How to Choose the Best Double Stroller

There are a lot of options when it comes to double strollers. Katie Billingsley, a child development expert and mother, was able to help us choose the right one for you.

You should choose a stroller that is simple to fold and push to carry. Also, consider a stroller that can accommodate two car seats for infants or a toddler along with an adult rider board.

Safety

If you want to ensure your children are secure on your walks make sure you choose double strollers that have features like all-terrain tires as well as a hand-operated brake. These brakes and wheels will assist you in navigating paths and dirt without worrying about your children falling or rolling. The best double strollers have plenty of storage space for gear and kid-sized necessities like snacks and toys.

Choosing the right double stroller for your family starts with understanding how old and far apart in age your kids are. Many double strollers only can accommodate one child's seat, however, those are available in various configurations so that you can select the seating option that best fits your kids and your lifestyle.

Side-by-side doubles are a classic option, and they're great for children of similar ages who want to be social with one another. Some double-decker designs allow you to place one of the seats over the other, or even attach an additional riderboard for older siblings. Babies can be placed in an infant bassinet that is attached to the frame or in an independent attachment that offers the chance to peek at your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a dedicated twin stroller is the best way to go.

For families who are more adventurous opt for double strollers that can take on off-road terrains or even hike. Many of these strollers were designed with active parents and their children in mind. They come with features that will allow you to take them on any trip, no matter how rough or high the climbs may be.

In addition to all-terrain tires, the best double strollers have clever features that make traversing tough terrain and weather easier. This jogging stoller for instance, comes with a wrist loop so that you can ensure your child's safety while going downhill at a higher speed or in extreme weather conditions. It also features an all-over canopy that has ventilation to ensure your children stay comfortable during the summer heat.

This model is a light and compact double running stroller stroller from Joovy. It weighs just over 23 pounds, which makes it lighter than most single strollers. It's ideal to take on air travel or for storing in trunks and overhead compartments. It also comes with a huge storage basket and a parking brake that is linked in one step that is simple to use.

Seating

Contrary to the giant strollers of old these double strollers are sleek and offer an array of designs to accommodate families. Some double strollers can be used as side-by-side models, while others, like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller, can be used as a base for car seats, toddlers ' seats and bassinets. They are available in a variety of widths and weights that can accommodate children from newborns through kindergarten.

A good double stroller should be easy to fold and move, as well as allowing you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure you are at ease on all your outings. A well-designed handlebar is easy to grip and should encourage you to walk in a logical manner (ask for tips from other parents). It should come with a variety of storage options that can 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. These strollers have seats that are side-byside, so you can interact with them both while keeping an eye on both of them simultaneously. They also recline independently which means that one child can nap and the other is ready to go.

The downside to a twin stroller is that it's larger than a single-occupant model and can make it difficult to maneuver around the aisles of shops, sidewalks and narrow doorways. For certain families, however the benefits are well worth the extra effort and size.

If you're looking for a compact double-stroller, then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is an excellent alternative. Its shock absorption, streamlined design and the capacity to accommodate two infant car seats--plus an optional running board for mobile older children -- make it a great option for city-living.

A wagon-style double stroller, such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another alternative. This model is bare-bones and offers lots of space for seating and storage, plus robust wheels that can handle any terrain. It also comes with a canopy that has 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are a little too low and they don't recline completely to a flat position, making it difficult for children of smaller sizes to be comfortable or reach their snack trays.

Easy of Use

Double strollers are usually a large investment that you will be using for a long time. When choosing a stroller, you want to make sure it will be easy to operate and clean. Luckily, the top double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as they can and come with a wide array of convenient features for parents.

All strollers we tested fold quickly and compactly in one hand. They are also light and are ideal for traveling. They can fit in the majority of trunks and are checked at the gate on planes. Many of our test subjects found that their strollers could be folded down to a smaller size than their single-seat equivalents. Some even had a carry strap.

The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller with lots of options that can adapt to the needs of your family. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats and other accessories. It can be used from birth to the age of preschool. Each seat has five-point harnesses, a large canopy and plenty of sun protection.

Another option that is highly regarded is the Joovy Twin Roo. It is light and incredibly compact, measuring just 22 lbs and 26 inches in width when folded. The front seat reclines almost to a flat stance, and the back seat can be adjusted to suit each child. The stroller is simple to maneuver and use thanks to its large storage basket, simple parking brake that is one step and a large storage basket.

The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to that model. Kerry states that the packaging was enjoyable and innovative, but it came in five boxes that could be trouble to carry around. She also noticed that the Genuis magnetic buckle was a little awkward and took a while to master. She was happy with the stroller at the end and would recommend it.

Stores

Strollers come in a variety of shapes and sizes, from side-by-side doubles to tandem (single-file seating) designs, and many allow you to customize your layout by adding a bassinet or a car seat attachment. Some even have add-on rider boards for older children. They're not created equal. Some are light and easy to use, whereas others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold.

If you're looking for a stroller that is light that can fit two children, the Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great choice. It was the lightest option in our tests at around 23 pounds and is also easy to fold, but it still has all of the features parents need to have a great time out with two kids.

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

Billingsley states that the best double running buggy stroller for toddlers is one with various options for customization. This includes a bassinet or seat that can be removed. Toddlers are often restricted in their endurance, so strollers with a bassinet attached will provide a safe place for them to rest. She says that a double stroller should also have a good recline position and harness system and plenty of storage space for toys and snacks.

The ZOE Twin+ is popular with parents due to its lightweight and flexibility. It's easy to check at airport gates, fits through most doors (without removing the front wheels) and can be expanded into a quad or triple stroller with an add-on tandem seat. Its nearly flat, independently reclined seats, sun canopy with extra-long lengths and adjustable footrests are additional highlights, while its spacious underseat storage basket and inclusion of parent and kid cup holders round out the impressive feature set. The only downside according to Taylor, is that it lacks a the smallest profile when folded, and could be difficult to carry.