Bugaboo Bee

Reviewers say the Bugaboo Bee is a nice, lightweight, full-featured stroller that maneuvers well and folds up easily. The downside is the price tag, which is higher than other high-end models like the Inglesina Zippy (*Est. $350). Reviewers say that while the Bugaboo Bee stroller is stylish, it doesn't necessarily outperform these other luxury strollers. Another downside of the Bugaboo Bee stroller is that its small wheels limit its usefulness to smooth terrain. One plus is that the seat is reversible, so the baby can ride facing you. Parents say there's a learning curve with this stroller -- one reason that an instructional video is included. Overall, critics say the Bugaboo Bee is more about luxury and status than pure functionality. If you don't care about making a fashion statement, you can spend much less and still get a good stroller.

In June 2009, Bugaboo announced a recall on the Bee, after more than 100 reports of the stroller's brakes failing. Owners can contact Bugaboo at (800) 460-2922 or at Bugaboo.com to receive a free repair kit.

The best professional review of the Bugaboo Bee stroller comes from U.K.-based Which? magazine, which stands out for its thorough and independent testing. Cookie magazine relies on parent feedback rather than formal testing, but it does have an interesting and balanced write-up on the Bee. Owner-written reviews are especially useful in this category, because many parents do extensive research before choosing a stroller, and they often have experience with more than one model. StrollersAndPrams.com has a lengthy entry on the Bugaboo Bee that rivals expert reviews for detail, clarity and balance. The shorter owner-written reviews on Amazon.com are also worth a look, especially if you want to get a sense of how parents feel about the Bugaboo Bee stroller after they've used it for a while.