Bugaboo Bee vs Babyzen YOYO
When you have a baby, you want to be able to move around with ease, whether you’re going to the park, going shopping, or visiting friends in a cafe or restaurant. While many parents opt for travel systems, which come with a carry cot, base and a pushchair, they are a bit bulky, which might be an issue if you don’t have a lot of space at home. So you may want something a bit lighter, which folds up to a smaller size, as well as being easy to manoeuvre.
Two products which fall into this category are the Bugaboo Bee and the Babyzen Yoyo. As an owner of both products, I thought I would do a detailed comparison of both items so you can see which is best for you (or whether you should buy both!)
What is the Babyzen Yoyo?
The Babyzen Yoyo is an ultra-compact stroller that you can fold and unfold fairly easily. The folded dimensions fulfil the requirements for cabin baggage on most airlines.
What age is it for?
You can use it from birth until your child reaches 22kg (48.5lbs).
What is the Bugaboo Bee?
The manufacturer claims this is an urban pushchair made for the city. It’s easy to push, turn and it’s very comfortable for your baby.
Can the Bugaboo Bee go on a plane?
It can go in the hold just like other pushchairs, but unfortunately it’s too big for the cabin.
Is the Bugaboo parent facing?
You can change the direction from parent facing (ideal for newborns and young babies) to outward facing (suitable for older children).
What age is the Bugaboo for?
It’s suitable for newborns and toddlers. It can support a maximum weight of around 22kg (48.5lbs).
Table Comparison – Babyzen vs Bugaboo
Babyzen Yoyo
- Weight: 13.6lbs (6+ version), 14.5lbs (newborn pack), 17.8lbs (bassinet version)
- Folded dimensions: 20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1” (52 x 44 x 18 cm)
- Unfolded dimensions: 41.7 x 17.3 x 33.8” (106 x 44 x 96cm)
- Backrest recline for 6+ version
- Basket underneath (carries up to 5kg in weight)
- Suitable from birth
- Maximum weight: 39.7lbs (22kg)
Bugaboo Bee
- Weight: 19.6lbs (8.9kg)
- Folded dimensions: 35.4 x 18.3 x 12.6” (90 x 46.5 x 32cm)
- Unfolded dimensions: 35 x 20.8 x 34.6” (89 x 53 x 88cm)
- Basket underneath (carries up to 4kg)
- Backrest recline
- Suitable from birth (if you use the Bugaboo carrycot or cocoon)
- Maximum weight: 48.5lbs (22kg)
Detailed Comparison
Here’s a more in depth look at the advantages and disadvantages of the Bugaboo Bee and the Babyzen YOYO.
Design
DRAW
Of course it depends what you are after in a pushchair/stroller, but overall I think they are both well designed products. The Bugaboo Bee is more comfortable for your baby as it has suspension above the wheels which provides a smoother ride, where as you will notice every little bump with the Babyzen! However, the Babyzen can fold up to such a small size that you can even carry it on your shoulder with the strap provided. Furthermore, the Babyzen is ideal if you’re going on holiday as you can put it in the overhead bins in the cabin when you’re flying (just check with the airline first). The Bugaboo Bee will have to go in the hold with everything else, but you should be able to bring it to the entrance door of the plane.
Manoeuvrability
WINNER – Bugaboo Bee
The Bugaboo Bee is very easy to turn and change direction, and the suspension on the wheels makes it more comfortable for your baby. The Babyzen maybe lighter but it’s slightly harder to move around compared to the Bugaboo.
Size
WINNER – Babyzen YOYO
My wife and I made the decision to buy the Babyzen YOYO purely on its small size when folded. You can comfortably carry on it on your shoulder, which is handy if you are on public transport and space is an issue, or if your car boot is very full. Also, we often make trips abroad and being able to take it on the plane with us and into the cabin is a godsend. It makes things so much easier during baggage reclaim. One time in Turkey we were waiting an hour for our regular pushchair. I thought we were going to miss our transfer to the hotel!
That being said when both pushchairs are unfolded, there isn’t much difference between the two. In fact, the Babyzen is a little taller.
Weight
WINNER – Babyzen
The Babyzen is lighter which makes it easier to carry around.
Folding/Unfolding
WINNER – Babyzen
Unfolding the Babyzen is very easy. You just push the red button and the whole pushchair just opens up (a bit like one of those pop up tents!). I’ve always found unfolding the Bugaboo a bit trickier as it requires more force to push the buttons on both sides with your hands and push down on the frame with your leg. Folding both pushchairs is fairly easy though.
Ease of cleaning
DRAW
Both strollers have fabric that is machine washable. You just need to remove it from the frame.
Using the straps
DRAW
The Babyzen is easier to put your baby in as it uses a 3 point harness, where as the Bugaboo is a 5 point one which takes a little bit longer to attach. However, for picking up your child, the Bugaboo Bee is easier, as all the straps detach easily when you push the button.
Storage
DRAW
Neither pushchair is blessed with a lot of storage space. Both have a storage basket underneath, but you can’t put much there.
Price
WINNER – Babyzen Yoyo
The Babyzen retails for around $500, where as the Bugaboo is around $700 (depending on the retailer).
BabyZen Yoyo – Pros and Cons
Here are the pluses and minuses of the Babyzen YOYO
Pros
- Small folded size
This is the biggest perk of the Babyzen. You’ll be shocked at how small it is when you fold it up. It comes with a shoulder strap so you can just sling it over your shoulder, or pack it away in a small space. The ability to take it with you on the plane as hand luggage is another big plus (just check with the airline beforehand though)
- Lightweight
It has a lightweight frame which means you can carry it over your shoulder when it’s folded quite easily.
- Practical design
The Babyzen Yoyo is very well designed. From the small folded size, to the easy folding and unfolding process. It works really well.
Cons
- Comfort and manoeuvrability
There’s no suspension above the wheels so you and your baby will feel it when you’re pushing the Babyzen over uneven ground. The wheels don’t turn either so you have to lift and twist the pushchair when you want to change direction.
- Weaker frame
We have one hook attached to the top of the frame which can support one bag of shopping, but I would never make it too heavy for fear of damaging the pushchair. The frame is lightweight, but don’t try to attach lots of things to it.
Click image for more info
Bugaboo Bee – Pros and Cons
Here are the strengths and weaknesses of the Bugaboo Bee.
Pros
- Comfort
The Bugaboo has four-wheel suspension and thick padding on the seat which makes it a lot more comfortable for your baby.
- Manoeuvrability
Moving around with the Bugaboo is a breeze with the swivel wheels.
Cons
- Unfolding
It’s not as straightforward as the Babyzen, but this might be a personal opinion. You have to push both buttons on the side and push on the bottom bar near the storage basket with your foot to open the Bugaboo. Folding is ok though.
- Folded size
It’s smaller than other strollers, but if you want something to take with you on your travels, then the Bugaboo Bee isn’t really the right choice as it still takes up a quite a bit of space. It’s perfectly fine to use when it’s unfolded though, whether you want to use it in the park, or on public transport.
Click image for more info
Which is better Bugaboo Bee or Babyzen Yoyo?
Both pushchairs are great, which is why my wife and I bought both. For general day to day use, such as going to the park and the shops, I think the Bugaboo is a great stroller. However, if you plan on using public transport, or if you like to travel a lot, then nothing beats the Babyzen YOYO.
If I was pushed to choose one or the other, I would opt for the Babyzen. We’ve owned ours for 5 years now, using it with both our kids, and it’s never let us down. It’s just so handy when we’re in the airport, travelling on the train, or if our car boot is full and space is an issue. I’d go as far as to say it’s the best baby product we’ve bought (and we’ve been guilty of wasting money on many items over the past few years!)