Bugaboo Butterfly 2 pushchair review

Bugaboo has established a strong reputation for well-designed products that are built to last, and the updated version of its very popular Butterfly, the Butterfly 2, is no exception. Compact enough for travel but sturdy enough for everyday use, at £429 it sits at the more premium end of the lightweight stroller market alongside models like the Stokke YOYO3 (£399) and the Joolz Aer2 (£439).

Although marketed as a travel pushchair, thanks to its IATA-compatible fold, the Butterfly 2 is substantial enough to work as a family's everyday pushchair — especially if you're based in a city — thanks to its generous storage basket, lie-flat recline, large wheels and full suspension.

Designed for parents who want one pushchair that can handle both daily errands and travel, the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is a versatile pram that is equally suited for daily trips to the park and runs round the supermarket, as it is to train travel, plane rides and holidays abroad.

How easy is the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 to assemble?

The pushchair couldn’t have been easier to set up. It came already assembled in the box and there were just a few little bits to fasten and attach. The instructions were clear and easy to follow. It took less than five minutes – we just unfolded the pram, attached the seat inlay and were ready to go!

On first impression, the pram felt very lightweight but sturdy. We were also struck by how tall the stroller was and the handlebar was high up. This worked well for us as taller parents, but we wondered if it might be uncomfortable for shorter parents.

Is the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 good for everyday use?

The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 was great for everyday use. The steering was smooth and the pram was easy to manoeuvre. It handled kerbs and cracks in the pavement with no issues, and was comfortable to push over a variety of terrains.

It was easy to push one-handed when I was holding my toddler’s hand (or a coffee), and I had no issues with steering.

It is slightly bigger than other compact or travel pushchairs that I’ve tested and I found it slightly trickier to squeeze it through very tight spaces – such as between tables in a café. But I had no problems taking it into shops, down busy aisles in the supermarket or through crowds as we walked to nursery.

Is the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 comfortable for babies?

Our 10-month-old son was very happy in this pram.

The sitting position had him in a comfortable, natural pose and allowed him to look around easily, which he likes! And the pram reclines to a flat position, which was great for naps and makes it suitable for use from birth (though the seat is world-facing only).

Is the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 suitable for toddlers?

Our three year old loved having a turn in this pram.

The seat is large enough to accommodate an older toddler and high enough that her legs weren’t trailing on the floor – which is a frustration we’ve had with other prams.

It’s slightly harder to push and tilt with a heavier child, and I don't think it would be ideal for all-day use. But for an energetic toddler who only wants short rides anyway, it works very well.

Can the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 be used for children of different ages?

We found it really easy to switch between children on-the-go with the Bugaboo Butterfly 2. Our three year old doesn’t go in the pram much these days, but there were a couple of occasions, on longer days out, when she got tired of walking.

It’s really easy to adjust the harness quickly between children, so we could just take our son out the pram and put him in the baby carrier so she could have a turn being pushed. Then when she’d recouped her energy, it took less than a minute to adjust it back.

How do you fold the Bugaboo Butterfly 2?

• There are two buttons in the middle of the handlebar – push them both and hold them in at the same time
• With the buttons held in, collapse the pushchair
• This leaves a handle sticking up which allows you to carry the pushchair
• If you want to fold this down out of the way too, there’s a small lever that you pull up while holding the handle, that allows you to push it down
• To unfold the pushchair, you just hold in the two buttons on the handlebar, and shake it out

How easy is it to fold the Bugaboo Butterfly 2?

This is one of the easiest folds I have ever experienced with a pushchair. I was sceptical when I saw it advertised as a 'one second fold' but it more than delivers on that promise. It is also completely one-handed from start to finish, and there’s nothing fiddly or difficult about it. I could easily fold this pram while holding a baby.

How compact is the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 when folded?

It is freestanding when folded, and compact enough to fit in many overhead compartments on airplanes (though always check with your airline), or the luggage space on a train.

Is the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 good for travel?

The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 functions excellently as a travel pushchair. It collapses in seconds, is compact when folded and isn’t too heavy to carry.

It’s well-suited to public transport (we used it on the metro on a daily basis with no issues) and I would be comfortable taking it on longer train or plane trips (it’s air-travel approved) – even if I were travelling solo with my kids.

My only criticism would be the lack of a shoulder strap. It means you have to carry the pushchair in your hand, which is fine over short distances, but could be tricky if you had lots of luggage (and children) to manoeuvre too.

How does the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 handle different terrain?

The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 has lovely big wheels that handle everyday uneven surfaces well. It never got stuck on cobbles or cracks in the pavement, and was smooth over grass and uneven paths around the park, though it's best suited to urban use rather than off-road terrain (where an all-terrain buggy could be much more helpful).

What’s the handle like?

The handle is cushioned and comfortable to hold over long periods of time.

It is quite high up (and not adjustable), and while that was great for us as taller parents, shorter parents may find the fixed height less comfortable. Given the price point of the pushchair, it’s probably worth testing out in store to make sure it’s comfortable for you.

What’s the hood like?

The hood offers good coverage and extends right down, which is great for getting your baby some shade on sunny days. It also offers UPF50+ protection.

There’s a mesh panel on the top of the hood that allows for airflow, and also means you can keep an eye on your baby while you’re pushing. This is really handy, especially given the seat is world-facing only.

How big is the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 storage basket?

I was really impressed with the size of the basket on the Bugaboo Butterfly 2. It fits a lot, especially when compared with most travel pushchairs, and it’s designed in such a way that nothing falls out.

It’s also easy to access – I found I could pack shopping into it without having to get right down on the floor in the supermarket in order to reach underneath.

How well made does it feel?

The pram feels really well-made, with premium materials and a sturdy frame. While other travel or compact pushchairs that we’ve used in the past have been flimsy (and a couple have even broken), the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 really feels like it would last a long time, even over several years of use.

It doesn’t come with a bumper bar, which felt strange to us at first, but actually we found that we didn’t miss it at all.

Is the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 easy to clean?

We had no problems keeping the pram clean and found small spills and crumbs easy to sponge off.

While we didn’t have any dramatic spills, it was comforting to know that the seat inlay is machine washable.

How does the Butterfly 2 compare to similar pushchairs?

We use (and love) the Stokke YOYO3 as our main pushchair for our baby son, but the Butterfly 2 might just have it beat. The YOYO is slightly smaller than the Butterfly 2, which makes it easier to manoeuvre through cafés, but it’s much trickier to fold down and the basket is much smaller. It also doesn’t lie as flat as this stroller.

We previously used a compact Joie stroller with our daughter which came in at a much lower price point, but that was reflected in the quality. The wheels were flimsy and frequently got stuck in cracks on the pavement (and eventually one of them snapped off).

What’s in the box?

The pram came with a rain cover.

Sustainability

The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 has impressive eco credentials, with Bugaboo stating that the pushchair has one of the lowest CO₂ footprints across its stroller range, and it really does feel like it was built to last. The quality and comfort mean you could use it as your everyday pushchair – not just as an additional travel pram – and it could certainly be used by multiple children and then even passed on or sold.

There was no unnecessary plastic in the box, and it had minimal cardboard packaging.

Is it worth the money?

The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is at a higher price point for a travel pushchair, and if you already have an everyday pushchair for regular use, you probably don’t need to spend that much on a pushchair that you are only planning to use a couple of times a year.

But if you don’t have a regular pushchair, or if you’re looking to replace or upgrade one, then the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is an excellent choice. Given its suitability from birth through to preschool age, and its versatility as an everyday pushchair as well as an effective and cabin-approved travel stroller, it could well be the only pushchair you ever need to buy. And that definitely makes it more than worth the money.

Where can I buy the Bugaboo Butterfly 2?

It is available from Amazon, Bugaboo, Boots, Mamas&Papas and John Lewis

MadeForMums verdict:

The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is not the cheapest stroller on the market, but it more than earns its price tag with its premium features and longevity.

A strong choice for parents looking for a compact pushchair that can genuinely double as both an everyday buggy and a travel stroller, it is a highly versatile product that can be used for everyday errands right through to international trips.

While it’s probably too expensive for families only needing a travel pram, I would highly recommend the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 as an everyday pushchair.

Read more:

• Best compact-folding buggies – tried and tested
• Best cabin-approved strollers
• iCandy Pip stroller review
• Joolz Aer2 stroller review
• Stokke YOYO3 pushchair review