Buying a Tandem Double Buggy

A tandem double buggy can be a great choice when you have twins or children who are very close in age. They are smaller than side-by-side buggies and are perfect for tight spaces like doors, public transport, and rough terrain.

Many also convert into travel systems to use two carrycots or car seats. They are often heavier, longer and less stable than a single pushchair.

Convertible

Whether you're looking for a convertible single-to-double buggy travel system stroller or want to add a second seat to an existing one, there's several options available. The UPPAbaby V2 is large, beautiful stroller. It can be easily converted from a single to a dual by adding a rumble seat. However, it's expensive and less mobile than other double strollers because the 2nd seat goes in front of the front seat. The Nuna Demi Grow is a similar option with great seating flexibility, however it does not have storage under the seat when used in doubles mode.

Other alternatives include twin buggies with all-terrain wheels and joggers with fixed wheels that can accommodate two children. These are more expensive, but they are made for long-distance trips over rough terrain and come with higher resale prices.

Reclining the seat independently

If you require a double buggy to transport children of various ages, you'll need a buggy that has an independent seat recline for both seats. This will allow your child's older to rest in the back while the baby sleeps in the bassinet and the reverse.

Consider the width of your stroller to determine the ease of you to maneuver through doors and public transportation. If your doorways are very narrow, you may think about a side-by-side pushchair such as the Mountain Buggy Duet. It has a footprint that is similar to a single stroller however can still fit two seats and car seat adaptors.

Tandem buggies are usually slightly longer than side-by-side models and so aren't as difficult to maneuver around kerbs however, they can accommodate a wider variety of car/car/seat combinations, and are a great option for twins or siblings of various age groups. They are also more expensive than single-to-lightweight double pushchair buggies but are a good investment if you plan to keep it for many years and have a good amount of resale value if you decide to sell it off after your children have grown out of it.

Another crucial thing to look for is if the backs of the seats can recline independently of one another since this will allow you to put your child in the ideal position for naps or watching. This is important when your child is in the back seat and wants to nap while the older child prefers to sit and observe the surroundings.

Some brands have a unique design that allows the back seat of their vehicles to recline to a position that is almost flat, perfect for newborns. For instance, the iCandy Orange has raised stadium-style seating that can recline both the included toddler seat as well as the optional RumbleSeat into various positions so your kids can have the option of deciding where they will sit, as well as providing an excellent UPF 50+ canopy with windows that peek out.

Larger than twin buggies

You don't need to have twins to benefit from a larger double buggy - they're ideal for siblings of different ages and allow you to move around without worrying about your children touching each other. They're usually a more spacious with one seat in front of the other. The seats can be reclined completely for infants, or put in an upright position for toddlers.

A popular choice is the Mountain Buggy Duet, which features the slimmest side-by-side design available and features the same footprint as one buggy. It also has an adjustable handle, making it easier for parents of different heights to push, and a handbrake, which can be useful when you have to climb difficult terrains. It is suitable from birth and is compatible with a variety of car seats and carrycots, which means it's a great travel system.

The iCandy Wave is another option. It folds in either mono or duo mode in a single click. The frame's clever design expands in width to accommodate the second chair and can be used to accommodate up to two car seats or carrycots. This makes it a fantastic option for older siblings who would like to be seated together. It's a bit longer than other models, but it's easy to steer and has soft suspension that is able to handle the kerbs.

There are many 3-wheeler tandems with inline wheels that offer stability and swift steering. Take a look at Phil and Teds inline models, or iCandy Peach and Pear buggies. These can often be folded into one buggy in case you have a small space at home or you need to carry it from the car to the bus.

Be aware that a double buggy converts to single wide buggy will be heavier and more bulkier than one compact buggy. Make sure you know what you want before you buy. You'll have to get it on and off subways, trains and buses regularly so it needs to be simple to use and manage. You might also have to juggle it on and off the car seat when you take your children to nursery or school so you'll need to be aware it can be easily manoeuvred within small spaces.

From birth

You'll need a stroller for your entire family whether you're expecting twins, or you have another child after having your first. Double buggies tend to be heavier, bulkier, and more expensive than single strollers. However, they are more maneuverable in tighter doorways and around obstacles such as curbs. They are also compatible with piggyback ride-along boards (either from the manufacturer or as a separate accessory purchase) so you can transport three children at the same time.

Tandem pushchairs put one child in front of the other, so they're generally a better option if you have two kids who are close enough in age to be able to live well together. They're not foolproof. Siblings who are sitting side-by-side could kick or punch each other and children with different heights can fight over who is sitting higher. A tandem high-low model can solve this problem by elevating the seat towards the rear, which prevents your child's height from sitting on the bottom and not having the best view.

The iCandy Wave is a great choice for parents looking for an easy-to-use convertible double buggy sale buggy that can fit both a newborn in a carrycot and an older child in the main seat. It has a clever frame which can be expanded in size when you add a second child seat. It also folds flat for storage that is compact. The cushioned buckles, straps and seats are all of the best quality we have seen in our testing. The canopies have a generous size and UPF 50+ protection, as well as a the window is peekaboo. Both seats can be reclined independently.

The only drawback to the iCandy tandem is that it's a bit expensive. However, a quality tandem will last for years and retain the highest resale value, so at the end of the day you'll likely recover a portion of the cost. The iCandy does not have the same seating configurations as our other top picks. However, it's an excellent choice for families who don't wish to spend a lot of money.