Recommendations by situation
Pushchair for twins or siblings close in age
A double pushchair is chosen with a tape measure first, against the lift door and the building door. How to decide between side-by-side and tandem, and four options.
In short
- Measure the lift door, the building door and the boot first. Width decides more than any other quality.
- For newborn twins you need two fully flat seats – two carrycots or two backrests that recline to horizontal.
- Side-by-side means equal seats and easier handling. Tandem means the width of a single pushchair and a back seat with less room.
- For siblings two to three years apart, a ride-on board attached to a single pushchair may be enough.
A double pushchair is, above all, a problem of geometry. It weighs as much as two, is as wide as a door or as long as a bicycle, and has to fit into the same lifts, onto the same pavements and into the same boot as a single one. That is why the choice starts with a tape measure, not the catalogue.
Measure first
Write down three figures before you look at any model:
- The lift door, its width, and the depth of the cabin. Lifts in old blocks are often narrower than any side-by-side pushchair.
- The door at the entrance to the block and the one to your flat, including the frame.
- The boot: width, depth and the height under the parcel shelf.
With those in hand, half the models rule themselves out.
Side by side or one behind the other
| Side by side | Tandem | |
|---|---|---|
| Width | Large – check the doors | The width of a single pushchair |
| Length | Normal | Long, hard to turn on the spot |
| Seats | Equal: same view, same recline | Unequal: one usually has less room and view |
| Kerbs | Goes up more easily | The weight at the front makes lifting harder |
| Newborns | Easy, if both backrests recline fully or take carrycots | Depends a lot on the model; often only one seat is suitable from birth |
| Public transport and old lifts | Difficult | Easier |
In short: side by side if your doors allow it; tandem if they don’t.
Twins or close siblings: not the same problem
Twins. You have two newborns at once, so you need two fully flat seats from day one: two carrycots or two seats whose backrest reclines to horizontal and that the manufacturer rates as suitable from birth. If you want to use infant carriers on the chassis, check whether two can be fitted at once. Not all double pushchairs allow it.
Siblings one to one and a half years apart. You have a newborn and a child who still doesn’t walk much. One flat seat and one sitting seat are enough. Tandems with unequal seats are made for exactly this.
Siblings two years apart or more. Ask yourself whether you really need a double pushchair. Simpler options:
- a ride-on board attached behind the single pushchair, on which the older one stands or sits on a small seat;
- a baby carrier for the baby and the single pushchair for the older one;
- a single pushchair that converts to a double only when needed.
What else to look at
- Total weight. The empty pushchair plus two children plus shopping. Try lifting it over a kerb loaded.
- The fold. In one piece or with the seats removed? Does it fit in the boot without taking the wheels off?
- The brake and the handle. A good brake and an adjustable handle matter more on a heavy pushchair.
- The weight limit on each seat, not just the total.
- Separate canopies. Children rarely sleep at the same time.
- The basket. With two children, you carry twice as much.
We haven’t tested these pushchairs ourselves. We chose them by configuration and by the manufacturers’ data; measure and try before you buy.
Four pushchairs for two children
Joie Evalite Duo
Budget-friendlyWho it suits: families with a baby and a slightly older sibling, who have a narrow lift and a limited budget.
The simplest way to take two children close in age around a city with small lifts. Don’t try to make it a twin pushchair: it isn’t designed for that.
Pros
- Tandem: the width of a single pushchair
- Light for a double pushchair
- The back seat reclines and is rated from birth by the manufacturer
- Folds in one piece, with both seats on it
Cons
- The front seat is rated from 6 months: not for newborn twins
- The child in the back sees little
- Small wheels: for good pavements, not for rough ground
Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double
Mid-rangeWho it suits: parents of twins or close siblings who have standard doors and want equal seats, with a quick fold.
The balanced option for side-by-side seats. Simple, sturdy and easy to fold with a child in your arms – as long as you have measured the lift.
Pros
- Two equal side-by-side seats, with backrests that recline almost flat separately
- One-handed fold, by pulling a strap in the middle of the seats
- Solid wheels, suitable for park paths too
- Large, independent canopies
Cons
- Wide: it goes through standard doors, but not every old lift
- The seats face forward only
- Folded, it stays a big slab, which needs a roomy boot
Bugaboo Donkey 5
PremiumWho it suits: families who have one child now and plan a second, or who want a twin pushchair with real carrycots.
The only one on the list that is, in turn, a single pushchair and a double pushchair. If you know a second child is coming within two years, the cost is spread over a longer time. If not, you pay for flexibility you won’t use.
Pros
- Widens from a single to a double pushchair, with the same wheels and the same chassis
- In the twin version it takes two carrycots, then two reversible seats
- Big wheels with suspension, suitable for bad pavements
- In the single version it has a roomy side basket
Cons
- Very expensive, especially with the second carrycot and seat set
- Heavy and wide in the double configuration
- Folds in two pieces or into one big package
Thule Urban Glide 3 Double
PremiumWho it suits: parents who run, live in a house or walk a lot on country roads and gravel paths.
For those who have space and hard terrain. In a block with a lift, it is the wrong choice, however well it pushes. For the single version and for other rough-terrain pushchairs, see pushchairs for rough roads.
Pros
- Three big air wheels and suspension
- Handbrake on the handlebar, for slopes
- Pushes easily with one hand, even loaded
- Large canopies, with ventilation
Cons
- The widest on the list: not for block lifts
- Big even when folded
- For newborns it needs dedicated carrycots or inserts, bought separately
Our recommendation
For twins, in a block with standard doors: a pushchair with side-by-side seats, both fully reclining, like the Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 Double. It is simple, folds quickly and treats the children the same.
For siblings one to one and a half years apart, with a narrow lift: a light tandem, like the Joie Evalite Duo.
For siblings two years apart or more: first try a ride-on board on the pushchair you already have. You may not need to buy anything.
The basic questions – wheels, fold, weight – remain those in the pushchair guide.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for twins: a side-by-side pushchair or a tandem?
If the doors of your block and the lift are at least 75–80 cm wide, the side-by-side model is preferred: the children have equal positions and identical visibility, and the pushchair goes up kerbs more easily. If you have a narrow lift (under 70 cm), the tandem model is the only option that fits.
Can two carrycots or two infant car seats be fitted at the same time?
It depends on the model. Pushchairs specially designed for twins allow two identical carrycots or two infant car seats with approved adaptors to be fitted in parallel. Pushchairs for siblings with an age gap often support only one carrycot, so they are not suitable for newborn twins.
Is a double pushchair worth buying if the gap between the children is more than 2 years?
Rarely. A child over two and a half already walks short, reasonable distances on foot. A ride-on board (buggy board) attached to the single pushchair, or carrying the baby in an ergonomic carrier, are much cheaper and more compact solutions.
Think it could help someone else?
Send the guide to your partner or to a friend who is expecting a baby.