March 8, 2018 Mike Volpe

Nuna Mixx2 vs UPPAbaby Cruz Stroller 2018

Nuna Mixx2 Stroller 2018 vs. UPPAbaby Cruz Stroller 2018!

Because they both reside in a similar price point, the Nuna Mixx2 and UPPAbaby Cruz are some of the most frequently compared strollers in our Boston-area stores. But when you take a closer look, these models offer different positives and negatives for different families. I generally look at this as a “city vs. suburbs” argument, with the Mixx2 being the more city-friendly stroller, and the Cruz more suburban.

The Nuna Mixx2 2018 is a wonderful city option because it does 2 very important things for city living: it combines huge back wheels and a great suspension system with a newborn-friendly seat. Very few strollers with the wheels to handle city living offer a seat that’s suitable from birth. They’ll often include a bassinet, and sometimes they don’t have any newborn capability besides attaching a car seat.

Nuna knows that the safest place for a baby is a completely flat space. Laying flat is breathable for baby, the safest for their developing spine, and the least likely to cause baby’s neck to lull forward when walking in bumpy areas. Most pediatricians don’t suggest keeping a baby in a car seat more than 2-3 hours, yet not every parent has the space or the budget for a bassinet, so Nuna offers a wonderful alternative.

Not only that, but Nuna fully decked out the Mixx2 with additional features and aesthetic flourishes. The vegan leather handlebars, matte black frame, and muted color combinations add a touch of contemporary style. And its extra large, dividable storage basket and flip-flop friendly brake make for a convenient everyday stroller.

If you’re looking for negatives, there are very few. With a great two year warranty, the stroller holds up very well. However we always make sure someone can handle the heavier weight of the Mixx2. Nuna’s website lists the Mixx2 Stroller at 26lbs, which is a solid number and above some other single strollers, but it does feel lighter. I usually suggest lifting it into your trunk in two pieces (seat + chassis), because you can reattach them when they’re in the trunk, and its seat is disproportionately heavy. Luckily they added a stair mode when folded to help families living in walk-ups.

The UPPAbaby Cruz Stroller 2018 offers lots of features that really differ from the Mixx2. It features an even bigger storage basket and a weight of merely 21 pounds. The Cruz folds compactly and feels the same weight with or without the seat. It also features one of the best weight distributions on a stroller, and this makes it feel much lighter. It also stands when folded! The Cruz features one of the best standing folds on the market, as it’s incredibly narrow and easy to fit in small spaces.

When paired with the UPPAbaby Mesa Infant Car Seat, the Cruz creates a travel system without any adapters. However with Nuna, you’ll have to use the (included) adapters to attach your Nuna Pipa Infant Car Seat. The Cruz also has real leather handlebars that guarantee a beautiful wear with time. UPPAbaby retooled their fabrics this year to include more melange textures, and we really think this made for a beautiful lineup. As with Nuna, UPPAbaby’s canopies are extra large and have 50+ UVF.

Where the Cruz tends to be more suburban is in its wheels. It has smaller, lighter wheels with minimal to no suspension. Boston and other uneven city sidewalks will become a challenge, whereas the Mixx2 will glide over those Beacon Hill cobblestones. This speaks to durability as well. The Cruz will hold up on your average sidewalk and for moderate walking families, while the Mixx will hold up better for heavy walkers with less day-to-day frustration.

So, if you’re a city family that’s out and about every day, the Nuna Mixx2 is your best bet. But the winner in size and weight is the UPPAbaby Cruz, and if you’re lifting your stroller in and out of your trunk every day, that’s definitely a factor to consider. Is your family out and about often but you’re a huge UPPA fan? Though it’s higher in price, you’ll find that the larger wheels and suspension system on the UPPAbaby Vista are more comparable with the Nuna Mixx2. It’s all up to preference. And no matter where you are in the stroller research process, we’d love to help out with expert advice. Give us a call at (866) 600-2326 or email us at questions@mbeans.com.