Joolz Aer+ stroller review

Pricewise, it is at the more expensive end of the market when it comes to lightweight strollers, alongside the hugely popular Babyzen Yoyo2 (£549), but if you plan on travelling regularly with your newborn it certainly justifies the price. The fact that the stroller can fold with the carrycot attached is a huge plus. Lightweight yet durable enough for everyday use, the Joolz Aer+ is a game-changer for urban families, although it doesn't perform so well on rougher ground, so if you enjoy regular countryside walks this may not be the best option.

Tested by

Journalist Emily, 32, is a first time mum to 5-month-old Daisy and lives in south west London. She’s written for a number of titles including The i, The Telegraph and Fabulous magazine, as well as writing The Book Lover’s Guide to Paris. Emily tested the Joolz Aer+ around the city centre, on public transport and across grassy commons.

What were your first impressions of the Joolz Aer+ stroller?

On opening the box, I could tell from the sleek design and compact fold that the Joolz Aer+ was going to live up to my high expectations. As soon as I unfolded the pram (with just one hand) I was supremely impressed. It was so quick and easy, and actually quite fun. I was thrilled with the pram’s look and feel — and so was my 5-month-old daughter Daisy. The carrycot is soft and warm, perfect for newborns, while the seat is ergonomic with an effective 5-point buckle and is also suitable to use from birth when reclined flat.

We tested out the taupe version — which was very chic — but there are 6 colours in total, including navy blue, refined black and sage green, all of which look very snazzy.

How easy was the Joolz Aer+ stroller to assemble?

The Joolz Aer+ comes with the seat attached, so if that’s all you need then you’re good to go. However, if you need to install the carrycot it is a little trickier. The instruction booklet featured illustrated images that show you how to remove the seat, but I felt they needed to be more detailed. There are a few small steps that you need to do in order to release the seat from the frame (the hood needs to be pushed slightly forwards before the seat can be slipped off on either side) and I felt this was unclear in the instruction manual.

Once I’d found the Joolz Aer+ instruction video online, I found it much easier. From there it was quick and easy to attach the carrycot.

How does the Joolz Aer+ compare to the Joolz Aer stroller?

The dimensions (L83cm x W45cm x H105.5cm unfolded) and weight (6kg) of both strollers are the same, but the Aer+ has 4-wheel suspension and the sun hood includes ventilation, as well as 25 degrees more coverage. It also has the feature to attached Joolz Aer + LED light, £24.95, to the stroller frame so you can been seen more easily in the dark.

The carrycot can also now be folded one-handed with the bumper bar still attached and the seat features a new adjustable harness with a 5-point buckle (one of my favourite features as it felt sturdy and safe, with no worries about getting little fingers trapped). The basket is also wider, though its capacity is the same as the Aer’s at 5kg.

However, the standout new feature of the Aer+ is the ability for the seat unit to lie flat, making it suitable to use from birth (or for nap times when babies are older). The ergonomic seat ensures optimal support and comfort for head, back and neck, and seamlessly adapts into a sit-up pram as your baby grows. The Aer+ seat unit remains world-facing only, so this is something to consider if you plan to use the pushchair from birth.

How easy is the Joolz Aer+ stroller to push and steer?

The stroller is surprisingly agile and very responsive in comparison to anything I’ve used before, whether you are using the carrycot or the seat. With its new 4-wheel suspension the Joolz Aer+ can easily go over smaller kerbs and moves smoothly across different surfaces, including bumpy pavements, park lanes and grassy commons. I found the pram manoeuvres effortlessly through narrow spaces and around tight corners — which is great when popping into coffee shops — and is incredibly light, making it easy to raise up to go onto pavements when the kerb is larger.

Understandably, it does struggle on muddy terrains and would not be suitable for cross-country walks or uneven fields.

How lightweight is the Joolz Aer+ to carry around?

Weighing in at 6kg (similar to the Babyzen YoYo2) the Joolz Aer+ stroller is incredibly lightweight and I found it easy enough to lift up the stairs or into a car boot. The strap also makes it hassle-free to fold and carry over one shoulder.

How did the Jool Aer+ stroller perform on public transport?

As a Londoner, public transport is my way of life and so any pushchair I use has to be easy enough to use on busy buses, trains and tubes. I found the Joolz Aer+ brilliant for alighting all 3, as well as tackling the odd stair, as I was able to lift the entire pram by holding onto the chassis (it was much lighter and easier than my Silver Cross, which I can’t carry alone).

The pram is also very agile, meaning I could tip it on and off the train with ease, even when the gap between train and platform was fairly large, and it was unobtrusive enough to be used on the tube without taking up too much space during busy periods. While I didn’t manage to test out the Joolz Aer+ on a plane, I would feel completely at ease taking it on a flight (especially as it is cabin-approved for some airlines). Disney lovers will be happy to hear the Joolz Aer+ is also Disney park approved.

How do you fold the Joolz Aer+ stroller?

The fold of the Joolz Aer+ is where it really shines as it can be easily folded with just one hand in only a few seconds. I simply cannot fault the Joolz Aer+’s folding capabilities, either with the carrycot or the pram — it really is the smoothest fold I’ve ever used.

To fold the carrycot:

• Put the brake on and push down the hood.
• Press the white button on the handle at the foot end of the carrycot, then pull the handle up along with the foot of the carrycot. It should click into a sloped position, with the head of the carrycot facing down.
• Click the buttons on the handlebar and fold in one movement (the carrycot doesn’t fold to standing, but can be easily lifted).

To fold the seat:

• Put the brake on.
• Click the buttons on the handlebar and fold in one movement to a standing fold (it really is that simple).

How compact is the Joolz Aer+ stroller when folded?

The folded measurements of the Joolz Aer+ pushchair are L53.5 x W45 x H21.5cm — the same as the Aer — and I was very impressed with how compact it was when folded. I live in a relatively small flat and it didn’t get in the way, plus it was very inoffensive and blended into the background, unlike other more bulky prams.

I could easily store it beneath the bed, or leave it standing upright, while it fitted easily in the boot of our car (a Kia Sportage) with plenty of extra room for shopping or luggage. It was a little bigger when the carrycot was attached, but in comparison to other newborn pushchairs it is still incredibly compact.

One added bonus was the included carry strap, which means the stroller can be carried on either shoulder while travelling (very handy when traversing tube or train stations with no step-free access).

What is the carrycot like?

The Joolz Aer+ carrycot is comfortable with warm padding inside, which looked very cosy for my baby, while also having a breathable mattress, making it nap safe (but not suitable for overnight sleeping).

One of my favourite features was the super extendable hood, which is adjustable and can be unzipped to fully unfold for almost full coverage. This was especially useful in light showers when I wanted to quickly shield Daisy, or when she was sleeping (I could still keep an eye on her through the mesh panel, which also offered ventilation). Impressively, the hood has UPF50 protection, which would be fantastic on holidays and in summer.

That being said, the carrycot is quite small. Daisy is 5 months old and fits very snugly, so while it is perfect for a newborn, the carrycot may not last all the way up to 6 months — especially if your baby is in the higher percentiles (the maximum weight for the carrycot is 9kg).

How easy is the carrycot to add on/take off the Joolz Aer+ stroller?

The carrycot is clipped easily onto the chassis frame and then released by pulling a handle at the head of the carrycot. Simple and lightweight, it is especially easy to remove when holding onto the bumper bar.

How did you find the seat unit?

The Joolz Aer+ has an ergonomic seat that supports both the back and neck while the child is awake or asleep. It is very comfortable thanks to the padding and is very soft to the touch, plus it can be washed in a mild detergent (great for spit-ups).

As the seat unit reclines to a lie-flat position, it is suitable to use from birth. With Daisy being just 5 months, this was the first time she had been in a pushchair seat rather than a carrycot and I was a little nervous as the seat is world-facing only. This makes it impossible to see your child which I found nerve-wracking with a younger baby and I don’t think I’d be comfortable taking a newborn out facing forwards.

That said, once I got used to not seeing Daisy I really enjoyed using the seat. It was perfect for public transport, being lightweight enough to lift on and off of the train, and when Daisy needed to nap we reclined her using the zip at the back of the seat. Some users have mentioned the zip being slightly annoying to undo while their child is seated, but I didn’t have any issues.

What about the harness?

The Joolz Aer+ has an adjustable harness and 5-point buckle which felt safe and secure. It was the perfect combination of being simple enough for an adult to fasten and undo, whilst being too complicated for children to attempt, so there would be no easy escapes as your child grows.

What is the Joolz Aer+ chassis like?

For something so light, the frame feels strong and durable and was very easy to clean with just a wet cloth after walking through a muddy park. The matte finish also gives it a nice touch.

Is the handlebar adjustable on the Joolz Aer+?

The handle height is 105.5cm and isn’t adjustable. At 5ft 3, it felt a little high for me at first, but I soon got used to the fixed height. My husband is 6ft and he found the handle a good height, plus it was very comfortable to hold.

How good are the brakes on the Joolz Aer+?

The brake is located along the rear wheel bar and is simple to put on with just a click of your foot. It holds well, even on London buses, and the pedal doesn’t get in the way while pushing the stroller.

How big is the Joolz Aer+ stroller's basket?

Most baskets on lightweight or compact-folding buggies are barely big enough to fit a nappy bag, and while the Aer+ basket is small compared to larger pushchairs, it is suitable for a medium-sized bag.

The manual recommends a load limit of 5kg and I managed to fit all of my essentials inside, but there was space for little more.

lo;.The basket itself is deep so nothing falls out, but it is fairly difficult to access with the carrycot attached and removing anything bigger than a small bag requires a few tugs. Access with the seat is much better.

Is the Joolz Aer+ car seat compatible?

Yes, you can buy car seat adaptors that are compatible with a huge range of car seats — including Maxi-Cosi, Cybex and Joie — and turn the Aer+ into a handy travel system.

What’s in the box?

As I tested the Joolz Aer+ with the carrycot, I received 2 boxes which included:

Box 1:

• Joolz Aer+ chassis
• Travel pouch
• Carry strap

Box 2:

• Carrycot
• Bumperbar
• Mattress

What additional accessories can you buy?

• Cupholder (£15.95)
• Car seat adapters (£42,95)
• Leg rest (£24.95)
• Seat raincover (£24.95)
• LED light (£24.95)
• Footboard (£94.95)
• Footmuff (£94.95)
• Puffer footmuff (£149.95)
• Carrycot rain cover (£24.95)
• Mosquito net (£21.95)
• Seat liner (£47.95)

I would say the raincover and cup holder are essential, as is the footmuff in colder climes.

How does the Joolz Aer+ rate in terms of sustainability?

Joolz has received numerous awards and accolades for their sustainable approach to design and I feel they are well-deserved. Not only is the Joolz Aer+ made from sustainable fabrics, but with each purchase of a pushchair the Dutch company plants a tree in one of their ‘Birth Forests’.

The buggies themselves are designed to be modular, meaning they can be easily customised to suit the needs of your growing child, and they come with a 10-year transferable warranty, so other families can enjoy the Joolz Aer+ once you’ve outgrown it (they are suitable for children up to 4 years old or 22kg).

In addition, Joolz offers a range of accessories that can be added to the strollers to enhance their functionality and extend their lifespan (for example, the wheels can be removed and changed). Pram services are also available while under warranty.

How does the Joolz Aer+ compare to other strollers?

Is the Joolz Aer+ stroller worth the money?

The Joolz Aer+ isn’t cheap, but in my opinion it is worth its weight in gold. It takes the stress out of using public transport, it's compatible with aeroplane overhead lockers for longer journeys and is durable enough to last — and if it doesn’t, it's reassuring to have the 10-year warranty.

Where can I buy the Joolz Aer+ stroller?

It is available from Joolz, Natural Baby Shower and Mamas & Papas.

MadeForMums verdict:

The Joolz Aer+ is a fantastic all-rounder. Not only is it great for travellers, but it is durable enough for everyday use around the city. I’d feel more comfortable using the carrycot over the reclined seat for newborns, but the seat is certainly big enough to see you up to 4 years old and I can’t stress how easy it is to fold and store. Anyone in the market for a compact and hassle-free pram need not look any further.

It is attractive, lightweight and the manoeuvrability is unparalleled. Suitable for newborns, I would happily use it as an everyday pram from birth, not simply a travel pushchair, though it is not suitable for rougher terrain.