How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're looking for a double stroller, there are a lot of options. To help you choose the most suitable one for your family, we spoke with the expert in child development and mom Katie Billingsley.
Choose a stroller fairly easy to push, fold and carry. And consider a model that can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler as well as an adult rider board.
Safety
Look for a double-stroller that comes with all-terrain tires and a brake that can be operated by hand if want to keep the kids safe when walking. These wheels and brakes help you navigate paths and dirt without worrying about your children falling or rolling. The best double strollers come with plenty of storage space to store equipment and essentials for kids 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 can only accommodate one child seat. However, the ones that do have a variety options that let you choose the seating that is best for your family.
Side-by-side doubles are an iconic option, and they're great for kids of similar ages who want to play with one another. Double-decker designs permit you to place one seat over the other, or even attach a riderboard for older siblings. Newborns can either be snuggled 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 already have twins then a twin stroller will be the best option.
Choose a stroller with two wheels that is capable of handling off-road terrain and even hiking. A lot of these strollers were designed with active parents and their children in mind. They come with features that allow you to take them on any adventure, no regardless of how difficult or steep the climbs are.
The best double strollers are equipped with clever features that make it easier to navigate in difficult terrain and bad weather. For instance this jogging stroller comes with a wrist loop for your child so you can be sure that they're safe when you run 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 for a light, compact double stroller, check out this model from Joovy. It weighs less than 23 lbs. This makes it perfect for air travel and storage in trunks or overhead compartments. It also comes with an enormous storage basket as well as a one-step linked parking brake that is simple to use.
Seating
Double strollers of today are sleeker and can be set up in many ways to suit your family. Some double stroller s are designed to be used as side-by-side models, and 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 a range of sizes and weights to accommodate children from newborns through kindergarten.
A good double stroller should be easy to fold and move and allows you to adjust the height of your handlebar to ensure you are comfortable on all of your outings. A great handlebar is one that is easy to grip, and it should allow you to walk with proper posture (ask parents for advice on this). It should offer a variety of storage options to accommodate everything your children will need.
If your twins are similar in age, you might discover that a tandem stroller is best for your family. The seats of these models are placed in a row, allowing you to be able to interact with them both and keep an eye on them simultaneously. They can also recline separately so that one child can sleep while the other is awake and ready to go.
The downside of a twin stroller can be that it is wider than a stroller designed that is designed for a single occupant. This could make it difficult to maneuver narrow aisles in store aisles, doors or walkways. 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 V2 Double is a fantastic choice. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great choice for urban living due to its shock absorption, elegant design, and ability to accommodate two infant car seats. It also comes with an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.
Another option is a wagon-style double stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. The model is basic however it has plenty of storage space and seating. It also comes with heavy-duty wheels that can take on any terrain. It also has an umbrella with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. However, some parents feel that the seats are too low and don't recline to a fully flat position, making it difficult for small children to be comfortable or reach their snack trays.
Simple to Use
Double strollers are often an investment of a significant amount that you will use for many years. When shopping for one you must ensure that it is easy to operate and clean. Fortunately, the best double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as they can and come with a wide array of features that are convenient for parents.
To start, all the strollers we tested folded easily and compactly (with just one hand!). They're also light, making them ideal for traveling. Many of them fit in most trunks and can be gate-checked on airplanes. Furthermore, the majority our test subjects found that their strollers folded down to smaller dimensions than their single-seat counterparts, and some even included the option of carrying a strap for carrying.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller with a lot of versatility that can grow with your family. This side-byside stroller works with infant car seats and other accessories. It can be used from birth up to preschool age. Each seat comes with a 5-point harness and a large canopy that gives ample protection from the sun.
Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. It is light and extremely compact, weighing just 22 pounds and 26 inches wide when it's folded. The front seat reclines to almost an entire flat position, and the back seat features an adjustable recline for each child. This stroller is easy to use and maneuver thanks to its large storage basket, simple parking brake that is one step and a large storage basket.
The only downsides to the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to this model. Kerry notes that the packaging was fun and clever, however it also came in five boxes which can be an inconvenience 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 very happy with this stroller and would highly recommend it.
Storage
Strollers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from tandem doubles that are side-by-side to (single-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to customize your layout by adding a bassinet or a car seat attachment. Some come with rider boards that can be added for older children. They're not all created equal. Some are light and easy to use, whereas others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold.
If you're looking for a lightweight double stroller, look into the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest choice in our tests, weighing around 23 pounds and is also easy to fold, yet it has all the features parents need for a fun outing with two kids.
The Vista v2 double by UPPAbaby is another model our testers loved. They especially liked its sleek design and user-friendly. It can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler's seat and a bassinet without adapters. The rear seat can be removed to make it into a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a large storage basket and can be upgraded to include a parent organizer with wheels for all-terrain and side storage bags.
Billingsley says the best double stroller for a toddler is one that offers multiple customization options, like the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. Toddlers can be limited in their endurance and a stroller that has an integrated bassinet can provide a safe place for them to rest. She says that a double stroller must also have a good harness and recline position and plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its lightweight and flexibility. It is airline gate-check friendly it can be accessed through all doors (without taking off the wheels at the front), and can be made into a quad or triple stroller by adding an additional tandem. The near-flat, independently reclined seats and the extra-long, adjustable sun canopies are among the other features. A large underseat storage basket, as well as parent and child cup holders make up this impressive feature set. The one drawback, according to Taylor, is that it doesn't have an elongated footprint when folded and can be difficult to store.