Baby Jogger was started in 1984 by parents who wanted to jog with their babies. Motivated to resolve their issue, the parents created a jogging stroller. Since the beginning, Baby Jogger has created multiple stroller types designed for a variety of activities. In 2015, Newell Rubbermaid bought Baby Jogger, and together they continue to design sought after strollers.
The Baby Jogger City Mini (in blue) earned a Top Pick award thanks to a higher overall score and the features it offers that allow it to function as an everyday stroller and a lightweight option.
The following sections will provide more information on how this stroller performed during testing.
Weighing 17.5 lbs and measuring 8,300 cubic inches when folded the City Mini earned a 3 of 10 for weight and folded size.
It is the second heaviest and largest stroller in the review. However, it is light for a standard stroller, and the weight is a trade-off for more features.
The City Mini earned an 8 of 10 for ease of use.
This score is the high for the metric shared by the Zoe XL1 Best v2.
The City Mini has a one-handed fold with an automatic lock, but it doesn't self-stand. The fold is easy but more physical than the lighter strollers. To fold, pull up on the fold handle on the seat bottom, and the stroller folds in half.
The City Mini has single action brakes with a center pedal that is easy to set and release. Releasing can be done by pressing the pedal a second time or by lifting from underneath, making it sandal foot friendly.
The storage bin has a 10 lb weight allowance, and we were able to fit our medium size diaper bag inside. Access to the bin is easy from the back and sides, but the curved bar on the back makes it difficult to fit larger bags. It also has a mesh pocket on the back of the seat.
The Mini has a large canopy with two peek-a-boo windows made of vinyl. The windows have covers with hook and loop closures, and the canopy is SPF 50+ and provides coverage over the knees.
The harness is 5-point and easy to adjust for size. Rethreading is challenging thanks to two layers of threading, and the back can be difficult to access for threading as you have to slide your hand into a pocket with no visibility. If you have large hands, you may not be able to fit one in at all.
The City Mini seat has a non-adjustable padded leg rest and reclining the seat back. The recline adjustment toggle is easy to use, and the seat back is almost flat for comfortable napping.
With the purchase of a compatible adapter, the City Mini works with a variety of infant car seats.
The City Mini took 4:29 minutes to assemble, which is above average. This stroller has an easy to follow manual and also requires no tools for set up.
The City Mini earned an impressive 8 of 10 in our maneuverability tests. To our surprise, despite the dual front wheel design, the Mini is relatively easy to turn and push. It is responsive enough to navigate crowded locations and pushes and turns well on uneven surface, as long as the front wheels avoid catching on object in the road. We experienced a little vibration in the handlebar from a slight wobble that feels like the stroller is swaying.
The City Mini has front wheel suspension, nicer padding, and a sling style seat. With a deep recline and large canopy, this stroller is cozy for passengers. The handlebar has a rubber coating which isn't as comfortable as competing products that use foam but is more comfy than plastic.
This stroller earned an 8 of 10 for quality with materials and connections that are well-constructed, and smooth. The simple and sturdy frame of the Mini operates well, and the fabric wraps around the frame evenly. The stroller doesn't flex much when pushing.
Baby Jogger offers a variety of accessories for use with the City Mini. There are too many to talk about here, but we will list those we think are most useful.
