Chicco OhLaLa 2 stroller review

The stroller is the newest version of the Chicco OhLaLa and it has been updated in 2 ways – it’s more compact when folded and it now has an extendable hood.

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Journalist Katie tested the Chicco OhLaLa 2 with her 7-month old son on public transport, trips to the local shops and the park.

How does the Chicco OhLaLa 2 compare to other lightweight, compact-folding pushchairs?

The Chicco OhLaLa 2 is at the cheaper end of the lightweight stroller market and it competes with other buggies around the £100 mark, including the Joie Pact Lite (£120; 5.5kg), Graco Breaze Lite (£100; 6.5kg), Britax Holiday (£120 on Amazon; 5kg) and Allis Baby Plume (£129 on Amazon; 6.7kg). Of these, the Chicco OhLaLa 2 is the lightest by well over 1kg and only the Joie Pact Lite and Allis Baby Plume offer a one-handed folding function.

I have used the Babyzen Yoyo pushchair (£389) and the material of the Chicco OhLaLa 2 is not as high quality or luxurious – but then, it is around a fifth of the price of the Babyzen Yoyo. Both pushchairs fold down quickly and easily (and can be done with just one hand), but the Babyzen Yoyo comes with a shoulder strap to carry it, which is a useful extra. At 6.6kg though, the Babyzen Yoyo is a heavier than the Chicco OhLaLa 2, making the Chicco stroller incredibly practical and easy to carry when out and about.

Is the Chicco OhLaLa 2 suitable for newborns?

As the buggy lies flat, Chico states the OhLaLa 2 is suitable from birth to 15kg, but I wouldn’t feel comfortable putting a newborn baby in the pushchair. Unlike more premium lightweight models, there is no newborn insert to buy in addition to the buggy, and I would worry about a small baby’s head moving around.

I think this buggy is ideal for babies aged six months and above - MFM recommends if the seat is not completely lie-flat then we wouldn’t recommend using it as your everyday stroller use with a newborn.

How comfy is the seat unit? Is it easy to recline?

Yes, the seat unit is comfortable. You can adjust the seat recline via a strap at the back of the pushchair, so you can get it to any angle you want.

It can lie flat, which is really useful for naps, and my 7-month-old had a few peaceful sleeps in the buggy while I nipped around the shops. He also had space to move around and the padded straps are easily adjustable.

How much coverage does the hood provide on the Chicco OhLaLa 2?

The hood itself can be unzipped to extend it further, which is an excellent feature for the summer. The hood made no noise when adjusting it, which means you don’t have to disturb your sleeping baby.

Sadly, there’s no peekaboo window so you can’t see your child unless you fold back the hood or walk around to the front of the pushchair.

How do you fold the Chicco OhLaLa 2?

It’s folded by pressing 2 buttons on the handle – it is possible to do this with one hand and while I found this slightly hard to master, both home testers from the 2020 MFM Awards said they thought it was surprisingly simple, and how useful of a feature it is, especially when carrying a baby in your other arm.

How compact is the pushchair when folded?

The pushchair is relatively small anyway, but its size is practically halved when folded – measuring in at 30x50x90cm, which is easily small enough for a narrow hallway or nursery locker.

This stacks up against the competition – in the £100 price bracket, only the Britax Holiday and Joie Pact Lite fold smaller, both of which are £20 more expensive. The Britax Holiday also doesn’t lie flat, or have such an extensive sunshade.

Does the Chicco OhLaLa 2 fit in an airplane overhead locker?

No, the folded dimensions of the buggy are too large for cabin baggage.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

I drive a Ford Focus, which has a relatively large boot – the Chico OhLaLa 2 easily fitted in with plenty of room for shopping.

How light is the Chicco Oh La La 2? How lightweight does it feel?

It’s just 3.8kg and it feels extremely light. It’s definitely one of the standout features of the buggy and many reviewers on Amazon note how easy it is to haul up stairs and around public transport – with some even saying it’s lighter than their baby bag!

In terms of its competition, there’s none at this weight and price, making the Chico OhLaLa 2 something of a trailblazer.

How easy is it to push?

One of the selling points of the Chico OhLaLa 2 is that it can be steered with 1 hand, and I agree it can be, but I always prefer to have 2 hands on it while walking.

As it’s so light, it feels like it could easily lose control, which is the downside to having such a lightweight buggy. While I found it fine to push around town, some online reviewers have expressed flexible and flimsy steering as an issue.

How do the wheels on the Chicco OhLaLa 2 perform? Do you think they’ll be long lasting?

The wheels feel light and slim – I’m not sure how durable they would be over a long period of time and this is backed up by a handful of Amazon shoppers, who reported the wheels squeaking after a certain amount of use, with a small number even needing to buy replacements.

Can the Chicco OhLaLa 2 handle rough terrain?

While it feels passably sturdy on the road, grass and on gravel paths, we didn’t attempt any rougher terrain with it. I wouldn’t like to try either, as I’m not sure how comfy it would be for my baby or for me pushing! One of the home testers in the 2020 MFM Awards said it was a very bumpy ride and wouldn’t recommend it for long outdoor walks.

How easy is it to take onto public transport?

I took it on the bus and it was really quick to get on and off with it. It’s so light and easy to lift – it definitely comes into its own on public transport.

Given that it’s a light frame, how sturdy does the Chicco Oh La La 2 feel?

Considering its weight and price, it feels surprisingly sturdy, but it’s in no way comparable to more heavyweight models on the market, or even in relation to more expensive designs in the lightweight buggy sector.

Does the Chicco OhLaLa 2 have an adjustable height handlebar?

No, you can’t adjust the handlebar, which taller parents report as a fairly big issue. But at just 5ft 2in, luckily it was the perfect height for me.

How easy are the brakes to use?

The brake is accessed via a bar on the back wheels. It’s in the perfect position for easy access and it’s definitely effective. The bar is quite thin though, so I worry about its longevity and I wouldn’t want to put pressure on it wearing flip flops.

How spacious is the basket on the Chicco OhLaLa 2?

The basket is easily accessible under the pushchair, but it’s biggest disadvantage for me is its small size. You can fit a few items inside, but certainly not a decent-sized bag of shopping, which is a downside and an opinion shared by one of the home testers in the 2020 MFM Awards, who also found the basket lacking.

Can the stroller be used as a travel system?

No, the Chico OhLaLa 2 is not compatible with any car seats.

Do you like the look of the Chicco OhLaLa 2?

It’s simple, but attractive and it looks comfy with its light padded straps. Although the small basket was a negative for me, it does make the stroller look neat.

It comes in 2 shades – Night Black and Silver. The Black Night colour looks good and works practically with any baby stains.

What’s in the box?

The box contained the pushchair, an additional rain cover and an instruction manual.

What extras can you buy for the Chicco OhLaLa 2?

There are no extras needed to get going with the buggy, but there is the option to buy an attractive footmuff for around £10 – a useful addition in winter and a real bargain.

How easy is the stroller to build?

It’s really simple to build – just attach the wheels and the bumper bar and you’re good to go. It took me about 5 minutes to assemble following the pictures in the manual.

Is there anything you wish you’d have known about the Chicco OhLaLa 2?

I wish I’d known just how small the basket was, so I would know not to rely on it to carry my shopping back.

What’s the best feature of the Chicco OhLaLa 2?

I loved how easy it was to fold away when I got home. It took up no space, so for once I had a clear hallway!

Where can I buy the Chicco OhLaLa 2?

It’s available to buy from Amazon, Very and Boots.

MadeForMums verdict:

A simple, super lightweight buggy that’s just the ticket for running around towns and cities with your child, or for parents in flats with stairs to climb. It’s easy to fold and store and while the basket won't fit much shopping inside and the quality of the buggy isn't perfect, for the £100 price tag, it's more than fair. A good-value, reliable run-around for 6 months and beyond, but probably not suitable for frequent use with a newborn.

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