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 pick the best 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, as well as carry. And consider a model that's versatile enough to accommodate two infant car seats or a toddler and a rider board.

Safety

Look for a double buggy side by side-stroller that has all-terrain wheels and a brake that can be operated by hand if want to keep the kids safe while walking. These brakes and wheels will help you navigate trails and gravel without your children falling or rolling. The best double strollers offer ample storage space to store equipment and essentials for kids like snacks and toys.

The first step in choosing the best double stroller is to know the age of your children and how far apart they are. Most double strollers can only can accommodate one child's seat, however, those are available in various configurations so that you can select the type of seating that best fits your kids and your lifestyle.

The classic doubles are great for children of similar age who like to interact. Certain models feature a double-decker design, allowing you to put one of the seats above the other or add an extra rider board for older siblings. Babies can be placed in a bassinet attached to the frame or as an individual attachment that gives you an unobstructed view of your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a twin stroller is the way to go.

For families who are more adventurous consider double strollers that can handle off-road terrain or even hike. Many of these strollers were designed with active parents in mind and come with features that allow you to take your children to any adventure, no matter how rough the road or how steep the climb might be.

In addition to all-terrain tires the top double strollers feature thoughtful features that make navigating tough terrain and weather easier. For example this jogging stroller comes with a wrist loop for your child so you'll be able to ensure that they're safe while running downhill or at speeds that are higher. It also features an all-over canopy that's ventilated to keep your kids cool in the summer heat.

This model is a compact and compact double stroller from Joovy. It weighs in at just over 23 pounds, which makes it lighter than some single strollers and perfect for air travel or storage in trunks or overhead compartments. It also comes with a huge storage basket as well as an easy-to-use one-step parking brake.

Seating

Double strollers of today are sleeker and can be set up in various ways to suit your family. Some work as traditional side-by-side strollers while others - like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--work as a base to which car seats, toddler seats or bassinets click into. They are available in various sizes and weight limits, allowing children from birth to kindergarten.

A good double stroller should be easy to fold and move, as well as allowing you to adjust the height of your handlebar to ensure that you feel comfortable on all of your excursions. A well-designed handlebar is one that is easy to grip, and it should allow you to walk with proper form (ask other parents for tips on this). It should have a range of storage options to accommodate everything your children will require.

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

The drawback of a twin stroller can be that it is wider than one designed for a single person. This can make it difficult to maneuver narrow aisles in store aisles, doors or even walkways. For certain families, however, the benefits are worth the extra effort and size.

If you are looking for a compact double-stroller then the UPPAbaby V2 pushchair double is a great option. Its shock absorbers, streamlined design, and capacity for two infant car seats - plus an optional running board for mobile older children--make it an ideal choice for city living.

Another option is a wagon-style stroller, like the Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller. This basic model comes with plenty of seating space and storage space, along with heavy-duty wheels that manage any terrain. It also comes with a canopy with a 50+ SPF and a handlebar that can be adjusted. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and do not recline fully flat, which makes it difficult for little children to reach their snack trays or to relax.

Simple to use

Double strollers are usually a large investment that you will use for many years. When you are shopping for one, you want to ensure that it's easy to operate and clean. The best double strollers have been developed to be user-friendly and have numerous features that are convenient.

To start, all the strollers we tested fold easily and compactly (with only one hand!). They are also light and are ideal for traveling. Many of them can be checked at the gate on planes and fit into most trunks. Most of our testers also found that their strollers could 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 can adapt to the needs of your family. This side-by-side stroller can be used with infant car seats and other accessories. It can be used from birth up to the age of preschool. Each seat has five-point harnesses with a large canopy, as well as ample sun protection.

The Joovy Twin Roo is another option that's highly praised. It is light and compact, weighing only 22 pounds when folded. The front seat reclines to almost the full flat position and the back seat comes with an adjustable recline for each child. The stroller is simple to use and maneuver thanks to its large storage basket, easy one-step parking brake and large storage basket.

The only drawbacks to the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to this particular model. Kerry states that the packaging was fun and innovative, but it was also packaged in five boxes, which could be an inconvenience to carry around. She also found that the Genuis magnetic buckle was difficult to master. She was pleased with the stroller in the end and would recommend it.

Stores

Strollers come in all sizes and shapes, ranging from side-by-side doubles to tandem (single double stroller-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to personalize your stroller with a bassinet or car seat attachment. Some come with rider boards that can be added to accommodate older siblings. They're not created equal. Some are light and easy to use while others are heavy, bulky and difficult to fold.

If you're seeking a stroller with a light weight that can fit two children and two children, the Joovy Caboose Graphite is a great choice. It was the lightest stroller we tested in our tests, with a weight of just under 23 lbs. It folds easily and has all the features parents would want to enjoy a day out with two children.

The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is a second model that our testers adored particularly for its sleek design and easy to use. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler seat and a bassinet. There are no adapters required. The rear seat can be removed to make it triple or quad stroller. It comes with a large basket for storage, and it can be upgraded by adding an organizer for parents and all-terrain tires as well with side storage bags.

Billingsley says the ideal double stroller for toddlers is one that offers various options for customization, such as the ability to remove a seat or a bassinet. This is because toddlers typically have limited endurance, and a stroller with an attachment for a bassinet will provide them with a safe space to take a nap. The expert says that a double pram stroller stroller should also have a comfortable harness and recline position and plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.

The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its lightweight double stroller and versatility. It's easy to check at airport gates, fits through most doors (without taking off the front wheels), and can expand into a triple or quad stroller with an added tandem seat. The nearly flat, independently reclined seats as well as the extra-long sun canopies that are adjustable are other highlights. A large underseat basket as well as parent and child cup holders round out the impressive set of features. The one disadvantage, according to Taylor, is that it lacks a an elongated footprint when folded and can be difficult to carry.