Doona car seat and stroller test 2024

Very few baby items are truly essential. But for most people, the car seat is one of those essential pieces of equipment. In most states in the US, it is required by law to have a car seat when you leave the hospital with your newborn.

However, if you live in a big city and don’t have your own car, the car seat can be a problem. You’ll have to install and remove the car seat every time you get in and out of a car with your little one, so you want something that’s easy to manage. But of course, you don’t want to compromise on safety.

If those are your main criteria, you’ve almost certainly come across the Doona+ Car Seat & Stroller ($550) in your research. It’s one of the few car seats on the market that has wheels built into the seat itself, so you don’t have to mess with a separate, folding stroller base. When I first started telling my friends around town that I was pregnant, it was always on the list of gear recommendations they sent my way, more as an assumption than a suggestion: “And you get the Doona, of course.”

Dear readers, I got the Doona. Or rather, the brand generously sent me a Doona car seat and stroller to try out. A year later, I can give my honest opinion on whether it’s worth it.

What are the criteria for a good car seat and stroller?

When it comes to car seats, safety is the most important factor. Additionally, individual circumstances come into play. I live in New York City and don’t own a car, so I knew that any car seat I would get would have to be easy to install and remove, since I would be using it primarily in rental cars and rideshares. Additionally, the ability to have a convertible stroller was a must. If I were to take an Uber to another neighborhood, I couldn’t be left alone with a car seat and a stroller; the car seat would have to become the stroller.

What I like about the Doona car seat and stroller

The Doona is really easy to put on and take off. My husband and I took our newborn home from the hospital in an Uber. Although we had been obsessively watching videos in the weeks leading up to my due date, the day of the drive home was the first time we actually put the Doona on in real life. This meant our days-old newborn was in the Doona while we secured her in the car, which was idling on the side of a busy city street – what a stressful situation.

But I can honestly say that the installation and also the removal went smoothly. And since then we have been able to easily click the Doona in and out of the various cars we are in. We have even used it on several flights.

I also like that you have the option of using a base or strapping the Doona in with a seatbelt. When we rent a car for more than a day, we use the base which attaches to the car seat mounts behind the car seat cushion for extra stability; otherwise, we use the seatbelt so we can travel light.

I estimate that the Doona can be used for children from 4 to 35 pounds and up to 32 inches. That said, we were able to use it for the entirety of his child’s first year and will be able to continue using it for a little longer. (It comes with an infant insert, which we removed as recommended when our child passed the 11 pound mark.) Our infant always felt comfortable and supported by the seat, even as his legs got longer; he falls asleep in it like a dream.

As a stroller, the Doona works great. It unfolds easily and the wheels fold up even when baby is in the car seat. It has become a great smaller stroller option for short visits to places like a doctor’s office or restaurant where I may need to be in tight spaces even when I’m not driving.

Things to consider before trying the Doona car seat and stroller

Although we were able to figure out the installation and removal just by using Doona’s helpful instructional videos, I would recommend practicing as much as possible before using it with a baby, as practice definitely makes it easier.

When using the Doona as a stroller, the handle is a bit short for my 6’3″ husband, even when fully extended.

And while the Doona FAQs contain a lot of great information, there are a few safety guidelines you should keep in mind: The Doona should be installed using the vehicle’s seat belt or the LATCH base, never both. Although all fabric parts of the Doona can be put in the washing machine (on a cold, gentle cycle), the harness system should only be spot cleaned or rinsed with warm water.

Additionally, Doonas (like all car seats) have an expiration date. They typically “last” about six years after manufacture, but each car seat has a sticker with an expiration date. (Kids usually outgrow the Doona by age 2, if not sooner, but this is good to know if you’re using it for multiple little ones.)

Who the Doona car seat and stroller is best suited for

I think the Doona car seat and stroller is an absolute must for parents of toddlers who don’t have their own car. The ease of use is unparalleled – you don’t have to lug a stroller system around, just the Doona. For parents with a car, it’s more of a nice extra.

More details about the Doona car seat and stroller

Where can I buy the Doona car seat and stroller?

You can purchase the Doona+ car seat and stroller at doona.com and other stores including Nordstrom, Pottery Barn Kids (where you’ll find an exclusive color, Warm Stone), and Bloomingdale’s.

Mirel Zaman is the Health and Fitness Director at PS. She has over 15 years of experience in the health and wellness space, covering fitness, general health, mental health, relationships and sex, diet and nutrients, spirituality, family and parenting, culture and news.