How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're in the market for a double stroller, there are a lot of options. Katie Billingsley, a child development expert and mother, was able to help us choose the right model for you.
Find a stroller that's reasonably easy to fold, push and carry. Consider a model that can hold two infant car seats or a toddler with a riderboard.
Safety
Choose a double-stroller which comes with all-terrain tires and a brake that is operated by hand if you want to ensure your children are safe while walking. These brakes and wheels allow you to navigate trails and sand without children falling or rolling. The best double strollers have plenty of storage space to store gear and kid-sized essentials like snacks and toys.
The first step in choosing the best double stroller is to determine how old your children are and how far apart they are. A majority of double strollers are designed to can accommodate one child's seat, but those do come with different configurations, so you can choose the seat that best fits your kids and your lifestyle.
The classic doubles are ideal for children of similar age who want to play. Certain models feature a double-decker style, allowing the user to place one seat above the other or even attach a rider board to older siblings. Newborns can either be snuggled in a bassinet attached to the frame or with an attachment that lets you play peek-a-boo with your baby. If you are expecting twins or already have twins and want to have a twin stroller, it will be the best option.
For more adventurous families, look for a double stroller that can handle off-road terrain or even hike. A lot of these strollers were developed with active parents and their children in mind. They come with features that will let you take them on any trip, no regardless of how challenging or difficult the climbs may be.
In addition to all-terrain tires, the top double strollers come with thoughtful features that make navigating difficult terrain and weather more enjoyable. For lightweight double buggy , this jogging stroller includes a wrist loop for your child so you'll be able to ensure that they're safe when you run downhill or at speeds that are higher. It also has a canopy that covers the entire area and has ventilation to ensure your children stay comfortable in the summer heat.
If you're looking for a light, compact double stroller, check out this model from Joovy. It weighs less than 23 lbs. This makes it perfect for air travel and storage in overhead compartments or trunks. It also comes with a large storage basket and an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.
Seating
In contrast to the massive strollers of the past, today's double strollers are sleek and offer various designs to accommodate families. Some work as traditional side-by-side strollers while others - like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--work as a base for car seats, toddler seats, or bassinets snap into. They are available in a variety of widths and weights that can accommodate children from newborns through kindergarten.
A good double stroller should be easy to fold and maneuver and allows you to adjust the height of your handlebar to ensure that you're at ease on all your outings. A well-designed handlebar is one that is easy to hold, and it should encourage you to walk in a proper form (ask other parents for advice on this). It should also provide a variety of storage options that can accommodate everything you need for your children.
If your twins have a similar age and are in the same age group, a tandem stroller might be the best option for your family. The seats on these models are placed side by side, enabling you to interact with them both and keep an eye on them simultaneously. They also recline separately which means that one child can nap and the other is ready to go.
The downside to twin strollers is that it can be wider than a single-occupant model, which can make it difficult to maneuver around the aisles of shops, sidewalks, and narrow doorways. For certain families, the advantages are worth the extra space and effort.
If you're in the market for a compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great choice. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is an excellent choice for city dwellers due to its shock absorption, elegant design, and ability 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 like the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another alternative. It's a basic model, but it offers plenty of space for storage and seating. It also has sturdy wheels to tackle any terrain. It also has a canopy that has 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are a little too low and they don't recline to a fully flat position, which makes it difficult for smaller children to get comfortable or reach their snack trays.
Ease of Use
A double stroller is often a significant investment and one you're hoping to use for many years. When choosing a stroller, you want to ensure that it's easy to operate and clean. The top double strollers are designed to be easy-to-use and come with many useful features.
All the strollers we tested fold quickly and compactly in one hand. They're also lightweight, making them ideal for traveling. They can fit in the majority of trunks and can be checked for gate-checking on planes. Most of our testers also found that their strollers could be folded down to a smaller size than the single seat equivalents. Some even had a carry strap.
If you're looking for a versatile double stroller that can expand with your family Look no further than the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats, a bassinet, and other accessories, meaning you can use it from birth until the age of preschool. Each seat is equipped with a five-point harness and a large canopy that provides ample protection from the sun.
Another option that is highly regarded is the Joovy Twin Roo. The stroller is light, compact and only 22 lbs 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. There's a large storage bin and a simple, one-step linked parking brake that makes this stroller easy to maneuver and use.
The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to this particular model. Kerry states that the packaging was enjoyable and innovative, but it came in five boxes which can be a bit of trouble to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp to be somewhat difficult to use and it took a while before she could get it to work. In the end, though, she was very happy with this stroller and would highly recommend it.
Storage
Strollers are available in various sizes and styles that include tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and some that let you customize the setup with an automobile seat or bassinet attachment. Some have rider boards which can be added for older siblings. They're not all created equal. Some are lightweight and easy to use, whereas others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold.
If you're looking for a light double stroller, check out the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest choice in our tests, weighing around 23 pounds and is also easy to fold, yet it still has all of the features parents need to have a great time out with two kids.
The Vista v2 Double from UPPAbaby is another model that our test subjects loved particularly for its sleek design and easy to use. It can accommodate two infant car seats, or a toddler's bassinet and seat without adapters, and its rear seat can be removed to transform it into a triple or quad stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage, and can be upgraded with an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires as well as storage bags for the sides.
Billingsley says that the most suitable double stroller for a toddler is one that has multiple customization options. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. Toddlers are typically limited in their endurance and strollers that have an integrated bassinet can give them a safe space for them to sleep. The expert says that a double stroller must also have a good harness and recline position as well as plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice for parents due to its light weight and versatility. It is gate-check-friendly for airlines, fits through most doorways (without removing the wheels on the front) and can be converted to a triple or quad stroller by adding an extra tandem. The nearly flat, independently reclined seats as well as the extra-long sun canopy that can be adjusted are other highlights. A large underseat basket, as well as cup holders for both parents and children make up this impressive feature set. Taylor says the one downside is that it has an enormous size when folded and it can be difficult for parents to stow.