When it comes to choosing the best travel system for your crotch goblin, convenience, safety, and functionality are key. If I’m honest, besides the safety aspect, for me what’s most important is convenience and ease of use. The last thing I need when I’m dealing with my child is to have to deal with a tricky car seat and/or pram. Which is why I spent ages looking for a car seat and stroller in one.

In case you’re new here, I have two kids and we’ve only ever used the Doona for car seats and prams/strollers (until they grew out of it*). But I thought I’d look at other best-selling travel systems and do a comparison. Spoiler alert: the Doona wins, in my humble opinion but read on to find out why.

So, let’s compare three top contenders—the Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller, Graco Modes Pramette Travel System  and Chicco Bravo Trio Travel System —to see why the Doona might just be your ultimate pick.

The Doona: Innovation Meets Convenience

The Doona is a car seat that transforms into a stroller with the press of a button. It really is quick and easy to do – and you don’t have to remember a crazy sequence of movements to do it. The 2-in-1 design eliminates the need for a separate stroller frame, making it a lifesaver for urban parents, frequent travellers, or small moms like me. It’s lightweight, compact, and perfect for those with limited storage space. Plus, the seamless transition from car to stroller means no wrestling with adapters or extra equipment.

Why it stands out

– Compact design: Ideal for tight spaces and quick errands.
– Safety features: Meets both car seat and stroller safety standards.
– Ease of use: One-step fold and unfold process.

Graco Modes Pramette: Versatility on a Budget

The Graco Modes Pramette offers a 3-in-1 design: car seat carrier, infant pramette, and toddler stroller. It provides excellent versatility for families who want all-in-one convenience without breaking the bank. The reversible seat allows for both parent- and forward-facing options, and the large storage basket is a plus.

Pros:
– Affordability: A budget-friendly option with multiple functions.
– Customization: Adaptable to different stages of your child’s growth.

Cons:
– Bulky Design: Takes up more trunk space.
– Assembly: Requires setup and adjustment for each configuration.

Chicco Bravo Trio: Classic Reliability

The Chicco Bravo Trio is a solid all-around travel system with the well-loved KeyFit 30 infant car seat. Its quick-fold stroller is great for on-the-go families, and the car seat is renowned for its safety and ease of installation. The stroller’s lightweight frame is a bonus for parents who need a grab-and-go option.

Pros:
– Ease of use: Simple to fold and store.
– Safety: The KeyFit 30 car seat is among the safest on the market.

Cons:
– Less compact: Still requires switching between car seat and stroller modes.
– Less innovative: Lacks the seamless transition of the Doona.

Why the Doona Wins

The Doona edges out its competitors with its unmatched convenience and space-saving design. Unlike the Graco and Chicco systems, it eliminates the hassle of attaching and detaching car seats, making it perfect for busy parents. Its sleek, compact form is ideal for urban living, and its high-quality materials ensure long-lasting durability. And it’s super-cute!

What it can’t do:

– Go off-road. We had one of those cheapie prams with big-ass wheels for when we wanted to walk on gravel. I was never a fan of it because of it’s size and how much space it took up in the boot but it did the job.

–Carry another child. We went through a scary stage of two under two. When the boths were both small the Doona was still great because I would carry Seb and J would go in the Doona. When they boy got a little bigger there was a time when I wanted one of those stands you can attach to the pram so the older child can stand at the back of the pram. The Doona is too light for this so it would never work.

–Hold a lot of shopping/baggage. The Doona doesn’t have any storage space (no basket underneath), so you can’t walk around the supermarket and pack your groceries under the pram. We bought a bag which attached to the handlebars which I used to carry all the baby paraphernalia you need on outings with babies. For grocery shopping, the Doona is small enough that I could push the Doona and hold a basket or shopping bag. If you really need a trolley, I’m sure you can put the Doona in the trolley as a car seat – and cover the baby in groceries!

Who it’s best for:
– City dwellers or frequent travellers.
– Parents who prioritize minimalism and ease of use.
– Families looking for a premium, all-in-one solution.

While the Graco and Chicco systems offer great features, the Doona’s unique innovation makes it the clear winner for parents seeking a stress-free travel system.

But you don’t have to take my word for it. I highly recommend visiting a baby shop near you (one that sells baby stuff not one the sells babies!) and trying them out for yourself. If you’re very tall, the Doona might not be the best for you. Or you might find it more complicated than I did. We’re all different parents and you need to see for yourself which system would be best for you. But when you’re comparing costs, remember with the Doona you only buy the Doona (and the isofix base and accessories if you want). You don’t need to buy a carseat (and base) and a pram. For me, that’s winning.

  • A common question I get asked about the Doona is How long does a Doona car seat last? And that all depends on your baby. Smaller babies will be able to use the Doona for longer, simply because once they get to a certain weight/size, they won’t fit anymore. We used the Doona for over a year for Jeremy and just under a year for Seb, who was bigger. A friend used the Doona for her two babies, and another friend bought it from me and used it with her two babies – and it’s still going strong. 1 Doona, 6 babies is pretty impressive. Also, if necessary you can take it to the Doona factory and they’ll replace the wheels. We did that once after a failed walk/hike and they did it for free.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on a link I may get a commission but it doesn’t affect the price at all.