There is no straightforward answer to this question as it really depends on your family’s circumstances and personal preference.

Those who swear by it have very valid reasons to – if you’d ever tried pushing two separate strollers at once, you would know why. On the other hand, some may think that a double stroller is difficult to manoeuvre – it is, after all, bigger than a single stroller – and this is one main deterrence to many people.

• We would highly recommend getting a double stroller if you have multiple children as it lets you transport two children at once, efficiently at that. You don’t need to juggle two separate strollers or carry one child while pushing the other, and it allows your children to interact and bond while on the move.

Having said that, a double stroller is a big investment and we can understand the reluctance, which is why if you already have a single stroller, there are actually a few options you can explore:

• Baby carrier: you can use a baby carrier for your younger child while the older sibling uses the stroller. This is not the best though as it gets tiresome (it is hard to bend down to tend to your eldest while wearing your baby) and baby will outgrow the carrier in a few months. Also, it won’t work for twins.
• Stroller board: attach this to the back of your stroller and an older sibling can ride along. Many strollers have their own ride-along board for sale separately, otherwise, there are also universal boards that work with lots of different stroller brands. Your stroller will have to have such convertibility though, and you’ll need to make sure your child is up for – and capable of – the act.

If you’re now convinced to buy a double stroller, keep these things in mind when you’re deciding on the best double stroller:

• Purpose
  Determine where and how you will be mainly using your stroller. Are you taking your little ones with you while jogging? Or will you be navigating the city streets or supermarket aisles mainly? Are you only on sidewalks, or do you go on park trails sometimes too? Just want one that you can bring to your overseas travels? Or one for that Disney trip, that doesn’t break the bank?

• Size and Manoeuvrability
  For instance, a family who lives in the city or will be using a stroller day in and day out will need a double stroller that is easy to turn, steer and push more than those who don’t, or live in a different living environment. Likewise, if you are living in an apartment or will be storing your stroller mainly in the car, you’d want to look for a double stroller that folds as compact as it can.

• Your children’s ages
  People who shop for double strollers are either 1. expecting twins or 2. have a toddler and baby no.2 is on the way. For twins, you will want a stroller with seats that are appropriate for two children of the same age. Incidentally, side-by-side double strollers will be a better point to start looking as opposed to tandem ones. Otherwise, other types can be a good choice if you fall in the second category.

• Convertibility
  Again, the above question comes into play. If you’re having twins and had like to use it from day one, your stroller will need to be able to accommodate two infant bassinets or two infant car seats. On the other hand, if you plan to grow your family in the next couple of years, you may want to look at modular, convertible strollers that let you remove or add seats at your convenience.

• Car seat compatibility
  Most strollers are car seat compatible nowadays but it never hurts to check before you buy just to be sure. You may want to also find out if they require additional accessories (i.e. car seat adapters) or if they work with certain brands only. The latter could very well decide which model you go for in the end.

• Features
  How important are things like fabric, canopy size, basket storage or cupholders to you? Some parents may just want the most basic stroller, nothing fancy while others prefer one that comes with all the bells and whistles. We’d think you would like to put emphasis on features such as stroller configuration, modular seating, adjustable handlebar, reclining seats and suspension while you shop.

Before you go shopping, here are a few types of double strollers to know about:

• Side-by-side double strollers: Probably the most traditional type out of all, these strollers have seats positioned right next to each other as its name suggests. Both children can be seated at the same level so this is a great option if you want to keep an eye on both at once. The seats are usually in the same size so they make for the best double stroller for twins and having the slimmest fold out of all, it is easy to fit them into most car trunks. While side-by-side double strollers are generally easy to turn and manoeuvre, they do run wide so it can be a tight squeeze through narrow doorways and aisles.

• In-line double strollers (aka tandem strollers): This type has one seat in front of the other and while they can be of the same height, most have the back seat raised higher than the front (like stadium seating) for better viewing. Both seats usually face the same direction but some modular tandem strollers let you change the direction (usually the top seat). They are narrower than side-by-side double strollers so they are easier to navigate through tight doorways and crowded sidewalks. However, the seats usually do not have the same configurations – one may recline more and have more legroom and accessories, such as a cup holder.

• Sit-and-stand strollers: This type typically has a baby seat in front and either a rear platform or seat (or both) at the back for an older child to ride along. A sit-and-stand is perfect for families with a newborn and an older child, usually pre-schoolers, who can easily hop on and off the back seat.

• Convertible strollers: These are strollers that start off as a single stroller but can be easily converted into a double (or even triple) by adding on a second seat or other accessories. Usually in an in-line design, a convertible stroller is ideal for families who have a toddler and are expecting a second baby.

In recent years, stroller wagons have been gaining momentum (and popularity!) amongst families with multiple kids.

As its name indicates, a stroller wagon is a stroller + wagon hybrid. It has a push-and-pull manoeuvrability that other strollers lack and it can handle a variety of different terrain, holding anywhere from two to four children. There are loads of accessories to play around with to configure it to your best use and users love how there are considerable storage space for plenty of stuffs.

While they may make for a great alternative to a double stroller in most cases, there are a few things you should consider if you’re thinking one in lieu of a double stroller:

• They are large and do not fold up small so they are not ideal for everyday use, especially in cities or tight spaces.
• They do not accommodate infants – if they do, they usually require separate (often brand-specific) infant car seats and adapters.

All in all, stroller wagons are a great option for shorter, more leisurely adventures such as a trip to the park or the beach. For every day, urban use, a double stroller will still be the better choice as a primary stroller for your children in our opinion.

So, we’ve mentioned above that side-by-side strollers are probably the best double strollers for twins. This is because you’d find most in-line convertible double strollers in the toddler + infant configuration, and many do not come in the same seat size.

• If you intend to use your double stroller right from the start, you should look for one that can accommodate two bassinets and two infant car seats. That is surprisingly difficult – a double stroller that offers seat configurations for two newborn twins – they are not that common, especially one that can accommodate two bassinets but the Bugaboo Donkey 5 Twin is good choice to consider.
• Alternatively, you can get a tandem stroller that allows you to attach a newborn bassinet up top and an infant car seat below. That’d work for twins as well, and the stroller’s configurability will give you more flexibility to play around with down the road. You do need to purchase a separate infant car seat for twin no.2 to use in the car though, but at least that’s something you can work around.

Speaking of infant car seats, most travel systems would have a bundle of stroller + compatible car seat + one adapter set for sale but again, you will need to purchase another set of car seat and adapter for twin no.2.