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 spoke with the expert in child development and mom Katie Billingsley.
Look for a stroller that's relatively easy to fold, push and carry. Also, consider a stroller that can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler as well as a rider board.
Safety
Find a double-stroller that has all-terrain wheels and a brake that can be operated by hand if want to ensure your children are safe while walking. These wheels and brakes help you navigate trails and sand without children falling or rolling. The best double strollers offer ample storage space to store gear and kid-sized essentials like snacks and toys.
Selecting the best double stroller for your family begins by determining the age and distance in age your kids are. Many double strollers only allow one child seat, however, those that do come in a variety of configurations so you can pick the seating option that best fits your kids and your lifestyle.
The classic doubles are perfect for children of similar ages that want to play. 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 attached to the frame or in an attachment that lets you look at 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 more adventurous families consider a double stroller that is able to handle off-road terrain, or even hiking. A lot strollers were created with active parents and their children in mind. They have features that will allow you to 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 feature thoughtful features that make navigating difficult terrain and weather more enjoyable. This jogging stroller, 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's ventilated to keep your children cool during the summer heat.
If you're looking to purchase a light compact double stroller take a look at this model by Joovy. It weighs less than 23 pounds. It's perfect for air travel and storage in trunks or overhead compartments. Plus, it has an enormous storage basket as well as a parking brake that is linked in one step that is simple to use.
Seating
Double strollers of today are more sleek and can be arranged in a variety of ways to fit your family. Some double strollers can be used as side-by-side models, while others, like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller can be used as a base for car seats, toddlers seats as well as bassinets. They are available in various widths and weight limits to fit infants and children up to kindergarten.
A good double stroller should be a breeze to move and fold, while permitting you to alter the handlebar's height to make sure you're comfortable throughout your outings. A good handlebar is easy to grip and should encourage you to walk in a logical manner (ask for tips from other parents). It should have a range of storage options that can accommodate all the essentials your children will require.
If your twins have a similar age, a tandem stroller could be the ideal option for your family. These strollers have seats that are side-byside, which means you can interact with them both and keep an eye on each of them at the same time. They also recline independently, so one child can sleep while the other is ready to go.
The downside to twin strollers is that it's more spacious than a model with a single occupant, which can make it difficult to navigate walkways, aisles for shopping and narrow doors. For certain families, however the benefits are well worth the extra effort and size.
If you're looking for a compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great choice. Its shock absorption, streamlined design and capacity for two infant car seats - plus an optional running board for more mobile children--make it an ideal choice for city living.
Another option is a wagon-style double stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This model is bare-bones and offers plenty of seating space and storage, plus robust wheels that can handle any terrain. It also has an SPF canopy that is 50+ and a handlebar that can be adjusted. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and don't recline to a fully flat position, making it difficult for children of smaller sizes to get comfortable or reach their snack trays.
Simple to use
Double strollers are often an investment that will use for many years. When you are shopping for a double stroller, be sure it is easy to use and clean. The best double strollers are designed to be user-friendly and include many useful features.
All the strollers we tested fold easily and compactly with just one hand. They're also light, which makes them ideal for travel. They can fit in the majority of trunks and are checked at the gate on planes. Furthermore, the majority our testers reported that their strollers folded down to smaller dimensions than their single-seat counterparts, and some even came with the option of carrying a strap for carrying.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller that has a lot of versatility 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 the age of preschool. Each seat features a 5-point harness and a large canopy. It also offers plenty of sun protection.
The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that is highly praised. The stroller is light compact and weighs only 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to nearly a full flat position and the back seat features an adjustable recline for every child. There's a huge storage basket and a simple, one-step linked parking brake which makes this stroller simple to move and use.
The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to this particular model. Kerry notes that the packaging was enjoyable and clever, but that it also came in five boxes that can be trouble to carry around. She also noticed that Genuis's magnetic buckle was difficult to master. In the end, however she was very pleased with the stroller and would definitely recommend it.
Stores
Strollers are available in a variety of sizes and styles, including tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and many that allow you to customize the setup with a car seat or bassinet attachment. Some even have add-on rider boards for older children. 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 to purchase a light double stroller, look into the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest choice 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 children.
The Vista v2 Double from UPPAbaby is another model that our testers loved especially for its sleek design and user-friendly. It can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler's seat and a bassinet without the need for adapters. The rear seat can be removed to turn it into a triple or quad stroller. It has a huge storage basket and can be upgraded to include an organizer for parents, all-terrain wheels, and side storage bags.
Billingsley says that the best double stroller for a toddler is one that has numerous options for customization. This includes a seat or bassinet that can be removed. tandem double stroller can be limited in their endurance and strollers that have an attached bassinet will give them a safe space for them to nap. A double stroller must also include a harness system that is reliable and recline positions, and plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice for parents due to its light weight and flexibility. It's airline gate-check-friendly, fits through most doors (without removing the front wheels), and can expand into a quad or triple stroller that has an additional tandem seat. The near-flat, independently reclining seats and the extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are among the other features. A spacious underseat basket as well as parent and child cup holders round out the impressive features. One disadvantage, according to Taylor, is that it lacks a a small profile when folded, and could be difficult to stow.