Choosing a Double Pram and Pushchair
A good double pram or pushchair will simplify life for families, particularly when walking on busy roads or in stores and shops. Select a model that offers ample storage space to store nappies, snacks, and other necessities.
Some parents who are new to the family opt for a future proof pushchair that can be used as a single pram when baby is born, and later converted into a twin mode once he or she has arrived. Joolz offers a variety of these options.
Tandem
The news that you're expecting the birth of a child is one of the most exciting events in your life. When the excitement wears off and the reality of the situation begins to set in, you will be faced with a variety of choices regarding how to prepare your family. One of the most important considerations is choosing the right pram or pushchair.
Tandem prams, also referred to as "in-line" double prams, are a classic design that has two bassinets or seats placed side-by-side. The front seat is typically covered in padding and reclines to a flat position, making it suitable for babies while the second one is more upright and can accommodate toddlers from around three years old. Some models come with reversible seating so you can choose to have your children face one another or look at you. Many tandems can be made into one pushchair once your oldest child is no longer required to have the second seat.
A tandem is more affordable than twin prams and can be an ideal choice for parents looking to save money, but without having to sacrifice safety or functional. However, a drawback of a tandem is that it may be heavy and long to steer especially when bumping up or down kerbs, and it is generally less stable than a twin pram, particularly if the older child is sitting in the front. A tandem can be difficult to place on public transportation, and it can be difficult to navigate narrow pavements.
The iCandy Peach is a popular model with a strong image that's a great choice for a singleton parent who is looking for something that is sleek, but the tandem mode can make it feel quite heavy and long when pushing. It comes with an innovative frame that expands in width to accommodate the second seat, and it is compatible with many combinations of carrycots, buggy chairs and car seats (two at a time or in separate). The iCandy Wave tandem is another lightweight option that's user-friendly and compatible with a range of car seats or carrycots.
Side by side
When it comes time to choose a double pushchair or pram there's plenty to consider. There are many 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 due to the fact that they can be configured so that the infant can be seated in the bassinet on top while the older child or toddler is sitting in the second chair.
Some models have reversible seating which allow you to alter the configuration for your family during the toddler and baby years. This allows you to keep your children always in your sight and gives them a chance to get to know one another as they walk.
Tandem prams are usually jogging or all-terrain buggies, which means they're ideal for outdoor adventures and in the park. They're also a good option for those who have to navigate narrow aisles in the supermarket or at checkouts as they're generally smaller than single-seaters.
The Redsbaby JIVE3 Pram, for example, can be used as a tandem pram right from birth in the dual mode with the addition of the rumble seat (PS249). If your child is no longer a member of the rumble chair, you can change to the single pram mode. You can also choose to make use of the car capsule adaptors to transform it from a newborn into a toddler travel system.
Another alternative is the Side by Side Pram from Babybee. This double side-byside pram comes in a range of colors and is designed in a contemporary design. Designed to be used from birth, you can add the LUNA newborn cocoon (PS262) or the LUNA infant seats (PS53 each) to ensure your baby is safe and comfy.
The Egg 2 is a stylish elegant pushchair that can be transformed into a double side-by-side. It comes in a range of infant seats and carrycots to accommodate twins or siblings with different age groups. It's also easy to collapse. It's also fairly lightweight and compact, making it a great choice for those who have small cars or limited space for storage.
Convertible
The top double prams and pushchairs are versatile, and some are even able to change into different seating configurations to meet the changing needs of your family. You can accommodate up to three children on the seat board, or two toddlers in the seats, and still have enough space for a shopping bag. Accessories such as rain covers are also available. Convertible double strollers tend to be larger and heavier than single pushchairs, as they need to hold two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is one example of a convertible that is affordable which is very user-friendly, but our testers felt that it was a little heavy for its price.
Some double strollers that convert into convertibles, such as the Baby Jogger City Select 2 come with a carrycot suitable for infants. This reduces the size of the double stroller when not in use and makes it smaller. Our testers were impressed with the City Select's clever one-handed fold, though it takes a bit of practice. It's also quite agile and responsive, despite being bigger than double strollers.
The Cybex Mockingbird single-to-double stroller is an alternative that is affordable. twin pushchair can be converted from a parent facing infant car seat to an forward-facing toddler seat. The bassinet-style mode makes it a great option for infants.
For greater flexibility, opt for a dual-mode convertible like the iCandy Peach. This is a narrow double buggy that can fit 2 children side by side and can be used as a tandem by the addition of a second-seat kit and rider board. It feels fluid and agile, and our testers were impressed by its sleek design. It's not as light as some of the other models on our list but it has a large basket that's great for parents who are carrying bags full of toys and food items.
Lightweight
Some parents want to ensure the future of their double buggy when they have a child and are expecting another and a convertible model is a great option. The iCandy Peach can be converted from a single pushchair into a double with the addition of a toddler seat, or the brand's carrycot (which works well for sleeping at night). The seats are very comfortable and our testers love that they can recline in various positions. They also love the fact that the canopy has a peekaboo window and UPF 50+ protection. The rear seat can be raised to provide a standing platform for the child to get on and off, so that they can reach things in the basket of groceries.
The only issue with the iCandy Peach is that it is quite heavy, however Cher found that it was offset by how easy it is to move around and how big the storage area is with two hanging parent and child cup holders with seat-back pockets as well as an enormous underseat basket. She also liked the feature that the seats are reversible, so they can be positioned to face one another for siblings who wish to talk and interact when out and out and about.
A lighter and equally impressive choice is the Delta Children LX side-by-side stroller that weighs only 18 pounds, is extremely compact and has a self-standing fold, making it easy to carry and store in your trunk or at home. Parents love the quality of the materials and craftsmanship as well as the price is low. The only drawback is that the seats don't recline as far as other models we've tested and the back seat doesn't have great visibility due to its position that is higher than the front seat.
The Joolz Geo 3 is another popular option. It is slim, sleek and easy to steer and comes with a lifetime guarantee. While they're smaller side-by-side prams may be more spacious than tandems and inline doubles. This makes them difficult to maneuver around busy footpaths and in shops. They are also smaller which makes them easier to maneuver in tight spaces.