This Versatile Stroller Wagon Makes Outings With My Toddler a Breeze

Tested by Amy Marturana Winderl

As a mom of one (soon to be two!), I am always looking for ways to make life easier and more enjoyable — for both me and my kids. As any parent can attest, having an extra set or two of hands at all times would be ideal; when that's not possible, baby gear that steps in and removes some of the workload can be life-changing and sanity-preserving. That's why I was so excited to test out the WonderFold W4 Original Stroller Wagon, a "quad stroller" that fits up to four tiny humans with room to spare for a diaper bag, drinks and snacks — that way you can streamline your outings and not have multiple bags and kids slung over your shoulder and weighing you down at all times.

A stroller wagon is a great option for toting around multiple kids and cargo in one vehicle, whether you're walking around town, on a play date, at the park, shopping at the mall, or exploring the zoo or a theme park (just make sure to check guidelines first to make sure it's allowed). It may also be a more enjoyable experience for any little ones who don't love being strapped in a traditional stroller; the seats allow them to sit fully upright and explore what's going on around them more easily and access whatever snacks or toys they have nearby. Plus, no one can deny that going for a joy ride is so much more fun with friends sitting next to you.

The WonderFold Stroller Wagon gives you the option to seat two or four kids, making it a versatile pick that can adjust to meet the demands of your outing (and a growing family). You can also remove the seats completely — they click in and out seamlessly — making the wagon a useful tool to tote things around even if you don't need to strap anyone in. (The brand actually started out with utility wagons and then added the seats after seeing customers put their kids in them, too.)

Here's what I thought of this kid-hauling vehicle after taking it for a spin over the course of a month.

What I Tested

I tested the original WonderFold W4 Original Stroller Wagon. It comes with two removable two-person seat benches, so you can fit up to four kids safely buckled in. Each seat bench has a 99-pound capacity, and the wagon itself can hold up to 300 pounds. The wagon comes with a removable UPF 50 sun canopy, a large zipper storage container on the back, side pockets, clips to hang bags, and an easy-access zipper door in the front for toddlers to crawl in and out of the wagon.

The frame is made of steel, and the fabric lining is easy to spot clean with soap and water. It's certainly a sturdy, well-made wagon that's meant to be used in a variety of scenarios and that I'd expect to hold up through lots of heavy use.

Other WonderFold Stroller Wagon Models

This W4 is just one of multiple WonderFold Stroller Wagon models available. The brand also sells Elite, Elite Pro and Luxe Pro models in the four-seater (W4 Series) option. The various models include added features such as reclining seats, an adjustable handlebar, sandal-friendly brakes, adjustable sunshade rods (so you can move it down or up) and more, depending on the exact wagon you choose. There are also two-seater (W2 Series) and six-seater (W6 Series) options, and an X Series Push and Pull model (that comes with two or four seats) that's a bit lighter weight and has a pull handle built in, too.

How I Tested

Assembly and Setup: After the stroller wagon arrived, I took everything out of the box and read the manual before I started assembling it. Most of the wagon comes pre-assembled; it just required some light setup to get it up and running. It mostly involved screwing on the wheels and braking mechanism, and then popping in the baseboard, seats and canopy poles. The rear storage basket slides right onto the frame, and the handlebar was also simple to place into its spot and secure with bolts.

Stoller Mode Test: To test the wagon as a stroller, I loaded and buckled in my two-year-old daughter and took her for a walk down the block. I noted how easy it was to buckle her in, how the stroller maneuvered, if the ride was smooth or bumpy for her, how easy it was for me to push it, if the handle was a comfortable height, and if there was enough room for additional items we would need for a day out.

Wagon/Utility Mode Test: To test the wagon in utility mode, I removed the seats and pulled it around my driveaway and yard to get a sense of how it handled on different terrains, again paying attention to things like how easy it was to push and pull and if the handle height felt appropriate for various tasks.

Features Test: I checked how all the special features performed by adding in and removing the seat inserts, attaching and removing the sunshade, loading items into the storage areas, zippering the front door open and closed and letting my daughter use it as intended, attached the clip-on bag holders, and folded up the stroller wagon and tried to get it into my car to transport it.

Maneuverability Test: To test how well the wagon maneuvers, I loaded it up and pulled it over different terrain such as grass and pavement, noting how it handled switching from one to another and how the wheels functioned on each.

My Review of the WonderFold W4 Original Stroller Wagon

Functionality: The WonderFold W4 was generally very easy to push and maneuver. The wheels feel like they glide; they just move so smoothly, and it's really effortless to turn, despite the wagon being large and heavy. The stroller wagon provided a very smooth ride. My daughter was happy and comfortable sitting in it, and I didn't notice her bouncing or getting jostled around at all. The wheels function really well on both pavement and grass. Our grass has been really soggy since the snow has been melting, and I was still able to push the stroller around with relative ease.

The one issue I had with the wagon was the handlebar height. I'm 5'8" and it's just too short for me to be able to push it with my natural stride. I felt like I kept adjusting and trying to take shorter steps so that my toes wouldn't hit the frame. It was an even bigger issue walking down a hill; I had to walk sort of to the side of the stroller wagon so that I didn't kick it. The brand sells a handle extender, which I'd definitely recommend if you're as tall as I am or have a taller partner that will be pushing it. On the plus side, most of the newer WonderFold models have adjustable-length handlebars.

Features: The special features are really what make this stroller wagon convenient and versatile. It was effortless to remove the seat benches to use the wagon for hauling other items besides kids and then pop them back in again. Similarly, while the canopy doesn't push down, it pulls out quite easily and there are spots to slip the poles into in the back of the wagon for storage when you're not using them. The foot brake works really well; my only qualm is that to unlock it, you have to pull up pretty hard with your foot, which you couldn't do wearing open-toed shoes. As with the adjustable handlebar, the higher-end models of this wagon have solved that issue with a slightly different braking mechanism.

I was very impressed with how spacious the storage compartment in the rear was. I could fit enough snacks and drinks for four toddlers, with room to spare. My favorite feature is probably the front zipper door because my toddler loves being able to climb in and out of it by herself. Plus, it eliminates the need for me to continuously pick her up to get her in and out. It's fun for her and takes some of the work off me: a true win-win for everyone.

Portability: The wagon is really easy to load and unload, and switching from two to four seats takes no time at all. It's also super simple to take the canopy on and off. But overall, the wagon is pretty difficult to transport from point A to point B. Yes, it folds, but it doesn't become very compact. It fits easily into the bed of my pickup truck, but the trunk of my sedan? Nope. You definitely need a vehicle with a lot of cargo space to be able to transport the stroller wagon from your house to wherever you intend to use it.

It's also very heavy, so you need quite a bit of strength to lift it in and out of a car. I'm a generally strong person but had a significant pregnant belly while testing this, so it was quite difficult to get a good grip on the stroller wagon to be able to lift it. That being said, if you have the trunk space and a second person to help, loading it up and bringing it to your final destination is certainly doable.

Price and Value: For someone with one kid, it's probably not worth splurging on a wagon with so much space for everyday use, especially because it's a bit difficult to transport. A single stroller with good cargo space underneath would be a better option. But if you have multiple toddlers or plan to use this when you're out and about somewhere you're going to need a ton of space (like a big shopping trip at the mall or farmers market, or a full day at a theme park), it's definitely convenient to have one vehicle that fits all the kids and their belongings.

It's certainly a convenient alternative to multiple strollers, or a stroller and multiple bags slung over your shoulders. I also think this model is sufficient. The little upgrades in the pricier models are nice-to-haves but not necessities. If anything, I'd just spend the additional money on the handle extender to make the experience as comfortable (for the adult pushing) as possible.

Bottom Line: Who Should Buy the WonderFold Stroller Wagon?

The WonderFold W4 Stroller Wagon is best for parents with two or more kids, or those that are often on the go and need to carry around a lot of stuff in addition to their children. A two-seater W2 model would definitely suffice with two kids, but the extra floor space is really nice to have, especially if you're out all day and plan to bring a few bags along for the ride.

Like most products, it's not 100 percent perfect, but its flaws aren't deal breakers. My biggest gripe (the too-short handlebar) is fixable with an additional purchase. The biggest stinking point, in my opinion, is that it's bulky and heavy, so transporting it would be difficult for someone with a small car. It's definitely a better product for anyone who lives somewhere walkable and can just load up the stroller wagon and walk out the front door, or someone with a large vehicle with substantial cargo space.

Overall, both my toddler and I have loved taking this stroller wagon out for walks, and I can't wait to load it up with her cousins and some bags of toys and snacks this summer for full-day outings. Having kids makes it so you can never leave the house without an overwhelming amount of "things," and this wagon is a great solution for taking the physical burden off parents so that everyone can enjoy their day that much more.

Why You Should Trust Our Tester

Amy has been testing products and writing reviews for editorial publications for over a decade. She's tested everything from makeup and skincare products to fitness apparel, sneakers, gym equipment, hiking and camping equipment, and gardening tools and accessories. She has also tested products and written copy for SELF's beauty and fitness awards and Outside's gear guide. For HGTV, Amy has tested a variety of home and garden products, including garden hoses, hose reels, gardening carts and wagons, pop-up canopy tents and bath mats.

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