The UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller has completely transformed my daily routine

How we tested the UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller

• Five months of daily use with the UPPAbaby Minu V3

• Used with an eight-month-old (now 13 months) and a three-year-old

• Tested on daily nursery runs, trips to the park, and errands

• Used on trains, the London Underground, and in car boots with limited space

I tested the Minu V3 over a five-month period, starting when my son was eight months old and continuing as he grew into a much bigger 13-month-old. We also tried it with a three-year-old to see how the stroller holds up with an older child.

The Minu V3 has been used nearly every day in a busy town environment. It’s been bumped up and down kerbs on the school run, wheeled to swimming lessons and parks and folded into car boots where space was tight. It’s also handled trips on trains and even the London Underground, where its compact fold and light weight really came into their own.

This consistent, varied use gave me the chance to properly assess how the Minu V3 performs as a daily stroller in a real-life, urban family routine, not just how it folds, but how it feels to push, carry and use as an everyday stroller.

Once testing was complete, we scored the Minu V3 on eight key criteria, including: performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety and stability, ease of folding and unfolding, comfort and storage.

UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller: what’s in the box?

• The UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller – fully assembled

• A rain cover

Although the Minu V3 doesn’t come with a car seat, it is travel-system ready, allowing you to attach an UPPAbaby Infant Car Seat or select Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex models (car seat adapters sold separately).

The Minu V3 also comes with an extended three-year warranty on all pushchairs, home products and select accessories.

How easy is the UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller to assemble?

I was pleasantly surprised to find that the stroller came fully assembled straight out of the box. The only thing that took a bit of fiddling was adjusting the seat straps, but once we figured out how they work, they’ve been quick and easy to adjust ever since.

UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller: how does it look?

I really like the look of the Minu V3. It has a sleek, minimal style that doesn’t scream for attention but still feels thoughtfully put together. Ours is the black version, which looks smart and clean, and there are some great details that give it a more premium feel.

The hood is generously sized, UPF 50+, and water-repellent, which has come in handy on both sunny and rainy days. It extends much further than most pushchair hoods and is made from a thin black material that works a bit like a blackout blind - perfect for naps on the go. There’s also a large peekaboo window with a flap you can close, so I can check on my son without having to break stride.

The bumper bar (sold separately) isn’t included in the main package, which was a bit of a shame, but you can buy one separately. I also really like the leather handlebars - they feel soft and comfortable and don’t get clammy or slippery on warmer days. The padded seat has a soft, foamy feel and is super easy to wipe clean, which is a big plus after snack-time or spills. And while it’s a subtle detail, the reflective panels on the wheels give a bit of added visibility during darker walks, which I appreciate.

Is the UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller safe and sturdy?

Yes - surprisingly so, especially for a stroller that weighs under 8kg. The Minu V3 comes with a solid five-point harness that feels secure but is still easy to use. I really like that the straps adjust quickly, so getting my son in and out doesn’t feel like a wrestling match, and once he’s clipped in, tightening them is simple.

The buckle system is well thought out - you clip in one side at a time, which is ideal when dealing with a wriggly baby. To unbuckle, you press one central button and both sides pop out. The release button is quite stiff, which I actually see as a positive. It’s tough for small children to press by themselves, though I could imagine an older toddler eventually figuring it out.

One thing that really surprised me is how stable the stroller is, even when loaded with extras. I use an old 25L Alpine Lowe rucksack as our changing bag, and I was initially worried that hanging it from the handle might throw the balance off. But even when it’s packed full, the Minu V3 stays steady and upright, a real testament to how sturdy the lightweight aluminium frame is.

The brake system is also secure and easy to use. There’s a pedal on each rear wheel: red means stop, green means go. You just press down on the red to engage the brake and the green to release it - simple, clear, and reliable.

In terms of terrain, the Minu V3 handles pavements, curbs and general urban life well. The wheels are small, which helps keep the stroller compact, but they do occasionally get caught on uneven surfaces or larger curbs. It’s only happened a handful of times in five months of daily use, but if you live somewhere with lots of cobbles or very rough ground, an all-terrain pram with larger wheels, or at least three wheels, might be a better choice.

What is the UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller like to use day to day?

Overall, the Minu V3 has been a practical, easy-to-use stroller for our daily life. It's lightweight, compact and surprisingly smooth to push, even one-handed. The steering is responsive, making it easy to navigate narrow supermarket aisles, tight corners and crowded pavements. The chassis is also very compact, which is ideal if, like us, you’re squeezing in and out of a narrow hallway every day. At just 45.7cm wide, it’s only slightly wider than the Bugaboo Butterfly and about 7cm narrower than the previous Minu V2.

The handlebar isn’t extendable, which might be a downside for taller parents. My partner (who’s taller than me) and I hold it slightly differently due to the height, but the rounded shape of the handlebars does offer some flexibility in grip. On the flip side, the chassis does sit a little higher than some other strollers, so if you're on the shorter side, the handle height might take a bit of getting used to.

Reclining the seat is super straightforward. There’s a fabric strap with a clip: pull the cord to lift the seat or unclip it and pull it down to recline. The recline goes to almost lie-flat, which makes it great for on-the-go naps and suitable for newborns in theory. That said, I’m not sure I would’ve used it with a tiny newborn myself. I do wish the seat had a slightly more upright position, but my son seems perfectly comfortable. There’s also an extendable footrest, which is a really nice touch for both naps and growing toddlers.

If you want a parent-facing setup, universal car seat adaptors (not included) allow for a baby car seat to be attached to the chassis. Personally, I always found car seats a bit of a hassle as they’re heavy and awkward, but if you’re keen to avoid a full-sized travel system, this is a decent workaround, especially in the early months.

Another highlight is how practical the storage basket is to use. It’s one of the roomiest I’ve seen on a lightweight stroller. It holds up to 11.3kg, which is significantly more than something like the Babyzen YOYO 2 (5kg) and even edges out the new Stokke YOYO 3 (10kg). I’ve managed to fit a fairly large changing bag and a few extras in there. Sometimes my backpack does get a bit wedged under the seat - probably more to do with my tendency to overpack than anything else, but it’s worth noting that access isn't quite as easy as it is on a full-sized travel system like the Cosatto Wow 3.

UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller: what’s it like to fold and unfold?

Folding and storing the Minu V3 is genuinely one of my favourite things about it, it’s so quick and easy.

To fold it down, you slide and push a clip on the handlebar, then press the stroller down to collapse it. It works best when the brake is on and the seat is fully reclined, but it still folds just fine with the brake off and the seat upright. Once folded, you can use the built-in carry strap (tucked into the seat) to sling it over your shoulder.

Whilst you won’t be running marathons with it, the lightweight model is totally manageable for getting on trains, hopping in a taxi, or carrying up a few stairs. If you’d rather not carry it, you can also pull it along like a rolling suitcase using the same strap, which is a nice touch.

The Minu V3 is IATA certified, meaning it’s approved to take on board most planes, down the aisle, and into the overhead locker. But what I love is that, despite its compact fold and narrow 45.7cm chassis, it doesn’t feel like a small stroller. The seat is roomy enough for a growing toddler, and the overall height keeps it feeling substantial without being bulky.

Does the UPPAbaby Minu V3 fit in the boot of a car?

Yes, it folds down really compactly and fits easily into our car boot with plenty of room to spare. It’s even small enough to fit in the front passenger footwell if needed, which has come in handy on a few occasions.

Does the UPPAbaby Minu V3 come with a rain cover?

Yes, the Minu V3 does come with a rain cover, and it attaches at four points using Velcro straps. It’s kept my son warm and dry even in windy weather and it held up surprisingly well during one particularly miserable outing in torrential rain.

That said, there’s a small Velcro flap at face level, which he’s recently figured out how to open. That’s definitely affected how waterproof the cover is. It’s a nice feature in theory, but not so great once your toddler realises they can undo it! Some parents might find that frustrating.

The cover itself feels well made - sturdy and not flimsy like some others I’ve used. I like that it’s included as standard with the stroller, but it’s not perfect. The Velcro straps can be a bit fiddly to fasten and remove, and I do think the cover could be slightly longer to give better protection for taller children.

Is the UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller easy to clean?

Yes, it’s super easy to keep clean. The seat is made from a soft, foamy black fabric that wipes down really well, which is perfect for everyday messes.

If you need a deeper clean, the entire seat is machine washable. UPPAbaby has a video guide that shows how to unclip it from the frame. It’s not overly complicated, but it's definitely the kind of job you’d only take on if absolutely necessary.

Is the UPPAbaby Minu V3 Stroller good value for money?

The Minu V3 is well made, easy to use and folds down to an impressively compact size. It’s also a big bonus that it’s cabin approved and ideal for travel. At £399, it’s definitely at the premium end of the lightweight stroller market along with other cabin-approved strollers like the Cybex Coya, but the quality really comes through in daily use.

While I wouldn’t say it’s the ideal option for a newborn, it can be used from birth if needed. The adjustable seat and sturdy aluminium frame mean it should easily see you through the toddler years, making it a solid long-term investment.

About the author

Tina Williams joined Mumsnet as a fresh-faced grad way back in 2013. Little did she know that this fiery bunch of campaigners and entrepreneurs would become her colleagues for the next decade.

After cutting her teeth in digital content with Mumsnet Books, Tina stepped into the role of Head of Reviews in 2017, where she worked with parents and journalists to develop a comprehensive testing system that rigorously reviewed baby essentials. From tried and tested Mumsnet favourites to new product innovations (self-driving pushchair anyone?) Mumsnet Reviews dedicated itself to finding and recommending genuinely good products to parents.

Now as Head of Editorial Content, she’s leading a team of expert writers and editors to develop Mumsnet Swears By, the new home for product reviews and buying advice, where parents test and recommend the products they love.

About the editor

Tammy Jacks has over 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, holding key roles such as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa, and Assistant Editor for Living and Loving - a parenting title focused on children's health and development. She has also contributed to various lifestyle publications (including magazines, journals and newspapers) and edited books for fitness influencers and health professionals.

As a researcher and writer, Tammy specialises in children's development, wellbeing and safety, particularly focusing on car seats, having written extensive guides for Mumsnet on rear-facing car seats as well as car seat regulations in the UK.

Her expertise in this area is informed by both professional knowledge and personal experience as a mother. As a keen runner and cyclist Tammy has also reviewed numerous baby travel products with her daughter in tow, including strollers and pushchairs, child bike seats, all-terrain prams and the best running buggies on the market, thus offering valuable insights into safety, comfort, and convenience for families.