How to Choose the Best Double Stroller

If you're looking for a double stroller there are a variety of options. To help you pick the most suitable one for your family, we spoke with experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.

It is recommended to choose a stroller that is easy to fold and push to carry. Consider a model that can accommodate two car seats for infants or a toddler along with an adult rider board.

Safety

If you want to keep your children secure on your walks make sure you choose double strollers that have features like all-terrain tires and an electronic brake that can be operated by hand. These wheels and brakes aid you in traversing trails as well as sidewalks, gravel, and other paths without the risk of your children sliding or slipping away. The best double strollers offer plenty of storage space for gear and essentials for kids, such as snacks and toys.

Choosing the right double stroller for your family starts by determining how old and distant in age your kids are. Many double strollers only accommodate one child seat, but the ones are available in different configurations, so you can choose the seating option that best fits your kids and your lifestyle.

The classic doubles are perfect for children of similar age who like to interact. Double-decker designs permit you to place one of the seats over the other, or even attach an additional riderboard for older siblings. Babies can be sat in a bassinet attached to the frame or in an attachment that allows you to peek-a-boo at your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a twin stroller is the way to go.

Choose a stroller with two wheels that is capable of handling off-road terrain, and even hiking. Many strollers were created with active parents and their children in mind. They come with features that let you take them on any trip, no regardless of how difficult or steep the climbs may be.

The best double strollers are equipped with intelligent features that make it easier to navigate through difficult terrain and in bad weather. This jogging stoller, for example, has a wrist loop so that you can make sure your child is safe when running downhill at higher speeds or in adverse weather conditions. It also has a canopy with full coverage that is ventilated to keep your kids cool in the summer heat.

If you're looking for a lightweight compact double stroller, take a look at this model by Joovy. It weighs less than 23 lbs. This makes it perfect for air travel and storage in trunks or overhead compartments. Additionally, it comes with a huge storage basket and a parking brake that is linked in one step that is simple to use.

Seating

Contrary to the giant strollers of the past the modern double strollers are sleek and offer an array of configurations to fit families. Some double strollers are designed to be used as side-by-side models, while others, such as the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller can be used as an alternative to car seats, toddler seats, and bassinets. They are available in a range of sizes and weights to accommodate children from newborns through kindergarten.

A quality double stroller should be easy to fold and move and will allow you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure you are at ease on all your excursions. A good handlebar is comfortable to grip and should encourage you to walk in a logical manner (ask for advice from other parents). It should have a range of storage options to fit all the essentials your children need.

If your twins are similar age, a tandem stroller could be the ideal option for your family. The seats of these models sit in a row, allowing you to engage with them both and keep an eye on them at the same time. They also recline separately, so one child can sleep while the other is ready to go.

The drawback of a twin stroller may be that it is wider than a model for a single-occupant. This can make it more difficult to navigate narrow doorways, store aisles, or walkways. But for some families, the advantages are worth the extra space and effort.

If you are looking for a compact 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 mobile older children make it a perfect choice for city living.

Another option is a wagon-style stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This bare-bones model offers lots of space for seating and storage space, along with heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also has a canopy that has 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. But some parents say the seats are too low and don't recline to a completely flat position, which makes it difficult for children of smaller sizes to sit comfortably or reach their snack trays.

Simple to Use

A double pushchair with car seat stroller is often an investment of a large amount and one you're hoping to use for a long time. When you are shopping for a double stroller, make sure it's easy to use and clean. Luckily, the most effective double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as possible and include a variety of features that are convenient for parents.

To start, all the strollers we tested fold easily and compactly (with one hand!). These strollers are lightweight and ideal for traveling. Many of them can be gate checked on airplanes and fit into most trunks. Furthermore, the majority our testers reported that their strollers folded down to smaller dimensions than their single-seat counterparts, and some even had an adjustable carry strap for easy carrying.

If you're looking for a versatile double stroller that can adapt to your family's needs take a look at the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats, a bassinet, and other accessories, which means you can use it from birth to preschool age. Each seat has a 5-point harness and a large canopy that provides ample shade from the sun.

The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that's highly praised. The stroller is light compact and weighs only 22 lbs when folded. The front seat reclines to nearly the full flat position and the back seat comes with an adjustable recline that can be adjusted for each child. There's a large storage bin and an easy, one-step linked parking brake that makes this stroller user-friendly and easy to maneuver.

The only drawbacks of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to the model. Kerry notes that the packaging was enjoyable and clever, however it also came in five boxes which can be a bit of trouble to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp somewhat awkward and took a while before she could get it to work. She was pleased with the stroller, however, and would recommend it.

Stores

Strollers come in all sizes and shapes, from tandem doubles that are side-by-side to (single-file seating) styles, plus many allow you to personalize your setup with a bassinet or car seat attachment. Some have rider boards that can be added for older children. However, they're not all made equal. Some are sleek and easy to use, whereas others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold or stow.

If you're looking for a lightweight double pushchair double stroller, take a look at the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest choice in our tests, weighing around 23 pounds and is also simple to fold, but it still has all of the features parents require to have a great time out with two kids.

The Vista v2 double from UPPAbaby is another model that our test subjects loved. They especially liked 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 be removed to create triple or quad stroller. It has a huge storage basket Pushchairs and prams can be upgraded to include a parent organizer wheel, all-terrain wheels, as well as side storage bags.

Billingsley says that the best double stroller to use for toddlers is one with numerous options for customization. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. Toddlers can be limited in their endurance and strollers with a bassinet attached will provide a safe place for them to sleep. She suggests that a double stroller should also come with a sturdy harness system and recline positions, 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 versatility. It is gate-check-friendly for airlines, fits through most doorways (without removing 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 canopies that are adjustable are other highlights. A large underseat storage basket as well as cup holders for the child and parent complete the impressive set of features. The one drawback according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it doesn't have a small footprint when folded and can be difficult to stow.