Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair
A good double pram or pushchair can simplify the lives of families, especially when walking on busy roads or in the shops and stores. Pick a model with ample storage space for nappies as well as snacks and other necessities.
Some first-time parents opt for an infant pushchair that can be used as a single stroller when baby is born. It can be transformed into a twin-mode after the baby has arrived. Joolz provides a variety of these options.
Tandem
The news that you’re about to have a baby is one of the most exciting moments in your life. Once the excitement has worn off and the reality of the situation begins to set in, you’ll be faced with a variety of options for how you can prepare your family. The right pram or stroller is among 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 arranged side-by-side. The front seat is usually covered in padding and reclines to a flat position, making it suitable for babies and the second seat is more upright and can accommodate toddlers from around three years old. Some models come with the option of reversible seating, which lets you choose to have your children face each other or look out at you. A lot of tandems offer the option of being converted into a single pushchair if you decide that your oldest child no longer needs the second seat.
A tandem is less expensive than a twin pram and is a great option for parents who want to save money without losing safety or function. However, a drawback of a tandem is that it could be heavy and long to steer especially when bumping up or down kerbs. Additionally, it is usually less stable than a twin pram especially if the child who is older is seated at the front. A tandem can be difficult to fit on public transport, and it can be difficult to navigate narrow pavements.
The iCandy Peach is a popular image-conscious model that’s a great choice for a single parent who is looking for something that is sleek, but the tandem mode can make it feel heavy and long when pushing. It has an innovative frame that expands widthways to allow the addition of 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 is easy to use and compatible with a variety of car seats and carrycots.
Side by side
There are many things to consider when choosing a double pushchair or pram. If you’re buying for twins or other siblings that are similar in age there are a variety of configuration options to take into account. Tandem prams, referred to as side-by-side prams, are popular choices due to the fact that they can be configured so that the infant is able to sit in the bassinet on top while the toddler or older child is sitting in the second chair.
Some models come with seats that can be reversible, meaning you can adapt the configuration to your family’s requirements throughout the toddler and baby years. This allows you to see your children at all times and allows them to connect with them as they walk.
Tandem prams are often all-terrain buggies or jogging ones, which means they’re ideal for outdoor adventures and in the park. They are also great for narrow aisles and checkouts in shops and supermarkets, as they are smaller.
The Redsbaby JIVE3 pram for example can be utilized in tandem mode from birth, but with the addition of a Rumble seat. (PS249) If your child gets bored of the rumble seat, you can change to the single pram mode. You may also opt to make use of the car capsule adaptors to convert it from a newborn to toddler travel system.
Another option is the Side by Side Pram from Babybee. This double pram side-by-side is available in a range of colors and features an attractive modern style. The design is intended to be used right from the moment of birth, you can choose to add the LUNA newborn cocoon (PS262) or the LUNA infant seats (PS53 each) to ensure that your little ones are comfortable and safe.
If you’re looking for a sleek and elegant pushchair that can be converted into a double-sided side-by-side, the Egg 2 from Chicco is a great option. It’s available in a variety of carrycots and infant seats to accommodate twins or siblings with different age ranges. It is also super-easy to collapse. It’s also quite light, which makes it a great choice for those who have small cars or only a little storage space.
Convertible
Some of the top double pushchairs or prams can be set up to accommodate your changing needs. There is the possibility of fitting two toddlers in the seats or a third child on the seat board and still have space for a basket to store your shopping, and the capability to add accessories like rain covers is another plus. Convertible double strollers tend to be larger and heavier than single pushchairs due to the fact that they have to hold two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow convertible is an example of a very inexpensive convertible that is very easy to use. However, our reviewers considered it to be quite heavy for its price.
Some convertible double buggy newborn strollers, such as the Baby Jogger City Select 2, have a carrycot option which is suitable for babies. This helps to reduce the size of the double stroller when it is not being used and makes it more compact. Our test participants were awestruck by the City Select’s clever one-handed fold, although it takes some time to master. It is also quite agile and Double Pram and Pushchair responsive in spite of its size.
The Cybex Mockingbird single-to-double stroller is another option that is reasonably priced. It can be converted from a parent-facing infant car seat to a forward-facing toddler car seat, and the bassinet mode is a great option for infants (although keep in mind that infants under 4 months old should never use strollers to sleep due to the risk of asphyxia in a position).
For greater flexibility, opt for a dual-mode convertible such as the iCandy Peach. It’s a small double buggy that can fit two children in a row and can be used as a tandem by the addition of a second-seat kit and rider board. It’s nimble and responsive, and our testers loved its sleek design. It’s not as light as the other pushchairs in our list however, it comes with a large shopping basket which is ideal for parents with bags of groceries and toys.
Lightweight
Convertible double strollers are a great option for parents who already have one child and are expecting to have another. The iCandy Peach can be converted from a single pushchair to double with the addition of a toddler seat or the brand’s carrycot (which is ideal for sleeping at night). The seats are very comfortable and our test subjects love that they can be reclined in multiple positions. They also like the fact that the canopy has an open window that can be seen from afar and has UPF 50+ protection. The rear seat can be raised high to allow the child of a higher age can stand on it to reach the shopping basket.
Cher said that the one disadvantage of the iCandy Peach was its weight. However, she felt that this was compensated for because it is easy to move and has plenty of storage with two cup holders for parents and their children as well as seat-back pockets and a large basket underneath the seat. Cher also loved that the seats can be turned so that they be positioned to face each other, which is ideal for siblings who like to chat and have conversations when out and about.
A lighter-weight but just as impressive option is the Delta Children LX side-by-side stroller that weighs only 18 pounds, is extremely compact and has a self-standing fold that makes it easy to carry and store in your trunk or at home. Parents love the quality of materials and workmanship, as well as the cost. The only drawbacks are that the seats do not recline as much as other models we have tested and the rear seat is not as visible because of its position – it is 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, with an attractive design and a lifetime guarantee. It’s important to keep in mind that, despite their slimmer design side by side prams remain wider than tandem and in-line doubles. They can be difficult to navigate on busy streets or in shops. However, they are often shorter, which means they can be easier to turn in tight spaces than tandems.