Bugaboo Donkey 6 Review

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First published: June 2026 · Last reviewed: July 2026 · Next scheduled review: January 2027

The Bugaboo Donkey 6 is one of the most distinctive pushchairs on the market because it converts from a single pushchair into a side-by-side double in under a minute. It’s designed for growing families who want one chassis that adapts as their family expands. That flexibility comes at a price though — it’s one of the heaviest and most expensive pushchairs currently on sale. After testing the conversion mechanism in store and comparing it with long-term independent testing, here’s who it suits and who should probably look elsewhere.

Reality check first: the Donkey 6 is expensive, heavy at 15.3kg, and the folded size won’t suit every car. Any one of those three could rule it out for you. If none of them do — it’s genuinely excellent.

MyPushchair scorecard

Single-to-double conversion	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.5/10
All-terrain performance	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9/10
Build quality	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 9.5/10
Ease of use	⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8/10
Portability	⭐⭐⭐ 5/10 (15.3kg is the honest reality)
Value	⭐⭐⭐⭐ 7.5/10 (excellent if you use both modes; hard to justify if you don’t)
Overall	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 8.5/10

Overall score: 8.5/10. The Donkey 6 scores highly because it does exactly what it promises — one of the best single-to-double conversions on the market, with all-terrain capability and premium build quality. The marks it loses are honest: 15.3kg is a significant daily commitment, and at £1,245+ it demands a clear plan for how you’ll use the flexibility you’re paying for.

The single-to-double conversion — how it actually works

This is the Donkey’s real party trick, and having tested it in store myself, it’s genuinely as straightforward as Bugaboo claims. Three clips, press a button, slide to expand the frame — it widens by 14cm. Then swap the side bag for a second seat. No tools, no separate adaptors for the basic conversion, under a minute once you know what you’re doing.

All-terrain performance and steering

Past the reality check, the Donkey 6 is a properly capable all-terrain pushchair — and easier to steer than its size might suggest. Independent testing from MadeForMums, who used it for several weeks with a newborn and toddler, found it felt lighter to push than expected, handled tight circles and one-handed steering well, and managed kerbs with ease.

Double mode is harder to manage than single, simply because of the extra weight — that’s an expected trade-off rather than a flaw. The storage is genuinely outstanding: a large underseat basket plus a side bag that doubles as a changing bag. For families who walk a lot and carry plenty, this is a real practical advantage. The trade-off is width — in double mode, tight shopping aisles become noticeably more cramped.

Key specifications

Price	From £1,245 single, £1,560 double — check current price below
Weight (single)	15.3kg
Width — single mode	60cm
Width — double mode	74cm — fits standard UK doorways, may need a slight wiggle
Age / weight	Birth (with bassinet) to approx. 22kg per seat
Conversion	Single to double — three clips, press, slide. Under one minute, no tools needed
Basket capacity	Up to 15kg underseat, plus side bag (capacity reduces in double mode)
Twins compatible	Yes — twin configuration available with two bassinets from birth
Fold	Seat must be removed first — one extra step vs a single pushchair

Verdict

The Bugaboo Donkey 6 is genuinely one of the best single-to-double pushchairs on the market. The conversion mechanism is impressive, the steering belies the size, the storage is outstanding, and the build quality is exactly what you’d expect from Bugaboo at this price point.

But it’s not for everyone — and it knows that. At 15.3kg and from £1,245, it demands a clear commitment to the flexibility you’re paying for. Buy it because you genuinely need a single-to-double conversion and want the best available. Don’t buy it speculatively.

Bottom line: The Bugaboo Donkey 6 isn’t trying to be the lightest pushchair, the cheapest pushchair, or the easiest to lift. It’s trying to be the best pushchair for growing families who need genuine single-to-double flexibility. In that role it succeeds exceptionally well. If you don’t need that flexibility, there are lighter, cheaper, and simpler alternatives that will make more sense.

How does the Donkey 6 compare?

Model	Weight	Best for	Typical price
Bugaboo Donkey 6	15.3kg	Single-to-double, all-terrain	From £1,245
Bugaboo Dragonfly	8.7kg	Compact city pushchair	From £499
Out n About Nipper Double	13kg	All-terrain double	From £545
Mamas & Papas Ocarro 2	13.9kg	All-terrain single	£849

Common complaints — what owners actually say

Bugaboo Donkey 5 vs Donkey 6 — is it worth upgrading?

If you’re searching “Donkey 5 vs Donkey 6” or wondering whether to upgrade from the previous generation, here’s the honest summary.

Should you upgrade from Donkey 5 to Donkey 6? Probably not if your Donkey 5 is in good condition — the conversion mechanism is the same, the dimensions are the same, and the core pushchair proposition hasn’t fundamentally changed. The Donkey 6 has improved fabrics and updated wheel design, but these are refinements rather than redesigns. If you’re buying new, the Donkey 6 is the one to buy. If you’re considering a secondhand Donkey 5, it remains a capable pushchair and the price difference may well be worth it.

Frequently asked questions

How does the Bugaboo Donkey 6 convert from single to double?

Open three clips, press a button, and slide to expand the frame — it widens by 14cm. Then swap the side bag for a second seat. No tools needed, under a minute once you’ve done it a couple of times.

Will the Bugaboo Donkey 6 fit through a standard doorway in double mode?

Yes — at 74cm wide it fits standard UK internal doorways, though it may need a slight wiggle. Worth measuring your own doorways if they’re on the narrower side before committing.

How heavy is the Bugaboo Donkey 6?

15.3kg in single mode — heavier still in double. This is a genuine consideration, not a minor detail. If lifting heavy items into a car boot regularly is a physical constraint, factor that in honestly before buying.

Can the Bugaboo Donkey 6 be used for twins?

Yes — Bugaboo offer a twin configuration with two bassinets from birth and two seats as they grow, making the Donkey 6 suitable for twins as well as siblings of different ages.

Is the Bugaboo Donkey 6 worth the price?

If you genuinely use the single-to-double flexibility it can work out better value than buying two separate pushchairs over the years. If you buy it speculatively and the second child never arrives — or arrives much later with very different needs — you’ll have paid for flexibility you didn’t use. Be honest with yourself before committing.

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