How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
When you're going for an easy stroll or taking on your morning jog with your children, a double stroller could make life with twins or two kids with different ages a lot simpler. What are the best options to choose from the many options available?
This model expands to allow you to modify the seating to meet different requirements. Our new member, Kerry, tested it out.
Safety
Whether you're running through the zoo, running errands or out for a trick-or-treat with your kids your stroller should be secure. It's crucial to have a sturdy frame with comfortable harnesses, a comfortable and comfortable handles for toddlers. It also needs to be able to pass through doors and be easy to move and fold. It must be of good value.
We put each double stroller we reviewed through vigorous testing in our lab, at the Zoo, on city streets, and during family outings in suburban areas. Our lab tests evaluate the stroller's maneuverability and stability, and ease of steering. We also test the suspension comfort for both the driver and rider as well as the capacity for weight, height of the canopy for the seat, and the storage space.
In addition to the routine safety checks conducted 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 forming our recommendations.
Start with our top picks if you're looking for an excellent stroller that is sturdy and safe. These strollers are incredibly versatile and can be used for infant car seats. They come in single or tandem stroller designs, and are suitable for children ranging from birth to elementary school.
smallest double buggy are designed to evolve with your family. They're stylish and sleek and offer a variety of options for customization and can accommodate infants as well as toddlers with side-by-side seating or tandem (single file) seating. A lot of them also have a large storage basket, a handlebar that can be adjusted telescopically, and one-handed folding mechanisms.
If you have twins or children who are similar age to their sibling, you should consider using a tandem stroller with benches in the back that can be occupied by a third child. These strollers are a great choice for siblings who wish to interact, but might not be able sit side-by-side in a standard stroller. They may end up fighting or arguing. There are also convertible models, which permit you to remove a bench seat for your child once they are ready to go without the car seat.
Comfort
The best double strollers feature comfortable child seats that are well-padded and bolstered. The best double strollers have plenty of storage, spacious footwells and legroom for children, and UPF 50+ canopy which provides fantastic sun protection. Seats should be able to recline at an angle to ensure that children are comfortable. They should also have calf bar adjusters that let parents independently adjust the seat. Alli Cavasino is a certified child safety technician. She suggests that the handlebars need to be ergonomic and easy to maneuver. The handlebars should be close enough to the seat of your child that you can grab them and hold them. If the handlebars are far apart, you'll have a hard in keeping your balance and maintaining good posture when pushing them.
The ride should be smooth even on rough or hard surfaces. Some of the models we tested had shock absorbers to ensure that the ride is stable. Some models have front and back suspensions which increases control and reduces amount of force needed to push them. The wheels must be made of high-quality rubber with a sturdy tread that is able to withstand plenty of wear and tear.
We scoured the internet for the most versatile double-strollers which can be used from the time of the age of infancy to toddlerhood. Some of the double strollers we came across are convertible to tandem strollers or side-byside strollers. One of them is the Uppababy Vista V2, can even be converted to one-file infant strollers. The model is three times as costly as our top tandem choice, but its materials are more durable, and it should last longer.
The most comfortable double strollers are light and movable enough for long walks, errands, and trips to the zoo or park. They're generally larger than single strollers, so they may not fit through narrow doorways or crowded store aisles. Some of them cost more than single-seaters, but that's normal since you get a lot more for your money. These models are appropriate for children and adults, and will grow with your family.
Convenience
If you're planning to invest the money to buy a double stroller, you'll want one that is easy to push and to store. The stroller should be light and easily fit in your car's trunk or at home. It should also be able to navigate through rough terrain and take tight turns. Some of the most reliable double strollers come with adjustable calf supports, and seats that recline, and offer UPF sun protection. The canopy should be large enough to fit two children. If you're concerned about the sun getting in their eyes, opt for the stroller with a peek-aboo window.
Your children's ages and stages can influence the type of stroller that's the best for you. Parents with twins can opt for a convertible stroller that is able to hold two infant car seats simultaneously and families with a child who is older and a toddlers may prefer side-byside doubles. You'll need to decide if you'd like an infant stroller that fits through narrow entrances and aisles in grocery stores, or on airplanes.
In our Lab tests, we found that the top double strollers are relatively easy to fold and carry. They usually have a oneor two-step process and they're small enough to fit into most compact cars. They're also designed to be stable when folded, making them easier to put back together.
Some of the best double-strollers have convenient parent features like cups holder for one parent and a big storage basket. Consider whether the stroller comes with a lock on the front seat to prevent your child from climbing out. Some strollers come with an adapter for car seats and can be converted to one seat as your child develops.
The price of some of the top double strollers is steep, but they typically have better build quality and resale value as compared to cheaper models. They're also more maneuverable and can withstand the toughest terrain, like urban sidewalks or parks.
Style
Parents shopping for a double stroller are looking for more than just a way to transport two children. They want a light, maneuverable stroller with sufficient storage space on the inside and thoughtful features that allow it to grow with the kids--and be easy to push and maneuver. Since they'll likely to be carrying more weight than their peers and their strollers, they should be comfortable on the back and shoulders.
This is why the best double strollers are sleek and allow for a variety of options for customization, and accommodate infant car seats to ensure an easy transition from baby to toddler. They are available in side-by-side or tandem (single-file seating) formats and can even be light enough to jog or travel.
In addition to size, parents should also consider whether the double stroller will fit through doorways or other tight spaces. Most of the models that we evaluated for our latest update are able to fit through doors for exterior use that measure 36 inches wide.
Other aspects we take into consideration when evaluating the top double strollers include the speed and ease with which they fold and unfold, how large the cargo basket is, how padded the seats are and how flexible the canopy are. We also look at how comfortable the straps and buckles are for seated kids and how easy it is to access and adjust the height of the handlebar.
For instance our top pick is the Uppababy Vista V2, is light and has plenty of onboard storage for both children. It has a cup for parents holder and recliners that can be adjusted independently. It also has a large UPF 50+ canopy with peekaboo window. Its padded seat straps and buckles are among the most comfortable in our tests, and we found the seat to be among the easiest to secure for children of all age groups.
If you're still not sure if you're ready to purchase a double stroller, Facebook Marketplace and other second-hand-goods websites can provide excellent used models in good condition for reasonable prices. Be sure to conduct your research prior to making a purchase to buying, examining for indications of damage and checking up possible recalls.