Jet-Set or City Stroll: Bugaboo Butterfly vs. UPPAbaby Minu V3—Which Fits Your Family Best?
Choosing between the Bugaboo Butterfly and the UPPAbaby Minu V3 often comes down to your lifestyle: are you planning international adventures, navigating tight city sidewalks, or balancing both? The Butterfly shines with its lightning-fast 1-second fold and ultra-compact design, while the Minu V3 brings comfort, IATA compatibility, and born-from-birth versatility. At Kido Bébé, we’ve seen families love both—but for different reasons. Our Saint‑Laurent showroom and online store let you weigh comfort, fold style, and storage needs side by side. By the end of this comparison, you’ll see which stroller fits your daily rhythm—whether jet-setting or strolling downtown—and discover how Kido Bébé supports you beyond the sale.
The Compact Stroller Specialist: Bugaboo Butterfly
The Bugaboo Butterfly stands out with its ultra-compact, one-second fold—no re-thread harness or loose parts—making it brilliant for quick pick-up or tight parking spaces. It’s lightweight (~16 lbs), fits IATA-approved dimensions, and holds toddlers up to 48.5 lbs. With all-wheel suspension and a reclinable seat up to 143°, it balances comfort and agility nicely. Plus, the four-panel canopy keeps even active newborns shaded and cozy.
- Turbo folds and sleek agility make Butterfly ideal for families on the move.
The Travel-Savvy Urban Companion: UPPAbaby Minu V3
The Minu V3 still folds in one hand and fits overhead bins thanks to IATA compliance, but with a higher seat back (up to 50 lbs ride capacity), deeper recline, and thoughtful comfort additions—like suspension, UPF 50+ canopy, and a plush insert. It’s newborn-ready with a foot barrier and travel-system compatibility.
- Minu V3 brings everyday comfort and newborn adaptability without sacrificing portability.
Folding & Portability Face-Off
Both fold quickly with one hand—Butterfly boasts instantaneous folding and standing compactness; Minu V3 folds around the speed of a blink and reflects travel-friendly compactness. Butterfly is about 16 lbs; Minu V3 is slightly heavier, but still manageable—and it includes a handy carry strap for hands-free transport.
- Choose Butterfly for ultimate lightness, Minu V3 for usability and ergonomic transport.
Comfort & Ride Quality Compared
Butterfly delivers a smooth ride on city pavement with firm but responsive suspension—intuitive steering and a padded backrest keep little ones comfy. Meanwhile, the Minu V3 gives the smoother, cushier feel—deep recline, suspension, plush seat insert—great for longer outings or naps on the go.
- Butterfly = brisk, urban ride; Minu V3 = cozy, city-to-flight comfort.
Convenience, Storage & Accessories
Butterfly includes a storage basket (~17 lbs capacity), easy-access seat liner, and works with legacy Bugaboo accessories like bumper bars and liners. The Minu V3 ups the ante—roomy basket, overhead bin fit, travel-system-ready with adapters, and more accessory options through Kido Bébé.
- Butterfly keeps it sleek; Minu V3 offers more real-world storage and add-ons.
Growing with Your Child: Newborn Readiness & Beyond
Butterfly can be used from newborn with compatible car seats/adapters—but isn’t newborn-ready on its own. The Minu V3 includes a foot barrier and full recline, making it safe and supportive from birth without extras.
- Minu V3 is newborn-ready from the first ride; Butterfly shines once baby can sit up.
Which One’s Right for You? Lifestyle Scenarios
City commuters will likely adore the Butterfly for its featherweight agility and minimal footprint. Frequent travelers or growing families who still love compact design may lean towards the Minu V3 for its newborn adaptability and comfort. Kido Bébé’s showroom lets you test both to feel what suits your routine.
- Choose based on your daily rhythm—and test in-store when you can.
About Kido Bébé
At Kido Bébé, we know parenthood thrives on real-world choices—not features alone. That’s why we showcase both the Butterfly and Minu V3 in our Saint‑Laurent showroom: so you can feel the fold, test the recline, and see how they fit in your lifestyle. Our trusted team helps answer “should I go light and sleek, or cozy and travel-savvy?”
Online or in-store, we back your stroller journey with warm advice, registry help, and Canadian-wide support. When families shop with us, they get more than a stroller—they gain a partner who understands how you move, tour, and parent comfortably.
The Bugaboo Butterfly and UPPAbaby Minu V3 each win on portability, comfort, and design—yet they serve distinct lifestyles. Choose Butterfly for unbeatable compactness and nimble city travel; choose Minu V3 for family growth, newborn support, and plush city-to-flight functionality. With Kido Bébé, you're supported in whichever path fits your family's journey.
FAQs
Which stroller is lighter—Bugaboo Butterfly or UPPAbaby Minu V3?
The Bugaboo Butterfly is the lighter of the two, weighing approximately 16.1 lbs, making it a top pick for ultra-mobile parents who are regularly hopping in and out of cars, public transit, or flights. Its lightweight frame doesn’t compromise on durability—it still features all-wheel suspension and a roomy seat that can carry up to 48.5 lbs. On the other hand, the UPPAbaby Minu V3 weighs about 16.9 lbs, but with a slightly bulkier frame due to additional padding, a footrest, and more structured storage.
While the difference in weight may seem minimal, it can be meaningful for parents managing a stroller one-handed or lifting it frequently into overhead bins. The Butterfly’s built-in carry strap also makes travel slightly more convenient if you're regularly solo with baby. The Minu V3 includes a shoulder strap too but feels more plush than nimble.
- Winner on Weight Alone: Bugaboo Butterfly
- Best for Lightweight Luxury with Extras: Minu V3
Is the UPPAbaby Minu V3 truly compatible from birth?
Yes—unlike many compact strollers, the UPPAbaby Minu V3 is ready for newborns straight out of the box. It features a full recline, an adjustable calf support, and a built-in foot barrier, which creates a secure nest for your baby during those first few delicate months. This is a huge plus for parents who want to skip a bulky travel system or prefer not to wake their baby transferring them from car seat to stroller.
Additionally, the Minu V3 is compatible with UPPAbaby Mesa car seats and other leading brands using adapters (sold separately), allowing it to function as a full travel system from day one. This flexibility is perfect for urban families or frequent travelers who want fewer components without sacrificing newborn safety or comfort.
- Best Feature: Newborn-safe right out of the box
- Flexibility Bonus: Compatible with car seats for total travel system integration
Can I take either stroller on a plane?
Yes—both the Bugaboo Butterfly and the UPPAbaby Minu V3 are airline-friendly and meet IATA carry-on size recommendations. Their compact fold allows you to bring them right into the cabin on most domestic and international flights. Parents love that they can tuck the stroller into the overhead bin without needing to check it at the gate or worry about damage.
The Butterfly folds ultra-flat and includes a built-in carry strap, which makes airport navigation feel effortless. The Minu V3, while slightly bulkier, is still highly portable and comes with a shoulder strap for comfortable hands-free transport. Both models are great for transitioning smoothly between the plane, train, or bus, especially when traveling solo with a baby.
- Tip: Always check with your airline ahead of time, as exact dimensions for carry-on strollers can vary.
- Best for Frequent Flyers: Bugaboo Butterfly, due to its slimmer folded profile
Will these strollers last through toddlerhood?
Both strollers are designed to grow with your child well into toddlerhood. The Bugaboo Butterfly can accommodate children up to 48.5 lbs, and the UPPAbaby Minu V3 supports up to 50 lbs, making both great long-term investments. The seatbacks are high enough to support older toddlers, and both have adjustable harnesses and leg rests to improve comfort as your child grows.
That said, the Minu V3 offers more cushioning and a more supportive ride—great for longer outings and naptime on the go. The Butterfly remains the leader in lightness and fast-paced mobility. So your decision may come down to how long your child tends to use a stroller and how much comfort they need during that stage.
- Best for longevity and naps: UPPAbaby Minu V3
- Best for light daily use or travel: Bugaboo Butterfly
What accessories can I use with these strollers?
Both brands offer a solid ecosystem of accessories designed to elevate the parent and child experience. The UPPAbaby Minu V3 supports cup holders, snack trays, travel bags, sunshades, and ride-along boards for older siblings (PiggyBack). It’s also compatible with car seats and bassinets using adapters.
The Bugaboo Butterfly offers seat liners, footmuffs, rain covers, travel bags, and more—though slightly fewer options compared to UPPAbaby’s broader modular ecosystem. Butterfly’s appeal lies more in simplicity and minimalism, while Minu leans into customization.
- Best for gear-heavy families: UPPAbaby Minu V3
- Best for minimalists or second stroller buyers: Bugaboo Butterfly