Evenflo Pivot Xpand Combo Review
The Skinny
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This Product
Evenflo Pivot Xpand Combo | |||||
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Awards | |||||
Price | $320 List | $110 List $109.99 at Amazon | $240 List | $120 List Check Price at Amazon | $90 List $63.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Price, 2 infant car seats, easy seat connection | Easy car seat attachment, lightweight, compact fold | Works with canopy, compact, price | Lightest, easy fold | Almost universal car seat compatibility, price |
Cons | Heaver, harder to push and turn | Dual action brakes, harder to push and turn | Only works with Britax seats, heavier | Poor car seat attachment, hard to push and turn | Strap car seat attachment, larger fold, dual action brakes |
Bottom Line | Inexpensive, versatile product good for twins or multiples with easy car seat connection | Best frame stroller with easy car seat attachment and parent console | Budget-friendly and straightforward but only works with Britax brand | Poor mover with difficult car seat attachment | Sort of universal, but its hard to push and turn, and the strap attachment is one we don't like |
Rating Categories | Evenflo Pivot Xpand... | Chicco KeyFit Caddy | Britax B-Lively Combo | Graco SnugRider Elite | Baby Trend Snap-N-G... |
Ease Of Attaching Car Seat (30%) | |||||
Ease Of Use (30%) | |||||
Weight/Folded Size (25%) | |||||
Quality (10%) | |||||
Maneuverability (5%) | |||||
Specs | Evenflo Pivot Xpand... | Chicco KeyFit Caddy | Britax B-Lively Combo | Graco SnugRider Elite | Baby Trend Snap-N-G... |
Weight | 24.3 lbs | 11.7 lbs | 19.6 lbs | 13.3 lbs | 10.9 lbs |
Folded Dimensions | 26.7"W x 19.23"H x 32.7"L | 19.8"W x 11.5"H x 33.5"L | 24"W x 9.5"H x 29"L | 19.7"W x 10.3"H x 31.9"L | 19.5"W x 11.75"H x 37.8"L |
Capacity Limits | Minimum: Infant - Toddler When stroller seat is in infant mode: birth - 6 months Maximum: 55 lbs/38" |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: Max allowable weight/height for the car seat. |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 55 lbs/44" |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: Max allowable weight/height for the car seat. |
Minimum: Birth Maximum: 45 lbs |
Included Car Seat Compatibility | Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax | Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30, Fit2 |
Britax All Britax Seats | Graco all SnugRide Classic Connect seats, all SnugRide Click Connect seats, Infant SafeSeat |
Claims to fit most seats |
Click-in Car Seat Adapters | Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30 Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 35, SnugRide SnugLock 30, 35 Peg Perego Primo Viaggio |
Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30, Fit2 |
Britax All Britax Seats | Graco all SnugRide Classic Connect seats, all SnugRide Click Connect seats, Infant SafeSeat |
None |
Strap-in Car Seat Adapters | None | None | None | None | Claims to fit most seats |
One-handed Fold | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Locking Fold | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto | Manual |
Self-standing Fold | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Handlebar Height - Min/Max | 33"/44.7" | 36"/42" | 40" | 37.25"/41" | 39.75" |
Sandal-friendly Brake | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
Storage Basket Size | Extra large | Large | Large | Large | Large |
Included Accessories | None | None | None | None | None |
Setup Time | 5:15 | 8:28 | 5:04 | 5:59 | 5:09 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Evenflo, a subsidiary of Goodbaby International, started in 1920 with baby feeding products. For years the company specialized in nipples, bottles, and nursing kits. In 1995, the Evenflo of today formed as a merger between Evenflo Juvenile Products and the Evenflo Juvenile Furniture Company. Now they sell everything from bottles and home goods to car seats and strollers.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Attaching Car Seat
We purchased the Pivot Adapter (see below) for testing with the Xpand. This adapter allowed us to use the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio 4-35 award-winning car seat with this stroller.
The adapter is a loop style adapter (above left) that clips onto the stroller via the side attachment points where the toddler seats connect or where an Evenflo brand infant car seat would attach (above right). The loop is easy to set up and attaching it to the stroller is straightforward. You need to first remove the toddler seat/canopy before you can make the connection, but that is also easy to manage. The car seat drops into the loop with ease and requires almost no pressure to click in place. There are no additional steps and we often had to double-check to ensure it was connected because it was so darn easy. There is no way to install it incorrectly, and each test resulted in almost no effort and a secure connection.
Weight and Folded Size
The Xpand is one of the heavier options which isn't a real surprise as it is designed for up to two toddler or car seat attachments. At 24.3 lbs, this option is one of the heaviest in the group and is something to consider if you have weight limitations on what you can lift.
This stroller is also larger when folded with measurements that equal 16,790 cubic inches. This total is the largest in the group and might be a no-go if you have a smaller vehicle or apartment where space is at a premium.
Maneuverability
Despite have single front wheels on each leg (for a total of 2) the Xpand doesn't push or turn as easily as some of the competition.
Thanks to the plastic wheels on this stroller it can be challenging to push or turn even on flat surfaces. The frame and the handlebar both flex when pushed and this grows more significant when the stroller is weighted with little ones and seats. Difficulties increase if you move off-road on grass or gravel, and we suspect the frustration won't be worth it if you have other surface options.
Ease of Use
The Xpand is easier than the average stroller to use, but nothing to rave about.
Fold and Unfold
This Evenflo has a one-hand folding operation and an automatic lock to keep the stroller closed. It self-stands when closed, but doesn't have a designated carry handle or strap. It takes two hands to unfold it.
Brakes
The brakes are single-action with a rocker pedal on the side of the rear axle. The pedal is easy to access and use, even with sandals on.
Storage
This option has an open-access storage bin that is rather large and fits our larges diaper bag. The maximum allowed weight is 10 lbs in the bin, but we imagine parents will load it with significantly more as the size gives the impression that it can handle the load. It also sports a parent console of sorts that includes a fabric wrap around the handlebar with open pockets.
Sunshade
The sunshade on this stroller is attached to the toddler seat which is removed when you use the stroller with an infant car seat carrier.
Ease of Setup
The Xpand is easy to put together with average documentation and no tools required. Assembly is straightforward with snap-on wheels and the seat connection.
Quality
The overall quality is about what you'd expect given the impressive price and is about average for the group.
While this stroller lacks high-end details like rubber tires or flex-free handling, it does manage to provide a nice looking final product with no obvious flaws or missteps. The Xpand has reasonably sized plastic foam-filled wheels and a clean frame with nice fitting fabric on the toddler seats. The fabric on the seats is sturdy without being coarse but isn't truly skin-friendly. The stroller quality is hurt by the lack of rubber tires, exposed connections, and play in the joints and the connectors.
Manufacturer's Video
Accessories
If you want to use your Xpand with infant car seats outside the Evenflo lineup you'll need an adapter. The only adapter they offer is the Pivot Xpand Adapter. This adapter is exclusively designed to fit the following infant car seats, Chicco KeyFit 30, Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 35, Graco SnugRide SnugLock 30, 35, and the Peg Perego Primo Viaggio.
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