Graco Nimblelite Review

Graco began in 1942 in Philadelphia, PA with metal fabrication making car parts. The company was owned by Russell Gray and Robert Cone, and when Gray left Graco eleven years later, Cone teamed with engineer David Saint to design a whole new kind of gear. The first offering for the new Graco was an infant swing. This swing was inspired by an employee who used an outdoor glider to calm their infant. Graco continues to be one of the world's leading manufacturers of baby products.

Performance Comparison

Weight and Folded Size

At 14.5 lbs, the Nimblelite is on the heavier side. While not as heavy as the Britax B-Lively it could be heavier than some parents want to carry.

Its folded size is where the real trouble starts. While it self-stand which is a useful feature, it is 10,049 cubic inches when folded which is relatively large for this kind of product where some of the competition is less than 5,000 cubic inches. Depending on your goals it could literally be a bad "fit."

Ease of Use

The Nimblelite is easier to use than much of the competition in large part thanks to a variety of features designed for conveniences like a child cup holder, parent tray, and larger basket.

Fold and Unfold

The Nimblelite is a two-hand fold with a press-in unlock on each side. Folding it is easy enough and unfolding is even easier. It automatically locks and self-stands but the wheels need to be in a certain position to do so. Unfortunately, it only folds in half and doesn't become very small. The smallest folded strollers, like the BabyZen Yoyo2 and the Mountain Buggy Nano fold in thirds.

Brakes

The Nimblelite has double action brakes we worry parents will forget to use properly. It requires more than average pressure to set and release the brakes and there is a lot of play in the brakes once set.

Storage

The storage bin on this Graco is large compared to the competition and has a 10 lb weight limit. The opening is generous in size, with elastic around the edge of the mesh fabric. This design makes it easy to get a top-ranked diaper bag in and out.

Sunshade

The canopy on the Nimblelite is larger than most in this category and is comparable to the Baby Jogger City Mini 2. It has a mesh ventilation/peek-a-boo window with a cover, but it has no closure mechanism, so it looks loose and floppy all the time.

Harness

The harness on the Nimblelite is 5-point with a rethread style shoulder height adjustment. The release on the buckle is stiff and the straps need to be put together before inserting into the buckle and they fall apart easily as you try to put them in. The shoulder straps are somewhat high even at the lowest setting, but we were able to adjust all straps to get a snug fit around our six-month tester. The strap webbing is a bit scratchy and stiff and only the shoulders are padded. It does have an adjustable crotch strap, which is useful and can help get a better fit despite the higher shoulder points.

Seat

The seat on this Graco has a mid-level recline for cozier napping. Reclining the seat is easy enough, but it requires two hands to pull upright.

It is a plastic toggle where you press a button and pull the webbing through the device. The leg rest and knee bend area are adequately padded, but they are not adjustable. The distance between the seat and the footrest is shorter than most, making it potentially more comfortable for shorter riders.

Car Seat Compatibility

The Nimblelite is compatible with Graco "Click Connect" infant car seats. The carrier clicks in place, and you do not need an adapter, nor do you need to remove the canopy or seat. Attaching the car seat was easy, and it feels secure once attached.

Ease of Setup

It takes about 5-10 minutes to assemble this Graco. The manual is good compared to the competition, with instructions that are both pictures and words. The manual offers suggestions and tips that make assembly easier, but it is the only one we've tested that required the axle to be assembled. This process includes small pins that were tricky to insert.

Maneuverability

The Nimblelite earned a below-average score for maneuverability with disappointing test results, even in a group where none scored well. The stroller feels heavy when pushing it and it felt like we needed to plan ahead and almost start our turn before we planned to actually turn. Multiple times during testing we had to back up before proceeding at a different angle to get it around tight corners. We were able to get it over gravel better than some of the competition, but it didn't feel sturdy and it jostled little ones. Overall, it was more difficult than much of the competition no matter which surface we were pushing over.

Quality

This Graco falls in line with most Graco products where the quality is good enough but fails to meet the similarly priced competition. The fabric fits the frame well with adequate padding, but it has a plastic feel that indicates it might not breathe well. The webbing in the harness is a little rough on the edges, so it could chafe or itch passengers with bare legs or arms. The frame has a cluttered look with exposed rivets, lots of crisscrossing joints, and the underside has some exposed plastic parts. The wheels are large and look nice than a typical umbrella stroller, but when you walk fast, they rattle and wobble somewhat.

Should You Buy the Graco Nimblelite?

The Graco Nimblelite feels more like a crossover product than a true umbrella stroller. It is light, but not the lightest. It is easy to use but does not have as many features as a favorite full-size stroller. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of this stroller is the price. It is one of the most affordable products we tested, and if you are not bothered by its mediocre score, it could potentially be a good stand-in for an everyday product. However, we do not recommend the Nimblelite for most families. If your budget allows, we think spending a bit more on a better product will keep you and your baby happier in the long run.

What Other Umbrella Strollers Should You Consider?

If you like the Graco Nimblelite because of its feature-full design, then you may also want to look at the Baby Jogger City Mini 2 or the Britax B-Lively as alternatives. Both of these strollers come with a higher weight and a higher price tag, but they are better quality, more durable, and reliable strollers to use on a daily basis.

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