Double strollers are an excellent choice for parents of twins, but they are also quite beneficial for simultaneously transporting a baby and an older toddler. Many have more significant storage space than typical strollers and may be changed from a single to a double when necessary.
Consider the many types, such as inline/tandem or side-by-side, as well as your family’s activity, safety systems, ease of movement, design, and value for the price when buying a double stroller. We studied those elements in the lab, as well as the sun shields, harnesses, reclining choices, storage capacity, ease of packing, size, food trays, footboard, brakes, and handlebars of each stroller.
Look for When Purchasing a Double Stroller
Style
Before you choose a double stroller, think about the many models available. So which is best for you depends on your family’s needs.
Inline strollers, which have one seat in front of the other at a higher angle, such as the Baby Trend Sit and Stand Double Stroller, fit through most doors and can accept most car seats. They are, however, more significant than the ordinary single or side-by-side stroller. It might also be more challenging to reach the youngster in front when moving the stroller.
To avoid a child’s foot being stuck between different footrests in side-by-side strollers (both seats sit adjacent to each other), the footrest should stretch over both sitting regions.
Many children might be unable to travel securely in them without adapters or other modifications, depending on the stroller and your car seat’s compliance or weight restriction. However, side-by-side strollers provide quick access to both riders, which makes them ideal for twins or children of similar ages.
Security Features
When shopping for children, always keep safety in mind. Consider their age, weight, and growth to offer a safe journey for your child. Choose a stroller with recliner chairs to provide a comfortable sleeping area, or insert their infant car seat if they are unable to sit up unaided.
Look for a three- or five-point harness to keep youngsters safe on every ride. Furthermore, you should only allow your child to ride in a stroller if their weight is within the weight limit since this may impair how the stroller operates.
Design and Dimensions
Aside from the appearance of the stroller, there are various design components of double strollers that may make things more pleasant and easy for both children and adults. Consider the size of the stroller, both unfolded and folded, to verify that it will fit through doors or into the trunk of your car.
Check the dimensions of the storage container, which is usually positioned behind the seats, to see what will and will not fit. If objects need to be fixed, try for another location on the stroller to keep them. Other amenities are sun canopies, peekaboo windows, food trays, and reclining seats. Furthermore, choose a double stroller that is easy to handle to avoid accidents.
The stroller’s size is vital to consider because not all double strollers can fit through entrances or into the trunk of a car. When double strollers create tension over single strollers, you do not want one too hefty to get from the apartment to the car (or upstairs).
Lifestyle
Determine where and how you will be using the stroller the most. When purchasing a double stroller, search for solutions that are simple to store and will meet your needs in the long run and will develop with your family.
If your family travels frequently, you’ll want a small stroller that doesn’t skimp on amenities like storage capacity and cup holders. Some double strollers, such as the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 Double Stroller, even have a seat for a third kid, making them ideal for more prominent families. Others may decide that the two chairs are adequate.
Convertibility
If you don’t have twins, there will come a day when you will only be required to push one child around. Convertible strollers allow you to remove or add seats as needed, allowing your double stroller to change into a single suddenly. Convertible strollers are ideal for an expanding family but are more expensive than other types and are less useful for twins.
Before choosing which type to buy, think about the function of your double stroller. Are you searching for something your older child can climb on when they become fatigued or are you planning a vacation to Disney? If your stroller does not suit your lifestyle, even the most excellent model may not be what you need.
Your children’s ages
For your children’s safety, be sure they fall within the appropriate age, weight, and height ranges. Different types are ideal for different ages, whether you have many young children, a toddler and an infant or if you anticipate having more in the future.
Which is the best double stroller?
It is dependent on your situation. Do you, for example, have a baby and a toddler? You may have twins who regularly tug on each other’s hair and need a stroller with greater separation to keep them from doing so. Before you go shopping, familiarize yourself with the following varieties of double strollers:
Side-by-side stroller: This is the most common type of double stroller. As the name implies, the stroller seats are lined up next to one other. It is a terrific alternative if you must keep a close eye on both children simultaneously, especially if they are young. Consider that side-by-side strollers are more extensive and generally more challenging to maneuver in tight locations such as doors and hallways.
Tandem stroller: In this stroller, babies and toddlers frequently face forward, one in the back of the other. These strollers often fold more cohesively and have superior mobility, making them more suitable for travel. It’s also a good choice for youngsters who steal each other’s meals or disagree.
Sit-and-stand stroller: This type of stroller is ideal for families with a baby and an older kid. It usually has a platform or seating in the back for an older child to travel in. These double strollers are ideal for large kids who can quickly jump on and off the backseat.
Wagon strollers are excellent alternatives to double strollers since they include a push and pull function that other strollers do not. For convenience, waggon strollers still have storage compartments, harnesses, and food trays.
Conclusion
Anticipate paying a bit extra for double strollers, two single strollers together, or occasionally convert from a solo to a double stroller. A more upscale model, such as the Peg Perego Duette Piroet Double Stroller, costs $800, while those double strollers, like the Graco DuoGlider, cost $190 or less. Additionally, some convertible strollers require an additional purchase for the parts needed to transform into a double or a triple stroller.