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 accommodate two car seats or carrycots. It comes with a self-standing fold and handy carry straps for easy schlepping.
It's also easy to move up/down stairs. The canopies are large enough to accommodate windows as well as peekaboo openings.
Size
A spacious shopping basket as well as front and rear suspensions are the most important elements to look for in a double buggy. You may consider if it's a travel system, or if the car seat or carrycot is possible to add. These are crucial considerations if you're planning to bring your little ones along on public transport or longer journeys.
Take a look at the Leclerc Kooper X2 if you are looking for a small, double buggy you can use from the beginning. This model is a side-by-side buggy that has an adjustable frame that can expand widthwise to accommodate two children. The seats can be reclined and placed independently. This lets you have one child relax and sleep while the other observes the surroundings. You will get a huge UPF 50+ canopy that has a peekaboo window too.
Mountain Buggy Duet is another fantastic alternative for twins. This is the slimmest side-by-side twin pushchair on the market and only 63cm in width, it will fit through most doors. It can be used with two car seats or one carrycot, and has lie-flat seats suitable from birth.
Tandem double buggies that feature the children sitting in a row is a popular option for twins, or parents of a baby and a toddler. However, they do generally have a bigger space than single-seaters and may be difficult to maneuver on narrow pavements or through doorways.
The iCandy Orange is a popular tandem buggy that's been designed to adapt to your family, with 30 different seating configurations. The iCandy Orange tandem buggy is suitable for twins, a child and a toddler, or even three children when you include the iCandy 'PiggyBack board' (available separately). It comes with a soft suspension system that makes kerbs simple to navigate. It can be used in mono or double mode. You can also attach a single stroller on the top of it to provide additional storage space.
Weight
A good double buggy should be lightweight and easy-to-push. It should have a large shopping basket as well as front and rear suspensions that allow the child to navigate more difficult terrain, and also be suitable for twins and other siblings of different age groups.
Many compact double buggies come with frames specifically designed to accommodate infant car seats and come with adaptors with branded brands to match the popular models from Cybex, BeSafe and Maxi-Cosi. These are great options for those who want to stay clear of separate strollers for younger children with medical issues.
However, they tend to have a wider space than side-byside buggies and can be harder to fit through doors and on public transportation. Check the product details for alternatives in case this is important to your family.
If you're looking for the most compact double pushchair on the market look into the Mountain Buggy Duet. This is the slimmest side by side on the market at just 53cm in width 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 also great for cruising around the town.
Another great option is the UPPAbaby Vista 2, which can hold twins, one toddler and one baby or two kids, with piggy back boards (which you must purchase separately). It has a self-standing carry strap and fold to make it easy to transport. It also comes with front and back suspensions to help you deal with rougher terrain. It's heavier than the Joie Evalite Duo but still lighter than tri-fold buggies. It's also an excellent value choice for older kids.
Folding
The Baby Jogger City Select 2 is a great option for storing the double buggy. This model is a side-byside and has a very smooth fold. The frame expands as you fold, so it's smaller than a single stroller. This makes it much easier to navigate through doorways and public transportation, and it also means that you don't require a second car for schlepping the buggy around.
It's a great choice for parents with twins, because it can be utilized in duo or mono mode with two seats and car seat adaptors. It can also accommodate a third child on the 'piggyback board that is part of the buggy. It also has a wide range of configurations including elevated stadium-style seats to give both kids a view of their surroundings. There's even a handbrake built into the handlebar that can be adjusted, making it easier to push up and down hills.
Another good alternative is the Mountain Buggy Duet, which has the most compact side-by-side footprint on the market at the smallest 63cm. This makes it a great choice for parents who are worried about fitting a double through doors and on public transport, while it is able to take on rough terrain like an off-roader. It can accommodate twins or a toddler with a baby, or two children who are similar age. Each seat reclines independently, which ensures that the children are able to sit comfortably.
The iCandy Peach is a good option. It can be used in tandem or mono mode, and can be used with two car seats or a carrycot with the option of a toddler seat. It's a bit longer than other doubles, but it offers excellent maneuverability especially on smooth surfaces. This is a great choice for those who want an attractive and practical buggy.
There are numerous affordable double buggies, like the UPPAbaby vista 2. This compact side-by-side can hold a newborn in the carrycot, even a toddler in the seat, or three kids if you add the PiggyBack ride on board branded with some pizazz. It has an easy-to-stand fold, a canopy that offers protection for both children and the ability to peek inside. It's also fairly light for a double buggy, and has a larger undercarriage basket for shopping.