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Which Lightweight Double Pushchair Should You Buy?

It's easy to move around with a lightweight double pushchair, particularly if you have children of varying ages. They're generally easy to steer, fold and transport up and down stairs.

This City Mini GT2 offers side-by-side seats with plenty of legroom with adjustable reclining, as well as huge UPF 50+ canopies with windows that peek out. It also has a clever frame that can be expanded to accommodate a second car seat and a compatible car seat(s).

Side-by-Side

The majority of light double pushchairs we've test are side-byside models and are best suited for kids who can sit up unassisted because they aren't equipped with car seat integration. That said, the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and Baby Trend Sit 'N Stand Double are both excellent options that offer recline that can be adjusted in both seats, a wide canopy, and padded 5-point harnesses. They're also easy to maneuver despite their bigger footprint and are perfect for parents worried about fitting through doors.

The Cybex Duet is a little different due to its unique frame that extends its width to create a second seat, making it slimmer than most other side-by-side pushchairs available. It can be pushed through standard doors and is easy to maneuver on public transportation. It also doubles as a jogger, which is ideal if you plan to use it in conjunction with an infant car seat or baby carrier.

Another excellent side-by-side lightweight double is the UPPAbaby Vista v2 Double, that offers more customization through a modular frame. Its clever design lets the conversion of an individual or double buggy by adding two carrycots or car seats for children. It can even accommodate twins. It's a great option for growing families, and the UPPAbaby also is one of the tiniest and most fashionable umbrella strollers on the market.

If you're looking for a compact lightweight double, try the egg2 which folds to the size of a tiny suitcase. It can be used as a double or a single by adding 2 baby car seats or carrycots. Our test subjects were awed by how easy it was to maneuver, even with a full load of kids.

Side-by-side lightweight double pushchairs aren't 100% foolproof, howeverIf your children are at the same age or at the same stage, they might still argue over who gets to ride in which seat. If they're at different heights then a tandem style may be the best option for them, since it allows them to face each other.

Tandem

While side-by-side models may be more suitable for siblings with similar ages, tandem lightweight double pushchairs are a different kind of pushchair with their own appeal. Some can fit an extra car seat, while others come with seats that can be reversible. Some even come with an additional carrycot or reversible seat in the middle. They are more spacious and easy to get into and out of. However the baskets they use tend to be smaller than those on buggies that are single. Many have larger canopies as well as peekaboo windows, and even padded leg cushions.

The iCandy Peach tandem is another excellent example of a light tandem that is a an excellent value. Its fabric feels a bit less premium than some of our other top-rated doubles however, it still looks and feels great and is easy to use. Its one-handed folding is impressive. Although it takes some practice, Kirstie from our Lab called it "genius". It's not possible to fold it with the carrycot attached, however the mechanism for attaching and taking it off it is simple and fast.

Tandem lightweight double pushchairs will generally make more precise turns than side-byside models, however, they can be more difficult to drive on uneven surfaces and curbs. They are also slower to accelerate and are heavier to move. This puts strain on your back.

Another alternative is a convertible double buggy, that starts out as a single and then you add adapters to turn it into a double. It could include an additional seat, a carrycot, or both in the front. Or the children can share a seat. Some may have the option of adding a buggyboard, which assists an older child to keep up with a younger brother or sister.

The Uppababy Vista V2 is a great example of a convertible, as it can also convert into a twin stroller with car seats pram with the purchase of additional cocoons (PS59 each) that create a lie-flat space for newborns. They can be swiveled together or placed in a row. You can also use the car seat that was included with the pushchair, in the event that it is compatible. Because they're made from high-quality materials, these kinds of dual-use buggies can often be used for a long time without displaying much wear, meaning they have the highest resale value.

Single-to-Double

Ideal for families who love to be outdoors and are looking to upgrade their single stroller, this lightweight double buggy turns into a jogger with the help of a nifty kit that includes air-filled tyres, as well as all-wheel suspension. It's also a good option for twins, or children of different age groups and as triple tandem, it is able to be able to handle the rough terrain. It's also a good choice for parents who want an elegant design that's just as elegant as a single and comes in a variety of colors for the fabric.

We were impressed by the way this iCandy model folds up using a single-hand mechanism that's extremely simple to master. Although it's heavier than other single-to-double buggy travel system pushchairs in this review, home tester Karolina said that it still feels very maneuverable - even when she had two toddlers and a carrycot in it.

You can buy add-ons like the Roma Gemini Carrycots (PS100) that are ideal for infants. Our test panel found that the seats were comfortable for toddlers, with excellent lumbar support and headrests. There are numerous options for reclining the seats with the front seat adjustable in various positions and the back seat also having an option to recline.

This type of buggy has the greatest disadvantage of being wider than doubles that are side-by-side. This makes it difficult to navigate through doorways and it isn't easy to maneuver up and down kerbs. However, the wheels and suspension are generally able to do a good job of handling paved surfaces, and the fact that they're usually significantly lighter than the side-bysides means that you still find plenty of storage space. These strollers aren't easy to maneuver around supermarkets with narrow aisles, and they may struggle to carry loads. It's easier to turn around on the smallest of curved paths, but even this can be difficult. Some are also easier to turn than others, such as the Thule Urban Glide 2 Double and the Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double, for instance.

Convertible

The benefit of convertible double pushchairs is that they are able to adapt to changing family requirements. Often, they start as single buggies, and include adapters that permit you to add a second child's chair or a carrycot (in some cases) a car-seat to the frame. Some are able to be converted to a single buggie when your child reaches the age of walk or prefers to ride a buggyboard.

This stylish tri-fold double twin stroller is among of the lightest on our list. It can support up to 40 pounds per child and comes with an extra storage basket in between the seats. The home testers loved the spacious canopy that has windows that can be seen from the outside, multi-position reclining seats and front and rear suspensions for smoother rides on rough terrain. It also comes with an easy-to-use cup holder for parents, and an enormous accessible, easily accessible basket. They also noted that the backs of the bags have small double buggy pockets which are only big enough to fit a phone and a set of keys.

This high-end, lightweight side-by-side can be used in more than 20 configurations, and comes with an additional seat and carrycot. Its impressive feature set includes a high-profile handlebar for easier steering as well as rear and front suspensions to smooth rough terrain; a self-standing compact fold with handy straps that make it easy to schlep and seven-inch swing lock front wheels and back wheels that measure 10 inches with suspension for a smoother ride. The only downside is that you will need to purchase an additional car seat or baby carrier.

This versatile tandem is the top choice of our home testers because it is easy to maneuver and has an enormous shopping basket that can be accessed from both seats when they are in the parent-facing positions. Its surprisingly light weight (about the same as a few single pushchairs) makes it a breeze to move. Reversible seats mean you can switch them around to face either direction, and the clever way it connects a second seat or riding board to the rear is praised by many. Parents also appreciated the fact that it could accommodate infant carriers and car seats from a variety of brands, including those that aren't typically fit in other double buggies.