Bugaboo Donkey 5 Review

The Donkey 5 is discontinued, replaced by the Donkey 6 — but remaining inventory is available at meaningful discounts, typically 20–30% below MSRP. If you can find it at clearance pricing and the specific features match your needs (especially twin bassinet capability or the Mono-to-Duo conversion), it remains a high-quality stroller with a 4-year Bugaboo warranty on parts purchased new. The key concern is parts availability over time: Bugaboo will support existing owners but new accessories will shift to Donkey 6 compatibility. For most families, buying a Donkey 6 at full price or a Donkey 5 at significant clearance are both viable — the decision turns on price.

The Donkey 5 can be gate-checked free on all major US airlines — Delta, United, American, Southwest, and others have no weight limit on strollers. At 42.4 lbs in Duo mode, it's one of the heaviest strollers on the market, but no carrier prohibits it. The 3-click Mono conversion to 23.6" width is strongly recommended before arriving at the airport — Mono mode is far easier to gate-check and navigate through terminals. Use a padded XL gate check bag and plan for two adults. The stroller is too large and heavy for overhead bin storage on any commercial aircraft.

The Donkey 6, launched in late 2026, is Bugaboo's next-generation expandable double and the Donkey 5's replacement. Key improvements in the Donkey 6 include a lighter chassis, updated suspension geometry, redesigned canopy system, and revised bassinet attachment. The Donkey 5's core design — 3-click conversion, side-by-side equal seating, twin bassinet capability — carries over to the Donkey 6. For buyers on a budget, the Donkey 5 at clearance pricing is functionally similar. For buyers wanting the latest technology and the longest parts-availability window, the Donkey 6 is the right choice at current pricing.

In Duo (double) mode, the Donkey 5 is 29.1" wide — it fits through a standard 30" clear-opening US residential door with approximately 0.45" of clearance on each side. This is very tight and will scrape on some door frames. Bugaboo acknowledges the fit is tight and recommends using the Mono configuration (23.6" wide) for tight urban environments. Commercial doors at stores, restaurants, and offices are typically 32" or wider and present no issue in Duo mode. The critical measurement to know is your own front door and elevator door, as those vary between buildings.

The Donkey 5 accepts Bugaboo's own Turtle Air by Nuna car seat natively without adapters — the Turtle Air clicks directly into the frame mounting points. For other brands, Bugaboo sells adapters compatible with Nuna PIPA series, Cybex Cloud series, Maxi-Cosi Mico, and Clek Liing. In Duo mode, two car seats can be mounted simultaneously (one per side). Compatibility is documented by Bugaboo at bugaboo.com/us-en/baby-car-seat-adapters. Note that Bugaboo officially does not recommend or support third-party adapters — using them voids the warranty on affected components.

The Silver Cross Wave ships double-ready in the box at $1,699.99, including a bassinet and tandem seat — no additional purchase needed. The Donkey 5 Mono requires buying the Duo extension bundle to convert, reaching approximately $1,859 total. The Wave uses a tandem (front-to-back) layout at 23.5" wide versus the Donkey 5's 29.1" side-by-side. Side-by-side seating (Donkey 5) gives both children equal views and interaction; tandem (Wave) is narrower for tight spaces. The Wave is currently in production with active parts support; the Donkey 5 is discontinued. For most buyers in 2026, the Wave or Donkey 6 are more logical purchases unless significant clearance pricing tips the Donkey 5 decisively.