Is the TernX carry-on stroller worth $699? Here’s my honest take

After having my first baby last summer, I put off flying for more than half a year. The idea of navigating an airport with an infant — plus luggage, diaper bags, security lines, and a stroller — felt more exhausting than exciting. My biggest concern? How to get my eight-month-old comfortably through the airport when he couldn’t walk yet.

That’s what intrigued me about the TernX Carry On Luggage Stroller: It functions as both a TSA-compliant carry-on suitcase and a compact folding stroller in one.

Pretty much every parent has wrestled with the stroller conundrum — often quite literally — while traveling; navigating crowded terminals with a bulky stroller, and then gate checking it, seems overwhelming. But leaving the stroller at the check-in counter means carrying the baby around for hours before boarding. And either way, there’s a good chance the stroller will withstand some major damage from being tossed around by hurried baggage handlers and crushed under heavier luggage. It feels like a lose-lose situation.By combining both into a single piece of gear, the TernX stroller promises a smarter solution. But does it actually make traveling with a baby easier — or is it just another pricey, over-engineered parenting gadget?

I recently tested the stroller on our first family trip to Texas. Here’s how it held up in real life.

Quick verdict:

• What it is: Ahybrid travel stroller and carry-on suitcase engineered to fit in overhead bins
• Best for: Parents of babies and toddlers — particularly frequent travelers and minimalists

What it's like to travel with the TernX

First impressions are everything — and the TernX stroller won me over immediately with how easy it was to set up. There were no parts to assemble; as soon as I unboxed it, it was ready to use.

When we arrived at Logan Airport, I unfolded the TernX stroller, popped my son right into the seat, and curb-checked the rest of our luggage. Even though I didn’t read the instructions (I rarely have the time or patience to do so), I found the process of strapping him into the five-point harness to be super intuitive.

The TernX stroller also folds up and unfolds in less than 30 seconds. After removing it from my trunk, all I had to do was press the gray circular buttons on the sides to expand the base, pull up the handle, and then pull up the seat and lock it into place.

Without a doubt, the aspect of air travel I dreaded the most with our infant was the TSA screening process. But the TernX stroller definitely eliminated a lot of the hassles.

First, I unstrapped our son to carry him through the checkpoint with me, and folded the stroller down before placing it down on the belt with the other carry-on luggage. Then it was a cinch to convert it back from a carry-on to a stroller after the TSA process was done.

Unlike bulkier everyday strollers, the TernX stroller is specifically designed to fit down the aisle of most airplanes, so I didn’t have to take my son out until we got to our seats. At that point, my husband and I took him out of the stroller, quickly folded it back down and lifted it into the overhead compartment — where it fit perfectly.

Deplaning was slightly more of a hassle, but definitely not a dealbreaker. After landing, it took a couple of minutes to remove the TernX from the overhead bin, unfold it again, and get our son strapped back in — so as a courtesy, we ended up letting passengers in the few rows behind us to get off the plane first so they didn’t have to wait around. Still, the alternative would have been to carry our son down the aisle of the plane before we could collect a gate-checked stroller — and I’m not sure that’s more convenient.

My husband and I ended up using the TernX stroller several times throughout our stay in Texas — including for a couple of neighborhood walks and a long outing at the Houston Zoo. On our second use, we got even more efficient at folding it up and down.

►Related: 10 must-pack items for traveling with kids, from a mom of 5

What I liked

Pretty easy to maneuver

Despite having relatively small wheels, I found that the TernX felt remarkably sturdy — and rolled quite smoothly. However, it’s worth noting that I only tested the stroller on even surfaces like airport floors, paved suburban streets and sidewalks, and theme park pathways. I’m not sure how well it would perform for off-road use.

Lightweight

I love my everyday Chicco stroller, but hoisting that thing in and out of my trunk is a full-body workout. I was pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to lift the TernX stroller on and off of the TSA conveyor belt, and in and out of the airplane’s overhead compartment.

Fits in the overhead bin and aisle

The fact that the TernX stroller can be wheeled down the airplane aisle — and then stored in the overhead bin — is a game-changer. Not having to carry my baby through a crowded cabin made the boarding and deplaning process a lot more pleasant.

Note: Be prepared to have flight attendants aggressively suggest gate-checking your stroller when they see you coming with the TernX. (Most of them won’t realize that you can stash it overhead, since most travel strollers don’t have this feature.)

►Related: Is this suitcase-stroller hybrid the game changer parents have been waiting for?

Plenty of storage

The TernX stroller also functions as a suitcase — and with an 18-liter internal capacity, we were able to pack a surprising number of backup items for the baby just in case we got stuck in the airport for longer than expected. That included a few extra outfits, burp cloths, diapers and wipes, and additional bottles with dry formula. If we were taking a shorter trip (say, two to four nights), I probably could have fit all the clothes my son needed in there.

Being able to use the TernX stroller as a carry-on gave me peace of mind that even if our checked luggage somehow got lost, we’d still have enough of the essentials for our baby.

While in stroller mode, there’s also an under-seat storage basket, where I was able to toss a few toys and some teething biscuits to have at the ready if my son got fussy.

Adjustability

Because the TernX stroller handle is adjustable, it’s easy to find a comfortable height for both parents — no matter how tall or short. I also appreciate that the backrest is both reclinable and height-adjustable, meaning it can continue to accommodate my son as he grows.

Comes with a removable canopy

Especially since we were traveling to Texas, where the scorching late-May sun was far too strong for my baby’s skin, I was grateful that the TernX stroller includes a canopy. While it has to be removed every time I convert the stroller back into a rolling carry-on, I don’t really mind the extra step because it’s super fast and easy to click into and out of place.

The canopy doesn’t cover my son’s feet or the bottom of his legs, but then again, most standard stroller canopies don’t. It’s high-quality and thoughtfully made, too — with water-resistant, UPF 50+ rated fabric and mesh panels to maximize airflow.

What I don't like

Won't work for newborns and smaller infants

The TernX stroller doesn’t recline fully flat, and it’s not compatible with any car seat attachments, so it’s not really suitable for babies under 6 months old.

Only pulls in one direction

The first time I converted the stroller back to a rolling carry-on, I was confused by the fact that it wouldn’t roll. Because of where the stroller brake is positioned, it can only roll in one direction. I figured that out in a matter of seconds, but it was a little counterintuitive — and just took some getting used to.

Is the TernX Carry-On Stroller worth it?

At $699, the TernX stroller may not be the most budget friendly option. And it’s easy to scoff at the cost when you consider that it lacks a lot of features (like car seat compatibility and cup holders). That said, buying a travel stroller and a carry-on suitcase separately could definitely end up costing more — so when you consider that this hybrid product functions as both, the price tag becomes a lot easier to swallow.

So, should you splurge on it? Well, that depends on your needs.

If you’re traveling with a newborn, you prefer to gate check your stroller and use the overhead bin space for other carry-on luggage, or you’ll be navigating a lot of uneven terrain during your travels, I’d skip it.

On the other hand, if you’re trying to avoid damaging your everyday stroller — or otherwise hate gate checking the stroller — the TernX is well worth it, IMO. In order to get the most bang for your buck, I’d recommend buying the stroller when your child is between 6 months and one year old, that way, you’ll be able to use it for a few years since it supports up to 48.5 pounds.

In my experience, using the TernX stroller made for a smoother and more streamlined journey, saving us time and quite literally lightening the load from check-in to arrival — and that’s priceless.

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