Baby Jogger City Mini

The Baby Jogger City Mini earns top marks from parents and pros, who praise its ease of use, convenient features and light weight. It can handle gravel paths and smooth sidewalks alike, and users say it's very easy to maneuver in tight spaces. Numerous add-ons make the Baby Jogger City Mini even more versatile, but they also run up the cost. That said, most reviewers say this full-featured stroller is the only one you'll need for your child.

Safety

Safe for babies to toddlers. The Baby Jogger City Mini comes with all the safety features you'd expect in a high-end stroller, plus some. It has a five-point fully padded, adjustable, no rethread harness, plus a padded sheath over the buckle to discourage babies from fiddling with it and possibly escaping. The stroller comes with one-touch, linked brakes, and a belly bar (*Est. $35) can be purchased separately to add a layer of safety and comfort.

Ease of Use

Everything's easy to use. This stroller's recline is a simple, one-hand move; the front wheels lock with a tap and the rear wheels pop off easily with the push of a button. Its linked rear brake is foot-operated, and its one-handed fold/unfold comes with a removable locking mechanism. The harness' hook can be adjusted from the front of the seat. The stroller seat is machine washable, but must be air-dried attached to the frame to keep from shrinking or losing shape. An optional carry bag (*Est. $55) makes the stroller even easier to store or travel with.

Lifestyle Features

Lots of convenience, though you'll pay for some of it. Unless you're a serious jogger or take your stroller on challenging off-road trails, the City Mini will work wherever you live. It's narrow and maneuverable enough to navigate the aisles of small boutiques, while the locking EVA wheels can handle any terrain from gravel and playground mulch to the puncture risks of desert living. The stroller folds compactly to fit in most car trunks or closets, and at 16.8 pounds, lifting and carrying it is a breeze. A full recline makes it suitable for infants, and it's also compatible with several car seats with optional adapters (*Est. $70), a compact pram (*Est. $170) and a bassinet (*Est. $260).

For older babies and children up to 50 pounds, the City Mini has a generously sized, well-padded seat, with a fully padded harness and buckle for comfort. An optional belly bar (*Est. $35) gives youngsters something to grab onto when they're riding, and a belly bar console (*Est. $35) or tray (*Est. $25) can store toys or snacks. There's even an optional glider board (*Est. $80) on which older children an hitch a ride. Storage is plentiful and easy to access.

This stroller's canopy is huge, which parents value, but at least one expert reviewer and several users complain that its Velcro closures are noisy. It has two viewing windows. The handles aren't adjustable, so you should definitely try it before you buy it if you're shorter or taller than average. But the main drawback to the City Mini may ultimately be price. Its base price of $250 isn't bad considering its features and durability, but the accessories can add up. Even the cup holder/child tray is sold separately (*Est. $25), which several parents say is unreasonable.

The Baby Jogger City Mini GT, a very similar stroller that retails for about $100 more than the City Mini, is geared more toward all-terrain use. It has a higher weight capacity of 65 pounds, a slightly larger seat back, more padding, rugged, puncture-proof wheels, an adjustable handle, and a hand brake instead of a foot brake. It weighs in at 21 pounds, so it's a heavier package overall. Both the City Mini and the City Mini GT also come in double stroller models.

Customer Service

Baby Jogger listens. Baby Jogger offers a lifetime frame warranty for manufacturer defects; textile and soft-side materials are warranted for one year. What's most impressive is that whenever Baby Jogger makes an upgrade, it takes into account customer complaints from previous years. So, for example, when many customers complained about the unsupportive seat in older models, the company firmed it up. They also responded to grumbles about storage issues and lack of a locking fold, fixing those issues in the 2011 and 2012 models. And for parents who wished they had a standing platform for an older child, one is now available.

The bottom line

The City Mini may not be the perfect stroller, but it's close. Built to last until your child -- and probably more than one -- outgrows it, it's easy to use and fits a variety of lifestyle needs. It also has all the high-end features a parent wants in a stroller, such as a full recline, plush comfort, a huge canopy, a one-handed fold and plenty of storage. The accessories jack up the price, but if you don't need them, this is a stroller with excellent cost of ownership over the long run.