Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
It's easy to move around in a light double pushchair, especially if you have children of different ages. They are easy to fold, steer and carry up and down steps.
This City Mini GT2 offers side-by-side seats with plenty of legroom with adjustable reclining, as well as massive UPF 50+ canopy with windows that peek out. It also comes with a smart frame that expands widthways to take a second seat and a compatible car seat(s).
Side-by-Side
The majority of the lightweight double pushchairs that we tested were side-by-side models. They are ideal for children who can sit without assistance, as they tend to lack compatibility with car seats. That said, the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double are both great options that provide recline that can be adjusted in both seats, a wide canopy, and padded five-point harnesses. They are also easy to move around despite their bigger footprint. They are perfect for parents who are worried about getting through doors.
The Cybex Duet is a little different due to its unique frame that expands widthways to add another seat, making it slimmer than most other side-by-side pushchairs available. It is able to fit through standard doors and is easy to maneuver on public transport. It can also be used as a jogger, which is great news when you're planning to use it in conjunction with a baby carrier or infant car seat. It's also available in a variety of exciting colors.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 double is another great side-by-side, lightweight double. It offers even more customization thanks to the modular frame. The clever design allows you to convert it into a double or single buggy by adding two carrycots or child car seats. It can even accommodate twins. It is a practical option for growing families. The UPPAbaby umbrella stroller is also one of the lightest, sexiest and fashionable strollers you can find.
Try the egg2 which folds down to the size and weight of a small suitcase. It can be used as a single or a double with the addition of two carrycots or infant car seats and our home testers loved the sleek and easy it was to use even when stuffed with kids.
Double pushchairs with side-by-side seating aren't foolproof, though -- if your children are the same age or stage, they might be fighting over who gets to ride in which seat. If they're at different heights then the tandem model could be best for them, as it allows them to face each other.
Tandem
While side-byside models are better for children of the same ages, tandem lightweight double strollers have distinct appeals. Some can fit a larger car seat and others have reversible seats. Others have an extra carrycot or a reclined seat that can be flipped in the middle. They are more spacious and easy to get in and out of. However their baskets tend to be smaller than the ones found on single buggies. They often have larger canopy as well as peekaboo windows, and even padding for the leg cushions.
The iCandy Peach tandem is another great example of a lightweight tandem that offers an excellent value. Its fabrics feel a little less luxurious than our other top-rated tandems, but it looks and feels great and is very easy to use. Its one-handed folding is impressive. Although it takes some time to master, Kirstie from our Lab called it "genius". The carrycot is not foldable while it's attached. However, the process to attach and remove the carrycot is simple and quick.
Tandem double pushchairs are light and lightweight. They typically make tighter turns than side-byside models, however they are more difficult to drive over bumps and uneven surfaces. They can also be slower to accelerate and more heavy to move. This can put strain on your back.
Another alternative is a convertible double buggy which starts off as a single and then you add adapters to turn it into a double. They can include the option of a second seat, a carrycot, or both in front. The children can be seated together. Some may have the option of adding a buggyboard, which assists an older child to keep up with a younger brother or sister.
The Uppababy Vista V2 is a excellent example of a convertible, because it can also be converted into a twin pram by the purchase of additional cocoons (PS59 each) which create a lay-flat space for newborns. They can be attached together or placed side-by-side. You can also use the car seat that came with the pushchair in the event that it is compatible. As they're made with quality materials, these kinds of dual-use buggies can often be used for years without displaying much wear, which means they have a an excellent potential for resale.
Single-to-Double
For families who love the outdoors and are looking to upgrade from a single stroller, this lightweight double buggy turns into a jogger with the help of a nifty kit that includes air-filled tyres, as well as all-wheel suspension. It's also a great choice for twins, or children from different age groups and as triple tandem, it can handle rough terrain. It's also a good option for parents who are looking for an elegant design that's as sleek as a single and comes in a variety of fabric colours.
This iCandy model is easy to fold using a single-handed system. It's heavier than other single-to-double pushchairs, but home tester Karolina says it's still very capable of maneuvering even with two toddlers and carrying a carrycot.
The seat can be used as a parent-facing, and you can also purchase accessories for this stroller, such as the Roma Gemini carrycots (PS100 each) that are perfect for babies. compact twin stroller are comfortable for toddlers with high-quality headrests and lumbar supports. There are a variety of options to recline the seats with the front seat adjustable in various positions and the back seat having a reclining option.
The main drawback to this kind of buggy is that it's generally wider overall than side-by-side doubles and makes it difficult to maneuver through doorways, and can be difficult to maneuver up and down kerbs. However, the wheels and suspension on these models generally perform well in coping with paved surfaces and the fact that they're significantly lighter than the side-bysides means that you still have plenty of storage space. It's important to keep in mind that these strollers aren't as good at getting through narrow aisles in supermarkets, and may struggle to cope with a lot of shopping. It's a bit easier to turn them around on the smallest of curved paths, but even this can be a challenge. Some are easier to turn than other models, like the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double or the Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double.
Convertible
The great thing about convertible double pushchairs is the ability to adapt to changing family needs. They often start out as single buggies, and include adapters to add an additional seat, a carrycot or (in some instances) a car seat to the frame. Some can even convert back to a single as your child gets older and starts to walk more or prefers to ride on buggy boards.
This stylish tri-fold double stroller is one of the lightest on our list. It can carry up to 40lbs per child and comes with an integrated storage basket between the seats. Home users loved its spacious canopy with peekaboo windows multi-position reclining seats, as well as front and rear suspension for smoother rides on rough terrain. It also comes with a handy cup holder for parents and an ample, easy-to-access basket. However, they pointed out that the backs of the seats have tiny pockets that are not big enough to hold much more than a smartphone and keys.
This lightweight, high-end side-by-side is available in more than 20 models. It also includes a second chair and carrycot. It features a high-profile steering handlebar, front and rear suspensions to smooth rough terrain and it folds compactly and can be folded up with straps for easy transport, and seven-inch front wheels with swivel locks, and 10-inch back wheels that have suspensions for a smoother ride. The only downside is that you'll have to purchase a separate car seat or baby carrier.
This multi-functional tandem is the most popular of our home testers because it is simple to maneuver and features a large basket for shopping that can be accessed from both seats when they are in the parent-facing positions. It is easy to maneuver due to its light weight (about the equivalent of some single pushchairs). Many have praised the clever method of attaching the second seat or riding board at the back. Parents also appreciated the fact that it could accommodate infant car seats and carriers from various brands, including those that aren't typically fit into other double buggies.