UppaBaby Minu V3 vs Bugaboo Butterfly: Another Lightweight Stroller Face-Off

We’ve been playing with the new UppaBaby Minu V3 travel stroller for the last week here at Babesta, learning the in and out and how it differs from some of the other lightweight strollers out there. Today we’re facing off the Minu V3 vs Bugaboo Butterfly. 

In this article, we’ll cover the vital stats of both compact travel strollers (weight, size, price) as well as the features. We hope this will help you decide which one is right for you!

Table of Contents

• What To Look For in a Travel Stroller

• Minu V3 vs. Bugaboo Butterfly: Size, Weight, and Price

• Minu V3 vs. Bugaboo Butterfly: Features

What To Look For in a Travel Stroller

The name of the game when you’re traveling with a baby or toddler is that you want it to be as easy as possible. It’s hard enough with all the stuff you’ll be toting around. Your gear should be enhancing the trip rather than detracting from it. 

With that in mind, there are a few things to look out for, although you’ll have to weigh all of these factors for yourself. (If you’ve read our articles before, you’ll recall that baby gear is all about trade-offs. No unicorns, folks :) 

Weight

The first consideration is the weight of your travel stroller. Note that the lighter it is, generally the smaller the wheels, as the wheels tend to be a big contributor to a stroller’s weight. 

Fold

You’re looking for a compact stroller - as you already have your primary “comfort” stroller at home. This on the go ride is meant to fold small and easily tuck away in the overhead compartment of an airport, in a closet, or in a trunk. 

Push

You’ll want your stroller to have a good push and be comfy enough for your little one. As mentioned, this is a matter of trade off as the more comfortable the push (likely) the bigger the wheel. 

Size of Seat, Handlebar & Min/Max Weight of Child

The next factor to look at is your child. Are they (or do you think they’ll be) extra tall, so they need a high seatback or extra weight capacity? Also how old is your little one? Do you need to use it while your little one is still itty bitty? 

Then think about you — are you tall and need a taller handlebar so you don’t have to stoop while strolling?

Features and Extras

Some features will come with the purchase, some are sold separately, and some might not be available at all. Go through all the stroller features and make sure the stroller has what you need.

OK, now that you know what you should be looking for when facing off the Minu V3 vs. Bugaboo Butterfly, let’s dive in!

Minu V3 vs Bugaboo Butterfly: Size, Weight, and Price

The brand new Minu V3 and the beloved Bugaboo Butterfly are mighty little strollers that are certain to be embraced by parents who love family travel. Here are some of their vital stats:

Minu V3 by UppaBaby

Price:                            $399.00

Child Age/Size:             Birth-50lbs

Max Kids:                      2 with PiggyBack

Bassinet?                       No

Car Seat Adapters:        Uppa & Maxi Cosi, Clek, Cybex, Bugaboo, Nuna

Weight:                         16.7 lbs

Unfolded:                      34.5" x 18". x41"

Folded:                          10" x 18" x 21.5"

Overhead?                     Yes IATA compliant

Seat Back Height:          21"

Recline Angle:                154 degrees

5 pt no rethread harness: Yes

Adjustable footrest         Yes, 3 positions

Extendable Canopy 50+ UPF: Yes

Butterfly Stroller by Bugaboo

Price:                            $479.00

Child Age/Size:             6 months-50lbs

Max Kids:                      2 with Wheel Board

Bassinet?                       No

Car Seat Adapters:        Sold separately. Maxi Cosi, Clek, Cybex, Bugaboo, Nuna

Weight:                         16.09 lbs

Unfolded:                      36.42” x 17.72” x 40.31”

Folded:                          17.72" x 9.06" x 21.23"

Overhead?                     Yes IATA compliant

Seat Back Height:       22"   

Recline Angle:               111-145 degrees

5 pt no rethread harness: Yes

Adjustable footrest         Yes

Extendable Canopy 50+ UPF: Yes

Minu V3 vs Bugaboo Butterfly: Features

As you can see these strollers are remarkably similar. They are nearly the same size (Bugaboo is slightly more compact), and they’re nearly the same weight (they’re within one pound of each other, with the Bugaboo slightly lighter). 

One of the biggest differences we see is the recline. Whereas the Bugaboo can recline up to 145 degrees, which is suitable for a child 6 months and up, the UppaBaby reclines to 154 degrees, with is suitable for a newborn. That means if you have a newborn, you can travel with the Minu and your car seat and you’ll never have to worry, as you have a nearly lie-flat solution for them as you stroll about town. 

The Minu’s wheels, too are demonstrably larger than the Butterfly’s - which may translate to a better push, though we have to say the Butterfly’s push is pretty darn great. The Butterfly’s seat is a hair taller but Uppa’s handlebar is a hair taller. 

Just to list some of the other commonalities between these travel strollers: one-second standing fold, hands free shoulder strap, large underseat basket (Uppa’s holds 20lbs and Bugaboo’s holds 17.6lbs), built in footrest, no-rethread harness, high seat back, seat pad included, UPF 50+ extendable canopy with mesh window, and PFAS free fabrics. 

One other thing to note: Bugaboo has placed a greater emphasis on sustainability: the Butterfly’s chassis is made from 60% recycled materials and a 100% vegetarian handlebar (the Minu’s handlebar is 100% full grain leather). If you're shopping planet-forward, you might want to snap up the Butterfly.

Minu V3 vs. Bugaboo Butterfly: In A Nutshell

Minu V3:

• Deeper recline for smaller babies
• Larger wheels (slightly)
• Higher handlebar for taller parents (slightly)
• Underbasket holds  more than Bugaboo's (20lbs vs. 17.6lbs)
• Cheaper price

Bugaboo Butterfly

• Smaller fold (slightly)
• Lighter (slightly)
• Eco-friendly materials
• Sleek & sustainable design
• Taller seat (slightly)

I’m afraid when it comes down to it, other than the newborn readiness, feature-wise, it’s a draw! We've got two great compact travel strollers here and for many of you it may come down to price and style. 

Have Stroller, Will Travel

Now you know the differences between the Minu V3 and the Bugaboo Butterfly. Facing them off as to size, weight, price and features we find them strikingly similar but for a few things (newborn-readiness and price vs. a little lighter/smaller and aesthetics). 

If you notice another big diff, please share it!

In the meantime, if you want to find out for yourself which one’s for you, come on down to Babesta and take them out on the road. Our weighted babies can help you feel what it will “really” be like to go around town with them. 

At Babesta, we have invested heavily in showing you all the best gear for city families. Our stylists are trained and knowledgeable about your choices and the city parent lifestyle. We also give you hands on experience, so valuable before your little one comes!

Beyond that, once you make a purchase with Babesta, that’s not the end of our services! Check this out:

• We will hold your order until you need it (freeing up precious space in your apartment)
• We will build your stroller for you and have white glove service for furniture
• We will train you on your purchase. We also provide post-purchase support. 

At Babesta, our motto is ‘don’t lose your cool shopping the baby and kids market.’ We do everything we can to make it easy so you can focus on the magic of growing your family in the city!

Want more Minu V3 face offs? Check out our face-to-face with the Yoyo!

Or, if you have two & are considering a lightweight double, check out our face off between the Minu Duo vs SilverCross Jet Double!

Ready to shop strollers? Shop Minu V3 or Shop Butterfly!

And if you have either of these strollers and have more thoughts to share, please let us know in the comments! If there's another pro or con we haven't listed, we'd like to know!

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between the Minu V3 and Bugaboo Butterfly strollers?

The Minu V3 has a deeper recline which can accommodate a newborn baby whereas the Bugaboo Butterfly can only accommodate a child who has head and neck control (approximately 6 months+). The Minu V3 also has slightly larger wheels and a taller handle. However, the Bugaboo Butterfly is slightly lighter and smaller, yet features a slightly taller seat. Bugaboo's stroller is known for its sleek design and eco-friendly materials.  

Which stroller is better for air travel: Minu V3 or Bugaboo Butterfly?

Both of these lightweight travel strollers are great for air travel, as they both fold small enough for the overhead compartment of the airplane. 

Are the Minu V3 and Bugaboo Butterfly compatible with car seats?

Yes, both the Minu V3 and Bugaboo Butterfly compact travel strollers are compatible with car seats. The Minu V3 is compatible with UppaBaby's car seats (the Mesa V2 and Aria) as well as Maxi-Cosi compatible car seats like the Clek Liing/Liingo, Bugaboo Turtle Air Shield, Cybex Cloud G/T, Nuna and Maxi Cosi models. The Bugaboo Butterfly is also compatible with same car seats except for the UppaBaby models. 

How do the Minu V3 and Bugaboo Butterfly compare in terms of comfort for the child?

In terms of comfort, these are both great choices. They both feature a removable and washable seat pad and have a tall seat. As for recline, the Minu V3 offers 154 degree recline versus Bugaboo's 145 degree recline. If your little one needs to do some serious napping or if they are under 6 months, the Uppa Baby Minu V3 might be the better choice.

What are the price differences and what stroller offers more value for the money?

These are both great value-for-money choices, as the high quality construction means you'll be strolling for years to come. As the Minu V3 is $399 and the Butterfly is $479, and the two strollers have many of the same features, the Minu may appear as the better value. But of course style and taste are unique to the parent so you decide which is the best fit for you!

What's the best stroller for the city: UppaBaby Minu V3 or Bugaboo Butterfly?

Because both strollers fold down so small, these are two great strollers for NYC. Both are small enough to fold and tuck easily into a closet when not in use. They're also light enough to put on your shoulder (they both have padded carry handles) and carry onto the subway or bus. 

When it comes to strolling the streets every day, these are good strollers, but it must be said that "primary strollers" that feature larger wheels will offer a more comfortable push and ride. At the end of the day it all comes down to priorities!

How do the Minu V3 and Bugaboo Butterfly handle uneven terrain?

We'd say the Minu V3 has a slight edge as it features bigger wheels (hence the extra weight). The larger the wheel, generally, the better a stroller will do on cobblestone and uneven terrain.