Bugaboo Donkey 6 review
The single-to-double that still fits through a doorway, and what that engineering costs.
The verdict
The Donkey 6 solves a specific and real problem: a side-by-side double that is 29.1 inches wide, which still clears standard doorways when most side-by-sides do not. Buy it if you have or expect two close in age and you live somewhere with narrow doors, lifts and shop aisles. Skip it if you have one child and might have another later, where a tandem convertible costs far less and does the same job in a different shape.
Bugaboo Donkey 6 Single-to-Double Convertible Stroller
~$1,699
A convertible stroller that goes from single to side-by-side double in three clicks, at 23.6 inches wide as a single and 29.1 inches as a double.
Check price on AmazonSpecifications
| Width, single mode | 60 cm, about 23.6 inches |
|---|---|
| Width, double mode | 74 cm, about 29.1 inches |
| Conversion | Single to side-by-side double in three clicks |
| Under-seat basket | Up to 15 kg or 33 lb, about 70 litres |
| Side bag | Up to 10 kg or 22 lb, doubles as a changing bag |
| Configurations | More than 20 with car seats or wheeled boards added |
| Newborn use | Included bassinet with breezy panels and organic cotton linings |
Specifications above come from Bugaboo's published product specifications. Treat pricing as approximate, since Amazon pricing moves.
What it does well
- Twenty nine inches in double mode is the number that matters, because a standard interior doorway is about 30 inches and most side-by-side doubles are wider than that. This is the whole reason the Donkey exists.
- A 33 lb basket is genuinely large, and anyone who has shopped with two children will understand why that is a feature rather than a specification.
- The single-to-double conversion is mechanical and quick rather than a rebuild, which matters because a conversion that takes ten minutes never gets done.
- Puncture-proof wheels remove the one recurring maintenance job that air-tyre strollers create.
Where it falls short
- The price is very hard to defend on function alone. At about $1,699 before accessories, a Baby Jogger City Select 2 does a comparable job in tandem form for roughly a third of it, and the difference buys a lot of childcare.
- It is heavy, and a convertible double frame is heavy in a way that a specification sheet understates. Lifting it into a car boot several times a day is the thing owners mention.
- The fold is bulky. Narrow in use does not mean small when folded, and a small car boot is the constraint people discover after buying.
- Accessories are extra and Bugaboo accessories are expensive. Car seat adapters, a second bassinet and a wheeled board all add up, and the configuration you actually want may cost several hundred dollars more than the headline.
- Side-by-side means both children get the same view and neither is behind the other, which some parents prefer and which also means two children within arm's reach of each other for the whole journey.
What owners report
Published owner reviews consistently praise manoeuvrability and the narrow double width, which is the specific thing buyers came for. Build quality and fabric quality come up repeatedly, and resale values in this brand are unusually strong, which offsets some of the cost.
The recurring criticisms are weight, the folded size, and accessory pricing. A frequent theme is that the stroller is superb in the city and awkward in a car-dependent suburb, which is a fair summary of what it was designed for.
Who it suits
- Families with twins or two children close in age who live in flats, cities or anywhere with narrow doors and lifts.
- Parents who walk most journeys rather than driving to them.
- Anyone who wants both children side by side rather than one behind the other.
Who should skip it
- Families with one child who might have another, where a convertible tandem is cheaper and lighter.
- Anyone with a small car boot, since the folded size is the real constraint.
- Budget-conscious buyers, for whom the City Select 2 covers most of the same ground for about a third of the money.
Alternatives worth considering
UPPAbaby Vista V3 Convertible Single-to-Double Stroller
~$1,000
The same single-to-double idea in a tandem layout rather than side by side, for about $700 less. It is narrower in use because the second child sits behind rather than beside, and it is taller and longer as a result.
Check price on AmazonBaby Jogger City Select 2 Single-to-Double Modular Stroller
~$660
Twenty four configurations and a one-step fold for roughly a third of the Donkey. The second seat and adapters are sold separately, so price the configuration you actually want rather than the headline.
Check price on AmazonBOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie Double Jogging Stroller
~$1,020
If your journeys are trails, grass and gravel rather than shop aisles, air-filled tyres and a real suspension matter more than doorway width. It is wide, and it is far better on rough ground than any urban double.
Check price on AmazonCommon questions
Will the Bugaboo Donkey 6 fit through a standard doorway?
In double mode it is 74 cm, about 29.1 inches, and a standard interior doorway is around 30 inches. That is the entire design goal and it is why the Donkey costs what it does. Measure your own narrowest doorway and lift before ordering, since older buildings vary considerably.
Bugaboo Donkey vs UPPAbaby Vista: which double is better?
They solve the problem in different shapes. The Donkey puts the children side by side and stays narrow, the Vista stacks them front and back and stays even narrower but becomes long and tall. Side by side is easier for talking to both children and harder in a crowded shop. Our UPPAbaby Vista versus City Mini GT2 comparison covers the same trade from the other direction.
Can it be used from birth?
Yes, with the included bassinet. As with every stroller, a bassinet or a lie-flat seat is what a newborn needs, and an upright seat is not appropriate before a baby has good head control. Follow the manual and ask your paediatrician if you are unsure.
Is it worth the money?
Only if narrow double width is a daily problem for you. If you drive everywhere and park in a wide space, you are paying a large premium for engineering that solves something you will never notice. If you push through shop doorways and lifts twice a day with two children, it is the product that makes that possible.
How much do the accessories add?
Enough to matter. Car seat adapters, a second bassinet and a wheeled board are all separate purchases and Bugaboo prices them accordingly. Build the exact configuration you want in a basket before deciding, because the headline price is rarely the price people pay.
Keep reading
- UPPAbaby Vista vs City Mini GT2
- Best strollers
- Stroller buying guide
- UPPAbaby Vista V3 review
- Baby Jogger City Select 2 review
- First year costs calculator
This review draws on published specifications, manufacturer figures, published safety standards and the general consensus of verified owner reports. We have not tested this product ourselves, and we say so rather than implying otherwise. Nothing here is medical or safety advice: car seat installation belongs with a certified child passenger safety technician, infant sleep follows your paediatrician and current safe sleep guidance, and no product prevents SIDS. Confirm current specifications, fit and safety information for your own child and vehicle before buying. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.