Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus Stroller Review

City sidewalks, tight apartment hallways, transit turnstiles, trunk space that disappears the second you add a stroller to the mix. For parents living the compact-city life, every inch and every pound of a stroller matters, and a compact travel stroller is quickly becoming a must-have rather than a nice-to-have for Canadian families. The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus is Bugaboo's latest ultra-compact stroller, built for exactly this kind of everyday hustle, with a one-second fold, a lightweight frame, and a seat designed to keep baby comfortable from newborn on up.

Whether you're shopping for a lightweight stroller for a growing family in a condo, an easy-to-carry stroller for frequent flights, or simply a secondary stroller that lives in the trunk for spontaneous outings, the Butterfly 2 Plus is designed to check a lot of boxes at once. This review breaks down the Butterfly 2 Plus's ride quality, comfort, convenience, performance, specs, and overall usability so Canadian parents can determine whether it's the right fit for their family.

TL;DR

The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus is an ultra-compact, lightweight stroller built for parents who move through cities, airports, and tight spaces on a regular basis. At just 16 lbs with a one-second, IATA-compliant fold, it is easy to carry, easy to store, and easy to bring along wherever the day takes you.

Headline features include a seat that fully reclines flat, a big under-seat basket, full suspension for smoother rides over uneven sidewalks, and compatibility with a range of infant car seats through adapters. Newborns are covered too, thanks to a built-in newborn foot cover and padded seat inlay extension.

For parents who want a true everyday stroller that still folds down small enough for a closet, a trunk, or an overhead bin, the Butterfly 2 Plus stands out as one of the most travel-friendly options in Bugaboo's lineup.

Core Features

At a glance, here's what makes the Butterfly 2 Plus stand out as one of the best compact strollers for city living and travel:

• One-second, one-piece fold that's IATA compatible for hassle-free air travel
• Ultra-lightweight 16 lb frame, easy to carry up stairs or into transit
• Fully lay-flat seat recline, suitable for newborn use with car seat adapters
• Full suspension and bigger urban wheels for a smoother ride over uneven city terrain
• Large under-seat basket with a 17.6 lb capacity, generous for a stroller this compact
• UPF 50+ canopy with peek-a-boo panel and PFA-free, water-repellent fabrics
• Compatible with select infant car seats with adapters to build a full travel system

Butterfly 2 Plus vs. Butterfly 2: What's New

The Butterfly 2 Plus builds on the original Butterfly 2 with a handful of meaningful upgrades focused on newborn comfort and everyday ease:

• Fully lay-flat seat with a true flat recline angle, up from the previous partial recline
• Padded seat inlay extension for extra support, especially useful for smaller riders
• Built-in newborn foot cover that tucks away under the seat when not in use
• Optimized design aimed at keeping the overall weight increase to a minimum despite the added features

Specs

• Usage: Newborn to 50 pounds
• Stroller weight: 16 pounds
• One-piece folded dimensions: 17.6 x 9.6 x 21.8 inches
• In-use dimensions: 17.6 x 37.2 x 40.5 inches
• Seat width and depth: 11.8 x 9.4 inches
• Sitting space under canopy: 26.8 inches
• Seat recline angle: 105 degrees upright to 147 degrees reclined
• Under seat basket capacity: 17.6 lbs
• Wheels: Front 5.5 inches, back 6 inches
• Canopy: UPF 50+, extendable, with peek-a-boo panel
• Fold type: One-second, one-piece, IATA compatible

Ride Quality and Performance

For families navigating uneven sidewalks, cracked pavement, and the everyday bumps of city life, ride quality can make or break a stroller. The Butterfly 2 Plus is designed with the everyday urban parent in mind.

• Full suspension helps absorb city bumps for a smoother ride
• Bigger urban wheels made for smooth rolling through city streets
• Lightweight 16 lb frame makes manoeuvring through crowds, doorways, and transit easy

Despite its compact size, the Butterfly 2 Plus is built to handle the daily grind of city strolling without feeling flimsy underfoot.

Comfort for Your Child

A stroller this compact still needs to deliver real comfort, and the Butterfly 2 Plus doesn't cut corners here.

• Spacious, ergonomic seat that sits fully upright at 105 degrees or reclines all the way flat to 147 degrees
• One-handed, multi-position seat recline for quick adjustments on the go
• Integrated footrest with one-hand operation
• Padded seat inlay extension for added support, particularly helpful for younger riders
• Built-in newborn foot cover that folds away under the seat when it's not needed
• UPF 50+ sun canopy with PFA-free, water-repellent fabrics

The fully flat recline angle in particular makes this a strong option for families who want to use the stroller from the earliest newborn days onward.

Ease of Use for Parents

Compact strollers live or die on convenience, and this is where the Butterfly 2 Plus really shines.

• One-second compact fold and unfold, IATA compatible for stress-free air travel
• 16 lb overall weight makes it easy to lift into a trunk, up a flight of stairs, or onto transit
• Large, easily accessible under-seat basket with a 17.6 lb max capacity for daily essentials
• Optimized design intended to keep the weight increase from added features to a minimum

For parents who fold and unfold a stroller multiple times a day, the one-second mechanism is a genuine time saver.

Travel System Compatibility

The Butterfly 2 Plus can pair with a compatible infant car seat and car seat adapter to create a full travel system, making it easy to move baby from car to stroller without waking them. Switching between stroller seat and car seat mode is quick and straightforward.

Design, Materials, and Everyday Details

Beyond the core mechanics, the Butterfly 2 Plus rounds out the everyday experience with thoughtful design touches.

• PFA-free, water-repellent fabrics throughout
• UPF 50+ sun canopy with a peek-a-boo panel to check on baby without lifting the hood
• Available in five colourways: Heritage Black, Forest Green, Deep Indigo, Desert Taupe, and Dusty Pink
• 4-year warranty when registered with Bugaboo

Accessories

Bugaboo offers a full accessory lineup to round out the Butterfly 2 Plus experience:

• Transport bag: Padded protection for the stroller when travelling or storing it away
• Bumper bar: Adds extra security and a handhold for little ones in the seat
• Car seat adapters: Connects compatible infant car seats to create a travel system
• Rain cover: Keeps baby dry during unexpected weather
• Tray adapter: Adds a snack tray attachment point for older toddlers
• Cup holder: Keeps a drink within reach for parents on the move
• Organizer: Extra storage for phones, keys, and daily essentials
• Mosquito net: Shared with the Butterfly and Dragonfly lines, for added protection outdoors

Pros & Considerations

Pros

• Ultra-lightweight at just 16 lbs
• One-second, IATA-compatible fold, ideal for travel
• Fully flat recline, a genuine upgrade for newborn use
• Full suspension and bigger wheels for a smoother city ride
• Generous under-seat basket for a stroller this compact
• 4-year warranty when registered

Considerations

• Car seat adapters and car seat are sold separately for true newborn travel system use
• Best suited to city and everyday errands rather than rugged or off-road terrain
• Compact stroller design means a smaller seat footprint than a full-size stroller

Final Thoughts

The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus takes an already strong ultra-compact stroller and adds the features that matter most for newborn comfort: a truly flat recline, extra seat padding, and a built-in foot cover, all while keeping the weight close to its predecessor. For parents who value a light, fast-folding stroller that can still comfortably carry a newborn, this is a compelling upgrade.

It's best suited for city-dwelling families, frequent flyers, and anyone who needs a stroller that folds down small enough to disappear into a closet or car trunk between outings. Families needing rougher all-terrain capability may want to look at a full-size stroller instead, but for everyday urban life, the Butterfly 2 Plus is hard to beat.

Who the Butterfly 2 Plus Is Best For

• City-dwelling families: apartment and condo living means storage space is precious, and this stroller folds down small enough to tuck into a closet or entryway.
• Frequent travellers: the IATA-compatible fold makes it a natural fit for flights, road trips, and vacations where a bulky stroller just isn't practical.
• Growing families: a lightweight second stroller that can live in the trunk for grandparents' visits, daycare pickup, or spontaneous outings.
• Parents of newborns: the fully flat recline and built-in newborn foot cover make it a genuine option from the earliest weeks, not just once baby can sit up.
• Transit-reliant parents: the light 16 lb frame and quick fold make navigating stairs, buses, and subway turnstiles far less stressful.