How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
When you're going for a leisurely stroll or tackling your morning jog with the children, a double stroller will make life with twins or two children of different ages much easier. What are the best options to choose from the numerous options available?
Our latest team member, Kerry, got her stroller testing feet wet with this expandable model that allows you to change the seating configuration for different requirements.
Safety
Whether you're running errands, visiting the zoo or going out for trick-or-treating with your kids stroller must be secure. That means an sturdy frame and comfortable harnesses for kids who sit down, and easy-to-grab handles for toddlers who stand. It should also be able fit through doors, be simple to fold and move and easy to move. It must also be affordable.
We put each double stroller through vigorous testing in our lab at the zoo, on streets in the city, and during family outings in suburban areas. Our lab tests test the stroller's maneuverability and stability in steering, ease of handling and suspension comfort for both the driver and the rider weight capacity as well as the height of the canopy on the seat and storage space.
We ask parents for feedback on each model as well as the safety checks that are routinely performed by our team. We then take into consideration all of the information provided when forming our recommendations.
If you're looking for a safe quality, high-quality stroller, begin with our top recommendations. These versatile strollers offer multiple seating configurations to accommodate 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 strollers are designed to evolve with your family. They are stylish and sleek, offer a range of options for customization and can accommodate infants as well as toddlers with side-byside seating or tandem (single file) seating. Most also feature a spacious storage basket as well as a telescoping handlebar and one-handed folding mechanisms.
Consider a tandem stroller that has benches in the back to accommodate a third child if you have twins or a child who is similar in age. These tandem strollers are a great choice for siblings who wish to interact, but might not be able to do so in a standard stroller. They could end up fighting or arguing. There are also convertible models that permit you to take off the bench seat when your children are ready to go for the ride without a car seat.
Comfort
The best double strollers feature comfortable child seats that are well-padded and supported. The best double strollers come with plenty of storage space, large footwells and legroom for children, as well as a UPF 50+ canopy which provides excellent sun protection. The seats should recline at an angle to ensure that children are at ease, and they should include calf bars that allow parents to alter the position of each seat individually. The handlebars must be comfortable and easy to maneuver, says Alli Cavasino, a certified child passenger safety technician. The handlebars must be close enough to your child's seat that you can grab them and hold them. If strollers double strollers on the stroller are not close enough it will be a challenge to maintain your balance and good form when pushing them.
The ride should be smooth even on rough or rough surfaces. Some of the models that we tested had shock absorbers to keep the ride steady. Some have rear and front suspension, which reduce the amount of force required to push them and increase your control over them. The wheels must have a long-lasting tread and be made from premium rubber.
We looked for the most versatile double strollers that can be used from birth until toddlerhood and beyond. A couple of the ones we found could be used as side-by-side or tandem strollers and one that we found, the Uppababy Vista v2, can even transform into a single-file stroller designed for infants. The model is three times more than our main tandem pick however, it's also of higher quality and will last longer because of its durable materials.
The best double strollers will be lightweight and able to be maneuvered for long walks and trips to the zoo, park, and errands. Double strollers are generally bigger than single strollers, and may not fit into narrow doorways or store aisles. Some of them cost more than single-seaters, but it's understandable because you get a lot more for your budget. The models we recommend are suitable for kids and adults alike, and they'll grow with your family.
Convenience
If you're planning to spend money on a double stroller, it must be easy to move and to store. The stroller should be lightweight and easily fit into the trunk of your car or at home. It should also be able navigate tough terrain and handle tight turns. The best double-strollers come with adjustable calf supports, as well as seats that recline. They also come with UPF sun protection. The canopy should be wide enough to fit two children. If you're worried about the sun glaring into their eyes, choose one with a peek-a-boo window.
The stage and age of your children will determine what type stroller you require. Parents with twins can opt for a convertible stroller which can hold two infant car seats at once parents with an older child and toddlers may prefer side-byside doubles. You'll need to decide if you want a stroller which can fit through narrow doors and aisles in grocery stores, or on planes.
In our Lab tests, we discovered that the top double strollers are fairly easy to fold and carry. The majority of double strollers fold in one or two steps, and are small enough to fit into the majority of cars that are compact. They are also designed to be stable, making them easier to put back together.
Some of the top double-strollers include convenient features for parents, like cups holder for one parent as well as a huge storage basket. You should consider whether the stroller comes with a lock on the front seat so that you can keep the kids from climbing out if they get antsy. Some strollers come with an universal adapter for car seats and can be converted into one seat as your child develops.
The price of some of the most expensive double strollers can be a bit high, but they generally have better build quality and resale value as compared to lower-end models. They are also easier to maneuver and are able to handle rough terrain, such as park trails or city walkways.
Style
Parents shopping for a double stroller are looking for more than just a way to transport two kids. They want a lightweight stroller that can be maneuvered with enough onboard storage and thoughtful features to grow with the kids--and be simple to push and navigate. And since they're likely to carry more weight than the kids, the stroller should also be easy on shoulders and back.
That's why the best double strollers are sleek and support a wide range of options for customization, and accommodate infant car seats for an effortless transition from toddler to baby. They are available in tandem (single-file seating) or side-by-side, and are even lightweight enough to use for running.
In addition to size one of the most important factors to consider for parents looking for a double stroller is whether it'll fit through doorways and other narrow spaces. Most of the models we evaluated for our latest version can be pushed through doors that are 36 inches wide.
When reviewing the best double strollers, we look at how easily they fold and unfold. We also take a look at how well-padded the seats and canopy are. We also consider how comfortable the buckles and seat straps are for children who sit in the stroller, and how easy it is to adjust the height of the handlebars.
For example, our top choice one, the Uppababy Vista V2, is lightweight and offers plenty of storage for both children. It comes with a parent cup seat that reclines independently, and large UPF 50+ canopy that has peekaboo windows. The padded straps for the seat and buckles are among the most comfortable we have found in our tests and we found the seat to be among the easiest to fasten for children of all ages.
If you're not ready to buy a double stroller, Facebook Marketplace and second-hand-goods websites can offer used options in good condition at affordable cost. Just make sure to do your research before you buy, scanning for evidence of damage and looking for recalls that could be possible.