In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

BabyZen Yoyo2 Review

Easy to use and push, high-quality option that has a small fold but the canopy is small and the price is high
gearlab tested logo
babyzen yoyo2 umbrella stroller review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $530 List
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Manufacturer:   BabyZen
By Wendy Schmitz, and the BabyGearLab Review Team  ⋅  Dec 16, 2021
69
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#1 of 15
  • Weight/Folded Size - 35% 6.2
  • Ease of Use - 30% 6.5
  • Maneuverability - 25% 7.8
  • Quality - 10% 8.0

The Skinny

The BabyZen Yoyo2 is a high-quality lightweight stroller with one of the smallest folds in this review. This easy-to-use, easy-to-fold option includes a handy carry bag for transporting your stroller with less potential for damage and ranks among the best strollers. The Yoyo2 performed well in our tests for maneuverability and quality. It has a sleek and polished overall finish with few visible rivets or connection points. This stroller works smoothly, and we had no difficulties during testing. The downside to the Yoyo2 is the high price, making this option a no-go for those on tighter budgets. The price is high for a product that is not a full-size stroller, and this option is unlikely to work as your only ride. However, if you want an ultra-small stroller for travel or city living, this one is sure to please and then some.
REASONS TO BUY
Higher-quality
Easier to push and turn
Small fold
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Not as light as others
Editor's Note: The BabyZen Yoyo2 review was updated on December 16, 2021 with additional information on testing methods to help you better understand and compare products.

Compare to Similar Products

 
babyzen yoyo2 umbrella stroller review
This Product
BabyZen Yoyo2
Awards Editors' Choice Award Best Value Award Best Value Award   
Price $530 List
$399.00 at Amazon
$179 List$180 List$80 List
$79.99 at Amazon
$100 List
$82.71 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
69
60
59
52
48
Star Rating
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Pros Higher-quality, easier to push and turn, small foldReasonable price, good quality, comfy napping, smaller foldEasy to carry, lightweight, stands on its ownInexpensive, easy to useInexpensive, hands only fold
Cons Expensive, not as light as othersBrake hurts the top of uncovered feet, harder to push and turn off-roadHard to push and turn, not for napping, convoluted foldPoor quality, harder to maneuverPoor sun protection, wobbly wheels
Bottom Line Easy to use and push, high-quality option that has a small fold but the canopy is small and the price is highA high-scoring, reasonably priced option with nice features suitable for comfortable napping but harder to turn off-roadUpright seat with no adjust-ability that can be harder to push on uneven terrainThe cheapest option with disappointing functionalityDifficult to navigate stroller that is lightweight and budget friendly, but lower quality
Rating Categories BabyZen Yoyo2 Zoe Traveler UPPAbaby G-Lite Kolcraft Cloud Plus Summer Infant 3D lite
Weight/Folded Size (35%)
6.2
7.2
6.8
5.8
6.0
Ease of Use (30%)
6.5
6.2
5.1
6.2
4.7
Maneuverability (25%)
7.8
4.5
5.1
4.5
3.4
Quality (10%)
8.0
5.0
7.0
2.0
4.0
Specs BabyZen Yoyo2 Zoe Traveler UPPAbaby G-Lite Kolcraft Cloud Plus Summer Infant 3D lite
Weight 14.3 lbs 12 lbs 11.8 lbs 12.6 lbs 13.1 lbs
Folded Dimensions 18.7"W x 21"H x 9"L 17.5"W x 23"H x 13"L 13.3"W x 10.8"H x 42.5"L 18.6"W x 11.7"H x 34.7"L 13.9"W x 10"H x 42.6"L
Folded Volume 3,534 cu in 5,233 cu in 6,105 cu in 7,551 cu in 5,921 cu in
Capacity Limits Minimum: 6 months
Maximum: 40 lbs
Minimum: 3 months
Maximum: 45 lbs
Minimum: 6 months
Maximum: 55 lbs/45"
Minimum: Not Listed
Maximum: 50 lbs/44"
Minimum: 6 months
Maximum: 50 lbs
Included Car Seat Compatibility None None None None None
Click-in Car Seat Adapters Cybex
Aton Q, Aton 2
Nuna
Pipa, Pipa Lite
Clek
Liing
Maxi Cosi
Mico Max Plus
None None None None
Strap-in Car Seat Adapters None None None None None
One-handed Fold No Yes No Yes Yes
Locking Fold Auto Auto Auto Manual Auto
Self-standing Fold Yes No Yes Yes No
Carry Strap Yes No Yes No Yes
Handlebar Height - Min/Max 42.5" 40.5" 42.3" 38.9" 43"
Sandal-friendly Brake Yes No Yes No No
Included Accessories Carry Bag None None None None
Setup Time 20-25 Min 2-5 Min 2-5 Min 5-10 Min 5-10 Min

Our Analysis and Test Results

Five Frenchmen founded BabyZen to create a lightweight stroller suitable for urban living. This brand is higher-quality and designed for travel and city living. With marketing that claims they produce "the only stroller you'll ever need," BabyZen only has a small lineup of strolling options.

Performance Comparison



babyzen yoyo2 umbrella stroller review - the yoyo2 fits inside the included carry bag.
The Yoyo2 fits inside the included carry bag.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight and Folded Size


This stroller folds into thirds and fits in a nice carry bag that protects it from the outside world. The Yoyo2 weighs 14.3 lbs and is 3,534 cubic inches when folded.


These measurements make it lighter and smaller than much of the competition but sadly heavier and larger than the previous version of the Yoyo. Several strollers, like the GB Pockit, weigh less, but not many that fold smaller.

babyzen yoyo2 umbrella stroller review - we really appreciate the yoyo2's included carry bag.
We really appreciate the Yoyo2's included carry bag.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Yoyo2 is one of the easier options in the review to use, earning a higher than average score for the metric.


The Details


Within our ease of use metric, there are a variety of components that contribute to the overall score. The two most heavily weighted tests we perform are for ease of folding, and storage functionality. We think these are the most important ease of use factors for you to consider before making a purchase, and below we compare each stroller in greater detail to give a better understanding of how products line up.

Fold and Unfold

Fold and unfold ratings contribute to 25% of the overall ease of use score. Many parents purchase an umbrella stroller to use for travel, and on-the-go situations where a top-ranked full-size stroller would be too cumbersome. So, being able to fold your stroller quickly and easily is a must, and it is even better if you can do it with one hand. The BabyZen earned a score that is just above average for this sub-metric. Partially because it requires two hands, and also because it has a somewhat complicated fold that may take some time to learn.


Unlocking the Yoyo2 requires two hands.
Unlocking the Yoyo2 requires two hands.
The folding process takes practice and we had difficulties in the...
The folding process takes practice and we had difficulties in the beginning.

The Yoyo2 requires two hands to fold and unfold. There are multiple steps, and it is not intuitive from the get-go, though, with practice, it gets easier. While not the worst score in the group, the Yoyo2 was just average. We needed the instructions to help us and some practice, even after years of folding almost every stroller on the market. Sometimes the wheels get in the way of finalizing the fold, so you need to spin them around if things aren't working.

Storage

We think storage is another valuable element for long days out with a baby. While it is difficult to find excellent storage in a lightweight stroller, some options are better than others. The Yoyo2 scored above average for the group. The basket is a bit small, but it has good access from the front, and there is an additional pocket in the real for small parent items.


The Yoyo2 storage bin is larger than some of the competition with...
The Yoyo2 storage bin is larger than some of the competition with better access for bigger bags.
The Yoyo2 has a pocket on the back of the canopy for additional...
The Yoyo2 has a pocket on the back of the canopy for additional storage of quick-access items like a phone or wallet.

The Yoyo2 holds up to 11 lbs, which is one of the highest maximum allowances in the group. However, it is only medium in size, and we couldn't fit as much in the basket as in the Britax B-Lively. The opening in the back is very narrow, and it widens toward the front, where you might have better access if you can move passenger legs out of the way. The back also has bars that block access, so even if it looks like your diaper bag is small enough to fit in the bin, you may not be able to get it past the opening.

babyzen yoyo2 umbrella stroller review - the single-action brake pedal on the yoyo2 might be small but it is...
The single-action brake pedal on the Yoyo2 might be small but it is easy to use and sandal foot-friendly.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Brakes


The brake pedal is a small red tab near the right wheel. They are single action, and one pedal engages a lock on both wheels. Even though the pedal is on the small side, it is easy to set. There is no play in the brakes at all, and we didn't have any brakes-related accidents during testing.

babyzen yoyo2 umbrella stroller review - the sunshade on the yoyo2 is better than most of the competition...
The sunshade on the Yoyo2 is better than most of the competition, but it would be even better if it extended out over the knees instead of curving back in.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Sunshade


The sunshade on the Yoyo2 looks sharp and well made with a UPF rating of 50+. It is somewhat large for an umbrella product, but it isn't the biggest in the group. It offers adequate coverage that comes low enough to shield most passenger faces from the sun. It doesn't extend as far as we'd like, and most of the passenger's body will be exposed. It has a small vinyl window with no cover and a small view of little ones underneath.

babyzen yoyo2 umbrella stroller review - the yoyo2 harness and buckle have a high-end look and work fairly...
The Yoyo2 harness and buckle have a high-end look and work fairly smoothly.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Harness


The harness and buckle have a very high-end look and feel with a padded crotch strap. The straps are soft and slippery, which feels good, but they come loose easily. Their tightest setting fits our 6-month tester snugly. This stroller's 5-point harness shoulder height adjustment is a rethread style. It is easier than most because you can detach the padding for better access. The harness release button is easy to press, and clips spring out when the button is pressed. The Inglesina Quid is another stroller that has this spring feature that we love.

The pull tab loop on the recline adjustment of the Yoyo2 seatback...
The pull tab loop on the recline adjustment of the Yoyo2 seatback makes adjustments easier than previous versions that lacked this O ring.
While the Yoyo2 doesn't have a super deep recline, it is likely...
While the Yoyo2 doesn't have a super deep recline, it is likely enough for most little ones to nap.

Seat


The Yoyo2 seat reclines enough for possible napping. It has the same strap recline method as the old Yoyo+, but it has plastic pull loops that make putting the seat up and down much easier. We were able to do it with one hand both ways. The leg rest is not adjustable or very long, and there is no real footrest.

babyzen yoyo2 umbrella stroller review - while it might be nice to connect an infant car seat to your...
While it might be nice to connect an infant car seat to your lightweight stroller, the CLoud Q did not feel stable on the Yoyo2 and it was difficult to connect.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Car Seat Compatibility


The Yoyo2 is compatible with a handful of infant car seats, including the Cybex Aton Q, Cybex Aton 2, Nuna Pipa, Nuna Pipa Lite, Clek Liing, and the Maxi-Cosi Mico Max Plus. We tested ours with the Cybex Aton 2. Our tests show it is harder to attach to the stroller than it should be, and we struggled with it. It requires adapters, and you definitely could do it wrong or think it was installed when it wasn't. We had trouble making the connection and getting it to release when we wanted it to. However, once we got it attached, it felt stable and scored better than some of the competition for stability.



Ease of Setup


Putting the Yoyo2 together is complex, and it took longer than any other stroller by far with a 20-25 minute assembly time. The manual instructions are clear, but there are no pictures. This design made the details hard to follow as it wasn't clear, and there were no pictures to supplement the lack of details. The canopy, in particular, took us forever to figure out, and we eventually had to find a video for help. There are far more steps for this stroller than most of the competition.

babyzen yoyo2 umbrella stroller review - the yoyo2 has one of the highest test results for maneuverability in...
The Yoyo2 has one of the highest test results for maneuverability in the group.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Maneuverability


The Yoyo2 proves you don't need big rubber tires to improve maneuverability. While none of the strollers in this review performed well in our test for maneuverability, this one did outshine most of the competition.


The wheels are pretty small and foam-filled plastic like most of the competition, but they are still better at moving than the cheaper competition.

babyzen yoyo2 umbrella stroller review - the yoyo2 has smaller, foam-filled plastic wheels, but they have...
The Yoyo2 has smaller, foam-filled plastic wheels, but they have front suspension, a sleek design and they have less resistance than the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

This stroller easily maneuvers around tight corners and over rugs/cords. It pushes very smoothly and is easy to turn with one hand. The flex in the frame is perfect for adding some cushion to the turns. This stroller did well over grass and gravel as long as the grass was shorter and the gravel was not deep.

babyzen yoyo2 umbrella stroller review - the yoyo2 has a very simple and finished look and feel that make it...
The Yoyo2 has a very simple and finished look and feel that make it a step above the competition for quality.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


The Babyzen is a top-quality option with a price to match. This stroller has attention to detail and feels sturdier and more finished than the competition, earning high honors in our quality metric.


The overall fit and finish of this stroller are more polished and finished. It has hub caps on the wheels, few visible rivets or connection materials, and the frame is minimal in design, so it doesn't look clunky or cluttered.

It has soft, fine, woven canvas fabric that is not plastic feeling at all. The seat cushion and canopy do not look wrinkled, and the strap webbing and padding are smooth and touch-friendly. While it has a slight frame flex when turning, there is no rattling or squeaking, and we can push the stroller without stepping on the rear axle.

Should You Buy the BabyZen Yoyo2?


The Yoyo2 is a top-of-the-line umbrella stroller and has better features and functionality than many of the other lightweight options we tested. It earned top marks in most metrics and is a pleasure to use. However, its exorbitant price tag makes it less accessible, and since it is not a good stand-in for an everyday stroller, it may be a hard sell for the average family. We feel it is an excellent choice for those who value quality and performance above all else and have a budget to accommodate.

What Other Lightweight Strollers Should You Consider?


While it is hard to compete with the performance of the Babyzen, you may find slightly better value in a product like the UPPAbaby Minu, which falls close behind the Yoyo in overall performance. It has a similar fold method but is slightly larger and heavier. It is compatible with one of our favorite infant car seats, has a longer usage range, and easier initial setup. Both strollers earned top scores for quality and ease of use. Depending on your needs, either one would be a good choice.

Manufacturer Video



Wendy Schmitz, and the BabyGearLab Review Team
 

Honest, objective reviews. Led by a Pediatrician.

BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.

Learn More