Joolz Aer+ Review: The Lightest Travel Stroller (Full Breakdown)
~13 lb · one-hand fold · testers’ #1 lightweight travel stroller
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📝 Honest note: I haven’t personally traveled with the Joolz Aer+ yet, so this is a research-backed breakdown of what owners and expert testers consistently report… plus how I’d weigh it as someone who’s spent years flying with two little kids. I’ll update it first-hand if we get one. If you’d rather see the travel stroller I’ve personally pushed for seven years across two kids, here’s my hands-on Babyzen YoYo review.
The Joolz Aer+ routinely tops expert travel-stroller rankings for one reason: it’s featherlight and folds tiny without feeling cheap. One naming thing to get straight first… the Aer+ (2023, adjustable recline) is not the newer Aer2 (2025). This review is about the Aer+.
What is in this review
The short version
Buy it if you want the lightest premium travel stroller with a true one-hand, self-standing fold. Think twice if you need a big basket, a fully flat recline (the US model doesn’t lie flat), or an easy recline adjustment with a kid already seated.
Joolz Aer+ at a glance
- Weight: ~13.2 lb (independently weighed ~14.3 lb)
- Folded: ~21 x 17.6 x 8.6 in; self-standing
- Fold: one-hand fold and unfold
- Limits: ~6 months to 50 lb (newborn with adapters/bassinet)
- Recline: multi-position; US model does not lie fully flat
- Included: travel bag + carry strap + rain cover (verify US bundle)
Why testers rank it #1
Reviewers love how compact and light it is… easy over shoulders, into trunks, up stairs… paired with excellent maneuverability from its narrow frame and foam wheels. The build quality punches above the price, with durable recycled fabrics and a solid aluminum frame, and the one-hand fold is genuinely fast.
The honest flaws
The recline is the sticking point: the zip-panel-and-strap mechanism is fiddly to adjust, especially mid-ride, and the US version doesn’t go fully flat (don’t buy it expecting lie-flat). The basket is small (~11 lb) and struggles with a big diaper bag, there’s no peek-a-boo window, and the fixed footrest leaves shorter legs dangling on long outings.
How it compares
| Joolz Aer+ | UPPAbaby Minu V3 | Bugaboo Butterfly 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | ~13 lb (lightest) | ~17 lb | ~16 lb |
| Basket | Small (~11 lb) | Huge (20 lb) | Roomy |
| Recline | Fiddly, not flat (US) | Deep / near-flat | Deep / near-flat |
| Best for | Lightest carry | Storage + daily use | One-second fold |
Who it’s for
Get it if carry weight is your #1 priority and you want premium quality in the lightest package. Prefer the Babyzen YoYo (the one I actually use), the Minu V3, or the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 if you need more storage or an easier recline.
FAQ
What age is the Aer+ for?
Roughly 6 months to ~4 years (up to 50 lb); newborn use needs the bassinet or car-seat adapters.
Does it lie flat?
The US Aer+ does not fully lie flat (the EU version does); use the bassinet for newborns.
Is it carry-on / airplane size?
It meets IATA size guidance and fits most overhead bins… confirm with your airline.
Aer+ vs Aer2… what’s the difference?
The Aer2 (2025) adds a self-standing fold, footrest, bigger basket, and newborn-readiness. Different, pricier model.
The verdict
The Joolz Aer+ is the one to beat if lightness is everything. Accept the small basket and fiddly recline and you get the most packable premium travel stroller out there… just don’t expect it to lie flat in the US.
