Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?

It's easy to move around in a lightweight double pushchair, particularly if you have children with different ages. They are easy to fold, steer and carry up and over stairs.

This City Mini GT2 offers side-by-side seats with plenty of legroom with adjustable reclining, as well as massive UPF 50+ canopy with windows that peek out. It also comes with a smart frame that expands widthways to accommodate a second car seat, and also a compatible car seat(s).

Side-by-Side

The majority of the light double pushchairs we tried were side-by-side models. These are best for children who can stand up without assistance, since they lack compatibility with car seats. That said they do have a few advantages. Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double are both great options that provide recline that can be adjusted in both seats, a wide canopy, and padded five-point harnesses. They are also easy to move around despite their bigger footprint. They are ideal for parents who worry about getting through doors.

The Cybex Duet is a little different due to its clever frame that expands in width to accommodate a second seat, making it slimmer than most other side-by-side pushchairs on the market. It can be pushed through doors that are standard and is easy to maneuver on public transport. It's also a jogger, which is great news if you want to use it with baby carriers or a car seat, and comes in a variety of fun colors.

Another fantastic side-by-side light double is the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double, which allows for even more customization with a modular frame. It has a smart design that allows you to convert it into a single buggy or a double by incorporating 2 carrycots or car seats (it can even take twins). It's a great option for growing families, and the UPPAbaby also makes one of the tiniest and most fashionable umbrella strollers on the market.

Try the egg2 that folds down to the size and weight of a tiny suitcase. It can be used as a single or double by adding 2 baby car seats or carrycots. Our test subjects were awed by how easy it was to maneuver even with a full load of kids.

Side-by-side lightweight double pushchairs aren't foolproof however -when your children are at the same age or at the same stage, they might be fighting over who is allowed to ride in which seat. If they're at different heights, a tandem model could be better for them as it will allow them to look at each other.

Tandem

While side-by-side models may be more appropriate for siblings who are the same age, tandem lightweight double pushchairs have their own charms. Some can fit carseats that are larger, and others come with Reversible seats. Others even have an extra carrycot or a reclined seat that can be flipped in the middle. They tend to be more spacious and easy to move into and out of, although their baskets are typically smaller than those of single buggies. They often have larger canopy as well as peekaboo windows, and even padded leg cushions.

The iCandy Peach is another example of a great value lightweight tandem. The fabric is a bit less expensive than some of our top-rated doubles. However, it looks great and is easy to use. One of the most impressive aspects about it is the one-handed fold - although it requires practice, Kirstie in our Lab said it's "genius". It's not possible to fold it with the carrycot attached, but the mechanism for attaching and taking it off it is easy and quick.

Tandem lightweight double pushchairs will generally make more precise turns than side-by-side models but they can be more difficult to drive over bumps and uneven surfaces. They can also be slightly slower to accelerate and are heavier to move, which could cause stress on your back.

Another option is a convertible double buggy, which is initially an individual and then you add adapters to turn it into a double. It can also include an additional seat, a carrycot or both in the front. Or the children can share a seat. Some also have the option of adding a buggy board, which can aid an older child keep up with younger siblings.

The Uppababy Vista V2 is a good example of a convertible, as it can also convert into a twin pram through the purchase of additional cocoons (PS59 each) that create a lie-flat space for newborns. These can be placed in a row or joined to face each other, and you can use them with the infant car seat that is included with the pushchair (as as long as you choose a compatible one). These buggies with dual-use capabilities are made from high-quality materials that can be used for a long time without showing any wear. This means they have the highest resale value.

Single-to-Double

For families who love the outdoors and are looking to upgrade from a single stroller, this light double buggy turns into a jogger thanks a nifty kit that includes air-filled tyres and all-wheel suspension. It's also a great option for twins, or children of different ages and as triple tandem, it's able to take on rough terrain. It's a great choice for parents who want a sleek design that is as elegant as a single. It comes in different fabric colours.

We were impressed by the way this iCandy model folds up with just one hand, making it really simple to master. And although it's heavier than some of the other pushchairs that are single-to-double in this review, our home tester Karolina said that it still feels very maneuverable - even when she had two toddlers and a carrycot inside.

You can purchase additional items like the Roma Gemini Carrycots (PS100) which are perfect for newborns. Our panel of testers found that the seats to be comfortable for toddlers and had good headrests and lumbar support. There are numerous options for reclining the seats with the front seat adjustable in different positions and the back seat offering a reclining option.

The biggest drawback with this type of buggy is that it is generally wider overall than side-by-side doubles and makes it difficult to get through doorways and can be difficult to maneuver around kerbs. However, the wheels and suspension are generally able to do a good job of coping with paved surfaces and the fact that they're generally significantly lighter than the side-bysides means that you still find plenty of storage space. These strollers aren't easy to maneuver in supermarkets with narrow aisles and they can be difficult to carry loads. Although it's easier to turn the stroller on a narrow, curving path, this can still be a challenge. Some are easier to turn than other models, like the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double or the Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double.

Convertible

The benefit of convertible double pushchairs is that they can adapt to changing family needs. They typically start as single buggies and come with adapters to add a second seat, a carrycot, or (in certain cases) an automobile seat to the frame. Some can even convert back to a single as your child grows older and begins to walk more or prefers to ride on buggy boards.

One of the most lightweight double strollers on our list, this sleek tri-fold model can hold children up to 40 lbs each. It also has an easy-to-use basket between the seats for storage. Home users loved its large canopy with windows that peek out multi-position reclining seats, as well as front and rear suspensions to ensure smoother rides on rough terrain. It also has a handy cup holder for the parent, and an ample accessible, easily accessible basket. They did note that the backs have tiny pockets, which are only sufficient to hold the phone and a set of keys.

This high-end, lightweight side-by-side is available in more than 20 different configurations. It also comes with a second chair and carrycot. It has a high-profile steering handlebar, front and rear suspensions to smooth rough terrain, it folds compactly and can be folded up with straps for easy transport and seven-inch front wheels with swivel locks and 10 inches back wheels with suspensions for more comfortable riding. The only drawback is that you'll have to purchase a separate car seat or baby carrier.

This multi-functional tandem is the top choice of our home testers due to the fact that it is easy to maneuver and has a large shopping basket that can be accessed from both seats when in the parent-facing position. Its surprisingly light weight (about the same as single pushchairs) makes it a breeze to move. Many have praised the clever way it attaches the second seat or riding board to the back. Parents also liked the fact that it could accommodate infant carriers and car seats from multiple brands, including some that aren't typically fit in other double buggies.