How to Choose the Best Double Strollers
When you're going for a leisurely stroll or tackling your morning jog with the children, a double stroller will make life with twins or two kids with different ages a lot simpler. There are numerous options available which one to pick? the best one for your family?
This expandable model allows you to customize the seating for different needs. Our latest member, Kerry, tested it out.
Safety
Whether you're running through the zoo, running errands, or heading out trick-or-treating with your kids, your stroller needs to be secure. It should have a sturdy frame, as well as comfortable harnesses that are suitable for children who sit down, as well as easy-to-grab handles for toddlers who stand. It must also be able to fit through doors and be easy to maneuver and fold. It should also be reasonably priced.
We put each double stroller through rigorous testing in our lab at the Zoo, on the streets in the city, and during family outings in suburban areas. Our lab tests evaluate a stroller's maneuverability and stability as well as ease of steering and handling and suspension comfort for both the rider and the driver capacity to carry weight, seat canopy heights, and storage space.
We solicit feedback from parents on each model, in addition to the standard safety check performed by our team. We then take into consideration all of this information when making our recommendations.
If you're looking for a safe quality, high-quality stroller, begin with our top choices. These strollers are versatile and can be used with infant car seats. They're available in tandem or single stroller configurations, and they're suitable for children ranging from birth to elementary school.
The best double strollers are designed to grow with your family. They're sleek and stylish they can be fitted with various customization options, and can accommodate both toddlers and infants in a side-by-side or tandem (single-file) seating styles. A lot of them also have a large storage basket and a handlebar that can be telescopically adjusted, as well as one-handed folding mechanisms.
If you have twins or a child who is a similar age to their sibling, think about choosing a tandem stroller with an extra bench seat in the back that can be used by a 3rd child. These strollers are ideal for siblings who wish to get together, but not be able to sit side-by-side in a standard stroller. They could be fighting or arguing. You'll also find convertible models that allow you to remove the bench seat when your children are ready to go for a ride without using a car seat.
Comfort
The best double strollers have comfortable child seats with plenty of padding and support. The top double stroller s have plenty of storage space, large legs and footwells for kids, and a UPF 50+ canopy which provides fantastic sun protection. Seats should recline at an angle so that kids are comfortable. They should also come with adjustable calf bar that let parents adjust the seat. The handlebars must be comfortable and easy to maneuver, says Alli Cavasino who is 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 a challenge to keep your balance and good posture while pushing them.
The ride should be smooth, even on rocky or uneven surfaces. Some of the models we tested had shock absorbers to keep the ride steady. Certain models come with front and back suspension that improves control and reduces the force required to push them. The wheels must be made of high-quality rubber and have a durable tread that can handle plenty of wear and tear.
We scoured the internet for the most versatile double-strollers which can be used from to toddlerhood. A few of the ones we found could be used as tandem strollers or side-byside and one that we found, the Uppababy Vista v2, can even be transformed into a single-file stroller suitable for infants. That model costs three times more than our primary tandem choice however, it's also of higher quality and should last for longer due to its robust materials.
The best double strollers will be lightweight and able to be maneuvered for long walks, trips to the zoo, park, and errands. They're typically wider than single strollers, and as such they may not be able to fit through narrow entrances or store aisles that are crowded. Some of them cost more than single-seaters, but that's reasonable since you get a lot for your price. The models we recommend are suitable for kids and adults alike and will continue to expand with your family.
Convenience
If you're planning to invest the money to buy a double stroller, you'll need one that's easy to push and put away. It should be light and easy to store in the trunk of your car or the space at home. It should be able navigate rough terrain and take precise turns. Some of the top double-strollers have adjustable calf support, and seats that recline. They also offer UPF sun protection. The canopy should be wide enough to cover two children. If you're worried about the sun's rays getting into their eyes, go for one with a peek-a-boo window.
The stage and age of your children will determine what type stroller you require. For instance, parents with twins may choose a convertible stroller that can hold two infant car seats at the same time, while a family with an older child and a toddler might prefer a side-byside double. You'll have to decide if you want a stroller which can fit through narrow doors and aisles of grocery stores or on planes.
In our Lab tests, we found that the top double strollers are reasonably easy to fold and carry. The majority of double strollers fold down in just one or two steps, and are compact enough to fit into most compact cars. They're also designed to be sturdy, making them easier to put back together.
Some of the best double-strollers have convenient parent features like cups holder for one parent as well as a huge storage basket. It is important to know if the stroller is locked on the front seat, so that you can keep the kids from climbing out if they get antsy. Some strollers have a universal adapter for car seats that can be converted into one seat as your child develops.
Some of the top double strollers can be expensive, but they offer higher quality construction and have higher resales values than less expensive models. They are also more maneuverable, and can handle rough terrain, such as city walkways or park trails.
Style
If parents are in the market for a double-stroller they're looking for more than a way to transport their two kids. They're looking for a stroller that's light that is easy to move and has enough space to expand with their children. Since they will be carrying more than children, the stroller must be comfortable on their backs and shoulders.
This is why the top double strollers are sleek, allow for a variety of designs, and accommodate infant car seats for an effortless transition from toddler to baby. They come in tandem (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side. They are even lightweight enough to use for jogging.
Apart from size one of the most important considerations for parents shopping for a double stroller is whether it'll fit through doorways and other small 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 reviewing the best 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 adjustable the canopy are. In addition, we examine how comfortable the seat straps and buckles are for sitting kids and how easy it is to access and adjust the height of the handlebar.
Our top choice, Uppababy Vista V2, for instance, is a light-weight model and offers plenty of storage space for both children. It comes with a cup for parents holder, as well as seats that recline independently. It also comes with a large UPF 50+ canopy that has a the peek-a-boo window. The straps and buckles are padded and among the most comfortable that we have tested. We also found it to be the most simple seat for children to attach.
If you're not quite ready to purchase a double stroller, Facebook Marketplace and other second-hand sites often have good-condition used options for affordable prices. Make sure you do your homework and look for any signs of damage before purchasing.