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The Origami stroller is made by 4Moms but when we brought it into the Consumer Reports labs for testing it was all the dads who gathered around to see the transformer-like stroller in action. With the push of a button, the aptly named stroller folds in on itself for storage or unfolds for use. That’s not all, the $850 stroller also has LED running lights, four cup holders and a cell phone charger. But the question our testers asked was: Is it a good stroller?
In our stroller tests, the 4Moms Origami had stiff competition in its class of traditional strollers. It scored very good overall for safety, maneuverability and ease-of-use: adjusting the safety harness, lifting and carrying it, engaging the brakes, and yes, folding and unfolding. The auto-folding feature did make that job easier but even when folded the stroller was bulky, heavy and unwieldy to stow in the trunk of a car. And it didn’t make our list of top stroller picks.
The power-folding feature runs on a battery that’s charged by a mechanism in the rear wheels while you walk. The manufacturer recommends that you also charge the battery in a wall outlet once every two weeks. But if the battery runs out of juice, the Origami has a manual fold option that our testers found was no harder to use than that of other strollers.
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The stroller has some built-in safety features including a two-step process that prevents curious youngsters activating the button that folds and unfolds the stroller. A sensor detects weight in the seating area and prevents the stroller from folding. When we tested it with a 10-pound weight, the stroller didn’t fold, but when we tested it with five pounds, it did. Of course, only the tiniest of infants weighs that little and this stroller is not appropriate for newborns anyway.
Minuses include a harness that’s more difficult to adjust than other strollers, front wheels that lack a swivel lock and shock absorbers that make the stroller almost too bouncy. The handle is comfortable, but the low whirring noise of the charging mechanism may be distracting for some people.
As if the $850 price tag wasn’t enough, there are plenty of extras you can buy including a cell phone charger, $40, car seat adapter, $60, and a $100 color kit to change the stroller seat’s color to pink, blue, or black. If you don’t mind paying more for a stroller with cachet, consider the Bugaboo Bee, $600, which is less bulky, folds more compactly, and has the option of using a carrycot feature for the youngest babies.
Or for $100 less there’s the Peg Perego Book Plus, a combination stroller that’s sturdy, safe, easy to push and maneuver, and accommodates children from birth up to 45 pounds. It also has a large storage basket, something the Origami lacks. Among traditional strollers, the inexpensive Graco Vie4, $110, is a top-rated stroller and a CR Best Buy. It was notably sturdy, with an adjustable handle, large basket, and excellent maneuverability. It also converts to a carriage and is car seat compatible.
Stoller buying guide
For more full Ratings and recommendations see our stroller buying guide.
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