Becoming a mom of two was one of the most challenging seasons of my life. Not only did I have an active toddler to keep up with, I had an infant in tow who, by default, had no choice but to join my 2-year-old son and me on our daily outings to the park, beach, or playground. Before my daughter was even 2 months old, I quickly learned that the best double stroller should be comfortable, durable, and easy to maneuver, and that it would be vital to my daily life as a mom of two.
From getting a walk in while my kids napped in their stroller seats to transporting both kids from the car into the grocery store, my double stroller was more than just a way to get from point A to point B. It was our ticket to freedom, a way for my kiddos and me to step out of the house and get some fresh air, which was so important during those early months while I adapted to having two little humans to care for.
Because we are an active family, investing in a double jogging stroller made the most sense for us. I also carried around a double umbrella stroller in my trunk for those times when I needed to run a quick errand with the kids. To choose my own double strollers, I relied on my more than three years of experience as a parenting writer and countless conversations with fellow moms.
At Parents, we also spent the last three years rigorously testing a wide variety of double strollers, both in our lab and with real parents in their everyday lives. And, to determine what parents should look for in a double stroller and the safety precautions they should follow when using one, we spoke with Lyndsey Garbi, MD, a pediatrician and mom who uses a double stroller with her own kids. If you are a parent looking for a double stroller, we recommend these top four, which we have enjoyed using at home with our own little ones.
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Why We Like It
When I picture side-by-side strollers, I think of a wide, clunky contraption that is a beast to lug around. But that’s not the case with the Zoe the TwinV2. Weighing just 23 pounds (which is less than the average 2-year-old), this compact stroller fits through standard doorways with room to spare and is easy to maneuver around with two children seated in it. It can accommodate up to 60 pounds of weight per seat and comes pre-equipped with a car seat adaptor, which makes it super convenient for you to load your infant in the stroller without removing them from their car seat.
Since side-by-side strollers are wider than other configurations, we put our Zoe the TwinV2 to the test in the busiest, most crowded place we could think of: an airport. After loading the stroller with two kids and multiple bags, our tester strolled through security with ease and found it quick and easy to unfold after landing at their destination.
This stroller also accompanied our tester on a trip to Disney Springs at the Walt Disney Resort in Orlando, Florida. Thanks to the Twin, she had no trouble weaving through crowds and stampedes of running children. The generous cargo space allowed her to conveniently store a diaper bag, jackets, and other necessities.
What Parents Say
“We absolutely loved the giant canopies on this stroller, and it was truly awesome to navigate so easily. The kids were very comfortable and neither complained.”—Alison, mom of a 4-month-old and 2-year-old
But Take Note
Because of its side-by-side configuration, this stroller isn’t ideal for narrow city sidewalks or venturing down the aisles of a small store. When our tester took it into a local pharmacy, she had to move a few in-aisle displays to walk around.
The Details:
- Type of stroller: Side-by-side
- Stroller weight: 23 pounds
- Dimensions (unfolded): 33 x 30 x 43 inches
- Weight limit: 60 pounds per seat
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Why We Like It
If you plan to expand your family, the Uppababy Vista V3 is the stroller for you. It comes with a reversible all-weather toddler seat that can ride forward, backward, upright, and reclined. Parents can also use an Uppababy car seat, bassinet, or infant snug seat to transport their baby in this stroller, and switching between modes is as easy as pushing a button.
Although it’s sold as a single stroller, the Vista V3 can accommodate up to three children at once by snapping on an additional seat below the first and a ride-on board to the back frame (each sold separately). Plus, this stroller has generous cargo space, which allowed our tester to take a diaper bag, snacks, a purse, a jacket, a baby carrier, a bottle cooler, and toys along for the ride. In total, the V3 has more than 30 different configurations to allow parents to personalize it for their growing family, whether they need a double stroller for a newborn and a toddler, a single to double stroller, or two toddlers and an infant.
The V3 is also impressively easy to maneuver. During testing in our lab and on the streets of New York City, it handled turns and gaps in the pavement quite well despite being on the heavy side. According to our tester, the Vista V3 is a “workhorse” worth every penny, which she confirmed every day as she picked her toddler up from school with an infant in tow and pushed it up stairs and bumpy cobblestone hills.
What Parents Say
“This stroller is rock solid. We’ve loved it hard in the months we’ve had it, and I’m looking forward to using it through our stroller years.”—Cecily, mom of a 6-month-old and 3-year-old
But Take Note
Our tester noticed that the brake would stick a little when releasing it from the locked position. This was a bit challenging when hustling to catch up with their toddler and they needed the stroller to move quickly.
The Details:
- Type of stroller: Convertible
- Stroller weight: 27 pounds
- Dimensions (unfolded): 36 x 25.7 x 39.5 inches
- Weight limit: 50 pounds
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Why We Like It
This stroller is a fraction of the cost of the others on our list but ranks high in durability, maneuverability, and comfort. After using it with our own kids for two months, we were impressed to see that it held up remarkably well—even after doing plenty of sandy walks on the beach. We especially love that we can steer it with one hand and that it glides through doorways and around tight corners with ease.
In terms of comfort, this stroller has a variety of noteworthy qualities. We like that both seats recline independently, which was helpful for when one kid needed a nap but the other didn’t. The seats can lie almost flat and the calf rests adjust as well, making it a cozy spot to get some shuteye.
While great for daily use, this stroller is also suitable for travel thanks to its lightweight, compact frame. It’s easy to set up, collapses in just one step, and automatically locks, which is one less thing for parents to worry about when wrangling wiggly kids.
What Parents Say
“I love how compact and easy to use it is. It makes it so much easier to take walks and go shopping with my three children, who are very comfortable in this stroller.”—Laura, mom of a 6-month-old, 2-year-old, and 5-year-old
But Take Note
The seats on this stroller are narrow and are best for smaller children. Also, the storage space is relatively small and has a vertical bar down the middle, which makes it impossible to store a diaper bag.
The Details:
- Type of stroller: Jogger
- Stroller weight: 23.21 pounds
- Dimensions (unfolded): 37.2 x 26.1 x 40.3 inches
- Weight limit: 33 pounds per seat
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Why We Like It
As a mother of two, one of the best investments I made in baby gear was my Bob Jogging Stroller. Its mountain bike-style suspension system allows it to glide over every type of terrain, from sand and hiking trails to cracked, uneven sidewalks. It’s an excellent choice for avid runners and walkers alike and provides an equally smooth ride for kids.
While jogging with her kiddos in tow, our tester also noticed that the BOB’s air-filled tires gave this stroller superior shock absorption and traction. Her kids were always happy to ride in it, remarking that the BOB was “more comfortable” and “less shaky” than their single jogging stroller. Since the handlebars adjust to nine different levels, our tester was able to position herself ergonomically while running, which allowed her to run further and longer with less effort.
To top it off, the BOB has the best canopies we’ve ever seen on a stroller. They’re made with breathable UPF 50+ fabric and provide a ton of shade. Plus, they extend far enough to completely cover a child’s legs, which is ideal for mid-day outings when the sun is at its peak.
What Parents Say
“This stroller is a dream. My first impression of running with two kids was the incredible ease, lack of effort, and smoothness of the ride. It was easier to push this than my single running stroller!”—Eliza, mom of a 1-year-old and 6-year-old
But Take Note
Bob strollers are notoriously heavy and tricky to fold. If we could add anything to this stroller, it would be a cup holder for parents so that they don’t have to stop mid run to grab a drink.
The Details:
- Type of stroller: Jogger
- Stroller weight: 33.1 pounds
- Dimensions (unfolded): 48 x 30.5 x 45
- Weight limit: 50 pounds per seat
Other Double Strollers We’ve Tried & Loved
How We Tested Double Strollers
Over the past three years, we’ve tested a variety of double strollers, including jogging and convertible, both at home with our own children and in the Parents Lab. For each stroller we tested, we focused on the design, maneuverability, value, and ease of setup, folding, and cleaning. We weaved the strollers through obstacle courses, filled the cargo baskets to the brim with baby essentials, and headed down bumpy paths and miles of jogging trails to get a feel for what it would be like to use each stroller in the real world.
As a mom of two who used my double stroller regularly for more than three years, I also relied on my own experience to help shed light on our findings.
Our Experts
To learn more about what to look for in double strollers and understand the safety precautions parents should take when using one, we spoke with the following medical expert:
- Lyndsey Garbi, MD, pediatrician, mom, and chief pediatrician at Blueberry Pediatrics
Double Stroller Safety Tips
When choosing a double stroller, Dr. Garbi recommends looking for one that accommodates the individual needs of each child, especially if they are different ages. For example, she points out that infants have specific seating requirements, such as the right amount of support for head control and plenty of room for their legs. Parents should always be able to view their baby when they’re seated in the stroller, and it should be equipped with proper sun coverage to protect a baby’s skin.
When using a double stroller, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises parents to:
- Securely fasten toys within the stroller
- Apply the brake whenever you stop
- Choose one with a wide base to prevent tipping
- Protect a child’s fingers when opening/closing the frame
- Avoid hanging bags from the handles
- Buckle a child in with a five-point harness
- Have eyes on their child at all times
- Make sure the footrest extends across both seats
- Be mindful of the weight guidelines, especially with older children
Who We Are
Laura Lu, MS, is a journalist who specializes in health and parenting content. In addition to writing for organizations like Mayo Clinic and University of California, San Francisco, her work has appeared in Parents, Health.com, The New York Times, and Media Psychology. As an active mom of two, Laura loved buckling her kids up in her BOB Gear Jogging Stroller and exploring the local hiking trails surrounding her Newport Beach, California, home.