Take a stroll down a busy sidewalk and you’ll likely see the same few stroller brands on repeat. One of the biggest players in the stroller game is the UPPAbaby Vista. But, in 2019, Mockingbird strollers entered the market and gave UPPAbaby a run for its money—literally. If you’re working on your baby registry, you might be considering both and weighing the options of the UPPAbaby Vista vs. Mockingbird and looking for a definitive stroller review. So, we’re here to help with one mom’s honest review of both strollers—keep reading to see how they stack up!
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Stroller Review: UPPAbaby Vista vs. Mockingbird
Cost Comparison
The base prices of the UPPAbaby Vista vs. Mockingbird strollers are quite different:
- The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Stroller costs $999.99
- The Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller 2.0 costs $450
For this price, the UPPAbaby Vista comes with a bassinet attachment. The Mockingbird, on the other hand, requires you purchase the bassinet separately at an added cost of $140. But, even with the added bassinet, the Mockingbird is still almost half the price of the UPPAbaby Vista for a very similar stroller.
Speaking of accessories, strollers are pretty pricey on their own and you might not realize that you may end up adding a ton of accessories. Things like car seat adaptors, snack trays, riding boards, and second-seat kits will all add to the total cost of your stroller. When you’re considering price, remember there might be more than the base pay that you’ll end up paying.
The UPPAbaby Vista has the ability to transition from a single to a double stroller and can accommodate a third kid via a ride-along board.
The Mockingbird features amazing versatility with 19+ configurations and can fit up to three kids with added accessories.
Weight & Size
However you look at it, both the UPPAbaby Vista and Mockingbird strollers are bulky. They aren’t particularly travel-friendly and I lovingly refer to my Vista as “a tank.” According to the brands’ websites, both strollers weigh the same amount at 27 pounds, so there’s no difference in that aspect of this stroller review.
I’ve never brought either the UPPAbaby Vista or Mockingbird strollers on a plane, and if you’re going to go with one of these strollers, I recommend also investing in a travel stroller. The Vista and the Mockingbird are best for strolling around your neighborhood or putting in your trunk for an afternoon out (though even unloading them from the car feels like a workout!).
Durability & Comfort
In my opinion, both strollers are very well made. I’ve found the materials to be high quality and have run into very few issues across both brands. I can’t speak for the comfort of my kids exactly, but they both seem equally as comfortable in each stroller. The UPPAbaby Vista feels a little heavier and does feel slightly more sturdy than the Mockingbird but not in a significant way. It’s not that the Mockingbird doesn’t feel sturdy; it just doesn’t feel quite as tank-like as the Vista does.
“I will note that when you turn both strollers from a single to a double, the Vista handles it better.”
I will note that when you turn both strollers from a single to a double, the Vista handles it better. It is a bit easier to push and to navigate on hills or uneven surfaces. Again, there isn’t a significant difference between the two and the ease likely isn’t worth the major price difference. But if I’m getting nit-picky, that’s a difference between the two.
Design Differences
Two things that I’ve noticed that are different between the strollers are the breaks and the bottom bar. Personally, I have had ongoing issues with the UPPAbaby Vista’s break/lock. It tends to get stuck and I have to push on it several times to unlock it. This might be an issue with my particular stroller, but I do have friends who have had the same complaint. I prefer the lock style of the Mockingbird and it’s never gotten stuck. It’s easier to lock and unlock.
The Mockingbird also has a full bar along the bottom of the stroller, which I find is helpful when trying to go over bumps or over an elevated surface (like a sidewalk curb). The Vista doesn’t have that same bar, so pushing it in those cases can be a challenge.
Customization & Accessory Options
Both the UPPAbaby Vista and the Mockingbird come in a variety of colors. The fun thing with the Mockingbird is that you can make your own custom selection by choosing the fabric color, a pattern, and the frame color. This is a bit more customization than you get with the Vista.
Both strollers have a wide variety of accessories. Not surprisingly, the Vista accessories tend to all be more expensive than the Mockingbird. A second-seat kit for the Mockingbird is $145 and for it’s $219 for the UPPAbaby Vista. The UPPAbaby Vista Piggyback Stroller Board is $134 and for Mockingbird is $95 (and it comes with a cute little seat!). I could go on all day, but it’s pretty clear the price differences will continue with every accessory you purchase.
The UPPAbaby Vista has the ability to transition from a single to a double stroller and can accommodate a third kid via a ride-along board.
The Mockingbird features amazing versatility with 19+ configurations and can fit up to three kids with added accessories.
General Feelings
After using both strollers extensively, I can tell you that there is not a major difference overall. The styles are similar and they both feel extremely safe, well-made, and reliable. Given all of that, it’s pretty wild that there is a near-$550 price difference between the two base products.
“The styles are similar and they both feel extremely safe, well-made, and reliable.”
Since having my second baby, I’ve turned both my UPPAbaby Vista and my Mockingbird from single to double strollers and have added many accessories along the way. With all of those items adding up, the amount I’ve spent on my Vista is around $1,600+ and for my Mockingbird around $900+.
So, which stroller do I recommend?
Strollers are an investment and it comes down to how much you feel comfortable spending as well as how often you’re planning to use it. If you want to splurge or you’re being gifted a stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista is an excellent stroller. I have no regrets about choosing the Vista.
It is worth noting that my Vista was generously gifted to me by a relative. If I were to go back in time and was spending my own money, while I love the Vista, I might go for the Mockingbird, especially after experiencing how similar they are. I stroll with my kids every day and have had no major quality issues with either model.
All the baby gear adds up and a stroller isn’t the only thing you’re going to be spending money on. In fact, you might end up buying a variety of strollers (I also have a jogging stroller and a travel stroller. It’s a lot!).
If all the various baby costs are adding up in your head and stressing you out, I highly recommend the Mockingbird. It’s a great stroller that has all the bells and whistles you could ever want in a stroller. And as someone who has had two babies that love snoozing in the bassinet during walks, that’s an accessory I recommend adding since it doesn’t come standard with the Mockingbird.
If you’re struggling to decide between the two, the good news is that I’m pretty sure you’ll be happy with whichever one you land on. And based on my own experience, your little ones will likely be happy to ride along in either brand.
The UPPAbaby Vista has the ability to transition from a single to a double stroller and can accommodate a third kid via a ride-along board.
The Mockingbird features amazing versatility with 19+ configurations and can fit up to three kids with added accessories.
