Baby Jogger City Mini 2 Double Review

The Baby Jogger empire began in 1984 with newly minted fathers looking for a jogging stroller. With no luck in the market, the two set out to create a top-ranked jogging stroller. Flash forward to now, and the company creates a variety of strollers, including some top-ranked full-size strollers, ironically, most of which are not ideal for jogging. In 2005, the company was bought by Newell Rubbermaid.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The City Mini Double 2 offers average ease of use with features that function as they should but are somewhat lacking compared to the competition.

Fold and Unfold

The fold is probably the best thing about this Baby Jogger with a quick double handle pull to fold the stroller in half after unlocking the frame. You will need both hands to fold and unfold this stroller, but it automatically self-stands and locks it in place.

Brakes

The single-action brakes on the Mini Double 2 are easy enough to set, but releasing them is troubling. To unlock the brakes, you have to put your foot under the pedal to release them. Because the brakes are stiff and reluctant to release, you can hurt your foot or shoe in the process.

Storage

Baby Jogger still hasn't figured out how to manage their storage bin. With a limit of only 10 lbs, this isn't the best for carrying supplies for two. To make things more complicated, they have redesigned the bin to include a crossbar that limits what you can fit inside. The new design is better for getting outside access to the bin, but marginally so, and not enough to counter the bar or weight limit issues. This stroller also sports a mesh pocket on the back of each seat. Each pocket can hold up to 2 lbs and fit things such as water bottles, keys, or smartphones. The similarly designed Britax B-Lively Double has a bin with better rear access, but it still has a bar in the middle creating two pockets, not one.

Sunshade

The City Mini 2 Double has two independent sunshades for individualized comfort. The shades are large, cover most passengers to the knee, and include dual-medium peek-a-boo windows on each shade for checking in on silent nappers. Unfortunately, they still use Velcro on the window flap, which can be loud and potentially wake little sleepers.

Harness

Each seat in the City Mini 2 Double has a 5-point harness. The harnesses tighten easily, with a few adjustment points to consider. The new buckle is somewhat easier than the old version, but it isn't anything to write home about compared to the competition.

Seat

Both seats on this stroller recline independently with a toggle on the seatback. The plastic toggle can be lowered with one hand, but you'll need two hands to raise the seat by pulling two straps simultaneously through the toggle. The new Mini also includes adjustable calf support where the leg rest can be lifted into the horizontal position. Each seat holds up to 50 lbs.

Car Seat Compatibility

This stroller is compatible with one infant car seat carrier at a time and works with the Baby Jogger City GO and some Graco Click Connect models.

Ease of Setup

The City Mini Double 2 is easy to set up with a time of 6:23 minutes. Assembly is somewhat intuitive as you only need to add the wheels and canopies to the rest of the product.

Maneuverability

Baby Jogger continues the same wheel design as City Minis in the past that includes a dual wheel on each front leg design that, in our tests, translates to less than stellar maneuverability. While the front wheels can lock in a forward position to make it easier to move over uneven surfaces, the two-wheel design means it gets hung up on bumps and rocks in the path, making it a hassle to move over anything that isn't flat and hard. Pushing and turning on grass is also troublesome as locking the wheels means you can't turn, and not locking the wheels means they could be catching and moving in different directions from one another. If you plan to use your stroller indoors on flat surfaces, it isn't too bad, but our outdoor greenbelt testing left us wanting and somewhat frustrated compared to the competition with fewer wheels or rubber tires. Products like the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double are significantly easier to push and turn thanks to the three-wheel design, rubber tires, and suspension.

Weight and Folded Size

The new City Mini 2 Double is larger when folded and heavier than the previous model, which is a bummer in a category where being lightweight is a bonus. This stroller weighs 30.8 lbs, almost 3 lbs heavier than the older Mini, and it folds to about 13,935 cubic inches (over 3,000 cubic inches larger than the old Mini). However, the new option is still one of the lighter and smaller options in the group. Only a few competitors are smaller or lighter.

Quality

The New Mini 2 Double is of average quality compared with the other competitors. It manages to be nice enough that it feels like it will last for several years, but it lacks the true attention to detail and design of the better quality contenders.

The slick fabric is easy to keep clean, but it isn't as soft as others, and it might stick to sweaty skin. The seats have adequate padding but nothing that screams superior comfort or breathability. We like how the material feels like one continuous piece from the leg rest to the seatback, even if it isn't. The storage basket is fabric and mesh, and we worry that the mesh won't last as long as the stroller bin snagged during testing.

The Mini 2's frame is sturdy with a simple finish that gets the job done without being flashy. The overall fit and finish are straightforward and uninspired, but it avoids looking cheap or frumpy.

The City Mini handlebar has a rubber cover and is not adjustable. It isn't the most comfortable option and can get hot in direct sun. The new bar is one piece instead of the strange two-part design of the old Mini, but it isn't an upgrade enough to say it is truly comfortable. This stroller includes non-adjustable, front-wheel suspension.

Twins

This is not the best stroller for infant twins as it doesn't accept two infant car seat carriers. However, if you plan to wear your little ones in a carrier or alternative mode of transportation, then older babies will likely be happy with the same seating arrangements found on the City Mini 2 Double.

Should You Buy the City Mini 2 Double?

The answer for this stroller is, maybe. While it isn't a stroller we love, and we think it needs help in the wheel design and the storage bin, we do see the appeal of a lightweight, quick folding double stroller that is highly nap-able. With few side-by-sides offering all the conveniences we'd like to see, it is hard not to pause on the City Mini 2 Double and wonder if it isn't a good fit for some families. In our review, it is the highest-ranking side-by-side that is nota jogging stroller. This means it is lightweight and slim when folded, but it isn't as versatile or easy to push as the heavier joggers. So, while not an award winner, we do think it could be a potential contender for families looking for a budget-friendly, lightweight option that offers cozy napping and a quick fold.

What Other Double Stroller Should You Consider?

If your budget allows, we think the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie or the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double are both better side-by-side options. Both jogging strollers are easier to push and use, and both offer the potential for moving off flat paved surfaces. We like the larger storage bins and think the quality is significantly higher for both alternatives. Honestly, unless you need a lighter-weight option for travel or personal reasons, we think it is worth the additional money to get the better and potentially less frustrating stroller.

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