How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
There are many options available in the field of double strollers. To help you choose the best one for your family, we talked to child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.
Find a stroller that's fairly easy to push, fold and carry. Look for a model that can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler who has a riderboard.
Safety
Look for a double-stroller that comes with all-terrain tires and a brake that is operated by hand if want to ensure your children are safe while walking. These wheels and brake assist you in navigating trails or sidewalks without the risk of your children sliding or slipping away. The best double strollers have plenty of storage space to store items for your kids, including snacks and toys.
The first step in selecting the best double stroller is to know the age of your children and how far apart they are. Many double strollers only can accommodate one child's seat, however, those do come with different configurations, so you can pick the type of seating that is most suitable for your children and your lifestyle.
The classic doubles are ideal for children of similar ages who like to interact. Double-decker designs permit the user to place one seat over the other, or add a riderboard for older siblings. Newborns can either be snuggled in a bassinet connected to the frame or with an attachment that allows you to play peek-a-boo with your baby. If you are expecting twins or have twins then a twin stroller will be the best option.
For more adventurous families, look for a double stroller that is able to take on off-road terrains or even hiking. A lot of these strollers were developed with active parents and their children in mind. They have features that will allow you to take them on any adventure no matter how rough or high the climbs might be.
In addition to all-terrain tires, the top double strollers come with thoughtful features that make getting around tough terrain and weather easier. For tandem double stroller , 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 comes with a full-coverage canopy with ventilation to ensure your children stay comfy during the summer heat.
This model is a light and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs just over 23 pounds, which makes it lighter than other single strollers and perfect for air travel or storing in trunks and overhead compartments. Additionally, it comes with an enormous storage basket as well as an integrated parking brake that's easy to use.
Seating
Double strollers of today are more sleek and can be arranged in various ways to meet the needs of your family. Some are used as traditional side-by-side strollers while others--such as the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller - function as a base to which car seats, toddler seats, or bassinets snap into. They are available in various widths and weight limits to fit children from birth to kindergarten.
A good double stroller should be a breeze to move and fold, while also permitting you to adjust the handlebar's height to make sure you're in a comfortable position throughout your trips. A good handlebar is easy to hold and should inspire you to walk in a safe manner (ask for tips from other parents). It should come with a variety of storage options that can accommodate everything your children will need.
If your twins are close in age, you might consider a tandem stroller that works best for your family. These models come with seats that are side-byside, so you can talk to them both while keeping an eye on each of them at the same time. They also recline independently which means that one child can rest while the other is ready to go.
The downside of a twin stroller can be that it's wider than a stroller designed for a single-occupant. This makes it difficult to maneuver narrow doorways, store aisles or even the sidewalks. For certain families, the advantages are worth the extra size and effort.
If you're looking for a small double-stroller, then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is a good option. Its shock absorbers, streamlined design and the capacity to accommodate two infant car seats, plus an optional running board for older children -- make it a great choice for city living.
Another option is a wagon-style stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. It's a basic model but it comes with plenty of storage and seating space. It also has heavy-duty wheels to handle any terrain. It also comes with a canopy with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. But some parents say the seats are a little too low and can't recline to a completely flat position, which makes it difficult for children of smaller sizes to be comfortable or reach their snack tray.
Simple to use
A double stroller is usually an investment that you hope to use for a long time. When shopping for one you need to ensure that it's simple to operate and clean. Luckily, the top double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as possible and come with a wide array of useful features for parents.
All strollers we tested could be folded easily and compactly using just one hand. They are also light and ideal for traveling. Many of them can be checked at the gate on planes and fit in most trunks. In addition, the majority of our testers found that their strollers folded down to a smaller size than their single-seat counterparts, and some even came with an adjustable carry strap for easy carrying.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller with lots of options that can grow with your family. This side-byside stroller is compatible with infant car seats as well as other accessories. It can be used from birth until preschool age. Each seat comes with a 5-point harness and a large canopy. It also offers plenty of sun protection.
Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. The stroller is light and compact, weighing only weighs 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines almost to a flat position and the back seat can be adjusted to fit every child. This stroller is easy to maneuver and use 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 that model. Kerry says that the packaging is clever and fun, but it comes in five boxes, which could be a bit cumbersome to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp to be a bit clunky, and it took her some time before she could get it to work. She was happy with the stroller in the end and would highly recommend it.
Stores
Strollers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, ranging from tandems with side-by-side doubles to tandem (single-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to personalize your setup with a bassinet, or car seat attachment. Some come with rider boards designed for older kids. They're not all created equal. Some are lightweight and easy to use, whereas others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold.
If you're seeking a stroller with a light weight that can accommodate two children The Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great option. It was the lightest option in our tests, weighing close to 23 pounds. It is also simple to fold, but it still has all of the features parents require to enjoy a great time with two children.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is a different model that our testers loved especially for its sleek design and easy to use. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler seat, and a bassinet with no adapters needed. The rear seat can also be removed to make it a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a huge basket for storage and can be upgraded with an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires as well as side storage bags.
Billingsley says that the best double stroller for a toddler is one that has numerous options for customization. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. This is because toddlers typically have limited endurance, and a stroller with an attachment for a bassinet will provide them with a safe spot to take a nap. She suggests that a double stroller must also include a harness system that is reliable and recline positions, and plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular with parents due to its light weight and versatility. It's gate-check-friendly on airlines and fits through the majority of doorways (without taking off the wheels on the front), and can be converted to a triple or quad stroller by adding an additional tandem. The nearly flat, independently reclined seats and extra-long sun canopy that can be adjusted are other highlights. A large underseat basket as well as parent and child cup holders make up the impressive set of features. The one downside, according to Taylor, is that it doesn't have a a small footprint when folded and can be difficult to carry.