Cybex Balios S
.eli
The Cybex Balios S is a stroller based on the popular Balios M, new for 2018. It belongs to the Cybex Gold series. Balios S has a reversible, non-bucket seat with independently adjustable backrest and leg rest. The seat is located higher, so the baby is closer to you and you can use the stroller as a high chair. The solid rubber wheels with a foam core are maintenance-free. The soft suspension ensures a comfortable ride on all kinds of terrain. Balios S also features new, premium textiles, a visor on the extra large extendable hood and a reinforced shopping basket. The Balios S comes with a new optional carrycot - Cot S, and along with a car seat is able to create a 2in1 or a 3in1 stroller system. For the year 2018, Balios S was also released in the special Fashion Edition with silver frame, patterned hood and leatherette handle as well as bumper bar.
The Cybex Balios S is a stroller based on the popular Balios M, new for 2018. It belongs to the Cybex Gold series. Balios S has a reversible, non-bucket seat with independently adjustable backrest and leg rest. The seat is located higher, so the baby is closer to you and you can use the stroller as a high chair. The solid rubber wheels with a foam core are maintenance-free. The soft suspension ensures a comfortable ride on all kinds of terrain. Balios S also features new, premium textiles, a visor on the extra large extendable hood and a reinforced shopping basket. The Balios S comes with a new optional carrycot - Cot S, and along with a car seat is able to create a 2in1 or a 3in1 stroller system. For the year 2018, Balios S was also released in the special Fashion Edition with silver frame, patterned hood and leatherette handle as well as bumper bar.
Cybex Balios S Features & Specifications
The Basics
- Type
- Pushchair (seat and chassis only), 2in1 stroller system, 3in1 stroller system
- Stroller weight
- 11.2 kg
- Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l)
- 110 cm x 60 cm x 92.5 cm
- Folded dimensions (h×w×l)
- 75 cm x 60 cm x 41 cm
- Chassis material
- Aluminum
- Country of origin
- Germany
- Stroller available as a pushchair (seat unit configuration) only; newborn accessories (like a carrycot) need to be purchased separately
- Yes
The Seat unit
- Maximum weight capacity - seat load
- 17 kg
- Recommended age range (best to use with a child of)
- 0-36 months
- Reversible seat unit
- Yes
- Easy-release memory button(s) on the seat or the carrycot
- Yes
- L-shaped, bucket-type seat unit
- No
- Reclining backrest
- Yes, 3 positions
- Full-recline backrest (a bigger-than-a-150-degree-angle to a lie-flat)
- Yes
- Backrest recline type
- Rear-located recline mechanism (e.g., lever-operated)
- One-hand backrest recline system
- Yes
- Extendable backrest
- No
- Legrest positioning
- Yes, 3 positions
- Extendable leg rest
- No
- Wipe-clean layer on the leg rest
- Yes
- Footrest
- Yes
- Backrest height
- 53 cm
- Width and depth of the sitting surface
- 30.5 x 23.5 cm
- Total length of the seat unit
- 97 cm
- A higher seat unit's position on the chassis
- Yes
- Height-adjustable seat
- No
- Seat unit's proper attachment indicator
- No
- 2in1 convertible carrycot/seat unit (pramette travel system)
- No
- Fabrics removable for cleaning
- Yes
- Seat fabrics cleaning
- Machine washable
- Safety harness type
- 5-point
- Harness padding
- Yes
- Height-adjustable harness belts
- Yes
- Ventilation integrated into the seat
- No
- Second seat can be attached (single-to-double convertibility)
- No
The Canopy (Hood)
- Seat unit equipped with a canopy/hood
- Yes
- Extendable canopy/hood
- Yes
- The canopy/hood features a sun visor
- Yes
- Floating, follow-the-sun canopy
- No
- Height-adjustable canopy
- No
- Removable canopy
- Yes
- Waterproof canopy
- Yes
- UV protection in the (canopy) fabrics
- Yes
- Ventilation integrated into the canopy
- Yes
- A pocket integrated into the canopy
- No
- Peek-a-boo viewing window present on the canopy
- Yes
- Peek-a-boo window can be closed/covered
- Yes
- Quiet (magnetic/no velcro) peek-a-boo window
- Yes
- Reinforcing side clasps present on the canopy
- No
The Bumper bar
- Bumper bar
- Yes
- Bumper bar type (style)
- Bar
- Removable bumper bar
- Yes
- Gate-opening (swing-away) bumper bar
- Yes
- Height-adjustable bumper bar
- No
- Bumper bar features a fabric (non-wipe-clean) cover
- No
- Bumper bar features an extra crotch strap
- No
The Wheels
- Number of wheels
- 4
- Front wheel(s) type
- EVA foam-coated wheels, Rubber-coated wheels
- Rear wheels type
- EVA foam-coated wheels, Rubber-coated wheels
- Front wheels diameter
- 18 cm
- Rear wheels diameter
- 27 cm
- Swivel wheels
- Yes
- Lockable wheels
- Yes
- Removable wheels
- Yes
- All wheels are double wheels
- No
- All-terrain version of wheels available to purchase separately
- No
- Wheels equipped with mudguards
- No,
- Two-wheel mode
- No
The Suspension
- Suspension
- Yes
- Wheels with suspension
- All
- Suspension type
- Open springs
- Adjustable suspension softness
- No
- Rocking chassis
- No
The Brake
- Central brake system/type
- One-step rocker pedal (flip-flop friendly)
- Deceleration handbrake
- No,
The Fold
- Folding system
- Flat (compact) fold
- One-hand fold
- Yes
- Plane-travel-friendly stroller with an ultra-compact fold (suitable as carry-on luggage)
- No
- Folds with the (forward-facing) seat attached
- Yes
- Folds with the rearward-facing seat attached
- Yes
- Self-standing fold
- Yes
- Auto-lock feature of the folded chassis
- Yes
- Folded stroller can be pulled behind like luggage
- Yes
- Stroller folds and/or unfolds by itself
- No
- Equipped with a carry strap/carry handle
- No
- Outward fold (the seat fabrics are on the outside after folding)
- No
The Handlebar
- Handle height adjustment
- Telescopic
- Handlebar material
- Foam
- Handlebar height
- 99-110 cm
- Reversible handlebar (handle can be flipped to the other side)
- No
- Safety wrist strap
- No
The Basket
- Shopping basket
- Yes
- Large shopping basket
- Yes
- Basket's weight capacity
- 5 kg
- Closable basket
- No
- An extra basket can be attached to the frame
- No
- A pocket integrated into the seat/elsewhere on the stroller frame
- No
The Carrycot
- Carrycot compatible
- Yes (with adapters)
- Internal dimensions of the carrycot - mattress measurement
- 77 x 30 cm
- Carry handle on the carrycot
- Yes,
- Inclining carrycot mattress
- No,
- Foldable carrycot
- Yes,
- Rocking-base carrycot
- No
- Ventilatilated carrycot base (bottom ventilation system)
- No,
- Carrycot installable in the car instead of a group 0+ car seat (Auto carrycot)
- No,
- Carrycot positioned high on the frame
- No
The Car seat
- Car seat compatible
- Yes (with adapters)
- Car seat sold separately
- Yes
- Maxi-Cosi/Cybex car seat attachment-type adapters available
- Yes
- Britax Römer car seat attachment-type adapters available
- No
The Accessories & Extra features
- Parent tray/organizer on the handlebar (included)
- No
- Cup holder can be attached
- Yes
- Reflective elements
- No
- No pushchair mode/seat-unit configuration available
- No
- Rain cover included
- No
- Mosquito net included
- No
- Leg cover (apron) included with the seat unit
- No
- Seat liner/insert included
- No
- Changing bag included
- No
- Carry bag/transport cover for the folded stroller included
- No
- Motorized/Baterry-powered
- No
- LED light(s)
- No
- Built-in audio speakers
- No
- A storage/bag can be attached instead of a seat
- No
Best Deals for Cybex Balios S
Parent reviews of the Cybex Balios S
- Light
- Compact
- Small for larger toddlers
- Squeaks a little over time
- Flipped over with a heavier bag and baby inside
Quite a lightweight pushchair. For larger children a bit too small. With a heavier bag, it tipped over with our little one.
- Reversible seat facing both forward and backward
- Easy changing of backrest positions
- Extendable canopy
- Large shopping basket
- Washable all parts
- Rattling handle right out of the box
- Not nimble at all
The stroller is fine to look at. It also has some good features like an extendable canopy, easy changing of positions and easy turning of the seat.
But I didn't find it very comfortable - the handle rattles a lot, it's not sturdy. It is difficult to react to changes in direction, and even more difficult to operate with one hand. The canopy is very unstable, when the wind blows harder, it bends it to the sides.
In its description, it stands after folding. However, this is not very true, because if the front wheels curl a little, the stroller falls.
- reversible seat
- lever-operated back seatback positioning
- large rear foam-filled rubber wheels
- large canopy
- large basket that can carry more than 5 kg
- adjustable handle height
- easy to fold and operate
- looks good
- narrow seat
- higher weight
- not as sturdy frame - at the beginning had to get used to it
- thin canopy material
So far we've gone everywhere with it - regular broken sidewalks, high curbs, grass, even a gravel road. My daughter is a year and a half old - she slides out of her seat when she's not buckled in, and it's less roomy for sleeping - but she doesn't complain and likes to ride in it. The suspension is weaker than on the robust 3 in 1 prams, but we've got used to it. Easy folding is possible in both directions, when folded, it fits in a smaller car. I'm quite happy with the stroller 😊
- Easy steering
- Large basket
- XXL hood
- Not stable
- Low seat position
- Narrow seat
I was expecting more from this brand. Too much of a rattle for me.
The perfect stroller, which I find only one downside - a too shallow seat. Without the seat harness, I would be afraid that my baby would fall out from under the bumper bar - and sometimes I feel that he is almost hanging there by the belt between my legs. But otherwise it's perfect - very roomy and perfectly accessible basket, easy to fold, seat reverses even if baby is sitting on it (I click it off it in, take it out and turn it around). With the locked wheels, it's perfect for skating, decent suspension, big canopy. And most of all, I really like it :)
- One-handed operation
- Large basket
- Also foldable with one hand
- Positionable
- None
I am very satisfied with the stroller, even surprised. The little one looks happy too, as in the other stroller we had a problem to fall asleep... for me I can recommend 100 % 🥰
- beautiful colour
- off-road wheels
- all-wheel suspension
- large shopping basket
- XXL canopy
- easy one-hand folding
- foam wheels
- takes up little space when folded
- the seat could be a little wider
After the Cybex Priam, I wanted something more compact, smaller and lighter. When I saw the new Cybex Balios S Lux 2020, my mind was made up.
The Magnolia Pink colour scheme was the winner for us. The colour is really stunning in person. I tried the stroller on different terrains (asphalt road, bumpy road, pebbles, grass, dirt/forest road) and it handled all of them without a problem. The suspension on all 4 wheels is really great. The shopping basket is large and roomy. The seat is adequate, but if it was a bit wider it wouldn't hurt. I'll see how my daughter fits in there with her fluffy footmuff in the winter.
For me, this is another great stroller from Cybex. I knew it wouldn't let me down - having had a Cybex before. Complete satisfaction ❤️
- Extra long canopy
- Colour stability
- Manoeuvring
- Center of gravity
- Thin canopy
- Material of the front wheels
- Weaker suspension
The price corresponds to the quality. Basically, I was satisfied with Balios because it fulfilled what I expected it to (no, I didn't have high expectations) - and also pleasantly surprised me. It was roomy enough for even a 2 yr old child (of normal height). It was very easy to manoeuvre with one hand. The only minus was the thin roof, but on the other hand it was long enough so that even sleeping in the cold and wind was perfectly acceptable.
The front wheels, or rather the material from which they were made, were a bit of a hindrance for me. They got stones stuck in them very quickly. Suspension was a bit weak, but for city (broken) sidewalks it was quite sufficient. It also went through snow, although the wheels needed to be re-greased.
I also rate the colour fastness positively, after 2 summers the stroller looked very good. It also coped with frequent washing, the canopy was slightly greyed, but it was visible totally minimally (black color).
The weight of the stroller could definitely be lower, but when pushing or lifting it up a curb it was not felt at all. So I also rate the stroller's center of gravity positively, especially if the seat was in the direction of travel.
- Ultra-lightweight!
- Perfect design
- Easy folding and unfolding
- Perfectly fits into the car boot and saves a lot of space there
- Excellent chassis, can also be used in a (not too) rough terrain
- Very comfortable for the kid
- Great value for money
- Too small front wheels - may get stuck even in a smaller hole
- Shopping basket got damaged after 1 year of use
Probably the best stroller we've ever had. Been using it for about 3 years and with almost no troubles. Great buy.
- Compact
- Easy to steer
- Reversible seat
- Adjusting leg rest
- A full lie-flat
- Large hood
- Rattles on bumps and holes
- Foam front wheels
- Unstable
I bought it as a second stroller to our double pram or for occasional short trips when our elder wants to walk by himself. It fulfills my needs, but I wouldn't want it as an only stroller.
Your questions about the Cybex Balios S
Hi Eli,
I am about to make a decision between buying the Cybex Balios S Lux or the ABC Design Salsa 4 Air. I like the Balios S Lux better, have been researching a lot. There are 2 points due to which I am giving 2nd thoughts.
1. I live in Germany, the winters are extreme - the temperature go down to -10 degrees centigrade. The thin canopy of S Lux is bothering me and I am wondering if this would be suitable for extreme winters.
2. The carry cot and the seat unit are overall smaller compared to other strollers available in similar price range; I am worried if my baby might outgrow the stroller before 3 years?
Which one would you recommend Balios S lux or the Salsa 4 Air?
Many thanks!
Hi, Avani,
I will start with "the canopy and its thinness will not affect the comfort of the baby in the stroller", meaning the canopy it not the thing protecting it from the freezing cold. It only provides shade and a bit of protection against wind, though, for extreme cold, it won't help you as much - layering, a good footmuff, apron, blanket, etc. will do that. So the canopy thickness would not be the deciding factor for me personally - I'd invest in a good footmuff instead.
About the space, the Balios s is rather spacious actually, seat length-wise, though narrow-ish, which is not the best for thick winter clothing. In that point of view, and also from looking at the wheels which are considerably larger and thicker on the Salsa Air, you'd have an advantage in winter with the ABC Design, space as well as push-wise. So if your priority is to last longer and more comfortable in the winter, yes, the Salsa Air is the better option.
The Balios S is, on the other hand, the lighter, more compact option for the city and the rest of the year. It is practical mainly when you want something nimble-ish, while sturdiness and longevity-wise, rather go for the Salsa.
Hello, I saw that some parents wrote that canopy can be repleced by Bugaboo canopy. Can you please tell me which model of Bugaboo canopy will fit to the Balios s lux?
Hiya, Tea,
Yes, people truly do that! To attach a Bugaboo canopy to the Balios S, you need to but not only a Bugaboo Donkey canopy, but also the canopy wires (rods) and the attachment system to the frame (I am attaching what you need as a picture). So you need to order a Donkey hood, Donkey clips, and Donkey canopy rods.
I am expecting my first baby & planning to buy a Cybex Balios. I need honest reviews - is it worth the buy? For a new mom is it easy to manage or are there any other better options?
Hi, Hina,
There are always better (and worse) options, and even more so if you're a first time mom and don't know your stroller priorities and special requirements on the pram. Having said that, the Balios S is a nice middle way with an OK price, an OK maneuverability, OK spaciousness, and overall features that are not bad, actually. I am not sure what choices are there in your country, perhaps send me your budget and what were you choosing between in your price range, but even though there may be better and worse strollers, as I already said, this one is nice features- as well as looks-wise. So no worries ^_^