The Most Sour Advice We've Ever Heard About Double Pushchair
Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
A compact double pushchair is easy to move around, especially if you have children of different age groups. They are generally easy to steer, fold and carry up and down stairs.
This City Mini GT2 offers side-by-side seats with plenty of legroom, adjustable reclining and huge UPF 50+ canopies with peekaboo windows. It also comes with a smart frame that can expand in width to accommodate a second car seat and a compatible car seat(s).
Side-by-Side
The majority of light double pushchairs we tested are side-by-side models and are best suited for kids who can sit up unassisted, as these models aren't equipped with car seat integration. The Thule Urban Glide 2 Double, and Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double, are both excellent options. They offer recline adjustments for both seats, a huge canopy, and padded 5-point safety harnesses. These are also easy to move around, despite their larger footprint. They are great for parents who fret about fitting through doors.
The Cybex Duet is a little different because its clever frame expands widthways to add an additional seat, making it smaller than the majority of other pushchairs that are side-by-side available. This means it fits through standard doors and is easy to move around on public transport. It can also be used as a jogger, which is great news when you're planning to use it in conjunction with baby carriers or a car seat, and comes in a range of fun colors.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 double is another great side-by-side, lightweight double. It provides an even greater degree of customization due to the modular frame. It's a clever design that allows you to convert it into a single stroller or a double by adding two car seats or carrycots (it can even take twins). It's a fantastic and practical choice for families that are growing and the UPPAbaby makes one of the lightest and stylish umbrella strollers available.
If you're looking for a compact lightweight double, try the egg2 that folds down to the size of a tiny suitcase. It can be used either as a single or double by adding two baby car seats or carrycots. Our home testers were amazed by how easy it was to move around, even with a full load of children.
Although they're lightweight, double pushchairs that are side-by-side are not foolproof. If your children are at the same age and stage, they might still fight about who sits in which spot. If they're different heights it could be that a tandem design might be better for them, as it allows them to look at each other.
Tandem
While side-byside models are better suited to siblings of the same age, tandem lightweight double strollers have distinct appeals. They can take a bigger car seat, and some come with convertible seats or an additional carrycot that is located in the middle. They tend to be more spacious and simple to move into and out of the baskets, though they are usually smaller than the ones on single buggies. They also have larger big canopies with windows that peek out and a parent cup holder and cushioned leg cushions for the young children.
The iCandy Peach is another example of a good-value lightweight tandem. Its fabric feels a bit less expensive than our other top-rated doubles, however, it still looks and feels great and is very easy to use. One of the most impressive aspects about it is the one-handed fold - although it does require practice, Kirstie in our Lab declared it to be "genius". The carrycot can't be folded while it is attached. However, the process to attach and remove the carrycot is simple and quick.
Tandem lightweight double pushchairs will typically make tighter turns than side-by-side models, but they can be more challenging to drive over bumps and uneven surfaces. They are also slower to accelerate and more heavy to move. This can put stress on your back.
A convertible double buggy is another option. It's initially a single however, you can add adapters to convert it into a double. They can include a second seat, carrycot, or both in the front. Or the children can sit together. Some also have the option of incorporating buggy boards that could help an older child keep up with younger siblings.
The Uppababy Vista V2 can be converted into a twin-sized pram by purchasing additional cocoons at PS59 each. The cocoons create a flat space for newborns. They can be positioned side by side or attached to one another and you can also use them with the baby car seat that is included with the pushchair (as long as you choose the right one). Because they're made from high-quality materials, these buggies that are dual-use can be used for years without showing much wear, meaning they have an excellent price resales.
Single-to-Double
Ideal for families who love to be outdoors and want to upgrade from a single stroller, this light double buggy transforms into a jogger thanks an impressive kit that comes with air-filled tyres as well as all-wheel suspension. It's also a great option for twins, or children from different age groups and as triple tandem, it can take on rough terrain. It's a great option for parents who want a chic design as elegant as a single. It is available in a variety of colors.
We loved the way this iCandy model folds down with a one-handed mechanism that's extremely easy to master. Although it's heavier than other pushchairs that are single-to-double in this review, home tester Karolina said that it still feels very maneuverable - even when she had two toddlers and a carrycot inside.
The seat can be used as a parent-facing and you can purchase accessories for this stroller like the Roma Gemini carrycots (PS100 each) that are perfect for newborns. Our test panel found the seats were comfortable for toddlers, with good headrests and lumbar support. There are numerous options to recline the seats with the front seat adjustable in different positions and the back seat offering an option to recline.
The biggest drawback of this type of buggy is that it is generally wider overall than side-by-side doubles and makes it difficult to maneuver through doorways, and can be tricky to maneuver around kerbs. The suspension and wheels of these models are generally able to cope with paved surfaces. They're also lighter than many side-bysides, so you can still have plenty of storage. These strollers can be difficult to maneuver in supermarkets with narrow aisles, and they can be difficult to carry a lot. It's a little easier to turn them around even on the smallest of curving paths however, even this can be a challenge. Some are also more easy to turn than others, like the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double, for example.
Convertible
Convertible double pushchairs are ideal because they are able to be adapted to the changing needs of the family. Most of the time, they begin as single buggies and have adapters that allow you to include a second child's seat or carrycot, or (in some instances) the car seat to the frame. Some can be converted to a single when your child's older age begins to walk or wants to ride a buggyboard.
One of the most lightweight double strollers on our list, this sleek tri-fold model can hold children up to 40lbs each. compact double stroller comes with an easy-to-use basket between the seats for storage. Home users loved its large canopy with windows that peek out with multi-position reclining seats as well as front and rear suspensions to ensure smoother rides on rough terrain. It also comes with a handy parent cup holder and an ample, easy-to-access basket. However, they pointed out that the seats' backs have small pockets that aren't big enough to hold much more than a cell phone and keys.
This top-of-the-line, lightweight side-byside can be used in more than 20 different 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 and a rear and front suspension to smooth rough terrain; a self-standing, compact fold that has straps that make it easy to schlep and seven-inch wheel lock that swivels in the front and back wheels that measure 10 inches with suspension to provide a more comfortable ride. The only drawback is that you'll have to buy a separate baby carrier or car seat.
This multi-functional tandem is the top pick of our home testers because it is easy to maneuver and comes with a large basket for shopping that can be accessed from both seats when in the parent-facing positions. Its lightweight weight (about the same as a few single pushchairs) makes it a breeze to move around. Many have praised the clever way it attaches the second seat or riding board in the back. Parents also appreciated the fact that it can accommodate infant carriers and car seats from multiple brands, including some which aren't usually fit in other double buggies.