Life with a baby is as exciting as it can be overwhelming. Most of us new parents take hours and hours searching for the ultimate baby product for our children to use. One of these essentials is the baby stroller.
Baby strollers are great for travel, leisure, or when you just simply need to bond with your baby under the sun.
If you’re planning to go on a trip to the beach, however, a regular stroller just won’t do. Sand might get lodged in their wheels, or might just simply bury the wheels in it.
Luckily for us, there are baby strollers for such occasions.
5 Beach Strollers Comparison Chart
Rating: 4.0/5
5 Best Beach Strollers Reviewed
Here’s our top 5 best beach strollers of 2020, and a detailed guide in buying the ultimate beach stroller for your precious little one.
Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller
The Baby Trend Jogger Stroller is one of the highest-rated jogger strollers among users.
There are multiple reasons as to why that is, but in a nutshell, this stroller has superior quality. In addition to that, it’s extremely durable.
This stroller performs really well on different types of terrains, including beaches, muddy trails, hills, and dirt paths, due to its large bicycle-like tires.
It features a reclining padded seat with a 5-point harness for extra safety measures. It has a strong tether and an extra-large storage basket for all your toddler’s essentials.
Its canopy covering is large and adjustable, which easily allows protection from harsh sunlight and wind. In addition to this, it also includes an extra-wide rubber handle for easy steering.
Need refreshments for when you’re at the beach? This stroller has you covered. It has four cup holders – 2 for you (located at the handle) and 2 for your child with their very own tray. It even comes with covered compartment storage underneath.
This stroller’s handling, cleaning, and care is very easy as well. It can be folded with little to no effort for quick travel. Another great thing about this stroller is that it accepts infant car seats that can be attached to its tray for a convenient travel system.
With this stroller’s very smooth and easy glide, it easily makes for excellent walking, jogging, or running with your baby. Its front swivel wheel is lockable for low-speed maneuvering for jogging.
Pros
- Very high quality
- The seat can lie almost all the way back if your toddler wants to sleep
- No squeaking can be heard from the wheels, even with regular usage
- Very easy to maneuver
- Can glide through different terrains without any difficulty
- Surprisingly lightweight
- Great quality for a great price
Cons
- Canopy doesn’t cover the entire stroller
- Breaks are a bit too hard to push
- The bottom basket may rub on the uneven ground due to its size
- Can’t be folded with one hand
The Baby Trend Jogger Stroller comes in 12 different variations. Among these are fan favorites Bubble Gum Pink and Mosaic Blue.
Jeep Classic Jogging Stroller
Jeep Classic Jogging Stroller is designed to be an all-terrain stroller that’ll stand up to a parent’s active lifestyle. This makes going to the beach with this stroller a breeze.
Just like Baby Trend’s Jogger Stroller, it also comes with a 5-point safety system to your toddler’s utmost care and safety. For extra protection, its extendable visor comes with a UPF 50+ shield to prevent harsh environmental exposure and a shock-absorbing frame.
It has spacious undercarriage storage for easy access to your baby’s essential needs, and cup holders for parents located close at the handle. As for its maneuverability, the swivel wheel locks can easily be locked in place for safety while jogging and on the beach.
Jeep has also made transportation easy with its quick-release back wheel feature, which enables fast and convenient transport of the stroller into the back of your car’s trunk.
Pros
- Spacious seat
- Nicely padded for added comfort
- Easy to steer
- Easy to assemble
Cons
- Can’t be folded with one hand
- Doesn’t have a parent tray
- Doesn’t come with a child’s cup holder
- Parent’s cup holders are a bit small, and can only fit 16oz water bottles.
- Doesn’t steer very well while running
Jeep’s Classic Jogging Stroller comes in two colors: Grey, and Red.
Graco FastAction Fold Jogging Stroller
Graco’s FastAction Fold Jogging Stroller, compared to the other strollers in this list, features a one-second, one-hand folding technique. This makes setting up and taking down this stroller a walk in the park. It’s self-standing while folded as well, and has an automatic storage lock.
This 3-wheel wonder has all the features a traditional jogger stroller has, including a front swivel wheel that locks in place for parents who love to jog. It
maneuvers quite well in all types of terrain including sandy beaches and makes for a comfy ride for your child.
Another reason this stroller makes it on our list is the fact that it’s very suitable for parents who are taller in height. With this stroller, you won’t have to worry about slouching or bending anymore.
Pros
- Easy assembly
- One-hand folding system
- Built with high-quality parts
- Comes equipped with a phone holder
- Parent and child cup holder
Cons
- Heavier and bulkier compared other strollers
- Stands very tall, so may not be suitable for those who have a shorter stature
BOB Gear Rambler Jogging Stroller
This stroller takes jogging with your toddler a whole new experience. It glides with extreme ease due to its top-notch suspension system. It features a 260 degrees swiveling front wheel for effortless maneuvering.
It has an aluminum frame and a 5-point safety harness, which makes it as durable as it is secure. Its canopy as a no-rethread harness design for easy height adjustments as your child grows.
In addition to this, the extra-large canopy that features a UPF 50+ cover to protect your toddler from harsh sunlight.
The BOB Gear Rambler Stroller simply can’t be compared. It’s durable, practical, and makes for a great stroller. Despite its high price point, I must attest that this stroller’s features make up for it and more.
This stroller will stay with you for years and years. The above features make it a good purchase, especially if you’re planning for a large family.
Pros
- Rides extremely smoothly
- Highly durable
- The padded seat can be adjusted to be fully upright
- Has compact tires that allow you to save on trunk space
- XL UPF 50+ adjustable canopy
- Spacious seating that can support up to 75 lbs
Cons
- No parent tray or cup holder
- Doesn’t come with a snack tray (although can be bought separately)
Thule Urban Glide 2 Jogging Stroller
If it’s not your first time shopping for strollers, you’ve surely heard of this one.
The Thule Urban Glide Stroller is considered to be one of the best of the best due to its incredible suspension system, which provides a glide like no other.
It features an ergonomic, adjustable handlebar and large 16 in rear wheels for an extra smooth glide.
Along with its reclining seat and a padded 5-point harness to ensure your toddler’s safety, it also provides an integrated twist hand brake for your ultimate speed control.
Its storage system is quite handy as well. Its cargo basket is fairly large and has a zip-top cover, a rear mesh pocket, and 2 other compartments for bottles, snacks, or baby essentials.
With Thule’s superior design, this one surely won’t disappoint.
Pros
- Exceptionally sturdy
- Sleek design
- Overall great quality
Cons
- Doesn’t have a cup holder
- No child’s tray
- Doesn’t stand upright when folded
- Seats can’t be reclined upright
- A little expensive
The Thule Urban Glide comes in 5 different colors. It also has a double stroller version available.
Beach Strollers 101: A Buyer’s Guide
If you’re a parent, it’s very likely that you already have a regular stroller around for when you’re going out with your toddler.
But if you’re thinking about taking your kids for a stroll at the beach, a regular stroller just won’t do. They’re just simply not made for traveling through sand and rough terrains.
Before breaking down the factors to consider when buying a beach stroller, let’s first differentiate a regular stroller from a beach stroller.
Regular Strollers vs. Beach Strollers: What’s the Difference?
The most crucial difference between the two is the fact that beach strollers are specifically designed to handle the loose, deep sand that can be found in beaches.
But that’s not all.
Beach strollers, also called jogging strollers, are typically wider and bulkier than a regular stroller for stability.
Their wheels are bigger compared to the latter, and their suspension performs very well in whatever type of terrain it’ll pass through.
Beach strollers have a fixed front wheel for better control, a steering system on its handlebar, and would normally come with a hand strap. Other than easily gliding through the sand from the beach, this stroller also allows parents to jog with their babies, without fearing for their safety inside the stroller.
Other Advantages
- Has security features that can’t be found in regular strollers
- Has hand breaks and fixed front wheels for better control during sudden stops
- Maneuver practically anywhere (uneven tracks, sandy/rocky beaches, grass, thick snow)
- Makes for a smoother, comfier ride for your child due to its big air-filled wheels.
- Lighter compared to regular strollers
In conclusion, if you enjoy traveling, jogging, or running, this type of stroller is your best choice. It’s more durable than regular strollers, plus it allows you the flexibility to go pretty much wherever you want to.
What to Look for in a Beach Stroller
Other than a beach stroller’s quality and price, as follows are what every parent should look for in a beach stroller:
- A three-wheel design that easily locks in place
- Smooth glide
- Sufficiently sized canopy, preferably adjustable
- Cup/Tray holders (optional)
- Adequate storage space
- Durability
Other Things to Consider
Safety
I can’t emphasize the importance of safety in a stroller; beach or otherwise.
Harness
When looking for a stroller, make sure they feature a 5-point safety harness system (2 shoulder straps, 2 thigh straps, and a crotch strap) for increased protection. The buckles need to be easy for you to handle but difficult for little baby hands to unfasten.
You’ll have to make sure the seat belts are strong and durable. It’s also not a bad idea to double-check a Stoller’s adjustability. This will allow a snuggly fit for your child without sacrificing their comfort.
Wheels
In a beach stroller, the front wheels would normally feature two positions: a full swivel for smooth surfaces or locked in place for rough terrain.
Three-wheels strollers that don’t allow a full swivel can be difficult to maneuver, so make sure your stroller’s wheels can do both.
The size of the wheels matter as well. As a rule of thumb, the bigger the wheels, the easier it is to glide through the rough ground. But that also means sacrificing your truck’s space.
If you own a large car, you’ll do fine with bigger wheels. Otherwise, you’ll have to consider a size that fits your car, even if the wheels come slightly smaller.
Break System
When searching for a beach stroller, I would advise you to get one that comes with hand breaks.
This is so you can easily manage it closely from the top.
It defeats regular breaks close at your feet for safety reasons, in case you need to stop urgently (when jogging, for example.)
It’s also especially useful when dealing with rocky terrain.
Canopy
The quality of a beach stroller is also something to closely consider. Search for canopies that feature a 180-degree travel system. It’s also very handy to have a “peek-a-boo” window on top, so you can keep tabs on your baby while strolling, just in case.
Some strollers come with a UPF 50+ adjustable canopy, which is considered to provide excellent protection from the sun’s UV radiation. This effectively protects your baby’s skin underneath.
Although it comes at a higher price, it’s definitely something you should invest a couple of dollars in.
Leg Holes
The leg holes of a beach stroller must be small enough to keep your baby from slipping through them, but not too tight, that it becomes bothersome.
Weight Capacity
It’s crucial to know your stroller’s weight capacity for your baby’s safety.
This doesn’t only mean purchasing a stroller that supports your toddler’s weight. A stroller must be strong enough to carry your baby essentials in its storage system without worrying if it’s too heavy or not.
Strollers that support at least 65-100 lbs are ideal.
Comfort
Your baby’s comfort is very important. For the ultimate experience, a beach stroller with plenty of padding is preferable to protect your baby from any bumps from the road. This also allows them to soundly sleep when they’re tired.
You also might want to get a stroller with padding on its straps as well to prevent rashes.
Folding Mechanism
The ease of a stroller’s folding system will save you a lot of time when storing away your beach stroller.
Some strollers can be collapsed by using only one hand. This allows multitasking; folding the stroller up with one hand while catering to your baby on the other.
Some other strollers, however, need a bit of elbow grease to get it folded. It’s not the end of the world if it does, but it can still be quite an inconvenience to a lot of us.
While buying a stroller, make sure you purchase something that doesn’t have a difficult folding mechanism. This is to avoid the hassle and frustration of folding them for travel or for later use.
Single, Double, or Triple
Beach strollers come in single, double, or triple options for when you have a bigger family.
Double/triple strollers are cheaper than purchasing two/three individual strollers. This would save you a lot of space in your truck or when storing it away for safekeeping.
Conclusion
My personal recommendation for the best beach stroller would be the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller, which might not come as a huge surprise to many of you.
This stroller covers all your basic needs for a stroller and more. It has features that can’t be found in higher priced strollers. For only around $100, it’s a huge bang for your buck.
At the end of the day, your toddler’s safety and comfort are most important. If you have to sacrifice a feature or two, like a parent cup holder or extra protection, then it’s not that big of a loss.
An example is The BOB Gear Rambler Jogging Stroller. It doesn’t come with a parent tray/cup holder, but its wheels may be comparatively better than the Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller. It also has double padding and comes with a more spacious seat.
So with that said, all of the products listed above can be considered the best of the best, and it’ll support you for whatever the sea, sun or sand throws your way!