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Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair

A good double pram or pushchair will simplify the lives of families, especially on busy streets or in shops and stores. Find a model that has generous storage space for stowing nappies, snacks and other essentials.

Some parents who are new to the world choose a pushchair that is future-proof and can be used as a single stroller once baby is born, and then transformed into a twin-mode after the baby arrives. Joolz has a variety of options.

Tandem

The announcement that you're expecting a baby is one of life's most exciting experiences. When the excitement wears off and the reality of the situation sets in, you'll have to make a number of choices regarding how to prepare your family. The best stroller or pram is among the most important considerations.

Tandem prams, also known as "in-line" double prams are a classic design that has two bassinets or chairs placed side-by-side. The front seat is typically covered in padding and reclines to a flat position making it suitable for newborns and the second seat is more upright and can accommodate toddlers from around three years of age. Some models have reversible seating so you can choose to have your children face one another or look at you. Many tandems have the option of being converted into a single pushchair if you decide that your child's oldest does not require the second seat.

A tandem is cheaper than twin stroller side by side prams and is a great option for parents looking to save money without losing safety or function. However, the drawback of a tandem is that it can feel long and heavy to steer especially when bumping up or down kerbs, and it is usually less stable than a twin pram, especially if the child with the most weight is seated at the front. A tandem can be difficult to transport on public transport and is difficult to maneuver on narrow roads.

The iCandy Peach is a popular model with a strong image that's a great option for a single parent who is looking for something that is sleek, but the tandem mode can make it feel quite long and heavy when pushing. It features a clever frame that expands in width to accommodate the second seat, and can be used with multiple combinations of buggy seats, carrycots and car seats (two at once or separately). The iCandy Wave tandem is another lightweight option that's easy-to-use and compatible with a range of car seats or carrycots.

Side by side

When it comes to choosing a double pushchair or pram there's a lot to think about. There are numerous configuration options available, whether you're purchasing for twins or close-in-age siblings. Tandem prams (also known as side by side prams) are popular choices as they can be arranged to accommodate infants in a bassinet on top, while the older toddler or infant is in the seat below.

Some models have reversible seating which allow you to alter the configuration for your family members throughout the infant and toddler years. This lets you see your children at all times and gives them the chance to interact when they walk.

Tandem prams are jogging buggies as well as all-terrain buggies. They are perfect for outdoor excursions, such as to the park. They're also a good option if you need to brave narrow supermarket isles or checkouts, as they're generally smaller than single-seaters.

The Redsbaby JIVE3 Pram, for example, can be used as a tandem pram from birth in the dual mode by adding the use of the rumble seat (PS249). Then, you can switch to the single pram mode once your baby is old enough to leave the rumble seat or choose the adaptors for car capsules (PS53) to turn it into a traveler from newborn to toddler.

The Side by Side Pram by Babybee is another alternative. The side-by-side double pram is available in a variety of colors and comes with a beautiful modern style. It is designed to be used from birth, you can also include the LUNA Cocoon for newborns (PS262) and the LUNA Infant Seats (PS53 each).

The Egg 2 is a stylish elegant pushchair that can be converted into a double side-byside. It's available in a range of infant seat and carrycot combinations to accommodate twins or siblings of varying age groups and is easy to fold. It's also fairly light, making it a good option for people with little space in their cars or don't have enough space for storage.

Convertible

The best double pushchairs or prams can be set up to meet your needs as they change. You can fit two toddlers in a seat or even a third one on the seat board and still have room for a shopping basket and the option to add accessories such as rain covers is another advantage. Typically, convertible double strollers are larger and heavier than single pushchairs because they are required to be able to accommodate two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow convertible is an example of an affordable convertible that is simple to use. However, our reviewers considered it to be somewhat heavy for the price.

Some convertible double prams with large storage basket strollers like the Baby Jogger City Select 2 have a carrycot that is suitable for newborns. This helps to reduce the size of the double stroller when not being used and makes it more compact. The City Select's innovative folding system that is one-handed impressed our testers but it does require some time to master. It's also very nimble and agile, despite being larger than double strollers.

Another affordable option is the Cybex Mockingbird Single-to-Double Stroller. It can be transformed from a parent-facing infant car seat to an forward-facing toddler seat. The bassinet-style mode is a great choice for infants.

For more flexibility, look for a convertible that has dual modes like the iCandy Peach. It's a compact double stroller that is able to accommodate two children in a tandem. It can also be used to make a tandem by adding a second seat kit. It's nimble and responsive, and our testers liked its sleek design. It's not as light as some of the other pushchairs in our list however it does come with a large shopping basket which is handy for parents carrying bags full of toys and food.

Lightweight

Some parents prefer to secure their double travel buggy buggy if they have a child and are expecting another so a convertible option is a good option. The iCandy Peach can be converted from a single pushchair double by the addition of a toddler seat or the brand's carrycot (which is ideal for sleeping at night). The seats are very comfortable and our testers appreciate the fact that they can recline in multiple positions. They also appreciate the design of the canopy, which has a peekaboo window and UPF 50+ protection. The rear seat can also be elevated to provide a a standing platform for the child to get off and on, so they can reach items in the basket of groceries.

Cher said that the one negative aspect of the iCandy Peach was its weight. However, she believed this was offset by the fact that it's easy to move and has plenty of storage with two cup holders for children and parents as well as seat-back pockets and a large basket under the seat. Cher also appreciated the feature that the seats are reversible, so they can be set to face one another for siblings that want to talk and get together while out and out and about.

The Delta Children LX Side-by-Side Stroller is a smaller model and still impressive. It weighs just 18 pounds, is lightweight, and has self-standing fold, making it simple to transport or store in your trunk. Parents appreciate the high-quality materials and workmanship, as well as the affordable cost. The only negatives are that the seats don't recline as much as other models we've tested and the rear seat is not as prominent because of its position as it is higher than the seat in front.

Another popular choice is the Joolz Geo 3, which is slim, sleek and easy to steer, and comes with an attractive design and a lifetime guarantee. While they're smaller, side-by-side prams can still be wider than tandems and inline doubles. This can make them difficult to maneuver around busy footpaths and in shops. However, they're usually shorter too, so can be easier to turn in tight spaces than tandems.