How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
A double stroller makes things easier for parents of twins or children of different ages whether you're on an easy stroll or going for a morning run. What should you consider when choosing between the various choices available?
This model expands to allow you to modify the seating for different needs. Our new member, Kerry, tested it out.
Safety
Your stroller should be safe regardless of whether you're running shopping trips with your kids, going to the zoo or trick-or-treating. It's essential to have a sturdy frame as well as comfortable harnesses that are easy to grab handle for toddlers. It should also be able to pass through doors, be easy to fold and maneuver and be simple to move. It must also be affordable.
Each double stroller that we tested went through rigorous testing in our lab, at the zoo and on city streets. We also took them out for family outings to suburban neighborhoods. Our lab tests evaluate a stroller's maneuverability and stability, ease of steering and handling and suspension comfort for both the rider and the driver the weight capacity as well as the height of the canopy on the seat and storage space.
In addition to the regular safety checks performed by our team of stroller experts, we ask parents to provide feedback on their experiences with each model. Then, we take that information into account when making our recommendations.
Take a look at our top picks if you're looking for an excellent stroller that's safe and durable. These strollers are versatile and can be used as infant car seats. They come in tandem or single stroller designs, and are suitable for children from birth to elementary school.
The top double strollers are made to adapt to the needs of your family. They're stylish and sleek they can be fitted with various customization options and can accommodate toddlers and infants in tandem or side-byside (single-file) seating styles. Many also come with an enormous storage basket and a handlebar that can be telescopically adjusted, as well as one-handed fold mechanisms.
Consider a tandem stroller that comes with benches in the back to accommodate a third child if you have twins, or a child of similar age. They're an excellent option for siblings who wish to be social with one another, but may not be capable of sitting close to one another in a stroller that is side-by-side, where they could end with fighting or arguing. There are also convertible models that allow you to take off the bench seat once your children are ready for an excursion without a car seat.
Comfort
The most comfortable double strollers come with comfortable child seats that have plenty of padding and support. They also have plenty of storage, roomy footwells for children's feet and legs and UPF 50+ sun-protection canopies that offer excellent sun protection. The seats should recline at a slight angle to ensure children are comfortable, and they should have calf bars that allow parents to adjust the height of each seat individually. The handlebars must be ergonomic and easy to maneuver, says Alli Cavasino, a certified child-passenger safety technician. The handlebars should be close enough to the seat of your child that you can grab them and hold them. If the handlebars are too far apart, you'll have a hard time keeping your balance and retaining good posture when pushing them.
The ride should be smooth on rough or hard surfaces. Some of the models we tested come with shock absorbers to ensure that the ride remains steady. Others have both rear and front suspension, which reduce the amount of force you need to push them and improve your control over them. The wheels should have a sturdy tread and made of premium rubber.
We searched for the most versatile double-strollers that can be used from the age of infancy to toddlerhood. A couple of the ones we found can be configured as tandem strollers or side-byside, and one of them that we found, the Uppababy Vista v2, can even be converted into a single-file stroller suitable for infants. The model is three times more than our primary tandem pick, but it's of higher quality and will last longer due to its sturdy materials.
The best double strollers will be lightweight and able to be maneuvered for long walks, trips to the zoo, park as well as for running shopping trips. The double strollers are typically larger than single strollers and might not fit in narrow doorways or store aisles. Some of them cost more than single-seaters, but that's reasonable since you get a lot more for your money. The models we recommend are suitable for adults and children alike and will expand with your family.
Convenience
If you're going to spend the money to buy a double stroller, you'll need one that's convenient to push and store. The ideal stroller will be light and compact enough to fit into the trunk of your car or the space at home. It should be able to navigate rough terrain and take precise turns. The best double-strollers feature adjustable calf supports, as well as seats that recline. They also offer UPF sun protection. The canopy should be big enough to cover two children. If you're concerned about the sun glaring into their eyes, go for a stroller with a peek-a-boo window.
The stage and age of your children will determine what kind of stroller you'll require. Parents with twins can opt for a convertible stroller that can hold two infant car seats simultaneously and families with an older child and toddlers might prefer doubles that are side-by-side. It is also important to determine whether you'd like a stroller that can fit through narrow doorways or crowded aisles in grocery stores and is able to be used on airplanes.
In our Lab tests, we found that the majority of double strollers were easy to fold and carry. They usually have a oneor two-step procedure, and they're small enough to fit in the majority of cars that are compact. They are designed to be stable and easy to put back together.
Some of the top double-strollers have convenient parent features like a cup holder for one parent and a big storage basket. It is important to know if the stroller comes with a lock on the front of the seat, to stop your children from escaping in case they get bored. Some strollers come with an universal adapter that fits car seats and can be converted into a single seat when your child develops.
The price of some of the most expensive double strollers is steep, but they typically have better build quality and resale value compared to less expensive models. They're also more maneuverable and can withstand rough terrains, such as city sidewalks or park trails.
Style
When parents are looking for a double stroller they're looking for much more than just a means to transport their two kids. They're looking for a lightweight stroller that is easy to move and has enough space to grow with their children. Since they will be carrying more than the children, the stroller must be easy on their back and shoulders.
double pushchairs 's why the best double strollers are sleek and offer a variety of designs, and accommodate infant car seats for 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 to jog or for travel.
Apart from size one of the primary factors to consider for parents looking for a double stroller is whether or not it can be used in doorways and other narrow spaces. Most of the models we tested for our latest version can be pushed through doors for exterior use that are 36 inches wide.
Other factors we look at when evaluating the top double strollers are how quickly and easily they fold and unfold, the size the cargo basket is, how cushioned the seats are and how flexible the canopy are. We also think about how comfortable the buckles and seat straps are for children seated in the stroller, as well as how easy it would be to adjust the handlebar height.
Our top pick, Uppababy Vista V2, for example, is lightweight and offers plenty of storage space for both children. It has a cup for parents holders, reclined seats that can be reclined independently, and generous UPF 50+ canopy that has peekaboo windows. 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 fasten.
If you're not ready to purchase a double stroller, Facebook Marketplace and second-hand-goods websites offer used products in good condition at reasonable cost. Make sure to do your research before you buy to buying, examining for evidence of damage and looking for recalls that could be possible.