If you’re looking for a safe stroller for your little one, be sure to consider the chemical safety of the stroller in addition to the stroller’s safety features. Sadly, many popular strollers contain toxic chemicals that are best avoided during early childhood. In this guide, we’ll help you choose from the best non-toxic strollers and flame-retardant-free strollers currently on the market for your little one.
We’ll also go over how to shop for a safe stroller and what features to look for when making your purchase. So whether you’re just looking for a new stroller or are a first-time parent needing the full lowdown, read on for everything you need to know about buying a safe and non-toxic stroller.
Wait: Strollers are Toxic?!
When it comes to toxicity, strollers are a mixed bag. No law requires strollers to meet flammability regulations (which apply to car seats and crib mattresses), but that doesn’t mean you won’t find these toxic chemicals inside your child’s stroller.
In fact, many popular stroller brands contain harmful chemicals that are unsafe for human health, including perfluorinated chemicals, BPA, PVC, or phthalates in the seat material and other contact points such as handles, harness straps, and padding.
But even as a non-toxic blogger, I need to be honest with you: the truth is that it’s hard to avoid these things 100% when buying a stroller. There is no truly non-toxic or organic stroller on the market. In fact, most strollers still contain polyester, nylon, and polyurethane foam.
And then you also have stroller manufacturers who won’t even disclose the materials they use or answer questions about their products. That leaves parents like us totally in the dark about what chemicals are used in their baby gear.
Not acceptable.
While we aren’t aiming for perfection, our goal is still to reduce your child’s exposure to these harmful substances. We’ll do that by choosing one of these consciously manufactured strollers.
How to Buy the Healthiest Stroller for Your Baby
When it comes to choosing a safer, healthier stroller, it’s important to avoid major chemicals of concern. We’ll do this by choosing a stroller brand that minimizes or does not use these materials or chemicals. Here’s what to look out for when choosing a stroller:
- Flame-Retardants: Toxic flame retardant chemicals are often added to foam and fabrics to help prevent the spread of fires. However, they do more harm than good and have been linked to hormonal issues, thyroid problems, learning disabilities, and cancer.
- Bisphenol A (BPA): This chemical is often used in plastics and can be found in some baby bottles and sippy cups. It is a known endocrine disruptor, causing hormonal imbalances, obesity, and even cancer.
- Phthalates: These chemicals are often used to soften plastics and can typically be found in soft plastics. Phthalates have been linked to hormone disruption, birth defects, and fertility problems.
- PVC: Polyvinyl chloride is one of the most toxic types of plastic because it includes several harmful chemicals, including chlorine. You’ll frequently find PVC in the rain shield and handles on a stroller.
- Formaldehyde: This toxic chemical is used in some adhesives and fabrics. It can cause respiratory problems, headaches, and more.
- PFC/PFAS: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are a group of man-made chemicals that are used on strollers in stain-resistant fabrics. PFCs and PFAS can build up in the body and have been linked to several health issues.
- Polyurethane Foam: This highly flammable type of foam is often used in cushions, car seats, and changing table pads. It can release harmful chemicals called VOCs (volatile organic compounds) into the air. Polyurethane foam is still found in most strollers, so please note this cannot be fully avoided at this time.
We’ve rounded up the healthiest strollers on the market to help minimize your child’s exposure to these undesirable chemicals and materials.
The Best Non-Toxic Strollers
A stroller is a big purchase, and it’s one of the few baby products that you’ll use daily, even into toddlerhood. The great news is that there are more and more manufacturers making less toxic strollers for our littles! So you have many more brands to choose from.
Below is a list of excellent stroller brands that you’ll want to consider; most of these are made by responsible manufacturers who have limited their use of harmful ingredients in making their strollers. Please note that at this time, there are no strollers that are 100% “non-toxic.”
1. Bumbleride Strollers
Bumbleride is a responsible stroller manufacturer, choosing only the best materials for their strollers and using methods to reduce their eco footprint. Their strollers are made in Taiwan with sustainable manufacturing in mind. Overall, Bumbleride makes wonderful non-toxic and eco-friendly strollers!
Bumbleride makes jogging strollers, but they are great for daily use as well. All of their strollers are free of flame retardants, PVC, phthalates, perfluorinated chemicals, and polyurethane foam. The fabrics used are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified and are made from 100% recycled PET made from recycled post-consumer pet bottles. Each stroller made saves the earth from 65 plastic water bottles.
Bumbleride takes this one step further with their organic cotton stroller accessory collection: you can buy an organic cotton infant insert and an organic cotton seat liner. There are also organic cotton bassinet liners.
In Fall 2022, Bumbleride launched their new collection of strollers, with fashionable colors and new designs. Here’s their line of strollers: Speed, Era, Indie, and Ironman.
Shop Bumbleride Strollers:
- Bumbleride on Albee Baby
- Bumbleride on Crate & Barrel Kids
- Bumbleride on Nordstrom
- Bumbleride on Pottery Barn Kids
2. Nuna Strollers
Nuna, a European baby gear brand, is one of our favorite non-toxic brands here at The Gentle Nursery. With Nuna products, you can count on quality product design, responsible manufacturing, and cleaner products.
Nuna baby products are manufactured to meet US and European standards and are also Greenguard Gold certified for low chemical emissions. The company also uses natural fabrics and certified organic materials wherever possible.
If you’ve read our guide to the best non-toxic car seats, you’ll know that Nuna car seats rank high on the list. Not to mention, our readers love the Nuna Pipa and Rava car seats!
So you’ll be happy to know that Nuna also makes high-quality non-toxic strollers. Their strollers are made without the use of flame-retardant chemicals. The stroller seat and canopy are made from polyester and polyurethane foam.
Their strollers are elegant and thoughtfully manufactured. They come in a variety of beautiful neutral colors and range from compact lightweight and travel strollers to full-size strollers.
Nuna Strollers include: Demi Grow, Mixx Next, Triv, Ivvi Totl, Pepp Next, and Trvl.
Shop Nuna Strollers:
3. Zoe Strollers
Zoe Baby makes beautiful, lightweight, and compact strollers for travel and everyday use. Their strollers contain no flame retardants, polyurethane foam, BPA, pesticides, PFAS, phthalates, or formaldehyde-releasing agents.
The foam used in Zoe strollers is polyethylene and the fabrics are nylon or polyester and made from 100% recycled materials. The waterproofing is polyurethane (not foam), similar to many mattress protector pads. This is all good and makes Zoe Strollers a top non-toxic choice for your baby.
The coolest thing about Zoe strollers? They’re fully expandable. You can turn a double into a triple or even a quad stroller. Really innovative! Look for the models with + to denote adaptable strollers.
Zoe Strollers include: Terra, Trip, Tour+ (1-2 seats), Tandem+ (1-2 seats), Twin+ (2, 3, or 4 seats), and Tribe (4 or 2 seats).
Shop Zoe Strollers:
4. Stokke Strollers
Stokke is another great brand that makes many of our favorite baby product lists. So it’s no surprise that they also make eco-friendly strollers.
To reduce their toxic impact, Stokke uses a waterproofing solution that is free from harmful chemicals including formaldehyde, fluorine, and PFCs. It is engineered to be safe for people, animals, and the planet. This is a safer option than many PFAS and PFC-based water repellants.
Stokke strollers include: X-Plory X and Babyzen Yoyo.
Shop Stokke Strollers:
- Stokke on Albee Baby
- Stokke on Crate and Barrel Kids
- Stokke on Nordstrom
- Stokke on Pottery Barn Kids
- Stokke Website
5. Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller
I’m so excited to add Mockingbird to our list of recommended strollers!
Let’s talk details: Mockingbird strollers are made without the use of flame retardant chemicals and the strollers are tested for a number of other toxic substances. They do not contain phthalates, formaldehyde, BPA/BPS, perfluorinated chemicals, AZO dyes, vinyl, latex, or toxic levels of heavy metals.
The stroller itself is modular; it can be used as a single or double tandem stroller with the addition of a second seat. It can also accommodate a third sibling using the ride-on seat (which is kind of like a skateboard attachment for the back of the strollers). In fact, it has 19 configurations so you have plenty of options!
And what’s nice is that it offers some of the same features as some of the luxe brands on this list at a fraction of the price.
Mockingbird is compatible with UPPababy, Baby Jogger, Britax, Chicco, Cybex, Evenflo, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, and Nuna brand car seats with the use of an adapter.
Shop Mockingbird:
6. Silver Cross Strollers
Another luxury stroller brand to make the list, Silver Cross is another premium and sustainable stroller manufacturer. Their strollers are made without the use of flame-retardant chemicals or durable water repellants. While their strollers do contain some PVC, it is phthalate-free.
Silver Cross has a unique history — its founder invented the first pram in the late 1800s. Since then, this UK company has continued to innovate and has developed a following internationally.
Silver Cross makes prams and strollers including: Reef, Dune, Wave, Comet, Jet, Coast, and Kensington Pram, and Balmoral Pram. Not all are available in the US; some might only be available in UK and Europe.
Shop Silver Cross Strollers:
7. Chicco ClearTex Strollers
Chicco offers select products with its ClearTex line of eco-friendly and flame-retardant-free fabrics. In addition to Chicco’s non-toxic car seats, this now includes a small selection of their strollers!
In addition to being free of flame retardants, their ClearTex strollers are also Greenguard Gold certified. While this doesn’t indicate they are PFC-free, nor does that mean they are fully free from harmful chemicals, this is a huge step in the right direction for Chicco. And if you are using one of their ClearTex car seats, you now have good stroller options to consider.
Chicco’s ClearTex Strollers include: Corso Primo ClearTex and Bravo LE ClearTex. Stay tuned as they roll this fabric out to more products.
Shop Chicco ClearTex:
8. UPPAbaby Strollers
UPPAbaby makes the popular Mesa car seat (V2 or original seats in Henry/Jordan), which is also one of our top non-toxic car seat picks. Their strollers are well-made with plenty of attention to detail and come in beautiful, bright colors.
This popular stroller brand offers a wide range of features and options, including full-size strollers (expandable up to 3 seats), and umbrella strollers, stroller bassinets, leather handlebars, and more. This is a premium stroller brand, but most of all we love that they are made with attention to chemical safety.
You can rest assured that UPPAbaby does not use flame retardants, BPA, phthalates, lead, or latex in its strollers. The rain shield does contain PVC but it is phthalate-free. And, their strollers are not PFAS-free: they do use a waterproofing sealant on the fabric (C6), so you may want to use a stroller seat liner.
UPPAbaby strollers are compatible with UPPAbaby, Nuna, Maxi Cosi, Chicco, and Cybex car seats. Their lineup of strollers includes: Vista, Cruz, Ridge, Minu V2, G-Link 2, G-Luxe, and G-Lite.
Shop UPPAbaby Strollers:
- UPPAbaby on Albee Baby
- UPPAbaby on Crate & Barrel Kids
- UPPAbaby on Nordstrom
- UPPAbaby on Pottery Barn Kids
9. Mountain Buggy Strollers
Mountain Buggy makes stylish active strollers for all your lifestyle needs. Their strollers are versatile enough to use on various terrain and for toting your littles around the city. Ranging from the Nano, a lightweight stroller to the Terrain Active Stroller, there’s a stroller for all your needs.
Mountain Buggy is owned by Phil & Ted’s, a responsible company that makes great products. Their stroller line is made without the use of flame retardants and their products are tested for heavy metals. Their products may contain DWRs as water repellants.
Another part of the company’s commitment to being eco-friendly is its baby gear rehoming initiative, which has donated hundreds of previously loved baby gear items to families and international organizations.
Mountain Buggy strollers are compatible with several car seat brands including Nuna, Chicco, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, and more. But compatibility varies by seat, so check each unique stroller for compatibility with your car seat.
Mountain Buggy strollers include: Terrain, Cosmopolitan, Duet, Nano, and Nano Duo.
Shop Mountain Buggy Strollers:
10. BOB Gear
BOB Gear is a great go-to stroller brand for your family’s outdoor adventures. As with other jogging strollers on this list, it’s also wonderful for daily use if you don’t mind a heavier stroller.
BOB strollers are made by Britax, which has a commitment to making more chemical-safe products. Their strollers are flame-retardant-free. This is a popular choice for most families, and many parents I know love their BOB.
Their strollers have a generous 75 lb. capacity, while many others only go up to 50 lbs. The different strollers include: Allterrain, Allterrain Pro, Revolution, Revolution Duallie, and Rambler.
Shop BOB Strollers:
11. Maclaren Umbrella Strollers
Maclaren is a stroller manufacturer that specializes in umbrella strollers. Their strollers are made without the use of phthalates, AZO dyes, DMFs, and flame retardants.
If you’re looking for a premium umbrella stroller, check out the Maclaren lineup: Quest, Techno XT, and Mark II.
Shop Maclaren Strollers:
12. Britax Strollers
Britax is committed to not using flame retardants in any of their strollers, earning them a spot on our list of recommended strollers. If you are using one of Britax’s safe wash car seats, their strollers are a good fit and great choice. Overall, Britax makes some of the safest and most reliable car seats and quality strollers with some nice features — at affordable prices.
If you decide on a Britax car seat and stroller, you can also save even more by buying them as a travel system (this basically means you’d buy the stroller and car seat as a set). In addition, Britax strollers are also compatible with Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex car seats with an adapter.
Britax Strollers include: B-Free, B-Free Premium, B-Lively, B-Lively Double, and B-Clever.
Shop Britax Strollers:
13. Naturkind Strollers
Only available in Europe, Naturkind strollers are a non-toxic mama’s dream. Naturkind is the first and only GOTS-certified stroller manufacturer; their prams are made with only harmless materials and natural fabrics whenever possible. They are committed to eco-friendly manufacturing and are loved by families all over Europe.
When you think of a pram, you might think it’s unpractical, but Naturkind blends modern-day styles with traditional influences. Plus, their prams are available in three configurations: a combi pram with a baby basket or carrycot, or as a pushchair in numerous design variations.
Naturkind strollers include: Lux Evo, Ida, and Varius Pro.
Shop Naturkind Strollers:
14. Greentom Strollers
Greentom is a Dutch stroller manufacturer making low-waste and eco-friendly strollers with a beautiful design and responsible manufacturing. Greentom products are made to be reused and recycled and are certified to Oeko-Tex Standard 100.
The Greentom Classic stroller, touted as the first green stroller on planet Earth, is made from over 12 lbs. of high-quality recycled plastic and 74 recycled PET bottles. The bassinet model, the Carrycot, comes with an organic cotton mattress filled with wool and flax.
All Greentom products come with a lifetime warranty. Greentom strollers include: Carrycot, Reversible, Classic, 2 in 1, and 3 in 1.
Shop Greentom Strollers:
15. Joovy Strollers
Joovy makes great baby gear, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn that their products are free of flame-retardants, including their strollers. As part of their commitment to sustainability, their products use recycled materials, saving over 60 PET water bottles per stroller.
Joovy makes several stroller models in single, double, triple, sit and stand, and jogging styles, including: Caboose, Cocoon, Kooper, Qool, Balloon, Scooter, the Twinroo Car Seat Frame, and Zoom.
Shop Joovy Strollers:
16. Lightweight Stroller Frames
A lightweight stroller frame can be used while your baby is in an infant car seat. While this is a no-frills version of a stroller, it definitely has its advantages if you need something lightweight and easy to travel with.
Plus, the beauty of using a stroller frame is that you can choose your non-toxic car seat without worrying too much about toxic chemicals because your baby will only make direct contact with the car seat.
Depending on which car seat you buy, you can either use the manufacturer’s stroller frame or buy a universal car seat carrier. Otherwise, if your car seat doesn’t have a matching stroller frame, you could try the Baby Trend Snap N Go Universal Infant Car Seat Carrier. This is essentially a compact and lightweight version of a stroller, and I find that many moms use this in the early days. It should fit most infant car seats, including the Chicco, Maxi Cosi, Britax, and UPPAbaby seats.
Shop Stroller Frames:
- Baby Trend Snap n Go Car Seat Frame
- Chicco KeyFit Caddy Frame
- Joovy Twin Car Seat Frame
- Strolly Universal Car Seat Frame
The Maybe List: Brands That Didn’t Fully Make the Cut
Bugaboo
The Bugaboo baby gear brand is known for its high-end strollers, and the quality really shows. Their strollers boast the smoothest ride on any stroller I’ve ever tried, and I love that they can be pushed one-handed (my youngest would inevitably always want to be held when I took him for walks!).
The company has a nice commitment to sustainability, but they aren’t as forthcoming as I’d like them to be about the materials used in their strollers. They’re on the Maybe List because Bugaboo has not responded to several of my attempts asking to clarify this further — over many years.
Two pros to Bugaboo: the stroller seats themselves are Oeko-Tex certified and they are machine washable. This makes it easy to clean the stroller seat and machine washing the fabric also helps reduce some of the toxic load. Love the Bugaboo fox!
Baby Jogger
The City Mini stroller is extremely popular for a good reason. It’s lightweight, portable, and can be folded down with one hand (meaning… you can fold the stroller while holding your baby!). It steers well and has a generous sun canopy, and the seat reclines to a near-flat position, making napping in the stroller a lot easier. In the past, Baby Jogger had confirmed that their strollers are made free of flame retardants, PVC, BPA, latex, Teflon, phthalates, AZO dyes, and Scotchguard but we have not been able to confirm this while updating the article.
Buying a Stroller: Everything You Need to Know
There’s a lot that goes into choosing a stroller. Knowing exactly what you are looking for will help narrow down your options when buying a non-toxic stroller. In this final section on our guide to the best strollers, we’re going to cover:
- The different kinds of strollers available.
- Important questions to ask yourself when choosing a stroller.
- Important things to consider when you are shopping for a stroller.
- Features to look for when buying a stroller.
What are the Different Kinds of Strollers?
Regardless of which brand of stroller you buy, it’s important to know which type of stroller would make the most sense for your family before you make such a large purchase.
There are four main types of strollers to choose from, and they all have different features and purposes. I’ve outlined these below and included some pros and cons of each type of stroller.
Note: I’m not differentiating between single and double strollers below because you’ll find these options across all four stroller types. For example, you can find full-sized strollers and jogging strollers with single or double seats. (See our product recommendations for these!)
Full-Sized Strollers
A full-sized stroller is a go-to stroller that folds down and typically has many convenience features. Full-sized strollers usually have spacious storage baskets, are compatible with infant car seats, and can be used from birth until age 5.
Full-sized strollers are convertible and sturdy. When you think of a typical stroller, you probably envision a full-sized stroller. Some of these strollers can get quite heavy, so consider the size and weight when ordering your stroller.
Some examples include the UPPAbaby Vista or Nuna Mixx strollers.
Jogging Strollers
A sporty version of a full-sized stroller. Jogging strollers have larger wheels and are designed for jogging and use on different terrains. The front wheel can be locked into place or allowed to swivel for managing different types of terrain, and they usually also have handle breaks to help you stop or slow down on the go.
Jogging strollers have good suspension and are durable, but they can be wider than full-sized strollers and harder to fold down and travel with. Many are compatible with infant car seats.
Families tend to fall into two camps with jogging strollers: they either use them all the time or not at all. Hopefully, you’ll get plenty of use out of yours if you decide to purchase one. If not, they resell well on online marketplaces.
A jogging stroller can typically be used from 6 months to age 5. An example is the Bumbleride Speed Jogging Stroller.
Lightweight or Umbrella Strollers
Portable and lightweight, an umbrella stroller is a much simpler (and pared-down) version of a stroller that can be used for the toddler years. Think: a lightweight stroller with few bells and whistles.
You’ll find cheap umbrella strollers in big box stores with no real features other than the ability to fold them down, as well as sophisticated umbrella strollers that come with a seat recline, storage basket, and cup holder. They can also range in price from a few dollars to several hundred dollars. An example is the UPPAbaby G-Luxe.
Stroller Frames
Another type of stroller is a stroller frame that simply attaches to an infant car seat. These basic car seat carriers offer no real features other than the ability to connect to your baby’s car seat, but they serve a purpose when your baby is young (0-6 months). An example is the Chicco KeyFit Caddy.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Stroller
Here are a few additional tips and questions to ask yourself when choosing from this list of non-toxic strollers.
How will you use your stroller?
Will you mostly use it for walks and getting around in your neighborhood? Or are you planning to jog and walk trails?
Do you have a large SUV with lots of space or are you living in a city apartment with minimal storage space? Is this stroller for travel use or everyday use?
All of these factors must be considered as you choose the right type of stroller for you — a full-sized stroller, jogging stroller, stroller frame, or umbrella stroller.
And while there’s certainly no right answer for everyone, I’ve found that most families will start with a full-sized stroller and later switch to an umbrella stroller once their little one gets a little bigger.
How old is your child?
If you are buying an infant car seat for your baby (which can be used until age 1), you’ll either want to purchase a stroller frame or choose a compatible full-size stroller that attaches to your car seat. Snapping your baby’s car seat into their stroller is helpful, especially if your baby falls asleep in the car!
After your baby reaches six months of age, you might find it more convenient to start using a more lightweight stroller instead of your full-size stroller. That’s when an umbrella stroller will come in handy. Or maybe this is when you’ll decide to start using a jogging stroller.
Finally, if you’re buying a stroller for a toddler, you’re probably less interested in toting around a large stroller and are more interested in a lightweight stroller like an umbrella stroller.
What’s your budget?
Baby gear can be pricey, so your budget is definitely something to factor in when buying a stroller. Strollers have become quite expensive, some running in the hundreds of dollars. Keep your budget in mind and consider whether you can splurge on a stroller or if your budget is tighter and you may need to de-prioritize the stroller below more important things like the organic crib mattress and non-toxic car seat.
Look for These Important Features
When it comes to buying a stroller, safety is always the number one priority. But what exactly makes a stroller safe? First, it’s made well and is age-appropriate for your child. For example, you shouldn’t use a jogging stroller until after the age of 6 months (unless it’s compatible with your baby’s infant car seat).
Second, it’s made with better materials that are healthier for your child. All of the non-toxic strollers on this list are verified to be made with safer materials and were consciously manufactured to avoid some of the harshest chemicals typically found in toxic baby gear.
Think about the features that are important to you. Do you need one seat or two? Lots of storage space or a lightweight stroller for everyday use? How about a one-handed fold to make it easy to fold down the stroller?
Knowing which convenience features you want will help you narrow down your choices when buying a stroller. I found these features extra helpful when buying a non-toxic stroller for my first baby:
- Newborn-friendly stroller
- Parent-facing seat option
- Folds down easily or with one hand
- Stands upright when folded down
- Maneuvers well around corners
- Is compatible with my child’s infant car seat
I was trying to decide between Bugaboo and UPPAbaby and ultimately chose the UPPAbaby Cruz stroller. I wanted a stroller with a one-hand fold such as Britax or City Mini, but I ended up going with the Cruz and loved it.
Here are some additional features to look for in a non-toxic stroller:
Car Seat Compatibility: If you’re using an infant car seat, make sure that your stroller is compatible with your stroller. That allows you to attach the car seat to the stroller when needed. And this is extra helpful when your baby falls asleep in the car. Some strollers will have adapters for different car seat brands while others may only be limited to the specific brand’s car seats. If you are on the hunt for a non-toxic stroller for your baby, but you haven’t yet chosen your car seat, you might want to start by narrowing down the list of car seats first. You can look at this list of non-toxic car seats that contain no flame retardants to help you get started.
Stroller Safety Features: Look for a well-made and sturdy stroller with a five-point harness. Make sure it is age-appropriate and sturdy. Watch out for pinched fingers (yours or baby’s) when folding any stroller.
Parent-Facing Seat: A parent-facing seat allows you to turn your baby rear-facing in the stroller so that they are facing you. I find this so delightfully useful in the earlier months when your baby just wants to see mom. Later, when your baby is ready to explore the world, you can face the seat forward. Until then, the parent-facing option is great for babies and young toddlers.
Storage Basket: Storage baskets will range in size from tiny to spacious, and it’s smart to consider how important this feature is to you. Ask yourself how you’ll be using the stroller. If you’ll go shopping at the mall or grocery store, or if you plan to take long walks (or simply have a large diaper bag to tote around), a larger storage basket will be useful.
Easy Fold-Down: Some strollers are easier to fold down than others. Consider how easy it is to fold down the stroller; for example, can it be folded down with only one hand? Does it stand upright when folded down? Depending on your child’s age, you may be able to put them in the car while you fold up your stroller or you may need to be able to fold the stroller down while holding your baby.
Sun Canopy: Some strollers have really generous sun canopies. A good sun canopy is an important part of practicing safe sun exposure for babies; be sure to choose a stroller with a large sun canopy for babies under 1 year of age. Another thing to look for is a peek-through window; I loved peaking through the canopy and viewing my littles through the little window.
Wheels and Maneuverability: It might surprise you, but the wheels are very important in a stroller. A quality stroller with nice wheels can be pushed and take corners with only one hand; this is helpful if you’re buying a stroller for everyday use. And if you’re buying a jogging stroller, you’ll want to ensure the wheels are durable enough for different types of terrain and ensure they can take corners well.
Washable Fabric: For so many reasons, it’s great to have a stroller that has a removable and washable fabric. This comes in handy not only to wash away some of the chemical residues that might be on your stroller but it’s also helpful in case your little one has a leaky diaper, gets sick in the stroller, or eats a messy snack.
Expansion Options: If you have more than one little one (or plan to expand your family soon), you might want to choose a stroller that can accommodate your growing family. Depending on the ages of your children, you can buy a double or triple stroller or simply add seats and rumble boards onto your stroller to expand it for your second child (or even multiple children).
Accessories: What kind of accessories are you looking for when you use your baby’s stroller? Would you like to use a bassinet attachment with your stroller? Some strollers can convert into bassinet strollers. Some strollers have compatible accessories (made by the same stroller manufacturer) such as snack trays, travel cases, rumble boards, rain covers, sibling seats, or cupholders.
Keep all of these things in mind as you shop from this list of non-toxic strollers.
Conclusion on Non-Toxic Strollers
There are no perfectly non-toxic or organic strollers made only with organic and natural fabrics. But there are safer strollers that are made in a more sustainable or eco-friendly (and baby-friendly) way. Babywearing with a non-toxic baby carrier is a good alternative to using a stroller, but I don’t think it’s a true substitute. At the very least, you can know that by choosing a non-toxic stroller from this list you are making a healthier choice for yourself and your little one.
Choose from this list of strollers with confidence, and enjoy being on the go with your little one. Happy strolling!
Did you find the perfect non-toxic stroller? Be sure to head over to my guide to non-toxic car seats to find a compatible car seat for your baby!
You Might Also Like:
- The 15 Best Organic Crib Mattresses for Babies
- The Best Non-Toxic Car Seats
- What Are the Healthiest Organic Baby Formulas?
- Car Seat Safety: 7 Important Things to do After Buying a New Car Seat
Hannah Barton says
Has anyone successfully gotten a Nature Kind stroller to the states? I’m thinking about shipping it to family in the EU and having them mail it to me, but I’m worried about customs.
It’s sad we have to smuggle clean products into the states
Helen Krupski says
Hi, I am curious about Bubleride and other strollers made from PET plastic. To my knowledge this plastic can leach antimony at high heat (approx. 185F+)…is this not a concern for this stroller to be sitting in a car throughout the summer and the PET material is directly against baby’s skin?
https://www.millionmarker.com/blog/single-use-plastic-and-your-health-can-pet-plastic-cause-harm#:~:text=Under%20room%20temperature%20conditions%2C%20very,could%20easily%20get%20this%20hot.
Nancy says
Hi – what about Peg Perego? It’s sold at many baby stores but you havent mentioned it!
The Guy says
Hi, would you know if the BabyZen YoYo stroller is non-toxic? Thank you!
The Gentle Nursery says
I have just recently been in touch with them and it looks promising but I haven’t completed all my research. NO flame retardants, PVC, phthalates, BPA, formaldehyde, or AZO dyes.
The Guy says
Thank you for the quick response! Love your website.
mikefrandsen@hotmail.com says
you say “Plus, you can rest assured that UPPAbaby does not use toxic flame retardants, BPA, Phthalates, Lead, PVC, Latex, Teflon, or ScotchGuard in any of their products”
then you say
“Hi Amber, it looks like an ok option but for the price I’d rather go with Uppababy. They don’t use any petroleum based chemicals or flame retardants but they do use some PVC (though it does not contain phthalates). The fabric is polyester and their bassinet is made from bamboo (which is great).”
which is it? does uppababy use pvc?
also, was wondering forgetting about the effectiveness of strollers…
which is or are the most non-toxic?
thanks.
The Gentle Nursery says
Thanks for asking me to clarify. Their rain shields contain trace amounts of PVC for flexibility.
Jamie says
Hi there! Do you know if the Baby Jogger City Go car seat contains brominated flame retardants?
The Gentle Nursery says
I believe it does. The company wouldn’t get very specific with me about their car seat. What about the Maxi Cosi?
Billy Langley says
Would you recommend the Britax B-Free stroller in addition to the B-Agile? Thanks!
The Gentle Nursery says
yes! sorry – this page will soon be updated with all strollers from the recommended brands
abhiram says
Hello, Can you please find out about the Nuna PEPP stroller ?
Amber Glusica says
Do you have any info on the Silver Cross Wave stroller?
The Gentle Nursery says
Hi Amber, it looks like an ok option but for the price I’d rather go with Uppababy. They don’t use any petroleum based chemicals or flame retardants but they do use some PVC (though it does not contain phthalates). The fabric is polyester and their bassinet is made from bamboo (which is great).
elenawolfe says
I read that although UPPAbaby doesn’t use any in flame retardants in their strollers, it DOES contain foam which is treated by their supplier. Do you have any more information on this?
The Gentle Nursery says
They have assured me multiple times there are no flame retardants in their strollers since July 2014.
sue morawski says
I considered the Cruz but thought Vista might be good when grow family. Looking forward to your response regarding what the mattress in the Vista bassinet is made of (hoping its non-toxic!). Thanks!
Elizabeth says
I would also love to know that! I am considering buying the UppaBaby Cruz and the bassinet as well as the Mesa Henry Car seat. I am concerned about the foam in the bassinet and in the car seat though and can’t find anything on their website…would also love to hear that they are non-toxic.
The Gentle Nursery says
Hi! Those are great choices. There are NO flame retardant chemicals in the Uppababy Mesa Henry car seat. None in the bassinet or in their strollers either. Can’t go wrong with these! Only bit of advice I’d offer is to reconsider the stroller bassinet. The Cruz stroller can be used from birth with their infant insert. I bought the bassinet and hardly used it and I’ve heard the same from other parents. (But if you do decide on it, I have to say the bassinet on a stroller is just so cute.) ????
Elizabeth says
Thanks for that advice! I will definitely look into their stroller insert!
That’s great that there are no flame-retardants in the bassinet or stroller, but what about other chemicals? Did they say anything about VOCs, do their products pass any third-party VOC testing (e.g. Greenguard, or Oeko-tex)? I read that you wrote that UppaBaby doesn’t use BPA, Scotchguard etc in their products, which is great, but I would love to hear that it goes farther than that (there are soo many chemicals, without an overall test like Greenguard or Oeko-tex, they can just list what they don’t include, but there could still be other toxic chemicals off-gassing (especially in the foam (stroller insert, bassinet, car seat). Did they send you that list, or is is somewhere on their website?
Thanks again for all your great research, your website is awesome!
Elizabeth says
Just wanted to post a little update for anyone who ends up here wondering the same things as I was…I ended up asking UPPAbaby about the foam and they replied and unfortunately it is polyurethane foam -the same thing we avoid in crib mattresses. I personally find that it’s not as bad as using it in crib because the stroller is used outside and with all the fresh air I don’t think the off gassing is a huge issue for the stroller, but for the bassinet, especially if used inside, I do think it’s worth thinking about for anyone looking for non-toxic products for their baby. The baby is very much surrounded by the foam (it’s on the bottom, all around and on top), so especially inside, any off gassing will certainly be in the air the baby breathes. The only truly non-toxic stroller I found in the end was the Bumbleride, but personally I found it so cumbersome and unwieldy when folded that I had to eliminate it for that reason. I hope that by more of us asking these questions, there will be more truly non-toxic options out there. I think it’s important to be aware of green-washing…a lot of companies do it. They list what they don’t have in a product and it makes it sound perfect, but quite often there are other things we’d like to avoid that are simply not mentioned – polyurethane foam in some of these strollers is a case in point.
sue morawski says
Is the NUNA MIXX2 stroller non-toxic?
The Gentle Nursery says
Morning Sue! Nuna strollers do not contain any flame retardants. I’m just waiting for confirmation on whether it contains any other toxic substances.
sue morawski says
Just wondering if you have heard back from Nuna and determined if the MIXX2 stroller, Pippa LITE, Sena Aire, and LEAF, all do NOT contain flame retardant chemicals OR any other toxic substances? Are they all Oeka-Tex certified? I know you have spoken highly of NUNA products so I am hoping for the best! Thank you.
The Gentle Nursery says
Nuna strollers do not contain flame retardants. Only their car seats do (with the exception of the Pipa Lite). The Leaf curv is Oeko-Tex certified. Aside from commenting on FRs, Nuna wasn’t very specific with me about other toxic substances other than saying this: “To ensure the highest quality and safety in our products, we follow the European REACH Standard, the European EN71 Standard, and the US Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA). These standards were implemented to improve product quality, product safety and are very specific in regards to absence and limitations of potentially harmful substances in products like Lead, Cadmium, Phthalates, Formaldehyde and other potentially harmful substances.”
sue morawski says
I am considering uppababy vista. Can you tell me what the mattress in the bassinet is made of and if it is non-toxic? Thank you
The Gentle Nursery says
Checking! But have you considered the Cruz? It’s much lighter!
Rebecca says
Do you have information on what toxic and non toxic materials are used in the BOB ?
Layna Vaughn says
I’m also wondering about the bob. You don’t state whether or not it’s non toxic. Thanks
The Gentle Nursery says
Yes, it is made by Britax and is non toxic. I’ll update the description- thx!
Sarah says
Do you have a list of double strollers that are nontoxic?
The Gentle Nursery says
Not yet! But look into Baby Jogger’s double strollers.
Tammi McKnight says
Baby Joggers double stroller is the city select. Do you know if that stroller is non-toxic?
The Gentle Nursery says
Oh! The UPPAbaby Vista converts to a double stroller as well.