Colugo Compact+ vs Bugaboo Butterfly 2: Which Travel Stroller Wins?

AmazingBuyz is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more.

Colugo Compact+ vs Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is one of the most common questions parents ask when shopping for a travel stroller that fits in an overhead bin. Both weigh about 16 pounds, both fold small, and both are built for airports and city sidewalks, but they sit at very different price points and suit different babies. We compared specs, expert testing and owner reviews to show where each one pulls ahead.

Part of our Baby & Kids Buying Guides.

The short answer

Buy the Colugo Compact+ if your child is at least 4 months old and you want a capable, well-equipped travel stroller for a fraction of premium money, with a rain cover and carry bag already in the box. Buy the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 if you want a bigger basket, car seat compatibility, a famously quick one-hand fold and a stroller that can double as your everyday city ride. Our overall pick for most families is the Colugo Compact+ on value; the Butterfly 2 wins if budget is not the main concern.

Check price at Colugo →

Check price: Bugaboo Butterfly 2 →

A stroller parked on the side of a road
Photos on this page are illustrative stock images and may not show the exact products compared.

Side-by-side specs

Spec Colugo Compact+ Bugaboo Butterfly 2
Stroller weight About 16.2 lb About 16.4 lb
Folded size About 17.6 x 10.6 x 22 in About 17.6 x 9.6 x 21.8 in
Max child weight 55 lb 50 lb
Minimum age (seat) 4 months Seat is semi-reclining; newborns ride in a compatible infant car seat with adapters (sold separately)
Recline Quick-release, multiple positions Upright to semi-recline (US model)
Basket limit 10 lb About 17.6 lb (8 kg)
Fold Auto-fold, no latch One-hand fold
Car seat compatible No Yes, with adapters for select seats
Overhead bin friendly Yes Yes
Included extras Rain cover, carry bag, cup holder, washable liner Transport bag varies by retailer; bumper bar and rain cover not included in the US
Price range Budget to mid-range (under $300) Premium ($500+)

Price tiers: budget = under $250, mid-range = $250 to $500, premium = over $500. Prices change often, so check the current price before you buy.

Fold and portability

Both strollers are designed around the overhead bin, and in day-to-day use they feel similar in hand at roughly 16 pounds each. The Colugo Compact+ uses an auto-fold that collapses when you press one button, and it does not need a latch to stay shut, which reviewers found quick and forgiving. The Butterfly 2 is known for one of the fastest one-hand folds in the category, and its folded package is slightly slimmer. Colugo also throws in a backpack-style carry bag, which helps at the gate.

Winner: Tie. The Butterfly 2’s fold is a touch slicker and slimmer, but the Colugo’s included carry bag closes the gap.

Ride, wheels and pushing

Bugaboo gave the Butterfly 2 larger wheels than the first Butterfly, and expert testers found it easy to steer with one hand over long city walks. Bugaboo also lists suspension on the Butterfly line. The Colugo Compact+ has no suspension, so testers noticed bumps, cobblestones and grass more. It is nimble in crowds and on smooth airport floors, but it is not the stroller for rough paths.

Winner: Bugaboo Butterfly 2, for a smoother push on uneven ground.

Seat, recline and comfort

The Colugo seat holds kids up to 55 pounds and has a quick-release recline plus a one-hand footrest, a taller handlebar and a machine-washable liner. Reviewers noted the seat is a little shallower than premium models, so tall preschoolers may feel snug. The US Butterfly 2 seat reclines to a semi-reclined position, has a one-hand footrest and a large UPF 50+ canopy with a peekaboo window that works well for naps. Its handlebar is not adjustable and the bumper bar is sold separately.

Winner: Tie. The Colugo has a higher weight limit and taller handlebar; the Butterfly 2 has the more nap-friendly canopy.

Newborn use and car seat compatibility

This is the biggest difference. The Colugo Compact+ is for babies 4 months and up and has no car seat adapters, so you will need another solution for the newborn stage. The Butterfly 2 accepts select infant car seats with adapters sold separately, which lets you build a lightweight travel system from day one. Bugaboo has also released the Butterfly 2 Plus, which adds a full lay-flat recline and newborn foot cover for families who want the seat itself usable from birth.

Winner: Bugaboo Butterfly 2, clearly, if you are shopping before your baby arrives.

Storage and everyday practicality

The Butterfly 2 basket is rated for roughly 17.6 pounds, which is generous for an ultra-compact stroller, and it adds a rear parent pocket (testers found it sits a bit low). The Colugo basket is rated for 10 pounds, which reviewers called its main weakness for travelers carrying a diaper bag and snacks. Colugo sells optional organizers and bags if you need more space.

Winner: Bugaboo Butterfly 2, for meaningfully more cargo room.

Value

The Colugo Compact+ usually costs well under half of what the Butterfly 2 does, and it includes a rain cover, cup holder and carry bag that Bugaboo charges extra for or leaves out in the US. Reviewers describe Colugo build quality as strong for the money, if a half step behind premium brands. The Butterfly 2 earns its price with refinement, car seat compatibility and storage, but you will pay more for accessories on top.

Winner: Colugo Compact+, by a wide margin.

Pros and cons

Colugo Compact+

  • 👍 Much lower price
  • 👍 Rain cover, carry bag and cup holder included
  • 👍 Simple auto-fold with no latch
  • 👍 55 lb weight limit and taller handlebar
  • 👎 Not for babies under 4 months; no car seat adapters
  • 👎 Small 10 lb basket
  • 👎 No suspension
Bugaboo Butterfly 2

  • 👍 Fast one-hand fold and slim folded size
  • 👍 Large basket for its size
  • 👍 Works with select infant car seats
  • 👍 Smooth, easy push with bigger wheels
  • 👎 Premium price
  • 👎 Bumper bar and rain cover cost extra in the US
  • 👎 Fixed-height handlebar

What owners say: Colugo owners mostly praise the easy fold, the included accessories and how much stroller they get for the price, while the most common complaints are the small basket and a bumpy ride on rough surfaces.

What owners say: Butterfly 2 owners love how fast it folds and how easily it handles airports and city streets, but many grumble about paying extra for the bumper bar and rain cover and wish the handlebar adjusted.

A young child sleeping in a stroller outdoors
Photos on this page are illustrative stock images and may not show the exact products compared.

Which should you buy?

  • Your baby is 4 months or older and you mainly need a travel stroller: the Colugo Compact+. It covers flights, road trips and errands well and leaves money in your budget.
  • You are expecting and want one compact stroller from day one: the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 with car seat adapters, or the Butterfly 2 Plus if you want a lay-flat seat.
  • You want a daily city stroller that also travels: the Butterfly 2, for its bigger basket and smoother push.
  • You are buying a second stroller for grandparents or trips: the Colugo Compact+, since it is easy to use and much cheaper.

Check price at Colugo →

Check price: Bugaboo Butterfly 2 →

Alternatives worth a look

  • Bugaboo Butterfly 2 Plus: the updated Butterfly with a lay-flat seat and newborn foot cover, so it works from birth.
  • UPPAbaby Minu V3: all-wheel suspension and a bigger basket in a compact frame.
  • Joolz Aer2: one of the lightest premium travel strollers around 14 pounds.

FAQ

Is the Colugo Compact+ good for newborns?

No. Colugo lists the Compact+ for children 4 months and older, and it does not accept infant car seats. Follow the manufacturer’s age and weight limits.

Do both strollers fit in an airplane overhead bin?

Both are designed to fit overhead bins when folded, but bin sizes vary by airline and aircraft, so check with your airline before you fly.

Is the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 worth the extra money?

It is if you need car seat compatibility, a bigger basket or a smoother daily ride. If your child is past 4 months and you mostly travel, the Colugo delivers most of the experience for much less.

What is the difference between the Butterfly 2 and Butterfly 2 Plus?

The Plus adds a full lay-flat recline and a built-in newborn foot cover so the seat can be used from birth, at a slightly higher weight and price.

Related guides

Sources

Tom’s Guide Bugaboo Butterfly 2 review, Strolleria Butterfly 2 Plus comparison, Fathercraft Colugo Compact+ review and Colugo’s product page. Owner feedback is summarized in our own words from public reviews. Photos courtesy of Unsplash.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top