Stokke YOYO³ Review

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First published: July 2026 · Last reviewed: July 2026 · Next scheduled review: January 2027

As light as pushing fresh air — well, not quite. But it’s as close as the pushchair market currently gets. The Stokke YOYO³ is the pushchair I recommend more than any other on this site, and that recommendation comes from the best possible kind of testing: not a showroom play or a brief park circuit, but genuine long-term daily use. My daughter K uses hers on buses, round supermarkets, to friends’ houses, into Leeds city centre. She’s been doing it long enough that it’s not a test anymore — it’s just life. And her verdict, unprompted and unequivocal, is that for urban and public transport use, nothing comes close.

MyPushchair scorecard

Manoeuvrability	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10 (nothing touches it in this category)
Weight	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 10/10 (6.2kg — as close to pushing fresh air as it gets)
Build quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9/10 (premium Stokke materials, screws not rivets, holds up to daily use)
Value	⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8/10 (frame price fair — but budget for accessories before you commit)
Fold	⭐⭐⭐⭐ 7/10 (two-handed, takes practice — not instinctive)
Storage	⭐⭐⭐ 5/10 (take a backpack — the compact dimensions have a cost)
Overall	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.5/10

Overall score: 9.5/10. The YOYO³ scores 9.5 rather than a perfect 10 because the storage and fold are honest limitations that will genuinely affect some parents’ daily lives — particularly those who need to fold one-handed or rely on pushchair storage. But these are the trade-offs that come with building the lightest, most manoeuvrable pushchair in the class. In its category, this is as close to the top as it gets.

Long-term ownership — why K’s verdict matters more than mine

I’ve tested a great many pushchairs across more than twenty years of covering this market. Most of that testing is necessarily brief — a showroom, a trade show, a park circuit. The YOYO³ is different. K has used hers as her primary pushchair for extended daily use — on buses, round supermarkets, into Leeds, to friends’ houses, on days out. That’s the kind of testing that reveals things a brief encounter never can: how it handles when you’re tired, when you’re running late, when you’ve got a toddler under one arm and a changing bag over the other.

Her verdict is unequivocal. For urban and public transport use, nothing comes close. That’s not a marketing phrase — it’s the conclusion of someone who has used it hundreds of times in exactly the conditions it was designed for. When someone who uses a pushchair every day tells you it’s the right one, that matters more than any showroom impression I could offer.

The manoeuvrability — what 6.2kg actually feels like in use

You stop noticing a kilogram in a showroom. You definitely notice it on the third staircase of the day, at the barrier at Leeds station, or when you’re navigating a supermarket aisle with a full trolley coming the other way. At 6.2kg the YOYO³ is genuinely as light as pushing fresh air — well, not quite, but it’s as close as the pushchair market currently gets. Combined with its compact dimensions, it handles with an ease that larger pushchairs simply cannot match.

You could run through a supermarket spinning and turning with it. On buses it folds away without fuss. In cafés it tucks under tables. Through shop doorways it fits where other pushchairs don’t. None of this is accidental — the YOYO³ is specifically engineered for exactly these situations, and every dimension of the pushchair reflects that priority.

The fold — it takes practice, and that matters

The YOYO³ fold is two-handed. If you regularly fold one-handed — with a child on your hip at a bus stop, at a train door, in a car park — that’s a genuine constraint and worth knowing before you commit. Buses don’t wait while you work out a fold mechanism, and the YOYO³ isn’t instinctive in the way some other compact pushchairs are. It takes practice. K had to learn it before she could rely on it confidently.

Once learned, it’s fine — compact, consistent, and fast enough. But “learn it before you rely on it at an airport or on a bus” is genuine advice, not a disclaimer. If a one-handed fold is non-negotiable for your daily routine, the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is the stronger tool.

The storage — take a backpack

The storage basket is small. This is the direct consequence of the compact dimensions that make the YOYO³ so brilliant for everything else — you cannot have an ultra-compact pushchair and a generous storage basket in the same package. If you rely on pushchair storage for a changing bag, shopping, snacks, rain cover and a jacket, you’ll travel frustratingly light. The practical solution is a backpack or a coat with good pockets. K has adapted around it without complaint, but it’s worth knowing going in rather than discovering it on your first busy day out.

The hidden cost — budget for more than the frame

The YOYO³ frame typically costs £400–£500. That’s the starting point, not the total. Add the leg rest, a rain cover, an insect net, and car seat adaptors and the full setup often reaches £600 or more. If you want to use it from birth, the newborn pack is sold separately and adds further cost. Budget for the full setup before you commit, and you’ll avoid the surprise that catches many parents out.

The Babyzen heritage — why this pushchair matters

The YOYO³ is the third generation of the original Babyzen YOYO — the pushchair that changed what travelling with a young child looked like. When Stokke acquired Babyzen in 2021, it was one of those rare corporate mergers that actually made sense — Stokke’s premium manufacturing standards applied to Babyzen’s iconic design. A pushchair marriage made in heaven. The resulting YOYO³ is stronger for it: better materials, improved suspension, updated seat, same iconic compact dimensions.

You can still find the old YOYO2 sold by Babyzen secondhand — a well-kept example is good value. But if you’re buying new, the YOYO³ is the current model and the one to buy.

Would I choose it? Yes — with one condition

If your life is urban, if you use public transport, if you fly with your child, if you visit Disneyland Paris — yes, I’d choose the YOYO³ without hesitation. I’ve tested a great many pushchairs across more than twenty years. Having seen it used daily by K across every urban situation it was designed for, I’m sold on it.

The one condition: be honest with yourself about the fold and the storage before you buy. If you need a one-handed fold for your daily routine, the YOYO³ will frustrate you. If you rely on pushchair storage, it will disappoint you. Know that going in and it’s unlikely to let you down.

How does it compare with the alternatives?

Key specifications

Weight	6.2kg
Folded dimensions	52 × 44 × 18cm — IATA cabin baggage compliant
Suitable from	6 months (seat unit) — from birth with newborn pack, sold separately
Max child weight	22kg
Fold	Two-handed — takes practice, not instinctive
Suspension	4-wheel — smooth on pavements, not for rough terrain
Seat recline	Up to 130°
Cabin approved	Yes — IATA compliant. Always check with your specific airline before travelling
Construction	Screws not rivets — fabrics removable and washable
Car seat compatible	Yes — Maxi Cosi Pebble 360 Pro, Cybex Cloud T i-Size, and others via adapters

Verdict

The Stokke YOYO³ earns its reputation — and that assessment is backed by more than twenty years of testing pushchairs and by K’s long-term daily use across every urban situation the YOYO³ was designed for. The manoeuvrability is exceptional. The weight is remarkable. The build quality holds up. The cabin approval is genuine.

The honest caveats are real: the two-handed fold needs practice and will frustrate parents who need one hand free, and the storage is limited enough that a backpack becomes part of the kit. Know those things going in and the YOYO³ is unlikely to disappoint you.

Bottom line: not a perfect 10 — but in its class, it’s as close as it gets. If your life is urban and you use public transport, this is the one.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Stokke YOYO³ cabin-approved for flights?

Yes — folded to 52 × 44 × 18cm, it meets IATA guidelines for cabin baggage and fits in most aircraft overhead lockers. This is one of its defining features. Always check with your specific airline before travelling, as policies vary.

Can the Stokke YOYO³ be used from birth?

Yes — but you’ll need the newborn pack, which is sold separately. The standard YOYO³ seat unit is suitable from 6 months. Factor the newborn pack cost into your budget before buying the frame.

Does the Stokke YOYO³ fold with one hand?

No — it requires two hands. This is a genuine limitation for parents who regularly fold one-handed with a child on their hip. It also takes practice to fold confidently — learn it before you rely on it at an airport or bus stop. If a one-handed fold is essential, the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is the alternative to consider.

Is the Stokke YOYO³ good for rough terrain?

No — it has small wheels suited to smooth urban surfaces. Pavements, shopping centres, airports and city streets are its natural habitat. For gravel, rough paths or light countryside, a different pushchair is the right choice. See our all-terrain pushchair guide.

Stokke YOYO³ vs Bugaboo Butterfly 2 — which is better?

The YOYO³ is the better overall pushchair in the compact segment in my view — more manoeuvrable, better brand heritage, and the top recommendation on this site. The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 wins on fold — its one-second one-handed fold is exceptional and will matter more than overall manoeuvrability if you fold frequently one-handed.

Is a secondhand Stokke YOYO³ worth buying?

Yes — the screws-not-rivets construction means it holds together well and the fabrics are easy to remove and replace. Good secondhand examples are plentiful. Check the fold mechanism, wheels and harness carefully, and make sure all accessories you need are included. Read our secondhand pushchair guide before buying.

What’s the difference between the Babyzen YOYO2 and the Stokke YOYO³?

The YOYO³ was launched in 2023 following Stokke’s acquisition of Babyzen. Key improvements over the YOYO2: improved 4-wheel suspension with soft drive system, higher backrest with padded head cushion, perforated seat base and breathable mesh, seat recline up to 130°, and updated canopy. The iconic compact dimensions and cabin approval are unchanged. If buying secondhand, the YOYO³ is the better buy — but a well-kept YOYO2 at the right price remains good value.

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Considering the Stokke YOYO³ and want a second opinion on whether it fits your situation? Get in touch — happy to help.