Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair

A well-designed double pram or pushchair will simplify family life, especially on busy footpaths or in shops and stores. Pick a model with plenty of storage space to store nappies, snacks, and other necessities.

Some parents who are new to the world choose a future-proof pushchair that can be used both as a single stroller when baby is born, and then changed to a best twin stroller mode after the baby arrives. Joolz offers a range of these options.

Tandem

The announcement that you're expecting a baby is among life's most exciting moments. Once the excitement has worn off and the reality of the situation kicks in, you will be faced with many options for how to prepare your family for. The right pram or stroller is one of the most crucial considerations.

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, which is usually padded, reclines flat and is suitable for newborns. The second seat is more upright and is designed to accommodate toddlers as young as 3 years. Some models allow you to decide if your children will look at each other or face each other. Many tandems can be converted to one pushchair once your oldest child is no longer using the second seat.

In terms of price, a tandem is much cheaper than a twin pushchair and can be a great choice for parents looking to save money but not compromising on safety or function. A tandem can be heavy and difficult to steer, especially when bumping over curbs. It is also less stable than twin strollers for newborns prams particularly if a larger child is riding in the front. A tandem can be difficult to get onto public transport, and it can be difficult to maneuver on narrow pavements.

The iCandy Peach is a popular model with a strong image that's a great choice for a single parent who is looking for something that is sleek however the tandem mode can make it feel long and heavy when pushing. It comes with 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 chairs and car seats (two at once 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

When it comes to selecting a double pushchair or pram there's plenty to consider. If you're buying for twins or siblings who are close in age there are a variety of configuration choices to think about. Tandem prams, also referred to as side-by-side prams are popular choices due to the fact that they can be configured so that the infant can sit in the bassinet on top while the older child or toddler is sitting in the second seat.

Certain models come with reversible seats that let you customize the configuration for your family during the toddler and baby years. This lets you see your children at all times, and allows them to connect with them as they walk.

Tandem prams are jogging buggies as well as all-terrain buggies. They are ideal for outdoor excursions, like to the park. They're also a good option if you need to brave narrow aisles in the supermarket or at checkouts as they tend to be more compact than single-seaters.

The Redsbaby JIVE3 pram, for instance, can be used in tandem mode right from birth with the addition of the Rumble seat. (PS249) If your child is no longer a member of the rumble chair you can switch to a single to double pushchair pram mode. You can also choose to use the adaptors for car capsules to transform it from a newborn to a toddler travel system.

Another option is the Side by Side Pram from Babybee. The double buggy for infant and toddler side-by-side pram is available in a variety of colours and is designed with a 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 your little ones are secure and comfortable.

The Egg 2 is a stylish sleek pushchair that can be transformed into a double side-byside. It's available in a variety of infant and carrycot combinations to cater for twins or siblings of varying age groups and is easy to fold. It is also relatively lightweight and therefore a good option for people with small cars or limited space to store.

Convertible

The top double prams and pushchairs can be used in a variety of ways and some are capable of changing seating arrangements to meet the changing needs of your family. There is the possibility of fitting two toddlers in seats or a third rider on the seat board, and still have space for a basket to store your shopping, and the ability to add accessories such as rain covers is a advantage. Most convertible double strollers are bigger and heavier than single to double pushchair pushchairs as they are required to be able to hold two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is one example of an affordable convertible which is very user-friendly, but our testers thought it was a little heavy for its price.

Some convertible double strollers like the Baby Jogger City Select 2 come with a carrycot suitable for newborns. This helps to reduce the size of the double stroller when it is not being used and makes it smaller. Our test subjects were awed by the City Select's innovative one-handed fold, although it takes some practice. It's also very agile and responsive even despite its size.

Another option that is reasonably priced is the Cybex Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller. It can be transformed from a parent-facing infant car seat to an forward-facing toddler seat. The bassinet-style mode makes it a great option for infants.

For greater flexibility, opt for a dual-mode convertible such as the iCandy Peach. It's a compact double stroller that can hold two children side-by-side. It can be used to create a tandem by incorporating a second seat kit. It's nimble and responsive, and our test users were impressed by its sleek design. It's not as light as some of the other pushchairs in our list however it does come with a large shopping basket which is handy for parents carrying bags of groceries and toys.

Lightweight

Some parents like to future-proof their double buggy if they have a child and are expecting another so a convertible option is a great option. The iCandy Peach can be converted from a single pushchair a double with the addition of a toddler seat, or the brand's carrycot (which works well for sleeping at night). Our testers noted how comfortable the seats are and loved the fact that they can recline in a variety of positions, come with built-in leg and foot supports and large UPF 50+ canopy that has windows that peek out. The rear seat can be raised high so that the older child can stand on it to reach the shopping basket.

Cher said that the one disadvantage of the iCandy Peach was its weight. However, she believed this was offset by the fact that it is easy to maneuver and offers plenty of storage space, including two cup holders for children and parents as well as seat-back pockets and an enormous basket underneath the seat. Cher also loved that the seats can be reversed so that they face each other. This is great for siblings who love to talk and interact when out and out and about.

The Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller is a lighter option and still impressive. It weighs just 18 pounds, is small and features self-standing fold, making it simple to transport or store in your trunk. Parents appreciate the quality of the materials and workmanship as well as the price is low. The only downside is that the seats don't recline as far as other models we've examined and the rear seat isn't very well-lit due to its position as it's higher than the front seats.

The Joolz Geo 3 is another popular option. It is slim, sleek, and easy to steer and has an unbeatable lifetime warranty. It is important to remember that, despite their slimmer design, side by side prams are still larger than tandems and in-line doubles. They can be tricky to navigate on busy streets or in shops. They are also smaller which makes them more maneuverable in tight spaces.