Bugaboo Butterfly Review
Trying to figure out if the Bugaboo Butterfly if the right stroller for you and your baby?
Then let us help you decide with our in-depth Bugaboo Butterfly review.
Are you looking for a lightweight stroller that can navigate city streets and be used for travel? The Bugaboo Butterfly is a compact stroller designed for parents who need an option suitable for both the everyday and trips away.
For active and adventurous parents, finding a stroller that combines comfort and a compact design can be difficult.
When in use, the stroller should support your little one as they explore the world. But crucially, when packed away, the stroller should be just as comfortable for the parent to transport.
So, how does the Bugaboo Butterfly stroller perform? In this guide, we’ll take a look at the features and functions of the Butterfly stroller, and see if parents will really be flying with this design.
And if you love this review on Bugaboo Butterfly, then you’ll love these guides on Bugaboo Butterfly vs Lynx, Bugaboo Butterfly vs Donkey, and Bugaboo Butterfly vs Bee.
This post contains affiliate links. See our full disclosure here
Bugaboo Butterfly Overview
Bugaboo have created the Butterfly for easy travel and city living. This stroller is designed to be lightweight and easy to pick up, with a quick fold for traveling, and an innovative world-facing seat.
Let’s begin with the basics. The Butterfly weighs 16.09 lbs, and is a compact stroller suitable for babies from 6 months to 4 years (approximately).
Folded, the Butterfly dimensions are 17.72×9.06×21.26. Unfolded (with the leg rest away), the Butterfly dimensions are 36.42×17.72×40.31.
Compact folders can sometimes sacrifice quality and performance to achieve that lower weight. In this review, we’ll take a look at all the features included with the Bugaboo Butterfly, and consider whether this is a stroller we recommend.
Pros
- IATA compatible
- Can be folded away and unfolded with one hand
- Extendable canopy with breeze window
- Reliable shock absorbers on each wheel
- Adjustable seat and leg rest move smoothly, and add comfort for your little one
- Large under seat storage basket
- At just 16.09 lbs, it’s lightweight and portable
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a bumper bar at the front of the seat
- Handlebar doesn’t adjust
- No option to attach a bassinet
- Limited selection of fabric colors
What We Like About The Bugaboo Butterfly
There is a lot to love about the Bugaboo Butterfly, a compact stroller that’s ideal for busy city life and extended travels. Let’s take a look at some of these fantastic features in detail.
One Second, One-Handed Fold
There is no hassle when it comes to folding and unfolding the Bugaboo Butterfly, and we really mean that. Too many “easy fold” strollers require muscle and force to fold, but the Bugaboo Butterfly collapses with ease.
To unfold, simply press the button, and lift the stroller open. When you’re ready to pack it away, press the button and push. The stroller folds naturally, and you really can do it with just one hand. It’s gravity that does the work, not you.
In just seconds, busy parents can have the Butterfly up or down. There’s no extra fuss, no hard work, and no need to put down your coffee! This is a one second, one-handed fold that really performs.
Portability
Compact and light, the Bugaboo Butterfly is an easy stroller to carry. Once collapsed, you can use the integrated carry strap to sling the stroller over your shoulder, and carry it hands-free.
Otherwise, the Butterfly can be carried by the leg or the handle — whatever feels most comfortable for you.
The integrated carry strap is impressive, and combined with the compact size, makes the Butterfly one of the most portable strollers around.
Age Range
As is, the Bugaboo Butterfly has an age range from 6 months to approximately 4 years. The upper weight limit is 48.50 lbs. This age range makes the Butterfly an excellent choice for a second stroller.
The Bugaboo Butterfly age range can actually be increased, as the stroller can be adapted for use from birth. Using a Bugaboo Turtle Air by Nuna car seat or other Maxi-Cosi infant car seats and the Butterfly car seat adaptor (both sold separately) the Butterfly can be used from birth until 4 years old.
Adjustable Seat
Comfort is obviously a priority when purchasing a stroller, and the Bugaboo Butterfly uses an extra large seat with padded cushioning to ensure your little one is as snug as possible.
The large seat offers wiggle room for growing toddlers, while the additional padding provides support where needed. Padding also helps to absorb the movement of the stroller, for a smooth ride.
The seat also comes with an adjustable backrest, so you can alter the angle for a happy nap time. As a compact stroller, there is some reduced adjustability – and no full recline – but we’re still happy with this feature.
Adjustable Leg Rest
As well as an adjustable seat, the Butterfly comes with an adjustable leg rest.
The integrated leg rest can be moved into 5 different positions, to provide support and comfort whether your little one is playing, napping, or simply observing the world. When they’ve outgrown the leg rest, it can be removed!
IATA-Compatible
The ultra-compact fold of the Bugaboo Butterfly meets the IATA allowance, meaning that the stroller is suitable for carry-on luggage.
Frequent travelers can simply fold and store the Butterfly overhead, avoiding the queues of checked baggage — and making it easier to travel through the airport!
It isn’t just on airplanes that this compact fold will come in handy. Whether you’re traveling by train, bus, or even trying to fit everything into an overstuffed car, the slim Butterfly profile is a welcome design feature.
One quick note: the IATA dimensions are guidelines, not rules. Be sure to check the carry-on allowance of your chosen airline before traveling.
Harness
Safety is a key feature, and the Butterfly stroller uses a 5-point harness to ensure your little one is secure. The harness is strategically padded to reduce discomfort, and uses a quick-click function.
When your little one decides they’ve had enough of the stroller, you can release them in seconds. And when they decide they want to get back in, possibly just seconds later, you can fasten them securely, and quickly.
Sun-Canopy
The Butterfly stroller comes with an integrated canopy. The 4-panel canopy can be extended to protect your child from wind and sun, with a breezy window to allow air to circulate.
Parents can quickly check on their infants’ wellbeing with the mesh window, while babies can keep an eye on the world around them.
The Bugaboo Butterfly also comes with an attachable rain cover.
Large Underseat Storage
Despite being a compact stroller, the Butterfly comes with an impressively large storage basket. Able to hold up to 17.6 lbs, there’s room to store all the essentials, and quite a few non-essentials!
The simple basket can be accessed from both sides, with a flexible opening making it easier than ever to grab what you need.
While we do like the basket, there are a few small issues. The flexible build makes access easier, but it also reduces security. If you have a habit of haphazard basket packing, which most parents will from time to time, you might find things slip loose.
What We Don’t Like About The Bugaboo Butterfly
While we were happy overall with the performance of the Bugaboo Butterfly, it isn’t a perfect stroller. Let’s take a look at some of the flaws.
No Parent Facing Option
The Butterfly seat is world facing, with no reversible parent-facing option. As your baby ages, this is unlikely to be much of a problem.
However, for those early weeks when you’re transitioning from parent-facing to world-facing, you might miss the adjustability.
Struggles On Some Terrain
A light push can get the Butterfly started, and once rolling, the stroller is easy to navigate and control. The four-wheel suspension allows for a smooth journey across a range of terrains, and navigating the city should be easy.
However, while the Butterfly claims to be all terrain, it will struggle over some trickier surfaces. This is a common problem with compact city strollers, so it isn’t a surprise, or even a major disadvantage.
But it is worth noting that grass and cobblestone might cause some issues for the Butterfly. Although it performs better than many other compact strollers, it still isn’t as competent as a true all terrain stroller.
No Handlebar Adjustment
The Butterfly handlebar is set at 40.31 inches, and it can’t be adjusted. The handlebar is comfortable to hold, and steering the Butterfly is easy, but some adjustment would be nice.
For smaller or taller parents, the lack of adjustable handlebar could be a dealbreaker.
Price
While the Bugaboo Butterfly isn’t a budget stroller, the price is reasonable for the features included.
For busy parents, the one second, one-handed fold might be more than enough to justify the price tag.
The stroller has clearly been created using quality materials, and for Bugaboo fans, the Butterfly is compatible with a lot of the range.
Final Thoughts on Bugaboo Butterfly Stroller Review
The Bugaboo Butterfly is a convenient collapsible stroller that’s sure to appeal to a wide range of parents. We particularly love the easy fold, which allows the Butterfly to be collapsed and unfolded in seconds, with just one hand.
The adjustable seat and leg rest makes the Butterfly comfortable for babies, while the extra large storage basket and carry handle are perfect for parents.
Although the Butterfly does come with some of the flaws you’d expect from a compact stroller, we were impressed overall with the performance.
If you’re tired of carrying around a heavy and cumbersome stroller, the Bugaboo Butterfly is an elegant solution.
And if you loved this guide, then make sure to check out these guides on best compact travel strollers, best travel double strollers, Bugaboo Fox vs Uppababy Vista, and Bugaboo Fox 3 review.
