The Best Double Strollers

Sep 10, 2023

Our upgrade pick, the Uppababy Vista, has been updated with leather accents and a bassinet that’s 2 inches longer. We still recommend it as a high-end option.

After 10 hours of research and 87 hours spent testing 11 double strollers—including recruiting three families to try the top contenders at the zoo, in stroller-enabled exercise classes, and out trick-or-treating—we found that the compact, convenient, and easy-to-push Chicco BravoFor2 is the best tandem sit-and-stand double stroller, and the sturdily built Baby Jogger City Mini Double is the best side-by-side option for most families. In addition to those two picks, we have three others, and our table comparing all five may help you determine which double stroller makes sense for your family.

The BravoFor2’s compact, lightweight design and thoughtful features, including handles for the big kid to grip while they stand and ride, make this tandem sit-and-stand model the best option for families with a baby and a toddler who’s at least 2½ years old.

The Chicco BravoFor2, which has a tandem frame that’s the same width as a single stroller, is the easiest double stroller to fold, store, and carry of all the models we tested. It offers the best combination of seats for children who are about two and a half years apart, while still being a breeze to push and turn. We were especially impressed with the handles designed for the big kid to grip while standing and riding, a feature that makes the BravoFor2 a much safer and more hassle-free stroller to use than any other sit-and-stand model we tested. The BravoFor2 comes in a standard version and the BravoFor2 LE, the model we tested, which has an extra pad insert for the front seat and a seat pad for the bench seat and costs the same as the BravoFor2. (Both versions have rubber tires.) Some of the other tandem strollers we looked at are more versatile (our pick can work only with Chicco infant car seats, for example, while others can take multiple brands), made of higher-quality materials, or designed to accommodate twins—but the inexpensive BravoFor2 really can make life easier for families with a baby and a toddler who is 2½ or older.

The City Mini Double excels in maneuverability and ease of use and is the narrowest side-by-side model we tested. It puts both kids in equivalent seats, lets them recline comfortably, and has the quickest, simplest fold of any double stroller we found.

Parents who want a side-by-side stroller, which puts the seats next to each other and is consequently much wider than any tandem, should get the Baby Jogger City Mini Double, which we found to be one of the easiest strollers to push and maneuver. Like all side-by-sides, it offers equal seats for both kids and has more room for deep reclines and extra storage than tandem strollers typically do. The City Mini Double is the narrowest side-by-side we tested, and it has an excellent combination of features, including a quick fold and a ride that’s comfortable and smooth for both caregiver and kids. It accommodates only one infant car seat at a time, however, so it isn’t the best option for infant twins (though you can use the seats from birth if you recline them fully), and some people may find the divided storage basket and complicated buckles annoying to deal with.

This high-end tandem stroller can convert from a single stroller to a sit-and-stand to a double with seats in multiple configurations, and is one of the few models of either type we looked at that can hold two infant car seats.

The Uppababy Vista, the most expensive stroller we tested, is a very well-built, convertible tandem that can adapt to a family’s changing needs and thus has an unusually long “stroll life.” It’s one of the most versatile double strollers we looked at, with removable seats that you can install facing forward or backward. The Vista can work as a single stroller, a sit-and-stand stroller with one seat and the add-on riding board for the big kid, or a double with two seats facing either direction (you’ll need to buy the second seat separately). It is one of the few strollers we tested that can take two infant car seats, and so it can accommodate twins from the beginning. (We tested the 2017 version, but we still recommend the updated 2018 version, which has a longer bassinet and leather accents.) Although it costs more than four times as much as some of our other picks and doesn’t have as much space between the seats as our favorite stroller for twins, its materials and construction are built to last, giving it excellent resale value.

This tandem double is similar to our upgrade pick, if not quite as versatile, but it costs less than half as much and has more legroom, making it a better choice for twins, even as they get bigger.

The Contours Options Elite offers many of the same features as our upgrade pick, including removable and convertible seats and the ability to accommodate two infant car seats from many brands, making it a good choice for parents of twins or two kids under 2, as well as for people who simply prefer a tandem stroller with equal seats rather than a sit-and-stand like the Chicco BravoFor2. It’s less than half the price of the similar Uppababy Vista (our upgrade pick) and has more space between the seats, providing more legroom for toddler twins, though it doesn’t offer the higher-quality materials, cushier ride, or extra versatility of our upgrade pick.

This side-by-side double jogger is the easiest to push and maneuver of all our double stroller picks. It’s also heavier and bulkier, though it’s relatively light and streamlined compared with other double joggers.

Parents who love spending time exploring or exercising outdoors with their kids in tow may find that the side-by-side Thule Urban Glide 2 jogger is their best double stroller choice. It’s comfortable enough for long runs and walks, it outperformed nearly all other strollers in our maneuverability course, and it’s lighter, smaller, and easier to fold and carry than the other double joggers we tested and considered. It takes up more space on the sidewalk and is heavier than any of our other picks, however, and it’s one of the few strollers in our test group that don’t fit in the trunk of a compact car. The Urban Glide 2 can accommodate only one car seat at a time, so it isn’t ideal for twins under 6 months, but it is compatible with car seats from many brands.

This tandem double is similar to our upgrade pick, if not quite as versatile, but it costs less than half as much and has more legroom, making it a better choice for twins, even as they get bigger.

I spent 10 hours researching double strollers, including interviewing Laura Ostrem, a child passenger safety technician and the director of sales at Baby Grand in Hopkins, Minnesota, which has more than three dozen strollers on its sales floor and a trade-in program for used strollers that were purchased there.

I also researched double stroller safety online, reviewing safety guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Mayo Clinic, as well as information from the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA), which independently tests kids products to see if they meet the safety standards determined by ASTM International. For strollers, these tests include load tests on both the seat and footrests, checking for entrapment hazards, and stability tests with a child-sized test dummy buckled in. Most of the double strollers we tested are JPMA certified, but because JPMA is a voluntary program, we consider that certification a plus but not a requirement. I also searched for recent recalls and safety information from the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

To figure out which features were most important to double stroller owners, I informally polled about three dozen parents across the country and stopped dozens of strangers in the park near my home in Minneapolis, out shopping, and at my daughter’s preschool to ask them about their stroller choices. To see which double strollers were the most popular and best reviewed, I read hundreds of online reviews and several double stroller buying guides, and carefully considered the top choices from Lucie’s List, BabyGearLab, and Consumer Reports as well as the best sellers at Amazon, Babies“R”Us, Target, and Walmart.

Personally, I’m a former newspaper reporter with more than 15 years of experience interviewing experts in countless fields, including health, parenting, and safety. I’ve written Wirecutter’s guides to high chairs, baby jumpers, and umbrella strollers, the last of which involved interviewing additional stroller experts. I’m also the mom of two girls, ages 1 and 3, and I have logged more than 300 stroller miles of my own, many of them with a double stroller. I love to buckle both of my girls in for 3-mile walks or runs around the lakes near our Minneapolis home, and I have also used a double stroller with them at more than a dozen Stroller Strides exercise classes (of which stroller maker BOB is a partner), which are designed for moms and dads to push their kids along as they work out.

Double strollers are usually heavier, bulkier, and more expensive than their single counterparts. Still, parents with two kids who are close enough in age to both ride in a stroller (generally, this means two kids under 4) may find that a double stroller is the easiest way to get around. Parents who have a toddler and are expecting another child may want to get a double stroller for when the baby comes home, or they may decide to keep the little one in a baby carrier and continue pushing their single stroller for as long as they can.

The Gemini’s simple, versatile design can comfortably carry newborns to toddlers in more positions—on more adult body types—than most other baby carriers.

The stretchy Solly Baby Wrap is made of a soft, lightweight fabric that makes it the most comfortable and convenient wrap for carrying newborns for longer distances and durations.

(See our guide to baby carriers for more on the Beco Gemini and our other picks for wearing newborns or toddlers, or consider using a sling or wrap to carry a newborn while you evaluate your double stroller options.)

Parents who have or are expecting twins will get the most use out of a double stroller, but they have different needs than parents with kids of different ages. Parents of twins may decide to get one stroller that does it all and can accommodate two infant car seats at once but also has regular seats and all the necessary features of a stroller they’d use for years. Alternatively, they may end up getting a simple, inexpensive frame that only carries two car seats, and a separate double stroller for when the twins are 6 months and older. You can find a few double stroller models that would work adequately for most families—that is, regardless of the age difference between the siblings—as well as many models that are optimal for toddler/infant siblings, and some that are suitable only for kids at least two and a half years apart.

The world of double strollers is quite diverse, but you can divide it into two main categories: side-by-side double strollers, which have two seats next to each other, and tandem (also called in-line) double strollers, which have one seat in front of the other. Many tandems have a “stadium seating” build, which puts one seat higher than the other so that both kids can see. Sometimes, though, this design means that the kid in front has all the legroom in the world while the backseat rider gets crunched, and some double strollers have one seat with a blocked view.

Laura Ostrem of Baby Grand in Hopkins, Minnesota, told us she sold more than twice as many tandems as side-by-sides, and many parents we spoke with said that tandems’ narrower width made them feel more comfortable while moving on crowded sidewalks and navigating shops.

Side-by-side strollers are about twice as wide as tandem strollers, so they take up more space and can be difficult to fit through smaller-than-average doorways and crowded store aisles. Still, they give both kids an equal spot in the stroller, allow both to stretch out their legs, and generally maneuver much better than tandems, which are typically longer and more difficult to turn. A side-by-side is likely a better choice if you do most of your strolling outside and cover longer distances. Double jogging strollers are usually side-by-side designs.

Neither style is foolproof, as far as sibling squabbles are concerned. Kids in a side-by-side can punch or poke each other, but a rider in a tandem can often still kick or grab the other passenger, and the different seat heights can lead to more fights about who gets to ride in which seat. Of course, if your little angels love holding hands and conversing, models that are either side-by-side or designed to allow the seats to face each other are worth considering.

Within the side-by-side category, you can find general-purpose doubles as well as other types. All-terrain/jogging doubles have large, often air-filled tires that make them much easier to push and maneuver than other strollers. Umbrella doubles are foldable and lightweight, but generally so difficult to push that some experts suggest avoiding them altogether. And specialized jogging/biking doubles are very expensive (generally hundreds more than basic all-terrain or jogging models), often equipped with fixed front wheels, and worth the investment only if you are serious about both running and biking.

Among tandem doubles, you have standard models with two seats, as well as convertible strollers that can accommodate one, two, and sometimes three seats in different positions. Sit-and-stand models, which allow an older child to either sit on a bench seat or stand on a riding board while the younger one is in a seat, are another alternative. And twin car-seat frames, which are often inexpensive, are an early-days option for families with newborn twins who will then need to upgrade to a different double stroller once the kids outgrow the infant car seats or want to sit up in a regular seat (around 6 months old).

No one double stroller will work well for the majority of families. Each model is flawed in some way, especially when compared with its single-rider counterpart. Double strollers have to be big enough and heavy enough to carry two kids safely, and that means sacrifices in ease of use, maneuverability, and more. Still, the best double strollers manage to strike a reasonable balance between bulk and usability, and while different families often have very different needs, we found that overall, parents want a double stroller that has several attributes:

Safe to use: While the safety guidelines for single strollers can be largely applied to double strollers as well, doubles involve some additional concerns. A double stroller needs to be sturdy, with a wide enough base that it won’t tip when one kid gets out while the other child is still seated. Five-point safety harnesses, which include shoulder straps, give younger passengers a safer seat, because they prevent babies from reaching forward and trying to grab the wheels. All of the strollers we tested have five-point harnesses on the full-size seats and three-point waist belts on the bench seats. Sit-and-stand strollers have a few additional safety concerns, because if the standing big kid isn’t hanging on to the stroller properly, they can easily tumble off when the stroller goes over a bump.

A good value: Double strollers are often twice as expensive as single ones, but if a double stroller makes life with two kids easier or allows you to go running or to take long walks without hiring a babysitter, it may be worth the price. At times, more expensive strollers offer a better value. For example, convertible strollers that can hold one, two, or even three kids have a much longer “stroll life” and a smaller cost per use than strollers that are useful for only a year or two. We didn’t consider strollers that cost more than $1,500, though, since those models tended to have high-end finishes and unnecessary features.

Comfortable for both kids to ride in: Some double strollers have one seat that is clearly inferior to the other, with a blocked view or cramped legroom. The best strollers are comfortable for both passengers and are less likely to start fights. They also have generous canopies that can shade one or both kids. Because the densely woven or knit synthetics on all the strollers we tested offer a high degree of sun protection, we consider UPF-rated fabric a bonus, not a necessity. Sit-and-stand strollers often have a simple bench seat and riding board for the bigger kid, so they have an inherent seat difference. Still, we found that some sit-and-stands were more comfortable for both kids than others.

Not too wide: Many parents hesitate to even consider side-by-side strollers because of their greater width. “When it comes to the majority of our customers, the tandem style is what they’re looking for,” said Laura Ostrem, who sells more than two tandems for every side-by-side at Baby Grand, a Minnesota baby store. “In my opinion, the side-by-side pushes better, but the tandem style gives you more options.” Besides taking up space on crowded sidewalks, the biggest width concern for double strollers is whether they’ll fit through doorways. The standard size for exterior doorways is 36 inches, which all double strollers can clear. But interior doorways can range from 28 to 36 inches, so some side-by-side strollers simply won’t fit. The best side-by-side strollers are as narrow as possible without sacrificing the kids’ comfort or having very low weight limits.

Relatively easy to push, maneuver, and use: Side-by-side doubles are generally much easier to push and turn than tandem styles, which are longer and can be tough to ease over uneven sidewalk cracks because of how the children’s weight is distributed. The best tandem strollers don’t feel like an unwieldy train to push or turn. The wheel size, material, and style all make a difference in how much effort you need to put in simply to move each stroller forward. The best strollers have storage that is easy to access and can hold a useful amount of gear.

Easy to fold, and compact when folded: By nature, double strollers are bulky and either long or wide in order to accommodate both kids. But the best double models have a one- or two-step folding process and are small enough to fit in even a compact car’s trunk. Our tandem picks fit in a small coat closet.

Easy to lift and carry: We found that some of the strollers we tested were much simpler to carry than others because they had a clear, easy place to grip. The most frustrating strollers were awkward to hold on to, such as one that kept losing its footrest when we tried to lug it anywhere.

Versatile: Some parents may prioritize having a stroller that can work with one or more infant car seats. “Especially with two kids, to just to be able to click them in on the go, especially when you’re by yourself, that’s a big criteria for us,” said Ostrem of Baby Grand. If your stroller can accommodate an infant car seat, you don’t have to wake the baby up when bringing the older kid to an activity, but can just click in the car seat and keep moving. (Experts recommend not letting a baby sleep in a car seat for more than two hours at a time, however, because of safety concerns such as airway obstruction, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or the development of a flat spot.) Some strollers can take two infant car seats at once, and can work well with twins from the beginning. Besides car-seat use, some of the best strollers also offer versatility by allowing parents to convert from one seat to two or use them with a riding board.

We compiled a list of the most positively reviewed and best-selling double strollers and ended up with 35 models. We then applied our criteria to narrow down that group, ruling out strollers with many negative reviews that mentioned issues like wobbly wheels or seats with blocked views. We decided not to test twin car-seat frames, since they are really useful only for families with infant twins, and we didn’t end up testing any umbrella doubles because of the many negative reviews recounting how difficult they were to push and turn. Finally, we ruled out strollers that cost more than $1,500. We tried out five doubles in person at Baby Grand, and were able to shorten our list to 11.

We tested seven tandem models:

And four side-by-side strollers:

We spent about 87 hours over eight weeks testing 11 double strollers. First, I timed how long I took to put each one together. Some needed only wheels and canopies clicked on, while others needed axles installed, pins to hold on wheels inserted, and, in the case of the most annoying model to assemble, multiple screws put in. None required more than a half hour to assemble, though, so we did not make this a major criterion.

I put each of the 11 strollers through real-world testing with my 1- and 3-year-olds, using each model as my everyday stroller and also taking it on at least one outing, from a trip to the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum to a Stroller Strides exercise class to a jog around Lake Harriet to trick-or-treating in our Minneapolis neighborhood. I tried to fit each stroller in the trunk of our Subaru Forester SUV and in the much smaller hatchback trunk of our Honda Fit, and I lugged each one up and down the stairs to our basement. I also ran each model through a maneuverability course in front of our house, weaving around orange cones, making S and U turns, and strolling up over uneven sidewalk and onto grass.

Finally, two other Minneapolis families—one family with 3-year-old twins and another with a preschooler and a baby—also tried out five of the top contenders for a week and documented what they liked and didn’t like.

The zippy, streamlined Chicco BravoFor2 sit-and-stand stroller is the best of all the double strollers we tested for kids at least two and a half years apart. This JPMA-certified model is one of the most inexpensive strollers we tried, and overall it’s well-designed for kids’ comfort and safety despite a minimal recline in the front seat. As a tandem, it’s no wider than a single stroller, and the design manages to tuck the bench seat and riding platform into the frame so that it is relatively short compared with other tandems, making it one of the easiest models to push and maneuver among the non-jogging double strollers in our test group. It is quicker and simpler to fold than most of the strollers we tested, and it is the easiest of all of them to carry, store in a closet, or lift into a trunk. It isn’t the most versatile stroller we encountered, accommodating only a Chicco-brand infant car seat (such as our infant car seat pick, though that compatibility was not a factor in our decision making). But we found that it offers the best ride for an older kid who wants to hop on and off, with comfortable handles for the child to grip while standing and a bench seat with an optional buckle.

Those handles for a big kid to grip also give the BravoFor2 an edge in safety and ease of use over all the other sit-and-stand strollers we tested, including our upgrade pick with the PiggyBack attachment. Many stroller manuals caution that older kids need to hold on to the stroller frame with two hands when standing. This was easy for my daughter to do with the BravoFor2, because the comfortable handles were in the exact right place for her to grip, even while wearing mittens. She often would let go with one or both hands on strollers that didn’t have handles or that had handles that worked for sitting but were awkward to grip for standing. During testing, she took a tumble from one of the other sit-and-stand strollers when we rolled over an uneven sidewalk while she wasn’t holding on. According to a Chicco spokesperson, the BravoFor2's designers used anthropometric data and worked with kids to figure out both the placement and the size and shape of this stroller’s handles.

The BravoFor2 is one of the least expensive strollers we tested. The frame and fabrics don’t look and feel as nice as on some of the higher-end strollers we tried, and the stroller works well only for the time that the older child is a preschooler and the younger child is a baby, about two years (or until the older kid reaches 40 pounds). We don’t know how this Chicco model will wear over time, since the BravoFor2 was new for 2017. (The stroller has rubber tires now, which the first-generation model did not.) We will continue to test it and update this guide as necessary.

This model has a regular front seat, a bench seat with a seatbelt that folds out of the way to allow caregivers to access the decent-size storage area, and a standing platform. Both seats can carry up to 40 pounds. The stroller has an optional snack tray for the front seat. Many parents have posted online that this stroller offers a comfortable ride for the older child even when they’re using an infant car seat in front, something that is not true of many other sit-and-stand strollers. The BravoFor2 comes in a standard version and the BravoFor2 LE, the model we tested, which has an extra pad insert for the front seat and a seat pad for the bench seat and costs the same as the BravoFor2. While those add-ons are not necessary, they do make the riding experience a little more comfortable for both passengers.

The BravoFor2 has the width of a single stroller yet a relatively short length, so it doesn’t need to make very wide turns, unlike some of the longer tandem models we tested. It did well on our maneuverability course, and its 7-inch front and 9-inch rear wheels helped it roll over bumps and sidewalk cracks. The BravoFor2 conveniently comes with an attached console with a zippered pocket and two cup holders. The brake is foot activated but requires just one step instead of two, like many other models. The buckles are some of the simplest to use among the strollers we tested: The shoulder and waist components come apart so that you can quickly get the child out and, if you want, use the waist belt alone, but they are easy to put together and fasten without a lot of fuss. In contrast, many of the other strollers we tested require you to carefully thread both parts together before buckling, something that can become frustrating when you are rushing to put both children in their seats and get moving.

The BravoFor2 is one of the easiest to fold, and the simplest to carry, of all the strollers we tested. It has a designated bar that is comfortable to grip and hold, and its compact fold (15 by 23.25 by 35 inches, length by width by height) is not awkward to lift, unlike that of most double strollers. At 26.5 pounds, it isn’t the lightest stroller we tested, but it is as much as 10 pounds lighter than the heaviest strollers we tried—and about the same weight as our upgrade pick in single configuration. It can stand on its own when folded.

Parents give up some of the features of a traditional double when getting a sit-and-stand stroller, but gain flexibility and freedom for their bigger kid.

You can use the BravoFor2 with one Chicco KeyFit 30—our runner-up pick in our infant car seat guide—or Chicco Fit2 infant car seat. You simply fold the front seat forward, and the car seat clicks in securely, with no extra car-seat adapter to buy or struggle to install. It doesn’t take car seats of other brands, however.

Many parents share their love for this stroller on Amazon. “After long searching for the perfect sit n stand we have found it!!!” writes one. “We took it to Disneyland and SO many people asked me about it, and I could not recommend it enough!” Others rave about how it feels like a “normal stroller” to push instead of a “boat-like” double, and how easy it is to fold and carry. Some owners don’t like the front seat’s limited recline, aptly comparing it to the recline on a coach airplane seat. Others say it developed squeaky wheels.

Lucie’s List included the BravoFor2 in its list of top baby items presented at a juvenile-products expo in 2016 (but hasn’t yet reviewed it), with writer Melissa Kresser calling it the “best implementation of a sit and stand that I’ve seen.”

The BravoFor2 is widely available in gray and black. It comes with a one-year warranty.

Because the Chicco BravoFor2 has a bench for the second seat, this stroller is designed only for a “big kid” who’s at least 2½ years old and a younger baby or toddler. It isn’t recommended for use if the older child is younger than that, and it’s obviously not for twins. Parents give up some of the features of a traditional double when getting a sit-and-stand stroller like this, but gain flexibility and freedom for their bigger kid.

The stroller’s front seat does not recline very far (if it were to tip back further, it would bump into the big kid). Consequently, the BravoFor2 isn't great for long walks, where the baby might decide to nap. If the big kid is still of napping age, it won’t work for them either, since the bench seat isn’t nap friendly at all.

One major flaw for parents who already own a non-Chicco infant car seat is that the BravoFor2 can’t work with infant car seats of other brands, so parents who own another brand will need to either buy a new car seat, wait until their little one is 6 months old to use this stroller, or consider choosing our side-by-side, upgrade, or all-terrain pick instead.

The materials Chicco uses in this stroller don’t feel as great as those of some of the more expensive strollers we tested, and the canopy’s small peekaboo window doesn’t give you a great view of the baby. The BravoFor2 does come with a parent console that includes a nice zippered pocket, but the two cup holders are so shallow that they’re best suited for use with spillproof vessels. This stroller also doesn’t include any of the extras that some of the most expensive models have, such as an adjustable handlebar or a hand brake. It has no shade for the big kid either.

The simple but effective Baby Jogger City Mini Double basically takes two of our full-size stroller pick, the Baby Jogger City Mini, and places them side by side. Of all the strollers we tested, this safe, sturdy, reasonably priced ride is one of the most comfortable doubles for both kids, with deep, reclining seats and generous but separate canopies. It’s the narrowest, lightest side-by-side we tried, one of the easiest to push and maneuver (only true jogging strollers performed better), and the quickest to fold of all those we tested. It took less than four minutes to assemble and had the most compact fold of all the side-by-sides we examined, and while it wasn’t as easy to carry as our top tandem pick, it was much easier to lug down stairs or lift into a trunk than any of the other side-by-sides we tried and even many of the tandems. While not the most versatile double we tested, it can take one infant car seat of many brands, and you can also attach a Baby Jogger Glider Board for a third, standing passenger. You can use the City Mini Double from birth without a car seat with the seat reclined.

Because the side-by-side seats give each child an equal position with lots of legroom, the City Mini Double works well with twins (although it is important to note that this model can take only one infant car seat at a time). It’s comfortable for both kids in lots of ways. The seats easily recline with the pull of a buckle to a near-flat (or any intermediate) position; to bring them back up, you use both hands to pull on the strap ends. The seatbacks are made of mesh but have a cover, so little nappers won’t get too hot in warm weather but can stay protected from the wind when it’s cold out. Each seat has its own UPF 50+ canopy, which extends far enough to provide real shade and includes a peekaboo window. One child can lean back, shaded for a nap, while the other can sit up and look out at the world.

At 27.8 pounds, the City Mini Double is one of the lightest double strollers we looked at, and by far the lightest side-by-side. It is also the narrowest side-by-side we tested, at 29.75 inches wide. Narrower models exist, but we found that they either had very low weight limits or uncomfortable seats, which made them impractical for most families. The City Mini Double can hold up to 100 pounds of combined kid weight, which means it should carry both kids well into preschool age. The widest stroller we looked at was 30.75 inches wide, and most side-by-sides seemed to fall close to the 30-inch mark. While all of them fit through standard exterior doorways, we found that even a quarter inch could make the difference between fitting through an interior doorway easily or having to shove or wiggle through.

Of all the doubles we tried, the City Mini Double was one of the easiest strollers to maneuver. “It’s efficient, easy to push,” said one of our testers, who tried it out during a Stroller Strides exercise class, walking quickly through a shopping mall and maneuvering around displays and shoppers. In our maneuverability course, only the true jogging doubles, with their bigger, air-filled tires and more robust suspension, were easier to push and turn and handled uneven terrain better than the City Mini Double, which felt smoother and more effortless to push compared with other regular side-by-sides we looked at. Its four 8-inch EVA tire wheels are comparable to those of our tandem and twin picks, and it has front-wheel suspension.

One child can lean back, shaded for a nap, while the other can sit up and look out at the world.

This stroller has an awesomely quick one-step fold, much like that of its single sibling. To collapse it, you just grab the straps in the middle of the seats with both hands and pull up. It folds quite flat and locks automatically in that position, and we found that it could stand on its own when folded if the wheels were facing the right way. Its folded dimensions are 31.89 by 30.12 by 9.84 inches (height by width by depth), and in our tests it fit in both an SUV trunk with lots of room to spare and a compact hatchback with space for other bags and gear. It was also the easiest model to assemble of all the strollers we tested, taking only four minutes.

Baby Jogger makes a compatible Glider Board attachment, so the City Mini Double can potentially handle three kids, with the oldest standing in back and the other two in front. It can also work with one kid in a regular seat and a second child in an infant car seat made by Baby Jogger, Cybex, Graco, or Maxi Cosi (but not our pick, the Chicco KeyFit 30). Baby Jogger makes two different car seat adapters, sold separately, so make sure to read the product details carefully and check the company’s compatibility chart (PDF) to make sure you’re getting the right adapter for the kind of car seat you have.

The City Mini Double has received numerous positive reviews on sites like Amazon, Babies“R”Us, and Target. “This is by far the best stroller we've ever owned, and that's a lot of strollers!” writes one parent. “The quality is amazing. The material is well made and the frame is sturdy. My very tall 3 year old twins fit perfectly. They're 42 inches tall and 42 pounds and it's a comfortable ride for them.” Another writes, “I love it so much I got rid of all our other strollers.” Some of the negative reviews come from parents who say they’re upset that it isn’t compatible with more car-seat brands. Lucie’s List named the City Mini Double one of the best general-purpose side-by-side strollers.

The City Mini Double comes in four colors: black, green, red, and blue. Its frame has a lifetime warranty, while the other parts have a one-year warranty. We tested the latest version, the 2016 model, which has a longer handlebar, changes to the spacing between the wheels, a Velcro closure for the seat vent, and an improved fold and auto lock compared with the company’s previous model. The City Mini Double is the only stroller among our picks whose fabric you can easily remove and machine wash.

Like all side-by-sides, the City Mini Double is wide and takes up more space than a tandem in most places. We didn’t get called a “wide load” while pushing this one (as we did when pushing our all-terrain pick!), but we did try and fail to use it in a shoe store where the aisles were crowded with piled-up boxes and too narrow for us to get through without knocking everything down. We also had to park the stroller when touring a 1908 historic Minneapolis mansion because the doorways were too small to get through without scraping. Parents who prefer a narrower stroller may wish to buy our tandem or twin pick instead.

The City Mini Double’s storage basket is generous judged on size alone, but unfortunately is divided by a bar. This design makes it one of the more frustrating storage spaces among all the strollers we tested. It’s harder to access, and stuff can get stuck inside and be hard to pull out because of the bar blocking the way.

An issue many parents may have with the City Mini Double is that it doesn’t take all of the major infant car-seat brands, notably our pick, the popular Chicco KeyFit 30. It also can take only one infant car seat instead of two, and so is not the best option for infant twins. While Baby Jogger says the City Mini Double is suitable for use from birth, parents often wait to use a stroller like this without a car seat attached until the kids are at least able to hold their head up, generally around 3 months old. The manual also warns caregivers not to use the seats in the upright position until the kids are at least 6 months old.

The buckles are some of the hardest to fasten among the double strollers we tested, but easier than those of our pick for twins, the tandem Contours Options Elite. Both strollers have harness components that you must carefully thread together before you can buckle them. Baby Jogger, which now shares a parent company with Graco, changed the design of its restraint buckles after a 2009 recall, so if you’re purchasing one of these strollers secondhand, make sure to check the year.

The City Mini Double lacks some of the features that more expensive doubles have, such as an adjustable handlebar or a hand brake, but its pricier sibling, the City Mini GT Double, offers those. It doesn’t stand on its own when folded, unlike our tandem, upgrade, and outdoors picks. Accessories such as a parent console and a rain cover are sold separately.

BabyGearLab found the City Mini Double to be an “average side-by-side stroller that performed well enough to score above average in most metrics,” but that site was comparing it against more expensive, side-by-side jogging strollers (like our all-terrain pick, the Thule Urban Glide 2), which have air-filled tires and more user-friendly features.

The Uppababy Vista is a big, beautiful tandem stroller, made of high-quality materials, that can convert quickly and easily from a single to a double and back again. It costs at least three times more than either our main tandem pick or our side-by-side pick—but it can often serve a family for years without showing much wear and tear, retaining its resale value. The JPMA-certified Vista is one of the most versatile strollers in our test group and among the most comfortable and easy to use of the strollers we looked at. Its storage area is unsurpassed: The basket underneath is not only roomy and easy to access but also capable of holding a whopping 30 pounds, more than twice as much as most of the other strollers we tested. Because it’s a tandem, the Vista is the width of a large single stroller, and it feels great to push, although its longer length means it doesn’t take turns quite as well as our tandem and side-by-side picks or the jogging strollers we tested. It is heavier than the Chicco BravoFor2 and difficult to carry, but in our tests it fit in both the SUV and compact-car trunks we tried. We tested the 2017 version, but we still recommend the updated 2018 version, which includes leather accents and a bassinet that’s 2 inches longer.

Uppababy sells the Vista with a bassinet and one full-size toddler seat (which you can use from 3 months to 50 pounds), as well as rain and bug covers for both. To configure the Vista as a double using the toddler seat and bassinet (or a compatible car seat with an appropriate adapter), parents must buy the upper and lower adapters (sold separately); or, if they want a second seat, they need to get the upper adapter and can purchase the RumbleSeat (usable from 3 months to 35 pounds or 36 inches), which comes with its own adapter. While you can technically forgo the upper adapter for this configuration, your child may find the result to be an uncomfortably tight fit. Uppababy’s simple-to-use Vista configuration tool is helpful for explaining which accessories you need for each combination.

The Vista's versatility makes it worth the premium for some parents. If you buy the RumbleSeat and the PiggyBack riding board, this stroller really can do it all.

The cost of all those adapters and accessories adds up. Getting the stroller, the RumbleSeat, and both adapters costs about $1,115, and it’s $120 more for the riding board. And while the attractive, well-made bassinet is certified for overnight use, you can use it for only a few months, until the baby can push up on their hands and knees or reaches 20 pounds or 25 inches long. Uppababy does make a stand for the bassinet, which is—naturally—sold separately. Some parents who made a different choice for their first child and are now planning to use the Vista as a double from the start may wish that it simply came with two seats, instead of one seat and a bassinet. It also doesn’t come with a cup holder, a parent organizer, or a child snack tray for either seat, though you can buy each separately.

The Vista’s versatility, however, is what makes this stroller worth the premium for some parents. If you buy the RumbleSeat and the PiggyBack riding board, which are sold separately, this tandem stroller really can do it all. This model can handle three kids with both seats and the riding board, or you could set it up with just one seat and the riding board on the back. When you set it up as a double, you can install the two seats in four ways—both seats facing forward, both seats facing toward the parent, both seats facing in toward each other, or one facing forward with the other looking back at the parent. The Vista can even take two car seats of different brands (including Nuna, Cybex, Chicco—such as our pick—and Maxi Cosi models with an adapter and the Uppababy Mesa without) or two bassinets (the first comes with the stroller, but you can buy a second), so it can be an excellent option for twins from the start.

The Vista is extremely sturdy and even a little tank-like—the 2017 version, which we tested, has a slimmer frame than previous models but is still 25.7 by 36 by 39.5 inches (width by length by height) when in use. That makes it longer than our tandem pick and only 4 inches narrower than our side-by-side pick. Both the included toddler seat and the add-on RumbleSeat are padded and comfortable, with built-in adjustable leg and foot rests and generous UPF 50+ canopies with peekaboo windows. You recline either seat to multiple positions by squeezing a button on the seatback with one hand. The shoulder and waist components stay attached when you’re using the buckles, so they are easy and quick to fasten and unfasten; the buckles are also some of the easiest to adjust for height among those on the strollers we tested. The Vista’s four foam-filled rubber tires—8-inch wheels in front and 11.5-inch wheels in back—make it easy to push in general. You activate the brake with one foot by stepping on it, and the indicator changes from green to red when it is engaged. The handlebar is adjustable.

During testing, I really liked being able to just pop off one of the seats (by pressing the two gray buttons on the side of each seat frame) if I was heading out with only one child, and easily reconfiguring it again when I needed to. The seats do have different weight limits (50 pounds for the toddler seat and 35 pounds for the RumbleSeat), so it’s important to read the manual and make sure you have the big kid in the right spot.

The major downside to the Vista is its price: This model is more than three times as expensive as our tandem pick. Still, its versatility means it has a much longer “stroll life” than any of our other picks. Its high-quality build and materials hold up very well through multiple kids, so many parents find this stroller (and the accessories) easy to resell for at least half the original price. If you’re buying anything used, however, make sure to check the year: Uppababy made major changes to the Vista and its accessories in 2015, and smaller updates in 2017.

I really liked being able to pop off one of the seats if I was heading out with only one child, and easily reconfiguring it again when I needed to.

This stroller is heavier (32.3 pounds with the second seat installed) and harder to carry than our tandem and side-by-side picks, but is about 2 pounds lighter than our twin pick, the Contours Options Elite, which is similarly tough to lug around.

The Vista wasn’t one of the top performers in our maneuverability course, mainly because its 36-inch length made it harder to take around turns than many of the side-by-side strollers we tested. To fold the Vista, you pull up on the frame with two hands and bend over to collapse it. This is easy enough, and the stroller stands up on its own when folded, but the folded size with just one seat attached, 25.7 by 17.25 by 33 inches (width by length by height), is on the bulky side among the strollers we tested. It does fold with the second seat attached, but that makes it even bulkier. It’s also awkward to carry because it lacks an obvious handhold. Finally, when a child is riding on the PiggyBack board, they need to grip the frame with both hands since the stroller has no dedicated handles. (Our tandem pick is the only stroller we found with appropriate handles for the standing kid.)

BabyGearLab says the Vista “has what it takes to stand the test of time no matter what children dish out,” and calls it the best tandem. Online owner reviews are also overwhelmingly positive. “This stroller is admittedly expensive but worth every penny,” writes one parent on Amazon. “It's well constructed, highly functional, beautiful to look at, and makes life easier for parents and multiple kids.” Negative reviews mention the stroller’s weight and bulk, and the fact that each accessory costs extra.

The Vista comes with a two-year warranty, and you can extend that coverage another year if you register online within three months of purchase.

This tandem double is similar to our upgrade pick, if not quite as versatile, but it costs less than half as much and has more legroom, making it a better choice for twins, even as they get bigger.

The moderately priced Contours Options Elite tandem stroller delivers on versatility, much like our upgrade pick, and can give twins or two close-in-age kids a great ride from birth until they age out of stroller rides—without your having to buy tons of extra accessories. It’s our family-with-twins testers’ favorite, even without taking price into account, and it costs less than half as much as the Uppababy Vista and quite a bit less than the only other stroller we tested that can take two infant car seats, the Baby Jogger City Select.

The JPMA-certified Options Elite, which received an update in 2016, comes with two seats that are the same size and can accomodate 40 pounds each. We tested the Elite version of this stroller because the regular Contours Options, while cheaper, is a whopping 38 pounds (4 pounds heavier than the Elite) and not as widely available. The Options Elite is 26 by 39.8 by 49.5 inches (width by height by length), more than a foot longer than the 36-inch Vista. That extra length allows for much more room between the seats, no matter how they’re configured, providing a more comfortable ride than the other two convertible tandems we tested—especially for older twins. “I can see this lasting us for another year or two for bigger outings to the zoo or farmers markets,” said our twin-mom tester, whose boys are now 3 years old. Unfortunately, in our tests the extra length also made the Contours Options Elite harder to take around turns than all of our other picks. Still, it handled much better than a lot of the competition.

The Options Elite doesn’t look or feel quite as high quality as some of the more expensive strollers we tested, and may not be as durable. Still, its aluminum frame, its seats, and its canopies (with peekaboo windows and mesh inserts) are all decent quality. It also offers an amazing amount of versatility for the price, as you can configure the Options Elite seven ways. The two seats connect to the frame with the back seat higher than the front one, stadium style, so when both are facing forward both kids can see. Both seats can face forward or backward, and the stroller can work with one regular seat and one car seat, with two car seats, or even with one seat and a shopping basket accessory (sold separately). The car-seat adapters (both strap-on universal and click-in brand-specific, sold separately) allow this stroller to take a wider range of car seats than most of our other picks; it’s compatible with Baby Trend, Britax, Chicco, Cybex, Evenflo, Graco, Maxi Cosi, Nuna, Peg Perego, and Safety 1st models.

The Contours Options Elite is made by the Chicago-based Kolcraft company, which unfortunately doesn’t make a riding board for this stroller and doesn’t recommend using any made by other brands. So while this model is awesome for younger kids close in age who both need to be buckled, it isn’t as great for families with older kids who want to hop in and out frequently, and it won’t work for three kids. I also found the buckles to be a little difficult to put together, something that isn’t so much of an issue with a single stroller but can be annoying when you’re rushing to buckle one child first and keep the other from running off before you can get them secured as well.

This stroller also doesn’t have some of the extra features—such as an adjustable handlebar or fancy brakes—that some of the more expensive strollers we tested do. The storage basket isn’t as nice as the Vista’s (few are), but the latest version of the Contours Options Elite has a zipper on the side of the basket so that parents can access the basket even when the kids’ feet are blocking it. The Options Elite is one of the heaviest strollers we tested, and also one of the most challenging and awkward to carry when folded. It is easy to fold and stands up on its own, but it measures 28.5 by 43.5 by 11.5 inches (width by height by depth) when folded. I worked it into my Honda Fit hatchback trunk, but just barely (I had to take off one of the stroller seats’ belly bars to close the trunk).

The Contours Options Elite, which is available in four colors, including a marled gray and a brightly patterned “laguna blue,” is a bestseller at BuyBuy Baby and a Lucie’s List top general tandem pick. It is generally well-reviewed among parents online, who note its affordability and flexibility for two kids under 2 years of age. “I love this stroller! It definitely is big, feels like a train but I would rather push a longer stroller [than] a wider stroller and not be able to fit into doors well,” writes one. Others say it’s too bulky and hard to turn, and some write that its length makes it difficult to maneuver over bumps in the sidewalk, especially when the bigger kid is in front, a problem that we noticed with all of the longer tandem strollers we tested.

The Contours Options Elite comes with a one-year warranty.

The Thule Urban Glide 2 is a great-looking, streamlined, all-terrain side-by-side that is comfortable enough for kids and parents to take on longer walks and runs outside but isn’t as bulky or heavy as comparable jogging strollers, making it a solid everyday stroller for many families. It works with one infant car seat of several different brands, glides along the sidewalk with very little effort, has a hand brake, and makes nimble and easy turns.

The Urban Glide 2 typically costs about $200 more than our side-by-side pick, the City Mini Double, although prices for both do fluctuate. It’s built to last, though, and it’s a good value for parents who want to spend time outside as a family or to get in long runs without hiring a babysitter. It was also one of the quickest to assemble of all the strollers we tested, taking us less than six minutes. It is not JPMA certified.

The Urban Glide 2 is remarkably comfortable for both parent and kids. (Thule, a Swedish company known for its ski and bike racks and roof racks, now makes kids-bike trailers, bike seats, and jogging strollers as well.) The adjustable handlebar is ergonomic and makes jogging along with a big stroller in front of you feel effortless (the rear suspension and three air-filled tires help). The separate canopies are large, with well-placed peekaboo windows that have magnetic closures, and the seats (which each hold up to 50 pounds) recline to near flat when you release the buckle, although you do need two hands to put them back up again. Each seat has mesh pockets inside for kids to stow things and on the back for parents to tuck in items such as smaller water bottles or snacks. Thule also sells a parent console separately. The buckles are the easiest to adjust among all the strollers we tested, very easy to secure but a little tricky to open (you press both side buttons and top buttons to release), and they have a wide waistband, keeping kids secure and comfy as the stroller goes up and down hills. The storage basket is generous but not huge—our upgrade pick has a much bigger storage space and can hold 20 more pounds—and has a water-resistant cover that you can zip closed (it also has an extra zippered pocket on the front). In addition to the foot brake, the Thule has a hand brake that can slow or stop the stroller but not park it.

Along with the BOB Revolution Flex Duallie, this stroller was a top performer on our maneuverability course, and in our tests it was one of the easiest strollers to push and turn, gliding effortlessly over a large uneven patch on the sidewalk that stopped nearly every other stroller we tried. Overall, it’s smaller, lighter, and easier to use than the BOB, and it’s better reviewed than some of the budget double joggers we ruled out before testing. Still, it’s the widest stroller we tested, at 30.75 inches. I got (nicely) called a “wide load” when trying to navigate a toy store’s aisles with it. Even though it technically fit through most of the doorways I faced, I needed to make sure it was angled in exactly the right way. I also found that navigating parking lots with the Thule and our main side-by-side pick could be very tricky, since they often didn’t fit between parked cars. Any true double jogging stroller will have this issue, however.

The Thule is very easy to fold with one hand, and can stand up on its own when folded if the handlebar is at the right height. Like our tandem pick, the Chicco BravoFor2, the Thule Urban Glide 2 has a bar that you turn to fold and that doubles as a place for you to grab and carry the stroller, making it less awkward to lug around than many other strollers we tested. Unlike the BravoFor2, however, the Urban Glide 2 is very big when folded (35 by 30.75 by 14 inches, height by width by depth) and very heavy—although at 32 pounds it wasn’t the heaviest stroller we looked at. It was one of two strollers we tested that didn’t fit in my Honda Fit hatchback trunk.

For a double jogger, the Urban Glide 2 is fairly versatile—you can jog with it with one or two kids on board, and Thule makes a buckle-on universal car seat adapter that allows parents to use the stroller for walks with one kid in a regular seat and another in a car seat (from brands including BOB, Britax, Chicco, Evenflo, Graco, Maxi Cosi, Peg Perego, Nuna, Safe-n-Sound, Safety 1st, and Uppababy). Many pediatricians recommend waiting until babies are 6 months old to run with them, and until they are a year old before taking them on rough terrain—but it’s a good idea to ask your own pediatrician when you can start. Because this stroller takes only one car seat, it won’t work for twins until they reach 6 months old.

Finally, if you aren’t really planning on jogging, the air-filled tires on a jogger like this Thule model may not be worth the extra maintenance. They need to be kept full of air, like a bike tire, and there’s always the risk of getting a flat when you’re out and about.

BabyGearLab, which calls the Urban Glide 2 “a stellar side-by-side double stroller that can serve double duty as a jogger once your baby is older,” named it the side-by-side Editors’ Choice. Parents have given it predominantly positive reviews on Amazon, often comparing it to the BOB. “This is going to be life-changing for me! Much easier to get out of the house with 2 kids now and to get walks and runs in,” declares one owner. “It is SUPER easy to fold up and, while large, I think it's pretty functional as an everyday stroller. Highly recommend.” Others say the seats are too shallow or that it doesn’t fit in their trunk, and one notes that it didn’t feel stable to use with an infant in an attached car seat and no second kid in the other seat.

The Thule Urban Glide 2 comes in three colors, a bright blue, red, or gray, and has a limited lifetime warranty.

The Joovy ScooterX2 is a very inexpensive side-by-side double that both BabyGearLab and Consumer Reports have named a best buy. It gets the job done, with all of the features you need plus great storage underneath. Still, it’s heavier, more difficult to push and turn, harder to fold, and harder to carry than our side-by-side pick, and it has just a single big canopy instead of one for each seat. It also doesn’t take any infant car seats at all (unlike all of our picks), so it’s an option only for babies 3 months and up.

The Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite was our second-favorite sit-and-stand stroller. It’s less expensive and more versatile than our tandem pick, but it’s harder to carry, push, and turn, and less comfortable for a big kid to stand on and ride. It does have some appealing features that the Chicco BravoFor2 doesn’t: The front seat reclines much further, making it better for napping babies. It also allows parents to snap on a second seat (sold separately) so that it can accommodate a baby and a younger toddler who isn't yet ready to sit on a bench seat or ride standing. It also comes with a universal car-seat adapter and is the lightest double stroller we tested.

The BOB Revolution Flex Duallie is an extremely popular double jogging stroller with a side-by-side design, air-filled tires, and the best suspension of all the strollers we tested. But as an everyday double, this BOB model is too large, awkward to fold and carry, and heavy compared with our all-terrain pick, which is similarly priced and a better all-around double. Still, because of its superior suspension, the BOB may be your best option if you run often on rough terrain and have the space for it in your home and vehicle.

Baby Jogger’s City Select Lux is a versatile, convertible tandem that has many similarities to our upgrade pick but costs $400 less. It also has a dealbreaking flaw, however. In our tests, at times the folding mechanism seemed to stick, and I had to try to fold it again and again in order to get it closed. It didn’t always stick, so the problem was puzzling. Our twin-family testers had the same trouble, and other parents have posted online about this issue, some saying they had difficulty from the beginning and others noting that the problem developed after extensive use. The City Select Lux also is very heavy at 37.8 pounds, although I found that it was actually easier to carry than some lighter strollers because the fold is compact and has an obvious handhold. We decided to test the Lux version instead of the standard City Select because it offers additional features and has a tighter fold. The two versions fold the same way.

We tested the more popular regular Baby Jogger City Mini Double instead of the pricier, all-terrain Baby Jogger City Mini GT Double. While we liked the regular double for sidewalks, if you want a double that can handle regular trips over rougher terrain but aren’t interested in a jogging double with higher maintenance, the City Mini GT has rubber, foam-filled tires that are a half-inch bigger and much more rugged than those of the regular City Mini Double, as well as an adjustable handlebar and a hand-operated parking brake. Baby Jogger also makes a jogging double, the Summit X3 Double, but that stroller is heavier and wider than the joggers we tested.

We tested the Thule Urban Glide 2 instead of the pricier Thule Chariot Cross 2, which can serve as a double stroller, a jogging stroller, or a bicycle trailer. Cyclists who don’t already have a bike trailer might want to consider it, however.

The attractive Valco Baby Neo Twin is a very light (27 pounds) and easy-to-push side-by-side. Valco also makes an intriguing “triple stroller,” the Valco Baby Tri Mode Duo X, which accepts a toddler seat attached in front. We checked out both in person at the Baby Grand store in Hopkins, Minnesota, and found them appealing in many ways. Still, these strollers are not joggers but have air-filled tires, which are too much of a hassle for many parents to maintain without the benefit of being able to take the stroller jogging.

We found the inexpensive Graco RoomFor2, a Walmart best seller, to be a serviceable sit-and-stand stroller. But we think our tandem pick, which generally costs about two to three times more, offers more value because it’s safer and more comfortable for the standing kid and is much easier to fold, carry, turn, and push. The other Graco tandem we tried, the Ready2Grow, seemed like it might offer a lot of versatility, with a removable rear-facing seat plus a regular front seat and a bench seat and standing platform. Unfortunately, it was very difficult to use, carry, and turn; it was the worst performer in our maneuverability course, and the footrest kept falling off when I tried to carry it around folded.

We initially considered testing the Baby Trend Sit N Stand, since Baby Trend is credited with inventing the sit-and-stand stroller concept. BabyGearLab, however, says it is “not a stroller we would recommend no matter what your goal or budget,” while Lucie's List writes that it is longer and more front heavy than the Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite and not as high quality as the Graco RoomFor2, two strollers that we did test but didn’t find to be top performers.

We looked at the convertible side-by-side Bugaboo Donkey2 Duo at Baby Grand and found it to be attractive in many ways. The nearly $1,700 price tag was too high for us to include it on our short list, however.

The extreme narrowness of the side-by-side Mountain Buggy Duet (24.5 inches wide) is intriguing, but Lucie's List writes that its low weight limits and smaller seats make it less suitable for taller and older kids.

We also considered several in-line “sport” doubles with three wheels made by Phil&Teds. The company’s online materials say these strollers can work for “light jogging,” but they aren’t built with suspension as robust as that of the Thule and similar side-by-sides. In the end, we dismissed them before testing because of reviews noting blocked views and very unequal seating options.

We also decided not to test the Britax B-Agile Double, since it is very similar to the Baby Jogger City Mini Double but doesn’t allow you to attach an infant car seat.

Most stroller injuries happen because a child falls out or because the stroller tips over, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, which cautions parents to use the safety harness straps. Many safety experts also tell parents not to hang bags from a stroller’s handlebar unless they come with the stroller or are an approved accessory, as they can be a tipping hazard. Many caregivers end up doing that anyway—and we found that all of the strollers we tested remained stable with a regular-size diaper bag hanging from the handle. Still, it’s not a good idea to hang too much weight from the handle.

Parents also shouldn’t leave a child unattended in a stroller, according to the Mayo Clinic’s safety recommendations, which echo many of the cautions found in the manuals of the strollers we tested. The Mayo Clinic also cautions parents to use the brakes when the stroller is stopped, to look for recalls, and to check a stroller to make sure it isn’t too hot when left in the sun.

Some of our picks have specific safety recommendations. The Uppababy Vista manual cautions that parents should always load the child riding in the toddler seat that comes with the stroller first and then load the second child into the add-on front RumbleSeat. When you’re using the Contours Options Elite with just one kid, the manual advises to put the child in the front seat only and to keep the back seat installed (you could also safely use the shopping bag attachment instead of the back seat).

It’s important to buckle in a child seated in the bench seat of sit-and-stand strollers like the Chicco BravoFor2, and to make sure the child is holding on to the stroller with both hands if standing, because a child can easily fall off.Thule cautions its stroller owners to pay attention to “exposure hazards” like windchill when kids are out in the elements but not moving around a lot while the parents are running. All jogging strollers should have their front wheel set on the fixed position for running.

Baby Jogger warns that the City Mini Double isn’t made for jogging, and that it shouldn’t go up and down stairs with kids on board—any damage that occurs that way isn’t covered under the warranty.

Uppababy cautions parents not to try to lift the folded stroller by the seat’s belly bar, as it can come apart.

The Baby Jogger City Mini Double’s seat fabric can be removed and machine washed in cold water and then reattached to the frame to air dry so that it doesn’t shrink, while the fabric on the Chicco BravoFor2, Contours Options Elite, Thule Urban Glide 2, and Uppababy Vista is hand wash or spot clean only, with mild soap and water.

All of the manuals for our picks suggest cleaning the metal parts with a damp cloth and wiping dry. It’s a good idea to check strollers periodically for any parts that are worn or torn and for loose screws. If any of the strollers get wet, you need to dry them off to prevent rust, and you should clean dust and sand off the wheels. Finally, if any parts are damaged, stop using the stroller and see if the manufacturer can replace those pieces.

Laura Ostrem, child passenger safety technician and director of sales at Baby Grand in Hopkins, Minnesota, in-person interview, October 5, 2017

Juliet Spurrier, MD & BabyGearLab Team, The Best Double Strollers of 2017, BabyGearLab, September 19, 2017

Best Double Strollers, Lucie’s List, May 1, 2017

Paul Hope, 3 Questions to Ask Before Buying a Double Stroller, Consumer Reports, February 12, 2017

Trisha Korioth, Safety tips help protect children from stroller injuries, AAP News, October 27, 2016

Mayo Clinic Staff, Stroller safety: Tips for parents, Mayo Clinic, June 18, 2015

Erica Pearson

by Kalee Thompson

We’ve tested dozens of car seats, strollers, and diapers to narrow down the list of things you really need before you bring your baby home.

by Elise Czajkowski

Need a stroller for city living? Or one that’s easy to fold up and toss in the trunk? How about an off-roader? These six sets of wheels have got you covered.

by Jenni Gritters and Katharine Gammon

If you’re a runner who wants to bring a kid along for the ride, you’ll want a stroller that can keep pace. The Thule Urban Glide 2 is our overall top choice.

by Winnie Yang

If you live in a city and walk a lot, here’s what our parenting editor suggests you buy for your first stroller.

Safe to use:A good value:Comfortable for both kids to ride in: Not too wide:Relatively easy to push, maneuver, and use:Easy to fold, and compact when folded: Easy to lift and carry:Versatile:PriceTypeWeight limitStorage capacityCar-seat compatibilityNumber of car seatsChicco BravoFor2Baby Jogger City Mini DoubleUppababy VistaContours Options EliteThule Urban Glide 2

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