Zoe Twin+ Review

Zoe started in November of 2015 as a family company. The family shared more than 60 years of juvenile product experience and a goal of creating quality products with lower prices. Since then, the family has sold the company. The Zoe company website no longer offers details about the company or its long-term goals. Zoe primarily creates strollers.

Performance Comparison

Weight and Folded Size

The Twin+ has put on some weight over previous versions of this stroller for multiples. It is 19.8 lbs in our tests compared to an even 19 advertised by the manufacturer. This weight is still below the average for the group, but an umbrella stroller should be lightweight, so it is a shame they keep making this Zoe heavier with each new version.

When folded, the Twin+ is about 10,420 cubic inches. Sadly, this too is an increase of almost 1000 cubic inches over the last version, making this Zoe both heavier and larger than it used to be. However, it is still smaller than the average for the test group.

Ease of Use

The Twin+ earned one of the highest scores in our review for ease of use, proving they have what it takes to compare side-by-side with some higher-end, more expensive products.

Testing ease of use includes folding/unfolding and those features that impact the day-to-day experience of using the stroller in real life.

Fold and Unfold

The Twin+ requires two hands to fold and features an auto-lock (above left) but does not self-stand.

To fold, you pull up simultaneously on the straps under the fabric on each seat (above right). Unfolding includes releasing the locking mechanism and pulling up the handle until the frame locks open.

Brakes

The Twin+ brakes are friendly to sandaled and bare feet and are some of the easiest single-action brakes to set in this review. This stroller has a single bar across the back that flips up and down to set brakes on both wheels. Occasionally, we had to wiggle the stroller a little to get the notches on the brakes to fall into place, so you need to double-check that they are set well before you leave the stroller, or the brakes may NOT be set properly.

Storage

The Twin+ under-seat storage bin feels smaller than previous versions of this stroller.

The bin has mesh sides, a solid bottom, and a 10 lb weight limit (above left). The basket has a roomy feel, but a bar right in the middle prevents a large diaper bag from fitting through the opening.

Each seatback has a small pocket (above right) for quick items like keys or a wallet, and it sports a parent cup holder, something we see less and less of these days on any stroller. The stroller also comes with a belly bar or snack holders for the kiddos.

Sunshade

The sunshades on the Twin+ are super large and extend past the knee when fully open for some of the best coverage on the market.

Each shade is UPF 50+ and has a mesh peek-a-boo window with a cover that features a magnet closure for silent peeking on napping children. The canopies create almost a pod room-like feel for quiet napping.

Harness

Each Twin+ seat has a 5-point harness. The harnesses each have a non-adjustable crotch strap that is a wider swath of fabric than any strap we've ever seen, and we suspect this is more comfortable than a webbed strap. The shoulder straps are easy to adjust and have minimal padding around the neck area with a rethread that didn't give us any trouble. The buckle works well and depresses easily despite feeling like cheaper plastic.

Seat

The Twin+ is the first double Zoe we've seen with adjustable leg rests. The leg rests operate fairly smoothly and allow the rest to stick out strat for a napping platform for smaller riders.

The adjustment toggle on the seatback is plastic with two straps that thread through for seat back height adjustment (above left). The seat reclines in infinite positions, including almost flat, and helps create a sleeping bubble when used with the canopy fully extended (above right).

Ease of Setup

The Twin+ same almost fully assembled, and we only had to attach the wheels and kid console. It shares the same instructions as the single version of this stroller, and they are good enough without any confusing steps. It took us under 5 minutes to assemble this stroller, including the unboxing.

Maneuverability

Thanks largely to the two wheels on one leg design of less expensive, lightweight strollers, none of the double umbrella options offered much in our tests for maneuverability. The Twin+ was no exception to this plight. It scored higher for maneuverability than some of the competition, but it is something to note that you sacrifice some maneuverability in favor of being lightweight.

This Zoe includes four wheels in the front (2 wheels on each side); the wheels are foam-filled plastic. This design results in spinning wheels and wheels that get hung up on small rocks and such in the path. This stroller works best on hard, flat surfaces and begins to struggle on the carpet. Things get harder on grass and gravel, and we think most parents will find it frustrating to push for any distance off-road.

Despite the locking ability of the front wheels, this stroller is still unable to negotiate uneven terrain. While we could get it through most doorways during testing, we had to remove the cup holder and lift the backside somewhat to shimmy it through.

Quality

This ZOE feels about the same as the last version for quality and better than the original we tested several years ago. While not the best quality in the bunch, it is good for the price, and we think most parents will think they got what they paid for and then some. Higher quality strollers, like the UPPAbaby G-Link 2, typically have a price to match their quality level.

The Twin+ has foam-filled plastic wheels and thick canvas over an aluminum frame. The fabric is softer than previous versions and feels easier to spot clean. The frame is sturdy, something not all of the competition can claim, and everything connects well for a non-rickety feel. The stroller has an overall clean, put-together look.

Should You Buy the Zoe Twin+?

If you have two little ones to move and a need for a smaller or lighter stroller for travel, we think the Twin is tough to beat. With a budget-friendly price and conveniences not found in all lightweight competition, we think there is something for parents and passengers in this little ride. While it might be harder to push off hard surfaces and the quality might struggle to meet higher-priced options, we think this stroller has a lot to offer and can be a good fit for most families.

What Other Double Umbrella Stroller Should You Consider?

If you don't plan to use your lightweight stroller more than a handful of times, then even the Twin+ might feel like an expensive purchase. If your budget is tight or your need is limited, the Delta Children LX Side by Side might be a better fit. While its features aren't as great, with smaller canopies and upright seats, it can feel like a better price if you only need it to negotiate an airport, not an all-day event. Alternatively, if your budget is bigger and you want something better, the UPPAbaby G-Link 2 is a high-quality option that is easier to push and use than the Zoe.

Manufacturer Video