How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
Whether you're out for a stroll in the sun or going for your morning jog with the kids, a double stroller can make life with twins or two kids of different ages much easier. But with the many options available to choose from, how do you pick the best one for your family?
Our latest team member, Kerry, got her stroller's feet wet when she tried it out with this expandable model that lets you to alter the seating arrangement to meet your different requirements.
Safety
When you're doing around town, going to the zoo, or heading out trick-or-treating with your kids, your stroller needs to be secure. This means 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 move and fold. Of course, it should be a good value.
Each double stroller that we tested went through rigorous testing in our laboratory at the zoo, and on streets in cities. We also took them on family outings to suburban areas. Our lab tests test a stroller's maneuverability and stability, ease of steering and handling, suspension comfort for the driver and the rider the capacity for weight and 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. We then take into account all of this information when forming our recommendations.
If you're looking for a safe stroller that is high-quality, then start with our top recommendations. These strollers can be used in multiple seating options to accommodate infant car seats. They can be used as a single stroller or tandem, and are suitable for children from birth through elementary school.
The best double strollers are made to adapt to your growing family. They are stylish and sleek, offer a range of options for customization and can accommodate infants and toddlers with side-by-side seating or tandem (single file) seating. A lot of them also have large storage baskets and a handlebar that can be telescopically adjusted, and one-handed folding mechanisms.
Consider a tandem stroller that comes with benches in the back for a third child if you have twins, or a child of similar age. They're a great option for siblings who wish to get involved, but may not be capable of sitting close to one another in a stroller with a side-byside feature, where they could end with fighting or arguing. You can also find convertible models, which allow you to remove a bench seat for your child when they're ready to ride without a car seat.
Comfort
The best double strollers have comfortable child seats that have plenty of padding and support. They also have plenty of storage space, large footwells that can accommodate children's feet and legroom, and UPF 50+ canopy which offer great sun protection. Seats should recline at an angle to keep kids comfortable. They should also have adjustable calf bar that allow parents to independently adjust each seat. The handlebars must be ergonomic and easy to move, says Alli Cavasino, a certified child passenger safety technician. The handlebars need to be close enough to the seat of your child that you can grab them and hold them. If the handlebars are too spread out you'll have a difficult time keeping your balance and maintaining good form when pushing them.
The ride should be smooth, even on rough or uneven surfaces. Some of the models we tested have shock absorbers to keep the ride stable. Others have both rear and front suspension, which can reduce the amount of force needed to push them, and increase your control over them. The wheels should be constructed of high-quality rubber with a robust tread that can withstand many years of wear and tear.
We scoured the internet for the most versatile double-strollers which could be used from to toddlerhood. A couple of the ones we found can be configured as tandem strollers or side-by-side, and one of them, the Uppababy Vista v2, can even transform into a single-file stroller designed for infants. The model is three times as expensive as our main tandem choice however its materials are more durable and it should last longer.
The best double strollers are light and maneuverable enough to use for long walks, errands, and trips to the park or zoo. They're typically wider than single strollers, so they may not be able to fit through narrow entrances or in crowded aisles of stores. Some are more expensive than single-seaters, but it's understandable because you get more for your money. The models we recommend are safe for adults and children alike and will expand with your family.
Convenience
If you're planning to spend money on a double stroller, it must be easy to carry and to store. The stroller should be lightweight and easily fits in the trunk of your car or at home. It should be able navigate rough terrain and make precise turns. Some of the top double strollers have adjustable calf support, as well as seats that recline and provide UPF sun protection. The canopy should be wide enough to protect both kids and, if you're concerned about getting the sun into their eyes, look for one with a peek-a-boo window.
The ages and stages of your children can influence the kind of stroller you choose to be the best for you. For instance, parents of twins might choose a convertible stroller that holds two infant car seats simultaneously, while a family with an older child and a toddler may prefer a side-by-side double. You'll also have to decide whether you want a stroller that fits through narrow doorways or crowded grocery store aisles and is able to be used on planes.
In our Lab tests, we discovered that most double strollers were easy to fold and carry. double umbrella stroller Pushchairs And Prams of double strollers fold in one or two steps, and are small enough to fit into most compact cars. They're also designed to be sturdy which makes them easier to reassemble.
Some of the best double-strollers have convenient parent features such as cups holder for one parent as well as a huge storage basket. You'll want to consider if the stroller is locked on the front seat so that you can keep your kids from getting out when they start getting antsy. Some strollers come with an universal adapter for car seats and can be converted to one seat as your child develops.
The top double strollers are pricey, but they have superior build quality and have higher resales values than less expensive models. They're also more maneuverable and can handle tough terrains, such as park trails or city sidewalks.
Style
When parents are looking for a double stroller they're looking for more than a way to transport their two kids. They want a lightweight, maneuverable stroller with ample storage on the board and thoughtful features that allow it to expand with their children. It should also be easy for them to push and navigate. Since they'll be carrying more children, the stroller should be easy on their backs and shoulders.
The best double strollers are sleek and come with a variety of customizations. They can also accommodate infant car seats, ensuring an easy transition from baby to toddler. They are available in side-by-side or tandem (single-file seating) models and can be light enough for jogging or for travel.
In addition to size, one of the most important factors to consider for parents looking for a double stroller is whether it will fit through doorways or other tight spaces. The majority of the strollers that we tested for our most recent update can fit through standard exterior doors which are 36 inches wide.
Other factors we look at when evaluating the top double strollers include 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 canopies are. We also take a look at how comfortable the straps and buckles are for sitting children, and how easy it is to access and adjust the height of the handlebar.
Our top choice, Uppababy Vista V2, for example, is lightweight and offers ample storage space for both children. It comes with a parent cup holders, reclined seats that can be reclined independently, and generous UPF 50+ canopy with windows that can be peekaboo. The seat's buckles and straps are padded and among the most comfortable that we have test. We also found it to be the easiest seat for children to attach.
If you're not quite ready to purchase a double stroller, Facebook Marketplace and other second-hand sites often have quality used items in good condition at affordable prices. Make sure to do your research before you buy to a purchase, looking for signs of damage and looking up possible recalls.