City Stroller Face Off: Bugaboo Fox Renew vs. Dragonfly

So which is the better fit for you: the Bugaboo Fox Renew vs Dragonfly stroller?  As we tell everyone who walks in the door at Babesta, the right answer for you is going to depend on your lifestyle and your priorities. 

The Fox is perfect for those who love to walk, be it on sidewalks, cobblestones, or park paths, and want something comfort-driven with great suspension and lots of storage. The Dragonfly is the ride of choice if you’re looking for something agile and smaller, but more robust than a lightweight stroller, but more mid-sized.

Key Takeaways

1. The Fox is a good choice for parents that walk a lot in the city and want that full-size stroller luxe and comfort-driven ride that can handle any terrain.

2. The Dragonfly is the stroller of choice if you want a smaller, lighter, more agile stroller that’s extra compact when folded. You might live in a walk up, expect to be traveling on buses, subways, walking up and down stairs on the daily. 

3. The Fox has better suspension and bigger wheels which is at the heart of its comfort. However, bigger wheels mean more weight — there’s always a trade off.

4. The Dragonfly has an impressive fold and turns on a dime, making it a good choice for a crowded food store or tiny boutique. It’s also cheaper by $150 in the bassinet version and $400 in the seat version. However, as it’s a smaller stroller, the seat is on the smaller side which might not be ideal for bigger kids. 

Quick Comparison Snapshot

Size, Weight & Portability

With the fast-paced life of a city person, having a ride that fits your lifestyle is key. The Fox shines for super-strolling parents: Those who are out and about in the neighborhood all day, going from park to playgroup, cobblestones included. 

The robust Fox is comfort driven both for the pusher and the pushee (your little one). It can fold easily but you’re probably not going to fold it that much. It would not be our pick for a walk up, and if you are going about town on the subway or taxi, we say take your lightweight ride.

The Dragonfly, on the other hand, is a nice ride for the neighborhood, and is easy-peasy navigating in and out of stores and restaurants because of its narrow and agile frame. It’s got good suspension and wheels but not to the extent as the Fox so you and baby are going to feel more of the road as you stroll. 

If you need to carry it, it’s easier than the Fox Renew (though still, we’d take a lightweight for taxis and subways if given a choice). Its fold is a “wow-factor” moment, that will probably draw attention each time you do it, and it’s definitely a nice compact option. 

Ride Quality & Maneuverability

As for ride quality, the Fox is the top choice for comfort, but the Dragonfly is aces when it comes to maneuverability. Whether you’re navigating cobblestone, grass, sidewalks, snow or sand, the Fox is tops. But if you’re snaking the aisles of your local bodega, the Dragonfly will do you solid. It’s got a tight turning radius making it a snap for crowded streets or narrow aisles.

Fold & Storage

When it comes to fold, we’re in Dragonfly territory. It has a one hand fold that feels like a magic trick, whether you have it configured with a seat or a bassinet. The stroller is really compact when folded so doesn’t take up too much space in the entryway or wherever you’re storing it.

The Fox’s fold is also easy enough, and you have a choice: one larger unit or a more compact two part fold. If you’re folding it by the door, go for the one-piece fold, but if you’re  traveling by car we prefer the two-part fold because it’s so easy to take the seat on and off and it makes it more petite in the trunk.

Comfort & Seating

When it comes to comfort, the Fox Renew is the top of the Bugaboo line. It offers a plush seat, higher seat position and the seat is more spacious for bigger kids. The Dragonfly has a more streamlined seat, still comfortable, but meant to be compact. Both strollers recline nicely and are nap friendly.

Newborn Options

If you’ve got a newborn, both the Fox and Dragonfly deliver. However, New Yorkers are often short on space, so we are smitten with the uber-efficient Fox that leverages one seat frame with two pieces of fabric: one bassinet fabric and one seat fabric. Everything you need comes in the one box. 

First, you build the stroller with the bassinet fabric and store the seat fabric. Then when the child is between three and six months (pushing up, about to roll over), you remove the bassinet fabric and put on the seat fabric. Whatever fabric you’re not using can fold neatly in a drawer. 

For the Dragonfly, the bassinet and seat are two separate units, so when you aren’t using one, you’ll need to store it. Sometimes in NYC it can be hard to find the space. Keep in mind when purchasing the Dragonfly, you have to decide if you’re doing bassinet and seat or seat only. If you choose seat only, it’s important to know that there’s no going back, as the bassinet is not sold separately.

Storage & Everyday Convenience

We know, when you’re strolling all day, you’re going to need room for your stuff. The diaper bag, groceries, dry cleaning, shopping, you name it. Both strollers have good sized baskets, holding about 22lbs of goodies. The Dragonfly also offers a pouch where you can put your valuables which is pretty nice. It can hook onto the front or back of the stroller, or you can take it off and it can come with you - a nice perk if you’re chasing your little one around the park. 

Durability & Materials

Bugaboo as a company has made a big push toward sustainability and so for both strollers the fabrics are PFAS free, and the CO2 footprint is minimized. They use bio based, recycled fabrics and recycled aluminum. Whichever you choose, you’re doing good for the planet!

When it comes to durability, the Fox has an edge for your heavy walkers thanks to its bigger and more robust wheels. However, as always, Bugaboo products are known for their great quality, so either way you go, your ride will be high quality and durable.

Price & Value

As the premium full-sized stroller, the Fox is pricier than the Dragonfly, apples to apples, by about $150. If you don’t need the bassinet, then the price difference is more like $400 which is no small potatoes.

As the Fox has been around for longer, we think it might be the better value, judging by resale value. Because it holds up so well thanks to the bigger wheels, it’s more likely to be in good condition when you’re no longer needing a stroller and choose to sell it. 

For New Yorkers strolling all day every day, the Dragonfly might have a bit more wear and tear and therefore may not be able to fetch as much, proportionally speaking, on the resale market. But buying a stroller isn’t for resale, it’s for finding the model that best supports your lifestyle. 

Who Each Stroller Is Best For

We think the Fox is great for someone who wants full size luxury, and loves to walk on the streets, the sidewalks, the cobblestone, and the park. Sand, snow, no problem - the Fox delivers no matter the terrain. 

As for the Dragonfly, it’s the stroller of choice for someone who not only walks around the city, but is going up stairs, on buses and trains, in taxis and Ubers and wants to do it with a more robust ride than a lightweight. This splits the difference between full size and lightweight. It’s also great for those who just want something a bit smaller and more manageable than a full-size stroller. 

Try Them for Yourself at Babesta

If this article didn’t clue you in enough on which stroller’s best for you, it’s time to see them in person. Visit Babesta to road test the Fox, Dragonfly, and a host of other stroller models. We can also show you how they fold, how you click a car seat in and out of it, and anything else you want to know. 

Not only strollers, you can try front carriers, learn to fold travel cribs, get a tutorial on car seats, and see your favorite nursery furniture in person (oh, and sit on a Monte or Babyletto glider to understand the comfort-factor). 

If you haven’t made a registry, you can register at Babesta and get all of our city-friendly services like hold it til you need it, white glove delivery and more. And if you have a BabyList registry, just add our links for the items we carry so they’re sourced through us and we can give you all of our services on those items as well!

If you’re having a baby in the city, we hope you shop Babesta. We will always have your back and will never let you lose your cool shopping for your baby.