As a single buggy – or mono - it has a large shopping basket next to the seat, in the space that the second seat would sit. But it’s not just a case of swapping the basket for a second seat unit – the chassis (buggy frame) extends widthways. We’ve test-driven the Bugboo Donkey as a double buggy, so check out the full review and image gallery if you’re planning to use the Donkey as pushchair for two.
The Donkey mono can accommodate a carrycot or seat unit, and the seat can be forward facing or parent facing. If you buy adaptors, it can take a car seat (Maxi-Cosi, Bebe Confort, Cybex, Graco).
Even with a shopping basket next to the seat, the Donkey mono is only 60cm wide. To put this is perspective, the Bugaboo Cameleon is 60cm wide and the Phil & Teds Explorer Inline Double is 62cm wide.
We've also reviewed the Donkey as a double pushchair here...
The seat unit fits onto a lightweight seat frame, which is also used for the carrycot – just slip the seat fabric off and Velcro the carrycot to the frame. The carrycot is suitable from birth and daytime naps, but can’t be used for overnight sleeping.
The seat unit has the usual 5-point harness, sunhood and footrest. The lever on the top of the seat back makes adjusting the seat angle simple, even with one hand.
In forward facing mode there are two recline positions and in rear facing mode there are three, including fully reclined (although this doesn’t make the seat totally flat).
There are two base colours for the seat unit and the carrycot - black and sand - and a choice of six ‘tailored’ colours for the sunhood and carrycot apron.
The Donkey mono’s £1,099 price tag includes chassis, fabrics for one newborn carrycot, fabrics for one toddler seat, raincover, side basket and under seat basket.
What we love
Pushing the Bugaboo Donkey causes quite a stir in suburbia. Mums - and dads – love the classy, clean lines and the shopping basket, so if you want to turn heads this is the buggy for you.
Minnie, 2, enjoys being really upright in the seat – it’s like riding in a chair. And it’s nice to have Poppy, 9 months, facing me. Interaction with your baby is really important at this stage, and when our regular tandem buggy is used in single mode it only faces forwards, so this is a welcome change.
The Donkey handles really well and despite being 13kg as a single, it’s really light to push and it glides effortlessly along the pavement. The handle has 11 different heights, which makes it easy to find your perfect set-up.
I love the space around the chassis, the slick design means that all the buttons you need to press are colour-coded – simple!
What to watch out for
This is a clever system but as a single buggy, you’re not benefitting from the technology and innovation that makes this buggy different. In mono form what you get is a buggy with a shopping basket up top. It looks great, but will probably only serve to increase your shopping bills as you fill the 18-litre basket.
What’s more, Minnie, 2, enjoys playing lucky dip with the shopping in the basket and dropping her finds on the pavement as we walk along. Toddlers!
The Donkey fold with the seat attached, when the seat is in forward facing mode. Release triggers on the handle, pull back and the front wheels tuck under the chassis. However, there is no catch to keep the front wheels in place, which means that they start to slip back. The release triggers on the model I tested are really stiff and hard to engage making the initial fold a struggle. And it’s big once folded – it takes up three quarters of our estate car boot.
The seats are pretty small, which is to be expected from a slim side-by-side buggy. But if you only have one child you might feel short changed. Given that at 2 ½ Minnie’s head was brushing the top of the sun canopy, I’m unsure as to whether a 4-year-old (max weight 17kg) would feel comfy. This goes for the carrycot too. At 4 ½ months, baby Elsa (borrowed for testing!) filled the cot.
Who is the Bugaboo Donkey mono best for?
Fashion-conscious parents who are very likely to expand their family.
The Bugaboo Donkey is a classy, clever buggy but as a single (or mono) buggy you won’t benefit from the technology and design that sets this buggy apart. It’s a good investment if you plan on having more children but if you’re not sure, there are alternatives.
Here are some brilliant double buggies, just for you...
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