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Best Joolz Aer² Alternatives: Cheaper, Smaller & From Birth
By Alex’s parents, StrollerSelect editors · Published · How we research
The Joolz Aer² is one of the best all-round travel strollers you can buy: 14.3 lb, a full-flat recline, an included baby net for newborns, all-wheel suspension, a 17.6 lb basket and a one-hand fold. But it costs about $549, and its 20.9 × 17.3 × 9.2 in fold fits the carry-on box of only 2 of 5 airlines we track.
Here are the alternatives we’d consider, depending on what you want to improve.
| Stroller | Weight | Folded | Carry-on fit* | From birth? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joolz Aer² | 14.3 lb | 20.9 × 17.3 × 9.2 in | 2 of 5 | Yes | ~$549 |
| Mompush Nexis | 11.5 lb | 18.1 × 7.9 × 19.1 in | 0 of 5 | Yes | ~$200 |
| Inglesina Quid³ | 14 lb | 15.5 × 7.5 × 23 in | 5 of 5 | 6+ mo | ~$399 |
| Silver Cross Clic | 13.9 lb | 21 × 18 × 9 in | 1 of 5 | Yes | ~$400 |
| Ergobaby Metro 3 | 17.1 lb | 22 × 17.3 × 9.1 in | 2 of 5 | Yes | ~$399 |
| Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus | 16 lb | 17.6 × 9.6 × 21.8 in | 2 of 5 | Yes | ~$579 |
*Number of tracked airlines (United, Delta, American, Southwest, Air Canada) whose published carry-on box the folded stroller fits. Plenty of parents report fitting larger strollers in the actual overhead bin - but the airline can still require gate-checking if there isn’t room.
If you want the same recipe for far less: Mompush Nexis
At about $200, the Mompush Nexis costs well under half the Aer². It keeps the headline features - from-birth use, a near-flat recline and all-wheel suspension - and it’s even lighter at 11.5 lb. The tradeoffs are a smaller 13.2 lb basket, a fold that fits 0 of 5 tracked airlines’ carry-on boxes, and less brand support.
If you want a better shot at the overhead bin: Inglesina Quid³
The Inglesina Quid³ folds to 15.5 × 7.5 × 23 in and fits the carry-on box of all 5 airlines we track, weighs about the same (14 lb), and beats the Aer² on basket (22 lb) and child-weight limit (55 lb). The catch: the seat starts at 6 months, so newborns need a compatible infant car seat and the separately sold adapter.
If you want a lie-flat seat for less: Silver Cross Clic
The Silver Cross Clic reclines to full lie-flat from birth, weighs 13.9 lb and carries children up to 55 lb, for about $400. Its basket is smaller (11 lb), and we couldn’t confirm suspension from the manufacturer’s listing.
If you want more storage: Ergobaby Metro 3
If you live out of the basket on trips, the Ergobaby Metro 3’s 22 lb basket is one of the biggest we track. It also works from birth (with its Newborn Nest), has all-wheel suspension and costs less at about $399. It’s heavier at 17.1 lb. See the full Metro 3 vs Aer² comparison.
If you want a premium from-birth rival: Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus
The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus is the Aer²’s closest competitor: fully flat recline, from-birth use, all-wheel suspension and the same 17.6 lb basket. It weighs 16 lb, costs about $579, and its fold fits the same 2 of 5 tracked airlines. See the full Aer² vs Butterfly 2 Plus comparison.
When to just buy the Aer²
If you want one stroller from the hospital to preschool that’s light, reclines flat, folds one-handed and stands on its own, the Aer² is still one of the best-balanced choices - and at 14.3 lb it’s lighter than most from-birth rivals.
Still undecided? Take the 6-question finder and get a shortlist matched to your trip, or browse the best travel strollers by need.