UPPAbaby Minu v2 Review
Our Verdict
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
UPPAbaby Minu v2 | |||||
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Awards | Best Lightweight for Car Seat | Best Overall Travel Stroller | Best Double Duty Stroller | Most Compact Travel Stroller | Best Budget Travel Stroller |
Price | $400 List $399.99 at Amazon | $480 List $479.00 at Amazon | $420 List $269.99 at Amazon | $330 List $239.99 at Amazon | $249 List |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Bottom Line | A high-quality choice with impressive seating features, smaller fold, and lots of storage | Impressive quality option with better maneuverability and unique features for comfort and convenience | A bigger and heavier option that is still small enough to use for travel and includes the features you want | An average but unique stroller that is super small when folded but harder to push | Better performance and a durable design make this budget option an impressive contender |
Rating Categories | UPPAbaby Minu v2 | Bugaboo Butterfly | Britax B-Free | gb Pockit+ All City | Zoe Traveler |
Transport/Storing (30%) | |||||
Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
Maneuverability (20%) | |||||
Quality (10%) | |||||
Kid Comfort (10%) | |||||
Specs | UPPAbaby Minu v2 | Bugaboo Butterfly | Britax B-Free | gb Pockit+ All City | Zoe Traveler |
Capacity Limits | Minimum: 3 months Maximum: 50 lbs |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 50 lbs |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 55 lbs |
Minimum: 6 months Maximum: 5 years |
Minimum: 3 months Maximum: 45 lbs |
Measured Weight | 17.0 lbs | 16.0 lbs | 22.5 lbs | 13.1 lbs | 13.2 lbs |
Measured Folded Dimensions | 20.5"W x 10.3"H x 23"L | 17.5"W x 10.3"H x 21.3"L | 24"W x 10.3"H x 27"L | 13"W x 10.3"H x 21.3"L | 18.6"W x 10.3"H x 23"L |
Folded Volume | 5,894 cu in | 3,355 cu in | 6,674 cu in | 2,215 cu in | 5,134 cu in |
Handlebar Height Min/Max | 41 in | 41 in | 32"/44.5" | 41 in | 40 in |
Mfr. Max Allowable Total Storage Weight | 20 lbs | 18 lbs | 11 lbs | Not specified | Not specified |
Car Seat Compatibility | UPPAbaby Mesa Max & Mesa V2 | N/A | Britax | Cybex | N/A |
Wheel Type | Foam | Foam | Foam Filled Rubber | Foam | Foam |
Brake Type | Single | Single | Single | Single | Double |
Our Analysis and Test Results
The UPPAbaby company began in the United States and has over ten years of experience creating products for babies. It is a family-owned and operated business that creates high-quality, innovative gear, including strollers and car seats.
Performance Comparison
Transporting and Storing
The Minu v2 earned a score just below the average for the group. Because it is somewhat bigger and heavier than the average option in our lineup, it is almost like the Minu is trying to walk the line between travel and every day, full-size options, and frankly, it does it pretty well.
The Minu v2 weighed 17 lbs in our tests. This is one of the higher weights for the group but still lighter than most full-size strollers. The minimum in this review is closer to 10 lbs, with the average being 14 lbs, so there is a difference.
The Minu v2 is not as compact as others in the review. It measured 20.5"W x 10.3"H x 23"L, which is 5,894 in^3. While this might be somewhat bigger than the average, it is not the largest in the group. Only a handful of options are larger.
Ease of Use
The Minu v2 is easy to use and earned one of the highest ease of use scores in the group.
While some strollers merely check the boxes of having certain features, UPPAbaby's design choice implies they actually care about the user's experience, and we love it.
Fold and Unfold
Folding the Minu v2 is a straightforward affair and requires only one hand. To fold the stroller, you squeeze the button on the handle and push it somewhat forward, causing it to collapse into thirds.
It auto-locks and self-stands. To open, you unlatch the lock and pull the handle. The stroller snaps open into place. It is a smooth operation to close and open.
Storage
The Minu v2 storage has one of the highest storage bin weight capacities in the group, with a 20 lb limit. It is a medium-sized bin with good access from the back, and it feels sturdy enough to hold 20 lbs.
We fit our large diaper bag inside. It also has a pocket on the back of the canopy to keep frequently used items nearby. This pocket is good for smaller snacks and smartphones.
Harness
The harness webbing is soft and smooth. There are only two adjustment points, which make finding a good fit a breeze.
It is a 5-point harness but only has three components that come together since the shoulder and waist straps are together. Pressing the buckle to release the prongs took about 15-20 lbs of force.
Brakes
The Minu v2 has single-action brakes with two pedals. The pedals are color-coded and are easy to set and release, making them foot-friendly with no uplifting.
Ease of Setup
The Minu v2 isn't hard to set up, but it took longer to assemble than most of the options in this lineup. We made errors when assembling the options as we didn't think the manual was as descriptive as possible. Our main problem was the canopy, as the manual had portions of the assembly of this part in different locations.
Car Seat Compatiblity
One of the real bright spots of the Minu is the versatility of seating options, including bassinet capability and infant car seat carriers. This stroller works with UPPAbaby infant car seats and requires the purchase of adapters.
Maneuverability
While none of the travel options offer stellar performance off-road, the Minu v2 manages to provide better maneuverability than most in the group, with one of the highest scores.
The rigid frame, wider stance, and harder wheels help this option move smoothly over flat surfaces. The lack of frame flex and sturdy wheels helped it move relatively easily through grass and over gravel. Unlike some competitors who struggled with soft wheels or flexy frames, the Minu v2 seems to understand that the world is not just flat and hard surfaces. The stiff and response frame helps it pop up over thresholds and curbs.
Quality
The Minu v2 offers the same level of quality we've grown to expect from a UPPAbaby product. It earned one of the highest scores in the group.
The fabric is soft and skin-friendly. It fits the frame well and looks durable. The frame is sturdy and doesn't flex where it shouldn't, and it has an overall stout feel that should last for years and multiple kids.
It has a nice matte finish, and the joints are snug. The wheels are foam-filled plastic and rather hard compared to other options. They are 5.4 inches in diameter and are 83 HA in our hardness tests, making them some of the hardest in the group.
Kid's Comfort
The Minu provides a comfortable rising space for passengers, with one of the highest scores for this metric.
Seat
The included seat has an adjustable recline and leg rest. The recline adjustment only needs one hand to lower but requires two to lift. It is smooth and deep enough for napping, and the fabric is soft enough for bare skin. The footrest is adjustable with two positions and requires only one hand to operate. The angles feel more ergonomic than those of competitors with similar components.
Sunshade
The Minu v2 is large and has a mesh peek-a-boo window and a UPF 50+ coverage. The medium-sized mesh window closes magnetically (and silently!) with a loop and tie system to hold it open. There is an expandable zip-open section that provides even more coverage.
Should You Buy the UPPAbaby Minu v2?
The Minu v2 is an excellent option for those who want small without sacrificing features or functionality. Depending on your goals, this stroller could do double duty as a full-size stroller. It most definitely can be your infant car seat carrier or a bassinet, making it one of this review's most versatile seating options. We like the quality and maneuverability of the Minu v2 and think most parents and kids will find it comfortable and easy to use. If your budget allows for it, the Minu v2 is one for your shortlist.
What Other Travel Strollers Should You Consider?
If you don't need to use your stroller with a car seat or you'd like to save some money, the Zoe Traveler could be a good choice. This higher-ranked option performed well in our tests for most metrics, including kid's comfort, maneuverability, and ease of use. We think it is a reasonable price that will please most families and could potentially work as your everyday stroller, depending on your goals. If your budget is bigger and you are interested in the best of the best, the Bugaboo Butterfly is our favorite in the group, bringing quality and superior performance together into a compact package that more than gets the job done.