Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair
A good double pram or pushchair will simplify family life, especially when walking on busy roads or in the shops and stores. Choose a model that has plenty of storage space to store nappies snacks, nappies, and other essentials.
Some first-time parents opt for a future-proof pushchair that can be used as a single pram when baby is born, and later transformed into a twin-mode when the baby is old enough. 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. However, once the excitement fades and reality sinks into your life, you'll be faced with a variety of decisions regarding how to prepare your family for the arrival of your baby one or ones. The best stroller or pram is one of the most crucial considerations.
Tandem prams (also called "in-line" double prams) are a classic design that feature two seats or pram bassinets that are arranged side-by-side. The front seat, which is usually cushioned, reclines and is suitable for infants. The second seat is upright and is designed to accommodate toddlers as young as three years old. Some models have reversible seating so you can decide if your children face one another or look at you. Many tandems have the option to convert into a single pushchair in the event that you decide that your child's oldest doesn't require the second seat.
A tandem is cheaper than twin prams and is an excellent choice for parents who wish to save money without losing safety or function. A tandem can be a bit heavy and difficult to steer, particularly when you're tripping over the kerbs. It's also less stable than twin prams particularly if a larger child is seated in the front. A tandem isn't always easy to fit on public transport, and it can be difficult to maneuver 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, but the tandem mode can make it feel long and heavy when pushing. It features a clever frame that expands widthways to allow for 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 range of car seats and carrycots.
Side by side
There are a lot of things to consider when choosing a double pram or pushchair. There are numerous configuration options to choose from, regardless of whether you're buying for twins or close-in-age siblings. tandem double stroller (also called side by sides prams) are a popular choice because they can be configured to accommodate infants with a bassinet on top while the older toddler or infant is in the lower seat below.
Some models even have seats that can be reversible, meaning you can adapt the configuration to suit your family's needs throughout the baby and toddler years. This lets you keep your children always in your sights and also gives them the an opportunity to interact with each other while they walk.
Tandem prams are typically jogging or all-terrain buggies, which means they're ideal for outdoor adventures and the park. These are also good for narrow aisles and checkouts in shops and supermarkets because they are more compact.
The Redsbaby JIVE3 pram for example can be used in tandem mode from birth, but with the addition of the rumble seat. (PS249) If your child is no longer a member of the rumble chair you can switch to one pram mode. You can also choose to use the car capsule adaptors to convert it from a newborn to toddler travel system.
The Side by Side Pram made by Babybee is a different alternative. This double side-by-side pram comes 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 children are safe and comfy.
The Egg 2 is a stylish sleek pushchair that can be transformed into a double side by side. It comes in a range of carrycots and infant seats to accommodate twins or siblings of different age groups. It is also super-easy to collapse. It's also fairly light making it an ideal option for those with smaller cars or a limited storage space.
Convertible
The top double prams and pushchairs can be used in a variety of ways, and some are even capable of changing seat configurations to suit your changing family needs. You can fit up to three children on the seat board or two toddlers in the seats with room for shopping bags. Accessories like rain covers are also available. Most convertible double strollers are more spacious and heavier than single pushchairs due to the fact that they have to be able to hold two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow convertible is an example of a very affordable convertible that is easy to use. However, our testers thought it was somewhat heavy for its price.
Some double strollers that convert into convertibles, such as the Baby Jogger City Select 2 come with a carrycot suitable for infants. This reduces the size of the double stroller when it is not being used and makes it more compact. Our test subjects were awed by the City Select's clever one-handed fold. However, it does take some practice. It also feels quite nimble and responsive, despite being bigger than other double strollers.
The Cybex Mockingbird single-to-double stroller is another affordable option. It can be transformed from a child-facing car seat to a forward-facing toddler seat. The bassinet-style mode is a great choice for infants.
For more flexibility, look for a dual-mode convertible like the iCandy Peach. This is a narrow double buggy that can fit 2 children side by side and can be used as a tandem by the addition of a second-seat kit and rider board. It's responsive and agile and our testers loved its sleek design. It's not as light as some of the other pushchairs we've reviewed however it does come with an enormous shopping basket that is great for parents who carry bags of groceries and toys.
Lightweight
Some parents like to future-proof their double buggy when they have one child and are expecting another so a convertible option is a good option. The iCandy Peach allows you to convert from a single to a double pushchair by the addition of an infant seat or the brand's carrycot (which is suitable for sleeping at night). Our test subjects were impressed by the comfort of the seats and love the fact that they both recline to different positions, have built-in foot and leg supports and have UPF 50+ canopies with peekaboo windows. The rear seat can be raised high so that the child who is older can stand on it to reach the basket of shopping.
Cher said that the only disadvantage of the iCandy Peach was its weight. However, she believed this was offset by the fact that it is easy to move and has plenty of storage, including two cup holders for children and parents, seat-back pockets, and a large basket under the seat. Cher also liked that the seats can be turned to face each other. This is ideal for siblings who like to interact and talk while out and about.
The Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller is a smaller model, but still impressive. It weighs only 18 pounds, is small and features a self standing fold, making it easy to transport or put in your trunk. Parents are impressed by the quality of the materials and workmanship and the affordable price. The only negatives are that the seats do not recline as much as other models we've tried and the rear seat isn't as well-lit because of its position as it is higher than the front seat.
Another popular choice is the Joolz Geo 3, which is slim, sleek and easy to steer, and comes with an appealing design and a lifetime guarantee. Although they are narrower, side-by-side prams can still be larger than tandems and inline doubles. This makes them difficult to maneuver on busy footpaths and in shops. However, they are often shorter, which means they can be easier to turn in tight spaces than tandems.