Cybex E-Gazelle S Stroller Review: Affordable E-Stroller With Storage

When you’re a parent juggling a kid or two (or three or four), you’ll take any extra help you can get. And in the case of the Cybex e-Gazelle S—the brand’s second e-stroller—that extra help comes from its e-assist and hands-free rocking modes. If you’re interested in an e-stroller, my Cybex e-Gazelle S review might help you decide if it’s the one for you.

When I was first asked to check out the brand’s newest model (the e-Priam is the company’s most luxurious option) I didn’t realize e-strollers were even a thing. E-bikes, yes. But something to assist my kid cargo (and her cargo) uphill? Genius! (When will they put that on a running stroller?)

The stroller’s overall assembly was fairly straightforward, no thanks to its abysmal “instruction” manual. But I’ve also assembled more than a dozen strollers over the past two years. Aside from the e-assist, what I love are the removable shoulder pads for easy washing, the ease in changing the stroller configuration (more than 20 options available) and the market basket.

Although the e-assist is what makes this stroller stand out from others I’ve tested, I still prefer my Austlen Entourage 2.0 and Nuna Triv Next when it comes to the actual stroller features and performance.

Pros:

• E-assist makes uphills nearly nonexistent
• Hands-free rocking mode gently soothes baby
• Removable market basket provides additional storage
• More than 20 stroller configurations

Cons:

• Due to the battery, the stroller is heavier than some
• Hard to maneuver when front wheels are locked
• Folding is incredibly challenging
• Assembly instructions are nonsensical

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Cybex E-Gazelle S Features

E-Assist At A (More) Affordable Price Point

The first e-stroller from Cybex, the ePriam, is $1,599, with its designer version priced at $2,300. I spoke with a representative from Cybex who said the Gazelle stroller is the brand’s “gold” line versus the Priam’s platinum. The biggest differences between the two lines are the quality of the fabric, customizable features and in the case of the electric versions, an eco mode and Smart Assist on the Priam model.

The e-Gazelle S provides a smooth e-assist at a lower price point. It remains a high-quality stroller with 20-plus configurations, the ability to use a lie-flat bassinet and add a second seat, a sizable market basket and under-carriage storage.

There are a few quirks with the e-assist that took me some time to get used to: It turns off pretty quickly if you’re not engaging it, the throttle you need to press to get the motor going is a little awkward and you need to make sure the front wheels are unlocked for it to move. (On the flip side, the front wheels must be locked to use the hands-free rocking feature.)

There are three e-assist speeds, and if you’re on a downhill or even flat ground, even the slowest option really picks up speed. Cybex told me that the e-assist doesn’t engage until there’s been one revolution of the wheels for safety. You do have to hold the throttle in place with your finger to keep the motor engaged.

When it comes to the rocking feature, it’s cool, in theory. In practice, I wasn’t totally impressed. (I did not test it with a sleeping newborn.) It seemed jerky, and you need to do many things to engage it: lock front wheels, turn the power on, hold the rocking button until the correct light turns on—but if you wait too long the entire system turns off.

Ample Storage Space

Every parent knows that no stroller is worth its salt if it can’t carry enough supplies to support a small kid kingdom. The under-carriage baskets of my strollers have become an abyss of snacks, wrappers, blankets, toys, sunglasses, sunblocks and freshly picked weeds—gifts from my children. The Cybex e-Gazelle S has a generous under-carriage basket, and its design makes it simple to find what you’re looking for. Plus, the market basket fits comfortably in the top stroller position (assuming you’re not using a second seat) and, together, the stroller holds 55 pounds of cargo, not counting the kids.

I also appreciate the cup holder, which easily attaches to either side of the handlebar—although it’s not quite big enough for my Stanley.

Compact Fold, But Not Without Challenges

When I could finally manage to fold the stroller (which took several emails to the brand and watching an instructional video multiple times), the Cybex e-Gazelle S is very compact. It easily fit into my sedan’s trunk and in the back of our minivan. But I need to spend a moment to discuss the problems with the folding.

Folding a stroller should be a two-second (at most) task, ideally with one hand, like with the Nuna Triv Next. You’ve got at least one kid you need to wrangle, and spending time and hands dealing with a pesky stroller fold is less than ideal.

Folding the Cybex e-Gazelle S requires not only two hands, but holding down two buttons in one hand and adjusting a latch with the other, all while forcing the handlebar down (farther than you realize it needs to go) and back to collapse the unit. Oh, and you also need to unlock the front wheels before you can do any of this. Once folded, the carrying handle sits at an awkward position so you can’t lift the stroller directly upward; you need to angle the stroller toward your body—which is more than 32 pounds—to pick it up.

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My Expertise

I have been reviewing and testing baby and kids gear since I became a mom seven years ago. I now have three kids (ages 7, 4.5 and 2). Over the years, I have written extensively about crib mattresses, jogging strollers and car seats. I have assembled more than a dozen strollers.

Additionally, I’ve worked closely with experts in infant and children’s safety, including those from the American Academy of Pediatrics, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Environmental Working Group.

For this article, I spoke with child gear safety experts Holly Choi of Safe Beginnings and Jamie Grayson.

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How I Tested The Cybex E-Gazelle S

I used the Cybex e-Gazelle S with my youngest child who is 2 years old and weighs about 30 pounds, using the single forward-facing seat. My house is essentially in a valley, which means I have to walk uphill in any direction—perfect for testing the e-assist.

I assessed the ease of assembly of the stroller and its additional features, in this case, the market basket and rain fly. I looked at how easily and quickly I could fold the stroller, and once folded, how easy it was to put in my car (a van and a sedan trunk).

I also tested how “wipeable” the stroller was, using a toddler snack pouch, because are you really a parent if your stroller isn’t covered in snacks?

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