How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're in the market for a double stroller, there are a lot of options. To help you pick the most suitable one for your family, we spoke with child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.
You should choose a stroller that is simple to fold and push to carry. And consider a model that can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler and an adult rider board.
Safety
If you want to ensure your children are safe on your walks opt for a double stroller that has features like all-terrain tires as well as a brake operated by hand. These brakes and wheels help you navigate trails and sand without children falling or rolling. The best double strollers also offer plenty of storage space for gear as well as essentials for kids, such as snacks and toys.
The first step in selecting the right double stroller is to determine how old your children are and how far apart they are. Many double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, the ones that do have a variety configurations that let you choose the seating that's best for your family.
Side-by-side doubles are an iconic option, and they're great for children of similar ages that like to be social with one another. Some double-decker designs allow you to put one seat above the other, or add an additional riderboard for older siblings. Newborns can either be snuggled in a bassinet attached to the frame or in an attachment that lets you play peek-a-boo with your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a specially designed twin stroller is the best option to go.
For more adventurous families, look for a double stroller that is able to handle off-road terrain or even hiking. A lot of these strollers were designed with active parents in mind and have features that let you take your children on any adventure, no matter how rough the road or how high the climbs could be.
In addition to all-terrain tires the top double strollers feature thoughtful features that make getting around tough terrain and weather easier. This jogging stoller, for instance, comes with a wrist loop, so you can ensure your child's safety while running at higher speeds or in adverse weather conditions. It also comes with a full-coverage canopy with ventilation to ensure your children stay cool during the summer heat.
This model is a light and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs less than 23lbs. It's perfect for air travel and storage in overhead compartments or trunks. Additionally, it comes with a huge storage basket and an integrated parking brake that's easy to use.
Seating
Double strollers are now more sleek and can be arranged in many ways to suit your family. Some double strollers can be used as side-by-side models, and others, like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller, can be used as a base for car seats, toddlers seats, and bassinets. They are available in various sizes and weight limits to fit children from birth to kindergarten.
double pushchair should be easy to maneuver and fold, as well as permitting you to adjust the handlebar height so you're able to walk comfortably throughout your excursions. A well-designed handlebar is easy to hold and will encourage you to walk in a proper manner (ask for tips from other parents). It should offer a variety of storage options to accommodate all the essentials your children will require.
If your twins are near in age, you may find a tandem stroller works best for your family. These strollers have seats that are side-by-side which means you can interact with them both while keeping an eye on both of them at the same time. They can also recline independently which means that one child can sleep while the other is ready to go.
The drawback of twin strollers is that it can be more spacious than a model with a single occupant 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 space and effort.
If you are looking for a compact double-stroller, then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is a great option. Its shock absorption, streamlined design, and capacity for two infant car seats, plus an optional running board for older children make it a perfect option for city-living.
Another option is a wagon-style double stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. The model is basic but it comes with plenty of storage space and seating. It also comes with heavy-duty wheels to handle any terrain. It also has a canopy with a 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and don't recline fully flat, making it difficult for little children to reach their food trays or relax.
Easy of Use
Double strollers are usually a large investment that you will use for many years. When you are shopping for one you must make sure it will be simple to operate and clean. Fortunately, the best double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as is possible and include a variety of useful features for parents.
All strollers we tested could be folded easily and compactly with just one hand. They're also light, making them ideal for travel. Many of them fit in most trunks and can be checked at the gate on planes. In addition, the majority of our testers reported that their strollers folded down to smaller sizes than their single-seat counterparts, and some even came with an adjustable carry strap for easy carrying.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller that has many options that can grow with your family. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats, a bassinet and other accessories, which means you can use it from birth to preschool age. Each seat comes with five points of harness, a large canopy and ample sun protection.
Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. The stroller is light and extremely compact, weighing just 22 pounds and 26 inches wide when it's folded. The front seat reclines to almost a full flat position and the back seat has an adjustable recline for each child. double buggy is simple to operate and maneuver due to its large storage basket, easy parking brake that is one step and a large storage basket.
double buggy of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry says that the packaging is innovative and fun, however it comes in five boxes, which can be a bit heavy to carry around. She also felt that Genuis's magnetic buckle was a little awkward and took a while to master. However, in the end she was extremely pleased with her stroller and would highly recommend it.
Stores
Strollers are available in a variety of sizes and styles that include tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and many that let you customize the setup with an automobile seat or bassinet attachment. Some even have add-on rider boards for older siblings. However, 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're looking for a stroller that is light that can hold two kids, the Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great choice. It was the lightest stroller in our tests, with a weight of just under 23 lbs. It is also easy-to-fold and has all the features parents want for a great day out with two children.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is a different model that our testers loved particularly for its sleek design and ease of use. It can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler's seat and a bassinet without adapters, and its rear seat can be removed to turn it into a quad or triple stroller. It has a huge storage basket that can be upgraded to include a parent organizer with wheels for all-terrain and side storage bags.
Billingsley states that the ideal double stroller for a two-year-old is one that supports multiple customization options, like the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. That's because toddlers often have limitations in endurance, and having a stroller that has a bassinet attachment will provide them with a safe space to rest for a nap. She says that a double stroller should also have a great recline position and harness system and plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice for parents because of its light weight and flexibility. It's airline gate-check-friendly, fits through most doors (without taking off the front wheels), and can expand into a quad or triple stroller that has an additional tandem seat. The near-flat, independently reclining seats as well as the extra-long sun canopy that can be adjusted are among the other features. A large underseat storage basket, as well as parent and child cup holders round out the impressive set of features. The only disadvantage according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it doesn't have a small profile when folded and can be difficult to store.