Beyond needing a full-size convertible stroller for a growing family, many parents find themselves wanting a more compact stroller solution for travel and errands.
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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
Two luxury stroller brands, UPPAbaby and Nuna, have both created excellent travel stroller models, the UPPAbaby MINU V2 and the Nuna TRVL.
In this Nuna TRVL vs UPPAbaby MINU guide, we’ll help you navigate the differences between these two luxury travel strollers.
Table of Contents
Nuna and UPPAbaby
Nuna and UPPAbaby are both luxury stroller brands that cater to parents who want their baby gear to have a clean and sophisticated look. They are similar to each other in price point, landing at the higher end of the spectrum and delivering high-quality, premium products.
Both brands have been in the baby gear game for about 15 years. While UPPAbaby started with their flagship convertible stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista, Nuna first rolled out their popular high chair solution before diving into the stroller market.
UPPAbaby and Nuna both use high-end, durable materials for their products. While UPPAbaby is based in the United States, Nuna claims to have roots in Amsterdam, drawing from Dutch design for their products and valuing gear with clean lines and superior craftsmanship.
Parents purchasing strollers from either brand will enjoy premium features. Both brands use top-of-the-line shock-absorption technology and durable wheels to make their rides smooth across varied terrains.
Products from Nuna and UPPAbaby come in a range of luxe fabrics and modern color choices. They focus on products that are easy to use with appealing aesthetics and practical, functional designs.
UPPAbaby is more narrowly focused on the stroller market, selling seven different strollers, as well as three car seat models and a pack-and-play.
Nuna sells a wider range of car seats, multiple pack-and-play models, and other baby gear including baby carriers, high chairs, and baby seats.
Two popular stroller models from each company are their travel options: the Nuna TRVL and the UPPAbaby MINU.
Product Overview
The Nuna TRVL
The Nuna TRVL, which debuted in 2021, is the brand’s compact travel stroller option. It is a lightweight stroller that folds automatically into thirds for superior portability, making it easy to carry around or load into and out of the car.
It can fit in the overhead storage compartments of some planes for air travel and comes with a carry bag to make gate-checking a breeze.
Of note, the Nuna TRVL is not to be confused with the brand’s stroller of a similar name, the Nuna TRIV. While the TRVL is branded specifically for travel, the TRIV has more flexible everyday features such as a reversible seat and compatibility with an infant bassinet. It is also six pounds heavier, more than a foot long when folded, and $250 more expensive than the TRVL.
The UPPAbaby MINU V2
- BUNDLE INCLUDES: 1 MINU V2 Stroller, 1 Snack Tray for MINU & MINUV2
- MINU V2 Stroller has a spacious seat suitable up to 50 lbs, One-hand, one-step compact fold, Multi-position recline
- MINU V2 Stroller has a zip out extendable canopy for increased sun protection, One handed, adjustable leg rest, Deeper, easy access basket with 20lbs weight limit, 100% full-grain leather...
The UPPAbaby MINU V2, updated from the original UPPAbaby MINU stroller in 2022, is similar in appearance and functionality to the TRVL. The MINU also folds into thirds and is comparable in weight to the Nuna, making it an excellent choice for people who need a stroller that’s easy to transport or pack into tight spaces.
The MINU is unique in that it is compatible with UPPAbaby’s infant bassinet, available for separate purchase, and has other accessories including a piggyback ride-along board and a snack tray. It has an included padded carrying strap that makes it easy to carry over the shoulder, compared to the Nuna which is carried by the leatherette bumper bar.
To see similarities and differences between these two strollers in action, check out UPPAbaby’s and Nuna’s videos on how the MINU and the TRVL navigate the everyday strolls of a busy parent.
Pros and Cons
Let’s take a look at some of the major pros and cons of each of these strollers before we dive into their specific features in more detail.
Nuna TRVL
Things We Like
- Lightweight and folds into thirds, making it extremely compact when collapsed
- Advanced all-wheel suspension makes for a smooth ride for your child
- No-rethread harness system adjusts to growing toddlers with ease
- One-handed, multi-position recline and adjustable calf support for added comfort
- Stands when folded for easy storage
- Sleek, modern, sophisticated look, with high-end fabrics and leather accents
- UPF 50+ sun canopy is water resistant and has more airflow between canopy and seat for hot days
- Unique one-handed, automatic fold means parent doesn’t need to bend down to collapse the stroller
- Accommodates children up to 50 pounds
- Magnetic harness buckle seamlessly locks into place, making it easy to secure your child
- No adapters are needed for Nuna brand car seats
Room for Improvement
- Expensive compared to most travel strollers on the market
- Needs to be carried by hand via the bumper bar (no shoulder strap)
- No compatible infant bassinet option
- Unless using an infant car seat, cannot accommodate children less than 6 months old
- Only compatible with Nuna brand car seats
- Storage basket only carries 10 pounds
UPPAbaby MINU V2
Things We Like
- Lightweight and folds into thirds, making it extremely compact when collapsed
- Advanced all-wheel suspension makes for a smooth ride for your child
- No-rethread harness system adjusts to growing toddlers with ease
- One-handed, multi-position recline and adjustable calf support for added comfort
- Stands when folded for easy storage
- Sleek, modern, sophisticated look, with high-end fabrics and leather accents
- Ample storage basket under the seat with a 20-pound capacity
- Large, UPF 50+ sun canopy with peekaboo windows zips out for added coverage
- One-handed fold makes it easy to collapse while holding other cargo
- Included carrying strap makes throwing it over your shoulder a breeze
- Convenient storage pocket behind the seat-back for parent’s items
- Compatible with UPPAbaby’s infant bassinet
- Accommodates children from 3 months to 50 pounds in the toddler seat
- Compatible with a variety of infant car seats
- Many accessories are available including a snack tray, rain shield, and piggyback board
Room for Improvement
- Expensive compared to most travel strollers on the market
- Does not self-fold like the Nuna TRVL
- Adapters are needed for all infant car seat options, even with UPPAbaby infant car seat
- Adapters needed for infant bassinet (sold separately)
- Harness buckle does not have the easy magnet system that the Nuna TRVL does
Features That Matter
Now we’ll take a closer look at how these two models match up on all the features you care about when buying a stroller for your family.
Cost
UPPAbaby and Nuna are both luxury stroller brands, and their travel strollers sit toward the pricier end of the spectrum.
The MINU and the TRVL both cost about $450, but in either case, parents are receiving a high-quality product for their investment.
Since the UPPAbaby MINU V2 came out in April 2022, parents may have the option of purchasing the original UPPAbaby MINU at a discounted price from some retailers.
Weight
Nuna and UPPAbaby have created convenient, lightweight stroller options with these two models.
They are similar in weight, the TRVL weighing 13.6 pounds without the canopy or arm bar (15.5 pounds with the arm bar), and the MINU weighing 16.9 pounds in total.
The MINU is slightly heavier than the TRVL and than others on the market, but both strollers are lightweight enough that parents and grandparents generally have no trouble loading the stroller into the trunk of the car or lifting it over a curb.
Size
One of the most impressive features of these two strollers is their ability to fold down to an extremely compact size.
When unfolded, the TRVL measures 32.5” by 20.25” by 44”, and the MINU measures 35.5” by 20.3” by 23”. When folded, the TRVL measures 11” by 20.25” by 24”, and the MINU measures 11.5” by 20.3” by 23”.
The slight difference in size is unlikely to create any significant difference in function. Both strollers can be stowed off to the side at a restaurant or shop without much intrusion, placed on the floor of the car in front of a child’s car seat, or carried amongst luggage and other items without adding serious bulk.
The ability of each stroller to shrink down to this compact size makes them appealing both for travel and for everyday errands.
Folding Mechanism
Both the TRVL and the MINU can be folded with one hand, meaning that mom or dad can collapse the stroller while holding the baby or groceries in the other arm. Both strollers stand on their own when folded to make stowing easy.
The TRVL is unique in that it has an automatic folding mechanism. With the simple slide and press of a button on the push bar, the Nuna TRVL self-folds into its compact collapsed size. This means no bending down is required to fold the stroller—a major win for parents juggling multiple items.
The MINU has a conveniently attached strap, so parents can throw the stroller over their shoulder or use the carry handle for easy transport. The TRVL can be carried via the included bumper bar by hand and cannot be worn over the shoulder.
Age & Weight Range
The Nuna TRVL and the UPPAbaby MINU are set apart from others in their class because they accommodate children up to 50 pounds. That’s more than most travel strollers and gives parents the flexibility to use the stroller through the early stages of childhood.
With the included toddler seat, the MINU claims to be safe for children 3 months and up, but the TRVL is only approved for 6 months and older, making it more limited.
With the use of an infant car seat, either stroller is okay to use from birth. The MINU also has the option of attaching UPPAbaby’s infant bassinet as a newborn-friendly option.
Adjustable Features
Both these strollers have one-handed, multi-position recline and an adjustable calf rest to keep little ones comfy.
Each stroller has a no-rethread harness system, but the TRVL has an impressive magnetic harness buckle that makes securing your child a cinch.
The all-wheel suspension technology is incorporated in both strollers, which also both have a roomy under-seat storage basket. While the storage capacity for the MINU is a whopping 20 pounds, the TRVL only holds 10 pounds of storage.
Sun Protection
The TRVL and the MINU have large, UPF 50+ sun protection canopies with peekaboo windows.
The Nuna TRVL has more airflow between the water-resistant canopy and the stroller seat, providing better ventilation on hot days.
The MINU’s sizable canopy, while not water resistant, zips out to provide additional coverage.
Car Seat Compatibility
The MINU is unique in that it is compatible with several popular infant car seats. However, adapters are needed for all car seats, including those made by UPPAbaby.
The Nuna TRVL is only compatible with Nuna brand car seats, but no adapters are needed.
Accessories
The Nuna TRVL and the UPPAbaby MINU strollers both come with a thin carrying bag, with the option to purchase a thicker, more durable bag with generous padding designed for travel.
Both brands offer protection for damages incurred during air travel when customers use the travel bag, via the UPPAbaby TravelSafe Program and Nuna Boarding Pass.
While the Nuna TRVL has a compatible cup holder, the UPPAbaby MINU generally has more available accessories, including a cup holder, snack tray, infant bassinet, rain shield, carry-all parent organizer, and cozy footmuff.
The MINU also has the impressive ability to transport two children with the attachable piggy-back ride-along board for an older sibling to stand on.
The Final Verdict
The Nuna TRVL and the UPPAbaby MINU are similar in many ways; they are excellent stroller options with premium shock absorption and adjustable features that keep your child comfortable on long strolls.
Their ability to fold down into thirds and their light weight makes them portable and appealing for travel and everyday use alike.
The larger storage basket, convenient padded shoulder strap, and ample accessories including compatibility with an infant bassinet and multiple car seat brands seem to give the UPPAbaby MINU a slight advantage.
However, you can’t go wrong with either choice, and the Nuna TRVL’s self-folding mechanism, magnetic five-point harness, and water-resistant sun canopy with extra ventilation are unique and desirable features.
If you’re looking to compare these choices against other lightweight strollers, including some more budget-friendly options, read our full review on the Best Lightweight Strollers.
To learn more about the two brands reviewed here, check out our articles on Nuna vs UPPAbaby, The Best Nuna Stroller for the Money, The Best UPPAbaby Strollers, or our UPPAbaby MINU Review.
