Buying a Tandem Double Stroller
A tandem double stroller can be lifesaver for parents who need to lug two kids around the city. These are sturdy enough to navigate most surfaces, and comfortable for an infant in a car seat and a curious toddler.
Testers like the fact that this stroller folds to a slim profile using just one hand. It has plenty of storage space for children and adults.
Adjustable Recline
If you're looking for a stroller that will expand with your family This is a great option. It's designed as a single stroller but can be fitted with an additional seat, a jump seat or stand-on board for older kids. It comes with an adjustable handlebar that lets even tall parents will find it easy to push and steer (and its rear suspension and three air-filled tires make jogging easy, too). The separate canopy is large with a good-sized peekaboo window and the seats recline almost flat, but they require two hands to put back up.
Another advantage is that it can fit through most doorways--though it may be too big for some trunks, depending on the vehicle you are using. This double stroller comes with one-point fold, unlike other strollers which require lifting a canopy or seat to fold. Instead, it has a strap that is pulled and then lifted. It can be folded and stored standing up. However, its buckles can be a little difficult to fasten particularly with the car seat attached, and it's also a bit expensive for a double stroller.
The Graco DuoGlider makes a great choice for families who have two children, a toddler and an infant. It has a large storage basket, an adjustable recline on both seats (although only the front seat goes down about halfway) as well as good padding on the harnesses. In our testing it was among the most comfortable for both adults and kids, even those over 6'. The only drawback is that its size can cause it to be difficult to maneuver through tight spaces or when carrying groceries and kids.
The best option among tandem strollers that are budget-friendly The Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double can be used as early as birth with the infant car seat adapter, or with an additional toddler seat which is sold separately. Both seats come with a wide recline as well as a footrest that can be adjusted. They also have a UPF 50+ canopy with a large windows that peek out. The front seat can be turned to face the rear which allows older children to be able to see each other more clearly. It's only downside is that it can't accommodate two infant car seats simultaneously and therefore won't work for twins or siblings of a similar age.
UPF 50+ Canopy
If you don't want your children to be screaming and whining the duration of the day it is best to get a double stroller that has an ample canopy that can fit both seats. The best tandem double strollers come with UPF50+ canopy that reaches far enough to provide real shade. They also have windows that can be opened for peekaboo from each seat. To make it easy to push, you also need large wheels and a sturdy suspension. After spending more than 100 hours evaluating 17 tandem strollers at the zoo during stroller-enabled classes and while running errands and during trick-or-treating, we discovered that side-byside options, such as the Chicco BravoFor2 and Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller, performed better than models that are inline for maneuverability. They were easier to maneuver and fit through doors that are standard as opposed to other models.
You'll need to consider whether the tandem stroller can accommodate your family's lifestyle as well as comfort and convenience features. For example If you regularly use public transportation or be able to carry a large amount of luggage and gear choose a model with a large storage basket and an adjustable bumper bar that folds down under the stroller to transport it.
Another factor to consider is how long you hope to use the stroller for. For the majority of families, a quality double stroller should last from newborn to toddler years and possibly beyond. It's worth spending more in the beginning on a stroller you can use for several years.
Lastly, if you're an avid traveler, you might want to look for a model that can fold flat or on one foot. The best tandem double strollers fold down in seconds, making them ideal for families on the go.
The type of stroller you choose will affect your budget and lifestyle when you are considering adding a child. There are a myriad of options depending on whether you're looking to purchase an inline or side by side stroller. inline stroller.
One-Point Fold
Expert stroller reviewers have one essential requirement to buying a tandem double stroller. It has to be easy to fold and unfold. This is crucial because tandem strollers tend to be larger than single strollers, and can feel heavy when being carried. They also take more space in your trunk than a single stroller.
The top tandem double strollers provide an easy-to-use one-point fold. A lot of them also have an automatic lock, which prevents the stroller from folding when open or in use. This is a safety feature you should think about, especially if your child is in the front seat.
If you're planning to use a tandem stroller to transport your children in a car seat, it's best to opt for a model that's side-by-side instead of one that's reversible. A reversible stroller allows you to seat your infant in the front while putting your older child in the back, but it may be difficult to get the child in the rear seat when the stroller is in motion and might not provide as much sun coverage as a side-by-side model.
Another thing to consider is the size of the tandem stroller. The width of many double strollers is wider than that of single strollers. This will affect whether it can fit through your home's doors. Doors are typically between 30 and 36 inches wide, so make sure to measure these before purchasing a tandem stroller.
Contours Options Elite V2 is a stroller that can be used with two infant car seats. This double stroller comes with seven different stadium-style seating options that are ideal for twins and can also fit the majority of infant car seats. It's loaded with great features such as the ability to reversibly seat with footrests that can be adjusted, as well as zip-up extensions on both canopies. It's also affordable and has received excellent reviews from parents. The only drawback is that it does not recline at the back, which could be problematic for kids who are napping. It does come with large storage bins and an adult tray that's covered and comes with cup holders. This is a good option for families with children.
Easy Assembly
It doesn't matter if you were surprised to learn that you are expecting twins, or if you knew you would have another child in the same way as you planned. It is important to think about how you'll get your children from A to B. There are a variety of double strollers available for parents with more than one child. We tested tandem strollers that have seats facing each other or side-by-side so that children can interact and view each other while they are on the move. They also accommodate infant car seats and standard stroller seats, and a lot are built with high-low seating, which gives both kids a clear view of their surroundings.
Most of our tandem strollers fold up easily and are compact enough to fit in the trunk of your car or in storage at home. Some require you to remove the second seat in order to fold them (this is common for side-byside strollers) and this can reduce their overall storage capacity somewhat. This is something to consider when selecting the best model, and also checking the dimensions of any doorways that you'll need to get the stroller through.
Many of our top tandems come with the ability to fold with one hand and adjustable recline in both seats as well as an enormous canopy to protect children from sun and wind. These tandems also come with cups for parents, onboard storage for food or gear and brakes that are easily accessible. They also have a sturdy handlebar and easily accessible breaks. Many models can be used with piggyback attachments for ride-along boards that allow older children and toddlers to enjoy the ride.
If you're looking for ways to save cash on a new tandem stroller, make sure to check out used options online. There are a myriad of used double strollers on marketplaces such as Facebook and Craigslist that you can purchase for a fraction of the price of the new models. Be sure to check the stroller for rust and loose screws and also any recalls. It's well worth the effort to find a decent deal on a stroller for your family that will last for many years.