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First published: July 2026 · Last reviewed: July 2026 · Next scheduled review: January 2027
The decision in one sentence
If you’re deciding between these two pushchairs, you’re really deciding whether Bugaboo’s engineering is worth paying over twice as much for. For some families it absolutely is. For many others, it isn’t. This comparison explains where that extra money goes — and where it doesn’t.
Why trust this comparison?
Bugaboo Butterfly 2: Tested in store and at Hesketh Farm, West Yorkshire — fold assessed, suspension tested on grass and bark chippings, push quality assessed on varied surfaces. Scored 8.5/10.
Mamas & Papas Airo: Hands-on tested. Cabin-compatible dimensions verified. Build quality and fold assessed.
Testing scope: These were hands-on assessments rather than extended long-term use tests. Conclusions on durability and resale draw on brand history and market observation rather than direct ownership experience.
This comparison: A common compact pushchair dilemma — premium engineering versus genuine value. Both are capable. The decision is about what you actually need.
Should you skip both?
Before comparing these two, it’s worth checking neither is the wrong category entirely. Neither the Butterfly 2 nor the Airo is the right pushchair if:
- You regularly walk on rough terrain — both are smooth-surface city pushchairs. Consider the Bugaboo Fox 5 or Out n About Nipper V5 instead
- You need a pushchair from birth without accessories — both require a compatible infant carrier or separate carrycot for newborn use. The Mamas & Papas Ocarro 2 is a more capable all-rounder
- You need a large shopping basket — both have modest storage. The Bugaboo Donkey 6 or Cybex Gazelle S carry significantly more
- You’re expecting a second child soon — neither converts to a double. The iCandy Peach 8 is the better long-term investment
If a lightweight compact for city use and travel is what you need, read on.
Where the £246 goes
The Butterfly 2 costs £435. The Airo costs £189. That’s a £246 difference for two pushchairs that cover similar ground. Here’s what that money actually buys:
The £246 premium pays for:
- A faster fold — among the quickest we have tested
- More refined chassis engineering and finish
- Higher-quality fabrics that feel premium to the touch
- A smaller folded package — better for the strictest airline limits
- Stronger resale value — Bugaboo holds its price well secondhand
- The Bugaboo ecosystem — accessories, replacements, brand support
The £246 premium does not buy:
- A safer pushchair — both meet relevant standards
- A noticeably more comfortable ride on pavements
- Dramatically lower weight — 7.3kg vs 7.6kg is negligible daily
- All-terrain capability — both are smooth-surface pushchairs
- A radically different everyday city experience
The real difference between these two
At £435 versus £189, this is a significant price gap for two pushchairs that cover similar ground. Both are lightweight compacts for city and travel use. Both fold one-handed. Both are designed with cabin travel in mind, though their folded dimensions differ — the Butterfly 2 folds smaller at 44.8 × 24.5 × 55.5cm versus the Airo’s 55 × 45 × 25cm, which can matter on stricter airlines. Both handle city streets and public transport well.
The Airo delivers the core features most families need at a much lower price. The Butterfly 2 justifies its premium with a faster fold, more refined engineering and a more polished overall feel — but whether those advantages are worth paying for depends on how you will actually use it.
The Butterfly 2 is slightly lighter at 7.3kg versus the Airo’s 7.6kg — negligible in practice — but folds to smaller dimensions, which can matter on some airlines. The Bugaboo build quality is immediately obvious when you handle one. The Airo, for its price, feels better than you’d expect — and that’s significant, because the most common reason to overspend on a compact pushchair is underestimating what budget alternatives now deliver.
Head-to-head
| Bugaboo Butterfly 2 | Mamas & Papas Airo | |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 8.5/10 | See full review |
| Price | £435 | £189 ✅ |
| Weight | 7.3kg ✅ slightly lighter | 7.6kg |
| Folded dimensions | 44.8 × 24.5 × 55.5cm ✅ smaller | 55 × 45 × 25cm |
| Cabin travel | Designed for cabin travel — smaller fold ✅ — always verify with your airline | Designed for cabin travel — verify with your airline before flying |
| Fold mechanism | Among the quickest we have tested — worked consistently during our assessment ✅ | One-handed — quick and simple |
| Suitable from | Birth (lie-flat) to 22kg ✅ | Birth (lie-flat) to 22kg ✅ |
| Suspension | City-tuned — stiff on rough ground (tested at Hesketh Farm) | City-tuned — smooth surface pushchair |
| Build quality | Premium Bugaboo — immediately obvious ✅ | Better than its price suggests |
| Basket | Small — city essentials only | Small — city essentials only |
| Warranty | 2 years standard | 1 year standard |
| Resale value | Strong — Bugaboo holds value ✅ | Moderate |
| Tested | In store + Hesketh Farm, West Yorkshire | Hands-on |
Which should you choose?
Choose the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 if:
- ✔ You fly regularly and want the smallest possible folded package
- ✔ You fold multiple times daily under pressure — airports, train doors, bus steps — and the fastest fold genuinely matters
- ✔ Bugaboo build quality and resale value matter to you
- ✔ Budget extends to £435 without discomfort
Choose the Mamas & Papas Airo if:
- ✔ Budget matters — the £246 saving is real and significant
- ✔ You fly occasionally rather than regularly
- ✔ You want a capable city compact without paying for premium engineering you may not notice day to day
- ✔ The saving would be better spent elsewhere in your family budget
Who regrets buying each one?
Butterfly 2 buyers who regret it tend to be:
- Parents who rarely travel and realise they’re paying for a fold speed they barely use
- Buyers who expected all-terrain capability — the Butterfly 2 is a city pushchair
- Families who stretched their budget for the brand and then found the Airo at a friend’s house
- Parents surprised by the cost of Bugaboo accessories and replacement parts
Airo buyers who regret it tend to be:
- Frequent flyers who find the larger folded dimensions an issue on stricter airlines
- Parents who expected premium materials — the Airo feels good, but not Bugaboo-level
- Buyers who planned to resell and found the secondhand market less strong than Bugaboo
💡 The honest summary
At its current £189 price, the Airo is one of the strongest value options among compact pushchairs we have assessed. It does almost everything the Butterfly 2 does for less than half the price, and it feels better than you’d expect for the money. The Butterfly 2 is better — the fold is among the quickest we have tested and the build quality is immediately obvious — but better costs £246 more. For many families who mainly use a compact pushchair around town and travel occasionally, the Airo is likely to represent the better value purchase. For frequent flyers and parents who fold daily under pressure, the Butterfly 2 is the right tool.
Read the full reviews
Also worth reading
- Best Pushchairs for Flying — how both compare for cabin travel
- Best Pushchairs for Public Transport
- Stokke YOYO³ Review — another premium compact worth comparing
- Bugaboo hub — all Bugaboo models reviewed
- Mamas & Papas hub — all Mamas & Papas models reviewed
About the reviewer
Mark founded MyPushchair.co.uk in 2006 after struggling to find honest, straightforward pushchair advice as a new dad. With more than 30 years in the family travel and leisure industry — and after returning to relaunch the UK’s original independent pushchair review site — he continues to test products with one aim: helping parents buy the right pushchair the first time. Read the full story →
Still not sure which is right for your situation? Get in touch — happy to help.