How to Choose the Best Double Stroller

There are a variety of options when it comes to double strollers. To help you choose the most suitable one for your family, we spoke with the expert in child development and mom Katie Billingsley.

It is recommended to choose a stroller that is simple to fold and push to carry. Look for a model that can fit two infant car seat or a toddler who has a riderboard.

Safety

Find a double-stroller that comes with all-terrain tires and a brake that can be operated by hand if want to keep your kids safe when walking. These brakes and wheels will allow you to navigate trails and sand without children slipping or rolling. The best double strollers also offer plenty of storage space for gear as well as kid-sized necessities like snacks and toys.

Selecting the best double stroller for your family starts with understanding the age and distance in age. A majority of double strollers are designed to allow one child seat, however, those do come with a variety of configurations so you can select the type of seating that best suits your kids and your lifestyle.

Side-by-side by side double stroller doubles are an iconic choice, and they're perfect for children of similar ages that like to play with one another. Some double-decker designs allow you to put one of the seats over the other, or attach a riderboard for older siblings. Newborns can be tucked into an infant bassinet that is attached to the frame or as an individual attachment that offers an unobstructed view of your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a specially designed twin stroller is the way to go.

For families who are more adventurous opt for a double stroller that can handle off-road terrain or even hiking. Many of these strollers have been designed with active parents in mind and come with features that allow you to take your kids to any adventure, no matter how rough the terrain or how high the climbs could be.

In addition to all-terrain tires, the best double strollers have clever features that make traversing difficult terrain and weather more enjoyable. This jogging stoller, for instance, comes with a wrist loop, so you can make sure your child is safe when running at higher speeds or in harsh weather conditions. It also features a canopy that covers the entire area and has airflow to keep your kids comfy in the summer heat.

This model is a lightweight and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs just 23 pounds, which makes it lighter than most single strollers, and ideal to take on air travel or for storing in trunks or overhead compartments. Plus, it has an enormous storage basket as well as a one-step linked parking brake that is simple to use.

Seating

Double strollers are now sleeker and can be set up in a variety of ways to meet the needs of your family. Some double strollers are designed to be used as side-by-side models and others, like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller can be used as a base for car seats, toddlers ' seats and bassinets. They come in various sizes and weight limits to fit children from birth to kindergarten.

A good double stroller will be simple to fold and maneuver and allows you to adjust the height of your handlebar to ensure that you're comfortable on all of your excursions. A great handlebar should be comfortable to grip, and it should invite you to walk with proper posture (ask other parents for advice on this). It should also provide a variety of storage options that accommodate all the necessities you'll require for your children.

If your twins are of a similar age, a tandem stroller may be the best choice for your family. These models come with seats that are side-byside, which means you can interact with them each other and keep an eye on both of them at the same. They also recline independently so that one child can sleep while the other is awake and ready to go.

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

If you are looking for a small double-stroller, then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is a great option. Its shock absorption, streamlined design and capacity for two infant car seats--plus an optional running board for more mobile children--make it an ideal option for urban living.

A wagon-style double stroller such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another alternative. This bare-bones model offers lots of space for seating and storage, plus heavy-duty wheels that manage 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 to a fully flat position, making it difficult for smaller children to be comfortable or reach their snack tray.

Easy of Use

Double strollers are typically an investment that will use for many years. When you are shopping for one, you want to make sure it will be easy to use and clean. The best double strollers have been designed to be user-friendly and have many convenient features.

All strollers we tested can be folded quickly and compactly in one hand. These strollers are lightweight and are ideal for traveling. They can fit in most trunks and can be checked for gate-checking on planes. Most of our testers also discovered that their strollers can be folded down smaller than their single-seat equivalents. Some even came with a carrying strap.

The Valco Snap Duo trend is double stroller with a lot of versatility that will grow with your family. This side-byside stroller is compatible with infant car seats, a bassinet, and other accessories, so you can use it from birth until preschool age. Each seat has a 5-point harness and an enormous canopy that offers plenty of shade from the sun.

Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. This stroller is lightweight and extremely compact, weighing just 22 pounds and 26 inches wide when folded. The front seat reclines to almost an entire flat position, and the back seat has an adjustable recline for each child. There's a large storage bin and an easy, one-step linked parking brake that makes this stroller user-friendly and easy to maneuver.

The only drawbacks of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to this model. Kerry says that the packaging is smart and fun, however it comes in five boxes, which could be a bit cumbersome to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp to be a bit clunky and took her some time before she could get it to work. In the end, though she was very pleased with her stroller and would definitely recommend it.

Storage

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 modify the layout using an automobile seat or bassinet attachment. Some come with rider boards that can be added for older children. But, they're not all created equal -- some are elegant and simple to use, whereas others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold and store.

If you're looking for a light double stroller, look into the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest choice in our tests at around 23 pounds and is also easy to fold, but it still has all of the features parents need for a fun outing with two kids.

The Vista v2 double from UPPAbaby is another model our testers loved. They especially liked its sleek design and user-friendly. It can fit two infant car seats, or a toddler's bassinet as well as a seat without adapters. Its rear seat can be removed to make it into a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage and can be upgraded by adding an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires, as as side storage bags.

Billingsley says that the best double stroller for twins: gray infant and toddler stroller for a toddler is one that has various options for customization, such as a removable seat or bassinet. Toddlers are often limited in their endurance and strollers with an integrated bassinet can offer a safe spot for them to rest. She suggests that a double stroller should also come with a sturdy harness system and recline positions, as well as plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.

The ZOE Twin+ is popular with parents due to its lightweight and flexibility. It's airline gate-check-friendly it can be accessed through all doors (without having to remove the front wheels) and expands into a quad or triple stroller with an added tandem seat. The near-flat, independently reclined seats and the extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are among the other features. A large underseat storage basket and the inclusion of cup holders for the child and parent round out this impressive feature set. The only disadvantage according to Taylor, is that it lacks a a small profile when folded, and could be difficult to carry.