Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
A compact double pushchair makes it easy to move around, especially for families with children of various ages. They are easy to fold, steer and carry up and down the stairs.
This City Mini GT2 features side-by-side seating with plenty of legroom. It also features adjustable reclining, large UPF 50+ canopy, and peekaboo windows. It also has an expanding frame width to accommodate the second car seat or another passenger.
Side-by-Side
The majority of the lightweight double pushchair s 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 compatibility with car seats. The Thule Urban Glide 2 Double, and Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double, are both excellent choices. They have recline adjustments for both seats, a huge canopy, and padded 5-point safety harnesses. They're also easy to move despite their bigger footprint and are great for parents worried about fitting into doorways.
The Cybex Duet pushchair is unique because it has a clever frame that expands to allow for a second child seat. This makes it slimmer than other pushchairs with side-by-side seating. It can fit through doors of standard size and is easy to maneuver in public transport. It also doubles as a jogger which is great if you want to use it with an infant carrier or car seat. It's also available in a variety of fun colors.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 double is another fantastic side-by-side double that is lightweight. It provides additional flexibility due to a modular frame. It's a clever design that allows you to turn it into a single buggy or a double by adding two car seats or carrycots (it can even take twins). It's a great option for families with growing children, and the UPPAbaby also is among the lightest and stylish umbrella strollers on the market.
If you're looking for a more compact, lightweight double, consider the egg2 which folds down to the size of a small suitcase. It can be used as a single or a double by adding two carrycots or infant car seats, and our home testers loved how sleek and simple it was to handle even when stuffed with kids.
Double pushchairs with side-by-side seating aren't foolproof, though -- if your children are the same age or at the same stage, they may still fight over who is allowed to ride in which seat. If they're at different heights, then the tandem model could be the best option for them, since it allows them to face each other.
Tandem
While side-by-side models may be better suited for siblings who are the same age, tandem lightweight double pushchairs have their own charms. They can be fitted with a larger car seat, and some have convertible seats or an additional carrycot that is located in the middle. They are bigger and easy to get in and out of. However the baskets they use tend to be smaller than those on single buggies. They also have larger large canopies that have peekaboo windows as well as a parent cup holder and padding for the legs of young children.
The iCandy Peach is another example of a good-value lightweight tandem. The fabric is a little less luxurious than our other top-rated doubles, but it looks and feels great and is easy to use. One of the most impressive things about it is its single-handed fold. While it requires practice, Kirstie in our Lab has said it's "genius". The carrycot cannot be folded while it's attached. However, the mechanism to attach and remove the carrycot is simple and quick.
Tandem strollers that are lightweight generally have a more precise turning compared to side-by-side models. However, they can be more difficult to drive on uneven surfaces or curbs. They can also be a little slower to pick up speed and may be heavier to move, which can cause stress on your back.
Another option is a convertible double buggy that starts out as a single and then you can add adapters that turn it into a double. These can include a second seat or carrycot in front, or the children can be seated side-byside. Some can also consider adding a buggyboard, which helps an older child keep up with a younger brother or sister.
The Uppababy Vista V2 can be transformed into a twin-sized stroller by purchasing additional cocoons for PS59 each. The cocoons create an area that is flat for newborns. These can be placed in a row or joined to one another and you can also use them in conjunction with the baby car seat that is included with the pushchair (as as long as you select a compatible one). Because they're made from high-quality materials, these buggies that are dual-use can be used for many years without showing much wear, indicating they have the highest resale value.
Single-to-Double
For families who love the outdoors and are looking to upgrade from a single stroller, this light double buggy transforms into a jogger thanks to a nifty kit that includes air-filled tyres, as well as all-wheel suspension. It is also a good option for twins, or children of different ages and as triple tandem, it's able to handle rough terrain. It's also a good option for parents who want an elegant design that's as sleek as a single, and comes in a variety of fabric colours.
We loved the way this iCandy model folds into itself with just one hand, making it extremely easy to master. It's heavier than other single-to-double pushchairs, however our home tester Karolina says it's capable of maneuvering even with two toddlers inside and carrying a carrycot.
You can buy add-ons like the Roma Gemini Carrycots (PS100) which are perfect for newborns. The seats are comfortable for toddlers with high-quality headrests and lumbar supports. And there are many options for recline, with the front seat being able to be adjusted to different positions, and the rear seat offering a recline option.
This type of buggy comes with the greatest 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 between kerbs. However the suspension and wheels are generally able to are capable of dealing with pavements and the fact that they're generally significantly lighter than the side-by-sides, means you still find plenty of storage space. These strollers can be difficult to maneuver in supermarkets with narrow aisles and they might struggle to carry a large amount. It's a little easier to turn them around on the smallest curves of paths, but even this can be a challenge. Some are also easier to turn than others, such as the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double, for example.
Convertible
The best thing about convertible double pushchairs is the ability to adapt to the changing family needs. Often, they start as single buggies and come with adapters that allow you to add a second child's seat, a carrycot, or (in some instances) a car-seat to the frame. Some can be converted back to a single one when your child reaches the age of walk or wants to ride buggyboards.
One of the most lightweight double strollers on our list, this fashionable tri-fold model is able to hold children as heavy as 40 pounds each. It comes with a handy basket in between the seats for storage. The home testers loved the large canopy with windows that peek out with multi-position reclining seats as well as front and rear suspensions for smoother rides on rough terrain. It also has a convenient parent cup holder and a large, easy-to-access basket. However, they noticed that the seats' backs have small pockets that aren't large enough to hold more than a cell phone and keys.
This lightweight, high-end side-by-side is available in more than 20 different configurations. It also comes with a second seat and carrycot. Its impressive feature set includes a handlebar with a high-profile design for easier steering and a rear and front suspension to smooth rough terrain; a self-standing compact fold with handy straps that make it easy to schlep and seven-inch swivel lock front wheels and 10-inch rear wheels with suspension for a smoother ride. The only downside is that you will need to purchase a separate car seat or baby carrier.
This multi-functional tandem is the top pick of our home testers due to the fact that it is simple to maneuver and features a large shopping basket that can be accessed from both seats when they are in the parent-facing positions. Its light weight (about the same as some single pushchairs) makes it a breeze to move. The seats are reversible, which means that they can be switched to face either way, and the clever method by which it connects an additional seat or riding board to the rear is highly praised by many. Parents also liked the fact that it can accommodate infant carriers and car seats from various brands, including those that don't normally fit into other double buggies.