Double Strollers

Types of double strollers

There are two main types of traditional double strollers, plus some variations and alternatives. Tandem double strollers seat children one behind the other; this kind of double stroller is ideal for a baby and an older sibling, with the baby in the back seat since it reclines fully, and the toddler in front for more leg room and a better view. Of the two types of twin strollers, tandems fold to a more compact size and are slender enough to fit easily through doorways and grocery store aisles. However, testing shows they are hard to maneuver, a complaint also levied by some parents.

Side-by-side double strollers seat children next to each other. For steering purposes, these strollers work best with twins or two kids of roughly equal weight. Of the two types of double strollers, side-by-side models maneuver over curbs more easily. In response to parent feedback, manufacturers are making these narrower to fit better through doorways, but side-by-side twin strollers will always be difficult to maneuver through small, crowded aisles.

Most of the models on the market these days are side-by-side double strollers. Parents appreciate that both kids get the same view in this type of stroller (which means less fighting over the front seat). Side-by-side double strollers are usually a better choice for older children, since the seats don't usually recline fully.

Some alternative double strollers put a new spin on twin-stroller design. The Baby Trend Sit N Stand (*est. $130) and Joovy Caboose (*est. $150) work on the same principle. These strollers have one seat, plus a rear running board where a second child can stand or sit behind the main seat. These are an option if you have an older child (at least 2½ years old and no more than 40 inches tall) and a younger baby. Their more compact size is a plus, but some parents say these only work well if your older child prefers to stand and doesn't nap much.

The Phil & Teds Sport Buggy Double (*est. $400 plus $90 doubles kit) is a three-wheeled all-terrain stroller. An additional seat installs above or below the main seat for the second child, and since the seat can recline fully, it works for an infant. Reviews say the Sport Buggy stroller is great for parents who need a double stroller, but don't want the added width or length of a traditional twin stroller. Drawbacks are that the child on the lower level rides quite close to the ground, and some parents say their baby can too easily reach the back wheels from this position. Still, reviews say this is an innovative solution for growing families that want to avoid the bulk of a traditional double stroller.

Budget double strollers

Reviews say the tandem-style Graco DuoGlider (*est. $150) is a good choice for parents on a budget, although the DuoGlider line is the subject of owner complaints regarding durability. In particular, we found several comments about wheels falling off and about breaking plastic bits. However, parents tend to be happy with Graco's customer service, and some note that replacement wheels work fine. And despite the complaints, many parents rate it highly anyway because of the low price.

The Graco DuoGlider is the best-handling inexpensive tandem stroller according to Baby-Gaga.com, and its elevated back seat (Graco calls this "stadium seating") serves two purposes. The child in the back gets a better view, and parents find it easier to access the storage basket. Parents say the Graco DuoGlider stroller is easier to fold than previous models, with a bigger basket. Both front and back seats have a two-position recline, including a full recline on the back seat for newborns and napping kids. There are also machine-washable seat pads, removable canopies with storage pockets, removable snack trays and convertible 3-point/5-point harnesses. If you need to go with a budget tandem stroller, the 31-pound DuoGlider is your best bet, with lots of padding and features.

If you're looking for a budget side-by-side double stroller, you don't have many choices. Graco makes a cheaper side-by-side stroller called the 24-pound DuoRider (*est. $130) . But while some reviews like the Graco tandem DuoGlider, we didn't find many who like the DuoRider side-by-side twin stroller. Perhaps realizing that their side-by-side isn't as popular, Graco now only lists one flavor of DuoRider on their website, while there are a dozen different DuoGlider twin strollers.

Combi is pretty clearly taking aim at the Graco DuoGlider with its Combi Counterpart 2 (*est. $160) , which weighs about 29 pounds. The two have nearly identical features, with stadium seating. The Combi version distinguishes itself with a set of center swivel wheels. The last version of the Combi Counterpart got some complaints about durability, but we haven't yet seen the newer version evaluated in professional reviews, and parents have yet to contribute many reviews.

The Jeep Wrangler All-Weather Twin Sport Umbrella Stroller (*est. $70) is a little more than just 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 "SUV" stroller for the simple, lightweight Jeep. 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 the stroller "parking area." Kolcraft makes this stroller, so you'll sometimes see it as the Kolcraft Twin Umbrella stroller.

Another budget alternative is a stroller like the Joovy Caboose Stand On Tandem stroller (*est. $150) . The Joovy is essentially a single stroller with a rear bench and handlebars that allow an older child to stand on the stroller behind the main seat. Kids can also sit on a padded seat. According to parents, the Joovy is a good solution if you have an older child (at least 2½ years old and no more than 40 inches tall) and a younger baby. Like the Phil & Teds Sport Buggy, the Joovy is the width of a single stroller, so it's easier to maneuver in and out of doors and aisles. Although parents like this stroller for the most part, some say it works best if your older child prefers standing and isn't much of a napper.

Although the Joovy is compatible with car seats -- which means you can snap a car seat carrier into the main seat -- this makes for a cramped ride for the child sitting or standing in the rear. The same thing happens if the front seat is reclined. There aren't any cup holders (a common complaint) and storage is hard to access when a child is sitting or standing on the back. But many parents say these are small considerations for the convenience of a narrower double stroller. The original Joovy Caboose weighs 26 pounds. New this year is the Joovy Caboose Ultralight (*est. $230) , which costs more but weighs five pounds less (21 pounds). The Joovy Big Caboose Stand On Triple Stroller (*est. $320) has two tandem-style stroller seats plus a rear running board.

High-end double strollers

We found good reviews for Phil & Teds Sport Buggy convertible stroller, but if you want something more traditional with two seats, there are other double strollers worth consideration.

Peg-Perego's lightweight Aria Twin double stroller gets mixed reviews, but its other twin strollers receive better scores. The 35-pound Peg-Perego Duette SW (*est. $800) is more expensive than other double strollers, but it's very flexible, with several seating configurations. The Duette can hold two infant seats and has five-point harnesses and a basket underneath.

The Duette double stroller is pricey, but most reviews say it holds up very well over time and is one of the most durable double strollers on the market. Features include a height-adjustable handlebar, a large basket, a side carry handle, five-point harnesses, all-wheel suspension and several reclining positions. The tandem Duette has all-terrain wheels. The Duette is very flexible, especially if you have twin newborns. The stroller's seats are both fully reclining, and they can both be reversed so babies can face you while riding. The seats can also face each other or be situated back to back. The seats are removable, and you can substitute car-seat carriers for one or both seats. The downside is that this stroller is a pain to fold, since both seats must first be removed. The Duette is an excellent choice if you won't be popping in and out of cars too much, unless you'll be using the car-seat option.

Peg-Perego also makes the less expensive Tender CSR (*est. $570). This 24-pound tandem stroller doesn't have reversible seats, but the rear seat has a full recline. We haven't yet seen many reviews for this double stroller.

Maclaren makes a couple of double strollers. The Maclaren Twin Techno (*est. $380) is a side-by-side double stroller with umbrella-style handles. Included are padded shoulder harnesses, infant head-snugger padding, shock-absorbing wheels and removable bottle holders. It 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. The seats are fully reclining, but since there's a front child tray, some think this stroller seems a little exposed for an infant. Other parents remark that the sun shades are a little skimpy. But altogether, parents say the Twin Techno works well.

The 22-pound Maclaren Twin Triumph (*est. $225) skips the shock absorbing wheels, cup holders and UV sun visor. It does have fully reclining seats, but the Twin Triumph is not as plush as the Twin Techno. Still, parents say it maneuvers well and is lighter in weight than many other side-by-side double strollers.

The Inglesina Twin Swift (*est. $250) is another side-by-side double stroller. This stroller gets great reviews at Baby-Gaga.com and from parents posting comments to Amazon.com. Parents say this stroller is sturdy and durable; at Baby-Gaga, editors say it is elegant in its functionality. Parents praise the secure five-point harnesses and excellent steering. The stroller is 29 inches wide, so it fits through most doors.

The Inglesina Twin Swift has independently reclining seats; both fold nearly flat, but not totally flat. Officially it isn't rated for infants, but many parents say it works fine, and the harness is very secure. The handles are comfortable, even for tall parents; the seat pads are removable, washable and stain resistant. There are two mesh pockets under the seats for storage, but no cup holders. Reviews say the canopies are nice, with peek-a-boo windows, but that they don't collapse. The Inglesina Twin Swift weighs 28 pounds. Some say it's a little heavy, but others say the weight is what makes it sturdy and easy to steer.

The Combi Twin Sport 2 (*est. $200) is a side-by-side double stroller with seats that can recline enough for newborns. This 21-pound stroller is a little bit lighter than the Graco DuoRider, but it has similar features. We did find a handful of owner reviews for the 2007 version, and most parents like the Twin Sport 2 quite a bit, saying it's easy to maneuver. We haven't seen as many high scores yet for the Combi Twin Sport 2 as we did for the Inglesina Twin Swift, however.

Inglesina also makes the Domino Twin (*est. $650) , which is comparable in features to the Peg-Perego Duette SW. The removable and reversible seats on the Domino Twin do the same tricks as the seats on the Peg-Perego Duette, and both seats can fully recline for infants. We have not yet seen this stroller tested or reviewed extensively. Since it costs so much less than the Peg-Perego version, we'd love to see the two compared. Please let us know if you've seen them tested together. There's also a triplet version of this stroller, aptly called the Inglesina Domino Trio (*est. $900) .

The nice-looking Zooper Tango (*est. $400) is a side-by-side double stroller that's a little more plush than the Maclaren and Combi twin strollers. Both seats fully recline for infants, with removable front napper bars, a mesh storage basket and independently adjustable canopies. The 2006 version of the Zooper Tango had one large canopy. One big difference between this stroller and the Maclaren and Inglesina is that the Tango Twin has a single horizontal handlebar, which some say is easier to push than umbrella-style strollers with two handles. The side-by-side fully reclining seats are comfortable, according to parents, and parents report no problems navigating the stroller through doorways. Some parents say the Zooper Tango steers better than most double strollers.

The 35-pound Valco Twin Runabout (*est. $660) is a double all-terrain stroller. We didn't find the best reviews of the single version of this stroller, and we found mixed reviews for the double version as well. Although parents say it handles really well, assembly is a chore, it's a pain to fold and the sun canopies are skimpy. There's not much storage space and no cup holders. Still, the Twin Runabout's fans say it's great for all-terrain walks and hikes.

Among all-terrain double strollers, the Mountain Buggy Urban Double (*est. $670) 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.

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. We've covered the Valco Twin Runabout and Mountain Buggy Urban Double here, but 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. $1,060) . 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. $900) . This luxury triple has reversible seats, so babies can face front or face the parent.

The Peg-Perego Triplette, Inglesina Domino Trio and Baby Trend Triple 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. $970) . Also, Baby Trend makes a triple version of its Snap-N-Go travel system that accommodates infant car seats. See the Alternative Considerations section below for details.

Important features: Double strollers

The following is what experts say about buying a double stroller:

• Look for comfortable handlebars that fit your height. Double strollers are more difficult to push than single strollers, so a comfortable handlebar and handgrip are important. Taller parents will want higher handlebars. The Inglesina Twin Swift scores well in this aspect.

• Be careful when buying a used stroller. Older models may have been recalled, so check with the manufacturer or Consumer Products Safety Commission (www.cpsc.gov). Expensive strollers often have a high resale value, so you can check sites like eBay for deals.

• Look for a five-point harness. A three-point belt (around the waist and between the legs) is less common than a five-point belt (which also goes over the shoulders).

• An upholstered and padded frame offers the best support for the child. Make sure the stroller doesn't tip backwards when light pressure is placed on the handlebars, and check for sturdiness and stability (i.e., a wide wheel base with the seat mounted low and deep within the frame).

• Washable seat padding is best. Better strollers typically have washable upholstery.

• Infants need a fully reclining seat. Infants require reclining seats, since they can't support the weight of their heads and need to be able to lie flat. Reclining seats also allow older children to nap comfortably.

• If you want a side-by-side double stroller, look for a width of less than 30 inches. This will give you a better chance of fitting though doorways and crowded grocery store aisles. Manufacturers are increasingly mindful of this.

• Take a test drive. Double strollers are trickier to push and maneuver than single strollers, especially once you add the weight of two kids. If possible, test drive a few models before making a decision.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of Picks	Model (with Retailer Links)	Details from Amazon.com
3	Graco DuoGlider (*est. $150)	details
3	Phil & Teds Sport Buggy Double (*est. $400 plus $90 doubles kit)	details
3	Inglesina Twin Swift (*est. $250)	details
1 each	Graco DuoRider , Compass S350 Tandem, Joovy Caboose , Jeep Twin All Terrain, Maclaren Twin Techno , BOB Duallie , Baby Jogger City Double , Mountain Buggy Urban Double , Baby Trend Snap-N-Go Double , Baby Trend Sit N Stand , InStep Safari 2 Double

The Graco DuoGlider is mentioned in several reviews as the best budget choice in a tandem stroller, and we've included it in ConsumerSearch Fast Answers. The Phil & Teds Sport Buggy stroller is a single stroller with an added seat for a second child. This setup is better for an older child and a younger sibling than for twins. The Inglesina Twin Swift is recommended as a mid-priced side-by-side umbrella-style stroller. The Joovy Caboose (*est. $160) and similar Baby Trend Sit N Stand (*est. $130) are single strollers with a rear running board for a second standing or sitting child. Although this design doesn't work for everyone, these strollers are a more compact alternative to a bulky double stroller. The Baby Trend version is a little less expensive.

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