Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair

A double pram or pushchair can simplify the lives of families, especially on busy footpaths or in the shops and stores. Find a model that has ample storage space to store nappies, snacks, and other essentials.

Some parents who are first-time parents opt for a future-proof pushchair which can be used both as a single stroller when baby is born, and later converted to a twin pushchair from birth mode after the baby arrives. Joolz has a variety of choices.

Tandem

The news that you're about to have a baby is one of the most exciting times in your life. However, once the initial excitement wears off and reality sinks in, you could be faced with a myriad of choices regarding how to prepare your family for the arrival of your new one or one. The best stroller or pram is one of the most important considerations.

Tandem prams (also called "in-line" double prams) are a timeless design that feature two seats or pram bassinets arranged side by side. The front seat, which is usually padded, reclines flat and is suitable for babies. The second seat is upright and is designed to accommodate toddlers as young as three years old. Some models have reversible seating so you can choose whether your children face each other or look out at you. Many tandems can be converted to a single pushchair when your oldest child is no longer required to have the second seat.

A tandem is more affordable than twin stroller side by side prams and can be an excellent choice for parents who wish to save money, but without having to sacrifice safety or functional. A tandem can be heavy and difficult to steer, particularly when bumping over curbs. It is also less stable than twin pushchairs particularly if a larger child is in the front. A tandem isn't always easy to fit on public transport, and it can be difficult to navigate narrow pavements.

The iCandy Peach is a popular image-conscious model that's a great choice 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 comes with frames that can be expanded in size to accommodate a second seat. It can be used with a range of combinations of buggy seats, car seats, and carrycots (two at one time or in separate). The iCandy Wave tandem is another lightweight option that's easy-to-use and compatible with a variety of carrycots or car seats.

Side by side

There are many aspects to consider when choosing a double pushchair or pram. Whether you're buying for twins or other siblings that are similar in age, there are a number of configuration options to take into account. Tandem prams (also known as side by side prams) are popular choices as they can be set up to fit infants in a bassinet on top, while the larger infant or toddler sits in the second seat below.

Some models have reversible seating that let you customize the layout of your family during the infant and toddler years. This lets you see your children at all times, and allows them to interact while they walk.

Tandem prams are usually jogging or all-terrain buggies which makes them ideal for outdoor adventures and the park. They're also a good choice if you need to brave narrow supermarket isles or checkouts because they're generally more compact than single-seaters.

The Redsbaby JIVE3 Pram, for instance, can be used as a tandem pram starting from birth in the dual mode, with the addition of the rumble seat (PS249). If your child gets bored of the rumble seat, you can switch to a single pram mode. You can also choose to use the car capsule adaptors to transform it from a newborn to toddler travel system.

Another option is the Side by Side Pram from Babybee. This double side-by-side pram comes in a variety of colors and is designed in a contemporary style. Designed to be used right from birth, you can also add the LUNA Cocoon for newborns (PS262) and the LUNA Infant Seats (PS53 each).

If you're seeking a sleek, elegant pushchair that can convert into a side-byside double, the Egg 2 from Chicco is a great option. It comes in a range of carrycots and infant seats to accommodate twins or siblings of different age groups. It's also easy to collapse. It's also fairly light, making it a good option for those with little space in their cars or don't have enough space for storage.

Convertible

Some of the top double prams or pushchairs double; Look At This, can be set up to meet your changing needs. You can fit up to three children on the seat board, or two toddlers in the seats with enough space for shopping bags. Accessories like rain covers are also available. In general, convertible double strollers are larger and heavier than single pushchairs due to the fact that they must be able to hold two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow convertible is an example of an affordable convertible that is easy to use. However, our test participants found it to be a bit heavy for the money.

Some convertible double strollers like the Baby Jogger City Select 2 have a carrycot that is suitable for newborns. This reduces the size of the double stroller when it is not in use and makes it more compact. Our test participants were awestruck by the City Select's unique one-handed fold, though it does take some time to master. It's also quite agile and responsive, despite being bigger than other double strollers.

The Cybex Mockingbird single-to-double stroller is an alternative that is affordable. The seat can be transformed from a parent-facing infant car seat to an forward-facing toddler seat. The bassinet feature is a great choice for infants.

If you're looking for more flexibility, consider a dual-mode convertible such as the iCandy Peach. It's a compact double stroller that can accommodate two children at the same time. It can be used to create a tandem by adding a second seating kit. It's nimble and agile, and our testers liked its sleek design. It's not quite as lightweight like some of the other models on our list, however it does come with a huge basket that's great for parents carrying bags full of toys and food items.

Lightweight

Some parents want to ensure the future of their double buggy when they have one child and are expecting another and a convertible model is an excellent choice. The iCandy Peach can be converted from a single pushchair into double pushchair from birth by the addition of a toddler seat, or the brand's carrycot (which works well for overnight sleeping). Our testers noted the comfort of the seats and love the fact that they both recline to multiple positions, have built-in foot and leg supports and large UPF 50+ canopy that has peekaboo windows. The rear seat can also be lifted high to offer an elevated platform for the older child to get off and on to allow them to reach things in the shopping basket.

Cher said that the one negative aspect of the iCandy Peach was its weight. However, she believed this was offset because it is easy to move and has plenty of storage and cup holders for parents and children, seat-back pockets, and a large basket underneath the seat. Cher also loved that seats can be flipped so that they be positioned to face each other, which is great for siblings who like to talk and interact when out and out and about.

A lighter-weight but just as impressive option is the Delta Children LX side-by-side stroller that weighs just 18 lbs. It is compact and has a self-standing fold, making it easy to transport and put in your trunk or at home. Parents appreciate the quality of the materials and workmanship and the price is low. The only drawback is that the seats don't recline as far as some other models we've tried and the back seat doesn't have great visibility due to its positioning - it's raised higher than the front seat.

The Joolz Geo 3 is another popular choice. It's slim, sleek, easy to steer, and comes with a lifetime guarantee. While they're smaller, side-by-side prams can still be larger than tandems and inline doubles. This can make them difficult to maneuver around busy footpaths and in shops. However, they're usually shorter, which means they are easier to maneuver in tight spaces than tandems.