Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
A tandem double buggy could be a great option if you have twins, or children who are very close in age. They are narrower than side by side buggies, and are great for narrow spaces like doors, public transport and terrain that is rocky.
Some can be converted into travel systems that use two carrycots or car seats for children. They can be heavier, longer and less stable than a single pushchair.
Convertible
There are a variety of options for adding a second seat or converting a single stroller to a double. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 is a spacious, gorgeous stroller that can easily be converted from a single to a double by adding the rumble seating (available separately). It is more expensive and less maneuverable due to the fact that the second seat is positioned on top of the first seat. Nuna Demi Grow offers a similar option but lacks storage underneath the seat when used as a double stroller.
Other alternatives include all-terrain twin buggies and fixed-wheel joggers that can accommodate two children. These tend to be more expensive but they're designed for long-distance trips over rough terrain and can have a higher resale value.
Independent seat recline
If you're looking for a double stroller that will accommodate children of various age groups, you'll need one with an independent recliner for both seats. This will allow your child's older to relax in the back while the baby is in the bassinet and reverse.
Take into consideration the width of your pushchair to determine how easy it is for you to maneuver through doors and public transport. If you have extremely narrow doorways then it might be a good idea to consider a side-byside pushchair such as the Mountain Buggy Duet which has the advantage of having a footprint similar to a single buggy however it can use two seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies are generally longer than side by side models, which makes them more difficult to maneuver up and down kerbs. However they can be able to accommodate more combinations of seats/carrycots/car seats and are an excellent choice for twins and siblings of different ages. They also tend to be more expensive than single-to double buggies, but are a good purchase if you plan to keep it for a long time and will retain a decent amount of resale value if you decide to sell it off when your children have grown out of it.
This feature allows you to place your child in the most comfortable position for naps or to observe. This is essential for children who are in the back seat and wishes to nap while the more mature child prefers to sit and observe the surrounding.
A few brands have an exclusive seat design that allows the back seat to fully recline into a nearly flat position which is perfect for babies. For instance the iCandy Orange has raised stadium-style seating that can recline both the toddler seat that comes with it and the add-on RumbleSeat into multiple positions to give your kids a the option of deciding where to sit as well as offering an excellent UPF 50+ canopy that has windows that can be seen from afar.
Larger than twin buggies
They are great for siblings of different ages, and you can move around without worrying about your children touching. They're typically a little larger too with one seat placed behind the other and usually offering a fully-flat recline for babies (or an upright position for toddlers).
Mountain Buggy Duet is a popular option. It is the slimmest design of the two-in-ones on the market, and a footprint that is comparable to a single stroller. It features an adjustable handle that makes it easier for parents to push, and a handbrake, which can be useful on hills that are steep. It is suitable for use from birth, and can be paired with a range of car seats and carrycots.
Another alternative is the iCandy Wave, which has a simple one-click to fold and is able to be utilized in a duo or mono mode. The clever frame can be expanded to accommodate an additional chair and can be used to accommodate up to two car seats or carrycots. This makes it an ideal option for older siblings who wish to be seated together. It's slightly longer than some other models, but it's light to steer and comes with soft suspension to tackle the kerbs.
There are a lot of 3-wheeler tandems inline available - check out Phil and Teds' inline models or iCandy's Peach and Pear buggies, for example - which offer stability and swift steering. Often these can be folded into the size of one buggy which is useful for those who struggle with storage at home or frequently need to carry it in and out of the boot when using public transport.
It's worth bearing in mind that a large double buggy will be heavier and bulkier than a smaller single buggy So make sure you're getting what you need before you purchase. It is likely to be used on trains, buses and subways often, so it should be easy to use and manage. You might need to manage the car seat when you take your child to school or the nursery.
The best time to start is when you are born.
You'll need a stroller for your entire family, whether you're expecting twins or if you have a child after having your first. Double buggies are generally heavier and bulkier as well as more expensive than single strollers. However they are much easier to maneuver in tighter doorways or around obstacles such as curbs. Many are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or via an accessory purchase) to allow you to transport three children at once.
Tandem pushchairs place one child in front the other. They are a good choice if your children are of similar ages and get along well. However, lightweight twin buggy 're not 100% secure: Siblings in side-by-side seats can kick or punch each other, and kids with different heights may argue over who gets to sit higher. A tandem high-low model is able to solve this problem by elevating the seat to the rear, which will prevent your child's older one from sitting on the bottom and not getting the best view.
The iCandy Wave is a good option for parents who are looking for a convertible double buggy with a carrycot that is able to accommodate both a newborn and an older child. It features a smart frame that expands in width when you add the second seat. It folds flat to make it a compact storage. The cushioned buckles, straps and seats are all of the best quality we have seen in our tests. The seats can be reclined independently and the canopies are large and generous with UPF 50+ protection as well as peekaboo windows.
The only drawback to the iCandy tandem is that it is a bit expensive. However, a quality tandem will last you for years and retain the highest resale value, so in the end you'll likely recover some of the cost. It doesn't come with the same range of seating options as some of our other top picks however the iCandy is a good option for families that don't want to spend a fortune.