Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?
A light double pushchair makes it easy to move around, especially if you have children of different ages. They are easy to fold, steer and carry up and down steps.
This City Mini GT2 features side-by-side seating with plenty of legroom. It also features adjustable reclining, large UPF 50+ canopies and peekaboo windows. It also features a smart frame that can expand in width to accommodate a second car seat and compatible car seat(s).
Side-by-Side
The majority of the light double pushchairs we tested were side-by-side models. These are best for children who can sit up without assistance, as they tend to lack car seat compatibility. double pram and pushchair , and Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double, are both excellent options. They come with an adjustable recline for both seats, a large canopy, and padded five-point safety harnesses. They're also easy to move despite their larger footprints and are great for parents worried about fitting through doorways.
The Cybex Duet is a little different due to its clever frame that extends its width to create a second seat, making it smaller than other pushchairs with side-by-side seating on the market. This means it can fit through doors that are standard and is easy to maneuver on public transportation. It is also a jogger which is great for those who plan to use it in conjunction with an infant car seat or a baby carrier.
Another great side-by-side, lightweight double is the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double, which offers even more customization through a modular frame. Its clever design lets the conversion of a double or single buggy by adding two carrycots or child car seats. It can even accommodate twins. It's an outstandingly practical choice for families with growing children, and the UPPAbaby also is one of the lightest and stylish umbrella strollers on the market.
If you prefer a more compact, lightweight double, consider the egg2 which folds to the size of a small suitcase. It can be used as a double or single by adding two carrycots or baby car seats. Our home testers were impressed with how easy it was to maneuver, even with a full load of children.
Side-by-side pushchairs that are lightweight aren't 100% foolproof, howeverIf your children are the same age or at the same stage, they might still argue over who rides in which seat. If they're at different heights it could be that a tandem design might be better for them, as it lets them confront each other.
Tandem
While side-by-side models are more appropriate for siblings who are the same age tandem pushchairs are light and lightweight, and are a different kind of pushchair with their own appeal. They can take a bigger car seat, and some have seats that can be reversible or a carrycot in the middle. They are more spacious and easy to get into and out of. However, their baskets tend to be smaller than those on buggies that are single. Many feature larger canopies, peekaboo windows and even padding for the leg cushions.
The iCandy Peach tandem is another good example of a lightweight tandem that provides great value. The fabric is a little less luxurious than our other top-rated tandems, however, it still looks and feels great and is very easy to use. One of the most striking things about it is its one-handed fold. Although it will require some practice, Kirstie in our Lab has 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 simple and fast.
Tandem lightweight double pushchairs will typically make tighter turns than side-by-side models however, they can be more difficult to drive on bumps and uneven surfaces. They are also slow to speed up and can be heavier to move, which can put strain on your back.
A convertible double buggy is another alternative. It is initially one however, you can add adapters to make it a double. This can include an additional seat or carrycot in the front or the kids can sit side-by-side. Some also have the option of adding a buggy board, which could help older children keep up with a younger sibling.
The Uppababy Vista V2 can be converted into a twin-sized pram by purchasing additional cocoons at PS59 each. These cocoons provide an area that is flat for newborns. They can be placed on top of each other or positioned to one another and you can also use them in conjunction with the infant car seat that is included with the pushchair (as as long as you choose an appropriate one). As they're made with quality materials, these types of buggies with dual-use capabilities can be used for many years without showing any wear, indicating they have high potential for resale.
Single-to-Double
Designed for outdoor-loving families who are looking to upgrade their single stroller, this light double buggy transforms into a jogger with the help of an innovative kit that includes air-filled tyres as well as all-wheel suspension. It can also handle rough terrain well and is a tandem triple is suitable for twins or children of various ages. It's also a good choice for parents who are looking for an elegant design that's as elegant as a single and comes in a variety of colors for the fabric.
This iCandy model is very easy to fold with a one-handed system. It's heavier than other single-to-double pushchairs, however our home tester Karolina says it's mobile even with two toddlers and carrying a carrycot.
The seat can be used with the parent facing, and you can also buy add-ons for this stroller such as the Roma Gemini carrycots (PS100 each), which are ideal for newborns. Our test panel found the seats were comfortable for toddlers and had good headrests and lumbar support. There are many options for recline, with the front seat being able to be adjusted to different positions and the rear seat having the option to recline.
This type of buggy has the biggest disadvantage of being a bit wider than doubles that are side-by-side. This makes it difficult to maneuver through doorways, and it can be difficult to get up and down kerbs. However the suspension and wheels on these models generally perform well in handling paved surfaces, and the fact that they're usually significantly lighter than the side-by-sides means you can still have plenty of storage space. It's important to remember that strollers of this type aren't as efficient in navigating narrow aisles in supermarkets and can struggle to handle a lot of shopping. It's a bit easier to turn them around on the smallest of curved paths, but even this can be difficult. Some are easier to turn than other models, like the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double or the Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double.
Convertible
The benefit of convertible double pushchairs is the ability to adapt to changing family requirements. They often start out as single buggies, and come with adapters to add a second seat, a carrycot, or (in certain cases) the car seat to the frame. Some can even convert back to a single as your child grows older and begins to walk more or prefers to ride on a buggy board.
This stylish tri-fold double stroller is one of the lightest strollers on our list. It can support up to 40 lbs per child and comes with a storage basket between the seats. Home testers appreciated its large canopy with windows that peek out with multi-position reclining seats as well as front and rear suspensions for smoother rides on rough terrain. It also comes with a handy cup holder for the parent and a large, easy-to-access basket. They did note that the backs have small pockets, which are just large enough to hold the phone and a set of keys.
This lightweight, high-end side-by-side is available in more than 20 configurations. It also comes with a second seat and carrycot. Its impressive features include a high-profile handlebar for easier steering as well as rear and front suspensions to smooth rough terrain; a self-standing, compact fold that has straps that make it easy to schlep and seven-inch swing lock front wheels and 10-inch rear wheels with suspension for a smoother ride. The only downside is that you'll need to purchase a separate baby carriage or car seat.
This versatile tandem is the most popular of our home testers because it is easy to maneuver and has a large shopping basket that is accessible from both seats when they are in the parent-facing position. Its surprisingly lightweight weight (about the same as some single pushchairs) makes it a breeze to move around. Many users praise the clever way it attaches the second seat or riding board to the back. Parents also loved that it accommodates infant carriers and car seats from various brands. This includes some that are not normally compatible with other double buggies.