As the parents of several kids, my husband and I have had the opportunity to choose among a wide array of double strollers in order to get the kids safely and sanely from point A to point B, and maybe to points C, D, Y, and Z along the way. As a result, it’s been impossible not to learn a few things along the way. Double strollers are a bit more complicated than single strollers since they tend to be heavier and have more moving parts, so it’s important to think a bit more about what you want from one before you spend the money on one. This guide is designed to make that process as easy as possible. If you’re short on time, our favorite double stroller is the Bumbleride Indie Twin, while our favorite single stroller is the Bumbleride Indie. However, if you’re like us, you’re going to want more details on what to know when looking for a good double stroller. If that sounds like you and you’ve got more time, read on!

Here are the top 5 questions to ask when you’re choosing a double stroller.

1. Do I want a side by side or tandem stroller?

This question is a good one to start with, as it literally determines what your stroller will look like and what you will be able to do with it. Side by side strollers are the more common design and offer the advantage of providing more space for each child, better visibility for each child, and a design that provides more storage room and significantly more stability when on the move. Overall, they are the preferred design for the majority of parents, and this has mirrored our experience with our kids. An example of a great side by side all-terrain stroller is the Indie Twin. An excellent side b y side walking stroller is the City Mini GT Double, and a great side by side jogging stroller is the Revolution SE Duallie.

However, they do take up significantly more space than tandem strollers, which means that if you’re shopping in smaller venues, such as in consignment shops or tiny stores with narrow doorways, you might have a more difficult time getting around successfully with a side by side stroller. On the other hand, if you’re planning on using them for mall shopping and general transportation, the side by side design is going to be more comfortable for most children and parents. An example of a great tandem stroller is the City Select.

2. How tall, heavy, and old are my children?

The development of your children makes a big difference when choosing a double stroller, and you’ll want to be aware of the maximum weight and minimum age recommendations of any stroller you’re interested in purchasing. This is particularly key when shopping for strollers designed to carry newborns, as not all double strollers are newborn friendly, which came as a shock to us. Some strollers will tell you that 5 pounds is the minimum weight recommendation, but others might not be safe until your child weighs 15 pounds or more.

Similarly, at the other end, you’ll want to make sure the maximum weight limits of the stroller are large enough to accommodate both of your children for a significant amount of time. In addition, you’ll also want to think about leg room and head room, as your children will continue to grow throughout the amount of time they use the stroller, and you’ll want to make sure there’s enough room for them. On the other hand, strollers with more room tend to be longer and more bulky, so there are tradeoffs you’ll need to consider when buying a double stroller.

3. How easily does the stroller move?

This question is one that not enough parents ask, but it’s so important to consider. To put it simply, if the stroller isn’t easy to move, turn, and shift around, you aren’t going to want to use it, which is just as bad as not having a stroller to begin with. You’ll want a stroller that turns easily and consistently, and that rolls in a straight direction without needing too much correction on one side or the other. The Mountain Buggy Duet is one of the best examples of a stroller that practically moves itself.The wheels should be sturdy and designed to last for a long time.

My husband and I prefer air-filled wheels, but it’s possible to get away without them if you aren’t looking for a jogging stroller (see below). However, other factors to consider include a suspension system, the turning radius, and the ease with which the stroller is pushed. That last point is important and worth repeating: how easy is it to push your double stroller? You don’t want to need to start lifting weights in order to be able to push your children to the park!

4. How comfortable and adjustable are the seats?

It’s important to read up on the comfort of seats in double strollers before buying one, since it’s your children who will be sitting in them! Additionally, not all double strollers are created equally in the seating department. Do the seats feel good to the touch? And besides that, what’s the recline like? Infants will need much more of a recline to sit safely in a double stroller than will toddlers or preschoolers, and the greater the recline ability, the better.

That said, your children are different, and just because they’re in the same stroller doesn’t mean they will have the same needs. Can you adjust one seat’s recline individually of the other seat’s? This way, a child can sit up much more while another might lie down. Is there a good amount of head and neck support? And are there ways to provide children with additional shade or privacy? These are important factors to keep in mind.

5. Should I get an all-terrain stroller?

This is another question worth considering if you’re looking for the best double stroller for the family. We personally love all-terrain double strollers and often prefer them to walking strollers, except in the case of the City Mini GT Double. However, it took us a while to figure out that these were the kinds of strollers that worked best for us.

We don’t always jog, so please don’t think that this is the only reason to get one; they come in handy the majority of the time simply when we’re walking along the sidewalk or through uneven terrain. They’re also great when we’re exploring parks and trails.However, if you’re an active parent, you’ll want to consider a jogging stroller over a walking stroller, as they come with features such as air-filled tires and suspension that you aren’t always going to get in regular strollers.

Similarly, because the wheels are larger, it’s also much easier to get around uneven ground. And from the child’s perspective, a more comfortable ride is a more enjoyable one, while from the adult’s perspective, a more comfortable child is a child who’s more likely to fall asleep, or at least have a good time during the outing. When you’ve got multiple children or infants, this becomes very, very important.

In our opinion, the best double all-terrain strollers currently on the market is the Bumbleride Indie Twin, followed by the Mountain Buggy Duet. It’s really hard to go wrong with either, but if we had to choose, and we often do, we’d take our Indie Twin every time. It’s just that good.

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