Best Budget-Friendly: Radio Flyer Convertible Stroller Wagon
Strollers wagons are an excellent travel solution if you need to move two (or more) kids at the beach, soccer game or just for a stroll to the park.
For some reason, however, stroller wagons are often priced like they’ve just emerged from a hotel mini bar. But there is good news: we found one model that is both good quality and easy on the wallet: Radio Flyer’s Convertible Stroller Wagon.
This wagon did well in our real world tests—easy to fold, sturdy and easy to maneuver.
What We Liked
• Pull or push.
• Foam-covered adjustable handle on one end. Pull handle on opposite end like a traditional wagon.
• Rear foot brake.
• Smaller fold than other wagons we tested.
• Sturdy wagon with 120 lb. capacity.
• Easy to assemble.
• Good maneuverability.
• Affordable.
What Needs Work
• Canopy could be more sturdy—no frame to support it.
• Wagon sides are too low for younger toddlers, in our opinion. As a result, you have to use safety harnesses.
• Cushion could be more thick.
• Hard to push or pull once you get near top of weight limit.
Best Individual Canopies: Evenflo Pivot Explore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon
Most stroller wagons have one big canopy that covers the entire wagon.
That’s nice, but as most parents of kids know, there is always one child that wants the sun—while the other prefers the shade.
A stroller wagon with individual canopies is the solution—and for this, we recommend the Evenflo Pivot Explore.
Best known for its less expensive strollers, Evenflo’s entry into this category has been a best-seller. And our testing verified that it is well designed.
One key feature here we liked was the handle that flips so you can push or pull from either side of the stroller wagon. That was impressive in our testing.
Here’s more on why this choice came out on top.
What We Liked
• Two independent canopies for shade. You can shade one or both seats.
• Easy to set up.
• Wheels don’t go flat. Air tires are nice for bumpy terrain, but this stroller’s foam/plastic tires never go flat. That makes this stroller easier to love in the long term.
• Car seat compatibility (at least with Evenflo infant seats). It requires a separate adapter, however.
• Storage! It has both an undercarriage basket and traditional storage pockets. The basket attaches to either end of the wagon, which is nice.
• Good legroom for kiddos.
• Removable snack tray.
What Needs Work
• Heavy. At 34.7 lbs., the Pivot Explore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon is a beast to haul in and out of a trunk.
• Better with two kids than one. With only one child, we found the stroller wagon becomes unbalanced in our testing.
• No sleeping. Some stroller wagons double as playpens that enable kids to take a nap. The maker of this stroller wagon says no to naps. And the footwell inside the wagon makes napping difficult away.
• Fold could be easier.
• No full canopy. Other stroller wagons have canopies that cover the entire stroller—and these work better for older kiddos.
Best Upgraded Wagon: Keenz Stroller Wagon 7S Pull/Push
Pricey but beloved, the Keenz Stroller Wagon is a parent favorite and an excellent splurge-worthy choice.
We tested the latest model and liked the double five-point safety harnesses with height adjustments, one-step brake and height adjustable handles—one on either side of the stroller so you can pull or push. Here’s more pros and cons:
What We Liked
• Full canopy.
• 11″ rear wheels makes this wagon a good bet for the beach. Stroller wagons with smaller wheels can struggle in sand.
• Great for special needs. The safety harnesses and 110 lb. capacity makes this model great for all kiddos, but especially for parents of kids with special needs.
• Accessories! This wagon comes with a cup holder, storage cover, canopy storage bag and grey cooler bag. So, yes, it is more pricey but you do get more value here. FYI: A rain cover is an extra expense, however.
• Nap ready. Kids can lay down and nap in this wagon.
What Needs Work
• Heavy. The Keenz stroller wagon weighs 32 lbs.
• No back rest. Other strollers had semi-solid surfaces that serve as backrests for kiddos—the Keenz stroller wagon lacks this feature.
• Takes up a good amount of trunk space. This model folds down into a 31″ by 12″ rectangle—you’ll need some trunk space to haul this around.
• Small footprint might be too small for larger toddlers. The interior dimensions are roughly 26″ by 20″. Its competitor, the Veer wagon, is 37″ long and 25″ wide for comparison.
• Can be hard to steer when weighed down. This is true for many stroller wagons, however.
• Canopy can interfere with getting kids in and out. We love Keenz canopy, but we note a few complaints about this.
Why Trust Us
We’ve been rating and reviewing products for the home and families since 1994. We do extensive research, evaluating products with an eye toward quality, ease of use and affordability. When we purchase a product for hands-on testing, we do so with our own money.
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