Cybex Libelle vs Joolz Aer²
A $199 difference, and a difference in the baby's first months. The Aer² is $549 and 14.3 lb, with a full-flat recline that is good from birth and a baby net for newborn use. The Libelle is $350 and 13.7 lb, and its seat unit starts at 6 months, so a young baby rides in an infant car seat. Cybex includes adapters for Cybex, Pipa and Maxi-Cosi; Joolz names no compatible seats. Folded, the Libelle is 18.9 x 12.6 x 7.8 inches and fits the 22 x 14 x 9 carry-on box. The Aer² is 20.9 x 17.3 x 9.2, 3.3 inches over, though owners report getting it into overhead bins on plenty of airlines. The Aer² basket is rated at 17.6 lb against the Libelle's 11, and its limit is 50 lb against 55. At $199 less, the Libelle is the better flyer, so the Aer² has to earn its price in the newborn months.
Folded, the Cybex Libelle makes a 1.07 cu ft box to the Joolz Aer²'s 1.93 cu ft. The Cybex Libelle is 0.6 lb lighter by its maker's figure (13.7 lb to 14.3 lb). The Joolz Aer² is newborn-ready as sold; the Cybex Libelle needs a bassinet, insert or infant car seat for the first months.
Cybex
Cybex Libelle
~$350
Cybex's lightest stroller here at 13.7 lb, with adapters for its own infant seats in the box.
Best for: Cybex car-seat owners who fly
Check price on Amazon
Joolz
Joolz Aer²
~$549
Joolz calls its travel stroller IATA compliant; its own table puts the fold at 20.9 x 17.3 x 9.2 inches, past a 22 x 14 x 9 inch carry-on box on two sides, by 3.3 inches on the 14-inch one.
Best for: A from-birth seat in a small travel fold
Check price on Amazon| Specification | Cybex Libelle | Joolz Aer² |
|---|---|---|
| Approx. price | ~$350 | ~$549 |
| Type | Compact & travel | Compact & travel |
| Weight | 13.7 lb | 14.3 lb |
| Newborn lift weight | not published | 18.7 lb (4.4 lb more than the seat setup) |
| Newborn option | Newborns ride in an infant car seat | Seat is rated from birth |
| Folded size | 12.6 x 7.8 x 18.9 in | 20.9 x 17.3 x 9.2 in |
| Carry-on check | Fits 22 x 14 x 9 in | Over by 3.3 in (2 sides over) |
| Folded box | 1.07 cu ft | 1.93 cu ft |
| Unfolded size | 28.7 x 20.5 x 40.9 in | 33.5 x 17.7 x 41.9 in |
| Fold | not published | One-hand fold |
| Basket | 11 lb | 17.6 lb / 4.5 gal |
| Max child weight | 55 lb | 50 lb |
| Recline | Near-flat recline | Full-flat recline |
| Car seats | 3 seat families: 3 with an adapter | None listed by the maker |
| Warranty | not published | 2 years |
Cybex Libelle: what it gives up
- Seat unit not usable until 6 months
- Carry-on approval varies by airline, as Cybex's own page says
- 11 lb basket, smaller than the City Tour 2's 15 lb
- Not compatible with the Cybex Cot S, per Cybex's FAQ
Joolz Aer²: what it gives up
- Folded size misses a 22 x 14 x 9 inch carry-on box on width and depth, though owners report it going into overhead bins on many airlines, with occasional forced gate checks
- Joolz's own pages give two slightly different folded lengths
- Compatible car seats not named
- The cot bundle is $848
- Owners report even the most upright seat setting leaves older babies slumping
Full pages: Cybex Libelle · Joolz Aer²