How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're in the market for a double stroller there are plenty of options. To help you pick the right one for your family, we talked to experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.
Find a stroller that's reasonably easy to fold, push and carry. Look for a model that can accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler with a riderboard.
Safety
Look for a double-stroller that comes with all-terrain tires and a brake that can be operated by hand if you want to ensure your children are 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 have plenty of storage space for equipment and essentials for kids like snacks and toys.
The best double stroller for your family begins by determining how old and far apart in age. Most double strollers only accommodate one child seat. However, some do have a variety options that let you choose the seating that is best for your family.
The classic doubles are ideal for children of similar ages that are keen to interact. Double-decker designs permit the user to place one of the seats over the other, or attach a riderboard to older siblings. Babies can be sat in a bassinet that is connected to the frame or in an attachment that lets you look at your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a dedicated twin stroller is the best way to go.
For families that are more adventurous, look for double strollers that can handle off-road terrain, or even hiking. A lot strollers were created with active parents and their children in mind. They have features that will let you take them on any trip, no regardless of how difficult or steep the climbs might be.
In addition to all-terrain tires, the top double strollers come with thoughtful features that make getting around difficult terrain and weather more enjoyable. This jogging stoller for instance, features a wrist loop so that you can make sure your child is safe when running downhill at higher speeds or in extreme weather conditions. It also features an all-over canopy that's ventilated to keep your children cool in the summer heat.
If you're looking for a lightweight compact double stroller check out this model from Joovy. It weighs in at just over 23 lbs, making it lighter than other single strollers. It's ideal for air travel or storing in overhead compartments or trunks. It also has a large storage basket and an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.
Seating
Contrary to the giant strollers of old the modern double strollers are sleek and support various designs to accommodate families. Some of them function as traditional side-byside strollers while others - like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--function as a base that car seats, toddler seats, or bassinets snap into. They come in a variety of widths and weight limits to accommodate infants and children up to kindergarten.
A quality double stroller should be easy to fold and move and allows you to adjust the height of your handlebar to ensure that you feel comfortable throughout your excursions. A well-designed handlebar is one that is easy to hold and should invite you to walk with proper posture (ask other parents for advice on this). It should come with a variety of storage options that can accommodate everything your children will require.
If your twins are close in age, you could find a tandem stroller works best for your family. The seats of these models are placed side by side, enabling you to engage with them both and keep an eye on them at the same time. They also recline independently, so that one child can lie down while the other is awake and ready to go.
The drawback of a twin stroller could be that it is wider than a stroller designed for a single person. This can make it more difficult to navigate narrow aisles in store aisles, doors, or walkways. For certain families, however 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 option. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great choice for city dwellers due to its shock absorption capabilities, sleek design, and ability 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. read page 's a basic model, but it offers plenty of storage and seating space. It also has heavy-duty wheels that can handle any terrain. It also comes with an SPF canopy that is 50+ and adjustable handlebars. However, some parents feel that the seats are a little too low and can't recline to a fully 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 often a significant investment and one that you hope to use for a long time. When shopping for one you need to make sure it will be easy to operate and clean. The best double strollers are designed to be user-friendly and include many useful features.
All strollers we tested can be folded easily and compactly with just one hand. They're also light, making them ideal for travel. They can fit in most trunks and can be gate-checked on airplanes. Our testers found that their strollers can be folded down much smaller than their single-seat equivalents. Some even had a carry strap.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller that has lots of options that will grow with your family. This side-byside stroller works with infant car seats and other accessories. It can be used from birth to the age of preschool. Each seat has five-point harnesses, a large canopy and plenty of sun protection.
The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that's highly regarded. This stroller is lightweight and extremely compact, weighing just 22 lbs and 26 inches in width when folded. The front seat reclines almost to an entire flat position, and the back seat comes with an adjustable recline that can be adjusted for each child. There's a large storage basket and a simple, one-step linked parking brake that makes this stroller extremely simple to move and use.
The only drawbacks to the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to this particular model. Kerry says that the packaging is innovative and fun, however it comes in five boxes which can be a little cumbersome to carry around. She also felt that the Genuis magnetic buckle was a bit clunky and took some time to master. In the end, however, she was very happy with the stroller and would definitely recommend it.
Stores
Strollers are available in a variety of sizes and styles that include tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and many that allow you to modify the layout using a car seat or bassinet attachment. Some even have add-on rider boards for older siblings. They're not created equal. Some are light and easy to use, whereas others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold.
If you're looking to purchase a light double stroller, take a look at the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest option in our tests, weighing close to 23 pounds. It is also simple to fold, but it has all the features parents need to have a great time out with two children.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is a different model that our test subjects loved especially for its sleek design and user-friendly. It can fit two infant car seats, or a toddler's seat and a bassinet without the need for adapters. Its rear seat can be removed to turn it into a triple or quad stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage, and it can be upgraded by adding an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires, as well as side storage bags.
Billingsley says the best double stroller for toddlers is one that supports multiple customization options, like a removable seat or bassinet. This is due to toddlers having little endurance, so a stroller with an attachment for a bassinet will provide them with a safe spot to rest for a nap. She says that a double stroller should also have a comfortable recline position and harness system as well as plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its lightweight and versatility. It is airline gate-check friendly, fits through most doorways (without removing the wheels on the front) and can be expanded to a triple or quad stroller by adding an add-on tandem. The near-flat, independently reclined seats and the extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are just a few of the highlights. A spacious underseat basket and the inclusion of cup holders for the child and parent make up this impressive feature set. The only disadvantage, according to Taylor, is that it doesn't have a the smallest profile when folded and can be difficult to carry.