Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
If you have twins or children close in age, a tandem double buggie is a fantastic option. They are smaller than side-by-side buggies and are perfect for small spaces such as doors, public transport and rocky terrain.
Some can be converted to travel systems that can take two carrycots or child car seats. However, they can be heavier and longer than single pushchairs and might feel less stable when in bumping up the kerbs.
Convertible
There are a variety of options for adding a second seating or making a single stroller a double. The UPPAbaby V2 is spacious, gorgeous stroller. It is easily converted from a single to a double by adding an seating area with a rumble. It is more expensive and less maneuverable because the second seat is placed in front of the first seat. Nuna Demi Grow offers a similar option, but it lacks storage underneath the seat when used as a double stroller.
Other options include twin buggies with all-terrain wheels, and joggers with fixed wheels that can hold two kids. They are generally more expensive but they're designed to last longer on rough terrain, and may have greater resales value.
Reclining seat recline independently
If you're looking for a double stroller that can accommodate children of various age groups, you'll require one with an independent recliner for both seats. This will allow your older child to rest while the baby is sleeping in a bassinet and the reverse is true.
You'll also need to consider the width of the pushchair as this will affect how easy it is to navigate through doors and on public transportation. If your doorways are very narrow, you may think about a side by side pushchair such as the Mountain Buggy Duet. It has a footprint similar to a single stroller but can still fit two seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies generally are slightly longer than side-by-side models, and aren't as easily maneuverable around kerbs however they can be able to accommodate a wider range of seat/carrycot/car seat combinations making them a good option for twins or siblings of different age groups. They also tend to be more expensive than single-to-double buggies, but are a worthwhile investment if you plan to keep it for a long time and will have a decent amount of resale value in the event that you sell it on after your children have grown out of it.
Another important feature to look for is whether the seat backs are able to recline independently of one another since this will allow you to place your child in the best position for naps or watching. This is crucial for children who are in the back seat and wants to nap while the child in the front prefers to sit up to observe the surrounding.
Some brands have a unique design that allows the back seat of their vehicles to recline to a position that is almost flat, perfect for babies. For instance, the iCandy Orange has raised stadium-style seating and can recline both the included toddler seat and the additional RumbleSeat into multiple positions so that your children have a the option of deciding where they will sit, as well as providing an excellent UPF 50+ canopy with windows that can be seen from afar.
More spacious than twin buggies
They are perfect for siblings of different age groups, and you can move around without having to worry about your children touching. They're typically a bit larger, with one seat sitting behind the other and providing a flat recline for newborns (or an upright position for toddlers).
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular option. It is the slimmest design that is side-by-side and a footprint like the footprint of a single stroller. It comes with an adjustable handle that makes it easier for parents to push and a handbrake which is helpful on steep hills. It can be used from birth and is compatible with a variety of car seats and carrycots. This means it is a great travel system.
Another option is the iCandy Wave, which has the convenience of a single click to fold and can be used in duo or mono mode. Its clever frame can be expanded to accommodate an additional chair and can be used up to two car seats or carrycots. This makes it a great option for older siblings who would like to sit together. It's a little bigger than the other models, but it feels light and has a comfortable suspension for kerbs.
There are plenty of 3-wheeler tandems with inline tires that provide stability and fast steering. Check out Phil and Teds inline models as well as iCandy Peach and Pear buggies. These can often be folded into a single buggy in case you have a small space at home or you need to transport it from the car to the bus station.
Be aware that a double-wide buggy will be heavier and heavier than one that is compact. Be sure you know what you want prior to making a buy. You'll be taking it on and off subways, trains and buses frequently, so it must be easy to operate and manage. twin stroller might also have to juggle it onto and off the car seat when you take your children to nursery or school so you'll need to know it's easy to maneuver within small spaces.
From birth, you're a good candidate
If you're expecting twins or have another child after your first, you're likely to need to find an appropriate pushchair for the whole family. Double buggies tend to be heavier and bulkier as well as more expensive than single strollers. However they are also more maneuverable in narrower doors, or around obstacles like curbs. Many are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or via a separate accessory purchase) which means you can carry three children at a time.
Tandem pushchairs place one child in front the other. They're a great option if your children are of similar ages and get along well. They're not foolproof. Siblings seated side-by-side may punch or kick one another and children of different heights may fight over who is sitting higher. A tandem high-low model is able to solve this issue by elevating the seat at the rear, which will prevent your child's older one from sitting on the bottom and not having the best view.
The iCandy Wave is a great choice for parents looking for an easy-to-use double buggy that converts to fit both a newborn in a carrycot as well as an older child in the main seat. It features a clever frame which increases in size when you add a second child seat. It also folds flat for compact storage. The cushioned seats are comfortable, the straps are easy to fasten, and the buckles some of the best we've seen on any of our tests. The canopies are large in size, UPF 50+ protection, and peekaboo window. Both seats are reclined independently.
The only drawback to the iCandy is that it's a little on the expensive side, but a quality tandem will last for a long time and retain its resale value, which means you'll likely recoup some of the cost in the long run. It doesn't have the same range of seating configurations that the other top choices however the iCandy is a good choice for families that don't want to spend a fortune.