Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller review

from John Lewis
RRP  £695.00
Senior Digital Writer Anne Lora Scagliusi with son testing the Bugaboo Dragonfly Pushchair around Edinburgh

by Anne Lora Scagliusi |
Updated on

Do you love exploring the city on foot with your little one, or maybe enjoy day trips by train? My little family of three does. We've explored all of Edinburgh on foot and taken countless day trips across Scotland by train. So, finding a pushchair that is comfortable for my growing toddler and has enough storage for all the baby things on the go is a must.

When my son was born, my maternity leave was filled with pram walks. All mums can relate to the struggle of soothing a crying baby by pushing a pram back and forth, only to end up with thebaby in a carrier. That was my life—pushing the pram around the city with my little one in a carrier.

Fast forward to 16 months, and my son still doesn’t like the idea of a pram. Now that he’s started walking, he prefers to be on his feet, which means it's a struggle to put him in the pram. However, this all changed when I got my hands on the Bugaboo Dragonfly. Suddenly, he’s comfortable, sitting nonchalantly and curiously observing the world around him.

In this review, I’ll share my thoughts on the Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller after a month of testing. From the first day, I knew my son would love it because it sits upright, which he prefers over an inclined position.

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Our verdict on the Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller

  • Fold/Unfolding: 5/5

  • Manoeuvrability: 4/5

  • Style: 5/5

  • Storage: 4/5

  • Ease of Use: 4/5

  • Comfort: 4/5

  • Durability: 4/5

  • Worth the Money: 4/5

  • Ease of Assembly: 4/5

  • Ease of Cleaning: 4/5

Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller: What’s in the Box?

  • Bugaboo Dragonfly chassis with wheels

  • Seat unit

  • Sun canopy

  • Under-seat storage basket with rear detachable pocket

  • Carry strap

  • Rotating carry handle/bumper bar

  • Parasol+ attachment clip

Bugaboo Dragonfly Seating Modes
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Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller overview

If you're in search of the best pushchair for your baby which is compact to store, you'll love the new Bugaboo Dragonfly. Not only will it fold into a self-stand position but it'll do it with the seat or carrycot still attached, meaning it's ready to go whenever you are.

"As the world becomes more urbanised, and families are more conscious of their footprint, we needed to redefine the city pushchair once again," explains Bugaboo's Innovation Director, Aernout Dijkstra-Hellinga. "This is why the Bugaboo Dragonfly was born – as the new hero of comfortable city strolling, that’s also built for a better future."

Facing position: Forward Facing, Rear Facing
Folding mechanismOne Hand Fold
Reclining positions3
Removable wheelsYes
SuspensionFour Wheel

Pros

Suitable from birth to 4 Years

It’s great knowing I can use this stroller for years, adapting as my little one grows. With the addition of a carrycot (purchased separately), it's suitable from birth up to 4 years (22kg).

Incredibly lightweight

At only 7.9 kg, it’s easy to lift, carry, and maneuver. Perfect for city living where I often need to navigate stairs or hop on public transport. The one-hand fold feature is fantastic—I don’t even need to remove the pushchair or carrycot. This makes those quick trips out the door so much easier.

Very compact but has ample storage

Despite its compact size, the under-seat basket and extra rear pocket provide spacious storage for groceries, a baby bag, and other essentials. No more juggling multiple bags! The under-seat basket holds up to 10 kg.

Comforable seating modes

My son loves sitting upright to watch the world go by. The seat can be adjusted to three modes, including an inclined position for drinking milk and a flat position for naps. The bumper bar can be snapped on and off when taking my son out, which is very convenient.

Safety belt

The adjustable five-point safety harness is a big plus for me because it’s so easy to clip onto my baby. It’s also adjustable, so it grows with him, keeping him snug and safe.

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Works well on all terrains

The Bugaboo Dragonfly handles cobblestones, grass, and bumpy pavements smoothly, thanks to the suspension and wheels. It turns the bumpy urban jungle into a silky-smooth ride.

Sophisticated and not an eyesore design

The sleek, modern look fits seamlessly into our urban lifestyle. I feel stylish pushing it around.

 Freestanding when folded

The stroller stands upright on its own when folded, making it easy to store in small spaces—perfect for city apartments like ours.

Adjustable handlebar

The handlebar can be extended and adjusted to the perfect height for different users. As a petite individual, I can easily set it to my height, and my husband can adjust it to his height too, ensuring comfort for both of us.

Extendable footrest

The footrest can be extended, allowing my son to rest his feet up or down as he prefers.

Cons

No additional accessories

It doesn’t come with a rain cover or footmuff, which are essential for the unpredictable UK weather.

It is not a cabin approved stroller

While compact and lightweight, the Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller doesn’t fit on plane overhead compartments. For frequent flyers, the Bugaboo Butterfly might be a better option.

Sun canopy coverage can do better

While the extendable UPF 50+ sun canopy offers good protection, it doesn’t cover all the way down like the Nuna canopy we previously used, which covered my son entirely during naps.

Basket sides

The sides of the under-seat basket are not fully enclosed, so items can slip out. It would be better if the sides were covered.

Testing the Bugaboo Dragonfly on the cobblestone streets of Edinburgh
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Testing the Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller

Usability

I needed a pram that would replace my Nuna Demi Grow, which, while sturdy, was bulky and took up too much space. The Bugaboo Dragonfly is incredibly lightweight yet feels sturdy enough to withstand the Scottish wind. It’s made from quality materials and feels luxurious.

Using public transport was a hassle with our previous stroller, which wasn’t easy to fold and unfold. The Bugaboo Dragonfly, with its one-handed fold and carry strap, is a game-changer. I can also push it as a trolley when I don't feel like carrying it around. I just need to make sure to unlock the brakes.

Comfort

My son’s comfort was paramount. I needed a seat that was supportive and easy to adjust for naps. The Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller sits upright, unlike our previous stroller, which was always somewhat reclined. My son loves sitting upright, watching people, birds, cars, and just happily observing his surroundings.

Performance

We tried the Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller on cobblestone streets, city sidewalks, parks, and bumpy roads to see how it handled different surfaces. It made rough roads feel smooth, and even with groceries, it was still easy to push around.

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How did this product make your life easier?

The one-handed fold is a lifesaver, making it so much easier to fold and unfold when traveling or storing. The large storage basket is incredibly convenient for stashing my son's toys and baby bag. The adjustable seating keeps him comfortable, and he loves sitting upright, like he's in the front row of life's everyday journey. It's a win-win because he doesn't always feel the need to be carried, which is a huge relief. He loves exploring on foot, but when he wants to rest, he sits comfortably in the pram, giving both of us a much-needed break.

What changes would you make to this product?

Extend the canopy

A longer canopy, like the Nuna’s, would provide better coverage for naps.

Enclose basket sides

Ensuring the sides of the under-seat basket are fully enclosed would prevent items from slipping out.

Include a rain cover

Including a basic rain cover would be very helpful given the unpredictable UK weather.

Bugaboo Dragonfly Freestanding & Folded
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Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller FAQs

Does the Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller lay flat?

Yes, the seat can be adjusted to a flat position, making it perfect for naptime on the go.

Is the Bugaboo Dragonfly safe?

Absolutely, it meets all safety standards and includes a secure harness system.

Is Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller suitable for newborns?

With the addition of a compatible bassinet which is sold separately, the Bugaboo Dragonfly can be used from birth.

At what age do you change from Bugaboo bassinet to seat?

Typically, you switch from the bassinet to the pushchair configuration when your baby can sit up unaided, usually around six months.

Does the Bugaboo Dragonfly come with a bassinet?

No, the bassinet is sold separately.

What colours does the Bugaboo Dragonfly comes in?

The Bugaboo Dragonfly stroller comes in several stylish colours to suit different tastes and preferences. You can choose from black, forest green, stormy blue, grey mist, and midnight black.

Bugaboo Dragonfly vs. Bugaboo Butterfly

If you travel a lot, the Bugaboo Butterfly, which fits in airplane cabins, might be more convenient. However, for everyday use, the Bugaboo Dragonfly’s durability, comfort, and style make it the best choice for busy families like ours.

Mother&Baby senior digital writer, Anne Lora Scagliusi with her son one-year-old son, Nicolò
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Final verdict

All in all, the Bugaboo Dragonfly is a godsend. It’s the dream stroller for my baby. He loves every bit of it and even enjoys pushing it himself when not sitting in it. It’s great for me to carry as well, as it’s lightweight. Most of the time, I would rely on my husband to carry the pram when folded, but this one I can manage myself. It’s so easy to push around and so elegant.

If you’re a city-dwelling parent or someone who’s always on the go, this stroller is a fantastic investment. The price might seem high, but the convenience and features make it worth every penny.

The Bugaboo Dragonfly adapts as your child grows, fitting perfectly into a busy, urban lifestyle. For any parent looking for a stroller that ticks all the boxes, this one is a winner.

About the author

Anne Lora Scagliusi is a Senior Digital Writer at Mother & Baby. She is a Scotland-based journalist with over a decade of international writing experience, specialising in women’s health, maternal mental health, and wellness. Her work has been featured in Vanity Fair, Marie Claire, and Glamour and has appeared on several Vogue global editions. She is mum to a one-year-old bambino and lives between Italy and the UK.

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