In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

BabyZen Yoyo+ Review

Easy to maneuver, stylish, lightweight option that folds small with a big price
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BabyZen Yoyo+ Review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $500 List
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Manufacturer:   Baby Zen
By Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team  ⋅  Mar 24, 2019
71
OVERALL
SCORE
  • Weight/Folded Size - 35% 7.0
  • Ease Of Use - 30% 6.0
  • Maneuverability - 25% 8.0
  • Quality - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

The BabyZen Yoyo+ received the coveted Editors' Choice award by earning the highest overall score in our lightweight stroller review. The Yoyo+ has features that made it stand out from the rest in our testing. Maneuverability was this stroller's strong point, and it earned admirable scores in the remaining metrics as well. The Yoyo is easy to push and turn and negotiates small spaces with ease, proving it is prepared for the obstacle course that is city life. With one of the highest scores for ease of use thanks to its canopy, storage bin, and unique fold, this stroller gets the job done without causing frustration. The big downside to this stroller is the price tag which may be more than most parents plan to spend for a secondary stroller. While it is arguably worth it (with a nice quality score), some parents may need a comparable option that is more budget-friendly. If you can afford it, you won't be disappointed with the BabyZen Yoyo+ and all it has to offer.
REASONS TO BUY
Easy to push and turn
Nice quality
Lightweight
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Not the best napper

Our Analysis and Test Results

Color Update - July 2017


Babyzen has released some new colors for the Yoyo+ stroller. In addition to the original six colors, Ginger (below left) and Peppermint (below right) are now optional colors in the lineup. The design and function of the Yoyo+ remain the same.

Hand-on Gear Review


Babyzen was founded by five Frenchmen who wanted a lightweight, less bulky stroller for urban living. BabyZen is a high-end brand with sleek designs and higher price tags. Their strollers are designed for the urban lifestyle and travel. Marketed as “the only stroller you'll ever need” BabyZen has a small stable of 2 stroller options that vary between lightweight and more of an all-terrain option.

Performance Comparison



babyzen yoyo+ - the yoyo is easy to carry in or out of its included travel bag. this...
The Yoyo is easy to carry in or out of its included travel bag. This is one of the few strollers that included a nice travel bag to help protect the stroller while travelling.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight and Folded Size


The Yoyo weighs 13.5 lbs but folds into an impressive 3,276 cubic inches making it one of the smallest and lightest options in the group.


While not the smallest in the group, there is only one smaller and the Yoyo will fit about anywhere and comes with a handy travel bag.

babyzen yoyo+ - the babyzen yoyo+ offers a variety of features that work well and...
The BabyZen Yoyo+ offers a variety of features that work well and are easy to operate, including under seat storage that is both large and easy to access (a rarity in umbrella strollers).
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Yoyo isn't that easy to use, but none of the strollers are, so in comparison, it is one to watch.




While it may not look like an impressive performance only a few others performed better marks.

The Yoyo+ has an under seat squeeze handle that is used to initiate...
The Yoyo+ has an under seat squeeze handle that is used to initiate folding.
The Yoyo folds into one of the smallest packages with a fold in...
The Yoyo folds into one of the smallest packages with a fold in thirds design that is about 3200 cubic inches.

Fold and Unfold


This stroller has a unique fold that moves up and down like a yo-yo. It is initiated with a lever (above left) and folds into thirds, creating a compact package (above right). It is a one-handed fold that auto-locks and self-stands. The final product is on the squat side, so it isn't that different than the Yoyo not standing. It isn't the easiest fold, and the convoluted process disappoints compared to the competition.

babyzen yoyo+ - the babyzen yoyo+ has one of the easiest brake pedals to use with a...
The BabyZen Yoyo+ has one of the easiest brake pedals to use with a step on / step off single action functionality that is easy to see and access.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Brakes


The Yoyo has a large brake pedal between the rear wheels that is single action and easy to use. The pedal is far enough from the wheels for wider feet to press it, and it is super easy to set and release even for feet wearing sandals.

The Yoyo storage bin is long, narrow and holds up to 11 pounds.
The Yoyo storage bin is long, narrow and holds up to 11 pounds.
The pocket on the back of the BabyZen Yoyo+ canopy has a nice zipper...
The pocket on the back of the BabyZen Yoyo+ canopy has a nice zipper that keeps items safe and contained.

Storage


The storage bin holds up to 11 lbs, which is impressive for a lightweight stroller. However, we could only fit our medium size diaper bag inside. The bin is narrow with access from the back (above left). This stroller also has a medium-size pocket on the back of the canopy for items like a mobile phone or wallet (above right). We like that the zipper keeps items safely inside.

babyzen yoyo+ - the yoyo+ sunshade is a good size, but the peek-a-boo window...
The Yoyo+ sunshade is a good size, but the peek-a-boo window disappoints slightly with no cover to keep sun off baby's head.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sunshade


The sunshade is medium-sized with an SPF 50+ rating. It has a small, vinyl peek-a-boo window near the back of the shade that doesn't have a cover. The window is not tinted or cross-hatched, leaving the baby's head exposed to sunlight, which defeats the purpose of the shade.

babyzen yoyo+ - the 5-point harness on the yoyo+ is easy to adjust, even if the...
The 5-point harness on the Yoyo+ is easy to adjust, even if the buckle is somewhat stiff.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Harness


The Yoyo 5-point harness has easy adjustments and rethread. The buckle is a little stiff and harder for larger hands to operate, but it isn't difficult and better than some of the competition.

babyzen yoyo+ - the yoyo+ seat is comfortable, but could be more comfortable if the...
The Yoyo+ seat is comfortable, but could be more comfortable if the seat back had a deeper recline or it had an adjustable leg rest.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Seat


The Yoyo seat back reclines with a strap adjustment that is somewhat difficult to use and may require two hands. The recline is only mid-level and not flat enough for cozy napping, though little ones can and will fall asleep if tired. The seat has no leg rest to speak of, which is a bummer and is probably more comfortable for long legs that can reach the footrest. The seat is padded, but a deeper recline would be a better asset than padding.

Car Seat Compatibility


The Yoyo is good from birth with the use of a car seat adapter and an infant car seat carrier. The adapter is sold separately and only works with the Cybex Aton Q in the United States.

Ease of Setup





The Yoyo is the hardest option to assemble taking over 13 minutes with lots of parts. While you don't need tools, most of the competition comes with more pre-assembled parts.

The Yoyo+ earned an 8 of 10 for maneuverability with dense single...
The Yoyo+ earned an 8 of 10 for maneuverability with dense single wheels with ball bearings that work well.
The Yoyo has all-wheel suspension that works well and helps make the...
The Yoyo has all-wheel suspension that works well and helps make the hard seat bottom more comfortable over bumps.

Maneuverability


The Yoyo has impressive maneuverability for an umbrella product with single front wheels (above left) and all-wheel suspension (above right) that help it traverse most surfaces with relative ease. Unlike the dual wheel counterparts that can get pulled off course, the Yoyo+ moves smoothly and without a hiccup on flat surfaces. It falters off-road thanks to the narrow wheels, but its design is for urban living, so it isn't a surprise that it doesn't enjoy grass and gravel.


This stroller has a single handlebar that is foam covered and comfortable to hold, we like it over the separate handles found on most umbrella strollers, and it allows for one-handed pushing. With a padded seat and simple recline, the Yoyo is comfortable, but with a hard bottom and no leg rest, it isn't going to be the coziest napper. The all-wheel suspension will go a long way to improve the experience for both the passenger and pusher.

babyzen yoyo+ - the yoyo+ earned an 8 of 10 for quality by combining higher end...
The Yoyo+ earned an 8 of 10 for quality by combining higher end materials assembled with little flex and no flaws we could see.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


With an impressive design and high-end components, the Yoyo brings together materials that work well together to create a fluid moving and sleek looking modern stroller.


The Yoyo has what you'd expect of a stroller with this price with no missed stitches or rough edges. This stroller is a mixture of sturdy aluminum and plastic with almost no exposed fasteners or frame flex. The bearings on the wheels make all the difference, and the quality shines through.

Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team