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Joovy is a family company operating out of Texas and California. It started in 2005, creating useful and functional designs for everyday use. They make a variety of gear types from the best baby bottles to strollers and most things in between.
Performance Comparison
The Zoom is better suited for running on paved trails.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Run-ability
The Joovy may not be the best option for serious runners. It has a locking front swivel wheel, but it does not have adjustable tracking (something serious runners want).
The Joovy is harder to run with than competitors and serious runners will likely find it frustrating on longer runs.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
However, despite the lack of adjustability, it tracks relatively straight, though some extra effort is involved in keeping it on track. It also pulled to the right in our tests, running uphill.
The Zoom’s swivel front wheel needs to be locked in place before running or used on uneven surfaces.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
It also doesn’t have an adjustable handlebar, so this might make it harder to use for taller or shorter parents. It sits at 41 inches from the ground. The safety strap is nicer than others and can be attached to the handlebar when not in use. It is attached low on the frame, and the user can choose which wrist to wear it on. It also does not have a deceleration brake. The stroller feels light and we were able to run with one hand on flat surfaces, but the pull to the right uphill requires two hands.
Running with the Joovy was a struggle as the terrain became uneven or soft.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
This stroller has suspension, but it isn’t as useful as competitors, and we still felt significant vibration and bumps translating through the frame. It struggled over rocks and soft sand with some bouncing and jarring.
Our tests showed significant rolling resistance. This is one of the shortest rolling distances in the group, which could translate to a more fatiguing run than competitors with less resistance. After running more than 5 miles, it feels like a jogger better suited to pavement and other flat surfaces than trails or uneven off-road environments.
Joovy tries making folding and unfolding as straightforward as possible with labeled indicators.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
Ease of Use
The Joovy isn’t the easiest option to use on an everyday basis, with one of the lowest scores in the group for this metric.
Storage
The storage bin is disappointing in a group with many better options available. Compared to the competition, this bin is only medium and has a maximum weight allowance of only 5 lbs.
Most of our test cups and bottles failed to fit in the cup holders provided on the Zoom parent console.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
Some of the competition holds up to 10 lbs and comes with a cover to keep supplies contained. We fit our large diaper bag inside, but access is challenging and only available from the back. Access is further limited thanks to a strap and low bar across the bin.
The Joovy has a mesh pocket on the seat back and dual mesh pockets in the child’s seating area. We like the seat interior pockets, which keep items kids want nearby.
The neoprene parent console for the Zom is a little wonky, but our test phone fits in the center pocket.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
It also comes with a neoprene parent console with double cup holders and a covered pocket that is too small for larger smartphones.
We weren’t big fans of the way the cup holders stick out when in use. The console’s maximum weight allowance is 5 lbs and is removable and washable.
The Joovy fold is not difficult but does have multiple steps.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Fold and Unfold
The Joovy Zoom is relatively easy to fold and unfold. It requires two hands and three steps but doesn’t have an auto-lock or self-stand.
It folds similarly to some of our favorite full-size strollers with a pull handle on the seat and a release lever elsewhere. Unfolding is about as easy with two hands and two steps.
The Joovy offers an easy-to-use harness, but the materials feel cheaper than higher-end competitors.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Harness
The 5-point harness is one of the easiest options to use. It is easier to take off than put on, but both are straightforward.
When released, the straps pop out of the buckle so they can be operated with one hand to open. This harness has various shoulder height options and an adjustable crotch strap.
It almost looks like Joovy took a double-action brake setup and connected them to make it a single-action.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Brakes
The brakes are single-action and challenging to use. A rolling metal bar extends across the back between the two wheels. It is a step down to set and a lift from the bottom to release.
The single-action brakes on the Zoom require maximum effort to set.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
It is so hard to move and so stiff that it took a good kick to ensure it was engaged. We recommend pushing the stroller to ensure the brakes are engaged. Given the stiffness, we don’t think it is foot-friendly.
The Zoom manual has written instructions, which is a rarity these days when most manufacturers rely on diagrams and illustrations to ensure the product can be used in multiple countries.
Credit: Genaveve Bradshaw
Ease of Setup
The Zoom is easy enough to assemble. It took us 10-15 minutes to unpack and put together. The documentation it comes with is good. We only needed a bike pump to fill the tires, choosing not to use the flimsy pump it came with. We appreciate the manual’s written instructions instead of drawings.
The Joovy performed well inside in tight spaces and going through doors.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Maneuverability
The Joovy scored below the average for maneuverability. While it wasn’t the best in the group and perhaps is good for the price range, it couldn’t match the maneuverability of higher-end options.
The Joovy performed well in tight spaces indoor.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Zoom performed better on flat surfaces and indoors than it did off-road on uneven surfaces. It managed our obstacle course fairly well and had no trouble with doorways and tighter spaces.
Once the terrain became more unpredictable, the Zoom started to struggle. Soft ground, like sand, required more pushing and made turning more difficult. Bigger rocks were also a problem, as the Zoom started to get pretty tippy on uneven surfaces.
Using the Zoom is easier on pavement and other flat surfaces.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
When things got rough, the front end was resistant. The movement didn’t feel smooth, and extra vibration came up through the handlebar. While it managed each change in terrain, it didn’t feel as equipped for the journey as some of the competition.
The Joovy was easy enough to tip to take on standard curbs.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
In our maneuverability tests, we also assessed how well the Joovy managed to go up and down curbs. The taller fixed handlebar could be more of a challenge for more petite pushers to get the best leverage to push down to lift the front end.
The Zoom folds quickly and is easy enough to pick up and stow in the test car.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Transport and Storage
Thanks to its lighter weight and smaller folded size, the Joovy earned a relatively high score for transport and storage. The Zoom weighs in at 25.9 lbs, which is neither heavy nor light for this group but is below the average weight.
The Joovy is one of the smaller options, but the rear wheels are big.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Zoom measures 35.3″ x 25.7″ x 16″, which is 10,650 cubic inches. This is one of the smallest folds in the group, with fewer joggers managing to be this small when folded.
The Joovy is a middle-of-the-road priced option with the middle-of-the-road quality.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Quality
The Zoom scored below average for quality, but it isn’t even close to being the lowest in the group. It has durable but coarse fabric that is not as nice on the skin as the competition. The seat and legrest have less padding than we like, but soft straps will be nice for bare skin. It has a sturdy frame with less flex than much of the competition, but it has exposed fasteners that make the overall fit and finish appear cluttered.
The foam cover on the Zoom handlebar is not tight all the way around.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The wheels on this stroller are spoked aluminum, and the tires are pneumatic rubber, with more wobble in the wheel connections than others. The handlebar is a fixed height and average size with a firm foam cover for comfort. The cover feels like it won’t wear well over time and didn’t fit tightly to the bar on the ends. The handlebar could be bigger in diameter and curved for better ergonomics.
The overall fit and finish are okay, but this impression changes when side-by-side with other joggers. It isn’t as sleek or polished-looking as most other choices.
The Joovy seat is not as deep as some competitors, and the canopy sits up high, which limits what it can cover, but it might be better for taller passengers.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Kids’ Comfort
The Zoom did not perform well in our tests for kid comfort, with one of the lowest results in the group.
The sunshade is large and offers good coverage past the knee. However, the canopy sits higher up on the frame than some of the competition, so it is less effective at blocking lower sun and wind. It has a big peek-a-boo window, but the cover has hook-and-loop closures that can be loud.
The Zoom has a big canopy, but it doesn’t come as far down as many competitors we prefer.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
It has a short padded leg rest that is not adjustable. The leg rest travels down to a footpad that feels like rubberized mesh and should be easy to clean. The sling-style seat reclines low enough for comfortable napping.
The seatback reclining feature requires two hands and is challenging to recline and raise. It features a strap that travels along the back of the seat with adjustment points on each side. While it gets the job done, it isn’t the best design and is convoluted compared to other strollers.
Should You Buy the Joovy Zoom?
With a mid-range price, we were hoping to love the Joovy Zoom. However, it ended up feeling like a meh relationship we should have ended before he got that into us. The Zoom is not the best for running, and given that is why you’d be considering it, it is a disappointment. While it performed well for transporting and storage, it was an uninspired option that paled compared to the higher-ranking strollers.
What Other Jogging Stroller Should You Consider?
The Guava Roam Crossover is a compact, true crossover option we love. This stroller is great for running and getting things done indoors. It has passenger and pusher features and offers a sleek, high-quality look. If you want a jogger that will work for children up to 75 lbs for a longer lifespan, then the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 could be the right fit. This tried-and-true traditional option has a locking swivel front wheel for easy switch-ups between running and casual adventures.
