The original Minu has been replaced by the Minu v2. We are now linking to this version and hope to test the Minu v2 in the future.
UPPAbaby Minu Combo Review
The Skinny
The original Minu has been replaced by the Minu v2. We are now linking to this version and hope to test the Minu v2 in the future.
Compare to Similar Products
This Product
UPPAbaby Minu Combo | |||||
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Awards | |||||
Price | $450 List $449.99 at Amazon | $110 List $109.99 at Amazon | $240 List | $120 List Check Price at Amazon | $320 List |
Overall Score | |||||
Star Rating | |||||
Pros | Compact and lightweight, easy car seat attachment | Easy car seat attachment, lightweight, compact fold | Works with canopy, compact, price | Lightest, easy fold | Price, 2 infant car seats, easy seat connection |
Cons | Harder to push on uneven surfaces | Dual action brakes, harder to push and turn | Only works with Britax seats, heavier | Poor car seat attachment, hard to push and turn | Heaver, harder to push and turn |
Bottom Line | High quality, compact option that is lightweight with easy car seat attachment | 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 | Inexpensive, versatile product good for twins or multiples with easy car seat connection |
Rating Categories | UPPAbaby Minu Combo | Chicco KeyFit Caddy | Britax B-Lively Combo | Graco SnugRider Elite | Evenflo Pivot Xpand... |
Ease Of Attaching Car Seat (30%) | |||||
Ease Of Use (30%) | |||||
Weight/Folded Size (25%) | |||||
Quality (10%) | |||||
Maneuverability (5%) | |||||
Specs | UPPAbaby Minu Combo | Chicco KeyFit Caddy | Britax B-Lively Combo | Graco SnugRider Elite | Evenflo Pivot Xpand... |
Weight | 12.6 lbs | 11.7 lbs | 19.6 lbs | 13.3 lbs | 24.3 lbs |
Folded Dimensions | 20.4"W x 13.5"H x 24"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 | 26.7"W x 19.23"H x 32.7"L |
Capacity Limits | 20 | 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: Infant - Toddler When stroller seat is in infant mode: birth - 6 months Maximum: 55 lbs/38" |
Included Car Seat Compatibility | None | Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30, Fit2 |
Britax All Britax Seats | Graco all SnugRide Classic Connect seats, all SnugRide Click Connect seats, Infant SafeSeat |
Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax |
Click-in Car Seat Adapters | UPPAbaby Mesa Maxi-Cosi Mico AP, Mico Max 30, Mico Nxt, CabrioFix, Pebble, and Pebble Plus Cybex Aton, Aton 2, and Aton Q Nuna Pipa |
Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30, Fit2 |
Britax All Britax Seats | Graco all SnugRide Classic Connect seats, all SnugRide Click Connect seats, Infant SafeSeat |
Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30 Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 35, SnugRide SnugLock 30, 35 Peg Perego Primo Viaggio |
Strap-in Car Seat Adapters | None | None | None | None | None |
One-handed Fold | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Locking Fold | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto | Auto |
Self-standing Fold | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Handlebar Height - Min/Max | 41.2 | 36"/42" | 40" | 37.25"/41" | 33"/44.7" |
Sandal-friendly Brake | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Storage Basket Size | Medium | Large | Large | Large | Extra large |
Included Accessories | Storage bag | None | None | None | None |
Setup Time | 4:23 | 8:28 | 5:04 | 5:59 | 5:15 |
Our Analysis and Test Results
Launched in the US, UPPAbaby has over ten years creating baby gear. This family-run company strives to create high quality, usable products that are useful and innovative, but still stylish. They offer several strollers and a car seat.
Performance Comparison
Ease of Attaching Car Seat
The Minu works well with infant car seats impressing testers with its quick attachment.
This stroller works with some seats from Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, and Nuna, as well as the UPPAbaby Mesa. We tested our Minu with the Mesa and the Mesa Adapter and the Cybex Aton 2 with the Cybex adapters (see Accessories below).
Both car seat adapters (above left) attach to the Minu where the toddler seat attaches (above right). They require no assembly and snap on quickly and easily. The Mesa clicks easily into place after aligning the two sides, and it is even easier to remove the carrier. It isn't as stable feeling as we think a native brand car seat should be with its brand stroller, but that is likely the top-heavy result of removing the toddler seat. We didn't experience any challenges related to thinking it was installed when it wasn't. Unfortunately, the adapters need to be removed when you fold it, which makes this combo annoying at best and gives parents one more thing to carry or worry about losing.
Alternatively, the Cybex adapters can remain on the stroller frame, and when you use the frame without the toddler seat/canopy, it folds easily creating a lightweight frame stroller perfect for baby's first nine months or travel. The Cybex Aton 2 is easy to connect to the adapters and we didn't have any trouble making the connection.
Weight and Folded Size
The Minu is smaller and lightweight, which is good for a category where being lightweight is important.
With a weight of 12.6 lbs and a folded size of 6,610 cubic inches, the Minu is one of the smallest and lightest options in the review that isn't a frame product.
Maneuverability
The Minu has single front wheels that help it turn and move easier on most surfaces. The Minu is easier to push than other lightweight options from UPPAbaby, and it allows for a longer stride with no concern for kicking the back.
It struggles a little when you move to grass and gravel, but for a short distance, you'll be okay. If you need a stroller for gravel roads or long grass time, it probably isn't the best choice. However, for younger infants and travel, flat roads are where you want to be anyway.
Ease of Use
The Minu relatively easy to use, but fails to perform above average for this group.
The Minu is somewhat unique with the ability to keep the canopy while ditching the weight of the toddler seat and the impressive weight capacity of the storage bin.
Fold and Unfold
The Minu folds in thirds to create a compact squat package that fits in many places an ordinary stroller won't. The fold is one-handed it auto-locks, self-stands and comes with a carry handle. It is easy to fold and unfold.
Brakes
The single-action brakes on the Minu are color-coded and designed with dual pedals on the sides of the back wheels with a green pedal for setting and red for release.
Storage
The medium-sized bin holds up to 20 lbs of supplies which is a lot for any stroller, but especially this group where the average is only 10 lbs. The basket fits our large diaper bag with access from all sides.
Sunshade
The sunshade of the Minu stays attached when you use the frame with a car seat. This design allows for additional protection of your baby and a peek-a-boo window for spying on your little one.
Ease of Setup
The Minu takes about 4:30 minutes to assemble from out of the box to ready to roll.
It is easy to assemble and is accompanied by a quick start guide for the attachment of the wheels and canopy.
Quality
The Minu has a nice overall look and attention to detail not found in all lightweight or umbrella-style strollers.
The Minu frame is sturdy despite its ability to fold in thirds. Overall, it has a simple, minimalistic look and feel that is pleasing to the eye. The fabric fits the frame well, and the canopy avoids looking frumpy and wrinkled like other UPPAbaby products. It sports all-wheel suspension and foam-filled plastic wheels that are very dense. There is an adjustable handlebar with a leather cover that is nicely curved for comfortable pushing. The stroller comes with a sling-style seat that is comfortable enough for longer trips.
Manufacturer's Video
Basic overview of the Minu and its features.
Attachment of the Mesa infant car seat on the Minu.
Accessories
While the Minu can be easily used as-is, you will need to purchase adapters if you plan to pair it with an infant car seat. Some other accessories can be useful to make everyday life a little bit easier.
- From Birth Kit — This kit includes a bassinet and attachments so your newborn can lay flat while you stroll.
- Mesa Adapters — This adapter set allows the UPPAbaby Mesa car seat to be used with the Minu. It is required to pair the two together and does not come with the stroller.
- MINU Adapter for Maxi-Cosi, Nuna & Cybex — This adapter set works for select car seats made by Maxi-Cois, Nuna, and Cybex. Before making this purchase, it is best to check the UPPAbaby website for compatibility.
- Carry All Parent Organizer — This console is compatible with multiple UPPAbaby Strollers. It has several pockets including compartments for bottles, snacks and a zippered pocket.
- Minu Rainshield — This rain shield is an economical answer to weather problems that can sneak up while on the move. It is designed for Minu and offers clear protection on all sides for rain protection with visibility.
Honest, objective reviews. Led by a Pediatrician.
BabyGearLab was founded by a Pediatrician Mom with a mission to provide a reliable, independent, source of information to new parents. Our experts have tested thousands of baby and kids products to share key performance, health, and safety findings. We spend tens of thousands of dollars crash testing car seats to inform our ratings. And, we combine our review work with gobs of expert parenting advice. To assure complete independence, we buy all the products we test ourselves. No sponsored content. No ads. Just real, honest, side-by-side testing by people who care.
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