Double strollers are often much more expensive than single models. But if a double stroller makes life with kids easier or allows you to go running or to take long walks without hiring a babysitter, it may be worth the investment.
After spending 100-plus hours testing 17 double strollers—including recruiting four families to try the top contenders at the zoo, in stroller-enabled exercise classes, during a day of errands, and out trick-or-treating—we found that the compact, convenient, and easy-to-push Chicco BravoFor2 is the best tandem sit-and-stand double stroller, and that the sturdily built Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller is the best side-by-side option for most families.
We recommend the Uppababy Vista V2 for those who are willing to pay more for durable materials, a smoother ride, and extensive adaptability, and we like the double version of the Thule Urban Glide 2 jogging stroller for runners or for people who frequently stroll off-pavement.
Our pick
A compact, lightweight design and thoughtful features make this model the best option for families with a baby and a toddler who’s at least 2½ years old.
This is the same stroller but with an extra pad insert for the front seat and a seat pad for the bench seat, making for a more comfortable ride.
The Chicco BravoFor2, which has a tandem frame that’s the same width as a single stroller, is the easiest double stroller to fold, store, and carry of all the models we tested. It offers the best combination of seats for children who are two and a half (or more) years apart, while still being a breeze to push and turn. We were especially impressed with the handles designed for the big kid to grip while standing and riding, a feature that makes the BravoFor2 a much safer and more hassle-free stroller to use than any other sit-and-stand model we tested. Some of the other tandem strollers we looked at are more versatile (our pick can work only with Chicco infant car seats, for example), are made of higher-quality materials, or are designed to accommodate twins. But the relatively inexpensive BravoFor2 can make life easier for families with a baby and a toddler.
Our pick
This stroller excels in maneuverability as the narrowest side-by-side model we tested. It puts the kids in equal-size seats, lets them both recline, and has a notably simple fold.
Parents who want a double stroller that seats two kids side by side should get the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double Stroller, which we found to be one of the easiest double strollers to push and maneuver. Like all side-by-side models, the City Mini GT2 offers equal seats for the two kids and has more room for deep reclines and extra storage than tandem strollers typically do. It’s the narrowest side-by-side model we tested, so it’s ideal for squeezing into stores, and it has an excellent combination of features, including a quick fold and a ride that’s comfortable and smooth for both caregiver and kids. It accommodates only one infant car seat at a time, however, so it isn’t the best option for infant twins (though you can use the seats from birth if you recline them fully). Some people may find the divided storage basket and complicated buckles annoying to deal with.
Upgrade pick
This high-end model can convert from a single stroller to a sit-and-stand to a tandem double with seats in multiple configurations. And it can hold two infant car seats.
The Uppababy Vista V2 is a well-built, convertible tandem stroller that can adapt to a family’s changing needs. It has removable seats that you can install facing forward or backward, so you can use it as a single stroller, a sit-and-stand stroller with one seat and an add-on riding board, or a double stroller with two seats facing either direction. (To do so, though, you need to buy the second seat, called the RumbleSeat, as well as the PiggyBack riding board, separately.) Because it can take two infant car seats, it can accommodate twins from the beginning; however, it doesn’t have as much space between the seats as the Contours Options Elite V2, which parents of twins may prefer. The Vista V2 is expensive, but it has a long stroll life—and it’s easy to resell once you’re done with it.
Also great
This side-by-side double jogger is the easiest to push and maneuver of our picks. It’s also heavier and bulkier, though it’s light and streamlined compared with other double joggers.
Parents who love spending time exploring or exercising outdoors with their kids in tow are likely to be happiest with the double Thule Urban Glide 2 jogging stroller. It outperformed nearly all other strollers in our maneuverability course, and it’s lighter, smaller, and easier to fold and carry than other double joggers. But it takes up more space on the sidewalk and is heavier than any of our other picks in this guide, and it’s one of the few double strollers in our test group that don’t fit in the trunk of a compact car. The Urban Glide 2 double jogger can accommodate only one car seat at a time, so it isn’t ideal for twins under 6 months, but it is compatible with car seats from many brands.
