The Babyzen Yoyo is best known for being the world’s first stroller to be accepted as cabin luggage in folded form. And this is great, but it’s certainly not all that it’s got going for it. It’s actually a great little stroller for getting out and about with the baby.
Let’s take a look at some of its features. Then, in the interest of fairness, we’ll run through some of the drawbacks, before wrapping up with a conclusion at the end.
Features
The Basics
The Babyzen Yoyo is available as a pushchair only, but newborn accessories, such as a carrycot, can be bought separately. It has a very lightweight aluminum frame, coming in at 5.8 kg. When folded measures a mere 52 cm x 44 cm x 18 cm, and when unfolded, it’s still not too wide or bulky, measuring 106 cm x 44 cm x 86 cm.
The Seat unit
The Babyzen Yoyo is aimed at children from newborn (if you get the necessary accessories) up to 36 months (3 years), or up to a maximum weight of 15 kg.
The seat features removable fabrics which can be put straight in the washing machine for easy cleaning. The seat features a padded 5-point safety harness to keep the baby safe and secure at all times.
The seat is height adjustable, which is perfect for a growing baby. And it features a strap operated infinite recline. And this is great because a reclining position can really help the baby to get to sleep when they need a nap.
And, as for other comfort features in the seat, there’s integrated ventilation in the fabric, which is perfect for hot summer days, and nice little footrests, too.
But, just to give you a heads-up, the seat is low enough for the baby to get out of it themselves when they are not strapped in.
The Canopy (Hood)
The Babyzen Yoyo comes complete with a canopy with UV protection in the fabric, with UPF 50+. It features a sun visor and a peek-a-boo viewing window. The canopy can be removed for easy cleaning.
The Bumper bar
Although the Babyzen Yoyo doesn’t come with a bumper bar, you do have the option of buying one separately.
The Wheels, The Suspension, And Maneuverability
There are the traditional 4 wheels, rather than the 3 wheels you often see on strollers these days. They’re quite big at 13.5 cm, have plenty of swivel, and are rubber coated.
Although the Babyzen Yoyo is clearly intended for urban use over countryside use, it can easily handle slightly uneven terrain.
There’s an open spring mechanical suspension system that applies to all of the four wheels.
The Brake
As we mention in the drawbacks later, there isn’t a traditional locking system for the wheels. Instead, there is a central brake system composed of a one-step rocker pedal that won’t hurt your feet, even if you’re wearing sandals or flip-flops.
The Fold
The fold has to be one of the star features of the Babyzen Yoyo. As we mentioned in our introduction, the Babyzen Yoyo is best known for being the world’s first stroller to be accepted as cabin luggage in folded form. This is because, when folded, it measures a mere 52 cm x 44 cm x 18 cm.
It’s still regarded as one of the world’s most compact strollers when folded, which makes it perfect not only for taking on planes, but actually onto any form of public transport where space is limited.
It can be folded up with the seat still attached, and once folded, it will stand up straight without falling over. Then there’s an automatic lock feature when the chassis is folded, so you don’t have to worry about it coming loose and damaging other baggage or any of your groceries.
Once folded, you can carry it using the carry handle, or with the carry strap over your shoulder, or place it in the included transport cover.
Unfortunately, however, the Babyzen Yoyo does not fold away one-handed like many other strollers tend to do these days. But, we are pleased to report that you only need one hand to shake it open again, which is great if you need to hold the baby before putting them into the stroller.
But that said, the Babyzen Yoyo is pretty easy to fold down, and after a little practice, you should be able to fold it down in a fraction of a second.
The Handlebar
The handlebar is comfortable to hold since it’s made of foam, but unfortunately you can’t adjust the height of the handlebar at all, and it’s permanently set at 106 cm.
The Storage
There’s a storage basket under the seat of the stroller which can be accessed from either the front or the back of the stroller. It’s quite a long basket but isn’t particularly deep, so it’s not as spacious as we would like it to be.
But there is also a small storage pocket in the canopy, which is handy for keeping small items such as the baby’s pacifier.
Manoeuvrability and Handling
The Babyzen Yoyo is very easy to maneuver around, despite being a 4-wheel stroller rather than a 3-wheel one. It rolls smoothly along, and with its long wheelbase and low seat, it makes for a very stable and secure ride.
The Accessories
The Babyzen Yoyo comes complete with a handy rain cover. But that’s not all, you also get a transport cover for the stroller in the folded up position included in the price.
There are also lots of other accessories that are available to buy separately, including a parasol, a cup holder, an attachable bag, mosquito nets, a leg rest, and a footmuff. Not bad hey?
Special Features
By purchasing the Yoyo 0+ textile set, the Yoyo 6+ can be transformed into the Yoyo 0+ featuring a ‘reversed’ seat suitable from birth.
It’s also compatible with many Group 0 car seats.
Drawbacks
Well, it wouldn’t be a fair review if we didn’t let you know about some of the stroller’s drawbacks. Not that there are many.
Wheels don’t have a locking feature
This may be a concern for most parents, but the manufacturer states that there’s no need for it, and that the stroller won’t roll away when stopped.
Stroller doesn’t have a lie flat option
Although the Babyzen Yoyo can recline, and recline a lot, it doesn’t quite go completely flat.
Canopy isn’t waterproof
It would be nice if the canopy was waterproof, but it’s not, however there is a rain cover included in the price.
Can’t be folded one-handed
With so many strollers these days that can be folded down one-handed, it has become something that we often come to expect. But, unfortunately, the Babyzen Yoyo doesn’t offer that. It’s a shame.
Handle height can’t be adjusted
Unfortunately, the Babyzen Yoyo doesn’t feature an adjustable handle height, which is a shame because it might make it difficult for the baby’s siblings to push the stroller on occasion.
Storage basket could be deeper
The storage basket isn’t quite as spacious as we would like, and this is because the seat of the stroller is quite low, which means that the storage basket isn’t as deep as on other strollers.
Seat is forward-facing only
Many strollers these days can be altered so that the seat is facing forward or facing rearward. But unfortunately, the Babyzen Yoyo only features a forward facing option, which means that the baby doesn’t ever get to see the pusher as you go around town.
Wrap Up
To be honest, we’ve probably found just as many cons for this stroller as we have pros. So, although it certainly works well as a stroller, you might be able to find some better ones out there. Or look into newer versions of the Babyzen Yoyo, such as the Babyzen Yoyo+ Or the Babyzen Yoyo 2.
If you like to travel by plane on a frequent basis, however, you’re still a lot better off going for a Babyzen Yoyo than with many of the other strollers out there, even if it does mean putting up with a few minor drawbacks. We mentioned it earlier, but it bears repeating here, the Babyzen Yoyo folds up so compactly that it’s accepted by many airlines as cabin baggage.
And if you like to head out to warmer climates, the baby will be glad of the integrated ventilation in the seat’s fabric, and the inclusion of a sun visor, and the UV protection of the sun canopy.
Update
The Babyzen Yoyo was discontinued by the manufacturer back in 2016, so the only way to get a hold of one now would be second hand. But that’s not such a bad thing if it’s still in good condition. And by buying second hand, you could potentially save a significant amount of money.
Or, alternatively you could check out some of the newer additions to the Babyzen Yoyo line, such as the Babyzen Yoyo+, or the Babyzen Yoyo 2.