How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
When you're going for a leisurely stroll or tackling your morning jog with the kids, a double stroller will make life with twins or two children of varying ages a lot easier. What are the best options to choose from the various choices available?
This model expands to allow you to customize the seating to meet different requirements. Our latest member, Kerry, tested it out.
Safety
Your stroller must be secure regardless of whether you're running shopping trips with your children, going to the zoo or trick-or treating. It's essential to have sturdy frames with comfortable harnesses, a comfortable and comfortable handles for toddlers. It also needs to be able to fit through doorways and be easy to move and fold. It should also be affordable.
Each double stroller we tested went through rigorous testing in our lab, at the zoo and on streets in the city. We also took them on family outings to suburban areas. Our lab tests evaluate the stroller's maneuverability and stability as well as ease of steering and handling as well as the comfort of suspension for the rider and the driver the capacity for weight, seat canopy heights, and storage space.
We ask parents to provide feedback on each model as well as the standard safety check performed by our team. Then, we take the information into consideration when making recommendations.
If you're in search of a secure quality, high-quality stroller, begin with our top choices. These strollers are versatile and offer a variety of seating configurations to accommodate infant car seats. They can be used as a single stroller or tandem, and are suitable for children 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 be used by infants and toddlers with side-byside seating or tandem (single file) seating. Most also feature a spacious storage basket, a telescoping handlebar, and one-handed folding mechanisms.
If you have twins or a child who is a similar age to their sibling, you should consider using a tandem stroller with benches in the back that can be used by a 3rd child. They're a great option for siblings who want to get involved however they may not be in a position to sit close to one another in a stroller that is side-by-side, where they could end in fighting or arguing. There are convertible models that allow you to take off the bench seat once your children are ready to go for a ride without using a car seat.
Comfort
The best double strollers feature comfortable child seats that are well-padded and supported. They also have plenty of storage space, large footwells that can accommodate children's feet and legroom and UPF 50+ sun-protection canopies that provide great sun protection. Seats should be able to recline at an angle so that kids are comfortable. They should also include calf bar adjusters that let parents adjust each seat. The handlebars should be ergonomic and easy to maneuver, says Alli Cavasino who is a certified child passenger safety technician. The handlebars should be close enough to the children's seats that you are able to reach them and hold onto them. If the handlebars on the stroller are not close enough, it will be difficult to keep your balance and maintain good posture when pushing them.
The ride should be smooth, even on rocky or uneven surfaces. Some of the models that we tested had shock absorbers installed to keep the ride steady. Others have both rear and front suspension, which reduce the amount of force needed to push them and increase the control you have over them. The wheels must be made of high-quality rubber and have a sturdy tread that is able to withstand lots of wear and tear.
We scoured the internet for the most versatile double strollers that could be used from the age of infancy to toddlerhood. A couple of the ones we found could be used as side-by-side or tandem strollers, and one of them that we found, the Uppababy Vista v2, can even transform into a single-file stroller designed for infants. This model is priced three times more than our primary tandem model, but it's of higher quality and should last longer because of its durable materials.
The best double strollers will be light and maneuverable for long walks and trips to the zoo or the park and for other errands. The double strollers are typically bigger than single strollers, and might not fit in narrow aisles or doorways. Some are also priced more than their single-seat counterparts, but that's understandable given that you're getting a greater value for your budget. These models are suitable for both adults and children and will continue to grow with your family.
Convenience
If you're planning to spend money on double-strollers, they should be easy to carry and to store. The stroller should be lightweight and easily fit in the trunk of your car or at home. It should be able navigate rough terrain and make precise turns. Some of the most reliable double strollers have adjustable calf supports, and seats that recline and offer UPF sun protection. The canopy should be wide enough to protect both kids, and if you're worried about getting the sun in their eyes, choose one with a peek-aboo window.
The stage and age of your children will determine what type stroller you need. For example, parents of twins may choose a convertible stroller that holds two infant car seats at once, while families with an older child and a toddler might prefer a side-byside double. You'll need to decide if you want a stroller which can fit through narrow entrances and aisles in grocery stores, or on planes.
In our Lab tests, we found that the majority of double strollers were easy to fold and carry. They typically have a one- or two-step process, and they're small enough to fit into most compact cars. They're also designed to be stable when folded, which makes them easier to put back together.
Some of the best double strollers feature convenient parent features like a one-parent cup holder and a spacious storage basket. You should consider whether the stroller comes with a lock on the front of the seat, to prevent your children from escaping if they get antsy. Some of the better strollers come with a universal car seat adapter and can be converted to one-seaters as your children get older.
The price of some of the best double strollers is a bit steep, but they typically have better build quality and resale value compared to cheaper models. They're also easier to maneuver and can withstand rough terrain, such as park trails or city sidewalks.
Style
Parents shopping for a double stroller are looking for more than just a means to transport two children. They're looking for a light, maneuverable stroller with sufficient storage space on the inside and thoughtful features to grow with the kids--and be easy to push and navigate. Since they'll likely to carry more weight than the kids, the stroller should also be comfortable for the back and shoulders.
This is why the top double strollers are sleek, support a wide range of designs, and accommodate infant car seats for a seamless transition from toddler to baby. They are available in tandem (single-file seating) or side-by-side, and are even light enough for jogging.
In addition to the size parents should also think about whether the double stroller will fit through doorways or other narrow spaces. Luckily, the majority of models we tested in our latest update can clear the standard doors for exterior use that measure 36 inches wide, and most can accommodate interior doors that range from 28 to 35 inches wide.
Other features we consider when evaluating the top double strollers is the speed and ease with which they fold and unfold, how big the cargo basket is, how padded the seats are and how adjustable the canopy are. double tandem pushchair take into consideration how comfortable the seat straps and buckles are for children seated in the stroller, and how easy it would be to adjust the handlebar height.
For example, our top option is the Uppababy Vista V2, is lightweight and has ample onboard storage for both children. It has a cup for parents holders, reclined seats that can be reclined independently, and a large UPF 50+ canopy that has windows that can be peekaboo. The seat's buckles and straps are cushioned and among the most comfortable that we have test. We also found it to be the easiest seat for children to secure.
If you're not quite ready to purchase a double stroller, Facebook Marketplace and other secondhand-goods sites can often offer good-condition used options for affordable prices. Be sure to conduct your research before you buy to a purchase, looking for indications of damage and checking for recalls that could be possible.