In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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The Maclaren Techno XT is a lightweight stroller with a classic umbrella fold and a good score for ease of use. While this stroller may have some easy-to-use features, overall, it disappointed with the second-lowest weight and folded size score, a convoluted and challenging harness and buckle, and a poor score for maneuverability. This stroller has a fairly high list price, which means almost any stroller in our lineup of top-ranked umbrella strollers has a better chance of meeting your needs for a similar or lower price.
REASONS TO BUY
Good sun protection
Comfortable seat good for napping
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Hard to push and turn
Difficult harness and buckle
2-handed fold
Price
Update
The Maclaren Techno XT has been updated, and the many changes are outlined below.
Editor's Note: This review on the Maclaren Techno XT was updated on December 16th, 2021, to include more in-depth information on what we would buy and comparisons to help you make a decision.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Old Techno vs. New Techno
The new Maclaren Techno XT includes what we would consider improvements over the old model we tested. The front legs now have one wheel per leg as opposed to two, and the canopy's shape, design, and features are also different, creating a cleaner look. It also features single-action brakes instead of double and slightly different handles. You can see the new stroller on the left below versus the old stroller below and right.
The updated Techno XT has single front wheels and what looks like some improved features.
Hands-on Gear Review
Owen Finlay Maclaren, a test pilot and aviation engineer, began Maclaren in England in 1965. He wanted to create a new kind of stroller that was lightweight and small when folded, with an easy fold that could be done with one hand and easy for travel. Mclaren adapted his design for folding landing gear to create the world's first folding stroller. Where other strollers folded in half, the Maclaren folded in on itself like an umbrella, and the first umbrella stroller was born. The patented design has remained essentially unchanged today, and Maclaren was honored by the Queen as a Member of the British Empire.
Performance Comparison
The carry handle on the Techno isn't as nice as a shoulder strap would be. The heft can make the single handle uncomfortable to use and a shoulder strap would leave hands free for other tasks.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Weight and Folded Size
The Techno earned below-average results for weight and folded size. This stroller weighs 16.31 lbs and is 6,013.98 cubic inches when folded. Most strollers in the review weigh less than the Techno, making it one of the heavier strollers to lift and carry. However, it is average for size and has a carry handle instead of a shoulder strap that is easier to use.
Ease of Use
The Techno earned a respectable score for ease of use.
The Techno has a traditional umbrella fold that requires two hands and it doesn't stand when folded.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Fold and Unfold
The fold is slightly below average in the group requiring two hands to open and close, and it is on par with the fold of the Mountain Buggy Nano. It has an automatic lock and does not stand on its own when folded. It has a traditional umbrella collapse pioneered by Maclaren, but it requires two hands to fold all the material to complete the fold.
The brakes on the Techno are linked so pressing one pedal will engage both sides at the same time.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Brakes
The brakes on the Techno are single-action brakes linked in the back, so you only need to press one side of the pedals. They are easy to set and release, and we like that you only need to press one side to engage both. They are also sandal-foot friendly.
The storage bin on the Techno is inaccessible with the seat reclined.
The Techno has a nice pocket on the back of the canopy for quick access items like mobile phones and keys.
Storage
The Techno has an easy-to-access storage bin with the seatback upright (above left), but it only accepts up to 4.4 lbs and a medium size diaper bag. With the seat reclined, you cannot access the basket. Still, the Techno also has divided pockets on the back of the canopy (above right) for additional storage of quick-access items you can still reach when the baby is napping.
The Techno has one of the largest canopies in the group, but the peek-a-boo window is oddly placed in front when the the shade is fully extended, which makes it hard to use while moving.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Sunshade
The Techno has one of the most extensive canopies in the review, and it is on par with those usually only found on full-size strollers. It has a UPF rating of 50+ and a large peek-a-boo window. This shade is big and can come down low to block the setting sun. It also has a pop-out visor and a zip-away panel with mesh for additional airflow.
The Maclaren buckle and strap adjustments are the hardest in the review to operate, both because the buckle is very stiff and the strap adjustment unnecessarily complicated.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Harness
The harness straps on the Techno are convoluted and difficult to adjust. You won't be able to do it with a baby in the seat, and it takes a lot of manual threading and rethreading. The buckle requires two hands to open, as you need to push on the back and front simultaneously. The button is stiff, and even with two hands, it could hurt to operate, but the straps pop out on their own. The shoulder strap end needs to be inserted in a slot on the hip strap end before being inserted into the buckle.
The Techno has an adjustable leg rest with nice padding for additional coziness while napping; this feature was not found on very many of the umbrella strollers.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Seat
The Techno seat has an adjustable leg rest and a seat back that reclines almost flat, making a perfect space for napping. The seatback adjustment has three settings, is virtually silent, and operates smoothly.
We do not believe umbrella products offer the best design or features for children under six months of age, no matter what the manufacturer's age suitability suggests. Younger babies do not yet possess the head and neck control needed to protect against any potential injuries that could occur when moving over uneven surfaces. If you plan to use an umbrella/lightweight stroller with a baby less than six months, we suggest choosing a stroller with infant car seat attachment capabilities. (see comparison chart). Baby should always be restrained using a properly fitted, snug harness, and an adult should check on baby regularly to ensure they have not slipped from the harness straps.
Ease of Setup
The Techno is relatively easy to set up, taking us 4:36 minutes to unpack and assemble. This stroller requires no tools to put together and the instructions are average.
The dual front wheel design on the Techno contributes to the difficult to manage pushing on uneven terrain as the wheels can catch on small imperfections that try to pull you off course.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Maneuverability
The Techno is one of the hardest to push and turn. Like most other options in this review, this stroller isn't too hard to push and turn on flat, hard surfaces, given its dual wheel design. However, once you move onto uneven terrain, the wheels get pulled off course easily as you try to traverse from the sidewalk to grass or gravel. Navigating on rough surfaces is so tricky, we suspect parents will avoid doing it at all costs. Managing curbs is also less than ideal with brakes that catch if you pull it up backward.
This stroller has all-wheel shocks and a nicely padded seat with additional comfort inserts to provide the baby with a pretty cozy ride and place for napping.
Quality
The Techno has disappointing quality, given the higher price point of this stroller. This stroller has nicer fabric and components, but the construction of the stroller is lacking in the way the parts come together.
Should You Buy the Maclaren Techno XT?
Despite its long history in the umbrella stroller world, the Maclaren Techno XT has not kept up with modern-day improvements. We find this stroller heavy, bulky, and difficult to maneuver compared to the competition. The canopy is the high point of this stroller, but we think that you can find that, as well as better overall performance, in some of our higher-scoring options.
What Other Umbrella Strollers Should You Consider?
In our opinion, almost any other lightweight stroller or option from our best stroller review would be better than the Techno. For a stroller in this price range, we recommend either the UPPAbaby Minu or the Inglesina Quid. Both strollers have a new style frame that folds into thirds and creates a much smaller package. They also have single front wheels that make them much easier to push and turn. If you want to splurge, the BabyZen Yoyo2 is a top-of-the-line stroller that we would recommend to almost every family.
