Maclaren Techno XLR Stroller Review

Maclaren Techno XLR is a top-of-the-line umbrella stroller with many features of a full-size model. It features a huge canopy, adjustable handlebars, a roomy seat, and an easy one-hand fold.

The four double wheels and all-wheel suspension will provide your little rider with a smooth ride as long as you stay on a flat surface.

Like many umbrella strollers, Techno XLR is designed for running errands, going to the mall, and traveling. Although it doesn’t have all-terrain wheels, it can tackle some grass, mulch, or uneven pavement.

The narrow frame (only 20.5″) makes it great for public transit and navigating narrow store aisles. But, don’t count on fitting a lot of groceries into that basket, it’s pretty small (medium size for umbrella model) and hard to access especially if the seat is reclined.

Speaking about the recline, it is one-handed with three positions including an almost flat one suitable for a newborn. The included seat liner and head support called ‘head hugger’ will provide your newborn with plenty of support.

You can use this stroller from birth and up to 65 lbs. Another unusual feature for an umbrella model is that it accepts an infant car seat so you can turn it into a travel system. BTW, the car seat adapter is INCLUDED!

OVERALL

I gave it 5 out of 5 stars because it is compact and can take a car seat. I have to say that the weight of 17.4 lbs is a little heavy for an umbrella stroller. But I think there is a trade-off. If it was lighter, it probably wouldn’t have some of the luxury features, high weight capacity of 65 lbs, and couldn’t accept an infant car seat.

This baby is NOT cheap! So if you already have a full-size stroller and this is your second or third (in my case it would be fourth. LOL) stroller, I would go for something lighter and less expensive.

But if you want to buy ONLY one stroller that can get you through the “omg-I-can’t wait-till-school-starts” years, Techno XLR is the one. You can use it with a car seat as a travel system for 6 months and then just put your child into the seat with the head support.

The Techno XLR retails for around $639. The price varies depending on the color and the year. I know it is kind of expensive for an umbrella stroller, but it comes with a lot of accessories like a car seat adapter, rain cover, seat liner, and head support.

Note: the accessories might vary depending on the store. Some include a boot cover instead of a car seat adapter.

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Features

CANOPY

I love large canopies, and the canopy on Techno XLR hits all the marks. It is a large canopy that slides up and down the frame to protect your child from the sun at any angle.

You can make it even bigger by unzipping it in the back to expose another panel that makes the canopy go down to a bumper bar. And, if this wasn’t enough, it also has a UV-protected pop-out sunvisor.

Full sun protection! It has a medium size peekaboo window on top of the canopy that does not have a closure but is UV-protected. The canopy is made out of water-repellent material.

HANDLEBAR

It has two adjustable handlebars that go from 42″-43″ from the ground. These are very tall bars that are great for tall parents. If you are much shorter, test it first.

SEAT

It is 15″ wide with a 19″ seat back and a measurement of 27″ from the back of the seat to the top of the canopy. If you have a very tall child, you can slide the canopy up to get 3″ more. I can’t believe it goes up to 30″! That should last you till college. LOL.

It has a one-hand lever recline that reclines only the back of the seat. You will need only one hand to recline the seat and ONLY one hand to bring it back up. There are FOUR recline positions (three in a previous model) including almost a flat position that can accommodate a newborn.

You can use the seat from birth and up to 65 lbs. For those of you who care how upright the seat is, I can say that it’s very upright. The seat fabric can be easily removed and is machine washable. I like easy cleaning!

The seat doesn’t go all the way to the canopy and once the seat is reclined you will see an opening that will provide nice air circulation during a hot summer day. You can cover the opening with a cover attached to the canopy.

It comes with a reversible seat liner and a head support for a newborn. One side of the seat liner is made out of the same fabric as the seat in the stroller and the other side is made out of soft microfiber material. Very nice!

There are two storage pockets in the back of the canopy for mommy items like keys, wallet, ~~lipstick~~, chapstick, or sunglasses.

HARNESS

It has an adjustable padded 5-point harness with a center release buckle that is hard to unlock for a toddler. All you need to do is push the back and the front of the button a the same time.

LEGREST

It doesn’t really adjust, but it has two small sliders on both sides of the seat that you can slide out to lift the leg rest up to get a more flat surface for your younger child.

BASKET

Like on most umbrella strollers, that basket is not big and is impossible to access once the seat is reclined. You will probably fit a medium size diaper bag in it, but that’s about it.

WHEELS

It rolls on four double 6.5″ hard rubber wheels. The front wheels are swivel but can be locked straight for rougher terrain. This stroller is designed for smooth surfaces, but can also tackle some grass, or mulch if needed.

It has an all-wheel suspension. This is not the same suspension system they put on a jogger, but it will definitely help to make the ride a little smoother.

BRAKE

It has a single brake pedal that locks both rear wheels in place. It’s flip-flop friendly.

FOLD/UNFOLD

You can easily fold it with one hand. You just need to lift a red lever located on the crossbar with your foot, unlock the frame by stepping on the pedal on the side, and fold it down. Easy! And there is an automatic lock. The folded dimensions are 41.3″L x 12″W x 16″H. It also has a carry handle on the side.

TRAVEL SYSTEM

Now you can easily transform it into a travel system for your newborn. It takes the most popular infant car seat.

Cons

I almost have nothing bad to say about this one (almost never happens. LOL).

-Heavyweight. I mean 17.4 lbs is not heavy for a full-size model, but it is for an umbrella stroller. I think the weight really puts it in between the umbrella and a full-size model. If it was any lighter, it probably wouldn’t be stable enough to be used with a car seat.

-Price. It is expensive! I know that $450 is a lot of an umbrella stroller which is usually the second or third stroller you buy. On the bright side, if you want to buy only one stroller Techno XLR would be a great choice. It has all the features you would need to get you through the first 4 years. After that, walking walking walking…

Video Review

Here is a video by Maclaren.

Specs

Stroller weight: 17.4 lbs
Weight limit: 65 lbs
Folded dimensions: 41.3″L x 12″W x 16″H
Handlebar height: 42″ – 43″
Seat to canopy height: 27″ – 30″
Wheels: 6.5″
Overall length: 32.4″
Overall width: 20.5″

Warranty

Maclaren provides a LIFETIME warranty from the original date of purchase and you have to be the original owner.

Available colors

This stroller is available in four colors: black-champagne, charcoal-scarlet, dove-orchide smoke, medieval blue. All strollers come with a silver frame.

Where to buy it

You can get Maclaren Techno XLR in one of the three beautiful colors for around $639.