Quick answer
- Doona X is the one we'd choose for most families. It reclines to three positions (up to 159°) in stroller mode, has a two-height handlebar and meets the newer i-Size (R129) standard.
- Doona+ is the original Doona: the same car-seat-to-stroller design, a little lighter at 7.8 kg, with a fixed seat. It's approved to the R44 standard.
- Both are rear-facing infant car seats for babies up to 13 kg.
The Doona is one of the most talked-about baby products of the last decade, and one of the questions we're asked most in our Manchester showroom. It's an infant car seat with wheels built in: in one movement the wheels drop down and it becomes a stroller. No frame to fold, no car seat to click on and off.
We have both the Doona X and the Doona+ in the showroom, so here's how they compare and which one suits you.
How the Doona works
Doona describes it as a fully integrated travel system with three modes: car seat, pull-along and stroller. You strap baby in once. Out of the car, you press the release, the wheels fold down and you're walking. Back at the car, you fold the wheels away and fit the seat. Your baby never leaves it.
That makes it brilliant for short trips: the school run, a quick shop, a taxi, the tram.
Doona X vs Doona+: the key differences
| Doona X | Doona+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Car seat standard | R129 / i-Size | R44 (Group 0+) |
| Baby size | 40–85 cm, up to 13 kg | 1.8–13 kg, up to 81.3 cm |
| Recline in stroller mode | 3 positions, up to 159° | Fixed seat |
| Handlebar height | Two positions: 98 or 103 cm | 99 cm |
| Harness | Integrated, adjusts with the headrest | Rethread harness |
| Side Impact Protection add-on | Included | Energy-absorbing side protection built in |
| Weight | 8.3 kg | 7.8 kg |
| Folded size (W x L x H) | 44 x 72.3 x 45.6 cm | 44 x 66 x 57 cm |
| ISOFIX base | ISOFIX X Base | Doona+ ISOFIX Base |
Recline: the big upgrade
The Doona X's headline feature is its recline. In stroller mode it moves between Sit, Relax and Lean Back, up to 159°, so naps on the go are much more comfortable. Doona notes it can't be reclined in car seat mode, as you'd expect for safety. The Doona+ has a fixed seating position.
Handlebar and comfort
The Doona X handlebar has two heights, 98 cm and 103 cm, so taller parents can push without stooping. The Doona+ handlebar sits at 99 cm. On both, the handlebar doubles as an anti-rebound bar in the car.
Safety standards
The Doona X meets i-Size (R129), Europe's newest car seat regulation, which sizes seats by your baby's height. The Doona+ is approved to the older R44 standard (Group 0+), which goes by weight. Both are rear-facing with a five-point harness.
On the X, the harness adjusts together with the headrest, so there's no rethreading as your baby grows, and Doona's SIP (Side Impact Protection) add-on comes in the box. The Doona+ has a rethread harness, a detachable head support and an energy-absorbing structure for side impact protection.
Size and weight
The Doona+ is lighter: 7.8 kg against 8.3 kg. Folded, the X is lower and longer, the Doona+ shorter and taller. (Doona also makes a third model, the Doona i.)
Is a Doona worth it?
It's a great buy if you drive or take taxis a lot, live somewhere with stairs or limited storage, travel often, or want a light second option alongside a bigger pram.
It's less suited if you walk long distances every day. There's no shopping basket, and your baby will outgrow it at 13 kg or the height limit, whichever comes first. After that you'll need a pushchair. Many families pair a Doona with a compact stroller later on.
Accessories worth adding
- Doona All-Day Bag: makes up for the missing basket. It clips to the back of the Doona with quick-release connectors, so your hands stay free.
- ISOFIX base: the Doona X uses the ISOFIX X Base, and the Doona+ uses the Doona+ ISOFIX Base. Call us and we'll check availability.
- Liki S5 Trike: Doona's folding trike, for when your little one is ready for their next ride.
Our verdict
For most parents, the Doona X is the one to buy: the recline and taller handlebar make a real difference on longer outings,. The Doona+ is a great choice if you mainly use it for short hops between the car and the shops and want the lightest option.
See both in our Doona collection, or book a showroom appointment at 421 Bury New Road, Manchester, to try the fold for yourself. Questions? Call us on 0161 706 2160, or message us on WhatsApp using the button on the site.
Frequently asked questions
Can you use a Doona from birth?
Yes. Doona recommends the Doona X for babies from 40 cm tall, up to 85 cm and 13 kg, and the Doona+ for babies from 1.8 kg up to 13 kg.
Is the Doona X better than the Doona+?
The X adds the recline, a two-height handlebar and i-Size approval. The Doona+ is lighter and simpler. If your baby will nap in it on walks, the X is worth it.
Can I take a Doona on a plane?
Doona says both models are TÜV approved for use on aircraft, but every airline sets its own rules. Check with yours before you travel.
What do I need when my baby outgrows the Doona?
A pushchair and a next-stage car seat. Our buying guides cover lightweight pushchairs that pair nicely with a Doona.