Comparison of Doona Car Seat Stroller vs. Evenflo Shyft DualRide Car Seat Stroller Combo
The Doona and Shyft DualRide are both popular infant carseats with integrated strollers. They are similar in their function but there are notable differences and each has its pros and cons. We have considerable experience with both products, so we wanted to highlight the key differences to help you make an informed decision.
SPECS:
Doona: 4-35 lbs., under 32″
Evenflo Shyft DualRide: 3-35 lbs., 15.7″- 32″
If you’re considering a Doona, chances are you are also comparing it to the Evenflo Shyft DualRide and wondering which might be better for you. Like all niche products, these car seats with integrated strollers are definitely convenient but there are tradeoffs. These seats are heavy, expensive, and once your baby outgrows them, you will need to purchase a new car seat and a new stroller.
You may also find that you become increasingly frustrated with it as your baby gets heavier. Lifting a car seat that weighs almost 20 lbs., plus the weight of your baby, then maneuvering it in and out of a vehicle isn’t an easy task for many parents or caregivers – and it certainly exceeds the lifting restrictions for a mom who is recovering from a Cesarean birth.
The Shyft DualRide does give you the option to detach the heavy chassis with the wheels attached inside the base – allowing you to remove just the carrier (which weighs only 8 lbs.) from the base. But this is only useful in situations where you can easily carry the car seat with the baby inside.
If you’re an urban parent who relies on taxis and rideshares for transportation, or if you frequently travel by plane with your baby, these products can be a lifesaver for the limited time that your baby fits in it. Just be realistic about your expectations. With a 32″ height limit, most babies will fit in the Doona or the DualRide for about 12-15 months before they outgrow it by height.
If you think you may deliver early, the Shyft DualRide fits very small newborns beautifully. The DualRide is rated from 3 lbs./15.7″ with multiple harness positions (hip, buckle, and shoulder) whereas the Doona starts at 4 lbs. and 32″ or less with only buckle and shoulder harness adjustments.
The DualRide also features a no-rethread harness to easily move the harness straps up as your baby grows. The Doona is more of an old-school setup with 3 sets of harness slots that need to be manually rethreaded as your baby grows.
For larger/older babies, the DualRide can better accommodates a child with a longer torso (as long as they are still under 32″), since the headrest extends beyond the shell. However, neither the canopy nor the handle rotate over the DualRide headrest when it’s in those upper headrest positions.
I took both products for a stroll in my backyard, which has multiple varied surfaces, including cement, pavers (which are similar to cobblestone), rock of different sizes, and artificial turf. Both strollers did very well, though the Doona was a little smoother on the rock—I think due to its slightly larger wheel size—and was quieter.
The DualRide’s handle is a couple of inches taller, which also puts the stroller wheels farther away (it’s a geometry thing). I’m 5’6” and I prefer the taller handle of the DualRide, but the Doona’s handle wasn’t uncomfortable for me. However, my 6’5″ husband had to push the Doona with his fingertips to keep from kicking the wheels, but he found the DualRide comfortable to push and didn’t even come close to kicking the bar or wheels.
Evenflo offers more standard features for the price with the Shyft DualRide: the ability to detach the carrier from the heavy stroller wheels when removing the seat from the base, optional “wheel wells” which protect the vehicle seat from dirty stroller wheels, a belt-tensioning device on the base for easier installs, an optional parent cup holder (only for use in stroller mode) and SensorSafe technology in the chest clip. A carryall storage bag comes with all mid-level and higher trim lines of DualRide.
However, there are a couple of downsides with Shyft DualRide. When it’s installed in an outboard seating position, it requires 1.5” of space between the car seat and the back of the front seat. That may not be a big deal in larger SUVs or minivans, but in smaller vehicles, it can make a difference.
In my Tesla Model X, I set the front seat to 1.5″ away from the Shyft DualRide. Using a tripod to get accurate angle pics, the Doona measured 2″ away from the front seat, which means that the Doona takes up roughly a half inch less room from front to back in this vehicle and the Doona doesn’t mandate a certain amount of space between the back of the car seat and the back of the vehicle front seat.
The other issue is specific to installation in a vehicle without the base. When installing DualRide without its base, it is necessary to remove one set of wheels and reattach them in a designated position under the carrier. This extra step is cumbersome because you need to accomplish this while the baby is strapped into the seat. The Doona doesn’t need to have any of its wheels removed in order to install it properly without the base. If you plan to install without the base frequently, this is definitely something to consider.
I feel like the Doona converts to and from a stroller in a more fluid motion. On the DualRide, there is one handle to drop the wheels and another handle to collapse them. I’m sure once you’re used to it, you don’t think twice about which handle to grab but if you’re unfamiliar with the process there may be some confusion.
When it comes to tucking the wheels away, neither product folds in a way that is intuitive. If you don’t understand how to fold the wheels into the carrier, there is going to be a lot of fumbling and confusion. Make sure you watch some videos first to avoid unnecessary frustration.
Both the Doona and the DualRide have optional accessories available for purchase separately. Evenflo offers DualRide models that come with a carryall storage bag, but if you buy the base model that doesn’t comes with the storage bag, you can always purchase the carryall bag separately. We consider some sort of bag a necessity since neither product has a storage basket underneath. Additional accessories for DualRide include an essentials bag for diapers and wipes, a travel bag and an all-weather cover. Doona offers leather handle covers, bags, and covers for parents willing to add on to their seat.
Currently, there are no Doona or DualRide products available without flame-retardant chemicals. However, Evenflo will be launching a limited edition “Green and Gentle” line of Shyft DualRide in the future that will be flame-retardants free.
Ultimately, the choice between Doona & DualRide comes down to which model best suits your needs and you can use properly on every single ride! If you’re looking for additional information, check out our full reviews of both the DualRide and Doona.
The Gold Shyft DualRide with Carryall Storage on sale at Amazon!
