How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you're looking for a double stroller there are a variety of options. To help you choose the best one for your family, we consulted experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.
cheap double stroller should choose a stroller that is easy to fold and push to carry. And consider best double buggy that's versatile enough to accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler as well as an adult rider board.
Safety
Choose a double-stroller which has all-terrain wheels and a brake that is operated with a hand if you want to keep the kids safe when walking. These wheels and brakes assist you in navigating trails and sand without children falling or rolling. The best double strollers offer plenty of storage space for gear and kids-sized items like snacks and toys.
The first step in selecting the best double stroller is to determine how old your children are and how far apart they are. A majority of double strollers are designed to can accommodate one child's seat, but the ones that do come in various configurations so that you can pick the seating option that is most suitable for your children and your lifestyle.
Side-by-side doubles are a classic option, and they're great for children of similar ages who want to interact with each other. Some options have a more double-decker style, allowing you to place one of the seats above the other or attach a rider board for older siblings. Newborns can either be snuggled in a bassinet attached 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 consider a double stroller that can handle off-road terrain, or even hiking. Many of these strollers were designed with active parents and their children in mind. They have features that will allow you to take them on any trip, no regardless of how challenging or difficult the climbs are.
In addition to all-terrain tires the best double strollers have clever features that make traversing tough terrain and weather easier. For example this jogging stroller comes with a wrist loop for your child so you're sure that they're safe when you run downhill or at higher speeds. It also has an all-over canopy that has airflow to keep your kids cool in the summer heat.
This model is a compact and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs less than 23 lbs. It's perfect for air travel and storage in trunks or overhead compartments. It also has a large storage basket and a simple one-step parking brake.
Seating
Contrary to the giant strollers of old the modern double strollers are sleek and can accommodate an array of configurations to fit families. Some of them function as traditional side-byside 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 can be plugged into. They are available in a variety of sizes and weights to accommodate children from newborns up to kindergarten.
A good double stroller must be easy to maneuver and fold, while also allowing you to adjust the handlebar height so you're comfortable throughout your outings. A great 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 offer a variety of storage options to accommodate all the essentials your children need.
If your twins are similar in age, you could find a tandem stroller works best for your family. The seats of these models are positioned in a row, allowing you to be able to interact with them both and keep an eye on them simultaneously. They can also recline independently which means that one child can nap and the other is ready to go.
The drawback of a twin stroller may be that it is larger than a stroller designed for a single-occupant. This could make it more difficult to navigate narrow aisles for stores, doors, or the sidewalks. For some families, the benefits are worth the extra effort and size.
If you're looking for an ultra-compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great choice. Its shock absorption, streamlined design and the capacity to accommodate two infant car seats - plus an optional running board for mobile older children--make it an ideal option for city-living.
Another option is a wagon-style double stroller, such as the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This model is bare-bones and offers lots of space for seating and storage, as well as heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also features a 50+ SPF canopy and a handlebar that can be adjusted. But some parents say the seats are a little too low and they don't recline completely to a flat position, making it difficult for small children to be comfortable or reach their snack tray.
Simple to Use
Double strollers are often an investment of a significant amount that you will be using for a long time. When shopping for one you need to make sure it will be easy to operate and clean. Luckily, the most effective double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as they can and include a variety of useful features for parents.
For starters, all the strollers we tested fold up easily and compactly (with only one hand!). They're also lightweight, making them ideal for traveling. A majority of them are checked at the gate on planes and fit in the majority of trunks. Most of our testers also discovered that their strollers could be folded down much smaller than the single seat equivalents. Some even came with a carrying strap.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller with lots of options that can adapt to the needs of your family. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats as well as other accessories. It can be used from birth to the age of preschool. Each seat has a 5-point harness and an enormous canopy that offers ample shade from the sun.
Another highly-regarded option is the Joovy Twin Roo. It is light and incredibly compact, measuring just 22 lbs and 26 inches in width when folded. The front seat reclines to almost an entire flat position, and the back seat features an adjustable recline for each child. This stroller is easy to maneuver and use thanks to its large storage basket, easy one-step parking brake, and large storage basket.
The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to this model. Kerry says that the packaging is clever and enjoyable, however, it comes in five boxes, which can be a little cumbersome to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp to be somewhat awkward and it took a while before she could get it to work. However, in the end, she was very happy with this stroller and would definitely recommend it.
Storage
Strollers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, from side-by-side doubles to tandem (single-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to personalize your stroller by adding a bassinet or a car seat attachment. Some have rider boards that can be added for older children. They're not created equal. Some are light and easy to use while others are bulky, heavy 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 stroller we tested in our tests, weighing less than 23 pounds. It is also easy-to-fold and has all the features parents would want for a great day out with two kids.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is another model that our test subjects loved, especially for its sleek design and user-friendly. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler's seat, and a bassinet with no adapters needed. The rear seat can also be removed to create a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a large storage basket that can be upgraded to include a parent organizer with wheels for all-terrain and side storage bags.
Billingsley says that the most suitable double stroller for toddlers is one with various options for customization. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. This is due to toddlers having limited endurance, and the stroller with a bassinet attachment will give them a safe place to take a nap. She says that a double stroller must also have a good harness and recline position as well as plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.
The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice among parents due to its light weight and the versatility. It's airline gate-check-friendly it can be accessed through all doors (without having to remove the front wheels), and can expand into a quad or triple stroller with an add-on tandem seat. The near-flat, independently reclined seats and the extra-long sun canopy that can be adjusted are just a few of the highlights. A large underseat storage basket as well as parent and child cup holders make up this impressive feature set. The one disadvantage, according to Taylor, is that it doesn't have an elongated profile when folded, and could be difficult to stow.