Graco Jetsetter Review

In Philadelphia, in 1942, Russell Gray and Robert Cone joined forces to start the Graco company, making car parts. Years later, Gray decided to move on to other things, and Cone shifted gears to baby gear, teaming up with an engineer. Their first product was an infant swing inspired by an outdoor glider used for newborn soothing by a coworker. The unique swing was an instant hit and put Graco on the baby product map. Graco is now one of the world's leading producers of baby products.

Performance Comparison

Weight and Folded Size

The Jetsetter is 13.7 lbs and measures 4,246 cubic inches when folded. The folded measurement is relatively small, with only three other strollers folding smaller. However, the GB Pockit is almost half the size, so smaller options are available if space is a commodity for you. The weight is heavier than average, with much of the competition weighing less.

The Jetsetter comes with a carrying case that could be useful for traveling with your stroller, especially if you plan to check it at an airport.

Ease of Use

The Jetsetter is relatively easy to use with results that may seem low at first glance but are still reasonable compared to the competition of umbrellas that traditionally are lacking.

Fold and Unfold

This Graco has a one-handed fold, and it stands by itself once folded. It doesn't have a folding lock, but it stays closed without one. This stroller folds into thirds resulting in a shorter, more compact package than other umbrella fold options. Folding results in the seat smacking you on the arm/hand (see video below), which isn't painful but seems poorly designed.

Brakes

The Jetsetter brakes are single action with a pedal next to the wheel (above right). While the pedal is small, it is easy to press and release with a smooth enough edge to comfortably use while wearing sandals.

Storage

The Jetsetter storage bin has a maximum weight allowance of 10 lbs. We were able to fit our medium-sized diaper bag inside. Access is average, with better clearance from the back (above left) than the front (above right). There isn't much room after your diaper bag is inside. This Graco also has a pocket for car seat adapters.

Sunshade

This Graco has a large-sized canopy with a UV 50 rating and no peek-a-boo window. The sunshade does the job better than a lot of umbrella products, but it doesn't match the impressive canopies on the Inglesina Quid or Britax B-Lively. Smaller sunshades could require the use of the best sunscreen for babies.

Harness

The Jetsetter is not our favorite buckle. The buckle has two parts where the shoulder straps can separate from the waist strap. They always seem to come apart when buckling.

Seat

This Graco seat has some padding on a sling-style seat. The leg rest is adjustable with a narrow footrest that only accommodates heels. It has a mid-level recline with a plastic toggle that is easy to recline and harder to operate for raising.

Car Seat Compatibility

This stroller is compatible with all of the Click Connect models of Graco infant car seat carriers. The adapters come with the stroller, and you don't need to remove the canopy to attach the carrier to the frame.

Ease of Setup

The Jetsetter took us almost 5 minutes to assemble with no tools required. The manual is not noteworthy but isn't frustrating either.

Maneuverability

Despite having our preferred wheel style in the front with a single wheel on each leg, the Jetsetter was hard to push and turn with one of the lowest test results in the group.

The front wheels are small and plastic (above left), with the ability to lock the swivel wheel in place (above right) for pushing over rougher terrain where the swivel wheels can struggle. The frame of the Jetsetter has a lot of flex, which makes pushing difficult as the more pressure you give, the more it flexes before it actually starts to roll. While difficult on flat and paved surfaces, it grows more difficult as the road gets bumpy.

Quality

The Jetsetter suffered in comparison to the competition for quality. While the Jetsetter has a lower price than some competition, the materials and construction are still disappointing compared to similarly priced options, with several products scoring higher at lower prices. The materials and the way the stroller is manufactured result in a cheaper, flimsy-feeling product.

Should You Buy the Graco Jetsetter?

The Graco Jetsetter is less expensive than many of the options in our review, but it also is underperforming in many areas. It has a small folded size and average weight, but it is not outstanding, and other strollers do better. We like that it comes with car seat adapters, and it could be a good choice for parents who already own a Graco car seat.

What Other Umbrella Stroller Should You Consider?

If you are looking at the Jetsetter, chances are you want an affordable product that still has some better ease-of-use features. In this case, we would recommend also looking at the Graco Nimblelite. Although it is a bit larger and heavier, it has included compatibility with Graco car seats (without additional adapters!) and a price tag that is hard to beat. The Nimblelite also has some features that are usually only found in top-ranked full-size strollers, like a larger basket and canopy, giving it one of the highest ease of use scores in the group. The Inglesina Quid is another comparable option with better quality and maneuverability; however, it is more than twice the price.

Manufacturer Video