Babyzen Yoyo+ Stroller review

You can use it in two different ways depending on the age of your child. With the addition of the Babyzen Yoyo+ Newborn pack (£195 on Amazon), you can convert your stroller into a parent-facing newborn pushchair with a pop-up canopy, harness, foot cover and head support.

The Babyzen Yoyo+ BeSafe iZi Go Modular i-Size Group 0+ Baby Car Seat (£240) can be fixed to the chassis with adapters to complete the travel system, or the Yoyo 0+ is also compatible with other branded car seats including Cybex, Maxi Cosi and Nuna. From 6 months you switch the seat fabrics on the chassis to the 6+ colour pack (which comes with the buggy) to transform it into an outward-facing stroller with multi-position reclining seat.

Tested by

Lucy used the Babyzen 0+ for her baby daughter from 3 months through to 6 months old, using both the Yoyo babynest and the Yoyo+ BeSafe iZi Go Modular i-Size Group 0+ Baby Car Seat.

Lucy lives on the London/Surrey boarders and mainly tested the pushchair in towns, central London, on trains, the London Underground and local parks. She also spends time in the countryside and on the coast, so used it in rural settings and on the beach too.

Watch our video review of the Babyzen Yoyo in action

What were your first impressions of the travel system?

Having used a Cybex Priam travel system with my son and then a Nuna Demi Grow double pram travel system when my daughter was born, I’m familiar with pushing around a durable, heavy-duty pram.

So my first encounter with the lightweight Babyzen Yoyo 0+ was like having a total pram detox – it’s smooth, streamlined and featherlight, without compromising on looks. For something so slight, it stands up well to any other city or travel pram I’ve tested. Not only does it move like a dream, but it looks seriously smart too, with a premium finish.

How does the Babyzen Yoyo+ compare to other travel systems you have tried?

It’s very light and compact, so it’s great for strolling around town or taking on holiday.

It offers more than a typical holiday stroller (like the Britax Holiday, for example) in that you can attach a car seat to make a travel system.

Unlike a regular travel system with a full-sized carrycot, however, you can’t detach the Yoyo 0+ babynest from the chassis with a bumper bar or handle. This means that if you intend on using a carrycot as somewhere to lay the baby down for day naps and in the house, then this is probably not the right pram for you.

It’s also not suitable to use as an occasional cot for sleeping in overnight.

Saying that, the Yoyo 0+ pushchair is so compact that you can easily wheel it around your house for day naps as the footprint itself won’t take up any more space than a traditional bassinet.

How comfy is the bassinet for a newborn baby?

Compared to a full-sized traditional pram bassinet, you could be forgiven for thinking the Babyzen Yoyo 0+ babynest is a tad on the small side. However, it is actually extremely cosy and comfortable and my daughter slept so well in it.
The 5-point harness is easy to fasten and the slim design means it doesn’t drown or restrict your baby. There’s also a sweet little head rest which adds to the cosy factor.

When the footmuff is all zipped up, with its extremely snug, fluffy lining, the babynest is ultimately like a comforting sleeping bag for a baby. You can also fully unzip the top section for warmer weather.

Does the Babyzen Yoyo+ provide enough stability for a newborn baby?

It’s worth mentioning that while I would happily have put my newborn daughter in the car seat straight from hospital, I would not have wanted to push her around in the babynest until she was at least 3 months old as it felt too light and flimsy to me.

How comfortable is the 6m+ seat for older babies?

Fellow MFM reviewer Anna tested the Yoyo’s 6m+ seat with her son. She says: “The seat is padded and has a 5-point harness. The seat depth is quite narrow, so my son’s legs weren’t that well supported when he was younger, but that has become less of a problem as he’s grown.

“Despite its overall tiny look, I’m impressed by how well the seat accommodates my 3-year-old, who often commandeers the buggy when she is tired – it’s great that the buggy can last that long. I find the way the seat back adjusts a bit annoying, however. It has a simple strap that allows you to adjust the back, either holding it tightly in an upright position, or lowering it to near horizontal.

“You need to hold the back up, while tightening the toggle, which is tricky to do one-handed, especially with your baby or child in situ. Also, the upright position is not as upright as I would like, so my toddler always seems a bit slumped.”

Is the Babyzen Yoyo+’s handlebar height-adjustable?

No, but I think the handlebar is set at a great height. It is non-adjustable and quite high at 106cm, which I found both suitable for myself at 5’4” and my 6’ husband.

How easy is the Yoyo 0+ to push on smooth surfaces?

The chassis is strong and sturdy and although the wheels appear to be on the small side, the Babyzen is really quite shock-absorbent and nippy for a lightweight city pram.

The buggy has 4-wheel suspension and a ‘soft drive’ system which makes it glide well on even terrain. On a smooth surface you can almost spin it around in a circle pushing with just one finger, it’s that easy to steer.

Is it easy to use the Babyzen Yoyo on public transport?

I used the Yoyo 0+ for trips into central London, on trains and on the London Underground.

The babynest and car seat are both great options for these kind of trips.

Although your baby may experience a little more movement when in the bassinet, the fact you can tuck the pram into the most crammed space on a train, far outweighs any concern about baby being slightly rocked around in my opinion. In fact, my daughter was instantly put to sleep with that little bit of extra movement in the babynest.

However, having had a reflux baby the first time around, I’m not sure my son would have found this movement quite so appealing as newborn, especially after a feed.

How effective is the Babyzen Yoyo's brake?

The brake is flip-flop friendly and easy to engage. However, due to its small size and the length of the bassinet blocking visibility, it can sometimes be a bit tricky to use when you are quickly trying to action it. I often found myself having to peer over to the right to get a clear view of the brake. However, it’s really not a deal-breaker.

What is the hood like on the Babyzen Yoyo 0+?

The hooded canopy fixes with two press studs which can be left in place or undone so that it drops back and lets your baby see out.

The canopy offers UPF 50+ sun protection but it does fall short when it comes to shading on very warm days so I would recommend purchasing the umbrella parasol.

How useful is the basket?

As with many compact/travel prams, the shopping basket is fairly small. You will struggle to get a large changing bag underneath. Although a handful of groceries (box of eggs, a kilo of flour, a pack of baby wipes and 2 bottles of baby bath) will fit, it’s not suitable for any big shopping trips.

Due to the curved shape of the handlebar, I wouldn’t recommend adding any significant extra weight attached to the handlebar with a buggy clip, for example.

Considering how small the buggy folds, and how lightweight it is, the storage limitations feel like a small compromise.

How compact is the Babyzen Yoyo 0+ pushchair?

Extremely compact! Both folded and unfolded, it’s noticeably smaller than other compact pushchairs like the Bugaboo Bee5. The Babyzen Yoyo 0+ measures just 52cm x44cm x18cm when folded (even with the babynest attached) and can be carried on one shoulder with a strap. Both the collapsed pram and car seat fit neatly in any hallway without taking up too much room at all.

Will it fit through my front door?

Yes, the Yoyo+ is slim in width (44cm), which means it’s easy to weave in and out of narrow shopping aisles and will fit easily through standard doors.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

Yes, with ease. If your boot is full, it will even sit happily in a footwell or on a passenger seat too.

How much does the Babyzen Yoyo weigh?

The 6+ version weighs 6.2 kg (13.6 lbs), while the 0+ version weighs 6.6 kg (14.7 lbs). Not quite as light as the Silver Cross Avia (5.5kg) or the super-light Chicco OhLaLa Stroller (3.8kg) but still an impressively lightweight option.

How does the pushchair fold?

Like many buggies, there’s a knack to learning how to fold it but once you’ve got it, it’s incredibly simple. It’s definitely quicker and easier as a 2-handed operation, but when necessary I could just about manage a 1-handed fold, provided the handlebar was dropped before lifting the baby out.
Unlike many compact buggies which have the fold-release button on the handlebar, the Yoyo 0+ has a release button underneath the babynest, on the underside of the chassis.

• First of all, you have to press the 2 buttons on either side of the hood, which allows you to fold the handle bar back on itself. This needs to be done with 2 hands
• Then you reach under the seat, press a little red button to pinch a handle which releases the folding mechanism, and the buggy folds and clips together neatly

To unfold, you release the clip, lock the pram handle into place and shake the buggy apart to open the rest of the chassis frame.

What do you think of the Yoyo+ BeSafe iZi Go Modular i-Size Group 0+ Baby Car Seat?

The car seat is light (just 3.7kg), simple to use and overall very comfortable for baby.

There’s a newborn insert for small and early babies and once removed, ample room for older babies.

Yoyo advises this seat is for up to 12-15 months, however my daughter is now 6 months old and pretty much filling the seat.

Is the car seat easy to install?

It’s a very safe and sturdy car seat, which fixes into your car with either an Isofix base (sold separately) or with a seatbelt. I just used my seatbelt and it’s a really simple and easy-to-master process.

There’s an additional impact bar that’s quickly attached to the side nearest to the car door and I think this is a brilliant feature.

How does the car seat fit onto the chassis?

The car seat comes with 2 adapters which easily fasten onto the chassis. There are grooves in the frame so that you know instantly when the adapters are correctly positioned on the frame.

When you want to pop the car seat onto the Yoyo 0+ frame, you collapse the handle bar, undo the 2 poppers so that the canopy drops backwards and then release the 2 babynest clips at the side of the handlebar base so that the babynest simply folds in on itself and creates a base for the car seat.

The car seat then simply clicks into the adapters and there’s no need to remove the babynest entirely. Bring the handlebar back up and you’re ready to go.

Which car seats can be used with the Babyzen Yoyo+?

Babyzen has worked with renowned Norwegian car seat company BeSafe, to create its own version of the popular iZi Go car seat exclusively for the Yoyo+ – called the Babyzen Yoyo+ BeSafe. When you buy this car seat, you get the adaptors for the Yoyo+.

You can also buy adaptors so you can use the following car seats with the Yoyo+:

• Cybex Cloud Z
• Maxi-Cosi Pebble
• Maxi-Cosi Pebble Pro
• Cybex Aton Q
• Nuna Pipa

Is the Babyzen Yoyo+ value for money?

The Yoyo is a premium lightweight stroller, with a premium price. But when it comes to how it manoeuvres and how small it packs away you can really see the quality.

If you’re only going to use it as an occasional pram or a second holiday buggy then this might be an investment too far. But, as a first buggy for a newborn and used with the car seat as a travel system, it offers excellent value.

Does the Babyzen Yoyo+ come with a raincover?

Yes. The rain cover fits nicely, and isn’t too bulky.

How robust and durable is the Yoyo+?

As a pram to run errands and pop into town, this is ideal. If you are planning on walking long distances and being in the park a lot, then I’m not sure the Yoyo will have quite the same lifespan as something designed with all-terrain wheels.

I currently have the Joie Aire Twin, Cybex Eezy S Twist and Babyzen Yoyo 0+ on rotation, depending on what we are doing as a family.

Therefore my Yoyo isn’t getting used daily. I do see it as more of an occasional pram and particularly for travel and holidays.

However, fellow reviewer Anna says: “I have been using the Babyzen Yoyo for quite a while, and I found the buggy very reliable. The chassis is sturdy and durable. I have probably abused the stroller more than it should be, as my very tall 3-year-old insists on hitching a ride, and we have travelled a lot and tested the buggy board. My impression is that the product will last a good while. It’s great, too, that the covers can be taken off easily and washed.”

How well does the Babyzen Yoyo+ buggy board work?

The board is designed for a child aged 2-5 years to stand or sit between the buggy’s handlebar and the grown-up, rather than popping their head through the bar. It’s suitable up to a maximum weight of 20kg.

MFM reviewer Anna tested it with her daughter, and says it was the the first buggy board where she didn’t complain of aching knees or being rattled about.

Does the buggy board make it harder to manoeuvre?

Not surprisingly, the buggy board does affect the handling of the stroller. However, MFM tester Anna says: “The buggy is still very easy to push, even with one hand, and the buggy board feels very secure. I found the buggy behaves a bit more temperamentally with a child on the buggy board – you definitely need to slow down a bit. Also, I was only able to tackle the lowest of kerbs with confidence. Sometimes I had to nudge the board up the kerb with my foot. But with practice, you know how to anticipate more tricky obstacles.”

However, it can get in the way of walking feet, she adds, saying: “I spent a lot of time walking next to the handlebar, as the wheels sticking out from under the board get in the way of my feet. Having said that, the set-up is still very easy to push.”

Is it easy to attach to the back of the Yoyo stroller?

Yes, it’s a joy to attach to the stroller, according to fellow reviewer, Anna. There are 2 holes in the chassis of the buggy, and the board comes with a patented connecting system which allows you to click it on and off with one hand. You pinch 2 rings that retract 2 metal pegs and then release them into the holes.

How do you store the buggy board when it’s not in use?

Yes, you can store the board by securing it with a simple strap, and the buggy still handles really well, says Anna. “You can either store it very snugly, tucked under the backrest; or at a bit more of an angle, if the saddle is attached or the baby is reclined. You hardly notice the board when stored in either position, so this is a real plus.”

Can you fold the Babyzen Yoyo with the board attached?

No, unfortunately you can’t fold the Yoyo with the board attached. However, as the board is so easy to click on and off, you can still store the buggy very quickly when you need to, and pop the board in a bag.

How much does the buggyboard weigh and how much heavier does it make the Yoyo stroller?

The whole board, including the small saddle, weighs a light 1.7kg, so it’s easy to be on the move with buggy and board. Its dimensions are 28.6 x 19 x 41cm, making it easy to take along in a large shoulder bag.

How does the buggy board compare to any generic buggy board you have tried?

You’re not supposed to use a generic buggy board with the Babyzen Yoyo+. However, having seen a number of mums use it with the Lascal Mini, MFM reviewer Anna gave it a go.

“The stroller works OK with the Lascal, but the board makes the buggy a bit stiff to manoeuvre. The Lascal board is positioned a tad closer to the seat of the stroller, so it’s easier to get your feet behind it without bending awkwardly,” she says. “However, the Babyzen buggy board makes the set-up easier to handle, to push one-handed for example, and to turn corners.”

How did you like the look of the Babyzen Yoyo overall?

The Yoyo is a smart-looking system. The prams are instantly recognisable by their shape and the white frame and wheels really stand out.

In terms of colour-ways, the AirFrance limited edition navy fabrics are very chic and there’s a lovely chevron print on the babynest that’s a real statement.

There’s an array of colour fabrics to choose from including red, blue, black, taupe, grey, peppermint and ginger.

What’s in the box?

Yoyo+ (6 months):

• Chassis
• Pop-up canopy
• Seat base
• Colour pack
• Raincover
• Basket
• Detachable shoulder strap
• Travel bag

Newborn pack/baby nest:

• Babynest
• Footmuff/cover
• Hood rod
• Rain cover

Car seat:

• Carseat
• Impact bar
• Adapters

Are there any additional extras?

• Yoyo+ buggy board, £99
• Travel bag to carry your Yoyo+, £49.95
• Parasol, £34.95
• Footmuff, around £90
• Mosquito nets (for both baby nest and 6mths+ version), £15.95
• Yoyo cup holder, £19.95

Where can I buy it?

The Babyzen Yoyo+ has now been replaced with the Babyzen Yoyo2.

You can read our Babyzen Yoyo2 review here, or purchase it from Boots or Mamas & Papas.

MadeForMums verdict

The Yoyo 0+ is ideal for anyone living in a city, town or urban area because it’s so light, narrow and agile. You’ll be able to whizz around town with this pram and squeeze through the tightest spots and smallest doorways.
However, I’m not sure I would entirely replace my main pram for the Yoyo 0+ because our family enjoys long walks in the countryside, days on the beach and exploring locations with rough terrain, which the wheels just aren’t suitable for.
All in all, the Yoyo 0+ is a fantastic option if you are looking for something small, compact, light and convenient.

Read more about lightweight buggies...

• 10 of the best lightweight buggies
• 10 of the most compact folding buggies
• Have you ever seen a buggy fold as small as this?