When we first reviewed the Stokke YOYO 3, we were impressed by just how practical it was. Lightweight, compact and easy to travel with, it quickly became one of those baby purchases we couldn’t imagine being without.
Since then, our YOYO has been everywhere. From long walks and quick trips around Cardiff city centre to flights to New York, Florida and Cyprus, it’s certainly had plenty of use.
So, when Stokke offered us the chance to try its latest model, the YOYO 5, we were keen to find out what had changed and, more importantly, whether those changes were actually worth having.
Interestingly, there’s no YOYO 4. Stokke has jumped straight from the YOYO 3 to the YOYO 5. We’re not entirely sure why. The number four is considered unlucky in some cultures, so perhaps that played a part, but that’s just speculation on our part.
Whatever the reason, the YOYO 5 has arrived with a number of improvements, and after spending time with it, we think Stokke has made some sensible changes.
A pushchair or a stroller? A bit of both
One of the things we’ve always loved about the YOYO is that it sits somewhere between a traditional pushchair and a lightweight travel stroller.
With the different packs available, including the Newborn Pack, it can be used from birth and adapted as your child grows. You get much of the comfort and practicality of a pushchair, but without the bulky frame and weight that usually comes with one.
That makes it particularly useful for families who travel regularly or simply want something that doesn’t take up half the car boot.
We’ve taken ours on several flights, and this is where the YOYO really comes into its own.
Its compact folded size means it can be taken into the cabin and stored in the overhead locker on many airlines, subject to their individual rules.
Anyone who has travelled with a young child will appreciate just how useful that is.
Rather than waiting for your pushchair to be brought to the aircraft door, or worse, having to collect it with your hold luggage, you can unfold it and get your little one settled almost as soon as you leave the plane.
It’s a small convenience that makes a huge difference when travelling with a tired toddler.
With the YOYO 5, Stokke has managed to bring it even closer to the comfort of a traditional pushchair, while keeping the lightweight, compact qualities that made the original so appealing.
The seat is the biggest improvement
Our son is now approaching two years old, which has given us a good opportunity to compare the YOYO 3 and YOYO 5 toddler seats.
And this is probably where we’ve noticed the biggest difference.
The new seat is wider, more cushioned and generally more supportive. Our son also sits noticeably more upright, which makes the whole seating position look much more comfortable.
One of our frustrations with the YOYO 3 was that he could gradually slip down in the seat as he moved about. It’s something we’ve not experienced in the same way with the YOYO 5.
The improved recline mechanism also makes a big difference.
On the YOYO 3, adjusting the seat involved pulling a toggle (from side to side) to raise or lower the backrest. It worked, but wasn’t always the easiest thing to operate.
The YOYO 5 uses a much more straightforward adjustment system, with a single strap and clip arrangement that makes changing the seating position easier.
It’s one of those changes that doesn’t sound particularly exciting on paper, but when you’re using the pushchair every day, you really appreciate it.
A head cushion that actually gets used
Another welcome improvement is the redesigned head cushion.
The YOYO 3 had a thicker cushion, but we often found it sat too high and could move out of position. Even as our son approached his second birthday, his head didn’t really reach it properly, so it wasn’t something he benefited from.
On the YOYO 5, the cushion is noticeably larger and positioned much better.
It’s also held in place by the shoulder straps, which stops it moving around.
Our son’s head now rests comfortably against it, making it a genuinely useful feature rather than something that just looks nice.
Combined with the wider seat and improved recline, it gives the YOYO 5 a much more comfortable feel.
Folding it is finally a proper one-handed job
The YOYO has always been known for its clever folding system, but the YOYO 5 takes things a step further.
Stokke describes it as a one-hand, one-action fold, and we’re pleased to say it really does feel easier.
The folding release is more accessible, and the whole mechanism feels more natural to use.
We’ve found that sliding the handle to the left before squeezing the release button gives the most consistent results.
You can also slide it to the right, and both directions have unlock symbols, but for whatever reason, the left side has worked better for us.
It’s the only little quirk we’ve noticed so far.
The redesigned mechanism does mean that part of the handle sticks out slightly more when folded, making it marginally taller than the YOYO 3. On the flip side, the new foot rest acts as a sturdy stand, giving it a neater footprint when stored.
However, we’ve not had any problems with this, and it’s a small compromise for a folding system that’s easier to operate.
When you’ve got a wriggly toddler, bags and everything else that comes with leaving the house, being able to fold your pushchair properly with one hand is a real advantage.
An easier harness for wriggly toddlers
Another change that parents will appreciate is the redesigned harness buckle.
On the YOYO 3, two sections of the buckle had to be connected before being inserted into the main fastening. They would overlap and need clipping in at the same time as they are held in place together.
If your little one was moving around, those pieces could separate just as you were about to clip everything together.
It was a minor frustration, but one we experienced regularly.
The YOYO 5 has a four-part buckle system that makes fastening the harness easier to manage.
It’s particularly helpful when your toddler has decided they have absolutely no intention of sitting still. You can clip in each arm and leg seperately, so you only need to wrestle with one at a time.
Again, it’s not a dramatic change, but it’s the sort of practical improvement that makes everyday use a little less stressful.
A better canopy for British weather
The canopy has also received some attention.
There’s a larger peek-a-boo window, improved ventilation around the back of the seat and more flexibility in how far you extend the canopy.
On the YOYO 3, it often felt like you had two choices: fully open or fully closed.
The YOYO 5 offers more positions, including a useful halfway point.
The additional ventilation sits lower down, closer to the head cushion, which should help air circulate around your child’s head.
We had some particularly hot weather over the summer, with temperatures reaching into the 30s, and our little one certainly got sweaty in the pushchair.
The improved ventilation is therefore a welcome addition, although no canopy is going to make sitting in that sort of heat completely comfortable.
The material around the front of the canopy also feels slightly different, perhaps a little more water-resistant.
We haven’t had the opportunity to properly test that yet, but with autumn here and a Welsh winter approaching, we’re sure it won’t be long before we find out how well it copes with the rain.
Improved footrest and storage
The footrest is another feature we’ve really come to appreciate.
When our son falls asleep in the pushchair, having somewhere comfortable to support his legs makes a noticeable difference, so they now don’t hang over the edge.
Together with the improved seat recline, it’s one of our favourite changes on the YOYO 5.
The storage has also been refined.
You still get the useful compartment at the rear of the seat and the basket underneath, both of which we regularly use for the usual collection of snacks, toys and other toddler essentials.
The basket feels easier to access, and the overall layout seems a little more practical.
It’s not a complete redesign, but there’s a definite sense that Stokke has listened to how parents actually use these pushchairs.
What about the ride?
One of the compromises with any lightweight stroller is the ride quality.
The YOYO has relatively small wheels and a compact frame, so you’re naturally going to feel more vibration over uneven surfaces than you would with a larger, heavier pushchair.
That’s always been part of the trade-off for having something so portable.
Stokke has made suspension improvements with the YOYO 5, although visually, the changes aren’t particularly obvious. However, when testing it over some bumps near to our home, we’ve noticed that there aren’t necessarily less bumps, but the vibrations seem closer together and over more quickly, rather than long and extended.
It’s still a compact stroller at heart, and you shouldn’t expect it to glide over every bump like a full-sized pram.
The handlebar also feels slightly different.
It’s smoother to hold, although perhaps not quite as cushioned as before. Interestingly, that seems to give us a slightly more direct feeling of control when pushing it. It is what connects you to the pushchair after all, so that makes sense.
The overall experience remains familiar, which is a good thing. The YOYO 3 was already very easy to manoeuvre, particularly through shops, busy streets and airports.
Is the YOYO 5 worth buying over the YOYO 3?
This is probably the biggest question, especially as the YOYO 3 is still available and there are some attractive offers on the older model.
Having used both, we wouldn’t describe the YOYO 5 as a revolutionary upgrade.
There aren’t any huge leaps forward, and that’s probably because there wasn’t a great deal wrong with the YOYO 3 in the first place.
Instead, Stokke has focused on improving the little things.
The seat is more comfortable, the head cushion is better positioned, the recline is easier to adjust, the harness is less fiddly and folding the whole thing feels more straightforward.
Individually, these might seem like fairly small changes.
But put them together, and the YOYO 5 feels like a more complete product.
If you’re buying your first YOYO and the budget allows, we’d lean towards the newer model, particularly if you’re planning to use it regularly as your child grows.
However, if you can pick up a YOYO 3 at a good discount, it’s still an excellent option.
And if you already own a YOYO 3 and are perfectly happy with it, we wouldn’t say you need to rush out and replace it.
Plenty of accessories to make it your own
Another advantage of the YOYO range is the number of accessories available.
With winter approaching, there are options including a footmuff, attachable hand warmers and even skis for snowy conditions.
You can also customise the pushchair with different packs and accessories to suit your family’s needs.
It’s part of what makes the YOYO appealing as a longer-term purchase rather than something you’ll only use for a few months.
Our verdict
We’ve been big fans of the Stokke YOYO for some time, and the YOYO 5 has only strengthened that opinion.
It’s still the lightweight, compact and incredibly practical pushchair that we’ve relied on for trips around Cardiff and holidays abroad.
But now it feels a little more grown-up.
The seat is noticeably better, the improved head support is a welcome change, and the easier folding mechanism makes it even more convenient when you’re out and about.
For us, the biggest improvement is that it feels more like a proper pushchair without losing the qualities of a travel stroller. And that’s exactly what we wanted.
There are still some compromises. The small wheels mean you’ll feel more bumps than you would with a larger pram, and we’ve found the folding release works more consistently in one direction than the other. But neither would put us off recommending it.
Stokke hasn’t tried to reinvent the YOYO. It’s taken something that was already very good and ironed out several of the little frustrations that came with using it.
Sometimes that’s all a new model needs to do.
The YOYO 5 gets a big thumbs up from us, and we’re looking forward to taking it on plenty more adventures.
You can find out more about the Stokke YOYO 5 on the official Stokke website. At the time of writing, Stokke is also offering a 5% discount for customers signing up to its newsletter, subject to its terms and conditions.
