What to Look For in a Compact Double Buggy
Kerry says this side-by-side is small enough to fit through most doorways and can take two car seats or carrycots. It has a self-standing fold and a handy carry strap for easy schlepping.
The canopies are also easy to lift and move up and down the stairs. The canopies are spacious with windows as well as peekaboo openings.
Size
Double buggy features you must look for include a large shopping basket, rear and front suspension and an incredibly sturdy frame. You might consider if it is an e-travel system, or whether the car seat or carrycot is possible to add. These are crucial considerations if you have to take your children on public transport or on long trips.
Take a look at the Leclerc Kooper X2 if you are looking for a small double buggy that you can use from birth. This side-byside model comes with a clever frame that expands in width so that it can accommodate two children. double pram and pushchair have the option of recline and can be positioned independently, giving you the choice of one child leaning back and relaxing for a nap, while the other is looking out at the world around them. The seat comes with a large UPF 50+ canopy, with an open window.
Another great option for newborn twins is the Mountain Buggy Duet. It is the thinnest side-byside twin pushchair available and only 63cm wide so can fit through the majority of doors. It can take two car seats or one carrycot and has lying-flat seats that can be used from birth.
Tandem double buggies, which have the children positioned in a row, are a popular choice for twins or for parents of a baby and toddler. However, they do generally have a bigger footprint than single-seaters, and can be difficult to maneuver on narrow streets or through doors.
The iCandy Orange tandem buggy is a popular tandem that can expand with your family. It comes with 30 different seating options. It can be used with twins or a baby and a toddler or three kids when you add iCandy's "PiggyBack" board (which you can buy separately). It comes with a soft suspension system that makes kerbs easy to navigate. It can be used in either mono or double mode. You can also attach one stroller to the top for extra storage.
Weight
A great double buggy should be lightweight and easy to push. It should also have nice-sized shopping baskets, rear and front suspension to make it easier to navigate rougher surfaces and, ideally it should be suitable for twins or siblings of different ages.
A lot of compact double buggies have frames designed to fit infant car seats and come with adaptors with branded brands to match popular models from Cybex, BeSafe and Maxi-Cosi. These are excellent options if you want to avoid having separate strollers for your younger children who have medical needs.
However, they tend to have a larger space than side-byside buggies and can be harder to fit through doors and on public transportation. If this is important to you, check the product's specifications to see what alternatives are available.
Mountain Buggy Duet is the most compact double stroller on the market. This is the slimmest side by side on the market at just 63cm wide and is suitable for twins in the newborn stage or even one baby and one toddler. It offers robust engineering and superior performance thanks to its large air-filled tyres, which are all-terrain but just as happy nipping around the city.
The UPPAbaby Vista 2 is another fantastic option. It can accommodate twins as well as a baby and toddler, or two kids with a piggyback board (which is required to be purchased separately). It has a self-standing fold and carry strap that makes it a breeze to transport and it has both rear and front suspension to help you deal with rougher terrain. It's heavier than the Joie Evalite Duo, but less heavy than trifold buggies. This is a great choice for older children.
Folding
The Baby Jogger City Select 2 is a great choice for storing the double buggy. This side-by-side model has a smooth fold, and the frame's clever design expands in width when folded so that it's narrower than a single stroller. This allows it to be more easily maneuvered through doorways and on public transportation, while eliminating the need for a second vehicle.
It's a great choice for parents who have twins since it can be used in mono or duo mode with two seats and car seat adaptors. It can hold an additional child on the 'piggyback board that is part of the buggy. It also offers an array of configurations including elevated stadium-style seats to give both children a view of their surroundings. The adjustable handlebar comes with a handbrake, which allows you to push the buggy up and down hills.
Mountain Buggy Duet is another great option. It has the most compact footprint side-by-side available measuring just 63cm. It is ideal for parents who fret about fitting a double inside the doorway or on public transport. However it is still able to tackle rough terrain as an off-roader. It can be used for twins or a toddler with an infant, or two children with similar age. Each seat reclines independently, which ensures that the children are able to sit comfortably.
Another good option is the iCandy Peach, which can be used in tandem or mono mode and can take 2 car seat/seats or an infant seat and carrycot. It's a bit larger than other doubles, but it has excellent maneuverability especially on smooth surfaces. This is a great choice for those looking for an elegant and practical buggy.
If you're on a budget there are plenty affordable double buggies available, such as the UPPAbaby Vista 2. This small side-by-side can accommodate a newborn in a carrycot, an infant in the seat, or even three children if you add the PiggyBack ride on board with pizazz. It features a simple, self-standing fold and a nice large canopy that offers children some security and includes a peekaboo window. It's also fairly light for a double buggy and has a larger undercarriage basket to store shopping.