Ergobaby Metro stroller has become one of the most popular compact strollers due to its unique function. Ergobaby is the only travel stroller with a fully flat recline, making it a great choice for newborns. Unsurprisingly, when the Ergobaby Metro 3 model was released, many were excited about the updates.
I tested both the original Metro+ model, and the Metro+ Deluxe model, and while the flat recline was nice, the folding mechanism was incredibly flimsy on both. The cushy Deluxe was also slightly too big for the overhead bin on some airplanes, especially around Europe. It’s safe to say that it wasn’t my favorite travel stroller and I would reach for several models before using the Metro+.
Did Ergobaby Metro 3 stroller solve the issues the previous versions had? Some yes, some not quite. Here’s my full, honest review.
As usual, I bought this stroller myself, so it’s a fully unbiased review, after testing pretty much every travel stroller on the market.
Pros & Minor Cons of Ergobaby Metro 3 Stroller
Age Range – Newborn to 50 pounds (22kg)
Stroller Weight – 16.7 pounds (7.6kg)
Folded Size – 22 x 17 x 9 inches (56 x 44 x 23cm)
Maneuverability & Design
There are a few major improvements from the previous models: one of which is a better fold, and the second most important is that the brake is now on the side. On the original Metro+ the brake was located right in the middle, which made it impossible to engage when the stroller was reclined.
The underneath basket is super spacious, same as on the original model. There’s also a little zipper pocket on the back that doesn’t interfere with the mesh to give the child more airflow.
The wheels don’t wobble like before, and it goes smoothly over uneven sidewalks.
Folding and Unfolding of Ergobaby Metro 3
One of the biggest cons of the previous models was that unfolding the stroller was insanely flimsy. I hit myself with the stroller so many times and it wasn’t a smooth one movement.
Ergobaby Metro 3 unfolds much better, and while it’s not as smooth as for example, Joolz Aer or Mamazing, it’s no longer awful. I could definitely live with it.
However… folding the recline back up is honestly what nightmares are made of. I tried many times to check if I was doing it wrong, kept googling the answers and seeing what went wrong. No matter what, the seat would only go upright slightly and then I had to use insane force to pull it back up entirely. Due to the force I had to use I wouldn’t do it with the child sitting in the stroller and it made my experience annoying. Could I have gotten a faulty model? Maybe.
Seat Compartment, Recline & Canopy
The seat is insanely padded, even more than the original one. It seems that Ergobaby borrowed an idea from Bugaboo Butterfly and opted for a removable pad which makes it easy to remove and wash – because we all know that snacks, milk and other stains are a pain in the butt when the cushions don’t detach from the stroller.
I wish the seat was more upright, especially considering that the bumper bar isn’t included.
The footrest is pretty awesome and sturdy, which isn’t always the case on all strollers, so it gets a thumbs up from me. Same goes for the canopy that’s big and provides full coverage. It’s also not attached to the seatback, making sure that even big kids can still fit into the stroller (it works up to 50 lbs!) and even use the canopy.
As mentioned before, Ergobaby is the only stroller that bypassed the US regulations for a compact stroller to have a full recline. They did it, because this stroller is much heavier and longer than most compact strollers, so this is the price to pay for the full recline instead of “close to full recline”.
Is the full recline really needed? In my humble opinion, it’s not. While it matters for a newborn to have a flat recline, only very few families will travel a lot within the first few months of the child’s life. I traveled a lot, but starting from 3-4 months, the “almost flat” recline was enough for us. In fact, my firstborn son refused a flat recline at 3 months as he was eager to look around and wanted to sit more upright.
Accessories
Unfortunately, the lack of accessories already included is upsetting, as Ergobaby Metro 3 stroller isn’t exactly cheap. I would have loved to see at least a bumper bar included, or a parental cupholder – literally anything would make a nice gesture. Considering the price that’s in-between the budget and luxury option, it made me think of Ergobaby Metro 3 as not worth the price.
Final Verdict: Ergobaby Metro 3 Review
Now, all the improvements on the Ergobaby Metro 3 have made the stroller even heavier than the original model. The stroller feels and looks much bigger than most other compact strollers and in the long term, I cannot imagine having to carry it around when there are stairs. When you think about the price you have to pay for it and the weight, I just think it’s better to either invest in a truly luxury travel stroller model – like Joolz Aer, Stokke Yoyo, or Bugaboo Butterfly.
The truth is, you’ll be buying a stroller for a few years to come, and many functions like weight and length are going to be compromised due to full recline, which, if you think long-term, isn’t worth it. Every child can easily nap in a stroller with the almost-flat recline, so in that aspect, it won’t take away the comfort.
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