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As a new parent, a baby stroller will probably be top of your ‘must buy’ list – after all, without one, you’ll struggle to get around (unless you plan on carrying your baby everywhere). With so many on the market, however, the question becomes which one is best for you, your lifestyle and your baby?
Families looking for strollers with lots of options and plenty of flexibility will often look at Bugaboo strollers, which are a well-known and well-respected brand that get consistently good reviews on sites such as Amazon.
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Why a Bugaboo Comparison?
For many families looking for a stroller, the Bugaboo Cameleon would often be their first choice because it looks good and does more than the job it was designed for. The only downside to it was the price, which – at over $1,000 – put it out of the reach of many parents.
The good news is, the price has now dropped to a more reasonable around $699. Why? Because earlier this year Bugaboo introduced the Fox, a new model that they say offers everything you can find in the Cameleon and then some. Now it’s the Fox that has a price tag of over $1,000.
Given we’ve always been a fan of the Cameleon, we thought it would be a good idea to compare it to the Fox. We wanted to find out just how different this newer model is. And, if these differences are worth the extra price you’ll need to pay. We looked at the features each offer, the pros, and cons of each model, and how well they might fit your lifestyle.
The Main Differences Between Bugaboo Fox and Cameleon Strollers
Because the Bugaboo Fox is based on the Cameleon stroller, you might not be surprised to hear there are quite a few similarities. There are also differences too, the main ones of which are:
- The ability to customize the Fox (beyond choosing a signature color, which you can do with the Cameleon)
- The Fox has one-step folding; it takes two steps to fold the Cameleon
- The Fox has larger front wheels (8.5” vs. 6” in the Cameleon)
- The Fox’s seat height is slightly higher (24” vs. 21” in the Cameleon)
What Types of Strollers Are Available?
Before we look at either the Fox or Cameleon in more detail, we thought it would be helpful to look at the types of strollers available on the market because, as with many things in life, one size doesn’t fit all, and this is definitely the case with strollers.
Some are great for the city, for example, or if you travel a lot by public transport, while others are great for those with active lifestyles who want to go ‘off road’ with their stroller so need one that can handle uneven terrain.
While a look at the stroller section of a baby store might make it seem like there are a million and one different types of strollers on the market, there are only three main styles:
Car seat strollers
These are designed so you can use them as a car seat as well as a stroller. The seat detaches from the stroller’s frame, meaning you can quickly and easily pick it up and place it in the back of your car.
This is especially handy if your baby’s fallen asleep as you’re less likely to wake them up during the move. The frame itself, which tends to be lighter than some other stroller frames, easily folds so you can pop it in the trunk.
Lightweight strollers
As the name suggests, these are light strollers that generally weigh less than 24kgs (or 52lbs). They don’t have as many features as other types of strollers as they are designed to be easy to handle so tend to be compact. They are best for toddlers and older children and work well if you are trying to maneuver in busier areas.
Jogging strollers
For those with an active lifestyle, jogging strollers are ideal because they offer stability if you are out running thanks to three wheels (versus the four found on other strollers). Jogging strollers are designed to be light, and you can often push them with one hand.
Whichever your preferred style, you can generally find models with single, double or triple seats. The Fox and Cameleon are both single-seat strollers that come with both a stroller seat and bassinet, making them suitable for newborns through to toddlers.
Bugaboo Fox vs. Cameleon – Which is better for your baby?
Beyond the type of stroller you want to buy, there’s a lot to consider before deciding as to which is the right model for you and your family.
This includes adjustability, mobility, restraints, safety, size, and weight. You also need to think about whether you can add to the stroller if you have a second child. We’ve looked at all of these here, along with reviews and ratings, to help you decide which – if any – is the one for you.
Bugaboo Fox Stroller
We thought we would start with the Bugaboo Fox as it’s the newer of the two strollers, with a release date of early 2019. Saying that it doesn’t look much different from the Cameleon; it’s the features that make the difference (according to Bugaboo).
These include a canopy that can be extended all the way down to your child’s foot bar, helping keep them warm and dry in cold, wet, weather, an adjustable handlebar, meaning mom or dad can use it with ease whatever their height, and a bassinet, so you can convert your stroller into a pram for your newborn. They can also convert it into a car seat with adapters (purchased separately).
The Fox comes with 8” and 12” wheels, helping it stay stable on rough terrain, and with a suspension that gives your child a smooth ride, no matter how bumpy the ground. And, while they’re traveling, they can look out at the world or back towards their parent’s thanks to a reversible seat.
Mom or Dad, meanwhile, can take a weight off their shoulders by storing the diaper bag and anything else they need to carry in the under-seat storage compartment which is nice and roomy. They can also be confident their child will be safe thanks to an easy to set foot brake and sturdy design. That design also looks good. Bugaboo is great at coming up with strollers that are sleek and stylish and won’t fall apart.
Add on options for the Bugaboo Fox
While the Bugaboo Fox comes with most things you’ll need, if you want to convert it to a car seat, you’ll need to buy car seat adapters. You can also buy a:
- Ride On Board with a detachable seat if you have an older child who might need to take a break from walking
- A cup holder attachment if you like to take your coffee to go
- A snack tray so you can feed your little one while you’re out an about
- An organizer if you want a place for everything you’re putting the strollers large storage compartment
- A transport bag for when you’re traveling so your stroller is stored safely.
There are also plenty of options for customizing your Bugaboo Fox, including wheel caps, grips, and chassis (although all of these come at a price).
Features:
- Lightweight: 21.8 lb
- Size (open): 33-42” long x 24″ wide x 35-43″ high
- Suitable for newborns (with bassinet)
- Suitable for children aged 6 months to 3 years or 48.5 lbs (as stroller)
- Car seat compatible
- Full body canopy
- Made from recycled fabric
- Advanced suspension/for use on rough terrain
- Easy, one-piece, fold design
- Soft, padded, seat
- Forward and parent facing seating
- Large under-seat storage
- Height adjustable handles
- Available in six color combinations including Alu/Dark Navy, Alu/Grey Melange, Black/Fresh White, All Black, Black/Grey Melange, Stellar (in addition to other customizable options on their website)
Pros:
- Extendable canopy hood
- Multiple seat positions including front and rear-facing
- Comes with a bassinet so can be used from birth
- Taken through 1,500 safety tests
- Easy, one-step, folding design
- One-foot brake
- Sleek and stylish design
- Comes with everything you need to use out of the box
Cons:
- One of the more expensive strollers on the market
- No peekaboo window on the canopy and size of the canopy can make it hard for your child to see out
- Feels heavier than the weight would suggest
Parents Opinion
The brand is currently rated 4.3 stars on Amazon. We read the reviews of existing customers and here’s what they have to say about the Bugaboo Fox Stroller:
- Super easy to assemble
- Can be maneuvered with one hand
- The storage compartment is large enough to hold your diaper bag, coats, and sweaters.
- Lovely fabric, easy to clean
- Looks good – you get many compliments
Seamless Maneuverability: For a smoother, more comfortable ride for both parent and baby, the Fox Complete full-size stroller features durable all-terrain wheels and advanced suspension!
Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller
Bugaboo has made the Cameleon stroller for more than fifteen years, and it is probably their most popular model. It’s also probably why it was used (along with their Buffalo model) as the basis for the Fox. This means you’ll probably see a lot of the same features here as you did with the Fox.
Like the Fox, for example, parents comment on how nicely designed the Cameleon is and on the quality of the materials used to make it. The Cameleon also comes with a bassinet, making it suitable for use from birth through to when your baby becomes a toddler. What it doesn’t have is one-stand folding, and as many options to personalize your stroller, so it’s one of a kind.
This doesn’t mean you don’t have color options (you do, you just can’t choose to change your wheel caps, for example) or that the Cameleon isn’t easy to fold – it is. In fact, it might be easier to store as it folds into two pieces. It also folds quickly, meaning you won’t find yourself struggling while also trying to juggle your baby.
When it comes to your baby, they should be nice and comfortable in a padded seat that has three positions, letting them lie flat if they want to take a nap or sit up and see what is going on in the world around them. And, if they do fall asleep, you can remove the seat and carry it so as not to wake them up (the seat is also adjustable into a car seat with attachments – purchased separately).
Parents should be comfortable with an adjustable handlebar (though it doesn’t go as high as the Fox model) and happy knowing their child is safely restrained with a five-point harness. They should also find the Cameleon easy to maneuver, including in rougher terrain thanks to foam-filled tired, which won’t go flat.
Add on options for the Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller
The Cameleon Stroller is pretty much ready to go as soon as you take it out of the box (many parts come pre-assembled, which is nice). However, there are add on options you might want to consider, including:
- Car seat attachments so you can take your baby from their stroller to the car and back again easily
- A sun canopy to keep your baby shaded on sunny days
- A footmuff for the colder days
- A snack tray, cup holder , or mobile phone holder
- A wheel board with seat, great if you have an older child that is tired of walking.
Features:
- Lightweight: 21 lbs
- Size (open): 35″ Long x 24″ Wide x 44.5″ High
- Suitable from birth (with bassinet) to toddler
- Car seat compatible (with additional attachments)
- Front wheels swivel for extra maneuverability
- Can adjust the handlebar to have the seat facing forward or backward (and allowing the bigger wheel to go to the front for rough terrain)
- Three seating positions
- Height-adjustable handlebar
- Two-piece folding
- Large under-seat basket
Pros:
- Suitable from birth
- Comes with a bassinet (meaning no extra costs)
- Ready out of the box
- Easy to put up and breakdown
- Easy to maneuver
- Ideal for rough terrain
- Sleek and stylish design
- Lots of storage
- Multiple seating positions including front/parent facing
- Car seat compatible
Cons:
- Brake operates by hand (not foot)
- No peekaboo window in the canopy
- Isn’t great for getting into/around small spaces
- Car seat adapter can be difficult to operate
Parents Opinion
The Bugaboo Cameleon stroller has an average 3.8 star rating on Amazon. Here’s what new moms and dads are saying about the stroller:
- Great for city streets (including NYC) and rougher terrain such as parks
- Saves money in the long run as you don’t have to buy another stroller as your child grows
- High-quality fabric and finishes
- Easy to handle due to the lightweight
Ready for Anything: Suitable for children up to 37.5lbs, our infant (with included bassinet) to toddler stroller is there for your family from day one. The new edition offers a spacious under-seat basket to hold all your essentials.
The Verdict
With the Bugaboo Fox and Cameleon, you have two excellent strollers that won’t see you wrong whichever you pick. Both are well made of high-quality materials and look good. They are designed nicely, and, at first sight, there isn’t much to separate the two.
This probably isn’t a surprise given the Fox is based on the Cameleon (along with Bugaboo’s Buffalo model). What perhaps was a surprise to us was that, while the Fox is the newer and more expensive model supposedly because of the added features, these features didn’t necessarily seem to justify the added expense.
For example, it’s nice to have a canopy that you can extend to the foot bar (which you get in the Fox), but it would have been nicer if that canopy had included a peekaboo window so you could interact with your baby while they stay protected from the rain.
The larger wheels on the Fox are also lovely because larger wheels generally mean a more stable stroller and a more comfortable ride. However, given the Cameleon was already well known for stability and comfort and has foam-filled wheels that won’t go flat, this doesn’t seem that much of a game changer.
What does make the Fox different is the way you can customize it. You can choose the color of your wheel caps, for example, or the bassinet. It’s fun to start playing with options on their website to see just what you can do. However, each change comes at a cost, one that puts the price of the stroller up.
And this price is already high. The Fox is currently around $1,199 on Amazon as compared to around $699 for the Cameleon. It’s a big difference, one – for us – the changes don’t justify, which is why we would recommend the Cameleon to any parent looking for an all-around stroller.
Final Thoughts
As we mentioned before, there really is very little to separate these two strollers other than price and a few features on the Fox which are an upgrade on the Cameleon. Whether these features are worth, the additional cost is questionable. We don’t think so, though we don’t deny they would be nice to have.
If you aren’t worried about your budget, this will make Fox the choice for you. However, if you want to keep costs down (which many new parents do), the Cameleon is a better option.
It is a great-looking design, made with high-quality materials, and has everything you need to basically take it out of the box and take your baby out for the day. You can’t ask for much more than that.
Ready for Anything: Suitable for children up to 37.5lbs, our infant (with included bassinet) to toddler stroller is there for your family from day one. The new edition offers a spacious under-seat basket to hold all your essentials.
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FAQs About Bugaboo Fox and Cameleon Strollers
Answer: Yes, they both come in one box. Some parts are already assembled when the stroller arrives, making them easy to put together.
Answer: Yes, both are compatible with Nuna, Uppababy, Britax, and Cybex car seats. It is not compatible with Graco. You will need to buy car seat accessories to use it with a car seat.
Answer: The maximum weight is 18lbs.
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