UPPAbaby Minu Duo Review

American-born, UPPAbaby has more than 10 years of experience in juvenile products. The company gets inspiration from everyday family experiences; they seek opportunities to create better products that are easier to use, safer, or more fun. UPPAbaby makes multiple types of full-size strollers and some of the car seats.

Ease of Use

The UPPAbaby Minu Duo is a favorite side-by-side stroller for parents seeking an easy-to-use stroller.

It earned one of the highest scores for ease of use thanks to features that feel like they were designed by a real parent who has struggled with subpar strollers.

Fold and Unfold

You don't need to read the instruction manual to fold the Minu Duo; it's easy. The two-step process can be done with one hand and takes mere seconds.

The unfold is straightforward, though not as effortless as the fold, and it does require two hands because it's a little sticky and stiff when opening back up. Being able to quickly fold it to board public transportation makes it particularly appealing.

The height of the storage bin is limited so taller items will need to compress to fit.   Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

The width of the stroller allows for a roomy bin, but design and weight limits impact its usage.   Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw

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Storage

The roomy storage basket is split into two sections by a frame bar that separates the seats. It holds up to 25 lbs, which is impressive for a lighter double. The vertical space is somewhat limited, and the basket angles upward from back to front, thicker items may need to be pressed down a bit to fit within the available space.

Two large diaper bags fit easily, but some items required some finagling to get in and out. Fully loaded, our bin hit the ground when going over curbs or off-road debris, but the bottom offers reinforced fabric to protect the compartment and items. There's also a small, hidden pocket for a tracker to keep tabs on it during travel.

Harness

The Minu Duo has a 5-point harness with a 3-point buckle system, but thanks to the design, you only need to worry about two buckles connecting. The buckle requires a small amount of force to engage, but it will prevent little ones from opening it on their own. The harness adjusts without re-threading, the strap material is soft to the touch, and it comes with removable shoulder pads for additional comfort on long rides.

Brakes

The Minu Duo's color indicator braking system is simple, sandal-friendly, and easy to use. We had no difficulties even while wearing open-toed shoes. A quick visual check of which brake is pressed down lets you know quickly when it's locked or unlocked.

Maneuverability

Even with its wider width, this stroller offers impressive maneuverability for a side-by-side stroller designed for occasional use, and it earned a surprisingly high score for maneuverability.

On smooth surfaces, the Minu Duo is agile and easy to push with one hand, but it is most responsive and energy-efficient with two. Its buttery smooth turn radius is stellar, and it easily navigates tight turns and circles. Standard doorways are a breeze, making it the ideal pick for shopping, travel, and tourist destinations packed with people and narrow lines. Did we mention the Minu Duo is Disney-approved?

Off-road, this stroller struggled, probably due to the smaller wheels, which are not designed for more challenging terrain. In a pinch, it will maneuver okay over packed dirt, involving pine needles or small pebbles, for a short duration, so you can take it to the playpark and pass a greenbelt. However, the Minu Duo primarily shines as a travel stroller, so more adventurous parents planning to traverse uneven terrain frequently will find it isn't well-suited for those kinds of adventures.

The storage bin sits low and scrapes any terrain that isn't flat. With the smaller wheel size, navigating over steep curbs is slow and frustrating, and the storage bin bottoms out. it manages to move okay over these spots, but we can't help but wonder how well the bin itself will fare over time.

Transporting and Storing

Thanks to its lighter weight and smaller fold size, this stroller is designed to be easy to take on trips, load up into your trunk or onto a plane, and store discreetly at home.

It earns the highest score in this metric, which isn't surprising since it is designed to fo this well and is being compared to double jogging strollers that are not.

Weight and Folded Size

The Minu Duo weighs 27.3 lbs, making it easy for even some petite users to lift and transport.

Its fast folding and comfort when lifting and lowering it from waist height are also major factors that make this stroller ideal for travel.

Its long, somewhat flat, rectangular shape measures a storage-friendly 6,654 cubic inches when folded. It takes up minimal space in any vehicle's trunk. In fact, it may even slide behind the front seats in your car without obscuring your line of sight. Taking it on public transportation is also a breeze thanks to its lightweight, compact footprint.

Kid Ride

The Minu Duo is designed for your children's comfort. Its seating includes an adjustable leg rest and a straightforward seat recline.

It earned an above-average score for kid comfort, even if it couldn't hang with the big dogs.

Seat

The attractively designed, spacious seats accommodate up to 50 lbs each and are identical, reducing sibling disagreements over seating location. Both include somewhat short, adjustable legrests set at a standard angle or flat, utilizing a hidden latch underneath; taller kids may wish they were longer.

The Minu Duo's adjustability offers multiple options to customize your child's travel experience. Each seat reclines by releasing a soft, nylon pull tab on the back. Returning to an upright position is easy: use one hand to pull the tab in and reduce the angle with your other hand.

Each seat is independently adjustable and can be set to sit almost completely upright or recline flat. The infant mode option is available when the seat is fully reclined, the leg rest is set to its flattest position, and the foot pouch is attached to the frame. This makes the Minu a potential contender from birth for one or two babies.

Sunshade

The canopy is crafted using SPF 50+ fabric that fits tightly to the frame for a sleek appearance with excellent coverage. A flap on the back rolls up and is secured with a toggle, revealing a large mesh window for keeping an eye on little ones.

Unzipping the canopy entirely maximizes ventilation. The overhead height accommodates taller kids, and the structural support is solid and sturdy.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

Cranky travelers benefit from naps, and nothing's worse than little ones finally dozing off to sleep only to be jolted awake by bumps in the road. We tested the Minu Duo over asphalt, cracks, and pebbles to determine how smooth a ride it would deliver. We noted 16 possible wake-up events, with jostling intensity ranging from mild to fairly high. This is probably due to its design as a travel stroller, including small polyurethane wheels, but it is helped by its built-in shock absorbers and sling-style seats, resulting in a fairly restful ride.

Quality

The Minu Duo is pricier but offers great value and durability. Thanks to the quality of all its materials, it will last for years with moderate usage.

It earned one of the highest quality scores, but this isn't a huge surprise, as that is what we've come to expect from UPPAbaby.

The premium, rip-resistant fabric that UPPAbaby is known for is a defining feature of the Minu Duo. The deep seats are soft, densely padded for comfort, and feature durable, removable covers for easy washing. The non-adjustable handlebar is covered in full-grain leather and set at a height of 40.5 inches, accommodating almost all users. The wheels on the Minu Duo are foam-filled plastic that will never go flat, and the upgraded all-wheel suspension offers a smooth ride. The stroller frame is sturdy and lightweight, made of aluminum, with no noticeable weak areas or structural bending.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Minu Duo is compatible with various car seat brands, but you must purchase the necessary adapters. Several brands that will attach with adapters include Mico, Maxi-Cosi, Pebble, Cabrio, Citi, Nuna, Cybex, Clek, UPPAbaby, and Diono. Once the adapters are installed, the stroller will still fold quickly.

Ease of Setup

The effortless setup of the Minu Duo stroller takes less than five minutes. It comes completely assembled in the box, except for the front wheels. You are ready to hit the road once you remove the protective packaging and install the two front wheels.

Twins

Twin parents will love the Minu Duo's side-by-side, identical seating arrangement, which lets you customize your kids' riding experience. Both seats can quickly recline into infant mode with integrated foot barriers. It is worth noting that although you can purchase an adapter to accommodate one infant car seat, this stroller will not hold two.

Should You Buy the UPPAbaby Minu Duo?

In the Minu Duo, quality and function come together to offer a lightweight, compact cruiser that is easy to push, quick to fold, and delivers fluid maneuverability for all your travels. While it's marketed as a travel stroller, the Minu Duo's quality and craftsmanship lend themselves to day-to-day regular use. Still, it isn't designed to traverse much outside flat surfaces or pavement. For families with the budget for a higher price point and looking for a high-quality dual travel stroller with premium materials, the UPPAbaby Minu Duo is the stroller for you!

What Other Double Stroller Should You Consider?

If you love the Minu Duo's side-by-side design but don't love the price tag, consider the Baby Trend Expedition Double. The Expedition offers comparable side-by-side seating with a three-wheel jogger design. Its slightly better off-road maneuverability is a selling point, and it is fairly easy to transport, at a fraction of the price. It sacrifices quality, which is reflected in the lower price. Still, if that isn't a priority or you only anticipate using this stroller infrequently, we recommend doing your bank account a favor and purchasing the Expedition Double. If you want something similar, the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double hits all the right notes with its easy-to-use and push design. It offers better passenger comfort at a similar price, but it is more than 7 lbs heavier and twice the size when folded.

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