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Bugaboo Bee 3
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Bugaboo Bee 3

DISCONTINUED in 2016
The nippy, designer urban reversible
.eli
see 10 parent reviews

The Bugaboo Bee 3 is the third generation of the very popular light stroller. It was released in 2014. The high-end Bee 3 is the most compact Bugaboo stroller. It is therefore a luxury alternative to an umbrella stroller. The chassis of the improved model is sturdier with a larger shopping basket. The smooth ride of the small wheels is ensured by the soft suspension. The visible front springs are more dense in the third version.

The reversible seat is narrower than those in the older models. It is located low on the chassis. The seat has no leg rest, but can be extended. You can also extend the backrest adjusting the position of the hood as well. The Bee 3 thus fully adapts to a baby´s needs when growing. The seat can be adjusted from completely flat to a very upright position. The shell of the seat is now completely black including the strap fastening. Only the adjustment mechanism is in light grey. The harness was also changed - when unfastened, the straps spring to the sides. This makes it easier to put the child into the seat. Each of the harness straps has to be inserted into the buckle separately. The improved seat textiles are lighter and more breathable with protruding soft side panels. The improved, specifically-shaped hood has more distinctive edges. On sunny days, you can even extend it. Similarly to the popular Bugaboo Cameleon, the Bee can be customized by changing the hoods. Summer variations with ventilation are also available. In addition to the 8 basic hood colors, you can choose a silver or a black chassis and one of 4 colors of the seat textiles.

The Bee 3 is suitable from birth thanks to the full recline. For added comfort a Baby Cocoon is also available. In addition to a car seat, you can now attach a carrycot to the chassis. The carrycot will use the hood from the seat.

The stroller was also released in limited editions, best known of which are: the design collaboration with Diesel (Diesel Rock), Missoni, Modern Pastel or various variations of Andy Warhol and Van Gogh.

Bugaboo Bee 3 Features & Specifications

The Basics

Type
Pushchair (seat and chassis only), 2in1 stroller system, 3in1 stroller system
Stroller weight
8.7 kg
Unfolded dimensions (h×w×l)
89 cm x 53 cm x 88 cm
Folded dimensions (h×w×l)
90 cm x 46.5 cm x 32 cm
Chassis material
Aluminum
Country of origin
Netherlands
Stroller available as a pushchair (seat unit configuration) only; newborn accessories (like a carrycot) need to be purchased separately
Yes

The Seat unit

Maximum weight capacity - seat load
17 kg
Recommended age range (best to use with a child of)
0-48 months
Reversible seat unit
Yes
Easy-release memory button(s) on the seat or the carrycot
No
L-shaped, bucket-type seat unit
No
Reclining backrest
Yes, 3 positions
Full-recline backrest (a bigger-than-a-150-degree-angle to a lie-flat)
Yes
Backrest recline type
Rear-located recline mechanism (e.g., lever-operated)
One-hand backrest recline system
Yes
Extendable backrest
Yes
Legrest positioning
No
Extendable leg rest
Yes
Wipe-clean layer on the leg rest
No
Footrest
Yes
Backrest height
53 cm
Width and depth of the sitting surface
29 x 25.5 cm
Total length of the seat unit
87 cm
A higher seat unit's position on the chassis
No
Height-adjustable seat
No
Seat unit's proper attachment indicator
No
2in1 convertible carrycot/seat unit (pramette travel system)
No
Fabrics removable for cleaning
Yes
Seat fabrics cleaning
Machine washable
Safety harness type
5-point
Harness padding
Yes
Height-adjustable harness belts
Yes
Ventilation integrated into the seat
No
Second seat can be attached (single-to-double convertibility)
No

The Canopy (Hood)

Seat unit equipped with a canopy/hood
Yes
Extendable canopy/hood
Yes
The canopy/hood features a sun visor
No
Floating, follow-the-sun canopy
No
Height-adjustable canopy
Yes
Removable canopy
Yes
Waterproof canopy
No
UV protection in the (canopy) fabrics
Yes
Ventilation integrated into the canopy
No
A pocket integrated into the canopy
No
Peek-a-boo viewing window present on the canopy
No
Reinforcing side clasps present on the canopy
No

The Bumper bar

Bumper bar
No
Bumper bar can be purchased separately
No
Bumper bar features an extra crotch strap
No

The Wheels

Number of wheels
4
Front wheel(s) type
Rubber-coated wheels
Rear wheels type
Rubber-coated wheels
Front wheels diameter
15 cm
Rear wheels diameter
15 cm
Swivel wheels
Yes
Lockable wheels
Yes
Removable wheels
Yes
All wheels are double wheels
No
All-terrain version of wheels available to purchase separately
No
Wheels equipped with mudguards
No,
Two-wheel mode
No

The Suspension

Suspension
Yes
Wheels with suspension
All
Suspension type
Open springs
Adjustable suspension softness
No
Rocking chassis
No

The Brake

Central brake system/type
Push down-lift up pedal brake
Deceleration handbrake
No,

The Fold

Folding system
Flat (compact) fold
One-hand fold
No
Plane-travel-friendly stroller with an ultra-compact fold (suitable as carry-on luggage)
No
Folds with the (forward-facing) seat attached
Yes
Folds with the rearward-facing seat attached
Yes
Self-standing fold
No
Auto-lock feature of the folded chassis
No
Folded stroller can be pulled behind like luggage
Yes
Stroller folds and/or unfolds by itself
No
Equipped with a carry strap/carry handle
No
Outward fold (the seat fabrics are on the outside after folding)
No

The Handlebar

Handle height adjustment
Telescopic
Handlebar material
Foam
Handlebar height
89-106 cm
Reversible handlebar (handle can be flipped to the other side)
No
Safety wrist strap
Yes

The Basket

Shopping basket
Yes
Large shopping basket
Yes
Basket's weight capacity
4 kg
Closable basket
No
An extra basket can be attached to the frame
No
A pocket integrated into the seat/elsewhere on the stroller frame
No

The Carrycot

Carrycot compatible
Yes (with adapters)
Internal dimensions of the carrycot - mattress measurement
72 x 30 cm
Carry handle on the carrycot
Yes,
Inclining carrycot mattress
No,
Foldable carrycot
No,
Rocking-base carrycot
No
Ventilatilated carrycot base (bottom ventilation system)
No,
Carrycot installable in the car instead of a group 0+ car seat (Auto carrycot)
No,
Carrycot positioned high on the frame
No

The Car seat

Car seat compatible
Yes (with adapters)
Car seat sold separately
Yes
Maxi-Cosi/Cybex car seat attachment-type adapters available
Yes
Britax Römer car seat attachment-type adapters available
Yes

The Accessories & Extra features

Parent tray/organizer on the handlebar (included)
No
Cup holder can be attached
Yes
Reflective elements
No
No pushchair mode/seat-unit configuration available
No
Rain cover included
Yes
Mosquito net included
No
Leg cover (apron) included with the seat unit
No
Seat liner/insert included
No
Changing bag included
No
Carry bag/transport cover for the folded stroller included
No
Motorized/Baterry-powered
No
LED light(s)
No
Built-in audio speakers
No
A storage/bag can be attached instead of a seat
No

Parent reviews of the Bugaboo Bee 3

4.0/5
Add YOUR review
if you own(ed) it, own it ;-)
parents say thx^^

So zippy and light to push

4
  • Good looking
  • Comfortable for baby
  • Surprisingly big basket - it's like Mary Poppins bag!
  • Easy to put up and down
  • Not so light weight or compact for something advertised as both
  • Some may have trouble adjusting to basket only being accessible from the front
  • Pricey new - but often able to buy second hand much cheaper!

We love this stroller!

It feels so zippy and light to push, and is super comfortable for Bub - he's had many a nap in it! Love that Bugaboo offer spare parts and new hoods etc to update the look, even though this stroller is now older!

Quite nice for vacations

3
  • reversible seat unit
  • low weight
  • it folds almost by itself
  • extendable back- and leg rest
  • quality frame - no scratches
  • well-made 5-point harness
  • difficult access to the shopping basket
  • small wheels
  • too soft of a suspension system (some may take this as an advantage, however)

I didn't like those little wheels that got stuck in every ridge in the sidewalk. Very soft, almost rocking suspension also won’t fit everybody. Otherwise, quite nice for vacations. I also liked the extendable hood and the lay-flat, non-bucket type of seat unit. The seat going in both direction I take as a big plus as well 👍🏻 Super was also the well-made, quality frame, which did not scratch.

Excellent travel stroller

4

Excellent travel stroller, just - for all-terrain use you’ll need one more stroller. We also used the carrycot. For having in the car, or for summer - a great help... I recommend for those who often go to shopping centers and downtown; also, if you travel a lot by car.

I really like it - design- or function-wise

4
  • maneuverability
  • compact fold
  • design
  • option to change the hoods as well as the seat unit fabrics
  • the only disadvantage is the fact that the seat is very low to the ground

I really like it - design- or function-wise. Moreover, my little daughter is happy in it 🙂

In the role of a buggy for an older toddler, I was very happy with it. I don't really have any reproaches to be made. I recommend it.

Lightweight and compact

4

I miss something to extend the leg rest when the baby falls asleep. For older children (mine was 1.5 years old), the canopy is too close to the head - when open, and my daughter is in the sitting position, her head touches the canopy. Otherwise, maximum satisfaction; it’s lightweight and compact.

  • Easy manipulation
  • Excellent ride
  • So many accessories to choose from - summer canopies, inserts, organizers...
  • Ok for light terrain
  • Not a winter kind of stroller
  • No way to put a footmuff inside
  • Adjusting of the seat - it doesn't click in and doesn't hold where it should

At first, I was not that happy about the fact that you can't use it as a main stroller because of its inability to tackle snow, ice... I intensively started to use it from the spring. It's high-quality, great to push, and with beautiful (even though expensive) accessories.

Top stroller for a child over 1 year

5
  • fully used for two children
  • changing of the accessories
  • great for travels
  • winter/snow is difficult to handle with those small wheels
  • no other complaints :-)

For me, a top stroller for a child over 1 year. Absolutely satisfied - fully used with both of my children. I loved changing the accessories as well as traveling with it 😉

Handy, but its wheels are too small

4

It’s handy, but its wheels are too small.

The best buggy for (just) summer

4
  • very lightweight
  • easy manipulation
  • small wheels

The best buggy for summer, 0 points in snowy winter though... It's an urban buggy.

Your questions about the Bugaboo Bee 3

1)

Hi! Does anyone have experience using this stroller on travels by plane? Could I take this on board an Emirates flight and put on the in board over head cabin luggage? Thanks you!

Hello, Saniya,

The Bee 3's folded dimensions of 90 cm x 46.5 cm x 32 cm definitely won't fit the carry-on (cabin luggage) requirements, no. This will not be allowed on an airline.

However, you usually can take any stroller with you if you have a 2 years old or younger with you as baby's free luggage - the stroller would be taken from you when boarding, and given back to you when getting off the plane. Be sure to check the rules with your airline.

.eli - 10 Jul 2022

This is your place to ask us a (quick) question about the Bugaboo Bee 3