5 Laws That Can Help The Double Pushchair Industry
Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
A light double pushchair makes it easy to move around, especially when you have children of various ages. They are easy to fold, steer and transport up and down stairs.
This City Mini GT2 features side-by-side seating with plenty of legroom. It also has adjustable reclining, UPF 50+ canopies and peekaboo windows. It also comes with a frame that expands in width to accommodate the second car seat or another passenger.
Side-by-Side
The majority of the light double pushchairs that we tested were side-by-side models. These are the best for children who can sit without assistance, as they lack car seat compatibility. That said they do have a few advantages. Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double are both excellent options that offer adjustable recline in both seats, a wide canopy, and padded five-point harnesses. They are also easy to move around despite their larger footprint. They are perfect for parents who fret about fitting through doors.
The Cybex Duet pushchair is unique because it has a clever frame that can be expanded to add another child seat. This makes it lighter than other pushchairs with side-by-side seating. It can be pushed through standard doors and is easy to maneuver on public transport. It can also be used as a jogger which is great if you plan to use it with an infant car seat or a baby carrier.
Another great side-by-side by side double stroller, lightweight double is the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double, which offers even more flexibility and customization thanks to its modular frame. It has a smart design that allows you to convert it into a single stroller or a double by incorporating two car seats or carrycots (it can even accommodate twins). It's a great option for growing families and the UPPAbaby is among the lightest and stylish umbrella strollers on the market.
Try the egg2 which folds down to the size and weight of a tiny suitcase. It can be used as a double or a single by adding 2 baby car seats or carrycots. Our home testers were amazed by how easy it was to move, even with a full load of kids.
Double pushchairs with side-by-side seating aren't foolproof however -when your children are at the same age or at the same stage, they might still argue over who is allowed to ride in which seat. And if they're taller than each other it could be that a tandem design might be better for them as it allows them to look at each other.
Tandem
While side-by-side models are best for children with similar age group, tandem light double strollers come with their own appeal. Some can fit a larger car seat and others have reversible seats. Others have an additional carrycot or convertible seat in the middle. They are generally more spacious and simple to access and exit from, although their baskets are typically smaller than those on single buggies. Many have larger canopies as well as peekaboo windows, and even padding for the leg cushions.
The iCandy Peach tandem is another great example of a lightweight tandem that is a great value. The fabrics are a little less luxurious than some of our top-rated doubles. However, it still looks great and is easy to use. Its one-handed folding is awe-inspiring. Even though it requires some practice, Kirstie from our Lab described it as "genius". It's not possible to fold it without the carrycot attached, but the mechanism for attaching and taking it off it is simple and quick.
Tandem lightweight double pushchairs will generally make more precise turns than side-by-side models, but they can be more difficult to drive on uneven surfaces and curbs. They can also be slower to accelerate and are heavier to move. This puts strain on your back.
Another option is a convertible double buggy which starts off as a single and then you can add adapters that turn it into a double. They can have the option of a second seat, a carrycot or both in the front. The children can share a seat. Some also have the option of adding buggy boards, which could help an older child keep up with younger siblings.
The Uppababy Vista V2 can be transformed into a twin-sized stroller by purchasing additional cocoons at PS59 each. These cocoons create a flat space for newborns. These can be placed in a row or joined to one another and you can use them with the infant car seat that comes with the pushchair (as long as you choose a compatible one). As they're made with quality materials, these types of buggies with dual-use capabilities can be used for many years without displaying much wear, which means they have a the highest price resales.
Single-to-Double
This compact double buggy is designed for families who love to go on outdoor adventures and want to upgrade from a single-stroller. It can be converted into a jogger using kits that include air-filled tires and all terrain double Buggy-wheel suspension. It also handles rough terrain well and, as a tandem triple is ideal for twins or children of different ages. It's also a great choice for parents looking for a stylish design that's as sleek as a single, and is available in a range of colors for the fabric.
We loved the way that this iCandy model folds into itself with a one-handed mechanism that's extremely simple to master. It's heavier than other single-to-double pushchairs, but home tester Karolina says it's still very capable of maneuvering even with two toddlers inside and carrying a carrycot.
You can purchase additional items like the Roma Gemini Carrycots (PS100) which are great for babies. The seats are comfortable for toddlers, with good headrests and lumbar support. There are numerous options for reclining the seats with the front seat adjustable in various positions and the back seat also having the option of recline.
This type of buggy has the biggest disadvantage of being larger than side-byside doubles. This makes it difficult to maneuver through doorways and it isn't easy to maneuver up and down kerbs. The wheels and suspension of these types of strollers tend to be able to deal with paved surfaces. They're also lighter than most side-by-sides which means you can have plenty of storage. These strollers aren't easy to maneuver through supermarkets with narrow aisles, and they may struggle to carry a large amount. Although it's easier to turn the stroller on a narrow, curving path, it can be a problem. Some are also more easy to turn than others, with the Thule Urban Glide 2 double buggy travel system and Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double, for instance.
Convertible
The best thing about convertible double infant strollers pushchairs is that they can adapt to changing family needs. Often, they start as single buggies and come with adapters that allow you to add a second child's chair or carrycot, or (in certain instances) the car seat to the frame. Some even convert to a single to double buggy buggie when your older child begins to walk or prefers to ride on a buggy board.
This stylish tri-fold double stroller is one of the lightest on our list. It can hold up to 40 pounds per child and comes with an integrated storage basket between the seats. The large canopy with a peekaboo window, multi-position reclining chairs and a front and back suspensions to ensure smoother rides on rough terrain were well-loved by the home testers. It also has a convenient cup holder for the parent and a large, easy-to access basket. However, they noticed that the seats' backs have tiny pockets that are not big enough to accommodate anything more than a smartphone and keys.
This high-end, lightweight side-by-side can be used in more than 20 configurations, and comes with two seats and a carrycot. Its impressive set of features includes an ergonomic handlebar with a high profile for better steering as well as rear and front suspensions to smooth rough terrain; a self-standing, compact fold that has straps for easy schlepping; and seven-inch swing lock front wheels and 10-inch back wheels with suspension to provide a more comfortable ride. The only downside is that you will need to purchase a separate car seat or baby carrier.
This versatile tandem is the most popular of our home testers because it is easy to maneuver and has a large shopping basket that can be accessed from both seats when they are in the parent-facing position. Its extremely light weight (about the same as single pushchairs) makes it easy to move around. Many people praise the clever way it connects the second seat or riding board to the back. Parents also appreciated that it accommodates infant carriers and car seats from a variety of brands. This includes a few that aren't typically compatible with other double buggies.