You’ve probably come to this post either because your family is growing, or because you’ve got twins on the way. Whichever one it is, a double stroller is probably one of the first big purchases you’ll think about.
Most other purchases just require two of them - two moses baskets, two beds, two car seats. But the stroller is arguably the only thing you’ll need to consider that will have both children in at the same time. You can’t push two strollers at the same time, can you?! Well, you probably could but it would be pretty impractical.
Over the course of this guide, we’re going to look at the makeup of a Double stroller, what you need to look out for when purchasing one, and we’ll list 10 of our favourites.
Table Of Contents
Our top three double strollers
Best double travel system
UPPAbaby Vista V2
Best double lightweight stroller
Kolcraft Cloud Plus Double
Best for different aged children
Bugaboo Donkey 5 Duo
Double stroller features
Just like jogging strollers, travel system strollers and lightweight strollers, Double Strollers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. In fact, there are double versions of all those types of stroller - double running strollers, double travel systems and double lightweight (or umbrella) strollers.
Double strollers are configured in one of two ways. They either have the two children sat side-by-side, or one in front of the other (tandem). Both have positives and negatives.
The wider nature of a side-by-side double stroller gives both children a nice view of the world, but also makes it tricky to manage in tight spaces. You probably won’t even be able to get it out of your front door; you’ll likely need to get your kids in and out of the stroller outside the front door, which isn’t fun whether it's cold and wet.
The tandem configuration does help in that sense. They’re longer and thinner, so you’ll be able to get it out of the front door. But they can be tough to make tight turns, and perhaps the biggest downside is that one child will have a lovely view of the back of their sibling’s seat.
Some double strollers are designed for children of the same age (roughly), while others are designed specifically to carry children of different ages. Ie. a newborn in a carrycot and a toddler in a toddler seat.
Obviously we’re talking double strollers here, so you already know these things are going to be bigger, bulkier and heavier than the versions for a single child.
Their weights really do vary depending on which type of double stroller you go for. Double travel systems are generally around 11-16kg (roughly 25-35lbs), with double jogging strollers at the top of that range. Some lightweight or umbrella double strollers can even come in at less than 10kg (20lbs).
It’s also worth measuring your doorway and keeping that figure in mind when you look at double stroller dimensions. Most doorways in the US are 36” wide, meaning most double strollers will fit through with a little room to spare. However, the average doorway in the UK is just 30” which might be an issue for some double strollers.The type of wheels your double stroller has again depends on the type of double stroller it is - double travel systems have similar wheels to single travel systems etc. The biggest difference you might see is on lightweight double strollers. Sometimes brands will opt to put an extra set of wheels in the middle of the two seats at the front and back, meaning they usually have six sets of two wheels.
Given their size and weight, suspension systems are quite common on double strollers, helping to make it easier for you to push around on different surfaces.
Unless you’re getting a double stroller for jogging, you won’t find a deceleration brake in this class. Of course, you’ll find the standard parking brake on any type of stroller.
I’m sounding a little like a broken record here, but you guessed it right… It depends on the type of double stroller. Travel systems and jogging strollers will almost always have a single handlebar. There are still plenty of lightweight or umbrella versions that have single handlebars, but you’re a lot more likely to see them with two, separate handles.
A good double stroller will have adjustable handlebars, especially on tandem configurations. Having one child in front of the other usually reduces the space the frame and the handlebar - so being able to extend the handlebar or adjust the angle is really useful to give yourself a bit more space, especially if you’re a taller gentleman.
The 10 best double strollers
1. UPPAbaby Vista V2
Editor's Review
“This stroller is amazing, worth the money! I knew it would be since my sister owns this. But boy I love it even more using it for my baby. It steers so easily with one hand, and I can even tip it back to climb or descend a curb with one hand. It’s smooth, sturdy, and seems durable. I love that the car seat clicks in as well. Can’t imagine using another stroller.”
The UPPAbaby Vista V2 is a premium choice for growing families, starting off as a single travel system with the ability to convert into a double toddler seat stroller (with an additional Rumble Seat and carrycot sold separately).
UPPAbaby’s innovative chassis design means that it doesn’t actually get any bigger when you add a second seat, saving you space and weight. The chassis is also designed in a way to accept two of the same seat (two carrycots, two car seats, or two toddler seats) and mix-and-match configurations (one carrycot and one toddler seat etc). With the optional PiggyBack board, you can even carry a third, older child.
This flexibility does carry a heavy price, however. The single stroller alone starts from £800 ($1,000), with the second toddler seat adding an extra £175 ($220) and carrycot adding £160 ($200). So if you’re having twins, you’re looking at over £1,100 ($1,300).
- Wheels - Four puncture-proof tyres
- Weight - 12.2kg (27lbs)
- Upright size - 91 x 65 x 100cm (36 x 25.7 x 39.5”)
- Folded size - 43.9 x 65 x 84.5cm (17.3 x 25.7 x 33.3”)
- Suspension - All wheel suspension
Suitable from: Birth to 15kg (3-4 years) per child
Key features
Innovative design allows more children without expanding the frame
Several configurations
Up to three children
Perforated mattress pad
Extendable canopies with UPF 50+ protection
PROS
- Chassis design is amazing
- Super flexible to meet your needs
- Sleek design
- Large sun canopies
- Temperature regulation from perforated carrycot mattress
CONS
- Out of budget for most parents
- Additional seats make it even more costly
2. Graco Ready2Grow LX 2.0
Editor's Review
“Great value for the price. It is well-made and durable, and it comes with a variety of features that make it a great choice for families with two young children.”
An Amazon’s Choice product, the Graco Ready2Grow LX 2.0 is a super affordable and super versatile double stroller for parents of both twins and children of different ages. The five-way configuration allows you to carry 1) two newborns in car seats 2) a car seat and a toddler seat 3) two toddler seats 4) a toddler seat and bench seat, and 5) a toddler seat and standing platform. It certainly has its problems and drawbacks, but it’s an incredible option for most parents on a tight budget.
Suitable from - Birth to 4-5 years (22kg in the front seat, 18kg in the rear seat)
Key features
Folds like a single stroller
Five seating positions
All wheel suspension
PROS
