Cybex Balios S Stroller Review

Every time I test a stroller I always try to improve it in my mind getting it closer to that perfect model. Occasionally, I dream of designing my own model thinking about what features from what strollers I would take and what style I would use.

As you probably know from my reviews, I am a very practical person who doesn’t want to compromise on style. I do like fashion and I do like brand things.

I would rather have one great stroller instead of 5 cheap strollers for every occasion. That being said, I think I finally found the PERFECT full-size stroller. Yes, I am talking about Cybex Balios S! This is an all-terrain reversible-seat stroller that has a one-hand compact fold and it weighs only 24 lbs.

The combination of the large wheels and all-wheel suspension provides a smooth ride. You can easily push it with one hand.

It’s great for long walks in the park, city streets, or grocery shopping. You can also turn this baby into a stylish pram by replacing the seat with a carrycot or a travel system by replacing the seat with an infant car seat.

It also features a huge canopy, adjustable handlebar, extra large basket, adjustable leg rest, flip-flop-friendly brake, and adjustable handlebar.

But, its main feature is the deep one-hand recline that goes to a flat position suitable for a newborn. Not many strollers have a flat recline. And if you lift up the leg rest, your child will have plenty of room to stretch.

The roomy padded seat can accommodate a child up to 40 lbs. I like that the seat is positioned higher on the frame and can be used as a high chair at the restaurant..

QUICK PROS & CONS

ProsCons
Reversible SeatX Works only w/ Cybex Car Seats
Large CanopyX High Price
Large Basket 
Deep Recline 
All-Terrain Wheels 
Adjustable Leg Rest 
Adjustable Handlebar 
Bassinet Option 
Travel System Option
 

OVERALL

Overall this is an amazing stroller. Very practical and stylish. I really like the compact fold, flat recline, and ability to pair it with Cybex Car Seats which are my favorite car seats

I think it will be a serious competition for Nuna Mixx (which also has a flat recline, but is more expensive). Compared to Mixx, Balios S has better colors, a more compact fold, and a lower price. BTW, this modern-looking buggy was designed and made in Germany.

It comes in six beautiful colors and retails for around $499 – $549 depending on the fashion. A bumper bar is included, but all other accessories need to be purchased separately. I think this is an excellent price for what you are getting. I actually expected it to be higher.

Buy Cybex Balios S Stroller »

Detailed Review of Cybex Balios S Stroller

CANOPY

This canopy is great! It has two large UPF 50+ panels plus another zipped-in panel and a pop-out sunvisor for even more coverage. It goes way past the bumper bar. There is also a medium size mesh peekaboo window in the back with a magnetic closure.

I like that they’ve made a peekaboo window out of dark mesh so it would allow for the air to get in while still providing sun protection.

SEAT

The seat is reversible so your child can face you or the world. Reversing the seat unit is quick and easy thanks to memory buttons. It is 12.5″ wide with a 20″ seat back and a measurement of 22″ from the back of the seat to the top of the canopy.

Another cool thing about the seat is that it’s positioned higher on the frame than on your average stroller so you can use it as a high chair at the restaurant. It also brings your child closer to you promoting a better bonding experience.

You will be happy to know that it has a very deep one-hand lever recline that goes to a flat position suitable for a NEWBORN. It can hold a child up to 40 lbs. To provide your child with even more room to stretch you can lift up the leg rest creating a bed-like environment. Perfect recline for long naps and quick diaper changes.

I get a lot of emails asking about the BEST recline for a child. I think that the flat recline where only the back of the seat reclines and not the whole seat is the MOST comfortable for a child.

It gives them the ability to fully stretch, unlike the ‘V’ seats where a child is always in a sitting position even when fully reclined. Another stroller that has this kind of recline is Nuna Mixx.

The legrest is adjustable so your little baby will be able to stretch his legs.

HARNESS

It has an adjustable padded 5-point harness with a center release buckle. Because the waist straps and the shoulder straps are connected, it’s very easy to lock the buckle. The included bumper bar is swing-away and can be easily removed.

HANDLEBAR

The telescoping handlebar has 4 positions and goes from 37″ all the way up to 43″ from the ground. Shorter and taller parents will be comfortable.

To avoid tipping the stroller backward, hang your diaper bag on the frame using stroller hooks. You can also use it to hang your water bottle or shopping bags.

BASKET

The basket is great! It’s large and very easy to access from the back. I like that it doesn’t have that annoying crossbar in the back like on the Balios M model. You can fit a lot of stuff up to 11 lbs. Definitely your large diaper bag plus some baby essentials.

For even more storage I would recommend getting a universal stroller organizer. That way you can take not only your coffee cup, but also a LOT of stuff including keys, phone, water, wallet, snacks, diapers, toys, and more. The amount of stuff it can fit is unbelievable.

WHEELS

It rolls on four all-terrain wheels with 8″ in the front and 11.5″ wheels in the back. These wheels are made out of high-quality rubber and have foam filling so they never puncture or flatten.

Great for long walks at the park, city streets with uneven pavement, or some playground mulch. The front wheels are swivel but could be locked straight.

The all-wheel suspension together with large all-terrain wheels make it a smooth ride.

BRAKE

I am always happy to see a flip-flop-friendly brake. No shoe scratches!

FOLD/UNFOLD

The fold is a three-step fold, but you can do it all with one hand and it has a standing fold and automatic lock. Since the stroller folds in half (one of my favorite folds), it becomes a very compact package for an all-terrain reversible seat stroller. This is probably as compact as it can get. The folded dimensions are 16″L x 23″W x 29″H.

BASSINET OPTION

You can turn your stroller into a stylish pram by replacing the seat with a matching bassinet called Cybex Carry Cot S.

This Pram is the perfect on-the-go bed. The canopy with an extra sun visor offers sun and wind protection with UPF50+ for your little one. The carry handle of the Cot S is placed along the sun canopy for easy carrying and attaching to a stroller base.

Equipped with a memory foam mattress that supports the correct lying position of the little one, this biggest CYBEX carry cot is not only super-spacious but also offers a comfortable, sheltered place for your infant.

It can accommodate a child from birth and up to 20 lbs. I am not sure if this carrycot is compatible with any other Cybex models.

TRAVEL SYSTEM

You can also turn your stroller into a travel system by replacing the seat with an infant car seat. It works ONLY with Cybex, GB, and Maxi-Cosi car seats which are the safest car seats on the market. Adapters are sold separately.

Video Overview of Cybex Balios S

Here is a video overview.

Cybex Balios S Specs

Stroller weight: 24 lbs
Weight limit: 40 lbs
Folded dimensions: 16″L x 23″W x 29″H.
Handlebar height: 37″ – 43″
Seat to canopy height: 22″
Front wheels: 8″
Rear wheels: 11.5″
Overall length: 34″
Overall width: 23″

Cybex Balios S Warranty

The Cybex has a 2-year warranty from the original date of purchase and you have to be the original owner.

Cybex Balios S Available Colors

The Cybex Balios S comes in six colors: black, pink, red, blue, and grey. That grey is my favorite!

Where to Buy Cybex Balios S Stroller

You can get Cybex Balios S in one of the six beautiful colors for around $499 – $549 depending on the fashion. It comes with a bumper bar only. All other accessories like a cup holder or an infant car seat adapter need to be purchased separately.

Buy Cybex Balios S Stroller »

21 thoughts on “Cybex Balios S Stroller Review”

  1. Hi, can I know if the seat can be fully upright?
    I know that the Mios Lightweight one can, but not sure about this model.

    Thanks for your help!

  2. Hello Katrin, thank you very much for this review! We are looking for the perfect stroller for our boy, who is due to be born in one month. So far we were not able to find the stroller that would fullfill all our demands, but this one really looks just perfect!
    I just have a few questions:

    1. according to manufacturer, it can hold car seats Cybex and GB. No mention aboutMaxi-Cosi. But you are saying that it is possible to use it also with Maxi-Cosi. From where do you have this information, please? This is quite important for me, as I love Maxi-Cosi Cabriofix because of its low weight and good results in tests…

    2. The carry cot is claimed to be spacious, but NOWHERE it is written the inner dimensions. Do you have an idea what are the inner dimensions, especially length? Our boy will be 6 months old in December, so it would be good if he can be kept in the safety of the carry cot during the whole winter…

    3. You sound optimistic regarding the backet size and maximum load. Is this really the case – do you think it can hold even more than the maximum 11 lbs? And can the front wheels still be rotated when the basket is full? I would like to use it as shopping basket when doing some shopping, so this is quite important for me…

    4. The manufacturer is claiming the weight of the stroller to be 24 lbs. Is this weight including the seat? I hope that yes…

    Thank you!
    Elena

  3. Trying to decide between the new Cybex Balios S and the Joolz HUB- any thoughts on those two?

  4. This stroller looks amazing! It seems to have everything I’ve been looking for in a stroller. Can you tell me how upright the seat sits? My daughter hates the slight recline on most strollers so I’m looking for something super upright.
    Thanks!

  5. Hi
    Just wondering why the Mios is so much more expensive than this one? This looks like it can do the same job, just a few pounds heavier?

    Im trying to decide between them.

    Thanks

  6. Is there a major difference between the iris – m air and the Balios S?
    How important are the all terrain wheels?

  7. I am buying this based on your review. Like you said in the beginning, it fits all the arbitrary criteria I have in mind when I search for a stroller. And there is an added bonus, the infant car seat adapters are actually included in the US version, I asked using the contact form on the Cybex official website and got a confirmation that they are indeed included.

    PS. The grey color is finally available!!!

  8. Hi,
    I want to purchase the Balios S stroller but unsure which maxi cosí infant car seat fits best.

  9. Hi Katrin,

    Could you help me with one tip?
    I’m going to US to buy a stroller for my first baby and i’m in doubt between Cybex S Balios, Nuna Mixx2.and Baby Jogger City Mini GT.

    Whicj one is better in your opinion?

    Thanks you and congratulations for the blog.

  10. Hi! Thank you for your review of the Cybex Balios S! Where would this fit on your list of top 20 strollers for 2018 (if at all)? Currently torn between this and the Nuna MIXX 2 but am obviously drawn to the lower price point of the Cybex Balios. Any thoughts?

  11. Hi!! Thank you so much for all of your in depth reviews! I have been devouring every review you have trying to make a decision for our first stroller purchase. I was originally debating between the Nuna MIXX 2 and the Cybex Balios S but now am also torn between the Nuna Tavo 2019. I especially appreciate the price point of the Cybex Balios S and the Nuna Tavo. Can you offer any guidance?!
    Thank you!

  12. Hello!
    I want to buy this stroller or the GB qbit+, I am still thinking about that….
    Could you tell me if the reversible-seat is included in the price?
    Thanks!

  13. Hi Katrin!

    Thanks for the great review! Quick question – would you know whether I can attach a car seat without removing the original seat and leaving just the frame? I’d like to avoid the additional step if possible!

    Thanks

    Cecilia

  14. Hi,

    Will this handle bumps the same as the Balios M, or is it about the same ride? Does the seat sit higher than the M? I’m just trying to decide if the S is worth the extra money.

    Thanks!

  15. Hi- I bought this stroller after reading this review! I already have a maxi cosi cabriofix car seat. Can I get adaptors to fit the Balios S stroller to make it compatible with my existing car seat? If so can you point me in the right direction please?

  16. Hi,
    I’m considering buying the cybex balios S stroller and the maxi cosi mico max 30, are there adapters available for the maxi cosi car seat for the cybex stroller? Can you point me in the right direction, thank you!

  17. Deciding between Cybex Balios S and a 2017 Nuna Mixx. Any thoughts? They look pretty similar – the Cybex is considerably less expensive. Is the nuna worth the extra $$?

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