Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
If you have twins or children close in age, a tandem double buggy is a fantastic option. They are narrower than side by side buggies, and are great for narrow spaces like doorways, public transport and rough terrain.
Some can be converted into travel systems that can take two carrycots or child car seats. They can be heavier, longer and less stable than a single pushchair.
Convertible
There are a variety of options to add a second seat or converting a single stroller to double. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 is a spacious, gorgeous stroller that can easily be converted from a single to a double by incorporating the rumble seat (available separately). It is more expensive and less maneuverable because the second seat is positioned on top of the first seat. The Nuna Demi Grow is a similar model with great seating flexibility, however it isn't equipped with storage under the seat when used in doubles mode.
Other alternatives include twin buggies with all-terrain wheels as well as joggers that have fixed wheels that can be used to carry two children. They are more expensive but they are made for long-distance trips over rough terrain, and come with higher resale prices.
Independent recline of the seat
If you're looking for a double buggy that is able to transport children of different ages, you'll need a buggy that has an recline that is independent for both seats. This will allow your older child to rest while the baby is in the bassinet, and reverse.
You'll also have to think about the size of the stroller as this will affect how easy it is to traverse doors and public transportation. If you have extremely narrow doorways then it might be worthwhile to consider a side-by-side pushchair, such as the Mountain Buggy Duet which has the benefit of having a footprint comparable to a single buggy but can still take 2 seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies are usually smaller than side-byside models and so aren't as difficult to maneuver around kerbs however, they can accommodate a wider range of car/car/seat combinations, making them a good option for twins or siblings of different ages. They are more expensive than single to double buggies, but they're worth the cost if you plan on keeping it for many years. They also hold some value when sold once your kids have outgrown the buggie.
Another crucial thing to look out for is if the seat backs can recline independently of each other as this will let you put your child in the best position for naps or watching. Pushchairs And Prams is particularly important if you have a young child in the rear seat who may want to lie back and sleep while the more mature child wants to sit and observe their surroundings.
Certain brands have a distinctive design that allows the back seat of their vehicles to fully recline into a position that's almost flat, ideal for newborns. The iCandy Orange, for example, has stadium-style seating that can be reclined in several positions. It also comes with a UPF 50+ canopy and peekaboo windows.
Larger than twin buggies
You don't need to have twins in order to benefit from a wider double buggy. They're perfect for siblings of different age groups. They allow you to go about your day without worrying about your children touching each other. They're usually a larger, with one seat behind the other. The seats can be reclined completely for infants, or put in an upright position for toddlers.
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular choice. It has the slimmest design of the two-in-ones on the market and a footprint that is comparable to the footprint of a single stroller. It also features an adjustable handle, making it easier for parents of different heights to push and a handbrake that is helpful when climbing steep hills. It is suitable for use right from birth, and can be paired with a wide range of car seats and carrycots.
Another alternative is the iCandy Wave, which has an easy one-click fold and is able to be utilized in a duo or mono mode. Its clever frame expands to accommodate the second chair and can be used up to two car seats or carrycots. This makes it a great choice for older siblings that want to be seated together. It's slightly bigger than the other models, but it still isn't heavy and has a soft suspension for the kerbs.
There are also plenty of 3-wheeler tandems inline available such as Phil and Teds inline models, or iCandy's Peach and Pear buggies, for example they offer stability and swift steering. Often these can be folded down to the size of one buggy, which is helpful for those who struggle with storage at home or have to carry it in and out of the car when you travel on public transportation.
It's important to keep in mind that a large double buggy will feel bulkier and heavier than a smaller single buggy So make sure it's what you need before purchasing. It is likely to be used on trains, buses and subways frequently, so it should be easy to manage and use. You 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 can be easily manoeuvred within small spaces.
Suitable from birth
You'll need a pushchair for your entire family whether you're expecting twins or if you have a child after you've had your first. Double buggies tend to be a bit heavier, bulkier and more expensive than single strollers, but they are also more maneuverable 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 allows you to transport three children at once.
Tandem pushchairs put one child in front the other. They're a good choice if your children are of similar ages and get along well. But they're not foolproof: Siblings in side-by-side seats may punch or kick each other, and children who are different heights can argue over who sits higher. This issue can be resolved by a tandem high-low design that elevates the seat in the rear. Your child's older one isn't seated at the bottom of the car and won't get much of an opportunity to see.
The iCandy Wave is a great alternative for parents who want an easy-to-use double buggy that converts to accommodate a newborn in a carrycot and an older child in the main seat. It features a smart frame that expands in width when you add a second seat, and folds flat to make it a compact storage. The cushioned buckles, straps and seats are all of the best quality we have encountered in any of our tests. The canopies have a generous size with UPF 50+ protection, and the window is peekaboo. Both seats can recline independently.
The only downside to the iCandy tandem is that it is a bit expensive. But a high-quality tandem will last you for a long time and will have an attractive resale value which means that in the end you'll likely recover some of the cost. The iCandy does not have the same seating arrangements as our other top choices. It's nevertheless an ideal choice for families that don't want spend lots of cash.