The Doona Car Seat & Stroller is one of the most popular baby gear items in the U.S. and unfortunately, its high demand and high price have also made it a prime target for counterfeiters. Fake Doona products are everywhere: from Temu and Wish to AliExpress, Facebook Marketplace and even Amazon through shady third-party sellers.

These knockoffs may look similar at first glance but they fail every safety standard, use cheap materials and can seriously put your baby at risk. If you want to protect your child and your money, learning to spot a counterfeit Doona is essential. This guide breaks down everything you need to know from price clues and physical details to labels and safety features so you can confidently identify the real product from the dangerous fakes.

Why Fake Doonas Are Everywhere

The rising number of fake Doona strollers isn’t random. There are strong reasons behind it and understanding these reasons helps you avoid falling into the trap.

1. The High Price Makes It Attractive to Counterfeiters

A genuine Doona typically costs $550 (standard) and goes up to $700+ (limited editions).
Since the product rarely goes on sale, many parents try to find deals that counterfeiters take advantage of.

2. People Want the Look Without the Cost

Fake Doona sellers usually list their products for $200–$300, which tricks buyers into thinking they’re getting a “special discount.”

But the reality?

You’re not getting a discount.
You’re getting dangerous, untested, low-quality plastic that was never crash-tested.

Some shady websites even list “Doona sales” for $80–$100 and these are almost always scams where:

• You receive nothing OR
• You receive a random cheap item like a phone case.

3. Counterfeiters Don’t Care About Safety

A genuine Doona meets strict U.S. safety standards.
Fake ones do not.
They look similar, but they’re missing:

• crash testing
• flame-retardant materials
• high-grade plastics
• safe folding mechanisms

And if the product fails?
There is no customer support, no replacement, no warranty—nothing.

Why These Knockoffs Are Dangerous

People often buy fakes, thinking:
“Looks similar… same function… why not save money?”

Here’s why:

1. Extremely Low-Quality Materials

A real Doona stroller weighs significantly more because it uses durable, crash-tested components.
One safety coordinator found a fake that was a shocking 10 pounds lighter than the original meaning cheap plastic and weak structure.

2. No U.S. or EU Safety Compliance

Fake brands do not:

• crash test the seat
• use safe harnesses
• ensure safe folding mechanics

These products may literally break apart during impact.

3. No Customer Support

With a counterfeit:

• No replacement
• No warranty
• No proper return
• No company to hold responsible

Your money is simply gone.

4. False Sense of Security

Parents buy these thinking they’re “almost the same.”
But the truth is, the fakes are not tested for real-world safety and that puts your baby in danger even in minor accidents.

How to Identify a Genuine Doona (U.S. Version)

Here are all the signs that the Doona you are looking at is real. If you see all of these, chances are extremely high that the product is authentic.

1. Sold Only Through Authorized Retailers

A real Doona in the U.S. is only sold through approved sellers, such as:

• Target
• BuyBuyBaby (before closures)
• Nordstrom
• Babylist
• Doona’s official website
• Approved Amazon sellers (Doona Store ONLY)

Random sellers, marketplaces, liquidators or “one-off deals” are not legitimate.

2. Always Includes a Base

Every genuine Doona sold in the U.S. includes a car seat base.
If a seller claims “brand new Doona but no base,” it’s almost guaranteed to be fake.

3. Always Has a Chest Clip

This is one of the easiest authentication points.

Real Doonas:

• Always come with a chest clip
• The chest clip is specific to Doona’s design

Fake models often:

• have no chest clip
• or include a cheap, generic one

4. Authentic Branding

Look for:

• Doona / Doona+ logo printed on the handle hubs
• logo usually printed on the canopy as well

If the logos are missing or look slightly off, it’s not real.

5. Seatbelt Guide Cutout on the Handle

Real Doonas have a small cutout on the black plastic of the handle, not on the sides of the seat.

This is a HUGE giveaway.

6. Manufacturing Label Under the Seat

A genuine Doona has:

• model number
• date of manufacture
• company info
• safety certification

Fakes either don’t have this label or the text looks generic.

Signs of a Fake Doona

If you see any of these red flags, stay away.

1. No Base Included

Fake sellers often say:

• Brand new
• Never used
• Comes without base

No real U.S. Doona is sold without a base.

2. Cheap Harness or No Chest Clip

Many fakes come with:

• flimsy straps
• weak buckles
• missing chest clips

These are dangerous and totally illegal for U.S. use.

3. Wrong or Missing Logos

Fake Doonas often:

• Do not have the Doona logo
• have blurry or incorrect printing
• have logos placed in the wrong location

4. Seatbelt Cutouts on the Sides

This is one of the easiest tells.
Fake brands place seatbelt cutouts on the sides of the car seat instead of on the handle.

5. Sharp Plastic, Rough Edges, Poor Finish

Real Doonas are manufactured with premium finishing.
Fakes often have:

• rough plastic
• sharp edges
• uneven seams
• rattling parts

6. Too-Light Weight

Remember the fake that was 10 pounds lighter?
That’s cheap plastic at work.

7. Suspiciously Low Price

If someone claims:

• “Brand new Doona! $120 only!”
• “Clearance sale, 80% off!”
• “Doona for $89!”

It’s a scam.
No exceptions.

Real vs Fake Doona: Comparison

Final Thoughts

Fake Doonas might look tempting due to the lower price, but they come with serious risks. You’re not just saving a few dollars, you are compromising on the safety of your child. Real Doonas go through strict testing, have high-quality materials and come with proper customer support. To get more information…

Counterfeit versions are untested, weak, unsafe and often completely illegal.
When it comes to your baby’s safety, choose wisely. If the deal looks “too good to be true,” it always is.

Always buy from trusted retailers, check the details and follow the guidelines above to ensure you are getting a real Doona.

FAQs

1. How can I quickly check if a Doona is real?

Look for the logo, check if a base is included, inspect the chest clip and verify the handle seatbelt guide cutout. These four signs are the fastest authentication checks.

2. Are Doonas ever on big discounts?

Rarely. Genuine Doonas almost never go on sale. Huge discounts are nearly always fake or scams.

3. Can I safely buy a used Doona?

Yes, but only if you:

• verify the serial label
• inspect logos
• check the base and chest clip
• buy from a trusted seller

4. Are Doonas sold on Facebook Marketplace fake?

Not all, but MANY are. Inspect carefully and never trust extremely low prices.

5. What happens if I accidentally buy a fake?

Unfortunately, there is usually no refund, no support and no protection. Fake sellers often disappear after receiving payment.

Aiden