Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
It's easy to move around in a lightweight double pushchair, especially if you have children of different ages. They are easy to fold, steer and transport up and over stairs.
This City Mini GT2 offers side-by-side seats with plenty of legroom, adjustable reclining and massive UPF 50+ canopy with peekaboo windows. It also has a clever frame that can expand in width to accommodate a second seat and a compatible car seat(s).
Side-by-Side
The majority of the light double pushchairs we tried were side-by-side models. These are best for children who can stand up without assistance, since they aren't as likely to have car seat compatibility. However there are some exceptions. Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double are both excellent options that offer adjustable recline in both seats, a large canopy, and padded five-point harnesses. They're also easy to move despite their larger footprints, and are ideal for parents who worry about fitting through doors.
The Cybex Duet pushchair is unique because it features a unique frame that can be expanded to accommodate another child seat. This makes it slimmer than other side-byside pushchairs. It is able to pass through standard doors and is easy to maneuver in public transportation. It can also be used as a jogger, which is a great feature for those who want to use it in conjunction with a baby carrier or infant car seat. It's also available in a variety of exciting colors.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 double is another excellent lightweight side-by-side double. It offers even more customization thanks to a modular frame. Its clever design lets you to transform it into a double or single buggy by adding two carrycots or child car seats. It can even accommodate twins. It is a practical option for growing families. The UPPAbaby umbrella stroller is one of the lightest, sexiest and stylish strollers available.
Try the egg2 which folds down to the size and weight of a compact suitcase. It can be used as a single double by adding 2 carrycots or infant car seats and our home testers loved how sleek and simple it was to carry, even when fully loaded with kids.
Side-by-side pushchairs that are lightweight aren't 100% foolproof, howeverIf your children are of the same age or stage they might still argue over who rides in which seat. And if they're different heights it could be that a tandem design might be better for them as it allows them to confront each other.
Tandem
While side-by-side models are more suitable for siblings with similar ages tandem pushchairs are light and lightweight, and offer their own perks. Some can accommodate a larger car seat and others come with seats that can be reversible. Others even have an additional carrycot or reclined seat that can be flipped in the middle. They are larger and are easier to get into and out of. However the baskets they use tend to be smaller than those found on single buggies. Many feature larger canopies as well as peekaboo windows, and even padded leg cushions.
The iCandy Peach is another example of a good-value lightweight tandem. Its fabrics feel a little less premium than some of our other top-rated tandems, but it looks and feels great and is very user-friendly. One of the most striking things about it is the one-handed fold. While it requires practice, Kirstie in our Lab declared it to be "genius". It's not foldable with the carrycot attached, however the mechanism for attaching and removing it is simple and fast.
Tandem strollers that are lightweight typically have tighter turning capabilities than side-byside models. However, they could be more difficult to drive on uneven surfaces or curbs. They are also slower to accelerate and are heavier to move. This puts strain on your back.
Another alternative is a convertible double buggy, which starts off as an individual and then you can add adapters that turn it into a double. It could include a second seat, carrycot or both in front. The children can share a seat. Some of them also offer the option to add buggy boards, which can aid older children keep up with a younger sibling.
The Uppababy Vista V2 is a great example of a convertible, as it can also convert into a twin pram through the purchase of additional cocoons (PS59 each) which create a lay-flat space for infants. They can be swiveled together or placed side-by-side. You can also use the car seat that was included with the pushchair, in the event that it is compatible with the. These dual-use buggies are made of high-quality materials and can last for many years without showing any wear. This means they come with an excellent resale value.
Single-to-Double
This lightweight double buggy was designed for families who love the outdoors and are looking to upgrade from an individual-stroller. It can be converted into a jogger using a kit that includes air-filled tires as well as all-wheel suspension. It's also a great option for twins, or children from different age groups and, as a triple tandem, it's able to be able to handle the rough terrain. It's also a good choice for parents looking for an elegant design that's just as sleek as a single, and is available in a range of fabric colours.
We loved the way this iCandy model folds into itself with a one-handed mechanism that's very easy to master. It's heavier than other single-to-double pushchairs, however our home tester Karolina says it's maneuverable even with two toddlers and carrying a carrycot.
You can purchase add-ons like the Roma Gemini Carrycots (PS100) which are great for babies. Our test panel found the seats were comfortable for toddlers and had good headrests and lumbar support. There are numerous options for reclining the seats, with the front seat adjustable in different positions and the back seat having the option of recline.
This kind of buggy has the biggest disadvantage of being wider than doubles that are side-by-side. This makes it difficult to maneuver through doorways and it can be difficult to get up and down kerbs. The wheels and suspension of these types of strollers are generally good at coping with surfaces that are paved. They're also lighter than many side-bysides which means you can have plenty of storage space. These strollers aren't easy to maneuver in supermarkets with narrow aisles and they can be difficult to carry loads. Although it's easier to turn the stroller around on a narrow, curving path, this can still be a challenge. Some are also more easy to turn than others, like the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double, for instance.
Convertible
Convertible double pushchair s are ideal because they can be adjusted to the changing requirements of a family. They are typically single buggies and include adapters that permit you to add a second child's seat or a carrycot (in certain instances) an automobile seat to the frame. Some are able to be converted to a single one when your child reaches the age of walk or prefers to ride buggyboards.
This stylish tri-fold double stroller is among of the lightest on our list. It can support up to 40lbs per child and has a storage basket between the seats. The spacious canopy with peekaboo window, multi-position reclining chairs and front and back suspension for smoother riding on rough terrain were praised by testers at home. It also comes with a handy cup holder for parents and a large, easy-to access basket. They also noted that the backs of the bags have small pockets which are just large enough to hold phones and keys.
This high-end, lightweight side-by-side can be used in more than 20 configurations, and comes with an additional seat and carrycot. It has a high-profile steering handlebar, front and rear suspensions that smooth rough terrain and it folds compactly and stands up on its own with straps for easy transportation, and seven-inch front wheel with swivel locks and 10 inches back wheels with suspensions for a smoother ride. The only downside is that you'll have to purchase a separate car seat or baby carrier.
This versatile tandem is a top pick by our home testers due to its easy-to-maneuver size and impressively large shopping basket, which can be accessed with both seats facing towards the parent. Its lightweight weight (about the same as a few single pushchairs) makes it a breeze to move. The seats are reversible, which means that you can switch them around to face either way, and the clever way it can attach the second seat or riding board to the rear is appreciated by many. Parents also liked the fact that it can accommodate infant car seats and carriers from a variety of brands, including those which aren't usually fit into other double buggies.