Choosing a double pram and pushchair (Full Guide)

A double pram can simplify life for families, particularly in busy stores or on busy streets. Select a model that offers ample storage space for nappies, snacks, and other essentials.

Some first-time parents choose a pushchair that is future-proof and can be used both as a single stroller at the time baby is born, and transformed into a twin stroller with car seats-mode when the baby is born. Joolz offers a variety of these options.

Tandem

The announcement that you're expecting a child is one of life's most exciting moments. But, once the initial excitement wears off and reality sinks into your life, you'll be faced with a myriad of decisions about how to prepare your family for the arrival of your new one or ones. One of the most important considerations is choosing the right pram or pushchair.

Tandem prams (also called 'in-line' double prams) are a timeless design that have two bassinets or seats for prams arranged side by side. The front seat, which is usually padded, reclines flat and is suitable for newborns. The second seat is more upright and designed to accommodate toddlers as young as three years. Some models allow you to decide if your children will look at each other or outwards. Many tandems can be converted to one pushchair once your oldest child is no longer required to have the second seat.

A tandem is more affordable than twin pushchairs prams and is a great option for parents who wish to save money, but without losing safety or function. However, the drawback of a tandem is that it can feel long and heavy to steer, especially when you're going up or down kerbs, and it is generally less stable than a best twin stroller pram especially if the child who is older is seated in the front. A tandem can be difficult to fit on public transport, and it may be difficult to navigate narrow roads.

The iCandy Peach is a popular model that is a good choice for a singleton parent who is looking for something that is sleek, but the tandem mode can make it feel quite large and heavy when pushing. It features an innovative frame that expands widthways to allow for the addition of the second seat, and it can be used with a variety of combinations of carrycots, buggy chairs and car seats (two at once or separately). The iCandy Wave is another lightweight tandem option that is easy to use and compatible with a variety of car seats and carrycots.

Side by side

There are many things to consider when choosing a double pushchair or pram. There are numerous configuration options to choose from, regardless of whether you're purchasing for twins or close-in-age siblings. Tandem prams (also called side by sides prams) are a popular choice since they can be arranged to accommodate infants in a bassinet at the top while the older infant or toddler sits in the lower seat below.

Some models even feature seats that can be reversible, meaning you can alter the seating arrangement to meet the needs of your family throughout the baby and toddler years. This allows you to keep your kids in sight at all times and also gives them a an opportunity to interact with each other while they walk.

Tandem prams are jogging buggies as well as all-terrain buggies. They are great for outdoor excursions, such as to the park. They're also a good option for those who have to navigate narrow aisles in the supermarket or at checkouts, as they're generally smaller than single-seaters.

The Redsbaby JIVE3 Pram, for example, can be used as a tandem pram starting from birth in dual mode by adding the use of the rumble seat (PS249). You can then change to a single pram mode once your baby grows out of the rumble seat, or use the adaptors for car capsules (PS53) to turn it into a travel system from infant to toddler.

The Side by Side Pram by Babybee is another alternative. The double side-by-side pram is available in a range of colors and is designed with a contemporary style. It is designed to be used from birth, you can add the LUNA Cocoon for newborns (PS262) and the LUNA Infant Seats (PS53 each).

If you're looking for a sleek, elegant pushchair that can convert into a double-sided side-by-side then the Egg 2 from Chicco is an excellent choice. It's available in a variety of carrycots and infant seats to accommodate twins or siblings with different ages. It's also incredibly easy to collapse. It's also quite light and therefore an ideal choice for families with small cars or limited storage space.

Convertible

The top double prams and pushchairs are versatile, and some are even capable of changing seating arrangements to meet your changing family needs. You can accommodate up to three children on the seat board or two toddlers in the seats while still having enough space to carry a shopping bag. Accessories such as rain covers are also available. In general, convertible double strollers are larger and heavier than single pushchairs as they are required to be capable of holding two or more children. The Graco Modes Nest2Grow is one example of a convertible that is affordable that is easy to use, although our test subjects felt it was a little heavy for its price.

Some convertible double strollers, such as the Baby Jogger City Select 2 comes with a carrycot which is suitable for newborns. This reduces the size of the double stroller when not in use and makes it more compact. The City Select's innovative, one-handed folding impressed our testers but it does require some time to master. It's also quite agile and agile, despite being larger than double strollers.

The Cybex Mockingbird single-to-double twin stroller is an alternative that is affordable. The seat converts from a car seat with a parent seat to a forward-facing toddler car seat, and the bassinet mode is a fantastic option for infants (although remember that babies under 4 months old should not use strollers to sleep due to the risk of positional asphyxia).

For greater flexibility, opt for a convertible that has dual modes like the iCandy Peach. It's a slim double stroller that is able to accommodate two children side-by-side. It can also be used to create a tandem by adding a second seating kit. It's nimble and responsive and our testers loved its sleek design. It's not quite as lightweight like some of the other models on our list but it comes with a big basket that is useful for parents who have to carry bags full of toys and groceries.

Lightweight

Convertible double strollers are a great alternative for parents who have children and anticipate the arrival of a second. The iCandy Peach can be converted from a single pushchair into double by the addition of a toddler seat, or the brand's carrycot (which works well for sleeping at night). The seats are extremely comfortable and our test subjects love that they can be reclined in multiple positions. They also love the feature that the canopy comes with an open window that can be seen from afar and has UPF 50+ protection. The rear seat can be elevated to provide a an elevated platform for the child to get off and on, so they can access items in the basket of groceries.

The only drawback of the iCandy Peach is that it is quite heavy, but Cher found that it was balanced by how easy it is to manoeuvre and how spacious the storage area is with two hanging parent and child cup holders, seat-back pockets and a large underseat basket. She also appreciated the seat's design, which is reversible, so they can be placed to face one another for siblings who want to talk and interact while out and about.

A lighter and equally impressive choice is the Delta Children LX side-by-side stroller that weighs only 18 lbs, is super compact and has an auto-standing fold that makes it easy to transport and store in your trunk or at home. Parents are impressed by the quality of the materials and workmanship as well as the affordable price. The only downsides are that the seats do not recline as much as other models we've tried and the rear seat isn't as visible due to its location - it is raised higher than the seat in front.

The Joolz Geo 3 is another popular choice. It is slim, sleek, and easy to steer and comes with a lifetime warranty. While they're smaller, side-by-side prams can still be more spacious than tandems and inline doubles. This makes them difficult to maneuver on busy streets and in shops. However, they are often shorter, which means they can be easier to turn in tight spaces than tandems.