Bugaboo Cameleon 3 Review

When you are purchasing a pushchair, it is important that you get one that is not only comfortable for your child and baby, but one that is convenient for you too.

There are hundreds of different pushchair brands to choose from, and it can be daunting to know which is the best option to choose, especially if you are a first time mom. 

While fancy pushchairs look great, often they are not the most practical options, especially if you need to transport it. With this in mind, if you are looking for a more practical option, we would recommend the Bugaboo Cameleon 3. 

On the whole, this is a fantastic pushchair that is loved and used by many families. In this article, we will be providing you with an in depth review of this pushchair, focusing on aspects such as its specifications, cost, and ease of use. We will also be talking you through some background information on Bugaboo as a company. 

Bugaboo Cameleon 3 Review

Bugaboo Company Background

Bugaboo is a Dutch company that focuses on creating items for toddlers, babies, and infants. They were founded by Max Barenbrug in Amsterdam in 1996.

They focus specifically on creating items such as pushchairs, and while they are not a huge company, their items are popular with parents and guardians. 

They currently employ around 1200 employees, and interestingly, their products have previously featured on the TV show Sex in the City, which helped to spark an interest in their buggies.

Fairly recently, in 2018, Bugaboo was taken over by Bain Capital, though they are still operating as they were prior to this.

On the whole, they are a reliable company to choose, and their products are typically durable and long-lasting, making them a great option to consider.

Bugaboo Cameleon 3 Review

We have split up our review of the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 into useful specification sections. 

Price 

When it comes to the cost, the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 is not too expensive. However, it is on the more expensive end of the spectrum.

However, this is justified given the overall quality of the pushchair and all that it can do. Given that it will last until a child is 4 years old, it is certainly worth the investment. 

Specifications

When it comes to popular pushchairs, the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 has taken the world by storm, especially when it comes to popular choices for celebrities.

Naturally, the more celebrities that have used this pushchair, the more popular it has become, making it rather difficult to purchase.

However, when you take into consideration the specifications of this pushchair, it is easy to see why it is a popular choice. 

The Bugaboo Cameleon 3 is available in 4 different base colors — dark brown, dark gray, sand, and black. The fabric colors available are — off-white, pink, black, royal blue, orange, red, sand, and petrol blue.

There are a good variety of color options to choose from depending on your personal preference. 

This is a fairly lightweight pushchair on the whole, only weighing 21.16 pounds. This allows for easy assembling and folding. It has an age range from birth to 4 years old.

This is particularly great as it means that the pushchair is built to last. You will not have to worry about purchasing another buggy, as your child will not outgrow it. 

The size of the pushchair when it is in its highest handlebar position is 94 × 59 × 112 cm, and at its lowest handlebar position, it is 94 × 59 × 101 cm.

What Is Included

Here is everything included with the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 pushchair:

  • Chassis with wheels
  • Carry handle
  • Base seat
  • Base seat fabric
  • Sun canopy
  • Base carrycot
  • Base carrycot fabric
  • Base carrycot apron
  • Rain cover
  • Under seat basket

As you can see, you are given everything required to make the pushchair suitable from newborn up to 4 years old. 

Chassis

The chassis is not too large on the whole, which is useful. This means that the pushchair is fairly compact, and can fit into smaller vehicles with ease. The handlebar of the chassis can be adjusted to suit both shorter and taller people. 

The minimum handlebar height is 101 cm and the maximum height is 112 cm. This is a good range on the whole, and allows the pushchair to be a comfortable height for the majority of parents and carers. 

Seat

The seat of the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 is fantastic. It is spacious, while still being a compact pushchair. It is 47 cm in height, and 32 cm in width.

While it is fairly basic in its design, this allows it to be accessible, and quick and easy to secure your child into the seat. 

It is durable, and easy to clean, which is particularly useful. The straps are comfortable for the child, and are secure too.

It can be placed into three different recline positions — upright, semi upright and horizontal. Changing between these is seamless, and it stays in position securely.

The harness is a five point, that features a good amount of adjustment, and the hoods help to block out UV rays. 

Carrycot

The carrycot aspect of the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 is fantastic, and is another great selling point. It allows you to move your child without having to worry about taking them out of the cot if they are sleeping. 

The carry cot attaches very easily to the chassis, with just the click of two buttons. The mattress of the carry cot is soft, comfortable, and aerated.

Basket

The basket featured with the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 is a good size. It is not too large that it inhibits the pushchair from being compact, but it still can hold a good amount. The total capacity is 22 liters, which is enough room to store necessities along with shopping. 

The maximum weight is 6 kg. When you compare this to the overall weight of the pushchair, this is fantastic, and impressive. On the whole, the basket is surprisingly spacious, and plenty big enough for everyday use. 

Ease Of Use

What is so great about this pushchair is its ease of use. This was the first pushchair of its kind, and because it has such a great design, many companies have followed suit. 

Being compact in its design and easy to fold, it is quick to assemble. This prevents you from struggling to use it, and it allows you to cut down on your preparation time.

It is easy to maneuver and does not take up too much space. This allows you to shop and travel easier. 

Switching the seat is simple, and can be done in a matter of seconds. In addition to this, adjusting the height and the position of the seat is simple, and not complicated in any way. 

This pushchair was designed with ease of use in mind. It takes away the fuss that often comes with pushchairs, and has a simple, yet useful design. 

Folded Size

The folded size of the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 pushchair is one of its biggest selling points, and what we think is its best feature. It folds down to be very compact, especially when compared to other brands.

It is almost completely flat when folded, which makes it great to fit into smaller cars, or storage in your home, when it is not in use. 

The chassis of the pushchair can be separated from the seat, and they can both be folded individually or combined, which is useful. The size specification of the compact two-piece fold is 90 × 50 × 31 cm.

Wheels

The wheels of the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 are fantastic and particularly durable. They are suitable for all terrains, which means that your child will be comfortable traveling in the buggy, even on uneven surfaces.

This also means that the pushchair is less likely to become faulty if you use it on more uneven terrains. 

The front wheels are 5.9 inches (ca. 15 cm), and the rear wheels are 11.81 inches (ca. 30 cm) in diameter. They are just the right size, not being too small or large. The brakes on the wheel are secure and strong, which is important. 

Warranty

The Bugaboo Cameleon 3 pushchairs feature free 90-day returns if you are not happy with the products, and also double the warranty. This is great should anything go wrong with the pushchair after you have purchased it, 

Pros:

  • Compact – It is particularly easy to fold and is compact
  • Long-lasting –  It will last from 0-4 years
  • Carry cot and seat – Easy to switch between the two and very useful 
  • Simple design – easy to use everyday 

Cons:

  • Expensive – It is a fairly expensive option to purchase

Summary

To summarize, on the whole, the Bugaboo Cameleon 3 is a fantastic choice to consider. It is easy to use, durable and given how long it lasts for, it is certainly worth the money.