Joolz Stroller Review (2026): Worth the Price?
We tested the Joolz Hub+ and Aer+ for 7 weeks across city streets, parks, and air travel. Here's our honest take on whether this Dutch sustainability-focused brand delivers on its premium promises.
🇳🇱 The Joolz Lineup: Dutch Design Meets Sustainability
Joolz is a Dutch stroller brand that's built its reputation on two things: thoughtful Scandinavian-influenced design and a genuine commitment to sustainability. As a certified B Corp with carbon-neutral operations since 2020, Joolz uses recycled PET fabrics and offsets its manufacturing footprint — unusual in an industry dominated by conventional plastics. Their two current models target very different parents.
- Joolz Hub+ ($900): Full-size stroller with bassinet included. Reversible seat, one-hand fold, XL canopy, all-terrain foam-filled tires, rear suspension. 25 lbs. Designed as a from-birth-through-toddlerhood daily driver
- Joolz Aer+ ($450): Lightweight travel stroller at just 13 lbs. Lies fully flat from birth (no bassinet needed), compact fold close to airline carry-on dimensions, and a surprisingly large UPF 50+ canopy for its class
🏙️ Joolz Hub+: The Full-Size Contender
The Hub+ is Joolz's answer to the UPPAbaby Vista and Bugaboo Fox — a premium full-size stroller that works from birth through toddlerhood. The standout difference: the bassinet is included in the $900 price, saving you the $200–$350 bassinet add-on that competitors charge. After 7 weeks of daily use, here's what stood out.
- XL canopy: The Hub+ canopy extends significantly farther than competitors, covering the child nearly to their knees. It's UPF 50+, has a mesh ventilation panel, and includes a peekaboo window with magnetic closure
- One-hand fold: Pull a trigger on the handlebar and the stroller collapses into a self-standing unit. The fold is compact for a full-size stroller and stands upright in a closet corner
- All-terrain wheels: Puncture-proof foam-filled tires with rear-wheel suspension handled grass, packed gravel, and uneven sidewalks without issue. Not a trail stroller, but far more capable than plastic wheels
- Reversible seat: The seat faces parent or forward with a simple lift-and-click mechanism. Seat reclines to multiple positions including nearly flat for napping
- Included bassinet: The Hub+ bassinet is well-ventilated, has a zip-on cover for wind protection, and attaches to the frame with one click. Approved for overnight sleep when used with the bassinet stand ($130 extra)
✈️ Joolz Aer+: The Travel Specialist
The Aer+ competes directly with the Babyzen YOYO2 and UPPAbaby MINU V2 in the compact travel stroller category. At 13 lbs and with a fold that approaches airline carry-on size, it's designed for parents who fly frequently or live in small apartments where storage is at a premium.
- From-birth capability: The Aer+ seat reclines completely flat, making it approved for newborn use without a separate bassinet. This is its biggest advantage over the YOYO2, which requires a $200 bassinet add-on for babies under 6 months
- Fold size: Compact at 21" x 17.5" x 9" — slightly larger than the YOYO2 but still within most airline carry-on limits. We gate-checked it once on a smaller regional jet but carried it on successfully for three other flights
- Canopy: Surprisingly large for a compact stroller — extends farther than the YOYO2 and includes a UPF 50+ rating and mesh ventilation panel
- Ride quality: Smooth on airport floors, city sidewalks, and shopping malls. Struggles on rough terrain just like any stroller with small wheels
- One-hand fold: Folds and unfolds in seconds. An auto-lock keeps it folded for carrying, and a shoulder strap is included
📊 Joolz vs. UPPAbaby vs. Bugaboo
Joolz competes in a premium market dominated by UPPAbaby and Bugaboo. Here's how they stack up on the details that matter:
- Total from-birth cost: Joolz Hub+ $900 (bassinet included) vs. UPPAbaby Vista V2 $1,000 (bassinet included) vs. Bugaboo Fox 5 $1,300 + bassinet $280 = $1,580. Joolz is the most affordable entry
- Canopy: Joolz Hub+ has the largest canopy of the three. UPPAbaby Vista is close behind. Bugaboo Fox 5 canopy is good but not class-leading
- Storage basket: UPPAbaby Vista has the largest and most accessible basket (30 lbs capacity). Joolz Hub+ basket is medium-sized. Bugaboo Fox 5 basket is underseat and harder to access from some angles
- Sustainability: Joolz wins decisively — carbon neutral, B Corp, recycled materials. UPPAbaby and Bugaboo have made some sustainability moves but aren't at Joolz's level
- Resale value: UPPAbaby holds the strongest resale value in the U.S. due to brand recognition. Joolz is less well-known in the U.S. and resells at a steeper discount. Bugaboo sits in between
- U.S. service network: UPPAbaby has the largest U.S. presence with widespread dealer support. Joolz's U.S. footprint is growing but smaller, with warranty service handled directly through their U.S. office
✅ Pros and Cons After 7 Weeks
Hub+ strengths:
- Bassinet included at $900 makes it the best value in the premium full-size category
- XL canopy provides best-in-class sun coverage — our tester's toddler was fully shaded even in midday sun
- Build quality is excellent — aluminum frame, smooth fabrics, and every mechanism clicks with precision
- Genuine sustainability credentials for eco-conscious parents, not just greenwashing
Hub+ weaknesses:
- Brand recognition in the U.S. is lower than UPPAbaby, which affects resale value
- Accessory ecosystem is smaller — fewer compatible add-ons and third-party options
- Storage basket, while functional, is noticeably smaller than the UPPAbaby Vista's
Aer+ strengths:
- Flat recline from birth eliminates the need for a separate bassinet or newborn insert
- Canopy is larger than competitors in this weight class
- Build quality feels a tier above most lightweight strollers — no rattling or flimsiness
Aer+ weaknesses:
- Fold is slightly larger than the YOYO2, which occasionally matters on smaller aircraft
- Storage basket is tiny — barely fits a small purse under the seat
- Not suitable for any unpaved terrain — strictly a smooth-surface stroller
🎯 Our Verdict: Who Should Buy a Joolz?
Joolz delivers genuinely premium strollers with a sustainability edge that no competitor matches. The Hub+ is the smart choice for parents who want a full-size stroller with an included bassinet at a price that undercuts UPPAbaby and Bugaboo. The Aer+ is the best compact travel stroller for parents who want birth-ready capability without buying a separate bassinet.
- Buy the Hub+ ($900) if: You want a premium full-size stroller from birth, value sustainability, and want to avoid buying a separate bassinet. Ideal for daily city or suburban use with park walks
- Buy the Aer+ ($450) if: You fly frequently, have a newborn and want from-birth use without extra purchases, or need a compact second stroller. Best lightweight option for parents starting from birth
- Skip Joolz if: U.S. resale value matters a lot to you (choose UPPAbaby), you need a massive storage basket (choose UPPAbaby Vista), or you want a stroller with the widest accessory ecosystem (choose Bugaboo or UPPAbaby)