Bugaboo's stroller lineup includes several models, but MacroBaby's current selection centers on two: the ultra-compact Butterfly 2 and the side-by-side, expandable Donkey 5. Here's what each one actually offers and which fits your family.
Bugaboo Butterfly 2: built for travel
The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 weighs about 16 lbs and folds with one hand into a size compatible with most airline overhead bins, making it a favorite for frequent flyers and parents who want a lightweight backup to a full-size stroller. Compared to the original Butterfly, the Butterfly 2 has noticeably larger front wheels (up from 16.6 cm to 21.5 cm), which makes it more capable on uneven sidewalks and curb cuts. The seat also sits more upright with a deeper recline than the original, and it adds conveniences like a one-hand-operable footrest and a detachable sun canopy for easier washing.
Bugaboo Donkey 5: expands sideways, not lengthwise
The Bugaboo Donkey 5 is a single-to-double stroller with a genuinely different approach than most tandem strollers: instead of getting longer front to back when you add a second seat, it expands sideways. In single (Mono) mode, it's only 23.6 inches wide, the same width as Bugaboo's full-size Fox model, and even in double mode it's only about 5.5 inches wider, still narrow enough to fit through most standard doorways and elevators. It converts between single and double configurations in three clicks, without needing tools or a full teardown.
What the Donkey 5 can actually carry
Each seat on the Donkey 5 holds up to 50 lbs, suitable from birth (with the bassinet) through about age 4. The underseat basket holds up to 22 lbs, and in Mono (single) mode, an additional side luggage basket adds another 22 lbs of storage, useful for grocery runs or a diaper bag you don't want balanced on the handlebar. A wheeled ride-along board can be added for a third child once your first two have outgrown their seats.
Car seat compatibility
The Donkey 5 pairs with Nuna PIPA-series car seats (including the Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna) and the Maxi-Cosi Mico 30 using a separately sold car seat adapter. If you already own a compatible infant car seat, this lets you build a travel system without buying a new one.
Caring for a Bugaboo stroller
Bugaboo recommends washing removable fabric on a cold cycle, no higher than 85°F, without bleach or aggressive detergents, and air drying rather than tumble drying or ironing. The chassis itself should be cleaned with a soft towel and lukewarm water, and the wheels benefit from an occasional brush to clear sand or dirt from the axles, since built-up debris is one of the more common causes of a stroller that starts pulling to one side.
Newborn use: the Donkey 5 bassinet
The Donkey 5 Mono ships with a bassinet suitable from birth, built with a 2-layer foam mattress and 3D mesh panels designed to help regulate temperature and improve breathability during sleep. The seat and bassinet sit at a genuinely high position, around 20 to 22.5 inches off the ground, which keeps your baby closer to conversation height rather than down near passing dogs and exhaust pipes. A table-height seat position also makes it easier to pull the stroller up to a restaurant table for feeding without lifting your child out.
Reversible seating and independent recline
Both seats on the Donkey 5 can face you or face the world, and recline independently of each other, so if you have two children at different nap schedules, one can recline flat while the other stays upright and facing out. This kind of independent adjustment is one of the more meaningful differences between the Donkey 5 and cheaper side-by-side doubles, where both seats are often locked to the same position.
Where Fox, Kangaroo, and Dragonfly fit in (and why you won't find them here)
Bugaboo's full lineup also includes the Fox (a premium single stroller with extra-large all-terrain wheels), the Kangaroo (a single-to-double tandem stroller with a sibling seat), and the Dragonfly (Bugaboo's dedicated city stroller). MacroBaby's current Bugaboo assortment focuses on the Butterfly 2 and Donkey 5, so if you're specifically shopping for a Fox or Dragonfly, it's worth checking with our team on availability, since our online catalog reflects current in-stock models rather than the brand's entire lineup.
Why Bugaboo strollers cost what they do
Bugaboo is a certified B Corporation, meaning it's been independently assessed against standards for social and environmental impact, not just product quality. That certification, combined with Dutch-engineered mechanisms like the Donkey 5's sideways-expanding frame, is part of what puts Bugaboo in the same premium tier as brands like Nuna, Cybex, and UPPAbaby rather than the mid-range stroller market.
Which Bugaboo should you actually buy?
If you're buying a stroller specifically for travel, or want a lightweight backup to a full-size stroller you already own, the Butterfly 2 is built for exactly that. If you have two kids close in age, twins, or are planning ahead for a second child and want a single stroller that grows into a double without becoming unwieldy, the Donkey 5's sideways-expanding design is the more thoughtful engineering solution among tandem-style strollers.
Accessories worth adding
- Car seat adapter, required to attach a compatible Nuna or Maxi-Cosi infant car seat to the Donkey 5 frame.
- Wheeled ride-along board, adds a third-child option once your other two have outgrown their seats.
- Rain cover, keeps both the Butterfly 2 and Donkey 5 usable in wet weather without cutting a walk short.
- Travel bag, protects the Butterfly 2's folded frame during flights, since it's built to travel more than any other Bugaboo model.
Shop Bugaboo at MacroBaby
MacroBaby's Orlando showroom lets you test the fold, the ride, and the sideways expansion of the Donkey 5 in person before you buy. Browse the full Bugaboo stroller collection online or visit our showroom.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 allowed as a carry-on?
It folds small enough to fit most airline overhead bins, but always check your specific airline's carry-on size policy before flying.
How does the Bugaboo Donkey 5 convert from single to double?
It expands sideways rather than lengthwise, converting between single (Mono), double (Duo), and twin configurations in three clicks, without tools.
Does the Bugaboo Donkey 5 fit through standard doorways?
Yes. In single mode it's 23.6 inches wide, and even in double mode it's only about 5.5 inches wider, narrow enough for most standard doorways and elevators.
What car seats work with the Bugaboo Donkey 5?
It pairs with Nuna PIPA-series car seats, including the Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna, and the Maxi-Cosi Mico 30, using a separately sold car seat adapter.
What's the difference between the Bugaboo Butterfly and Butterfly 2?
The Butterfly 2 has larger front wheels, a more upright seat with a deeper recline, a one-hand-operable footrest, and a detachable sun canopy, while keeping the same 16-lb weight and one-hand fold as the original.
Does the Bugaboo Donkey 5 come with a bassinet?
Yes, the Donkey 5 Mono ships with a bassinet suitable from birth, featuring a 2-layer foam mattress and 3D mesh panels for breathability.
Does MacroBaby carry the Bugaboo Fox or Dragonfly?
MacroBaby's current Bugaboo assortment centers on the Butterfly 2 and Donkey 5. Check with our team for availability of other Bugaboo models.
