Cybex Balios S Review
Pros: Reversible toddler seat, self-stand fold
Cons: 5 lb storage max, thicker fold
Manufacturer: Cybex
The Skinny
Compare to Similar Products
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Cybex Balios S | |||||
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Awards | ![]() | ![]() | |||
Price | $400.00 List $243.87 at Amazon - 39% off | $500.00 List $499.95 at Amazon | $400.00 List Check Price at Amazon | $500.00 List Check Price at Amazon | $400.00 List $359.99 at Amazon - 10% off |
Overall Score ![]() |
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Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Reversible toddler seat, self-stand fold | Easiest to push, jogger, high quality, easy to use | Less expensive jogger, great maneuverability, durable | Ease to maneuver, convenience features, comfy, jogging | Lots of car seat compatibility, fairly lightweight, handbrake |
Cons | 5 lb storage max, thicker fold | Bulkier, harder to transport | Larger, may be hard to lift and carry | Heavy and large, harder to fit in trunk | Limited storage access, prop-up footrest |
Bottom Line | Average option with limited features but it might be good fit for Cybex infant car seat owners | Cozy, stylish jogger that is easy to move and use for everyday outings | Features for jogging or everyday use in a versatile, quality stroller | Capable jogger with all-terrain tires that moves well and works as a full-size option | Good stroller but it doesn't merit the price increase over the regular City Mini |
Rating Categories | Cybex Balios S | Thule Urban Glide 2 | BOB Rambler | BOB Revolution... | Baby Jogger City... |
Ease Of Use (45%) | |||||
Maneuverability (30%) | |||||
Weight Folded Size (15%) | |||||
Quality (10%) | |||||
Specs | Cybex Balios S | Thule Urban Glide 2 | BOB Rambler | BOB Revolution... | Baby Jogger City... |
Weight | 24 lbs | 24.4 lbs | 25.1 lbs | 27.3 lbs | 21.6 lbs |
Folded Dimensions | 24"W x 17.3"H x 30"L | 27.2"W x 15.5"H x 36.5"L | 25.3"W x 13.5"H x 38.5"L | 25.5"W x 15.3"H x 37.8"L | 25.6"W x 11.2"H x 33"L |
Capacity Limits | Minimum: Birth Maximum: 55 lbs | Minimum: 6 mo. Maximum: 49 lbs/43.7" |
Minimum: Walk Only: Infant Car Seat: 0 - 8 wk. Stroller Seat: 8 wk. - 8 mo. Jogging & Off-Road: 8 mo. - 5 yr. Maximum: 74 lbs/44" |
Minimum: Walk Only: Infant Car Seat: 0 - 8 wk. Stroller Seat: 8 wk. - 8 mo. Jogging & Off-Road: 8 mo. - 5 yr. Maximum: 74 lbs/44" |
Minimum: Birth Maxiumum: 65 lbs/44" |
Included Car Seat Compatibility | Cybex (All) | None | None | None | Baby Jogger City GO, City GO 2 |
Click-in Car Seat Adapters | Cybex (All) | BeSafe Izi GO Mod, Izi GO X1 Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30 Cybex Aton, Aton 2, Aton 4, Aton 5 Maxi Cosi CabrioFix, Citi, Mico 30, Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Pebble, Pebble Plus Nuna Pipa |
None | None | Baby Jogger City GO, City GO 2 Britax B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 2, KeyFit 30, KeyFit 30 Zip Cybex Aton, Aton 2, Aton Q, Cloud Q Graco Snugride Snuglock 35 Elite, Snugride 35 Platinum, Snugride Click Connect 35 LX Maxi Cosi Mico AP, Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Mico 30 Nuna Pipa Peg-Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 Uppababy Mesa Clek Living |
Strap-in Car Seat Adapters | None | BOB Unity Britax Affinity Unity, B-Safe, B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, Chaperone, Unity, Unity ISOFIX Compatible Britax-Romer Baby-Safe, Baby-Safe Plus II Chicco KeyFit Plus Combi Shuttle 33 Evenflo Discovery 5 Graco SafeSeat, SnugRide, SnugRide Click Connect, SnugRide Click Connect 30, SnugRide Click Connect 35, SnugRide Click Connect LX 35, SnugRide Click Connect 40 Peg Perego Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30, Primo Viaggio 4-35 Safety 1st Comfy Carry Elite, onBoard, onBoard Air Safe-n-Sound Unity, Unity Neos UPPAbaby Mesa |
Britax B-Safe, B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, Chaperone BOB B-Safe, B-Safe 35 Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 30LX, 35, 35 LX, 40, SnugRide Classic Connect 22, 30, 32, 35 Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30, Primo Viaggio SIP Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30 |
Britax/BOB Britax® Chaperone®, B-Safe®, B-Safe® 35, B-Safe® 35 Elite, Endeavours™, B-Safe® 35 Ultra, BOB® B-Safe®, BOB® B-Safe® 35 Chicco Fit2, KeyFit, KeyFit 30 Cybex Cybex® Aton 2, Aton Q, Cloud Q Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 30LX, 35, 35 LX, 40, SnugRide Classic Connect, SnugRide Classic Connect 30, 32, 35, SafeSeat Maxi Cosi Maxi Cosi® Mico 30, Mico Max 30, Mico AP Nuna Nuna® Pipa, Pipa Lite Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35, SIP, SIP 30/30 |
None |
Recline | Deep | Deep | Deep | Deep | Deep |
Storage Basket Size | Large | Large | Large | Large | Large |
Sun Shade Size | Large | Large | Large | Large | Large |
One-handed Fold | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Locking Fold | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto |
Self-standing Fold | Yes | No | No | No | Yes |
Handlebar Height - Min/Max | 39.5"/43.89" | 30"/46" | 38.8" | 34.5"/48" | 38.5"/45.7" |
Sandal-friendly Brake | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Included Accessories | Rain Cover, Car Seat Adapter |
None | None | None | City GO infant car seat adapter. |
Setup Time | 8:37 min:sec |
5:13 min:sec | 5:30 min:sec | 4:26 min:sec |
4:47 min:sec |
Our Analysis and Test Results
With German Origins, Cybex started in 2014 under the Goodbaby International Holdings Ltd. Cybex focuses on innovation, safety, and functionality in all its products including carriers, car seats, and strollers.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Use
The Balios shows average performance in our testing for ease of use concerning the everyday functionality of a standard stroller.
Fold and Unfold
Folding the Cybex requires folding the seat in half and using the push button on the handlebar to fold the stroller in half. It automatically locks in place and it self-stands when closed. It has a grip carrying handle on the top of the fold and it can roll like luggage, though you'll need to bend over to accomplish this.
Brakes
The Balios has single action brakes that work with a rocker pedal. They are somewhat stiff in our tests and the stroller tried to make a break for it when we pressed the pedal by rolling forward, so you need to keep a hold of the stroller handle. To release, you can lift from the bottom or press the top of the rocker pedal, which makes it sandal foot-friendly.
Storage
The storage bin in on the larger side and has good access, which is all good. The manufacturer's maximum weight allowance is 11 lbs. This limit is lower than the competition have weight limits as high as 30 lbs with the average being closer to 10 lbs.
Sunshade
The canopy is a good size and can open significantly wider if you need it for almost to the knee coverage of the seat itself. It has a small peek-a-boo window with a flip-open cover and mesh underneath for added ventilation on hot days.
Harness
The Balios includes a 5-point harness with an infinite adjustment that slides up and down on the exposed straps. Changing the fit of the harness is straightforward, with a pretty easy button to push for harness release; it sort of pops open with a press.
Seat
The seat on the Balios can be reversed to face forward or back at the parent. It is easy to change and easy to adjust for comfort. The leg rest and move out for flat napping or down for upright riding. The recline moves with one hand on the back lever to infinite recline positions including almost flat.
Car Seat Compatibility
The Balios is compatible with Cybex infant car seats and doesn't require any adapters as it fits in the same slots as the toddler seat. The infant carrier is easy to connect and can face the parent for easy viewing and bonding. The Cybex Aton 2 is a great seat to pair with this stroller and one reason to consider buying the Balios.
Ease of Setup
The Balios took around 8:47 minutes to build from beginning to end.
Some of the competition is easier with times closer to 5 minutes but a few were significantly more challenging at closer to 20 minutes. The user manual is a multi-language on the same page version which can be confusing, but this one isn't as hard to follow as some of the competition.
Maneuverability
The Balios has single front wheels on two legs, which makes for better maneuverability over less expensive strollers that have dual wheels on one leg. The wheels can be locked for easier pushing on rough surfaces and they are smallish foam-filled rubber wheels in the back and foam filled plastic in the front. This stroller rolls and turns easily on flat surfaces with no hiccups or stiffness on turning. Moving on gravel and grass is harder with stiff turning and larger wheels really would help in our opinion.
Weight and Folded Size
This stroller is fairly average when compared side-by-side to the competition for weight and size. In our tests, it weighs 24 lbs compared to the average of 23.9. The size is neither large nor compact at 12,456 cubic inches with the average for the group being 11,600. However, given that the largest is over 17,000 cubic inches. If you have a limited trunk or apartment space, you'll want to try this one shortly after buying to ensure it fits in case you need to return it.
Quality
The quality of this stroller is on par with its price tag. It looks nice and stylish with much in common with higher quality options, but the materials and attention to detail are somewhat lacking when viewed side-by-side with other contenders. Plastic wheels in the front instead of rubber all around is an example of lesser details that don't pass muster compared to the competition. However, the wheels are solid and the frame is sturdy and well put together without a wobbly feeling. The materials are fairly coarse and while they may clean easily, they aren't as skin-friendly as we'd like.
Manufacturer Video
— Wendy Schmitz