Evenflo Pivot Xpand Review

Ease of Use

The Xpand is a relatively easy stroller to use, with straightforward features that function as expected. It performed about average for the group for ease of use.

Fold and Unfold

The Xpand has a two-handed fold; the finger triggers are stiff, and anyone lacking finger strength or dexterity might end up cursing how difficult they are to engage. It might self-stand depending on the wheel situation; if the front wheels are pointing forward or backward, it stands. The wheels do not lock in either direction, making it more of a delicate balancing act that we didn't always get right.

Storage

The basket on this baby is huge, but it only holds 10 lbs, which is a disappointment for any stroller, but especially one that can expand to carry two children. A diaper bag for two will definitely weigh more than 10 lbs, and you can forget grabbing some groceries, since a single gallon of milk weighs over 8 lbs.

We fit our large diaper bag into the Xpand, but the limit of 10 lbs could hamstring parents with lots of supplies or shopping on the brain.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The Evenflo has an open bottle holder that hangs off the side of the stroller frame.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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While it has easy, open access, it might get overstuffed weight-wise easily because many parents will keep tossing things in, especially with multiple kids, no matter how heavy they are. It also comes with a cup holder that hangs on the frame side.

Harness

The harness on the Xpand is cheap and simple, with infinite adjustment via a sliding strap. They can be somewhat stiff, and each of the 4 straps must be adjusted individually, but nothing is overly challenging, though the movement could be smoother.

Brakes

The Xpand has single-action brakes. They are foot-friendly and easy to set and release.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Evenflo is compatible with some Evenflo car seats without additional adapters. If you purchase adapters, it is also compatible with some Chicco, Graco, and Peg Perego seats.

Ease of Setup

The Evenflo is above average for ease of setup with an overall time between 5-10 minutes. The documentation is only average, but the assembly is fairly intuitive, with no tools required, and the wheels and seat snap on.

Maneuverability

Maneuverability is not where the Xpand excels; in fact, it's pretty abysmal.

The Evenflo feels heavier than it is on hard surfaces, making it sluggish and a chore to push. The child seat sits higher than average, leading to increased frame sway, and the rear axle is wider, so the wheels stick out more than the competition.

Pushing requires a little more thoughtful two-handed steering and navigating in tight turns and through doorways to avoid “tire-grabbing” obstacles. Things get much worse off-road, and one-hand steering is not possible on grass, dirt, or bumpier terrain. Overall, it is a longer and bigger stroller than most, and it feels like it; it requires planned movements to execute where you want to go so you don't end up missing your mark

The weight is more balanced, so going up curbs requires more down pushing than lifting. The handlebar is not adjustable, so lifting the rear up to bump it onto the curb could be more challenging, especially for shorter parents.

Transporting and Storing

The Evenlfo is harder to transport and store than most of the competition and ranks among the lowest in the group. It weighs 2 lbs more than the manufacturer claims, with a measured weight of 30 lbs in our tests with a single seat.

This makes it one of the heaviest, even heavier than some jogging strollers, which are traditionally the beasts of the group. This heft and bulkiness make it harder to lift and carry for any significant distance.

The folded size of the Evenflo is also disappointing, measuring 16,790 cubic inches. While not the largest in the group, it's worth considering, especially if you don't plan to push more than one child. Several strollers that accommodate two seats are similar, and single-style strollers tend to fold more compactly. Why bother with the added weight and size if you only plan to have one child or only need to push one child?

Quality

With one of the lowest prices in the group for a stroller that expands for two, it's no surprise it struggled side-by-side with the other strollers in our quality tests. However, not everyone needs a higher-quality stroller, and those with a tighter budget may not care or even notice if they haven't seen anything better.

The Xpand has “ripstop” type fabric and a rubberized footrest for easy cleaning and durability. The inside of the canopy is a tighter weave, likely for water resistance, and the storage bin is sturdy with mesh sides that should hold up well. We like that they provide shoulder sleeves for the harness, but the fabric isn't the most skin-friendly in the group.

The plastic wheels on the Evenflo are not our favorite and often become deformed or dented over time, depending on your lifestyle and terrain.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

While many of the Evenflo joints are plastic, they fit well with the frame and fabric which helped increase its quality to an average level.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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The Xpand has reasonably sized foam-filled plastic wheels. They aren't as grippy as we'd like, and plastic isn't our favorite because it's prone to becoming disfigured over time. The overall fit and finish are average, with nothing that screams cheap, but nothing that is truly thoughtful. The aluminum frame has plastic joints that increase sway and flex with play fore and aft. If it stands alone, we suspect no one will be critical of the design, but next to higher-quality options, it does pale.

Kid's Comfort

The Evenflo earned a below-average result for kid comfort features.

The toddler seat on the Xpand is a sling-style seat on an oval frame. There is no smooth transition from the seat to the leg rest, which could be uncomfortable.

The entire seat reclines with an easy-to-use lever on the back. The recline has three possible positions, and the leg rest has five. It isn't a lot, but it could be all it can manage if you add a second seat.

The leg rest on the Evenflo has an adjustable angle and a frame to keep little legs contained.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

The sling seat on the Pivot is deep enough for cozy sitting upright.   Credit: Abriah Wofford

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We think only a few positions are really usable, none of them really recline much. The seat is thinly padded, and the frame keeps little legs mostly contained in the seat.

The Xpand canopy is a good size and ample enough to offer adequate protection.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

The Pivot canopy has a covered mesh window for checking on passengers.   Credit: Matt Lighthart

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The canopy on the Evenflo seat is medium-sized. While not a disappointment, it won't cover everything or protect against low sun in the late afternoon or early morning. The coverage is best with the seat in the upright position and degrades as you recline. It has a mesh peek-a-boo window with a flap cover.

Continuous Sleeping Comfort

We tested the Xpand for potential passenger wake-ups, while traversing over average terrain. It performed well, measuring only three potential wake-up events of lower intensity. Despite the plastic tires, the frame absorbed major impacts better than expected, triggering fewer potential wake-ups than some premium joggers at walking speeds.

Should You Buy the Evenflo Pivot Xpand?

The Pivot is an inexpensive, versatile stroller with room to grow. It has a modern look and is similar in style and features to the highest-ranking options, making it an appealing choice for anyone who wants this style but can't afford the higher-ranked options. The Xpand is less than half the price of higher-end models, but it still provides what you might want in a stroller, albeit heavier and larger than some might like. While the Pivot isn't perfect, we think some growing families with limited budgets might be content with what it offers.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

The Pivot is not for everyone, and while we like the price and what you get for it, it isn't that impressive. If your budget is smaller and you are only planning to push one child, the Joie Ginger dlx is really the better buy. This stroller is lighter, smaller, and far easier to push, with better quality materials and construction. It can even save you money over the Evenflo. If you want better capabilities on uneven terrain or hope to jog occasionally on a budget, the Baby Trend Expedition is also an inexpensive option that could get the job done, but it is bulky when folded and lacks the quality we see in higher-end joggers. If you plan to grow your family and push two passengers at the same time, we recommend you seek further guidance from our doubles stroller review for better side-by-side comparisons of the Xpand and similar strollers.

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