The Pond · First Look
The Doona X Is Here and It Was Worth the 7-Year Wait
The next generation of the Doona car seat + stroller has landed at Tadpole and here's our review of everything that changed.
Doona has been a Tadpole favorite for years because it solves one of parenting’s most familiar struggles: how do you move from the car to the street without juggling multiple pieces, adding adapters, or waking the baby? The highly anticipated Doona X builds on that original promise with thoughtful upgrades designed to make everyday transitions even smoother.
Below is what's actually new, who the Doona X is best for, and how to decide between the X and the original Doona (the Doona+) which we still love and carry.
First — What Is the Doona X?
If you're new to Doona: it was the first complete all-in-one travel system to put wheels directly on an infant car seat making it a 100% car seat and 100% stroller. It's an infant car seat that becomes a stroller in seconds. You lift it out of the car, pop the wheels out and you're ready to go. For city parents, frequent flyers, and anyone on the go that single trick is the whole magic.
The Doona X is the next-generation of that same idea but re-engineered for comfort, safety, and for extended daily use.
Car seat to stroller in seconds
A typical travel system requires you to move the baby, or at least move the car seat, onto a separate stroller frame. The Doona's stroller wheels are built in so going from car to sidewalk is an easy process.
What's New with Doona X
The upgrades are noticeable and are the features you'll use everyday.
A taller, adjustable handlebar. The original Doona's handle height did its job but taller parents often wished for more. The Doona X adds about 2.5 inches to handle height so taller parents finally get a comfortable push without hunching.
Three recline positions. This is our favorite upgrade. The Doona X gives you three positions — Sit, Relax, and Lean Back — so your baby is more comfortable. If you travel a lot, or your baby is going to spend extended stretches in the Doona (long car rides, airports, all-day outings) and being able to lean them back into a proper resting position instead of one fixed upright angle is a real comfort win.
A longer, more substantial infant insert. The newborn insert is longer and more supportive, with dedicated newborn head support so the smallest babies are cradled better from birth. It feels more premium and more protective when you look at it next to the Doona+.
Better wheels and a smoother push. The Doona X adds a dual shock-absorbing mechanism, and you can feel the push is a bit smoother over sidewalk cracks. Paired with the upgraded leather-look handle covers, it feels nicer too. All four wheels are also quick & smooth release for compact storage and softer transitions.
One brake and it's flip-flop friendly. The Doona X uses a single, easy brake that you can flick on and off without sacrificing a sandal or a bare toe in the process. You can always tell quality by looking at the small details.
A longer canopy with 50+ SPF. More coverage and strong UPF protection for sunny outings. Doona is also rolling out accessories including a ventilated summer sun canopy (with side venting for hot months) and a backpack that hooks underneath the stroller and more.
Built and tested for the newest standards
The Doona X is engineered for rear-facing crash safety and improved side-impact protection. It is certified under the latest and most advanced regulation, FMVSS 213B car seat standard.
The Base Might Be My Favorite Part
As a mom and CPST, I'm not sure what I love more - the stroller upgrades or the new base. The Doona X base is one of the easiest bases to install. It uses a rigid LATCH connection, a bubble indicator/leveler so you can set the angle correctly (and know that it's correct!) every single time. Plus, there is now a load leg that braces against the vehicle floor for extra stability and safety. You get clear, visual confirmation that your base is installed right so you're not second-guessing. For a product built around going in and out of the car constantly, getting the base foolproof is a game changer.
Note that the seatbelt installation method (base-free) works the same familiar way it always has so you're not re-learning anything for quick trips. The install upgrade is all in the base: rigid LATCH, a leveler you can actually read, and a load leg for added stability.
Doona X vs. Doona+ Specs
| Doona X | Original Doona+ | |
|---|---|---|
| Concept | 100% car seat, 100% stroller | 100% car seat, 100% stroller |
| Recline positions | 3 — Sit, Relax, Lean Back | Single fixed position |
| Handlebar | Adjustable height (taller-friendly) | Fixed height |
| Ride / suspension | Dual shock absorbers | Chassis suspension |
| Handle grips | Upgraded leather-look covers | Standard, non-leather grips |
| Infant insert | Longer, upgraded + newborn head support | Orthopedic inner cushion |
| Brake | Single, flip-flop friendly | Two-touch brake |
| Canopy | Longer, 50+ SPF | Standard canopy |
| Wheels | All 4 quick-release | Standard wheels |
| Safety additions | Anti-rebound + reinforced side impact | Standard Doona protection |
| Base | Rigid LATCH, leveler, load leg | strap LATCH base, no bubble, no load leg |
| Base-free (seatbelt) install | European-belt method | European-belt method |
| Certification | FMVSS 213B, newest 2026 standards | FMVSS 213A |
| Price | $850 | $550 |
Doona solved the hardest problem in baby gear. The Doona X takes that same philosophy and elevates the everyday details — the push, the recline, the base — to a more premium ride.
— AnA V, TadpoleSo, Doona X or the Original Doona+?
Both do the job but the question is how you'll actually use it.
Doona X
$850
Best for families on the go who want maximum comfort and ease.
Shop Doona X →Choose the original Doona+ if this is really your extra stroller, in an addition to your main travel system and the one you keep for quick errands, occasional grandparent hand-off, or a trip here and there. It's the same beloved car-seat-to-stroller magic at a friendlier $550, and it's still a fantastic product.
Choose the Doona X if you travel a lot, you're constantly on the go, and you want maximum comfort and ease of use, especially the recline-back position for a newborn in stroller mode, and that reassuring load-leg base if this is your main car seat also. If your baby will spend real time in it, it's worth it for the extra comfort and convenience you'll feel every single day.
Questions we're already getting
What's the difference between the Doona X and the original Doona+?
The Doona X keeps the same one-motion car-seat-to-stroller concept but adds three recline positions, an adjustable (taller-friendly) handlebar, a longer upgraded infant insert with newborn head support, dual shock absorbers for a smoother push, a longer 50+ SPF canopy, upgraded handle covers, and a new rigid-LATCH base with a leveler and load leg. It's $850 vs. $550 for the original Doona+.
Who is the Doona X best for?
Families who are frequently on the go, think lots of travel, lots of in-and-out of the car, and babies who'll spend extended time in the seat. The recline positions, taller handle, and smoother ride make a real difference when the Doona is your everyday, all-day setup. If you only need it for quick errands or the occasional trip, the original Doona+ may be all you need.
Does the Doona X recline?
Yes — this is one of the biggest upgrades. It offers three positions: Sit, Relax, and Lean Back. That means you can lean your baby back into a resting position in stroller mode, which is especially valuable for long outings and travel days.
Is the Doona X base easy to install?
Very. The Doona X LATCH base uses a rigid LATCH connection, a bubble indicator/leveler to confirm the correct angle every time, and a load leg for extra stability. The base-free seatbelt installation still works the same familiar way for quick trips and taxis & Ubers.
Is the Doona X safe / how is it tested?
The Doona X is FMVSS 213B certified for use in the US as a rear-facing infant car seat, and adds anti-rebound protection panel and improved side-impact protection with a reinforced double-wall structure. It's engineered to meet the newest testing standards.
Where can I see or buy the Doona X near Boston?
Tadpole is an official Doona X partner and we will have first limited quantities. You can see it in person at our South End Boston store or our Hingham showroom. Book a personal overview appointment or call us at 617-778-1788 and we'll walk you through both the Doona X and the original Doona+.
South End Boston · Hingham Showroom
Be the first to see the Doona X.
We're an official Doona X launch partner with limited early stock. Come see it in person, or book a Ready by Tadpole appointment in Hingham and we'll walk you through the Doona X and the original Doona+ side by side.