Babyzen YOYO2 Review (2026): Worth the Price?
We took the Babyzen YOYO2 on 4 flights, through 3 airports, and around New York City for 6 weeks. Here's our honest take on whether this ultra-compact travel stroller justifies its $499–$599 price tag.
✈️ The YOYO2 at a Glance
The Babyzen YOYO2 is a French-designed ultra-compact stroller built for one thing above all else: portability. At 13.6 lbs with a fold small enough to fit in an airplane overhead bin, it has become the default choice for traveling parents and city dwellers who need a stroller that disappears when folded.
- Price: $499–$599 depending on color pack (frame + 6+ seat pack). Bassinet for newborn use is $200 extra
- Weight: 13.6 lbs — lighter than most carry-on luggage
- Folded dimensions: 20.5" x 17" x 7" — meets carry-on size limits for all major airlines
- Child capacity: Up to 22 kg (48.5 lbs) in the 6+ seat. Birth with optional bassinet or car seat adapter
- Included accessories: Carry strap, rain cover, travel bag
🧳 Travel Performance: Where the YOYO2 Dominates
We flew Delta (JFK to LAX), Southwest (LAX to Denver), and two European budget carriers with the YOYO2. On every flight, the stroller folded with one hand, slung over a shoulder via the included strap, and fit in the overhead bin without any negotiation with flight attendants. This is the YOYO2's killer feature, and nothing else on the market matches it.
- One-hand fold: Pull a release on the handlebar, push down, and the stroller collapses in about 3 seconds. You can genuinely do it while holding a child
- Carry strap: Loops around the folded stroller and goes over your shoulder like a messenger bag. Frees both hands for passports, boarding passes, and carrying your child
- Overhead bin fit: Tested successfully on Boeing 737, Airbus A320, and A321 overhead bins. Even fit in the smaller regional jet bins on a CRJ-900
- Public transit: Folded YOYO2 fits on your lap in a subway seat, stands upright in a bus aisle, and slides into a taxi trunk without folding the seats
🏙️ City Use: Daily Life with the YOYO2
Beyond travel, we used the YOYO2 as a daily driver in Manhattan for six weeks — navigating narrow store aisles, crowded sidewalks, subway stairs, and apartment building lobbies. On smooth surfaces, the YOYO2 pushes easily and steers well for its wheel size. The compact footprint makes it genuinely easy to navigate spaces where a full-size stroller would be a liability.
- Maneuverability: Four-wheel design with swiveling front wheels handles sharp turns and tight spaces well on smooth ground
- Seat recline: Reclines to a near-flat position for naps. Not fully flat (you need the bassinet for that), but sufficient for toddler nap time
- Canopy: This is a weakness — the canopy is small and doesn't extend far enough for full sun coverage. A child over 2 with longer legs will have knees poking into sunlight on sunny days
- Storage basket: Small and somewhat difficult to access with the seat reclined. Fits a small diaper pouch but not a full diaper bag. Plan on using handlebar hooks for extra bags
⚠️ Limitations You Need to Know
The YOYO2 achieves its incredible portability by making real compromises. You should go in with open eyes about what this stroller cannot do.
- Rough terrain: The 6-inch EVA foam wheels struggle on cobblestone, cracked sidewalks, gravel, and grass. Steering becomes jerky and the ride gets bumpy. This is not a park trail stroller
- Canopy coverage: Noticeably smaller than the UPPAbaby Cruz or Bugaboo Butterfly. You'll want a clip-on sunshade for summer use
- Basket size: At roughly 11 lbs capacity and shallow depth, it holds a fraction of what an UPPAbaby Vista or Bugaboo Fox basket can carry
- No bumper bar included: The leg rest / bumper bar is a $40 add-on. Many parents consider this essential for toddlers who lean forward
- Handlebar height: Not adjustable. At about 41 inches from the ground, parents over 6'1" may find themselves hunching. No solution exists beyond aftermarket handlebar extenders
- Newborn cost: The bassinet adds $200 to the base price, bringing the from-birth total to $700–$800 — significantly pricier than competitors that include bassinet functionality
🎨 Color Packs and Customization
The YOYO2 frame comes in black or white. Seat fabric attaches via zippers and is fully swappable. Babyzen sells color packs ($100–$130) in about 10 shades — from classic black and navy to seasonal limited editions like olive and taupe. This means you can refresh the stroller's look without buying a new one, and it does add resale value since buyers can choose their preferred color after purchase.
🎯 Our Verdict: Who Should Buy the YOYO2?
The Babyzen YOYO2 is the best travel stroller on the market — full stop. Nothing else folds this small, weighs this little, and fits in an overhead bin this reliably. But it's a specialist, not a generalist. If you never fly and live in the suburbs with wide sidewalks, you're paying a premium for portability you won't use.
- Buy the YOYO2 if: You fly with your child more than 2–3 times per year, live in a city with public transit, or have limited storage space at home. It's also an excellent second stroller alongside a full-size option
- Consider the bassinet ($200 extra) if: You're starting from birth and want a single stroller system. Otherwise, use an infant car seat adapter for the first 6 months
- Skip the YOYO2 if: You need all-terrain capability, a large storage basket, full sun canopy coverage, or primarily stroll on rough sidewalks. Look at the Bugaboo Butterfly ($449) for a more robust compact option, or the UPPAbaby Cruz ($550) if canopy and basket size matter more than fold size