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 right one for your family, we spoke with child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.
Choose most compact double stroller to fold, push and carry. And consider a model that is able to accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler and an adult rider board.
Safety
Look for a double-stroller that has all-terrain wheels and a brake that can be operated by hand if you want to keep the kids safe when walking. These wheels and brakes will help you navigate trails, gravel, and sidewalks without the risk of your children sliding or rolling away. The best double strollers offer plenty of storage space for gear and essentials for kids, such as snacks and toys.
The first step to choosing the right double stroller is to know the age of your children and how far apart they are. Most double strollers only accommodate one child seat. However, the ones that do have a variety configurations that let you choose the seating that is best for your family.
Side-by-side doubles are an iconic choice, and they're perfect for kids of similar ages who like to be social with one another. Some models have a double-decker style, allowing you to put one of the seats above the other or even attach a rider board for older siblings. Newborns can either be snuggled in a bassinet that is connected to the frame or with an attachment that lets you play peek-a-boo with your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a dedicated twin stroller is the best option to go.
Choose a stroller with two wheels that is capable of handling off-road terrain as well as hiking. A lot of these strollers are designed with active parents in mind, and include features that let you take your kids on any adventure, regardless of how rough the road or how steep the climb could be.
The top double strollers are equipped with intelligent features that make it easier to navigate in a difficult terrain or bad weather. This jogging stoller, for example, has wrist loops so that you can ensure your child's safety when running downhill at higher speeds or in extreme weather conditions. It also has an all-over canopy that has ventilation to ensure your children stay cool during the summer heat.
If you're looking for a light compact double stroller, take a look at this model by Joovy. It weighs just over 23 lbs, making it lighter than other single strollers and perfect for air travel or storage in trunks or overhead compartments. It also comes with a large storage basket and a simple one-step parking brake.
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, while others, such as the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller can be used as a base for car seats, toddlers ' seats and bassinets. They come in various widths and weight limits to fit children from birth to kindergarten.
A quality double stroller should be easy to fold and move and allows you to adjust the height of your handlebar to ensure that you feel comfortable on all of your excursions. A good handlebar is comfortable to grip and should encourage you to walk in a logical manner (ask for advice from other parents). It should offer a variety of storage options that can accommodate everything your children will need.
If your twins have a similar age and are in the same age group, a tandem stroller might be the best choice for your family. double buggy that converts to single have seats that are side-by-side so you can interact with them both while keeping an eye on each of them simultaneously. They also recline independently which means that one child can sleep while the other is ready to go.
The disadvantage of a twin stroller may be that it is wider than one designed for a single person. This makes it difficult to navigate narrow doorways, store aisles or sidewalks. For some families, however the benefits are well worth the extra effort and size.
If you're looking for a small double-stroller, then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is an excellent option. Its shock absorption, sleek design, and capacity for two infant car seats, plus an optional running board for older children--make it an ideal option for city-living.
Another option is a wagon-style stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This model is bare-bones and offers a lot of seating space and storage, plus heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also has a canopy with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and cannot recline fully flat, which makes it difficult for little children to reach their food trays or to relax.
Easy of Use
A double stroller can be a significant investment and one you're hoping to use for a long time. When choosing a stroller you must ensure that it's easy to operate and clean. Luckily, relevant web site are designed to be as user-friendly as they can and come with a wide array of convenient features for parents.
All the strollers that we tested fold quickly and compactly in one hand. They're also light, making them ideal for travel. Many of them fit in the majority of trunks and are checked at the gate on planes. Our testers discovered that their strollers can be folded down to a smaller size than single-seat versions. Some even came with a carrying strap.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is double stroller with lots of options that can adapt to the needs of your family. This side-byside stroller is compatible with infant car seats, a bassinet and other accessories, so you can use it from birth until preschool age. Each seat features a 5-point harness, a large canopy and plenty of sun protection.
Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. It is light, compact and only 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to nearly a full flat position and the back seat has an adjustable recline for each child. There's a huge storage basket and an easy, one-step linked parking brake that makes this stroller simple to move and use.
The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry states that the packaging was fun and clever, however it came in five boxes which can be a bit of trouble to carry around. She also felt that Genuis's magnetic buckle was a bit awkward and took a while to master. She was happy with the stroller, however, and would highly recommend it.
Storage
Strollers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from side-by-side doubles to tandem (single-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to personalize your setup with a bassinet, or car seat attachment. Some come with rider boards that can be added to accommodate older siblings. But, they're not all created equal -- some are elegant and simple to use, whereas others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold or stow.
If you're looking for a lightweight double stroller, check out the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest choice during our tests. It weighs close to 23 pounds. It is also easy to fold, but it has all the features parents need for a fun outing with two kids.
UPPAbaby's Vista v2 double is another model our testers loved. They were particularly impressed by 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 make it triple or quad stroller. It comes with a large storage basket and can be upgraded to include a parent organizer with wheels for all-terrain and side storage bags.
Billingsley says the best double stroller for toddlers is one that supports different options for customization, including the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. Toddlers are often restricted in their endurance, so a stroller that has a bassinet attached will give them a safe space for them to nap. The expert says that a double stroller must also have a great recline position and harness system as well as plenty of storage space for toys and snacks.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its lightweight and flexibility. It is gate-check-friendly for airlines it can be accessed through all doors (without removing the wheels on the front) and can be made to a triple or quad stroller by adding an add-on tandem. The near-flat, independently reclined seats and the extra-long sun canopy that can be adjusted are just a few of the highlights. A large underseat storage basket and the inclusion of cup holders for both parents and children complete the impressive features. The only disadvantage according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it doesn't have an elongated profile when folded and can be difficult to carry.