With so many great strollers on the market, it can be difficult to choose between two that, on the surface, look similar but have very different price tags, like the Mockingbird and the UPPAbaby Vista V2.
While both of these strollers check a lot of boxes, there are some differences — besides price — that may help you decide between the two.
For the sake of simplicity, we’re comparing the Mockingbird Single-to-Double and the UPPAbaby Vista V2, both of which have multiple configurations and can be used as single strollers, double strollers, and with the right accessories and attachments, can even make room for a tired toddler to rest on a riding board.
Here’s a quick breakdown between these two great strollers so you can choose the best option for your family.
Price
No point beating around the bush – these two have a pretty big difference in base price.
Why is Mockingbird cheaper? The long and short of it is that it is sold DTC (direct to consumer), which helps keep the cost down.
However, Vista V2 has more out of the box. Adding those accessories to the Mockingbird will raise the price by $180, bringing it up to $630.
Mockingbird: $450
UPPAbaby Vista V2: $999.99
What’s in the box?
While most of these seem silly to mention (it comes with WHEELS!) there are some important differences – like the bassinet, which is included with the UPPAbaby, but not the Mockingbird.
Bassinets are handy to carry a sleeping baby from walking into your home – move the bassinet and not the baby and you have a safe place to sleep.
That said, some people find the bassinet unnecessary and a bit impractical for actual walking as the baby tends to slide around a bit anytime there’s a surface that isn’t 100% flat. Imagine pulling over to the curb after crossing a street or walking down a sloped driveway.
But others found it a nice, safe place for Baby to rest or hang out. In the end, the bassinet shouldn’t be the end-all be-all deciding factor between the two, but can help tip the scales in one direction or the other, which is why I bring it up.
Mockingbird:
Frame, seat, bumper bar, UPF 50+ sunshade with peek-a-boo window, large storage basket, and wheels. The bassinet ($140) is separate but not required (see below for other accessories for using your stroller from day one).
UPPAbaby Vista V2
Frame, seat, bumper bar, UPF 50+ sunshade with peep-a-boo window, large storage basket, wheels, bassinet, bug shieldand rain cover.
There are tons of options for additional accessories, but some of the more popular options include second seats, infant inserts, car seat adapters, bassinet stands (see Mockingbird bassinet stand review here), tray snacks, cup holders, hand muffs, footmuffs, or even a cooler. Here is the full list of Mockingbird accessories and UPPAbaby accessories.
Frame and finish
Based on looks alone, the frames and finishes of these two strollers are quite similar. They weigh about the same, both have the ability to accommodate multiple sittings, and have very similar footprints. That said, there are a few things, like how the handlebar adjusts and the number of color combinations, that can help a stroller stand out. If you or your partner (or both) are too tall, the handle can be extended, helping a comfortable push.
Mockingbird:
frame: Anodized aluminum
Hold: Leatherette grip (no animal by-products), does not stretch but has 6 rotating positions for a comfortable grip
Seat and basket: Strong nylon
Weight: 26.5 lbs, including frame, seat, wheels, canopy and basket
Footprints: 33” L x 25.5” W x 40” H (unfolded) 18” L x 25.5” W x 34” H (folded)
Customization: 6 colors and 2 patterns for the sunshade, 2 color combos for the frame
UPPAbaby Vista V2:
frame: Aluminum and magnesium (although this is from a second site and not clear on the UPPAbaby site)
Hold: Premium, full grain leather grip, adjustable handlebar that extends to accommodate all heights
Seat and basket: Nylon blend
Weight: 27 lbs, including frame, seat, wheels, canopy and basket
Footprints: 36” L x 25.7” W x 39.5” H (unfolded) 17.3” L x 25.7” W x 33.3” H (folded)
Customization: Choose from 10 preset designs featuring different colored sun shades and frames, or choose their TAILORED option for custom fabrics and designs at a higher price.
Fold
Why does it matter if a stroller can stand on its own and fold flat? It’s a personal decision, but for people who plan to store the stroller in a closet or carry it in the car, these factors can help dial in the right stroller for a particular family. Additionally, collapsing the stroller with one hand is something that moves the needle for some, while for others, an extra step or two (and a few extra seconds) isn’t a big deal. deal breaker.
Mockingbird:
Stand alone flat fold: Yes
One hand fold: Yes
UPPAbaby Vista V2:
Stand alone flat fold: Yes and has the smaller fold of the two
One hand fold: Nope. There is a two-handed fold that requires several steps (activating the break, extending the handlebar to the second highest position, and reclining the seat)
Tires and Brakes
Both strollers rank highly for child comfort and ease of pushing, even on rough terrain (we’re talking packed dirt paths vs. paved sidewalks), though the UPPAbaby has a slight edge due to their all-wheel suspension.
Both of them are praised for their flip-flop-friendly breaks, which means you can easily touch or remove the damage, even if the top of your foot is not protected by a shoe.
Mockingbird:
Front wheel suspension, flip-flop friendly foot break that gets high marks for being very easy to lock/unlock, pivoting front wheels.
UPPAbaby Vista V2:
All-wheel suspension, flip-flop friendly foot brake with a visual indicator that shows you whether the brake is on (red) or not (green). Slightly larger wheels than the Mockingbird. Turning the front wheels. There have been some complaints about the break being harder to lock/unlock compared to the Mockingbird, but overall, it’s receiving pretty positive feedback.
Car seat compatibility
Car seat adapters let you use your stroller base from day one without having to get any special inserts or bassinets. They are very handy for carrying your baby anywhere and everywhere and really maximize the usefulness of your stroller.
Although several brands are listed below, not all models are covered under each brand, so make sure you check that the brand and model are the same as the list found on the Mockingbird or UPPAbaby site.
Mockingbird:
$45 car seat adapter and connects to various models from these brands: Baby Jogger, Britax, Chicco, Cybex, Evenflo, Graco, Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and UPPAbaby. Exact models can be found here.
UPPAbaby Vista V2
$49 car seat adapter which connects to Chicco, Cybex, Maxi-Cosi, and Nuna. The UPPAbaby Mesa connects without an adapter. Exact models can be found here. Some sites report other seats as suitable (like Clek and Peg-Perego), but that can’t be confirmed on the UPPAbaby site, so more research is needed before you make anything official.
Age of use
Both strollers can be used from day one through infancy, with each seat rated at 50 pounds. (That’s about the size of an average five-year-old.)
As we mentioned before, you will need either a bassinet, insert, or car seat adapter in the beginning, then around 6-7 months – or when your baby is sitting up unassisted – you can start using chair included.
Mockingbird:
Newborn with infant seat insert (sold separately), car seat adapter (sold separately), or bassinet (sold separately) up to 50 pounds in infant seat.
UPPAbaby Vista V2:
Newborn with bassinet, UPPAbaby Infant SnugSeat (sold separately), or car seat adapter (sold separately) up to 50 pounds in toddler seat.
Guarantee
Both strollers offer warranties of varying durations, though as with any warranty, you need to read the fine print to know if this will be a selling point for you.
Mockingbird:
Lifetime warranty (with some exceptions listed on the site – details can be found here), and you don’t need to register your product to use it – although they still recommend that you do. Mockingbird also offers a free 30-day trial if you want to try it out and see if it works for your lifestyle.
UPPAbaby:
3-year limited warranty, as long as you register your stroller with UPPAbaby. Full details can be found here.
What did other sites think about them?
We looked around to see what other comparison sites thought.
When will they sell?
Neither of the UPPAbaby Vista V2s Mockingbird strollers are on sale very often. You’ll get the odd discount on old stock or a freebie cup holder every now and then, but the discounts are never huge so you’re pretty safe buying them anytime. Check out places like GoodBuyGear and Rebelstork to pick up a used one if you want a deal.
Where can I buy them?
Both strollers can be purchased directly from their respective sites, online, or at various retailers. UPPAbaby in particular can be picky about their warranty, so make sure you buy it from one of their authorized retailers.
Mockingbird:
Mockingbird
Target
Baby list
UPPAbaby Vista V2:
UPPAbaby
Amazon
Baby list
Crate and Children
Nordstrom
Pottery Barn Kids
Final thoughts
They are both great strollers.
They are thoughtfully designed to last, each with different perks that will appeal to different families.
We’ve reviewed the Mockingbird stroller in the past and really liked it. It holds up well against wear and tear and you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Even if you add the bassinet, the Mockingbird is significantly cheaper but it’s also worth noting that the Vista holds its resale value, so you can recoup some of the initial cost if you decide to sell it.
If budget is not the deciding factor, the Vista V2 is a better stroller. Is $550 better? Maybe. If it gets a lot of use, lots of kids will use it, or someone else buys your stroller, I’d say it’s worth a look.
What do you think? Do you have one of these strollers and love it or hate it?
Let us know in the comments below.
Our next reco: Shit, I Chose the Wrong Stroller…Three Times
