Quick answer: The Ergobaby Metro 3 Deluxe is the stronger pick for families who want a roomier seat, a longer usable stage into toddlerhood, and included extras like a cup holder and weather shield right out of the box. The Nuna TRVL LX wins on raw portability, with a lighter frame and an included travel bag built for people who fly often. Both fold small enough for most airline overhead bins, so the real decision comes down to how you plan to use the stroller day to day.
Compact travel strollers used to mean a real trade-off. You got something light enough to carry through an airport, but the seat felt cramped and your toddler outgrew it within a year. That gap is exactly where the new Ergobaby Metro 3 Deluxe and the Nuna TRVL LX both compete, and after looking closely at how each one is built, they end up solving slightly different problems.
Meet the Ergobaby Metro 3 Deluxe
Ergobaby built its name on baby carriers, so a full stroller lineup is still a newer chapter for the brand. The Metro 3 Deluxe takes the standard Metro 3 and adds the details parents kept asking for: a magnetic buckle that closes with one hand, a padded leatherette handlebar, a built-in support bar, and a woven canopy that extends further for stronger sun coverage.
What stands out first is seat space. Ergobaby designed the Metro 3 Deluxe with what the brand calls the roomiest seat among premium ultra-compact strollers, and it shows in how the stroller handles an active two or three year old without feeling like they are folded into a small box. The seat reclines nearly flat, which matters for families who use the stroller for actual naps rather than just quick errands, and the extended leg rest gives a taller toddler somewhere to actually put their feet instead of dangling them off the edge of the seat.
The Metro 3 Deluxe is also newborn ready from day one thanks to an integrated Newborn Nest mode, so there is no need to buy a separate bassinet attachment for the early months. For families who already own an infant car seat from Cybex, Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Avionaut, Britax, or BeSafe, adapters are available separately to build a full travel system. The frame rides on Ergobaby's CushionRide suspension across all four wheels, which is a meaningful upgrade over strollers that only cushion the front or rear axle, and it is what makes the Metro 3 Deluxe feel steadier over cracked sidewalks, cobblestones, and mall floors than its compact size would suggest.
Day to day storage is handled by an under-seat basket sized for a diaper bag and the everyday essentials, plus a zippered seat-back pocket that keeps a phone, keys, and snacks within reach without digging through the main basket. The one-handed fold collapses the frame down to a size Ergobaby markets as IATA carry-on compliant, meaning it is built to meet the size limits most airlines apply to carry-on items, so it can travel as a personal item on many flights rather than getting checked at the gate.
Meet the Nuna TRVL LX
The Nuna TRVL LX takes the opposite approach: strip the stroller down to what a frequent flyer actually needs, then add a touch of polish on top. It has one of the smallest folded footprints in its class, folds and unfolds with a single button press on the push bar, and ships with its own padded travel bag so it can go straight from the car to the gate without extra packing. The LX designation adds a leatherette accented pushbar and armbar over the standard TRVL, along with never-flat airless tires that trade a small amount of ride softness for tires that can never go flat mid-trip.
Nuna also builds the TRVL LX to connect directly with Nuna PIPA infant car seats, no adapter required, which is a real convenience for families already using a Nuna travel system. The seat itself reclines through multiple positions with one hand, includes a UPF 50+ canopy with a peekaboo window, and pairs with a removable armbar that rotates out of the way when it is time to lift a toddler in or out. The frame runs on never-flat airless tires with front and rear suspension, so it stays smooth on flat pavement and sidewalks, and there is no risk of a flat tire mid-trip since there is no air to lose.
Storage is more modest than on a full-size stroller. The under-seat basket is easy to reach from the front but is built to hold lighter everyday items rather than a fully loaded diaper bag, and a parent cup holder is sold separately rather than included. That trade-off is intentional: every ounce Nuna saved on the frame and basket goes toward keeping the folded stroller as close to carry-on-bag size as possible, since city sidewalks, subway turnstiles, and airport security lines were clearly part of the design brief.
Specs at a glance
| Feature | Ergobaby Metro 3 Deluxe | Nuna TRVL LX |
|---|---|---|
| Stroller weight | 17.1 lbs | 14.6 lbs (17 lbs with canopy and armbar attached) |
| Folded dimensions | Approximately 22" L x 17.3" W x 9" H | 14.25" L x 21" W x 27" H |
| Weight capacity | Up to 50 lbs | Up to 50 lbs |
| Fold mechanism | One-hand fold | One-hand, self-standing fold via push bar button |
| Suspension | CushionRide suspension, all four wheels | Progressive front and rear wheel suspension, never-flat airless tires |
| Car seat compatibility | Cybex, Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Avionaut, Britax, BeSafe (adapter required, sold separately) | Nuna PIPA series (clicks in directly, no adapter needed) |
| Newborn ready | Yes, integrated Newborn Nest mode | Yes, from birth in stroller seat or paired with a PIPA infant car seat |
| Included accessories | Cup holder, support bar, weather shield | Padded travel carry bag (cup holder sold separately) |
Specs reflect manufacturer-published figures at the time of writing and may vary slightly by color or retailer listing.
Side by side: what actually differs
Both strollers check the core travel-stroller boxes: one-hand fold, compact size for overhead bins, and a recline suitable for naps. Where they separate is in the details.
Seat room and toddler stage. The Metro 3 Deluxe has more shoulder and leg room, so it tends to stay comfortable longer as a toddler grows. The Nuna TRVL LX's narrower seat is built around minimizing folded size first, which is why it still weighs a bit less on paper despite its more premium materials.
Included accessories. The Metro 3 Deluxe ships with a cup holder, support bar, and weather shield included in the box. The Nuna TRVL LX includes its travel bag, with a cup holder sold as a separate accessory.
Car seat compatibility. The Nuna TRVL LX clicks directly to Nuna PIPA infant seats without an adapter, which shaves a step off building a travel system if you already own or plan to buy a PIPA seat. The Metro 3 Deluxe works with a wider range of car seat brands across several manufacturers, but needs a separate adapter to do it, which is a small extra cost and one more part to keep track of.
Ride comfort. Ergobaby built the Metro 3 Deluxe with CushionRide suspension across all four wheels, which smooths out sidewalk cracks and uneven pavers noticeably well for a stroller this size. The Nuna TRVL LX's never-flat airless tires and front-and-rear suspension ride fine on flat ground and typical city sidewalks, but a heavier all-wheel system like the Metro 3 Deluxe's tends to absorb rougher terrain with less jolt transmitted up to the handlebar.
Storage. The Metro 3 Deluxe's basket and seat-back pocket are sized with an everyday diaper bag in mind. The Nuna TRVL LX's basket is easy to reach but built lighter, which is part of how Nuna keeps the whole package under 14 pounds before accessories.
Which one fits your family
If your stroller needs to do double duty as both a travel companion and a genuine everyday stroller, the Metro 3 Deluxe earns its place with a bigger seat, a smoother ride, and accessories already in the box. Families who fly several times a year and want the lightest possible frame to carry through security will likely lean toward the Nuna TRVL LX instead, especially if a PIPA infant car seat is already part of the plan.
Budget also plays a role here. The base Ergobaby Metro 3 (without the Deluxe upgrades) is worth a look too if the magnetic buckle and leatherette handlebar are not must-haves for your family, since it shares the same roomy seat, near-flat recline, and CushionRide suspension at a more accessible price point.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Ergobaby Metro 3 Deluxe good for newborns?
Yes. The Metro 3 Deluxe includes an integrated Newborn Nest mode built into the seat, so it can be used from the earliest weeks without buying a separate bassinet attachment.
Does the Nuna TRVL LX fit in an airplane overhead bin?
Yes, the Nuna TRVL LX is designed around a compact folded size that fits most airline overhead bins, and it comes with its own padded travel bag for the trip through the airport.
Can the Ergobaby Metro 3 Deluxe be used with an infant car seat?
Yes. It is compatible with infant car seats from Cybex, Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Avionaut, Britax, and BeSafe using an adapter, which is sold separately from the stroller.
What is the difference between the Ergobaby Metro 3 and the Metro 3 Deluxe?
The Deluxe version adds a magnetic buckle, a padded leatherette handlebar and support bar, an upgraded woven canopy, and includes a cup holder and weather shield in the box. Both versions share the same roomy seat, near-flat recline, and CushionRide suspension.
Which stroller folds smaller, the Metro 3 Deluxe or the Nuna TRVL LX?
The Nuna TRVL LX has a slightly smaller folded footprint and a lighter overall weight, since Nuna designed it specifically around minimizing size and weight for frequent flying. The Metro 3 Deluxe folds compactly as well, though its priority is a roomier seat rather than the absolute smallest fold.
Does the Nuna TRVL LX need an adapter to use with a car seat?
No, when paired with a Nuna PIPA infant car seat, the TRVL LX clicks directly onto the frame without needing a separate adapter.
Why shop travel strollers at MacroBaby
MacroBaby is one of the largest baby stores in the United States, with a showroom in Orlando, Florida where families can see and test travel strollers side by side before buying, plus full online ordering with fast US shipping. Our team handles compact strollers, travel systems, and everyday gear from the brands parents already trust, and we are happy to help you compare models in person or by phone if you are still deciding between options.
Ready to see them in person? Visit our Lightweight Strollers collection to browse the full lineup of compact travel strollers we carry.
