Bugaboo Donkey Vs Bee

Trying to figure out what the difference is between Bugaboo Donkey vs Bee?

Then let us help you decide which stroller will be best for you and your baby: Bugaboo Bee vs Donkey.

Bugaboo is a popular brand with new parents, and the Donkey and Bee are two of their most consistently loved ranges. But how do they compare?

The Donkey is a twin stroller with side-by-side seats that can be removed and adjusted. The Bee is a compact city stroller, with a narrow turning circle and a light frame.

They’re both premium strollers, but key differences can help you decide which is right for your family.

So, in this guide, we’ll take a look at both the Bugaboo Bee 6 and Donkey, and see how they compare, focusing on functionality, versatility, durability, and cost, and decide how the two match up.

And if you love this guide on Bugaboo Donkey vs Bugaboo Bee, then you’ll love these guides on Bugaboo Butterfly vs Donkey, Bugaboo Butterfly vs Bee, Bugaboo Fox vs Bee, and Bugaboo Donkey vs Fox. Or even our Bugaboo 5 vs 6 review.

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Bugaboo Bee Vs Donkey

Let’s dive in and look at the key differences between the Bugaboo Donkey and Bugaboo Bee!

All About The Bugaboo Donkey

The Bugaboo Donkey is a side-by-side double stroller that can be adjusted to suit the needs of your growing family.

This is one of the largest strollers made by Bugaboo has to offer, and it is available in three different configurations, Mono, Duo and Twin.

That gives you a ton of options from a single stroller with a side basket, an older toddler/younger baby stroller, or a stroller for twins!

As a side-by-side stroller, the Bugaboo Donkey is bulky, but surprisingly easy to navigate. The large and puncture-proof wheels provide excellent control over various surfaces, with smooth steering for an easy ride.

Ventilated fabrics and a higher seat provide extra comfort for babies, while an adjustable handlebar and a surprisingly light build will be welcomed by parents.

Pros

• Available in three different configurations
• Narrow enough to fit through most doorways
• Excellent suspension
• Capacious under seat storage
• Seats can be arranged facing the same way or in opposite directions
• Sturdy and durable

Cons

• Large and Cumbersome
• Doesn’t easily fit in the boot of a car
• Carry cot may be too big for some

You can learn more about the Donkey 5 in our Bugaboo Donkey review.

All About The Bugaboo Bee

Designed for city living, the Bugaboo Bee is a compact and lightweight stroller with easy navigation around tight corners. A single stroller, the seat can be either world- or parent-facing.

The Bugaboo Bee uses slightly larger wheels to handle different terrains. Although intended for navigating crowded city sidewalks, these wheels, combined with excellent suspension, can handle cracked streets and grassy parks.

Since this stroller is designed for cities, it can be folded up with one hand with the push of a single button.

This makes it easy to take on public transport, and means you can leave the stroller in a hallway or under a table when you don’t need it. 

You can also buy this stroller with both a bassinet and a seat, so you can use it for your newborn all the way up to the age of 4.

There is a bumper bar at the front of the seat, which helps your child sit forward and stop them slouching too much.

When your toddler is ready for a nap, you can fully recline the seat to lay it flat, so they can sleep peacefully and comfortably. 

With an adjustable handlebar and the aforementioned suspension, this stroller is very easy to push.

There is a large storage basket under the main seat that offers a great place to store belongings or shopping bags.

As its name suggests, the Bee 6 is both small and fast, making it the perfect stroller for the hustle and bustle of city life. 

You may also be interested in our full Bugaboo Bee 6 review.

Pros

• Four-wheel suspension that allows the stroller to glide over any surface
• Bumper bar in front of seat to prevent your child from slouching
• Adjustable handlebars
• The seat can fully recline to lie flat
• Folds away easily with one simple motion
• Comes with extendable canopy and under seat storage basket
• Lightweight yet durable

Cons

• Difficult to assemble
• The seat isn’t as plush as those found on other Bugaboo products
• Expensive compared to other strollers of its size 

What Are The Similarities Between The Bugaboo Donkey And Bee?

The Donkey and Bee are both strollers from Bugaboo, so you can expect the occasional similarity between the two.

In terms of overall quality, they’re both made to Bugaboo’s premium standards. But what are the other similarities to consider?

Easy Handling

One of the features we love in both the Bugaboo Donkey and Bee is the easy handling. Just a light push will get both of these strollers started, and once going, the strollers can be handled with ease.

They turn instinctively, with only a small touch needed to move the stroller where it needs to be.

Both strollers can also be maneuvered with just one hand, although there are some obvious advantages to the smaller build of the Bee.

Comfortable padded and adjustable handlebars improve control, allowing you to move both strollers with just your fingertips while maintaining grip.

Terrain

Although neither stroller is exactly all-terrain, both can handle various surfaces reasonably well. The Bee is designed for city streets, and this is where it performs best.

However, the Bee 6 has larger wheels than the average city stroller, so you can travel over grass and cracked sidewalks with fewer problems.

The Donkey 5 also uses larger wheels for easier navigation over difficult terrain. Again, this is a stroller better for even sidewalks, But these bigger wheels will come in handy when it comes to trips to the park.

Puncture Proof Wheels

There’s nothing like a flat tire to ruin an afternoon with your child. One minute you’re rolling along happily, and the next moment the stroller won’t push, and there’s a tantrum coming on.

There’s no risk of puncture with the Donkey and Bee wheels, which use a molded design over the traditional air filled tire. 

Breezy Fabrics

An issue with early iterations of both the Donkey and the Bee was that a lack of ventilation could leave your child feeling a little hot under the sun canopy.

Bugaboo took note of the complaints, and recent editions, including the Donkey 5 and Bee 6, have been built with improved ventilation. Air can circulate, and everyone can breathe easier.

What Are The Differences Between The Bugaboo Bee And Donkey?

While the overall quality of design may be on a level, there are some significant differences between the Bugaboo Bee and Donkey.

Let’s take a closer look at them, to understand how these differences can help you to choose a stroller.

Single Vs Twin

The most obvious difference between the Donkey and the Bee is that while the Donkey can accommodate two children, the Bee only has room for one.

The Donkey can be used in a Mono configuration, which has room for a single seat and a side storage basket. It can then be expanded with room for a bassinet and seat, or two side-by-side seats.

Expanding from Mono to Duo is quick and easy, making this an excellent stroller for parents thinking of growing the family.

The Bee can only be used for one child, with no option for expansion.

Storage Space

It’s not exactly a surprise that the twin stroller Donkey has the larger underseat storage, but it also has the better underseat storage.

The Bee only has 8.8 lbs of underseat storage, compared to a potential 44 lbs of Donkey storage, although this isn’t a huge issue in the overall build.

The bigger problem is that to access the basket, you need to move to the front of the stroller. This can get frustrating, and it isn’t particularly intuitive to use.

Compact Fold

The fold of the Bugaboo Bee is excellent. Not only does it fold into a compact package, but it folds incredibly easy. Gravity does most of the work for you, and the release mechanism is simple to master.

The Bugaboo Bee fold also comes with an integrated self-stand, allowing the stroller to rest independently. We love this feature!

It’s so useful, allowing the stroller to stand upright when not in use, without taking up much space.

The Bugaboo Donkey also has a good fold, including a one-piece self-standing fold. However, as a bulky stroller, it still takes up room when collapsed.

Storing the Donkey might be difficult, and travel is also hard. If you have a small car, it will not be easy to get the Donkey in the trunk!

Navigation

The Bugaboo Bee comes out on top when it comes to navigating tight corners. The donkey does handle well, but as a twin stroller, it’s big.

Although most doors shouldn’t pose much of a problem, there’s likely to be the occasional building you just can’t get into.

The Bee, on the other hand, is clearly designed for slipping through small spaces. The compact frame can get in and out of crowds, up and down sidewalks, and through narrow doorways. An on the spot turning circle adds to this maneuverability.

Seat Configuration

There are many ways you can organize the seat with the Bugaboo Donkey. They can be side-to-side facing the world, facing their parents, or arranged in reverse.

We love that the seats are able to face each other, as it encourages sibling bonding! And because the Donkey accommodates so many seats, there are even more options available!

As the Bee is only a single stroller, there are fewer options. But the seat can be either world- or parent-facing, and it does have multiple recline levels.

Portability

The Bugaboo Bee might be a stroller designed specifically for use in the city, but the compact fold and light frame make it a good choice for travel.

Although it’s not quite small enough to fit in an overhead compartment, it should fit comfortably into your car. And because the stroller is compact, you can get on and off public transport with few problems.

The Donkey is not hugely portable, but, again, this is expected from a twin stroller. However, while its portability can’t compare to the Bee, it is smaller than many side-by-side strollers.

And as it’s adjustable, this might be useful when traveling with an older toddler and a younger baby: you can adjust the stroller to match the needs of the day.

Which Is Better: Bugaboo Donkey Or Bee?

The Bugaboo Donkey and Bee are so different that it’s hard to pick between the two. The Donkey is a twin stroller that can be a single stroller, while the Bee is a single stroller designed for city life.

We love the adaptability of the Bugaboo Donkey. This is a stroller that’s ideal for parents with plans to expand. The Mono to Duo changes are so simple, you can quickly adjust the stroller to suit your needs.

We also love the huge amount of storage, and the surprisingly easy steering for a larger stroller.

The Bugaboo Bee isn’t quite so adaptable, but it’s perfect for day to day use in city streets. The compact build has an on-the-spot turning circle despite the larger than average wheels, which are fantastic for rougher terrain.

Final Thoughts on Bugaboo Donkey 5 vs Bee 6

Both the Bee and Donkey are exceptional strollers from Bugaboo, with incredible steering and a sturdy frame.

If you’re planning on growing your family (or expecting twins) the Donkey is superior, thanks to the adjustable seats.

However, for city living, the Bee clearly comes out on top. We love both strollers, but the significant differences should be enough to help you decide!

And if you loved this guide, then make sure to check out these guides on Bugaboo Fox VS Uppababy Vista, Bugaboo Fox 3 review, best compact travel stroller, and best convertible strollers.