5 Doona Stroller Alternatives Every Parent Should Know About in 2025

Key Takeaways

• While the Doona’s 2-in-1 design is attention-getting, there are drawbacks in its everyday usage

• Looking at alternatives, the best option for parents who want to stick with the 2-in-1 design is the Evenflo Shyft Dualride, which improves on some of Doona’s biggest flaws

• For parents who are open to subbing in a travel system, Orbit Baby makes a great contender

The Doona was the first car seat on the market that also doubles as a stroller. Its simple, straightforward design turns heads and for minimalist parents who don’t want to be overrun with baby gear, its all-in-one appeal is significant.

That said, its streamlined style does have a few drawbacks. It’s heavier than most other infant car seats thanks to the attached wheels and it also doesn’t have any storage. Both the handlebar and the seat position are fixed rather than adjustable, and because it’s first and foremost a car seat, then parents need to adhere to the two-hour rule.

The combination of the Doona’s appeal and limitations causes many parents to wonder about alternatives. What options exist that closely align with some of the Doona’s best features while also improving upon its drawbacks? Luckily, there are quite a few on the market worth taking a closer look at.

Alternatives to Doona Stroller: A Quick Look

Orbit Baby

Orbit Baby’s Stroll & Ride travel system is an excellent alternative to the Doona. Consisting of the G5+ infant car seat and G5 stroller, the Orbit Baby system offers more features and flexibility than the Doona. It also solves one of the biggest issues with the Doona—it’s comparatively short shelf life. 

Orbit Baby’s entire system is designed to work together seamlessly. So, when the infant seat is outgrown you can switch to the toddler convertible car seat and still have a stroller that works with it or can be used independently. 

Key features

• Seamless transitions: Orbit Baby products all make use of the same patented SmartHub base. This allows parents to transition the seat seamlessly from the car to the stroller and back again.

• Rotating seat: when used in the car, rotate the seat into position to save on back strain. 

• Proprietary technology and premium materials: for protection, contentment, and exploration

• Compact, 3D fold: Offering perhaps the most complete collapse in the full-size stroller market, Orbit Baby’s stroller has a 3D collapse. This allows it to fit into even compact size trunks. 

Pricing

The Orbit Baby travel system including the G5+ car seat and G5 stroller is $1,729.

Where Orbit Baby shines

• Versatility: the rotation seat and multiple docking positions make it easy to find a comfortable position

• High-quality: Top-of-the-line materials and patented designs make for a stroller and car seat combo that exceeds expectation

Where Orbit Baby falls short

• Price: It’s on the high end of pricing for travel systems

• Weight: While it compacts nicely with a 3D fold, the stroller is heavier than some others and the car seat is likewise a couple of pounds heavier than other in its class

Customer reviews

• “It is very well built and I can definitely feel that when moving it around and using it, I have 100% confidence this would last through several kids without even starting to show signs of wear.” - Reddit

• “Seriously obsessed with their stroller system. Most convenient and feels sturdy. With that being said, it is heavy but well worth it.” - TrustPilot

Who Orbit Baby is best for

• Parents who use a car seat and a stroller together frequently and want it to be easy to switch between the two

• Parents who prioritize safety, style, and comfort and are willing to pay a bit more for higher-end features and finishes 

Evenflo Shyft

The Evenflo Shyft DualRide is the latest entrant into the stroller/car seat combo category to challenge the Doona’s marketshare. As the newcomer on the market, it improves upon some of the Doona’s most significant drawbacks, although it still is hampered by the limitations of its design.

Key features

• 2-in-1 design: Like the Doona, it’s a carseat with wheels so that it can also be used as a stroller

• Removable wheels: Unlike the Doona, it’s wheels can be removed and stored in the car seat base

• Storage: It offers a storage compartment, which is a novelty for the 2-in-1 market

Pricing

The Evenflo Shyft’s sticker price is $549.99, although thanks to its wide availability it may be found for less.

Where the Evenflo Shyft shines

• Improves on the Doona’s shortcomings: With more storage and greater adaptability, it eases some of the limitations of its design

• Higher weight and height limit: Its weight and height limits are both higher than the Doona’s

Where the Evenflo Shyft falls short

• It’s heavy: the seat alone weighs almost 20 lbs

• Cannot buy the base separately: if you’re a two-car household and want to buy a second base for convenience, you’re out of luck

Customer reviews

• “We have the Evenflo Shyft Dualride, which we really like - it was a huge lifesaver on a recent trip.” - Reddit

• “We ended up returning the Evenflo dualride [because] it was SO HEAVY.” - Reddit

Who the Evenflo Shyft is best for

• Urban dwellers who value the convenience of a 2-in-1 product over its limitations

Nuna trvl lx + pipa urbn Travel System

The combo of the Nuna trvl lx stroller and pipa urbn car seat is probably the combo that most closely mimics the convenience of the Doona with the flexibility a travel system offers.

Key features

• Lightweight: at just 7 lbs, the pipa urbn is the lightest car seat on this list and one of the lightest on the market, period. The trvl lx stroller is a lean 21 lbs.

• Designed for travel: the stroller has a shoulder strap for carrying and the car seat is designed for baseless install

• Removable wheels: the stroller wheels can be removed for an even more compact fold

Pricing

The Nuna trvl LX stroller and pipa urbn car seat travel system starts at $900.

Where the Nuna trvl lx + pipa urbn shine

• Super lightweight: The car seat is only 7 lbs and the stroller is only 21 lbs. 

• Baseless install: the pipa urbn is designed to be installed without a base, making it super easy to use for parents who frequently travel or often use rideshares or taxis.

Where the Nuna trvl lx + pipa urbn fall short

• Low weight limit: At just 22 lbs, the pipa urbn has a lower weight limit than most other infant car seats

• Less robust frame: Since the emphasis is on being lightweight, the trvl lx stroller doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as some competitors

Customer reviews

• “It’s probably the best baseless [car seat] out there.” - Reddit

• “The URBN only goes up to 22lbs. My babies hit that around 4-6 months so it wasn’t a good option for us.” - Reddit

Who the Nuna trvl lx + pipa urbn is best for

• Urban parents who want a lightweight option with a car seat that installs easily in rideshares and taxis and stroller that is easy to carry 

• Parents of small babies who aren’t as worried about the low weight limit

UppaBaby Vista V3 + Mesa V3 Travel System

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Key features

• Adaptable: 30+ configurations to grow with your family starting from birth up to 3 children in tow

• Climate-controlled: All-Weather Comfort Seat with Seasonal Liner for cooler days, converts to mesh for warmer days

• Simple fold: folds in one simple step & stands when folded 

• No-rethread harness for car seat: adjusts with headrest

Pricing

The Vista V3  and Mesa V3 travel system starts at $1,399.98.

Where the Vista V3 + Mesa V3 shine

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Where the Vista V3 + Mesa V3 fall short

• Size: Both the Vista and Mesa are on the bulky side in their respective categories, so they combine for a sizable stroller that not everyone will have storage space for

• Maneuverability: Because of that size, this travel system isn’t as maneuverable or responsive as some others

Customer reviews

• “It’s all about trade offs. Is it big? Yes. It does annoy me that it doesn’t slide into my car in a specific way BUT that’s a trade off for the things I do like about it.” - Reddit

• “The Vista was gigantic for us, took up way too much room in the car.” - Reddit

Who the Vista V3 + Mesa V3 is best for

• Parents with a big car and plenty of storage: Suburban parents driving an SUV and parking in a garage will be fine with its more substantial size

• Parents with several small kids: the configuration options are helpful for wrangling several small ones

Cybex Gazelle S + Cloud G Lux Travel System

For parents who anticipate needing a double stroller, the Cybex Gazelle S stroller combined with the Cloud G Lux infant car seat is a good option to consider. 

Key features

• Multiple Configurations: Works as a single or double stroller

• Compact Fold: Space-saving fold design

• Full recline in car seat: when not used in a vehicle, can fully recline for better adherence to the 2 hour rule.

• Travel system offers sharp discount: bundling Cybex products is a good way to save on an expensive brand

Pricing

The Cybex Gazelle S stroller and Cloud G Lux car seat travel system starts at $1,349.92.

Where the Cybex Gazelle S + Cloud G Lux shine

• Adaptability: With over 20 configurations and a compact fold (even as a double stroller), it’s adaptable to your needs.

• Full recline: The Cloud G Lux infant car seat offers a full recline and extending leg rest for a comfortable, ergonomic position when used outside the vehicle.

Where the Cybex Gazelle S + Cloud G Lux fall short

• Single stroller design isn’t great: The seat position and underseat storage both leave something to be desired when used as a single stroller

• Heavy/Bulky: As one of the heavier travel systems, it can be difficult to lift in and out of a trunk or store.

Customer reviews

• “Cloud T is brilliant. No complaints being in it, sleeps in the car all the time. Such a good purchase!”  - Reddit

• “They claim it’s easy to configure, but I have nothing but problems with it.” - Reddit

Who the Cybex Gazelle S + Cloud G Lux is best for

• Parents of Twins: it’s great as a double stroller

• Parents of Kids with a Small Age Gap: configuration options include using an infant car seat and a regular stroller seat for an infant/toddler combo

Reasons to consider an alternative to the Doona Stroller 

A car seat with wheels like the Doona can be a great short-term solution for a very specific niche of parents. If you travel frequently or utilize taxis and rideshares in an urban environment, it can streamline your transport. 

However, it’s heavy, offers zero or limited storage, only works on smooth surfaces, and is outgrown quickly. This leaves parents needing to buy another car seat and a stroller, often within the first year.

For most parents, a travel system like the Orbit Baby G5+ is a wiser investment, offering some of the transportation ease with increased maneuverability and a much greater product lifespan. 

More Robust Features

Whether it's an adjustable seat, a telescoping handlebar, or a substantial underseat storage basket, competitors often have a long list of features that the Doona is lacking. 

Better Maneuverability

The Doona’s small wheels and simple suspension don’t offer the best riding experience for your baby or driving experience for you, either. 

Longer Product Lifespan

The Doona’s height and weight limitations are inline with most infant car seats. The problem arises because of the Doona’s 2-in-1 nature. When it’s outgrown, it’s not simply a matter of switching the car seat. Parents also have to buy a new stroller, which is typically one of the more expensive items of baby gear. Buying a travel system that includes a full-size stroller instead gives parents some flexibility. 

Make the Switch to Orbit Baby as Your Doona Stroller Alternative

While the Doona’s 2-in-1 gimmick can seem appealing at first glance, a closer look at its limitations can cause parents to reconsider their options. 

For most, a travel system that incorporates a car seat and stroller seamlessly is a better choice. A high-end brand like Orbit Baby will have the features parents demand with luxurious fabrics and superior craftsmanship designed to help you navigate the early years with ease.