How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're looking for a double stroller there are a variety of options. To help you pick the most suitable one for your family, we talked to the expert in child development and mom Katie Billingsley.
Find a stroller that's fairly easy to fold, push and carry. Consider a model that can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler who has a riderboard.
Safety
Choose a double-stroller which comes with all-terrain tires and a brake that is operated by hand if want to keep the kids safe when walking. These wheels and brakes help you navigate trails or sidewalks without your children falling or rolling away. The best double strollers offer ample storage space to store equipment and essentials for kids like snacks and toys.
Choosing the right double stroller for your family begins by understanding how old and distant in age your kids are. Many double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, some offer a variety of configurations that allow you to choose the seating that is ideal for your family.
The classic doubles are great for children of similar ages that like to interact. Certain models feature a double-decker style, allowing the user to place one seat above the other or attach a rider board to older siblings. Babies can be sat in a bassinet that is attached to the frame, or in an attachment that allows you to look at your baby. If you are expecting twins or have twins, then a twin stroller will be the best option.
Choose a stroller with two wheels that can handle off-road terrain and even hiking. Many of these strollers were developed with active parents and their children in mind. They come with features that will let you take them on any adventure no regardless of how difficult or steep the climbs may be.
The best double strollers are equipped with thoughtful features to make it easier to navigate in difficult terrain and bad weather. For instance, this jogging stroller includes a wrist loop for your child so you can be sure that they're safe when you run downhill or at faster speeds. It also features a canopy that covers the entire area and has ventilation so your kids stay comfortable in the summer heat.
This model is a lightweight and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs less than 23 pounds., making it ideal for air travel and storage in overhead compartments or trunks. It also comes with a huge storage basket and a simple one-step parking brake.
Seating
Contrary to the giant strollers of the past the modern double strollers are sleek and can accommodate an array of configurations to fit families. 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 an alternative to car seats, toddlers ' seats, and bassinets. They come in a variety of sizes and weight limits to fit infants and children up to kindergarten.
A quality double stroller should be easy to fold and move and will allow you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure you are at ease on all your excursions. A good handlebar is easy to grip and should encourage you to walk in a safe manner (ask for tips from other parents). It should also provide various storage options that accommodate everything you need for your kids.
If your twins are close in age, you could find a tandem stroller works best for your family. The seats of these models sit side by side, enabling you to interact with both of them and keep an eye on them simultaneously. They also recline independently so that one child can rest while the other is ready to go.
The drawback of a twin stroller is that it's wider than a single-occupant model and can make it difficult to navigate the aisles of shops, sidewalks, and narrow doorways. For some families the benefits are worth the extra effort and size.
If you're looking for a small double-stroller, then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is a great alternative. 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 option for urban living.
Another alternative is a wagon-style double stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This bare-bones model offers a lot of seating space and storage space, along with sturdy wheels that can handle any terrain. It also has a 50+ SPF canopy and a handlebar that can be adjusted. best double buggy complain that the seats are too low and do not recline fully flat, which makes it hard for small children to reach their snack trays or relax.
Easy of Use
A double stroller is usually an investment of a large amount and one you're hoping to use for many years. When choosing a stroller, you want to make sure it will be easy to use and clean. Luckily, the top double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as possible and come with a wide array of convenient features for parents.
All the strollers that we tested could be folded easily and compactly using just one hand. They're also light, making them ideal for travel. A lot of them can be gate checked on airplanes and fit in most trunks. Most of our testers also discovered that their strollers could fold down to a smaller size than single-seat versions. Some even came with a carrying strap.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller that has a lot of versatility that will grow with your family. This side-byside stroller is compatible with infant car seats, bassinets, and other accessories, meaning you can use it from birth to preschool age. Each seat is equipped with a five-point harness and a large canopy that provides ample protection from the sun.
The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that is highly praised. The stroller is light and compact, weighing only 22 lbs when folded. The front seat reclines almost to a flat stance, and the back seat can be adjusted for every child. The stroller is simple to use and maneuver thanks to its large storage basket, simple one-step parking brake and large storage basket.
The only drawbacks of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to the model. Kerry states that the packaging was enjoyable and clever, but that it was also packaged in five boxes, which could be trouble to carry around. She also felt that the Genuis magnetic buckle was difficult to master. In the end, however, she was very happy with the stroller and would definitely recommend it.
Storage
Strollers are available in various sizes and designs and styles, including tandems (single-file seating), side-by-side doubles, and many that allow you to customize the setup with the use of a bassinet or car seat attachment. Some have rider boards which can be added for older siblings. They're not all created equal. Some are lightweight and easy to use, whereas others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold.
If you're looking for a lightweight double stroller, check out the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest option in our tests at close to 23 lbs and is also easy to fold, but it still has all of the features parents require to have a great time out with two kids.
The Vista v2 double by UPPAbaby is another model that our test subjects loved. They particularly liked its sleek design and easy-to-use. It can fit two infant car seats or a toddler bassinet as well as a seat without adapters. The rear seat can be removed to make it into a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a huge basket for storage, and can be upgraded with an organizer for parents as well as all-terrain tires, as well as storage bags for the sides.
Billingsley says that the ideal double stroller for a toddler is one that has multiple customization options, like an adjustable seat or bassinet. This is due to toddlers having limited endurance, and a stroller with an attachment for a bassinet will give them a safe place to take a nap. She suggests that a double stroller must also have a great harness and recline position and plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its light weight and flexibility. It's gate-check-friendly for airlines, 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 nearly flat, independently reclined seats and extra-long sun canopy that can be adjusted are among the other features. A large underseat storage basket as well as parent and child cup holders complete this impressive feature set. Taylor says that the only drawback is that it has a large size when folded and it can be difficult for parents to stow.