Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
It’s easy to move around with a lightweight double pushchair, especially if you have children of varying age groups. They are easy to fold, steer and transport up and over steps.
This City Mini GT2 features side-by-side seating with plenty of legroom. It also has adjustable reclining, large UPF 50+ canopy and windows that peek out. It also comes with frames that can be expanded in the width to accommodate a second car seat or an additional passenger.
Side-by-Side
The majority of the lightweight double pushchairs that we test are side-byside models and they’re generally best for children that can sit up on their own because they aren’t equipped with car seat integration. However there are some exceptions. Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and the Baby Trend Sit ‘N Stand Double are both great options that provide recline that can be adjusted in both seats, a large canopy and padded 5-point harnesses. These are also easy to maneuver despite their bigger footprint. They are perfect for parents who fret about fitting through doors.
The Cybex Duet is a little different due to its unique frame that extends its width to create a second seat, which makes it lighter than other pushchairs with side-by-side seating available. It is able to pass through standard doors and is easy to maneuver on public transportation. It’s also a jogger, which is a great feature if you want to use it with an infant carrier or car seat. It’s also available in a variety of exciting colors.
The UPPAbaby Vista v2 double stroller with Standing platform is another great side-by-side, lightweight double. It provides even more customization thanks to a modular frame. The innovative design allows you to transform it into an individual or double buggy by adding two carrycots or car seats for children. It can even accommodate twins. It’s an outstandingly practical choice for families that are growing and the UPPAbaby makes one of the lightest and most stylish umbrella strollers around.
If you prefer a more compact and lightweight double, you can try the egg2 that folds down to the size of a compact suitcase. It can be used as a single or double by adding 2 carrycots or infant car seats, and our home testers loved the sleek and easy it was to use even when stuffed with kids.
Side-by-side lightweight double pushchairs aren’t foolproof, though -when your children are at the same age or at the same stage, they might still argue over who is allowed to ride in which seat. If they’re different heights, a tandem model could be better for them, as it allows them to confront each other.
Tandem
While side-byside models might be more appropriate for siblings of the same age tandem pushchairs that are lightweight are a different kind of pushchair with their own appeal. Some can fit carseats that are larger, and others come with reversible seats. Some even come with an extra carrycot or a reclined seat that can be flipped in the middle. They are more spacious and are easier to get in and out of. However the baskets they use tend to be smaller than those on buggies that are single. They also have larger big canopies with windows that peek out as well as a cup holder for parents and padded leg cushions for children.
The iCandy Peach tandem is another good example of a lightweight tandem that offers great value. The fabric is a bit less luxurious than those of some of our top-rated doubles. However, it still looks stunning and is easy to use. One of the most striking things about it is the one-handed fold – although it will require some practice, Kirstie in our Lab said it’s “genius”. It’s not possible to fold it without the carrycot attached, but the mechanism for attaching and taking it off it is easy and quick.
Tandem strollers are light and lightweight. They typically have tighter turning capabilities than side-by-side models. However, they can be more difficult to drive on uneven surfaces or curbs. They are also slower to accelerate and more heavy to move. This puts strain on your back.
A convertible double buggy is a different option. It starts out as one however, you can add adapters to make it a double. These can include a second seat or carrycot on the front or the kids can be seated side-byside. Some can also consider adding a buggyboard, which can help an older child keep pace with siblings who are younger.
The Uppababy Vista V2 can be converted into a twin-sized pram by purchasing additional cocoons at PS59 each. These cocoons provide a flat space for newborns. These can be placed side by side or attached to each other’s faces and you can also use them in conjunction with the baby car seat that is included with the pushchair (as as long as you choose a compatible one). Because they’re made from high-quality materials, these kinds of buggies with dual-use capabilities can be used for years without displaying much wear, which means they have a high resale value.
Single-to-Double
Ideal for families who love to be outdoors and want to upgrade their single stroller, this lightweight double buggy can be converted into a jogger with the help of an innovative kit that includes air-filled tyres and all-wheel suspension. It’s also a good choice for twins, or children from different ages and, as triple tandem, it can take on rough terrain. It’s also a good choice for parents who want an elegant design that’s just as elegant as a single and comes in a variety of fabrics.
We loved the way this iCandy model folds up with a one-handed mechanism that’s really simple to master. It’s heavier than other single-to double pushchairs, but our home test Karolina says it’s still very capable of maneuvering even with two toddlers inside and a carrycot.
The seat can be used with the parent facing, and you can also purchase additional accessories for this stroller, such as the Roma Gemini carrycots (PS100 each), which are ideal for babies. The seats are comfortable for toddlers with excellent headrests and lumbar support. And there are many options for reclining and recline, with the front seat being adjustable to different positions, and the rear seat offering the option to recline.
The biggest drawback with this kind of buggy is that it is generally larger overall than the side-by-side doubles, which makes it harder to maneuver through doorways, and is difficult to maneuver up and down kerbs. The suspension and wheels of these strollers are generally good at coping with pavements. They’re also lighter than many side-by-sides, so you can still get a lot of storage. It’s worth bearing in mind that strollers of this type aren’t as efficient in navigating narrow aisles in supermarkets and aren’t able to handle a large amount of shopping. It’s easier to turn them around on the smallest of curved paths but even this can be difficult. Some are easier to turn than others, such as the Thule Urban Glide 2 cheap double pushchair or the Baby Trend Sit N’ Stand Double.
Convertible
The benefit of convertible double pushchairs is that they can adapt to the changing family needs. Most of the time, they begin as single buggies and include adapters that permit you to include a second child’s seat or a carrycot (in some instances) the car seat to the frame. Some can be converted to a single when your child’s older age begins to walk or prefers to ride a buggyboard.
One of the most lightweight double strollers on our list, this sleek tri-fold model is able to hold children up to 40 lbs each. It comes with an easy-to-use basket between the seats for storage. The large canopy with a peekaboo window, multi-position reclining seats as well as front and back suspensions to ensure smoother and more comfortable riding on rough terrain were praised by the home testers. It also comes with an easy-to-use cup holder for parents, and a large easy-to-access basket. However, they noted that the backs of the seats have tiny pockets that aren’t large enough to hold much more than a cell phone and keys.
This premium, lightweight side-by-side can be used in more than 20 configurations and comes with a second seat and carrycot. Its impressive feature set includes a high-profile handlebar for easier steering; front and rear suspension to smooth rough terrain; a self-standing compact fold with handy straps for easy schlepping and seven-inch swing lock front wheels and back wheels that measure 10 inches with suspension to provide a more comfortable ride. The only drawback is that you’ll need to purchase an additional car seat or baby carrier.
This multi-functional tandem is a top pick among our home testers for its maneuverability and large shopping basket, which can be accessed with both seats in the parent-facing position. It is a breeze to maneuver thanks to its low weight (about the equivalent of some single pushchairs). Reversible seats mean you can switch them around to face either direction, and the clever method by which it can attach a second seat or riding board to the rear is appreciated by many. Parents also loved the fact that it can accommodate infant carriers and car seat from multiple brands. This includes those that aren’t normally compatible with other double buggies.