How to Choose the Best Double Stroller

If you're looking for a double stroller there are plenty of options. To help you select the most suitable one for your family, we talked to experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.

Choose a stroller relatively easy to fold, push and carry. Consider a model that can hold two infant car seat or a toddler that has a riderboard.

Safety

Find a double-stroller that has all-terrain wheels and a brake that is operated with a hand if you want to keep the kids safe while walking. These wheels and brakes will aid you in traversing trails as well as sidewalks, gravel, and other paths without your children falling or rolling off. The best double strollers have ample storage space to store gear and kid-sized essentials like snacks and toys.

The first step in choosing the best double stroller is to figure out how old your children are and how far apart they are. Many double buggy that converts to single strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, some do come with a variety of configurations that allow you to choose the seating that is ideal for your family.

The classic doubles are ideal for children of similar age who are keen to interact. Double-decker designs permit the user to place one seat above the other, or add a riderboard for older siblings. Babies can be placed in a bassinet attached to the frame, or as an independent attachment that offers the chance to peek at your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a specially designed twin stroller is the best way to go.

Look for a double-wheeled stroller that can handle off-road terrain and even hiking. A majority of these strollers are designed with active parents in mind and include features that allow you to take your kids to any adventure, regardless of how rough the path or how high the climbs may be.

The best double strollers have intelligent features that aid in navigation in a difficult terrain or bad weather. For instance, this jogging stroller includes a wrist loop for your child, so you can be sure that they're safe while running downhill or at faster speeds. It also features a full-coverage canopy with airflow to keep your kids comfortable in the summer heat.

This model is a compact and compact double stroller 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 a huge storage basket and an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.

Seating

Unlike the behemoth strollers of the past the modern double strollers are sleek and support a variety of configurations to fit families. Some are used as traditional side-by-side strollers while others - like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller - function as a base to which car seats, toddler seats, or bassinets click into. They come in various widths and weight limits, allowing children from birth to kindergarten.

A quality double stroller should be easy to maneuver and fold, while permitting you to alter the handlebar height so you're able to walk comfortably throughout your excursions. A good handlebar is comfortable to hold and will encourage you to walk in a safe manner (ask for tips from other parents). It should also have various storage options that will accommodate all the essentials you'll need for your kids.

If your twins have a similar age, a tandem stroller may be the best option for your family. The seats of these models are placed in a row, allowing you to interact with them both and keep an eye on both of them at the same time. They can also recline separately so that one child can lie down while the other is awake and ready to go.

The disadvantage of a twin stroller is that it can be larger than a single-occupant model and can make it difficult to navigate sidewalks, shop aisles and narrow doorways. For some families the benefits are worth the extra effort and size.

If you are looking for a compact double-stroller, then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is an excellent alternative. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great choice for city dwellers due 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, such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another option. It's a basic model however it has plenty of storage and seating space. It also has heavy-duty wheels that can handle any terrain. It also has an umbrella with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. But some parents say the seats are a little too low and don't recline to a completely flat position, making it difficult for children of smaller sizes to be comfortable or reach their snack trays.

Ease of Use

A double stroller can be a significant investment and one you're likely to use for a long time. When choosing a stroller you need to 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 useful features for parents.

All the strollers we tested could be folded easily and compactly using just one hand. They're also lightweight, making them ideal for travel. They can fit in most trunks and can be gate-checked on airplanes. Our testers discovered that their strollers could fold down much smaller than their single-seat equivalents. Some even had a carrying strap.

If you're in search of a multi-purpose double stroller that can expand with your family take a look at the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats, bassinets, and other accessories, so you can use it from birth until the age of preschool. Each seat is equipped with a five-point harness and an enormous canopy that offers ample shade from the sun.

The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that's highly regarded. The stroller is light and compact, weighing only 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to almost an entire flat position, and the back seat has an adjustable recline that can be adjusted for each child. The stroller is simple to maneuver and use thanks to its large storage basket, easy parking brake that is one step and a large storage basket.

The only drawbacks to the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry states that the packaging was fun and innovative, but it also came in five boxes which could be a hassle to lug around. She also noticed that Genuis's magnetic buckle was difficult to master. In the end, though she was very pleased with her stroller and would definitely recommend it.

Stores

Strollers are available in various sizes and styles that include tandems (single-file seating), side-by-side doubles, and many that allow you to customize the configuration using an automobile seat or bassinet attachment. Some have rider boards which can be added for older children. However, they're not all created equal. Some are sleek and easy to use, while others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold or store.

If you're looking for a lightweight double stroller, look into the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest double stroller stroller we tested in our tests, weighing less than 23 pounds. It's also easy to fold and has all the features parents would want to enjoy a day out with two children.

The Vista v2 double tandem pushchair stroller for twins - Speedgh.com, from UPPAbaby is another model that our testers loved particularly for its sleek design and easy to use. It can fit two infant car seats or a toddler bassinet and seat without the need for adapters. The rear seat can be removed to transform it into a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage, and it can be upgraded with a parent organizer and all-terrain tires, as well with side storage bags.

Billingsley says that the best double stroller for a toddler is one that offers multiple customization options, like the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. This is due to toddlers having little endurance, so the stroller with a bassinet attachment will provide them with a safe spot to take a nap. A double stroller must also include a harness system that is reliable and recline positions, as well as plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.

The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its lightweight and flexibility. It is gate-check-friendly for airlines, fits through most doorways (without taking off the wheels at the front) and can be made to a triple or quad stroller by adding an additional tandem. Its nearly flat, independently reclined seats, extra-long sun canopies and adjustable footrests are further highlights, while its spacious underseat storage area and the inclusion of parent and child cup holders round out the impressive feature set. The only downside, according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it doesn't have an elongated profile when folded, and could be difficult to store.