How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are a lot of options when it comes to double strollers. To help you select the best one for your family, we spoke with the expert in child development and mom Katie Billingsley.
You should look for a stroller that is easy to fold and push, as well as carry. Look for a model that can fit two infant car seat or a toddler with a riderboard.
Safety
If you want to ensure your children are safe on your walks make sure you choose a double stroller with features such as all-terrain tires and a brake operated by hand. These brakes and wheels will allow you to navigate trails and gravel without your children slipping or rolling. The best double strollers also have plenty of storage space for gear and kids-sized items like snacks and toys.
The best double stroller for your family begins with understanding how old and distant in terms of age your children are. Most double strollers only accommodate one child seat. However, those that offer a variety of configurations that let you select the seating option that is best for your family.
Side-byside doubles are a popular option, and are great for kids of similar ages that like to interact with each other. Some double-decker designs allow you to put one seat above the other, or add an additional riderboard for older siblings. Newborns can be snuggled into a bassinet attached to the frame, or as an independent attachment that allows you to have the chance to peek at your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a dedicated twin stroller is the best option to go.
For more adventurous families, look for a double stroller that can take on off-road terrains or even hike. Many of these strollers were designed with active parents and their children in mind. They come with features that will allow you to take them on any adventure no matter how rough or high the climbs are.
The top double strollers come with clever features that make it easier to navigate in a difficult terrain or bad weather. This jogging stroller, for example, has a wrist loop, so you can ensure your child's safety while running downhill at higher speeds or in harsh weather conditions. It also has a full-coverage canopy that is ventilated to keep your kids cool during summer heat.
If you're looking to purchase a light compact double stroller, look at this model from Joovy. It weighs less than 23lbs. It's perfect for air travel and storage in overhead compartments or trunks. It also comes with a huge storage basket as well as an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.
Seating
Unlike the behemoth strollers of the past these double strollers are sleek and can accommodate a variety of configurations to fit families. Some of them function as traditional side-byside strollers, while others -- like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller - function as a base for car seats, toddler seats or bassinets click into. They are available in a range of widths and weights that can accommodate children from newborns up to kindergarten.
A good double stroller should be easy to fold and move, as well as allowing you to adjust the height of your handlebar to ensure that you're comfortable on all of your outings. A good handlebar is comfortable to grip and should encourage you to walk in a logical manner (ask for advice from other parents). It should have a range of storage options to accommodate all the necessities your children will require.
If double pram pushchair are similar in age, you might discover that a tandem stroller is best for your family. These strollers have seats that are side-by-side which means you can interact with them each other and keep an eye on each of them simultaneously. They can also recline separately so that one child can lie down while the other is awake and ready to go.
The downside of a twin stroller can be that it is larger than a model for a single-occupant. This makes it more difficult to navigate narrow aisles for stores, doors or even sidewalks. For certain families, the benefits are worth the extra space and effort.
If you are looking for a compact double-stroller then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is an excellent option. The UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great choice for city dwellers due to its shock absorption, sleek design, and ability to accommodate two infant car seats. It also has an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.
A wagon-style double stroller such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another alternative. The model is basic, but it offers plenty of storage and seating space. It also comes with heavy-duty wheels to take on any terrain. It also comes with a canopy with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and cannot recline fully flat, which makes it difficult for children to reach their snacks or relax.
Simple to use
Double strollers are usually an investment of a significant amount that you will use for many years. When shopping for one, you want to ensure that it's easy to use and clean. Luckily, the top double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as they can and come with plenty of convenient features for parents.
For starters, all the strollers we tested fold easily and compactly (with just one hand!). They're also lightweight, making them ideal for travel. A majority of them are checked for gate entry on airplanes and fit in most trunks. In addition, the majority of our testers found that their strollers folded to a smaller size than their single-seat counterparts and some even came with an adjustable carry strap for easy carrying.
If you're looking for a flexible double stroller that will adapt to your family's needs take a look at the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-by-side stroller works with infant car seats, bassinets, and other accessories, which means you can use it from birth to preschool age. Each seat comes with a 5-point harness and a large canopy that gives plenty of shade from the sun.
Another highly-regarded option is the Joovy Twin Roo. This stroller is lightweight and compact, weighing only weighs 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines almost to the full flat position and the back seat has an adjustable recline that can be adjusted for each child. This stroller is easy to use and maneuver thanks to its large storage basket, easy parking brake that is one step and a large storage basket.
The only drawbacks to the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry says that the packaging is smart and enjoyable, however, it comes in five boxes, which can be a bit heavy to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp a bit clunky and it took a while before she could get it to work. However, in the end she was extremely pleased with the stroller and would definitely recommend it.
Storage
Strollers come with a variety of sizes and shapes, from tandems with side-by-side doubles to tandem (single-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to modify your layout with a bassinet or car seat attachment. Some come with rider boards for older siblings. There are many different types of rider boards. Some are lightweight and easy to use, whereas others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold.
If you're looking to purchase a light double stroller, check out the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest stroller we tested in our tests, weighing just under 23 lbs. It is also easy-to-fold and comes with all the features parents need for a great day out with two kids.
double pram pushchair from UPPAbaby is a different model that our testers adored especially for its sleek design and easy to use. It can fit two infant car seats, or a toddler's seat and a bassinet without adapters, and its rear seat can be removed to transform it into a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a huge basket for storage, and it can be upgraded by adding an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires, as well as side storage bags.
Billingsley says that the best double stroller for toddlers is one that has various options for customization. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. Toddlers are typically limited in their endurance and strollers that have an attached bassinet will give them a safe space for them to rest. She says that a double stroller must also have a comfortable recline position and harness system and plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular with parents due to its light weight and flexibility. It is airline gate-check friendly it can be accessed through all doors (without removing the wheels on the front), and can be made to a triple or quad stroller by adding an extra tandem. The near-flat, independently reclining seats and the extra-long sun canopy that can be adjusted are among the other features. A large underseat storage basket as well as cup holders for both parents and children round out this impressive feature set. One disadvantage, according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it lacks a the smallest profile when folded, and could be difficult to store.