How to Pick the Right Double Stroller for Your Family

We tested 69 double strollers—this is what you should know before you buy one

Medically reviewed by Lyndsey Garbi, MDFact checked by Rich Scherr

Whether you're expecting twins or adding a sibling to the family, shopping for a double stroller can be a daunting process. After all, you're dealing with double the seats, double the buckles, and double the options (or so it can seem!).

After testing nearly 70 strollers, we've learned that the best double strollers should be easy to maneuver (despite their larger size), provide safe and comfortable seating for little ones, and fit your lifestyle. "When you purchase a double stroller, look for options that are easy to store, that will fit your needs over the long term, and that will grow with your family," Oregon-based pediatrician Whitney Casares, MD, MPH, FAAP, explains. 

We've spent more than a year testing strollers (including the many different styles of double strollers—single-to-double convertible strollers, travel and umbrella strollers, and double jogging strollers), so we know a thing or two about what sets the best strollers apart. These are the most important things to consider when choosing the right double stroller for your family.

Tandem vs. Side-By-Side

Before you pick a double stroller, you'll want to consider the different styles available. Both tandem and side-by-side styles are designed to accommodate two children. Many are compatible with infant car seats and offer coordinating, removable bassinets (often purchased separately).

Tandem: Also called inline strollers, tandem strollers feature one seat that is positioned in front of the other at a higher angle, like the Graco DuoGlider Double Stroller and the Uppababy Vista V2—both of which we've tested and recommend. These strollers fit through most doorways and accommodate most car seats, but they are longer than an average single or side-by-side stroller and can feel top-heavy when pushing. Accessing the child in front can be more difficult while pushing the stroller, too. On the plus side, many tandem double strollers (especially single-to-double convertible strollers) offer different configurations, some of which allow the seats to face each other.

Side-by-side: As their name implies, side-by-side strollers feature two seats next to each other facing the same direction. Depending on the stroller and your car seat's compatibility or weight limit, some children may not be able to ride safely in these without adapters or other accessories. Side-by-side strollers give you easy access to both riders, making them great for twins or children close in age. These strollers are also wider than their tandem alternatives. Take note of the dimensions, especially if you need to take them through doorways or small and crowded store aisles.

Double Stroller Safety Features

Safety features should be one of your key considerations, especially since a double stroller carries your most precious cargo (times two!). Keep an eye out for the following safety features:

Five-Point Harness: Five-point harnesses help keep a child safely buckled into their seat. The five points refer to five straps that come together at the center buckle: one strap over each arm, one strap over each leg, and a fifth strap that comes up from the center of the seat. A good buckle will securely click together and be easy for the parent or caregiver to attach and detach (though not so easy that the children can unbuckle themselves).

Footrest: The footrest is important for safety and comfort, especially an adjustable one that helps provide a cozy spot for your little ones when their seat is reclined for naps. In a side-by-side double stroller, make sure the footrest extends across both seating areas to prevent a child's foot from becoming trapped between separate footrests.

Brakes: Just like brakes on your car are an essential safety feature, so are the brakes on your stroller (to keep it from rolling away when you're not moving). The brake should be conveniently placed, engage effectively, and disengage easily without being overly sensitive.

Stability: Any stroller should feel stable enough to hold and maneuver your child's weight without issue. And with a double stroller, this is doubly important as you've got two children in tow. When we test double strollers, we look for wide and sturdy bases that don't tip or lean at full weight capacity in both seats. We also expect wheels that can carry the load of the stroller (with children) smoothly and evenly.

Weight Capacity

The weight capacity of a stroller is important no matter what kind of stroller you're buying (especially the minimum weight, since many stroller seats are only safe from 3 months). But for a double stroller, you want to check the capacity of both seats so you know how long you can use it safely as your children grow—especially if the two children are different ages and weights.

Most of the strollers we tested have capacities of 40 to 55 pounds per seat. On the low end of the weight capacity range, the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 maxes out at 33 pounds per seat, which the Uppababy G-Link 2 and Evenflo Gold SensorSafe Pivot Xpand Smart Modular Travel System can accommodate up to 55 pounds per seat.

For tandem strollers, it's not uncommon for the higher seat to have a lower weight limit (since these strollers can feel top-heavy). Many will recommend—if not outright insist—that the heavier child sit in the lower seat.

As long as there aren't rules from the manufacturer around which child should sit in which seat, we recommend rotating who sits where. Otherwise, the seat your heavier child sits in will show signs of wear faster than the seat your lighter child sits in.

Adjustable Recline

This feature is more for the children than the adult or caregiver pushing the stroller. If you want to use this stroller for naps or just generally keep the kids comfortable, an adjustable recline on both seats is a must. Take note of whether the recline operates independently for each seat or you can only recline both seats at the same level at the same time. In our experience, seats that recline independently of one another are the way to go since kids don't usually want the same things at the same time (if only!).

Ease of Folding

Since double strollers are naturally larger than single seat strollers, their folds can get tricky. When we test strollers, we fold and unfold them several times. We do this for a few reasons. First, you want something easy and intuitive to fold. The more complicated or cumbersome the folding (and unfolding), the less usable the stroller is. Second, we know that sometimes it can take a few times to get the hang of how to fold a stroller (we rarely get it right on the very first try!). Some models, however, like the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 (our best overall!) were surprisingly easy to fold—even the very first time!

Dimensions that Make Sense for Your Lifestyle

There's no way to avoid it: Double strollers will take up space. It's just their nature. However, the parents on our team know that the size and shape of a stroller (when folded and unfolded) is a big consideration—especially for those living in small spaces or with compact cars and limited storage.

As a rule of thumb, you should measure the spaces in your home that are most important. Maybe that means a closet or the trunk of your car. But you should also measure the width of the doorways you know you'll be pushing the stroller through before you purchase a stroller. Standard doorway widths in homes are between 30 and 36 inches—and all of double strollers we recommend are less than 36 inches wide, though some are more than 30 inches wide, which is why it's important to check the doorways in your home.

The weight of the stroller should also be a consideration. While double strollers are typically heavier than single strollers, you don't want one that's too heavy to carry from the house to the car (or upstairs).  Our best overall pick, the Baby Jogger City Tour 2 is one of the lightest options (it's 23.21 pounds) and is just over two square feet when folded, making it one of the most portable on our list.

If you have bigger children, know that some side-by-side strollers can have narrower seats. So make sure that you factor seat dimensions into the equation as well. If you intend to use your double stroller into the preschool years, you'll want a seat on the wider side.

Additional, Nice-to-Have Features

Storage: Beyond the key features and considerations mentioned above, we also recommend that you check out the size of the storage compartment, which is typically located beneath the seats, to determine what will and will not fit. Ideally, you'll want enough room for essential items like a diaper bag.

Other Features:

• Sun Canopies

• Peekaboo windows

• Snack Trays

• Cup holders

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best double stroller?

After testing 69 different strollers that can each accommodate two kids, our top recommendation is the Baby Jogger City Tour 2. It's a versatile side-by-side stroller that is safe from birth when you use a compatible car seat. We love it for its many thoughtful and intuitive features: an easy fold, independently adjustable reclines and leg rests, expandable canopies with peekaboo windows, and more. It is one of the lightest double strollers we tested and among the most compact when folding, making it easy to transport and store.

Do I need to buy a stroller the same brand as my car seat?

You don't necessarily need to buy matching strollers and infant car seats. “You can mix brands and create your own bespoke travel system, but you might need a special accessory called a car seat adapter to connect them in some cases,” explains Dr. Casares. Check with the manufacturer's specs to ensure compatibility before your purchase.

Do I need a double stroller?

A single-seat stroller could work just fine for your family's needs. However, when juggling two small children or a toddler and an infant, a double stroller can be very useful. Both of your kids will have a comfy and safe place to sit while you're out—without requiring you to hold their hands or carry them.

Read Next: The Best Double Strollers We Tested Over Bumps, Through Doorways, and Loaded With Kids

Read the original article on Verywell Family.