The history of the Bugaboo Cameleon
The fabled Bugaboo brand started back in Holland in 1996 as a graduation project by founder Max Barenbrug.
Whether you like them or not, there’s something about the Bugaboo brand that has timeless appeal to many, like Louis Vuitton, or Mercedes-Benz. There are many other prams which have more features, more configurations and more party tricks but Bugaboo remains an aspiration for many parents and their wishlists.
The Bugaboo Cameleon is the original Bugaboo pram and can trace its roots back to the original Bugaboo Classic, launched in 1999 and has undergone multiple evolutions since. Recently, the Cameleon has been replaced by the Bugaboo Lynx reflecting the more modern style of Bugaboos but the Cameleon is still *the* classic Bugaboo in many parents’ eyes.
While the Cameleon has remained iconically identifiable over the years (at least for parents and pram spotters) there are a number of subtle differences between the models.
Let’s go through a rundown.
The Bugaboo Cameleon Family Tree
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Bugaboo Classic
Launched: 1999
The original granddaddy of them all.
Bugaboo Frog
Launched: 2001
When Bugaboo hit mainstream consciousness, with Miranda’s help on Sex and the City.
Bugaboo Cameleon 1
Launched: 2005
The very first Cameleon.
Bugaboo Cameleon 2 (Cameleon +)
Launched: 2007
Officially known as the Cameleon +, otherwise known as the Cameleon 2. Improves on the design.
Bugaboo Cameleon 3
Launched: 2012
Cameleon grows up, gets a larger basket. Many design improvements.
Bugaboo Cameleon 3+
Launched: 2018
A few design changes and a lot of new colours.
Differences between Cameleon 1 vs 2 vs 3 vs 3+
Here are all of the detailed differences between the Cameleon 1, 2, 3 and 3+:
Model
Cameleon
Cameleon 2
Cameleon 3
Cameleon 3+
Released
2005
2007
2012
2018
Tyres
Air-filled
Foam-filled
Foam-filled
Foam-filled
Basket
Smaller
Smaller
Larger
Larger, better access
Wheel axle
Plastic
Plastic
Sturdier, metal
Sturdier, metal
Wheel release
Original
Original
Quick release
Quick release
Fold/unfold
Two-step
Two-step
One-step
One-step
Handlebar height adjustment
Wingnut
Handlebar clips
Improved, handlebar clips with click-in position
Improved, handlebar clips with click-in position
Brake lever
Original, three-click brake
Original, three-click brake
Easier, one-click brake
Easier, one-click brake
Harness
Unpadded
Padded
Adjustable, padded
Adjustable, padded
Bumper bar
Fixed, two-hand removal
Fixed, two-hand removal
Rotating, one-hand removal
Rotating, one-hand removal
Footrest
Original
Original
Wider
Wider
Carrycot
Original, removable struts
Original, removable struts
Easier fold, sewn in struts
Easier fold, sewn in struts
Seat to frame connector
Original
Revised
Revised
Revised
Seat frame
Original
Original
Original
Updated, sleeker
Colours
Frame:
Aluminum frame with Black seat/bassinet fabrics
Canvas:
Grey
Brown
Sand
Red
Frame:
Aluminum frame with Black seat/bassinet fabrics
Canvas:
Grey
Brown
Sand
Red
Frame:
Aluminum frame with Black seat/bassinet fabrics
Black frame with Black seat/bassinet fabrics
Canvas:
Black
Grey Melange
Red
Orange
Soft Pink
Ice Blue
Petrol Blue
Off White
Frame:
Aluminum frame with Black seat/bassinet fabrics
Black frame with Grey Melange seat/bassinet fabrics
Canvas:
Black
Sky Blue
Ruby Red
Soft Pink
Fresh White
Neon Red
Sunrise Yellow
Grey Melange
Blue Melange
Birds (pattern)
Waves (pattern)
The complete list of Bugaboo Cameleon accessories:
Bassinet
The bassinet comes included with the Cameleon package. The fabric fits over the seat frame to become the bassinet.
Sun Canopy
Comes included with the Cameleon. For fitting over the seat and bassinet.
Also compatible with the Fox2 and the Lynx.
Travel bag
For transporting your Cameleon as luggage.
Fabric set
The fabric set is a replacement sun canopy, seat fabric and bassinet apron. You can customise your Bugaboo Cameleon look by changing this.
Seat liner
The seat liner sits on top of the seat fabric for added comfort and protection for your baby.
Maxi Cosi adapter
The Maxi Cosi adapter is required to attach Maxi Cosi car seats to the Cameleon.
Compatible with:
Nuna Pipa Klik
MaxiCosi Mico Plus
Footmuff
The footmuff attaches to the Cameleon seat for your baby to tuck their legs and toesies into to provide warmth and coverage in winter conditions.
Comfort Wheeled Board
A wheeled seat attachment for your toddler to ride along outside the pram when they don’t want to walk.
Parasol
A Bugaboo umbrella that attaches to the pram.
Cup holder
Holds cups for the pusher. Not the rider.
Mosquito net
Protects your baby from insects. For bassinet only.
Rain cover
Protects your baby from the rain.
Bugaboo Cameleon car seat compatibility
Maxi Cosi
Nuna Pipa Klik
Popular comparisons
Bugaboo Cameleon 3+ vs Bee 5
How does the Cameleon stack up against the Bee 5 urban pram?
| Feature | Bugaboo Cameleon 3+ | Bugaboo Bee 5 |
|---|---|---|
 |  | |
| Size | L 90 x W 59 x H 104 cm | L 90 x W 53.5 x H 86.5 cm  |
| Folded Size | L 90 x W 50 x H 31 cm | L 90 x W 46.5 x H 32 cm |
| Weight | 9.6kg | 8.9kg |
| Storage | 4kg  | 4kg |
| # children | 1 | 1 |
| Ease of fold | Two-handed, two-step | Two-handed, multi-step |
| Price | $1199 | $999 |
| Choose if: | You want the original Bugaboo | You want the city Bugaboo |
Bugaboo Cameleon 3+ vs Fox
How does the Cameleon compare against the Bugaboo Fox?
Bugaboo Cameleon 3+ vs Redsbaby Jive 2
How does the Cameleon line up vs the Redsbaby Jive?
| Feature | Bugaboo Cameleon 3+ | Redsbaby Jive 2 |
|---|---|---|
|  | |
| Size | L 90 x W 59 x H 104 cm | L 73 x W 58 x H 95 cm |
| Folded Size | L 90 x W 50 x H 31 cm | L 73 x W 58 x H 38 cm |
| Weight | 9.6kg | 11.9kg |
| Storage | 4kg | 12kg |
| # children | 1 | Up to 2 |
| Ease of fold | Two-handed, two-step | Two-handed, one-step |
| Price | $1199 | $849 |
| Choose if: | You love the Bugaboo brand | You want a larger Australian pram |
Bugaboo Cameleon 3+ vs Uppababy Cruz v2
How does the Cameleon compare with the midsize Uppababy Cruz?
| Feature | Bugaboo Cameleon 3+ | Uppababy Cruz v2 |
|---|---|---|
|  | |
| Size | L 90 x W 59 x H 104 cm | L 95 x W 58 x H 101 cm |
| Folded Size | L 90 x W 50 x H 31 cm | L 42 x W 58 x H 84 cm |
| Weight | 9.6kg | 11.6kg |
| Storage | 4kg | 13.6kg |
| # children | 1 | 1 |
| Ease of fold | Two-handed, two-step | Two-handed, one-step |
| Price | $1199 | $1399 |
| Choose if: | You like Bugaboo and want the lightweight original | You want the latest Uppababy with massive storage |
Bugaboo Lynx: a worthy successor for the Cameleon?
Bugaboo decided to discontinue the Cameleon 3 + in favour of the new Bugaboo Lynx.
The Lynx is more like a modern Bugaboo especially with the new wheelcaps and looks like the Fox, but actually is more comparable to the Cameleon 3 +.
The main things they updated are:
- new, one-piece fold
- new, separate bassinet
- larger basket from 4kg to 10kg
- redesigned plastic seat vs fabric
- larger wheels
- footbrake vs handbrake
To be fair, while the Cameleon is a classic design, its basic design was 14 years old. Modern designs may have improved some of the practicality, but like grandma’s old sweater, you can’t engineer nostalgia.
Bugaboo Cameleon 3+ vs Bugaboo Lynx
How does the Cameleon stack up with its replacement, the Lynx?
| Feature | Bugaboo Cameleon 3+ | Bugaboo Lynx |
|---|---|---|
|  | |
| Size | L 90 x W 59 x H 104 cm | L 79 x W 60 x H 99 cm |
| Folded Size | L 90 x W 50 x H 31 cm | L 88 x W 53 x H 31 cm |
| Weight | 9.6kg | 9.4kg |
| Storage | 4kg | 10kg |
| # children | 1 | 1 |
| Ease of fold | Two-handed, two-step | Two-handed, two-step, self-standing |
| Price | $1199 | $1499 |
| Choose if: | You think nothing beats the original | You want the modern replacement for the Cameleon |
Comments
Do you have a Cameleon and love it? Or do you have the Lynx? What do you think about them?
Comment below!
