Phil & Teds Vibe
- Eye-catching design
- Narrow frame
- Smooth ride
- Bulky when folded
- Tires wear out quickly
- Expensive
The Phil & Teds Vibe (*Est. $660 plus $110 doubles kit) is touted as the luxury addition to the Phil & Teds line of strollers. It features added comforts such as a larger sun canopy, extra seat padding and a lightweight aluminum frame. Some reviewers hail the stroller for its eye-catching design, but owners seem less than thrilled with its performance. They say the Vibe's added convenience and comfort features are actually drawbacks: The large sun canopy interferes with the height-adjustable handlebar, and the overly sensitive easy-access hand brake can be accidentally engaged, bringing the stroller to an unexpected halt.
The company also touts the Vibe's unique fold, which can be accomplished with the second seat in the rear position -- a feature other Phil & Teds models lack. Users, however, say this makes the already-cumbersome fold more complicated and bulky. Reviewers suggest that the drawbacks of the stroller outweigh its luxury price, and that parents may have better luck with less expensive models such as the Phil & Teds Explorer or the Phil & Teds Sport .
Reviews of the Phil & Teds Vibe are plentiful, but most suffer from unclear testing methods and were written when the model was first released in 2008. Professional reviews, such as those from People magazine's Celebrity Baby Blog, LiLSugar.com and Canadian Family, give the stroller high praise but are vague at best. Owner reviews are both more complete and more negative; several say major flaws in the Vibe's design make it unworthy of its steep price tag.
Our Sources
1. Celebrity Baby Blog
Celebrity Baby Blog offers one of the more complete reviews of the Phil & Teds Vibe. It's more than three years old, however, and the company has made significant changes to the stroller. The Vibe receives praise for its sun canopy, comfortable seats and fold.
Review: Phil & Teds Vibe Stroller: I'm Feeling It!, Editors of Celebrity Baby Blog, April 26, 2008
2. LilSugar.com
The Phil & Teds Vibe earns high marks from the editor of LilSugar.com, but how the stroller was tested is unclear. The reviewer says this luxury stroller is comfortable and eye-catching, and can fold with the second seat placed in the rear position (a feature that other Phil & Teds models lack). She also recognizes owner complaints about the overly sensitive brake button.
Review: Strollin': Phil & Teds Vibe, "Babysugar", Oct. 3, 2008
3. ProductReview.com.au
This Australian site features more than 80 consumer reviews of the Phil & Teds Vibe. Ratings are mixed: Some users like the stroller's narrow, durable frame, but many report issues with the tires (they can puncture) and the hand brake (it engages easily).
Review: Phil & Teds Vibe Review, Contributors to ProductReview.com.au, As of Dec. 2011
4. Canadian Family
Strollers are tested by real families in this magazine's 2010 guide to double strollers. Five models are featured, but there's no rating system and it's difficult to compare strollers. The Phil & Teds Vibe is noted for its secure harnesses, steering and variety of seat positions, but the tester says its heavy, multistep fold is a major drawback.
Review: The Best Double Strollers of 2010, Editors of Canadian Family, July 12, 2010
5. Buzzillions.com
Buzzillions.com compiles owner reviews from retailers such as BabiesRUs.com, Target.com and REI. User feedback for the Phil & Teds Vibe is limited and gives it mixed scores at best. Some reviewers note problems with the design of the handlebar, difficult maneuverability and sticking wheels. Others praise the stroller's sleek, durable design and say changes made to the 2010 model remedy many reviewers' previous gripes.
Review: Phil & Teds Vibe Stroller Reviews, Contributors to Buzzillions.com, As of Dec. 2011
6. Amazon.com
Consumer reviews of the Phil & Teds Vibe are notably negative here. Out of the 14 reviews of the stroller, more than half give it just 1 out of 5 stars. Most of the complaints revolve around the tires, which owners say wear out exceedingly quickly. Many users say the brake button is sensitive and can be triggered accidentally, causing the stroller to halt unexpectedly.
Review: Phil & Teds Vibe Buggy 2 with Doubles Kit, Contributors to Amazon.com, As of Dec. 2011
7. StrollersandPrams.com
Editors call the Vibe a stylish, comfortable pram. They tout its compact fold, but say it can be difficult to do and requires practice. It isn't clear how the stroller was tested, and the review is more than three years old.
Review: Phil & Teds Vibe Review, Editors of StrollersAndPrams.com, 2008
8. BobbysBest.com
The BobbysBest.com analysis of the Phil & Teds Vibe praises its smooth ride and how easy it is to assemble, but the reviewer says its maneuverability is poor compared to other Phil & Teds models. He also questions whether the upgraded features are worth the price.
Review: Recommended: Phil & Teds Vibe Sport Buggy, Editors of BobbysBest.com, Not dated
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