How Easy Is It to Push and Fold a Double Stroller?

The right double stroller will allow you to move around, whether you're walking with your toddler or jogging together with your twins. Choosing a double stroller that folds easily and is easy to push is crucial.

Our Lab experts recommend side by side models that feature equal recline, ample storage space and car seat adapters to accommodate infants.

Seating

When looking for a double stroller, the seating options are important. You may want to think about a tandem stroller that allows one child to stand while the other sits or a side by side model that allows your children to sit together.

The seating arrangement can affect your comfort when you are navigating busy sidewalks and streets. Look for a stroller with reclined seats, footrests that recline and ample canopy options that provide shade for both passengers. Avoid hanging bags from the handlebars, as they can alter the stroller's center of gravity, causing it to tip over.

A high-quality double stroller will include useful storage for your necessities and other essentials. Find storage compartments underneath the seats or in the backs of the seats. These are great places to store toys, snacks and other essentials. You can also use organizer bags as well as consoles for parents that attach to the handles of the car to keep essentials in your hand on walks or outings.

For parents with children who are getting older, a side-by-side stroller might be the best choice. They are usually more stable and offer better visibility for both the stroller and the passenger than strollers that stack. Some models also accommodate two car seats for infants that allow you to transfer your sleepy children from the car to the stroller and not wake them up.

Parents with older children who aren't afraid to sit separately or who enjoy a some independence may like the sit-and-stand option that allows an older child to get on the front of the stroller and ride along. This kind of double stroller generally isn't compatible with newborns and may require more maintenance as the years pass by, but it can be a great option for active families that want the versatility of one stroller that can be converted to a two-kid version.

The most effective double strollers are sturdy and easy to maneuver, even on rugged terrain or in tight spaces. They're also lightweight and fold for compact stowing in your garage or trunk making them easy to transport and manage when traveling. They're constructed to last and comply with the safety guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP).

Canopy

A canopy shields both passengers from the sun's rays and, in some models, a the option of a visor to protect children's faces. The top scoring models for canopy options were the BOB Revolution Flex v3.0 Duallie, and the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Dual. Both have huge shades. Both models offer ample coverage and cover children from head to toe, while inline options often lack shade or provide a single canopy that only covers one seat. This can be a problem for siblings that want different levels of protection.

Most of our top-rated canopys can be fitted onto strollers with ease. Be sure to verify the model's dimensions before you buy, as some canopies might require additional space in the basket to allow for full extension, and to prevent hitting the handles when they're folded.

Some parents prefer a double stroller with a bassinet and triple stroller car seat adapters, as well as other add-ons to provide them with more options down the road. For instance the UPPAbaby Vist v2 Double features an infant seat as well as an add-on RumbleSeat, making it a perfect choice for families with twins or children who need to transport more than two kids at once. This stroller can also be used in a unique sit-and-stand configuration for older children who prefer to ride on their own.

Other accessories that can make your stroller more functional include parent consoles and organizer bags, which help keep essentials within reach. They're especially useful for strollers that aren't frequently used or when you want to keep snacks and toys away from prying eyes. Some of these accessories are connected via a strap or snap which makes it easy to take them off when you're ready for the stroller to be used again.

If you are looking for a double stroller that can be transformed into a stroller for triple stroller toddlers, with a glider board or bench seat it is the stroller you should choose. The Graco RoomFor2 Travel System and UPPAbaby Vista v2 Duallie both feature a bassinet that is compatible with car seats with a toddler seat as well as RumbleSeat. Both are able to be expanded into a triple stroller with the addition of a running board which is ideal for families with an active kid who prefers to stay in motion.

Wheels

The type of wheels on a stroller can make an enormous difference in how it is easy or difficult to push. In general, bigger wheels are easier to maneuver and can handle an array of terrain. The material the wheels are made of is a factor in how easy or hard they are to push. Rubber wheels are more durable than plastic ones and are able to withstand rougher surfaces.

Stroller wheels come in various styles, sizes, and materials to fit a variety of needs and environments. Wheels that swivel, for instance can help to maneuver through tight corners and narrow spaces. Fixed-wheels are more stable and suitable for smooth surfaces. If you intend to use your stroller on uneven terrain or off-road air-filled tires are better than standard rubber tires. These tires are similar to bicycle tires, and absorb shocks to provide an easier ride.

Side-by-side double strollers can be bigger than tandem strollers and are difficult to maneuver through narrow doorways or crowded aisles in stores. However, they offer your children equal seating and let them stretch their legs. They are also usually more maneuverable than tandem strollers.

If you are planning to use your stroller for an exercise bike or run it as a double jogger, you need to choose one with all-terrain wheels or jogging tires. These are large, thicker and have sealed ball bearings for a smoother ride over uneven surfaces. Some models, like the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller are compatible with car seats, which let you jog pram with car seat your kids safely to their car seats.

Other strollers that are all-terrain and jogging, such as the Valco Baby Tri Mode Duo X allow a second child in the front, but are too bulky to qualify as umbrella doubles. In our tests, we found that the buckles on this stroller were the most difficult to secure. This could be a problem if you have to squeeze two children on the stroller at the same time. This stroller costs hundreds more than the top single to tandem pick, but offers high-quality materials as well as a good resale price.

Stores

A good double stroller will provide enough storage space for the children as well as the parents. Lack of storage makes it hard for a parent to run errands or bring along all the gear needed to enjoy an outing with two kids. In our Lab tests the UPPAbaby v2 double scored well on this measurement. It comes with a large and easy-to-access storage basket that can hold up 30 lbs.

Strollers with pockets and compartments that are multiple can help families organize small items like wallets, keys, and phones. Additionally, a parent console or organizer bag that is attached to the handlebars can provide a convenient location for dads and moms to keep their personal belongings during outings with the kids.

The UPPAbaby Vista has a large basket and is able to carry two car seats for infants. (Not both bassinets however.) It also has the ability to telescopically adjust its bar and has brakes that are simple to use. It also has the biggest maximum weight rating in our lineup, and it folds to fit most standard door frames.

Our test participants also discovered that the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite wagon features a remarkably adjustable bar, which is perfect for parents with different heights. The wagon comes with two folding UV screens to provide complete sun protection and its cup holders and snack tray can hold different bottles for children and snacks.

A major challenge for anyone using a stroller is how to fold it down and get it back into shape after use, particularly if you're dealing with an infant and a toddler in the stroller. It's the reason it's essential to select a stroller with a smooth and user-friendly fold. Both the UPPAbaby Vista v2 stroller and Evenflo Pivot Xpand have a single-handed, user-friendly mechanism that lets parents to fold their strollers quickly and efficiently, no matter the configuration they're in.

Although a double stroller might appear like a costly investment, parents who plan to utilize the product for several years should remember that they'll usually pay more for this kind of stroller than single strollers. It's also worth checking whether the stroller is able to be disassembled into smaller pieces for easier transport and storage This is a crucial consideration if you have limited space in your home or vehicle.