartment.
When can I jog with a stroller?
Of the strollers in this guide, only the UPPAbaby Ridge V2 is engineered for running. UPPAbaby says it is suitable for jogging once your child can hold their head up unassisted, and advises asking your physician whether your child is old enough to run with.
Can I return a stroller?
Our refund and return policy and shipping information pages have the current terms.
Ready to compare more? Shop strollers, or browse travel systems and jogging strollers.
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