In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Peg Perego Booklet 50 Combo Review

Disappointing that attachment of native car seat is so challenging
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Peg Perego Booklet 50 Combo Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $750 List
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Manufacturer:   Peg Perego
By Wendy Schmitz & BabyGearLab Team  ⋅  Oct 7, 2020
51
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#11 of 13
  • Ease Of Attaching Car Seat - 30% 4.0
  • Ease Of Use - 30% 6.0
  • Weight/Folded Size - 25% 5.0
  • Quality - 10% 5.0
  • Maneuverability - 5% 6.0

Our Verdict

The Peg Perego Booklet 50 is a smaller full-size option that only works with its native brand car seats. Sadly, in our tests, it didn't work well with its own seat and was more challenging to connect than we thought it should be. The canopy on the 50 still gets in the way of attaching the seats, and it needs more pressure than much of the competition to make the connection. Once connected, it feels very secure, but the getting there is the downside. Overall, the Perego Booklet 50 disappointed in most of our tests and struggled to keep up with the competition in most metrics, including ease of use, maneuverability, and quality, which makes it a stroller we don't recommend as a car seat combination.
REASONS TO BUY
Secure car seat attachment
Canopy works well with car seat
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Difficult to attach car seat

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Top Pick Award
Taxi Game Changer
Best Value Award
Best Bang for the Frame Stroller Buck
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Combo
Best Value Award
Budget-friendly Full-size
Price $750 List
$599.99 at Amazon
$550 List
$550.00 at Amazon
$110 List
$109.99 at Amazon
$700 List
$699.99 at Amazon
$350 List
$349.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
51
81
76
71
59
Star Rating
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Bottom Line Compatible with only Peg Perego car seat that is challenging to attachGood choice for urban parents with quick changes between public transport and strollingGreat frame stroller with parent console and easy carrier attachmentQuality option for your strolling lifetime with easy car seat attachmentBudget-friendly, multi-seater with easy car seat connections for up to two infant carriers
Rating Categories Peg Perego Booklet... Doona Combo Chicco KeyFit Caddy UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo Evenflo Pivot Xpand...
Ease Of Attaching Car Seat (30%)
4.0
10.0
9.0
8.0
8.0
Ease Of Use (30%)
6.0
5.0
7.0
7.0
7.0
Weight/Folded Size (25%)
5.0
10.0
9.0
6.0
2.0
Quality (10%)
5.0
7.0
3.0
7.0
6.0
Maneuverability (5%)
6.0
7.0
4.0
7.0
5.0
Specs Peg Perego Booklet... Doona Combo Chicco KeyFit Caddy UPPAbaby Cruz v2 Combo Evenflo Pivot Xpand...
Weight 20.1 lbs 16.8 lbs 11.7 lbs 18.8 lbs 24.3 lbs
Folded Dimensions 19.6"W x 13"H x 34.3"L 18"W x 16"H x 28.3"L 19.8"W x 11.5"H x 33.5"L 22.9"W x 10.8"H x 30.4"L 26.7"W x 19.23"H x 32.7"L
Capacity Limits Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 50 lbs/43"
Minimum: Birth

Maximum: 35 lbs/32"
Minimum: Birth

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

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


Maximum: 55 lbs/38"
Included Car Seat Compatibility Peg Perego
Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido, Primo Viaggio 4-35
Doona Chicco
KeyFit, KeyFit 30, Fit2
UPPAbaby
Mesa
Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax
Click-in Car Seat Adapters Peg Perego
Primo Viaggio 4-35 Nido, Primo Viaggio 4-35
Doona Chicco
KeyFit, KeyFit 30, Fit2
UPPAbaby
Mesa
Chicco
KeyFit 30, KeyFit 30 Zip, KeyFit 30 Zip Air, Fit2, Fit2 LE, Fit2 Air
Maxi-Cosi
Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Mico AP & Micro Max Plus,
Nuna
PIPA™, PIPA lite, PIPA lite lx, PIPA lite r & PIPA lite rx
Cybex
Aton, Aton 2, Aton Q & Aton M
Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30
Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax
Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 35, SnugRide SnugLock 30, 35
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio
Strap-in Car Seat Adapters None None None None None
One-handed Fold Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Locking Fold Auto Auto Auto Auto Auto
Self-standing Fold Yes n/a Yes Yes Yes
Handlebar Height - Min/Max 31.3"/42.8" 32.5"/39" 36"/42" 40"/43" 33"/44.7"
Sandal-friendly Brake Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Storage Basket Size Large n/a Large Very Large Extra large
Included Accessories None Infant Car Seat and Stroller In One None Rain Shield, Bug Shield None
Setup Time 14:15 n/a 8:28 5:54 5:15

Our Analysis and Test Results

The family started Peg Perego is a juvenile product company from Italy. They offer a variety of products, including car seats, strollers, and electric ride-on toys. The company launched in 1949 and soared in popularity over the years, becoming well-known for quality and safety. The family continues to work within the company under the design and development sections.

Performance Comparison



peg perego booklet 50 combo - the toddler seat on the booklet 50 needs to be reclined to attach...
The toddler seat on the Booklet 50 needs to be reclined to attach the car seat carrier to the metal points.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Attaching Car Seat


The Booklet 50 only works with Peg Perego infant car seat carriers. We tested ours with the Peg Perego Nido. During testing, this stroller proved to be more challenging than the competition, which is concerning given that the same brand seat should work well with a same brand stroller.

peg perego booklet 50 combo - the toddler seat of the booklet 50 has two metal connection points...
The toddler seat of the Booklet 50 has two metal connection points for the carrier to attach to.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

You do not need an adapter to connect the carrier to the stroller, which is a plus with fewer things to potentially misplace. The connection points need lining up simultaneously to make the connection, and it requires more pressure and effort to hear the audible click that ensures you're good to go. While you do not need an adapter and you leave the toddler seat and canopy in place, it is all the extra material in the seat/canopy that seems to make the connection more difficult, so there is a trade-off for the convenience. If you could remove the seat and canopy, the connection might be easier and the entire package lighter.

Weight and Folded Size


This stroller weighs about 20.1 lbs (the same as the old Booklet). However, it did lose some girth when folded with a final folded size of 8,740 cubic inches. The folded size is impressive, with only a handful offering smaller packages that aren't frame strollers, but the weight is only average and could be prohibitive for mothers who've had a c-section.

peg perego booklet 50 combo - the front wheels on the booklet 50 lock in place to avoid spinning...
The front wheels on the Booklet 50 lock in place to avoid spinning when moving over bumps.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Maneuverability


The Booklet 50 isn't the easiest to push and turn, but if you stay on the beaten b=apth of hard or paved surfaces, then you'll likely fare okay. If you try to move off the path onto grass or gravel, things start to get more challenging, and you could struggle.

We did find one-handed pushing is possible during testing on flat surfaces, but two hands are needed when the road gets rough. It has surprisingly wide turns for a stroller that looks relatively small, and we experienced more flex in the frame than much of the competition.

The new Booklet 50 still sports foam-filled plastic tires. While arguably nicer than some of the plastic competition, they still can't compete with rubber tires for maneuverability, quality, or rider comfort. It also has suspension and ball bearings in the wheel hubs, but side-by-side, it doesn't match the higher-end products in this lineup.

peg perego booklet 50 combo - the booklet 50 has an adjustable handlebar that rotates on a pivot.
The Booklet 50 has an adjustable handlebar that rotates on a pivot.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The 50 has a leatherette-covered, adjustable, rotating handlebar with a fairly wide range. This style of adjustment places taller pushers closer to the rear axle and increases the chance for kicking the stroller while strolling.

peg perego booklet 50 combo - the booklet 50 earned just below average for ease of use in our tests.
The Booklet 50 earned just below average for ease of use in our tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Booklet 50 offers slightly above average ease of use for the group with some features parents will likely want.

Fold and Unfold


The 50 folds with one hand and unfolds with two. It isn't a hard process, but it does feel counterintuitive than the standard folding versions we've seen. Once folded, it stands by itself, has a carry strap, and automatically locks in place. The new Booklet includes a red lever release lock on the handlebar.

peg perego booklet 50 combo - the brake pedal on the booklet 50 is large and easy to set and...
The brake pedal on the Booklet 50 is large and easy to set and release.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Brakes


The Booklet 50 includes single action brakes. The brakes are friendly to feet and shoes and are easy enough to set and release, even if they aren't the absolute best in the group.

peg perego booklet 50 combo - the storage bin on the booklet 50 has good access from the back, but...
The storage bin on the Booklet 50 has good access from the back, but not from any other angle and the limit is low compared to the higher-scoring competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Storage


The Booklet 50 has a new basket over the Booklet of yore, but the 11 lb capacity limit remains. It offers reasonably good access from the back and sides, and we fit our extra-large diaper bag inside. The new basket doesn't extend as far back as the old option, making it somewhat harder to use.

peg perego booklet 50 combo - the seat and canopy stay on the booklet 50 when combined with a car...
The seat and canopy stay on the Booklet 50 when combined with a car seat, so you can use the canopy to provide more protection for little ones.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sunshade


The Booklet 50 canopy is smaller, not extending as far over the passenger as some of the higher scoring options. The shade is UPF 50+ and has a vinyl, medium-sized peek-a-boo window. You can use the canopy in conjunction with the infant carrier.

Ease of Setup


It took us 14:15 minutes to set up the Booklet 50. This time is almost 5 minutes longer than the old version. The user manual is only average, with the most challenging part being the assembly of the basket, which could have been installed at the factory. Assembly includes wheels, handlebar, storage bin, and the sunshade. We don't think the illustrations don' show as much of what you need as they should.

peg perego booklet 50 combo - the booklet 50 is nicer quality than the average full-size stroller...
The Booklet 50 is nicer quality than the average full-size stroller, but not on par with the higher-end options in our tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


This stroller comes with a higher-end price tag, and traditionally Peg Perego is known for quality products. However, in comparison to the competition, the Booklet 50 is only average when viewed side-by-side during our tests. The Booklet 50 frame is full of connection points and flex with no real elegance to the design. The new version is somewhat better than the old, but not enough to impact the overall quality score in our tests. This version includes a softer feeling canvas that seems durable. It has a rubberized portion at the bottom of the footrest and features a “Leather” like cover on the handle and belly bar.

Wendy Schmitz & BabyGearLab Team