💸 Cheapest Premium
How we rank: Ranked from the prams in our comparison — the products we track in Australia. “Best” means best of these, not every model sold in Australia.
Reviewed by the BabyCosts editorial team
| Feature | Bugaboo Butterfly 2 | Stokke YOYO³ | UPPAbaby Minu V3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best Price | $569.00 View full comparison → | $599.00 View full comparison → | $599.00 View full comparison → |
| Price (AUD) | $569 – $829 | $599 – $799 | $599 – $636.65 |
| Warranty | 4 years (2 + 2 upon registration) | 3 years (2 + 1 upon registration) | 3 years (2 + 1 upon registration) |
| Age Range | 6 months to ~4 years (22 kg) | 6 months to ~4 years (birth with newborn pack) | 3 months to ~4 years (22 kg); birth with Mesa capsule |
| Weight | 7.3 kg | 6.1 kg | 7.8 kg |
| Folded Size | 45 × 36 × 23 cm (cabin-approved) | 52 × 44 × 18 cm (cabin-approved) | 52 × 47 × 30 cm |
| Safety Standard | Australian mandatory standard based on AS/NZS 2088:2000; exact model certification evidence not published in the reviewed public source | Australian mandatory standard based on AS/NZS 2088:2000; exact model certification evidence not published in the reviewed public source | Australian mandatory standard based on AS/NZS 2088:2000; exact model certification evidence not published in the reviewed public source |
| Fold Type | One-second compact fold | One-hand compact fold (cabin size) | One-hand compact fold with carry strap |
| Terrain | Urban / flat surfaces only | Urban / flat surfaces only | Urban (all-wheel suspension) |
| Included Accessories | Travel bag included, bassinet sold separately | Newborn pack ($199+), rain cover sold separately | Carry strap built-in, bassinet sold separately |
The gap between a $500 budget pram and a $$569-$$599premium pram is the smallest it’s been: the Bugaboo Butterfly 2 (from $$569), UPPAbaby Minu V3 and Stokke YOYO³ (both $$599) sit barely above the $500 mark. For that small stretch you get: (1) a one-hand fold (vs two-hand wrestling), (2) a 3-4 year warranty (vs 1 year), (3) resale value of ~$350 after 3 years (vs ~$50), making the effective cost similar or lower, and (4) a pram that doesn’t feel like it’s fighting you on every walk. If $$569 is genuinely out of reach, buy a second-hand Minu V2 or YOYO² for $350-$500; you get premium build quality for budget money, and someone else took the new-price depreciation. If you must buy new under $500, department-store prams (~$299-$349) are the most commonly discussed budget options on Australian parenting forums; they all pass AS 2088:2022 and are available at Baby Bunting.
1. Fold test: Fold and unfold 3 times. It should be smooth with no sticking or grinding. A sticky fold means a worn mechanism, so walk away. 2. Brake test: Engage the brake and push the pram firmly. It should not roll. Worn brakes are a safety hazard. 3. Fabric check: Look for mould (Australian humidity kills pram fabric), tears, and faded spots. Replacement fabric sets cost $100-$300. 4. Wheel spin:Lift each wheel and spin it; it should turn freely without wobbling. Noisy bearings are a $50-$100 repair. 5. Harness:Buckle and unbuckle every clip. Stiff or sticky buckles mean the pram has been left in the rain. 6. Age: Ask the manufacture date. Prams older than 6 years may have brittle plastic components. 7. Model:Check if it’s the current model (Bugaboo Fox 5, not Fox 3; UPPAbaby Vista V3, not V2). Older models are worth less and may not have current safety features. Facebook Marketplace is the best source; Gumtree has fewer listings but less competition. Expect to pay $300-$500 for a 3-year-old premium pram in good condition.
Bugaboo International B.V.
The ultra-compact travel pram with one-second fold.
From $569.00
View details & buy →
Stokke AS
The cabin-approved travel pram, now with improved ventilation and comfort.
From $599.00
View details & buy →
UPPAbaby
The compact everyday pram with one-hand fold and travel-ready design.
From $599.00
View details & buy →
No premium-brand pram is available under $500 AUD new. The cheapest new premium prams start at $569 (the Bugaboo Butterfly 2), with the UPPAbaby Minu V3 and Stokke YOYO³ at $599. Non-premium prams from department stores start around $199-$499 and meet AS 2088:2022 safety standards. For $500, consider: (1) a second-hand premium pram (Bugaboo, UPPAbaby, or Babyzen YOYO in good condition), (2) stretching your budget to $569-$599 for a Butterfly 2, Minu V3, or YOYO³, or (3) a new department-store pram, which is safe but lacks premium features.
Non-premium prams ($199-$499) typically sacrifice: (1) fold quality, as they often need two hands and feel flimsy, while premium prams fold one-handed with a satisfying click; (2) terrain capability, with small plastic wheels that struggle on anything but smooth pavement; (3) warranty, 1 year versus 3-4 years on premium prams; (4) resale value, around $50 versus premium prams holding 40-60% of retail; and (5) weight, heavier at 12-15 kg versus 7-11 kg due to cheaper materials. For occasional use, a department-store pram is fine. For daily use, stretching to $599 for a Minu V3 or YOYO³ (or $569 – $829 for a Butterfly 2) is worth it.
Yes, a second-hand Bugaboo, UPPAbaby, or Babyzen YOYO in good condition for $300-$500 is often better than a new budget pram at the same price. Check: (1) the fold mechanism works smoothly, (2) the brakes engage firmly, (3) the fabric has no mould or tears, (4) all wheels spin freely, and (5) the harness buckles click securely. Avoid prams older than 6 years (plastic degrades). A 3-year-old Bugaboo Fox or UPPAbaby Vista for $400-$500 is excellent value; the original owner took the depreciation hit, and you get premium build quality for budget money.
The Bugaboo Butterfly 2 (from $569) is the cheapest new premium pram. The UPPAbaby Minu V3 ($599) and Stokke YOYO³ ($599) follow, with the Minu V3 weighing 7.8 kg, folding one-handed, and compatible with the UPPAbaby Mesa V3 capsule (no adapters). If $569-$599 is out of reach, consider a second-hand Minu V2 or YOYO² (the previous model) for $350-$500.
How we compare budget options
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