Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair
A good double pram or pushchair can simplify the lives of families, especially on busy footpaths or in shops and stores. Find a model that has generous storage space for stowing nappies, snacks and other essentials.
Some parents who are new to the world choose a future-proof pushchair which can be used both as a single stroller when baby is born, and transformed into a twin-mode after the baby arrives. Joolz offers a range of these options.
Tandem
The announcement that you're expecting a baby is one of life's most exciting moments. When the excitement wears off and the reality of the situation kicks in, you will be faced with many decisions regarding how to prepare your family. The proper stroller or pram is among the most important considerations.
Tandem prams, also referred as "in-line" double prams, are a classic design with two seats or bassinets placed side by side. The front seat, which is usually padded, reclines flat and is suitable for newborns. The second seat is upright and designed to fit toddlers as young as 3 years old. Some models come with the option of reversible seating, which lets you choose to have your children face towards each other or gaze at you. Many tandems also have the option to convert into a single pushchair when you decide that your oldest child does not require the second seat.
In terms of cost, a tandem is much cheaper than a twin pushchair, and is a great option for parents who want to save money, but not compromise on safety or functionality. However, the drawback of a tandem is that it can be a bit heavy and lengthy to steer, especially when you're going up or down kerbs. It is generally less stable than a twin pram, especially if the child who is older is sitting in the front. A tandem can be difficult to fit on public transport, and it can be difficult to navigate narrow roads.
The iCandy Peach, a popular model that focuses on image, is a great option for a single parent who wants a sleeker appearance. However the tandem mode makes it feel long and heavy to push. It has an innovative frame that expands in width to accommodate the second seat, and can be used with multiple combinations of buggy seats, carrycots and car seats (two at a time or separately). The iCandy Wave is another lightweight tandem option that's simple to use and compatible with a variety of car seats and carrycots.
Side by side
When it comes to selecting a double pram or pushchair there's a lot to consider. Whether you're buying for twins or siblings close in age there are plenty of configuration options to take into account. Tandem prams (also called side by side prams) are popular choices as they can be set up to accommodate infants in a bassinet on top while the older infant or toddler sits in the lower seat below.
Some models have reversible seats that let you customize the seating arrangement for your family during the baby and toddler years. This allows you to see your children at all times and gives them the chance to interact when they walk.
Tandem prams can be jogging buggies or all-terrain buggies. They are ideal for trips outdoors, such as to the park. They're also a good option when you have to traverse narrow supermarket isles or checkouts because they tend to be smaller than single-seaters.
The Redsbaby JIVE3 pram, for instance, can be used in tandem mode from birth, but with the addition of a Rumble seat. (PS249) When your child grows out of the rumble chair you can change to the single pram mode. You can also opt to use the adaptors for car capsules to convert it from a newborn to a toddler travel system.
The Side by Side Pram by Babybee is another alternative. This double side-by-side pram comes in a variety of colours and is designed with a contemporary design. Designed to be used right from birth, you can add the LUNA newborn cocoon (PS262) or the LUNA infant seats (PS53 each) to ensure that your baby is safe and comfy.
If you're looking for a sleek and stylish pushchair that converts into a side-byside double then the Egg 2 from Chicco is an excellent choice. It is available in a variety of carrycots and infant seats to accommodate twins or siblings with different ages. It is also super-easy to collapse. It's also light, making it a good choice for those who have small cars or limited space to store.
Convertible
The top double prams and pushchairs are versatile, and some are even capable of changing seating arrangements to meet your changing family needs. It is possible to fit two toddlers in a seat or a third child on the seat board and still have room for a shopping basket and the capability to add accessories like rain covers is also a advantage. Convertible double strollers tend to be larger and heavier than single pushchairs, as they are designed to accommodate two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is one example of an affordable convertible which is very user-friendly, but our testers thought it was a little heavy for the price.
Some convertible double strollers, like the Baby Jogger City Select 2 has a carrycot option which is suitable for newborns. This helps to reduce the size of the double stroller when it is not in use and makes it smaller. Our testers were impressed with the City Select's innovative one-handed fold, though it does take a bit of practice. It also feels quite nimble and responsive, despite it being bigger than double strollers.
Another option that is reasonably priced is the Cybex Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller. It can be converted from a car seat with a parent seat to a forward-facing toddler seat and the bassinet option is a great option for infants (although remember that babies under 4 months old should never use strollers to sleep due to the danger of asphyxia from position).
If you want more flexibility look into a convertible with dual modes such as the iCandy Peach. This is a narrow double buggy that can fit two children in a row however it can also be used as a tandem, with the addition of a second-seat kit and rider board. It is responsive and nimble and our test participants loved its sleek design. It's not as light as the other pushchairs we've reviewed, but it offers an enormous shopping basket that is handy for parents carrying bags of toys and food.
Lightweight
Convertible double strollers are a great alternative for parents who have one child and are expecting the arrival of a second. The iCandy Peach can be converted from a single pushchair double by the addition of a toddler seat or the brand's carrycot (which is ideal to sleep at night). The seats are extremely comfortable and our testers appreciate the fact that they can recline in a variety of positions. They also appreciate the design of the canopy, which has a peekaboo window and UPF 50+ protection. The rear seat can also be elevated to provide a an elevated platform for a child to climb on and off, to allow them to reach things in the shopping basket.
The only downside to the iCandy Peach is that it is quite heavy, however Cher found that it was overcome by its ease to manoeuvre and how spacious the storage space is, with two hanging parent and child cup holders, seat-back pockets and a large underseat storage basket. She also liked the seat's design, which is reversible, so they can be placed to face one another for siblings who wish to talk and get together when out and out and about.
A lighter-weight but just as impressive option is the Delta Children LX side-by-side stroller, which weighs only 18 pounds, is extremely compact and has an auto-standing fold that makes it easy to carry and store in your trunk or at home. Parents are impressed by the quality of the materials and workmanship as well as the low price point. The only issue is that the seats don't recline as much as the other models we've tested, and the rear seat doesn't have great visibility due to its positioning as it's higher than the front seat.
Another popular option is the Joolz Geo 3, which is slim and sleek. It is also easy to steer, and comes with an attractive design and a lifetime guarantee. Although they are smaller side-by-side prams may be larger than tandems and inline doubles. This makes them difficult to maneuver around busy footpaths and in shops. However, they're generally shorter, which means they are easier to maneuver in tight spaces than tandems.