How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are a lot of options in the field of double strollers. To help you select the right one for your family, we talked to experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.
Look for a stroller that's reasonably easy to push, fold and carry. You should consider a stroller that can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler who has a riderboard.
Safety
If you want to keep your children secure on your walks, look for double strollers that have features like all-terrain tires as well as a brake operated by hand. These wheels and brakes assist you in navigating trails as well as sidewalks, gravel, and other paths without your children falling or slipping away. The best double strollers have ample storage space to store gear and kid-sized essentials like snacks and toys.
Choosing the right double stroller for your family begins by determining how old and distant in terms of age your children are. Many double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, those that offer a variety of configurations that allow you to choose the seating that is best for your family.
Side-byside doubles are a popular option, and they're great for kids of similar ages that like to be social with one another. Some double-decker designs allow the user to place one of the seats over the other, or even attach a riderboard to older siblings. Newborns can be placed in a bassinet that is 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.
For families that are more adventurous opt for double strollers that can take on off-road terrains or even hike. Many of these strollers were developed with active parents and their children in mind. They have features that allow you to take them on any adventure no regardless of how difficult or steep the climbs may be.
In addition to all-terrain tires, the top double strollers come with clever features that make traversing difficult terrain and weather a lot easier. This jogging stroller, for example, has a wrist loop, so you can ensure your child's safety while running at higher speeds or in harsh weather conditions. It also has an all-over canopy that's ventilated to keep your kids cool during summer heat.
This model is a compact and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs just over 23 lbs, making it lighter than some single strollers. It's ideal to take on air travel or for storing in overhead compartments or trunks. Plus, it has a large storage basket and an integrated parking brake that's easy to use.
Seating
Double strollers today are sleeker and can be set up in various ways to fit your family. Some work as traditional side-by-side strollers while others--such as the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--work as a base for car seats, toddler seats, or bassinets snap into. They are available in a range of widths and weights to accommodate children from newborns to kindergarten.
A good double stroller should be easy to maneuver and fold, while also permitting you to alter the handlebar height so you're in a comfortable position throughout your trips. A well-designed handlebar is easy to hold and should inspire you to walk in a logical manner (ask for advice from other parents). It should also offer various storage options that accommodate everything you need for your children.
If your twins are similar age, a tandem stroller could be the best option for your family. The seats on these models are placed in a row, allowing you to engage with both of them and keep an eye on them simultaneously. They also recline separately, so one child can nap and the other is ready to go.
The disadvantage 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 sidewalks, shop aisles and narrow doors. For certain families, however, the benefits are 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, streamlined design and the capacity to accommodate two infant car seats--plus an optional running board for mobile older children--make it an ideal choice for city living.
A wagon-style double stroller such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another option. This model is bare-bones and offers lots of space for seating and storage, as well as sturdy wheels that can handle any terrain. It also comes with an umbrella with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and cannot recline completely flat, making it difficult for children to reach their food trays or to relax.
Ease of Use
Double strollers are usually an investment that will use for many years. When choosing a stroller, you want to make sure it will be easy to use and clean. The best double strollers have been designed to be easy-to-use and come with numerous features that are convenient.
To start, all the strollers we tested fold easily and compactly (with only one hand!). They're also light, making them ideal for travel. Many of them can be checked at the gate on planes and fit into most trunks. Many of our test subjects discovered that their strollers could fold down much smaller than single-seat versions. Some even had a carry strap.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller with lots of options that can adapt to the needs of your family. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats and other accessories. It can be used from birth to preschool age. Each seat comes with a 5-point harness, a large canopy and plenty of sun protection.
Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. The stroller is light and extremely compact, measuring just 22 pounds and 26 inches wide when it's folded. The front seat reclines almost to a flat position and the back seat can be adjusted for every child. There's a huge storage basket and an easy, one-step connected parking brake that makes this stroller extremely easy to maneuver and use.
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 that can be a bit heavy to carry around. She also felt that the Genuis magnetic buckle was clunky and took some time to master. However, in the end she was very pleased with her stroller and would definitely recommend it.
Storage
Strollers are available in various sizes and designs that include tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and some that let you customize the setup with a car seat or bassinet attachment. Some even have add-on rider boards designed for older kids. They're not created equal. Some are light and easy to use, while others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold.
If you're looking for a lightweight double stroller, take a look at the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest option during our tests. It weighs close to 23 pounds. It is also simple to fold, but it still has all of the features parents need to have a great time out with two kids.
The Vista v2 double from UPPAbaby is another model our testers loved. They were particularly impressed by its sleek design and ease-of-use. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler seat and a bassinet. There are no adapters needed. The rear seat can 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 states that the best double stroller for toddlers is one with numerous options for customization. This includes a seat or bassinet that can be removed. That's because toddlers often have little endurance, so a stroller with the bassinet attachment can give them a safe place to take a nap. She says a double stroller should also come with a sturdy harness system and recline positions, and plenty of storage room for toys and snacks.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice for parents because of its light weight and flexibility. It is gate-check-friendly for airlines, fits through most doorways (without taking off the wheels at the front), and can be converted into a quad or triple stroller by adding an add-on tandem. The nearly flat, independently reclined seats and the extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are among the other features. A large underseat basket as well as cup holders for both parents and children round out the impressive set of features. The only disadvantage, according to Taylor, is that it doesn't have a the smallest footprint when folded and can be difficult to carry.