If you've been considering a Bugaboo Donkey — or already own a Donkey 5 — the arrival of the Donkey 6 naturally raises a question: what actually changed? For families comparing the Bugaboo Donkey 5 vs. Donkey 6, the differences are more about daily comfort refinements than a structural overhaul. Here's a closer look at what matters.
Rather than declaring one version better than the other, we want to lay out the differences clearly so you can weigh them against your own priorities. Some families will find the upgrades meaningful; others may feel the Donkey 5 already covered their needs. Both are reasonable positions, and both strollers from Bugaboo share the same proven side-by-side expandable platform that has made the Donkey line a trusted choice for growing families since 2011.
The Foundation That Hasn't Changed
Before getting into what's new, it's worth noting what carries over. The Donkey 6 retains the same core design philosophy: a single-to-double stroller that expands sideways rather than lengthwise. The frame still converts between Mono, Duo, and Twin configurations with a few clicks. All-wheel suspension, foam-filled tires, a reversible seat, and one-handed recline to a flat position remain standard. The handlebar is still height-adjustable, and both strollers accommodate up to 50 lbs per seat.
If you've pushed a Donkey 5, the steering feel and overall footprint of the Donkey 6 will be immediately familiar. The core ride quality — that balanced, centered-weight feel that makes even a loaded double surprisingly light to steer — hasn't been redesigned. It didn't need to be.
How the Bassinet and Seat Have Evolved
The changes in the Donkey 6 tend to focus on comfort details and everyday convenience rather than structural redesign. Here's where the two models diverge:
Bassinet ventilation: The Donkey 6 introduces breezy panels that are roughly twice the size of the Donkey 5's ventilation openings. For families in warmer climates or those who spend long stretches outdoors, this is a noticeable difference. The bassinet also features a soft organic cotton lining and an extended apron with a built-in pocket — a small but practical touch for storing a pacifier or light blanket within reach.
Mattress: Bugaboo has introduced what they call the PureBreeze mattress — a firmer, non-dyed design that's reversible for seasonal use. One side is intended for warmer weather, the other for cooler months. It's a detail that may not be immediately visible, but it reflects a shift toward breathability and material simplicity.
Seat fabric and harness: The seat fabric now extends down to cover the footrest, which gives the stroller a cleaner visual line. A rear seat pocket has been added. The harness straps are longer and colour-matched to the seat fabric — a practical improvement for taller toddlers and a subtle design refinement.
Storage and Day-to-Day Carrying Capacity
This is where the Donkey 6 makes one of its most tangible improvements. The underseat basket is described as 50% larger than the Donkey 5's, with a stated capacity of up to 33 lbs. For context, that's enough room for a full grocery run or a diaper bag, change of clothes, and a few toys — the kinds of loads that families actually carry on a daily basis.
The side bag has also been rethought. On the Donkey 6, it doubles as a changing bag and can be moved to the handlebar in double mode, where it holds up to 8.8 lbs. This flexibility means you're not choosing between storage and a second seat — a constraint some families encountered with the Donkey 5's side luggage basket, which was functional but less versatile.
Retailer Insight
When parents test side-by-side double strollers, storage is consistently one of the first things they check. Having a basket that genuinely fits under a loaded double — without needing to remove items to fold — tends to influence daily satisfaction more than almost any other feature. The Donkey 6's expanded basket addresses one of the most common pieces of real-world feedback from Donkey 5 families.
Wheels and Weight
The Donkey 6 features a lighter wheel design, though the overall stroller weight remains in a similar range. In single seat configuration, the Donkey 6 weighs approximately 33.7 lbs — comparable to the Donkey 5. The wheel sizes remain the same (10" front, 12" rear), and the all-wheel suspension carries over unchanged.
For most families, the wheel change is less about dramatic weight savings and more about how the stroller handles over time. Lighter wheels can contribute to a slightly more responsive feel when pivoting through tight spaces, though the difference may be subtle in everyday use.
Materials and Sustainability
Bugaboo has continued its shift toward recycled and more durable fabrics with the Donkey 6. The branding has also been updated with what Bugaboo describes as a more premium visual identity. These are the kinds of changes that are more visible in person than on a spec sheet — the fabric texture, the stitching details, the way the canopy material drapes.
Planning Ahead: Dimensions and Fit
For families evaluating whether the Donkey fits their space — doorways, car trunk, elevator — the key planning numbers remain essentially the same between the two models:
- Width: 23.6" in single mode, 29.1" in double — narrow enough to fit through standard doorways in both configurations
- Folded (one-piece): 22" × 24.2" × 35.4"
- Folded (two-piece): 35" × 23.6" × 13.8"
- Handlebar range: 37.8" to 40.5"
If a Donkey 5 fit your trunk and your front door, a Donkey 6 will too. The fold mechanism and self-standing design remain the same.
What to Compare First
When deciding between the Donkey 5 and Donkey 6, it may help to think about where your current friction points are — or where they might be:
- If storage capacity has been a limitation: the expanded basket and redesigned side bag on the Donkey 6 directly address this.
- If you're in a warm climate or do long outdoor walks: the doubled ventilation panels and reversible mattress offer meaningful breathability improvements.
- If your child is outgrowing their harness or you want a cleaner visual look: the longer harness straps and covered footrest on the Donkey 6 are worth noting.
- If ride quality and dimensions are your main concern: the two strollers are functionally very similar in how they steer, fold, and fit through spaces.
Key Differences at a Glance
- Bassinet breezy panels — 2× larger on the Donkey 6
- Organic cotton bassinet lining — new on the Donkey 6
- PureBreeze reversible mattress — new on the Donkey 6
- Underseat basket — 50% more volume, 33 lb capacity on the Donkey 6
- Side bag doubles as changing bag, handlebar-mountable — redesigned on the Donkey 6
- Seat fabric covers footrest, rear pocket added — new on the Donkey 6
- Colour-matched longer harness straps — new on the Donkey 6
- Lighter wheel design — new on the Donkey 6
- Updated recycled fabrics and premium branding — new on the Donkey 6
- Frame, suspension, fold, dimensions, weight capacity — unchanged
Common Questions
Is the Bugaboo Donkey 6 wider than the Donkey 5?
No. Both strollers measure 23.6 inches wide in single mode and 29.1 inches in double mode. The Donkey 6 fits through the same doorways and spaces as the Donkey 5.
Can I use Donkey 5 accessories on the Donkey 6?
Some accessories carry over between generations, but others — particularly the redesigned side bag and updated canopy — are specific to the Donkey 6. It's worth confirming compatibility for individual accessories before purchasing.
Is the Donkey 6 heavier than the Donkey 5?
The two are very close in weight. The Donkey 6 with a single seat weighs approximately 33.7 lbs. The lighter wheel design partially offsets the added fabric and basket volume, keeping the overall weight in a familiar range.
What car seats are compatible with the Bugaboo Donkey 6?
The Donkey 6 works with infant car seats from Nuna, Cybex, Maxi-Cosi, and Chicco through dedicated adapters available in both single and twin configurations. Bugaboo's own Turtle Air Shield is also compatible.
Both the Donkey 5 and Donkey 6 are built on Bugaboo's proven side-by-side platform, and both offer the same core flexibility to grow from a single stroller to a double as your family expands. The Donkey 6 refines the experience in areas that tend to matter most over months of daily use — storage, airflow, and small comfort details. For Canadian families and beyond, whether those refinements align with your priorities is worth considering before you decide.
