BABYZEN YOYO2 review

Simple, elegant, and it helps free up space in any car boot and hallway spaces, the BABYZEN YOYO2 is every parents’ dream. Since its conception in 2012 BABYZEN’s YOYO range has revolutionised the way parents look at strollers with the release of the YOYO+. The French brand then came back with an upgrade and released the YOYO2.

Becoming one of the go-to for many mums and dads, this versatile stroller wears a few different hats, it’s easy to take around cities and can be picked up when catching the underground or bus. It's easy to take on an aeroplane and can be popped into the overhead lockers. There's also the option to add a newborn pack to take little ones away from those early stages, all the while feeling reliable with its sturdy, compact frame.

The lightweight YOYO2 incorporates a Hytrel elastomer suspension on all four wheels, meaning it is a very comfortable ride for your tots. BABYZEN also uses their patented Soft Drive system, eliminating the need to lock the front wheels on rough terrain for easier manoeuvrability. You can steer with one hand if needed, and the seat feels well-padded. We tested this little pocket rocket to see if the hype was worth it...

BABYZEN YOYO2 overview

BABYZEN YOYO2 key features

Compact: The YOYO2 can fold down to cabin baggage friendly dimensions, while retaining a reliable status with its sturdy frame – as parents, this is one of the biggest selling points.

Lightweight: Nappy bags, toys, snacks… while we’re busy carrying everything else, one thing we don’t have to worry about is the weight of the BABYZEN. This stroller weighs in at a mere 6.2kg, keeping it within the range of one of the lightest strollers in the world.

Stylish: The YOYO2 is undeniably gorgeous. Parents lust over the plush, design that shows that even slim, compact strollers can ooze a flair of sophistication. What’s more, this little rocket comes in 10 different colours to suit all style needs.

Testing the BABYZEN YOYO2

As a mother of two toddlers, the BABYZEN YOYO2 was really pushed to its limits. The main reviewer was my almost 2-year-old daughter. At toddler stage, these little feet are very curious and when the YOYO2 arrived, it caught her eye immediately. Pulling it straight out of the box and ready to use (what a luxury not to have to assemble anything), my daughter was excited to get in and give it a try.

From day trips in London to the morning nursery runs and ample car journeys, the YOYO2 has slotted into our life with ease. The first initial difference from a standard-sized pushchair, which for us was the Micralite GetGo was the amount of boot space we now have in the car. The YOYO2 entering my life instantly made me feel like I’d decluttered a seriously messy wardrobe, which has been therapeutic, to say the least.

BABYZEN’s patented Soft Drive system creates a smooth ride for a stroller of this calibre. It can take the lumps and bumps of any pavement and grass/park terrain, plus it has held up nicely when being used on the daily nursery runs. The handlebar is comfortable and easy to push, and although I remind myself that the purpose of this sort of stroller is to be as compact as possible, I would like to see the ability to have the handlebar extendable. This would come in particularly handy when using YOYO’s wheeled board.

Made from anti-UV (UPF50+) water-repellant fabric, the YOYO2’s hood and seat unit feel plush and cushioned. When putting my daughter in the seat the straps fit over her shoulders without needing to fumble around, they’re a sleek design and fold up and down well and with ample space to seat a toddler comfortably. Once she is secured in place with the five-point harness, the seat reclines into multiple positions, however, it doesn’t lie flat, which would have been preferable. The canopy window is convenient when keeping an eye on my daughter, and there is also a zipped back pocket, which came in handy for essentials like baby wipes or for easy access to snacks.

While on the move, the YOYO2 feels incredibly stable, the handlebar doesn’t “sway” or move when in transit, like the Mamas&Papas Airo does. It’s clear that the YOYO2 is made from high-end materials, with its aluminium, stainless steel and fibre-glass reinforced technical plastics. This mighty mini is built to last, plus the frame comes already assembled, yet is easily dismountable, repairable, and recyclable! The handlebar has a non-detachable strap, which to be honest I never find useful on buggies, pushchairs or strollers. I find this feature redundant and opt for buggy clips to help with any additional bags I wish to carry.

The YOYO footmuff

I think the ‘one-hand fold’ is a nice to touch to the YOYO2 and is possible after getting used to the decompressing button under the seat. However, don’t put that pressure on yourself and use two hands to make the fold even easier. The YOYO2 compacts down into a neat little box size, with straps and hood, packed away, unlike some strollers, and very impressively, fits into an over-head locker of an aeroplane. What I also really love, and what’s great during the colder months, is that the YOYO2 can be folded with BABYZEN’s YOYO footmuff in place. Albeit it can be a tad bit bulky, however still very much easy to store in a small hallway or put in a car boot, giving it additional versatility.

With a £110 price tag, the footmuff is a bit on the pricey side in comparison to some universal footmuffs available on the market, however it is super plush, secures in place on the YOYO2 and fits into a carry bag. YOYO’s footmuff has a white Sherpa lining with a double layer of padding, it can be machine-washed, has six fixture points and weighs 740g.

The BABYZEN YOYO wheeled board

At first, the YOYO2’s wheeled board is one of the most seamless fits I’ve ever seen on a stroller. Simply click on the seat unit (or use it without) and then click directly into the YOYO2’s frame. No need to install additional clips or make any adjustments, just like the YOYO2 unit itself, the wheeled board is ready to use in an instant – anything that makes a parent’s life as easy as a “click of a button” is just a dream.

However, as the handlebar isn’t extendable on the YOYO2, it is difficult to push the buggy and walk without frequently kicking the wheeled board. I have size 5 shoe size, so if I walk very straight I can place my feet in between the board as we stroll along, but the most comfortable position is walking slightly to the right or left side of the stroller, which isn't ideal. This can be a real pain at times, especially when walking through busy streets, it's also not great for my posture.

As with most buggy boards, it’s impossible to have the child that’s seated in the stroller make full use of the recline positions and this is no exception to the YOYO2. I have noticed that the YOYO2’s seat can't be positioned as upright as my toddler preferred either, so in the most upright position it was a bit fiddly to secure the wheeled board in place when not in use.

Other BABYZEN YOYO accessories

Undeniably, the BABYZEN range is one of the most stylish on the market, and the accessories follow suit. We used the rain cover which covers the whole stroller and kept my little one completely dry and safe from harsh winds. It surprisingly felt soft too, which made it easier to fold, unlike most rain covers which can be quite rigid. This and the mosquito net options can be really useful additions depending where you live, or travel to – they also don’t break the bank, each costing £25.

Other accessories include:

• YOYO footmuff

• YOYO leg rest

• YOYO mittens

• YOYO cup holder

• YOYO bag

• YOYO car seat

• YOYO parasol

Other lightweight strollers

We really are spoilt for choice with compact strollers, BABYZEN’s rivals include the Mamas&Papas Airo and the Joolz Aer buggy. The BABYZEN feels better quality than the Airo, and is lighter. It’s on par with the Aer’s stylish qualities ­­– both virtually weighing the same with the YOYO2 coming in at a 0.1kg slant heavier. The YOYO2 doesn’t lie flat, which the Aer’s latest updated, the Aer+, now does. Coming up above the Airo in terms of design, sturdiness and lighter, the differences between the Aer and the YOYO2 are marginal – so I would say it really comes down to personal preference.

BABYZEN YOYO2 final thoughts

The BABYZEN YOYO2 is a game changer – I just love how sturdy it feels while static or on the move. It’s comfortable for my little one and folds into a cabin baggage size, keeping all straps in place. It’s lightweight feature is impressive, making it all too easy to get in and out of my car boot. It manouevres with ease thanks to BABYZEN’s patented Soft Drive technology, and the under seat storage does the job for small backpacks, water bottles, and snacks. I found that I used the zipped back pocket a lot, and with a wide zip, it felt deeper than others I’ve used.

Some updates I’d like to see in the future, and what I think would really revolutionised compact strollers in general, is to have an extendable handlebar, to make it easier to use things like the wheeled board and for taller parents. It would also be favourable to have a lie-flat seat unit to aid with things like nap times on-the-go.

Overall it’s a stylish, little pocket rocket, that will stand the test of time and I highly recommend.