How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
If you're taking an easy stroll or taking on your morning jog with your kids, a double stroller could make life with twins or two children with different ages a lot simpler. How do you choose from the numerous choices available?
Our new team member, Kerry, got her stroller testing feet wet with this expandable model that allows you to alter the seating arrangement to meet your different requirements.
Safety
Your stroller must be secure, whether you're out on the town with your kids, taking them to the zoo, or going trick-or-treating. It's essential to have sturdy frames as well as comfortable harnesses that are easy to grab handles for toddlers. It also needs to be able to fit through doorways and be easy to maneuver and fold. It should also be affordable.
We put every double stroller we tested through vigorous tests in our lab, at the Zoo, on streets in the city, and during family outings in suburban neighborhoods. Our lab tests test the stroller's stability and maneuverability, ease of steering and handling, suspension comfort for the rider and the driver weight capacity, seat canopy heights, and storage space.
In addition to the routine safety checks performed by our stroller experts, we ask parents to provide feedback on their experiences with each model. Then, we take the information into consideration when making recommendations.
Take a look at our top picks if you're looking for an excellent stroller that is sturdy and safe. These versatile strollers offer multiple seating options for infant car seats, can be used as a single stroller or tandem, and are suitable for children ranging from birth to elementary school.
The best double stroller s are designed to grow with your family. They're stylish and sleek and offer a variety of customizations and can accommodate infants and toddlers by providing side-by-side or tandem (single file) seating. Some also have large storage baskets as well as a handlebar that could be telescopically adjusted, and one-handed folding mechanisms.
If you have twins or children who are similar age to their sibling, think about using a tandem stroller with a bench seat in the back that could be occupied by a third child. They're a great choice for siblings who wish to be social with one another however they may not be capable of sitting close to one another in a stroller that is side-by-side and end up arguing or fighting. You'll also find convertible models that permit you to remove the bench seat when your children are ready for an excursion without a car seat.
Comfort
The most comfortable double strollers come with comfortable child seats that have plenty of padding and support. They also have plenty of storage, roomy footwells for children's feet and legs and UPF 50+ canopies that provide great sun protection. The seats should recline at an angle to ensure that children are comfortable. They should also have calf bars that allow parents to adjust the height of each seat individually. The handlebars must be comfortable and easy to maneuver according to Alli Cavasino who is a certified child passenger safety technician. The handlebars should be close enough to the kids seats that you can reach them and grasp them. If the handlebars on the stroller are too far apart it will be a challenge to keep your balance and maintain good form while pushing them.
The ride should be smooth, even on rough or hard surfaces. Some of the models we tested have shock absorbers to keep the ride stable. Others have front and rear suspension, which can reduce the amount of force required to push them, and increase your control over them. The wheels should be made of high-quality rubber with robust tread that can withstand plenty of wear and tear.
We searched for the most versatile double strollers that can be used from the time of infancy through toddlerhood. A few of the ones we found can be configured as tandem strollers or side-byside, and one of them that we found, the Uppababy Vista v2, can even be transformed into a single-file stroller suitable for infants. This model is three times more expensive as our primary tandem model, but 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 or trips to the zoo or the park, and errands. They're typically wider than single strollers, and as such they might not be able to be able to fit through narrow entrances or in crowded aisles of stores. Some models cost more than single-seat models however, it's logical considering that you're getting a much better value for your dollars. These models are suitable for adults and children, and will grow with your family.
Convenience
If you're planning to spend money on a double stroller, it must be easy to push and to store. The stroller should be lightweight and easily fit into your car's trunk or at home. It must also be able to traverse rough terrain and make tight turns. Some of the best double strollers have adjustable calf supports and seats that recline and provide UPF sun protection. The canopy should be large enough to accommodate two children. If you're concerned about the sun glaring into their eyes, choose a stroller with a peek-a-boo window.
The stage and age of your children will determine the kind of stroller you'll need. For instance, parents of twins may choose an convertible stroller that accommodates two infant car seats simultaneously and a family with an older child and a toddler may prefer a side-byside double. You'll need to decide if you want a stroller which can fit through narrow doorways and aisles of grocery stores or even on planes.
In our Lab tests we found that the majority of double strollers were easy to fold and move. They typically have a one- or two-step process, and they're small enough to fit in the majority of cars that are compact. They are also designed to be stable and easy to put back together.
Some of the top double-strollers come with convenient parent features such as the cup holder that can be used by one parent and a large storage basket. Consider whether the stroller comes with a lock for the front seat, to prevent your child from climbing out. Some of the better strollers include an adapter for car seats that is universal and can be converted to a single-seater when your children grow.
Some of the best double strollers can be expensive, but they offer superior build quality and higher resale values than less expensive models. They are also easier to maneuver, and are able to handle rough terrain such as urban walkways or parks.
Style
If parents are in the market for a double stroller, they're looking for more than a way to transport their two kids. They want a lightweight stroller that is easy to move and has enough space to expand with their children. Also, since they'll be carrying more weight than the kids and their strollers, they should be comfortable for the back and shoulders.
This is why the top double strollers are sleek, support a wide range of customizations, and can accommodate infant car seats for a seamless transition from baby to toddler. They are available in tandem (single-file seating), side-by-side, and even lightweight enough to use for jogging.
Aside from size, one of the primary factors to consider for parents looking for a double stroller is whether it will fit through doorways or other narrow spaces. Fortunately, most of the strollers we tested in our latest update are able to pass through doors that are standard for exteriors that measure 36 inches wide, and they can be used for interior doors that measure 28 to 35 inches wide.
Other aspects we take into consideration when evaluating the top double strollers include how quickly and easily they fold and unfold, how large the cargo basket is, how comfortable the seats are and how flexible the canopy are. We also think about how comfortable the seat straps and buckles are for children seated in the stroller, as well as how easy it would be to adjust the handlebar height.
Our top selection, Uppababy Vista V2, for example, is lightweight and offers plenty of storage space for both children. It comes with a cup for parents holder, as well as seats that recline individually. It also has a generous UPF 50+ canopy that has a the peek-a-boo window. Its padded seat straps and buckles are among the most comfortable in our tests and we found the seat to be among the easiest to secure for children of all age groups.
If you're not ready to purchase a double stroller, Facebook Marketplace and other secondhand-goods sites can often offer excellent used models in good condition for reasonable prices. Be sure to do your research and look for signs of damage before purchasing.