In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Chicco KeyFit Caddy Review

Best frame stroller with easy car seat attachment and parent console
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Chicco KeyFit Caddy Review (The cup holders on the Caddy are almost too shallow for any kind of cups, as many of them fell out while testing.)
The cup holders on the Caddy are almost too shallow for any kind of cups, as many of them fell out while testing.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $110 List
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Manufacturer:   Chicco
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team  ⋅  Oct 14, 2019
76
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#2 of 13
  • Ease Of Attaching Car Seat - 30% 9.0
  • Ease Of Use - 30% 7.0
  • Weight/Folded Size - 25% 9.0
  • Quality - 10% 3.0
  • Maneuverability - 5% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Chicco Keyfit Caddy is a great frame stroller, does what it should do, and does it well. The Caddy is lightweight, folds flat, self-stands, auto-locks, and rolls while folded. The Chicco compatible car seats attach easily and securely without false connections or any interference. It has a storage bin with a 10 lb weight limit, a parent console, and suspension on all four wheels. While it can't hold its own with the standard strollers for maneuverability or features, as a frame stroller it isn't expected to. This product gets the job done at an inexpensive price, without the features and frills that only add weight and muddy the waters of a simple no-nonsense car seat compatible stroller.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy car seat attachment
Lightweight
Compact fold
REASONS TO AVOID
Dual action brakes
Harder to push and turn
Update 2019 The Chicco Keyfit Caddy has been updated with a larger parent console. Otherwise, the two strollers appear to remain identical. The new description includes the information that the Caddy works with the Chicco Fit2 as well as the Chicco Keyfit 30.

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chicco keyfit caddy
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Top Pick Award
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Budget-friendly Full-size
 
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Great frame stroller with parent console and easy carrier attachmentGood choice for urban parents with quick changes between public transport and strollingHard to push and turn stroller with poor car seat attachmentBudget-friendly, multi-seater with easy car seat connections for up to two infant carriersRelatively universal with multiple strap installation that has too much room for errors
Rating Categories Chicco KeyFit Caddy Doona Combo Graco SnugRider Elite Evenflo Pivot Xpand... Baby Trend Snap-N-G...
Ease Of Attaching Car Seat (30%)
9.0
10.0
6.0
8.0
3.0
Ease Of Use (30%)
7.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
6.0
Weight/Folded Size (25%)
9.0
10.0
9.0
2.0
9.0
Quality (10%)
3.0
7.0
4.0
6.0
4.0
Maneuverability (5%)
4.0
7.0
4.0
5.0
4.0
Specs Chicco KeyFit Caddy Doona Combo Graco SnugRider Elite Evenflo Pivot Xpand... Baby Trend Snap-N-G...
Weight 11.7 lbs 16.8 lbs 13.3 lbs 24.3 lbs 10.9 lbs
Folded Dimensions 19.8"W x 11.5"H x 33.5"L 18"W x 16"H x 28.3"L 19.7"W x 10.3"H x 31.9"L 26.7"W x 19.23"H x 32.7"L 19.5"W x 11.75"H x 37.8"L
Capacity Limits Minimum: Birth

Maximum: Max allowable weight/height for the car seat.
Minimum: Birth

Maximum: 35 lbs/32"
Minimum: Birth

Maximum: Max allowable weight/height for the car seat.
Minimum: Infant - Toddler

When stroller seat is in infant mode: birth - 6 months


Maximum: 55 lbs/38"
Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 45 lbs
Included Car Seat Compatibility Chicco
KeyFit, KeyFit 30, Fit2
Doona Graco
all SnugRide Classic Connect seats, all SnugRide Click Connect seats, Infant SafeSeat
Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax Claims to fit most seats
Click-in Car Seat Adapters Chicco
KeyFit, KeyFit 30, Fit2
Doona Graco
all SnugRide Classic Connect seats, all SnugRide Click Connect seats, Infant SafeSeat
Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30
Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax
Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 35, SnugRide SnugLock 30, 35
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio
None
Strap-in Car Seat Adapters None None None None Claims to fit most seats
One-handed Fold Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Locking Fold Auto Auto Auto Auto Manual
Self-standing Fold Yes n/a Yes Yes Yes
Handlebar Height - Min/Max 36"/42" 32.5"/39" 37.25"/41" 33"/44.7" 39.75"
Sandal-friendly Brake Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Storage Basket Size Large n/a Large Extra large Large
Included Accessories None Infant Car Seat and Stroller In One None None None
Setup Time 8:28 n/a 5:59 5:15 5:09

Our Analysis and Test Results

The new Caddy (below left) has a larger parent console than the older version (below right). This frame stroller is compatible with the Chicco Keyfit 30 and the Chicco Fit2. It still has the same list price and remains identical to the original version.

The new Keyfit Caddy has a larger parent console but otherwise...
The new Keyfit Caddy has a larger parent console but otherwise remains the same.
The Chicco Caddy is a basic car seat frame stroller with a 10 pound...
The Chicco Caddy is a basic car seat frame stroller with a 10 pound capacity storage bin, adjustable handlebar, and a parent console with cup holders.

Hands on Review


Chicco (kee-ko), one of the largest baby-centric brands in Europe, is part of the Artsana Group, a lifestyle company. Chicco was started by Pietro Catelli and creates baby gear for children starting before birth up to preschool age. Their products are sold in more than 120 countries.

Performance Comparison



chicco keyfit caddy - the chicco keyfit caddy works very well but only with the chicco...
The Chicco Keyfit Caddy works very well but only with the Chicco infant car seats it was designed for.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Attaching Car Seat


The Caddy works well with the Chicco Keyfit 30 infant car seat.


The Caddy is compatible with the Keyfit infant car seats by Chicco; we tested with the Chicco Keyfit 30, a top-ranked infant car seat.

chicco keyfit caddy - the bottom of the keyfit 30 infant car seat clicks onto the chicco...
The bottom of the Keyfit 30 infant car seat clicks onto the Chicco Keyfit Caddy frame in a similar fashion to the car seat base.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This frame requires no part removal, and there are no adapters which saves money and decreases what you need to manage. The attachment of the carrier is simple and requires resting the seat on the frame and pressing down gently to ensure connection. It is super easy, cannot be done wrong, and we never thought it was connected when it wasn't.

chicco keyfit caddy - the chicco keyfit caddy is a frame stroller that is lightweight and...
The Chicco Keyfit Caddy is a frame stroller that is lightweight and folds relatively flat for easier storage. This stroller also self-stands making it a triple threat for easy stroller transportation and storage.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight and Folded Size


The Caddy is ultra-light and relatively small when folded. Frame strollers are traditionally designed to be lightweight and easy to transport, and the Caddy is no exception.


The Caddy frame weighs 11.7 lbs. The Caddy measures at 7,628 cubic inches when folded, so it is relatively small and flat. It might even fit behind the seat in some cars.

chicco keyfit caddy - the plastic wheels and dual front wheel design on the chicco keyfit...
The plastic wheels and dual front wheel design on the Chicco Keyfit Caddy are not our favorite when it comes to maneuverability. This design and material type generally translates to hard to push strollers that make turning more difficult.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Maneuverability


One of the only metrics where the Caddy doesn't perform well is maneuverability. The lower score isn't a big surprise as it is up against jogging strollers with large rubber tires.


The frame flexes enough that it impacts the ability to push the stroller because the front wheels rise slightly off the ground, but it is nicer than some of the frame competition. This product's design is primarily for flat and hard surfaces, and it has trouble with grass and gravel. You don't want to take it off-road unless it is absolutely necessary.

The wheels are foam filled plastic and have the dual front wheel design that can get hung up on items that cause the stroller to stop or veer off. The wheels feel sturdy and spin without resistance, but plastic is plastic and can't compare to rubber. The Caddy has all-wheel suspension, which is a nice perk, but we aren't sure it is enough to make up for the smaller plastic wheels.

chicco keyfit caddy - the handlebar on the caddy is adjustable on a pivot point placing...
The handlebar on the Caddy is adjustable on a pivot point placing taller parents closer to the back of the stroller where they are more likely to kick it while strolling.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The handlebar is covered in a rough feeling rubber and is adjustable on a pivot point. The rubber is difficult to clean and looks like it will gather gunk easily. The bar itself is flat and isn't the nicest to hold, but it will probably wear well over time thanks to the covering.

chicco keyfit caddy - the storage bin on the caddy has a maximum capacity of 10 pounds...
The Storage bin on the Caddy has a maximum capacity of 10 pounds, which is about average for the group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Caddy scores are higher for ease of use than several of the standard strollers that offer more features.




The Caddy struggles with ease of use because, by design, it is missing some key components that encompass this metric, like a canopy.

chicco keyfit caddy - folding the caddy begins with the pull of the lock release handle.
Folding the Caddy begins with the pull of the lock release handle.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Fold and Unfold


The Caddy folds with one hand and two steps. The process is easy and only requires the removal of the car seat. It self-stands, auto-locks, and has a carry strap that makes it easy to transport, carry, and store. It also rolls when folded and you do not need to bend to fold it. Unfolding is a one-hand operation and requires pressing the release button then lifting and shaking until it clicks open.

chicco keyfit caddy - the caddy has double action brakes that require the pressing of both...
The Caddy has double action brakes that require the pressing of both sides to be fully engaged.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Brakes


The Caddy has double action brakes that require the depression of two pedals instead of one to engage the brakes. We worry some parents will forget or skip the second pedal, and this could result in potential accidents. However, the brakes are easy to set and somewhat harder to release, and sandal-friendly.

chicco keyfit caddy - the back bar on the caddy storage bin folds down slightly to...
The back bar on the Caddy storage bin folds down slightly to increase access to the bin.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Storage


The Chicco Caddy features a large storage bin, which accommodated our extra-large diaper bag with access from the front and back. Because the car seat fits over the top of the basket, it is easier to put your items in before attaching the seat and then only remove what you need from the basket a little at a time. The maximum allowable weight is 10 lbs.

chicco keyfit caddy - the center covered storage on the parent console doesn't hold much...
The center covered storage on the parent console doesn't hold much of anything, including some common smartphones.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The parent console holds three more pounds, but the shallow cup holders and the tiny tray won't hold much. We don't recommend parents use the cup holders as most of the items we tested fell out while strolling.

Sunshade


There is no canopy on the Caddy, so you need to rely on the car seat canopy.

Ease of Setup


The Caddy set up isn't particularly challenging taking 8:23 minutes from start to finish.

chicco keyfit caddy - the quality of the caddy is less than impressive scoring below...
The quality of the Caddy is less than impressive scoring below average in our tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


The Caddy quality leaves much to be desired, but for a lower-priced option with a short lifespan, it is arguably good enough for what it is.


The Caddy doesn't have any fabric components besides the storage bin. The basket is a combination of finely woven canvas for the lower parts and mesh material for the top. The materials seem sturdy enough for the limited lifespan, and we weren't able to snag anything during testing.

The frame is metal with plastic components, and while the parts appear nice enough, there is a general flex and rickety feeling to the frame. Because there are plastic parts that don't come together well and the fabric on the basket has some loose threads, the overall fit and finish aren't impressive.

Manufacturer Video



Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team