The Bugaboo Donkey is a large pram that starts as a single and widens to carry two children side by side, which is why many parents look for a used one when a second baby is on the way. This guide uses the figures in our catalogue to set out what the Donkey is, what it should come with, and what to check before you buy one second-hand.
Which Donkey is it?
The Donkey in our catalogue is the Bugaboo Donkey 5, launched in 2022 and still the current model. It is the only Donkey we list, so we say nothing here about the specific differences between older Donkey generations. If you are looking at an older one, check the maker's own page for what changed, and ask the seller which version it is. The model page, Bugaboo Donkey 5, has the full specification.
Mono, Duo and Twin: how it converts
The Donkey 5 is listed as converting from a single to a side-by-side double. It is 60cm wide as a single and 74cm as a double, and in single mode it has an extra side basket with a 10kg limit. That matters when you buy used, because the set you are offered decides what you can do with it:
- Single (mono) set. A chassis, one seat and a carrycot. The catalogue lists the carrycot as included in the standard pack.
- Double set-up. A second seat or carrycot is needed, and the catalogue does not record whether the one you are offered comes with it. Ask what is in the sale, and check with the maker that any extra parts fit your frame.
- Car seat. The catalogue notes that adaptors are needed and sold separately.
We cover the wider choice of double pushchairs in our guide to double pushchairs for a newborn and a toddler, so we don't repeat that comparison here.
What a used Donkey should come with, and what to check
The standard pack in our catalogue is the seat and the carrycot. A Donkey without its carrycot is worth less and is not much use for a newborn, so ask for it to be shown.
Every buggy we sell goes through the same 11 checks, whatever the brand. 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. For a Donkey, spend the most time on:
- Wheels. The catalogue lists puncture-proof foam-filled wheels, 25cm at the front and 30cm at the rear. Look for flat spots, cracks and wobble, and check they spin freely.
- Brake. It should hold the pram firmly on a slope.
- Fold and handlebar. The fold is two-handed. Fold and unfold it a few times, and check the handlebar locks at every height (telescopic, 86 to 106cm).
- Seat and carrycot. Check the fabric for tears, fading and worn zips, and that the canopy and recline work in all 3 recline positions.
- Harness. Test every buckle and adjuster, and look for fraying.
- Side basket. Check the fixings if the pram has the single-mode basket.
The catalogue lists its own watch-outs for the Donkey 5: it is heavy at around 15kg with the seat, the fold is bulky for smaller car boots, and the fold is two-handed. Reviews from Which? and Mother & Baby are worth reading alongside this.
Weight, width and folded size
| | Bugaboo Donkey 5 | | --- | --- | | Weight | 15.1kg (single, with seat; 16kg with carrycot) | | Unfolded (cm) | 106 x 60 x 111 | | Folded (cm) | 52 x 60 x 90 | | Width as a single | 60cm | | Width as a double | 74cm | | Folds with seat on | Yes | | Stands when folded | Yes | | Cabin-friendly | No |
Measure your car boot before you buy. It is a large fold, and in a double set-up the folded frame is wider still. To see how it folds, step by step, use the Donkey 5 fold guide.
What a used Donkey is worth
Used prices move, so we don't print a figure in a guide that will go out of date. Our Donkey 5 value page shows the current price index with the date it was last updated, and the Bugaboo hub covers the rest of the range. See what we have in stock in the Bugaboo shop. For a comparison, see the Donkey 5 against Silver Cross Wave. If you are weighing up the Bugaboo travel range instead, read our second-hand Butterfly guide.
Do Bugaboo buy back prams?
We have not found a Bugaboo buy-back scheme described in the sources we use for this guide, so ask Bugaboo directly. If you would rather sell yours, Rebuggy gives you an instant price, a free box and free FedEx collection, and pays you within 48 hours of it passing our check.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Bugaboo Donkey worth it? It suits families who want one pram that grows from a single to a double. The catalogue's trade-offs are its weight, around 15kg with the seat, and a bulky, two-handed fold.
Was the Bugaboo Donkey discontinued? The Donkey 5 is listed as the current model in our catalogue. Check the maker's own page for the latest range.
Can a newborn use a Donkey? The catalogue lists the Donkey 5 as suitable from birth, with the carrycot included in the standard pack, and the seat lies flat.
What is the maximum child weight? The catalogue lists 22kg.
Got a Donkey to sell?
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