How to Choose the Best Double Stroller

If you're in the market for a double stroller, there are a lot of options. To help you choose the right one for your family, we consulted the expert in child development and mom Katie Billingsley.

You should choose a stroller that is simple to fold, push and carry. Consider a model that is able to accommodate two car seats for infants or a toddler and a rider board.

Safety

If you want to keep your children safe on your walks, look for double strollers that have features like all-terrain tires and a brake operated by hand. These brakes and wheels help you navigate paths and dirt without worrying about your children falling or rolling. The best double strollers also offer plenty of storage space for pushchairsandprams gear and essentials for kids, such as snacks and toys.

The best double stroller for your family begins with understanding how old and distant in age. A majority of double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, the ones that do come with a variety of configurations that let you pick the seating that's best for your family.

Side-by-side doubles are a classic option, and are great for kids of similar ages that like to be social with one another. Double-decker designs permit you to place one seat above the other, or add a riderboard to older siblings. Newborns can be tucked into an infant bassinet that is attached to the frame or in an individual attachment that offers the chance to peek at your baby. If you are expecting twins or have twins then a twin stroller will be the best option.

For families who are more adventurous consider a double stroller that can handle off-road terrain or even hiking. A lot of these strollers have been designed with active parents in mind and come with features that allow you to take your children to any adventure, regardless of how rough the path or how high the climbs might be.

The top double strollers come with clever features that make it easier to navigate through difficult terrain and in bad weather. This jogging stroller, for instance, features wrist loops so that you can ensure your child's safety when going downhill at a higher speed or in harsh weather conditions. It also has a canopy that covers the entire area and has ventilation to ensure your children stay cool during the summer heat.

If you're looking for a light, compact double stroller, look at this model from Joovy. It weighs just over 23 lbs, making it lighter than most single strollers, and ideal for air travel or storage in trunks and overhead compartments. Plus, it has an enormous storage basket as well as an integrated parking brake that's easy to use.

Seating

Contrary to the giant strollers of old, today's double buggy sale strollers are sleek and can accommodate various configurations to fit families. Some are used as traditional side-by-side strollers, while others -- like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller - function as a base for car seats, toddler seats or bassinets snap into. They are available in a variety of widths and weight limits to fit infants and children up to kindergarten.

A quality double stroller should be easy to fold and maneuver and will allow you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure that you're comfortable throughout your outings. A great handlebar should be easy to hold, and it should encourage you to walk with proper posture (ask other parents for tips on this). It should also provide a variety of storage options that will accommodate all the essentials you'll need for your kids.

If your twins are similar age and are in the same age group, a tandem stroller might be the best choice for your family. The seats on these models are positioned side by side, enabling you to be able to interact with both of them and keep an eye on both of them at the same time. They also recline independently, so one child can sleep while the other is ready to go.

The downside of a twin stroller may be that it is larger than a stroller designed for a single person. This makes it difficult to maneuver narrow aisles in store aisles, doors or sidewalks. For some families, however the benefits are well worth the extra effort and size.

If you're looking for an ultra-compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a fantastic choice. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double is a great option for city living thanks to its shock absorption, elegant design, and ability to accommodate two infant car seats. It also has an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.

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 a lot of seating space and storage space, along with heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also features an SPF canopy that is 50+ and a handlebar that can be adjusted. Some parents complain that the seats are a little too low and don't recline to a fully flat position, which makes it difficult for small children to be comfortable or reach their snack tray.

User-Friendliness

A double stroller is usually an investment of a large amount and one you're likely to use for years. If you are in the market for a double stroller, make sure that it is easy to use and clean. Luckily, the most effective double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as possible and include a variety of useful features for parents.

All strollers we tested could be folded easily and compactly with just one hand. They are light and are ideal for traveling. A lot of them can be checked at the gate on planes and fit into most trunks. Many of our test subjects found that their strollers can be folded down much smaller than the single seat equivalents. Some even had a carry strap.

The Valco Snap Duo trend is a double stroller with many options that can grow with your family. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats, bassinets, and other accessories, meaning you can use it from birth to preschool age. Each seat comes with a 5-point harness with a large canopy, as well as ample sun protection.

The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that is highly praised. This stroller is lightweight compact and weighs only 22 lbs when folded. The front seat reclines to almost an entire flat position, and the back seat features an adjustable recline that can be adjusted for each child. There's a huge storage basket and an easy, one-step linked parking brake which makes this stroller simple to move and use.

The only downsides to the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to the model. Kerry says that the packaging is clever and fun, but it comes in five boxes that can be a bit heavy to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp a bit clunky, and it took her some time before she could get it to work. She was satisfied with the stroller in the end and would recommend it.

Stores

Strollers are available in a variety of sizes and designs, including tandems (single-file seating), side-by-side doubles, and many that allow you to customize the configuration using an automobile seat or bassinet attachment. Some come with rider boards that can be added for older children. There are many different types of rider boards. Some are lightweight and easy to use, whereas others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold.

If you're looking for a lightweight double stroller, look into 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 UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is another model that our testers loved, especially for its sleek design and user-friendly. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler's seat and a bassinet, with no adapters needed. The rear seat can be removed to make it a triple or quad stroller. It comes with a large storage basket and can be upgraded to include an organizer for parents, all-terrain wheels, and side storage bags.

Billingsley says the best double stroller for a toddler is one that has different options for customization, including the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. Toddlers are often restricted in their endurance, so strollers that have a bassinet attached will give them a safe space for them to rest. The expert says that a double stroller must also have a good recline position and harness system, as well as ample storage space for toys and snacks.

The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its lightness and versatility. It's airline gate-check-friendly, fits through most doors (without having to remove the front wheels), and can expand into a triple or quad stroller with an added tandem seat. Its nearly-flat, independently reclining seats, sun canopy with extra-long lengths and adjustable footrests are further highlights, while its large underseat storage basket and inclusion of kid and parent cup holders complete the impressive list of features. The only disadvantage, according to Taylor, is that it lacks a an elongated profile when folded and can be difficult to store.