Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair

A double travel stroller pram or pushchair will simplify the lives of families, especially when walking on busy roads or in shops and stores. Choose a model with generous storage space for stowing nappies, snacks and other essentials.

Some parents who are first-time parents opt for a future-proof pushchair which can be used both as a single stroller once baby is born, and later converted to a twin mode after he or she arrives. Joolz has a variety of options.

Tandem

The news that you're about to have the birth of a child is one of the most exciting times in your life. When the excitement wears off and the reality of the situation kicks in, you'll be faced with many decisions regarding how you can prepare your family. One of the most important considerations is choosing the right pram or pushchair.

Tandem prams (also called 'in-line' double prams) are a timeless design that feature two bassinets or seats for prams arranged side by side. The front seat is typically padded and reclines to a flat angle, making it suitable for babies and the second seat is more upright and is able to accommodate toddlers as young as three years old. of age. Certain models feature the option of reversible seating, which lets you choose to have your children face one another or look at you. Many tandems can be converted to one Pushchair Double once your oldest child is no longer in need of the second seat.

In terms of cost, a tandem is much cheaper than a twin pushchair and can be a great choice for parents who want to save money without compromising on safety or function. However, a drawback of a tandem is that it can be heavy and long to steer especially when moving up and down kerbs. Additionally, it is often less stable than a twin pushchair from birth pram particularly if the older child is seated in the front. A tandem can also be difficult to transport on public transport, and it can be difficult to navigate on narrow roads.

The iCandy Peach is a popular model with a strong image that's a great choice for a singleton parent looking for a sleeker design, but the tandem mode can make it feel large and heavy when pushing. It comes with a clever frame that expands widthways to allow the addition of the second seat, and it is compatible with many combinations of carrycots, buggy seats and car seats (two at a time or in separate). The iCandy Wave is another lightweight tandem option that's easy to use and compatible with a variety of carrycots and car seats.

Side by side

When it comes time to choose a double pushchair or pram there's plenty to consider. If you're buying a double pram for twins or siblings close in age there are plenty of configuration options to take into account. Tandem prams, also referred to as side-by-side prams, are popular choices due to the fact that they can be set up in a way that the infant can be seated in the bassinet in the middle while the older child or toddler is sitting in the second chair.

Some models even feature convertible seats, which means you can adapt the configuration to meet the needs of your family throughout the toddler and baby years. This allows you to see your children at all times and gives them the chance to connect with them while they walk.

Tandem prams are often all-terrain buggies or jogging ones that is why they're great for outdoor excursions and the park. They're also a great option if you need to brave narrow checkout aisles or isles in supermarkets, as they tend to be smaller than single-seaters.

The Redsbaby JIVE3 pram for example can be used in tandem mode from birth, but with the addition of an Rumble seat. (PS249) Then, you can switch to the single mode once your baby grows out of the rumble seat, or use the adaptors for car capsules (PS53) to transform it into a travel system for newborn to toddler.

The Side by Side Pram from Babybee is another alternative. The side-by-side double pram is available in a variety of colors and features an elegant modern design. Designed to be used from birth, you can also add the LUNA newborn cocoon (PS262) or the LUNA infant seats (PS53 each) to ensure your children are safe and comfy.

The Egg 2 is a stylish, sleek pushchair that can be transformed into a double running buggy side by side. It's available in a range of carrycot and infant seat combinations to accommodate twins or siblings of various ages and is super-easy to fold. It's also fairly lightweight and therefore a good option for people with smaller vehicles or have limited space to store.

Convertible

The best double prams and pushchairs can be used in a variety of ways, and some are even able to change into different seat configurations to suit your family's changing needs. It is possible to fit up to three children on the seat board, or two toddlers in the seats while still having enough space to carry shopping bags. Accessories like rain covers are also available. Most convertible double strollers are larger and heavier than single double stroller pushchairs due to the fact that they must be able to hold two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is one example of an affordable convertible that is extremely user-friendly, but our testers felt that it was a bit heavy for the price.

Some double strollers that convert into convertibles, such as the Baby Jogger City Select 2 include a carrycot suitable for newborns. This allows the double stroller to be folded down and reduced in size when not used. The City Select's clever single-handed folding impressed our testers however it requires some time to master. It's also very nimble and responsive, despite it being bigger than double strollers.

The Cybex Mockingbird single-to-cheap double pushchair stroller is an alternative that is affordable. It can be converted from a car seat with a parent seat to a forward-facing toddler car seat, and the bassinet mode is a great option for infants (although be aware that babies younger than 4 months old should not sleep in strollers because of the risk of positional asphyxia).

If you're looking to expand your options, consider a dual-mode convertible like the iCandy Peach. This is a narrow double buggy that can fit two children in a row and can be used as a tandem with the addition of a second-seat kit and rider board. It is agile and responsive, and our testers were impressed by its sleek design. It's not as light as some of the other pushchairs in our list however, it comes with an enormous shopping basket that is ideal for parents with bags of groceries and toys.

Lightweight

Convertible double strollers are an excellent option for parents who have children and anticipate another. The iCandy Peach can be converted from a single pushchair into double by the addition of a toddler's seat, or the brand's carrycot (which works well to sleep at night). The seats are very comfortable and our testers appreciate that they can be reclined in various positions. They also appreciate the design of the canopy, which has a peekaboo window and UPF 50+ protection. The rear seat can be elevated to provide a an elevated platform for the older child to climb off and on so that they can access items in the basket of groceries.

The only downside to the iCandy Peach is that it is quite heavy. However, Cher felt this was balanced by its ease to move around and how big the storage is, with two hanging parent and child cup holders with seat-back pockets as well as an enormous underseat basket. Cher also appreciated the feature that the seats are convertible, which means they can be set to face one another for siblings that want to chat and interact together when out and out and about.

The Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller is a smaller model however, it is still awe-inspiring. It weighs only 18 pounds, is lightweight, and has self-standing fold, making it simple to transport or store in your trunk. Parents love the quality of materials and workmanship, and the price. The only drawback is that the seats don't recline as much as some other models we've tried and the rear seat isn't as well-lit because of its position - it's raised 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 can still be more spacious than tandems and inline doubles. This makes them difficult to maneuver on busy footpaths and in shops. They're also shorter and therefore easier to maneuver in tight spaces.