Cybex Balios S Lux Review

With German Origins, Cybex started in 2014 under the Goodbaby International Holdings Ltd. Cybex focuses on innovation, safety, and functionality in all its products, including carriers, car seats, and strollers.

Performance Comparison

Ease of Use

The Balios is easy to use, and while not a top-ranker, it performed well enough for parents to avoid frustration.

Fold and Unfold

The Balios folds with one hand and stands when folded. If you lock the front wheels, you can roll it like luggage which can be handy. The main gripe is the preparation required before folding. To get the most compact fold, you need to lock the wheels and recline the seat, and the seat will not lock in place when folded. If the leg rest on the seat isn't in the lowest position before the fold, it will cause a hiccup you must resolve before finishing. It all ends up being a lot of steps that feel convoluted.

Storage

The Balios storage bin is large and has good access. It has a respectable 22 lb weight limit, better than most of the competition.

Our large diaper bag fits inside with no problem, and 22 lbs is plenty for baby supplies and some shopping. There is also a seatback pocket for quick access items like keys and a phone. The pocket can hold 2 lbs.

Harness

The Balios harness is one of the best in the group. The shoulder height adjustment is infinite and slides on an exposed strap.

Adjustments on the webbing are also easy with a single pull to tighten and release. The straps feel smooth and are wider. It looks and feels comfortable.

Brakes

The Balios has single-action brakes with a rocking pedal that pushes forward to set, and you push the back to release.

Not lifting the pedal from the bottom to release makes this design more foot and shoe-friendly.

Car Seat Compatibility

This Cybex is compatible with Cybex infant car seats only.

Ease of Setup

minutes) than most, earning it an average rating for setup. There is a lot of packaging here to protect the stroller and it feels sort of like overkill. The sun shade has 8-10 button snaps that are small and tricky to snap. We think anyone with finger dexterity troubles might end up cursing this design. The instructions are multi-language and have lots of illustrations.

Maneuverability

The Cybex scored a little below average for maneuverability in the group, but it isn't frustrating if you take care of what surfaces you choose.

The Cybex feels almost nimble for hard or flat surfaces and rolls well over smooth surfaces, even thresholds and cords.

Off-road is where it falls apart and feels like a slog. In fairness, we don't think it was designed for adventure, but it would be nice to move across a park greenbelt to get to the play structures. It rolls fairly well on grass but took significant effort to make turns. Transitioning from one surface to the other was also disappointing. This Cybex might be a better choice for city dwellers who are unlikely to often move off the sidewalk.

Transporting and Storing

The Cybex is about average for transporting and storing.

It is 25.31 lbs, neither heavy nor light for this group.

It folds reasonably compactly for a stroller of this type, with a measured size of 11,904 cubic inches.

Quality

The Cybex performed well in our test for quality, with a higher than average result than that of competitors.

The material feels durable but still skin-friendly. Cleaning might be challenging with the mesh sides, but it can be washed and easily removed. The storage bin feels sturdy.

The wheels are foam-filled plastic, which isn't our favorite, but they are above average in diameter, and the rear wheels are wider than other plastic options. The frame is minimalistic and slightly flexed from right to left, but it isn't excessive or impedes functionality. The fit and finish of the final product have a clean look, and all the parts are well-laid together and have tight connections.

Kid's Comfort

The Balios offers more than the average stroller for kid comfort, with a higher score than most, but it isn't all spectacular.

The Balios has a recline button on the back of the seat, and the entire thing tilts, including the leg rest.

It tilts into three possible positions that encourage napping. The leg rest is lightly padded. The real problem here is that the leg rest is oddly short, and our toddler tester had legs dangling off the end. There is no frame or footrest. It feels like a design mistake not to give children a place to put their feet, and the end of the leg rest is only canvas, which is likely not durable enough to make it through multiple kids and many years.

The canopy is large and offers UPF 50+ protection. It has a mesh peek-a-boo window. It is large enough to create a nice privacy cocoon with ample protection from the sun. It includes a pop-out visor.

Should You Buy the Cybex Balios S Lux?

The Balios is a strong contender in this category, bringing a high-quality look and feel. It performed well for our tests in kid comfort and is easy to use compared to much of the competition. This full-size stroller is a sleek-looking option that can save you some money over similarly styled, higher-ranking choices. Our testers felt that most families won't know what they are missing by choosing the Cybex over spendier options, and this makes it one we think is a good choice for those who want this style but can't afford more expensive options.

What Other Full-Size Strollers Should You Consider?

The UPPAbaby Cruz v2 did score higher in our tests and is easier to push and turn. If you can afford the price difference and want the absolute best, it is hard to ignore the Cruz. However, if your budget is limited and even the Cybex is a stretch, the Evenflo Pivot Xpand gets you a similar style stroller, the ability to expand for multiple children, and enough features to keep everyone happy. However, while we like the Xpand, we acknowledge it is heavier, larger, and harder to push than the Cybex or the Cruz. Depending on your budget or goals, we still think it can meet goals and wallet constraints.

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