For years, Bugaboo has been celebrated for producing the luxury SUVs of the stroller world. Models like the discontinued Cameleon and the adaptable Donkey are renowned for their sophisticated design, durability, and family-friendly features. As a long-time admirer of the brand, having been a Bugaboo enthusiast for four years, I was thrilled to delve into a comprehensive review of the Bugaboo Ant stroller.
Two kids sitting in a Bugaboo Ant stroller, showcasing its compact size
In 2019, Bugaboo expanded its horizons by introducing its very first compact stroller, the Bugaboo Ant. Envisioned as the hatchback of strollers, the Ant is designed to be small, lightweight, and agile, effortlessly navigating tight spaces. This venture marks a bold step for Bugaboo into the competitive travel stroller market, already populated by established giants like the Babyzen Yoyo+ and the UPPAbaby Minu. Our aim is to evaluate whether the Bugaboo Ant can effectively compete and stand out in this crowded space.
Portability: Designed for Travel and Commuting
The Bugaboo Ant truly lives up to its name with its incredibly portable design and ultra-compact fold. Weighing just 15.8 lbs, it proudly holds the title of Bugaboo’s lightest and most compact stroller to date. While slightly heavier than the UPPAbaby Minu (14.8 lbs) and the Babyzen Yoyo (13 lbs), it remains lighter than the Compact Colugo stroller (16 lbs), striking a good balance between lightweight design and robust features.
When folded, the Bugaboo Ant shrinks to a mere 20.6 x 14.9 x 9.1 inches. This remarkably small footprint allows it to fit comfortably in the overhead compartment of most airplanes, a significant advantage for traveling families. For those living in smaller urban spaces, like my Brooklyn apartment, the compact fold is a dream, allowing for easy storage in tight entryway closets or car trunks without taking up valuable space.
One of the standout features for portability is the pull-along trolley mode. This ingenious design allows you to wheel the folded Ant like a suitcase. While Bugaboo highlights its airport convenience, I found this feature equally beneficial for everyday commutes. Navigating public transport, like buses and crowded subway stations in NYC, becomes significantly easier. The trolley mode eliminates the strain of carrying the stroller, especially helpful when you also need to keep a close eye on your children. Even for simple tasks like daycare pickups a 10-minute walk away, the trolley mode is a welcome relief compared to carrying it on your shoulder or awkwardly pushing an empty stroller.
Overall, the Bugaboo Ant’s design clearly prioritizes the needs of commuting and traveling parents. While a shoulder strap wasn’t initially included, Bugaboo has listened to feedback and incorporated it into the 2020 model, offering even more carrying options.
The Fold: Compactness Comes at a Cost
Bugaboo strollers, while innovative, haven’t always been known for their intuitive folding mechanisms, and the Bugaboo Ant is no exception. While the fold is undeniably compact and conveniently self-standing, there’s a definite learning curve involved in mastering the Bugaboo Ant’s folding process. It’s not necessarily difficult, nor time-consuming once you get the hang of it, but it does require six distinct steps performed in the correct sequence to achieve a successful fold.
Important Note: Ensure the front wheels are facing outwards before folding. This is also a key step in folding the Babyzen Yoyo+ correctly.
In summary, the folding process is a bit more involved than some competitors, requiring both hands and potentially posing a challenge when folding with a toddler eager to explore. However, with practice, it becomes a relatively quick 20-second task. If a one-hand fold is a must-have feature, strollers like the UPPAbaby Minu or the Colugo might be more appealing.
The Seat: Reversible and Feature-Rich
The seat of the Bugaboo Ant is where this travel stroller truly excels. Its standout feature is the reversible seat, a rarity in the compact stroller category. Apart from the Cybex Eezy S Twist with its rotating seat, almost all travel strollers feature fixed, forward-facing seats. In this aspect, the Ant shares similarities with the Bugaboo Bee but is lighter and more compact. For parents who value face-to-face interaction with their child, especially younger ones, this reversible seat is a significant advantage.
The seat rotation mechanism, similar to the folding process, requires a bit of practice. However, Bugaboo has executed this feature effectively. Even with an older toddler, the ability to face them during strolls enhances interaction and makes outings more enjoyable.
Beyond reversibility, the Ant’s seat boasts other impressive features. True to Bugaboo’s reputation, it offers a genuinely upright seating position, providing excellent support when your child wants to sit straight. This was a notable improvement over other compact strollers with a permanent slight incline, which can be uncomfortable for children who prefer to sit upright.
The seat offers varied recline options, especially in the rear-facing mode, reclining to a near-flat position ideal for naps.
In the forward-facing position, recline options are limited to upright and slightly reclined. This is something to consider if you anticipate your child napping frequently while forward-facing.
The seat is designed to accommodate newborns (in the flat recline, rear-facing mode, no extra accessories needed) up to children weighing 50 lbs. It also offers car seat compatibility (discussed later). The 50 lbs weight limit is comparable to the UPPAbaby Minu and slightly less than the Colugo, but higher than the Babyzen Yoyo+.
However, as expected for a travel stroller, the seat is on the narrower side. It might feel a bit snug for larger toddlers, potentially becoming less comfortable as they approach their third birthday.
Toddler sitting in the Bugaboo Ant stroller, showing the seat size
Bugaboo Ant 2020 Updates: Addressing Parent Feedback
Bugaboo quickly responded to consumer feedback and introduced updates to the Bugaboo Ant for the 2020 model. Notably, a carry strap was added, providing parents with an extra carrying option, and a footrest was incorporated into the seat design, enhancing child comfort without adding to the stroller’s weight.
For families with older children, the Bugaboo Ant is compatible with the Bugaboo stroller board, attaching directly without adapters. This is a great feature for older siblings who might need a ride on longer walks.
Toddler sitting in the Bugaboo Ant stroller, showing the seat size
Car Seat Compatibility: Travel System Ready
The Bugaboo Ant enhances its travel versatility through compatibility with several premium “Euro” car seats. It works with models like the Nuna Pipa Lite/LX, Cybex Aton 2/Q, Clek Liing, and Maxi Cosi infant car seats. A separate car seat adapter is required for attachment. It’s important to note that the Ant is not compatible with the original Nuna Pipa model. This car seat compatibility transforms the Bugaboo Ant into a convenient travel system, streamlining transitions from car to stroller, especially for infants.
Wheels: Small but Mighty and Smooth
Bugaboo wheels are consistently praised for their performance, and the Ant’s wheels are no exception. Despite their compact size, they are robust and feature integrated suspension, providing excellent shock absorption and ensuring a smooth ride.
Maneuvering the Ant is effortless, even with one hand. The push is reminiscent of the larger Bugaboo Cameleon, gliding smoothly across various surfaces. However, the Ant’s smaller footprint and lighter weight make it feel even easier to push and navigate. Even on bumpy terrains and potholes, the Ant handles admirably, maintaining stability and minimizing disruption for the child.
Storage: Surprisingly Spacious for a Compact Stroller
The underseat basket of the Bugaboo Ant is a pleasant surprise. Despite its compact size, the stroller offers a generous 17.6 lbs weight capacity for storage. It features a dual-compartment design: a main compartment suitable for a diaper bag and a rear luggage basket for easily accessible essentials like snacks, diapers, wipes, water bottles, or even personal items like a purse.
Toddler sitting in the Bugaboo Ant stroller, showing the seat size
The rear compartment is particularly useful as it remains accessible even when the stroller is folded, adding an extra layer of convenience for accessing frequently needed items on the go. However, accessibility to the rear basket is somewhat limited when the seat is rear-facing, especially with toddlers, as their legs can obstruct access.
Canopy: Adequate Sun Protection
The Bugaboo Ant features an extendable UPF50+ canopy. It provides good coverage, effectively shielding your child from the sun whether they are sitting upright or reclined. While not the largest canopy on the market, it offers sufficient protection for most everyday situations.
Handlebar: Telescopic and Adjustable for Comfort
A unique feature in the compact stroller segment, the Bugaboo Ant boasts a telescopic, adjustable handlebar. This handlebar not only adjusts for parent height, accommodating both shorter and taller individuals, but also rotates to alter the angle. The wide adjustment range and rotational capability allow parents to find a comfortable pushing position, reducing wrist strain during longer strolls. The handlebar also serves as the trolley handle when the stroller is folded.
Price: Competitive in the Luxury Travel Stroller Market
The Bugaboo Ant retails for $499. While this might seem like a significant investment, it is actually competitive, if not slightly more affordable, than other luxury travel stroller options on the market, especially when considering that it’s newborn-ready without needing extra accessories.
Comparing it to competitors like the UPPAbaby Minu, which costs $399 but requires an additional $129 newborn kit (totaling around $530), or the Babyzen Yoyo+ 6+ (starting at $499 with a newborn pack costing $229, exceeding $700 for newborn suitability), the Bugaboo Ant’s price point is justifiable within the premium travel stroller category. The Colugo stroller is more affordable at $295 plus $95 for a newborn kit ($390 total), but the Bugaboo Ant offers a different set of features and brand prestige. While cheaper mainstream travel stroller options exist, the Bugaboo Ant positions itself within the luxury segment, offering premium features at a competitive price.
Bugaboo Ant Travel Stroller Review: The Bottom Line
Bugaboo made a significant entry into the travel stroller market with the launch of the Ant in 2019. The promise was a smart, compact stroller tailored for parents on the go, and in many ways, Bugaboo delivered. While the fold could be more streamlined, it’s not a major drawback considering the stroller’s numerous unique and valuable features.
The Bugaboo Ant stands out with its exceptional portability, lightweight design, and maneuverability comparable to full-sized strollers. The suitcase-like pull-along mode enhances its travel-friendliness. The reversible seat with a true upright position and newborn-ready design (up to 50 lbs without extra purchases) are significant advantages. The storage is also commendable for a compact stroller. While the seat is somewhat narrow, if portability and interactive strolls are priorities, the Bugaboo Ant is an excellent choice and a worthwhile investment for traveling families.
