Caboose RS vs Caboose S: Which Sit and Stand Stroller?
By Joovy | Published: 2026-10-13
Category: Comparisons
Compare the Caboose RS and Caboose S on seat layout, bassinet compatibility, and rear-seat options so you can pick the right sit and stand stroller for your family.
Quick answer
Choose the Caboose RS if you want a sit and stand stroller that can adapt to a bassinet for a newborn. Choose the Caboose S if you already own that model and only need a replacement rear seat. Both are sit and stand designs with a bench and standing platform, but the RS adds bassinet compatibility and a premium build. The Caboose S Rear Seat is a replacement accessory for the Caboose S only, not an upgrade path for the RS.
What actually differs between the RS and the S
The Caboose RS is described as a luxury stroller and the first to integrate a stand-on platform that adapts to allow the fitting of a bassinet. That single design choice changes who can ride: a newborn can lie flat in a bassinet while an older child stands or sits on the bench. The Caboose S is the earlier sit and stand platform. The catalog does not list bassinet compatibility for the S, so if you need newborn-ready flexibility, the RS is the model that carries that feature.
Both strollers share the core sit and stand layout: a full-size reclining front seat, a bench seat, and a standing platform. The difference is not the basic riding positions. It is the RS's ability to accept a bassinet, which lets one stroller cover newborn through independent older kid without adding a second full-size stroller.
Rear seat options and what they fit
The rear seat is where the two models diverge most in practice. The Caboose UL / Big Caboose Rear Seat transforms a sit-and-stand stroller into a true double stroller with two forward-facing seats. It gives a toddler a full-size reclining seat with a 5-point harness, and it installs and removes easily. That is the accessory to consider when your toddler is not ready for the bench or standing platform.
The Caboose S Rear Seat is a replacement seat accessory for the Caboose S, listed under Joovy accessories with SKU 9107 in the Standard option. It is not described as a universal rear seat. If you own a Caboose S and the rear seat is worn or missing, this is the correct part. If you own an RS, check the RS accessory listing rather than assuming the S rear seat fits.
How to decide in the store aisle
Start with the youngest rider. If you have a newborn or plan to have one while using the same stroller, the RS's bassinet-compatible platform is the deciding feature. If your youngest rider is already a toddler who can sit on a bench or stand, the standard sit and stand layout may be enough, and the rear seat accessory becomes the upgrade that matters.
Then check your existing gear. If you already own a Caboose S, the Caboose S Rear Seat is the direct replacement. If you are buying new and want the widest age range from one stroller, the RS is the more flexible platform because of the bassinet option. Do not buy a rear seat for a model it is not listed to fit.
Trade-offs at a glance
- Newborn flexibility: The Caboose RS adapts to accept a bassinet, so it can carry a newborn and an older child in one stroller. The Caboose S is not described with bassinet compatibility. If you need newborn-ready use, the RS is the model that carries that feature.
- Rear seat fit: The Caboose UL / Big Caboose Rear Seat adds a full-size reclining seat with a 5-point harness and turns a sit-and-stand stroller into a true double. The Caboose S Rear Seat is a replacement part for the Caboose S only. Match the rear seat to your exact model; do not assume the S rear seat fits the RS.
- Cost and complexity: The RS is the premium platform with the bassinet-compatible design. The Caboose S rear seat is a lower-cost replacement accessory for an existing stroller. Buy the RS if you want one stroller to span newborn to big kid; buy the S rear seat only if you already own a Caboose S.
Product facts
- Caboose RS Premium Sit And Stand Double Stroller: The Caboose RS is a luxury stroller and the first to integrate a stand-on platform that adapts to allow the fitting of a bassinet. This is the feature that lets one stroller serve a newborn and an older child, so you can delay or skip a second stroller purchase.
- Caboose RS Premium Sit And Stand Double Stroller: The Caboose RS has a full-size reclining front seat, a classic bench seat plus standing platform, and the option to add a rear seat sold separately. The core sit and stand layout works for a toddler who wants to sit or stand, and the rear seat add-on extends the stroller's life for a second seated child.
- Caboose S Rear Seat: The Caboose S Rear Seat is a replacement seat accessory for the Caboose S, listed under Joovy accessories with SKU 9107 in the Standard option. If you own a Caboose S, this is the correct replacement part; it is not described as compatible with the RS.
- Caboose UL / Big Caboose Rear Seat: The Caboose UL / Big Caboose Rear Seat transforms a sit-and-stand stroller into a true double stroller with two forward-facing seats, including a full-size reclining seat with a 5-point harness, and it installs and removes easily. This is the accessory that adds a second full seat for a toddler who is not ready for the bench or standing platform.
Which one fits your family
Best for
- Families who need one stroller to carry a newborn in a bassinet and an older child on the bench or platform
- Parents who want the option to add a rear seat for a second seated toddler
- Buyers who prefer a premium sit and stand stroller with the widest age range
Not for
- Caboose S owners who only need a replacement rear seat and do not need bassinet compatibility
- Shoppers looking for the lowest-cost sit and stand option with no newborn use
