UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair review

In fact, the new design has shaved off significant space, taking the frame from H58.4cm x L52cm x W31.7cm to H55cm x L45cm x W25cm and earning it an IATA certification for use in overhead lockers on airplanes, so parents can take it right through the airport to the plane aisle.

The update also allows you to add adapters (£34.95) that enable the MINU V3 to be used as a travel system, giving parents the ability to pair it with a car seat, such as the UPPAbaby MESA (sold separately).

In an increasingly busy urban pushchair market, this premium stroller is a serious contender for parents who are looking for a lightweight but sturdy pram that can go from everyday use to exotic trips in a squeeze of a button. At £399.99, it sits firmly at the luxury end of the compact stroller market, alongside models like the Babyzen YOYO2, £399, and the Joolz Aer+, £429.99.

How easy is it to set up the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair?

UPPAbaby have gone all out to make the MINU V3 pushchair intuitive and easy to use, so they’ll be glad that my first impression was that it is just that! It was delivered already assembled and folded up – I couldn’t believe there was a pram in the tiny box that arrived at my house. Given the ease of folding and unfolding the pram, set-up was a piece of cake, and it was ready to go in seconds. The operating guide is easily understandable with colour coding and clear instructions.

Adjusting the seat was really simple too, with the recline operated with a one-touch button and strap mechanism that you simply pinch and pull up and down. The same functionality operates the footrest.

How easy is it to fold and unfold the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair?

Hopefully, any fellow parent will forgive that I actually gasped when I unfolded the pram for the first time – it’s truly very impressive. The whole thing is done in a one-step, one-touch motion with the lever on the underside of the handlebar.

I did have to check the instructions to work it out at first, but it was very clear and impossible to forget – not something I found with my main pram, which I often have to refresh my memory on. To make it as intuitive as possible, they’ve even included directions on the lever itself, with arrows showing the sliding motion required.

The first few uses, I found I needed 2 hands to unfold it – it took a little bit of practice to finesse the motion of pulling the canopy out and down. But my husband had no trouble doing it one-handed from the get-go. I did find you had to have the pram fully reclined to fold down smoothly; on one occasion, I tried folding with the seat u,p and there was an alarming crunching noise, and the hood came out of its place.

What’s impressive is that the pram automatically stands when folded – no searching for hard-to-locate buttons or trying to balance your pram awkwardly against the wall.

How do you fold the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair?

• Slide across the lock on the back of the handlebar with your thumb.
• Pinch in the button underneath the handlebar with your fingers.
• Push the handle down towards the ground until it locks.

How do you unfold the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair?

• Perform the same motion with the lever, pulling the handle up towards you.
• Pull the handlebar back up and over towards you to unfold the canopy and lock it into place.

How compact and portable is the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair?

When folded, the pushchair is smaller than a carry-on suitcase, measuring H55cm x L45cm x W25cm and fitting easily in a small car boot. I also took it with me into a bus seat, stashed it under the table in a restaurant and on a weekend away when we were struggling for space in our car, stowed it in the footwell behind my daughter's car seat.

How lightweight and easy to carry is the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair?

There’s a shoulder strap integrated into the seat, which made carrying it much easier than I anticipated. It was surprisingly light at 7.5kg and, thanks to the padded handle, I could hang it on my shoulder comfortably while holding my nappy bag and baby. It’s not so easy to carry in your hand like a case, and I would have appreciated being able to choose between carrying it on my shoulder or by hand.

How comfortable is the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair for your baby?

The UPPAbaby MINU V3 comes with a machine-washable padded insert that adds a layer of softness to the seat. The seat reclines deeply to create more comfortable conditions for sleep, plus there’s an adjustable footrest that you can extend as your baby grows. It was my daughter’s first time facing forward and, despite the excitement, she fell asleep at nap time, no problem – a huge compliment because she’s not the greatest sleeper!

There’s a 5-point, no-rethread harness which was incredibly simple to adjust – the clasp glides seamlessly across the straps. This was a huge plus point for me as my daughter hates being strapped in, but with the MINU V3 I could quickly and easily make sure it was comfortable and secure without disturbing her.

What's the hood like on the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair?

An extendable UPF 50+ canopy offers protection from the sun, creating a generous amount of shade. It has a large peekaboo panel overhead to enable you to check in on baby, but can be unzipped and removed completely if you prefer.

Is the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair able to grow with your child?

Yes, the MINU V3 has a back seat height of 52.1cm, so along with its 22kg weight limit and 3-position footrest, you are able to adapt the pram so it can continue to be comfortable for your baby from birth right up until they’re around 4 years old.

How smooth is the ride?

The UPPAbaby MINU V3 is super smooth on pavements, but despite the suspension on the wheels, I could really feel it when we took it across rougher terrain. Despite the claim, it didn’t seem to absorb the shock of the impact of cobbles or gravel, and became quite uncomfortable through the handles at times. However, my daughter didn’t seem to notice it and still fell asleep on one cobbly journey.

How easy is it to manoeuvre the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair?

Steering is smooth, and the pram feels completely in your control, even when pushing with one hand. The 100% leather-grain handle is a nice touch too, and adds a luxurious warmth to the overall steering experience.

Unlike other city pushchairs I’ve used, where lightness often comes with a flimsy quality, the MINU V3 felt completely sturdy. The only trouble I had with it was manoeuvring in tight spaces – we sometimes had to do 3-point turns to change direction or exit lifts.

What are the brakes like on the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair?

The brakes are effective and easy to access, plus they are colour coded so were really clear to use, something I imagine would be hugely appreciated in a jet-lagged post-flight state.

How practical is the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair for parents?

The small size of the basket lets down most of the city pushchairs I’ve tried in the past, so I was pleasantly impressed by the storage on the MINU V3. The storage basket feels really generous – it has a weight limit of 9.1kg – and is incredibly easy to get in and out of. I was able to fit a large backpack, our baby carrier, plus shopping, and get to it all from either side without disturbing my daughter.

Another attraction for anyone looking for a travelling pushchair is that UPPAbaby have added a hidden pocket that you can slip a tracker in, for added confidence if you do choose to check it with your baggage.

The pushchair also has reflective wheels – a great little feature when taking your baby out after dark – and comes with a rain cover included.

What’s in the box?

• Pram
• Rain cover
• Instructions

Is the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair worth the money?

At £399.99, the UPPAbaby MINU V3 has a premium price tag but premium touches to match, including a 100% full-grain leather handle. Thanks to the improvements in seat size, it will grow with your baby, making it a better long-term investment and overall good value for money.

Where can I buy the UPPAbaby MINU V3 pushchair?

It's available from John Lewis, Natural Baby Shower and Baby Planet.

MadeForMums verdict

For parents looking for a pram for travelling or use in an urban environment, the MINU V3 ticks all the boxes. It feels like the brand has thought deeply about what this parent needs from a pram and made vast improvements on the old model, building on the features that made the MINU V2 so popular. It’s strongest judged on its portability and practicality – the child’s ride is best on smooth surfaces, so there’s some room for improvement on comfort.

With features that enable it to grow with your child, it offers great value for money and, thanks to the sturdy engineering, feels like it could be part of your family for years to come. Sleek, stylish and spacious, the UPPAbaby MINU V3 folds down to a truly impressive size and is a great option for city dwellers or frequent travellers.