Graco Ipo

Safety

Recommended by independent product testers. The Graco Ipo comes with a seal of approval from independent product testers who evaluate strollers for safety. Safety features include an adjustable, five-point safety harness that can be converted into a three-point harness and rear brakes that lock independently.

Ease of use

Maneuvers well. Multiple users state that they can push the Ipo with one hand over almost any terrain. Owners also report that it has a true, one-handed fold and appreciate the included carry handle.

A few users note that the Ipo's assembly instructions are not very clear. This seems to particularly affect the canopy -- one parent reported that the first time she assembled the stroller she didn't put the sun canopy on correctly, which caused it to fall off. Multiple parents said that the sun canopy tends to fall off. Also, some parents say that the seat recline feature doesn't work well with heavier children and will recline on its own accord.

Lifestyle features

Works for babies and older toddlers. According to Graco, the seat of the Ipo has a full recline and is suitable for newborns. Parents say that the seat reclines quite flat and is well-padded. The Graco Ipo also has an adjustable leg rest for napping. A number of parents say the seat does not sit fully upright, and a few say it bothers their children while others say it does not.

Thanks to all-wheel suspension and its sturdy build, parents and expert reviewers say that the Graco Ipo travels better over bumpy terrain than most umbrella-style strollers -- even close to its top weight. Parents say the Ipo's tall handle is comfortable for a range of heights. It gets great reviews for its compact fold, with parents saying it fits in even the smallest trunks.

The Ipo is weight rated up to 50 pounds, and parents say the spacious seat keeps bigger kids comfortable. Owners also say that the Ipo is built well enough to last through more than one child, making the cost of ownership of this stroller incredibly low.

Some parents complain that the Ipo does not come with a cup holder and that it lacks any form of parent console. A few say the Ipo's under-seat basket is small, but others say it's larger than most umbrella stroller baskets. The main complaints about the Ipo may be issues of durability. Several parents say the seat reclines spontaneously when their child leans back. One owner had to bolster the seat with a bungee cord to keep it up. Other parents say the canopy is too small and falls off with barely a touch. There are several complaints about the front wheels not touching the ground, making it difficult to steer.

Customer service

Graco offers an industry standard one-year limited warranty for its strollers. Certain wearable parts of the stroller may be replaced if they wear out after the warranty expires, including wheel assemblies and fabric seat assembly with seat belt.

Bottom line

The Graco Ipo is a better-than-average umbrella stroller at its price point with a great age range, from newborn to 50 pounds. It may have some flaws: the seat recline issue, wheels that don't provide traction and an unstable canopy point to quality and durability issues. But more parents love it than not, with several calling it an "almost-perfect" stroller. Based upon feedback, chances are if you get an Ipo, you'll be happy with it for years.