Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair

A well-designed double pram or pushchair can simplify family life, especially on busy footpaths or in shops and stores. Choose a model with ample storage space to store nappies, snacks and other essentials.

Some parents who are new to the family opt for a future-proof pushchair that can be used as a single stroller when baby is born, and later converted into a twin mode when the baby is old enough. Joolz offers a range of choices.

Tandem

The announcement that you are expecting a baby is one of life's most exciting experiences. After the excitement wears off and the reality of the situation sets in, you'll be faced with many decisions regarding how you can prepare your family. One of the most important aspects to consider is choosing the correct pram or pushchair.

Tandem prams, also known as "in-line" Cosatto Supa Dupa Double Stroller: Lightweight And Compact prams are a classic style with two seats or bassinets placed side by side. The front seat, which is typically cushioned, reclines flat and is suitable for babies. The second seat is upright and designed to accommodate toddlers as young as three years. Some models let you select whether your children stare at each other or outwards. Many tandems can be converted to a single pushchair when your oldest child is no longer in need of the second seat.

In terms of cost it is cheaper than a twin pushchair and can be a great choice for parents who want to save money but not compromising on safety or convenience. However, one disadvantage of a tandem is that it may be a bit heavy and lengthy to steer, particularly when bumping up or down kerbs. Additionally, it is usually less stable than a Hauck Roadster Duo SLX - Twin Chair for Twins - Ultimate Comfort and Convenience pram, especially if the child who is older is seated at the front. A tandem can be difficult to place on public transportation, and it can be difficult to navigate narrow roads.

The iCandy Peach is a popular image-conscious model that's a great choice for a singleton parent looking for a sleeker design however, the tandem mode can make it feel quite large and heavy when pushing. It has a clever frame that can be expanded to allow for the addition of the second seat, and can be used with a variety of combinations of buggy seats, carrycots and car seats (two at once or separately). The iCandy Wave tandem is another lightweight option that's user-friendly and compatible with a variety of car seats or carrycots.

Side by side

When it comes to selecting a double pushchair or pram there's plenty to think about. There are a variety of configuration options to choose from, regardless of whether you're buying for twins or close-in-age siblings. Tandem prams (also known as side by side prams) are popular choices as they can be arranged to accommodate infants with a bassinet on the top, while the larger toddler or infant is in the second seat below.

Some models even feature convertible seats, which means you can modify the seating to meet the needs of your family throughout the toddler and baby years. This lets you keep your little ones in sight at all times and also gives them the chance to get to know each other while they walk.

Tandem prams can be jogging buggies or all-terrain buggies. They are ideal for outdoor excursions, such as to the park. These are also good for narrow aisles or checkouts in supermarkets and shops, as they are smaller.

The Redsbaby JIVE3 Pram, for instance, can be used as a tandem pram right from birth in the dual mode by adding the use of the rumble seat (PS249). If your child gets bored of the rumble seat, you can switch to a single pram mode. You can also opt to use the car capsule adaptors to transform it from a newborn to toddler travel system.

Another alternative is the Side by Side Pram from Babybee. This double pram side-by-side is available in a range of colors and comes with an attractive modern style. Designed to be used right from birth, you can also add the LUNA newborn cocoon (PS262) or the LUNA infant seats (PS53 each) to ensure your children are secure and comfortable.

The Egg 2 is a stylish sleek pushchair that can be converted into a double side-byside. It's available in a variety of carrycots and infant seats to accommodate twins or siblings with different age ranges. It's also easy to collapse. It's also quite light, which makes it a great choice for those with smaller cars or a limited storage space.

Convertible

Some of the top double prams or Pushchairs And Prams are made into various seats to meet your changing needs. You can accommodate up to three children on the seat board, or two toddlers in the seats, while still having room for shopping bags. Accessories such as rain covers are also available. Typically, convertible double strollers are larger and heavier than single pushchairs due to the fact that they must be capable of holding two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow convertible is an example of a very affordable convertible that is simple to use. However, our testers found it to be quite heavy for its price.

Some convertible double strollers like the Baby Jogger City Select 2 have a carrycot that is suitable for infants. This reduces the size of the double stroller when it is not in use and makes it smaller. Our testers were impressed with the City Select's innovative one-handed fold, though it does take some time to master. It's also very responsive and nimble even despite its size.

The Cybex Mockingbird single-to-double stroller is an alternative that is affordable. The seat converts from a parent-facing infant car seat to a forward-facing toddler seat and the bassinet option is a great choice for infants (although keep in mind that infants under four months old shouldn't sleep in strollers because of the danger of asphyxia from position).

For greater flexibility, opt for a convertible that has dual modes such as the iCandy Peach. It's a small double buggy which can accommodate two children side-by-side, but it can also be used as a tandem, with the addition of a second seat kit and rider board. It is responsive and nimble and our test participants loved its sleek design. It's not as light as the other pushchairs in our list however, it comes with an ample shopping basket that is ideal for parents with bags of groceries and toys.

Lightweight

Convertible double strollers are a great alternative for parents who have one child and are expecting another. The iCandy Peach allows you to convert from a single to a double pushchair, with the addition of either an infant seat or the brand's optional carrycot (which is suitable for sleep overs). Our testers noted the comfort of the seats and adore the fact that they can recline in a variety of positions, come with built-in leg and foot support and large UPF 50+ canopy with peekaboo windows. The rear seat can be raised high to allow the child of a higher age can stand on it to reach the shopping basket.

Cher stated that the only disadvantage of the iCandy Peach was its weight. But she felt this was offset by the fact that it's easy to move and comes with plenty of storage space with two cup holders for parents and children, seat-back pockets, and a large basket under the seat. She also liked the feature that the seats are reversible, so they can be positioned to face one another for siblings who want to talk and interact while out and out and about.

The Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller is a smaller model however, it is still awe-inspiring. It weighs just 18 pounds, is compact and features a self standing fold, making it easy to carry around or put in your trunk. Parents appreciate the quality of the materials and workmanship as well as the low price point. The only issue is that the seats don't recline as much as the other models we've tried, and the rear seat doesn't have great visibility due to its positioning as it's higher than the front seat.

Another popular option is the Joolz Geo 3, which is slim, sleek and easy to steer, with an attractive design and a lifetime guarantee. It's important to keep in mind that despite their narrower design, side by side prams are larger than tandems and in-line doubles and can be difficult to navigate on busy footpaths or in stores. However, they're usually shorter too, so can be more maneuverable in tight spaces than tandems.