Chicco Miinimo stroller review

Released in January 2017, the Miinimo was given its name according to its minimal dimensions.

Italian makers Chicco (pronounced Keeko) are aiming the Miinimo at 'modern' on-the-go parents, but have also given it an affordable price tag.

At £180, it’s comparable to other lightweight strollers such as the Recaro Easylife (£189), the umbrella fold Silver Cross Zest (£145) and the Mee Go Feather (£130).

Will the Miinimo make it big? Let's take a mini moment to consider.

Buy the Chicco Miinimo from Olivers BabyCare.

How light is the Chicco Miinimo?

It's 6.2kg, so is very light. It also has a neat little shoulder strap so is easy to carry - and comes with a bag, should you prefer to carry it that way!

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Does its weight hamper its durability?

No, it's pretty sturdy and has shock absorbers too. I think it'll last as long as it's needed.

Some lighter prams I've used have felt like they might buckle under even just a little pressure. But the Miinimo feels strong.

What do you think of the Miinimo’s design?

Chicco describe it as 'modern and elegant'. To some extent that's true. I'd say that some buggies are more 'modern and elegant' than others. Saying that, I still do think it looks classy.

It's available in either Black Night (a black canopy and grey seat), Paprika (a bright red and grey seat), or Silver (black frame and grey/silver fabrics).

What's in the box?

• Miinimo stroller
• Rain cover
• Carry bag

Do you have to buy a lot of additional extras, which all add up or is everything included?

Extras are available but not essential. You get all the basics needed. As long as you get a raincover, that's all you really need!

Was it easy to put together?

Very. It comes pretty much ready to roll. You just need to pop the wheels on.

Is it easy to use in an urban or inner city environment, and on public transport?

It has lockable and swivel wheels. I always prefer swivel. The Miinimo turns well on the spot. It also mounts kerbs easily, both going up and down (some buggies can get their front wheels stuck going down and then tip forward, but not this one).

It's also light enough to lift off the bus with baby inside if you're suddenly faced with an impossible gap between the bus doors and the pavement!

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How easily does the Chicco Miinimo fold? Can you do it easily with one hand?

One of the Miinimo's selling points is the one hand fold, and this works well. You just need to press two buttons on the handle at the same time and it folds. The only annoying thing I experienced is that the hood wasn't wanting to play ball.

It kind of sprang back as I was pushing down. It didn't really put up much of a resistance and was easy to put in place, but I would have liked it to have been more of a smooth process like other one hand fold prams I've tested.

How compact is it when folded?

It folds into nice compact shape, measuring 54cm x 48cm x 25cm, and is free standing, which is always a bonus.

It folds into (almost) a cube shape, similar to gb's Qbit.

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How easy is it to store?

It fitted well in the (rather packed) cupboard under my stairs. It's great to be able to squirrel away a buggy rather than have it leaning against the hallway wall.

Does the Chicco Miinimo fit in the boot of your car?

Yes, it didn't take up much space at all. The wheels pop off at the press of a button too, for extra space.

How comfortable does it feel?

It's nicely padded. My tiny tester said he was very comfy.

The seat size is quite big too and is approved to be used from newborn as it fully reclines and there is an adjustable leg rest.

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How is interacting with your child when in the buggy?

Really easy. The seat isn't as far forward as some buggies so it was easy to chat and play around.

What did you think of how the various parts adjusted?

The handle isn't adjustable. I always prefer one that does adjust so you can find the right position for your height. The handle is at a good level though. I'm 5'9" and the handle was just in the right place.

The five point harness system was easy to negotiate too (they take a bit if getting used to if you've never had one before, but once you learn the technique they're not too difficult).

What is the brake like?

It's a foot pedal that's easy to locate without looking and locks into place well.

How does the seat recline?

This is one of the standout things with the Miinimo for me. You just click a button and it reclines really easily (into 5 possible positions). Then all you need to do is push it back up with a little handle at the side. So easy! Some buggy seats are a real pain to recline and put back up, but this design is perfect.

What's the hood like?

It's a fairly big hood so has good coverage. It's easy to put up and down, and moves very smoothly without making a noise.

What are the basket and storage pockets like?

The basket is fairly roomy for a compact buggy. It's big enough to fit the shopping essentials in - you shouldn't expect too big a basket in a light, compact buggy.

Would you use it on holiday?

Yes, it would be great for taking on holiday however you're travelling. It folds into a compact space with minimal fuss, and is light.

It doesn't, however, have any SPF in its hood, so you'd need to think about that if you were holidaying in a hot country.

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Would the weather dictate when you use it?

It comes with a rain cover, so is fine for our autumn, winter, spring, and summer! As I've said though, there's no SPF in the hood, so be aware of that on very sunny days.

Who would the Chicco Miinimo be most useful for?

Chicco are aiming the Miinimo at on the move 'modern' parents. It's well designed to hop on and off public transport or fit neatly in the boot of your car, as well as be stored away easily. It's also good for those without bottomless pockets.

Is there anything unique about this product?

There's no one thing that's unique about the Miinimo, but it's combination of parent-friendly features does make it stand out: it's very light, has a one hand fold, it folds into a compact shape, has a carry handle and a bag to transport it in.

Packaged together, these make a very attractive combination for on the go parents.

Is the product value for money?

There's quite a range of lightweight buggies, many of which offer one hand fold - so the Miinimo has some big contenders to go up against.

It's more affordable than a lot of what is on offer though.

gb's Qbit+ is £250 and offers similar functions. The Babyzen YoYo 0+ (5.6kg and £375) and Bugaboo Bee 3 (8.7kg and £539) are at the more expensive end of the market.

While the Miinimo doesn't quite compete with some of the above in the elegance stakes, it still displays class in its minimalist design. And, more importantly, does compete when you count performance - it folds compactly and is sturdy yet comfy.

For £180, it's a good little buggy.

MadeForMums verdict

The Miinimo's combination of features - its weight, one hand fold, handle, free stand ability - make it a lightweight with a powerful punch. It's not as chic as some of its coempetitors, but it still has an attractive minimalist style. The fact that it's more affordable than many of these competitors, but offers similar features, makes it a solid investment.

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