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 most suitable one for your family, we talked to the expert in child development and mom Katie Billingsley.

Choose a stroller reasonably easy to push, fold and carry. Consider a model that is able to accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler and a rider board.

Safety

If you want to keep your kids safe on your walks make sure you choose a double stroller that has features such as all-terrain tires and a hand-operated brake. These wheels and brake help you navigate trails or sidewalks without the risk of your children sliding or rolling away. The best double strollers have 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 how old and distant in age your kids are. A majority of double strollers can only accommodate one child seat. However, some do have a variety options that let you select the seating option that's best for your family.

Side-by-side doubles are an iconic option, and they're great for kids of similar ages who like to interact with each other. Double-decker designs permit you to place one seat over the other, or even attach a riderboard for older siblings. Babies can be placed in a bassinet attached to the frame or as a standalone attachment that allows you to have the chance to peek at your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a twin stroller is the way to go.

Find a double-wheeled stroller that can handle off-road terrain as well as hiking. A majority of these strollers were designed with active parents in mind, and have features that let you take your kids to any adventure, no matter how rough the path or how high the climbs might be.

In addition to all-terrain tires the best double strollers have thoughtful features that make navigating difficult terrain and weather a lot easier. This jogging stoller, for instance, comes with wrist loops so that you can make sure your child is safe when running at higher speeds or in extreme weather conditions. It also comes with a full-coverage canopy that is ventilated to keep your kids cool in the summer heat.

This model is a light and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs less than 23 lbs. This makes it perfect for air travel and storage in overhead compartments or trunks. Additionally, it comes with a large storage basket and an integrated parking brake that's easy to use.

Seating

In contrast to the massive strollers of the past these double strollers are sleek and offer a variety of configurations to fit families. Some work as traditional side-by-side strollers, while others -- like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--work as a base for car seats, toddler seats or bassinets snap into. They are available in a variety of widths and weight limits, allowing infants and children up to kindergarten.

A quality double stroller should be simple to fold and maneuver and will allow you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure that you feel comfortable throughout your excursions. A well-designed handlebar is easy to hold and should inspire you to walk in a proper manner (ask for tips from other parents). It should come with a variety of storage options to fit all the essentials your children will need.

If your twins are near in age, you could discover that a tandem stroller is best for your family. These models come with seats that are side-by-side so you can interact with them each other and keep an eye on both of them at the same. They can also recline separately so that one child can lie down while the other is awake and ready to go.

The drawback of a twin stroller could be that it is larger than a model that is designed for a single occupant. This makes it more difficult to navigate narrow aisles in store aisles, doors or the sidewalks. For some families, the benefits are worth the extra effort and size.

If you're looking for an ultra-compact double stroller, the UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great choice. Its shock absorbers, streamlined design and capacity for two infant car seats--plus an optional running board for older children make it a perfect option for city-living.

A wagon-style double stroller, such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another alternative. This basic model comes with a lot of seating space and storage space, along with heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also has a canopy that has 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. However, some parents feel that the seats are a little too low and can't recline to a fully flat position, which makes it difficult for smaller children to sit comfortably or reach their snack tray.

Easy of Use

A double stroller is usually an investment that you hope to use for a long time. When shopping for one, you want to ensure that it's easy to operate and clean. The best double strollers have been designed to be easy-to-use and come with many useful features.

All the strollers we tested fold easily and compactly with just one hand. They are also light and are ideal for traveling. Many of them fit in most trunks and can be checked for gate-checking on planes. Our testers discovered that their strollers could fold down smaller than single-seat versions. Some even had 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 double is compatible with infant car seats, a bassinet and other accessories, which means you can use it from birth until preschool age. Each seat comes with five-point harnesses, a large canopy and ample sun protection.

Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. This stroller is lightweight and incredibly compact, measuring just 22 pounds and 26 inches in width when folded. The front seat reclines to a flat position and the back seat can be adjusted to fit every child. This stroller is easy to use and maneuver thanks to its large storage basket, easy one-step parking brake and large storage basket.

The only drawbacks of the Joovy Twin Roo are minor and specific to this model. Kerry says that the packaging is smart and enjoyable, however, it comes in five boxes that can be a bit heavy to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp to be a bit clunky and took a while before she could master it. In the end, however she was extremely pleased with the stroller and would highly recommend it.

Storage

Strollers are available in a variety of sizes and designs and styles, including tandems (single-file seating) as well as side-by-side doubles and some that let you customize the configuration using a car seat or bassinet attachment. Some come with rider boards which can be added for older siblings. They're not created equal. Some are light and easy to use, whereas others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold.

If you're looking for a light double stroller, take a look at the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest option in our tests at close to 23 lbs and is also easy to fold, but it still has all of the features parents require to have a great time out with two kids.

The Vista v2 double by UPPAbaby is another model our testers loved. They especially liked its sleek design and user-friendly. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler seat and a bassinet. There are no adapters needed. The rear seat can be removed to make it a triple or quad stroller. It comes with a huge basket for storage and can be upgraded with a parent organizer and all-terrain tires, as well as storage bags for the sides.

Billingsley says that the most suitable double stroller for toddlers is one that offers multiple customization options. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. Toddlers are often weak in endurance, and a stroller that has a bassinet attached will give them a safe space for them to nap. A double stroller should come with a sturdy harness system and recline positions, and plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.

The ZOE Twin+ is popular with parents due to its light weight and flexibility. It is gate-check-friendly for airlines and fits through the majority of doorways (without removing the wheels on the front) and can be converted into a quad or triple stroller by adding an add-on tandem. Its nearly-flat, independently reclining seats, sun canopy with extra-long lengths and adjustable footrests are additional highlights, while its spacious underseat storage basket and inclusion of parent and child cup holders complete the impressive list of features. The one drawback according to Taylor the manufacturer, is that it doesn't have the smallest footprint when folded and can be difficult to stow.