Bugaboo Butterfly review: the ultra-compact, rapid fold pushchair
This lightweight pushchair is great for travelling with... But how does it fare during day-to-day use? Mumsnet editor and mum-of-two, Rebecca, tested one for three months to find out.
By Rebecca Roberts | Last updated Nov 30, 2023
As a mother of two toddlers, Mumsnet editor Rebecca, understands how important it is to find the best pushchair for you, your family, and your daily lifestyle. The Bugaboo Butterfly is the brand’s most compact, most lightweight offering and is purposefully designed for urban life and travelling. It comes with a lower price tag compared to the Bugaboo Fox 5 and Bugaboo Dragonfly, but where the price is less, so too are the features included.
So, to truly delve into whether this is one of the best travel prams out there, our resident Leeds lass has been putting one through its paces. With her hands-on testing, she’s been on a quest to find out whether this lightweight, compact pram that’s designed for urban living can actually be used as a pram on a day-to-day basis, in various settings and landscapes, for families with babies and toddlers six months and above.
Keep reading to discover her verdict, and find out why she thinks you should invest in the Bugaboo Butterfly as your next lightweight pram.
In need of other baby travel essentials? Don't miss our guides to the best baby carriers and the best car seats, too.
Bugaboo Butterfly Pushchair, £419
Doesn’t take up a lot of space at home or in the car
Very easy and quick to fold/unfold
Easy to manoeuvre with one hand
Very big basket space underneath
Easy to adjust harness
IATA approved
No bumper bar included
Doesn’t recline fully flat
Accessories like coffee cup and footmuff are sold separately
Pricier than other options
Suitable from: Six months to approx. four years old | Maximum load: 22kg/48.50 lbs | Orientation: World facing only | Pram weight: 7.3kg | Unfolded dimensions: 92.5 x 45 x 104.5 cm | Folded dimensions: 45 x 23 x 54 cm (IATA approved) | Materials: Polyester, polyamide | Included accessories: Integrated leg rest, carry strap, rain cover
Renowned for their premium quality and cutting-edge designs, Bugaboo offers a diverse range of prams and pushchairs to cater to the needs of discerning parents. Their ultra compact offering is the Bugaboo Butterfly. Marketed as ‘the one second fold pushchair for city and travel life’, the Butterfly is lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, but still sturdy enough to withstand the strength of a wriggly three year old.
Personally, I love it. Ever since testing the Bugaboo Fox 5, I’ve been a huge fan of the brand. As a mum of two toddlers, I know first-hand how much thinking goes into buying a new pram for your baby. I also know that the one you pick can make life tremendously easier. Like the Fox 5 and Bugaboo Dragonfly, the Butterfly also comes with a higher price tag compared to other compact pushchairs on the market. While the Butterfly, like the Fox 5 and Bugaboo Dragonfly, does come with a heftier price tag compared to other compact pushchairs on the market, my weeks of personal testing with my two little ones have reaffirmed its value in terms of ease of use, durability, spacious basket, and its compact, user-friendly design.
One downside is that, unlike the Dragonfly, it's not suitable for newborns, which is a bit of a letdown in my honest opinion. However, if you're in the market for a lightweight stroller that accommodates your growing child, the Bugaboo Butterfly is an exceptional choice.
At just 7.3kg, it is incredibly lightweight when folded, can fit in overhead storage on trains and is IATA (International Air Transport Association) approved for air travel. It's no wonder that I spotted many of these during our recent family holiday abroad. It’s made of high-quality fabrics, and includes a sliding harness, an extendable sun canopy, and a huge 8kg capacity underseat basket that provides plenty of storage. It can be made car seat compatible with separate adapters (though I haven't personally tested this feature). And, I was pleasantly surprised to find it quite adept at handling off-road terrain during country walks, a feat that the Didofy Aster 2 struggled with, in my experience.
Sleek and compact, the Bugaboo Butterfly barely takes up any space at home and in your car
So, if you're on the lookout for your next pushchair to cater to your growing child and are weary of lugging around a bulky chassis, the Bugaboo Butterfly is your ideal choice. And if you're in search of a top-tier travel pushchair that's cabin-approved, your quest ends here. Unfortunately, I couldn't personally test it during our holiday due to shipping delays, but it accompanied me and my little ones on various train journeys during testing, proving to be a breeze to fold, unfold, and carry while on the move. As I mentioned, it was a common sight among parents at our resort, confirming its popularity as a go-to travel companion.
Read next: our review of the Bugaboo Fox 5 pram
Now, let's talk about the price. At £419, it does fall into the higher price range for a lightweight pram, but in my book, it's worth every penny. I can't help but wish it had been available when my first child reached six months old – I would have gladly bid farewell to my bulky, heavy Silver Cross without a second thought.
Final thoughts: So, if you're in search of a lightweight pushchair that effortlessly folds, unfolds, and carries while still being robust enough to withstand the might of a toddler, the Bugaboo Butterfly is your winning ticket.
Bugaboo Butterfly: how we tested
Three months of using the Bugaboo Butterfly on a daily basis
Tested with a three year old and two year old
Tested both in the countryside and within a city centre
Used on walks, visiting in and outdoor shopping complexes, and around Lidl
Used while travelling to the city centre by train
Tested by grandparents while babysitting
Despite having a large SUV as transport, DH and I prefer to have a smaller, more compact pushchair for use on a daily basis. With the help of both kids, we’ve tested the Bugaboo Butterfly in various ways - on walks, in shopping malls, around the supermarket, on the train, when visiting family. So, we tested it off-road and also in smaller, more crowded places.
Plus, while in the boot, we still have ample space left for our dog’s crate, our Big Food shop, and other items for the kids like their trikes, footballs, backpacks, picnics, and more.
The pushchair's compact design means it's a perfect choice for travelling with
Bugaboo Butterfly: what’s in the box?
Pre-assembled chassis with wheels and wheel caps
Extra large, underseat basket that carries up to 8kg
Base fabric set and seat inlay
Four panel sun canopy with breeze panel for weather protection
Integrated leg rest
Carry strap
Rain cover
I’ll admit, I was slightly disappointed to learn that the bumper bar isn’t included. Neither is a cup holder and a footmuff. Which, with the higher price tag attached, means you need to spend more for each accessory. Unlike the Didofy Aster 2, which at over £110 less in price, comes with all three items as well as the rain cover.
Bugaboo Butterfly accessories (sold separately)
Bugaboo Butterfly: how easy is it to assemble?
Very easy. After delivery, the Bugaboo Butterfly is extremely easy to set up. The chassis itself comes pre-assembled so, you only need to attach the wheels, seat inlay and sun canopy. Granted, I put the latter on backwards at first as I decided that I didn’t need the instructions. But, once I’d finished faffing around with the canopy, we were good to go.
Bugaboo Butterfly: how does it look?
I received the black chassis pushchair, complete with midnight black fabrics and sun canopy, which I love. The design of the Butterfly perfectly aligns with Bugaboo’s trademark stylish designs, boasting a modern and sleek appearance that's an absolute pleasure to take out on outings.
What's more, it provides ample comfort for both my children. Although it doesn't recline completely flat, it offers a sufficient recline that comes in handy for those on-the-go naps. The shopping basket is generously sized, yet it doesn't overwhelm the stroller's design.
Related: first look at the Bugaboo Bee 6
When it's time to fold it up, the Bugaboo Butterfly truly shines. It transforms into a compact and neat package that can effortlessly slide into even the tiniest of spaces – whether it's your coat cupboard, boot, a plane’s overhead cabin or the footwell of your car!
The Bugaboo Butterfly offers a sleek, modern design that is easy to clean and maintain
There's a handy wrist strap for when you need to use the one hand fold function
Bugaboo Butterfly: what’s it like to use day-to-day?
Using the Bugaboo Butterfly day-to-day is an absolute breeze. To put it simply: out of all the prams we’ve owned and tested, this is the only pram my DH has actually liked using. Besides impressing my husband, the Bugaboo Butterfly has several other reasons why it’s great for day-to-day use.
Effortless everything: Whether it's manoeuvring through busy streets, folding and unfolding it, or engaging the brake – it's all incredibly easy and hassle-free.
Parent-friendly harness adjustment: It's suitable for children from six months onwards, and adjusting the harness height for different kids is a cinch. No more struggling with threading straps through the seat – it's as simple as it gets.
User-friendly for all: Even my mother managed to figure it out without needing a demonstration. That speaks volumes about its user-friendliness.
Light and portable: The Bugaboo Butterfly is remarkably lightweight, making it a joy to carry on and off public transport. This not only provides ease in transportation but also ensures I can keep a firm grip on my child's hand thanks to the included carry strap.
Fits neatly in your car: When it comes to stashing it in the car, it fits neatly in the boot, leaving plenty of space for other essentials like the dog crate and your Big Food Shop.
Child's comfort: Even my preschool-aged eldest adores "his pram." After nursery, he's more than happy to sit back and relax in it, which says a lot about how comfortable the 4-wheel suspension makes it a smooth ride.
In a nutshell, the Bugaboo Butterfly makes your daily routine as a parent smoother and more enjoyable. It's a win-win for both you and your child.
The foot brake is in the middle - meaning no more accidental steps on it!
As always, the Bugaboo branding is subtle yet distinctive
Bugaboo Butterfly: how easy is the fold?
It does what it says on the box. It takes just one second to fold and unfold the pushchair. However, to be fully transparent, it did take me a little while to figure out that you push down while engaging the folding mechanism. Like the Bugaboo Fox 5, you have to push the two handle buttons while also pushing it down, sort of in on itself, in order for it to fold with ease.
That was fun to discover while in a very busy car park…
With that said, and with some practice, it is actually a one second fold. As I say, the pushchair has earned a stamp of approval from my own DM and my picky husband.
What’s more - you can engage the fold with just one hand. So, if you find yourself battling with a wriggly baby in your arms while trying to get them in the car without bashing their head on the car door, it’s easy enough to fold, store and also carry your DC at the same time.
Related: read our review of the Bugaboo Donkey 2
Bugaboo Butterfly: how easy is it to clean?
I’ve not yet needed to deep clean the full fabric seat, however, on a day-to-day basis it’s very easy to brush down and wipe off any small stains left behind by little ones. When it comes to crumbs, it’s very easy to vacuum as there’s not many nooks and crannies for food to hide in.
Bugaboo Butterfly: can it be used as carry-on on airplanes?
Yes, the Bugaboo Butterfly is approved as a carry-on item for airplanes. It meets IATA standards, allowing you to bring it on board with you during your flight. Understandably, this feature makes it a great choice for parents who frequently travel by air, and as I’ve found, by public transport, too.
I should advise, though, that you always triple check with your chosen airline to make sure that the Butterfly meets their carry-on requirements and dimensions. For example, TUI has different standards to the IATA. With that said, the Bugaboo Butterfly is smaller than the Didofy Aster 2, and I’d recently travelled with the latter in the overhead cabin without any issue.
A great choice for families on-the-go, but maybe consider a footmuff for winter
Bugaboo Butterfly: what are the main differences between the Bugaboo Butterfly and the Bugaboo Dragonfly?
The Bugaboo Butterfly and the Bugaboo Dragonfly are both excellent strollers, but they do have some key differences:
Suitable for age: The Bugaboo Butterfly is suitable for use from six months and up, making it ideal for older infants and toddlers. In contrast, the Bugaboo Dragonfly is designed to accommodate newborns, as it offers a fully flat recline position suitable for infants.
Design and aesthetics: While both strollers adhere to Bugaboo's stylish and modern design principles, they may have variations in specific aesthetics, such as frame colours, canopy designs, and fabric options. It's worth checking the available options to see which one aligns better with your style preferences.
Price: The Bugaboo Butterfly is a cheaper pushchair at £419, whereas the Bufaboo Dragonfly is £695 or £945 with carrycot.
Recline options: The Bugaboo Dragonfly provides more recline options, which can be useful for providing a comfortable position for napping or newborns. The Bugaboo Butterfly has a limited recline range since it's primarily designed for older infants and toddlers.
Weight and portability: The Bugaboo Butterfly is more lightweight and compact, making it an excellent choice for families who need easy portability for travel and urban use. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is also lightweight but is bigger in terms of dimensions.
Ultimately, the choice between the Bugaboo Butterfly and the Bugaboo Dragonfly depends on your specific needs, including the age of your child, design preferences, budget, and how you plan to use the stroller. Be sure to review the features of each model and consider what aligns best with your family's lifestyle.
About the author
Rebecca Roberts is a writer, editor, and content marketing expert hailing from Leeds. Here at Mumsnet, she commissions, writes, and edits to bring parents content designed to make life easier. Having birthed two DC just 15 months apart, she knows all too well how stressful it can be trying to find the right pram to suit your family's needs. So, she's fully invested in finding the best prams and pushchairs for new and growing families.
Beyond her role as an editor here at Mumsnet, Rebecca can be found balancing life as a working mum of two toddlers and when she’s not at her desk, you’ll likely find her at a local playgroup, in a nearby coffee shop, or walking the dog.
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