Bugaboo Dragonfly vs. Dragonfly Plus: Which Compact Stroller Is Right for You?

Bugaboo has spent years perfecting the compact city stroller, and the Dragonfly lineup is proof of that work. Both the original Dragonfly and the newer Dragonfly Plus share the same patented one-hand fold, the same compact city-friendly footprint, and the same reputation for making apartment living, narrow hallways, and busy sidewalks a little easier to navigate with a stroller in tow.

At a glance, the two strollers look nearly identical: same silhouette, same fold, same city-first design philosophy. But once you look more closely at the details, the Dragonfly Plus offers genuinely worthwhile upgrades that set it apart from the stroller it replaces.

If you're deciding between the Dragonfly and the Dragonfly Plus, you're probably wondering whether the upgrade is worth it, or whether the original still holds its own. Let's break down what's actually different and help you figure out which one belongs in your entryway.

TL;DR

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is the brand's original compact city stroller, known for its one-hand fold, lightweight frame, and four classic colourways. The Dragonfly Plus is the newer version, adding a longer single-piece seat, a new back seat pocket, an upgraded harness, all-new urban wheels, and a lower environmental impact thanks to bio-based materials.

Both are excellent compact strollers for city life. The original Dragonfly wins on lighter carrying weight, while the Dragonfly Plus wins on seat comfort, everyday convenience, and sustainability.

Quick Comparison

Bugaboo Dragonfly Specs

• Usage: From birth (with pram) or 6 months (with seat) up to 50 lbs
• Stroller weight: 17.4 lbs with the seat, 22.9 lbs with the pram
• Seat height: Approximately 20 inches from the ground
• Storage basket: Holds up to 22 lbs, plus an expandable rear pocket
• Handlebar height: Up to 41 inches
• Fold: Patented one-hand, self-standing fold, works with seat or pram attached

Bugaboo Dragonfly Plus Specs

• Usage: From birth (with bassinet or infant car seat) up to 50 lbs
• Stroller weight: 21.8 lbs with the seat, 23.1 lbs with the bassinet
• Seat height: 19.7 inches from the ground (20.5 inches with the bassinet)
• Storage basket: Holds up to 22 lbs, plus a movable expandable pocket
• Handlebar height: 39 to 41.3 inches
• Fold: Patented one-hand, self-standing fold, works with seat or bassinet attached

What They Have in Common

Before getting into what's different, it's worth calling out just how much these two strollers share. Both the Dragonfly and the Dragonfly Plus include:

• The same patented one-hand fold that works with the seat or pram/bassinet attached, no parts required
• A compact, self-standing fold that tucks neatly into closets, car trunks, and narrow hallways
• A reversible seat with both world-facing and parent-facing positions
• Full suspension and a smooth ride built specifically for city terrain
• A 22 lb underseat storage basket with a movable expandable pocket
• An extendable UPF 50+ sun canopy with a peek-a-boo window
• Soft, water-repellent, machine-washable fabrics
• Compatibility with a range of infant car seats using adapters (sold separately)

Detailed Comparison

Weight and Portability

The original Dragonfly has the edge here. At 17.4 lbs with the seat attached, it's noticeably lighter to lift in and out of a trunk, carry up an apartment stairwell, or sling over a shoulder using the built-in carry strap.

The Dragonfly Plus weighs a bit more at 21.8 lbs with the seat, a trade-off that comes from the longer, more supportive seat and upgraded materials. It's still light for a compact city stroller, but if shaving off every possible pound matters most to you, the original Dragonfly is the lighter carry.

Verdict: Original Dragonfly for the lightest possible carry.

Seat Comfort

This is where the Dragonfly Plus pulls ahead. Its seat is now one longer piece, giving growing toddlers more room to stretch out, paired with a longer sun canopy for better coverage. The harness has also been upgraded to a quick-click, extra-soft five-point harness with additional padding in a colour-matching finish.

The original Dragonfly still offers a comfortable, reclinable seat with a padded five-point harness, but it doesn't have the extended seat length or the upgraded harness padding found on the Plus.

Verdict: Dragonfly Plus for a roomier, more comfortable ride as your child grows.

Everyday Convenience

The Dragonfly Plus adds a new back seat pocket, a small but genuinely useful spot for a soother, phone, or keys that the original Dragonfly doesn't have. Both strollers share the same excellent one-hand fold and underseat basket capacity, so day-to-day usability is close, but the Plus edges ahead on small convenience details.

Verdict: Dragonfly Plus for a few extra everyday conveniences.

Ride and Wheels

The Dragonfly Plus features all-new, high-performance urban wheels, redesigned specifically for city terrain like cracked sidewalks and streetcar tracks. The original Dragonfly's wheels and suspension are still built for smooth city rides, but the Plus's updated wheel design is tuned more precisely for real city conditions.

Verdict: Dragonfly Plus for a slightly smoother ride on rougher city terrain.

Sustainability

Bio-based materials on the Dragonfly Plus reduce its CO2 footprint by 16% without compromising on durability, an upgrade over the original Dragonfly's build. For parents who weigh environmental impact as part of a purchase decision, this is a meaningful difference.

Verdict: Dragonfly Plus for a lighter environmental footprint.

Colourways

The original Dragonfly comes in four classic colourways: grey mélange, midnight black, skyline blue, and forest green. The Dragonfly Plus refreshes the palette entirely with five new colourways, including Desert Taupe and Heritage Black.

Verdict: Personal preference. The Plus offers a completely refreshed palette, while the original's colours remain a classic choice.

Which Stroller Is Right for You?

Choose the Dragonfly if you:

• Want the lightest possible compact stroller to carry and lift
• Are comparing on value and don't need the newest seat or harness upgrades

Choose the Dragonfly Plus if you:

• Want a roomier seat that gives growing toddlers more space
• Like the idea of a back seat pocket and other small everyday conveniences
• Care about sustainability and a lower CO2 footprint
• Want the newest colourways and the latest wheel and harness upgrades

Final Thoughts

There isn't a wrong choice between the Bugaboo Dragonfly and the Dragonfly Plus. Both deliver the same beloved one-hand fold, compact city footprint, and comfortable ride that made the Dragonfly name a bestseller in the first place.

The real question is whether you're prioritizing the lightest possible carry or the roomiest, most refined ride.

If shaving off every extra pound matters most to your daily routine, the original Dragonfly is still a fantastic city stroller. If you want the longer seat, upgraded harness, new back seat pocket, and a lighter environmental footprint, the Dragonfly Plus is the better fit for your family.