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

When you're taking your toddler for a walk or jogging with your twins, having the right double stroller makes it easier for everyone to move around. It's important to find one that's easy to push and fold is a must.

Our Lab experts suggest side-byside models with equal reclining and plenty of storage, plus car seat adapters for infants.

Seating

Seating options are crucial when you are shopping for a double stroller. Depending on your kids' stages of development it is possible to look for a side-by-side option that lets both children sit together or a tandem model that allows one child to stand while the other is seated.

The seating arrangement also affects your comfort as you navigate through busy streets and sidewalks. Find strollers that have reclined chairs, footrests that recline and large canopies to shade the two passengers. Also, don't hang bags on the handlebars as they can change the stroller's weight and cause tipping.

Double strollers of good quality will also have convenient storage compartments for your necessities. Look for compartments under the seats or in the backs of the seats. These are great places to store your snacks, toys and other essentials. Parent consoles and organizer bags connected to the handles are also helpful to keep things within reach when you go for walks or outings.

For those with little ones nearing their age, a stroller that is side-by-side could be the best choice. They're generally more stable than stacking types and offer better visibility for both passengers. Some models can accommodate two infants in a car seats, which allows you to take your sleepy children from the car to the pram set and not wake them.

Sit-and-stand strollers are a great option for parents with older children who don't mind their kids sitting separately and who like some freedom. They can also permit the larger child to go along on the front. This type of double stroller typically isn't newborn-compatible and might require more maintenance as the years pass by, but it can be a great option for active families that need the versatility of an individual stroller that converts into a two-kid model.

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

Canopy

A canopy protects both passengers from direct sun's rays and, in some models, a a visor that shields children's faces. Models with giant shades like the BOB Revolution Flex 3.0 Duallie and the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double earned our highest scores for their canopy options. Both offer ample coverage and cover kids from head to knee, whereas inline options tend to cut corners on shade or provide a single canopy that only covers one seat, which can be problematic for siblings who want different levels of protection.

Many of our top-rated canopys can be fitted onto strollers easily. Check the dimensions of the canopy before purchasing, as some might require additional space to extend completely and not hit the handles.

Some parents prefer a double stroller that comes with a bassinet and car seat adapters as well as other accessories to give them more options down the road. For instance the UPPAbaby Vist v2 Double features an infant seat as well as an additional RumbleSeat, making it an ideal choice for families with twins or young children who may require transporting more than two children at once. This stroller has a unique sit and pram Bag stand configuration for older children who prefer to travel alone.

Other accessories that can help make your stroller more useful include parent consoles and bags for organizing, which can help keep things in reach. They're particularly useful for strollers that aren't frequently used or when you want to store snacks and toys away from prying eyes. Some of these accessories can be secured with straps or snaps, which makes it easy to remove them when you're ready to use the stroller again.

If you're thinking of an investment that will last for a long time, look for a double stroller compatible with infant car seats and will be converted into a toddler stroller complete with a bench seat or glider board. Both the Graco Travel System RoomFor2 and UPPAbaby's Vista Duallie include a bassinet which is compatible with car seats, a toddler's seat, and a RumbleSeat. Both are able to be expanded into a triple stroller with the addition of a running board, which is perfect for families that have an active child who likes to be in motion.

Wheels

The type of wheels a stroller is equipped with can make a difference in how it is to push. In general, bigger wheels are easier to maneuver and can handle a wider range of terrain. The material used to make the wheels can also impact how easy or difficult they are to push. Rubber wheels, for instance are usually more durable and can stand up to rougher surfaces than plastic ones.

Stroller wheels are available in a variety of styles sizes, shapes, and materials to meet a wide range of needs and conditions. For instance, swivel wheel can aid in maneuvering narrow spaces and make tight turns. Fixed-wheels offer more stability and are better for smooth surfaces. If you plan to use your stroller on rough terrain or off-road air-filled tires are more suitable than standard rubber tires. These tires are similar to bicycle tires, and they absorb shocks, resulting in more comfortable riding.

Double strollers that are side-byside are larger than tandem models and can be more difficult to maneuver through narrow doors or congested aisles. They provide your children with the same amount of space to sit and let them stretch their legs. They're usually also easier to steer and maneuver than tandem strollers.

If you are planning to use your stroller as an exercise bike or run it as a double jogger, you need to choose one that has special all-terrain wheels or jogging tires. They are larger, more robust and feature sealed ball bearings that provide smoother rides on uneven surfaces. Some models, like the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller are compatible with car seats that allow you to run with your children safely strapped in their car seats.

Other strollers with jogging/all-terrain capabilities, such as the Valco Baby Tri Mode Duo X allow two children in front but are too heavy to qualify as umbrella doubles. Also, in our testing the restraint buckles on this model were among the most difficult to secure, which could be a problem when you're trying to fit two kids in the stroller at the same time. The stroller is more expensive than the top single to tandem pick, but offers top-quality materials and a reasonable resale price.

Stores

A quality double stroller will have enough storage space for both parents and children. Lack of storage space can make it difficult for parents to go on errands and bring all the equipment they require to enjoy a day out with the family. In our Lab tests, the UPPAbaby double scored very well in this measurement. It comes with a large and easy-to-access storage basket that can hold up 30 lbs.

Strollers with multiple compartments or pockets can help families keep in mind small items like phones, keys and wallets. A parent console or organizer bag that attaches to the stroller's handlebars can be a great way for parents to store their personal belongings when out with their children.

In addition to a spacious basket The UPPAbaby Vista also has two infant car seats (though not both bassinets) It also comes with a telescoping handlebar as well as easy-to-use brakes. It also has one of the largest max allowable seat weight ratings in our collection, and it folds easily into most 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 also has two UV screens that fold up to provide complete sun coverage and its cup and snack tray holders can accommodate a lot of bottles and snacks for kids.

The biggest challenge with any stroller is folding it it back in shape after using. This is especially true when you have a baby or toddler with you. This is why it's crucial to choose a model that is easy to fold and user-friendly fold. Both the UPPAbaby Vista v2 stroller and Evenflo Pivot Xpand have a single-handed, simple-to-use mechanism that lets parents to fold their strollers quickly and efficiently, no matter what configuration they're in.

Although a double stroller might seem like a daunting purchase, parents who intend to utilize the product for several years should keep in mind that they'll typically spend more on this kind of equipment than single strollers. It's also worth looking into whether a stroller can be broken down into parts for easier transport and storage, which is an important aspect to consider if you're limited in your living or vehicle space.