Joolz Hub² pushchair review: A compact, lightweight urban stroller

How we tested the Joolz Hub²

• Eight weeks of using the Joolz Hub² as the primary pushchair

• Tested with a nine month old and three-year-old 

• Used on the school run, shopping trips, dog walks and on public transport.

Laura used the Hub² as her main pushchair with her two young children. She says, “I used this pushchair for eight weeks and I’ll continue to use it full-time, it’s super! I used it for all school runs, muddy walks, shopping trips and on public transport - I even tested it on a snowy walk and never had a problem. However, I didn’t use the Hub²  on grass or over roots in the common as I think it would struggle to clear rough terrain with the smaller, thinner wheels.”

She continues, “The narrow, lightweight design of the pram has no issues when wheeled through narrow spaces and folds up compactly, with the seat still attached for easy storage. We also like that the Hub² unfolds in seconds, so it’s speedy to get out on busy days or on school runs, although it is trickier to fold down with the seat still attached. Where it also struggles is when mounting kerbs, but otherwise the smaller wheels cope well with most terrains.” 

Joolz Hub² : what’s in the box?

• Stroller chassis

• Seat

• Rain cover

Is the Joolz Hub² easy to assemble? 

Absolutely! setup is quick and hassle-free. Laura says, “There was no real assembly required. The base unit of the Hub² came with the wheels already attached, and the seat was packaged separately. I simply clicked the seat into the parent-facing position and was good to go. I unboxed it on my own and the whole process took less than five minutes.”

Joolz Hub²: how does it look?

Measuring just 52cm wide - it’s not as compact as a cabin-approved stroller such as the Cybex Coya  that’s around 44cm wide, but the Hub² is still lightweight and compact enough to suit a range of everyday needs. It’s ideal for whizzing through tight shop doorways and taking on public transport. It weighs just 9kg, which is light, but is still a fair bit heavier than the Stokke YOYO 3, which weighs 6.2kg.

We tested the all-black version of the Hub², where the seat, frame, and bumper bar are a uniform matte black, giving it a sleek, minimalist look. Laura describes it as “lightweight, narrow and compact, with a very streamlined design.” The stroller also comes in two other colourways - green and taupe, which feature the same black frame paired with contrasting accents on the seat, canopy, and basket side panels. Both alternative options include a brown bumper bar and handlebar for added style.

Joolz Hub²: is it safe and sturdy? 

Given its minimalist design, you might assume the Hub² isn’t as sturdy or secure as some larger pushchairs, but it actually scored highly for safety in our testing. It held firm with a nine-month-old in the seat and a bag on the handlebar, and impressively, didn’t tip when Laura picked her baby up. 

The seat lies completely flat, making it suitable from birth, and features a five-point harness that’s both secure and simple to use. Laura says, “The harness is incredibly user-friendly. Each strap clips into its own slot, so you can fasten the shoulder straps and then secure the side ones around your baby’s waist. It’s quick, not fiddly, and stays in place even when children move or the seat is reclined. The straps are easy to tighten and tricky for little ones to wriggle out of.”

The pushchair also includes a removable bumper bar and a four-position adjustable handlebar - ideal for parents or carers of different heights. Laura adds, “The handlebar has a textured rubber grip that’s comfortable to hold and resistant to stains or wear.”

The centrally positioned brake pedal keeps the pushchair securely in place, whether on level ground or a slight incline.

How comfortable is the Joolz Hub²? 

Very. The seat can be positioned parent- or world-facing and offers four recline options, from fully flat for naps to upright for when your baby wants to sit up and look around. A height-adjustable footrest adds to the comfort, letting your child lie back or sit up with support. 

Laura says, “The slim, lightly padded seat is made from breathable, layered mesh material which is great for warmer months. During testing, I noted that my baby sits comfortably in all the adjustable seating positions. Plus, it lays flat and you can raise the footrest - perfect for naps. The recline is exceptionally smooth and locks into four positions. The part of the harness that comes over the top of the shoulders has additional padding for comfort.”

While the seat isn’t the plushest, Laura found adding the (optional) footmuff helped make it cosier for her baby. The large sun canopy also offers excellent coverage, and a rain cover is provided for all weather conditions. 

Laura says: “The sun canopy is a cocoon shape and covers my baby well. It also offers UPF 50+ protection and is water-repellent which is a must. I like the large ventilation window for warmer days or when my baby is sleeping on his side.”

What is the Joolz Hub² like to use day-to-day?

Designed with city living in mind, the Hub² is built for convenience and it shows in everyday use. It’s easy to manoeuvre and glides smoothly over flat surfaces thanks to its lightweight, compact frame, making it ideal for navigating busy streets, shops, and public transport.

Laura says, “It’s a strong pushchair, despite being compact, and copes well with uneven surfaces and small bumps in the road. It did struggle a bit with non-flat kerbs, likely due to the smaller wheels and firmer suspension. But it’s brilliant on buses and trains - it’s narrow, light and easy to manage on your own. It fits through doors and navigates tight corners with ease, which gives peace of mind when you’re out and about. It’s just over half a metre wide.”

The pushchair also feels good to steer, thanks to its height-adjustable handlebar and centrally placed brake, which can be easily flipped on or off with either foot.

Storage-wise, the under seat basket offers enough room for everyday essentials. Laura says, “The storage basket comfortably fits a handbag, coat and toy, but couldn’t hold our bulkier changing bag without it spilling over the edges.”

On rainy days, the included rain cover offers good coverage and folds down neatly for storage. There’s no dedicated compartment to stash it, so it needs to sit in the basket along with your other items.

Is the Joolz Hub² easy to use on public transport?

Absolutely! One of the amazing benefits of the compact frame is that it manages public transport with ease, fitting through narrow walkways and being lightweight enough to get on and off buses and trains with minimal fuss. It can be folded down compactly with the seat too and has a stretchy shoulder strap for carrying.

Thanks to the lightweight design and super compact fold of the Hub², it’s a great option for those with smaller car boots as it would fit comfortably in any vehicle.

Joolz Hub²: how easy is it to fold?

The Hub² performs well when it comes to unfolding. Whether the seat is already attached or not, it's quick and simple to open- just release the wheels and lift the handlebar. The seat clicks easily into place in either parent- or world-facing mode.

Folding it down, however, can be more fiddly. While it can be folded with the seat still attached, Laura found it took a bit of practice. She explains, “The seat folds neatly into itself and you use the height adjuster to position it correctly for folding. You then have to reach underneath and twist the handle. This can be tricky when you're in a rush or if it’s raining, as it takes time to get your hand into the right position to twist the mechanism properly. On a few occasions, the seat has even come loose if it wasn’t positioned quite right.”

Although it becomes easier with repeated use, Laura felt it remained more complicated to fold than other pushchairs she’s tested. That said, once folded, the pushchair is impressively compact. It stores neatly in cupboards and stands upright on its own, which is especially useful for smaller homes or when you're out and need to set it aside temporarily.

Does the Joolz Hub² come with accessories? 

Laura tested the single Joolz Hub² pushchair along with the Joolz footmuff, which is available separately. If you're looking for a more complete setup, the Joolz Hub² is also available as part of a full bundle that comes with the carrycot, footmuff, changing bag, car seat adapters and cup holder.

The accessories can also be purchased individually. The footmuff provides extra warmth and padding, particularly useful in colder months, and the carrycot offers a lie-flat option suitable from birth. The car seat adapters are a practical addition too, allowing you to quickly convert the Hub² into a travel system compatible with most car seats.

Is the pushchair easy to clean?

The material of the Hub² has no stitching or lining, so there’s no gaps for crumbs to gather and it can be easily vacuumed. The material is all wipeable and the seat liner comes off easily for machine washing on a cool wash. The main seat lining can be removed too, by removing the poppers and the basket is washable but requires unscrewing. 

Is the Joolz Hub² good value for money?

The Joolz Hub² offers plenty of advantages for busy parents. Its compact design, easy manoeuvrability, and small fold make it ideal for everything from school runs to shopping trips. It can be used both parent- and world-facing, and is suitable for children up to four years old. The sleek black finish adds to its minimalist style, while the included canopy and rain cover provide protection from the elements.

While the pushchair’s size brings some drawbacks—like a fiddly folding process, less padded seat, and a smaller storage basket—the price reflects its quality and versatility. At around £600 for the single pushchair or up to £1000 for the full bundle, it’s priced similarly to the Nuna Mixx Next and Bugaboo Dragonfly but is more expensive than the Didofy Aster 2.

Laura sums it up well: “If you’re looking for a small, compact, lightweight stroller, the price is fantastic compared to other prams and pushchairs on the market.”

About the author

Gemma Wilcock is a freelance writer and copywriter. At Mumsnet, she creates content providing useful parenting advice, information and top products to make life easier. As a mother of two children herself, Gemma knows how important it is to get the right advice.

Gemma loves writing about subjects that will be helpful to the reader – and herself! - including recommending top products on Mumsnet that help parents in their day-to-day life, such as writing reviews for strollers, double buggies and cots. With two children herself, she knows the importance of online reviews when it comes to making a big purchase, so she always makes sure to thoroughly research every product so we are recommending the best ones on the market.

About the editor

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 nine-year-old, Tammy has personally tried and tested numerous buggies, strollers and car seats over the years, across all age categories.