Self-care becomes more important after you have a newborn because everything revolves around your new arrival. Jogger strollers allow you to take a brisk walk or jog through the park and have them safely with you.
The marketplace can get overwhelming when you’re looking for the best budget jogging stroller. You want one at the right price with the right features for you and your little one. Let’s check out what the marketplace has to offer and help you narrow down your choices.
Spoiler: Best Value Jogging Stroller
Jeep Hydro Sport Plus Jogger
One of the first things a family considers before investing in a jogging stroller is how it fits into their budget. The Jeep Hydro Sport Plus Jogger is a mid-range priced jogger that provides a smooth ride. It has plenty of features that meet Juvenile Products Manufacture Association (JPMA) safety standards.
We will cover the Hydro Sport Plus and a handful of other jogging strollers in-depth so that you can make an informed choice.
What to Look for in a Jogging Stroller
Typing jogger stroller in a search engine can become too much rather quickly. If you know what to look for, the process becomes far more straightforward.
The first thing to understand is that every jogger is different. Design and features can range depending on price and model. But, you know what you need from your jogging stroller and there is no reason to break the bank for features that you might not even need.
5-Point Safety Harness
5-point safety harnesses are safety restraints that hold your child in place in the case of an accident. The purposeful design restrains your baby at the shoulders and hips, which are the most rigid part of their little bodies.
You have a few things to consider when you research the best 5-point harness for you. Every jogging stroller has one. However, the padding and comfort varies as well as the ease of use.
Lock and Swivel Front Wheel
The lock and swivel front wheel is important for a couple of reasons. First, it is about safety and stability. It is about your comfort and the ease of use, too. You can lock the front wheel in place when you need to, and the swivel font wheel makes for easier steering and increases your speed.
Adjustable Canopy
One of the first things anyone notices about a jogging stroller is the canopy. The design and coverage is different from model to model. You want to be on the lookout for an adjustable canopy made of the best fabric to protect your little person from dangerous UV rays.
Brakes
Jogging strollers come with two different types of brakes. The parking brake ensures that your baby is safe when stationary.
Hand brakes are just more convenient than parking brakes. You can jog uphill without worrying about whether you can slow your jogging stroller down or not.
Do I Need an Adjustable Handlebar?
The primary reason that an adjustable handlebar is ideal for your jogging stroller is that the position is in relation to how tall you are. If you are the only one that uses it, you may not ever have to change your preferences. But, if a friend or spouse wants a brisk stroll in the park, you want them to have the choice.
An adjustable handlebar becomes essential when you are using a double jogging stroller. You are dealing with the combined size of two children.
Safety Tether
A safety tether works like a leash that keeps you connected to your jogging stroller. When running, you can naturally feel the urge to pull your hands off of the handlebar. The safety tether ensures that your jogger won’t get away from you with your child inside.
Starting with Safety
A safety tether works like a leash that keeps you connected to your jogging stroller. When running, you can naturally feel the urge to pull your hands off of the handlebar. The safety tether ensures that your jogger won’t get away from you with your child inside.
Not all jogging strollers are expensive. If you scour the product listings on online stores, you should be able to find a number of them which are even cheaper than regular strollers.
But are cheap models still safe to use? Are you actually wasting money on these?
We can’t deny the fact that this is actually true for some.
That’s why we’ve come up with this list of the best inexpensive joggers this year. We made sure to include only those models which are not only affordable but are also comfortable without sacrificing durability.
You’ll also find reviews of each of our recommended models, so you can easily decide which of them is not only right for your budget but matches your preferences too.
Best Inexpensive Jogging Stroller of 2021
#1 – Graco Jogging Stroller
The Graco Jogging Stroller is a very affordable jogger with premium features and design. It is actually a crowd favorite. You’re pretty much getting more than what you pay for.
The Fastaction Fold Jogger from Graco really folds fast. Compared to other models in this list, this model can be folded with just one hand in a single motion. Once it snaps into place, you can leave it standing while you secure your baby in the car.
The air-filled pneumatic tires allow this jogger to breeze through almost all surfaces. If you want to run on dirt tracks, you can certainly do so. However, this jogger may prove to be quite a challenge in maneuvering between the store aisles.
If you have a Graco Jogging Stroller car seat, you can actually attach it to this jogger. This easily converts this jogger to a travel system, allowing your baby to ride it from weeks he or she was born up to 5 years of age.
Graco Jogging Stroller is durable, has a one-hand fast-action folding operation, can be easily converted to a travel system, and a lot more. With a price a little over 100 bucks, this is actually a steal. This is Graco’s best inexpensive model on the market today.
#2 – Costzon Baby Stroller
Costzon Baby Jogger Stroller may be a new entry into the market, but its sleek and premium design plus an affordable price makes it a great contender to the already established brands.
Its steel frame offers durability and stability. It has three air-filled rubber wheels which make the ride comfy for your child because of the added suspension it gives. The 16-inch rear and 12-inch front wheels are also designed to traverse rough terrains like gravel.
The front wheel can be locked for safety when you push at a faster speed. It can also be unlocked for effortless steering while walking in the park or at the mall. The large canopy has a small peekaboo window and is adjustable to provide ample protection for your baby against UV rays.
However, this jogger can only accommodate a maximum weight of 33 pounds. Most children these days weigh more than 33 pounds at the age of 4.
It also comes with both parent and child tray, each of them having cup holders on each side. The large storage basket underneath is able to accommodate diaper bag, toys, and other baby gears.
If you want a not-so-common yet cool-looking jogger for less than 100 bucks, you should definitely consider getting Costzon Baby Jogger. It’s lightweight, durable, and offers great comfort in riding and pushing.
#3 – Baby Jogger City Lite, Tan
The Baby Jogger City Lite Stroller is an extremely lightweight jogger that gives you the very basic functionalities only, nothing more nothing less. This jogger is especially great for petite moms.
This jogger has two 10-inch rear wheels and a 7-inch front wheel. These wheels are not as large as the other models and they do not actually resemble bike tires. They are still rubberized but not air-filled. To compensate this, the manufacturer has added suspension on all three wheels for a smoother ride.
The City Lite has a very classic color and design, which makes it look luxurious. However, it is important to mention that this model does not come with both parent and child tray. You will need to purchase it separately if you want them installed.
The large canopy can be adjusted into multiple positions and has two peekaboo windows. The padded seat can be reclined to an almost full flat position to allow your child to take naps during long walks.
If you’re planning to travel a lot using public transportation like a train or a plane, this jogger is light and compact enough to bring with you. With a very lightweight frame and small wheels, Baby Jogger City Lite is the right choice for those who have vehicles with smaller or limited trunk space.
#4 – Baby Trend Expedition Jogger Stroller
Baby Trend Expedition is the most commonly-bought jogger in the market today. It’s lightweight and yet is able to accommodate children weighing up to 55 pounds. You get the most bang for your buck with this model.
It has three large bicycle tires for additional suspension, making it easy to push on most surfaces, even on uneven sidewalks. It comes with a parent and child tray installed, each of them having cup holders for drinks and snacks.
The adjustable canopy can effectively block the sun even if you’re jogging in the early mornings or late afternoons. It can be moved forward to up to the child’s tray for maximum coverage at the front.
Although it folds easily, it would still require you to use your two hands to accomplish this. This can be a nuisance if you want to hold on to your child while folding the jogger.
Aside from this minor inconvenience, which does not actually apply to everyone, this model surely delivers. It is also compatible with a selection of Baby Trend car seats, allowing you to use it for your baby as early as you want.
It’s no surprise why Baby Trend Expedition is the best inexpensive jogger when it comes to popularity.
#5 – Baby Trend Pathway 35 Jogger Stroller, Optic Red
Of all the joggers that we recommend in this article, Baby Trend Xcel Jogger is the cheapest you can get which functions just as the high-end versions.
With a single padded handlebar, this jogger is so easy to push with just one hand. The large rear bike tires allow this model to move through uneven roads almost effortlessly. The front wheel can be locked easily or unlocked if you plan on just walking.
It comes with a child tray upon purchase. The parent tray, though, is replaced by just a cup holder at the center of the handlebar. This gives you a limited option to place your cell phone, keys, etc.
Much like the Expedition Jogger from the same company, Baby Trend Xcel can be easily converted to a travel system by using a compatible Baby Trend car seat. This makes the jogger useable even for newborns.
It still amazes us how a jogger as functional as this can be so cheap. If you’re a little tight on your budget but would like to start getting active again, Baby Trend Xcel Jogger is one of your best options in the market. In fact, it is the cheapest of all the models that we recommend here.
Limitations Of An Affordable Jogging Stroller
There are several expectations that you need to let go when you purchase a cheap model. These limitations will certainly NOT put your child’s safety at risk. They are missing features and inconveniences which may end up to be infuriating to some. The 3 most common factors you should not expect are:
- They cannot accommodate big kids. The materials used, and sometimes the design, cannot safely support most children past 5 years old. If your child is bigger than most, there are other models that can accommodate them. They may be pricier but they’re very comfortable for you and your child.
- They’re mostly not built as an all-terrain jogger. Most premium models come with an additional suspension system and bigger if not more robust tires.
- Travel system compatibility is not good. With the exception of the Graco Fastaction Fold jogger in this list, most affordable models are not that good travel system. Jogging strollers that are travel system-ready can either accommodate a lot of car seat models from the get-go or can have an attachment that easily connects a car seat.
Don’t get put off with these caveats, though. At the end of the day, a cheap jogger can still be a lot better than a premium one. Being able to push one with ease regardless of the uneven pavement is a godsend.
Wrapping It Up
Some joggers may have a lot of features but costs way too much. Sometimes an expensive item doesn’t always translate to being of high-quality. There are also those models which are budget-friendly and with features that almost match the premium ones.
We do hope that this list gave you enough choices for the best inexpensive jogging stroller. There’s a lot of cheap models available, but the joggers that we recommended here are certainly worth more than their cost.