Why spend $1000 on UPPAbaby Vista when you can get the same design and quality for half the price with Mockingbird?
Now, I know most of you guys are suspicious about the actual quality of the Mockingbird since it's genuinely affordable and looks like an identical copy of the Vista.
So let me help you with my first-hand Mockingbird stroller review, where I share some honest thoughts on this stroller.
Mockingbird Single-to Double is a reasonably priced convertible stroller with premium-like quality and decent functionality.
1. Value for Money: 5/5
If there's one stroller that genuinely delivers, this is the one. It has alternative materials, but they are not cheap or low-quality, and the functionalities are on-point.
2. Maneuverability: 4/5
Since it includes the front suspension system and the frame suspension in the back, this stroller is super-easy to maneuver, excellent for steering, and even behaves well over bumps.
3. Travel-Friendly: 2/5
The stroller is not travel-friendly at all. Given that it's a double stroller, it weighs 26 pounds, and it doesn't fold to a slim size.
4. Convertibility: 4/5
The stroller converts from a single to double; it supports most popular infant car seat brands and has multiple configurations. The glider board is not available yet.
The price: under $400
- Easy steering
- Rear-facing and forward-facing position
- Penny leather handlebar
- Huge storage basket
- Excellent weight capacity
- Full-size canopy
- Heavy
- The second seat is sold separately
- No cup holder
- Car seat adapter interferes with storing
- Handlebar mechanism
A Few Words About It
What we have here is one single to double stroller that stretches way out of the mediocre experience, although it has a reasonable price tag.
It has a similar design to UPPABaby Vista, with alternative materials that do not compromise your child's comfort.
It provides an honestly smooth ride and works great on an everyday basis, even on bumpy terrain due to the suspension system.
This model is available as a single stroller too, that's the older version.
But with the second seat kit or infant seat adapter, you can convert the new upgraded version into a double, so it's a better option.
It's not the best solution for traveling and weighs a lot, but it comes with a lifetime warranty.
GET THE BEST DEAL NOW: MockingBird Single-to-Double
General Features: Is It Good?
Mockingbird is probably my favorite alternative to high-end strollers such as UPPAbaby Vista and Bugaboo.
In contrast to these supreme models that cost up to $1000, Mockingbird looks high-end and feels premium, but it costs under $500.
The first thing I genuinely love is how Mockingbird stays true to the aesthetic of the market's top-notch strollers. You can tell it by the nice leather handlebar and bumper bar.
Over the years, I have tested a lot of strollers, and personally, I prefer leather to foam and plastic because it is more breathable and softer on the hands.
Also, it gives me more of a high-end feel, although I did not pay the high-end price. So, sue me, I love comfort.
On the other hand, while the adjustable handlebar looks nice, it features the hinge mechanism, which is not perfect, especially for taller parents.
It takes more effort than sliding, and it doesn't offer that much flexibility in height.
To adjust it, you need to press two buttons on the sides and simultaneously move it up or down to find the ideal angle, and to me, it's not intuitive at all.
Source: Youtube
The next feature I love is the canopy. It’s the same as Vista’s canopy.
You can use it as a two-panel sunshade or unzip the third panel for full coverage.
It’s weather-resistant and includes one entire mesh panel for more breathability and better control of the situation.
We’ve realized this kind of design works better for us since it does provide more airflow than a small peek-a-boo window that similar strollers have.
As for the seat, it’s made of nylon. But, surprisingly, it looks and feels very smooth. It reclines to a near-flat position quite effortlessly, so it’s great for your sleeping child. I usually do it one-handedly without a problem.
The padding is fine, nothing extra, but neither bad.
Now, what really impressed me was the maneuverability.
Mockingbird is effortless to push (with one seat) and glides so smoothly. That’s because this stroller has the same wheels as Vista.
They are foam-filled with a spring-loaded suspension system, and you can lock the front ones for more control.
If I had to compare it side to side with Vista, I’d rate Vista a ten and Mockingbird an 8. So it’s pretty good.
Also, there is one central footbrake, which I think is more user-friendly than two brakes. I especially notice this when my mom is using it.
We pushed the Mockingbird over some bumpy terrains, and it’s doable. It turns easily, and steep terrain is not that much of a problem. Rough terrain is, though.
So, I wouldn’t say this stroller is built for offroading.
It definitely performs better on smooth city surfaces, where it won’t differ at all from the strollers with air-filled tires.
1. Convertibility
Ever since the original version of this stroller first appeared, parents have been wondering whether a single-to-double upgrade will follow.
And, of course, it did.
When the second baby comes, you can buy the second seat kit with an additional seat and a car seat adapter and transform the stroller from a single to double.
Both seats have the same weight capacity, 45 pounds each, unlike UPPAbaby Vista. So in comparison to Vista, this model is more suitable for twins.
It’s pretty straightforward to add the second seat.
First, you attach the upper adapters, then the lower adapters, and snap the seats in place.
One interesting fact is that Evenflo Pivot Xpand, which is the most affordable double stroller, has built-in adapters, unlike Vista and Mockingbird, so despite the low price, it’s the most convenient to convert.
I’m not saying Mockingbird is complex, but it still needs some effort, while EvenFlow is genuinely user-friendly.
Source: Youtube
You can change the seating arrangement as you like. Mockingbird supports multiple seat arrangements, and we actually got a cheat sheet of theirs with ideas on how to combine two seats.
Now, there are some rumors that Mockingbird will soon release their ride-along board, but I haven’t really seen it on the Mockingbird website yet.
So, it would be a nice addition to the entire stroller.
I guess you could attach some random brand piggyback now, but I don’t like mixing the brands when it comes to this stuff, as it might not combine perfectly, and it is my child, after all.
2. Infant Car Seats
Although it doesn’t come with a bassinet like Vista, Mockingbird does support carriage and infant seats.
With their car seat adapters, sold separately, it supports the majority of most popular infant seats like:
But, a more detailed list of all the infant seats it is suitable with is available on the Mockingbird website.
3. Fold and Storage
The fold is definitely something I love about the Mockingbird.
It’s a one-handed fold that takes a single push of a button to collapse. It takes no effort and works well every time.
However, it’s not the smallest fold, given that this is a single-to-double model. And we do need to take off the adapters to fit them into our trunk every time. So it can be annoying sometimes.
Evenflo Pivot Xpand, again, rules here since you don’t need to remove the adapters when folding it down.
As for the basket, it has a capacity of 25 pounds, and it’s easily accessible, so I have nothing to complain about when it comes to that aspect.
What’s New With the Single to Double Upgrade?
For all of you who didn’t know, the first version of this Mockingbird stroller was a single stroller that actually had an almost identical design as their single-to-double upgrade.
They have the same wheels, canopy, brakes, seats, etc. But the one feature where these two models slightly differ is the frame. And, of course, the option to convert into a double stroller.
I noticed that the single-to-double model features a longer frame.
Now, to me, this is not a huge difference, but some parents complained that the stroller is too long for what they expected and even roasted some reviewers for not stressing this fact.
So, to make things as transparent as possible, from the handlebar to the frontmost part of the stroller, it measures 60 inches.
One positive side effect of this change is that since the frame is now longer, the basket is more accessible than before, although the capacity is the same.
And the negative side effect is the fold, which is slightly bulkier than the single’s fold.
Source: Youtube
Aside from these details, there are no other significant differences between the older and the newer version.
UPPABaby Vista vs. Mockingbird
The first major difference between these two strollers is obviously the price.
While Mockingbird costs less than 500 dollars + accessories, Vista tops it with a $1000 price tag, but it includes a bassinet for the price.
Now, since I mentioned the bassinet, most people don’t know that Mockingbird doesn’t support the regular bassinet as we know it.
It supports a "carriage," and there’s a reason why they named it so wisely.
The carriage is not safe for sleeping, according to official recommendations, so if you’re buying it for your infant, bear this in mind.
Now, both models feature nice leather handlebars. However, Vista’s handlebar includes genuine leather, while Mockingbird doesn’t.
So while Mockingbird is a more eco-friendly solution, Vista’s handlebar is more durable and nicer.
Vista, to my mind, has more convenient handlebar adjustability. It’s a simple push and pull mechanism, while Mockingbird has the hinge.
But, when it comes to folding mechanisms, Mockingbird is way more convenient; I already talked about it.
The canopies are pretty similar.
But Vista has a peekaboo window, while Mockingbird has an entire mesh panel.
So it depends on your ventilation preference. I did see one negative review about Mockingbird’s canopy, though.
One mom filmed a video of the canopy collapsing each time she went over a slight bump. You can see down below how it retracted by itself while she was walking.
I haven’t experienced it myself. But she wrote that they sent her a replacement free of charge.
Now, Vista has a better storage basket capacity (30 pounds), but it has this annoying bar in the middle that really prevents the users from using the full potential.
On the other hand, Mockingbird has a 25-pound storage capacity, but it’s easily accessible.
Source: Youtube
Also, one downside of Vista's is that the rumble seat they sell for the conversion from a single to double has a lower weight capacity than the original toddler seat.
So it's not the best option for twins. With Mockingbird, both seats have a 45-pound weight capacity.
From every other aspect, these two strollers are almost identical. They weigh around 26 pounds, have similar wheels, suspension systems, and fold sizes.
So, Vista is generally a more durable and luxurious option for parents with an unlimited budget.
On the other hand, Mockingbird is a better choice for parents on a budget or families with twins.
Criteria | Mockingbird | UPPABaby Vista |
---|---|---|
Price | $$$ | $$$$ |
Wheels | Foam-filled | Foam-filled |
Suspension system | 27 pounds | 27 pounds |
Accessories | Sold separately | Bassinet included |
Materials | Synthetic but durable | Genuine superior materials |
Smooth ride | Smooth and bumpy terrains | All terrains |
Best feature | Quality-per-price | Overall design |
Extraordinary Features I Love
Would I call Mockingbird a high-end stroller? Yes. One reason why is the overall functionality and design.
It rarely goes as planned to include some cheaper materials and maintain the same premium feel of the superior fabrics. But they made it.
Although it includes synthetic leather and nylon, this stroller doesn't deteriorate easily.
It comes with a lifetime warranty, and their customer service is ready to send free replacements if something goes wrong.
Next off, the smooth ride has really made me a fan of this brand.
It's genuinely easy to maneuver, turns conveniently, and overcomes the bumps, with some struggle, yeah, but overcomes them.
The adjustable footrest, easy one-hand fold, and lockable front wheels make this great stroller superior to so many other strollers.
And in details like these, you can see the effort that the brand invested to really make it easy for the customers.
Now, there are many accessories available on the market: parent organizer, rain cover, bassinet carriage, cup holder, but I haven't really used any of them.
What Are the Features That Mockingbird Lacks?
Although I praised the folding mechanism, I am not satisfied with the size of the folded stroller.
It's definitely not a compact solution, so although it's an amazing stroller, it's not travel-friendly, and it is on a heavier side.
Even the travel bag that's included is not really travel-friendly, as it has no carrying handle and doesn't even fit the stroller properly. So, avoid it for traveling, especially flying.
I already mentioned the handlebar mechanism that I don't like. And another detail that gets on my nerves is the footrest.
It's adjustable, but sometimes when I collapse the stroller and "close down" the footrest, it opens up by itself, which slows down the storing process.
And I already need to remove the bumper bar, the adapters, and now that... so it can be very frustrating.
Now, this stroller is way more affordable than any other luxury stroller, that's for sure, but all the accessories come at an additional cost.
From the second seat kit to the cupholder, everything is sold separately.
So I think it would be nice if they included at least a snack tray or parent's tray as many other double strollers do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Mockingbird strollers worth it?
Suppose you ask me, yes. The Mockingbird stroller has proven way better than what I expected for the price.
It has a decent suspension system, simple folding mechanism, excellent canopy, and the overall comfort is great.
With the car seat adapters, it supports most popular infant seats such as Graco SnugRide, Chicco KeyFit, Maxi Cosi Mico, etc.
And, as your baby grows, you can convert it from a single to double stroller.
It supports 19 configurations, like most high-end reversible strollers, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
So, bottom line, you get your money's worth and more.
Is the Mockingbird stroller heavy?
It is on a heavier side.
I mean, most double strollers and even full-size strollers are over 25 pounds. But if we're comparing it with all stroller types, it is heavy.
It's in the same weight range as Vista, and since it doesn't include all-wheel suspension, it can become heavy for pushing uphill, especially when both of your children are accommodated.
Also, sometimes I feel like the weight is not distributed evenly; I haven't seen a lot of parents commenting on this.
So it could be my subjective feeling.
Is the Mockingbird stroller good for hiking?
I'd say no. As new parents, we tested Mockingbird on some country roads, and as I mentioned in the very review, it didn't perform that well.
It can handle some bumps and steep terrains, but when it comes to rocky surfaces, muddy, grassy terrains, it shows that it's not built for off-roading.
Hiking can be very challenging, even for jogging strollers and all-terrain strollers, so I wouldn't take my chances with an everyday city stroller like this one.
How much weight can the Mockingbird stroller hold?
The one seat that Mockingbird comes with can support up to 45 pounds.
And, if you buy the lower seat and convert it from a single to double stroller, it can hold up to 90 pounds, that is 45 pounds per seat.
Now, as I mentioned, there are some speculations that Mockingbird will soon release their gliding board, so it can potentially convert into a triple stroller.
But, for now, there is no certified product of theirs for the conversion into a triple stroller.
Do you need an infant insert for a Mockingbird stroller?
According to Mockingbird's own recommendations, their toddler seat is not suitable for children under four months.
Your baby should develop proper neck and head support to be able to enjoy the toddler seat without any accessories.
However, if you buy an infant seat insert, you can transform the toddler seat into the infant seat and use it with newborns.
I am not sure about the infant seat insert, though.
If you look at the official recommendations, you'll see that experts and pediatrics are saying that only rear-facing infant car seats are completely safe for infants.
So, I wouldn't rely on the inserts or seat liner for infant accommodation because I don't think they support the baby's head properly, even in a reclined position.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I am more than satisfied with my Mockingbird stroller.
It's a solid stroller that works well on different terrains, turns nicely, and isn't hard for steering and maneuvering.
It has some downsides, too, such as the weight, handlebar adjustability, and performance on rough terrains, but I wouldn't say these are deal-breakers unless you specifically care for these things.
If you enjoyed my Mockingbird stroller review and decided this is the right model for you, you can buy it through the link and support our page, as it comes at no additional cost to you.
If you think Vista is a more attractive choice for you, check out my detailed review HERE.