Bugaboo Dragonfly vs. UPPAbaby Cruz V3: Which City Stroller Wins?

The stroller is probably the most important decision for a city family as we’re walking more in NYC than anywhere else in the world! Today we’ll dig into two great contenders, Bugaboo Dragonfly vs. UPPAbaby Cruz V3. The former (Dragonfly) is more of a compact stroller for city living and the later (Cruz V3) is a smaller, simpler stroller with full size comfort. 

As for who wins —well that depends on you and your priorities.

In this article we’ll compare the Bugaboo Dragonfly vs. UPPAbaby Cruz V3 and highlight all of the features that might make a difference to you. 

Key Takeaways

1. The Dragonfly by Bugaboo is an excellent stroller for parents that need something compact and agile, with premium detailing and flexible storage, whether that’s for a walkup or for an on-the-go lifestyle. 

2. The Cruz V3 by UPPAbaby is a premium, slightly smaller yet luxe, comfort-driven ride for city parents that want a great primarily stroller that doesn't feel big or bulky but does do it all. It’s for on road and offroad use, so perfect for cobblestones, uneven sidewalks, and parks. 

3. The best way to know which one is best for you for sure is to come to try them out before you make your selection at your local baby store. If you’re in NYC come down to Babesta to test the stroller on the city streets, and learn how to use all the features. That way you know you’re making the right decision for your family!

Two Heavyweights for City Parents

We’ll start off by saying that both the Bugaboo Dragonfly and UPPAbaby Cruz V3 are top options for city parents, as they have all the key features urban families need. Generally, parents choosing between these two have decided that some of their siblings (the Vista V3, Fox Renew, Kangaroo, and Donkey) are simply too big and possibly too pricey. 

The Cruz V3  & Dragonfly feel smaller, simpler and more doable. The Dragonfly has smaller wheels and feels agile and easy, whereas the Cruz V3 is more petite than its sib (the Vista), yet it still feels luxe and comfort-driven. 

For city parents, these are both A+ but depending on your living situation (walk up? Short on space?), your day to day needs (on road or off road? Subway rider? Have a lightweight stroller already?) one may suit better than the other.

Quick Comparison 

Before we get into each comparative point, here’s a quick chart to show you the TLDR!

Ride Quality + Suspension

We’re going to start with the ride quality itself. As these strollers are primarily for navigating your daily life, they need to feel good for both you and your little one. On this count, the Cruz V3 has a very premium push, smooth and comfort-driven. That’s thanks to its enhanced FlexRide Suspension and never flat tires. The Cruz’s back tires are a bit bigger as well. This stroller shines both on road and off; navigating cobblestones, parks or uneven sidewalks is easy-peasy. It’s a more robust ride through and through. 

The Dragonfly, in comparison, is more agile and flexible. It can turn on a dime and offers full suspension and a flatter wheel design. This stroller is best if most of your strolling is on the sidewalks or smooth surfaces. It also shines in places where you need tight maneuvers like in your corner grocer.

Takeaway: Dragonfly = agile city glide; Cruz V3 = more all‑terrain capable.

Fold + Portability

Next up, we’ll compare the Dragonfly and Cruz V3 as to their fold and portability. Some parents who already have lightweight strollers for travel are just using their “primary stroller” to navigate their neighborhood. Others are looking for a one-and-done stroller that is more robust than a lightweight, but still light and portable. 

The Bugaboo Dragonfly is the MVP of the two for walk ups and boku subway trips. The one hand fold (even with the bassinet) is truly impressive, and the frame is lighter and easier to carry thanks to the shoulder strap and the fact it can pull like a trolley. 

Note the fold is a bit dramatic (you sort of feel like a magician) and it favors the tall as the chassis extends fully as you do it. As for the one-and-done, you should keep in mind that the Dragonfly is mid-sized and doesn’t fold small enough for an overhead compartment.

The Cruz V3 by UPPAbaby is also super easy to fold (two hands but very neat and compact). Like the Dragonfly, it stands when it’s folded. As for portability though, the Cruz is heavier and doesn’t have an easy carry strap. I’d only opt to carry it a short distance, though it folds nicely for a trunk! 

Takeaway: Dragonfly wins for portability; Cruz V3 wins for stability.

Newborn Options

One of the big differences between these two strollers is their ability to accommodate newborns. If that’s what you’re looking for, out of the box, the Cruz V3 has more to offer. The V3 includes an infant insert, a seat that fully reclines and an integrated foot barrier. That means that your little boo can lay back forward or rear facing from day one. You can also attach your car seat if you’re on the go.

If you want a more protective set up, you can purchase the additional bassinet accessory, which is also overnight sleep ready, meaning your baby can use this as their full sleep solution at the beginning. Super efficient, right!?

The Dragonfly, on the other hand, is only 6 months plus if you purchase it with the seat, so you’ll need a car seat to make it infant ready. Keep in mind, this isn’t ideal, as babies shouldn’t be sitting up in their car seat for extended periods. 

You can, though, purchase the Dragonfly with the bassinet, which is super nifty. It folds in a snap even with the bassinet on, which is very unusual and pretty awesome. Keep in mind, though, the bassinet, although very nice and comfy for daytime strolling, is not overnight sleep ready, so you’ll need a bassinet at home come bedtime.

Takeaway: Cruz is more flexible for newborns; Dragonfly requires the right bundle.

Storage + Everyday Functionality

Next up: Storage. When you’re a city parent, you know once you hit the road, you’ll be wheeling the day away. As such, you’re going to need a lot of storage for that Whole Foods run, any shopping, clothing changes, diaper bags, and even small pets who were the first baby of the family. 

The Dragonfly has a really unique take on storage, with a 22lb underseat basket that’s quite roomy and easy. There’s also an extra “pocket” bag that sits on the frame in the basket allowing you to store your essentials and then grab and go if you’re parking your stroller. This means you don’t leave your most valuable things on their own as you chase your little one at the park. 

This bag can sit on the front, back or off the handle of the stroller which we think is pretty genius. 

If you need more storage than that, then the Cruz V3 is your hero. The Cruz offers 30lbs of underbasket storage which means some serious food hauls and maybe even a medium sized pooch. 

Takeaway: Dragonfly = smart + compact; Cruz = maximum capacity.

Comfort + Canopy + Details

As for comfort features and things that may make a difference on the day to day, both strollers are thoughtful and smart in their choices. The Dragonfly offers a padded 5-point harness with a height adjustment for your baby as they grow, and loads of ventilation, no sweat!  It’s also super sleek and premium looking from an aesthetic standpoint. 

Both strollers offer parent and world facing options, as well as various angles of recline. Both also offer a footrest. The Cruz V3’s footrest offers one-hand adjustments where the Dragonfly’s requires two hands.

The Cruz V3 has got you for those sunny days, with a UPF 50+ extendable canopy with zip out panel for summer breezes. There’s also a magnetic harness making it a snap (literally) to get your child in and out of the stroller. It offers a roomier seat as well, optimal for a larger toddler. 

Takeaway: Dragonfly = modern + minimal; Cruz = plush + protective.

Accessories

Both strollers offer a full range of accessories from organizers and cupholders to footmuffs and travel bags. The Dragonfly offers a little more in customization, as you can also purchase a new canopy if you want to freshen things up whereas the Cruz remains one-color only. 

Both strollers offer a wheeled board as well, so if you need to accommodate two children, you can with one standing and one strolling. 

Fabrics

High quality fabrics and materials are a must for comfort and durability and both strollers deliver. The Dragonfly’s fabrics are also sustainable, using bio based materials, reducing the stroller’s CO2 footprint. The fabric coating is also PFAS free, and handlebars are 100% vegetarian “leather”. 

The Cruz V3 is actually GREENGuard Gold Certified, with premium fabrics and REACH certified 100% full grain leather. 

Both look great on the street — total head-turners.

Takeaway: Dragonfly = sustainable and future-forward; Cruz = safe & luxe.

Warranty & Price

Lastly we get to what each of these strollers will set you back, as well as the manufacturer’s warranty. Both brands have great customer service and low rates of issues which is what you want as city folks rely heavily on their strollers. Of the two, the Dragonfly is a bit pricier at $1099 with the seat and $1349 with the bassinet, with a longer warranty of 4 years.

The Cruz V3 on the other hand is $899 and is newborn ready out of the box. If you want an overnight sleep ready bassinet, choose the V3 Bassinet at $279.99, for a total of $1179.98. The Cruz V3 offers a 3 year warranty.  

Our experience is that either way you go, these brands stand by their products so you don’t have to worry.

Who Each Stroller Is Best For

OK, so we’ve compared the Bugaboo Dragonfly vs. UPPAbaby Cruz V3 head to head and it’s clear, they’re both great options but for families with slightly different priorities. Here’s our verdict:

Choose the Bugaboo Dragonfly if you want:

• A compact, lightweight city stroller

• A one‑hand, self‑standing fold

• Easy maneuverability

• A pretty good option for a walk up (we’d have you weigh it against lightweight strollers depending on how many floors you’re walking up)

• A premium push + modern design

• Smart storage without bulk

Choose the UPPAbaby Cruz V3 if you want:

• A full‑size stroller that still folds compactly

• Newborn‑ready flexibility without buying a bassinet

• A bigger basket and more room for your stuff (and your pup!)

• A smoother ride on mixed terrain

• Easy peasy UPPAbaby travel system integration

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. We love both of these rides as they are practical and innovative, and excellent for city living. The Dragonfly is the GOAT of small spaces, walk ups, and parents that need portability and design. The Cruz V3 is the MVP for a more manageable comfort driven ride with more storage and newborn flexibility. 

If you’re still not sure which to choose, the best way to decide is to come over to Babesta and face them off yourself. We’ll teach you how to fold them and even let you give them a spin outside on the sidewalk and beyond. 

Babesta’s here for you for all of your baby essentials, and we narrow everything down with a city lens. So if you’re thinking about strollers, car seats, carriers, travel cribs, nursery furniture, or anything else, let us help! We’ve been doing it for over 20 years and we love to make it easy for families to thrive in the city, raising your kids!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bugaboo Dragonfly safe for overnight sleep?

The Bugaboo Dragonfly can be purchased with a bassinet, however, the bassinet is not certified for overnight sleep. If your child falls asleep in the stroller, it's best to move them to a sleep-safe space, such as a crib or travel crib.

Can a Bugaboo Dragonfly go on a plane?

A Bugaboo Dragonfly can go on a plane, but it will have to be either checked or gate checked. It's too big to fit in an overhead compartment. Instead, the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 is the right choice (in the Bugaboo family) for airplane travel as it folds very compactly. 

Which UPPAbaby stroller is best for travel?

The easiest UPPAbaby stroller for travel is the Minu V3, their lightweight option. This lies flat for newborns and folds very small, suitable for the overhead compartment on a plane, a closet, or other small storage space.