Joolz Aer² review: premium comfort in a cabin-sized stroller

What’s the difference between the Joolz Aer+ and the Joolz Aer²?

The Aer² builds on the Aer+ with several design and functionality updates, earning a Red Dot Award 2025. Both strollers are compact, lightweight and eco-conscious, but here’s where they differ:

• Folding and portability: The Aer² folds down in one second with one hand and now stands on its own when folded. It also packs down slightly smaller than the Aer+, making it easier to store or travel with.

• Weight: At 6.5kg, the Aer² is slightly heavier than the Aer+, which weighs 6kg.

• Comfort and features: The Aer² has a full lie-flat recline, integrated leg rest, larger wheels and a bigger 8kg basket.

• Carrycot option: The Aer² can be used with a fully foldable carrycot, which is approved for overnight sleep.

The Joolz Aer² was tested in the UK and abroad

How we tested the Joolz Aer²

• One month of using the Aer² three to four times a week

• Tested with a 13-month-old

• Used on a family holiday to Greece, including flights, airports, hotel grounds and beaches

• Taken on local outings along the high street and through woods

• Tried across a variety of terrain including grass, gravel, sand, tarmac and cobblestone paths

Over the course of a month, Sophie used the stroller several times a week in various settings, including a family holiday in Greece. She tested it across airports, hotel grounds, sandy beaches, coastal paths, local woods and high streets, ensuring it handled a wide range of surfaces. Sophie was particularly impressed that the cabin-approved Aer² was ready for her British Airways flight and folded effortlessly to fit in the overhead locker.

She said, “It surprised me how sturdy and easy to handle the Aer² was, even on sand and gravel, and getting it into the plane’s overhead locker was a breeze.” She also noted that the stroller performed reliably, offered a comfortable ride for her child, and was simple to transport while travelling.

After testing, Sophie evaluated the stroller on eight key criteria, including: performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety and stability, folding and unfolding, comfort, and storage.

Joolz Aer²: what’s in the box?

• Stroller frame

• Handy travel pouch to store and carry the stroller

• Rain cover

• Instruction manual

How easy is the Joolz Aer² to assemble?

The Aer² comes largely preassembled, so there’s no complicated build involved. Sophie simply had to unfold it, remove the recyclable packaging and labels and it was ready to go.

The whole process took less than 20 minutes from opening the box to setting the buggy up, and she managed it alone without needing any tools or instructions. She also appreciated that it came with a rain cover.

Joolz Aer² currently available in seven colours

 Joolz Aer²: what is the quality and durability like?

The Aer² is built to last and you can really feel the attention to quality and design. Like the original Aer and Aer+, the Aer² It’s made from recycled PET fabrics, so it’s eco-friendly while still being strong. Sophie found this especially handy during their holiday in Greece, where temperatures were over 30 degrees.

Sophie says, “I liked the material, especially during our holiday, as I found my son didn’t wake up from a nap or come out sweating and that was in the summer heat! This is thanks to the airflow pockets in the canopy and stroller frame itself.”

While the handlebar isn’t adjustable, it is comfortable and easy to push, with materials that give you a secure grip. The wheels and suspension make the stroller smooth and responsive. It’s not fully all-terrain, but it easily handles cobblestone streets and uneven surfaces you often find in European villages. On top of that, the Aer² comes with an impressive 10-year warranty, which highlights Joolz’s confidence in its durability, and one tree is planted per stroller sold.

Is the Joolz Aer² safe and sturdy?

Even though the Aer² is lightweight and compact, the manufacturer hasn’t skimped on safety. The adjustable no-rethread five-point harness is really clever. Unlike other strollers where you have to tighten each strap individually, the Aer² has two main straps under the seat and each one adjusts the corresponding strap when you pull it. There’s also a button to press for loosening, which makes adjustments quick and hassle-free.

Sophie noted, “The straps were quite high up - it did look slightly uncomfy at times. But my son felt very safe, especially when being moved across sand or rougher terrain.”

The brake is another highlight: it’s really easy to use, even in flip-flops, and feels very secure. Unlike the YOYO ³, whose brake is positioned on the right-hand side, the Aer², like the Bugaboo Butterfly 2, has a central brake located in the middle. One thing to note is that when the seat is in full lie-flat mode, the brake can be a little trickier to see, but this isn’t unique to Joolz strollers. Overall, both harness and brake feel thoughtfully designed, practical and safe for everyday use. 

The five point, no-rethread harness is safe and secure

How comfortable is the Joolz Aer²? 

For a lightweight stroller, the Aer² is surprisingly comfortable for children and easy for parents to push. Sophie says the seat design keeps her son securely in place, unlike another travel stroller she owns, where he tends to slide down. The tall, upright seat also gave her toddler a better view of his surroundings, which she found made rides more enjoyable.

The Aer² is well-suited to growing children. r It offers a deep recline that’s ideal for naps, an adjustable calf support that can be lifted manually (no buttons needed) or tucked away when not in use, plus a lower footrest that works even for older toddlers up to age five. Sophie liked that the integrated footrest supported her son’s legs when napped but still allowed some freedom when sitting upright. On the downside, Sophie found the recline system a little awkward. Shifting from upright to the first recline involves unzipping the back, while reaching lie-flat also requires undoing a side strap. She described the process as “fiddly” and “abrupt”, particularly when trying to recline the seat gently while her son was asleep.

If her son had been younger, she would have preferred a parent-facing option for added closeness. That said, this is possible if you pair the Aer² with a compatible car seat or the foldable carrycot.

The Joolz Aer² has an extendable sun canopy

What’s the Joolz Aer² like to use day to day?

Day to day, the Aer² is a very practical stroller that balances convenience with thoughtful features. The extended canopy offers excellent coverage in sunny weather and, although there’s no dedicated peekaboo window, unzipping it reveals a small mesh panel that increases airflow and gives you a limited view of your child. Sophie found this particularly useful during their holiday in Greece, where her son stayed cool and shaded even in hot conditions.

But manoeuvrability is where the Aer² really shines. Compared to her larger all-terrain pram, Sophie described the difference as “revolutionary.” It handled steps, narrow restaurant spaces and cobblestone paths in Greece with ease. She was especially impressed by the strong steering, even one-handed and how it managed to squeeze through tight spaces, including a narrow gap by a swimming pool where her sister-in-law’s travel stroller got stuck.

Sophie did miss having a bumper bar, as her son likes to hold onto one or play with toys clipped to it, though this can be purchased separately.

Another handy feature is that the carrycot folds down with the stroller, avoiding the need to remove it for storage or travel. The Aer² is also compatible with car seats from Nuna, Maxi-Cosi and Cybex (using car seat adapters), making it a flexible choice for parents with newborns.

Joolz Aer²: what's the storage basket like?

Sophie was genuinely impressed with the Joolz Aer²’s storage, especially given its compact frame: “The storage is amazing - I managed to fit my smaller food shop in there. I have a rucksack-style changing bag which also fits under the basket,” she says. 

It can hold around 8kg of essentials, which is impressive for such a lightweight stroller. There's also a handy pocket on the back of the seat for your phone or keys.

The Joolz Aer² is light and simple to carry with a shoulder strap

Joolz Aer²: how easy is it to fold and unfold?

Sophie couldn’t believe how simple the Aer² was to fold. “The fold is so easy. It folds in seconds with one swift movement. The shoulder strap is an amazing feature too which makes it simple to lift and carry. We loved this feature on our holiday when travelling through the airport. I was also able to fold the stroller with one hand which was a gamechanger for me,” she says.

The fold itself is straightforward: just press the two buttons on the handlebar - the main button and the safety button with your thumb - then push the stroller in towards itself. It locks in place straight away and can be carried either by the handlebar or using the built-in stretchy shoulder strap. Unfolding is just as quick: press the buttons again, lift the stroller up, and it’s ready to go in seconds.

Joolz Aer 2: is it easy to use on public transport?

Yes! This is one of the Aer²’s biggest strengths. Its compact size and lightweight build make it easy to take pretty much anywhere, whether you’re commuting locally or travelling abroad. Sophie found it particularly convenient on buses: “Very easy to get on and off and fit through the walkways. There was always room for an additional pram too on the bus.”

Air travel was just as straightforward. When flying with British Airways, the Aer² folded down small enough to fit easily into the overhead locker. It’s worth noting, though, that different airlines have slightly different requirements for what counts as a cabin-approved stroller, so it’s always a good idea to check with your airline before you fly.

Is the Joolz Aer² easy to clean?

Yes, the Aer² is very easy to keep looking fresh. Sophie was impressed with how well it travelled: “It barely showed any wear or tear on the frame. At one point, it got covered in sand and was easy to brush off. We didn’t spill anything but occasionally gave it a wipe if he had eaten in it and it looks brand new.”

The durable, water-resistant fabrics and sturdy frame mean everyday messes are quick to deal with, whether it’s sand from the beach, crumbs from snacks, or the odd sticky handprint.

Is the Joolz Aer² good value for money?

At around £420, the Joolz Aer² sits in the middle of the lightweight stroller market. It’s not as pricey as the Stokke YOYO³, but it’s also not as budget-friendly as models like the Ickle Bubba Aries Autofold. The overall cost can rise if you factor in optional extras like the bumper bar, car seat adapters or carrycot, which are all sold separately.

Our tester Sophie says, “It is quite a lot of money, but if you are going to use it as your everyday pram then it’s absolutely worth it. I recommended it to many friends, and I think once your baby is sitting up comfortably, it’s an ideal stroller!”

About the author

Tammy Jacks is a distinguished researcher and writer in the field of child safety, with a notable focus on the critical domain of travel systems including car seats and strollers. Her extensive expertise and commitment to child safety have made her a trusted authority in providing comprehensive insights and guidance to parents and caregivers looking for the right stroller, travel system or car seat for their children.

As a seasoned school runner and mum to a 10-year-old, Tammy has personally tried and tested numerous buggies, strollers and car seats over the years, across all age categories.