If you like to travel with your children, you’ll need a lightweight, compact stroller that’s easy to fold and doesn’t take up too much space in a car trunk or on public transport.
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Because my full-time job is being mom to 2 precious daughters, and I know a thing or two about strollers. Besides personal experience, I get feedback from other moms who use these strollers every day and put all that research into our unbiased stroller buying guides
- Kyli
In this guide, we take a look at two manufacturers of top-end baby products, including strollers, Quinny and Babyzen. We compare the Babyzen Yoyo umbrella stroller with the Quinny Zapp Xtra and the Quinny Yezz.
First, let’s find out more about these two manufacturers.
Table of Contents
Quinny: Urban style, practicality, and superb performance
Quinny is a European brand that’s now widely available in the U.S.
This brand designs their products to appeal directly to parents who live in an urban environment. Their stroller range is considered to be high-end and luxurious, with improvements and upgrades being introduced each year. Quinny strollers are designed to perform flawlessly while keeping your child safe.
If having style and turning heads as you stroll is important to you, you’ll love the range of trendy colors that Quinny comes out with every season.
Babyzen: Super-compact, smart design
Babyzen is a French company that produces strollers and other baby products for an international market.
The Babyzen Yoyo was the first stroller that’s compact enough to fit into an airplane overhead luggage bin.
Zapp Xtra 2 by Quinny: Lightweight, well-made, and incredibly stylish
The Zapp Xtra 2 is a redesign of Quinny’s original, classic Zapp stroller. Many changes were made to create a more practical stroller that could be used from birth as a travel system. Quinny achieved that by adding the option of a reversible seat that allows your child to face their parent or look out on the world.
You can use the Zapp Xtra 2 from birth, either with a car seat or a newborn inlay. The stroller seat can be used for an infant from six months. Older children will benefit from the addition of a footrest, and that’s something you don’t get with many strollers of this design, including the Babyzen Yoyo.
All Quinny strollers have a very distinctive, “U” shape frame design with a curve at the front wheel fork. The frame on the Zapp Xtra 2 is matte silver.
In case you are interested in saving a bit by opting for the previous version, here it is:
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You can see a manufacturer’s promotional video of the Zapp Xtra 2 at this link.
Yoyo by Babyzen: Perfect for travel and packed with features
- Includes frame and 6+ color pack
- Extremely compact when folded (52 x 44 x 18 cm).
- Fits in the smallest spaces and in the overhead compartment of an airplane
The Babyzen Yoyo stroller is thoughtfully designed and super-lightweight with the emphasis on ease of travel. You can even fit the Yoyo into most airline and train overhead lockers!
Like the Zapp Xtra 2, the Yoyo can be used from birth through to your child’s toddler years, and it comes with a flat nest for infants. The seat has a five-point safety harness, a foot muff, a headrest, and a two-position, pop-up canopy.
Check out this video of the Babyzen Yoyo in action.
Yezz by Quinny: Lightweight, Perfect for Travel
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The Yezz is Quinny’s answer to the Yoyo with its super-light frame and clever fold. The Yezz is aimed at parents who like to travel regularly, including on public transport and by air.
The design of the Yezz is nothing short of remarkable and is very different from the Zapp Xtra 2 and the Yoyo. The stroller comes in two sections. You have to attach the seat fabric to the chassis via plastic clips and colorful climbing rope. The result is a stroller that looks fantastic and is also incredibly strong, capable of carrying over 40 pounds of weight!
Here’s the manufacturer’s promo video showing the Yezz being demonstrated.
Babyzen Yoyo vs Quinny Zapp Xtra 2 and Yezz: Features that Matter
Fold
When it comes to folding, the Yoyo wins the race. Although the Zapp Xtra 2 is easy enough to fold and is pretty compact once it’s folded, it can’t come close to the tiny package you end up with when you fold the Yoyo. That said, you can remove the Zapp Xtra 2’s wheels to create a neat little parcel that will easily fit into your car trunk and won’t take up much space on public transport.
The Yoyo can be carried like a bag thanks to its compact size when folded. When folded, the Yoyo measures a tiny 20.47 x 17.3 x 7.08 inches. That’s about the same size as a large purse! So, if you’re traveling by air or train, you’ll be able to fit the Yoyo into an overhead bin with no problem.
No products found.The Yezz weighs just 11 pounds and is extremely compact and freestanding when folded.
The one-handed fold of the Yezz is innovative, flip-flop-friendly, and simple to carry out. Once you fold it, the stroller can be locked so that it is freestanding. For ease of transport, Quinny included an adjustable strap on the frame so that you can throw the folded stroller over your shoulder or carry it by your side if you prefer.
No products found.Once folded, the Yezz can be stowed away under your seat or in the baggage rack of a bus or train. However, unlike the Yoyo, the Yezz won’t fit into most overhead plane lockers.
Canopy
The Zapp Xtra 2’s canopy is enormous compared to other strollers in this class, and it’s much bigger than that of the Yoyo! And the canopy has multiple position options too, giving you more than enough protection and shade. A thoughtful feature of the canopy is the plastic viewing window that extends from the base right down the sides, allowing you to see your child from pretty much all angles.
The Yoyo canopy is still very generous, covering half the front of the stroller, and its UPF+ fabric protects your child from the sun on hot summer days. You also get a rain cover to keep your passenger dry and protected from showers. Unfortunately, the Yoyo doesn’t have the peek-a-boo window.
The canopy on the Yezz is small in comparison with the Zapp Xtra 2 and the Yoyo, but it does give adequate shade, and you can extend it with a small pop-out visor. Also, you get a rain cover included with the stroller to keep your child dry on rainy days.
The Push (Wheels and Handlebars)
The Zapp stroller has two single wheels at the back and one double wheel at the front, both of which attach quickly and simply with one push and a click. The wheels are more substantial than you’ll find on most umbrella strollers and are made from sturdy, durable plastic. The front wheel is lockable for improved stability. That said, the Zapp Xtra 2 is not designed to negotiate bumpy ground; it’s built for urban, about-town use.
Similar to the Yoyo, the handlebars are not adjustable on the Zapp Xtra 2, but they are at the right height for parents up to 5’10” tall. If you’re any taller than that, you might find the push somewhat uncomfortable. Overall, the Zapp Xtra 2 is super-lightweight and extremely easy to maneuver, even one-handed. Thanks to the wide rear wheelbase, the stroller feels very sturdy, despite its featherlight weight.
Like the Zapp Xtra 2, the Yoyo has a one-handed push, and your little one will enjoy a smooth ride even over bumpy sidewalks and curbs, thanks to the four-wheel suspension system that the Zapp Xtra 2 doesn’t have. However, you should know that both these strollers are designed for urban and city use, not as all-terrain strollers.
The Yezz’s handlebar is continuous so that you can push one-handed. Like the Yoyo and the Zapp Xtra 2, you can’t adjust the handlebar, but it is comfortable for taller parents up to 6’1”.
No products found.Also, it is a very smooth to push thanks to its three solid polyurethane wheels and sealed roller bearings that help with free rolling. A nice touch that the Zapp Xtra 2 and Yoyo don’t offer is that you can choose either clear or colored wheels to match or contrast with your chosen seat color.
Seat
The Yoyo’s seat depth is quite a bit less than you’ll find on many umbrella strollers, including the Zapp Xtra 2. That’s something to bear in mind if you have a large child. The seat cover can be removed and is machine washable. Although you can recline the seat back on the Yoyo, it’s not reversible like the Zapp Xtra 2.
The Zapp Xtra 2 has a much more generous seat than the Yoyo, meaning that this stroller should last your child well into toddlerhood. When you have the stroller’s seat set in forward-facing mode, your little one can rest their feet on the “U” shaped footplate area at the front of the stroller’s frame. The seat back measures 20.5 inches, giving plenty of support for taller children.
Additionally, the seat has a five-point safety harness with easily adjustable height positions, and the crotch and shoulder pads are very well-padded for additional comfort. And the Zapp Xtra 2’s seat can recline, although the two available positions in parent-facing mode are quite “flat,” which isn’t ideal for older children. The seat fabrics are thick, robust, and extremely durable. The material is treated with a wipe-clean coating, unlike the Yoyo that has a removable, washable seat cover.
The seat on the Yezz is a bone of contention for some parents. Instead of a regular, padded seat, the Yezz has a sling seat that’s similar to a hammock. Unfortunately, that makes the stroller unsuitable for infants under six months of age. However, the seat is very large and roomy, has a five-point safety harness, and you can remove the fabric to wash it.
No products found.Because of the seat design and the fold, there’s no seat recline, although the angled seat back and bottom have deep sides to accommodate a toddler who likes to nap.
Colors
Like the Zapp Xtra 2, the Yoyo is a stylish stroller, and there’s an excellent range of colors to choose from, including five seat and matching canopy colors and two chassis shades.
Lastly, the Yezz comes in a range of stylish, modern colors, including gray, blue, red, berry, pastel blue, and pastel pink.
Storage
The shopping basket on the Zapp is quite small, and the central chassis bar runs through the center of it, which can get in the way. However, the basket is quite deep and would probably be adequate for taking a few essentials.
As is the case with most umbrella strollers, the storage space you get with the Yoyo is pretty minimal, but it does have an underseat basket that’s on a par with that of the Zapp Xtra 2.
Another area that’s controversial for the Yezz and could be deal-breaker for some is the lack of an underseat storage. Instead, you get a large pocket on the back of the seat. The pocket will take up to 4.5 pounds in weight and is sufficient for essentials such as nappies, wipes, a purse, your keys, and a phone.
No products found.Car Seat Compatibility
If you like to travel by car, you’ll be pleased to know that the Yoyo is compatible with infant car seats. They’re available from Maxi-Cosi and Cybex, and can be attached to the stroller with adapters that must be purchased separately.
The Zapp Xtra 2 is carseat compatible as well:
Brake
The brake pedals are color-coordinated and sit above the rear wheels. Like the Yoyo, the Zapp Xtra 2’s brakes are easy to operate, even in flip-flops!
The rear wheel brakes on the Yezz are flip-flop-friendly and are clearly highlighted to remove confusion as to which pedal engages the brake and which releases it.
Accessories
When it comes to extra accessories, the Zapp Xtra 2 doesn’t disappoint. You get a parasol, travel bag, footmuff, cup holder, bumper bar, and a rain cover. There’s also a great range of bright, trendy colors to choose from. The line includes blue, red, pink, purple, black, and dark red.
Wrapping it up
All these umbrella strollers are lightweight and easy to transport. Both Babyzen and Quinny produce well-made, sturdy products with safety, convenience, and practicality as a priority.
If your lifestyle involves traveling light and taking public transport, including by air, the only way to go is the Yoyo. However, if you want a stroller that can be folded into a compact package that will fit easily into your car trunk or under your seat on a train, you could consider both of Quinny’s strollers. Of the two, the Zapp Xtra 2 has the more versatile seat configuration. And it can be used from newborn to toddlerhood. It also has an underseat basket for essentials and bits of shopping.
If you want a handy, lightweight second stroller that you can use for running errands the Yezz might make a cheaper alternative. Especially if you need to use your car to get to your destination, it may be better than the other two stroller models.
