What type of double buggy do I need?
The type of double buggy you’ll need for your family will depend on your lifestyle, who will be using the pushchair and what you will be using it for. Generally, there are three different types of double buggy:
Side-by-side double buggy
Ideal for twins or children of different ages who like to interact with one another, although most designs also allow you to recline the seats independently.
Side-by-side double buggies tend to be wider than the average pram so may not be suitable for public transport or small car boots. They often have roomy storage baskets though and can be folded easily, but if you have an older child who often wants to walk, the second seat will sit empty. Most are suitable from birth or you may be able to attach an infant carrycot or car seat.
Tandem (inline) double buggy
This style of double buggy has one seat at the front and one at the back. Often the same width as a standard single buggy, tandem buggies can fit through doorways and shop aisles more easily than most side-by-sides. This does mean the frame can be longer and heavier though and, as your children aren’t sat next to one another, there’s less interaction – and one child will have to look at the back of a seat.
Always fully check the design of your chosen tandem buggy as some only have one seat suitable for a newborn so may not be right for twin babies.
Convertible double buggy
These can be used as a single or a double pushchair and mostly function as a tandem pram when used with two children. They appeal to parents who want a pram that will grow with their family or those that want to be able to switch back to a single buggy when the second seat is not in use.
They can offer a variety of configurations including world- and parent-facing seats, carrycots and car seats, which makes them suitable for a toddler and newborn or for twins, but they can be tricky to fold and will usually sit at the higher end of the price scale.
Read next: Everything you need to know about taking a pram on a plane
What should I look for when buying a double buggy?
Age range: Look at the age and weight restrictions. Can it be used from birth? Check to see if the seats recline flat or whether you can attach a carrycot. If you have twins, make sure both seats are suitable from birth or you can fit two carrycots. If you have a toddler, is there plenty of room to grow?
Safety: Check that your buggy has been made to meet safety standards, typically BS 7409 or BSEN 1888:2003. Look at the harness – most prams come with either a three- or a five-point harness. The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) advises that a five-point harness is best.
Size: Double prams can be bulky, so check the width and weight. If you need to push the buggy through your front door, measure how wide it is. A slimmer, lighter buggy will be better if you live in a flat or regularly travel by bus.
The fold: Check how easy it is to fold (some prams have a one-handed fold) and how compact it is when folded. Consider if it will fit in your car boot or in your home when not in use. Side-by-side prams tend to be easier to fold than tandem buggies, but can have a much larger footprint.
The seats: Look at how spacious and supportive they are. Seats that can be independently reclined will suit the individual needs of both children. Separate hoods are also handy – look at how much coverage they give and whether they have UPF protection.
Orientation: Decide whether you want your children to be world-facing or parent-facing. Parents often want to make eye contact with their baby in the early months. Side-by-sides tend to be world-facing but a convertible pram can offer both.
Is it a travel system? If you want to be able to attach a car seat or two, check that the pram is compatible (you may need to buy adapters). Both tandem and side-by-sides can offer this.
The wheels: choose between a standard four-wheeler for stability, or a three-wheeler for rougher terrain. Smaller wheels will suit urban life but for jogging or active lifestyle, an off-road double buggy with big tyres will be better for rough ground. Also consider the turning circle – a pram with swivelling front wheels will manoeuvre more easily than one without.
Handlebar: If more than one parent will be pushing the pushchair, check the handlebar is a good height for both of you. If not, find one that can be extended.
Cleaning: Look at how easy the buggy will be to clean. Is the material waterproof? Can stains be removed easily? Consider whether you’d like to be able to remove the covers for machine-washing.
Storage space: A basket should hold enough for a day out and be easily accessible. Extra seat pockets can also be handy for smaller items, like a phone or keys. Side-by-sides tend to have roomier storage baskets than tandems as often the second seat in a tandem buggy sits in the basket.
Extras: What does the pram come with? While a rain cover is essential, not every pram comes with one. If you want a bumper bar, you may also have to pay extra for this. Other accessories could be a cup holder, footmuff and seat liner.
Read next: The best travel cots to buy
How much do double buggies cost?
One of the biggest factors when considering what double buggy to choose is how much you want to spend. Double buggies can be expensive, but you don’t have to spend over the odds to get a decent model.
The more basic side-by-side models can cost as little as £70 while some travel systems can go up to over £1,400. While that will make a hefty dent in your bank balance, these do tend to be convertible prams so it may be worth the price if you use it for up to three or four years or more with multiple children. Equally, if you’re on a tight budget, there are plenty of decent pushchairs at the lower end of the price range that will suit your needs.
You can pick up a cheaper double buggy secondhand, but always check that the pram is safe and all the straps and attachments work properly. Also check for any evidence of heavy wear on the edges of the wheels and make sure the fabric is intact.
Read next: Best toddler reins to keep your little ones close
Do double buggies fit through doors?
Being able to wheel your pram into the house when your children are sleeping or load up the buggy before you leave home will be essential for many parents. It’s also great if you can wheel it around town and through shop doors easily.
Double buggies can be very bulky and generally measure up to around 82cm in width. But with standard external doorways measuring around 76 to 96cm, most double buggies will fit through doors. However, there are slimmer options available that will cope with most small spaces.
Seats on tandem prams sit at the front and back so they are great for getting through front doors or small shops as they are the same size as a single pram. Side-by-sides tend to be bulkier, but some are as slim as 65cm and can be pushed through most doorways with ease. It’s a good idea to measure your front door so you know how wide you need your pram to be.
Read next: Best baby carriers, wraps and slings
Can you take a double buggy on a plane?
If you’re travelling from the UK, most airlines will require that, if your buggy isn’t fully collapsible, weighs more than 10kg and exceeds certain width and height limits, it be transported in the hold as part of your baggage allowance, either for free or for a fee depending on the airline's policy.
When it comes to taking your buggy on the plane, the International Air Transport Associations’ passenger baggage rules indicate that a pushchair should have maximum dimensions of 56cm x 45cm x 25cm to be cabin-approved (and be placed in the overhead lockers as carry-on/hand luggage). A common width range for double buggies is typically between 70cm to 80cm, so this would exceed the width restrictions for the plane.
It's advisable to check with your specific airline beforehand to confirm their rules and any restrictions regarding the size, weight, and handling of strollers during travel.
What is the best double buggy to buy?
The best double buggy is the Mountain Buggy Duet V3.2. A compact and versatile side-by-side pram, it’s suitable for twins or siblings of different ages and can take up to two seats, carrycots or infant car seats. It has an easy one-handed fold mechanism, a big storage basket and four big tyres to make it a great all-rounder for any terrain.
Read next: The best baby carrier backpacks
How comparative parent-led testing makes Mumsnet reviews unique
We tasked mum-of-two Liz, mum-of-two Sarah and mum-of-one with putting the buggies through their paces with their babies and toddlers, with ages ranging from seven months to four years old.
We wanted to see how well the double buggies fit into everyday life and how safe and easy they are to use. We broke down the testing into six key areas to ensure every aspect of the buggy was looked at thoroughly:
Safety and stability: We checked how sturdy and well-made the buggy was and whether it provided good support for growing children. We considered how suitable the pram was for a newborn and whether the harness was secure for children of different ages. We ran brake and topple tests to ensure the pram was safe in all its potential configurations.
Assembly: We noted what was in the box and whether all the basics were included. We looked at the instructions and how easy the pram was to assemble.
Day-to-day usage: We ensured the pram was tested on all kinds of terrain looking at how the wheels performed, how easy it was to push, turn, fit through doorways and lift over kerbs or bumps. We also tested the fold mechanism, carried out a storage basket test and assessed the seats, such as the recline option and whether you can add a carrycot or car seat. We also tested the effectiveness of the sun hood and rain cover.
Cleanliness: We carried out a cleanliness test to see how well the fabric coped when juice was spilled and how easily mud came off.
Aesthetics: Looking at the materials and colours, we considered whether it was stylish design or more of a practical pushchair, whether the materials were high-quality and if it was built to last to the maximum age limit.
Value for money: Taking all of the above into account, we wanted to know if it was worth the price tag.
About the author
Tammy Jacks has 15+ years' experience in the publishing industry, enjoying a long and fruitful career as Managing Editor and Health & Beauty Editor for Woman & Home magazine in South Africa. She later went on to become Assistant Editor of the popular South African parenting title Living and Loving, and has written for numerous lifestyle publications including Oprah Mag SA, Health Intelligence, Your Family Magazine, Longevity, and pharmaceutical company Clicks Clubcard Magazine, as well as edited books for popular fitness influencers and health professionals.
Tammy is a distinguished researcher and writer in the field of child safety, with a notable focus on the critical domain of travel systems including car seats and strollers. Her extensive expertise and commitment to child safety have made her a trusted authority in providing comprehensive insights and guidance to parents and caregivers looking for the right stroller for their children. As a mum to an eight-year-old, Tammy has personally tried and tested numerous buggies and strollers over the years, across all age categories.