Ease of use
Outstanding. It's lightweight, reversible and very maneuverable
Functionality
It has all the functionality you'd expect in a high end stroller
Price
It's certainly not cheap but if you want great quality, you have to pay for it
We like
We don't like
Summary:
Is the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 perfect? No, nothing is.
Is it a great quality stroller? Yes
Will it give your family and friends a massive case of stroller envy?
OH YES!
Basics of the Bubaboo Cameleon 3
Bugaboo is a dutch company with its headquarters in Amsterdam and it has offices all over the world. It was established in 1999 by designer Max Barenbrug and physician Eduard Zanen. The company moved to the USA in 2003 and it has been a real success story. Bugaboo strollers are some of the most sought after baby strollers on the market today.
The Bugaboo Cameleon 3 is just an amazing stroller. When you buy quality, you have to expect a higher price tag as can be seen with the latest price of the Cameleon 3. It is one of the most maneuverable strollers that you can buy. For a luxury stroller it is relatively lightweight. It is extremely well constructed and will take a lot of abuse. The Cameleon will last for the lifetime of your family and it is very adaptable. Like the UPPAbaby Vista, and iCandy Peach, this stroller can convert easily into a travel system and it is very easy to put a car seat onto the frame.
This has to be the easiest stroller to reverse the bassinet or seat. Instead of reversing the seat or bassinet, all you have to do is move the handle bar to the other side of the stroller and this can be done in a few seconds. This comes in very handy when you need to have the large wheels in front when traveling over soft ground like sand or snow. There have been many times when I've been at playgrounds and had to go over sand and while my friends have struggled pushing their strollers through the sand and while they're grunting and cursing under their breath I just reverse the handlebar and glide through. The stroller can also be converted into two wheel mode and this is ideal when you need to go to the beach as it is much easier to pull the stroller rather than pushing it.
Even though the stroller has great qualities, the real reason you buy it is for the style and the status. Stroller envy is real and you'll find out all about it if you buy this stroller.
Celebs that own the stroller
The stroller is really popular with celebs.
Alec Baldwin
Ivanka Trump
Coleen Rooney
James Corden
The look of the Cameleon 3
To me the design and style is almost as important as functionality. Some may call it shallow, I call it stylish. Below you can find some color options available. There are many more color options available. Just click on one of the images and you'll be able to see all the color options.
Stroller with the bassinet
Stroller with the bassinet separate
Stroller with seat
Features in a nutshell
The Bugaboo Cameleon 3 is a robust, safe stroller with lots of features.
- Dimensions: 35.4″ long x 24″ wide
- Weight: 20 pounds (really light considering the size)
- 3 position seat
- Reversible handlebar
- Very compact
- Adjustable suspension
- Large sun canopy (water repellent)
- Large under-seat storage basket (6.3 gallons)
- Height adjustable handlebar
- All fabrics machine washable
- Mosquito net
- Rain cover
- Maintenance kit
Bugaboo Cameleon 3 Reviews
Features in greater detail
Modular
A unique 3-in-1 design adapts to car seats, reversible bassinet and reversible seat.
Folding
Certainly the Cameleon folds into a compact size but it does have a major disadvantage here. It is not a one-hand operation and you also have to remove the seat. This is not a complicated process but it does slow you down when you are in a rush.
Bassinet
The bassinet comes with a carry handle (removable). This is very handy if you are leaving the stroller frame in a hallway and want to bring the bassinet to another location.
When not in their parents’ arms, it’s best for infants to rest flat on their backs. On the chassis or the nursery floor, the Bugaboo bassinet with built in aerated seat inlay provides a safe, home-in-bed feeling wherever you go. The sunshade in the bassinet is outstanding and it will really protect your baby from the sun. It allows your newborn baby to lay totally flat and facing towards you. A zippered cover will protect the babies lower body and a canopy protects the head.
Seat
The 3 positions
The seat is removed by pressing a large, square button on each side of the stroller. It is very easy to lift the seat and turn it 180°. It attaches securely every time with an audible “Clunk”. The seat has a 3-position recline. Unlike other strollers, this does not recline the back support, it reclines the whole seat and when fully reclined, your child will have no problem sleeping. The seat is also reversible so that baby can either face you or the world.
Wheels
The wheels are foam filled to protect against punctures. The suspension is adjustable and has four settings. This is more than adequate for all but the roughest ground. The swivel wheels can be locked but in the unlocked position they make the Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller very maneuverable.
Handlebar
The handlebar is reversible for use in the city or over rough terrain. Reversing the handlebar allows you to push the stroller in reverse. This is a handy feature to use when getting your child to face away from you. It is faster than removing the seat and turning it.
When in the reverse mode, the larger tires are at the front and this is great for soft ground or loose surfaces but it does make steering a little more difficult as the swivel wheels are now at the rear.
The parking brake is positioned on the handlebar and is easy to reach. Releasing the parking brake causes the brake handle to snap back quite fast so you need to be careful not to get your fingers hit by it. The handlebar on the Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller is height adjustable and can extend by 8 inches. It is not a push button system and requires you to adjust friction knobs on either side of the handlebar.
Big wheels forward
Big wheels in front makes it easy to tackle difficult terrain
Reverse the handlebar to go with the tread covered, foam-filled, 12-inch wheels forward and master hiking trails, gravel paths, and other rough roads. The issue is that the steering wheels are now at the back which makes steering more difficult.
Two-wheel position
The Bugaboo Cameleon switches easily from four wheels to two so that you glide over sand or snow.
Adjustable suspension
Ideal wheel suspension based on the weight of the infant or toddler.
Rain cover
Bugaboo Cameleon 3 Pros
- Very lightweight for its size
- Large wheels
- Reversible seat or bassinet
- Very large sunshade on bassinet
- Very maneuverable
- Foam filled wheels
- 3 position seat tilts the entire seat (not just the back support)
- Adjustable handlebar height
- High seat/bassinet position
- Large under seat basket
- Easily removable wheels for storage (if required)
- Parking brake on handlebar
- All materials are washable
- Adaptable to various car seats
- Good range of accessories
- Can store a whopping 11 six-packs of baby yogurt in the cargo area
Bugaboo Cameleon 3 Cons
- Price
- Carries children only up to 37.5 lbs (Uppababy G Luxe carries 55 lbs)
- Not as good as you would expect over rough ground
- The brake on the handlebar can snap back and hit your fingers quite hard
- Does not fold as easily as some other strollers. E.g. Stokke Xplory
- Reversible handlebar places the large wheels in front which makes steering more difficult
PRICE AND WHERE TO BUY
These prices are valid for December 2017.
You can use my exclusive 15% discount code at the strollerdepot.com. Just use the code strollerreview15 to get 15% discount off pretty much everything you need, not just strollers.
As a price comparison check out:
Amazon (for US, UK and Canada)
Conclusion
Is it the best value stroller? No.
Is it the most practical stroller? No.
Is it a style icon? Yes.
Will it make all your family and friends super envious? Oh yes!
The Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller is certainly an expensive stroller in the luxury range. Anyone who knows anything about strollers will recognize this stroller. Other parents will quiz you about its features. This stroller is also a status symbol. Some parents want to let everyone see what a super stroller they have. Everything about the Bugaboo Cameleon Stroller exudes quality. It functions well and it will cater superbly for your children from ages infant to toddler.
Check out the Cameleon 3 vs the Stokke Xplory
Alternatives to the Cameleon 3
All of the below options are much cheaper but have a similar style. I've had to split it up into alternatives for people from the USA, UK and Canada because not every stroller is available in every country and even if it is, the price can vary dramatically. In all of the below examples I've stuck to options that you'll save hundreds of dollars/pounds. If you're looking for a great deal on a new stroller check out my stroller deals page. As great as high end strollers are, sometimes you just need a lite weight stroller to get around in. The Bugaboo Buffalo is popular also or you could try the Bugaboo Bee or check out my page on the The ultimate guide to the best umbrella strollers.
You could also try to purchase a used stroller. Bugaboo have such good quality and most people who own them take good care of them so they should last a long time. It's a much more affordable option. Try the Bugaboo Frog because it's no longer in production.
Alternatives for Americans
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Alternatives for residence of the UK
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Alternatives for Canadians
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If you're looking for double strollers check out my reviews of the Chicco Double stroller, Bugaboo Donkey or the Joovy Scooter X2 double stroller.