Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
If you have twins or children very close in age, a tandem double buggy is a great choice. They’re narrower than side-by-side buggies and ideal for navigating tight spaces, such as doors, on public transport and on rough terrain.
Some can be converted into travel systems that use two carrycots or car seats for children. However, they can be heavier and longer than single pushchairs and might feel less stable when bumping up the kerbs.
Convertible
There are a variety of options for adding a second seat or changing a single stroller into a double. The Vista V2 from UPPAbaby is spacious, gorgeous stroller that can easily be converted from a single stroller to double by incorporating the rumble seat (available separately). It is more expensive and less maneuverable since the second seat is located behind the first seat. The Nuna Demi Grow is a similar model with a wide range of seating options, but does not have storage under the seat when used in doubles mode.
Other options include all-terrain twin buggies as well as fixed-wheel joggers that can accommodate two children. They are more expensive however, they are designed for long-distance trips over rough terrain, and come with a higher resale price.
Reclining the seat independently
If you’re looking for a double infant strollers buggy that is able to carry children of different ages, you’ll require a model with an independent seat recline for single double stroller both seats. This will allow your older child to relax while the baby is sleeping in a bassinet, and vice versa.
Consider the width of your stroller and consider how easy it is for you to navigate through doors and public transport. If you have extremely narrow doors, it could be a good idea to consider a side-byside pushchair, such as the Mountain Buggy Duet which has the benefit of having a footprint similar to a single buggy, however it can take 2 seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies tend to be longer than side by side models, and therefore are more difficult to maneuver around and down kerbs. However they can be able to accommodate more combinations of seats/carrycots/car seats and are the perfect choice for twins and siblings of different age. They are also more expensive than Single Double Stroller-to-double buggies, but are worth the investment if you plan to keep it for years and will retain a decent amount of resale value if you decide to sell it off after your children have grown out of it.
This feature allows you to place your child in a comfortable position for naps and observation. This is important if your child is in the back seat and would like to nap while the more mature child prefers to sit up to observe the surrounding.
A few brands have an exclusive seat design that allows the back seat to completely recline into a nearly flat position, which is ideal for infants. The iCandy Orange, for example has a stadium-style seating option that can be reclined into multiple positions. It also has a UPF 50+ canopy and windows that peek out.
Wider than twin buggies
They are great for siblings of different ages, and you can move about without having to worry about your children touching. They’re usually a more spacious, with one seat behind the other. The seats can be reclined fully for infants, or put in an upright position for toddlers.
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular option. It has the slimmest design side-by-side on the market, and a footprint similar to one stroller. It comes with an adjustable handle that makes it easier for parents to push and a handbrake which can be useful on hills that are steep. It is suitable from birth and is compatible with a range of car seats and carrycots, which means it’s a great travel system.
The iCandy Wave is another option. It can be folded in either mono or duo mode with just one click. The frame’s clever design expands widthways to accommodate a second chair and it can be used with up to two carrycots or car seats making it a great choice for older siblings who want to sit in a group and enjoy the view. It’s a bit longer than other models, but it’s light to steer and has soft suspension to tackle kerbs.
There are a variety of 3-wheeler tandems that have inline wheels that offer stability and swift steering. Take a look at Phil and Teds inline models or iCandy Peach and Pear buggies. Often these can be folded down to the size of one buggy which is useful when you have trouble storing it at home or have to transport it into and out of the car when you travel on public transport.
It’s important to remember that a double-buggy with a wider width will feel bulkier and heavier than a single buggy that is smaller So make sure it’s what you require before you buy. It is likely to be used on trains, buses and subways often, so it should be easy to manage and use. You might also have to juggle it on and off the car seat while taking your children to school or nursery so you’ll need to know it’s easy to maneuver in tight spaces.
From birth, you are a suitable candidate
You’ll need a stroller for your entire family, regardless of whether you’re expecting twins or you have another child after you’ve had your first. Double buggies are generally slightly heavier, bulkier and more expensive than single strollers, however they can also be easier to manoeuvre in narrower doorways or around obstacles like curbs. Many double buggies are compatible with piggyback boards (available from the manufacturer or as an accessory). This lets you transport three children at the same time.
Tandem pushchairs put one child in front of the other, and they’re generally a better option if you have two kids that are close enough in age to get along well together. But they’re not foolproof: Siblings in side-by-side seats can kick or punch each other, and kids with different heights may argue over who sits higher. A tandem high-low model can solve this issue by elevating the seat at the rear, which will prevent your older child from being on the bottom and not getting much of a view.
The iCandy Wave is a great choice for parents looking for an easy-to-use convertible double buggy that can fit both a newborn in a carrycot and an older child in the main seat. It has a clever frame that can be expanded in width when you add a second seat, and folds flat for compact storage. The cushioned buckles, straps and seats are all of the best quality we have seen in any of our tests. The canopies are large in size with UPF 50+ protection, as well as a the window is peekaboo. Both seats can recline independently.
The only drawback to the iCandy tandem is that it is a bit costly. But a high-quality tandem will last for years and retain a high resale price, so in the end you’ll probably recoup a portion of the cost. It doesn’t have the same range of seating options as others of our top picks however the iCandy is a great choice for families that don’t want to spend a fortune.