Chicco Bravino Plus Stroller Review + Video

This Bravino Plus hits the sweet spot between a lightweight stroller and a full-size everyday stroller.

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  By: Tali Ditye, Ph.D., Co-founder

  Updated: October 15, 2026

Mommyhood101 independently curates baby gear to help inform decisions; if you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

The new Chicco Bravino Plus is a midsize stroller with a highly versatile canopy, four-position reclining seat, integrated carriage mode, and compatibility with Chicco KeyFit infant car seats.

Let's see how it performed in our real-world testing!

Full disclosure: Chicco provided us with a free sample for testing and sponsored this article. All opinions and findings are our own.

Our Chicco Bravino Plus Review

We were genuinely impressed by the Bravino Plus. Everything from the frame and fabrics to the adjustment mechanisms feels solid and premium, and it steers smoothly across the surfaces we tested. The reversible canopy and exceptionally good KeyFit 30 integration were particular highlights.

Here are our findings, right up front:

✔️  Excellent build quality.
✔️  Sturdy & stable frame.
✔️  Luxurious fit & finish.
✔️  Plush padded seat insert.
✔️  Large, versatile UPF 50+ canopy.
✔️  Near-flat recline.
✔️  Integrated carriage mode.
✔️  Seamless KeyFit 30 integration.
✔️  Easy five-point harness buckle.
✔️  Smooth handling on mixed terrain.
✔️  Easy one-hand fold.
✔️  Stands when folded.
✔️  Spacious storage basket.
✔️  Parent cup holders & tray.
✔️  Kid cup holder & tray.
❌  Assembly is tedious.
❌  Canopy clicks when adjusted.

For families seeking a capable everyday stroller that is smaller and lighter than a full-size model, this one makes a lot of sense.

Our testing puts the Bravino Plus firmly among the more impressive midsize strollers we have used, resulting in an impressive score of 4.7/5.0!

How We Tested

We assembled the stroller from the box, measured its frame, seat, wheels, and folded size, and weighed it on our own scale.

We tested the recline, canopy, carriage configuration, storage, harness, brakes, and folding mechanism; installed a Chicco KeyFit 30; and used the stroller with a four-month-old in the car seat and a tall toddler in the seat.

Outdoor testing included pavement, sidewalks, grass, and loading it into several vehicle trunks.

To see our list of the best strollers of the year, click here!

Quick Review Video

Our three-minute hands-on video covers assembly and five of our favorite things about the Bravino Plus:

Specifications & Dimensions

These are our hands-on measurements, not the published Chicco specs. The folded thickness below was measured after compressing the stroller and securing it with the included strap.

Unboxing & Assembly

The Bravino Plus arrived in a box roughly the size you would expect for a folded midsize stroller, pictured below.

Inside were the stroller frame, wheels, rear axle, canopy, padded insert, and manual.

Here are all the parts laid out and ready for assembly:

Assembly took us about 10 minutes. There are several main steps, and while none is especially difficult, this is more involved than other strollers we have assembled.

Note that our video (above) also shows assembly, which might be easier to follow!

1. Install the rear axle (about 30 seconds).

Snap the silver axle bar into the back of the frame, as shown below. The connection brackets have a spring on each side, confirming rear suspension components.

Here's a close-up of the bracket installed on the frame, showing how the silver push-tab pops through the hole of the bracket, confirming proper installation:

2. Attach the rear wheels (about 3 minutes).

Slide each wheel onto the axle, add a washer and tiny retaining clip, and cover the hardware with the supplied hubcap. The small clip is fiddly; needle-nose pliers may help, as seen in the close-up below.

3. Snap the rear basket into place (about 30 seconds).

Three buttons secure the rear of the storage basket to the frame.

4. Install the front wheels (about 30 seconds).

Push each wheel into its socket until it clicks. This was the easiest step.

5. Secure the front basket (about 3 minutes).

Thread the seven Velcro straps through narrow frame slots. We recommend leaving the stroller upside down for this step. It was the most tedious part of assembly, as pictured here:

6. Attach the canopy (about 1 minute).

Align its side brackets with the frame pegs and snap everything into place.

The finished stroller looks excellent, with a stable frame, attractive textured canopy, and both parent and child trays included.

Build Quality, Comfort & Features

The build quality stood out to us.

Nothing feels flimsy: the frame, joints, fabrics, and moving mechanisms all have a satisfying, solid feel.

The branding is restrained, too, with a subtle leatherette Chicco tag on the canopy and modern Bravino Plus lettering on the frame, as seen in these photos:

The brown leatherette-style handle is comfortable, and the included parent tray has two cup holders plus a covered compartment.

It is great for keys, a wallet, or pacifiers, although some larger phones will not fit inside.

We also loved the five-point harness buckle.

Press the center button and both sides release easily; the shoulder and waist pieces can stay paired, making it simpler to buckle a squirming child.

The removable, approximately 0.6-inch-thick padded seat insert feels almost like memory foam: soft, supportive, and particularly cozy for cooler weather.

Note that it is a comfort insert, not an infant positioner. We also found the main stroller fabrics easy to wipe clean.

The storage basket is generously sized and easy to reach, as seen below.

Seat room is another strength.

A particularly tall toddler fit comfortably during our test, as shown in the below image:

Canopy, Recline & Ventilation

The UPF 50+ canopy is one of our favorite features. It is large, has a small extension panel at each end, and can rotate forward to shield the torso and legs while keeping the child visible to the parent.

The extended-forward position is pictured below, and it pairs especially well with carriage mode.

The seat offers four recline positions (versus three on the regular Bravino).

At its lowest setting it looks nearly flat; we estimated roughly 10 degrees above horizontal. Here are front and rear views of that position:

Here's what it looks like from the rear when fully reclined:

Mesh near the upper seatback helps ventilate the seating area when reclined, as pictured below. 

A simple rear lever adjusts the backrest (as shown below) and feels sturdy in use.

The adjustment can be a bit noisy if you're not slow and careful with it.

Our one canopy complaint: it makes fairly loud clicks as it moves between positions.

We like how securely it locks, but wish the adjustment were quieter around sleeping babies.

Newborn Carriage Mode

The Plus model adds a clever carriage configuration. A fabric shield tucked beneath the leg rest pulls up around the feet and lower seating area and fastens over the snack tray.

With the seat reclined and canopy rotated forward, it creates a cozy, more enclosed stroller space.

As seen below, the panel fits neatly when secured. Converting it takes a couple of minutes because you have to fold the legrest cover inside-out, and unfold the tucked-away fabric and fasten it in several places. 

But we do think the protection from breezes, sunlight, and general exposure is worth it. This is not a waterproof rain cover or suitable for overnight sleep.

Here's another view:

Always use the harness as directed by Chicco, including in carriage mode, and move a sleeping infant to an approved safe sleep surface when appropriate.

Chicco KeyFit Car Seat Integration

This might be our favorite aspect of the stroller.

Our Chicco KeyFit 30 clicked directly onto the Bravino Plus without adapters and popped off just as easily.

The fit felt precise, and the car seat conveniently faces the parent.

Inside, the car seat and infant insert look cozy and well integrated, as seen here:

Even better, extending both canopies creates an impressive cocoon-like enclosure around the baby.

The stroller canopy overlaps the KeyFit 30 canopy beautifully; the combination is pictured below. We love this!

Folding & Portability

Folding and unfolding are remarkably easy, even one-handed.

Lift the lower seat cushion, slide one of the orange release buttons on the hidden folding handle, and pull upward.

The frame draws itself together smoothly, much like a jogging stroller. The handle location is shown here:

The stroller stands on its own when folded, and it is reasonably compact for a midsize model, as pictured below.

However, it does not automatically latch into a tightly closed position. Chicco provides a strap instead; pulling the stroller firmly closed and fastening the strap reduced the thickness to roughly 12.5 inches in our measurements, about 3 inches slimmer than the loose fold. Do not expect this to fit into overhead bins on an airplane, it's not a travel stroller!

One small con: when standing folded, the handlebar touches the ground, which is not ideal on wet or dirty pavement.

You can see that contact in this photo:

We weighed our stroller at 22.18 pounds with the padded insert installed, as shown on our scale.

That feels heavy for the lightweight category, although a bit lighter than the roughly 25-pound full-size Chicco Bravo. 

Outdoor Performance

We pushed the Bravino Plus over smooth pavement, bumpy sidewalks, and grass.

It remained stable, maneuvered easily, turned tightly, and produced no squeaks or rattles during our testing. The four-wheel suspension was helpful to absorb high-frequency bumps (like sidewalk cracks), and the sturdy frame and relatively large rear wheels also contribute to its reassuring feel.

We were initially concerned about the fixed-height handlebar (i.e., no handlebar height adjustment), but it was actually comfortable for both a 5-foot-5-inch mom and a 6-foot-3-inch dad, which was a pleasant surprise.

With the KeyFit 30 attached, the stroller felt equally easy to steer; below are two photos from our outdoor testing with a four-month-old.

Here is our test mom pushing the stroller on a fall day:

The folded stroller also fit in the trunk of our BMW X5, pictured below, as well as a Subaru Impreza and Honda Civic.

It is not tiny, nor is it intended to be, but it was practical to transport in all three vehicles.

Consumer Sentiment

We always look to broader consumer sentiment to assess early opinions and longer-term reliability.

Early owner feedback for the Bravino Plus is encouraging, with praise for the folding mechanism, carriage mode, maneuverability, and useful included accessories.

These themes largely agree with our testing. However, the available review sample is still small, and ratings appearing on multiple retail websites may be syndicated from the same original reviews.

What Could Be Improved

Assembly could be simpler. Between the tiny rear-wheel retaining clips and seven Velcro basket straps, the roughly 10-minute setup felt needlessly tedious. At least you only have to do it once.

A folding latch would be better than a strap. The fold itself is excellent, but a built-in clip to hold the stroller tightly closed would save an extra step and make storage easier.

The canopy is noisier than we would like. It gives reassuringly positive clicks and reliably stays in the intended position, but those clicks could disturb a sleeping baby.

It is not especially light, and seating direction is limited. At our measured 22.18 pounds, it is significantly heavier than true travel strollers. The toddler seat faces forward only, the infant car seat faces inward, and the handlebar is fixed-height, though comfortable for both adults who tested it.

Two rear brakes are slightly less convenient. There is a separate foot brake at each rear wheel rather than a single linked brake. It takes only a moment longer, but a central brake would be easier. Also, the handlebar contacts the ground when the stroller stands folded.

Our Conclusions

The Chicco Bravino Plus exceeded our expectations for a midsize stroller. Its sturdy construction, premium fabrics, comfortable seat, excellent canopy, and smooth handling all impressed us.

The newborn carriage configuration is very useful, and the way its canopy works with the KeyFit 30 is especially well executed.

We would love easier assembly, a quieter canopy mechanism, and a built-in fold lock. But these are relatively minor inconveniences compared with how much functionality Chicco packed into this stroller. It is an excellent fit for families wanting an everyday stroller that is more manageable than a full-size model, without sacrificing too many comforts.

Overall, we give the Chicco Bravino Plus an excellent 4.7 out of 5.0!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Chicco Bravino Plus suitable for newborns?

Yes. The Plus includes a near-flat reclining seat and an integrated carriage configuration designed for newborn use. Always follow Chicco’s positioning and harness instructions; the stroller is not an overnight sleep bassinet.

How much does the Bravino Plus weigh?

Our sample weighed 22.18 pounds with the padded seat insert installed. Chicco’s published weight is 21 pounds.

How small does the Bravino Plus fold?

We measured approximately 12.5 × 20 × 28.5 inches when we squeezed it shut and secured it with the included strap. Without the strap, the folded package was roughly 3 inches thicker.

Can the Chicco KeyFit 30 attach without adapters?

Yes. We tested the KeyFit 30 and it clicked directly into place without additional adapters.

Can the toddler seat face the parent?

No. The toddler stroller seat is forward-facing only. The compatible infant car seat faces toward the parent.

Does the Bravino Plus have suspension?

The rear axle attachment points on our sample contain small suspension springs, which we photographed during assembly. Chicco advertises all-wheel suspension; we have directly verified the rear springs, but did not separately document the internal construction of the front wheel assemblies.

Is the Bravino Plus a good travel stroller?

It folds easily and fit into all three trunks we tried, but its weight and folded dimensions make it a better midsize everyday stroller than an airline overhead-bin travel stroller.

What is the difference between the Bravino and Bravino Plus?

The Plus adds an integrated newborn carriage mode, more recline adjustability, a removable cushioned seat insert, and upgraded handle materials.