If you’re considering a Yoyo stroller for your family travels, you’re likely already aware of its standout features. As parents who have navigated countless journeys with little ones, we understand the importance of a reliable and convenient stroller. Having owned several strollers, from robust jogging models to basic umbrella types, we were intrigued by the Babyzen Yoyo’s promises. We purchased our Yoyo in Vienna during our year-long European adventure and have since tested it extensively throughout Asia. This review shares our firsthand experience using the Babyzen Yoyo Travel Stroller across diverse terrains and travel scenarios.
Full transparency: this review contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a commission, which helps support our travels and content creation. We purchased the Babyzen Yoyo at full price.
Unpacking the Hype: Is the Yoyo Travel Stroller Really That Good?
The Babyzen Yoyo travel stroller has built a strong reputation, and for good reason. Its key selling points are undeniable:
- Sturdiness: Built to last and handle daily use.
- Comfort: Designed for child’s comfort during rides.
- Compactness: Folds down to an incredibly small size.
- Lightweight: Easy to carry and maneuver.
- Airplane Compatibility: Approved as carry-on luggage by most airlines!
The promise of taking a stroller directly onto an airplane was a game-changer for us. After extensive use across 10 cities and two continents, traversing planes, trains, and various modes of transport, we’re ready to share our comprehensive review. We’ll delve into both the pros and cons we’ve encountered while putting the Babyzen Yoyo to the test in real-world travel situations.
Don’t forget to check the comment section below for answers to frequently asked questions and to share your own experiences or queries!
Navigating Tight Spots: The Yoyo Stroller’s Compact Design
The immediate advantage of the Babyzen Yoyo travel stroller is its remarkably compact design. While the length and height are comparable to standard strollers to ensure comfortable pushing, its narrow width makes a significant difference. We immediately noticed how easily we could maneuver through crowded sidewalks and narrow aisles, a stark contrast to bulkier strollers we’ve used. This stroller excels in situations where space is limited.
However, the Yoyo travel stroller truly shines when it’s time to pack up. The folding mechanism is ingeniously designed for speed and ease. In mere seconds, the stroller folds into an incredibly small package. The integrated shoulder strap is perfectly sized for carrying, allowing you to easily manage stairs while holding your child. When folded, the stroller can stand upright, saving valuable space at home or in hotel rooms. We even believe it could be hung on a wall using the strap and a sturdy hook for optimal storage. Weighing in at just 13lbs, the Babyzen Yoyo is genuinely lightweight, and the padded shoulder strap adds to carrying comfort.
To achieve this remarkable compactness, some design choices were necessary. The Babyzen Yoyo utilizes four single wheels instead of the double wheels found on many strollers. This design results in low friction, making the stroller incredibly smooth to roll and turn on even surfaces. However, single wheels are more prone to getting caught in cracks or bumping against curbs. On uneven terrain, maneuvering can be slightly more challenging. While not a deal-breaker considering the immense travel benefits of its small size, this is a factor to consider.
The narrow frame also contributes to slightly less stability compared to strollers with wider bases. It’s not unstable, but extra caution is needed on slanted sidewalks or uneven surfaces. We have never experienced a tip-over, but we have occasionally felt a slight torque when navigating tricky spots.
Surprisingly Robust: The Yoyo Stroller’s Durability
Initially, we had concerns about the Babyzen Yoyo travel stroller’s durability. Our previous stroller had endured considerable wear and tear, performing admirably over time. We only considered replacing it due to uncertainty about finding replacements in Asia if it broke. However, the Yoyo has proven to be surprisingly robust. While the frame flexes slightly when tilting the front wheels over curbs, it has consistently bent without breaking. We are admittedly tough on our strollers, and the Yoyo continues to withstand our rigorous use. We will update this review if our experience changes with continued use.
Comfort for Child and Parent: Yoyo Stroller Features
While we haven’t personally experienced the Yoyo stroller from a child’s perspective, our daughter Lisa is clearly a fan. The integrated footrest allows her to climb in and out independently, which she enjoys. The harness is secure and easily adjustable, although the buckle initially took a little getting used to.
A notable comfort feature is the generous seat recline, exceeding that of many other compact folding strollers we’ve seen. This recline is perfect for naps on the go during city explorations. In fact, Lisa often falls asleep in the stroller even without reclining the seat when she’s tired. Sometimes, we wish she’d stay awake just a bit longer until we get home, but the Yoyo seems to lull her to sleep effortlessly.
Parent comfort is also well-considered. The handlebar height is ideal for both of us, eliminating the need to bend over as with some umbrella strollers. The handlebar padding is comfortable and provides a good grip. The rounded handlebar design isn’t ideal for hanging heavy bags, which is likely intentional as it’s generally not recommended for any stroller’s stability. However, we purchased Velcro stroller hooks that work perfectly for lighter bags and essentials when we need our hands free.
We use stroller hooks purchased online, similar to readily available Velcro stroller hooks on Amazon. As long as you avoid overloading them, they are very useful. Tiny bananas, for example, are perfectly fine.
Airplane Approved: Taking the Yoyo Onboard
The Babyzen Yoyo travel stroller’s most celebrated feature is its airplane compatibility. When folded, its dimensions are a mere 7.1 x 20.5 x 17.3 inches, easily fitting into overhead compartments. We’ve never encountered any issues bringing it onboard. Initially, we used to obtain a gate check tag as a precaution, but now we confidently place it in its bag and proceed directly onto the plane. It’s actually the smallest of our three carry-on bags. We’ve even joked about rolling Lisa down the aisle in the folded stroller, but folding it beforehand is certainly more efficient.
For those new to international travel with a baby, the advantage of carrying your stroller onto the plane cannot be overstated. Checked strollers are not immediately available upon arrival. You must proceed to the baggage claim area, often a considerable distance from the gate, and wait with crowds for luggage to appear. Strollers typically arrive later on a separate cart. Meanwhile, you’re managing a tired toddler amidst fellow travelers while searching for your bags.
On international flights, the process is even more complicated. You often need to clear customs and immigration before reaching baggage claim, potentially involving hours of waiting if the airport is busy. Imagine navigating these lines while holding a toddler or trying to keep them standing still. Interestingly, we’ve noticed that babies in strollers are often expedited through customs lines, while those carried or walking receive no such priority – a puzzling inconsistency. The bottom line is that deplaning with your stroller significantly simplifies the entire arrival process. The only trade-off is that the stroller occupies one carry-on allowance, requiring mindful packing.
Travel Tip: Even though airline staff are generally familiar with carry-on stroller brands, placing the Yoyo in its bag before boarding can prevent unnecessary questions or delays. It simply looks like a standard black bag. (Extra Tip: On Chinese trains, where stroller regulations are strict, position the bag with the open end facing the wall to conceal the wheels.)
Additional Features and Observations
- Foot Brake: The foot brake is effective and reliably locks the stroller. However, if you’re accustomed to using your foot on the rear axle to lift the front wheels, you might accidentally engage the brake initially. It took us a few days to adjust and use our left foot instead.
- Under-seat Storage: The storage basket is not massive but sufficient for essentials like toys, sunscreen, and water. Remember to empty it before folding the stroller. There’s also a handy pocket on the back of the seat, behind the handlebar, which remains accessible even when the Yoyo is folded. Unlike some strollers, the Yoyo’s compact fold means nothing can remain in the main storage compartment when folded. On a positive note, the basket extends towards the footrest, often catching dropped items before they fall to the ground.
- Sun Shade: The sunshade provides good upper body coverage but leaves the legs somewhat exposed, typical of many strollers. It includes a peek-a-boo window to check on your child while they are resting.
- Rain Cover: The included rain cover fits snugly and securely, providing excellent rain protection. In cold, windy Vienna, we also used it as a wind shield. Update: We seem to have misplaced the original rain cover bag and now use a makeup bag instead.
Final Verdict: A Top-Tier Travel Stroller
While our previous travel stroller was adequate, the Babyzen Yoyo travel stroller is demonstrably superior. It’s comfortable, efficient, and incredibly easy to transport and store. Although we haven’t tested every travel stroller on the market, we wholeheartedly recommend the Yoyo. It has been a reliable travel companion, significantly reducing the stresses associated with air travel. We are very happy with our purchase and would confidently buy it again.
Now, enjoy these photos of Lisa’s attempts to unfold the stroller herself!
Okay, we helped a little with the last step.
For more product reviews and resources for parents, travelers, and photographers, visit our resource page. To learn more about how affiliate links in our reviews support our travels, read Jake’s monthly column, Operation Digital Nomad. To see where our family has traveled, with and without the Yoyo, explore our destinations page.
And for situations where a stroller isn’t suitable, such as hiking, we often use our Ergobaby Omni 360 baby carrier.
November 2018 Update: The Babyzen Yoyo continues to perform exceptionally well. We are currently based in Dali, China, and the Yoyo remains our go-to stroller for visa runs and travel. We recently purchased a second, less impressive stroller for daily kindergarten trips due to the long, bumpy route. We wanted to preserve our Yoyo travel stroller from unnecessary wear and tear, especially as replacements are less accessible in China. We still prefer the Yoyo for rainy days due to its superior rain cover.
(New Update): After a few weeks of using the umbrella stroller, we already miss the Yoyo. The Yoyo’s smoothness and curb-handling are far superior. The umbrella stroller is now relegated solely to school runs. Jake might be trying to subtly sabotage the umbrella stroller to avoid pushing it altogether!
Additional points after 11 months of use:
- We washed the Yoyo upholstery for the first time. Removing it involved many Velcro straps, but reassembly was surprisingly straightforward. The design ensures correct strap placement, eliminating any fitting concerns.
- Durability remains excellent after 11 months of heavy use. No loose parts, wobbly wheels, or fabric damage. Our suitcase isn’t holding up nearly as well!
- Lisa now prefers napping in the stroller with the seat upright, whether stroller-related or a personal preference, we aren’t sure.
That concludes our updated review for now.
