Tuesday, March 22, 2016

The Best Tandem Strollers

Based on 10,529 analyzed reviews

Table of contents

NerdWallet’s scoring of the best tandem strollers is based on our analysis of the opinions of experts and shoppers like you.

Choosing a stroller takes careful thought and consideration. After all, you trust a stroller with your baby’s safety. We know what an important purchase this is, so we researched some of the most popular models on the market to help make your decision a little less overwhelming.

To narrow down the field, we looked at expert opinions from review sites such as The Sweethome, CNET and Good Housekeeping. After that, we analyzed user reviews to see what shoppers were saying about each stroller’s best (and worst) attributes.

We recognize that consumers look for different qualities in strollers, so we scored these based on user observations of a handful of different features, including ease of use, weight, safety and accessories.

Our analysis

Our final stroller scores run from a low of 1 to a high of 10. Here’s how we came up with the numbers:

Overall score: This score reflects reviewers’ overall satisfaction level with the stroller across 13 criteria, including ease of use, maneuverability, accessories and durability.

Baby Care: This score reflects reviewers’ satisfaction with the stroller’s capabilities, in particular how it relates to the baby. Categories that factor into this score include comfort, safety features and noise level.

Ease of use: This score reflects reviewers’ satisfaction with how easy it is to use the stroller. Categories that factor into this score include the ability to fold the stroller, weight of the stroller and maneuverability.

Let’s see which strollers made our list and how they fared. These are our top picks, ranked in order of overall score.

The strollers


1. Contours Options Elite Tandem Stroller

The Contours Options Elite Tandem Stroller has removable and reversible seats that can be adjusted to seven different positions to accommodate twins or two children of different ages.

Overall score Baby care Ease of use
7.78 8.3 6.9

Buyers Like

  • Large sunshade and storage basket
  • Smooth, comfortable ride
  • Sturdy and easy to maneuver

Buyers Dislike

  • Relatively heavy, big and bulky
  • Lack of usable accessories

2. Graco DuoGlider Classic Connect

The smooth-riding Graco DuoGlider Classic Connect has stadium-style seating that can hold two Graco Classic Connect car seats, for children weighing up to 40 pounds each. Many parents complained about a cramped ride and the inability to adjust the car seats as much as the manufacturer had claimed was possible.

Overall score Baby care Ease of use
7.32 6.6 6.8

Buyers Like

  • Smooth ride, large sun canopy
  • Lightweight, easy to open and fold
  • Maneuverability

Buyers Dislike

  • Cramped, uncomfortable ride
  • Seats not adjustable enough
  • Three-point harness not secure

3. Baby Jogger City Select with second seat

Despite having “jogger” in its name, the Baby Jogger City Select with a second seat was not built as a jogging stroller. It does, however, promise your children a smooth, safe ride — albeit one you’re going to have to really put your back into: Many parents cited the weight of the stroller as a negative.

Overall score Baby care Ease of use
7.23 8.5 5.9

Buyers Like

  • Smooth, safe ride
  • Durable
  • Three-part canopy with peek-a-boo window

Buyers Dislike

  • Heavy and bulky
  • Difficult to fold, unfold and lift
  • Accessories sold separately

Best tandem strollers buying guide

Tandem strollers are great for parents with more than one child, offering a safe and effective way to move two children around town with far less trouble than using two separate strollers. But as our analysis shows, not all tandem strollers are created equal, and finding the right one can be confusing. Here are a few factors to keep in mind while you’re shopping:

Safety
Keeping your children safe is important, so look for one with five- or six-point harnesses. Although the Graco DuoGlider Classic Connect got high marks in some categories, parents criticized the security of its three-strap harness.

Portability
Because they hold double the usual number of children, these strollers are often heavy and bulky. If size and weight are a concern, consider the Graco DuoGlider Classic Connect, which got high marks for its light weight and easy folding. But if you have a lot of space and aren’t afraid of a little work, the Contours Options Elite Tandem Stroller got higher marks on just about everything else.

Terrain
Most strollers can navigate a lap or two around the mall with ease, but if you often walk an obstacle course of potholes, curbs, dirt trails or unexpected dips, you’re going to want a stroller that offers a smooth ride. All three of these tandem strollers scored high in that regard.

Accessories
Aside from holding your children, strollers can serve other purposes. If you tend to shop while out with your kids, you’re going to want a stroller with a large, easy-to-access storage basket, like the Contours Options Elite Tandem Stroller. If you can’t deal without your Starbucks, a cup holder will be on your wish list. Cup holders and other accessories often are available as add-ons, as with the Baby Jogger City Select.


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Top image via iStock.

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