Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 pushchair review: can this compact pram really handle rough terrain?

Laura loved how easy the Bugaboo Cub was to steer, its adjustable handlebar and the handy safety strap she used regularly.

How we tested the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 pushchair

Laura tested the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 pushchair for three weeks with her five-month-old, using it daily on town and city pavements, gravel paths, grass and public transport. She also took it camping at a festival, putting its all-terrain performance and practicality to the test in different settings.

Laura used the carrycot for the first two weeks before switching to the seat unit for the final week, allowing her to assess both configurations.

After testing, Laura scored the pushchair across eight criteria: performance, quality and durability, ease of use, value for money, safety and stability, ease of folding and unfolding, comfort, and adjustability and storage. These scores were combined to give an overall rating out of 100.

The Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 is lightweight and practical, while the Fox 5 Renew offers a larger storage basket, extra seat adjustability and a stronger focus on sustainability.

What’s the difference between the Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew and the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1?

The Bugaboo Fox 5 Renew and Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 are both premium, all-terrain pushchairs designed for everything from everyday outings to countryside walks. Both offer suspension, reversible seats and carrycots suitable from birth, but there are some differences worth considering.

In our testing, Laura found the Cub lightweight and easy to manoeuvre, particularly appreciating its adjustable handlebar and safety strap when using public transport. The Fox 5 Renew builds on the original Fox 5’s strengths, including its smooth ride, one-handed fold and generous storage, while placing greater emphasis on sustainability.

The Cub may appeal if you want a lightweight all-terrain pushchair at a lower price, while the Fox 5 Renew is worth considering if you value its extra seat adjustability, larger basket and use of recycled and bio-based materials.

Read our Bugaboo Fox 5 review for our tester Beccy’s experience with the original model, whose core features are shared with the Renew.

Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 pushchair: what’s in the box and how easy is it to assemble?

Getting the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 ready to go took Laura around 30 minutes, and she didn’t need any tools. She found the instructions reasonably clear, although she did turn to YouTube a few times for extra guidance. Switching from the carrycot to the seat unit later took a little longer.

In the box you'll find:

• Pushchair frame and wheels

• Seat unit and carrycot

• Bugaboo PureBreeze™ dual-sided mattress

• Extendable sun canopy with UPF 50+ protection

• Under seat basket (10kg capacity, 35 litres)

• Rain cover

• Five-point safety harness and bumper bar

The £775 Bugaboo Cub Essential bundle adds a cosy footmuff to keep children snug, plus a cup holder for your much-needed coffee on the go.

Does the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 pushchair come with accessories?

Yes, the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 comes with a rain cover and bumper bar. Laura didn’t get the chance to test the rain cover, but she noted that it was generously sized and reckoned it would cover her child well, offering good protection from the elements.

If you’d like a few extras, the Bugaboo Cub Essential Pushchair bundle costs £775 and includes a footmuff and cup holder.

Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 pushchair: how does it look?

Laura tested the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 in Forest green, which she loved for her son. She was also a fan of its sleek design, which manages to look stylish while still feeling sturdy. If green isn’t your thing, it’s also available in Desert taupe, Heritage black and Deep Indigo.

The pushchair fabric is breathable, with built-in air vents to help air circulate. The large sun canopy offers ample coverage and UPF 50+ protection, although Laura was surprised by how flimsy it felt compared with the rest of the pushchair.

How safe and sturdy is the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 pushchair?

The Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 has large all-terrain wheels, measuring 20cm at the front and 28cm at the rear, alongside full suspension to help tackle different surfaces, from pavements to gravel and grass. During testing, Laura found it sturdy and smooth to push, with the larger wheels helping it handle uneven ground.

The pushchair also has a safety strap attached to the handlebar, which parents can loop around their wrist while pushing for extra reassurance. Laura got plenty of use out of it and appreciated the added security when out and about. Laura says: “I always felt the pushchair was secure.”

The adjustable five-point safety harness helps keep your child safely in place. Laura found it easy to fasten, even when in a rush, and said: “My son definitely couldn’t slip out.” The foot-operated brake was another practical feature, and Laura found it easy to use even when wearing sandals.

The Bugaboo Cub 2-in1's generously padded seat helps keep little ones comfy, with three recline positions for naps on the go.

How comfortable is the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 pushchair?

The Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 has a well-padded, supportive carrycot and a reclining seat designed to keep children comfortable as they grow. Laura was particularly impressed by the carrycot’s size and ventilation, which helped keep her son comfortable and entertained.

As Laura explains: “The bassinet was a great size, I used it until my son was just under six months, and because of the air vents around the side, it meant he could look around and was therefore less frustrated. He also had most of his naps in the carrycot and he slept very well!”

She found it easy to lift her son in and out, although having to remove the bumper bar each time was a little faffy. When she switched to the seat unit, Laura found the three recline positions, including a full recline, fairly smooth to adjust. However, she did notice that the harness straps felt rather bulky on her five-month-old: “The only issue with the seat is how thick the arm straps are - they are very chunky for a five-month-old baby, but I imagine this would be less of an issue for an older child.”

The seat is designed to accommodate children up to 22kg, so it should last well into toddlerhood. As with any pushchair, follow the manufacturer's instructions when adjusting the recline and positioning your child.

How adjustable and adaptable is the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 pushchair?

One of the handy things about the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 is how easily you can switch between the carrycot and seat unit. Laura found the carrycot easy to attach and remove, explaining: “No adapters are needed as the frame is the same as for the seat.”

She felt it was secure, but noted that you need to check its level before putting your child in. The reversible seat can face either towards you or outwards. Laura found it: “Very easy to switch between the two.” This makes it simple to change the seat direction as your child grows and becomes more curious about the world around them.

What’s the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 pushchair like to use day to day?

Laura found the pushchair easy to steer and smooth over uneven ground. She also liked being able to lock the wheels when needed and found it easy to bump up kerbs. She says: “It has much better suspension than any other buggy I've used (except a sport buggy, and I would say the suspension is comparable to the Out n About Nipper).”

The adjustable handlebar was especially useful on public transport, where Laura used the pushchair on both buses and trains. Laura was also pleasantly surprised by the pushchair’s size. Before having a baby, she’d ruled out Bugaboo because she thought it looked too wide. After finding her original Uppababy Cruz too narrow, she realised the Cub was a good size for everyday life.

Laura explains: “It’s totally manageable in shops, cafes and on public transport. It fits through a standard doorway, and I got loads of use out of the strap as well.” If you have an older child who sometimes gets tired on walks, you can also attach the Bugaboo Wheeled Board, available to buy separately.

The Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 folds easily and fits in Laura’s Toyota Yaris boot, with the seat or carrycot attached.

Is the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 Pushchair easy to fold and unfold?

Yes, folding and unfolding the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 is straightforward once you’re familiar with the mechanism. You can fold it in one piece with the seat or carrycot attached or use a more compact two-piece fold if you need to save space.

The pushchair stands upright when folded but doesn’t lock into place, which is worth bearing in mind when storing it.

Laura found it surprisingly light to lift and carry, even with its all-terrain wheels. Both the carrycot and seat unit fitted into her Toyota Yaris boot, and when she took it camping, she removed the wheels to transport the pushchair in a roof box.

The 35-litre storage basket has room for a changing bag and daily essentials, although there’s less space for shopping once it’s packed.

What’s the storage basket like on the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 Pushchair?

The Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 has a 35-litre under seat storage basket with a maximum capacity of 10kg. Laura found it tricky to access with the carrycot attached, but easier to reach when using the seat unit.

She says: “The storage basket is adequate, you can fit what you need for a day, but once you have a changing bag in there, if I do a top-up shop for milk, yoghurt and bananas there isn’t space for much else.”

There are no extra pockets in the sun canopy either, but you can buy a Bugaboo Organiser separately and attach it to the handlebar for smaller essentials such as your phone and keys.

Is the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 Pushchair easy to clean?

Yes, Laura found it easy to keep the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 clean. She washed the carrycot mattress cover and wiped down the rest of the pushchair, making everyday spills and dirt straightforward to deal with.

Is the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 Pushchair good value for money?

At £749, the Bugaboo Cub 2-in-1 sits in the premium pushchair bracket, but Laura felt the quality justified the price.

Laura says: “This pushchair feels like a good quality product for the price. The carrycot was a much better size than the Uppababy Cruz, and it is much lighter. The suspension is so good it almost negates the need for a separate sports buggy which would be a huge saving for parents!”

There’s a limited time offer to consider, too: buy the pushchair directly from Bugaboo and you can get a free Bugaboo baby rocker. With baby bouncers and rockers often costing around £200, this could add extra value, although it’s worth checking the offer’s terms and availability before purchasing.

The price is still a significant investment, but for families who want one pushchair for everyday trips and off-road walks, the Cub’s versatility could help justify the cost.

About the author

Tammy Jacks is a distinguished researcher and writer in the field of child safety, with a notable focus on the critical domain of travel systems including car seats and strollers. Her extensive expertise and commitment to child safety have made her a trusted authority in providing comprehensive insights and guidance to parents and caregivers looking for the right stroller, travel system or car seat for their children.

As a seasoned school runner and mum to an 11-year-old, Tammy has personally tried and tested numerous buggies, lightweight strollers and car seats over the years, across all age categories.