A Double Buggy Is a Must-Have For Families With Two Kids
A double buggy will be essential for families with more than one child. It can help you navigate urban roads and off road trails with ease whilst keeping the kids comfortable and happy.
When you are choosing a double stroller, there are many factors to consider. First, ensure that it can pass through your door and into your car boot when folded.
Lightweight
It's exciting to bring home a second child, but there are many practical considerations. The addition of a second child to the family will require redesigning living spaces, rethinking car seats, and investing in the double buggy.
There are plenty of great alternatives available regardless of whether you're looking for twins or simply want something narrow. Our experts from the lab recommend the iCandy Peach because it comes with a range of accessories that competitors will cost extra for. It also folds very neatly to take up less space in your boot. Testers find it rolls well and is a breeze to manoeuvre. However, it could seem a bit long if you're using it in double mode.
Side-by-side buggies are ideal for keeping children together but they are somewhat larger than one stroller. This can make it difficult to maneuver through kerbs and up and down. Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury, with its 63cm wide, is the tiniest on the market. This allows it to be easily pushed through doors and on public transport. It's compatible with a variety of car seats and can adapt to your growing family It can also be used as a mono or tandem buggy when your children are old enough to be seated side-by-side.
The adjustable height handle is great for steering and the suspension makes light work of slick surfaces. It's a great choice for older kids since the seat is elevated in a stadium style. This gives them a better perspective of the action. It's not as lightweight as other models on this list but it's a great choice.
You'll be pushing your double buggy a lot so it's crucial to look for a model that feels at ease to push. Look for double pram and pushchair with padding and a grip made to fit your height. Also, look for a large basket with many compartments and pockets. If you're not using your buggy, you should consider checking how easily it can be folded and stored.
Easy to Manoeuvre
There are some amazing double buggies on the market that make traveling with two children much easier. The iCandy Orange, for example is a multi-purpose model that can accommodate twins or one baby and a toddler with both seats/carrycots facing either forward or backwards. It can also accommodate a third child using piggyback' boards (sold separately). Its sleek, light frame, swivel wheels, and suspension make it easy to move around town and on rougher terrain.
Other models with side-by-sides, like the Joie Evalite Duo are also incredibly lightweight and have a small footprint so they're easy to fit through doors and on public transport, and often you can store them with seats still attached. They do require more effort to push over kerbs, and can be tricky on uneven surfaces. The UPPAbaby Vista 2 is another great choice as it can accommodate both carrycots and seats in tandem mode but can also be used as a single stroller thanks to its unique frame that expands widthways and a height-adjustable handle which makes it easy to steer with only one hand.
If you are planning to use public transportation frequently, you may want to think about a double buggy that has large wheels. These are better designed for rough or uneven surfaces. Similarly, check the ease with which you can fold and unfold the buggy as well as the width when folded to determine if your boot will be capable of accommodating it. If you reside in a tiny village or town with narrow streets, consider a double buggy that has the child is seated behind the other instead of sitting in front of them, as this will make it easier to navigate narrow spaces.
A lot of storage
Double buggies don't have to be a necessity for every family, but they do make life easier for families with infants and toddlers. Look into the side-byside buggies if you want an easy-to-drive, lightweight model. They come with a large basket under and side and rear pockets to store all the essentials for your baby. You'll also find many models that feature adjustable handles that can be adjusted to fit parents of different heights. They also fold up neatly into a compact shape that is suitable to be used in tight spaces or to stow away in the boot.
All-terrain double strollers are a excellent option for those looking for a more robust model. They are usually twins and are more difficult to maneuver, but they'll often come with a reclining seat designed for newborns and older infants, and are a great option for outdoor enthusiasts as well as active families. Some even permit you to transform the buggy into a Jogger, which makes them perfect for exercise and running.
A lot of the top double buggies can accommodate a variety of combinations of car seats, carrycots and seats. This makes them a great option for families with twins or siblings who are close in age, however, it's important to check the specs of any model you're considering to make sure it's suitable for your needs.
There are two kinds of double buggy which are tandem and twin. In tandem the seat is placed on top of the other. The primary benefit of twin buggy is that your children will be able to interact instead of having to switch places or argue over who gets the best place. However, twin buggy are usually wider and may be difficult to navigate through supermarket entrances and aisles.
Tandem buggies are usually a bit shorter however they're still more than single models. They are also less stable and might require dismantling to fit into your car boot. Reclining the seat independently is nowadays a standard feature on a lot of double buggies. So, ensure that the model will let you adjust each child's seat to the position that they are most comfortable in.
Comfort
Double buggys that are comfortable for both parents and children are the most comfortable. Be sure to look for padding on the straps, how much recline each seat can achieve and if the seats are independently adjustable to allow you to adjust to your child's needs as they grow. Be sure to check the weight limit and whether each has a hood, or sun canopy that protects from wind and rain.
If you're looking for a flexible alternative to a double pushchair then think about a baby carrier. They are great for toddlers that want to walk but need the comfort of a ride. They're also ideal for newborns and babies. Some carriers can be used with a car seat for children to give you even more flexibility.
Many parents consider a side-by-side double buggy the easiest option to navigate, but there are some unique models on the market, like the Mountain Buggy Duet Luxury in herringbone, that is incredibly slim and is the tiniest double buggy with a side-by-side layout available (it's the same size as a single stroller).
The Wave from Mamas & Papas is another smart choice that gives you more configuration options than most other tandem buggies. It's designed as a mono pushchair and then you can add a second seat or carrycot (and sometimes a third one) to the frame using adaptors, giving you the option of a variety of seating options. It is easy to navigate, has a fantastic suspension and Lab experts were impressed by how easy it was fold. It is as simple as pulling up on the two straps (one under each seat) and then you can fold the whole thing in seconds.
The purchase of a double buggy is an investment but you'll be able keep it for a long time and will also get a decent resale value. When comparing prices, remember that it's best to purchase an established brand as this will allow you to get extra accessories and upgrades in the future. For example, some of our top-rated double buggies come with a handy Changing Bag and Carrier included in the price. This is an essential accessory that will save you time, effort and money when you travel with your baby.