Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair

A double pram can make life easier for families, particularly in busy shopping centers or on busy streets. Select a model that offers plenty of storage space to store nappies, snacks, and other essentials.

Some parents who are new to the family opt for an infant pushchair that can be used as a single pram when bub is born and then transformed into a twin-mode when the baby is old enough. Joolz offers a wide range of options.

Tandem

The announcement that you are expecting a baby is one of life's most exciting experiences. After the excitement wears off and the reality of the situation sets in, you will be faced with a variety of decisions regarding how you can prepare your family. The proper stroller or pram is one of the most important considerations.

Tandem prams, also known as "in-line" double prams are a classic design with two bassinets or chairs placed side-by-side. The front seat, which is usually cushioned, reclines flat and is suitable for newborns. The second seat is more upright and designed to fit toddlers as young as 3 years. Certain models feature seats that can be reversible, so you can choose whether your children face one another or look at you. Many tandems can be made into one pushchair when your oldest child is no longer using the second seat.

A tandem is less expensive than a twin pram and can be an excellent choice for parents who want to save money, but without losing safety or function. However, the drawback of a tandem is that it may feel long and heavy to steer, especially when you're bumping up or down kerbs. Additionally, it is usually less stable than a twin pram, especially if the child who is older is seated at the front. A tandem can also be tricky to get onto public transport, and it can be difficult to navigate on narrow roads.

The iCandy Peach is a popular image-conscious model that's a great choice for a single parent who wants something streamlined however, the tandem mode can make it feel quite large and heavy when pushing. It comes with a frame that expands in width to accommodate the second seat. It can be used with a variety of combinations of buggy seats, car seats and carrycots (two at a time or separately). The iCandy Wave tandem is another lightweight option that is easy to use and compatible with a variety of carrycots or car seats.

Side by side

There are a lot of things to take into consideration when selecting a double pushchair or pram. If you're buying a double pram for twins or other siblings that are similar in age there are plenty of configuration options to take into account. Tandem prams (also called side by sides prams) are a popular choice because they can be configured to fit infants in a bassinet on the top, while the larger infant or toddler sits in the seat below.

Some models even feature seats that can be reversible, meaning you can alter the seating arrangement to suit your family's needs throughout the baby and toddler years. This lets you keep your kids always in your sight and also gives them a chance to interact with each other while they walk.

Tandem prams can be jogging buggies, or all-terrain buggies. They are ideal for trips outdoors, such as to the park. They're also a good choice when you have to traverse narrow checkout aisles or isles in supermarkets as they are generally more compact than single-seaters.

The Redsbaby JIVE3 Pram, for example, can be used as a tandem pram from birth in dual mode by adding the use of the rumble seat (PS249). It is then possible to switch to the single pram mode once your baby is old enough to leave the rumble seat, or use the adaptors for car capsules (PS53) to turn it into a travel system for newborn to toddler.

Another alternative is the Side by Side Pram from Babybee. This side-by-side double pram is available in a range of colours and has an attractive modern style. The design is intended to be used from the moment of birth, you can choose to add the LUNA newborn cocoon (PS262) or the LUNA infant seats (PS53 each) to ensure that your baby is comfortable and safe.

The Egg 2 is a stylish, sleek pushchair that can be transformed into a double side-byside. It is available in a variety of infant and carrycots to accommodate twins or siblings with different age groups. It is also super-easy to collapse. It's also quite light making it an ideal option for those with small cars or limited storage space.

Convertible

Some of the top double prams or pushchairs can be set up to meet your needs as they change. It is possible to fit two toddlers in seats or a third child on the seat board, and still have enough space for a shopping basket, and the ability to add accessories such as rain covers is another plus. Convertible double strollers are generally larger and heavier than single pushchairs due to the fact that they are designed to accommodate two or more children. The Graco DuoRider Double Pushchair: Lightweight Birth to 3 Years Modes Nest2Grow convertible is an example of an affordable convertible that is simple to use. However, our test participants found it to be a bit heavy for the money.

Some double strollers that can be converted into convertibles like the Baby Jogger City Select hauck duett 2 double pushchair - black reversible compact include a carrycot suitable for infants. This helps to reduce the size of the double stroller when not being used and makes it smaller. The City Select's innovative folding system that is one-handed impressed our test subjects but it does require some practice. It's also extremely fluid and agile even despite its size.

The Cybex Mockingbird single-to-double stroller is an alternative that is affordable. The seat can be transformed from a parent facing infant car seat to an forward-facing toddler seat. The bassinet feature is a great choice for infants.

If you're looking for more flexibility, consider a dual-mode convertible such as the iCandy Peach. This is a narrow double stroller that can hold two children at the same time. It can also be used to make a tandem by adding a second seating kit. It is responsive and nimble and our test participants loved its sleek design. It's not as light as the other pushchairs on our list however it does come with an enormous shopping basket that is great for parents who carry bags full of toys and food.

Lightweight

Convertible double strollers double strollers are a great option for parents who already have one child and are expecting the arrival of a second. The iCandy Peach allows you to transform from a single to a double pushchair with the addition of either an infant seat or the brand's optional carrycot (which is suitable for sleep overs). The seats are very comfortable and our testers love the fact that they can recline in a variety of positions. They also like the design of the canopy, which has a peekaboo window and UPF 50+ protection. The rear seat can be raised high to allow the child of a higher age can stand on it to reach the shopping basket.

The only drawback of the iCandy Peach is that it is quite heavy, but Cher felt it was overcome by the ease to move around and how big the storage space is, with two hanging child and parent cup holders, seat-back pockets and a large underseat basket. Cher also loved that the seats can be reversed to face each other, which is great for siblings who like to interact and talk while out and about.

A lighter, but equally impressive option is the Delta Children LX side-by-side stroller, which weighs only 18 lbs. It is compact and has an auto-standing fold that makes it easy to transport and store in your trunk or at home. Parents are impressed by the quality of materials and workmanship, and the affordable cost. The only drawback is that the seats don't recline as much as some other models we've tested, and the rear seat doesn't have great visibility due to its position - it's raised higher than the front seats.

The Joolz Geo 3 is another popular choice. It is slim, sleek, and easy to steer, and comes with an unbeatable lifetime warranty. It is important to remember that, despite their slimmer design, side by side prams are more spacious than tandem and in-line doubles. They may be difficult to navigate through busy streets or in shops. They are also smaller which makes them more maneuverable in tight spaces.