Selecting a Double Stroller With Infant Car Seat
A double stroller with an infant car seat is essential for twins or two children with similar ages. If you are planning to purchase one, it's crucial to take into consideration your budget and how long you plan to use the stroller for.
Kate loved that the stroller was lightweight and easy to move. She also liked that it folds easily, although she found the magnetic buckles difficult to fasten.
Size
When selecting a double stroller with infant car seats size is an important consideration. The stroller should be small and slim so that parents can easily maneuver it on crowded sidewalks or through the narrow subway gates. Additionally, the stroller should be compact and easy to fold enough to fit in the trunk of a car or a smaller vehicle for storage.
Consider a double stroller that has two seats and can accommodate a car seat for infants when you plan to have twins or children who are similar in age. Double strollers are more expensive, but they have a longer life and can be used until toddlerhood or beyond. Our top pick is the UPPAbaby V2 Double, comes with a variety of seating configurations. It can accommodate two toddler seats or infant seats that can be converted into bassinets.
We also love strollers that can be used with different infant car seat brands and offers a wider selection of models for families to choose from. For example, the UPPAbaby Vista can work with the UPPAbaby Mesa as well as other infant car seats with adapters. It also is compatible with the Baby Jogger Glider Board for an additional, standing passenger.
Some parents opt to purchase a stroller that is single-to-double and can adapt to the needs of a second child, but we recommend purchasing the items you require at the right time. You may have a second child arrive later than expected or your first child may not be able to walk. The seating arrangement in a double stroller with an infant car seat can also make or break the bond between siblings, particularly if they are close in age.
Weight
Double strollers weigh more than single models. They have two seats as well as more cargo, meaning the weight of the final pushing load is higher. It's crucial to take into account this weight when deciding on the best model, particularly in the event that you'll use it for long walks or jogs. The best models are well-engineered to handle the additional load with minimal movement or shifting.
You should also consider the long-term durability of double-strollers. The top models provide quality build and seating configuration flexibility, which means they'll last longer than the budget rivals. The joovy Qool double bundle, for example, accepts car seat adapters to fit two infant carseats. It also can accommodate a second child via an attachable bassinet. This model is perfect for twins or children of different ages, or siblings who have gaps between them.
Parents on a budget might find the Baby Trend Double Snap N-Go an appealing option since it is compatible with two car seats for infants and can be converted into a tandem (single-file) stroller. It's lightweight and compact, making it simple to move around even with the extra weight.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double. It's comparable to more expensive award winners and supports multiple seating options for kids of different ages and stages. Its side-byside seat design makes it suitable for twins or kids with different ages, and it can be customized by adding add-ons like dual canopies twin bassinets, twin bassinets or altered seats that double as toddler seats. This stroller is also easy to fold and has a small footprint, making it easy to fit into a trunk. The stroller isn't designed to be used until children can sit up without assistance, so babies younger than that will need to either be carried or placed into a car seat.
Convenience
It's simpler and less stressful to take your family on a vacation when you can transfer your infant's car seat effortlessly from the vehicle to the stroller. Rather than attempting to fold the stroller while keeping one hand on the infant and the other on a toddler, simply click the seat into position and then begin moving. This is particularly useful during long trips, where you don't need to unbuckle or buckle your child every few minutes.
Many parents who have twins choose a travel system which can accommodate two infant car seats at the same time. The Graco Fast Action Flip, for instance, provides this capability and comes with the added benefit of having a bench seat for older siblings. It's not compatible with all infant car seats and may be somewhat heavy for certain families.
Some parents prefer a double stroller that has an integrated car seat adapter that works with all the major infant car seats. Evenflo Pivot Xpand Combo offers an excellent value for the features it has. While it's not the ideal double stroller for infant twins (it only works with one) It can work well for a variety of families and is a good choice if you're hoping for a one-and-done purchase.
Other double strollers come with an even more complicated process for attaching and detaching the car seat. For instance the UPPAbaby Vist double requires you to press down, and then hear a loud clicking sound, in order to know that it's securely secured. It's more difficult to use in parking spaces particularly when you have hungry or exhausted children. And while it does grow with your family, we don't believe it's the best option for parents of twins as you'll have to purchase a separate toddler seat when your kids are old enough for it.
Durability
A double stroller and infant car seats should be durable and built to last. It should also suit your budget and lifestyle, whether you plan to use the stroller for a few or many years. Take into consideration the quality of the stroller's fabric and its components, including the tires, when you make your purchase.
Find a stroller that has a a wide and deep storage basket that will accommodate plenty of groceries, diapers and other items. A large parent console with cup holders can be useful, as is a sun canopy that provides adequate coverage. Also, ensure that the stroller can handle off-road terrain and navigate narrow city sidewalks.
Parents of twins may prefer a side-by-side stroller for the same level of visibility and accessibility to both children, whereas others with kids of different ages might choose a tandem model that allows the rear child to be raised or lower. Tandem strollers weigh more than single strollers, and can cause siblings to fight, especially if they have seats that are different heights.
A stroller with an adjustable handlebar can allow you to adjust it to the right height for you and the one-hand fold mechanism is a useful feature. Another feature to look out for is a compact footprint that fits easily in your trunk, and requires little storage space.
A stroller that is modular like the CYBEX Gazelle S provides unbeatable flexibility, allowing you to mix and match seating options and cot attachments for multiples, twins or one rider of different ages. This high-end model's durable construction and the flexibility of seating configurations makes it a great investment if you plan to keep it for many years to come.
Safety
A safe stroller is secure for the child in the seat and for the parent pushing it. Alli Cavasino, a certified child passenger safety technician, suggests that you select a stroller with ergonomic handlebars that are easy to use breaks and a movable harness. She also advises avoiding any accessories that increase the weight of the stroller, such as ride-on boards or additional child seats.
A double stroller needs to be sturdy enough to handle various surfaces including suburban sidewalks and parks trails to roads that are paved. It should be robust enough to withstand curbs and bumps easily, but also flexible for navigating a steep incline or up and down stairways. Additionally, it should be simple to fold and fit into a trunk without any compromise in dimensions or maneuverability.
Parents of twins or siblings who are close in age may think about a double stroller that is able to accommodate two car seats for infants. This will allow them to have the flexibility to move sleeping children from the car to a stroller without disturbing them up. Many of our top-scoring strollers are compatible with two car seats for infants like the Evenflo Pivot Xpand Double and the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double.
Another alternative is the Joovy Qool double bundle, which works with two infant car seats (car seat adapters sold separately) and comes with an extra rumble seat that transforms into a second seat once your children are old enough for their car seat. It has stadium seating with plenty of legroom and can be configured so that your kids face each other or the entire world. It's not able to accommodate two bassinets or an infant car seat or riding board at the same time, but it's a great option for families with several young children.