Buying a Tandem Double Buggy
If you have twins or children close in age, a tandem double buggy is a great choice. They're smaller than side-by-side buggies and are ideal for maneuvering tight spaces, such as doorways, on public transport and rocky terrain.
Many convert into travel systems to include two carrycots or car seats. However, they are heavier and longer than single pushchairs, and may feel less stable as they bump up the kerbs.
Convertible
If you're looking for a convertible stroller that can be converted from a single to a double or to add another seat to an existing one, there are many options to choose from. The UPPAbaby Vista V2 is a large, gorgeous stroller that can easily be converted from a single stroller to double by adding the rumble seat (available separately). However, it's expensive and less mobile than other double strollers due to the fact that the second seat is located behind the front seat. Nuna Demi Grow is a similar model but lacks storage underneath the seat when used as a double stroller.
Other alternatives include all-terrain twin buggies, as well as fixed-wheel joggers that can hold two children. These are more expensive, but they are designed for long trips on rough terrain, and come with more expensive resales.
Independent recline of the seat
If you want a double stroller that can accommodate children of different ages, you will need one with independent seat recliner for both seats. This allows your child of a higher age to be able to relax while your baby is in a bassinet and vice versa.
Take into consideration the width of your pushchair to determine how easy it is for you to get through doors and on public transport. If your doorways are very narrow, you may want to consider a side by side pushchair, such as the Mountain Buggy Duet. It has a footprint similar to a single stroller, but can still accommodate two seats and car seat adaptors.
Tandem buggies are usually a little longer than side-by-side models and therefore aren't easily maneuverable through kerbs and up and down, however, they can accommodate a wider variety of seat/carrycot/car seat combinations and are a great option for twins or siblings of various age. They can also be more expensive than single-to double buggies, but are a worthwhile investment if you plan to keep it for years and will have a decent amount of resale value in the event that you sell it on when your children are out of it.
Another important feature to look out for is if the seat backs can recline independently of one another as this will let you place your child in the best position for naps or watching. This is especially important if you have a young child in the rear seat who may prefer to lay back and take a snooze while the older child would prefer to sit up and observe their surroundings.
Some brands have a unique design that allows the back seat of their vehicles to fully recline into a position that is almost flat, ideal for babies. The iCandy Orange, for example is a stadium-style seat that can be reclined to various positions. It also comes with UPF 50+ canopy and peekaboo windows.
Wider than twin buggies
They are ideal for siblings of different ages, and you can move about without having to worry about your children touching. They're typically a bit larger too, with one seat sitting behind the other and usually offering a fully-flat recline for babies (or an upright position for toddlers).
A popular option is the Mountain Buggy Duet, which has the slimmest side-byside design available and features the same footprint as one buggy. It comes with an adjustable handle that makes it easier for parents to push, and a handbrake which can be useful on hills that are steep. It can be used from birth and is compatible with a range of car seats and carrycots, meaning it's a great travel system.
Another alternative is the iCandy Wave, which has a simple one-click to fold and can be utilized in a duo or mono mode. The frame's clever design can be expanded to accommodate a second seat and can be used with up to two carrycots or car seats making it a great option for older siblings who want to sit together and share the view. It's slightly longer than some other models, yet it's easy to steer and has soft suspension to tackle the kerbs.
There are a lot of 3-wheeler tandems inline available Check out Phil and Teds' inline models or iCandy's Peach and Pear buggies, for example - which offer stability and swift steering. These can often be folded into a single buggy if you have limited space at home or need to transport it from your car to the bus station.
It's important to keep in mind that a double-buggy with a wider width will be heavier and bulkier than a compact single buggy, so make sure you're getting what you need before you purchase. You'll need to take it off and on subways, trains and buses often, so it should be easy to operate and manage. You might also have to juggle it on and off the car seat when you take your children to school or nursery so you'll need to be aware it can be easily manoeuvred within small spaces.
From birth
You'll need a pushchair for your entire family, regardless of whether you're expecting twins or you have another child after you've had your first. Double buggies are typically heavier, bulkier, and more expensive than single strollers. However they are also easier to maneuver in tighter doorways and around obstacles such as curbs. They are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or as an additional accessory purchase) to allow you to transport three children at a time.
Tandem pushchairs seat one child in the front of the other, and they're generally a better option when you have two children who are similar in age to be able to live well. But they're not completely safe Side-by-side chairs could kick or punch each other, and kids who are different heights can argue over who gets to sit higher. This issue can be addressed by a tandem high-low model that raises the seat to the rear. double pram and pushchair will not be sitting at the lower part of the car, and won't have much of a look out.
The iCandy Wave is a good option for parents who are looking for a convertible double buggy that includes a carrycot that is able to accommodate both a newborn and an older child. It has a clever frame which increases in size when you add the second child seat. It can also fold flat for compact storage. The cushioned seats are comfortable, the straps easy to fasten and the buckles some of the most impressive we've seen in any of our tests. The canopies are large in size and UPF 50+ protection, and a windows that peek out. Both seats are reclined independently.
The only downside to the iCandy tandem is that it's a bit expensive. But a high-quality tandem will last for a long time and will have the highest resale value, which means that in the end you'll probably recoup some of the cost. The iCandy doesn't have the same seating configurations as our other top choices. It's nevertheless an ideal choice for families who don't wish to spend much money.