Stokke YOYO3 pushchair review

The 0+ newborn pack, available to buy separately, includes a cosy, lie-flat nest, which means the YOYO³ can be used from birth, making it an appealing choice for parents who need something compact and portable right from the start.

At £339 for the Stokke YOYO³ frame and £195 for the 0+ newborn pack, it’s at the luxury end of the compact stroller market, although it is possible to buy the stroller and newborn accessories as a bundle for a reduced price of £479.

How do you fold and unfold the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair?

To fold the pushchair:

• Push in the white buttons on either side of the handle to put the handle down.
• Reach underneath the pram where there is a red handle with a white button on it. You push the button to release the handle, which then allows you to collapse the pram.

There is a clip that holds the pram together while it is in the folded position. To unfold, you simply release the clip and then shake the pram out, clicking it back into place.

Is it easy to fold the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair?

Not exactly; I'd say the fold isn't intuitive. It took me a long time of fiddling around with the handle and button to get the YOYO³ to fold down, and then I struggled to replicate it a second and even a third time. It’s not helped by the fact that the button and handle are on the underside of the newborn seat, so you can’t see what you’re doing.

If I were travelling alone with this pram, I would want to spend a lot of time practising the fold beforehand – otherwise, I wouldn’t be confident I could manage it.

Can you fold the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair with one hand?

The first step to folding the pram is pressing two buttons on either side of the handle simultaneously, so it’s not strictly one-handed from start to finish. But with the newborn attachment in place, you can leave your baby in the pram while you put the handle down, and then lift them out before you fold the rest of the pushchair.

While it's possible to fold the YOYO³ while holding your baby, I certainly found it tricky. The button to fold the pram down is on the underside of the newborn seat, so you have to bend right down, reach under, and feel around for it. It's slightly awkward while holding a baby, but it's doable, and I think it would get easier with practice.

How compact is it when folded?

When folded, the Stokke YOYO³, including the newborn pack, measures H52cm x W44cm x D 18cm and would fit easily into a car boot or overhead bin. It’s also compact enough that you could put it over your head on a train, instead of having to find room on a luggage rack. It's listed as suitable for air travel on the Stokke website, but always make sure you check your airline's policy before you fly.

What do you think of the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair's 0+ newborn pack?

The newborn nest is undeniably small, but there’s plenty of room for a little baby. Designed to accommodate babies from birth up to 9kg (19.8lbs) it boasts a lie-flat position and has a small head support as well as adjustable straps to keep your baby safe and secure. My son was only two months old during testing, but I do think parents with larger, longer or older babies might find it to be a tight fit. I know the newborn pack is designed to accommodate babies up to 9kg, but I’m not sure this would be the most comfortable option for a child approaching that size. It's certainly cosy and I like that it comes with a fluffy cover that zips on to keep babies warm and snug.

Are the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair's fabrics soft and breathable?

Yes. We were initially worried that the fluffy cover on the newborn pack would be too hot, especially as we tested during a sunny spell, but we were pleasantly surprised with how breathable it was. You can remove the fluffy cover entirely if you want to use the pram in really hot weather. Living in the North-East of England we didn’t find we needed to do this, but it would be really useful if you were going abroad.

Overall I felt the YOYO³ offered good ventilation, the hood offered complete shade, and our son never felt too hot.

What’s the Stokke YOYO³ like to push and steer?

The smooth ride is one of the best things about the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair. Other lightweight prams I’ve tried have had smaller wheels, which have caught on paving stones, struggled on uneven terrain, and even tipped the pram when I’ve hit a crack or crevice in the road. This has been a major frustration for me, so I’ve been really delighted with the Stokke YOYO³.

The wheels offer a smooth ride, and I don’t feel like I need to be monitoring the pavement to steer around any potential bumps in the road (literally), as the pram can easily handle them. It’s also easier to steer and manoeuvre than larger prams I’ve tried, meaning you can zip through crowds or around tight corners confidently. We took it around busy markets and cramped shops and never had any problems.

The Stokke YOYO³ feels much more responsive than other pushchairs I’ve used in the past, which have been heavier or more rigid to push. It has a lightning-fast reaction time and is easy to manoeuvre quickly. If you live in a city and want a pram that’s lithe and easy to get around, the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair is a real pleasure to push.

How does it handle on uneven terrain?

The Stokke YOYO³ pushchair has no problem handling cobbles, uneven pavements or grass. The wheels glide over uneven surfaces without jolting or getting stuck – as other lightweight prams often do. Getting up and down kerbs is easy due to how light the pushchair is, and the suspension is impressive too.

Is the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair comfortable for your baby?

Our newborn slept excellently in this pushchair, and we frequently used it to get some fresh air on short walks around the park while he was napping.

Unlike more traditional bassinet prams, the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair’s newborn pack does require you to strap your baby in and out, and if they’re a light sleeper this will probably wake them up. We found that if we tried to transfer our baby in or out of the pushchair while he was sleeping, he would stir and wake up while we fiddled with the straps around his arms.

How does it feel over longer distances during day trips or walks?

We really liked the Stokke YOYO³ Pushchair for day trips in the city. It’s lightweight, so you don’t get tired of pushing it over long periods of time, and it’s small and compact, so we could easily take it on public transport, into cafes and around shops and museums without feeling like we were getting in people’s way.

Is the handlebar adjustable?

No, the Stokke YOYO³'s handle isn't adjustable. That said, my partner and I are both tall, and we both found the handlebar height comfortable.

How robust does the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair feel?

For such a lightweight pram, the Stokke YOYO³ is also impressively stable. It never felt like it was going to tip over, even when navigating sharp corners on steep hills.

The materials of the 0+ newborn pack and the Stokke YOYO³'s frame all look and feel premium. The fabrics wiped down easily when they got splattered with spit-up, and still look new even after a few weeks of regular use with a newborn. They also held up well when we got caught out in the rain – the newborn shell is water resistant and kept our son cosy and dry.

The chassis and wheels feel robust. While we’ve found other travel prams to be wobbly or flimsy, this is a solidly built product with a clever design. I am confident using the Stokke YOYO³ as our regular pram for our baby.

How easy is it to carry the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair?

Weighing just 6.6kg with the 0+ newborn pack, it's undeniably lightweight. There’s a handle you can use to carry the pushchair once it’s folded down, or you can use the shoulder strap if you have other luggage (or a baby) to carry. I didn’t find the shoulder strap the most comfortable – but it is genuinely useful, and more than bearable, for short bursts of time.

I would definitely use it, for example, going up or down stairs, or getting on or off the train. Carrying any folded pushchair for a long period of time is going to be onerous – but this is one of the better ones that I’ve tried.

Is the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair suitable for use on public transport?

Yes. This pushchair is really suited to families (like ours) who use public transport a lot – whether that’s the tube, the bus or the train. It is small and compact, meaning it doesn’t take up too much space and you can squeeze on without feeling guilty, even when it’s busy or crowded. It’s light enough that you could carry it up and down flights of stairs on your own, meaning you wouldn’t need to panic when lifts are out of service. And it’s easy to steer and manoeuvre around crowds.

Not many newborn prams fold down without you having to remove an element (usually a bassinet) so the fact that the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair’s 0+ newborn pack does collapse completely – and stores so easily - really makes it an excellent option for flights and train journeys.

What do you think of the basket?

The storage basket on the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair is naturally smaller than one you might find on a larger pram, but the 10kg capacity is impressive for a compact stroller. It can easily fit a shopping bag or a changing bag (just not both at the same time).

For quick errands, I think the basket is more than sufficient although I wouldn’t rely on it for storage on a full-day outing, especially when out with both my children. It’s not quite big enough to handle the array of changing bags, snacks, coats and toys that come with a toddler!

That said, I noticed no difference in the pram’s performance when the basket was full. It still felt lightweight and responsive to push and was still able to zip around crowds quickly.

How does the new styling of the Stokke YOYO compare to earlier Babyzen versions?

The overall look – sleek and trendy – is similar to previous generations, but Stokke has made subtle improvements. The Stokke YOYO³ pushchair’s 0+ newborn pack definitely looks stylish (so much so that an elderly lady stopped me on the street to compliment it) and comes in a variety of colours.

What’s in the box?

• 0+ newborn pack, with headrest, UV canopy hood and five-point harness
• Stokke YOYO³ pushchair frame with basket

Accessories, including a rain cover, a cup holder, a parasol and even a mosquito net, are available to buy separately.

Is the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair worth the money?

I’ve tried various compact strollers, and I’ve found you get what you pay for. Cheaper models are flimsier and not as smooth; perfectly adequate for occasional trips and travelling, but not something I’d choose for regular use. While expensive, the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair and 0+ newborn pack more than holds its own as an everyday pushchair for parents who want to get out and about with their new baby, which I think justifies the price tag.

The design is sleek and stylish while still managing to be robust, and the materials are premium. This is not a budget option, and if I were only looking for a travel pram for occasional use I would opt for something cheaper. The basic Graco Myavo stroller, for example, is suitable for use from birth and comes in at just £129.95.

Who is the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair most suitable for?

I would highly recommend this pram to parents who want something small and compact for city living and have the budget to spare. The Stokke YOYO³ pushchair’s 0+ newborn pack allows you to get out and about with your new baby confidently. Whether you’re running errands on a busy high street or jumping on a train, the pram is lightweight, responsive and reliable.

Where can I buy the Stokke YOYO³ pushchair?

Available from Natural Baby Shower, Stokke and Winstanleys Pramworld.

MadeForMums verdict

The Stokke YOYO³ pushchair and 0+ newborn pack have become my go-to pram for my two-month-old son. It’s so small and lightweight that I’m confident taking it anywhere – whether that’s a high street, public transport in rush hour, or on a long walk with lots of hills! The design is stylish but feels robust, and I like that it is parent-facing so I can keep an eye on my son while he’s napping. For parents who want to zip around a city with their new baby, this pushchair will empower you to get out and about.