REASONS TO BUY
Versatile growth
Loads of storage
Good value
REASONS TO AVOID
Limited extra features
Heavier
Evenflo Pivot Xpand Review
A nice enough, expandable stroller with seating options for up to 3 riders but it has limited features
Credit: Abriah Wofford
RELATED: The Best Full-Size Strollers of 2024
Our Verdict
The Evenflo Pivot Xpand is a uber budget-friendly favorite full-size stroller. This modern-styled stroller can grow with your family and offers reversible seating, car seat compatibility, and impressive storage large enough for supplies for two. It has easy-to-use everyday features, a quick fold, and nice features for passenger comfort. However, the Xpand is not the highest quality, and its heft and smaller wheels make it more challenging to push off-road. Its wider rear axle struggles somewhat with tight turns and narrow doorways more than similar competition. Overall, we think this stroller fills a niche for families on a tight budget who don't want a jogger or need more storage. While it isn't the option we'd recommend to everyone, we think plenty of families will love it for what it offers and the money they'll save.
Editor's Note: The Xpand is part of our recent update to the Full-size stroller review conducted in March 2024.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Evenflo Pivot Xpand | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  Budget Full-Size For Growing Families | Lower Price Impressive Full-Size Stroller | Best Tightest Budget Stroller | ||
| Price | $350 List $170.01 at Amazon | $650 List $519.96 at Amazon | $450 List | $173 List | $150 List |
Overall Score  |
|||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | A budget-friendly expandable stroller with good storage but limited other features and a heavier weight | While it performs well on flat surfaces, this high-quality option struggles off-road if those are your goals | The looks, features, and ease of use are compelling, but the weight makes this one a workout | Budget-friendly jogger with off-road capabilities, but the quality is on par with the price | The lower price makes the flaws of this jogger easier to accept |
| Rating Categories | Evenflo Pivot Xpand | Cybex Balios S Lux | Mockingbird Stroller | Baby Trend Expediti... | Baby Trend Expedition |
| Ease of Use (40%) | |||||
| Maneuverability (25%) | |||||
| Transport/Storing (15%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Kid's Comfort (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Evenflo Pivot Xpand | Cybex Balios S Lux | Mockingbird Stroller | Baby Trend Expediti... | Baby Trend Expedition |
| Capacity Limits | Minimum: Birth Maximum: 55 lbs/43" |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 55 lbs |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 50 lbs/ 42 in |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 50 lbs/42 in |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 50 lbs/42 in |
| Measured Weight | 30 lbs | 25 lbs | 30 lbs | 28 lbs | 24 lbs |
| Measured Folded Dimensions | 26.7"W x 19.23"H x 32.7"L | 24"W x 16"H x 31"L | 25.4"W x 41"H x 22.5"L | 24.5"W x 16"H x 36.5"L | 23.1"W x 33.1"H x 16.3"L |
| Folded Volume | 16,790 cu in | 11,904 cu in | 23,432 cu in | 14,308 cu in | 12,463 cu in |
| Handlebar Height Min/Max | 33"/44.7" | 39.5"/43" | 33"/43" | 41.5" | 41" |
| Mfr. Max Allowable Total Storage Weight | 11 lbs | 24 lbs | 25 lbs | 11 lbs | 15 lbs |
| Car Seat Compatibility | Chicco KeyFit/KeyFit 30 Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax Graco all with SnugRide, SnugLock 30/35 Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio 4/35 |
Cybex (All) Maxi Cosi Mico 30, Maxi Cosi Mico Max, Maxi Cosi Coral XP Nuna Pipa lite |
Baby Jogger City GO 2 Britax B-Safe 35, B-Safe Ultra Chicco KeyFit and Fit2 (all infant car seat models) Clek Liing, Liingo Cybex Cloud Q, Aton M Evenflo Embrace, Nurture Graco SnugRide (all infant car seat models) Maxi-Cosi Mico (30, Max 30, Max Plus) Nuna Pipa, Pipa Lite, Pipa Lite R, Lite LX, Lite RX, and RX UPPAbaby Mesa (2020 model or newer), Mesa Max |
Baby Trend (All) | Baby Trend (All) |
| Wheel Type | Foam Filled Plastic | Foam Filled Plastic | Foam Filled Rubber | Pneumatic | Pneumatic |
| Brake Type | Single | Single | Single | Double | Double |
Show full specification details ▼Hide full specification details ▲
Our Analysis and Test Results
Evenflo got its start in feeding nipples for babies in 1920. In 1935, they expanded with a nipple that stays on the baby bottle. As the years went by, Evenflo added more gear to its bottle-feeding lineup, and in 1995, Evenflo Juvenile Products merged with the Evenflo Juvenile Furniture Company. The current group sells feeding supplies, car seats, strollers, and more. Evenflo Company is located in Ohio.
Performance Comparison
The Evenflo has some pros and cons, but for the price, it is hard to beat and could be the solution for tight-budget families.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ease of Use
The Xpand is an easy stroller to use with features that are straightforward and function as expected.
The Evenflo fold is not difficult, but it does require two hands.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Fold and Unfold
The Xpand is a one-handed fold, and 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 of these directions, making it more of a delicate balancing act you hope you get right.
The Pivot has a unique storage bin with a front panel that opens with a tilt for alternative access from the rear access.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Storage
The basket on this baby is huge, but it only holds 10 lbs.
While it has easy and open access, it might be overstuffed weight-wise because many parents will keep tossing things in, no matter how heavy they are. It also comes with a cup holder that hangs on the frame side.
The Xpand harness is cheap feeling but it gets the job done without any hassle.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Harness
The harness on the Xpand is cheap and simple, with infinite adjustment that slides up and down an exposed strap.
The rocker brake pedal on the Evenflo is foot-friendly, and there is no need to lift it from underneath.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Brakes
The Xpand has single-action brakes. They are foot-friendly and easy to set and release.
While the single-action brake pedal is close to the right wheels, it is still large enough to press without kicking the wheel.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Car Seat Compatibility
The Evenflo is compatible with some Evenflo car seats without additional adapters. If you purchase adapters, they can also be compatible with some Chicco, Graco, and Peg Perego seats.
The Pivot assembly is primarily attaching the seat and wheels to the pre-assembled stroller frame.
Credit: Graham Faulknor
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 assembly is fairly intuitive, with no tools required and snapping on the wheels and seat.
The top-heavy design and wider axel make the Evenflo somewhat harder to push and turn in tighter spaces.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Maneuverability
Maneuverability is not where the Xpand excels, earning one of the lowest scores in this metric.
The Evenflo really starts to struggle on grass and wouldn't be our choice for regular trips off the beaten path.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Evenflo feels heavier than it is on hard surfaces. The child seat sits higher than average, which leads to some increase in the sway of the frame. The rear axle is wider, and the wheels stick out more than the competition.
This requires a little more thoughtful steering and navigating in tight turns and through doorways to avoid “tire-grabbing” obstacles. Things get worse off-road, and no one-hand steering is possible on grass.
The weight and the higher seat placement on the Evenflo require a little more oompf to get it up and over curbs.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
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.
The Pivot is large and heavy, so you may need to measure your space if your space is limited.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Transporting and Storing
The Envlfo is harder to transport and store than most of the competition, with one of the lowest scores in the group. It weighs two more pounds than the manufacturer claims, with a measured weight of 30 lbs in our tests.
The bulky fold of the Pivot fits in our compact SUV, but it might be hard to fit in a sedan trunk.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
This makes it one of the heaviest in the group, even heavier than jogging strollers, that are traditionally the beasts of the group. This heft makes 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 and several strollers that can accept two seats are similar, it is something to consider, especially if you don't plan to push more than one child.
Why bother with the added weight and size if you only plan to have one child or only need to push one child?
The Evenflo is not a bad-looking stroller, and if you don't look too closely or compare it to higher-quality options, it has a look similar to other popular stroller brands.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Quality
With one of the lowest prices in the group for a stroller that expands for two, it isn't a huge surprise that it struggled side-by-side with the other strollers in our quality tests. It still managed to achieve an average result, which is commendable. Some of the competition cost two to three times that of the Evenflo. However, if you don't need a higher quality stroller and your budget is tight, how much of this matters?
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 it isn't the most skin-friendly fabric in the group.
The Xpand has reasonably sized foam-filled plastic wheels. They aren't as grippy as we'd like, and plastic isn't our favorite as they are 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.
There are a variety of seating options for the Xpand, including higher or lower placement and two seats at once.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Kid's Comfort
The Evenflo earned an above-average result for kid comfort features.
The toddler seat on the Xpand is a sling-style seat on an oval frame.
The Xpand recline adjustment operates via a lift lever on the back of the seat.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The entire seat reclines with a lever on the back of the seat that is easy to use. The recline has three possible positions, and the leg rest has five.
However, we think only three of the five are really useable. The seat is lightly padded, and the frame keeps little legs mostly contained in the seat.
The canopy on the Evenflo seat is medium in size. While not a disappointment, it isn't going to cover everything or offer late afternoon or early morning protection from low sun. 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.
We think the Evenflo is a good option for growing families on a budget.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
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 prices of higher-ranking options. The Xpand is almost half the price of other award winners, but it still provides what you might want in a stroller, albeit heavier and larger than some might like. We like the Pivot and think it could be a good choice for many families with budget limitations but still need the bells and whistles for everyday adventures.
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 the best in the group, depending on your goals. If your main goal is meeting budget restrictions, the Baby Trend Expedition Race Tec is also an inexpensive option that could get the job done in a product that is easier to push and move. If your family only needs to push one child, the Baby Trend can save you even more money and serve double duty as an adventure stroller moving off-road or for occasional running. It is lighter and smaller when folded than the Evenflo, and some parents might prefer the sportier style over the bulky Evenflo. If your budget can stretch and you want a style like the Evenflo with the versatility of different seating, the Cybex Balios S Lux is a higher-scoring option that brings both to the table without the price concerns of the highest-scoring options.
Manufacturer Video
—
Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz
You Might Also Like
