The Best Double Strollers for an Infant and Toddler
When searching for an excellent double stroller, there are many things you should take into consideration before making a purchase.
It may seem like a simple decision at first, but there is much more to choosing the best double stroller for two kids than meets the eye.
You may be searching for a double stroller because you’re having twins, or maybe you’re on the hunt for the best double stroller for an infant and toddler because you’re about to have a new baby!
As a mom who had two of our children just 20 months apart, I want to share with you what types of things you need to take into consideration when searching for the best double stroller for your kids.
First, I want to help you decide what features are important to you, and then check out the best double strollers for infants and toddlers!
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using this link. I only recommend products I love or would personally use.
Table of Contents
Types of Double Strollers
Tandem
A tandem stroller is the type of stroller where one child sits in front of the other. Another name for this kind of double stroller is called an inline stroller.
Many people like this kind of stroller because it is the more narrow of the two types of strollers. From my experience and research, this type of stroller can be more difficult to push because you’re “driving” a longer stroller than the side by side, but they are easier to get into narrow doorways.
Side-by-Side
A side-by-side stroller is the type of double stroller that will allow your kids to sit beside each other.
Ultimately, this is the type of stroller we ended up choosing.
Some people think the side-by-side double strollers won’t fit through doorways, but that just isn’t the case- at least not for all side-by-side double strollers.
One thing you can do to put your mind at ease is to read the width measurement BEFORE you purchase the stroller. Oftentimes though, this is something that is discussed on the stroller’s information page because they want the consumer to know that it is a non-issue.
Things to Consider When Shopping for a Double Stroller
What type of double stroller do you need?
Choosing the best type of double stroller for your family is all about preference and what you”ll be using the stroller for most. For us, we wanted something we could use to easily get around with our two small children. I felt more comfortable pushing the side-by-side as opposed to the inline stroller.
Looking at some important features of double strollers will give you a better idea of what you’re looking for.
Storage Basket
You may not think storage is a big deal, but it is!
Do you need space to store a diaper bag, a cooler, coats, your purse, blankets, etc?
If you have nowhere to store these things, you’re going to wish you had thought about it.
Another thing to think about when thinking about storage is accessibility. It’s great if the double stroller you choose has storage, but are you able to easily access the things in your stroller storage? The storage is only good if you can actually use it.
Your Budget
Price was one of the greatest things I took into consideration when we were looking for the best double stroller for our kids.
I knew it was going to be an investment, and it wasn’t going to be cheap, but I also knew I couldn’t spend a months’ worth of our family budget on it either.
Keeping price in mind, I narrowed down my choices before I even started to look at other features. I knew there was a grouping of strollers I had to choose from based upon our budget, and once I had selected the strollers that fit into our budget, I began analyzing the other factors.
Double Stroller Size
One thing you will notice as you begin looking for a double stroller is that some of them can be HUGE!
I looked at a variety of double strollers, and with some of them, I wasn’t even sure I was going to be able to push two kids in, much less wear a third or keep track of other kids if need be.
The size of the stroller is also important because you need to think about where your double stroller will be stored when you aren’t using it.
Do you have room to store something that doesn’t fold down to be compact?
And you can’t forget about the place you’ll store it in the car. If you have a smaller car, you’ll want to make sure you can store it in the trunk, or even with a van or SUV, depending on how many car seats you have, you’ll need to make sure the double stroller has a place it can safely ride.
Some double strollers are so lightweight that you can easily lift them up with one hand – this is very handy for parents who live in buildings without an elevator or need to carry their child when there’s snow outside!
However, if storage space isn’t a concern then some of these models won’t be as easy to transport around because they’re heavier and bulkier (they may not fold down either). It all depends on what your goals are, but just keep in mind: the lighter weight doesn’t always mean more functionality.
Number and Size of Wheels
I didn’t really think that any part of my decision when looking for a double stroller would be based on the wheels, but it was.
When I was looking for the best double stroller for an infant and toddler, I didn’t realize the wheels on them could be so large!
There were some strollers that made me feel like I was pushing a small car because the wheels were so large, especially the ones that had a single wheel in the front. I also realized that I wanted something with the wheels underneath the stroller in the front, rather than sticking out because I didn’t want to be running into things with the giant wheel.
Weight, Age, and Height of Your Children
Every double stroller you look at is going to give specifications for the weight and height of potential riders, and some will even give a recommended age.
It’s super important that you make sure you’re going to be able to use the stroller for a while because as I mentioned before, they aren’t cheap.
Some double strollers will have a weight limit of 50 pounds, while others will allow riders up to 100 pounds.
So, consider the weight of your children now, and how quickly you think they’ll grow in the future. Also, take a look at the height of the canopy. Consider how long your kids will be able to ride in it before their heads will hit the canopy.
How long will you use your double stroller?
The concept of length of use can be looked at in two ways. One is how long you’ll be using it at one time, and the other is how many years you will want to use your double stroller.
If you plan to do short trips using your double stroller, like maybe a half hour or so, then some things that may seem important upfront, may not really be as big of a deal after all.
Whereas if you’re planning to train for a marathon with your kids in tow, then there are certainly some factors that will be more important to you than others.
The other side of time is for how many years you plan to use the double stroller.
One thing you may notice is that some double strollers have an option to add a third seat to either the back or front. If you think you may have a third child and need the extra sear, you should certainly take that into consideration as well.
How often will your double stroller be used?
I’m going to be totally honest here, we have 2 double strollers.
Yep, 2.
What I quickly realized after buying our Britax B-Agile Double Stroller is that it’s big. I love so many things about it, but it wouldn’t really be the ideal stroller for something like the airport. (side note: Our stroller version has a newer version and you can see the Britax B-Lively now!)
So, I found a double stroller that was a small umbrella stroller and it has been great for when we travel. Our most recent trip involved flying, and it was easy to fold down and drop off as we entered the plane.
It’s important that you think about these things. If you are a family that travels often, you’ll want to make sure that the stroller you purchase can fold up easily and isn’t too heavy.
Where will your double stroller be used most often?
The location you plan to use your double stroller most often should also be taken into consideration.
Will you be traveling often, will you run often, or will it be used for leisure trips? Each of these things will play a role in what type of double stroller you want.
A tandem stroller isn’t going to do as well for jogging as a side by side would.
So, before you begin shopping, think about the places you plan to use your double stroller.
Adjustable Handle Bar
There is a pretty significant difference between my husband and me when it comes to our heights.
Why does this matter?
The handlebars on strollers are often immobile which means that for one of us, the stroller isn’t going to be comfortable to push for an extended length of time.
There are a handful of double strollers that do have movable handlebars, and this was one thing that was at the top of our list. If you and your spouse are around the same height, this may not be as big of an issue for you.
Stroller Canopy Size
Some strollers come with one joint canopy for two children, while other double strollers have two single canopies. This is one thing that you may think isn’t important, but what if one child is asleep while at the zoo, and your other kiddo is awake and wants to see animals.
Obviously, you’ll want to keep your sleeping child shaded, but how do you do that when the other one wants to see? For this reason, I wanted to make sure that the double stroller we chose had two shades.
Types of Seats
Most of the double strollers on the market have seats that can recline. This is great if you have a child who is sleeping, and you want to lay them back in a more comfortable position.
You’ll want to take into consideration how many settings there are for recline levels. Is it just upright and laying down, or are there recline levels in between?
Do you want your children facing each other or one behind the other?
If they’re both forward-facing, it’s like having two single strollers beside each other which is great for toddlers but not so much for infants who can’t see what’s going on around them.
One way to solve this problem is by using an infant car seat adapter – if you have space then buying a tandem double stroller isn’t necessary at all! Note that some side-by-side models don’t take up as much room because there are no rear wheels.
Baby joggers go even further by folding down into something very small when not in use.
There are a variety of factors you’ll want to take into consideration before purchasing a double stroller. If you’re like us, you want to make sure you’re getting the best double stroller for infants and toddlers.
I know your needs will be different than ours, so I want to share some of the “best of” strollers to help make your shopping trip a little easier!
The Best Double Strollers
Britax B-Lively Double Stroller
I spent a couple of months doing some research before deciding on the Britax B-Lively Double Stroller. (This is the newer version of the B-Agile double stroller we have!)
Living on a single income, every penny has to count when making large purchases. We knew a double stroller was necessary, but spending what was at the time a $500 stroller, every feature had to be right.
So what’s special about this double stroller?
First and foremost, it’s solid. It is SUPER easy to navigate, oftentimes I am doing it one-handed.
The seats both have an infinite number of recline positions, as well as two LARGE canopies. There are storage pouches on the back for parents, as well as a large storage bin underneath that, and it is accessible from both the back and zippered pouch front.
It folds down easily and can be lifted into even a smaller trunk. Although it is black, it has never once gotten hot in the sun.
Check out all of the great features this double stroller can provide for you!
Summer Infant 3-D Lite Side by Side Double Umbrella Stroller
This double umbrella stroller is small but mighty!
I was given the single Kolcraft stroller as a baby shower gift and we were pleased with it, so naturally, I drifted back to the brand for a double stroller. That stroller was upgraded to a more expensive version but I wanted to keep the cost low and this Summer Infant 3-D Lite double stroller is very similar to ours.
This double umbrella stroller offers a cup holder for parents, two LARGE canopies, seats that recline independently of each other, as well as two storage pouches behind the seats. There is also a large storage area underneath the seats. I also apprecaite the 5-point harness as well.
I seriously can’t say enough positive things about this stroller.
The price is right!
It’s great for travel both by car and plane. You can wheel all the way down to the plane, take the kids out, and fold the stroller up with ease.
Best Double Stroller for Traveling
Contours-Options Elite V2 Tandem Double Stroller
The Contours-Options Elite V2 Tandem Double Stroller was a strong contender because it was a tandem stroller, but a more compact version. This stroller is great for traveling because there are multiple seating configurations, making it more versatile for your children.
It does allow for two car seats with the appropriate adapters which are a must if you have twins or two kids who are VERY close in age.
This stroller has two footrests, a storage basket underneath, an adjustable handlebar, and a cup holder for parents. It is compact and portable making it a great choice if you travel often.
Best Double Stroller with Storage
Joovy Kooper X2 Double Stroller
You are going to have a hard time finding a stroller with more built-in storage than this one.
The Joovy Kooper x2 Double Stroller has two separate seats that each have their own incline. It folds down easily and is rather compact, making it great for vehicles with small trunks.
This stroller has individual canopies, as well as removable snack and drink trays.
It has a LARGE storage basket underneath as well! There are two cupholders for parents as well as two zippered pouches for storage.
Best Double Stroller for Small Trunks
Joovy Kooper X2 Double Stroller
The Joovy Kooper X2 Double Stroller was a high contender for us when we were searching for the best double stroller for infants and toddlers.
It has two separate seats that each have their own incline.
It folds down easily and is rather compact, making it great for vehicles with small trunks.
There is a LARGE storage basket underneath as well! There are two cupholders for parents as well as two zippered pouches for storage.
Best Double Stroller for Running
Baby Trend Navigator Double Jogger Stroller
The Baby Trend Navigator Double Jogger Stroller is durable, yet accommodating.
It can hold two Baby Trend car seats, which would be great if you have twins, or even if you have an infant and toddler.
There are two cupholders, a storage compartment, as well as MP3 speakers built-in for the parent.
It has two seats that have multiple recline positions, with two separate canopies, and it folds down easily!
BOB Gear Revolution Double Running Stroller
The highly-rated BOB Gear Revolution Double Running Stroller is without a doubt one of the best double strollers you can buy.
This double jogger is one of the most popular options on this list because it’s lightweight (only 34 pounds!) and has an adjustable suspension system that can accommodate many types of terrain.
This double jogging stroller also offers a huge storage basket and straps for two infant car seats – which means you’ll be able to use your ‘double’ from birth to preschool age!
This is a favorite of many parents because you can use it from birth to preschool age (hence, the name “Revolution”) and there are straps for two infant car seats – which means that you won’t have an extra expense later if your baby needs one! That is one of the things that makes this a great double stroller for an infant and a toddler.
The Best Stroller Organizer
One AMAZING add-on for any double stroller you choose is this stroller organizer! It easily attaches to the handlebars of MOST double strollers and offers two stable drink holders, as well as storage in the front and back.
I swap it between our two double strollers because it is a stroller necessity I won’t go anywhere without. If you don’t have one, you need to get one!
I hope you find the stroller that fits your family’s needs just right!
Whichever double stroller you choose for your growing family, I am certain it will be a stress saver for you. Being able to easily put your kids into the same stroller and go is super convenient.
Figure out which features on your new double stroller will be most important, and then it’s full travel ahead!
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