How to Choose the Best Double Stroller

There are a variety of options when it comes to double strollers. To help you choose the most suitable one for your family, we consulted child development expert and mom Katie Billingsley.

Choose a stroller reasonably easy to fold, push and carry. You should consider a stroller that can fit two infant car seats or a toddler with a riderboard.

Safety

Find a double-stroller that includes all-terrain wheels as well as a brake that can be operated by hand if you want to ensure your children are safe while walking. These brakes and wheels help you navigate trails and gravel without your children slipping or rolling. The best double strollers offer plenty of storage space for equipment and essentials for kids like snacks and toys.

Choosing the right double stroller for your family begins with understanding the age and distance in age. A majority of double strollers are designed to allow one child seat, but those are available in various configurations so that you can choose the type of seating that is most suitable for your children and your lifestyle.

Side-by-side doubles are a classic option, and are great for children of similar ages that like to be social with one another. Double-decker designs permit you to place one of the seats over the other, or attach a riderboard for older siblings. Newborns can be tucked into a bassinet attached to the frame or in an independent attachment that gives you an unobstructed view of your baby. If you are expecting twins or have twins, then a twin stroller will be the best option.

For families who are more adventurous opt for a double stroller that can handle off-road terrain, or even hike. A majority of these strollers were designed with active parents in mind, and come with features that allow you to take your kids to any adventure, no matter how rough the path or how steep the climbs may be.

In addition to all-terrain tires the top double strollers feature thoughtful features that make getting around difficult terrain and weather a lot easier. For example this stroller for jogging has a wrist loop for your child, so you'll be able to ensure that they're safe while running downhill or at faster speeds. It also comes with a full-coverage canopy with ventilation to ensure your children stay comfy in the summer heat.

This model is a light and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs less than 23lbs., making it ideal for air travel and storage in trunks or overhead compartments. It also comes with an enormous storage basket as well as a parking brake that is linked in one step that's easy to use.

Seating

Double strollers are now sleeker and can be configured in various ways to fit your family. Some double strollers can be used as side-byside models, and others, like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller, can be used as an alternative to car seats, toddlers seats, and bassinets. They are available in a range of widths and weights that can accommodate children from newborns to kindergarten.

A good double stroller should be easy to maneuver and fold, as well as allowing you to adjust the height of the handlebar to ensure you're comfortable throughout your outings. A good handlebar should be comfortable to hold, and it should allow you to walk in a proper posture (ask parents for advice on this). It should come with a variety of storage options that can accommodate all the necessities your children need.

If your twins are near in age, you may consider a tandem double stroller stroller that works best for your family. These strollers have seats that are side-by-side, so you can interact with them both while keeping an eye on both of them at the same time. They can also recline separately so that one child can sleep while the other is awake and ready to go.

The drawback of a twin stroller is that it can be wider than a single-occupant model which makes it difficult to maneuver around walkways, aisles for shopping, and narrow doorways. For some families the benefits are well worth the extra effort and size.

If you're in the market for an ultra-compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great choice. Its shock absorbers, streamlined design, and capacity for two infant car seats - plus an optional running board for mobile older children -- make it a great option for urban living.

Another option is a wagon-style stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This bare-bones model offers a lot of seating space and storage, plus robust wheels that can handle any terrain. It also features an SPF canopy that is 50+ and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and do not recline fully flat, which makes it difficult for little children to reach their snack trays or to relax.

Simple to use

A double stroller is usually a significant investment and one that you hope to use for many years. When shopping for one you need to ensure that it's easy to operate and clean. Fortunately, the best double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as they can and include a variety of convenient features for parents.

For starters, all of the strollers we tested fold easily and compactly (with only one hand!). They're also light, which makes them ideal for traveling. They can fit in most trunks and can be checked for gate-checking on planes. Our testers discovered that their strollers could be folded down much smaller than single-seat versions. Some even had a carrying strap.

If you're looking for a versatile double stroller that can grow with your family take a look at the Valco Snap Duo Trend. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats as well as other accessories. It can be used from birth until preschool age. Each seat has a 5-point harness and a large canopy that provides ample protection from the sun.

The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that is highly praised. This stroller is lightweight, compact and only 22 lbs when folded. The front seat reclines almost to a flat position, and the back seat can be adjusted for each child. This stroller is easy to operate and maneuver due to its large storage basket, simple one-step parking brake, and large storage basket.

The only downsides of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry says that the packaging was enjoyable and clever, however it was also packaged in five boxes that could be an inconvenience to carry around. She also found that the Genuis magnetic buckle was a bit awkward and took a while to master. In the end, though she was very pleased with this stroller and would definitely recommend it.

Storage

Strollers come in all sizes and shapes, ranging from tandems with side-by-side doubles to tandem (single-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to personalize your setup with a bassinet, or car seat attachment. Some have rider boards which can be added for older children. However, they're not all created equal. Some are elegant Pushchairs And Prams simple to use, while others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold and store.

If you are seeking a stroller with a light weight that can accommodate two children and two children, the Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great option. It was the lightest choice in our tests, weighing around 23 pounds and Pushchairs And Prams is also simple to fold, but it has all the features parents require for a fun outing with two kids.

The Vista v2 double by UPPAbaby is another model that our test subjects loved. They were particularly impressed by its sleek design and user-friendly. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler seat and a bassinet, with no adapters required. The rear seat can also be removed to create a triple or quad stroller. It comes with a huge basket for storage and can be upgraded by adding an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires, as with side storage bags.

Billingsley says the best double stroller for a two-year-old is one that has multiple customization options, like the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. This is due to toddlers having limitations in endurance, and the stroller with the bassinet attachment can provide them with a safe space to nap. She says that a double stroller must also have a great recline position and harness system, as well as ample storage space for snacks and toys.

The ZOE Twin+ is popular with parents due to its lightweight and versatility. It's easy to check at airport gates, fits through most doors (without having to remove the front wheels), and can expand into a quad or triple stroller with an added tandem seat. Its near-flat independently reclining seats, sun canopy with extra-long lengths and footrests that can be adjusted are other highlights, while its large underseat storage area and the inclusion of parent and kid cup holders complete the impressive list of features. One drawback, according to Taylor, is that it doesn't have a the smallest profile when folded and can be difficult to store.