double strollers: the options

We're on week three of looking at double strollers and today we're talking about options. We, of course, love hearing what people love and don't love about their strollers.

We've said before that we don't believe there can be just one perfect double stroller, since your needs change as your kids grow. But if you're going to buy one, you might as well get as close to "perfect" as possible. Go back and ask yourself the 12 questions to ask before you purchase. Then remember to consider a few other things like: could you buy a second hand stroller or borrow one for a while to get you through a certain period.

Now we're going to look at your options. Rather than going the tradition way of tandem, twin, umbrella, etc., we're going to look at this like you would a car. After all, it is the mode of your kids' transportation, right?

For an updated comparison of strollers, check out our exclusive Baby Bunching Double Stroller Guide.

Coupe

Consider these strollers as your "city car." They will get you in and out of places quickly like a Honda Civic. We define these as easy to lift, light (under 25 pounds) and fairly simple to manage.  Note that these may not be as easy to maneuver once you have two kids of different sizes in the seats. We both found that a 30-40 pound kid on one side often made driving the stroller difficult if the other side is holding a much lighter squirmy toddler. So while it may be perfect for one phase, it may not down the road.

Examples of these strollers:  Combi Twin, Maclaren Twin Triumph, Baby Jogger City Mini,

Mid-size sedan

This is your Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Hyundai Sonata. These strollers are reliable, still easy to "park" and wiggle through most places. Again, they all come with their own pros and cons so you need to figure out what works best for your own situation and which ones have the best extras for you.

Examples of these strollers: Maclaren Twin Techno (25.4 pounds), Zooper Tango, Baby Planet Unity Sport Twin, Joovy Caboose, Baby Trend Sit n' Stand.

Small SUV/Crossover

Just like an SUV with four-wheel drive, these strollers take you where you need to go in any kind of weather or terrain--beach, snow, gravel, trails. They are still small enough to handle well in most places, but it's got a bit more weight on it because of the shocks and all-terrain wheels. Pros for most of these is their maneuverability. Cons tend to be the weight.

Examples of these strollers: Mountain Buggy Urban Double, Bob Double Revolution, Jane Powertwin, Phil & Ted, TFK Twinner Twist Duo Double, Baby Jogger City Select.

Large SUV/Minivan

These "machines" were made for hauling--kids, drinks, groceries, coats and additional siblings. These are the Chevy Suburban of strollers. They are harder to maneuver and park, but when you got to get everyone there, this is your stroller.

Examples of these strollers: Valco Tri Mode Twin, Graco DuoGlider, Bumbleride Indie Twin, Graco Quattro (heavier but shorter than the DuoGlider), Kolcraft Contour, Joovy Big Caboose.

***As always, let us know what you like/don't like about your current/past stroller.

Comments

[Shell]

I don't know if I can ever give up my Phil & Ted's, even though my older child is approaching 4 now.

[Lisa]

Love my Kolcraft Contours!

[Jess]

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Kolcraft Contours!! It's a very smooth ride, the seats can face front or back, it holds a carseat and has a great storage basket. Ive read review that say its too heavy and big, I havent found that to be much of a problem. I have an jeep and I pop it in and out with no problem. The positive things about this stoller are worth it being on the heavy side!!

[Jamie]

We have both the Joovy Caboose and the Baby Jogger City Select - the caboose is convenient for shopping trips and other errands, but isn't always easy to steer now that my kids are approaching 3 years and 18 months (and wearing size 5T and 3T!) The Baby Jogger is a DREAM for long walks and other outdoor activities. Both kids will still fall asleep in the jogger - no way either would do that in the caboose!

[Rachel O.]

Thnaks for the clever comparison of strollers and cars... especially because my stroller generally IS my car. :)

I have a Phil and Ted's and find it wonderful to get in and out of stores, etc. Also works well in different terrains, but can be bulkiy in a small car trunk and doesn't have much storage space. Even so, I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Had I learned about the Baby Jogger City Select before my purchase though... I'd have some serious thinking to do.

[Desirée Spenst]

I have a Phil & Ted and love it for the most part! I find the folding mechanism a bit tricky - I'm still struggling with it occasionally after months of use - and I HATE the brake. Other than that, it is a wonderful all terrain stroller that is light and fairly compact!

I also love the looks on people's faces when they see my DD (10 months) tucked away in that back seat...she just hides there, so cute! :)

[heather]

Zooper Tango... love, love, love. It's compatible with virtually any infant carrier and has been a lifesaver to us since our first day of bunching! Mine are now nearly 2.5 and 13 months... love love love.

[Dorte]

Hi, as I understand from this stroller guide, the Indie Twin is bigger and more bulky than the Twinner Twist Duo. My choice has come down to these two, but I cannot seem to find exact comparable measurements anywhere. Can anyone tell me which is bigger, bulkier - are they equally wide? Thank you.

[KC at Crib Sale]

This is perfect for what I really need for my son. Thanks for the great description!

[All-Terrain Stroller]

i enjoy the bumbleride indie. very smooth and comfortable

[Neilson]

Hi,
Very ice Topic regarding Double stroller. The Phil & Ted’s Sport Buggy sets the standard for double strollers and in my opinion is the best all purpose double stroller on the market. It has a brilliant design that overcomes most of the shortcomings of both traditional types of double strollers. Please visit once.

http://www.babychuckles.co.uk/

[kerrin]

i had 2 babies 18 months apart...and i cannot survive without my city select by baby jogger...i take it to the beach, the mall, parties, the park and when my older one gets his seat dirty-its machine washable!!!!i keep it stored in the trunk of my ford focus very neatly and i have used many different variations of seating combinations...my favorite is the little one facing me and the bigger one loves facing out...i also love the fact that it will grow with me, bc it returns to a single and i can purchase the attachment for my bigger one to stand when he is old enough....a must have

[AZ]

I have a babytrend expedition double jogger. It was about $279 at toys r us. So far so good. PROs: It is very easy to push. My 21 month old, 22 lb toddler is comfortable sitting with room to spare, as is my 7 week old who reclines, 11 lb infant (although I had to add a baby head support pillow in for him.) It's fairly lightweight and narrow. Gets through almost all commericial doorways I have tried, although some have been a real squeeze.
It also has lots of little storage pockets for water bottles. And my favorite- 2 coffee cup holders and sunglass/ cell phone compartment on the handle for mom- something sorely missing from the BOB, city mini and mountain buggy.

The CONs: the sunshades are way too small, and the company doesnt make any additional stroller accessories. So I need to find some generic add-on sun shade and rain cover to fit a double side by side jogger.
The storage basket underneath is split by a piece of fabric into 2 small compartments. I wish it was just one big basket. A big diaper bag doesnt fit and the storage is hard to access. But I manage to work around this by hanging my diaper bag on the handle.
There is also a red plastic hook that is supposed to keep the stroller folded for your car storage. But the plastic was very bent out and looked about ready to snap after only using it once. Fortunately, it is not necessary to use this feature for day to day folding, unless you are sending the stroller through the airport baggage or something.

I really wanted a BOB revolution double...but its SO expensive and we got a ton of toys r us gift cards as baby gifts.

[Kate]

My children are 20 and 6 months old. I have a Phil & Teds Explorer that I got an excellent deal on online. It's beautiful, easy to store in my 1995 Toyota Corolla (very small cargo space), and the boys love it. Currently, we can do 3 of the 7 configurations it offers: baby carrier and toddler, one toddler behind the other or single. It fits through doors easily, has some style and maneuvers way better than my single Chicco. I can lock the front wheel and take it running or convert it into a single if I only have one kid with me. The kids are calm, and it allows me to not have to wear one of them, so I get a break wherever I am. And since they have their own space, they don't mess with each other. Best. Stroller. Ever.

[kerrin]

cannot survive without my baby jogger city select...i dont know how i could do anything without it

[Miranda]

Chicco Cortina Together double stroller is our best bet. It's been used by our twins for two years now and it's still as sturdy as new.

[Denise]

My babies are 15 months apart, and the newest one graced us with his presence just 2 months ago :) We had quite the experience with the double stroller purchase so I thought I would share. We started off before Dylan was born purchasing the Phil and Teds Explorer stroller in red. I had heard nothing but awesome reviews about this stroller and had to have it despite the price tag. Well, wasn't I surprised when the new baby HATED to lay flat and therefore could not use it the way intended from birth without the car seat adapter (we have a chicco keyfit infant car seat, and really it was winter, so it was way too cold to be taking a newborn out of his car seat to put him in to a stroller). When we bought the chicco infant car seat adapter we found it could only be used on the front so my toddler would have to sit in the lower/back position. He screamed and kicked the back of the seat the whole entire time. Taking the second seat off of the Phil and Ted every single time I needed to take it out of or put it into my car just got ridiculous.

This brings me to the stroller we ended up with and absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE: The Britax B-Ready. OH MY GOODNESS! Every issue we had with the Phil and Teds=Solved! I can use the car seat adapters on the lower/bottom and put my toddler up front where he wants to be. The second seat is useable from birth as it reclines (The Phil and Teds second seat does not), It steers like a dream (I can turn this stroller one handed with BOTH kids in it no problem), and it FOLDS WITH BOTH SEATS ATTACHED AND FITS INTO THE TRUNK OF MY HONDA CIVIC WITH ROOM TO SPARE! YAYYYYYYYY!!!! And the price was only different because of the attachments we chose to buy, the actual stroller is the same price as the Phil and Teds at the store we bought it from. There are so many configurations of this stroller, and it is so amazing that I have to tell everyone, if you are looking for a double stroller, you shouldn't need to look any further once you see the Britax B-Ready! <3

[Leslie Love]

Does the Perego Pliko P3 come with a double seat stroller option? I've heard great things about the stroller, but I'm pregnant with twins and want need a good twin stroller. Suggestions?

[treejohn572]

Great article. Looks like anyone who wants to buy baby strollers needs to look around for the best deals. Thanks for all of the great strollers that you showed.

[marlon]

Defining the best double stroller may not be easy. Every parent has his or her own preference and budget.

[Moey]

These are some great quality stroller suggestions! I have been looking for a long time for a new stroller for twins. A lot of these look really great! I'll have to check them out in more detail soon. Thanks!

[Lai]

Highly recommend the Joovy Big Caboose - triple sit and stand stroller for those with a bigger family. It is easily one of the best sit and stand stroller around

http://www.sitandstandstroller.net/joovy-big-caboose-triple-stroller-review/