Bugaboo Butterfly vs Babyzen YOYO: Which to Rent?
These two strollers come up in every conversation we have with parents visiting Barcelona. The Bugaboo Butterfly and the Babyzen YOYO2 are the most popular travel strollers in Europe, and for good reason — they're both compact, cabin-approved, and genuinely good. But they're different in ways that matter, especially on Barcelona's streets.
We've put thousands of kilometres on both across the city. Here's the real comparison.
The Quick Specs
| Bugaboo Butterfly | Babyzen YOYO2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 7.3 kg | 6.2 kg |
| Folded size | 45 x 23 x 43 cm | 52 x 18 x 44 cm |
| Seat width | 33 cm | 32 cm |
| Max child weight | 22 kg | 22 kg |
| Recline | Near-flat | Near-flat |
| Cabin approved | Yes | Yes |
| Suspension | All-wheel | All-wheel |
| Basket capacity | 8 kg | 5 kg |
| One-hand fold | Yes (push down) | Yes (pull up) |
| Newborn compatible | With cocoon accessory | With 0+ newborn pack |
| Price new | ~€449 | ~€499 |
The numbers are close. The differences show up in how they feel.
Weight and Portability
The YOYO2 wins on weight by just over a kilo. That doesn't sound like much until you're carrying it down metro stairs with a baby in your other arm. Then it matters.
The YOYO2 also has a shoulder strap that lets you carry it like a bag when folded. This is its secret weapon in Barcelona. You fold it, sling it over your shoulder, carry the baby in your other arm, and walk down the metro steps like a person who has their life together. The Butterfly doesn't have a strap. You're carrying it by the chassis, which is fine but less elegant and uses a hand.
Winner: YOYO2. The strap alone is a game-changer for public transport.
The Fold
Both fold to cabin-luggage size, but they fold differently.
Bugaboo Butterfly: Stand behind it, pull a trigger on both handles, and push down. It collapses forward and flat in one motion. Fast, satisfying, and it self-stands when folded. The whole thing takes about 2 seconds.
Babyzen YOYO2: Flip a clasp on the handle, pull up on a strap near the seat, and the stroller folds upward toward you. It also self-stands. Takes about 3 seconds. Slightly more fiddly because the strap pull requires a bit of force.
Winner: Butterfly. The push-down fold is more intuitive and works better when you're rushing onto a bus with a toddler under one arm.
Seat Comfort
This is where the Butterfly pulls ahead for bigger kids. The Butterfly's seat is marginally wider and the backrest is taller with more padding. For a baby under 12 months, you won't notice. For a 2-3 year old, the extra centimetre of width and the better-padded seat make a real difference on a long day.
The Butterfly's canopy is also larger. It extends further with a pull-out visor and has a peek-a-boo window. The YOYO2's canopy does the job but it's smaller, and in Barcelona's summer sun you'll wish it covered more.
Both recline to near-flat positions suitable for napping. The YOYO2's recline is operated by a zip on the back, which is quiet and won't wake a sleeping baby. The Butterfly uses a strap mechanism, also quiet.
Winner: Butterfly for older toddlers. Tie for babies.
Suspension and Ride Quality
Here's where Barcelona becomes the testing ground. This city has smooth boardwalks, cobblestone alleys, broken pavement, tram tracks, and sudden kerb drops. A stroller needs to handle all of it.
The Butterfly has slightly firmer suspension. It handles smooth surfaces and gravel well, but on the Barri Gòtic's cobblestones, you feel every stone through the handlebar. It's not terrible, but it's noticeable.
The YOYO2's suspension is softer and absorbs more. On cobblestones, it genuinely smooths things out. Your baby bounces less, and your wrists thank you after 30 minutes on medieval streets.
Both have four-wheel suspension, but the YOYO2's feels better tuned for uneven European streets. Its wheels are also slightly larger, which helps with kerb mounting.
Winner: YOYO2 on Barcelona's streets. The cobblestone performance alone is worth noting.
Storage
The Butterfly's basket holds 8 kg and is easy to access from behind. You can fit a decent-sized nappy bag, a few shopping bags, and a water bottle without playing Tetris.
The YOYO2's basket holds 5 kg and is smaller. Getting things in and out requires reaching under the seat, and once the seat is reclined for napping, access gets tight. You'll be hanging bags on the handles (use a stroller hook) more often.
Winner: Butterfly. Not even close. 3 kg more capacity and easier access makes a daily difference.
On the Metro
Barcelona's metro is the real stress test. Not all stations have lifts. Escalators are hit-or-miss. You will, at some point, carry a folded stroller down stairs.
The YOYO2 is better here. Lighter, with a shoulder strap, and a slightly narrower fold that threads through turnstiles more easily. You can keep it folded and slung while you tap your T-Casual card and walk through.
The Butterfly works on the metro — it's still compact — but the extra kilo and the lack of a strap make the staircase experience less smooth.
If you're planning to use the metro daily, this matters. If you're mostly walking and taking taxis, it's less important.
Winner: YOYO2.
On the Plane
Both are cabin-approved for most airlines (always check your specific airline's dimensions). They fit in overhead bins on most European carriers.
In practice, gate-checking is often easier than wrestling a stroller into the cabin. Both fold small enough for gate check, and both survive the baggage handler treatment reasonably well. The Butterfly's slightly more rigid frame arguably protects it better from rough handling.
If cabin carry-on is your plan, the YOYO2's narrower folded profile (18 cm vs 23 cm) slides into overhead compartments more easily.
Winner: YOYO2 for cabin carry. Tie for gate check.
Durability
We rent both models heavily. After hundreds of rentals, here's what we see:
The Butterfly holds up well mechanically but the fabric shows wear faster — particularly the seat edges and the canopy stitching.
The YOYO2 is a tank. The frame stays tight, the wheels hold alignment, and the fabric is more resilient. It's been on the market longer (the YOYO has been around since 2012, with the YOYO2 update in 2020), and Babyzen has refined the weak points over a decade.
Winner: YOYO2 on longevity.
Price to Rent
Rental prices for both strollers are similar. If you're looking to rent a Bugaboo in Barcelona, it's typically comparable in price to a Babyzen YOYO rental. The difference in rental cost shouldn't drive your decision — pick the stroller that fits your trip.
The Verdict
Rent the YOYO2 if:
- You'll use the metro regularly
- You're flying with hand luggage only
- Your baby is under 18 months
- You prioritise cobblestone comfort and portability
- You want something light to carry on stairs
Rent the Butterfly if:
- Your child is a bigger toddler (2-3 years)
- You need more storage for a full day out
- You want the easiest, fastest fold
- You're mostly walking and taking taxis
- A larger sun canopy matters (summer trips)
Both are excellent strollers. We rent both through our stroller rental service and genuinely recommend either. If we had to pick one for a typical Barcelona trip — metro rides, cobblestone walks, a beach day, a flight home — we'd give the slight edge to the YOYO2. The shoulder strap and the ride quality on uneven ground tip it.
But the Butterfly is the better stroller for a 2.5 year old who still needs naps on the go. That bigger seat and basket matter when your kid is heavier and your bag is fuller.
Pick based on your child's age and how you'll get around. Both will handle Barcelona well.