Should You Get a Doona?

Oct 10, 2025

The Gear Unicorn

You’ve probably seen it in the wild, a parent rolling what looks like an infant car seat straight through the airport like it’s no big deal. It's the Doona Car Seat + Stroller, and it’s in a category all its own. At first glance, it looks like a regular car seat. But with one quick motion, it unfolds into a stroller—no frame, adapters, or assembly required. It’s one of those inventions that makes you think, why didn’t someone come up with this sooner?

The Doona isn’t featherlight, but it is cleverly designed for real life on-the-go. Parents love it for errands, school drop-offs, and travel days when convenience matters most. You won’t be taking it on long neighborhood walks, but when you need to get from the car to the curb in seconds, there’s nothing else like it.

Why Parents Love the Doona

While the Doona might be a mechanically impressive piece of baby gear, it’s surprisingly simple to use (zero engineering degrees required). In fact, it comes fully assembled right out of the box. You just unfold it, and it’s ready to roll.

In car seat mode, the wheels tuck neatly underneath the seat, so it clicks into its LATCH-compatible base for everyday use. If you’re hopping in a taxi, Uber, or rental car, you can also install it safely with just a seat belt (no lugging a base around). Then, when you’re ready to stroll, a quick button release drops the wheels and extends the handlebar. That’s it. No extra frame, no adapters, no setup step that makes you break a sweat.

Doona vs. Travel Systems

We think it's helpful to think of the Doona as a high-tech car seat that happens to turn into a stroller, not a full replacement for one. Traditional travel systems pair a separate stroller with a car seat that clicks in and out. The Doona combines both into a single, seamless design—no extra frame to lug, no adapters to attach, no extra pieces to keep track of.

No Stroller Hauling
With a typical travel system, you’re constantly transferring your car seat in and out of a stroller frame—or skipping the stroller altogether for short errands. The Doona eliminates that shuffle completely. One piece of gear goes from car seat to stroller in seconds, easy breezy.
Rideshare and Taxi-Friendly
For city parents or frequent travelers, the Doona is a dream. It installs with its LATCH base or a standard seat belt—no base required—so hopping in and out of rideshares or taxis takes minutes. Even better, you don’t have to pack or haul a separate stroller. Once you arrive, the wheels drop down and you’re off.
Compact and Space-Savvy
Most travel systems are bulky. The Doona glides through restaurants, elevators, and tight aisles. It even fits under café tables.
Accessibility Bonus
Because of its unique design, the Doona’s handlebar sits lower than many full-size strollers. It's a feature tall parents might begrudgingly tolerate, but it also makes the Doona one of the few strollers that’s accessible for parents who use wheelchairs.
A Few Trade-Offs
There’s no under-seat storage (though Doona’s clip-on bags help), and at 17 pounds, it’s heavier than a standard infant seat. But that’s the price of built-in wheels and serious convenience.

Bottom line: comparing the Doona to a travel system is a little like comparing a Swiss Army knife to a full toolkit. The Doona wins on convenience, simplicity, and portability, but if you want a stroller that’ll last beyond the infant stage or handle longer walks, you’ll eventually want an everyday, workhorse stroller in your lineup.

Doona vs. Travel Strollers: Not the Same Thing

It’s easy to lump the Doona in with travel strollers—they’re both compact, convenient, and made for life on the go—but they serve different purposes.

A travel stroller is designed for portability. It’s lightweight, folds down small, and is perfect for older babies or toddlers who no longer need a car seat. The Doona, on the other hand, starts as an infant car seat that just happens to transform into a stroller when you need it to. It’s built for those early months when your baby still rides rear-facing, and when getting in and out of the car quickly is everything.

Travel strollers are great once your baby outgrows the Doona—they’ll last you through the pre-k years and often work better for long walks, uneven sidewalks, or travel with older kids. But during the infant stage, the Doona wins hands-down for convenience. You can go from car seat to stroller in seconds, no frame or adapters required, and never have to wake a sleeping baby just to transfer them.

Bottom line: think of the Doona as your “baby’s first wheels”—a short-term solution that makes everyday outings, errands, and travel less complicated from day one.

Travel Made Easy

If there were an MVP for airport travel with a baby, the Doona would easily take the title. It’s FAA-approved for use on planes, so you can install it right in your seat while your baby snoozes through takeoff. At the airport, it rolls right to the gate, folds in seconds, and fits down narrow aisles. Once you land, pop the wheels out and roll straight off the plane—no gate-check, no juggling parts.

It’s also rideshare-ready, working with or without its base for quick installs in taxis or rental cars.

Pro tips:

Bring the Doona Travel Bag to protect your seat in transit.
Add the Snap-on Storage or Essential Bag for mobile must-haves.
Fold the wheels before boarding for a faster, cleaner install.

Wherever you’re headed, the Doona keeps travel days a little smoother (and your hands a lot freer).

Heads Up: What to Know Before Buying

The Doona is brilliant, but it’s not built to be your only stroller forever. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you hit “add to cart”:

Short but Sweet Lifespan
Fits babies up to ~35 lbs or 32", usually the first year. Once your little one outgrows the infant stage, you’ll need a convertible car seat and a separate stroller for longer-term use.
Heavier Than It Looks
At about 17 lbs, it’s sturdy but not featherlight. If you drive a taller car or SUV, practice lifting it—add a baby, and you’ve basically got a stroller weight set.
Limited Storage
Wheels take up the space of a basket; use clip-on accessories like the Snap-on Storage or Essentials Bag.
Not Built for Every Terrain
The Doona’s small wheels are great for pavement, airports, and store aisles, but they’re not made for long walks, uneven sidewalks, or rough terrain.
Price vs. Longevity
It’s an investment in convenience for your baby’s first year, not a forever stroller.

Bottom line: the Doona isn’t trying to do everything—just make the toughest parts of baby life (like getting out the door or navigating airports) a whole lot easier.

Why We Love It (and Who It’s Best For)

The Doona redefines convenience for new parents by taking two essential pieces of gear and combining them into one easy-to-use, safety-tested design. It’s a car seat, stroller, and travel essential all in one. And for the right family, it’s the kind of gear that makes everyday life noticeably easier.

Parents love it because it makes the early months simpler. There’s no transferring a sleeping baby, no wrestling with adapters, no wondering if you remembered to pack the stroller frame. Just click, roll, and go.

It’s ideal for:

City families who need quick, easy in-and-out flexibility for errands, daycare drop-offs, and apartment living.
Frequent travelers who want compact, carry-on-friendly gear that moves from plane to car to sidewalk with minimal effort (and packing).
Minimalists who prefer fewer moving parts and love a clean, efficient setup.
Parents with older kids in tow, who need both hands free for drop-offs or school runs.
Grandparents or caregivers, who appreciate straightforward gear that doesn’t require multiple steps.

If your days involve lots of short trips, car rides, and “just one more stop” errands, the Doona delivers unbeatable convenience. It’s not a forever stroller, but for the baby stage, it’s one of those rare products that really earns its hype.

Doona FAQs

Is the Doona worth it?

If convenience is high on your list, then yes—many parents say the Doona is worth every penny. It’s a time-saver for quick errands, daycare runs, and travel days, especially when you’re juggling a newborn and all their gear. You’ll eventually need a bigger stroller, but for that first whirlwind year, the Doona’s “out the door in seconds” simplicity is tough to beat.

How long can my baby use the Doona?

The Doona is designed for babies from birth up to 35 pounds or 32 inches, which typically lasts around 12 to 15 months depending on your baby’s size. Once your child outgrows it, you’ll transition to a convertible car seat and a separate stroller that can grow with them.

Can I use the Doona on a plane?

Yes! The Doona is FAA-approved, so you can install it directly on your airplane seat if you’ve purchased a ticket for your baby. The wheels tuck neatly underneath for takeoff and landing, and you can unfold them right after you land—no gate-check required.

Can the Doona replace a travel system?

It depends on your lifestyle. The Doona offers all the convenience of a travel system without the extra frame or adapters, but it’s only designed for the infant stage. Most families still add a full-size stroller later for longer walks or rougher terrain.

Does the Doona have storage?

Not under the seat—the wheels fold into that space—but Doona offers clip-on accessories like the Snap-on Storage and Essentials Bag. You can also use your favorite diaper bag by looping it over the handle when the stroller is stationary (always remove it before rolling).

What’s in the Box

Your Doona comes ready to roll (literally). Each purchase includes:

Doona Infant Car Seat & Stroller — the 2-in-1 seat and stroller combo.
Doona LATCH Base — included with every purchase for easy car installation.
Infant Insert & Head Support — keeps newborns snug and properly positioned.
Vehicle Seat Protector — protects your car’s upholstery from scuffs and indentations.
Doona User Guide — because yes, it’s simple, but a quick read still helps.

Optional accessories like the Doona Travel Bag, Snap-on Storage, Sunshade Extension, and Rain Cover are sold separately.

Tech Specs

Usage: Rear-facing only, 4 to 35 lbs or 32” (approx. 12–15 months)
Car Seat Weight: 16.5 lbs (without base)
Base Weight: 10.3 lbs
Dimensions: 23.6” L × 17.3” W × 26” H (handle down)
Safety: FAA-approved for air travel; compliant with U.S. FMVSS and European ECE R44 safety standards
Installation Options: With included LATCH base or using a vehicle seat belt
Manufacturer Warranty: 2 years