Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller Review: Is a Car-Seat Stroller Worth It?

Who is the Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller for?

The Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller is for parents of newborns who want the car seat and the stroller to be the same object. It is a rear-facing infant car seat with retractable wheels. Doona lists it for babies from 4 lb, up to 30 lb and 32 inches tall, and the seat weighs 17.2 lb. You click it into the included LATCH base in the car, then lift it out, drop the wheels and roll. That suits people who take taxis, ride share, fly often or live in small apartments, because you never fold a stroller in the street. It costs $550 on Doona's US site in standard colors, or $650 for the Midnight Edition. It is a short-term product, though. Most babies outgrow it by height before weight, and then you need a convertible seat and a real stroller. If you walk a lot every day, a regular stroller is the better main choice.

How does the Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller ride and steer?

Doona's US site describes high-durability wheels built into the seat, but gives no wheel size or type, and no suspension details. That tells you what to expect: it is a short-trip rider, not a long-walk stroller. Smooth floors, parking lots and airport halls are where it works best. Rough sidewalks, gravel and curbs are harder, and reviewers often say it is less maneuverable than a regular walking stroller. Babylist's product page says the same, noting that some parents find it less full-featured than an everyday stroller. The handlebar adjusts and also works as an anti-rebound bar in the car. Think of it as a very good short-distance mover for airports, taxi stops and quick errands. If your daily routine means walking for an hour, it is the wrong tool for that job.

• Maneuverability7.6 / 10
• WheelsWheels built into the seat that drop down and retract; Doona gives no size or type

How big is the Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller when folded?

In stroller mode the Doona+ is unfolded to 17.4 x 32.3 x 39 inches (width, length, height), and in its folded car seat mode it is 17.4 x 26 x 22.4 inches, according to Doona. The seat itself weighs 17.2 lb, and the LATCH base adds 10.4 lb, so you carry the seat but leave the base in the car. Doona says it converts between modes with the click of a button, with an indicator that changes from red to green once the wheels are folded and the seat is secure. Because the stroller is the car seat, there is nothing to fold separately and no trunk space lost to a stroller. Doona says it is TUV and FAA aircraft approved and narrow enough for airline aisles, and advises contacting the airline in advance.

Is the Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller comfortable and safe?

The Doona+ has a five-point harness, an energy-absorbing structure, side-impact head support and an anti-rebound handle. The canopy is UPF 50+ and water repellent, and the fabrics are removable and washable. The seat sits in one rear-facing position, so it does not recline in stroller mode, which is the main comfort limit. Extra padding is included for newborns, with an infant insert. Doona says the Doona+ is certified to the FMVSS 213A car seat standard, while the newer Doona X is certified to FMVSS 213B. The limit is 30 lb or 32 inches on Doona's US site, although Babylist lists 4 to 35 lb, so follow the label on your own seat.

How much storage does the Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller have?

There is no basket. The Doona+ has no storage space of its own, so you rely on a diaper bag on your shoulder or hanging from the handle. Doona sells accessories for this, including Snap-on Storage at $48 and an Essentials Bag at $75, and a Doona Travel Bag at $60 for flights. Without them, plan to carry bags yourself. This is one of the biggest differences from a regular stroller.

How does the Doona turn from car seat to stroller?

The wheels are built into the seat. In the car, the seat clicks into the LATCH base, or it can be installed without a base using the vehicle belt. When you arrive, you lift the seat out by the handle, press the button, and the wheels drop down with a latch switch. You can then push it as a stroller or pull it along. To go back, you fold the wheels away and the seat locks into the base, with an indicator that changes from red to green when it is secure. Doona says fail-safe mechanisms are meant to prevent improper use. The newer Doona X ($850) reclines in stroller mode and uses a different base, but the Doona+ remains on sale at $550. Remember the stroller is only usable while your baby fits the car seat limits.

Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller vs Nuna TRVL vs Nuna TRVL

Nuna TRVL: A real stroller that takes a Nuna PIPA car seat, with a 10 lb basket. Nuna TRVL: A light everyday stroller that will last well beyond the infant stage.

How we rated the Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller

Six criteria, weighted by how much they shape everyday life. Read our methodology.

1. Maneuverability 20%7.6
2. Fold & portability 20%8.7
3. Comfort & safety 20%7.5
4. Storage & practicality 15%6.2
5. Build & durability 15%8.3
6. Value 10%7.5

Weighted total7.7— Good

Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller full specifications

What to buy instead

• A real stroller that takes a Nuna PIPA car seat, with a 10 lb basket.

  Nuna TRVL

  8.4 — Very good. 13.6 lb, folds to 24×20.3×11 in, $575.

• A light everyday stroller that will last well beyond the infant stage.

  Nuna TRVL

  8.4 — Very good. 13.6 lb, folds to 24×20.3×11 in, $575.

• A compact everyday stroller for a family that wants a longer-lasting option.

  Colugo The Compact Stroller+

  8.3 — Very good. 16.2 lb, folds to 22×17.6×10.6 in, $199.