Parents always ask me for a travel stroller with a reversible seat. And honestly, there are not a lot of options. That is why I am very excited to talk about the Orbit Baby M+! Orbit Baby just released the M+ compact stroller, which has a seat that rotates 360 degrees right on the frame, along with a compact fold and a rolling luggage mode.
I first learned about Orbit Baby back in 2020 when I was having my first baby, and their rotating seat concept has always been one of the coolest features in the stroller/car seat world (check out all the rotating car seats now!). Now they have brought that technology to a lightweight, compact stroller!
BUT the M+ does come with some trade-offs. The reason a reversible seat travel stroller doesn’t exist (until now) is because it adds weight, bulk, and complexity, which also increases the price. So, is the Orbit Baby M+ stroller right for you? Let’s jump in and find out.
- 360° rotating seat: One button, one hand, and your child can face you or face forward without removing seats or adapters.
- Premium design and build: Gold frame accents, quality fabrics, a water-resistant canopy, and an adjustable handlebar.
- Luggage-mode fold: After folding, you can roll the stroller through the airport like luggage using the handlebar and designated wheels (amazing for bringing it down the jet bridge).
- Heavier than most travel strollers: At 23.4 lbs with the seat attached, this edges into midsize territory. It also can only fit in some overhead bins if you remove the wheels.
- No peekaboo window: There is a mesh panel when you fully extend for airflow, but no dedicated peekaboo window on the main part of the canopy
- Not newborn-ready in the seat: Rated for 6 months and up. To use from birth, pair with Orbit Baby’s infant car seat, bassinet, or a compatible car seat adapter.
- Premium price point: $699 for the stroller with bumper bar and dust bag. Accessories sold separately.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. You don’t get charged any extra, but my family receives a small commission when you shop through one of my affiliate links, and we are grateful for your support!
Table of Contents
Shop the Orbit Baby M+
Thank you for supporting The Stroller Mom, which allows me to continue providing honest reviews like this one! ❤
Orbit Baby M+ From Top to Bottom
If you are familiar with The Stroller Mom reviews, we go in-depth, top to bottom, on every stroller, covering the details that parents and children care about most.
How Much Does the Orbit Baby M+ Cost?
The Orbit Baby M+ retails for $699, making it one of the most expensive travel strollers on the market. For that price, you get the stroller, the bumper bar, and a dust bag.
Orbit Baby also sells several accessories separately, including a bug net, a rain cover, car seat adapters (compatible with Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, and Clek), as well as the Orbit Baby Bassinet and their G5 seat. If you already own the Orbit Baby G5 stroller, you can pair that seat with the M+ frame, which is a nice touch for families already in the Orbit Baby family.
Is the Orbit Baby M+ Handlebar Adjustable?
Just getting this stroller out of the box, I was so impressed with the quality and the design elements. The gold detailing on the frame is beautiful, and the materials feel very premium. For this price point, they should, but it was still something that stood out right away.
The handlebar is adjustable, which is a standout feature in this category! Most lightweight compact travel strollers do not have an adjustable handlebar. In fact, one of the only other options with one is the Ergobaby Metro. There are several positions to choose from, so this is a great option for shorter parents. It requires two hands to adjust, but it locks solidly into place. We were actually able to lock the handlebar in its lowest position, and my 2-year-old pushed her baby doll around the block with it. So it goes low!
How is the Canopy on the Orbit Baby M+?
The canopy feels water-resistant and premium. It includes an extension with a mesh panel for added airflow, and I could see my baby through the mesh when it was open. However, there is no dedicated peekaboo window on the main canopy. Since you can reverse the seat, I guess that is not as big of a deal, but as a mom, I like to have eyes on my baby even when she is forward-facing.
One thing to note: when the canopy extension is pulled down, it can cover your child’s face. My daughter was always pulling it up because it was right in front of her. I think for this price point, a peekaboo window should be standard, even with the extension in place. That being said, the coverage overall is good!
How Does the Orbit Baby M+ Rotating Seat Work?
This is the headline feature of the Orbit Baby M+! With one button and one hand, you can rotate the seat right on the frame so your child can either face you or face forward. It rotates in and out (not sideways) and locks firmly into each position. As we changed direction and the sun was getting on my baby, I was able to rotate her to face away from it. There are truly not a lot of options when it comes to a reversible seat in the compact stroller category.
For comparison, the Joolz Aer2 has the “Nest to Seat” accessory that you can buy separately, which is installed on the stroller until you’re done using it (not easy to take off and put on), and can only be used up to 15 months old.
There is also a Cybex option that has been discontinued, but you can sometimes find it secondhand, and Evenflo has one that is more of an umbrella stroller. So the M+ really is one of the main options for a reversible seat in a lightweight stroller.
Seat Comfort, Harness, and Recline
The seat has a really nice premium-feeling seat liner with great padding on the straps. The magnetic buckle is super easy to use! However, the harness is not truly no-rethread. On the back of the seat, there is a zigzag slot where you can adjust the strap height, but you have to feed the straps through the seat liner, and that takes some time. If you have one child, this may not be a big deal, but for someone like me who switches between a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old, it can be a little tedious.
The seat is rated from 6 months up to 48 lbs or 40 inches. For reference, most other travel strollers in this category give you about two extra inches of height (the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 and Joolz Aer2 allow about 42 inches). My very tall 98th-percentile 4-year-old is right at the top of the canopy. She can still very much fit within the weight limit, but she is not really able to use the canopy unless she slouches down, which she will do.
If you want to use the M+ from birth, you will need to pair it with either Orbit Baby’s infant car seat, a car seat adapter (which works with Nuna, Cybex, Maxi-Cosi, and Clek), or the Orbit Baby Bassinet. The adapter folds with the stroller, which is nice.
There are a few different recline positions available by pushing a single button on the side, but it is not the deepest recline (not newborn-compatible). Orbit Baby recommends using it starting at 6 months.
Bumper Bar, Footrest, and Leg Shade on the Orbit Baby M+
The bumper bar is included in the box and folds with the stroller. It opens to the side so you can get your child in and out easily, which is nice.
The adjustable calf support is padded and feels very premium. However, because it is so plush, it is harder to push down all the way, and I found that my toddler had to really stretch her legs to reach the lower footrest position. There is also a bar along the frame that works as a secondary lower footrest.
Something I have only seen on one other stroller (the Mockingbird 3.0) is a pull-out leg shade underneath the seat. You can pull it out and snap it to the side of the calf support to shade your baby’s legs. This is mostly practical during the early days, up to maybe 18 or 24 months, since once your child is taller and their legs reach past the footrest, it will not work. The leg shade is likely part of the reason the footrest does not extend as far down as on some other strollers, so you can also pull that out, and it solves that issue nicely.
Basket and Brake
The basket holds about 11 lbs and is primarily accessed from the front. You can fit a small diaper bag in this basket, but it is not the largest by any means.
The brake is super flip-flop friendly and easy to access. You can easily use it with any shoe or sandal without hurting your foot.
How Does the Orbit Baby M+ Push?
The push on this stroller is really impressive. You can definitely feel the premium materials and the solid frame when you are pushing it around the block or going up and down curbs. A lot of travel strollers can feel a little tippy, and this one definitely does not. The wider frame and heavier build give it a stability that is hard to find in this category.
Folding, Unfolding, and the Luggage Mode
Now, let me walk you through the fold, because it includes a really cool feature!
To fold, you simply rotate the seat to face out and fold the seat down until it clicks. This part is important. If you do not fold it until it clicks, it will fall open when you try to stand it up. Then grab the button in the middle, rotate it, and move the frame forward until it locks.
Here is where it gets fun. If you keep the handlebar in the highest position, you can roll the folded stroller through the airport like a piece of luggage. With a stroller that weighs 23.4 lbs, you are probably not going to throw it over your shoulder the way you would with a lighter travel stroller. So, having a way to just pull it behind you, especially when you are at the end of the jet bridge holding your baby, your diaper bag, and all your things, is such a nice feature.
The stroller also stands when folded. You can also make it slightly more compact by adjusting the handlebar position on the side. Orbit Baby says that if you remove the wheels, it can fit in some overhead bins.
To unfold: lay the wheels down, undo the handlebar on the side, extend it out, and lock it in. Then turn and pull the handlebar until it locks. Set your adjustable handlebar height, pull open the seat, and you are ready to go. Watch my full review on YouTube if you want to better see how this fold works!
Is the Orbit Baby M+ Too Heavy for Travel?
The main trade-off for having a rotating, reversible seat is the added weight. With the seat attached, the M+ weighs 23.4 lbs. You can remove the seat to make it lighter, but it is still going to be more comparable to midsize strollers at this weight. For reference, the Silver Cross Breez, is more of a lightweight compact stroller that does not fit in overhead bins, weighs 22 lbs. So, the M+ is actually a little heavier than that.
I tell parents all the time that the moment you start adding complexity, like a reversible seat, it’s going to add both weight and price. That is the trade-off, and it is up to you to decide if it is worth the extra pounds and premium price.
Specifications
| Price | $699 (stroller, bumper bar, dust bag) Shop on Orbit Baby Shop on Nordstrom |
| Weight | 23.4 lbs (with seat attached) |
| Seat Weight Limit | 48 lbs |
| Seat Height Limit | 40 inches |
| Basket Capacity | 11 lbs |
| Seat Recline | Multiple positions, not newborn-flat |
| Age Range | 6 months+ (birth with car seat/bassinet) |
| Fold | Compact, stands when folded, luggage-roll mode |
| Handlebar | Adjustable, multiple positions |
| Brake | Flip-flop friendly |
| Car Seat Compatibility | Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, Clek, Orbit Baby |
Shop the Orbit Baby M+
Thank you for supporting The Stroller Mom, which allows me to continue providing honest reviews like this one! ❤
Other Strollers You May Be Considering
If the M+ has caught your eye because of the reversible seat, here are the other options currently on the market in the lightweight/compact category:
- Joolz Aer2 with Nest to Seat: The nest to seat is offered as a separate purchase and sits permanently on the stroller. You cannot switch between parent-facing and forward-facing, and it is only rated up to 15 months old.
- Cybex Eezy Twist (discontinued): There was a Cybex compact stroller with a reversible option, but it has been discontinued. You may be able to find it secondhand.
- Evenflo Reversi: Evenflo has an option with a reversible seat, but it is more of an umbrella stroller.
If you do not need a reversible seat and just want a great compact travel stroller, check out my luxury travel stroller comparisons, including the Bugaboo Butterfly 2, Uppababy Minu V3, and Joolz Aer 2.
Who Should Buy the Orbit Baby M+?
There is no perfect stroller, and every stroller has trade-offs. The Orbit Baby M+ is no different. Here is who I think will love this stroller and who should probably look at other options.
The M+ is a great option for families who want a compact stroller with a reversible seat. The ability to change your child’s direction so easily, without having to reconfigure or remove a seat, is such a nice feature! It comes with a very premium design, a really solid push, and the luggage-mode fold is practical for travel. If you already own Orbit Baby products like the G5 seat or bassinet, this could be an excellent secondary stroller to keep in your trunk.
The trade-off is that this is one of the most expensive travel strollers on the market, and it is heavier than most compact strollers. If your priorities are an ultra-lightweight, the most affordable price, or overhead bin fit without removing wheels, this might not be the best fit.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Orbit Baby M+
Can the Orbit Baby M+ be used from birth?
The seat itself is rated from 6 months and on. To use from birth, you can pair it with Orbit Baby’s infant car seat, the Orbit Baby Bassinet, or a compatible car seat adapter that works with Nuna, Cybex, Maxi-Cosi, and Clek.
How much does the Orbit Baby M+ weigh?
With the seat attached, the stroller weighs about 23.4 lbs. You can remove the seat to make it lighter for transport.
Will the Orbit Baby M+ fit in an airplane overhead bin?
Orbit Baby says the M+ can fit in some overhead bins if you remove the wheels. The stroller also folds into a luggage mode, so you can roll it through the airport instead of carrying it. I personally recommend gate-checking your stroller, especially if you do not have a layover.
Does the Orbit Baby M+ have a peekaboo window?
No, there is no dedicated peekaboo window on the main canopy. There is a mesh extension for airflow that allows some visibility when the canopy is all the way open, but the extension can cover your child’s face. I didn’t find myself wanting to open it all the way very often for this reason.
Which car seats are compatible with the Orbit Baby M+?
Orbit Baby offers adapters compatible with Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, Cybex, and Clek infant car seats. You can also use Orbit Baby’s own infant car seat and the Orbit Baby Bassinet. If you own the Orbit Baby G5 stroller, the G5 seat is compatible with the M+ frame as well.