My first reaction when I learned about the CYBEX e-Gazelle stroller was: “Wow, that thing is like a spaceship!”
While it may not have all the NASA bells and whistles quite yet, the e-Gazelle’s impressive features put it in a world of its own compared to most models in the stroller space. The main selling point is the e-powered functionality which operates a bit like an e-bike, helping propel it up hills and over rougher terrain with the push of a lever.
With more than 20 configurations to accommodate two children, sleek styling, smooth suspension and technology that does most of the hard work, this stroller has become one of the most coveted new items in the baby market.
Here’s everything you need to know about the CYBEX e-Gazelle S Stroller, and my honest thoughts on if the premium price tag is worth it.
Note: Globe Guide was kindly provided with a CYBEX e-Gazelle S unit for review. Our family also owns the UPPAbaby Cruz V2 and Joolz AER+ travel stroller, so any comparisons are in relation to those two models. As always, opinions are my own.
Features of the CYBEX e-Gazelle S Stroller
Th e-Gazelle’s innovative e-powered tech landed it a spot on TIME Magazine’s 2024 list of best inventions, which helps push up to 155 pounds on demand up hills and on uneven surfaces.
E-powered functionality
As someone who’s used a lot of e-bikes, I expected an e-stroller to operate similarly where you hit the throttle and it goes. That’s not quite the case with the CYBEX e-Gazelle S depending on what kind of terrain you’re on, which I assume is for safety reasons. Instead, think of it more like an ‘assist.’
When I’m pushing my 16 pound baby on a flat sidewalk it’s barely noticeable, but when I tested it with a heavier combined weight of her, my toddler niece and our bulldog I could definitely feel the e-power propelling the stroller forward.
Where I really find it helps is on rougher asphalt or challenging ground like thick grass in a park (I’ll have to wait until winter to see how it performs in our Canadian snow), and when it kicks into gear I don’t even need to push the stroller at all and can just lightly steer it with one hand.
The stroller can be used as normal when not powered on or if the battery isn’t charged, though it is a bit heavier to push than similar two-seaters on the market.
Rocking feature
The e-Gazelle also boasts a rocking functionality: simply lock one of the wheels and engage the brake, hit the rocking button, and the stroller will start rhythmically moving back and forth to help soothe fussy babies.
Design
This stroller gets high marks in the design department, thanks to its luxe leather handles and eight different colourways. Frames come in either black, taupe or silver, with six fabric colours to choose from. I opted for Seashell Beige with a Taupe frame which maybe wasn’t the best idea for mud and snow, but it’s so beautiful I couldn’t resist!
That said, the seat covers are removable and washable, so fingers crossed—after more than a month of use there still isn’t a speck of noticeable dirt on it.
Storage
The basket in the base of the stroller is super spacious, allowing for 55 pounds of carrying capacity when combined with the included detachable shopping basket.
The seat
The seat really impresses, with a one-pull harness and adjustable leather handlebar which can both be operated with just one hand. The sun protection offered by the XXL Sun Canopy made of UPF 50+ protective fabric is the best I’ve seen yet, as it almost fully covers my daughter.
This is such a relief on those hot sunny days, or when I’m hoping she’ll fall asleep and needs it to be darker.
I’ve been using the CYBEX stroller exclusively for about a month, and the other day I decided to give our UPPAbaby Cruz a whirl for comparison since I’d never tried it with the seat before as our daughter had been too small. Well…I actually recoiled when I pulled it out.
The Cruz seat looks so basic compared to the CYBEX one, that I actually felt bad strapping her into it. Plus, she seemed to roll around in it a bit more, whereas the CYBEX seat holds her in better thanks to all the extra cushioning.
The canopy’s height can also be adjusted which we took advantage of when my four-year-old niece hopped in, and there’s an adjustable footrest and multiple recline options including an ergonomic near-flat position for napping.
Stroller configurations
While the e-power gets most of the attention, the feature I actually get most excited about is the All-in-1 Modular System which creates 23 different configurations.
By mix-and-matching compatible products like the Gazelle S cot (a bassinet), seat, infant car seat and shopping basket, there are nearly two dozen different ways to use this stroller—a huge selling feature for any growing family.
A handy diagram is printed on the base to help parents remember all the options and how to position them, which include variations like a seat and a cot, a cot and basket, a car seat and a cot, whether the seats are forward or backward facing, or two of each seat if you have twins!
We have a nine-month-old daughter, so I usually just have one seat on it with the basket in the base, and there’s still enough room for our French Bulldog to jump in when he’s tired of walking. However, we also own a second Gazelle S seat unit, which is fantastic when my niece comes over and we want to walk to the park together: impressively there’s room for both kids, the basket and the dog.
Note: The Cybex e-Gazelle S Stroller is also compatible with car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Britax, Chicco, Graco and Peg-Perego (optional adapters required for some models).
What’s included with the Cybex e-Gazelle S Stroller
I appreciate how many accessories are included with the CYBEX e-Gazelle S stroller, since it’s annoying to spend $$$ on a stroller and still have to spring for basic add-ons like a cup holder (I’m looking at you, UPPAbaby).
The e-Gazelle comes with one seat, a basket, rain cover and drink holder. I’ve never been one to get excited about a cup holder before, but the CYBEX one is so good, especially compared to the notoriously terrible UPPAbaby ones.
It fastens on securely, you can change the angle of it, and it’s narrow enough that it holds regular coffee cups and tumblers snuggly.
I always keep the rain cover in the bottom of the basket just in case a sudden storm hits, and it’s super easy to slip on and off.
Now let’s talk about the basket
I have to admit I was a bit mystified by it at first as it’s not an accessory you typically see on strollers. After just a couple uses, I’m now a full convert!
We keep our strollers outside the house, which meant every time I went out the door even just for a walk around the block my hands were full of stuff while also trying to wrangle the baby.
Now, I keep the CYBEX basket inside a closet with essentials like her blanket, hat and coat, and grab it when we head out. There’s no more running around the house gathering (and inevitably forgetting) things every day, it fits a ton of stuff, and everything stays put instead of rolling haphazardly around the bottom of the stroller.
Optional add-ons
CYBEX makes optional accessories including a snack tray, umbrella and bassinet rain cover.
Families planning to use this stroller from birth will need to purchase a compatible car seat or the Gazelle S Cot. A second Gazelle S 2nd Seat Unit can also be bought separately to accommodate two children, which is what we opted for.
What I love so far about the CYBEX e-Gazelle S
My favourite features so far after testing the stroller for several weeks are how durable it feels thanks to the high-quality materials, the range of the adjustable handle (because I’m short!), the cup holder, detachable basket, and pretty much everything about the comfy seat.
I should also mention the brake functionality, which is enabled by pushing the lever in the opposite direction. Anyone who’s ever tried to wrangle a stroller loaded with kids while heading straight down a hill knows the struggle is real; now, I lightly enable the brake to help slow it down and it makes the descent so much safer and easier.
My not-so-favourite things about the CYBEX e-Gazelle S
Besides the high price tag (it currently retails for $1550 USD/$1700 CAD), there are a couple other reasons this stroller might not be the right fit for some families.
It’s quite heavy, which could be an issue for those needing to lift it in and out of a vehicle a lot. This is a concern we’ve noticed with other popular strollers, including the UPPAbaby Vista which we initially thought we’d purchase then immediately changed our mind when we tried lifting it up.
The weight of the e-Gazelle S makes it challenging to hoist its front end up onto curbs, especially with two children on it. I’ve also noticed that if the sidewalk is even slightly sloped sideways, it takes a lot of effort to keep the stroller moving in a straight line which might also be related to the weight issue.
Finally, I’ve found some of the steps to set-up and fold down the stroller aren’t intuitive, which could be problematic for someone only using it occasionally like grandparents or a babysitter (that said, I feel like every single stroller we’ve ever used requires a bit of a learning curve).
I consider myself fairly tech-savvy, and it took me weeks to figure out how to charge the battery as I couldn’t find any instructions online (hint: there’s a tiny black flap covering a plug hole on the side of the battery to insert the charger into). CYBEX has some how-to videos, but they aren’t always clear as there’s no commentary–I find this series from The Stroller Workshop is often more helpful.
So…would I recommend the CYBEX e-Gazelle S stroller?
I think this stroller setup works best for a family who has or is planning to have multiple children, who spend a lot of time walking including in hilly areas, and wouldn’t be loading it in a vehicle very often.
The luxe styling gives the e-Gazelle S an elevated look, seats offer superior sun protection and are beautifully cushioned for kids’ comfort compared to others on the market, and the excellent stability features mean a smoother ride.
I’m also a huge fan of the removable basket and ample storage space at the base of the stroller, and the high-quality of included accessories.
Overall, it’s clear a lot of engineering and attention to detail went into the CYBEX e-Gazelle S. Along with being designed to impress, its sturdiness and clever functionality seems like it would satisfy the needs of a growing family for years to come.
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