How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're looking for a double stroller, there are a lot of options. To help you select the right one for your family, we spoke with experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.
Find a stroller that's reasonably easy to fold, push and carry. Consider a model that is able to accommodate two car seats for infants or a toddler and an adult rider board.
Safety
Find a double-stroller that has all-terrain wheels and a brake that can be operated by hand if you want to keep your kids safe when walking. These brakes and wheels will allow you to navigate trails and gravel without your children falling or rolling. The best double strollers also come with plenty of storage space for gear as well as kids-sized items like snacks and toys.
The first step in selecting the best double stroller is to know how old your children are and how far apart they are. A majority of double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, the ones that offer a variety of configurations that allow you to pick the seating that is ideal for your family.
Side-by-side doubles are an iconic option, and are great for kids of similar ages that like to interact with each other. Double-decker designs permit you to place one of the seats over the other, or attach a riderboard to older siblings. Newborns can either be snuggled in a bassinet that is connected to the frame or in an attachment that lets you play peek-a-boo with your baby. If best double buggy have twins or are expecting twins, a dedicated twin stroller is the best way to go.
Choose a stroller with two wheels that can handle off-road terrain and even hiking. Many of these strollers were designed with active parents and their children in mind. They have features that will let you take them on any trip, no matter how rough or high the climbs may be.
In addition to all-terrain tires, the top double strollers feature thoughtful features that make getting around difficult terrain and weather a lot easier. For example this stroller for jogging has a wrist loop for your child so you can be sure they're secure when running downhill or at higher speeds. It also features a canopy with full coverage that is ventilated to keep your kids cool in the summer heat.
If you're looking for a lightweight, compact double stroller, look at this model from Joovy. It weighs just over 23 pounds, making it lighter than some single strollers. It's ideal for air travel or storing in trunks or overhead compartments. It also has a large storage basket and an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.
Seating
Double strollers are now sleeker and can be set up in many ways to suit your family. Some of them function as traditional side-byside strollers while others - like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--function as a base to which car seats, toddler seats, or bassinets click into. They come in various widths and weight limits to fit children from birth to kindergarten.
A good double stroller should be a breeze to move and fold, while also allowing you to adjust the handlebar's height to make sure you're able to walk comfortably throughout your excursions. A great handlebar should be comfortable to grip, and it should invite you to walk with proper form (ask other parents for advice on this). It should have a range of storage options to fit all the essentials your children need.
If your twins have a similar age, a tandem stroller could be the best option for your family. The seats of these models are placed together, allowing you to engage with them both and keep an eye on them at the same time. They can also recline independently which means that one child can nap and the other is ready to go.
The downside of a twin stroller could be that it's wider than a stroller designed for a single-occupant. This makes it difficult to maneuver narrow aisles for stores, doors or sidewalks. For some families, however the benefits are worth the extra effort and size.
If you are looking for a small double-stroller, then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is a good option. The UPPAbaby Vista Double is an excellent choice for urban living due to its shock absorption capabilities, elegant 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 like the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another option. This basic model comes with lots of space for seating and storage, plus heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also comes with a canopy that has 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and cannot recline completely flat, making it difficult for children to reach their snack trays or to relax.
Simple to use
Double strollers are usually a large investment that you will use for many years. When choosing a stroller you must make sure it will be easy to use and clean. Fortunately, the best double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as they can and include a variety of convenient features for parents.
To start, all the strollers we tested fold easily and compactly (with only one hand!). They are light and ideal for traveling. A lot of them can be checked at the gate on planes and fit in most trunks. Furthermore, the majority our testers reported that their strollers folded to smaller dimensions than their single-seat counterparts and some even included an adjustable carry strap for easy carrying.
If you're looking for a flexible double stroller that can adapt to your family's needs take a look at the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-byside stroller is compatible with infant car seats, bassinets, and other accessories, meaning you can use it from birth until preschool age. Each seat comes with five points of harness, a large canopy and ample sun protection.
Another highly-regarded option is the Joovy Twin Roo. This stroller is lightweight and compact, weighing only 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to almost the full flat position and the back seat comes with an adjustable recline that can be adjusted for each child. This stroller is easy to operate and maneuver due to its large storage basket, simple one-step parking brake, and large storage basket.
The only downsides to the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to this model. Kerry says that the packaging is innovative and enjoyable, however, it comes in five boxes, which could be a bit cumbersome 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. She was satisfied with the stroller at the end and would recommend it.
Storage
Strollers come in all shapes and sizes, from tandem doubles that are side-by-side to (single-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to customize your layout with a bassinet, or car seat attachment. Some come with rider boards that can be added to accommodate older siblings. They're not created equal. Some are light and easy to use, whereas others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold.
If you're looking for a lightweight double stroller, look into the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest choice in our tests, weighing close to 23 lbs and is also easy to fold, but it still has all of the features parents require for a fun outing with two kids.
The Vista v2 double by UPPAbaby is another model that our test subjects loved. They particularly liked its sleek design and ease-of-use. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler seat, and a bassinet with no adapters required. The rear seat can also be removed to make it a triple or quad stroller. It has a huge storage basket and can be upgraded to include an organizer for parents with wheels for all-terrain and side storage bags.
Billingsley says that the best double stroller to use for a toddler is one that offers numerous options for customization. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. That's because toddlers often have limitations in endurance, and a stroller with an attachment for a bassinet will provide them with a safe spot to rest for a nap. She suggests that a double stroller should also come with a sturdy harness system and recline positions, as well as plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice among parents because of its light weight and the versatility. It's easy to check at airport gates and fits through most doors (without having to remove the front wheels) and can be expanded into a triple or quad stroller with an added tandem seat. The near-flat, independently reclined 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 make up this impressive feature set. The one downside according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it lacks a the smallest profile when folded and can be difficult to stow.