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Two-in-one car seat-stroller combinations are everywhere… but a $500+ car seat?! Let’s break it down.

As a mom of four and a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST), I’ve seen just about every car seat and stroller setup out there. Stroller and car seat combos like Doona (and now the Evenflo Shyft DualRide are on many registries these days, and I get the appeal. It’s one of those hot items that feels like it will make your life SO much easier – but will it really?

While the Doona is receiving a ton of attention, I think the Evenflo Shyft is a hidden secret more families need to know about.

Let’s break down everything you need to know about the Doona vs Evenflo Shyft DualRide, what option is my favorite, and the value of the traditional car seat and stroller options.

The Doona and Evenflo Shyft are car seats that are also strollers.

The Doona and Evenflo Shyft DualRide are both car seat-stroller combinations designed for easier transition between driving and walking with a baby. These systems remove the need for a separate stroller that needs to be unfolded to use. With both models, a single click or quick motion releases the wheels, turning the car seat into a stroller.

Doona: The Doona is probably the most popular example of this type of product. Its all-in-one system allows the wheels to fold up into the base of the car seat, transforming it into a stroller in seconds. This one is VIRAL online, being one of the first brands to create this combination, but a lot of brands saw this idea and made it even better.

Evenflo Shyft DualRide: The Evenflo Shyft offers identical functionality to the Doona, but with added flexibility. You can detach the wheels entirely when using it as a car seat, making it lighter and easier to carry. The Evenflo Shyft may not be the first brand to create this combination, but they learned what issues families had with the Doona and made an even better version.

Are these car seat-stroller combinations safe?

As a Child Passenger Safety Tech, safety is my top priority when it comes to recommending any car seat or stroller. Both the Doona and Evenflo Shyft meet or exceed all federal safety standards required for infant car seats in the United States, so they’re safe when used correctly.

Doona Safety Features: The Doona includes anti-rebound protection and side-impact protection. The handlebar doubles as an anti-rebound bar when installed in a family car.

Evenflo Shyft Safety Features: The Evenflo Shyft comes with advanced safety features like SensorSafe technology with Bluetooth, which alerts parents if unsafe conditions arise (ex: if your child unbuckles themselves or if the temperature becomes too high). It also offers multiple installation options—baseless or with a base—giving parents more flexibility depending on their travel needs.

That being said, while the Doona and Shyft Dualride are convenient for short trips and make life so much easier on the go, I always remind parents that infants shouldn't stay in these car seat strollers for too long. Even though these products are designed with both safety and convenience in mind, keeping your baby in the car seat for extended periods—more than about two hours—can be unsafe.

Prolonged time in the seated position can restrict airflow and potentially affect breathing, especially in very young babies.

So, while the Doona and Shyft Dualride are perfect for quick trips and errands, it’s still best to take your child out of the car seat to give them time to stretch out.

Why families love the functionality of the Doona.

Car seat-stroller combinations like the Doona and Evenflo Shyft are great in specific situations:

Traveling: If you’re flying or taking long road trips, these systems are incredibly convenient because you don’t have to lug around both a stroller and a car seat. When it comes to checking luggage, it ends up being one less item to pay for as well.

Quick Errands: A lot of families like car seat-stroller combinations for quick trips to places like grocery stores or doctor’s appointments where you don’t want to deal with unfolding a classic stroller. Personally, I do still see a lot of value in the classic rear-facing car seat and stroller, but this does come down to personal preference.

City Living: If you live in a city where you typically call a taxi or rideshare to get around, these products are convenient when it comes to the transition from car to the sidewalk. You don’t need to take off the car seat, fold the stroller, and put it in the trunk of a car that’s not yours. Instead, you just click the wheels closed and belt in the car seat.

However, while these systems are convenient for short-term use, I find they can become impractical as your baby grows. The weight makes it nearly impossible to not use the stroller feature over just carrying a car seat by the handle.

Doona vs. Evenflo Shyft Pricing Difference

Let me say it first, these car seat-stroller combinations are expensive. While some can argue the value that comes with a 2-in-1 solution, it’s the same price (if not more) as buying a classic rear-facing car seat and stroller.

Doona Price Range: Typically around $550–$600.
Evenflo Shyft Price Range: Slightly lower at around $500–$550.

These prices are steep for many new parents trying to budget for all their baby essentials, especially if you’re already looking at getting a traditional car seat and stroller. Remember, babies outgrow these systems quickly—usually by 12–15 months—making them less cost-effective than traditional options that grow with your child.
Personally, I always will recommend a standard infant seat before considering a 2-in-1 option.

Kelly’s Hot Take: The Doona Is Overrated

I know this is a controversial opinion, but after testing both the Doona and Evenflo Shyft Dualride, I truly think one is made better than the other.

The Doona is often considered THE car seat-stroller combo due to its popularity among celebrities and influencers. I see one of these at least every few days on Instagram. But let me tell you—just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s always practical!

Here is my two cents:

Heavy: Weighing around 16.5 pounds without a baby inside, the Doona is heavier than traditional infant seats. This makes carrying it more difficult as your baby grows. Yes, it can carry up to 35 pounds, but that is way heavier than you think using on a daily basis.

Comfort Concerns: Some parents have left reviews that their babies seem uncomfortable in it due to its compact design. The recline angle may not be as adjustable as other infant seats. While I cannot confirm or deny this, I did want to put it out there for you to consider as you narrow down your purchase.

Travel-Friendly but Impractical for Long-Term Use: While designed with travel in mind, many parents report that it becomes impractical as babies grow heavier because carrying it by hand becomes tiring. While some wonder why not always use the stroller option, there are more scenarios than you think where it’s nice to just grab a car seat’s handle and go.

Maneuverability Issues: Although it’s easy to push on smooth surfaces like airport floors or store aisles, navigating rougher terrain (like gravel or grass) can be challenging due to its smaller wheels. There is no way I could push this anywhere outside on the dirt roads by our house.

But right now, I’m really enjoying the Evenflo Shyft.

While the Doona is not my favorite, I do really like the Evenflo Shyft DualRide. The main reason for this is that I feel like Evenflo heard about a lot of issues Doona users had and made their product fix all of them without a huge price bump.

Doona vs. Evenflo Shyft

Flexible Base Options: Unlike the Doona, which requires its wheels to always be attached, the Evenflo Shyft allows you to remove the wheels entirely if you just want to carry the car seat. This gives you a lot more flexibility and provides a truly 2-in-1 experience.

Wheel Tray For Dirt: One major improvement over the Doona is that it includes a wheel tray designed to keep dirty wheels off your car’s seats. I’m happy Evenflo added this and think it was very smart.

Installation Flexibility: You can install it baseless (using only a seatbelt), on its base with wheels attached (for quick transitions), or on its base without wheels (for longer drives). This allows for the flexibility you’re looking for when buying a combination like this, especially with a price tag that high.

Price Point: Speaking of the price, while still expensive compared to traditional car seats or strollers, the Evenflo Shyft tends to be slightly more affordable than the Doona while offering more versatility.

While I think the Evenflo Shyft is definitely an improvement over the Doona—and better suited for everyday use—it still comes with similar downsides like weight and cost (although less in both categories). Overall, it’s just like the Doona, but without all of the complaints.

Why Traditional Car Seats & Strollers Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

While both the Doona and Evenflo Shyft offer some great features—especially for travel—I don’t want anyone to overlook how great a traditional rear-facing car seat paired with stroller can be.

Here’s why I recommend going with a traditional setup before purchasing a combination:

Lighter Weight: Traditional infant car seats are much lighter than integrated systems like the Doona or Evenflo Shyft. This makes them easier to carry using the top handle and allows a system to work longer until you transition into a different car seat.

Cost Efficiency: While high-end travel systems can cost upwards of $600, traditional car seats paired with strollers tend to be more affordable overall—and they last longer since they grow with your child.

For example, pairing an affordable infant car seat like the Graco SnugRide SnugFit 35 with a compatible stroller will give you more long-term value than investing in an expensive all-in-one system that your child will quickly outgrow.

If you’re curious to see some of the top infant car seats on the market, check out my post: Best Car Seat for Newborn: Complete Infant Car Seat Guide.

There is NOTHING wrong with a standard car seat and stroller combo.

Both the Doona and Evenflo Shyft DualRide are innovative solutions for parents who need flexibility when transitioning between driving and walking with their babies. They’re especially great for travel or quick errands—but they do come with some drawbacks like weight concerns and high price points.

If you are considering a 2-in-1 solution, I recommend the Evenflo Shyft DualRide over the Doona any day.

While I see value in these systems and really like the Shyft, I want families to know that standard car seats are just as effective (and often more practical) for everyday use. A standard infant car seat paired with a stroller often provides better long-term value because it's lighter and grows with your child.

Ultimately, whether you choose a high-end travel system like the Doona or Evenflo Shyft—or stick with a traditional setup—the best choice is what fits your lifestyle and budget.

Have you ever tried a car seat-stroller combination? Let me know in the comments! And to keep up with all the latest family car seat information, check out my recent posts: