How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
When you're going 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 children with different ages a lot simpler. But with the many options available to choose from, how do you pick the best one for your family?
This model expands to allow you to customize the seating to meet different requirements. Our newest member, Kerry, tested it out.
Safety
Whether you're running around town, going to the zoo, or heading out trick-or-treating with your kids your stroller should be secure. That means an sturdy frame and comfortable harnesses that are suitable for children who sit down, as well as easy-to-grab handles for toddlers who stand. It should also be able fit through doors, be simple to fold and move and easy to maneuver. And of course, it should be worth the money.
We put every double stroller we reviewed through vigorous testing in our lab, at the zoo, on streets in the city, and during family outings in suburban neighborhoods. Our lab tests test a stroller's maneuverability and stability, ease of steering and handling as well as the comfort of suspension for the driver and the rider, capacity for weight as well as the height of the canopy on the seat and storage space.
We solicit feedback from parents on each model in addition to the safety checks that are routinely performed by our team. We then take into account all of this information when forming our recommendations.
Begin with our top choices if you're looking for a stroller that is sturdy and safe. These strollers are incredibly versatile and can be used as infant car seats. They're available in tandem or single stroller configurations, and they're suitable for children from birth to elementary school.
The top double strollers are made to adapt to the needs of your family. They are sleek and stylish, offer a range of options for customization and can accommodate infants as well as toddlers by providing side-by-side or tandem (single file) seating. They also come with a large storage basket as well as a telescoping handlebar and one-handed folding mechanisms.
If you have twins or a child who is a similar age to their sibling, think about selecting a tandem stroller that has benches in the back that can be occupied by a third child. They're a great choice for siblings who want to be social with one another however they may not be capable of sitting next to each other in a stroller that is side-by-side, where they could end up arguing or fighting. There are also convertible models that allow you to remove the bench seat once your children are ready to go for an excursion without 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. The seats should recline at an angle to ensure children are at ease, and they should include calf bars that allow parents to adjust the height of each seat individually. The handlebars must be comfortable and easy to move according to Alli Cavasino, a certified child-passenger safety technician. The handlebars must be close enough to the children's' seats that you can reach them and hold onto them. If the handlebars are too spread out and you'll have a tough time keeping your balance and maintaining good posture when pushing them.
The ride should be smooth, even on rough or uneven surfaces. Some of the models that we test had shock absorbers to ensure that the ride is 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 have a sturdy tread and made of high-quality rubber.
We searched for the most versatile double-strollers that could be used from infancy through toddlerhood. A few of the ones we found can be configured as tandem strollers or side-by-side and one, the Uppababy Vista v2, can even be converted into a single-file stroller for infants. That model costs three times more than our main 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 or trips to the zoo or the park, and other errands. The double strollers are typically wider than single strollers and may not fit into narrow aisles in stores or doors. Some of them are more expensive than single-seaters. This is understandable because you get a lot more for your budget. The models we recommend are safe for adults and children alike, and they'll grow with your family.
Convenience
If you're going to invest in double-strollers, they should be easy to carry and to store. The stroller should be light and easily fits in the trunk of your car or at home. It should be able to navigate rough terrain and take precise turns. Some of the top double strollers have adjustable calf support, as well as seats that recline and offer UPF sun protection. The canopy should be wide enough to protect both kids If you're worried about getting the sun into their eyes, opt for one with a peek-aboo window.
The age and stage of your child can influence the type of stroller that's most suitable for your needs. For example, parents of twins might opt for an convertible stroller that accommodates two infant car seats at the same time and families with an older child and a toddler might prefer a double that is side-by-side. You'll have to decide if you want a stroller which can fit through narrow doors, grocery store aisles or even on planes.
In our Lab tests, we discovered that the majority of double strollers were easy to fold and transport. The majority of double strollers fold in one or two steps and are small enough to fit in the majority of compact cars. They're also designed to be stable when folded, making them much easier to put back together.
Some of the top double strollers have convenient parent features that include a single parent cup holder as well as a large storage basket. Be sure to check if the stroller is equipped with locks on the front seat to stop your child from escaping. Some of the better strollers come with an adapter for car seats that is universal and can be converted to one-seaters as your children grow.
The cost of some of the top double stroller s is a bit high, but they generally have better build quality and resale value than less expensive models. They're also easier to maneuver and can withstand the toughest terrain, such as city sidewalks or park trails.
Style
If parents are in the market for a double stroller they're looking for much more than a way to transport their two kids. They want a light stroller that can be maneuvered with enough onboard storage and thoughtful features that allow it to grow with the kids--and be easy to push and navigate. Because they will be carrying more than the children, the stroller needs to be easy on their backs and shoulders.
This is why the best double strollers are sleek, allow for a variety of customizations, and can be adapted to infant car seats for an effortless transition from toddler to baby. They come in tandem (single-file seating), side-by-side, and even light enough for jogging.
In addition to size parents must also consider whether the double stroller can fit through doorways or other narrow spaces. Most of the models that we tested for our latest update are able to fit through standard exterior doors which measure 36 inches wide.
Other features we consider when evaluating the top double strollers include the speed and ease with which they fold and unfold, how large the cargo basket is, how comfortable the seats are and how flexible the canopy are. We also consider how comfortable the seat straps and buckles are for children who sit in the stroller, and how easy it is to adjust the height of the handlebars.
For example, our top choice is the Uppababy Vista V2, is lightweight and offers plenty of storage for both children. It has a cup for parents holder and recliners that can be adjusted independently. It also comes with a large UPF 50+ canopy that has a peekaboo window. The straps and buckles are cushioned and are among the most comfortable we've test. We also found it to be the most simple seat for children to secure.
If you're still not sure if you're ready to buy a double stroller, Facebook Marketplace and other second-hand-goods websites can provide quality used items in good condition at reasonable costs. Make sure you do your homework and check for any indications of damage prior to purchasing.