Joolz Day3 review

Tested by:

Ruth lives in Cardiff and tested the JoolzDay3 when her second baby was 4 weeks old, using it on everyday trips to the shops and the park. Her 2-year-old toddler enjoyed riding in it too.

What were your first impressions of the Joolz Day3?

‘Where am I going to store it?’ was my first thought as I shuffled the big box through my house. Opening it, I found a beautifully-designed buggy with aluminium chassis, 4 puncture-proof wheels and a comfortable carrycot but putting it together was long and complicated. And I’ll admit that my husband did most of the work as it was just days after I’d given birth to my second baby and my sleep-deprived brain couldn’t figure out the instructions. At 88cm in length, 59cm wide and 110cm high, this buggy is a bit of a beast - but its four wheels are great on any terrain, providing there’s room to push it.

How does it compare to other pushchairs?

I’ve been using this pushchair primarily for my 4-week-old son and have found it to be top of the cots. The mattress feels padded and comfortable for my newborn, and that, combined with cot ventilation and the head cushion assures me that my little one is protected in the pushchair and not just being lugged about. He sleeps soundly, too, which is an added benefit. However, changing the cot over to the seat was overly complicated and taxed my tired brain. Be prepared to dedicate at least 30 minutes to switching them over. Once set up, my toddler did enjoy the ride and high seat position.

What age is the Joolz Day3 suitable for?

It comes with a carrycot that means you can use it from birth. The extendable SPF 50+ hood, zip-on apron to keep your baby warm, cot ventilation and padded headrest make it the perfect carrycot for your precious little bundle. It’s easy to click onto the chassis and I genuinely love it. The fact it’s beautiful to look at is an added extra. However, the bumper bar - no matter how stylish - is simply not practical when trying to manoeuvre a wriggly baby into the carrycot one-handed: it just gets in the way. The toddler seat is suitable from 6 months up, as like the UPPABaby Cruz it has a bucket shape that doesn’t lie flat.

Is the Joolz Day3 good value for money?

This is a pushchair that has both substance and style - and so doesn’t come cheap. It currently retails at £849 for both the carrycot and seat. The hefty price tag is something to consider - as are all the additional extras - but it’s comparable to other brands on the market like Bugaboo and Stokke.

How easy is it to fold?

The Day3 is pretty straightforward to fold when you know how - although I did find the handles a little fiddly. On more than one occasion I got caught in the pouring rain while trying to figure out the mechanism. Firstly, make sure both your hands are free. Then, lock both front wheels. Move the handlebar down by pressing two buttons at the side of the handlebar, while also pulling the two levers. The wheels then move inwards and the Day3 collapses.

How big is the Joolz Day3 when folded and unfolded?

Compact isn’t a word I’d use to describe the Day3. Unfolded, it stands at 88cm long, 59cm wide and 110cm high. By removing the wheels and seat, the buggy shrinks to 69cm long, 55cm and 23cm high - but I’m not sure any mum or dad has the time to do that. One handy little feature is that the pushchair does store upright and feels sturdy while vertical. Not even an attack from my tabby cat could push it over.

Does it fit in the boot of your car?

The frame, once I’d managed to fold it, fits easily into the boot of my car, as does the seat unit. However, if adding the carrycot into the mix it’s more of a squeeze to get into my SUV - and those with a smaller vehicle may struggle to get it all in.

Is the Joolz Day3 car seat compatible?

Yes. But you’ll have to purchase the £40 adapters as an added extra to fit some ranges of Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, Joie or Cybex car seats. Make sure you check the Joolz website before purchasing to see if your car seat fits.

How lightweight is it?

With the cot and chassis, the Day3 weighs 14.2kg - weighty enough to make you feel like you’ve done a workout. It’s a hefty travel system and I find it difficult to push one-handed, this must be partly down to its weight. Perhaps that’s why I got a blister on my right hand the first outing we took, because I was gripping onto it so tight to avoid it rolling away (while holding my toddler’s hand to stop him from running off).

How easy is it to push?

Simple to push if you’ve got both hands free. However, I found it a little too heavy to manoeuvre one-handed - but there’s no doubt it’s a smooth ride for your tot or toddler. And I reckon the suspension means you could easily go for a jog with this buggy once your child is 6 months and big enough to use the seat.

How does the Joolz Day3 ride on different surfaces?

I really enjoyed pushing the Day3 around. Tree roots, busy shopping streets, gravel paths, kerbs and parks weren’t a problem for this pushchair. It tackles uneven ground in its stride - but I couldn’t help noticing my newborn’s head bobbing about on the cobbled streets of Cardiff, even waking him from his slumber at one point. But overall, it’s a smooth ride and feels sturdy thanks to the rear air-filled durable tyres.

Is it easy to use on public transport?

It wasn’t easy. The huge back wheels made it difficult to get onto a train. Thankfully, I was able to park it in the disabled space and it was a quiet carriage - but this experience did put me off even attempting to get on a bus.

How did you find the wheels?

The large 12-inch back wheels and 4-wheel suspension make it a smooth ride, helping the Day3 cope with uneven terrain. The front 7-inch smaller wheels are lockable, and the rubber material feels durable. However, I’m not sure the larger wheels make this pushchair easier to manoeuvre. I found it difficult to push one-handed - and that’s a downer for a busy mum-of-two.

And sometimes the size of the wheels left me feeling a bit like a learner driver, unsure of whether I’d fit down a narrow path or even through doorways. I bumped into a few people in M&S while taking it down the aisles. Time for some L plates…

Is the frame strong and durable?

Yes. The frame feels strong and stable… and it’s beautiful to look at. The Day3 comes with a lifetime warranty - providing you remember to register your Day3 within 6 months of your purchase. This pushchair is designed to last and be used time and again for any future offspring (as long as you don’t get your child’s name engraved on the leatherette handlebar, an option with this fully-customisable stroller).

What do you think of the Joolz Day3's handlebar?

It’s sturdy, feels comfortable and provides good grip. And the leatherette handlebar is height-adjustable, ensuring that taller parents find pushing it more comfortable.

What do you think of the seat?

Once your baby reaches 6 months you can use the seat unit up to a 20kg maximum weight. It can be used in a forward and rearward facing position - and even as a highchair in restaurants or cafes, thanks to its height. It is a right pain to switch the carrycot over to the seat, but once the bucket seat is attached it looks comfortable and the 5-point harness is well padded. The footrest is extendable which enables the pushchair to grow with your child - and my toddler enjoyed playing with the bumper bar. However, the magnetic harness is fiddly and awkward to fit together which is not ideal while wrestling a wriggly toddler into position.

How many recline positions does the Joolz Day3 have?

Three. However, you’ll need 2 hands to tilt your toddler backwards. When I was out walking, and my son got tired, I had to stop and push 2 buttons either side of the frame to recline the seat. And as the buggy is fairly wide it’s sometimes a little bit awkward to do - unless you have exceptionally long arms.

How comfortable does it seem?

As soon as it was set up, my 2-year-old was desperate to climb in. The shoulder straps attach to the waist straps with magnets, before clicking into the main harness. The padding on the straps and seat is substantial and everything feels comfy. There are no complaints from my son as we wheel him around town: he looks cosy and warm. However, he’s not exactly a tall toddler and his head is already touching the top of the hood. And the large canopy can sometimes obstruct his view.

What do you think of the hood?

It has a generous SPF 50+ sun shade that extends to the bumper bar, providing great coverage for your child. The fabric is luxurious and feels like it will last a lifetime. A real selling point for the Day3 is the see-through cot ventilation that allows air to circulate around your child, ensuring they never get too hot on a sunny day. Not a problem in coldest, darkest December but it is nice to be able to peep at your toddler when they’re world-facing.

Do the Joolz Day3's brakes feel strong and effective?

The brake is in the middle of the back bar and is easy to use. There was no danger of the pushchair rolling away once the brake was applied and I found them really effective.

How spacious is the basket?

It’s such a shame that it’s so small. It claims to be able to store up to 5kg of nappies, wipes and general baby essentials - but I can barely fit the rain cover in. The spring-loaded access to the basket means your belongings are hidden and protected from the rain, which is a plus, but I was bitterly disappointed with the size of the basket as I like to shove everything in the bottom of a buggy. However, Joolz does give you the option of purchasing a XL shopping bag which hangs off the back of the handle – but at £40 that’s not a cheap extra.

How did you like the look of the Day3?

What’s not to like? When it comes to looking good, the Day3 rules. I became quite precious about trying to keep it clean and making sure I didn’t scratch or scrape the aluminium chassis. This is not sustainable in the slightest when you have 2 kids but it‘s a beautiful thing to push around. The Day3 comes in 9 stylish colours, with leatherette detailing on the bumper and handlebar, and your choice of a silver or black chassis. Choose from 5 new fabrics.

What’s in the box?

Quite a lot. All come separately packaged - and it’s your job to figure out the instructions and fit it all together.

• Chassis
• Cot/ seat frame
• Bumper bar
• Sun hood frame
• 2 x rear wheels
• 2 x front wheels
• 1 x cot fabric, 1 x mattress and 2 x cot tensioner
• 1 x cot cover
• 1 x sun hood fabric
• 1 x extended sun hood
• 1 x seat fabric and 1 x footrest
• 1 x large basket

What accessories can you buy for the Joolz Day3?

You’ll need a rain cover if you live anywhere in the UK. And at £35, that’s not a cheap extra - but it does come wrapped in a stylish travel bag. Then, there are tons of additional things you can purchase to make your Day3 extra special such as a cupholder (£15), customisable bumper bar (£32), an XL shopping bag (£45) or car seat adapters (£40) to transform your buggy into a travel system.

Is it easy/hard to build the buggy?

This isn’t the easiest buggy I’ve built (or watched being built). There are an awful lot of parts that you need to piece together to get out the door. There are zips, buttons to push, hooks to unravel: it’s time-consuming and took around 30 minutes to set up. I found the instruction manual useless. It provides you with the information but is picture-based. Watching the instruction demo online was much more useful.

What would you have wanted to know before you purchased the Joolz Day3?

How fiddly switching the carrycot into the seat unit was. It’s an effort as both attach to the same frame. However, I guess most mums and dads won’t be doing this very often so just make sure you find a quiet time when your little ones aren’t running wild.

Who would this pushchair be most useful for?

First-time mums and dads who have some cash to splash. It’s a great investment for pregnant mums looking to buy a buggy that will grow with their child. However, I’d make sure you have enough space for it in your house and a car before hitting the shops.

What was your favourite feature of the Joolz Day3?

I’d have to say the carrycot. I’d like to be pushed around in it. Joolz has definitely put some thought into comfort and safety. The cot ventilation panels, head cushion and thickness of the mattress are excellent. And I love the cover that clicks into place and gives added protection from the wind and rain.

Where can I buy the Joolz Day3?

It is available from John Lewis, Baby Planet and Uber Kids.

MadeForMums verdict:

I’m in two minds when it comes to this stroller. It’s gorgeous and a joy to push - and it’s nice that you don’t see as many Joolz buggies out and about, compared with the likes of iCandy and Bugaboo. The carrycot is perfect for a newborn and the high seat position really is a benefit. This is a quality travel system that you could use for any number of children. But the downsides to the Day3 are its size and weight. One-handed steering is tough, it’s hard work to load into the car and I found it daunting to take the buggy into some cafes or on public transport for fear of becoming stuck.

Read More...

• Joolz Hub Review
• MFM Awards Winners - buggies, prams and doubles
• Best buggies and prams for newborns

MadeForMums product articles are independent, honest and provide advice you can have confidence in. Sometimes, we earn revenue through affiliate (click-to-buy) links. However we never allow this to influence our coverage. Our reviews and articles are written by parents who are professional journalists, and we also include feedback from our parent community and industry experts.