How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
If you're taking an easy stroll or taking on your morning jog with the kids, a double stroller can make life with twins or two children with different ages a lot simpler. What should you consider when choosing between the many options available?
This expandable model allows you to adjust the seating to meet your needs. Our newest member, Kerry, tested it out.
Safety
If you're running around town, going to the zoo, or heading out trick-or-treating with your kiddos your stroller should be secure. It should have a sturdy frame and comfortable harnesses for children who sit down, and easy-to-grab handles for toddlers who stand. It also needs to be able to pass through doors and be easy to maneuver and fold. And of course, it must be of good value.
We put each double stroller we tested through vigorous tests in our lab, at the Zoo, on the streets in the city, and during family outings in suburban neighborhoods. Our lab tests evaluate a stroller's maneuverability and stability in steering, ease of handling, suspension comfort for the driver and the rider the capacity to carry weight and seat canopy heights and storage space.
In addition to the standard safety checks performed by our stroller experts We also request parents to provide feedback on their experiences with each model. We then take all this information into consideration when forming our recommendations.
Start with our top picks if you're looking for an excellent stroller that is sturdy and safe. These strollers are incredibly versatile and can be used with infant car seats. They are available in tandem or single stroller models, and are suitable for children aged from birth to elementary school.
The best double strollers are designed to evolve with your family. They are stylish and sleek with a variety of customizations and can accommodate infants as well as toddlers with side-byside seating or tandem (single file) seating. Some also have a large storage basket as well as a handlebar that could be telescopically adjusted, as well as one-handed fold mechanisms.
If you have twins or a child who is a similar age to their sibling, think about using a tandem stroller with a bench seat in the back that can be occupied by a third child. They're a great choice for siblings who wish to interact with each other but aren't in a position to sit next to each other in a side-by-side stroller which could result in them ending up arguing or fighting. You'll also find convertible models that permit you to take off the bench seat when your children are ready to go for a ride without using a car seat.
Comfort
The best double strollers feature comfortable child seats that have plenty of padding and support. The best double strollers have ample storage space, spacious footwells and legroom for children, as well as a UPF 50+ canopy that offers fantastic sun protection. Seats should recline at an angle to ensure that children are comfortable. They should also come with adjustable calf bars that let parents independently adjust the seat. The handlebars should be comfortable and easy to move according to Alli Cavasino, a certified child-passenger safety technician. The handlebars need to be close enough to your child's seat that you can grasp them and hold them. If the handlebars are far apart, you'll have a hard time keeping your balance and maintaining good form when pushing them.
The ride should be smooth, even on rocky or uneven surfaces. Some of the models we tested have shock absorbers to keep the ride steady. Some models have front and back suspension which improves control and reduces the amount of force needed to push them. The wheels should be made of high-quality rubber with a durable tread that can handle plenty of wear and tear.
We searched for the most versatile double-strollers that can be used from the time of the age of infancy to toddlerhood. Some of the double strollers that we found are convertible to tandem strollers or side-byside strollers. One of them is the Uppababy Vista V2, can even be converted into one-file infant strollers. That model costs three times more than our main tandem pick however, it's also of higher quality and should last for longer because of its durable materials.
The best double strollers will be lightweight and easy to maneuver for long walks and trips to the zoo or the park as well as for running errands. They're generally wider than single strollers, and as such they won't be able to fit through narrow entrances or store aisles that are crowded. Some are more expensive than single-seaters, but that's normal since you get a lot more for your budget. The models we recommend are suitable for kids and adults alike and will grow with your family.
Convenience
If you're planning to invest the money for a double stroller, you'll want one that's convenient to push and store. The stroller should be lightweight and easily fit in your car's trunk or at home. tandem double stroller should also be able to navigate through rough terrain and take tight turns. Some of the top double strollers have adjustable calf supports and seats that recline and offer UPF sun protection. The canopy should be large enough to cover two children. If you are worried about the sun's rays getting into their eyes, choose a stroller with a peek-a-boo window.
The stage and age of your children will determine the type stroller you require. For example, parents of twins might opt for a convertible stroller that can hold two infant car seats at the same time and a family with an older child and a toddler might prefer a side-by-side double. You'll have to decide if you'd like an infant stroller that fits through narrow doors, grocery store aisles or even on planes.
In our Lab tests, we discovered that the top double strollers are fairly easy to fold and carry. They usually have a single- or two-step process, and they're small enough to fit into the majority of cars that are compact. They're also designed to be sturdy when folded, which makes them much easier to put back together.
Some of the top double-strollers have convenient parent features such as a cup 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, to stop the kids from climbing out when they start getting antsy. Some strollers have a universal adapter that fits car seats and can be converted to a single seat as your child grows.
The top double strollers can be expensive, but they offer higher quality construction 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
When parents are looking for a double-stroller they're looking for much more than just a way to transport their two kids. They want a lightweight stroller that is easy to move and has enough storage to expand with their children. And since they're likely to carry more weight than the kids so the stroller must be easy on the back and shoulders.
The most effective double strollers are sleek and come with a variety of customizations. They can also be able to accommodate infant car seats to provide an easy transition from baby to toddler. They're available in side by side or tandem (single-file seating) designs and can be light enough for jogging or travel.
Apart from size, one of the most important factors to consider for parents looking for a double stroller is whether or not it'll fit through doorways and other narrow spaces. Fortunately, the majority of models we tested in our latest update can pass through doors that are standard for exteriors that are 36 inches wide, and most can accommodate interior doors that measure 28 to 35 inches wide.
When we review the top double strollers, we take into consideration how easy they fold and unfold. We also look at how comfortable the seats and canopies are. We also take a look at how comfortable the straps and buckles are for seated children, and how easy it is to access and adjust the height of the handlebar.
For instance, our top option one, the Uppababy Vista V2, is lightweight and offers plenty of storage for both children. It comes with a cup for parents holder and seats that recline independently. It also has a generous UPF 50+ canopy with the peek-a-boo window. Its padded seat straps 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 aren't quite ready to buy a double stroller, Facebook Marketplace and second-hand-goods websites can offer used options in good condition at reasonable cost. Make sure to do your research prior to making a purchase to a purchase, looking for evidence of damage and looking for recalls.