Evenflo Pivot Xpand Review

Evenflo got its start in feeding nipples for babies in 1920. In 1935, they expanded with a nipple that stays on the baby bottle. As the years went by, Evenflo added more gear to its bottle-feeding lineup, and in 1995, Evenflo Juvenile Products merged with the Evenflo Juvenile Furniture Company. The current group sells feeding supplies, car seats, strollers, and more. Evenflo Company is located in Ohio.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The Evenflo has ease of use on par with more expensive and higher-end options, making it a good buy for those looking for daily ease of use.

Fold and Unfold

This stroller has a frame unlock feature on both sides of the frame before you can fold it, making it a two-handed fold. It has an auto-lock when folded, and it self-stands, but it doesn't have a carry handle making it somewhat awkward to lift or carry.

Brakes

The Pivot has single-action brakes with a right-side pedal on the back. The pedal is very easy to set and release with a feet-friendly design.

Storage

The Evenflo storage bin has good access from all sides, especially the back. It is large and has an adequate max weight limit of 10 lbs. This limit is the average for the group, and while it can't compete with some of the competition, it is on par with the rest of the group. This stroller also has a cup holder on the side of the frame, which is becoming rare. However, we aren't convinced it is a great design as some items may fall when strolling.

Sunshade

The Pivot has a medium-sized canopy that would be better with a zip-out expansion for more coverage. The canopy looks sharp and has a covered peek-a-boo window with additional ventilation. It is best for overhead coverage and not much else.

Harness

The Pivot has a 5-point harness with infinite adjustment. The height adjusts quickly by sliding up and down tethered straps on the seatback, and while the harness feels cheap, it is simple and straightforward to use.

Seat

The Xpand has versatile seating with toddler seats that can face forward or backward. The seats have reclining backs and padded adjustable footrests for almost flat napping.

The adjustments are easy to use with an almost infinite number of possible options. This stroller can also accommodate two seats or two infant carriers. Depending on seat placement and the number of seats, the front rider could end up using the storage bin for leg space.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Pivot Xpand works with the Evenflo SafeMax and LiteMax without adapters. You can also purchase adapters for click-in compatibility with seats from Chicco, including the Chicco KeyFit 30, Graco, and Peg Perego.

Ease of Setup

The Pivot is easy to set up, taking a little over 5 minutes to assemble.

The documentation is only average, but it is pretty simple to assemble and doesn't require any tools. All that is required is snapping on the wheels and seat.

Maneuverability

This stroller has foam-filled plastic wheels, which hurt its overall maneuverability. While they are nicer than most wheels of this ilk, and at least they aren't dual wheels on each leg, they aren't as nice as rubber tires, and this makes them harder to push over uneven terrain.

The Xpand is easy enough to turn and move over flat hard surfaces (though not great), but grass and gravel give it pause. Really rough roads result in some potential tilting/tipping as it struggles to make it over the bumps. Larger wheels or less flex in the handlebar would help here. Overall, this one is harder to push and turn, and one-handed maneuverability isn't going to happen, but it will do for the price and the ability to add more seats. If maneuverability matters to you, consider the Thule Urban Glide 2.

Weight and Folded Size

The Xpand has the ability to expand into a top-ranking double stroller. This design makes it somewhat heavier and larger than much of the competition.

This stroller is 28.4 lbs and measures 16,790 cubic inches when folded. This makes it one of the heaviest strollers in the group, though not the largest, but really close on both counts.

Quality

This stroller struggles somewhat in quality, but it is on par and perhaps even slightly better than its low price would indicate.

It has materials and construction that feel sturdy and durable on its own but sort of lacks when rolled side-by-side with the more expensive competition. The wheels are foam-filled plastic and not as durable or maneuverable as rubber options. The frame is somewhat rickety but not to the point of concern. Overall, however, it offers a clean look and feel with useful design choices.

Accessories

Evenflo Pivot Xpand Modular Stroller Second Seat — This secondary toddler seat creates a stroller for two should the need arise.

Should You Buy the Evenflo Pivot Xpand?

Frankly, the Evenflo Pivot Xpand lacks the quality and maneuverability we expect in everyday strollers, causing it to rank very low among the competition. Therefore, if you seek a stroller for one child, we think you should look elsewhere in our lineup. But we can't overlook the fact that this stroller fits a niche; the ability to accommodate your growing family without breaking the bank. It might not be the best stroller, but it's not terrible. If you're willing to tolerate what it lacks, it will be okay for occasional strolling rides on flat, hard surfaces.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

If you're expecting multiples and like the idea of a stroller made for two (or more!), we suggest checking out our double stroller review, as it has more information and details to guide your decision-making process. However, if you only have one child, we suggest looking into the Baby Trend Expedition or the Baby Jogger City Mini 2. Both options have the same list price or less than the Evenflo Pivot Xpand, potentially allowing room in your budget to resell one of these strollers and purchase a double stroller down the road once a second baby comes along.

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