The UPPAbaby Minu is a stylish high-quality lightweight stroller that folds into thirds and would fit well in the overhead storage bin on an airplane. It has easy to use useful features with a 20 lb weight allowance storage bin and an ample canopy with great coverage and a large peek-a-boo window. We like this stroller but find the heavier weight and larger price tag disappointing when compared to similarly scoring strollers that cost less and offer similar conveniences. With the exception of quality, the Zoe XL1 Best v2 earns higher scores in every metric and has a price tag of less than half that of the Minu. It is also lighter and over 1000 cubic inches smaller when folded. Unless you do a lot of travel in the air, there are better buys elsewhere.
UPPAbaby Minu Review
Pros: Compact fold great for travel, easy to use features, quality
Cons: Heavy for its size, not for off-road surfaces, expensive
Manufacturer: UPPAbaby
The Skinny
Compare to Similar Products
Our Analysis and Test Results
Over a decade ago, an American family started the UPPAbaby company with the dream of making family life easier with innovative products that didn't sacrifice convenience or features for the sake of style or budget. UPPAbaby produces several different strollers from full-size options to the UPPAbaby Vista designed for growing families. They also make the award-winning UPPAbaby Mesa infant car seat.
Performance Comparison
The UPPAbaby Minu (in blue) is one of several lightweight strollers offered by UPPAbaby showing an average overall score compared to the competition.
The information below details how the Minu stood up against the competition in this review.
Weight and Folded Size
For an umbrella stroller, the Minu is somewhat hefty with a weight of 14.9 lbs and a score of 5 of 10 for weight and folded size. This weight is slightly higher than the average.
The Minu measures 6,610 cubic inches when folded which is compact and fairs well compared to the competition. More importantly, it folds in thirds making a package small enough to fit in an overhead compartment. It also comes with a storage bag to keep everything protected and together.
Ease of Use
This stroller is one of the easiest in the review to use with an 8 of 10 score for ease of use.
Fold and Unfold
The Minu has a unique fold that is squat and almost square. The fold can be done with one hand (above left) and it has an automatic lock (above right) and self-stands. The stroller folds down easily on itself into thirds. It does require two hands to unfold, but it isn't difficult.
Brakes
The single action brakes of the Minu are color-coded with two different pedals for set and release. The pedals align by each rear wheel and are easy to press.
Storage
The storage bin is accessible from the back (above left) and front (above right) which is useful when the seatback is reclined. The bin is medium in size but we fit our large diaper bag inside. It has a 20 lb weight allowance which is huge for this style of stroller, but the shallow design means you likely won't reach this limit. There is also a medium sized pocket on the back of the stroller with a 1 lb limit.
Sunshade
The canopy is large for an umbrella stroller covering over the knees with a pull out visor (above left) for additional coverage. It has a mesh peek-a-boo window (above right) that is very large and has a cover with magnetic closure.
Harness
The 5-point harness on the Minu is one of the easiest to use with a user-friendly rethread design. The straps slide easily for a good fit and the shoulder height adjustment slips easily into the seatback without a struggle. It also has an adjustable crotch strap and a buckle that only requires one thumb to open.
Seat
The seatback on the Minu is adjustable and easy enough to operate but it doesn't recline far and is likely not the best for napping. The plastic toggle is operable with one hand to lower but will require two hands to pull the straps to raise the back. It has a padded leg rest that is not adjustable and a narrow, hard plastic footrest. The front of the leg rest has piping that could chafe bare legs.
Car Seat Compatibility
With the purchase of adapters, the Minu is compatible with the UPPAbaby Mesa and some car seats from Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex, including the Cybex Aton 2. The adapters for the Mesa are significantly cheaper than the adapters for the other brands.
Ease of Setup
The Minu is easy to assemble with a time of just under 4:30 minutes.
It comes with a nice quick start guide and doesn't require any tools for the two steps process of wheel and canopy attachment.
Maneuverability
The Minu has better maneuverability than many lightweight strollers with a score of 6 of 10. On flat surfaces, this stroller is easier to push than the UPPAbaby G-Luxe allowing room for a longer stride. With a short footprint, it negotiates small spaces and crowded streets with ease and no difficulties. Moving off-road is more challenging and you won't want to cross grass and gravel for long as the plastic wheels struggle.
Quality
This UPPAbaby stroller is as nice as they come with a stylish appearance and thoughtful design. It has a sturdy frame and limited visual connectors for a product that folds in thirds. The plastic foam filled wheels are firm and not as likely to deform or dent as cheaper wheels. The fabric feels durable and we didn't see any errant stitching on our stroller. Overall, it has a better fit and finish than the other UPPAbaby options in this review.
Manufacturer Video
— Juliet Spurrier, MD and Wendy Schmitz