REASONS TO BUY
Packs small
High-quality
Huge window
Stand-open harness
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Smaller wheels
Unpadded leg rest
Bugaboo Butterfly Review
A high-quality compact stroller that delivers exceptional handling for parents and dreamy comfort for kids
Credit: Matt Lighthart
RELATED: The Best Travel Strollers
Our Verdict
The Bugaboo Butterfly is a top-ranked travel stroller and tester favorite. This high-quality stroller has soft fabric, durable materials, and unique features like a stay-open harness and spring-loaded storage basket edge. We think this option is super easy to fold, one of the most compact in the review, and easy to carry with a useful shoulder strap. The seat has a removable pad and a giant canopy to keep little ones comfy. The Bugaboo is expensive, and this could be a no-go for many budgets. It also has a disappointing leg rest that lacks padding or comfort features despite having seven possible positions. Overall, we think there is much to love about this stroller, and we recommend it to a friend who isn't worried about the price.
Compare to Similar Products
 This Product
Bugaboo Butterfly | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | |  | |  |
| Price | $449 List $479.00 at Amazon | $400 List $399.99 at Amazon | $420 List $369.99 at Amazon | $330 List $220.00 at Amazon | $249 List |
Overall Score  |
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| Star Rating | |||||
| Bottom Line | Impressive quality option with better maneuverability and unique features for comfort and convenience | A high-quality choice with impressive seating features, smaller fold, and lots of storage | A bigger and heavier option that is still small enough to use for travel and includes the features you want | An average but unique stroller that is super small when folded but harder to push | Better performance and a durable design make this budget option an impressive contender |
| Rating Categories | Bugaboo Butterfly | UPPAbaby Minu v2 | Britax B-Free | gb Pockit+ All City | Zoe Traveler |
| Transport/Storing (30%) | |||||
| Ease of Use (30%) | |||||
| Maneuverability (20%) | |||||
| Quality (10%) | |||||
| Kid's Comfort (10%) | |||||
| Specs | Bugaboo Butterfly | UPPAbaby Minu v2 | Britax B-Free | gb Pockit+ All City | Zoe Traveler |
| Weight | 16.0 lbs | 17.0 lbs | 22.5 lbs | 13.1 lbs | 13.2 lbs |
| BGL Folded Dims. | 17.5"W x 10.3"H x 21.3"L | 20.5"W x 10.3"H x 23"L | 24"W x 10.3"H x 27"L | 13"W x 10.3"H x 21.3"L | 18.6"W x 10.3"H x 23"L |
| Capacity Limits | Min: 6 months Max: 50 lbs |
Min: 3 months Max: 50 lbs |
Min: Birth Max 55 lbs |
Min: 6 months Max: 5 years |
Min: 3 months Max: 45 lbs |
| Mfr. Max Allowable Total Storage Weight | 18 lbs | 20 lbs | 11 lbs | Not Specified | Not specified |
| Car Seat Compatibility | N/A | UPPAbaby Mesa Max & Mesa V2 | Britax | Cybex | N/A |
| Min./Max. Handle Height | 41 in. | 41 in. | 32"/44.5" | 41 in. | 40 in. |
| Wheel Type | Foam | Foam | Foam Filled Rubber | Foam | Foam |
| Brake type | Single | Single | Single | Single | Single |
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Our Analysis and Test Results
High-end baby gear manufacturer Bugaboo launched in 1994. Bugaboo makes luxury, high-quality strollers to help families move in comfort and style.
Performance Comparison
The Bugaboo practically folds on the fly with a swift one-hand action and a final package that is quite small.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Transporting and Storing
The Bugaboo performed well in our transporting and storing tests. Because a travel stroller should be small, lightweight, and easy to carry, we rank this metric as very important.
The Bugaboo is heavier than most at 16 lbs, but this is still lighter weight than most full-size options.
Credit: Sentry Kelly
The Bugaboo folds swiftly and with one, making it a straightforward compact stroller suitable for public transportation like a bus or overhead bin on an airplane.
The Bugaboo weighed in at 16 lbs in our tests, which is above the average for the group of 14.7 lbs. The heaviest in the group is closer to 22 lbs, with a handful weighing close to the Butterfly.
We measured the Butterfly to determine how much space it takes up when pressed against the wall, ensuring it can be used in tight spaces.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
It measured 17.5"W x 10.3"H x 21.3"L, or 3,355 in^3 when folded. This is smaller than most of the competition. Only a few manage to be smaller. It also has a relatively small footprint, making it a better choice than some competitors for tight spaces or tourist attractions.
The Bugaboo is one of the easiest options in the review to use.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Ease of Use
The Butterfly is an easy-to-use stroller with straightforward and thoughtfully designed features.
Unlike competitors who seem to only check a box for certain features, Bugaboo seems to care if the feature is user-friendly. It earned one of the highest results in this metric.
The Butterfly has a swift one-handed fold that self-stands and auto-locks. There is almost nothing easier to fold or unfold.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Fold and Unfold
This stroller is a true one-handed fold-and-unfold process. It automatically locks and self-stands with ease. The stroller folds in thirds and deploys with a quick arm flick.
Storage
The storage bin is medium in size, but we fit our large diaper bag inside. The shape is slightly smaller than most, but it does have an 18 lb weight limit, which is impressive as supplies always weigh more than you'd think they should. It has open access in the back, which is made better with a spring-loaded back that can be pushed down for better access. There is some front access, but nothing too impressive.
The Butterfly harness pops and sits wide open, so you don't need to search for it under and behind a wiggle passenger. However, it does have 4 straps to insert into the buckle one at a time.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Harness
The Butterfly harness is truly magical, and it cannot be overstated how cool we think it is or how much we like it. This harness has smooth webbing and ample padding on the shoulder strap. The best part is it stays open after you unbuckle it, so the parts stick up and out from the seating area.
This means you never have to tussle with a squirmy baby looking for parts under their tushie. It is a minor thing, but it is huge to everyday ease of use. However, because of this design, you have four prongs to insert in the buckle instead of two, but we think it is totally worth the extra steps.
The center placement on the Butterfly brake pedal makes it easy to use as it doesn't interfere with the suspension or wheel.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Brakes
The single-action brakes on the Butterfly take more pressure to set than release, but both processes are easy and foot-friendly. It is located in the center axle.
The Butterfly comes fully assembled but requires putting the seat pad in place before use.
Credit: Sentry Kelly
Ease of Setup
The Butterfly comes fully assembled and folded. The only thing that could be easier is the instruction manual, which is tucked inside the folded stroller, so if you don't know how to unfold it, you will need to guess or watch a video online.
Car Seat Compatiblity
The Butterfly is compatible with several infant car seats with the purchase of an adapter. You can pair this stroller with some seats from the following brands: Bugaboo, Nuna, Clek, Cybex, and Maxi-Cosi.
The Butterfly has some of the smallest wheels which likely helps keep the weight down, but didn't help with maneuverability.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Maneuverability
The Butterfly does a lot with a little, and the smaller wheels should be a hindrance, but they seem to function well enough.
The smaller wheels on the Butterfly struggled with taller lips in the pathway and required some lifting to scale the transitions.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The Butterfly earned a higher-than-average score for maneuverability. While it isn't a top-ranker, it did perform well in a group where pushing and turning were traditionally not fun.
The frame on the Butterfly is rigid, which helps with pushing, especially over transitions and uneven terrain. It rolls well enough on flat surfaces and holds its own in a way that is unlikely to frustrate casual strollers.
While grass and gravel are not its strong suit, the Butterfly manages to perform fairly well thanks to the rigid frame that can withstand more force than some flexing competitors.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Moving off-road is more challenging, and larger wheels would help here, but it isn't the worst. We did struggle with bumps and curbs and pushing directly into them is not as easy as giving the stroller a little tilt to help to overcome the transition.
The Butterfly has some of the hardest wheels in our tests, indicating better durability over time and less chance of the wheel deforming.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Quality
The Bugaboo offers superior quality in this group, with one of the highest scores in the metric. While this stroller is higher, the quality and construction justify the price compared to other options.
The overall fit and finish are impressive, with a sleek and sturdy frame, few visible hinges, and thoughtful design features for functionality. The Butterfly has a removable, padded seat made with soft fabric. The belt pads and straps are high quality, and nothing is loose or snagable.
The overall fit and finish on the Bugaboo are sleek with limited fasteners and hinge points.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
The wheels are some of the smallest in the group but also some of the hardest, making us think they will be durable and less likely to deform over time. They are foam-filled plastic with bigger wheels on the back.
The Butterfly recline mechanism is rather unique and is a one handed operation to recline and lift upright.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Kid's Comfort
The Bugaboo earned one of the highest scores for kid's comfort in the lineup. With a padded stay-open harness and padded seat addition, it is easy to see why it performed well.
Traditionally, this kind of stroller didn't give much thought to passenger comfort, but newer options realize it is important for tired kids to be comfortable.
The Bugaboo seat is comfortable with a higher back, padded insert, and adjustable leg rest, even if the leg rest is nothing to brag about.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Seat
The Bugaboo seat is the only option in the review with removable seat padding. It has a good recline to encourage napping and a minimalist leg rest that extends. We think the leg rest could be more substantial, and we wish it was covered in more than a thin fabric, but it is a step up from those that lack a leg rest at all. It has seven possible positions and can be folded out of the way when not in use.
Our little tester loved the Bugaboo's seat padding, soft harness, and giant canopy.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Sunshade
The Bugaboo has a good-sized canopy that can extend via a zip-open mesh panel. The fine mesh is of higher quality, and while somewhat harder to see through, it will allow visibility and airflow without the harsh sun rays getting through. The canopy looks good and remains taut when open. There is no traditional peek-a-boo window, but it is rated UPF 50+.
The Bugaboo Butterfly was a tester favorite and the one we'd recommend to a friend who can afford it.
Credit: Matt Lighthart
Should You Buy the Bugaboo Butterfly?
We love the Butterfly and would recommend it to a friend with a higher budget. This compact, easy-to-fold option is lightweight, easy to use, and moves smoothly over most surfaces. The Bugaboo offers good storage, a large canopy, and comfortable seat padding with a deeper recline for napping. With thoughtful design features like a pop-open harness and spring-loaded storage access, the Bugaboo stands out in this review for providing quality and durability in a package that is sure to please parents and passengers.
What Other Travel Strollers Should You Consider?
The Bugaboo has a high price tag that could easily be out of reach for a category often considered a second stroller or for infrequent use. If your budget is tighter and you want a nicer option with useful features, the Zoe Traveler and the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 would be high-ranking but lower-priced options to consider. These two strollers performed equally well during testing and offer similar performance in most metrics. Your priorities will likely guide you to which option has the functionality you want. The Zoe was our preferred favorite, thanks to a lower occurrence of accidental deployment when folded, something we experienced with the Baby Jogger.
Manufacturer Video
—
Wendy Schmitz
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