Side-by-Side Double Strollers

Side-by-side strollers work well for twins

Side-by-side double strollers are self-explanatory; the two seats sit next to each other. This makes the stroller wider, but the length is about the same as a single stroller. Experts say this configuration works well for twins, where you'll have more or less equal weight in each stroller seat.

If you're looking for a budget side-by-side double stroller, you don't have many choices. Graco makes a 24-pound side-by-side stroller called the Graco DuoRider (*Est. $140). The DuoRider does well on Amazon.com, where owners say it's comfortable, sturdy and maneuverable. There are, however, some complaints about the skimpy canopy, which parents say doesn't provide much sun protection. Perhaps because its side-by-side double stroller isn't as popular, Graco now only lists one flavor of the DuoRider on its website, while there are more than a dozen different DuoGlider twin strollers.

Peg-Perego has updated its problematic side-by-side Aria Twin double stroller, which parent and expert reviewers alike criticized for being too lightweight and for suffering from various quality problems. At 21 pounds, the newer Aria Twin 60/40 (*Est. $340) is 4 pounds heavier. It also has asymmetrical seats: One is big enough to accommodate an infant car seat, while the other one is slightly narrower but still wide enough for a toddler to ride comfortably. Despite the relatively high price tag, the Twin 60/40 continues to get a mixed response from parents. As with the previous Aria double stroller, there are some complaints about construction quality and ease of use. Several parents say it is harder to steer, especially once kids are older (and heavier).

The Jeep Wrangler All-Weather Twin Sport (*Est. $100) is little more than an umbrella stroller. But at 23 pounds, it's relatively easy to fold and stow in the trunk for quick trips. The side-by-side Jeep twin stroller has a parent cup holder, and is equipped with three-point harnesses and two removable cargo bags. Parents reviewing this stroller say they were ready to trade in their heavy strollers for the simple, lightweight Jeep after trying it. Parents say a double umbrella stroller is great for quick trips and situations where you wouldn't want to leave your expensive twin stroller all alone in a stroller-parking area. Kolcraft makes this stroller, so you'll sometimes see it as the Kolcraft Twin Umbrella stroller.

The Combi Twin Sport (*Est. $200) is a side-by-side double stroller with seats that can recline enough for newborns. This 22-pound double stroller is a little bit lighter than the Graco DuoRider, but it has similar features. User reviews say the Combi is maneuverable, easy to fold and comfortable for babies. Parents say it also travels well through doors and along narrow aisles. This stroller is the best of the four $200 strollers tested by Cookie magazine in its recent article. Parent testers liked the compact fold and light weight, but they note that it's not great on uneven ground.

If you can spend more, we found the best reviews overall for the Maclaren Twin Techno (*Est. $380). This stroller is a real sleeper hit in reviews. While it doesn't look very fancy, the Twin Techno wins over reviewers with its ease of use and practicality. Says one tester for Cookie magazine: "It's the stroller you realize you want after you've tried the really big, fancy double and realize that it's just not practical."

The Maclaren Twin Techno includes two padded shoulder harnesses, five-position reclining seats, shock-absorbing front wheels and independent canopies. The Maclaren Twin Techno weighs about 27 pounds. Parents like the Twin Techno's ability to fit through a 30-inch doorway, and most say it feels durable and easy to maneuver, even when the two kids differ in weight. Other parents remark that the ride is a little cramped for older toddlers. But altogether, parents say the Twin Techno works well.

If you have deep pockets and want a snazzier looking double stroller, the Bumbleride Indie Twin (*Est. $660) is a standout side-by-side double stroller with more features than the Maclaren and Combi twin strollers. At 29 inches wide, it's narrow enough to fit nicely through doorways and tight spaces, but reviewers say both seats are comfortably roomy. BabyGizmo's Hollie Schultz calls it maneuverable enough to function as an all-terrain stroller, and the lockable swiveling front wheels make it suitable for the occasional jog. It's also packed with comfort features, including adjustable footrests with foot muffs, individual canopies with air-flow vents and storage pockets, and a big storage basket. This stroller is also tested at Cookie magazine, and while the parent-testers say maneuverability is great, the stroller is just huge -- particularly when folded. What's more, it's also heavy (34 pounds). In the end, editors only recommend the Bumbleride stroller for those with deep pockets, a big SUV and a lot of storage space at home.

Among other all-terrain double strollers, the Mountain Buggy Urban Double ( *Est. $750) also has a vocal fan club. The Mountain Buggy double stroller is heavy (35 pounds), and editors at Baby-Gaga.com say that heavier kids or kids with wide shoulders might feel squished. But it does fit through doorways, and parents say it maneuvers exceptionally well. Mountain Buggy declared bankruptcy in early 2009 and was bought by fellow New Zealand stroller maker phil&teds, which says it plans to continue the Mountain Buggy brand but move manufacturing to a Chinese facility.

For a lot less money, the Baby Jogger City Mini Double (*Est. $400) gets some good reviews, notably in the recent roundup in Cookie magazine. Like the Bumbleride Indie Twin and Mountain Buggy Urban Double, the Baby Jogger Mini Double is a twin version of a three-wheeled all-terrain stroller. Unlike the Bumbleride and Mountain Buggy versions, however, the Baby Jogger double stroller weighs 26 pounds -- a lot less than other strollers, regardless of style. The Baby Jogger costs less too, but it's also pretty basic. It doesn't come with a parent console, cup holders, rain cover or car-seat adapter, though you can add those accessories at additional cost. Be aware that this stroller has a recall associated with it. In August 2009, 41,000 single and double strollers were recalled for a faulty buckle. Parents can call Baby Jogger at (877) 506-2213 to order replacement buckles, and see the Consumer Product Safety Commission website recall page for details on which models are affected.

Manufacturers are now also making double jogging strollers. These double strollers have three wheels, and while some are appropriate for vigorous running, others just look sporty. The BOB Sport Utility Duallie (*Est. $430) gets high marks for durability and maneuverability on bumpy terrain. Parents say the fixed wheel is a mixed blessing: good on rough terrain but less agile on turns. The Sport Utility has 16-inch rear wheels and fits two children weighing up to 50 pounds each. More info on double all-terrain and jogging strollers can be found in our report on jogging strollers.

Triple baby strollers

Several of the above models come in a triple version. The Peg-Perego Duette is also sold with an extra seat as the Peg-Perego Triplette (*Est. $1,200). If that's more than you want to spend on a stroller, Baby Trend makes a triple stroller comparable to Graco's double strollers, called the Baby Trend Triple Stroller (*Est. $250). Inglesina makes the Domino Trio (*Est. $1,000). This luxury triple has reversible seats, so babies can face the front or face the parent.

Alternatively, the Triple Decker Triplet Stroller (*Est. $390) is a triple car seat carrier with an unusual stacked seating design that gives all three children an unobstructed view. As each little one outgrows his or her infant car seat, parents have the option of attaching individual toddler seats (*Est. $85 each). The Triple Decker has a maximum capacity of 100 pounds with the car seats and 135 pounds with the toddler seats.

The Runabout Triple Stroller (*Est. $800) has a similar design; each spot can accommodate either a Graco infant car or the included toddler seat. The Runabout isn't widely distributed, but it gets rave reviews from parents of multiples who praise its durability and maneuverability. The Runabout is also available in double (*Est. $600), quad (*Est. $1,000), quint (*Est. $1,200) and six-seat (*Est. $1,500) versions. Be aware that Valco also makes a stroller called the Runabout, which shouldn't be confused with Runabout the brand.

All the above are tandem-style strollers. As you can imagine, most side-by-side strollers are impossibly wide when outfitted with three seats. However, some jogging strollers come with three seats, such as the Mountain Buggy Urban Triple (*Est. $1,100).