Stokke YOYO⁵ review: Why I’m going compact for baby number two

Second time around, I know exactly what I’m looking for – and a huge, aesthetically pleasing pram with a matching carry bag is not it.

Instead, I need something compact, lightweight, easy to fold, with good manoeuvrability and decent suspension. Especially as I’ll be recovering from a C-section this time around.

So when I was asked to review the new Stokke YOYO⁵, the latest generation of its compact YOYO stroller, I couldn’t wait to see whether it would actually tick all of those boxes.

Stokke markets the YOYO⁵ around its compact fold, improved manoeuvrability and travel-friendly design, so on paper it sounded exactly like the kind of pram I’d be looking for second time around.

What’s new with the Stokke YOYO⁵?

I’ve never owned a Stokke pram before, so like any mum on a mission, I did some research beforehand.

The YOYO⁵ is the next generation on from the YOYO³, and Stokke have clearly listened to what parents actually wanted and made some BIG changes.

The most obvious one? The one-hand fold.

Now THIS is what every second-time mum wants from a pram, because trying to hold a toddler in one arm while wrestling a buggy shut with the other is quite frankly not the vibe. Trust me, I’ve been there.

They’ve also made the basket much easier to access, improved the four-wheel suspension, and upgraded the seat with a deeper recline, more padding and an adjustable leg rest.

And these are exactly the kind of changes that excite me now. Forget matching changing bags and fancy extras, give me a pram I can fold one-handed while carrying a child and I’m sold.

The one-hand fold – does it actually work?

Yes! It’s a great improvement. It did take me a little bit of getting used to at first because I’m used to having the folding mechanism up on the handlebar with my older pram.

With the YOYO⁵, you fold it from lower down on the frame, just in front of the basket. Now, being 34 weeks pregnant with a huge bump, you can imagine bending down isn’t exactly my favourite activity at the moment.

Once I knew exactly where my hand needed to go though, it became really quick and easy, and I could spend minimal time actually bending down.

So if I can manage it now, I can only imagine it’ll be an absolute doddle once the baby is actually here and my bump is no longer in the way when I bend.

How does the YOYO⁵ actually push?

We’ve tested the pram locally on a scarecrow hunt and on a forest walk, and I’ve got to say I’m really impressed by the manoeuvrability and how it handles uneven ground.

With my previous compact stroller, it would often tip forward and give both me and Luca a shock whenever we hit a rock or bump, but the Stokke has great suspension and feels much sturdier.

It still feels nippy and lightweight, but not flimsy.

How does it work for toddlers?

One thing that immediately stood out to me when Luca sat in the pram for the first time is how wide the seat feels compared to other compact strollers we’ve used.

Luca is 3½ and average for his age, and as you can see, he looks really comfy in it.

The seat has a deep recline, although he refuses to nap in the pram anymore, but this would have been great when he was younger. I also love that the canopy comes right down for nap time and sun protection.

I had to use an additional shade on Luca’s old pram whenever he was napping on holiday, but I wouldn’t need to with this, so I think it would be great for holidays abroad too, especially with the large ventilation window at the back.

The seat pad also folds over at the top to provide extra padded head support, and the adjustable leg rest adds another layer of comfort.

That leg rest in particular really stands out to me, because Luca’s old pram didn’t have one and it’s one of the main reasons we eventually stopped using it, even though he still technically fitted in the seat.

What’s the harness like?

The harness has four height adjustment positions rather than the standard three, and it’s a five-point harness so it feels really safe and secure.

There’s also a feature on the shoulder pads that I actually think is genius, and it’s Velcro. Yes, Velcro.

It’s hidden on the inside of the shoulder pads so they don’t keep slipping down or coming off the straps. This is an annoying little battle most mums will know about, and it’s such a small design feature that makes a big difference.

How compact is the YOYO⁵?

There’s no denying the YOYO⁵ is compact when folded. It only takes up about half of my boot space in my trusty little Vauxhall Corsa.

It’s easy to lift and there’s even a handy carry strap, so if you’re battling stairs, public transport or a longer walk, you can just sling it over your shoulder.

Having a compact design is so important for us as we regularly go on caravan holidays and I am NOT a light packer, so the husband is definitely happy with this one.

Colours and everyday practicality

So I know I said having an aesthetically pleasing pram isn’t what I look for, and it’s definitely not at the top of my list. But I am a girl who loves nice things, and I do think the colourways are beautiful, especially the Berry colour we opted for.

It’s very autumnal and perfect for winter – I just love it. For me, it was a toss-up between Berry and Forest Green.

I love both of these darker colours as we head into winter because the pram is bound to get muddy on all the walks we’ll be doing.

The seat pad and canopy are made from easy-to-clean fabric, and they can also be removed and washed in the washing machine, which is a bonus.

What I also love is that you can buy separate seat packs if you ever feel like switching up the colour. These start from £59 on the website, and I already have my eye on the Peach one for summer.

Basket and storage

The basket is a good enough size for day-to-day adventures and a quick nip to the shops, but it definitely wouldn’t fit a full food shop or one of my B&M hauls.

That’s to be expected from a compact stroller though, and it’s definitely an improvement on the YOYO³, especially with the easier access.

I always attach a bag clip to the frame anyway because I’m a serial shopper, so for me it’s plenty for everyday use.

Newborn set-up

If you’re wanting to use the stroller from newborn, you have two options.

There’s the YOYO Newborn Pack, which provides a parent-facing, fully flat space and FOLDS WITH THE FRAME, or there’s the more traditional YOYO Bassinet, which needs to be detached from the stroller before folding.

We opted for the Newborn Pack. As much as I love seeing a baby all snuggled up in a bassinet, it’s just not practically the best option for us.

We’re always on the go, always in and out of the car on our next adventure, and to be honest, we just don’t have the space in our home either.

First time round, I’d have opted for the bassinet. Second time round, I know how inconvenient it is having to dismantle a pram every single time you want to jump in the car, so the Newborn Pack just makes much more sense for our lifestyle.

Who is the YOYO⁵ best for?

The YOYO⁵ is best for parents who are looking for a practical pram they can use from newborn right up to 5 years old, that genuinely grows with their child.

It’s ideal for people who live in the city, travel a lot, have a smaller car or frequently use public transport.

Aside from that, it’s just a great all-rounder and really good value for money. Rather than investing in a bulky travel system that you get fed up with after a couple of months, this can see you right through toddlerhood.

The different seat pack options also mean you can switch up the colour as your tastes change, without feeling like you need a completely new pram.

Final thoughts

Second time around, I know exactly what I want from a pram, and the YOYO⁵ ticks pretty much every box.

It’s compact, lightweight, easy to manoeuvre, comfortable for Luca, practical from newborn and, most importantly for us, it actually fits around our lifestyle rather than us having to fit our lifestyle around the pram.

I thought I’d miss the big traditional travel system experience more than I do, but actually, this feels much more suited to the way we live now.

If I was buying again from scratch, knowing what I know now, I’d choose practicality over bulk every single time.

By Hannah Hey

Images Hannah Hey