How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're looking for a double stroller there are a variety of options. To help you choose the most suitable one for your family, we talked to experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.
Find a stroller that's fairly easy to push, fold and carry. Consider double buggy that is able to accommodate two car seats for infants or a toddler along with an adult rider board.
Safety
If you want to ensure your children are safe while walking opt for a double stroller that has features like all-terrain tires and a hand-operated brake. These wheels and brake aid you in traversing trails, gravel, and sidewalks without your kids slipping or slipping away. The best double strollers come with ample storage space to store items for your kids, including snacks and toys.
Choosing the right double stroller for your family starts by determining the age and distance in terms of age your children are. Many double strollers only can accommodate one child's seat, but those that do come in different configurations, so you can select the seating option that best fits your kids and your lifestyle.
The classic doubles are ideal for children of similar age who are keen to interact. Some double-decker designs allow the user to place one seat over the other, or attach a riderboard to older siblings. Newborns can be snuggled into a bassinet attached to the frame or as an independent attachment that offers a peek-a-boo view of your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a twin stroller is the best option to go.
Find a double-wheeled stroller that can handle off-road terrain as well as hiking. Many 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 matter how rough or high the climbs are.
In addition to all-terrain tires the top double strollers come with thoughtful features that make navigating difficult terrain and weather a lot easier. This jogging stoller for instance, features a wrist loop, so you can make sure your child is safe when going downhill at a higher speed or in harsh weather conditions. It also features a canopy that covers the entire area and has ventilation to ensure your children stay comfy in the summer heat.
If you're looking to purchase a light compact double stroller, check out this model from Joovy. It weighs in at just over 23 lbs, making it lighter than most single strollers, and ideal for air travel or storage in trunks or overhead compartments. Plus, it has a large storage basket and an integrated parking brake that is easy to use.
Seating
In contrast to the massive strollers of old these double strollers are sleek and support a variety of configurations to fit families. Some of them function as traditional side-byside strollers while others - like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--work as a base that car seats, toddler seats, or bassinets click into. They are available in a variety of widths and weights to accommodate children from newborns to kindergarten.
A quality double stroller should be simple to fold and maneuver, as well as allowing you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure that you're comfortable on all of your outings. A good handlebar should be easy to hold and should invite you to walk in a proper form (ask other parents for tips on this). It should offer a variety of storage options to accommodate all the essentials your children will require.
If your twins have a similar age and are in the same age group, a tandem stroller might be the ideal option for your family. These models have seats that are side-by-side so you can talk to them both and keep an eye on each of them at the same time. They also recline independently so that one child can rest while the other is ready to go.
The downside to a twin stroller is that it can be more spacious than a model with a single occupant which makes it difficult to navigate walkways, aisles for shopping, and narrow doorways. However, for certain families, the benefits are worth the extra space and effort.
If you're looking for a compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great option. The UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great choice for city dwellers 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 such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another alternative. This model is bare bones, but it offers plenty of space for storage and seating. It also has heavy-duty wheels that can take on any terrain. It also comes with an umbrella with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and can't recline to a completely flat position, making it difficult for small children to be comfortable or reach their snack tray.
User-Friendliness
A double stroller is often an investment of a large amount and one that you hope to use for years. When you are shopping for one you must make sure it will be easy to operate and clean. The best double strollers have been developed to be easy-to-use and come with many convenient features.
To start, all the strollers we tested folded easily and compactly (with just one hand!). These strollers are lightweight and are ideal for traveling. A majority of them are checked for gate entry on airplanes and fit into most trunks. In addition, the majority of our testers found that their strollers folded to smaller dimensions than their single-seat counterparts and some even had an adjustable carry strap for easy carrying.
If you're looking for a versatile double stroller that can grow with your family take a look at the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats, a bassinet, and other accessories, so you can use it from birth to preschool age. Each seat features a 5-point harness and a large canopy. It also offers ample sun protection.
The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that's highly praised. It is light and extremely compact, measuring just 22 pounds and 26 inches wide when it's folded. The front seat reclines to almost the full flat position and the back seat comes with an adjustable recline for each child. This stroller is easy to use and maneuver thanks to its large storage basket, easy one-step parking brake and large storage basket.
The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. 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 to be somewhat difficult to use and took her a while before she could master it. In the end, however she was extremely pleased with this stroller and would definitely recommend it.
Stores
Strollers come with a variety of sizes and shapes, from side-by-side doubles to tandem (single-file seating) styles, plus many allow you to modify your stroller with a bassinet, or car seat attachment. Some have rider boards which can be added for older siblings. They're not all created equal. Some are light and easy to use while others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold.
If you're looking for a lightweight stroller that can fit two children and two children, the Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great option. It was the lightest choice during our tests. It weighs around 23 pounds and is also easy to fold, yet it still has all of the features parents need for a fun outing with two kids.
The Vista v2 double by UPPAbaby is another model that our testers loved. They especially liked its sleek design and user-friendly. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler seat and a bassinet. There are no adapters needed. The rear seat can also be removed to create triple or quad stroller. It has a large storage basket that can be upgraded to include an organizer for parents wheel, all-terrain wheels, as well as side storage bags.
Billingsley says that the best double stroller for toddlers is one with numerous options for customization. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. Toddlers are typically weak in endurance, and strollers that have a bassinet attached will give them a safe space for them to rest. The expert says that a double stroller must also have a good recline position and harness system as well as plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular with parents due to its lightness and versatility. It is airline gate-check friendly, fits through most doorways (without taking off the wheels at the front) and can be made into a quad or triple stroller by adding an add-on tandem. Its nearly flat, independently reclined seats, sun canopy with extra-long lengths and footrests that can be adjusted are other highlights, while its large underseat storage area and the inclusion of parent and kid cup holders round out the impressive list of features. One drawback, according to Taylor, is that it doesn't have the smallest profile when folded, and could be difficult to stow.