Bugaboo Donkey 5 vs iCandy Core
Both are full-size pushchairs, and the Core is the lighter of the two by 3.6kg. The Core is no longer made (the iCandy Core 2 replaced it), so you would be buying it used.
The verdict
Choose the Donkey 5 if you want
- Room to grow into a double
- To spend less (£1,215 new against £1,280)
Best for: Families planning a second baby or expecting twins
Full Donkey 5 specsChoose the Core if you want
- A one-hand fold
- A lighter pushchair (11.5kg against 15.1kg)
- A smaller fold (181 litres against 281)
- A seat that lasts longer (up to 25kg)
- More ways to recline the seat (4 positions)
Best for: Parents who switch between town and countryside
Full Core specsIn short: the Donkey 5 for room to grow into a double and to spend less (£1,215 new against £1,280); the Core for a one-hand fold and a lighter pushchair (11.5kg against 15.1kg).
Head to head
Within 3% counts as even.
1Donkey 5win
1 tie
Corewins4
- 15.1kgWeightLighter: Core11.5kg
- 281 litresFolded volumeSmaller fold: Core181 litres
- 60cmWidthNot published
- 10kgBasketAbout even10kg
- 22kgMax child weightLasts longer: Core25kg
- 3Recline positionsMore recline: Core4
- £1,215Price newCheaper new: Donkey 5£1,280
What one has that the other doesn't
| Feature | Donkey 5 | Core |
|---|---|---|
| Carrycot for overnight sleep | Not published | Yes |
| One-hand fold | No | Yes |
| Converts to a double | Yes | No |
The folds, to scale
Both folds drawn to the same scale, each against a 55 x 40 x 20cm cabin bag (the dashed box). The Donkey 5 folds to about 281 litres and the Core to about 181 litres.
What we pay for one
What we pay for a complete one in good condition, with free collection.
Full specs side by side
| Spec | Donkey 5 | Core |
|---|---|---|
| Size and weight | ||
| Weight (different) | 15.1kg (single, with seat; 16kg with carrycot) | 11.5kg (chassis and seat, Urban wheels) |
| Open size | 106 x 60 x 111cm | Not published |
| Folded size (different) | 52 x 60 x 90cm | 76 x 62 x 39cm |
| Folded volume (different) | 281 litres | 181 litres |
| Cabin-bag size | No | No |
| Fold | ||
| One-hand fold (different) | No | Yes |
| Folds in one piece | Yes | Yes |
| Folds with seat on | Yes | Yes |
| Stands when folded | Yes | Yes |
| Seat and carrycot | ||
| Suitable from | Birth | Birth |
| Max child weight (different) | 22kg | 25kg |
| Carrycot | Included | Included |
| Overnight sleep | Not published | Yes |
| Parent-facing seat | Yes | Yes |
| Recline positions (different) | 3 | 4 |
| Lies flat | Yes | Yes |
| Wheels and ride | ||
| Tyres (different) | Puncture-proof foam-filled, 25cm front, 30cm rear | Non-pneumatic, swappable Urban and Rural wheel sets |
| Suspension | All-wheel | Not published |
| Best on | City and park | City and park |
| Handlebar (different) | Telescopic, 86 to 106cm | Adjustable, 91.5 to 103cm |
| Extras | ||
| Basket (different) | 10kg | 10kg, 46 litres |
| Car seat fits (different) | Adaptors needed, sold separately | Car seat adaptors included |
| Converts to a double (different) | Yes | No |
| Launched | 2022 | 2022 |
| Price new (RRP) (different) | £1,215, Mono: chassis, seat and carrycot | £1,280, pushchair and carrycot with both Urban and Rural wheel sets |
| Still made (different) | Yes | No, replaced by the iCandy Core 2 |
Specs checked 22 September 2026 against the maker's UK figures and large UK retailers. Where a figure isn't published we say so rather than guess.
Questions
Which is lighter, the Bugaboo Donkey 5 or the iCandy Core?
The Core is lighter, at 11.5kg against 15.1kg for the Donkey 5.
Which folds smaller?
The Core folds smaller: about 181 litres against 281 for the Donkey 5.
Which is better for a newborn?
The Donkey 5 comes with a carrycot, and the Core comes with a carrycot approved for overnight sleep.
More comparisons
Compare any two
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