Baby Jogger City Mini 2 Review

The Baby Jogger company launched in 1984 to respond to parents looking for a top-ranked jogging stroller. Feeling a lack in the market, the parents set out to resolve their issue by creating a new jogging stroller. From the start, Baby Jogger offered a variety of stroller types for different uses. Newell Rubbermaid purchased Baby Jogger in 2015.

Performance Comparison

Weight and Folded Size

This stroller weighs 19.3 lbs, which is heavier than the original City Mini. It measures 8,472 cubic inches when folded, which makes it larger than its predecessor as well. Overall, this heavier weight and the larger size are slightly off-putting, but we still like the stroller.

Ease of Use

Thanks to some frame design changes, the City Mini 2 is somewhat more complicated to use than the old Mini.

Fold and unfold is 25% of the overall ease of use score. We think that ease of folding is an important metric in a product that you will potentially use for travel and on-the-go situations.

The Mini 2 still sports the simple one-hand fold of pulling the quick folding handle on the seat bottom. It still has the snap straps that lock the frame open to prevent accidental closing. It also unfolds quickly, but you need to remember the frame lock straps each time.

The Mini 2 has an automatic lock, but it doesn't have a carry strap, and it doesn't self-stand like the UPPAbaby G-Lite.

Storage also makes up 25% of the ease of use score. Having sufficient space to stash essentials throughout the day is key to having successful outings with a baby. The City Mini 2 earned one of the top scores for this metric because it has the storage capacity of a full-size option.

The storage bin on the Mini 2 is a good size, but it has a poorly designed crossbar on the frame that blocks the rear access, so more oversized items are harder to squeeze inside. This model does have front access, which is new and appreciated, but still small and not good for larger diaper bags.

Brakes

The single-action brakes on the Mini 2 is a rocker-style pedal that is easy to set and release. Unlocking the brakes is also a press, or you can lift it from the bottom, making it foot-friendly.

Sunshade

The Mini 2 still sports an impressively large canopy that folds to cover most of the passenger. It has dual peek-a-boo windows with vinyl see-thru and a cover with Velcro closure. There is no ventilation to the design, but the canopy can be unzipped from the seat for airflow if desired.

Harness

The City Mini 2 has a 5-point harness that is okay but harder to use than the previous version, which is always a bummer to see. The buckle is harder to push, and the shoulder straps separate from the waist straps at the buckle, and it isn't easy to get them back together and buckled, especially if you have a squirmy kid in the seat.

Seat

This stroller has an ample seating area that is cozy even for larger toddlers. The sling-style seat is well-padded and can recline with a toggle and two hands. The toggle is easy to use but not as nice or straightforward as higher-end levers or button operations. The setback lays almost flat, and the new Mini 2 has an adjustable leg rest for shorter leg comfort when sleeping.

Car Seat Compatibility

With the purchase of a compatible adapter, the City Mini works with a variety of infant car seats, including many from our best infant car seat review.

• Car Seat Adapter Multi-Model — This multi-brand adapter works with a variety of infant car seat carriers, including two award-winning seats, the Chicco Keyfit 30 and the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35. You can purchase other adapters for the following brand seats:
• Baby Jogger, Britax, BOB, Maxi Cosi, Cybex, Nuna, and Graco.

Ease of Setup

City Mini 2 set up is easy and straightforward with a good manual and no tools required. It took about 4:23 minutes to assemble. All you need to do is add the canopy and wheels to the frame.

Maneuverability

The Mini has a dual front wheel which isn't our favorite, but the small plastic wheels still perform well compared to the other lightweight options like the UPPAbaby G-Luxe. None of the strollers are that easy to push or turn, but the City Mini 2 is better than most and works well on flat surfaces. It isn't that impressive on uneven terrains like grass and gravel, and you can lock the front wheel in place if you need help staying on course. You can manage a green belt or park, but you won't want to go off-road for very long.

Quality

Compared to the competition, this stroller provides nicer materials and sturdy construction for a better final product than the other options. Most umbrella strollers lack features and design choices for a high-end feel, but the Mini 2 provides enough attention to detail to rise above the competition with little frame or handlebar flex, no rattling, and wheels that don't wobble. The plastic wheels are foam-filled and retain their shape, and the fabric feels easy to clean but still skin-friendly.

Should You Buy the Baby Jogger City Mini 2?

The City Mini 2 is not an umbrella stroller, and if you are looking for a truly lightweight and compact option, this is probably not the right product for you. However, if you are hoping to minimize the amount of baby gear you have to contend with, having a single all-in-one stroller is very attractive. The Mini 2 is a unique combination of full-size features with a lower-than-average weight for a full-size option. The fact that you can avoid making another stroller purchase also makes it a good value in the long run. Overall, we recommend this stroller for families who are not as worried about weight and size but value ease of use and want to get the most use out of their baby products.

What Other Umbrella Strollers Should You Consider?

The Britax B-Lively is very similar to the City Mini, and it scored better in our tests primarily due to its smaller size and better ease of use. However, it is not compatible with as many infant car seats, so if you want to use your stroller from birth, be sure to check compatibility with your preferred car seat carrier before purchasing anything. The UPPAbaby Minu is the next best option in terms of comfort and ease of use, and it actually a lightweight product. If you want a stroller that you can fit in the overhead bin and bring on vacation, we recommend looking at this.

Manufacturer Video