How to Choose the Best Double Stroller

If you're looking for a double stroller there are plenty of options. Katie Billingsley, a child development expert and mother, helped us select the best one for you.

Look for a stroller that's reasonably easy to push, fold and carry. You should consider a stroller that can hold two infant car seat or a toddler who has a riderboard.

Safety

If you want to keep your kids secure on your walks make sure you choose double strollers that have features such as all-terrain tires and a brake operated by hand. These wheels and brakes help you navigate trails and gravel without your children falling or rolling. The best double strollers have plenty of storage space to store gear and kid-sized essentials like snacks and toys.

The first step in choosing the best double stroller is to determine how old your children are and how far apart they are. A majority of double strollers are designed to allow one child seat, but those that do come in different configurations, so you can choose the seat that is most suitable for your children and your lifestyle.

The classic doubles are ideal for children of similar ages who are keen to interact. Double-decker designs permit the user to place one of the seats over the other, or add an additional riderboard for older siblings. Newborns can either be snuggled in a bassinet attached to the frame or in an attachment that allows you to look at your baby. If you are expecting twins or have twins and want to have a twin stroller, it is the best choice.

For families who are more adventurous, look for a double stroller that is able to handle off-road terrain, or even hike. A lot 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 steep the climb might be.

The best double strollers have intelligent features that help you navigate in difficult terrain and bad weather. This jogging stoller for instance, comes with a wrist loop so that you can ensure your child's safety when going downhill at a higher speed or in extreme weather conditions. It also features an all-over canopy that has airflow to keep your kids comfortable during the summer heat.

This model is a lightweight and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs less than 23 pounds., making it ideal for air travel and storage in trunks or overhead compartments. Additionally, it comes with a huge storage basket and a parking brake that is linked in one step that is easy to use.

Seating

Unlike the behemoth strollers of the past these double strollers are sleek and support various configurations to fit families. Some double strollers are designed to be used as side-by-side models while others, such as the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Dual Stroller, can be used as an alternative to car seats, toddlers seats, and bassinets. They are available in a range of sizes and weights to accommodate children from newborns up to kindergarten.

A good double stroller should be simple to fold and maneuver and allows you to adjust your handlebar height to ensure you are comfortable throughout your excursions. A great handlebar is one that is easy to hold and should invite you to walk with proper posture (ask other parents for advice on this). It should also have a variety of storage options that accommodate everything you need for your children.

If your twins are near in age, you may consider a tandem stroller that works best for your family. The seats on these models are placed together, allowing you to engage with both of them and keep an eye on both of them at the same time. They also recline independently, so that one child can lie down while the other is awake and ready to go.

The downside to a twin stroller is that it can be larger than a single-occupant model which makes it difficult to maneuver around the aisles of shops, sidewalks and narrow doorways. But for some families, the advantages are worth the extra size and effort.

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

Another option is a wagon-style double stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This model is bare bones, but it offers plenty of storage and seating space. It also has sturdy wheels that can take on any terrain. It also comes with a canopy with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and cannot recline fully flat, which makes it difficult for little children to reach their snacks or to relax.

Simple to Use

Double strollers are usually a large investment that you will use for many years. When choosing a stroller, you want to ensure that it is easy to use and clean. Luckily, the most effective double strollers are designed to be as user-friendly as is possible and include a variety of convenient features for parents.

For starters, all of the strollers we tested fold up easily and compactly (with just one hand!). They're also lightweight, making them ideal for traveling. A majority of them are gate checked on airplanes and fit in the majority of trunks. Most of our testers also discovered that their strollers could fold down much smaller than the single seat equivalents. Some even had a carry strap.

The Valco Snap Duo trend is double stroller with a lot of versatility that can grow with your family. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats, bassinets, and other accessories, so you can use it from birth until the age of preschool. Each seat comes with five points of harness, a large canopy and ample sun protection.

The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that is highly regarded. It is light and incredibly compact, measuring just 22 pounds and 26 inches wide when folded. The front seat reclines to almost a full flat position and the back seat has an adjustable recline that can be adjusted for each child. There's a huge storage basket and a simple, one-step linked parking brake that makes this stroller extremely user-friendly and easy to maneuver.

The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to this particular 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 somewhat awkward, and it took a while before she could master it. She was satisfied with the stroller, however, and would highly recommend it.

Storage

Strollers come in a variety of sizes and shapes, ranging from tandems with side-by-side doubles to tandem (single-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to personalize your stroller by adding a bassinet or a car seat attachment. Some have rider boards that can be added for older siblings. They're not all created equal. 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 choice in our tests at around 23 pounds and is also easy to fold, but it has all the features parents require to enjoy a great time with two kids.

UPPAbaby's Vista v2 cheap double pushchair is another model that our test subjects loved. They were particularly impressed by its sleek design and user-friendly. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler seat, and a bassinet with no adapters needed. The rear seat can be removed to create triple or quad stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage, and can be upgraded by adding an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires as well as side storage bags.

Billingsley says that the best double stroller to use for a toddler is one that has multiple customization options. This includes a seat or bassinet that can be removed. This is due to toddlers having little endurance, so having a stroller that has the bassinet attachment can give them a safe place to nap. She suggests that a double stroller must also have a comfortable recline position and harness system as well as plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.

The ZOE Twin+ is a popular choice among parents because of its light weight and versatility. It is gate-check-friendly for airlines it can be accessed through all doors (without removing the wheels on the front), and can be converted into a quad or triple stroller by adding an add-on tandem. The near-flat, independently reclining seats and extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are among the other features. A spacious underseat basket and the inclusion of cup holders for both parents and children make up the impressive set of features. The only disadvantage according to Taylor, is that it lacks a a small footprint when folded and can be difficult to store.