Babyzen is famous for producing the world’s first stroller that folds up into a package so compact that it will fit into an airplane overhead luggage bin. Babyzen’s Yoyo stroller is now one of the best-selling umbrella style strollers on the market, giving parents the mobility and convenience they need to get out and about with their family.
Why Trust Us?
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 article, we put the Babyzen Yoyo head-to-head with several strollers made by premier U.S. manufacturer, UPPAbaby, one of the most popular stroller brands in the world. Although all these strollers are well-made, intuitively designed, and packed with many of the important features parents want, there are quite a few significant differences between them. Read on to find out which model best suits your needs.
Table of Contents
Babyzen Yoyo vs. UPPAbaby Minu, UPPAbaby Cruz, and UPPAbaby G-Luxe
Babyzen Yoyo
- 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 gives you the ultimate in travel convenience. The fold is quick and simple, and once folded the Yoyo is about the size of a large purse! The Yoyo is so compact it can fit into most airline and train overhead luggage bins.
You’ll find the Yoyo extraordinarily light and easy to push with excellent maneuverability, even with only one hand. You can use the Yoyo for a newborn, thanks to the infant nest that comes with the stroller. Other useful extras include a foot cover, headrest, five-point safety harness, and two-position sun canopy.
To see a manufacturer’s promotional video of the Babyzen Yoyo, click this link.
UPPAbaby Minu
- Suitable for children 3 months up to 50lbs
- One-hand action fold with shoulder carry strap, Stands when folded.Do not use abrasives
- Hand-sewn, leather handlebars with perforated pattern for extra grip
Released in 2018, the UPPAbaby Minu is the latest addition to UPPAbaby’s stroller stable. The Minu is also the most compact and lightweight of their brand thus far and has been launched to provide direct competition to Babyzen’s Yoyo.
The Minu is super-light at just 13.6 pounds and is classed as an umbrella stroller. Like the Yoyo, the Minu can be used for a newborn, with the addition of a bassinet. The Minu can also fit into most train and airplane overhead luggage lockers. The Minu has generous storage space that’s lacking with the Yoyo, and it can also carry a child up to 50 pounds, versus the Yoyo’s capacity of only 40 pounds.
You can check out a video of the UPPAbaby Minu at this link.
UPPAbaby Cruz 2
- This stroller is suitable for children from birth (with optional Infant SnugSeat accessory) until the child height is approximately aorund 40 inches (101 centimeter). The unfolded dimensions...
- Includes toddler seat, rain shield & bug shield-Full size front and rear facing toddler seat-180-degree recline with one hand
- Adjustable canopy with peek-a-boo window-Extendable UPF 50+ sunshade
The UPPAbaby Cruz 2 is the latest version of the original Cruz stroller. The Cruz 2 is a regular style, reversible stroller. As with the Yoyo, you can use the Cruz 2 for a newborn, but you will need to buy a carrycot to do so. The Cruz 2 is compatible with most popular car travel systems, but even though the fold is pretty compact, you won’t fit this stroller into a very tight space.
Some handy extras that come with the Cruz 2 but not with the Yoyo include a full-size sun canopy with UV 50+ protection, an insect net, car seat/carrycot adapters, and a rain cover.
The Cruz 2 is a smooth push, but in reality you need to use two hands for safe steering and maneuverability.
To see a video of the UPPAbaby Cruz 2, click this link.
UPPAbaby G-Luxe
- Suitable from children from 3 months up to 55 pounds
- One-handed actuated recline and adjustable footrest
- Large stretch knit canopy with extendable UPF 50+ sunshade for great sun and wind protection
The UPPAbaby G-Luxe is a lightweight umbrella stroller. Compared with many super-light strollers in this class, the G-Luxe is one of the most feature-packed out there.
The G-Luxe has a very generous canopy, a big storage basket, four-wheel suspension, and an easy, one-handed push. However, the price you pay for all these appealing features is extra weight. Also, the G-Luxe isn’t as compact as the Yoyo is once folded. And you can’t use this stroller for a newborn.
You can view a promotional video of the UPPAbaby G-Luxe at this link.
Babyzen Yoyo vs. UPPAbaby Minu, Cruz, and G-Luxe: Features that matter compared
Portability
All these strollers are portable, but the Yoyo and the Minu are specifically designed for hassle-free travel. Both are compatible with several infant car seats if you use an adapter. The Yoyo weighs in at just 12.8 pounds, making it one of the lightest strollers on the market, including the UPPAbaby Minu that weighs 13.6 pounds. But the Minu is still very portable:
The G-Luxe is also an umbrella stroller and is actually lighter than the Yoyo at 11 pounds, minus its wheels and storage basket.
The Cruz 2 is not the stroller of choice if you want to travel around town on public transport or by air. The Cruz 2 is a regular stroller and is consequently heavier and bulkier than the Yoyo.
Car seat compatibility
The Minu is compatible with several popular car seats, including the Cybex, Nuna, and Maxi-Cosi. However, unless you have an UPPAbaby Mesa car seat, you’ll need to purchase a separate adapter.
The Yoyo is compatible with most well-known car seat brands.
As you’d expect with a regular stroller, the Cruz 2 is compatible with most infant car seat brands, although you will need an adapter.
Storage
Umbrella strollers are not renowned for having generous storage, but both the Minu and the Yoyo have medium-sized underseat storage baskets that are perfectly adequate. The Minu also gives you a large pocket on the seat back.
As you’d expect on a regular stroller from a manufacturer of UPPAbaby’s stature, the storage on the Cruz 2 is great! There’s an enormous underseat storage basket that can take a load of up to 25 pounds! Also, you get three small storage pockets for your baby essentials such as diapers, wipes, and snacks.
The G-Luxe is right up there when it comes to storage, especially for an umbrella stroller. There’s a storage basket that will take up to 10 pounds, that’s plenty of room for your baby essentials and a small purse or bag. You also get a handy mesh pocket and a removable cup holder included, which you don’t get with the Yoyo.
Maneuverability and push
The Yoyo is slim-line, measuring only 17 inches in width. That makes it very easy to maneuver through narrow doorways and crowded streets and malls. Like the Yoyo, the G-Luxe pushes easily over smooth terrain, although it isn’t an all-terrain or jogging stroller and struggles on gravel, muddy ground, and very uneven sidewalks. There’s a push-brake system for extra control, and the front wheels are lockable for better steering over rough terrain.
The Minu has a foot-operated brake system with easily-identified green and red pedals. Like the Yoyo, the Minu has a dynamic four-wheel suspension system for a smooth push over sidewalks, mall floors, and curbs. However, this stroller won’t cope with muddy parks, mulch, or gravel.
The Minu is slightly wider at 20.5 inches in width, but it can still fit through narrow doors if you take care not to bump the doorframes.
Unlike the Yoyo, the Cruz is designed to be used on a variety of terrains and will handle grass, gravel, mulch, curbs, and uneven pavements with ease. However, the Cruz is also broader and more cumbersome than the Yoyo, and you may find crowded streets and narrow store aisles a challenge.
Handlebar
The Yoyo and the Mini have a handlebar that’s about 41 inches from the ground. That’s fine for parents of average height, but it is not adjustable so that taller users may find the handlebar too low for comfort. The Minu has the edge in the style stakes with a leather covered handlebar versus the Yoyo’s black foam cover.
As you would expect from a good quality, regular stroller, the Cruz has an adjustable handlebar, which is also leather-covered for a touch of extra luxury and style.
The G-Luxe handlebar is not adjustable but it is ergonomically designed for a comfortable push, and the stroller is constructed so that you won’t kick the back of it if you take long strides.
The fold
If you want a stroller that makes travel easy and hassle-free, you’ll need one with a smooth, easy folding mechanism. The Yoyo delivers on that, and once folded, it will pass as a carry-on on airlines, and it will fit into an overhead storage locker too. Once folded, the Yoyo measures 20.5 inches x 17 inches x 7 inches. The Yoyo also comes with a shoulder strap and a travel bag for the ultimate in convenience.
Although the Yoyo’s folding mechanism is simple to use, you will need to use two hands to accomplish collapsing the stroller, despite the manufacturer’s marketing blurb that insists the fold only requires one hand to fold it. Once folded, the stroller clips together to form a flat, compact package, rather like a large purse.
In comparison, the Minu is quite a bit bulkier and bigger than the Yoyo. However, this stroller will fit comfortably into your trunk and can also squeeze into some overhead airplane lockers. When folded, the Minu measures 11.5 inches long, 20.5 inches wide, and 23 inches tall. In the folding stakes, the Minu comes out on top, boasting a quick and easy, one-handed fold.
The Cruz has a simple, two-handed fold, and it can be locked for freestanding, easy storage too.
The G-Luxe is quick and easy to fold and comes with a neat stand for easy storage. When folded, the G-Luxe measures 42.5” x 12″ x 16″ so that it will fit comfortably into your car trunk.
Weight capacity
As you might expect from such a lightweight stroller, the Yoyo has a modest weight limit of 33 pounds, which could be an issue for you if you have a large child or older toddler. The Minu is more substantial than the Yoyo and can carry a child of up to 50 pounds.
Seat
The Yoyo has a well-padded, plush seat that can be removed and washed in your washing machine. Also, the stroller has a five-point safety harness and an extendable leg rest.
The Minu’s seat has a gradual recline mechanism. Although the seat can’t be folded flat, it’s ideal for napping.
The G-Luxe umbrella stroller has a seat that’s nicely padded and is also well supported by the stroller’s frame for a comfy, secure ride. The seat has three recline positions too for napping. Your child will be held securely in the G-Luxe thanks to the five-point safety harness. Like the Yoyo, the G-Luxe’s seat is removable and machine washable.
The Cruz’s seat is extremely comfy and well-padded. Like the Minu, the Cruz has a capacity of 50 pounds, outstripping the Yoyo. The Cruz seat also has a five-position recline feature for extra comfort and easy napping. The seat on the Cruz is reversible so that your child can face forward, as with the Yoyo, or backward toward his parents.
Color choice
For parents who like to turn heads, the Yoyo comes in a range of stylish colors, including gray, red, pink, blue, black, peppermint, taupe, and ginger. With the Minu, you currently get four color choices, including gray, black, teal, and red.
Accessories
For more flexibility and to accommodate your growing family, the Yoyo now comes with a Buddy Board that allows a toddler to travel while standing on the back of the stroller. You also get a cup holder, a newborn pack bassinet, travel bag, and parasol.
Canopy
The Minu has a large, extendable canopy and a pop-out UV sun visor. There’s also a mesh peek-a-boo window that the Yoyo doesn’t have. The window is fitted with magnets, rather than noisy Velcro that could disturb a napping child.
The Cruz boasts UPPAbaby’s trademark massive canopy with a pop-out UV 50+ sun visor. You can also move the canopy up and down the stroller frame to accommodate taller toddlers, which you can’t do with the Yoyo.
The G-Luxe has a very impressive canopy for an umbrella stroller. The canopy extends to a UV 50+ with a silver visor that can “float” to follow the sun, so that you can push the rear section of the canopy forwards, effectively blocking out the sun from any angle.
Wrapping it up
If you’re looking for a lightweight stroller that you can take on a plane, train, or in your car, the Yoyo and the Minu must feature high up on your shortlist. Although the UPPAbaby G-Luxe is a full-featured, lightweight umbrella stroller too, it isn’t as compact as the Yoyo when folded, and it won’t fit into an airplane overhead locker.
The UPPAbaby Cruz 2 is a pure and simple regular stroller that’s in a different niche entirely from the Yoyo. If you tend to travel mostly by car, the Cruz 2 will give you that option, as well as being very comfortable for your child and with plenty of storage for you too.
Both Babyzen and UPPAbaby create well-made and thoughtfully designed strollers to fit every lifestyle need. So, whichever stroller you choose, you can be sure it will give you and your family many years of excellent, reliable service.
