butterfly vs joolz aer Joolz Aer² Lightweight Stroller

butterfly vs joolz aer Joolz Aer² Lightweight Strollerby Joolz Red Dot Award Winner 2025 Babesta Pick Best Subway Friendly Stroller for NYC Families The Joolz Aer2 is an ultra compact travel stroller built for life between subway platforms and walkup apartments. At 14. 3 lbs with a one second, one hand fold thats compact enough for an airplane overhead bin, its the rare lightweight stroller that doesnt ask you to sacrifice ride quality to get the weight down suitable from birth all the way to 50 lbs. As

by Joolz · Red Dot Award Winner 2025 · Babesta Pick — Best Subway-Friendly Stroller for NYC Families

The Joolz Aer2 is an ultra-compact travel stroller built for life between subway platforms and walkup apartments. At 14.3 lbs with a one-second, one-hand fold that’s compact enough for an airplane overhead bin, it’s the rare lightweight stroller that doesn’t ask you to sacrifice ride quality to get the weight down — suitable from birth all the way to 50 lbs.

As NYC’s expert baby boutique, this is one of our top picks for city families: subway-friendly, easy for frequent travelers, ideal for smaller apartments and walkups, and perfect for pre-school drop-off. For parents-to-be building a registry, the Aer2 is a must-have.

Specifications

Best For/Not For

Best For

•      NYC subway families who need to fold one-handed while holding a child or a coffee

•      Frequent travelers — folded dimensions are IATA compliant for overhead bins

•      Apartment dwellers, especially walkups, where weight and compactness matter most

•      Taller parents, thanks to the 42″ handlebar

•      Families wanting a one-and-done lightweight newborn pram

•      A solo stroller for car-free city families, or a second stroller alongside a full-size

Not Ideal For

•      Rough terrain, jogging, or heavy daily-use families where a full-size suspension stroller suits better

•      Parents who load up the basket on every outing — at 17.6 lbs, it’s smaller than full-size strollers

Is It Suitable for My Baby’s Age?

Newborn (0–6 months)

Yes — with the seat fully reclined and the included baby net. For true lie-flat comfort, add the Joolz Aer2 Carry Cot (folds flat with the stroller attached) or the Nest-to-Seat for extended parent-facing use to 30 lbs.

Infant (6–12 months)

Yes — reclined or relaxed seat position with adjustable leg rest and a padded 5-point harness.

Toddler (1–4 years)

Yes — upright seat, kick space, and leg rest support comfortably up to 50 lbs.

Is It Good for NYC / City Use?

Yes — this is one of Babesta’s top recommendations for city parents. It folds in one second while holding a child or a coffee. The included shoulder strap means hands-free carrying on subway stairs, a feature that matters most at a crowded station during rush hour. At 14.3 lbs, it’s light enough to lift in and out of cabs and rideshares without breaking stride, and the suspension wheels handle cracked NYC sidewalks better than most ultra-compact strollers in this class.

Compared to other ultra-compacts, the Aer2 is lighter than the UPPAbaby Minu V3 and Bugaboo Butterfly 2, and offers more newborn-readiness options than the Stokke Yoyo — without sacrificing ride quality.

Car Seat Compatibility

What’s Included

•      Joolz Aer2 stroller

•      Baby net

•      Shoulder strap

•      Travel pouch

•      10-year transferable warranty

Optional Add-Ons Available at Babesta

•      Joolz Aer2 Carry Cot / Bassinet — for newborn lie-flat use; folds flat with stroller attached

•      Nest-to-Seat — extended parent-facing use to 30 lbs; bridges newborn and infant phases

•      Foldable bumper bar — for extra security

•      Basket bag (underseat organizer) — for additional storage

•      Car seat adapters for select Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, Clek, and Nuna car seats — for travel system use

•      Footboard with seat — for older siblings

Why Babesta Carries It

As a curated store, we don’t carry everything — we only choose what really works for city life. Most ultra-compact strollers make trade-offs: light but flimsy, or compact but hard to fold one-handed. The Aer2 is the rare one that gets all three right. The one-hand fold is genuinely one-second; we’ve tested it on Warren Street outside our store. The basket is larger than competitors in this weight class, and the 10-year transferable warranty means it holds resale value better than almost anything else in this category.

The Red Dot Award 2025 also signals something practical: the engineering decisions behind the fold, the handlebar feel, and the fabric were made with real intentionality. If you want one stroller that works from the hospital to the airport to the subway, this is it.

Babesta Services on This Purchase

Stroller Test Driving

Test out the Aer2 on the floor with a weighted test baby, outside on the road, so you can feel curbs, uneven terrain, and get the real feel of it.

Hold It Til You Need It

You can purchase and we’ll hold it until you’re ready to take delivery. This way you can check things off the list, yet manage your timing.

Free Stroller Assembly (In Store)

We’ll build your stroller for you in-store. If the stroller needs a bassinet changed into the seat later on, you can wheel in and we’ll do that for you when you’re ready.

Free Stroller Training (In Store)

We’ll train you on your stroller including folding and opening, using accessories, and more — in-store.

Price Matching

Apples to apples, we do our best to match any official listed price on an authorized dealer’s website.

Post-Sale Support Including Warranty Support

We’re always here to help you navigate any questions about your purchase and any warranty claims. Although warranties run through the manufacturer, we can often get any issues fast-tracked.

Baby Registry

Make a baby registry with us and automatically get all of our services, as well as a registry close-out discount at the end. If you already have a registry, our links can also be added to Babylist — let us know you’ve added us and we’ll apply our services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this as my only stroller?

Yes for most city families, especially with the Carry Cot accessory for the newborn phase. If you live in a walkup, take the subway regularly, or travel frequently, the Aer2 is a strong solo stroller choice over a full-size. If you want more ride quality for long daily walks in a park-heavy neighborhood, consider pairing it with a full-size stroller.

Does it work with infant car seats?

Yes, with separately sold car seat adapters. Compatible brands available at Babesta include Clek Liing, Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield, and select Cybex. Other compatible brands include Nuna and Maxi-Cosi. Ask our team for the right adapter for your car seat, as compatibility varies by specific model.

Is it suitable for jogging?

No — this is a travel and urban stroller, not a jogging stroller. For jogging, ask the Babesta team about dedicated jogging stroller options.

Does it really fit in an airplane overhead bin?

Yes — the Aer2 is IATA compliant at its folded dimensions of 17.3″ × 20.8″ × 9.2″. It’s one of the few strollers you can gate-check and retrieve at the jet bridge, or in some cases carry on directly. Confirm with your specific airline before travel.

Can I try it in person?

Yes — the Joolz Aer2 is on the floor at Babesta Tribeca, 56 Warren Street. Our team can demonstrate the one-second fold, fit the harness, and roll it on the pavement outside so you can feel the suspension for yourself.

Can I put this on my baby registry?

Yes — the Joolz Aer2 is a registry favorite at Babesta. It makes getting around the city and around the world much easier. A Babesta registry comes with exclusive perks and services, and our team can advise on which Aer2 accessories to add based on your lifestyle.