The Bugaboo Butterfly is a cabin-size travel pushchair that folds in about a second. It comes in two versions, and the one you find second-hand is usually the original. This guide sets out what changed between the two, using the figures in our catalogue, and what to check before you buy a used one.
Butterfly or Butterfly 2: which to buy second-hand
The original Butterfly is discontinued and the Butterfly 2 is the current model, so the original is the one that turns up used most often. The two weigh the same, 7.3kg, and fold to a similar size. The differences that matter are the seat and the wheels.
| | Butterfly | Butterfly 2 | | --- | --- | --- | | Status | Discontinued | Current | | Launched | 2022 | 2025 | | Suitable from | 6 months | Birth (newborn insert) | | Seat lies flat | No | Yes | | Weight | 7.3kg | 7.3kg | | Folded (cm) | 23 x 45 x 54 | 24.5 x 44.8 x 55.5 | | Front / rear wheels | 11.9cm / 15.2cm | 14.1cm / 15.1cm | | Basket limit | 8kg | 8kg | | RRP | £395 at launch | £435 |
If you need it from birth, the Butterfly 2 is the one: its seat lies flat and it takes a newborn insert, while the original's seat does not lie flat, so it suits a baby from about six months. If your child is older and you want a light pushchair for holidays and city trips, the original does the same job. See the full side-by-side on our Butterfly 2 against Butterfly comparison.
What a used Butterfly costs
Used prices move, so we don't print a figure in a guide that will go out of date. Our Butterfly 2 value page shows the current price index with the date it was last updated, and the Bugaboo hub covers the rest of the range. Check what is in stock now in the shop.
What we check when we refurbish one
Every buggy we sell goes through the same 11 checks, whatever the brand. For a Butterfly the ones that matter most are the fold, the brakes and the wheels. Our guide to buying a second-hand pram sets out the full list, and you can repeat most of it yourself on a private sale.
Common wear points
A travel pushchair is folded and unfolded far more than a full-size one, so look first at the parts that move:
- Folding hinge and lock. Fold it and unfold it three or four times. It should lock shut and lock open without force or play.
- Wheels. The wheels are small and solid, so look for flat spots, cracks and wobble, and check they swivel and lock.
- Canopy and fabric. Look for fading, tears and worn zips, especially at the folds.
- Harness. Test every buckle and adjuster, and look for fraying at the straps.
- Brake. It should hold forwards and backwards.
The catalogue also notes the watch-outs for each model. On the original: the seat does not lie flat, the bumper bar and footmuff cost extra, and the handlebar height is fixed. On the Butterfly 2: the handlebar height is fixed, the wheels are small for rough ground, and the seat faces forward only. Third-party reviews of the original and the Butterfly 2 on Mumsnet are worth reading alongside this.
Butterfly, YOYO3 or Joolz Aer+
All three fold to cabin-bag size. The catalogue figures:
| | Butterfly 2 | Babyzen YOYO3 | Joolz Aer+ | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Weight | 7.3kg | 6.2kg | 6kg | | Folded (cm) | 24.5 x 44.8 x 55.5 | 18 x 44 x 52 | 54 x 45 x 22 |
The YOYO3 and Aer+ are lighter and the YOYO3 folds smaller, while the Butterfly 2 has the 8kg basket. Which suits you depends on how you travel, so use the Butterfly 2 against YOYO3 and Butterfly 2 against Aer+ comparisons, and see our guides to cabin-size strollers and travel strollers. To see how the Butterfly folds, step by step, use the Butterfly 2 fold guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bugaboo Butterfly discontinued? The original Butterfly is, according to our catalogue, and the Butterfly 2 is the current model.
Can a newborn use a Butterfly? The Butterfly 2's seat lies flat and it takes a newborn insert, so it is listed as suitable from birth. The original is listed as suitable from 6 months. Check the maker's own pages for the Butterfly 2 before using it with a newborn.
Does it fit in an aeroplane locker? The catalogue records both as folding to a cabin-bag size, but airline limits differ. Check your airline's own size limits, and see our cabin-size guide.
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