With so many double strollers on the market today, it can be hard to know which will be the best fit for your family. As someone who has reviewed many strollers over the past five years, there are a few characteristics I look for that make a double stroller stand out. I'm sharing how to pick the best double stroller for your lifestyle.
I've partnered with Britax for this post.
How to Pick the Best Double Stroller
With two kids, it's important for us to have a great double stroller for outings. Like most kids, mine get tired of walking and there are some places (the mall or theme parks, especially!) where it's just easier for them to ride. Here are my top tips to help you pick the best double stroller for your family!
1.) Side-by-side or tandem - There are pros and cons to both types of stroller, so this can be fairly subjective. When it comes to side-by-side, you're looking at a wider stroller than a tandem because the seats will be next to each other instead of front and back. Many side-by-side strollers are now made to fit through average doorways, but you'll want to make sure before you purchase if you plan to use it indoors. These strollers can also be difficult to fit into standard car trunks.
For tandem strollers, you'll typically have two independent seats. Inline strollers are usually more narrow than side-by-side strollers, so you won't have the issue of fitting through doorways. However, inline strollers can be longer from front to back than side-by-sides, which may them a little more difficult to maneuver.
2.) Recline - Whether you go with a side-by-side or tandem stroller, you'll want to consider seat recline. I find that since I have two kids of different ages, their recline needs are very different. That means I find strollers with independently reclining seats to be a better fit for us. If you have twins or children who are closer in age/size, you may have different needs.
3.) Canopies - I personally also prefer double strollers that have individual canopies for each child. It always seems like one child wants to be able to see and one wants a sun-shade! Some strollers don't even have shades for both seats so that's something to look for also.
4.) Versatility - If you plan to have multiple children, you may consider buying a double stroller from the very beginning. Many tandem double strollers have seats that can be positioned in different ways or even removed.
5.) Weight/Ease of Use/Fold - If you plan to travel with your double stroller, finding one that folds down easily and compactly is important. You'll also want to consider the weight and size if you plan on carrying or hauling it much.
6.) Storage Space - It's always nice to have somewhere to store a diaper bag in a stroller. With two kids, I find I've always got something to bring along so I like having a stroller with a decent amount of storage space underneath.
A Look at the 2017 Britax B-Ready
There are so many double strollers on the market today, so where do you start? I want to show you some of the features of a stroller that fits the criteria above and more. The 2017 Britax B-Ready Stroller is a tandem double stroller that can be used from infancy up to 55 pounds. I included it on my list of best baby products for 2017 for good reason. This stroller can do it all.
You may remember that I reviewed the 2013 Britax B-Ready stroller years ago, but I only used it in singles mode. Now that I have two kids, I'm thrilled that this stroller still has so many features I knew and loved, like the adjustable foam-wrapped handle and easy steering, but it has a bit of a smaller footprint, which I'm thrilled about.
The 2017 B-Ready is compatible with Britax infant car seats and the bassinet (sold separately). You simply click your car seat into the stroller frame using the Click & Go connectors (instead of using the top seat). The stroller is also compatible with other major car seat brands if you purchase their infant car seat adapter. From about six months up, you can start using the top seat for your child.
One of the best things about this stroller is the versatility. So you have one child? Great! You can use this stroller for years with just one seat before you have another child. This eliminates needing to purchase a single stroller and then a double stroller later. The top seat can face towards or away from you, depending on your preference. When you need to make the stroller into a double, you purchase the second seat or utilize the B-Ready lower infant car seat adapters. If you're using the second seat with an infant car seat in place of the top seat, you'll need to use the extension adapters (included with your second seat purchase)
I have found that when I'm strolling with my babies, that I prefer them to be facing me. It's easier to keep an eye on them and they seem to feel more secure if they can see me too. However, now that our son is older he definitely prefers facing outward. For quick reference, my son is almost 5 years old and weighs 42 pounds. He insisted on resting his feet on the top seat, but he can easily stretch out and extend them to the lower footrest.
If there's one thing I've learned about having kids, it's that things are always changing. The B-Ready Stroller has 12 different seating options to adapt to meet your needs at any given time. Here, I'm using the top seat and second seat with my kids. My daughter is almost two and weighs just over 20 pounds, so she's using the second seat (which has a 35 pound weight limit). 
Each seat has 4-position recline and 5-point harnesses to keep your kids comfortable and safe. You can see that the second seat lays pretty flat for napping little ones. Also, with the second seat comes a set of mud guards to keep your lower passenger neat and tidy.
We live in Florida, so generous canopies are an absolute must. The extra-large canopies on the Britax B-Ready are perfect for our weather and to protect our kids from the elements. You can see how full coverage they are, but also that they can be completely out of the way if necessary. There's also a great pop-out visor for added coverage and all of the canopies offer UV 50+ protection.
The canopies also have ventilation windows which is great for the heat here. Top seat canopy has a mesh peek-a-boo window with a magnetic closure. I definitely prefer this over velcro closure which can wake a sleeping baby when you're trying to sneak a peek at them.
Check out these tires. They're foam filled rubber tires so you never have to worry about filling them. Plus, they give such a smooth ride! The brake indicator is helpful when we're on the move. It shows green or red depending on whether the brake is engaged.
Another great feature of this double stroller is the storage. I always carry at least a diaper bag with me when we go places, and to have the large basked underneath is a must. The storage area is also accessible from all sides. When I have a second rider, I can still fit a small, lightweight bag of essentials by her feet. Plus, I can access the storage basket from the front via a zippered panel.
We travel a lot and always bring a stroller with us. We need a stroller that folds down easily and fits well in our vehicle. The B-Ready fits the bill perfectly.
It folds down in seconds WITH both seats attached. It's fairly compact for a double stroller and only weighs 28 pounds. I can easily hoist it into our vehicle or carry it when necessary
It fits well in our vehicle and doesn't take up too much space. Anytime we travel, we seem to take half our house with us! It's nice to have a stroller that meets our needs but doesn't fill up our whole trunk.
If you're on the market for a double stroller, I highly recommend the 2017 Britax B-Ready. Not only is it incredibly versatile, it drives as smooth as they come. Plus, you can use it with just one child and add on as your family grows! Britax does sell accessories including a food/drink tray also. You can purchase the Britax B-Ready on Amazon or other major retailers.
What are the main things you look for in a double stroller?
Tell me in the comments below!
Disclaimer: I received the Britax B-Ready Stroller and second seat at no cost to discuss how to pick the best double stroller and provide an honest review. All opinions are my own.
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