With models designed for all-terrain adventures, city living, travel, twins and growing families, it's not always obvious which Bugaboo is right for you.
If you've been searching for the best Bugaboo pushchair, you'll probably have come across the Bugaboo Fox 5, Bugaboo Butterfly, Bugaboo Dragonfly, Bugaboo Donkey and Bugaboo Cub.
But what is the difference between them?
In this guide, we'll explain every Bugaboo pushchair, including the newer versions currently available in the UK. We'll look at what each pushchair is designed for, who it suits best and how to choose between them.
Quick answer: The Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew is the all-terrain option, the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is designed for travel, the Bugaboo Dragonfly Plus is ideal for city life, the Bugaboo Donkey 6 is designed for twins and growing families, while the Bugaboo Cub offers a lighter all-terrain alternative.
Bugaboo Pushchairs at a Glance
| Bugaboo pushchair | Best for | Main selling point |
|---|---|---|
| Bugaboo Fox 5 / Fox 5 Renew | All-terrain family life | Large wheels, suspension and comfort |
| Bugaboo Butterfly / Butterfly 2 | Travel | Ultra-compact fold |
| Bugaboo Dragonfly / Dragonfly Plus | City living | Compact full-size pushchair |
| Bugaboo Donkey / Donkey 6 | Twins and siblings | Converts between single and double |
| Bugaboo Cub | Everyday all-terrain use | Lightweight all-terrain design |
Bugaboo's current UK range includes the Fox 5 Renew, Dragonfly Plus, Cub, Donkey 6 and Butterfly 2.
Bugaboo Fox 5: The All-Terrain Pushchair
The Bugaboo Fox 5 is one of Bugaboo's best-known pushchairs and is designed for parents who want comfort and versatility across different types of terrain.
The current UK model is the Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew, which Bugaboo describes as an all-terrain 2-in-1 pram.
What makes the Bugaboo Fox 5 different?
The Fox 5 is designed around a comfortable ride, with large puncture-proof wheels and suspension.
It is particularly suited to families who regularly walk through parks, on uneven pavements or across countryside paths.
The Fox 5 Renew can be used from birth and comes with a carrycot, before converting into a reversible seat as your child grows. Bugaboo lists it as suitable from birth to approximately four years.
Other useful features include:
- Large all-terrain wheels
- Full suspension
- One-hand steering
- Reversible seat
- Reclining seat
- Extendable seat and footrest
- Spacious carrycot
- Large underseat basket
- UPF 50+ sun canopy
- Car-seat compatibility
The Fox 5 Renew weighs around 13kg with the seat, according to Bugaboo's UK comparison information.
Who is the Bugaboo Fox 5 for?
The Fox 5 is a good choice if you:
- Enjoy long walks
- Spend lots of time outdoors
- Live somewhere with uneven pavements
- Regularly visit parks or countryside
- Want a pushchair suitable from birth
- Prioritise ride comfort over having the smallest possible fold
Bugaboo Fox 5 verdict
Best for: All-terrain family adventures.
If you want a premium everyday pushchair that can handle more than smooth pavements, the Fox 5 Renew is one of the strongest options in the current Bugaboo range.
Bugaboo Butterfly: The Travel Pushchair
If the Fox 5 is all about comfort and all-terrain capability, the Bugaboo Butterfly is all about convenience.
The current version is the Bugaboo Butterfly 2, an ultra-compact travel pushchair designed for families who are frequently on the move. Bugaboo lists it as IATA-compatible for air travel.
What makes the Bugaboo Butterfly different?
The standout feature is the one-second fold.
The Butterfly 2 folds into a compact package, making it useful for car boots, public transport, holidays and air travel.
At around 7.3kg with the seat, it is considerably lighter than larger models.
The Butterfly 2 also has:
- One-second fold
- Compact folded size
- Lay-flat recline
- Fully upright seat position
- Puncture-proof wheels
- Four-wheel suspension
- Ergonomic seat
- Travel-friendly design
Who is the Bugaboo Butterfly for?
The Butterfly is particularly well suited to parents who:
- Travel frequently
- Fly with their child
- Use public transport
- Have a small car
- Live in an apartment
- Need a lightweight pushchair
- Want a second pushchair for holidays
Bugaboo Butterfly verdict
Best for: Travel and compact city living.
If your priority is having a pushchair that's quick to fold, easy to carry and convenient when travelling, the Butterfly 2 is the Bugaboo to consider.
Bugaboo Dragonfly: The City Pushchair
The Bugaboo Dragonfly sits between the large all-terrain Fox and the ultra-compact Butterfly.
It's designed for parents who want a comfortable, full-featured pushchair but spend most of their time in an urban environment.
The current model is the Bugaboo Dragonfly Plus, which Bugaboo describes as a compact 2-in-1 city pram.
What makes the Bugaboo Dragonfly different?
The Dragonfly's biggest strength is its combination of comfort and compactness.
Its patented folding design allows the pushchair to fold in one piece without removing the carrycot or seat. Bugaboo describes it as its city pushchair where comfort meets compact design.
The Dragonfly is also designed with city manoeuvrability in mind, making it a practical choice for everyday journeys around shops, pavements and public spaces.
Who is the Bugaboo Dragonfly for?
The Dragonfly is worth considering if you:
- Live in a town or city
- Use your pushchair every day
- Want a compact fold
- Need something more substantial than a travel stroller
- Want a pushchair suitable from birth
- Regularly use shops and public transport
Bugaboo Dragonfly verdict
Best for: Urban family life.
The Dragonfly is a good middle ground between a traditional all-terrain pram and an ultra-lightweight travel stroller.
Bugaboo Donkey: The Pushchair for Growing Families
If you're expecting twins, have siblings close in age or want a pushchair that can adapt as your family grows, the Bugaboo Donkey is likely to be the model you'll hear about most.
The current version is the Bugaboo Donkey 6.
What makes the Bugaboo Donkey different?
Unlike most single pushchairs, the Donkey is designed to carry children side by side.
The Donkey 6 can be configured as a single pushchair and adapted for two children, making it particularly useful for growing families.
Bugaboo also offers dedicated Donkey 6 Double and Donkey 6 Twin configurations. The Twin version is designed for twins, while the Double configuration is intended for siblings of different ages.
The Donkey 6 has a width of approximately 74cm in double configuration, while Bugaboo states that it fits through standard doorways.
Other features include:
- Side-by-side seating
- Large all-terrain wheels
- Reversible seats
- Spacious carrycots
- Large storage capacity
- One-hand steering
- Multiple configurations
- Compatibility with selected car seats and accessories
Bugaboo Donkey Mono vs Duo vs Twin
This is one of the most important things to understand when shopping for a Bugaboo Donkey.
Donkey Mono: Designed for one child, with additional storage and the ability to adapt as your family grows.
Donkey Duo: Designed for siblings of different ages, typically with one child in a carrycot and another in the seat.
Donkey Twin: Designed for twins, with two children riding side by side.
Who is the Bugaboo Donkey for?
The Donkey is ideal if you:
- Are expecting twins
- Have a baby and toddler
- Want a future-proof pushchair
- Need lots of storage
- Want children to ride side by side
- Regularly go shopping with your children
Bugaboo Donkey verdict
Best for: Twins, siblings and growing families.
If you need a Bugaboo double pushchair, the Donkey is the model to investigate first.
Bugaboo Cub: The Lightweight All-Terrain Pushchair
The Bugaboo Cub is designed for families who want all-terrain capability without choosing one of the larger or heavier options in the range.
Bugaboo describes the Cub as its lightest all-terrain pushchair, designed for everyday comfort.
What makes the Bugaboo Cub different?
The Cub is a 2-in-1 pushchair designed to take your child from newborn through to toddlerhood.
It has large puncture-proof wheels and suspension, making it suitable for everyday walks across a variety of surfaces.
Bugaboo currently lists the Cub as one of its baby prams in the UK, alongside the Fox 5 Renew and Dragonfly Plus.
Bugaboo Cub vs Fox 5
The Fox 5 Renew is the more premium all-terrain option, while the Cub is designed to provide a lighter, simpler alternative.
In practical terms:
- Choose the Fox 5 if you want maximum comfort, features and all-terrain capability.
- Choose the Cub if you want an everyday all-terrain pushchair while keeping the weight down.
Who is the Bugaboo Cub for?
The Cub could be a good choice if you:
- Want an all-terrain pushchair
- Walk regularly
- Want something lighter than the Fox
- Need a 2-in-1 pushchair
- Want a practical everyday pram
Bugaboo Cub verdict
Best for: Everyday all-terrain family life.
The Cub is the practical all-rounder in the Bugaboo range.
Bugaboo Fox 5 vs Butterfly vs Dragonfly vs Donkey vs Cub
Still wondering which Bugaboo pushchair to buy?
Here's the simple version.
Choose the Bugaboo Fox 5 if...
You want a premium all-terrain pushchair for long walks, parks, countryside and uneven surfaces.
Choose the Bugaboo Butterfly if...
You want a compact travel pushchair for holidays, flights, public transport and small car boots.
Choose the Bugaboo Dragonfly if...
You want a city-friendly pushchair that combines comfort with a compact fold.
Choose the Bugaboo Donkey if...
You're expecting twins or siblings close in age, or you want the option to convert your pushchair for two children.
Choose the Bugaboo Cub if...
You want a lighter all-terrain 2-in-1 pushchair for everyday use.
Which Bugaboo Pushchair Is Best?
The best Bugaboo pushchair depends on your lifestyle rather than simply choosing the most expensive model.
For all-terrain use, the Fox 5 Renew is the standout option.
For travel, the Butterfly 2 is the obvious choice.
For city living, the Dragonfly Plus offers a useful combination of comfort and compactness.
For twins and siblings, the Donkey 6 is designed specifically around growing families.
And for parents who want a lighter all-terrain pushchair, the Cub is worth considering.
Bugaboo itself separates its range into baby prams, compact/lightweight strollers and double prams, which is a useful way to narrow down your options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bugaboo Pushchairs
What is the best Bugaboo pushchair?
The best Bugaboo pushchair depends on how you plan to use it. The Fox 5 Renew is best for all-terrain use, the Butterfly 2 for travel, the Dragonfly Plus for city life, the Donkey 6 for twins and siblings, and the Cub for lightweight all-terrain everyday use.
Which Bugaboo is best from birth?
The Fox 5 Renew, Dragonfly Plus, Cub and Donkey 6 are designed as baby prams with carrycot configurations. The Butterfly 2 is a compact travel stroller and has a lay-flat recline, making it a different proposition from a traditional carrycot-based pram.
Which Bugaboo is best for a newborn?
If you're looking for a traditional newborn pushchair with a carrycot, consider the Fox 5 Renew, Dragonfly Plus, Cub or Donkey 6. Your choice will depend on whether you prioritise all-terrain performance, compactness or the ability to carry more than one child.
Which Bugaboo is best for travel?
The Butterfly 2 is Bugaboo's dedicated ultra-compact travel pushchair. It weighs around 7.3kg with the seat and is IATA-compatible for air travel.
Which Bugaboo is best for twins?
The Bugaboo Donkey 6 Twin is designed specifically for twins, allowing two children to ride side by side. The Donkey 6 can also be configured for siblings of different ages.
Is the Bugaboo Fox 5 good for off-road use?
Yes. The Fox 5 Renew is Bugaboo's all-terrain pushchair and has large puncture-proof wheels and suspension designed to provide a smoother ride across different surfaces.
What is the lightest Bugaboo pushchair?
The Butterfly 2 is the lightest of the main models covered in this guide, weighing approximately 7.3kg with the seat. The Cub is Bugaboo's lightest all-terrain pushchair.
Is the Bugaboo Donkey too wide?
The Donkey 6 Double is approximately 74cm wide and Bugaboo states that it fits through standard doorways. However, it's still worth measuring your own doorways, hallways and car boot before buying any double pushchair.