Bugaboo Ant Vs Butterfly
Trying to figure out what the difference is between Bugaboo Ant vs Butterfly?
Then let us help you decide which stroller will be best for you an your baby: Bugaboo Butterfly vs Ant.
Travel is fun and a great way to see new places and experience different cultures.
When you have a baby, it can often feel like your globetrotting days are over, but that doesn’t have to be the case.
We have all heard of baby strollers, but what if we told you that you can buy ones that are so compact that you can take them with you on an airplane!
That is just the case with the Bugaboo Ant and the Bugaboo Butterfly, which are compact strollers designed for travel.
In this article we go into a detailed comparison of the two strollers, focusing on functionality, versatility, durability, and cost, and decide how the two match up. If you are in the market for a new stroller, then read on!
And if you love this guide on Ant vs Butterfly strollers, then you’ll love these guides on Bugaboo Butterfly vs Bee, Bugaboo Buffalo vs Fox, Bugaboo Lynx vs Fox, and Bugaboo Fox 2 vs Fox 3.
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Bugaboo Ant Vs Butterfly
Let’s dive in and look at the key differences between the Bugaboo Ant vs Bugaboo Butterfly!
All About Bugaboo Ant
Firstly, it is important to note that the Bugaboo Ant was discontinued in 2021 and is no longer available to purchase new from Bugaboo.
However, if you are looking to purchase a second hand stroller then the Bugaboo Ant could be a great option.
The Bugaboo Ant is versatile, compact and highly maneuverable, making it an awesome travel stroller.
It folds down to the size of a small suitcase, so you can fit it in the overhead storage compartment on most airplanes.
Since you don’t need to check it in as you hold luggage, you won’t have to worry about getting to your destination only to discover your stroller has broken in transit.
The handle bar is fully adjustable, allowing you to set it at just the right height, so you don’t get tired while pushing your little one around.
All four of the wheels are fitted with shock absorbers that allow the stroller to travel over rough ground without waking up its passenger.
You can arrange the seat on the Ant to face either forwards or backwards, allowing you to choose between looking at your baby, and letting them look at their surroundings.
Under the seat there is a large storage bin where you can keep your belongings.
When fully folded, this storage area acts as a magazine rack, and the extendable handlebar allows you to roll the Bugaboo Ant around like a suitcase.
Folding this product does take a few steps and a little bit of time, but once you do, it is very compact and easy to carry.
Your child is strapped into the seat by a five point harness that is very secure and easy to release with the press of a button.
Don’t worry though, the button is quite stiff, so your child won’t have a chance at releasing the harness on their own.
The seat also has an extendable canopy that will help to shelter your baby from rain and intense sunlight while they relax in their stroller.
Pros
- Fully IATA compatible when folded
- Reversible seat that can face the parent or look out
- Suspension on the wheels offers a smooth ride over curbs and cobblestones
- Can be rolled along the ground like a suitcase when folded
- The five point harness on the seat keeps your child safe
- Adjustable handlebar
Cons
- Discontinued
- Folding the stroller takes multiple steps
- The reversible seat is quite small
All About Bugaboo Butterfly
In 2021 the Bugaboo Ant was discontinued and replaced with the all new Bugaboo Butterfly.
This model filled the same niche as the Ant, working as a super compact travel stroller for parents to take their little ones on holiday.
However, it came with several improvements over its predecessor that made it even more convenient for air travel.
For one, rather than require multiple steps to fold away, the Butterfly folds and unfolds in one fluid motion with the press of a single button.
The folding process is so easy that you can even do it with only one hand. This helps to make the stroller less of a hassle when passing through airport customs and will save you a lot of valuable time.
Furthermore, the Butterfly took away the reversible seat found on the ant and replaced it with a much larger one.
While this seat can be turned to face the parent, it offers more space for your little one and can recline backwards when they want to take a nap.
The Butterfly also incorporated features that were sold separately as accessories for the ant, such as a footrest and a shoulder strap for carrying the stroller.
The shock absorbers on the wheels were upgraded to Bugaboos spring-loaded design, providing an even smoother ride for your child over bumpy ground.
There is also an extendable canopy that comes with a breeze window, so your child can peek at their surroundings.
Overall, the Bugaboo Butterfly was a significant improvement over the Ant in almost every way.
Pros
- Extra large seat with an adjustable back and footrest
- Shoulder strap for carrying the stroller when it is not in use
- Can be folded and unfolded with one hand
- Large under seat storage bin with raised upper lip to stop things falling out
- Large canopy with a breeze window
- Fully IATA compatible, what folded
Cons
- Limited selection of fabric colors
- The handlebar is not adjustable
- No bumper bar on the seat
You can learn more about the Butterfly in our in-depth Bugaboo Butterfly review.
Similarities And Differences Between Bugaboo Butterfly Vs Ant
So as we can see, the Bugaboo Butterfly is a complete upgrade over the Ant, and in this section we will aim to give you a clear comparison between the two models.
This will give you a good idea of what has improved, as well as where the Ant may have had the edge over its successor.
Maneuverability & Size
The Ant is slightly smaller than the Butterfly, but only by a small margin. Both are capable of fitting in the overhead storage compartment on an airplane, and as such are fully IATA compatible.
However, since the handle on the Ant fully retracts, it can be made slightly shorter than its successor.
The seat on the ant is also a bit smaller, which is another thing that works in its favor when it comes to being compact.
In terms of Maneuverability, the wheels on the Butterfly are better at turning tight corners and have slightly better suspension as well.
This means that the butterfly will perform well on any kind of street, be it pavement or cobblestones.
However, the Ant is still very maneuverable and has a good suspension system of its own, so both strollers are likely to provide a smooth ride for your child.
Comfort
The Butterfly is the clear winner in this category, with a larger seat that has a capacious backrest. It also comes with a footrest, which had to be bought separately for the Ant.
Both of these features along with the extendable canopy make the Butterfly very comfortable for your child.
One good thing about the ant is the adjustable handlebar, which can make it more comfortable for the parent to use.
Sadly, this feature was not carried over to the Butterfly, but it should still be at a good height provided you aren’t exceptionally tall or short.
Both strollers have five point harnesses with plenty of padding to keep your little one snug and safe.
However, it is worth mentioning that European versions of the Butterfly come with a three point harness instead, which is slightly harder to release.
Portability & Weight
The Ant weighs slightly less than the Butterfly, but both strollers are very light and can be carried comfortably in one hand.
The Butterfly takes this one step further and comes with a shoulder strap that allows you to carry it completely hands free through airport costumes. This strap was also available for the Ant, but had to be purchased separately.
Another area in which the Butterfly excels is folding, and you can both fold and unfold it with only one hand.
This is much easier than the Ant, which had issues with parts getting stuck at different lengths and had to be folded away in multiple steps.
With the Butterfly all you have to do is press one button and the stroller will instantly fold down to the size of a suitcase or pop back out again.
Price
Before it was discontinued, the Bugaboo Ant actually sold for slightly more than the current retail price of the Butterfly.
This makes the Butterfly an even better deal for parents working on a budget, as they get double the features for a slightly lower price. You can now pick up Bugaboo Ants second hand for a much lower price than they were originally sold at.
Despite lacking the convenience of the Butterfly, they are still a worthwhile investment if you are hunting for a good travel stroller on a tight budget.
Final Thoughts On Bugaboo Butterfly Vs Bugaboo Ant
The Bugaboo Ant was a great compact travel stroller, however it did have its shortcomings.
Often the process of folding it could take up several minutes as you adjust all the parts to get them ready to fold away.
The Butterfly addresses these issues and brings several more improvements that make it more convenient, more comfortable and more maneuverable.
While the Ant is still worth buying if you can find a second hand one online, if you have a little extra cash to spend, the Butterfly is a much more worthwhile investment.
And if you loved this guide, then make sure to check out these guides on Bugaboo Butterfly vs Donkey, Bugaboo Fox vs Bee, best travel double strollers, and best convertible strollers.
