I’m a writer and a mother of two small children, whom I toted around in stroller wagons for four months while I was working on this article. We live in a walkable neighborhood of South Portland, Maine, where we often travel by foot to school, cafes, or the homes of our friends. Our proximity to state parks, beaches, cobblestone streets, and amusement parks provided ample opportunity for testing stroller wagons in a variety of environments.

As part of my research for this guide, I read articles on stroller safety. And I interviewed Erin Cicalese, MD, neonatologist and pediatrician at Hassenfeld Children’s Hospital at NYU Langone, about the comfort and safety of stroller wagons for the children who ride in them, as well as for the adults who operate them.

This guide builds on the testing Wirecutter has done over three years for our guide to collapsible folding wagons, written by Katharine Gammon. We previously reviewed stroller wagons in that guide.

Though you certainly don’t need to be a parent to potentially find a wagon useful, over the past decade, more and more families have started to use wagons as a way to pull kids around—and companies have noticed. Many of them now make collapsible wagons that meet a lot of the same Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) safety standards as strollers. And many, if not most, wagons also have other stroller-like features, including 5-point harnesses, sunshades, snack trays, and brakes.

The most desirable stroller wagons retain the best features of both strollers and wagons: the comfortable seating and safety features of strollers, along with a capacity for cargo. Many stroller wagons are versatile and can be pushed like a stroller and pulled like a wagon. They are helpful for shuffling the kids to and from school, as well as for trips to the playground and farmers market. Some stroller wagons are large enough to serve as an enclosed space kids can play in while you enjoy a meal or a concert in the park. And some have flat bases—or footwells that can be converted into flat bases—where a small child can comfortably nap. The all-terrain wheels on many stroller wagons heighten their versatility, making them suitable for outdoor adventures, like camping or trips to the beach.

Stroller wagons are often heavier and take up more space than regular strollers. But they offer perks that regular strollers do not. As opposed to side-by-side double strollers, which seat two kids next to each other, stroller wagons seat children facing each other. So they have the advantage of being narrower, which makes them easier to fit through doors and other small spaces. Stroller wagons also often have more storage space than traditional strollers. With the correct adaptor, some stroller wagons can be used with car seats, making them suitable for infants. And many can accommodate children up to 6 years (and sometimes older, depending on the child’s height and weight). As with any stroller, these wagons should not be used in extremely bumpy environments until a baby has full head and neck control.

Stroller wagons have become so popular that Disney pushed back. The company’s theme parks have long had a ban on wagons, but it didn’t seem to be enforced as long as parents pushed (instead of pulled) the wagons through the parks’ front gates. That changed in May 2019, when Disney officially banned all stroller wagons in an effort to reduce congestion from wide models. If you’re planning to use a wagon as a stroller substitute at a theme park or other public venue, check the company’s policy in advance. (In our recent testing experience, we found that at smaller-scale theme parks, such as Maine’s Funtown Splashtown USA and Palace Playland at Old Orchard Beach, stroller wagons were both permitted and ubiquitous.)

We approached this guide with the aim of identifying wagons that are ideal for families with young kids. I first spent several hours researching stroller wagons, reading hundreds of reviews on retail sites like Amazon and on various stroller-wagon companies’ websites. I looked at existing stroller-wagon guides from Babylist, Tiny Beans, and Verywell Family. I read studies on stroller injuries. And I spoke with a pediatrician about safety, as well as with numerous parents about their preferences and needs regarding stroller-wagon features. Based on our research, we determined that a good wagon should be:

Maneuverable: We evaluated each wagon according to how easy it was to push and/or pull and steer when loaded up with kids and cargo. We compared features, including wheel size, tire treads, and adjustability of the handlebars. We tested each wagon on various terrain to determine how well it performed on sidewalks, gravel, grass, and sand.

Comfortable: We took each wagon’s seat design into consideration, noting the presence or absence of back support, leg room, and the ability to lie down when needed. We also evaluated features—such as snack trays and cupholders—that help keep kids and adults happy.

Safe: We evaluated each wagon’s safety features, such as rear- and front-wheel brakes and 3- and 5-point harnesses. A wagon should be stable and easy to climb into and out of without tipping. We considered how the wagon would work for children of various ages, noting potential hazards, such as a child’s ability to touch the wheels.

Foldable and storable: We tested each wagon to determine how easily it folded and unfolded, whether it could stand upright when folded or needed to be stored lying down, and how well it would fit into the trunk of a sedan or a small SUV (we tested with a Honda CR-V).

Under warranty: Regardless of the stroller wagon you choose, be sure to register the product with the manufacturer. “Parents should definitely register all of their products with the company because if there is a recall, that’s the way that they’re going to find out about it,” Cicalese said. Stroller wagons are expensive items, and registering your product will also protect your purchase in case you need to activate the warranty.

Our initial research left us with a list of 15 contenders. We ultimately settled on a testing pool of nine models that were recommended by experts and well reviewed, and these models included the features parents told us they wanted.

We assembled each wagon, noting any difficulties with setup. (All of the stroller wagons were fairly easy to assemble, so we did not make setup a primary factor in determining our top picks.)

For the first round of testing, over a period of several weeks, I took my two kids on a half-mile walk from our home to the Greenbelt Walkway. I evaluated how well each wagon performed on roads and sidewalks, off-roading on grass and bumpy terrain, and traveling uphill. And I noted how easy a stroller wagon was to maneuver, as well as how comfortable, safe, and content the kids were while riding in each wagon. We also solicited the help of a focus group of parents with children of varying ages (9 months to 6 years old), and we asked each participant to rank their top wagon choices, noting the pros and cons of each one.

We then took the wagons that performed best while off-roading and further evaluated their performance: first on sand, then while hauling floaties and toys at the beach, and then on a mile-long hike—with the kids in tow—on rocky, rugged terrain.

Of all the stroller wagons we tested, the Baby Trend Expedition 2-in-1 Stroller Wagon Plus was the favorite for everyday use, and it was easier to push than wagons costing twice as much. It looks and handles more like a stroller than a wagon, with a stroller-like handlebar that angles up, making it comfortable to steer.

The Expedition 2-in-1’s narrow frame enables it to easily fit through doors, aisles, and other narrow spaces, so it’s a convenient mode of transportation for a variety of situations—from stores to crowded farmers markets. It also performs well on grass and gravel, but the treadless tires make this wagon incredibly difficult to maneuver through sand. And at 40 pounds, it’s about 7 pounds heavier than our other picks.

It was designed with comfort and safety in mind. This wagon has a deep cargo space, so falling out is not as much of a risk as with some of the other stroller wagons we tested. And because kids sit higher up off the ground in this wagon than in the Veer All-Terrain Cruiser, in our experience, they can’t reach down and get their fingers caught in the wheels. The Expedition 2-in-1 wagon has removable seat cushions that can be unfolded and spread out flat in the cargo space, converting the wagon into a cozy, bassinet-like area.

Like all stroller wagons, the Expedition 2-in-1 can be used with babies when they’re able to sit upright unassisted (often between 7 and 9 months). And with the included car-seat adapter (which is compatible with multiple brands), this stroller can be used right away with newborns. When the wagon is not in use, you can activate the brake with one foot, and both rear wheels will lock simultaneously. But note that the 3-point harnesses (as opposed to 5-point ones) may be easy for babies and toddlers with thin frames and narrow hips to slip out of, and they may be easy for older children to unbuckle.

The push/pull feature is legit. A lot of stroller wagons claim they can be both pushed and pulled. Yet with some, one of the two options can be difficult to do. The Expedition 2-in-1’s sturdy hideaway pull handle pops out from under the wagon, and it’s a great option for pulling the wagon if you’re going uphill or need a change of position. Or, with the wagon’s larger wheels positioned below the angled handlebar, the Expedition 2-in-1 maneuvers like a quality full-size stroller when pushed.

The included mosquito net is a rare find. The Expedition 2-in-1 was one of two stroller wagons we tested (the other being the Pronto) that came with a mosquito net. This handy feature can be released from the canopy and tucked snugly around the cargo space, making excursions like camping or fishing trips—or strolls through the neighborhood when the mosquitos are out—a lot more pleasant for the kids.

It has six cupholders and a basket to boot. This wagon made school pickup a breeze. There is enough room in the exterior storage basket to hold two children’s backpacks, and the parent console is large enough for two water bottles and a wallet or small purse. If you have just one passenger, the larger basket can be flipped over the edge of the wagon, creating a handy internal storage space for toys and other items. We also love that the wagon has a whopping six cupholders—two in the children’s snack tray, two in the parent console, plus two additional storage pockets outside the wagon (these are perfect for water bottles or other smaller items).

The stroller is available in six color combinations. With the exception of some ultramarine or khaki flair, they all involve some combination of black and gray.

Baby Trend stroller wagons come with a one-year limited warranty. Download the Baby Trend app to register your stroller wagon, and you’ll receive a free extended warranty.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The canopy doesn’t fully cover two children. A con of this wagon is the canopy, which doesn’t offer as much coverage as those on the Keenz wagon, the Larktale wagon, or the Wonderfold wagon. My kids were fighting over who got the shade.

It’s not lightweight or compact when folded. Folding the Expedition 2-in-1 wagon is not as intuitive as it is with our other picks, but once you get the hang of it, it’s simple to do. Just raise a latch on the frame with your finger, and then pull the levers on both sides of the handle toward you, to get the stroller to collapse into a flat position over the wheels. I had to remove the rear wheels before putting it into the trunk of my Honda CR-V (though I also had to do this with our other picks). And at 40 pounds (about 8 pounds more than both the Veer and the Keenz wagons), this wagon is not as easy to load into a car as our other picks.

There’s no footwell. According to Dr. Cicalese, children will be less constrained sitting in stroller wagons that have a footwell and a higher back. “They’re not going to be harmed by not having a high back or not having a footwell,” Cicalese said, “but they will be more comfortable, especially in the toddler age.” My kids were not uncomfortable in the wagon during our multiple outings. But when given a choice, they preferred to ride in the larger—and heavier—Wonderfold wagon, which has high seat backs, a footwell, and a larger canopy.

It’s not a beach wagon. This wagon handles well on grass, gravel, and dirt, but if you’re looking for a beach wagon, the thin, foam rubber wheels of the Expedition 2-in-1 are not ideal for trekking through sand. If you do find yourself in a sandy situation with two adults on hand—or even an adult and one child who is big enough to help pull the wagon—one person can push while the other uses the pull handle. So it’s possible to maneuver but not ideal.

This stroller wagon was designed with utility in mind. The handle is made of plastic and rubber. And the rear wheels, which are only about 1.5 inches thick, look cheap, and they’re less versatile off-road than the nearly 3-inch-thick rear wheels on the Keenz wagon.

There’s a lot of love about the Keenz 7S 2.0 Stroller Wagon. It’s made with higher-quality materials, like vegan leather handlebars, and thoughtfully designed features, such as a full-size, pop-up canopy. The craftsmanship is apparent in its spring suspension, aluminum frame, and large, quick-mount wheels. Weighing only 33 pounds, the Keenz wagon is 7 pounds lighter than our top pick, and we appreciate that it’s both sleek enough for the city and rugged enough for all types of terrain, including the beach. But because it lacks footwells or structured seats, it may not be the best choice for kids’ comfort on longer journeys.

These wheels will take you anywhere. Deep treads support travel on various terrain, offering a smooth ride, even on uneven ground.

It’s comfortable to push and pull. The Keenz wagon has two identical handlebars, on either end of the wagon, for pushing or pulling (though it’s best to push it as you would a typical stroller, with the larger wheels at the back and the smaller wheels at the front). The handles are sturdy and adjustable to multiple positions.

You can rest easy with its safety features. The rear axle brake makes it easy to securely lock both rear wheels at once with a push of your foot. And the Keenz wagon is our only pick that also has locking front wheels (you push a little pedal on each front wheel). Like our top pick’s walls, the Keenz wagon’s deep walls make it a lot harder for children to reach the wheels and get their fingers caught, and the 5-point harnesses keep little passengers safe and snug.

The canopy design is genius. The Keenz wagon’s canopy has a unique, tent-like design, with built-in rods that unfold and attach to supporting rods that pop up from the frame. The canopy also has side curtains, which you can unroll for additional shade (or tuck them under the canopy, with the attached elastic bungee ties, when they’re not in use). And the canopy itself can be folded and stored in the handy canopy storage bag, which you can hang from the wagon’s handle.

The large tray holds plenty of snacks without spilling. The deep, removable tray has room for multiple containers of snacks—or a few small toys.

Setup is a breeze. Of all the wagons we tested, the Keenz wagon was the easiest to set up. My 6-year-old and I put the entire thing together in a few minutes. And the quality of the wagon was apparent by the way each piece smoothly clicked into place.

This wagon has tons of storage. The Keenz wagon has a plethora of storage zippers, pockets, and detachable baskets, to hold everything from diapers and wipes to a picnic lunch to your phone and keys. And if you find yourself needing even more room—if you’re a family with, say, three children under the age of 5—Keenz makes a 4-seater version of this exact wagon, the Keenz 7S+. (We did not get a chance to test it.)

Keenz stroller wagons come with a six-month limited warranty if the product is not registered; they have a one-year warranty if the product is registered with Keenz US.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The cupholder is worthless. The cupholder straps around the handlebar, creating an unstable setup that gets tippy. And the phone holder attached to the cupholder is too small for some cellphones.

The safety strap is a hassle. To secure the wagon in an open position so it won’t start to automatically fold, you must clip a strap underneath the cargo space, and that means turning the wagon upside down. The strap must also be unhooked before the wagon can be folded.

It lacks structured seats. Unlike our top pick, which has removable padded seat cushions, or the Veer wagon, which has built-in seats and a footwell, the Keenz wagon has neither built-in seats nor a footwell. Instead, children sit on the bottom of the wagon and are harnessed into the back walls.

It takes up a lot of trunk space. I had to remove the all-terrain wheels to fit this stroller wagon into my truck. On the plus side, the rear wheels are simple to remove—just push a quick-release button in the center of the wheel and they slide off. I’m 5-foot-3 with a small frame, but I can easily load the Keenz wagon into the trunk of my Honda CR-V, while our heavier top pick was harder to lift.

The Veer All-Terrain Cruiser is in a league of its own on bumpy, grassy, rocky, and sandy terrain. It’s made for those who enjoy being on the go—and who don’t want a wagon that will slow them down. It’s not as large and cumbersome as our other picks, and it’s easier to clean and notably durable. But what makes this expensive stroller even more expensive is the fact that most accessories must be bought separately.

It can be a lifesaver for off-road excursions. I wasn’t blown away by the Veer wagon until my husband and I took it on a hike with our kids. Tired and cranky before we started, my 6-year-old refused to walk. We loaded her and her brother and our puppy into the Veer wagon, and they had a blast tearing through winding trails and over tree roots. Soon they were happy enough to get out and run on their own. I chased them with the wagon in tow, which was easy because it’s so streamlined and rugged.

It’s a cinch to pack up and load. Folding the Veer wagon is almost as easy as folding a box. Just lift the release button on the back of each seat to fold down the seats (you can do this with one hand). Then fold down each side panel. Release the wagon handle, and fold it over the panels until it clicks. Voilà! At 32.6 pounds (a half-pound lighter than the Keenz wagon), the Veer wagon is easy to lift even when folded.

It’s the easiest wagon to clean. The Veer wagon is made mostly of plastic, with polyester sidewalls. So if it gets muddy, sandy, or sticky, just spray it down with a hose and leave it in the sun to dry.

A sizable footwell ups the comfort. The Veer’s footwell allows for more legroom, so this wagon is more comfortable for kids than wagons with only a flat base. And if you need even more space for extra kids and gear, you can opt for the All-Terrain Cruiser XL, which is the same wagon but with room for four. Keep in mind that because these wagons are designed to be hosed down, if your kids prefer padding, you’ll have to purchase comfort seats at an additional cost.

But if you prefer pushing to pulling, consider the Veer Cruiser City. With the same streamlined design and all of the features we love on the All-Terrain Cruiser, the Cruiser City offers a unique twist: its larger wheels are positioned beneath the handle (as opposed to the All-Terrain Cruiser, whose smaller, swivel wheels are beneath the handle), making the Cruiser City easier to control in pushing mode. If you see yourself wanting a wagon that you use on roads, sidewalks, and flat paths, with occasional off-road trips (like to the beach, hiking, or camping), this could be a better choice.

Veer stroller wagons come with a two-year limited warranty when you register your purchase.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

The Veer system is pricey. Comfort features—such as those padded seat covers, a canopy (which comes in 10 colors), and a parent organizer—are all sold separately. Depending on your needs, the Veer system’s costs can add up quickly. If you already own other Veer products—such as the full-size stroller (featured in the other-good-strollers section in our guide to full-size strollers) or the jogging stroller systems—you can purchase an adapter to click your switchback seat onto the wagon (for a higher and more-reclined ride for your child).

Low wagon walls mean kids can touch the wheels. Be sure to advise kids not to reach down and touch the wheels, if they are tall enough to do so. My 6-year-old was fascinated by the spinning wheels and repeatedly attempted to graze her fingers along them as she rode. Falling out of the wagon is another potential hazard with low walls, so be sure to buckle passengers into the 3-point harnesses, and advise them not to stand in the wagon when it is not in use.

The Veer wagon has a tendency to, well, veer. This wagon isn’t the easiest to steer in a straight line when you’re pushing it on a flat surface, such as a sidewalk or paved road. The same slithery-like motion that enables the Veer to crush difficult terrain when it’s pulled can make it harder to steer straight when you’re pushing the wagon on a walk around the neighborhood. The Veer wagon is also not as comfortable to push as other wagons, since the handle remains in a fixed position while in pushing mode (though it can be made shorter or longer, and you can also add on genuine napa leather grips).

If you’re looking for features smaller wagons don’t offer, like reclining seats and high walls: Consider the aptly named Larktale Caravan Coupe. This is a lengthy stroller wagon, but here size can be a plus. It has very high walls, so you never have to worry about your child falling out of the wagon or skinning their fingers on spinning tires, and the high seat backs recline for extra comfort. (The only other wagon we tested with this feature was the Wonderfold W2 Elite.) The Caravan Coupe also gives you the option of raising the footwell so kids can lie flat; that makes this wagon a versatile option, suitable for long excursions. Despite its size, the Caravan Coupe is easy to maneuver and offers a smooth ride. However, some of its features are inconvenient to use. The large canopies are cumbersome, and when they’re not in use, there’s no convenient way to store them in the wagon. It has with a rain guard, which might come in handy. But the guard is also big and bulky, so it’s a pain to bring along with you in case of rain. The wagon does not come with a snack tray, and owners have complained that the snack trays that are available go on the side of the wagon and are tricky to install.

If you’re looking for a rugged wagon that’s also built for the city: The Veer Cruiser City has the same look and feel as the original Veer All-terrain Cruiser. The two wagons are nearly identical, with one major difference: the Cruiser City’s larger wheels are positioned beneath the handle, as on a traditional push stroller, and its smaller swivel wheels are in front. This makes for a smoother and more controlled pushing experience on roads, sidewalks, and flat paths than with the All-Terrain Cruiser, whose swivel wheels are beneath the handle, prioritizing the pulling mode. If you’re wondering whether the city wagon can handle rough terrain like its all-terrain sibling, the answer is yes. Pulling the wagon is nearly as easy with the Cruiser City (which is the best way to navigate a wagon on root-laden hikes or over loose sand at the beach—just drop the handlebar height). And in our testing it even plowed easily through snow and slush, making it a great option for all seasons. Like the All-Terrain, the Cruiser City comes equipped with two cup holders and a snack tray; all of the All-Terrain’s accessories are compatible with this new wagon, except for the Foldable Storage Basket and the new Wheeled Travel Bag, which will be available for preorder in spring of 2024.

If you’re looking for a wagon that is sure to be a kid-pleaser: The Wonderfold W2 Elite Stroller Wagon was my children’s favorite. This wagon is large and spacious, with removable seats and an interior that offers the most legroom of all the strollers we tested. So it’s comfortable for the kids while providing ample storage space. The Wonderfold W2 Elite’s canopy provides excellent coverage (and it can be slid up and down along the rods). And this wagon has a fun, unique feature that makes it popular with kids: A zipper door in the front of the wagon lets little ones climb in on their own. But for adults, this wagon is on the heavier side and is more of a struggle to push, pull, and turn than any of our picks.

We considered testing the BOB Gear Renegade Wagon. But after reading several reviews that mentioned it being overly heavy, bulky, and difficult to store, as well as lacking storage space for gear, we decided to skip it.

The two rear wheels of the Evenflo Pivot Xplore All-Terrain Stroller Wagon (a former pick in our collapsible folding wagon guide) lock independently. This inconvenience was a common complaint among parents who tested this wagon, and several noted the ease of our other picks’ one-step locks. While the Evenflo wagon’s relatively modest size is a plus for navigating small spaces and for storage, the downside is that this stroller wagon isn’t comfortable for larger children. If you’re looking for a wagon you can use for years, know that your kids may grow out of this wagon more quickly than some of the others. We also found that the Evenflo didn’t maneuver as seamlessly as our current picks. And when it was loaded up with two children, it would often list to one side, even when it was being pushed on a paved road.

Delta Children’s highly transportable Jeep Sport All-Terrain Stroller Wagon has some nice features, including a large parent organizer, similar to the one on our top pick. It also offers handy exterior zipper pockets and a snack tray with deeper cupholders than most. But since this wagon has little padding around the frame, it may not be the most comfortable or safest for kids. My 5-year-old hit his head on a cloth-covered part of the frame and cried. Of all the stroller wagons we tested, the Jeep was the most similar to a cargo wagon. And despite the “all-terrain” in this wagon’s name, its wheels, with zero tread, made it nearly impossible to pull through sand.

The Joey Wagon is designed similarly to the Veer. It is low to the ground, with a single handle that can be used to push or pull the wagon. But the Joey model is less sturdy, less rugged, and so small that it may feel cramped for two toddlers. Since this wagon has an equally high price tag, we expected higher quality.

The pricey Pronto One was by far the most eye-catching of the stroller wagons we tested (and it is available in 15 colors, with two frame-color options), but it has a short shelf life (it’s meant for children ages 12 to 36 months). It also requires high-maintenance care (the fabric will fade if it’s stored in direct sunlight, and the material must be hand-washed with gentle detergent or baby wash). Also, since the mosquito net and blackout curtain have lots of zippers, there’s a learning curve to attaching them.

We also considered testing Radio Flyer’s Odyssey Stroll ’N Wagon and City Luxe Stroll ’N Wagon. But after reading reviews about wheels popping off, a lack of features for adults (like cupholders), and some people experiencing difficulty with setup (including missing parts), we decided we had better options to choose from.

This guide was edited by Rachel Hurn and Kalee Thompson.