How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
A double stroller can make the life of parents with twins or children of different ages, whether you're taking a leisurely walk or going for a run in the morning. There are so many options out there, how do you choose the right one for your family?
This expandable model lets you to modify the seating to meet different requirements. Our newest member, Kerry, tested it out.
Safety
Your stroller should be safe, whether you're out on shopping trips with your children, 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 handles for toddlers. It should also be able fit through doors, be easy to fold and move and easy to maneuver. It should also be affordable.
We put every double stroller we tested through vigorous testing in our lab, at the Zoo, on city streets, and on family outings in suburban areas. Our lab tests assess a stroller's maneuverability and stability, ease of steering and handling and suspension comfort for both the driver and the rider weight capacity, seat canopy heights, 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 consideration all of that information when making our recommendations.
Take a look at our top picks to help you find an excellent stroller that's secure and durable. These strollers are versatile and offer a variety of seating options for infant car seats. They can be used as an individual stroller or in tandem and are suitable for children from birth to elementary school.
The best double strollers are designed to adapt to the needs of your family. They are stylish and sleek with a variety of designs and options, and can accommodate 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 choosing a tandem stroller with benches in the back that could be occupied by a third child. tandem double stroller are a great choice for siblings who would like to be together, but may not be able sit side-by-side in a standard stroller. They could end up fighting or arguing. You'll also find convertible models that permit you to remove the bench seat once your children are ready for a ride without using a car seat.
Comfort
The most comfortable double strollers come with comfortable child seats with plenty of padding and support. The best double strollers come with plenty of storage space, large footwells and legroom for kids, and a UPF 50+ canopy that offers excellent sun protection. Seats should recline at an angle to keep kids comfortable. They should also have adjustable calf bars that let parents adjust the seat. Alli Cavasino is a certified child safety technician. She suggests that the handlebars must be ergonomic and easy to maneuver. The handlebars should be close enough to your child's seat that you can grab them and hold them. If the handlebars are separated, you'll have a hard time keeping your balance and retaining good posture when pushing them.
The ride should be smooth, even on rough or uneven surfaces. Some of the models we tested include shock absorbers to keep the ride steady. Some have rear and front suspensions, which decrease the amount of force you need to push them and improve the control you have over them. The wheels should have a durable tread and made of high-quality rubber.
We searched for the most flexible double strollers that can be used from birth to toddlerhood and beyond. Some of the double strollers that we found can be converted into tandem strollers or side-byside strollers. One of them, the Uppababy Vista V2, can even be converted to a single-file infant stroller. This model is priced three times more than our main tandem pick however it's of better quality and should last for longer due to its robust materials.
The best double strollers are lightweight and easy to maneuver for long walks, errands and trips to the park or zoo. The double strollers are typically wider than single strollers and might not fit in narrow doorways or store aisles. Some of them are more expensive than single-seaters. This is normal since you get more for your price. The models we recommend are comfortable for both adults and kids and will expand with your family.
Convenience
If you're going to invest money in a double stroller, it must be easy to push and store. The ideal stroller will be lightweight and fit in the trunk of your car or the space at home. It should also be able traverse rough terrain and make tight turns. Some of the top double-strollers have adjustable calf support, and seats that recline. They also come with UPF sun protection. The canopy should be big enough to protect both kids, and if you're worried about getting sun in their eyes, choose one with a window that can be opened for peek-aboo.
The stage and age of your children will determine what kind of stroller you'll require. For example, parents of twins might choose an convertible stroller that accommodates two infant car seats at once or parents with an older child and a toddler might prefer a side-by-side double. You'll also have to decide whether you want a stroller that can fit through narrow doors or in crowded aisles in grocery stores and is able to be used on airplanes.
In our Lab tests we found that most double strollers were easy to fold and carry. They usually have a oneor two-step process and they're small enough to fit in most compact cars. They're also designed to be stable when folded, which makes them easier to put back together.
Some of the top double-strollers include convenient features for parents, like a cup holder for one parent as well as a huge storage basket. Consider whether the stroller comes with locks for the front seat, to prevent your child from climbing out. Some of the top strollers come with a universal car seat adapter and can be converted into a single-seater as your children grow.
The price tag on some of the best double strollers can be a bit high, but they generally have better build quality and resale value than cheaper models. They are also more maneuverable and can handle tough terrains, such as park trails or city sidewalks.
Style
Parents shopping for a double stroller want more than just a means to transport two kids. They're looking for a stroller that's light that is easy to move and has enough space to grow with their children. Since they will be carrying more than children, the stroller should be easy on their back and shoulders.
This is why the best double strollers are sleek, offer a variety of designs, and be adapted to infant car seats for an easy transition from baby to toddler. They're available in side-by-side or tandem (single-file seating) formats and can even be light enough for jogging or for travel.
In addition to size parents should also think about whether the double stroller can fit through doorways and other narrow spaces. Most of the models we evaluated for our latest update are able to fit through standard exterior doors which are 36 inches wide.
Other aspects we take into consideration when evaluating the top double strollers is how quickly and easily they fold and unfold, how large the cargo basket is, how cushioned the seats are, and how adjustable the canopies are. We also think about how comfortable the buckles and seat straps are for children who sit in the stroller, as well as how easy it would be to adjust the handlebar height.
For example our top choice, the Uppababy Vista V2, is light and has plenty of onboard storage for both children. It has a cup for parents seat that reclines independently, and a large UPF 50+ canopy that has windows that can be peekaboo. The straps and buckles are padded and are among the most comfortable we've test. We also found it to be the easiest seat for children to fasten.
If you aren't quite ready to buy a double stroller yet, Facebook Marketplace and second-hand-goods websites offer used products in good condition at affordable prices. Make sure you do your homework and check for any indications of damage before purchasing.