Doona vs Evenflo: Which One Is Best For You?

When the Doona entered the market, it was a head turner.

A car seat and stroller in one was a novel concept, but would it have staying power or be a passing fad?

Evenflo has introduced its own version, the Shyft DualRide, and it seems like combo car seat strollers might be here to stay.

But, is one of them right for you?

And, if so, which one?

Meet the Doona

The Doona was the first car seat on the market that also doubles as a stroller.

It’s 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.

There’s no storage, which feels unfathomable to adherents of Murphy’s Law.

It’s also got a limited lifespan: once its 32” height limit or 35 lb weight limit is reached, parents will need to invest in both a new car seat AND a new stroller.

It’s also heavier than most other infant car seats at a lift-with-your-legs 17 lbs.

Doona: Pros And Cons

The best thing about the Doona is also the most obvious: it’s a car seat with wheels.

For frequent travelers or urban dwellers with young infants who travel mostly via taxi or rideshare, it’s a total game changer—one piece of equipment that quickly and easily collapses in a way no car seat and stroller combo can mimic.

If you’re not a jetsetting NYC inhabitant, though, the cons are substantial: no storage, a fixed position for the seat (which a fidgety baby might not love) and the handlebar (which a tall parent might not love).

It’s pricey for something with such a short lifespan, and it’s also quite heavy which makes maneuvering it without wheels rather burdensome.

Doona Pros

It collapses and expands quickly and easily
It’s ideal for frequent travel
It installs easily with a seatbelt

Doona Cons

It’s heavy. Like, really heavy. A 17 lb car seat plus a 20 lb baby combines for a pretty intense upper body workout.
No storage. Not even a cup holder or a spot for your phone.
Fixed wheels with no suspension equals a bumpy ride on all but the smoothest of roads.
A 32” height limit means your baby will likely outgrow the seat before 12 months.

Meet the Evenflo Shyft DualRide

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.

Evenflo: Pros And Cons

The Evenflo Shyft DualRide offers storage and adaptability that the Doona is lacking.

It also has a slightly (two inches) higher handlebar to better accommodate tall parents.

Unfortunately, it’s also even heavier than its rival—at nearly 20 lbs, it’s a full 3 lbs heavier than the Doona.

EvenfloPros

The wheels are removable/can be left in the base if you know you’ll need to carry the car seat, significantly reducing the weight.
Comes with a storage bag
Better accommodates newborns

Evenflo Cons

At nearly 20 lbs, it weighs even more than the Doona does. Add a 15 lb baby, and here’s hoping the elevator isn’t out of order.
It utilizes two different handles—one to collapse and one to expand the wheels—and the mechanism isn’t particularly intuitive for either.
It requires more space for the car installation, which might not work in smaller vehicles.

Doona vs Evenflo: Key Differences

The Evenflo Shyft DualRide takes some of the Doona’s most problematic issues and improves them.

Evenflo’s handlebar is a couple of inches taller, which makes it a solid stroller for taller parents, and its wheels can be removed/left in the base if you know you’ll need to carry the seat.

The Evenflo also has a slightly wider weight range and can accommodate babies a couple of inches longer than the Doona.

Doona vs Evenflo: Which One Should You Choose?

If a car seat with wheels like the Doona or Evenflo Shyft DualRide makes the most sense for your family, we give a slight edge to the Evenflo model in a head to head matchup.

However, if it’s the novelty of the combo that intrigues you, keep in mind that both the Doona and the Evenflo Shyft Dual Ride have significant drawbacks that may be a dealbreaker, depending on your needs and budget.

Doona vs Evenflo vs Orbit Baby

If the Evenflo Shyft Dua Ride wins the duel with Doona, how does it measure up against a travel system like Orbit Baby’s?

The G5+ is significantly lighter than the DualRide and docks on the Orbit Baby G5 stroller in any position.

The stroller offers a sizable storage compartment underneath and its superior wheel suspension guarantees a smooth ride over any terrain.

While the infant car seat has the same height limitations as the DualRide, the stroller can accommodate a child all the way up to 50 lbs (we’re talking kindergarten-age).

	Doona	Evenflo Shyft DualRide	Orbit Baby G5+
Weight + Height Limits	4-35 lbs Up to 32”	3-35 lbs Up to 32”	4- 30 lbs Up to 32”
Width of Seat	17 ½ “	17 ½”	16”
Weight of Seat	17.2 lbs	29 lbs	13 lbs
Seat Belt Lockoff	No	No	Yes
Removable Stroller Wheels	No	Yes	No
No-Rethread Harness	No	Yes	Yes
Child Detection System	Available as an option	Yes	No
MSRP	$550	$499.99	$480

Conclusion

A car seat with wheels like the Doona or Evenflo Shyft DualRide 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, both are heavy, offer zero or limited storage, only work on smooth surfaces, and are 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.