How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're looking for a double stroller there are a variety of options. To help you select the most suitable one for your family, we consulted experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.
Look for a stroller that's relatively easy to push, fold and carry. You should consider a stroller that can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler that has a riderboard.
Safety
Choose a double-stroller which comes with all-terrain tires and a brake that can be operated with a hand if you want to ensure your children are safe when walking. These wheels and brakes help you navigate trails or sidewalks without the risk of your children sliding or slipping away. The best double strollers also come with plenty of storage space for gear and kids-sized items like snacks and toys.
Selecting the best double stroller for your family begins with understanding how old and far apart in terms of age your children are. A majority of double strollers are designed to accommodate one child seat, but the ones are available in a variety of configurations so you can pick the seating option that best suits your kids and your lifestyle.
The classic doubles are perfect for children of similar ages who are keen to interact. Certain models feature a double-decker style, allowing you to put one of the seats above the other or add an extra rider board for older siblings. Newborns can be tucked into an infant bassinet that is attached to the frame or in an independent attachment that gives you an unobstructed view of your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a specially designed twin stroller is the way to go.
Find a double-wheeled stroller that can handle off-road terrain, and even hiking. Many of these strollers are designed with active parents in mind and come with features that allow you to take your children to any adventure, regardless of how rough the path or how steep the climb might be.
The top double strollers are equipped with intelligent features that make it easier to navigate through difficult terrain and in bad weather. For instance this stroller for jogging has a wrist loop for your child, so you'll be able to ensure that they're safe while running downhill or at higher speeds. It also comes with a canopy with full coverage that is ventilated to keep your kids cool in the summer heat.
If you're looking to purchase a light compact double stroller check out this model from Joovy. It weighs just over 23 lbs, making it lighter than some single strollers and perfect to take on air travel or for storing in trunks and overhead compartments. Plus, it has a large storage basket and a one-step linked parking brake that's easy to use.
Seating
Double strollers today are sleeker and can be configured in a variety of ways to meet the needs of your family. Some double strollers are designed to be used as side-byside 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 are available in a range of sizes and weights to accommodate children from newborns to kindergarten.
A good double stroller will 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 easy to hold and should inspire you to walk in a proper manner (ask for advice from other parents). It should also offer various storage options that will accommodate all the essentials you'll need for your kids.
If your twins are close in age, you could discover that a tandem stroller is best for your family. The seats on these models sit together, allowing you to interact with both of them and keep an eye on them simultaneously. They also recline separately which means that one child can sleep while the other is ready to go.
The disadvantage of twin strollers is that it's wider than a single-occupant model and can make it difficult to maneuver around walkways, aisles for shopping and narrow doorways. But for certain families, the advantages are worth the extra size and effort.
If you're in the market for a compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista Double is a fantastic choice. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great option for city living thanks to its shock absorption, sleek design, and capacity to accommodate two infant car seats. It also has an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.
A wagon-style double stroller like the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another alternative. This model is bare-bones and offers plenty of seating space and storage, plus heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also features a 50+ SPF canopy and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and don't recline fully flat, making it hard for small children to reach their snack trays or get comfortable.
Easy of Use
A double stroller is often an investment of a large amount and one you're likely to use for many years. When you are shopping for one you must ensure that it's easy to operate and clean. Luckily, the top double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as possible and include a variety of useful features for parents.
For starters, all the strollers we tested folded easily and compactly (with just one hand!). They are light and ideal for traveling. A lot of them fit into the majority of trunks and are checked at the gate on planes. Our testers found that their strollers could fold down smaller than single-seat versions. Some even came with a carrying strap.
If you're in search of a multi-purpose double stroller that will adapt to your family's needs, look no further than the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats as well as other accessories. It can be used from birth up to the age of preschool. Each seat has a 5-point harness and a large canopy that gives plenty of shade from the sun.
Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. It is light compact and weighs only weighs 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to almost the full flat position and the back seat comes with an adjustable recline for every child. There's a large storage bin and a simple, one-step linked parking brake that makes this stroller easy to maneuver and use.
The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to the model. Kerry says that the packaging is innovative and fun, but it comes in five boxes that can be a bit heavy to carry around. She also noticed that Genuis's magnetic buckle was clunky and took some time to master. In the end, however she was extremely pleased with the stroller and would highly recommend it.
Storage
Strollers come in all shapes and sizes, from tandem doubles that are side-by-side to (single-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to personalize your stroller with a bassinet or car seat attachment. Some even have add-on rider boards for older children. But, they're not all made equal. Some are elegant and simple to use, whereas others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold and store.
If you are looking for a stroller that is light that can hold two kids The Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great choice. It was the lightest stroller in our tests, weighing less than 23 pounds. It folds easily and comes with all the features parents want for a fun day out with two kids.
UPPAbaby's Vista v2 double is another model that our testers loved. They especially liked its sleek design and user-friendly. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler's seat and a bassinet, with no adapters needed. The rear seat can be removed to create triple or quad stroller. Read Much more has a huge storage basket that can be upgraded to include a parent organizer, all-terrain wheels, and side storage bags.
Billingsley states that the best double stroller for toddlers is one that has multiple customization options, like the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. This is because toddlers typically have little endurance, so the stroller with a bassinet attachment will provide them with a safe spot to rest for a nap. She suggests that a double stroller should 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 lightness and versatility. It's gate-check-friendly on airlines and fits through the majority of doorways (without taking off the wheels at the front) and can be expanded to a triple or quad stroller by adding an add-on tandem. The nearly flat, independently reclined seats as well as 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 make up the impressive set of features. The one disadvantage, according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it doesn't have an elongated profile when folded and can be difficult to carry.