Double Stroller: It s Not As Expensive As You Think
How Easy Is It to Push and Fold a Double Stroller?
A good double stroller will help you move around, whether you're walking with your toddler or jogging together with your twins. It's important to find one that's easy to fold and push is essential.
Our Lab experts suggest side-byside models with equal recline and ample storage, Twin pushchair plus car seat adapters for infants.
Seating
The seating options you choose are important when you are shopping for a double stroller. You might want to think about a tandem stroller that allows one child to stand while the other one sits or a side-by- tandem option that allows your children to sit together.
The seating arrangement can affect your comfort as you navigate through busy streets and sidewalks. Find strollers with reclining chairs, footrests that recline and large canopy to provide shade for the two passengers. Beware of hanging bags from handlebars as they could alter the stroller's center of gravity and cause it to tip.
Double strollers that are of good quality are also equipped with storage compartments for your necessities. Find storage compartments underneath the seats or in the backs of the seats. These are excellent places to store your snacks, toys and other necessities. You can also use organizer bags as well as consoles for parents that attach to the handles of the car to keep items in your hand on walks or outings.
A side-byside pram is the best option for parents who have children of similar ages. They tend to be more stable and provide better visibility for both the stroller and the passenger than strollers that stack. Some models can accommodate two infants in a car seats, which allows you to move your sleeping children from the car to the pram without disturbing them.
Sit-and-stand strollers are a great option for parents with older children who don't mind their kids sitting on their own and prefer a little independence. They also allow the larger child to go along on the front. This kind of double stroller generally isn't suitable for newborns and could require more maintenance as the years progress, but it's an excellent option for active families that want the versatility of one stroller that can be converted into a two-kid model.
The best double strollers are strong and easy to maneuver, even on rugged terrain or in tight spaces. They're also lightweight and fold for compact stowing in your garage or trunk making them easy to transport and manage when traveling. Finally, they feature robust construction to ensure the longevity and safety of your children. Furthermore, they meet the American Academy of Pediatricians' (AAP) guidelines for safety.
Canopy
A canopy protects both the passengers and the sun, and some models come with the option of a visor that can further protect kids' faces. Our top-scoring canopy options were the BOB Revolution Flex v3.0 Duallie, and the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Dual. Both have giant shades. Both models offer ample coverage and cover children from head to toe, while inline models often skimp on shade or only offer a single canopy which only covers one seat. This can be a problem for siblings who require different levels of protection.
Many of our top-rated canopys can be fitted onto strollers with ease. Check the dimensions of the canopy prior to buying, as some may require extra space to expand fully and avoid hitting the handles.
Some parents prefer double strollers that come with a bassinet or car seat adapters to provide them with more options in the future. The UPPAbaby Vist v2 Double, for instance, comes with a toddler seat as well as an additional RumbleSeat. This makes it a great option for families with twins or young children and need to transport them simultaneously. This stroller is a versatile model that offers an unique sit-and-stand configuration for older children who prefer riding on their own.
The organizer bags and consoles for parents can make your stroller more practical. They keep the essentials in your reach. These bags are especially useful when you need to keep snacks and toys out of sight. Some of these accessories are secured with a snap or strap which makes it easy to take them off when you're ready for the stroller to be used again.
If you are seeking a double-stroller compact which can be transformed into a toddler stroller, with an incline board or bench seat and a bench seat, this is the stroller to choose. Both the Graco Travel System RoomFor2 and UPPAbaby's Vista v2 Duallie come with a bassinet that is compatible with car seats, a toddler's seat, and a RumbleSeat. Both can expand into a triple stroller with the addition of a running board, which is perfect for families with an active child who is on the move.
Wheels
The kind of wheels a stroller is equipped with can make an impact on how it is to push. Generally speaking, larger wheels are easier to maneuver and are able to handle more terrain. The material of the wheels also affects how they are easy or difficult to push. Rubber wheels, for example, are typically more durable and are able to withstand rougher surfaces than plastic wheels.
Stroller wheels are available in a variety of styles sizes, shapes and materials to accommodate the needs of a variety of people and environments. For instance, swivel wheels can help navigate narrow spaces and make tight turns. Fixed wheels are more stable and suitable for smooth surfaces. If you intend to take your stroller off-road or over rough terrain, consider getting air-filled tires instead of standard rubber tires. These tires are similar to bicycle tires, and absorb shocks for an easier ride.
Double strollers that are side-by-side are more spacious than tandem models and may be more difficult to maneuver through narrow doors or crowded aisles. They offer your children the same amount of room to sit and let them stretch their legs. They are also usually easier to maneuver than tandem strollers.
If you plan to use your stroller for an exercise bike or run then you should choose a double jogger that has special all-terrain wheels or jogging tires. They are larger, more robust and have sealed ball bearings to provide smoother rides on uneven surfaces. Some models, like the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller are compatible with a car seat that allow you to run while your children are secured in their car seats.
Other all-terrain/jogging doubles, like the Valco Baby Tri Mode Duo X allow the addition of a second seat but are generally too bulky to be considered umbrella doubles. We found that the buckles on this stroller were the most difficult to secure. This can be a problem when you are trying to fit two children in the stroller simultaneously. The stroller is more expensive than the top single-to tandem pick, but offers high-quality components and an affordable resale value.
Storage
A quality double stroller will have enough storage space to accommodate the children as well as the parents. A lack of storage could make it difficult for parents to complete around and carry everything they need for a family outing. In our Lab tests we found that the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double performed excellently in this metric, with a large and easy-to-access basket that can accommodate up to 30 lbs.
Strollers that have multiple compartments and pockets can assist families in organizing small items like wallets, keys and phones. Additionally, a parent console or organizer bag that is attached to the handlebars may be a handy place for moms and dads to store their personal belongings when out with the kids.
In addition to a large basket the UPPAbaby Vista comes with two infant car seats (though not both bassinets), and it has an adjustable handlebar that telescopically extends and brakes that are simple to use. It also has the largest weight capacity in our lineup, and it folds to fit most standard door frames.
Our testers also found that the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite wagon features a remarkably adjustable bar that is ideal for parents of different heights. The wagon also comes with two folding UV screens that provide full sun coverage, and its snack tray and cup holders can hold a variety of bottles and snacks for children.
A major challenge for anyone using a stroller is how to fold it down and get it back into shape after use, especially if you're dealing with two children in the back. It's the reason it's essential to choose a stroller with a smooth and easy fold. Both the UPPAbaby Vista v2 stroller and Evenflo Pivot Xpand have a single-handed, user-friendly mechanism that allows parents fold their stroller quickly and efficiently, regardless of the configuration they're using.
Double strollers may seem like an investment that is costly, but parents who plan to use it for a number of years will pay more than they would for single strollers. Also, you should consider whether the stroller can be disassembled for storage and transport. This is essential in the event that you only have a small amount of space in your car or at home.