How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are a variety of options in the field of double strollers. To help you choose the most suitable one for your family, we consulted experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.
Find a stroller that's fairly easy to push, fold and carry. You should consider a stroller that can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler that has a riderboard.
Safety
Look for a double-stroller that includes all-terrain wheels as well as a brake that is operated by hand if want to ensure your children are safe when walking. These wheels and brake help you navigate trails or sidewalks without your children falling or rolling off. The best double strollers come with ample storage space to store equipment and essentials for kids like snacks and toys.
The best double stroller for your family begins with understanding how old and far apart in age your kids are. Many double strollers only allow one child seat, however, those are available in various configurations so that you can select the seat that best suits your kids and your lifestyle.
Side-by-side doubles are an iconic choice, and they're perfect for children of similar ages who like to be social with one another. Some double-decker designs allow you to place one seat above the other, or even attach an additional riderboard for older siblings. Babies can be placed in an infant bassinet that is attached to the frame or as an independent attachment that allows you to have an unobstructed view of your baby. If you are expecting twins or have twins and want to have a twin stroller, it will be the best option.
For twin pushchair who are more adventurous, look for a double stroller that can handle off-road terrain, or even hiking. A lot strollers were created with active parents and their children in mind. They come with features that allow you to take them on any trip, no regardless of how difficult or steep the climbs might be.
The best double strollers are equipped with thoughtful features to help you navigate in difficult terrain and bad weather. For instance, this jogging stroller includes a wrist loop for your child, so you can be sure they're secure when running downhill or at speeds that are higher. It also comes with 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, take a look at this model by Joovy. It weighs just 23 pounds, which makes it lighter than other single strollers. It's ideal for air travel or storing in trunks and overhead compartments. 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 old these double strollers are sleek and support an array of configurations that can be adapted to families. Some double strollers can be used as side-by-side models while others, like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller can be used as an alternative to car seats, toddler seats, and bassinets. They are available in a variety of sizes and weights to accommodate children from newborns through kindergarten.
A quality double stroller should be easy to fold and maneuver, as well as allowing you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure you are at ease on all your outings. A well-designed handlebar should be comfortable to hold, and it should invite you to walk in a proper form (ask other parents for tips on this). It should also provide a variety of storage options that accommodate all the essentials you'll need for your children.
If your twins are close in age, you could consider a tandem stroller that works best for your family. The seats on these models sit in a row, allowing you to engage with them both and keep an eye on them at the same time. They can also recline separately so that one child can lie down while the other is awake and ready to go.
The downside to twin strollers is that it can be larger than a single-occupant model and can make it difficult to maneuver around the aisles of shops, sidewalks and narrow doorways. However, for certain families, the benefits are worth the extra size and effort.
If you're looking for a compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista Double is a fantastic choice. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great choice for city dwellers due to its shock absorption, 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.
A wagon-style double stroller such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another option. This bare-bones model offers lots of space for seating and storage, as well as sturdy wheels that can handle any terrain. It also comes with a 50+ SPF canopy and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and do not recline fully flat, making it hard for small children to reach their food trays or relax.
Ease of Use
Double strollers are usually a large investment that you will be using for a long time. When you are shopping for one, you want to ensure that it's easy to operate and clean. The best double strollers are designed to be user-friendly and include many convenient features.
To start, all the strollers we tested fold up easily and compactly (with just one hand!). They are light and perfect for travel. They can fit in the majority of trunks and are checked for gate-checking on planes. Furthermore, the majority our test subjects found that their strollers folded down to smaller dimensions than the single seat models, and some even included a carry strap for convenient carrying.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is double stroller with a lot of versatility that will grow with your family. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats, a bassinet, and other accessories, so you can use it from birth until preschool age. Each seat is equipped with a five-point harness and a large canopy that gives ample protection from the sun.
The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that's highly regarded. It is light compact and weighs only weighs 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to nearly an entire flat position, and the back seat comes with an adjustable recline for every child. There's a huge storage basket and an easy, one-step linked parking brake that makes this stroller user-friendly and easy to maneuver.
The only drawbacks of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to that model. Kerry states that the packaging was enjoyable and clever, but that it came in five boxes that could be trouble to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp somewhat difficult to use and it took her a while before she could get it to work. In the end, though she was very pleased with this stroller and would highly recommend it.
Stores
Strollers are available in a variety of sizes and designs that include tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and many that allow you to customize the setup with a car seat or bassinet attachment. Some have even added rider boards for older children. But, they're not all created equal -- some are sleek and easy to use, whereas others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold or store.
If you're looking for a light double stroller, take a look at the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest option in our tests at around 23 pounds and is also simple to fold, but it still has all of the features parents need for a fun outing with two kids.
UPPAbaby's Vista v2 double is another model that our test subjects loved. They especially liked its sleek design and easy-to-use. It can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler seat and a bassinet without the need for adapters. The rear seat can be removed to make it into a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage, and can be upgraded by adding an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires, as as side storage bags.
Billingsley says that the most suitable double stroller for toddlers is one that has multiple customization options. This includes a bassinet or seat that can be removed. Toddlers are typically weak in endurance, and a stroller that has an integrated bassinet can give them a safe space for them to rest. A double stroller should include a harness system that is reliable and recline positions, as well as plenty of storage room for toys and snacks.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice among parents due to its light weight and versatility. It's gate-check-friendly for airlines, fits through most doors (without removing the front wheels) and expands into a triple or quad stroller that has an additional tandem seat. The nearly flat, independently reclined seats and extra-long, adjustable sun canopies are among the other features. A spacious underseat basket, as well as cup holders for the child and parent make up this impressive feature set. Taylor states that the only drawback is that it has an enormous footprint when folded, and it can be difficult for parents to stow.