Joovy Groove Ultralight Review

8.9 Total Score
Excellent

Safety
9.0
Design
8.8
Price
8.9
PROS
  • Easy to carry
  • Excellent for napping
  • Adjustable features
  • Easy to steer
  • Spacious storage
  • Sturdy
  • Quality materials
  • Auto-lock, stands on its own when folded
CONS
  • Velcro Closure
  • Strap Recline
  • No travel system option
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One of the most popular umbrella strollers now comes with a groovy redesign. Weighing only fifteen pounds, but able to hold up to fifty-five pounds, its fame comes as no surprise. The stroller features a spacious seat that will make even the tallest toddler happy.

Comfort is another area in which this stroller thrives. It features a near-flat recline and an adjustable leg rest. This model is ideal for comfy naps and quick diaper changes.

Unlike most umbrellas, the Ultralight can be used with newborns! This model is safe for newborns – provided that you purchase and use the infant insert. A hidden mesh in the leg rest has been included to ensure extra safety for newborns and prevent them from sliding out of the seat.

It is equipped with all the necessary features needed for excellent maneuverability. The Ultralight is great when it comes to narrow spaces. The convenient carry strap makes it great for travel as well.

It must be mentioned, even though you can use it with a newborn right away, the stroller is designed for flat surfaces only. Newborns are fragile and can only handle softer rides in their first months of life.

Specifications:


  • Stroller weight  – 15 lbs

  • Weight limit  – 55 lbs

  • Folded dimensions   – 40” x 11” x 12.5”

  • Handlebar height  – 42″

  • Seat to canopy height  – 27″

  • Wheels   – 6″

Features

  • Canopy

You are all set to for the summer with this sizeable canopy. It is comprised of two big SPF50+ panels that ensure full coverage. On one of the panels, there is a large plastic peek-a-boo window at the top.

The peek-a-boo window is made out of vinyl. It also has a cover that you can secure with a plastic toggle and loop. The sunshade is easy to pull open and has a plastic brace to make sure it stays that way.

  • Handlebars

The handlebars are located at 42.5 inches above the ground. They are ideal for taller parents. Their height leaves plenty of leg room for longer strides.

  • Seat

The seat is very wide, making the stroller great for winter use when children wear thick coats. Paired with the sizeable canopy, it is ideal for taller kids. The fabric is comfortably soft and water repellent. The leg rest is padded and very easy to adjust. You can lift it straight out to get more napping space. Comfort-wise, it could possibly be the best umbrella stroller on the market – kids love dozing off in it.

Underneath the seat, there is a mesh cover that prevents the infant from sliding out of the seat. The seat also has an adjustable 5-point harness, so the under-seat mesh is there in case you want some extra safety. When the seat is reclined, there is a big opening in the back that allows for better airflow during hot summer days.

  • Storage

The stroller features a decent under-seat basket, considering its size. It can hold a medium-sized diaper bag even when the seat is fully reclined. Just like with other models in this category, the basket is difficult to access when the seat is reclined, but small items can easily be reached from all sides at all times.

The stroller has one cup holder on the side frame and another one that is more of a bottle holder, actually, because it is made of mesh. It might not be ideal for a cup of hot coffee, provided that its mesh, but you can you is for other small items, aside from bottles. There is also a zipper pocket on the back of the sunshade that is perfect for storing small necessities.

  • Wheels, Suspension, and Brakes

The wheels are of average size and are made of durable hard rubber. Even though this model is made for flat surfaces, it can handle some mulch, gravel, or grass, but not with a newborn on board. The front wheels are swiveling and lockable.

Despite the stroller having two handles, you can push and steer with one hand. The all-wheel suspension it comes with is always a pleasure to see on an umbrella. Since it is a very light model, it is highly unlikely you’ll get tired from pushing it around.

The brakes are foot-operated and are located on top of each rear wheel. They can only be locked individually. Although you can unlock them in flip-flops, they are not quite flip-flop friendly overall.

  • Fold

Folding the Ultralight is a breeze. The folding mechanism has an automatic lock, and the whole thing stands on its own once you fold it. Once you fold it nicely, it is compact enough to fit in any car.

The new redesign comes with a convenient shoulder strap. It is adjustable too! The model seems to be designed with traveling parents in mind.

Joovy Groove Ultralight Review

What’s wrong with the product?

– Velcro Closure

The peek-a-boo window is big enough, but it comes with a noisy velcro closure. It is shocking that new strollers keep coming out without convenient magnetic closures.

– Strap Recline

The one-hand strap recline is another feature most parents complain about. Its OK to use with an infant, but it takes more effort when the seat is occupied by an older child. There are two straps that need to be pulled up simultaneously while lifting the back of the seat.

– No Travel System option

The new redesign hasn’t received an update in that department. It might be too much to expect from a standard umbrella model, but considering the roomy seat and the tall canopy, it should be able to accept an infant car seat.

Conclusion

The Joovy Groove Ultralight is a great stroller for city families. It can also serve as an excellent second stroller for families who are fond of off-road adventures. The neat little features and its compact and easy fold make it perfect for family vacations.

If you plan on using it around town, its quality frame and great design will ensure its stays for long in your family. The young ones adore it for the comfort it provides. However, its ability to be used with both newborns and older children is the biggest selling point of the Ultralight.

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