The Mockingbird Stroller was provided by the brand so our reviewer could thoroughly test it in her home. Keep reading for our full product review. With the arrival of my second child this past spring, I’ve been searching for a reliable double stroller to use for family outings and walks to our local playground. The Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller is simple and sleek and, in theory, exactly what I need for my family of four. As someone who regularly reviews the latest and best baby gear, I’ve owned over five strollers in the last three years, including a Bugaboo Cameleon, a jogging stroller, two travel strollers, and a car seat that turns into a stroller (you know the one). I tested this stroller and reviewed it based on the ease of setup, design, and overall performance. With two children and my extensive experience with strollers, I was excited to see how the Mockingbird could make toting around kiddos easier.
Arrival
First, let’s talk shipping, unboxing, and assembly. The Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller took a lot longer to arrive at us than expected. According to the Mockingbird website, they’ve been facing delays due to shipping shortages, as have many other retailers and brands. We were okay to wait for our stroller, but plan ahead if you’re shopping for a baby’s arrival or need a stroller right away. I do like how the brand offers free shipping and returns, and that you can try the stroller for 30 days before deciding if it’s right for you. When the stroller did arrive, it came in three separate boxes. The largest box had the frame and the others had the Infant Seat Insert and the 2nd Seat Kit. Everything was packed carefully and the pieces were well-protected and clearly labeled and organized. Assembling the Mockingbird stroller was surprisingly easy. The instructions were user-friendly and I followed along with ease. The pieces clicked into place as expected. It took me about 15 minutes to assemble the stroller from start to finish, and most of that time was spent unboxing.
Assembly
To expand to a double stroller, you simply add adapters on the lower and upper part of the frame and click on the second stroller seat. Customization is a breeze as you can arrange the seats in a few different ways to fit your needs. Our toddler likes to face forward, but we prefer the baby to face us, so we were happy to learn we could assemble the stroller to our liking. Another feature that we really appreciated is that when the stroller is in double stroller mode, you can still recline the seats so my toddler could still nap and sit comfortably. A downside for me is that when made into a double stroller, the Mockingbird seemed huge. Obviously, a double stroller is going to be on the larger side and this one was not an exception. Aside from size, at first glance, the look and style of the Mockingbird stroller are really stylish and luxe. The handle and child bar has a beautiful brown leatherette grip accent and the inside of the extendable canopy has a fun pattern while the outside of the canopy is a nice light blue. I also appreciated the storage space underneath the seat, which can easily fit my diaper bag backpack, shoes, snacks, water bottles, and more. I’ve even been known to fit a whole load of groceries in the bottom of my Mockingbird! If you know strollers, the Mockingbird reminds me most of the Uppababy Vista system. It has a similar style and shape, with a smaller price tag.
Performance
Testing the Mockingbird’s’ ride as a single stroller, you’ll again notice similarities to the Uppababy. Your child will feel high off the ground and within arms reach. The base is wide with suspension on the front wheels and an anodized aluminum frame. The brake is a pedal brake, and the front wheels lock for extra security. The shape and weight distribution as a single stroller create a balance that makes it easy to maneuver while shopping or walking. The ride is smooth and the stroller performs well for the price, especially if you are sticking to well-paved sidewalks. There isn’t anything particularly special about the wheels, but really nothing bad either. That said, when I added the double stroller adapter and second seat, the stroller became much harder to steer. I didn’t feel like the wheels or frame could handle bumps with the weight of two kids and it felt like we were going to tip over anytime we had to turn, hit a bump, or the sidewalk was uneven. I felt like it was too unstable with both my 2-year-old and infant in the stroller at once. It was a workout to push both kids to the park, and honestly, I don’t use the Mockingbird as a double stroller for this reason.
Design
In terms of design and functionality, I love that the stroller seat reclines and the frame folds down with just one hand. The frame locks and stands upright when folded and the folded size fits nicely in my trunk. You can also adjust the footrest, which has a little lip that prevents my daughter’s toys and pacifiers from falling to the ground. The stroller has several options to safely and comfortably accommodate infants and is designed to be used from day one. You can choose to use the Infant Seat Insert, a car seat adapter, which is compatible with most major car seat brands, or you can opt for a carriage in place of the second stroller seat. When your baby is 4 to 6 months old or has developed a sufficient amount of head and neck control, they can upgrade to the toddler seat which holds up to 50 pounds. Although my 3-year-old son is too tall for these seats, he is still comfortable enough. However, I do wish there were a way to extend the length so his head would not touch the canopy. For my daughter, who was only 4 months old when we received this stroller, we used the Infant Seat Insert (sold separately) first so she could lie down in a flat position. There are adjustable shoulder and belt straps that click into the five-piece harness. The seats each come with an extendable canopy and reflective sunshade which offers full coverage UV protection. We live in Arizona, so the sunshade is crucial and a nice accessory for the brand to include.
Price
The Mockingbird Double Stroller retails for $395, which is a fair price for what you get. The retail price covers the stroller as a single seat. It is important to also note that the Mockingbird Single Stroller is not compatible with the 2nd Seat Kit. Only the Mockingbird Single-to-Double stroller has that capability. To convert it into a double stroller, you will have to buy the 2nd Seat Kit for an additional $120, bringing the total up to $515. Comparing the Mockingbird to the stroller that it reminds me of the most, the Uppababy Vista which retails for $970, it’s an affordable alternative.
Why Trust Verywell Family
Deanna McCormack is a copywriter and freelance writer who covers beauty, fitness, and parenting for a number of outlets. She’s a mom to an infant and 2-year and well-versed in all things baby gear. In the last three years, she has tested some of the top stroller brands as well as a variety of stroller types.
