We’ve been reviewing strollers since 2019 here at Fathercraft. Long enough to have opinions about the original Colugo Compact. The fold was fiddly. The harness buckle was a small torture device. And if you were over six feet, you were pushing with a permanent lean. But, despite all that, for the time, it was a solid compact stroller.
We tested 10 strollers for our best travel strollers of 2026 list. The Colugo Compact+ is our pick for best budget option for families with babies 4 months and up.
The Colugo Compact+ weighs 16.18 lbs, fits in airplane overhead bins, and is designed for babies 4 months and older (up to 55 lbs). Ships with rain cover, carry bag, and cupholder included. MSRP $299, roughly 60% the price of the UPPAbaby MINU V3 ($499). Key upgrades over the original Compact: auto-fold with no latch required, upgraded 5-point harness, taller handlebar, longer canopy, quick-release recline (106° to 149°). Basket holds 10 lbs. No car seat adapters are available for the Compact+. Minimum age is 4 months — no infant kit option.
Times have changed. Stroller companies have upped the bar on compact travel strollers. Colugo included… they fixed all three of our major complaints. The Compact+ is the result. In this review, we explore how well they did with the upgrades, pros and cons, who it’s for, and how it stacks up against the Uppababy Minu V3.
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I tested the Compact+ as part of our best travel strollers of 2026 roundup, where it took the top spot in the best budget category for babies 4 months and up. This review covers what changed, what stayed the same, and who should buy it.
The budget pick with non-budget features and quality
What’s new in the Compact+
Colugo took every complaint from the original and addressed it in one release. It reads a bit like a passive-aggressive response to every reviewer who ever roasted the first version. The fold, the harness, the handlebar — the three things everyone mentioned. Fixed.
Here’s what changed:
The fold. The original required a two-handed, multi-step process where you had to execute everything in the right order or start over. The Compact+ has a true auto-fold: press one button, stroller collapses, no latch needed. Fast, intuitive, and something you’ll appreciate every single time you use it at an airport.
The harness. The old buckle was one of those five-point systems that somehow managed to pinch your finger, your kid’s shirt, and itself at the same time. The new one has a flat circular buckle that works the way a buckle should.
The handlebar. Taller. If you were over six feet and developing a permanent lean with the original, this fixes it.
Beyond those three: longer canopy, one-hand adjustable footrest, quick-release recline from 106° to 149°, and a powder-coated black frame. Same $299 price point. Better stroller.
| Price | $299 MSRP (check for sales) |
| Weight | 16.18 lbs |
| Age minimum | 4 months |
| Max child weight | 55 lbs |
| Basket capacity | 10 lbs |
| Recline range | 106°–149° |
| Folded size | 17.6″ × 10.6″ × 22″ |
| Included in box | Rain cover, carry bag, cupholder |
| Car seat adapters | None available |
| Return policy | 30-day return + 2-year warranty |
Is a compact stroller right for you?
The Compact+ makes a lot of sense if you:
- Travel by plane with some regularity (it fits in airplane overhead bins)
- Live in a city with limited space or a smaller car trunk
- Want a lightweight second stroller for trips
- Have a baby 4 months or older
It’s probably not the right fit if you:
- Have a newborn under 4 months. No infant kit or car seat adapters are available for the Compact+. If you need a travel stroller that works from birth, the UPPAbaby MINU V3 and Joolz Aer 2 both support car seat adapters — see our best travel strollers roundup for the full comparison.
- Want to jog. Compact strollers aren’t built for running.
- Need a rugged everyday stroller for uneven terrain.
Compact strollers are great in a few scenarios:
- If you’re living in a city, where you’re likely to have a smaller living space
- If you travel with your baby on airplanes
- If you’ve got a smaller car with a smaller trunk
- If you’re looking for a second stroller for travel
What works well in the Compact Plus upgrade
The fold. One button, two seconds. No latch. Chef’s kiss. [MARK: Any specific airport or trip moment where this saved you? One real detail here would land well.]
Everything included in the box. Rain cover, carry bag, cupholder — all in at $299. A lot of travel strollers charge separately for the carry bag and rain cover. Colugo doesn’t, and it’s worth calling out.
Build quality for the price. The frame is solid, the comfort liner is machine washable, and the powder-coated finish looks clean. It’s not overbuilt, but there’s nothing cheap about it either. [MARK: Any specific durability observations from testing?]
Canopy. Longer than the original, UPF 50+, with a peek-a-boo window. Good coverage for a compact stroller — not a full rain shelter, but handles sun well.
Maneuverability. Light and responsive to push. I tested this at crowded farmer’s markets, we deftly dodged hipsters elbowing their way to the front of the sourdough line like it was nothing.
Where it falls short
Basket size. The basket holds 10 lbs. That’s workable for a day bag and some snacks, but if you’re someone who travels with a lot stashed underneath, you’ll notice it. This is probably the biggest practical limitation for day-to-day use.
No suspension. On smooth pavement it rolls fine. On cracks, curbs, or grass, you feel the terrain more than you would on a stroller with a suspension system. Works well in airports and on city sidewalks. Not the right call for cobblestones or anything unpaved.
Seat depth. The seat is shallower than you’d find on a premium travel stroller. Most kids through age 2 sit comfortably. Taller 3-year-olds may start to feel a bit scrunched.
The canopy also has a “peek-a-boo” cover for playing the namesake game, or just quietly gazing at your adorable little one.
How it compares to the UPPAbaby MINU V3
The short version: the Compact+ gives you roughly 85% of the MINU experience at 60% of the price. The gap is real. The MINU has all-wheel suspension, a 20-lb basket, a deeper seat, and materials that feel noticeably more premium — the leather-wrapped handlebar alone communicates that you paid $499. If you’re a frequent traveler who flies multiple times a year and wants the best, the MINU earns its price.
For most families, though, the Compact+ is the smarter buy. It’s not trying to be the MINU. It’s trying to be the best $299 travel stroller available. And it is.
For the full side-by-side, including specs, testing notes, and seven other strollers we evaluated, head to our best travel strollers of 2026 roundup. Our full Uppababy Minu V3 review here.
Verdict
The Colugo Compact+ is one of our picks for best travel stroller — specifically, the best option in the budget category for babies 4 months and up. The fold is the headline, but the full package at $299 (carry bag, rain cover, cupholder included, solid build, machine-washable liner) makes it a strong buy.
The tradeoffs — small basket, no suspension, shallower seat — are real and worth knowing going in. If any of those are dealbreakers for your situation, budget up to the MINU V3. If they’re not, the Compact+ does the job well and saves you $200.
Buy the Colugo Compact+ · Also on Amazon
Where to buy
MSRP is $299 and it goes on sale with some regularity, so it’s worth checking both before you buy.
Buy direct from Colugo.com if you want the 30-day return window and the 2-year warranty on the stroller. Buy on Amazon if you have Prime and prefer that route.
The budget pick with non-budget features and quality
Frequently asked questions
Does the Colugo Compact+ work with a car seat or infant kit? No. The Compact+ doesn’t support car seat adapters, and there’s no infant kit available. Minimum age is 4 months. If you need a travel stroller that works from birth with a car seat, the UPPAbaby MINU V3 and Joolz Aer 2 both do — both are reviewed in our best travel strollers roundup.
Does the Compact+ fit in an airplane overhead bin? Yes. Folded dimensions are 17.6″ × 10.6″ × 22″. Works on most commercial aircraft, including smaller regional jets.
How much does the Colugo Compact+ weigh? 16.18 lbs.
What’s the age and weight limit? 4 months and older, up to 55 lbs.
What comes in the box? Rain cover, carry bag (backpack style), and cupholder. Optional accessories from Colugo: on-the-go organizer ($36), diaper tote ($44), parent backpack ($45).
What’s the return policy? 30-day return when purchased directly from Colugo.com, plus a 2-year warranty on the stroller.
Also reviewed by Fathercraft: the Colugo baby carrier.
Editor’s note:
This review was originally published as just the video in January, 2019, but was updated with a full review in February, 2019, and updated with a review of the second generation compact in January, 2022. It was updated once more in May 2026 with information on the Compact+
