How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are many options available in the field of double strollers. To help you choose the most suitable one for your family, we spoke with experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.
Choose a stroller fairly easy to fold, push and carry. Consider a model that can accommodate two car seats for infants or a toddler along with an adult rider board.
Safety
If you want to ensure your children are secure on your walks opt for double strollers that have features such as all-terrain tires and a hand-operated brake. These wheels and brakes help you navigate trails as well as sidewalks, gravel, and other paths without your children falling or rolling off. The best double strollers also have plenty of storage space for gear as well as kids-sized items like snacks and toys.
Choosing the right double stroller for your family begins with understanding how old and far apart in terms of age your children are. Many double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, the ones that do come with a variety of configurations that allow you to select the seating option that's best for your family.
Side-by-side doubles are an iconic option, and they're great for kids of similar ages who like to play with one another. Some options have a more double-decker style, allowing you to put one of the seats above the other or attach a rider board for older siblings. Babies can be sat in a bassinet connected to the frame or in an attachment that allows you to look at your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a dedicated twin stroller is the way to go.
Look for a double-wheeled stroller that can handle off-road terrain, and even hiking. Many of these strollers were developed with active parents and their children in mind. They come with features that let you take them on any adventure no regardless of how difficult or steep the climbs might be.
The top double strollers are equipped with intelligent features that help you navigate in difficult terrain and bad weather. This jogging stoller for example, has a wrist loop, so you can ensure your child's safety when running at higher speeds or in extreme weather conditions. It also comes with a canopy that covers the entire area and has airflow to keep your kids comfortable during the summer heat.
This model is a light and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs just over 23 pounds, making it lighter than most single strollers. It's ideal to take on air travel or for storing in overhead compartments or trunks. Additionally, it comes with an enormous storage basket as well as a one-step linked parking brake that's easy to use.
Seating
In contrast to the massive strollers of the past the modern double strollers are sleek and support a variety of configurations to fit families. Some are used as traditional side-by-side strollers, while others -- like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--function as a base to which car seats, toddler seats or bassinets can be plugged into. They are available in various widths and weight limits, allowing children from birth to kindergarten.
A good double stroller should be easy to maneuver and fold, while permitting you to alter the handlebar's height to make sure you're comfortable throughout your outings. A good handlebar is one that is easy to hold and should invite you to walk with proper form (ask other parents for tips on this). It should come with a variety of storage options to fit everything your children will require.
If your twins are similar age, a tandem stroller could be the ideal option for your family. These models come with seats that are side-byside, which means you can interact with them each other and keep an eye on each of them at the same time. They can also recline independently so that one child can sleep while the other is ready to go.
The downside of a twin stroller can be that it is wider than one designed for a single person. This could make it difficult to maneuver narrow aisles in store aisles, doors, or the sidewalks. For some families, however the benefits are worth the extra effort and size.
If you're in the market for a compact double stroller the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a fantastic choice. The UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great option 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 model is bare bones, but it offers plenty of storage space and seating. It also has heavy-duty wheels to handle any terrain. It also comes with a canopy that has 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and don't recline completely flat, making it difficult for little children to reach their snack trays or relax.
Easy of Use
Double strollers are often a large investment that you will use for many years. When choosing a stroller, you want to make sure it will be easy to use and clean. The top double strollers are designed to be user-friendly and have many useful features.
All strollers we tested could be folded quickly and compactly in one hand. These strollers are lightweight and ideal for traveling. Many of them can be gate checked on airplanes and fit into most trunks. Furthermore, the majority our testers found that their strollers folded to smaller sizes than their single-seat counterparts, and some even had a carry strap for convenient carrying.
If you're looking for a flexible double stroller that can expand 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, which means you can use it from birth to preschool age. Each seat comes with five-point harnesses, a large canopy and plenty of sun protection.
The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that is highly praised. This stroller is lightweight, compact and only 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines almost to a flat position and the back seat can be adjusted to fit every child. The stroller is simple to operate and maneuver due to its large storage basket, easy one-step parking brake, and large storage basket.
The only drawbacks to the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry says that the packaging is innovative and fun, but it comes in five boxes which can be a little cumbersome to carry around. She also found that Genuis's magnetic buckle was a little difficult to master. However, in the end, she was very happy with her stroller and would highly recommend it.
Storage
Strollers are available in a variety of sizes and styles and styles, including tandems (single-file seating), side-by-side doubles, and many that let you customize the configuration using a car seat or bassinet attachment. Some come with rider boards that can be added to accommodate older children. There are many different types of rider boards. Some are lightweight and easy to use while others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold.
If you're looking to purchase a light double stroller, check out the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest stroller we tested in our tests, with a weight of just under 23 lbs. It's also easy to fold and has all the features parents want to enjoy a day out with two children.
UPPAbaby's Vista v2 double is another model our testers loved. They especially liked its sleek design and user-friendly. double buggy travel system can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler's seat and a bassinet, with no adapters needed. The rear seat can be removed to make it triple or quad stroller. It comes with a huge basket for storage, and it can be upgraded by adding an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires, as as side storage bags.
Billingsley says that the best double stroller for toddlers is one that supports various options for customization, such as the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. Toddlers are often weak in endurance, and strollers that have an integrated bassinet can offer a safe spot for them to rest. double buggy travel system must also have a good harness system and recline positions, and plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice among parents because of its light weight and versatility. It's airline gate-check-friendly and fits through most doors (without having to remove the front wheels) and expands into a quad or triple stroller that has an additional tandem seat. The nearly flat, independently reclined seats and the extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are just a few of the highlights. A large underseat storage basket, as well as cup holders for both parents and children round out this impressive feature set. The one drawback according to Taylor, is that it doesn't have the smallest profile when folded, and could be difficult to carry.