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City Select Vs City Mini GT Review


EDITOR’S NOTE

The City Select and City Mini GT strollers from Baby Jogger were originally released in 2016, and have since been updated. The new and improved City Select 2 now has 8 more configurations to grow with your family, as well as an updated design circa 2019. The City Mini GT2 is the newest version of the City Mini GT stroller. No majors changes on the GT2 except for an updated look and an even better folding mechanism. Also, the City Mini 2 released in 2019 is the non-all-terrain version of the City Mini and is perhaps a better comparison to the updated City Select 2. 

 


Every growing family needs a stroller to simply do day-to-day life. You’ve already concluded that whether you are out for a regular trip to the grocery store or park, or on a big vacation trip to Disney, a stroller is a necessary purchase for your family.

It can certainly be overwhelming as you sort through the many variations of strollers on the market today.  As you compare strollers, you have likely noticed the different features offered in varying stroller systems. We will compare the options and features offered by the City Select and the City Mini GT stroller versions.

Both options have great features that are worth considering, but there are a few major considerations, including the folding method, that has led me to recommend the City Mini GT Stroller. See why I chose the City Mini GT in the full review.

City Select

City Mini GT

Customer Reviews

City Select

  • 4.4 stars, 648 Reviews – Toys R Us
  • 4.4 stars, 563 Reviews – BabyJogger.com
  • 4.0 stars, 48 Reviews – Target

City Mini GT

  • 4.6 stars, 196 Reviews – BabyJogger.com
  • 4.6 stars, 205 Reviews – Target
  • 4.7 stargs, 36 Reviews – Toys R Us

Specification Comparison

Here is how the City strollers compare specifications wise.

City Select

Weight of stroller: 29.5lb (frame + 1 seat)

Dimensions: 34.65″ x 25.59″ x 11.61″

Maximum Weight: 45 lb. weight capacity per seat

City Mini GT

Weight of Stroller: 22.5 pounds

Dimensions: 29.53″ x 24.21″ x 10.24″

Maximum Weight: 65 lb. weight capacity per seat

These two versions of City strollers are sleek in style and offered in a selection of colors some including black, red, teal, gray, and purple. They both offer generously-sized sun shades for long walks outside and adjustable handlebars which may be the perfect solution for the parent who may have to hutch down without this stroller option.

The Mini GT is certainly the lighter version and is also slightly less bulky. It can hold a child up to 65 pounds while the Select with one seat holds a child up to 45 pounds. Depending on your child’s size and how long you plan to use the stroller, weight capacity may influence your choice.

See the best strollers for bigger kids here.

There are many accessories for purchase to make your City Stroller even more user-friendly. The parent console is a great addition to easily organize your phone, drink, and keys. If you just want something smaller to hold your drink, you can choose the LUX cup holder. They also offer a stylish travel bag that is perfect for flying with your City Stroller. But, you will need to remove the wheels for it to fit in this travel bag. They also sell a rain canopy to keep your little ones dry on a rainy day. If you would like a place for snacks and drink for your little one, you can purchase the child tray. It is designed to swing open to one side so that your child can easily enter and exit the stroller.

Highlighted Features

Versatility

With an adapter bought separately, both of these City strollers are compatible with an infant car seat and also a glider board. The Mini GT is sold either as a single or double seat stroller, but they cannot be converted from a single seat to a double seat or vice versa. You have to choose which version best suits your needs.

The City Select offers an incredible amount of versatility for your growing family and transitions easily for up to three children. This stroller is highly adaptable with sixteen different configurations including single seating, double seating, a travel system with the car seat, and a glider board for your toddler or older child.

It allows parents to mix and match seats, car seats, bassinets to perfectly fit your family’s needs. Keep in mind that the conversion kits for the second seats, bassinets, and car seat adaptors are sold separately.  For your convenience, you can also choose whether you position your child front facing, parent facing, or sibling facing. If you are looking for a complete stroller system that can grow with your family, this may be the only stroller your family will ever need.

Folding Method

It is very tricky to manage a stroller while holding your baby. When it is time to close the stroller for storage or to put in your vehicle, it is extremely helpful to own a stroller with a simple method of closing the stroller. The Mini GT will fold itself simply by lifting a single strap with one hand. After the stroller has closed, there is an auto-lock for storage and transportation. It folds compactly to nearly flat.

The City Select has a different closing system that is not complicated, but it does require removing any additional seats and connectors. It requires the use of both hands as two separate buttons on either side of the seat must be pushed simultaneously.

Make note that neither of these strollers will stand up when folded and will need to either stored immediately or lay on the ground.

Safety and Tire Features

Both the City Mini GT and City Select offer a handbrake for safety and convenience. The three wheels on the Mini GT are described as “non-flat tires” and the City Select has four wheels and they are called “forever-air tires.” The wheels on the Mini GT are smaller than the Select, but both strollers handle well on different terrains including gravel, grass, and wood chips. Both strollers come with the five-point harness straps for your child to be securely held in place.

Storage

The City Select offers an under-basket with plentiful storage. Some moms have said that it is large enough to carry your diaper bag and several bags of groceries. It holds up to fifteen pounds safely. In terms of storing this larger stroller, it comes apart to make it a bit easier to fit in your vehicle or for longer-term storage.

Some fellow moms say that the City Mini GT lacks adequate storage and the compartment under the child’s seat is not large enough to fit diaper bag or purse. The Mini GT does store easily as it is compact when folded up.

Pricing

It is difficult to get a fair price comparison of these two stroller versions because there are so many variables to consider. But, when comparing the Mini GT single stroller to the Select single stroller, the Mini GT is most certainly the less expensive version. Keep in mind that it is also not convertible to more than one child while the Select grows with your family.

What Other Experienced Moms Are Saying:

As you make a decision, it is helpful to know what other parents have to say from their personal experience. Several moms mentioned that the City Mini GT is lightweight and reclines to nearly flat which is great for naps and even diaper changes. Some moms mentioned that both of these strollers cannot be pushed once folded and they must be carried. Some said that the Select is quite heavy to carry.

Both strollers work well with many different car seat brands, but fellow moms want to remind you that you will need to buy the appropriate adapters from your car seat company for it to be compatible with either the Mini GT or the Select. Keep in mind that these strollers are not meant for an infant without either the car seat or bassinet. A baby will need to be able to sit up unassisted to use the stroller without any adaptations. Many moms bragged about how easy it is to push these strollers even on uneven terrain. Others loved that the Select was very compact even with the second seat attached and said it navigated New York City streets and stores with no issue.

The warranty is also mentioned by fellow moms as something that they are extremely pleased with for these City strollers. But, you must register your stroller for it to be valid. Several moms mentioned that when a problem came up that they were given clear instructions on how to return the damaged item and they received a new one within about a week.

Quick Glance Chart

 City SelectCity Mini GT
Seat Weight Capacity45lb65lb
Stroller Weight29.5lb (frame + 1 seat)22.5lb
Accepts Infant Car SeatYesYes
Max Head Height22.224.8″
Fold TypeTwo handOne hand
Folded Stroller Dimensions34.65″ x 25.59″ x 11.61″29.53″ x 24.21″ x 10.24″
All-terrain wheelsYesYes
Converts to DoubleYesNo
HandbrakeYesYes
Adjustable HandlebarYesYes

My Overall Recommendation

Each of these City strollers has great benefits. My tall husband loves a stroller with an adjustable handlebar like these two options. The City Select is extremely adaptable because of the many accessories available that can be bought as needed for your family’s needs. If you already have multiple children in your family, you may want to choose the Select because of the many seating options.

In my opinion, there are two downsides to the Select stroller. One is that the maximum weight limit is 45 pounds per seat. My three-year-old is almost too heavy for this stroller so while this stroller system can grow with your family, there will be a time you outgrow it because of this limitation. The second downside is the folding mechanism. Most of the multiple adapters and seats needed to expand the Select must be removed for it to be folded. Plus, the largest downside is that folding method on the Select requires two free hands which most moms rarely have available.

So, while the Mini GT does not offer more adaptable seating possibilities, it has many of the same great qualities as the Select. It is stylish, compact, sleek, lightweight, and yet it is rugged enough to take on a hike off-road. It is my overall recommendation because of the ease of the one hand folding mechanism and the higher weight capacity. While the Mini GT can’t grow to hold an additional child, you can likely use this stroller until your child is five or six years old or up to sixty-five pounds.


Amy Sylvestre

Amy is a writer, mom, and southerner living in the suburbs of Chicago. She has also worked for several large non-profit organizations. Amy is married to her hunky pilot husband, and they have two sons, Graham and Hudson. Graham is a hilarious, talkative, four and half year old. After a strong fight with congenital heart disease, Hudson passed away at eight months old. Amy is also in the process of growing her family through adoption.



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