Buying a Tandem Double Stroller
Many parents who have to carry two kids around town find the tandem double stroller essential. These are sturdy enough to withstand the most difficult surfaces, and comfortable for an infant in a car seat and an active toddler.
Testers like the fact that this stroller folds to a slim, sleek design by using one hand. It offers plenty of storage space for both adults and children.
Adjustable Recline
This stroller is an excellent choice if you want a stroller that grows with your family. It's designed as an individual stroller, but can be outfitted with another seat, a jump seat, or stand-on board for older kids. It is easy to steer and push for taller parents. The rear suspension and air-filled tires make jogging effortless. The canopy is large and feature a well-placed peekaboo window. The seats also recline to a level. However, they need two hands to bring them back up.
Another benefit is that it can be inserted into most doorways--though it may be too long for some trunks, based on your vehicle. This tandem double stroller has one-point fold, unlike most, that require you to lift the canopy or seat to fold. Instead, it uses the strap which is pulled and then lifted. It also stands when folded, which is convenient for transport and storage. However, the buckles are a little difficult to fasten when you have a car seat attached. It's also a bit expensive for a dual stroller.
The Graco DuoGlider is a solid choice for families with a toddler as well as an infant. It comes with a large storage basket, a recline that can be adjusted on both seats (although only the front seat can be reclined around half way) as well as good padding on the harnesses. It's the most comfortable car seat for adults and children alike, even those over 6 feet tall. The only drawback is that its length can make it difficult to maneuver in tight spaces or when you're carrying groceries and kids.
The Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double is the top option among strollers with a budget. It can be used with an infant car seat adapter included or with an additional child seat that is sold separately. Both seats have a deep recline and a footrest that is adjustable. They also come with a UPF 50+ canopy that has large peekaboo window. The front seat can also be flipped to face the rear which allows older children to communicate with each other better. The only drawback is that it's not able to fit two infant car seats simultaneously and therefore won't work for twins or siblings of similar age.
UPF 50+ Canopy
Unless you want your kids to scream and yell the entire time it is essential to have a stroller that has canopy that is large enough to fit both seats. The most effective tandem strollers come with a UPF50+ canopy that extends far enough to offer real shade. They also have windows that peek out from each seat. For easy pushing you'll also need large wheels and a high-quality suspension. After testing 17 tandem strollers over 100 hours at the zoo, and during stroller-enabled classes, running around and going trick-or-treating we discovered that side-by-side models such as the Chicco BravoFor2 or Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller were more efficient in terms of maneuverability compared to inline models. They were more maneuverable and fit through standard doors than most other models.
In addition to convenience, comfort features and ease of use, you'll also want to look into whether the tandem stroller will be suitable for your family's needs. For instance when you often take public transportation or need to be able to carry a large amount of luggage and equipment, look for an option with a large storage basket and an adjustable bumper bar that folds up under the stroller to transport it.
Another consideration is how long you hope to use the stroller for. A good double stroller will last for a lot of families from the time that their child is born through to toddlerhood and beyond. It's worth spending more in the beginning on a stroller you can use for at least several years.
If you're an avid traveler, you might want to look for a model that can fold flat or even with one foot. The best tandem double strollers can fold down in just seconds, which makes them ideal for families who travel.
The style of stroller that you pick can affect your budget and lifestyle when you are considering adding the child. If you're looking for a side-by-side or an inline model, there are plenty of options to suit your needs.
One-Point Fold
Expert stroller reviewers have a key requirement when it comes to purchasing a tandem double stroller: It must be easy to fold and unfold. This is crucial because tandem strollers are typically larger than single strollers, and can feel top-heavy when being pushed. They also have more storage space in your car trunk than a single stroller would.
The top tandem double strollers have one-point folds that are easy to use. A lot of tandem double strollers have an automatic lock that prevents the stroller from folding while it is open or in use. This is a security feature you should think about especially if your child is in the front seat.
If you are planning to utilize a tandem stroller to transport children in car seats, it's best to choose a side-by-side model instead of one that is reversible. Reversible strollers allow you to place your infant in front of your older child in the back. However, it may be difficult to reach your child from the rear as the stroller moves.
Another factor to consider is the width of the tandem stroller. The majority of double strollers are larger than single strollers, and the width can impact whether or not it can pass through the doors of your home. Check your doors' typical width between 30 and 36 inches width prior to purchasing a tandem stroller.
Contours Options Elite V2 is a stroller that can be used with two infant car seats. This double stroller has seven different stadium-style seating configurations which are perfect for twins, and it can also fit most infant car seats. It is packed with a myriad of features including reversible seats, adjustable footrests and a zippered extension on both canopies. It's also affordable and has great reviews from parents. The only downside is that it does not recline at the back, which can be an issue for children who nap. It does come with an ample storage bin as well as a parent tray that's covered and comes with cup holders. This is still a good option for most families.
Easy Assembly
It doesn't matter whether you were surprised to learn that you are expecting twins, or knew you'd have an additional child in the future as you had planned. You must think about how you will take your children from A to B. There are best double buggy of double strollers that are suitable for parents with several children. We tested tandem strollers with either front-facing or side-by-side seats to allow children to be in contact with each other and have fun while cruising. They also support infant car seat and standard child stroller seats. Many are built with high-low seating to give both children a complete view of their surroundings.
Most of our tandem strollers fold easily and are compact enough to fit in the trunk of your car or in your home storage. However, some require you to remove the second seat in order to fold them (this is typical for side-by-side strollers) and this does reduce their overall storage capacity somewhat. This is something to be considered when choosing your ideal model, as well as assessing the dimensions of any doorways that you'll need to get the stroller through.
A majority of our top tandems have an easy-to-fold mechanism that can be operated with one hand with an adjustable recline in both seats as well as a large canopy to shield children from the sun and wind. These tandems also have cup holders for parents, onboard storage for food or gear and brakes that are easy to reach. They also come with a sturdy handlebar and break points that are easy to reach. Many models can be used with piggyback attachments for ride-along boards that allow older children and toddlers to enjoy the ride.
Find used tandem strollers on the internet if you want to save money on your purchase. You can find used double strollers for only a fraction of the cost of new models on online marketplaces like Facebook and Craigslist. Be sure to check the stroller for loose and rusty screws, as well as any recalls. It's worth the effort to find a good bargain on a stroller which will serve your family for years.