How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
If you're taking an easy stroll or taking on your morning jog with your kids, a double stroller can make life with twins or two kids of different ages much easier. What are the best options to choose from the various choices available?
Our latest team member, Kerry, got her stroller testing feet wet with this expandable model that lets you to alter the seating arrangement to meet your different needs.
Safety
Your stroller must be secure regardless of whether you're running the town with your kids, taking them to the zoo or trick-or treating. It's important to have a sturdy frame with comfortable harnesses, a comfortable and comfortable handle for toddlers. It should also to fit through doors, easy to fold and move, and be easy to move. It should also be reasonably priced.
We put every double stroller we reviewed through vigorous tests in our lab, at the Zoo, on the city streets, and during family outings in suburban areas. Our lab tests evaluate the stroller's stability and maneuverability as well as ease of steering and handling, suspension comfort for the rider and the driver, weight capacity and seat canopy heights and storage space.
We solicit feedback from parents on each model, in addition to the routine safety check carried out by our team. We then consider all of the information provided when making our recommendations.
If you're in search of a secure quality, high-quality stroller, begin with our top choices. These strollers can be used in multiple seating options to accommodate infant car seats, can be used as an individual stroller or in tandem, and are suitable for children from birth through elementary school.
The top double strollers are designed to adapt to the needs of your family. They're stylish and sleek, offer a range of options for customization and can be used by infants and toddlers with side-by-side seating or tandem (single file) seating. Many also have a large storage basket as well as a telescoping handlebar and one-handed folding mechanisms.
Consider a tandem stroller that has a bench seat at the back for a third child if you have twins or a child of the same age. They're a great option for siblings who wish to interact with each other, but may not be able to sit with each other in a side-by-side stroller, where they could end with fighting or arguing. There are also convertible models that allow you to take off the bench seat when your children are ready for an excursion without a car seat.
Comfort
The most comfortable double strollers come with comfortable child seats with plenty of padding and support. They also have ample storage space, spacious footwells for children's feet and legs, and UPF 50+ canopies that provide great sun protection. Seats should recline at an angle to keep kids comfortable. They should also have adjustable calf bar that allow parents to independently adjust each seat. The handlebars should be comfortable and easy to move, says Alli Cavasino, a certified child passenger safety technician. The handlebars must be close enough to the kids' seats that you can reach them and grasp them. If the handlebars on the stroller are not close enough, it will be difficult to keep your balance and maintain good posture when pushing them.
The ride should be smooth, even on rough or hard surfaces. Some of the models we tested have shock absorbers to ensure that the ride remains steady. Others have both rear and front suspensions, which decrease the amount of force you need to push them and improve your control over them. The wheels should have a long-lasting tread and be made from high-quality rubber.
We searched for the most flexible double strollers that can be used from birth until toddlerhood and beyond. Some of the double strollers we came across are convertible to tandem strollers or side-byside strollers. One of them, the Uppababy Vista V2, can even be converted to an infant stroller with a single file. That model costs three times more than our standard tandem pick however it's of better quality and should last longer due to its sturdy materials.
The most comfortable double strollers are light and maneuverable enough to use for long walks, errands, and trips to the park or zoo. They're generally larger than single strollers, and as such they may not be able to fit through narrow entrances or in crowded aisles of stores. Some are also priced more than single-seat models however it's reasonable considering that you're getting a greater value for your dollars. These models are suitable for adults and children and will grow with your family.
Convenience
If you're planning to spend money on double-strollers, they should be easy to push and to store. Ideally, the stroller will be light and easy to store in the trunk of your car, or the space at home. It should be able to navigate rough terrain and make precise turns. Some of the top double strollers have adjustable calf supports, as well as seats that recline and provide UPF sun protection. The canopy should be wide enough to cover two children. If you are worried about the sun glaring into their eyes, opt for the stroller with a peek-aboo window.
The age and stage of your child will influence the kind of stroller you choose to be the best for you. For example, parents of twins might opt for an convertible stroller that accommodates two infant car seats simultaneously or families with an older child and a toddler might prefer a side-by-side double. You'll also need to decide whether you want an infant stroller that can be pushed through narrow entrances or grocery store aisles and is able to be used on planes.
In our Lab tests, we discovered that the majority of double strollers were easy to fold and carry. They typically have a oneor two-step process and they're compact enough to fit in the majority of compact cars. They're also designed to be stable which makes them easier to put back together.
Some of the top double-strollers have convenient parent features like cups holder for one parent as well as a huge storage basket. Consider whether compact double stroller comes with a lock on the front seat to stop your child from escaping. Some strollers come with an adapter for car seats that can be converted into one seat as your child develops.
Some of the top double strollers are expensive, but they offer a better build quality and higher resale values than less expensive models. They are also easier to maneuver and can handle rough terrain such as urban walkways or parks.
Style
When parents are shopping for a double stroller they're looking for much more than just a means to carry their two children. They want a light stroller that can be maneuvered with ample storage on the board and thoughtful features to expand with their children. It should also be simple to push and navigate. Since they will be carrying more than children, the stroller must be easy on their backs and shoulders.
This is why the top double strollers are sleek, offer a variety of options for customization, and be adapted to infant car seats for an easy transition from toddler to baby. They come in tandem (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side. They are even light enough for running.
In addition to size parents must also consider whether the double stroller will be able to pass through doorways or other narrow spaces. The majority of the strollers that we tested for our most recent version can be pushed through doors that are 36 inches wide.
When we review the top double strollers, we look at how easily they fold and unfold. We also look at how comfortable the seats and canopy are. In addition, we examine how comfortable the seat straps and buckles are for sitting kids and how easy to access and adjust the height of the handlebar.
For instance, our top choice is the Uppababy Vista V2, is light and has plenty of onboard storage for both children. It has a cup for parents holder, as well as seats that recline individually. It also comes with a large UPF 50+ canopy, with a peekaboo window. The seat's buckles and straps are padded and among the most comfortable we have test. We also found it to be the easiest seat for children to attach.
If you're not quite ready to purchase a double stroller yet, Facebook Marketplace and second-hand-goods websites are able to offer used items in good condition at affordable cost. Be sure to conduct your research prior to making a purchase, scanning for evidence of damage and looking for recalls that could be possible.