Kathlene Ware asked 2 months ago
How to Choose the Best Double Stroller
If you’re in the market for a double stroller there are a variety of options. Katie Billingsley, a child development expert and mother, helped us choose the right model for you.
Choose a stroller reasonably easy to push, fold and carry. Consider a model that’s versatile enough to accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler along with an adult rider board.
Safety
If you want to keep your kids secure on your walks make sure you choose a double stroller that has features like all-terrain tires as well as an electronic brake that can be operated by hand. These brakes and wheels help you navigate trails and gravel without your children falling or rolling. The best double strollers have plenty of storage space to store equipment and essentials for kids like snacks and toys.
Selecting the best double stroller for your family starts by understanding how old and far apart in age your kids are. Many double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, some offer a variety of configurations that allow you to pick the seating that is ideal for your family.
Side-byside doubles are a popular option, and are great for children of similar ages who want to play with one another. Some double-decker designs allow you to put one seat above the other, or add a riderboard to older siblings. Babies can be sat in a bassinet attached to the frame or in an attachment that allows you to look at your baby. If you are expecting twins or have twins and want to have a twin stroller, it is the best choice.
Look for a double-wheeled stroller that can handle off-road terrain, and even hiking. Many of these strollers are designed with active parents in mind, and have features that allow you to take your kids to any adventure, regardless of how rough the path or how steep the climb may be.
The top double strollers come with clever features that help you navigate in a difficult terrain or bad weather. For instance this jogging stroller comes with a wrist loop for your child so you’ll be able to ensure they’re secure when running downhill or at faster speeds. It also has a full-coverage canopy that is ventilated to keep your kids cool during summer heat.
This model is a compact and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs in at just over 23 pounds, making it lighter than most single strollers. It’s ideal to take on air travel or for storing in trunks or overhead compartments. Plus, it has a huge storage basket and a one-step linked parking brake that’s easy to use.
Seating
In contrast to the massive strollers of old, today’s double strollers are sleek and support an array of configurations that can be adapted to families. Some double strollers can be used as side-byside models, while others, like the Baby Trend Sit ‘N Stand Dual Stroller, can be used as a base for car seats, toddler seats and bassinets. They are available in a range of sizes and weights to accommodate children from newborns up to kindergarten.
A good double stroller should be easy to fold and move and allows you to adjust the height of your handlebar to ensure that you’re at ease on all your outings. A well-designed handlebar should be easy to hold, and it should encourage you to walk in a proper posture (ask other parents for tips on this). It should also provide various storage options that can accommodate everything you need for your kids.
If your twins are near in age, you might find a tandem stroller works best for your family. The seats on these models sit in a row, allowing you to engage with them both and keep an eye on both of them at the same time. They also recline separately which means that one child can sleep while the other is ready to go.
The downside of a twin stroller could be that it is wider than one designed for a single person. This can make it difficult to maneuver narrow doorways, store aisles or even sidewalks. But for certain families, the advantages are worth the extra size and effort.
If you’re looking for a compact double-stroller, then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is an excellent option. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great choice for city dwellers due to its shock absorption capabilities, elegant design, and ability to accommodate two infant car seats. It also has an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.
Another option is a wagon-style stroller, such as the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This model is bare bones however it has plenty of space for storage and seating. It also has heavy-duty wheels that can handle any terrain. It also has a canopy that has 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. But some parents say the seats are a little too low and don’t recline to a fully flat position, making it difficult for small children to be comfortable or reach their snack tray.
Easy of Use
Double strollers are typically a large investment that you will be using for a long time. If you are looking for a double stroller, be sure that it is easy to use and clean. Luckily, the top double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as is possible and come with plenty of useful features for parents.
To start, all the strollers we tested fold up easily and compactly (with just one hand!). They’re also light, which makes them ideal for traveling. A majority of them are gate checked on airplanes and fit in the majority of trunks. In addition, the majority of our testers reported that their strollers folded down to smaller sizes than their single-seat counterparts, and some even had the option of carrying a strap for carrying.
The Valco Snap Duo trend is double stroller with lots of options that can adapt to the needs of your family. This side-by-side stroller works with infant car seats, bassinets, and other accessories, so you can use it from birth to the age of preschool. Each seat features five points of harness, a large canopy and ample sun protection.
Another option that is highly regarded is the Joovy Twin Roo. The stroller double is light and compact, weighing only 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to a flat position and the back seat can be adjusted to suit each child. There’s a large storage basket and an easy, one-step connected parking brake which makes this stroller simple to move and use.
The only drawbacks to the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to this particular model. Kerry notes that the packaging was enjoyable and clever, but that it came in five boxes, which can be a bit of an inconvenience to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp somewhat awkward and it took her some time before she was able to master it. She was pleased with the stroller in the end and would recommend it.
Storage
Strollers are available in various sizes and designs that include tandems (single-file seating), side-by-side doubles, and many that allow you to customize the configuration using a car seat or bassinet attachment. Some have rider boards which can be added for older siblings. However, they’re not all made equal. Some are sleek and easy to use, while others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold or stow.
If you’re looking for a lightweight stroller that can fit two children The Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great option. It was the lightest choice in our tests, weighing close to 23 pounds. It is also simple to fold, but it still has all of the features parents need for a fun outing with two kids.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is another model that our testers adored 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 be removed to create a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a huge basket for storage, and it can be upgraded by adding an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires, as well as side storage bags.
Billingsley says that the most suitable double stroller to use for a toddler is one that has various options for customization. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. That’s because toddlers often have limitations in endurance, and the stroller with a bassinet attachment will give them a safe place to take a nap. She suggests that a double stroller must also have a comfortable harness and recline position as well as plenty of storage space for toys and snacks.
The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its light weight and versatility. It’s easy to check at airport gates it can be accessed through all terrain Double buggy doors (without removing the front wheels) and expands into a triple or quad stroller with an add-on tandem seat. The near-flat, independently reclined seats as well as the extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are just a few of the highlights. A large underseat storage basket and the inclusion of parent and child cup holders make up the impressive set of features. The only disadvantage according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it lacks a a small profile when folded, and could be difficult to store.