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EMILY’S TAKE
I really like the UPPAbaby Kona. The size, price and features make it a great option for many families. If I were buying my first stroller again and wanted one stroller that could take me from the newborn stage into toddlerhood without the bulk of a larger full-size option, the Kona would be very high on my list.
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I have been putting the UPPAbaby Kona to the test with my family, including everyday walks, errands, folding it into the car and checking how the seat fits my children.
My husband is six feet tall, and neither of us found ourselves kicking the back of the stroller while pushing it. I also compared the Kona with other mid-size strollers and looked at how its size fits between the Minu and Cruz. My comparisons are below.
I love the mid-size stroller category because so many parents want something easier to lift in and out of the car without dropping down to a tiny travel stroller. Travel strollers are amazing for portability, but you often give up things like a reversible seat, larger wheels, and generous storage. Full-size strollers give you those features, but they can be a lot to lift, store, and fit in your trunk.
The stroller includes the leather bumper bar, rain shield and bug net.
I think the price is one of the more compelling things about the Kona, especially within the premium mid-size stroller category. You get a lot of functionality straight out of the box without immediately needing to purchase additional accessories.
The UPPAbaby Kona is GREENGUARD Gold Certified. This means it has been tested for low chemical emissions, which is something parents may look for when shopping for baby gear.
You can learn more about what the certification actually means for baby gear and strollers in my guide to GREENGUARD Gold certified strollers.
One of my favorite parts of the UPPAbaby Kona is the stroller seat. It is reversible, gets incredibly upright, and is designed to grow with your child up to 50 pounds.
That fully upright seating position matters more than you might think. Once babies become toddlers and want to look around, I find that many of them are much happier when they are able to sit upright instead of constantly leaning back.
The Kona also has a 21-inch seatback, which is impressive for a mid-size stroller. Even better, the canopy can move upward as your child grows to create additional headroom. That is a feature I see much more often on full-size strollers, so I was really happy to see UPPAbaby include it here.
I tested the Kona with my very tall almost-five-year-old, and she does still fit underneath the canopy (just barely). That said, if I were specifically shopping for a stroller for an already tall older toddler, I would probably choose something with the absolute most seat and canopy room possible. For a baby or younger toddler, though, I think the Kona gives you plenty of room to grow.
The seat also includes a no-rethread harness, magnetic buckle, leather bumper bar, adjustable footrest, and a lower footrest for older children.
Canopy space is only part of the fit: UPPAbaby’s US limit is 50 pounds and 40 inches tall. A child fitting under the canopy does not override those limits.
The canopy is also really nice. It has an extension panel that gives you good coverage, plus a magnetic peekaboo window with mesh for extra airflow. I especially like that the flap stays open when you tuck it back, so you can actually use the peekaboo window without constantly fighting with it.
Select models from these brands:
Chicco · Clek · Cybex · Joie · Maxi Cosi · Nuna · UPPAbaby
Chicco
Clek
Cybex
Joie
Maxi Cosi
Nuna
UPPAbaby
Check your exact model and setup instructions with the manufacturer before use.
The easiest option is simply using the stroller seat itself. When fully reclined, a built-in panel pulls out to create an enclosed Newborn Cocoon. I think UPPAbaby did a great job with this because the integrated Newborn Cocoon panel stays completely tucked away when you are not using it, but it is very easy to pull out when you need it.
You can also use the UPPAbaby Bassinet. I used the UPPAbaby Bassinet with both my second and third babies, and I loved being able to take it off the stroller and use it as a safe place for baby while we were outside with the older kids.
I love having a bassinet option because you do not have to buckle your baby into it for every walk, there is plenty of room for them to stretch out, and the UPPAbaby Bassinet can also be useful away from the stroller. It has a lot of mesh ventilation, a great canopy, and can work with other strollers within the UPPAbaby lineup.
UPPAbaby infant car seats, including the Aria and Mesa, attach directly to the stroller frame without adapters. That makes the setup especially convenient for errands because there is nothing extra to install or keep track of.
The Kona also has car seat compatibility with select Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, Clek, Joie, and Chicco infant car seats using separately purchased adapters. I really like that flexibility because not every family buying the Kona will necessarily be starting from scratch. You may already have an infant car seat from an older child or have been gifted one before choosing your stroller.
One thing to keep in mind is that the infant car seat sits relatively low on the Kona frame, just like the stroller seat itself. That is part of the more compact mid-size design. It did not bother me in use, but it is something you may notice if you are coming from a taller full-size stroller. They do sell height adapters that can be used with the car seat and bassinet.
STEERING & TURNING
Great
Ease of turning and navigating tight spaces, compared with other mid-size everyday strollers.
UNEVEN SURFACES
Good
How it pushes over bumps, gravel, and uneven sidewalks, compared with other mid-size everyday strollers.
The quality and materials throughout the Kona feel very UPPAbaby. The handlebar is covered in real leather and adjusts for different parent heights. My husband is six feet tall, and neither of us found ourselves kicking the back of the stroller while pushing it, which is always something I pay attention to with a more compact frame.
There is also a small zippered pocket on the back of the stroller seat. It is the perfect size for your phone, keys, or wallet. UPPAbaby sells a parent organizer separately if you want additional storage or somewhere to keep a drink within reach.
The storage basket is one of the Kona’s biggest strengths. UPPAbaby is known for generous storage baskets, and the Kona has a 30-pound basket capacity, which is especially impressive on a lightweight mid-size stroller.
The rear bar is positioned in a way that leaves the basket really easy to access, and there are also a couple of smaller pockets and a cup holder area inside. I have found that it fits everything I normally need for an outing without feeling like I am constantly trying to cram things underneath the seat.
The brake is simple and very flip-flop friendly. Green means go and red means stop, and you just press it rather than having to get your foot underneath anything to release it.
As far as the push goes, the Kona has been great on the surfaces I think most families will actually use it on. It handles neighborhood sidewalks, city sidewalks, stores, and going up and down curbs really well. It feels much more substantial than a compact travel stroller while still being easy to maneuver.
I would not call it an all-terrain stroller, though. It can handle occasional grass, light gravel, and normal uneven sidewalks, but if your everyday walks include rough trails, deep gravel, or consistently challenging terrain, I would look for something with larger wheels and more suspension, like one of the best jogging strollers for running and all-terrain use.
I would actually love to see UPPAbaby eventually offer an upgraded all-terrain wheel option for the Kona. That would make an already really versatile everyday stroller even more capable.
EASE OF FOLDING
Easy
One-handed fold
The UPPAbaby Kona fold may be my favorite thing about this stroller.
The Kona weighs 22 pounds with the stroller seat attached, and with the pull of a strap it folds into a surprisingly compact, self-standing package. It also has an integrated padded carry strap, which makes it much easier to carry up stairs or move around when folded.
For an everyday stroller, the folded size is really impressive. It is not an overhead-bin travel stroller, but it is not going to take over your trunk either.
One of the best parts is that you can fold the Kona with the seat facing either direction, so you do not have to turn or remove a parent-facing seat before loading it into the car.
The same convenience applies when using an UPPAbaby infant car seat. After removing the car seat, you can grab the fold strap and have the stroller folded almost immediately. For quick errands, I would argue that this setup gives you some of the convenience parents love about something like a Doona, except you are getting an actual stroller that will continue to grow with your child.
To open the Kona, you release the latch on the side and unfold it. I have found the whole process really easy, and this is a stroller I would have no problem loading in and out of my car several times in one day.
If airplane travel and overhead-bin compatibility are your top priorities, the Kona is not the stroller I would choose. For that, I would look at a true compact travel stroller, starting with something from my guide to the best travel strollers for flights and tight spaces. But for everyday life, especially if you are frequently going between your house, car, errands, and activities, I think the Kona’s compact fold is one of its biggest advantages.
THE DETAILS
Choose a section to see the details.
Stroller weight
22 lb
Open dimensions (L × W × H)
33.6 × 21 × 38 in
Folded dimensions (L × W × H)
13.4 × 21 × 25.8 in
IATA size reference
No · exceeds 22 × 18 × 10 in
One-handed fold
Yes
Auto-fold
No
Stands when folded
Yes
The IATA reference uses 22 × 18 × 10 inches (approximately 56 × 45 × 25 cm). Airline and aircraft allowances vary.
Seatback height
21 in
Child weight limit
50 lb
Child height limit
40 in
Reversible seat
Yes
Most upright position
Upright
Maximum recline
Flat or near-flat
Adjustable footrest
Yes
No-rethread harness
Yes
Tire type
Airless
Flip-flop-friendly brake
Yes
Basket capacity
30 lb
Basket access
Easy
Canopy coverage
Generous
Peekaboo window
Yes
Snack tray
Available separately
Rider-board support
Yes
Included items
Stroller with seat, canopy, bumper bar, rain shield and bug shield. Bassinet, car seats, third-party car-seat adapters and other accessories sold separately.
GREENGUARD Gold certified. UPPAbaby describes full-grain, REACH-compliant leather details.
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Price checked October 6, 2026. Check each retailer for its current price.
KEEP EXPLORING
See how it compares with other strollers.
Review by Emily Schultz, The Stroller Mom