There are so many styles of strollers on the market, picking one can be a tough task. But if you’re looking for a stroller that you can use every day for running errands around town, we’re here to help.
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 guide, we take a closer look at two popular stroller brands, Cybex and UPPAbaby. We compare two of each manufacturer’s best-selling strollers so that you can see at a glance which would be the best buy for your family’s needs.
Let’s start by looking more closely at each of these iconic brands.
Table of Contents
Cybex: Innovation, practicality, and style
Cybex is a German company that manufactures baby carriers, car seats, kid’s furniture, and strollers that are built with safety and an urban lifestyle in mind.
With its fresh approach, innovation, and focus on functionality and style, Cybex has become one of the most popular children’s gear producers in the world. In 2014, Cybex merged with Goodbaby International Holdings, a leading maker of durable kid’s products.
UPPAbaby: Innovative, inspired, and designed from experience
UPPAbaby is a U.S. company that was founded in 2006. They manufacture well-designed, innovative strollers that are packed with features and look great too.
UPPAbaby’s focus is very much on the practicality, safety, and comfort of all their strollers, making them one of the most popular brands around today. An UPPAbaby stroller will give you years of reliable service as your family grows.
Cybex Balios vs. UPPAbaby Cruz 2: Overview
Cyber Balios
- 3 IN 1 SYSTEM: The Balios S stroller frame can be used as a 3-in-1 travel system. Simply attach the matching Cot S, the matching seat unit, or one of the renowned CYBEX and gb infant car...
- ALL-WHEEL SUSPENSION: Contains smooth all-wheel suspension that helps you get anywhere while navigating bumpy terrain
- SAFETY FEATURES: Is equipped with a pull-out UPF50+ sun canopy that eliminates sun and wind for ultimate child protection and overall safety
The Cybex Balios is a full-sized, regular stroller that’s very compact and lightweight, despite being packed with lots of useful features.
The Balios first arrived on the stroller scene in the spring of 2018, and it’s modern, minimalist design and high-quality componentry quickly made it a hit with parents around the world. There are several seating options to choose from, making the stroller suitable for newborns and toddlers.
To see a video of the Cybex Balios in action, click this link.
UPPAbaby Cruz 2
- NEW! 2018 model CRUZ Stroller
- Includes full size front or rear facing toddler seat with multi-position recline
- Compatible with MESA Infant Car Seat - direct attachment, no adapters necessary
The UPPAbaby Cruz 2 is the upgraded model of the original UPPAbaby Cruz. Like the Balios, the Cruz 2 can be used for a newborn, although you will need to purchase a carrycot for use with the stroller chassis. The stroller itself is suitable for infants from six months to toddlers of three to four years.
You can watch a video of the UPPAbaby Cruz 2 by clicking below.
Cybex Balios vs. UPPAbaby Cruz 2: Features that matter
Now, let’s take a look at both these strollers’ most important features.
Seat
The toddler seat on both the Balios and the Cruz 2 is reversible so that your passenger can face you or look out on his surroundings as you roll along.
The Balios’ seat has a three-position recline that makes the stroller suitable for use with a newborn and infants. The seat recline operates via a simple, one-handed lever system, so adjusting the seat is quick and easy.
You can further customize your child’s riding position by adjusting the leg rest. Also, the Balios has a handy step that can be used as a footrest by older, taller children. However, the footrest is not adjustable and can only be used when you have the seat facing forward. Settling your child into the seat is aided by the rotatable bumper bar that’s included with the stroller.
The seat is very spacious and well-padded with soft fabric of the very highest quality. There’s a five-point harness that’s easily adjustable and is padded for extra comfort. Also, the seat is set quite high in the stroller, making it perfect for eating at a restaurant table, rather than having to move your child into a highchair.
The seat on the Cruz 2 is very comfortable and plush and has a five-point safety harness with well-padded shoulder and crotch straps. The seat has a weight capacity of 50 pounds, and the stroller’s canopy can be extended by two inches to cater for taller toddlers. The Cruz 2’s seat has a five-position recline versus the Balios’ three-position, which could be an important consideration for you if you have a toddler who likes to nap.
Newborns
The Balios can be used for a newborn when the seat is fully reclined, and the leg rest is raised. However, you can also use the cocoon attachment that provides extra support for the baby’s neck and head. The cocoon comes with covers for summer and winter and can accommodate the stroller harness for extra security.
If you prefer, you can attach an infant car seat or bassinet (called Cot S) to the stroller chassis. The bassinet has a two-panel canopy with a sun visor and apron that protects your baby from the rain, sun, and wind. Also, the bassinet has a memory foam mattress, providing excellent support for the baby’s back.
Travel system
The Balios can be transformed into a travel system using additional car seat adapters that you have to buy separately. The stroller is compatible with Cybex and GB car seats.
Canopy
The canopy on the Balios is a genuine XXL size! You can extend the canopy by unzipping the third panel, and there’s also a flip-out, UV 50+ protection sun visor, that keeps your baby covered and protected from top to toe! When you use the full extended canopy, you’ll find a silent, mesh peek-a-boo window that gives good ventilation, as well as allowing you to check on your baby whenever you need to.
Like the Balios, the Cruz 2 has a massive canopy and a generous UPF 50+ pop-out sunshade that can be extended right down to the stroller’s bumper bar. The Cruz 2’s canopy also has a peek-a-boo window with a silent magnetic closure. The canopy on the Cruz 2 can slide up and down the stroller frame so that you can extend it to accommodate a tall toddler, which is something not offered by the Balios stroller.
Handlebar
The Balios has a telescopically adjustable handlebar with four different height settings to accommodate parents of different heights.
In comparison, the Cruz 2 also has an adjustable handlebar, but it has a luxurious, hand-stitched 100% leather cover as standard. The leather is REACH certified, so you can be confident that the material is safe for use around your little one.
Wheels
Like most stroller styles, other than all-terrain and jogger models, the Cybex Balios regular stroller has solid rubber wheels, so you won’t need to worry about getting a flat tire or having to check tire pressures. The rear wheels are larger than the front ones, which pivot and can be locked for greater stability over bumpy surfaces.
The Cruz 2 has solid polyurethane wheels, so you’ll have no puncture worries with this stroller either.
Sometimes, solid wheel strollers can give a bumpy ride, which is often the case with many brands of compact, umbrella strollers. The Balios has been designed with four-wheel spring suspension, so the stroller handles rough sidewalks, cobbles, gravel, and grass with relative ease.
Brake
The Balios and the Cruz 2 both have a single action brake that’s located in the center of the stroller’s rear axle. Both strollers’ brakes are flip-flop-friendly and easy to engage and release.
Storage
The Balios has a vast, underseat storage basket that will easily take a diaper bag, essentials, and your grocery shopping too up to a weight of 11 pounds. Thanks to the seat’s elevated position, it doesn’t infringe on the storage basket.
The Cruz 2 also has a very generous underseat storage basket that outdoes the Balios with a 25-pound weight capacity! You’ll also find three additional storage pockets that are perfect for carrying essentials such as diapers, wipes, your cell phone, and your keys.
Weight
Even though the Balios is a full-size stroller, it isn’t ridiculously heavy, weighing in at a modest 24 pounds. Also, with a width of just 23.62 inches, the stroller is easily maneuverable around corners and along narrow sidewalks.
In comparison, the Cruz 2 is lighter, weighing just 21.5 pounds. It’s also slightly narrower than the Balios at 22.3 inches.
Folding
The Balios can be folded with one hand in just a few seconds and with the seat attached in both front and rear facing positions. Once folded, the stroller is self-standing, and it also has a useful carry handle. When folded, the Balios measures 16.14” L x 23.62” W x 29.53” H.
Unlike the Balios, the UPPAbaby Cruz 2 needs two hands to fold it, unless you manage to get the stroller in precisely the correct position, facing forward with the canopy down. Once folded, the Cruz 2 is pretty compact, measuring 17″ L x 22.3″ W x 36 H” and it’s also free-standing.
You can fit the Balios and the Cruz 2 in your car trunk without difficulty, and neither will take up much space to store at home.
The push
Both the Balios and the Cruz 2 are very smooth-rolling strollers, making pushing them a pleasure. On flat surfaces, you can push the Balios with one hand, even around corners.
Both the Cruz 2 and the Balios benefit from excellent suspension systems so negotiating uneven terrain is not a problem. The Balios has large wheels too, adding to the smooth ride and easy push.
The Cruz 2 is perhaps not quite as easy or light to handle as the Balios, and you may find space is tight in high street coffee shops and narrow streets. However, large stores and regular sidewalks won’t pose a problem for this stroller.
Some petite moms have complained that the Cruz 2 is on the heavy side. Also, the front wheels have a habit of settling facing left or right, and that can cause problems when it comes to getting the stroller moving again without pulling it back toward you first.
Color choice
Cybex prides itself on producing stylish and functional strollers, and the Balios comes in a pleasing range of colors, including black, red, blue, gray, and pink.
Not to be outdone, UPPAbaby offers a decent color palette too, including green, blue, charcoal gray, white, red, and indigo on a silver frame. You can also choose a black fabric on a carbon frame.
Cybex Priam vs. UPPAbaby Vista: Overview
Cyber Priam
- Cybex Priam Lux Seat -
The Cybex Priam is a revolutionary convertible stroller that has so many variables to choose from; it’s difficult to know where to start!
The Priam is a classic, simple, yet practical stroller with a fantastic three-in-one design, allowing you to choose from four different options. There’s a travel system, a carrycot for newborns, and several seating choices too.
Suffice it to say, the Priam is a regular stroller, and then some! Not surprisingly, given the style, materials, and extra features you get, the Priam has a high price tag to match, coming in at a higher price point than the UPPAbaby Vista.
You can see a company promotional video of the Priam at this link.
UPPAbaby Vista
- Includes bassinet, full size front or rear facing toddler seat with multi-position recline, toddler seat rain and bug shields, and bassinet bug shield and storage bag
- Compatible with MESA Infant Car Seat - direct attachment, no adapters necessary; Compatible with select Chicco and Maxi-Cosi infant car seats when using adaptors (car seats and adaptors sold...
- Longer bassinet mattress pad with ventilation for added breathability
The UPPAbaby Vista is also a convertible style stroller, but it doesn’t have the impressive flexibility of the Priam.
That said, the Vista is designed to be suitable for use with a newborn right through to toddlerhood as your baby grows. The stroller is beautifully made and includes a matching bassinet for use as a smart pram during the first six months of your baby’s life. You also get a toddler seat, a storage bag for the bassinet, a rain shield, and a bug shield.
To check the look and style of the UPPAbaby Vista, take a look at a company promo video:
Cybex Priam vs. UPPAbaby Vista: Features that matter
So, let’s check out the most important features of both these high-end, luxury strollers.
The seat
The Priam has a luxuriously padded seat that’s made from very strong and stylish fabric. The seat has a lay-flat mode to accommodate a newborn, and there’s an adjustable leg rest to make your toddler’s ride more comfortable. For a little extra outlay, you can buy a conversion kit that transforms the seat into a carrycot.
The toddler seat can be converted to face front or rear.
The Priam’s seat is set quite high on the chassis so that your child will get a good view while you’re traveling. Also, you can park the stroller next to a restaurant table and feed your child, although the size of the stroller makes it difficult to fit into small coffee shops and narrow restaurant aisles.
With the UPPAbaby Vista, you get a matching, color-coordinated bassinet included. That means you can use your stroller as a pram until your newborn can hold his head up independently and ride in the stroller seat. And there’s no problem if you have a “long” baby, as the bassinet is 2.5-inches longer than standard.
The Vista’s toddler seat has a five-position recline function and also converts to a car seat that’s compatible with most infant travel seat brands. Both the Priam and the Vista have adjustable leg rests and leather-covered bumper bars to keep your child comfy, and five-point safety harnesses too so that your passenger remains safe and secure while riding.
Canopy
The Priam’s canopy is very generous and has a pop-out, UV 50+ protection sun visor. Also, the canopy has a peek-a-boo window so that you can have eyes on your child at all times.
The Vista also has a huge canopy with an SPF 50+ sun visor. The mesh peek-a-boo window allows you to keep an eye on your child, and the height of the canopy can be adjusted to accommodate your child as he grows.
You get a rain shield and a bug net included with the Vista, but you’ll have to pay for these separately if you choose the Priam.
Maneuverability
There’s no getting away from the fact that the Priam is a very large stroller! And that’s its biggest downside.
Because of the size of the Priam, even when folded, you could find using public transport a prohibitive challenge. Also, pushing the Priam through crowded or narrow city streets can be a nightmare.
In comparison, the Vista’s narrower frame, lockable, swivel front wheels and overall better design make for better stability and maneuverability, even over rough ground. The Vista also has a four-wheel suspension system that ensures a smooth ride for your precious passenger.
The fold
The Priam is straightforward to fold, and you can leave the seat attached. However, you do need to use two hands.
Once folded, the Priam won’t fit into an average-sized family car trunk unless you remove the wheels and the seat first. Also, there’s no clip to secure the folded stroller, and that, together with the stroller’s substantial 27.5-pound weight makes carrying it pretty tough.
The Vista is very easy to fold, and the whole process can be completed with just one hand. The Vista is much more compact and less bulky than the Priam. It’s also freestanding once folded and has the useful security locking clip that the Priam lacks.
The push
The Priam is very easy to push and can be steered one-handed, thanks to its swivel wheels. However, the width of the stroller can be problematic when negotiating doorways.
Compared with the Priam, the Vista is much lighter, and it’s consequently easier to push. UPPAbaby has made the Vista’s chassis from lightweight, aircraft aluminum. Also, the frame is powder coated, so that the risk of scratching is minimized.
Brakes
The brake on the Priam is situated in the middle of the central chassis bar between the rear wheels. Unfortunately, the lever is awkward to get at and is not flip-flop or sandal-friendly.
The brake on the Vista is a rear-levered design that’s intended to prevent the stroller from rolling away when you’re parked. The brake lever is easy to reach and is flip-flop-friendly.
Storage
The Priam has plenty of storage, including a huge underseat basket and several storage pockets. However, remember how heavy this stroller is before you decide to pick up a whole week’s grocery shopping, especially if you have an uphill walk to get home!
The Vista doesn’t have the storage pockets that you’ll get with the Priam, but it does have a huge underseat basket that you can access from the rear and the front of the stroller, which will take your essentials and a small amount of grocery shopping too.
Accessories
There are indeed lots of useful accessories that go with the Priam, but you do have to pay extra for these, which is disappointing given the price of the stroller.
Accessories for the Priam include:
- Riding board
- Skis
- Cup holder (included with the Vista)
- Parasol
- Footmuff
- Changing bag
- Bug net (included with the Vista)
Handlebar
Both the Priam and the Vista have adjustable handlebars to accommodate parents of differing heights. And both are elegantly stylish with a premium leather cover.
Wrapping it up
Cybex and UPPAbaby are both highly reputable manufacturers of top-end baby gear, including strollers. So, you know that whichever brand you choose, you’ll be getting the very best quality that money can buy.
On balance, you’ll notice that the UPPAbaby range of strollers tends to include more useful accessories that you have to pay extra for if you choose a stroller from Cybex. Also, the UPPAbaby strollers that we’ve looked at here offer greater maneuverability, ease of storage, and superior portability than the comparable Cybex models, largely due to UPPAbaby’s lighter weight materials.
