Are you a stroller person? Then you have most probably come across Bugaboo Ant, a model of the popular luxury Dutch buggy brand. This product is sleek and stylish and a win-win for traveling parents.
The upcoming version of Bugaboo Ant stroller that is to be released this year had been the talk of the town, and we couldn’t wait for its revealing and whether it delivers in terms of performance, comfort and convenience just like the first Bugaboo Ant.
In this Bugaboo Ant Review, we will help you decide whether it is the epitome of compact convenience or just another overrated product with a pricey tag before you even think about getting the new version.
Overview of the Bugaboo Ant Stroller
This stroller’s design folds to be as small as possible: when talking small, we mean you can squeeze it into the overhead bin on an airplane, and navigate through tight places with ease. It is lightweight and mighty. It is the hatchback of the stroller world and the first-ever Bugaboo compact stroller from the brand.
The Bugaboo Ant weight is 15.87 pounds, qualifying it as the first Bugaboo lightweight stroller that you can comfortably use as a travel stroller. It can comfortably carry your baby from birth to about five years, meaning you do not have to purchase two different strollers (one for 0-6 months years and another for six months onwards). It is the ideal stroller for a newborn baby and can be used as the first stroller or the main stroller as it is durable.
The Bugaboo Ant can carry children up to 48.5 pounds in weight from newborns, making it a great infant stroller choice. It can carry your child in both forward and rear-facing positions: like you can watch your tot as they sleep and stroll. It has a pull-along trolley mode, meaning that when your child wants to walk hand in hand with you, it will allow you to haul it like a suitcase.
The Bugaboo travel stroller handlebars are slim, ensuring they fit perfectly into your palm as you slalom your way through busy areas with ease, thanks to its narrow wheelbase. Its seat is adjustable according to your kid’s height, meaning it will grow with your kiddo.
This Ant has an ultra-compact fold of 23 x 38 x 55 cm with a rear luggage capacity of 11 lbs (5 kg) and an under-seat basket with a capacity of 6.6 lbs (3 kg), making a combined capacity of 17.6 lbs (8 kg). While it is basically for one baby, it can extend to carry two babies with an additional accessory of a comfort wheeled board.
The Bugaboo Ant complete stroller can comfortably compete with the well-established giants of the compact stroller world, such as the Babyzen Yoyo+ and the UPPABbaby Minu, thanks to its clever design aspects such as the ultra-compact and the parent facing seat.
A new edition among other Bugaboo strollers -the Ant -is smaller and has the traveling parent in mind as its compact capabilities allow it to fit in the overhead bin of an airplane or car trunk and is more lightweight. Bugaboo strollers are compact and light strollers and you can see parents hype it in Bugaboo Ant stroller review sections.
The Bugaboo Ant stroller and accessories include:
- Front and rear wheels
- Sun canopy wire and clamps
- Seat fabric and a headrest fabric
- Side panels
- Chassis with hardware
- Wheels cap
- Sun canopy
- Underseat basket
You can easily purchase a Bugaboo Stroller Ant from their brand stores in other retail stores and the following online outlets: Amazon, Modern Nursery, Bugaboo or PishPoshBaby.
As nothing is perfect, this Bugaboo Ant Stroller Review has its pros and cons as well.
Pros:
- It can easily be wheeled like a small piece of luggage when it is folded.
- State of the art stroller
- Perfect seat configuration that switches from forward to rear-facing.
- Ultra-compact fold to fit in the overhead bin of airplanes.
- Grows with your child from newborn to around 5 years old
- Compatible with attachments that are purchased separately.
Cons:
- Pricey as it is at the high end of the price range, and the add-ons have to be purchased separately.
- Complex fold, which you can’t do with one hand.
- No cup holder.
- It does not have a calf rest for taller babies.
Bugaboo Ant Review: Detailed Features And Benefits
Ease of Assembly
The Bugaboo Ant stroller is an easy to assemble buggy. It is delivered while all parts are intact save for its wheels and its ergonomic seat wear. You have to ensure the foam-filled tires are well set before joining them in the stroller which isn’t even a bit complicated.
The seat wear also has to be rightly fixed for your child’s comfort. The assembly manual is easy to understand as it is a step-by-step one, roughly taking you 3-5 minutes before you can hit the streets with your tot.
Compactness
With the Bugaboo Ant folded, it will appeal as small compact strollers with a sturdy frame. It takes up little space when folded at just 55x 38×23 cm, making it one of the smallest folded strollers in the market like no other compact stroller.
Thanks to its sturdy footrest, the Ant can sit on its own when folded, making it easy to store. It is an easy to compact stroller as you don’t have to remove the seat to fold it given that there is no carrycot.
Stroller Fold
If you are a Bugaboo brand loyalist, you will attest that their product’s folding mechanisms are different. This Bugaboo baby stroller is no different. Its folding process is systematic and has to be done in a particular order for the fold to work.
With the few steps that need you to follow when folding, it will require you to use both hands for easier maneuvering, but some parents have attested to being able to fold it single-handedly (of course, after trying it more than a few times)
When the stroller is folded, you can carry it (though it doesn’t have a carry strap, you can add it on) or wheel it like a suitcase behind you as it has an all-wheel suspension. The point to note is that you must ensure the front wheels are facing out for the stroller to fold well. Its final folded size will be 21.6″ LX14.1″ W X 9.1″ H.
Versatility
A unique feature of the Bugaboo Ant is its seat configuration system. It is a reversible, ergonomic seat unit that works well with newborns lying in lie-flat mode, though some parents complain it does not have sufficient cushioning. The Ants seat has three recline positions when the baby is facing the parents and two recline positions when the baby is facing the world.
With this unique seat configuration, the Bugaboo Ant can carry a baby from birth as napping for the young one will be easy thanks to its flat recline position when facing the parent. Babies who are 2+ years old do not have to sit in the slightly reclined position while riding as it has an upright position(meaning your tot can stand while you stroll with them). This seat will tend to be a little snug for your growing kid as it is narrow.
The height of the Ant’s seatback is easily adjustable using a leather loop strap at the top, which alters the seat’s height, automatically adjusting the size of the harness to fit your growing baby.
Maneuverability
The Bugaboo Ant was specially designed to tackle smooth urban surfaces, and it clearly shows. It handles concrete and sidewalks superbly. Its wheels are small but mighty with great suspension and provide excellent shock absorption. While it glides nicely in the city terrain like the Bugaboo Bee 6, the Ant will struggle with gravel or bumpier terrain but handles grass well.
The four wheels of this lightweight stroller are relatively small, measuring five inches in the front and six inches in the rear, standard for a compact stroller. Its four-wheel suspension system provides an easy push and a smooth ride. Its braking system is fantastic as it can easily be locked or unlocked in the middle.
Safety
The Ant’s harness is just lovable. It is a 5 point harness that allows your young one to sit and buckle them, ensuring they are safe as you stroll. It has a crotch strap that completes the harness helping you to safely secure your child on the stroller seat during your strolls.
You have to ensure that when the seat is rear-facing, your child’s head is in the correct position as it might get trapped between the seat and canopy if the fabric at the end of the canopy is detached.
It has a brake system that has been designed to stand out; they are white, while the black frame is black and is very easy to use. This brake pedal does not protrude too much from the back of the stroller. It is a fantastic brake system as it can easily be locked and unlocked regardless of the footwear you are wearing.
Storage For Items
Though it is an Ant Ultra Compact Stroller, it has a large rear luggage basket that is great to store baby gear. This big basket underneath the stroller can comfortably handle weights that are up to 17.6 pounds. Its basket features two different compartments, the main one and a rear one.
The more significant part of the basket has easy access from the front of the stroller, while the rear one can easily be accessible even when the Ant is folded up, which comes in handy when traveling. You cannot access the rear easily when the seat is parent-facing.
One downside with the Ants basket in this lightweight stroller is that it does not have a cup holder, but you can always add it. You can also safely attach the stroller organizer bag without tipping the stroller, thanks to its strong aluminum frame that makes it sturdy.
Comfort Features
Handlebar
The Ant boasts of a telescopic adjustable handlebar. This handlebar is adjustable at either 37 inches (95 cm) or 41 inches (104 cm), which fits short and tall parents alike. The slim handlebar allows it to fit comfortably in your hands. You can also rotate the handlebar to adjust its angle when strolling.
The adjustable handlebar, which is ingeniously designed, comes in handy when using the attached comfort wheeled board allowing your kid to have headroom while riding along. Its handlebar will enable it to be steered with one hand comfortably. However, some parents may find the handlebar feels flimsy when extended, and that’s understandable considering how it appears in its long form.
Canopy
This Bugaboo Infant Stroller has an extendable UPF50+ canopy with a third panel that opens with a zipper. This impressive canopy is available in various pretty shades, meaning you can customize it to your taste. With the canopy opening to reveal the extra expandable top, a lovely peekaboo mesh window (available in only two premium fabrics) is opened and tucks back neatly.
However, the canopy should be a little higher to accommodate taller toddlers better.
Seat Recline
The Bugaboo Stroller Price will not be a factor thanks to its competent seat recline positions. This lightweight stroller has three recline positions(upright position, reclined position, and almost flat position) when the child is parent facing and two recline positions when forward-facing.
When about to take a stroll, you have to ensure your little ones have already taken their daily nap or have them sit facing you just in case they doze off. Them dozing off while facing the world will mean they sleep in an uncomfortable position as the seat cannot recline to the almost flat position as the handlebars hinder the seat.
The Bugaboo Ant’s seat padding is made of high quality and machine washable materials ensuring top comfort for your child during the strolls and making it a good travel stroller. The seat fabrics are available in different colors for you to choose from, depending on your style. These travel strollers are also great for a newborn pack compared to other infant car seats.
The Bugaboo leg rest will ensure additional comfort for your child, offering extra support for their feet. This leg rest is foldable when attached to the seat and easily connects to your tot’s stroller. Though as your baby grows, the leg rest will not be as adequate for their dangling calves.
Stroller Maintenance
The Bugaboo Ant’s bassinet fabrics are all detachable and machine washable. With the correct tips for cleaning and maintaining your Ant, it will last for generations. Ensure to use a soft towel and lukewarm water to clean the frame’s larger surfaces, making sure it is dry. You can use a small brush to clean the small parts of any hidden joints, nuts, and bolts. Ensure to remove the sand and dirt from the stroller.
The seat fabric is machine washable, but you must check the product label for detailed washing instructions.
While the Ant is hands down the best Bugaboo stroller, it can work superbly with some add-ons (which you can do without).
The Ant + Accessories;
- Bugaboo Ant Newborn Cocoon
- Bugaboo Ant travel stroller
- Bugaboo Ant with Car Seat Adapters
- Bugaboo Ant Footmuff
- Bugaboo Ant Rain cover.
This state-of-the-art stroller will ensure you do not purchase any other stroller for your kid from newborn to around 5 years which will save you a lot of money. Its compact nurture is ideal because it requires little storage space (it can even fit in your car trunk)and will quickly unfold when the need to carry your child arises.
While the Bugaboo Ant was designed for the traveling parents and the urban parents in mind, leaving upcountry will mean you look for an all-terrain stroller that will be able to maneuver on hard terrains. Bugaboo Fox 2 will work better as it is an all-terrain stroller.
We can honestly say that the Bugaboo Ant stroller isn’t for everyone as it is a bit on the pricier side in the stroller world. You can always shop for a much cheaper stroller but one that will provide the much-needed comfort for your baby.
Things To Consider Before Buying The Bugaboo Ant Compact Stroller
While it is true the Bugaboo Ant shines bright in the compact stroller world; there are things you need to think about when purchasing this lightweight stroller. Here is a quick checklist of things to consider while shopping to ensure you make the most bang for your buck.
The Wheels
You have to ensure the wheels have ample suspension to help you roam around for long distances and maneuver when walking among crowds or shopping between aisles while still providing a smooth ride for your baby.
Travel Stroller Portability and Storage
Portability is one of the reasons parents shop for lightweight strollers, as most of them will not usually weigh that much. It would help to ensure the travel stroller is easily folded into a much smaller design that you can easily lift and fit into small storage areas. Given the narrow lifts and apartment space, this is one factor most urban parents will be keen on.
Lightweight Stroller Frame
The frame of a stroller goes a long way into making it lightweight. A perfect stroller should be made of lighter metal and one that is durable. Aluminum metal fits well as it is light and durable as well. The frame design of a stroller is crucial as it ensures the entire stroller system is well supported and can handle your baby’s weight while offering a smooth, stable, and comfortable ride.
When traveling, you need a lightweight stroller that you can easily carry while on the go. A lightweight frame will enable the stroller you purchase to be easy to ride even with one hand.
Easy to Fold
An easy-to-fold stroller and can stand on its own after the folding should be a thing to consider while shopping. This will ensure your stroller does not get on the way in restaurant aisles.
Collapses Compactly
The Ant will be a good choice while shopping due to its folding. Unlike other compact strollers, It collapses compactly so that you can even pull it using its handlebar like a suitcase or carry it like carry-on luggage. This will mean that you can hold your baby with your other free hand.
It Has An Adjustable Seat
A stroller with a reversible seat will be the real deal for your growing toddler. The Ant has an adjustable infant seat, ensuring your toddler is not bored by one sitting position, and they enjoy their strolls maximally unlike other strollers.
Features a built-in strap or separate carrying case
While the Ant does not come with a built-in strap, you can purchase it as an add-on. This carrying strap comes in handy during those rainy days as you can’t drag the stroller along, thus making the Ant more portable. This stroller accessory is perfect as it enables you to free both hands.
Bugaboo Ant vs Other Strollers Comparison
While the Ant is undoubtedly the lion in the jungle, other alternative strollers could meet almost the exact needs.
Babyzen YOYO+
This stroller is versatile,ultra-compact, and super sturdy that has the traveling parent in mind. This Babyzen YOYO+ is super lightweight compared to the Bugaboo Ant. It also comes with a carrying bag in its accessories, unlike the Bugaboo Stroller, where you must purchase a carrying strap. The Babyzen YOYO+ fold is simpler compared to the Ants.
Gb Pockit+ All Terrain
Gb Pockit+ All Terrain travel buggy is ultra-compact and lightweight. This buggy is for the traveling mummy’s baby. It folds more compactly 12″ x7″ x20″ compared to the Bugaboo Ant and is lighter. Its all-terrain double wheel means it can maneuver different surfaces flawlessly, unlike the Ant that does not do well in rougher terrains.
UppaBaby Minu
This stroller is lightweight and made for the modern parent. Unlike the Bugaboo Ant, which has some steps to its fold it has a one-handed one-step fold. The UppaBaby Minu is designed with a built-in carry handle and shoulder strap, while the Ant does not have a carry strap.
Bugaboo Ant Stroller FAQs
1. Is Bugaboo discontinuing the Ant Stroller?
No, Bugaboo is not discontinuing the Ant Stroller as it often discontinues products with poor sales. Instead, the brand is planning to release a new version of the Ant in 2021. The new upgraded version will come with a carrying strap and a redesigned footrest.
2. What car seat works with Bugaboo Ant?
The Bugaboo Ant is compatible with various upscale car seats though you will have to purchase an infant car seat adapter separately. The Cybex Aton 2/Q, Clek Living, Maxi Cosi infant car seats, and the Nuna Pipa Lite/LX are some of the models the Ant works with.
3. Does the Bugaboo Ant stroller lay flat?
No, the Bugaboo Ant stroller doesn’t lie flat. However, the almost flat position is possible when the child is lying facing the parent. While world-facing, this position is not achievable as the handlebar blocks it.
Conclusion
And that is all for our Bugaboo stroller review of the Ant model! If you can get over the folding process, this stroller is ideal as it can perfectly fit in the trunk of your vehicle and the overhead bin of airplanes.
The Ant is also great as it will allow you to take strolls with both your children(if you have multiples) as they can share the stroller. They are the best lightweight strollers with a storage compartment with an extendable canopy and best for when a toddler decides to be fussy.
Here is where you can purchase your Bugaboo Ant Stroller.
Do give us a comment if you have thoughts about this stroller or would like to share your experience using it with other parents. If you find this article helpful, help us share it out!
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Last update on 2024-04-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
