Stokke YOYO³ vs Bugaboo Butterfly 2: Which Should You Buy? (2026)

If you've been shopping for a cabin stroller recently, you may have noticed the Babyzen YOYO² has quietly disappeared from some retailers and been replaced by something called the Stokke YOYO³. Stokke acquired Babyzen and the current YOYO³ is the newer generation of the established YOYO format rather than simply a different badge on the YOYO². The compact fold remains familiar, but capacity and product details have changed. Plenty of parents are confused by the switch, which is fair enough given how little fanfare it got.

This comparison uses the current YOYO³ and Butterfly 2 specifications. The choice is no longer simply a small basket versus a large one: YOYO³ now has a 10kg published basket limit, while Butterfly 2 has moved to a lie-flat seat suitable from birth. The central trade-off is the YOYO³'s shallower fold and modular accessories against the Butterfly 2's larger wheels, suspension and everyday ride.

Specs at a Glance

Both are designed for compact travel, but "cabin-friendly" does not guarantee overhead acceptance. Run the exact dimensions through the stroller airline checker and check the fare's baggage rules before you travel.

Stokke YOYO³

Best for: parents who want the shallowest fold and a modular system they can build with newborn packs, a bassinet, car-seat adapters and a sibling board. It weighs 6.2kg with the 6+ pack and now has a 10kg published basket limit. Check which frame, seat pack and accessories are included in the listing.

Check price on Amazon

Bugaboo Butterfly 2

Best for: everyday use as well as travel. Its current lie-flat seat works from birth, while the larger wheels, full suspension and 8kg basket make it the more convincing only-pushchair option. It is heavier than YOYO³ but requires fewer compromises once open.

Check price on Amazon

Also Consider: Cybex Coya and Joolz Aer²

If you want another premium lie-flat compact stroller, the Cybex Coya is worth considering. It has a 53.5 × 45 × 22cm fold, one-pull harness and Cybex car-seat compatibility. Check the generation: Cybex lists the 2025 Coya at 6.6kg and the current Coya at 7.3kg. Our Coya vs YOYO guide looks at the format in more detail.

See current Coya listings on Amazon

The Joolz Aer² is the other major alternative. It weighs 6.5kg, folds to 53 × 44 × 23.5cm, has an integrated shoulder strap and an 8kg basket limit. The Amazon product linked here includes the Nest to Seat newborn-to-toddler setup, so compare its bundle contents rather than treating the price as stroller-only.

View the Aer² bundle on Amazon

Fold Mechanism

The YOYO³ keeps the backpack-style fold that made the YOYO² famous: pull two straps and it collapses into a neat, self-contained bundle small enough to sling over one shoulder. It's the smallest folded footprint of any mainstream travel stroller and remains the benchmark other brands are measured against. The Butterfly folds in two steps, pull the handle then fold the seat down, and while it's not quite as compact, it stands upright on its own, which the YOYO³ does not reliably do.

Weight and Portability

At 6.2kg the YOYO³ is noticeably lighter than the Butterfly's 7.3kg, and that difference is more obvious than it sounds once you're carrying it up stairs at a train station with a baby on your other hip. It's also one of the entries on our lightest strollers in the UK guide if weight is your main concern above everything else. The Butterfly's extra weight buys you a sturdier frame and better ride quality, so it's a trade rather than a straightforward downside.

Recline and Nap-Friendliness

The Butterfly 2 pulls ahead for naps because its current seat lies flat and is suitable from birth, with an optional baby nest for extra support. The YOYO³ 6+ seat reclines but is not lie-flat; newborns use the separate 0+ pack or bassinet. Families who want a single seat from birth may prefer the Butterfly 2, while those who like a modular newborn setup may prefer the YOYO³ system.

Basket and Storage

YOYO³ now has the higher published basket limit at 10kg, compared with 8kg for Butterfly 2. That is a meaningful change from YOYO² and one reason older comparisons can be misleading. Butterfly 2 still has a very open basket that is easy to load from different angles, while YOYO³ fits its higher stated allowance within a narrower, shallower-folding system.

For a large changing backpack, check the opening and basket shape rather than relying only on kilograms. For smaller loose items and coats, accessibility may be more useful than the maximum load; for shopping and heavier supplies, the published limit becomes more important.

Build Quality and Ride

Both strollers feel well made, but they're built for slightly different jobs. The Butterfly rides better over kerbs, cobbles, and uneven pavements, which matters if it's going to be your main pushchair rather than a holiday-only piece of kit. The YOYO³ is built primarily to fold small and travel light, and it does that brilliantly, but the ride is a touch firmer and less forgiving on rough ground.

Price and Value

Prices vary by colour, stock and bundle. YOYO³ is often sold as a frame plus a 6+ colour pack, while its newborn pack, bassinet, adapters and sibling board are separate purchases. Butterfly 2 is sold as a more complete current stroller with its lie-flat seat, but the baby nest and car-seat adapters are optional.

Compare the configuration you actually need, not just the first headline price. A lower stroller-only figure can become more expensive once newborn or travel-system accessories are added. For a wider spread of prices and use cases, our best travel stroller review covers budget models as well as flagship options.

Airline Compatibility

Both strollers are cabin-sized on the vast majority of UK and European carriers, and both have long track records of clearing gate checks without issue. The YOYO³'s smaller folded footprint gives it a slight edge on the very strictest budget airlines, but the difference rarely matters in practice. Always check your specific airline's current policy with the stroller airline checker before you fly, since rules do change and vary by carrier.

YOYO³ Safety Recall Check

Some early YOYO³ prams were recalled because of a parking-brake issue. The affected UK serial range is 142AA followed by a number below 0062239. The serial number is marked on the underside of the pushchair. This is particularly important when buying second-hand or old stock.

If the serial number may be affected, stop using the pushchair and enter it into the Stokke recall checker. The portal confirms whether the stroller is affected, has been upgraded or can continue to be used.

Choose the Stokke YOYO³ if…

• You want the smallest possible folded stroller for frequent flying or tight storage at home
• You're likely to add accessories over time, such as a car seat adapter, sibling board, or parasol
• You want the lighter stroller to carry, since the YOYO³ (6.2kg) is over a kilogram lighter than the Butterfly (7.3kg)
• Your baby doesn't rely on the pushchair for daytime naps
• You already own YOYO² accessories and want them to carry over

Choose the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 if…

• This will also be your everyday pushchair, not just a holiday stroller
• Your baby naps in the pram and a lie-flat recline matters to you
• You prefer the Butterfly 2 basket's open access for nappy bags, shopping and everyday clutter
• You'd rather the stroller stand up on its own at the airport gate
• Ride quality on normal streets matters as much as the fold size

Which Works Better as Your Only Pushchair?

Butterfly 2 is easier to recommend as the only pushchair because its lie-flat seat works from birth, its wheels and suspension handle everyday pavements well, and the open basket is straightforward to load. The extra 1.1kg over YOYO³ is the price of that more substantial feel. Families who walk long distances and rely on pushchair naps are more likely to notice the comfort benefits than the folded-size disadvantage.

YOYO³ becomes more attractive when storage space, taxis, trains and flights dominate your routine. Its 18cm folded depth is genuinely useful in small flats and crowded transport, and its modular newborn and sibling options let it adapt over time. The trade-off is that a complete setup can involve several separately purchased components, so plan the full configuration before comparing cost.

Our Verdict

The Stokke YOYO³ is the stroller to buy if the shallowest fold, lower weight and a growing accessory system matter most to you. The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is still the better all-rounder if you want one stroller that works for daily life as well as travel, thanks to its lie-flat seat, wheel setup and ride quality. Current prices and bundle contents change, so compare the exact configurations rather than relying on a fixed price gap. Whichever you owned an opinion on before the name change, that opinion still holds. For a third option that splits the difference, see our top cabin-friendly strollers guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Stokke YOYO the same as the Babyzen YOYO?

Stokke acquired Babyzen, and YOYO³ is the current generation of the YOYO line. It keeps the recognisable compact format but should not be treated as identical to YOYO²: specifications including the published basket limit have changed. Older YOYO² reviews remain useful for the general fold concept, but check current YOYO³ details before buying.

Is the Stokke YOYO better than the Bugaboo Butterfly 2?

It depends what you need. The YOYO³ folds smaller and weighs less, making it the stronger pick for pure travel and frequent flying. The Butterfly has a bigger basket, a better recline, and rides better on normal streets, making it the stronger pick if it's also your everyday pushchair, and it's now priced slightly lower too. Neither is objectively better; they're built for slightly different priorities.

Which is cheaper: YOYO³ or Butterfly?

Prices change by retailer, colour and bundle. Compare the Butterfly 2 stroller with the full YOYO³ configuration you need, because the YOYO³ newborn pack, bassinet and other accessories are sold separately and can add to the real-world cost.

Can both go in the overhead locker?

Both are cabin-sized on most major airlines and have long track records of fitting in overhead lockers or being accepted at the gate. The YOYO³'s smaller folded footprint gives it a slight edge on airlines with the strictest cabin size enforcement. Always confirm current policy for your specific airline using the stroller airline checker before you travel.

Which should I buy in 2026?

If travel is the main use case and you want the lightest, smallest-folding stroller, choose the Stokke YOYO³, though be prepared to buy accessories separately as your baby grows. If the stroller needs to work equally well as your everyday pushchair and a travel companion, choose the Bugaboo Butterfly 2, which is now the slightly cheaper of the two as well as the better all-rounder. Families who fly often but also want strong daily usability sometimes end up looking at the Cybex Coya or Joolz Aer² as a middle ground, both covered above.