How to Choose the Best Double Stroller

There are a variety of options when it comes to double strollers. To help you pick the right one for your family, we spoke with experts in child development as well as mom Katie Billingsley.

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

Safety

Look for a Double Buggy travel system-stroller that includes all-terrain wheels as well as a brake that is operated with a hand if you want to ensure your children are safe while walking. These wheels and brakes will assist you in navigating trails, gravel, and sidewalks without your kids slipping or rolling away. The best double strollers offer plenty of storage space for gear as well as kids-sized items like snacks and toys.

Choosing the right double stroller for your family starts with understanding the age and distance in age your kids are. Many double strollers only allow one child seat, but the ones are available in various configurations so that you can select the seating option that best fits your kids and your lifestyle.

Side-by-side doubles are an iconic option, and they're great for children of similar ages who want to be social with one another. Some double-decker designs allow you to put one seat above the other, or even attach a riderboard for older siblings. Newborns can either be snuggled in a bassinet attached to the frame or in an attachment that allows you to peek-a-boo at your baby. If you have twins or are expecting twins, a twin stroller is the best way to go.

For families that are more adventurous opt for double buggy strollers that can take on off-road terrains or even hike. A lot of these strollers are designed with active parents in mind, and come with features that let you take your kids to any adventure, regardless of how rough the road or how steep the climb may be.

The top double strollers are equipped with intelligent features that help you navigate through difficult terrain and in bad weather. This jogging stroller, for instance, comes with a wrist loop so that you can ensure your child's safety while running at higher speeds or in adverse weather conditions. It also has a full-coverage canopy that is ventilated to keep your children cool during the summer heat.

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

Seating

Contrary to the giant strollers of the past, today's double strollers are sleek and can accommodate various configurations that can be adapted to families. Some work as traditional side-by-side strollers, while others -- like the Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double Stroller--function as a base to which car seats, toddler seats or bassinets snap into. They are available in a variety of sizes and weights to accommodate children from newborns to kindergarten.

A quality double stroller should be simple to fold and maneuver, as well as allowing you to adjust the height of your handlebar to ensure that you're at ease on all your outings. A good handlebar is comfortable to grip and should encourage you to walk in a logical manner (ask for tips from other parents). It should offer a variety of storage options to accommodate everything your children need.

If your twins are similar in age, you could find a tandem stroller works best for your family. The seats on these models are positioned side by side, enabling you to interact with them both and keep an eye on both of them at the same time. They can also recline separately so that one child can sleep while the other is awake and ready to go.

The downside to 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. However, for certain families, the benefits are worth the extra space and effort.

If you're looking for a compact double-stroller then the UPPAbaby V2 Double is a great alternative. The UPPAbaby Vista Double is a great option for urban living due to its shock absorption, sleek design, and capacity to accommodate two infant car seats. It also comes with an optional running board that can be used by older children who are mobile.

A wagon-style double stroller, such as the Delta Children LX Stroller Side-by-Side is another option. This model is bare bones however it has plenty of space for storage and seating. It also comes with heavy-duty wheels to handle any terrain. It also has a canopy with 50+ SPF and adjustable handlebars. Some parents complain that the seats are too low and do not recline completely flat, making it hard for small children to reach their food trays or get comfortable.

Easy of Use

A double stroller is often an investment that you hope to use for years. If you are in the market for a double stroller, make sure it's easy to use and clean. The top double strollers have been developed to be easy-to-use and come with numerous features that are convenient.

All strollers we tested can be folded easily and compactly with just one hand. These strollers are lightweight and ideal for traveling. Many of them can be checked at the gate on planes and fit in most trunks. Our testers discovered that their strollers could fold down much smaller than single-seat versions. Some even had a carrying strap.

The Valco Snap Duo trend is double stroller with many options that can grow with your family. This side-by-side stroller works with infant car seats, a bassinet and other accessories, which means you can use it from birth until preschool age. Each seat comes with a 5-point harness and a large canopy that provides ample shade from the sun.

Another popular option is the Joovy Twin Roo. The stroller is light and extremely compact double buggy, weighing just 22 pounds and 26 inches wide when folded. The front seat reclines almost to a flat position, and the back seat can be adjusted to suit each child. There's a large storage basket and an easy, one-step connected parking brake that makes this stroller user-friendly and easy to maneuver.

The only negatives of the Joovy Twin Roo were minor and specific to this particular model. Kerry states that the packaging was enjoyable and innovative, but it came in five boxes, which can be an inconvenience to carry around. She also found the Genuis magnetic clasp to be somewhat difficult to use and took her a while before she was able to master it. She was satisfied with the stroller at the end and would recommend it.

Storage

Strollers come in all shapes and sizes, from tandems with side-by-side doubles to tandem (single-file seating) styles, and a lot allow you to modify your layout by adding a bassinet or a car seat attachment. Some have even added rider boards designed for older kids. They're not all created equal. Some are lightweight double stroller and easy to use, whereas others are bulky, heavy and difficult to fold.

If you're looking for a lightweight double buggy with car seat stroller, check out the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite. It was the lightest stroller we tested in our tests, with a weight of less than 23 pounds. It folds easily and comes with all the features parents need for a fun day out with two kids.

The UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double is another model that our testers adored especially for its sleek design and ease of use. It can accommodate two infant car seats, a toddler's seat and a bassinet, with no adapters required. The rear seat can be removed to make it a quad or triple stroller. It comes with a huge basket for storage and can be upgraded by adding an organizer for parents as well as all-terrain tires, as well as storage bags for the sides.

Billingsley says that the most suitable double stroller to use for toddlers is one that offers various options for customization. This includes a seat or a bassinet that can be removed. Toddlers are often restricted in their endurance, so strollers that have an integrated bassinet can offer a safe spot for them to rest. She suggests that a double stroller must also have a comfortable harness and recline position as well as plenty of storage space for snacks and toys.

The ZOE Twin+ is popular among parents due to its lightweight and flexibility. It's gate-check-friendly for airlines, fits through most doors (without having to remove the front wheels) and can be expanded into a triple or quad stroller with an added tandem seat. Its near-flat independently reclining seats, sun canopy with extra-long lengths and adjustable footrests are additional highlights, while its spacious underseat storage area and the inclusion of kid and parent cup holders round out the impressive list of features. Taylor says that the only drawback is that it has a large size when folded and it can be difficult for parents to carry.