How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are a lot of options in the field of double strollers. To help you choose the best one for your family, we talked to experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.
Find a stroller that's relatively easy to fold, push and carry. Consider a model that can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler and a rider board.
Safety
Choose a double-stroller which includes all-terrain wheels as well as a brake that can be operated by hand if you want to keep the kids safe while walking. These wheels and brakes help you navigate trails and gravel without your children falling or rolling. The best double strollers come with plenty of storage space to store gear and kid-sized essentials like snacks and toys.
Selecting the best double stroller for your family starts with understanding how old and distant in terms of age your children are. Most double strollers can only allow one child seat, but the ones do come with a variety of configurations so you can pick the seating option that best suits your kids and your lifestyle.
The classic doubles are ideal for children of similar age who are keen to interact. Certain models feature a double-decker design, allowing the user to place one of the seats above the other or attach a rider board to older siblings. Newborns can be snuggled into an infant bassinet that is attached to the frame or as a standalone attachment that offers a peek-a-boo view of your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a dedicated twin stroller is the way to go.
Look for a double-wheeled stroller that can handle off-road terrain, and even hiking. A majority of these strollers were designed with active parents in mind and have features that let you take your kids on any adventure, no matter how rough the path or how steep the climbs might be.
The best double strollers are equipped with thoughtful features to make it easier to navigate in a difficult terrain or bad weather. For example this stroller for jogging has a wrist loop for your child so you'll be able to ensure they're secure when running downhill or at speeds that are higher. It also features a canopy with full coverage that is ventilated to keep your kids cool during summer heat.
This model is a light and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs in at just over 23 lbs, making it lighter than some single strollers and perfect to take on air travel or for storing in overhead compartments or trunks. Additionally, it comes with a large storage basket and a one-step linked parking brake that is simple to use.
Seating
Double strollers are now sleeker and can be set up in various ways to suit your family. Some work as traditional side-by-side strollers while others--such as the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--function as a base to which car seats, toddler seats, or bassinets click into. They are available in a variety of widths and weight limits, allowing infants and children up to kindergarten.
A good double stroller should be easy to fold and move, as well as allowing you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure you are comfortable throughout your outings. A well-designed handlebar should be comfortable to grip, and it should allow you to walk with proper posture (ask parents for advice on this). It should offer a variety of storage options that can accommodate all the necessities your children need.
If your twins are close in age, you might consider a tandem stroller that works best for your family. The seats of these models are positioned in a row, allowing you to interact with them both and keep an eye on both of them at the same time. They also recline independently which means that one child can sleep while the other is ready to go.
The downside to a twin stroller is that it's larger than a single-occupant model, which can make it difficult to maneuver around walkways, aisles for shopping and narrow doors. For some families, however the benefits are well worth the extra effort and size.
If you're looking for a compact double-stroller then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is an excellent option. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is an excellent choice for city dwellers due to its shock absorption capabilities, sleek design, and capacity to accommodate two infant car seats. It also comes with an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.
Another alternative is a wagon-style double stroller, such as the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This basic model comes with a lot of seating space and storage, plus sturdy wheels that can handle any terrain. It also comes with a canopy with a 50+ SPF and a handlebar that can be adjusted. tandem double stroller complain that the seats are too low and can't recline completely to a flat position, which makes it difficult for smaller children to be comfortable or reach their snack trays.
Easy of Use
Double strollers are usually a large investment that you will use for many years. When choosing a stroller you need to ensure that it's easy to operate and clean. The best double strollers have been developed to be user-friendly and have many useful features.
For starters, all of the strollers we tested fold easily and compactly (with just one hand!). They're also lightweight, making them ideal for traveling. A lot of them can be checked at the gate on planes and fit into most trunks. In addition, the majority of our test subjects found that their strollers folded down to smaller sizes than their single-seat counterparts, and some even included a carry strap for convenient carrying.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is double stroller with a lot of versatility that can adapt to the needs of your family. This side-byside stroller works with infant car seats and other accessories. It can be used from birth up to preschool age. Each seat is equipped with a five-point harness and an enormous canopy that offers ample protection from the sun.
Another option that is highly regarded is the Joovy Twin Roo. It is light compact and weighs only weighs 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines almost to a flat position, and the back seat can be adjusted to fit each child. The stroller is simple to operate and maneuver due to its large storage basket, simple parking brake that is one step and a large storage basket.
The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to this model. Kerry says that the packaging is smart and fun, however it comes in five boxes, which could be a bit cumbersome to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp to be somewhat awkward and it took a while before she was able to master it. She was happy with the stroller, however, and would recommend it.
Stores
Strollers are available in a variety of sizes and designs, including tandems (single-file seating) and side-by-side doubles and some that let you modify the layout using an automobile seat or bassinet attachment. Some come with rider boards that can be added to accommodate older children. But, they're not all created equal. Some are elegant and simple to use, whereas others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold and store.
If you are looking for a stroller that is light that can hold two kids and two children, the Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great choice. double tandem pushchair was the lightest option during our tests. It weighs close to 23 pounds. It is also easy to fold, yet it has all the features parents require to enjoy a great time with two children.
UPPAbaby's Vista v2 double is another model our testers loved. They were particularly impressed by its sleek design and easy-to-use. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler seat and a bassinet, with no adapters needed. The rear seat can be removed to create a quad or triple stroller. It has a huge storage basket that can be upgraded to include an organizer for parents with wheels for all-terrain and side storage bags.
Billingsley says that the most suitable double stroller for a toddler is one that has multiple customization options. This includes a bassinet or seat that can be removed. Toddlers are often limited in their endurance and strollers that have a bassinet attached will provide a safe place for them to nap. The expert says that a double stroller must also have a great harness and recline position as well as plenty of storage space for toys and snacks.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its light weight and flexibility. It is gate-check-friendly for airlines and fits through the majority of doorways (without taking off the wheels at the front) and can be expanded into a quad or triple stroller by adding an add-on tandem. Its nearly-flat, independently reclining seats, sun canopy with extra-long lengths and adjustable footrests are further highlights, while its large underseat storage area and the inclusion of kid and parent cup holders round out the impressive set of features. Taylor states that the only downside is that it has the largest profile when folded, and is difficult for parents to store.