How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you’re looking for a double stroller, there are a lot of options. To help you select the right one for your family, we consulted child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.
It is recommended to choose a stroller which is easy to fold and push, as well as carry. Look for a model that can hold two infant car seat or a toddler who has a riderboard.
Safety
Look for a double-stroller that includes all-terrain wheels as well as a brake that can be operated by hand if want to keep the kids safe while walking. These wheels and brakes help you navigate trails and gravel without your children falling or rolling. The best double strollers also offer plenty of storage space for gear and kids-sized items like snacks and toys.
Selecting the best double stroller for your family begins by determining how old and far apart in age your kids are. Many double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, those that offer a variety of configurations that let you pick the seating that is best for your family.
The classic doubles are perfect for children of similar age who want to play. Some double-decker designs allow you to place one of the seats over the other, or even attach an additional riderboard for older siblings. Babies can be placed in an infant bassinet that is attached to the frame or as an independent attachment that gives you an unobstructed view of your baby. If you are expecting twins or already have twins and want to have a twin stroller, it will be the best option.
For families that are more adventurous, 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 and their children in mind. They have features that let you take them on any trip, no regardless of how difficult or steep the climbs might be.
In addition to all-terrain tires the top double strollers come with thoughtful features that make getting around tough terrain and weather easier. For example this stroller for jogging has a wrist loop for your child so you can be sure they’re secure when running downhill or at faster speeds. It also comes with a full-coverage canopy with ventilation to ensure your children stay cool in the summer heat.
If you’re looking to purchase a light, compact double stroller, look at this model from Joovy. It weighs in at just over 23 lbs, making it lighter than other single strollers, and ideal to take on air travel or for storing in trunks and overhead compartments. Additionally, it comes with an enormous storage basket as well as an integrated parking brake that is easy to use.
Seating
Double strollers are now sleeker and can be set up in various ways to fit your family. Some work as traditional side-by-side strollers while others – like the Baby Trend sit and Stand double stroller ‘N Stand Double Stroller–function as a base to which car seats, toddler seats or bassinets snap into. They are available in a range of widths and weights that can accommodate children from newborns up to kindergarten.
A quality double stroller should be easy to fold and move and allows you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure that you feel at ease on all your excursions. A good handlebar is comfortable to hold and should inspire you to walk in a logical manner (ask for tips from other parents). It should come with a variety of storage options to accommodate all the essentials your children need.
If your twins are close in age, you could find a tandem stroller works best for your family. The seats on these models are placed together, allowing you to engage with both of them and keep an eye on both of them at the same time. They also recline independently so that one child can sleep while the other is awake and ready to go.
The drawback of a twin stroller may be that it is wider than a model for a single person. This can make it difficult to navigate narrow aisles in store aisles, doors, or the sidewalks. But for certain families, the advantages are worth the extra space and effort.
If you’re in the market for a compact double stroller the UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great option. The UPPAbaby Vista Double is an excellent choice for urban living due to its shock absorption, sleek design, and ability 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 bare-bones model offers plenty of seating space and storage space, along with sturdy wheels that can handle any terrain. It also has a canopy with a 50+ SPF and a handlebar that can be adjusted. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and cannot recline fully flat, which makes it difficult for children to reach their snack trays or to relax.
Easy of Use
Double strollers are often an investment of a significant amount that you will use for many years. When you are shopping for a double stroller, make sure that it is easy to use and clean. Fortunately, the best double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as they can and come with plenty of useful features for parents.
All strollers we tested could be folded easily and compactly with just one hand. They’re also light, which makes them ideal for traveling. They can fit in the majority of trunks and are checked at the gate on planes. Additionally, the majority of our testers reported that their strollers folded down to smaller dimensions than the single seat models, and some even had an adjustable carry strap for easy carrying.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is double stroller with many options that will grow with your family. This side-byside stroller is compatible with infant car seats as well as other accessories. It can be used from birth until the age of preschool. Each seat is equipped with a five-point harness and a large canopy that gives plenty of shade from the sun.
The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that’s highly praised. It is light and extremely compact, measuring just 22 pounds and 26 inches in width when folded. The front seat reclines to a flat position, and the back seat can be adjusted to fit every child. There’s a large storage bin and an easy, one-step connected parking brake which makes this stroller easy to maneuver and use.
The only downsides of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry states that the packaging was enjoyable and innovative, but it was also packaged in five boxes which could be an inconvenience to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp a bit clunky and it took her some time before she was able to master it. In the end, however she was extremely pleased with her stroller and would definitely recommend it.
Storage
Strollers come with a variety of sizes and shapes, from tandem doubles that are side-by-side to (single double stroller-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to customize your stroller with a bassinet or car seat attachment. Some come with rider boards for older children. They’re not created equal. Some are lightweight and easy to use, whereas others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold.
If you’re looking for a light double stroller, look into the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest option in our tests at close to 23 lbs and is also simple to fold, but it has all the features parents need for a fun outing with two children.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is a second model that our testers loved especially for its sleek design and ease of use. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler’s seat, and a bassinet with no adapters needed. The rear seat can also be removed to make it triple or quad stroller. It has a large storage basket that can be upgraded to include an organizer for parents with wheels for all-terrain and side storage bags.
Billingsley states that the best thule double stroller stroller to use for a toddler is one that offers various options for customization. This includes a bassinet or seat that can be removed. This is due to toddlers having limited endurance, and the stroller with a bassinet attachment will provide them with a safe space to take a nap. A double infant stroller stroller should come with a sturdy harness system and recline positions, and plenty of storage space for toys and snacks.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its light weight and flexibility. It is airline gate-check friendly, fits through most doorways (without taking off the wheels at the front) and can be converted to a triple or quad stroller by adding an add-on tandem. Its nearly-flat, independently reclining seats, extra-long sun canopy and adjustable footrests are additional highlights, while its large underseat storage basket and inclusion of parent and child cup holders complete the impressive list of features. The only downside according to Taylor, is that it doesn’t have a an elongated footprint when folded and can be difficult to stow.