Why the Doona Is Still Undefeated

Written By Muamer Razic

TLDR: The Doona is expensive, heavy, and short-lived, but after two kids and ten years of updates, it still solves one of the biggest problems new parents face: all the stressful transitions in and out of the car. This post breaks down the real pros, cons, upgrades (Doona I, Doona X), and how it compares to alternatives like the Evenflo Shyft DualRide and lightweight travel strollers.

Watch the Full Breakdown

You can watch the video version of this guide here: Why the Doona Remains Undefeated

There aren’t many pieces of baby gear that stay relevant for a decade. Most strollers and travel systems get bulkier, flashier, or more complicated.
But the Doona stayed simple and somehow got better.

And after two kids, a lot of miles, and plenty of “please don’t wake up” moments, here’s exactly why the Doona remains one of the most talked-about newborn must-haves, even in 2025 and heading into 2026.

Along the way, I’ll also cover the questions new parents Google the most:

  • Is the Doona still worth it in 2025 or 2026?

  • Doona I vs Doona X, what’s different?

  • Is the Doona safe for newborns?

  • Doona vs Evenflo Shyft DualRide

  • Best stroller for newborns / car seat stroller combo

All of that is built into this article so you don’t have to hunt for answer

The Stroller That Shouldn’t Make Sense, But Does

On paper, the Doona looks like a bad investment:

  • It’s over $600.

  • It has zero storage.

  • It’s heavier than most car seats.

  • Your baby will probably outgrow it within a year.

So why has it become one of the most beloved pieces of baby gear for new parents?

Because the Doona solves a problem most parents don’t realize they have until they’re living it:
the constant, stressful transitions in and out of the car.

When you’re sleep-deprived, juggling a diaper bag that looks like deployment gear, and trying to keep a baby asleep… the last thing you want is a complicated stroller setup.

The Doona removes steps.
It removes friction.
And in early parenthood, those two things are worth more than we admit.

The One-Click Difference

Our first baby was a “car nap” kid, the type where you’d drive around for an hour just to get 20 minutes of peace.

And like any sleep-starved parent, I tried to carry him from the car seat to the crib without waking him.

It never worked.
Not once.

But the Doona changed that for us.
One click out of the car, wheels down… and he stayed asleep.
No transfers. No meltdowns. No “please, please don’t wake up” moments.

That alone made the Doona go from nice to have to don’t leave home without it.

Why It’s Worth More Than Its Specs

New parents spend a lot of time comparing features.
Trust me, we were those parents. We read every review, watched every comparison, and overthought everything like we were buying a used car.

But looking back, the Doona wasn’t great because it had the newest features.
It was great because it took away the little stressors that stack up in the newborn stage.

Newborn life is 95% logistics.
So a product that makes life even 5% easier feels 500% more valuable.

Less friction.
Less thinking.
Less fumbling in the rain trying to unfold a stroller while your baby cries.

That’s the magic.

How the Doona Has Evolved (and Improved)

What’s surprising is that over ten years, the Doona hasn’t drifted away from what made it special. Instead, it sharpened it.

Doona i

  • Meets stricter European i-Size safety standards

  • Integrated 5-point harness

  • Adjustable headrest

  • Small but meaningful safety improvements

Doona X

  • Three recline positions, including lie-flat mode

  • Upgraded suspension and wheels

  • More comfortable ride for longer outings

The core idea , one-step transformation, hasn’t changed.
It just got safer, smoother, and more refined.

The Honest Drawbacks

No product is perfect, and the Doona has its flaws:

  • It’s heavy. Manageable, but not light.

  • Zero storage. You’ll need an attachment bag, and even that is tiny.

  • Short lifespan. Most babies outgrow it by 12 months.

  • Not all-terrain. Smooth pavement only, grass and gravel are a struggle.

These aren’t deal-breakers, but they matter depending on your lifestyle.

Doona vs the Alternatives

For fairness, we tested the closest competitors:

Evenflo Shyft DualRide

It does the same “car seat to stroller” trick, but the mechanism isn’t as smooth.
It feels heavier, clunkier, and less intuitive.

Lightweight Travel Strollers

These win on long-term value and portability — some fold small enough for overhead compartments.
But they force you back into the two-piece system: a separate stroller, a separate car seat, more steps.

If you prioritize simplicity in the newborn stage, the Doona still creates a lane of its own.

Traveling With the Doona

One of my favorite memories is rolling the Doona down the airplane aisle and letting it sit in the window seat before takeoff.

When you're carrying bags, snacks, milk, wipes, and whatever else you can cram into your pockets, having one less setup to worry about makes travel feel survivable.

For travel parents, the Doona is a cheat code.

The Philosophy Behind the Design

The Doona’s value isn’t just in what it does — it’s in what it removes.

  • Fewer steps

  • Fewer decisions

  • Fewer moments of friction

When you’re a new parent, your mental load is already maxed out.
A tool that makes life easier isn’t a luxury — it’s relief.

And that’s why the Doona remains undefeated.
It didn’t just carry our kids.
It carried us.

Final Thoughts

No stroller can make parenting easy.
But the right one can make it lighter.

For our family, the Doona did exactly that.
And if your life is filled with quick errands, city living, travel days, or constant in-and-out transitions, it might do the same for you.

If you’ve used the Doona — or another baby product that genuinely improved your life — we’d love to hear your experience.

Muamer Razic