Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair

A well-designed double pram or pushchair can simplify life for families, particularly when walking on busy roads or in the shops and stores. Look for a model with generous storage space for stowing nappies, snacks and other essentials.

Some first-time parents opt for a future proof pushchair that can be used as a single stroller when baby is born. It can be changed into a twin stroller with car seats mode after the baby has arrived. Joolz offers a variety of these options.

Tandem

The news that you're about to have the birth of a child is one of the most exciting times in life. When the excitement wears off and the reality of the situation kicks in, you will be faced with many choices regarding how to prepare your family. The best stroller or pram is one of the most important things to consider.

Tandem prams (also known as "in-line" double prams) are a timeless design with two seats or pram bassinets that are arranged side-by-side. The front seat, which is usually cushioned, reclines flat and is suitable for babies. The second seat is more upright and designed to accommodate toddlers as young as 3 years old. Some models allow you to select whether your children stare at each other or look outwards. Many tandems can be converted into one pushchair when your oldest child is no longer required to have the second seat.

A tandem is cheaper than twin prams and can be an ideal choice for parents who wish to save money without losing safety or function. However, the drawback of a tandem is that it may feel long and heavy to steer especially when going up or down kerbs, and it is generally less stable than a twin pram, especially if the child who is older is seated in the front. A tandem can be difficult to fit onto public transport, and it can be difficult to maneuver on narrow roads.

The iCandy Peach, a popular model that is focused on image, is an excellent option for parents who are single and want an elegant style. However the tandem mode makes it feel heavy and long to push. It has a clever frame that expands in width to allow for the addition of the second seat, and can be used with a variety of combinations of carrycots, buggy seats and car seats (two at once or separately). The iCandy Wave is another lightweight double stroller tandem option that is easy to use and compatible with a variety of carrycots and car seats.

Side by side

There are many things to consider when choosing a double pushchair or pram. If you're buying for twins or siblings close in age, there are a number of configuration options to take into account. Tandem prams (also called side by sides prams) are a popular choice because they can be arranged to accommodate infants in a bassinet at the top, while the larger toddler or infant sits in the second seat below.

Some models come with convertible seats, which means you can adapt the configuration to suit your family's needs throughout the toddler and baby years. This allows you to see your children at all times, and allows them to interact while they walk.

Tandem prams are jogging buggies as well as all-terrain buggies. They are great for trips outdoors, such as to the park. They're also a good choice for those who have to navigate narrow aisles in the supermarket or at checkouts as they are generally more compact than single-seaters.

The Redsbaby JIVE3 Pram, for example, can be used as a tandem pram from birth in dual mode, with the addition of the rumble seat (PS249). When your child grows out of the rumble seat, you can switch to the single pram mode. You can also opt to use the adaptors for car capsules to convert it from a newborn into a toddler travel system.

The Side by Side Pram made by Babybee is another option. This double side-by-side pram comes in a variety of colors and is designed with a contemporary style. It is designed to be used from birth, you can also add the LUNA newborn Cocoon (PS262) and the LUNA Infant Seats (PS53 each).

If you're seeking a sleek, elegant pushchair that can be converted into a side-byside double, the Egg 2 from Chicco is an excellent choice. It's available in a range of carrycot and infant seat configurations to accommodate twins or siblings of varying age groups and is easy to fold. It's also relatively lightweight, which makes it a great choice for those with small cars or limited storage space.

Convertible

The top double prams and pushchairs are versatile and some are capable of changing seating configurations to meet your family's changing needs. You can fit two toddlers in the seats or even a third one on the seat board and have room for a basket to store your shopping, and the ability to add accessories like rain covers is a benefit. Typically, convertible double buggy sale strollers are more spacious and heavier than single pushchairs because they have to be capable of holding two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is one example of an affordable convertible that is easy to use, although our testers felt that it was a little heavy for the price.

Some convertible double strollers like the Baby Jogger City Select 2 come with a carrycot suitable for infants. This allows the double stroller to be compacted and reduce in size when not used. The City Select's clever single-handed folding impressed our testers however it requires some practice. It's also very fluid and agile, despite its size.

Another affordable option is the Cybex Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller. It can be converted from a rear-facing infant car seat to a forward-facing toddler car seat, and the bassinet mode is a fantastic option for infants (although keep in mind that infants under 4 months old should never be able to sleep in strollers due to the danger of asphyxia from position).

For more flexibility, look for a dual-mode convertible like the iCandy Peach. It's a slim double stroller that is able to accommodate two children side-by-side. It can also be used to make a tandem by adding a second seat kit. It's nimble and responsive, and our testers liked its sleek design. It's not as light as the other pushchairs on our list however, it comes with an enormous shopping basket that is handy for parents carrying bags of toys and groceries.

Lightweight

Some parents want to ensure the future of their double buggy when they have a child and are expecting another, so a convertible option is a great option. The iCandy Peach allows you to change from a single pushchair to a double pushchair, with the addition of a toddler seat or the brand's carrycot (which is suitable for sleeping at night). The seats are very comfortable and our test subjects love that they can be reclined in multiple positions. They also love the feature that the canopy comes with an open window that can be seen from afar and has UPF 50+ protection. The rear seat can be lifted high to offer a standing platform for the older child to climb on and off, to allow them to reach things in the shopping basket.

The only issue with the iCandy Peach is that it is quite heavy. However, Cher found that it was offset by its ease to maneuver and how large the storage is with two hanging parent and child cup holders with seat-back pockets as well as an enormous underseat basket. She also appreciated the feature that the seats are reversible, so they can be placed to face one another for siblings who wish to chat and interact together while out and about.

A lighter and equally impressive choice is the Delta Children LX side-by-side stroller that weighs only 18 pounds, is extremely compact and features a self-standing fold, making it easy to transport and store in your trunk or at home. Parents appreciate the quality of the materials and workmanship and the low price point. The only issue is that the seats don't recline as far as other models we've tried and the back seat doesn't have great visibility due to its position as it's higher than the front seats.

The Joolz Geo 3 is another popular choice. It's slim, sleek and easy to steer and has a lifetime warranty. Although they are smaller side-by-side prams may be wider than tandems and inline doubles. This can make them difficult to maneuver on busy footpaths and in shops. They're also shorter and therefore easier to maneuver in tight spaces.