How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
If you're taking a stroll in the sun or going for your morning jog with your kids, a double stroller could make life with twins or two kids of varying ages a lot easier. What should you consider when choosing between the many options available?
This expandable model lets you to customize the seating to meet your needs. Our newest member, Kerry, tested it out.
Safety
If you're running around town, going to the zoo, or heading out trick-or-treating with your kids your stroller should be safe. This means a sturdy frame and comfortable harnesses for kids who sit down, and easy-to-grab handles for toddlers who stand. It also needs to be able to pass through doors and be easy to move and fold. It must also be affordable.
We put every double stroller we reviewed through rigorous tests in our lab, at the Zoo, on the city streets, and during family outings in suburban neighborhoods. Our lab tests assess the stroller's maneuverability and stability as well as ease of steering and handling and suspension comfort for both the rider and the driver, weight capacity and seat canopy heights and storage space.
We solicit feedback from parents on each model in addition to the standard safety check performed by our team. Then, we take this information into consideration when forming our recommendations.
If you're in search of a secure stroller that is high-quality, then start with our top recommendations. These strollers can be used in multiple seating configurations to accommodate infant car seats. They can be used as a single stroller or tandem and are suitable for children from birth to elementary school.
The best double strollers will expand with your family. They're stylish and sleek and offer a variety of designs and options, and can accommodate infants as well as toddlers by providing side-by-side or tandem (single file) seating. They also come with a large storage basket as well as a telescoping handlebar and one-handed folding mechanisms.
If you have twins or a child who is a similar age to their sibling, think about choosing a tandem stroller with a bench seat in the back that can be used by a third child. These strollers are great for siblings who would like to get together, but not be able to sit side-by-side in a standard stroller. They may end up fighting or arguing. There are also convertible models, which permit you to remove the bench seat of your child when they are at the point of riding without a car seat.
Comfort
The best double strollers come with comfortable child seats that are well-padded and bolstered. The best double strollers have plenty of storage, spacious footwells and legroom for kids, and a UPF 50+ canopy which provides fantastic sun protection. The seats should recline at a slight angle to ensure children are at ease, and they should have calf bars that permit parents to adjust the height of each seat independently. Alli Cavasino is a certified child safety technician. She suggests that the handlebars need to be comfortable and ergonomic to maneuver. The handlebars must be close enough to the seat of your child that you can grab them and hold them. If the handlebars on the stroller are too far apart, it will be difficult to keep your balance and maintain good form while pushing them.
The ride should be smooth even on rough or rough surfaces. Some of the models that we tested had shock absorbers installed to keep the ride stable. Some have rear and front suspension, which reduce the amount of force you need to push them and increase your control over them. The wheels should have a long-lasting tread and made of high-quality rubber.
We searched for the most flexible double strollers that can be used from birth through toddlerhood and beyond. Some of the double strollers that we found can be converted to tandem strollers or side-by-side ones. One of them is the Uppababy Vista V2, can even be converted into an infant stroller with a single file. This model is three times more expensive as our main tandem option however its materials are more durable, and it should last longer.
The most effective double strollers are lightweight and able to be maneuvered for long walks and trips to the zoo, park and for shopping trips. They're generally larger than single strollers, and as such they may not fit through narrow doorways or in crowded aisles of stores. Some are more expensive than single-seaters, but it's understandable because you get a lot more for your money. The models we recommend are comfortable for adults and children alike, and they'll develop with your family.
Convenience
If you're planning to spend the money for a double stroller, you'll need one that's convenient to push and to store. The stroller should be lightweight and easily fits in your car's trunk or at home. It should be able navigate rough terrain and make precise turns. Some of the best double strollers come with adjustable calf support, as well as seats that recline, and offer UPF sun protection. The canopy should be wide enough to accommodate both children If you're worried about getting the sun in their eyes, look for one with a peek-a-boo window.
The age and stage of your children will determine the type stroller you need. For example, parents of twins might choose a convertible stroller that can hold two infant car seats at once and parents with an older child and a toddler may prefer a side-byside double. You'll have to decide if you want an infant stroller that fits through narrow doors and aisles of grocery stores or on airplanes.
In our Lab tests, we discovered that the best double strollers are relatively easy to fold and carry. They usually have a oneor two-step procedure, and they're compact enough to fit in the majority of cars that are compact. They are also designed to be sturdy, making them easier to put back together.
The best double strollers include convenient features for parents, such as cups holder for one parent as well as a huge storage basket. You should consider whether the stroller has a lock on the front of the seat, to prevent your kids from getting out in case they get bored. Some of the top strollers come with an adapter for car seats that is universal and can be converted into a single-seater when your children grow.
The top double strollers are pricey, but they have a better build quality and higher resale values than cheaper models. They are also easier to maneuver, and can handle rough terrain such as city walkways or park trails.
Style
When parents are shopping for a double-stroller, they're looking for more than a way to transport their two kids. They want a lightweight stroller that is able to move with ease, has enough onboard storage and thoughtful features that allow it to expand with their children. It should also be easy to push and navigate. And since pushchair twin to carry more weight than their peers and their strollers, they should be comfortable for the back and shoulders.
This is why the top double strollers are sleek and allow for a variety of customizations, and can accommodate infant car seats for an easy transition from toddler to baby. They are available in side-by-side or tandem (single-file seating) models and can be light enough to jog or for travel.
In addition to the size parents should also think about whether the double stroller will fit through doorways and other narrow spaces. Luckily, the majority of strollers we tested in our most recent update are able to pass through the standard doors for exterior use, which are 36 inches wide. The the majority of them can fit inside doors that range from 28 to 35 inches wide.
Other features we consider when evaluating the top double strollers include how quickly and easily they fold and unfold, how large the cargo basket is, how padded the seats are, and how adjustable the canopy are. We also look at how comfortable the straps and buckles are for sitting kids and how easy it is to access and adjust the height of the handlebar.
Our top pick, Uppababy Vista V2, for example, is lightweight and has plenty of storage space for both children. It has a cup for parents holder, seats that recline independently, and generous UPF 50+ canopy with peekaboo windows. The padded straps for the seat and buckles are among the most comfortable in our tests and we found the seat to be one of the most simple to secure for children of all age groups.
If you're still not sure if you're ready to purchase a double stroller, Facebook Marketplace and other second-hand sites often have excellent used models in good condition for affordable prices. Be sure to do your research and look for signs of damage before you buy.