How to Choose the Best Double Stroller

There are a variety of options in the field of double strollers. To help you pick the most suitable one for your family, we spoke with experts in child development as well as 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

If you want to keep your children secure on your walks opt for a double stroller that has features such as all-terrain tires and a brake operated by hand. These brakes and wheels allow you to navigate trails and sand without children falling or rolling. The best double strollers have plenty of storage space for gear as well as kid-sized necessities like snacks and toys.

The first step in choosing the right double stroller is to know the age of your children and how far apart they are. A majority of double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, the ones that offer a variety of configurations that allow you to pick the seating that's best for your family.

Side-by-side doubles are an iconic choice, and they're perfect for children of similar ages that like to be social with one another. Certain models feature a double-decker style, allowing you to place one seat higher than the other or even attach a rider board to older siblings. Newborns can be tucked into an infant bassinet that is attached to the frame or as an independent attachment that gives you a peek-a-boo view of your baby. If you are expecting twins or already have twins and want to have a twin stroller, it will be the best option.

For more adventurous families, look for a double stroller that is able to take on off-road terrains or even hike. A lot of these strollers were designed with active parents and their children in mind. They have features that allow you to take them on any adventure no regardless of how challenging or difficult the climbs may be.

In addition to all-terrain tires the top double strollers come with clever features that make traversing 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 they're secure when running downhill or at speeds that are higher. It also features an all-over canopy that has ventilation so your kids stay comfy during the summer heat.

If you're looking to purchase a light, compact double stroller, check out this model from Joovy. It weighs less than 23lbs. It's perfect for air travel and storage in trunks or overhead compartments. It also has a large storage basket and an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.

Seating

Double strollers today are sleeker and can be configured in a variety of ways to fit your family. Some of them function as traditional side-byside strollers while others--such as the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--work as a base that car seats, toddler seats or bassinets snap into. They come in various sizes and weight limits to fit children from birth through kindergarten.

A quality double buggy newborn stroller should be easy to fold and move and allows you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure that you feel comfortable on all of your outings. A good handlebar is one that is easy to hold, and it should encourage you to walk in a proper posture (ask other parents for tips on this). It should have a range of storage options to accommodate all the necessities your children will need.

If your twins are similar age, a tandem stroller may be the best choice for your family. The seats of these models are placed together, allowing you to engage with both of them and keep an eye on them simultaneously. They also recline independently, so that one child can nap while the other is awake and ready to go.

The downside of a twin stroller may be that it is larger than one designed for a single to double pushchair-occupant. This makes it difficult to maneuver narrow doorways, store aisles, or sidewalks. But for certain families, the benefits are worth the extra space and effort.

If you're in the market for a compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great choice. The UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great choice for city dwellers due to its shock absorption, elegant design, and ability to accommodate two infant car seats. It also comes with an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.

Another option is a wagon-style double stroller, such as the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This bare-bones model offers lots of space for seating and storage, plus heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also features a canopy with a 50+ SPF and a handlebar that can be adjusted. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and do not recline completely flat, making it difficult for children to reach their snack trays or relax.

Easy of Use

Double strollers are often an investment of a significant amount that you will use for many years. When shopping for one you need to make sure it will be easy to operate and clean. Fortunately, the best double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as is possible and include a variety of convenient features for parents.

For starters, all the strollers we tested fold easily and compactly (with one hand!). They are also light and are ideal for traveling. Many of them fit in the majority of trunks and are checked at the gate on planes. Furthermore, the majority our testers reported that their strollers folded to smaller dimensions than their single-seat counterparts and some even came with a carry strap for convenient carrying.

The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller that has many options that can grow with your family. This side-byside stroller is compatible with infant car seats and other accessories. It can be used from birth to the age of preschool. Each seat comes with a 5-point harness and an enormous canopy that offers plenty of shade from the sun.

The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that's highly praised. It is light and compact, weighing only weighs 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to a flat stance, and the back seat can be adjusted to fit each child. There's a large storage basket and an easy, one-step linked parking brake that makes this stroller extremely easy to maneuver and use.

The only drawbacks to the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to the model in question. Kerry notes that the packaging was fun and innovative, but it came in five boxes, which can be a bit of trouble to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp to be a bit clunky and took her a while before she could get it to work. She was satisfied with the stroller, however, and would highly recommend it.

Storage

Strollers are available in various sizes and styles that include tandems (single-file seating), side-by-side doubles, and many that allow you to customize the configuration using the use of a bassinet or car seat attachment. Some even have add-on rider boards designed for older kids. They're not created equal. Some are light and easy to use while others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold.

If you're looking for a light double stroller, check out the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest stroller we tested in our tests, weighing just under 23 lbs. It's also easy to fold and comes with all the features parents want for a great day out with two kids.

The Vista v2 double from UPPAbaby is another model that our testers loved. They particularly liked its sleek design and easy-to-use. It can fit two infant car seats, or a toddler's bassinet as well as a seat without the need for adapters. The rear seat can be removed to make it into a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a huge basket for storage, and it can be upgraded with a parent organizer and all-terrain tires as well as side storage bags.

Billingsley says that the best double infant strollers stroller for toddlers is one with multiple customization options. This includes a seat or bassinet that can be removed. Toddlers can be weak in endurance, and strollers that have an attached bassinet will provide a safe place for them to sleep. She says that a double stroller must also have a comfortable recline position and harness system and plenty of storage space for toys and snacks.

The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice for parents because of its light weight and the versatility. It is gate-check-friendly for airlines and fits through the majority of doorways (without removing the wheels on the front) and can be made to a triple or quad stroller by adding an additional tandem. Its nearly-flat, independently reclining seats, extra-long sun canopy and adjustable footrests are additional highlights, while its large underseat storage area and the inclusion of parent and child cup holders complete the impressive set of features. Taylor states that the only disadvantage is that it has a an enormous size when folded and can be difficult for parents to carry.