How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
Whether you're out for a stroll in the sun or going for your morning jog with your children, a double stroller could make life with twins or two kids with different ages a lot simpler. But with the many options available to choose from, how do you pick the most appropriate one for your family?
This model expands to allow you to customize the seating to meet your needs. Our new member, Kerry, tested it out.
Safety
Whether you're running through the zoo, running errands, or heading out trick-or-treating with your kiddos your stroller should be safe. It's important to have sturdy frames, comfortable harnesses and easy-to-grab handles for toddlers. It must also be able to fit through doors and be easy to maneuver and fold. And of course, it should be worth the money.
Each double stroller that we tested was put through rigorous testing in our laboratory, at the zoo and on city streets. We also took them on family outings to suburban neighborhoods. Our lab tests evaluate the stroller's maneuverability, stability and ease of steering. We also test the comfort of the suspension for both the driver and the rider and the weight capacity, the seat canopy heights and storage space.
In addition to the regular safety checks performed by our stroller experts, we request parents to provide feedback on their experiences with each model. Then, we take all the information into consideration when forming our recommendations.
Start with our top picks If you're in search of an excellent stroller that is secure and durable. These strollers are flexible and can be used for infant car seats. They come in tandem or single stroller designs, and are suitable for children ranging from birth to elementary school.
The best double strollers are designed to evolve with your family. They're sleek and stylish and can accommodate a variety of customizations and can accommodate toddlers and infants in tandem or side-byside (single-file) seating styles. Some also have an enormous storage basket as well as a handlebar that could be telescopically adjusted, and one-handed folding mechanisms.
Consider a tandem stroller with a bench seat at the back for a third child, if you have twins or a child of similar age. They're a great choice for siblings who want to be social with one another but aren't able to sit close to one another in a stroller that is side-by-side, where they could end with fighting or arguing. There are also convertible models, which allow you to remove the bench seat of your child once they are ready to ride without the car seat.
Comfort
The most comfortable double strollers come with comfortable child seats that have plenty of padding and support. They also have plenty of storage space, large footwells that can accommodate kids' feet and legroom, and UPF 50+ canopies which offer great sun protection. The seats should recline at an angle to keep children comfortable. They should also include calf bars that allow parents to alter the position of each seat independently. Alli Cavasino is a certified child safety technician. She says that the handlebars must be ergonomic and easy-to-maneuver. The handlebars should be close enough to your child's seat that you can grab them and hold them. If the handlebars are too far apart and you'll have a tough in keeping your balance and retaining good form when pushing them.
The ride should be smooth, even on rough or rough surfaces. Some of the models we tested include shock absorbers to keep the ride stable. Others have front and rear suspension, which reduce the amount of force needed to push them and improve your control over them. The wheels should be made of high-quality rubber and have a sturdy tread that is able to withstand many years of wear and tear.
We looked for the most flexible double strollers that could be used from birth through toddlerhood and beyond. Some of the double strollers that we found are convertible to tandem strollers or side-by-side ones. One of them, the Uppababy Vista V2, can even be converted into one-file infant strollers. This model is three times as costly as our top tandem choice however its materials are more durable and it will last longer.
The best double strollers are lightweight and easy to maneuver for long walks, errands and trips to the park or zoo. They're generally wider than single strollers, so they may not be able to fit through narrow entrances or store aisles that are crowded. Some of them are more expensive than single-seaters, but that's understandable because you get a lot more for your price. The models we recommend are safe for kids and adults alike, and they'll expand with your family.
Convenience
If you're planning to invest the money to buy a double stroller, you'll need one that's convenient to move and to store. Ideally, the stroller will be lightweight and fit in the trunk of your car or the space at home. It should be able to navigate rough terrain and take precise turns. Some of the most reliable double strollers have adjustable calf support, as well as seats that recline and offer UPF sun protection. The canopy should be wide enough to accommodate two children. If you are worried about the sun's rays getting into their eyes, choose one with a peek-a-boo window.
Your children's ages and stages will influence the kind of stroller you choose to be best for you. Parents of twins could opt for a convertible stroller which can hold two infant car seats at once parents with an older child and toddler might prefer side-by-side doubles. double pushchair 'll need to decide if you want a stroller which can fit through narrow doors and aisles in grocery stores, or on airplanes.
In our Lab tests, we found that the top double strollers are reasonably easy to fold and carry. They usually have a singleor two-step process and they're small enough to fit in most compact cars. They're also designed to be stable when folded, which makes them much easier to put back together.
The best double strollers include convenient features for parents, like the cup holder that can be used by one parent as well as a huge storage basket. You should consider whether the stroller is locked on the front seat, so that you can keep your children from escaping in case they get bored. Some of the top strollers come with a universal car seat adapter and can be converted to an individual-seater model when your children grow.
Some of the best double strollers are expensive, but they offer superior build quality and better resale value than cheaper models. They're also easier to maneuver and can withstand the toughest terrain, like park trails or city sidewalks.
Style
When parents are looking for a double stroller, they're looking for more than just a means to transport their two children. They're looking for a lightweight stroller that is easy to maneuver and has enough storage to grow with their children. Also, since they'll be carrying more weight than the kids, the stroller should also be easy on the back and shoulders.
This is why the top double strollers are sleek, offer a variety of designs, and accommodate infant car seats to ensure a seamless transition from baby to toddler. They are available in side-by-side or tandem (single-file seating) formats and can even be light enough to jog or for travel.
In addition to the size parents should also think about whether the double stroller will be able to pass through doorways or other narrow spaces. Most of the models we tested for our latest update are able to fit through standard exterior doors which measure 36 inches wide.
Other aspects we take into consideration when reviewing the best double strollers is the speed and ease with which they fold and unfold, the size the cargo basket is, how padded the seats are and how adjustable the canopies are. Additionally, we take a look at how comfortable the seat straps and buckles are for seated children and how easy it is to access and adjust the height of the handlebar.
For instance, our top choice one, the Uppababy Vista V2, is light and has plenty of onboard storage for both children. It comes with a cup for parents holder and seats that recline individually. It also comes with a generous UPF 50+ canopy, with a windows that peek out. The padded straps for the seat and buckles are among the most comfortable in our tests, and we found the seat to be one of the easiest to secure for children of all different ages.
If you're not quite ready to purchase a double stroller yet, Facebook Marketplace and second-hand-goods websites are able to offer used items in good condition at affordable costs. Make sure to do your research prior to making a purchase to a purchase, looking for evidence of damage and looking for recalls.