Doona Car Seat and Stroller Review: Is This Travel System Worth the Hype?

If there’s one product that all new parents will appreciate, it’s a travel system with a stroller and car seat. So, it’s no surprise that when the Doona stroller car seat combo was launched in 2015, it became a game changer for many families. An infant car seat with collapsible wheels, it’s easy to understand why so many parents put this item on their baby registries. This baseless cart seat is also approved for airline use. But, like other baby gear recommended for new parents, the Doona stroller car seat doesn’t come with a cheap price tag.

I’ve had the Doona + Car Seat & Stroller for over a year and even though I was reluctant to buy one initially (my husband insisted), I can’t imagine how we would have travelled for two summers without it. Here’s my honest Doona car seat and stroller review. 

What is the Doona Car Seat & Stroller?

The Doona is a stroller-car seat hybrid designed for children from birth to approximately 15 months. However, the Doona car seat weight limit is 35 pounds, so parents of smaller children may be able to use it longer compared to faster growers.

At 17 months old and approximately 20 pounds, my daughter Carlin still uses the Doona almost every day. It's not our only car seat or stroller; my nanny drives Carlin to storytime and the park without needing a car seat or base permanently installed in her car.

Starting at $550, the Doona is definitely a luxury item. However, the only difference between the base and more expensive models is some aesthetic features and extra accessories.

Features of the Doona Car Seat & Stroller

Comfort 

While she’s too young to tell me with words, I’m pretty sure my daughter finds the Doona more comfortable than her other stroller. When we use it on long walks, she doesn’t get too squirmy and often falls asleep in it.

On the other hand, as a parent, I don’t always find the Doona super comfortable to use. There’s no storage because the lack of a bottom basket allows it to convert into a car seat. Doona offers attachable storage accessories, so you don't need to carry around a heavy diaper bag or store extra baby gear in the car. However, if you go shopping or need to pick up groceries, you’ll have to carry large items yourself.

Durability

The Doona + Car Seat & Stroller is impressively durable. The streets of Los Angeles are poorly paved, but with its small yet sturdy wheels, the Doona is able to withstand cracks, holes and the occasional hill. Despite this, I’ve never had an issue with broken or worn-out parts.

Convertibility

Converting the Doona is incredibly easy. You pull a lever up and push the seat down at an angle. Still, the first time I used the Doona, I couldn’t figure out the exact angle, and it took a while to get it right. Both my husband and nanny experienced the same issue. So, it’s probably best to practise a few times before using it for the first time to avoid getting stuck.

That said, once you get the hang of collapsing the Doona, it’s incredibly easy and far less work than collapsing a standard stroller, putting it in the trunk, then getting your child safe in their car seat.

Orientations

The Doona only works as a rear-facing car seat for kids up to 35 pounds. Because of this, you can’t change the orientation of the seat as a stroller, either. The child must face whoever is pushing it.

Portability

The best feature of the Doona + Car Seat & Stroller is its portability. It allows for easy transitions with your child from the car, on the go, and back into the car. The car seat component weighs just over 14 pounds, which is on the lighter side for car seats. It's not difficult to manage, and the Doona’s design is far from cumbersome.

It’s also great for the airport because your child can stay in the Doona for the entire trip, from the taxi to the TSA line and all the way home. Just keep in mind that it may not roll down the aisle of every plane, so you may need to collapse the wheels and carry it.

Even so, this is far easier than using a separate car seat and stroller on the plane. Better yet, there’s no need to worry about the airline breaking or losing a traditional travel system — or waiting for it when you want to get moving after a long flight.

Cleanability

The Doona + Car Seat & Stroller is easy to clean. The different fabric layers, from the infant insert to the headrest and seatbelt, move easily and are hassle-free. When it gets really dirty, I take it outside, turn it upside down, and all those snack crumbs easily fall out. You can also wipe down the interior or exterior when needed.

Additional features

The Doona comes with a canopy that is very easy to maneuver, even with one hand. The fabric is UPF 50+, which provides excellent sun protection and shade.

The brand also offers storage accessories at an additional cost. The Essentials Bag can hold bottles, snacks and a few extra diapers. There’s also a smaller Snap-on Storage pouch that attaches to the back. I wish I had purchased these accessories and would recommend them to anyone using the Doona as their primary stroller or for travelling.

Is the Doona Car Seat & Stroller safe?

Overall, the Doona + Car Seat & Stroller is very safe. It meets both United States and European Union car seat and stroller standards and earned a five-star rating in frontal collision tests. All the materials are tested and approved to comply with CPSIA and CPSC regulations and are free from hazardous chemicals.

The Doona has several safety features, including a five-point harness to ensure your child stays in the most protective position in the seat. This design is engineered to restrain the child at the shoulders and hips. In case of an accident, the harness shifts the extreme forces to the seat, helping to protect the child’s abdomen.

What was the Doona car seat installation process like?

Installing the Doona is the easiest thing about it. You just need to collapse the wheels, lift it into the car, position it properly and buckle it in. The whole process takes under 30 seconds. While it comes with a base, you don’t need to use it and I find it easier to skip the base. That said, the dirt on the wheels can make the backseat dirty if you don’t use it.

The Doona car seat is certified as a universal model that fits most cars. While it’s been easy to install in my husband’s SUV, my in-laws' crossover, and my nanny’s sedan, it doesn’t fit in my Fiat convertible. That said, most parents don’t drive infants around in subcompact vehicles.

Navigating the streets of LA with the Doona Car Seat & Stroller

I’ve used the Doona + Car Seat & Stroller in Los Angeles, New York City and East Hampton, New York. When maneuvering city streets that are uneven and poorly paved, it’s good enough. Is it as sturdy as my larger stroller? No. The Doona occasionally gets stuck or requires extra effort to move around, but for a travel stroller, it’s great.

Taking the Doona to New York City was excellent. Its small size easily navigates crowded streets. It’s also a pleasure to use, even when walking around all day. If you live in a “walking city” and use public transportation and rideshares, you’ll love the Doona and it'll be worth every penny.

The drawback is that the Doona is almost unusable on gravel roads, which my driveway in East Hampton is made of. I imagine it would be similar on dirt roads. So, the Doona isn’t suitable for all rural locations.

Final verdict 

If you plan on travelling with an infant during their first year or two of life, especially on a plane, the Doona will undoubtedly make the process easier. It will simplify your life if you live in a walking city like New York, where you most likely use public transportation, taxis, or rideshares to get around. Frankly, I cannot imagine getting around any other way.

On the other hand, if you are a suburban parent who doesn't intend to travel with their infant, simply planning to take neighbourhood walks and car rides, you're likely better off with a traditional travel system.

At $550 USD, the Doona + Car Seat & Stroller is mid-range in terms of pricing. Compared to other top brands, it's not as affordable as Evenflo but on par with Graco and less costly than Cybex.

Pros

• Comfortable for babies and toddlers
• Easily converts between car seat and stroller
• Simple installation process
• No base required
• Great for travelling
• Compact size ideal for crowded streets
• Aesthetically pleasing

Cons

• No storage; accessories are available separately
• Not ideal for some rural locations
• Can only be used for a relatively short time, depending on how quickly your child grows

Doona + Car Seat & Stroller