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Best Double Strollers of 2026: Side-by-Side vs. Tandem, Compared
Whether a side-by-side or tandem double stroller fits your life better, plus three well-reviewed starting points for different budgets and kid ages.
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There's no universally best double stroller — the side-by-side versus tandem decision matters more than any specific model, and it depends on where you'll actually push it. Wide park paths and sidewalks favor a side-by-side, which gives both kids equal views and airflow but is too wide for some doorways and store aisles. Narrow spaces, apartments, and small cars favor a tandem, which is no wider than a single stroller but gives the back seat a more limited view. For an affordable tandem for everyday use, the Graco DuoGlider is a reasonable starting point. For a family with one child who can sit and one who's ready to stand, the Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double 2.0 converts as your kids grow. For a true side-by-side that still fits most doorways, the Contours Element is built specifically around that constraint.
How we picked
This is a researched buying guide, not a hands-on comparison — we haven't pushed these side by side over the same sidewalk with the same two kids. We compared manufacturer specifications, stroller-safety guidance, and the recurring patterns in verified customer reviews, organized around the decision that matters most for a double stroller specifically: side-by-side versus tandem. If we add hands-on testing later, we'll update this guide and say so.
Side-by-side vs. tandem: the decision that matters most
| Side-by-side | Tandem | |
|---|---|---|
| Width | Wider — check doorways and store aisles first | About the same width as a single stroller |
| Seating | Equal view and airflow for both kids | Front and rear seats — rear usually has less legroom and view |
| Best for | Wide sidewalks, parks, twins close in age | Apartments, urban errands, tight hallways |
| Folded size | Often bulkier | Usually folds more compactly |
Neither layout is objectively better — it comes down to where you actually push a stroller day to day. If most of your walking happens on wide park paths, a side-by-side's equal seating is worth the extra width. If you're navigating narrow city sidewalks, small shops, or a compact car trunk, a tandem's narrower footprint tends to matter more in practice than the seating trade-off.
What else to check before buying
- Doorway and hallway width: measure your narrowest regular doorway before buying a side-by-side — this is the single most common regret in double-stroller reviews.
- Car seat compatibility: check whether the stroller accepts infant car seats natively or needs a sold-separately adapter if you're using it for a newborn and an older sibling.
- Age and weight range: some double strollers are rated for two infants; others assume one child is already sitting up or walking — check both seats' minimums, not just one.
- Fold size: a tandem generally folds smaller than a side-by-side, which matters if trunk space or apartment storage is tight.
Doorway width is the most common surprise
Measure your front door, any interior doorways the stroller needs to pass through, and your car trunk opening before ordering a side-by-side model. Returning an oversized stroller after the fact is a common, avoidable hassle.
Where to start
The Graco DuoGlider is a tandem with stadium-style seating, meaning the rear seat sits slightly higher than the front one to partly compensate for the more limited rear view. It's a reasonable everyday pick if budget matters and you don't need it to also convert or accept two infant car seats out of the box.
The Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double 2.0 is built for mixed ages — the rear seat converts to a bench and standing platform, which extends the stroller's useful life as an older child outgrows sitting but still needs a ride sometimes. That flexibility makes it a good fit for siblings a couple of years apart rather than same-age twins.
The Contours Element is a true side-by-side designed specifically to still fit through standard doorways, which is the main complaint about side-by-side strollers generally. It's the pick if you've decided equal seating matters more than a narrow tandem profile, without fully giving up on doorway clearance.
Editorial content in progress
Add hands-on notes on one-hand fold speed, doorway clearance in inches, and ride quality on uneven sidewalks once tested directly with each model, with the date tested.
A double stroller and a single stroller solve different problems — if you're also deciding on a stroller for a single child or want the full type-by-type breakdown (travel system vs. everyday vs. lightweight), our stroller comparison guide covers that decision separately. And if a car seat is still an open question for either child, our convertible car seat guide covers rear-facing limits and installation basics.
Our Recommendations
Quick Comparison
| Product | Best for | Notable feature | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Graco DuoGlider Double Stroller Best Budget Tandem | An affordable, everyday tandem double stroller | Stadium-style seating for a better rear view | Check Price |
| Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double 2.0 Stroller Best for Mixed Ages | Siblings of different ages — one who sits, one who's ready to stand | Rear seat converts to a bench or standing platform | Check Price |
| Contours Element Side-by-Side Single-to-Double Stroller Best True Side-by-Side | True side-by-side seating that still fits standard doorways | Side-by-side seating designed to fit standard doorways | Check Price |
Graco DuoGlider Double Stroller
Best for: An affordable, everyday tandem double stroller
A tandem double with stadium-style seating (the rear seat sits slightly higher for a better view), a one-hand fold, and compatibility with two Graco infant car seats.
- Stadium-style seating for a better rear view
- Accepts two Graco Click Connect infant car seats
- One-hand, standing fold
- Reclining seats with rotating canopies
Keep in mind: The rear seat still has less legroom and a more limited view than the front seat, even with the raised stadium seating.
Baby Trend Sit N' Stand Double 2.0 Stroller
Best for: Siblings of different ages — one who sits, one who's ready to stand
A tandem stroller whose rear seat converts into a bench and standing platform, extending the stroller's usefulness as an older child transitions out of sitting but still needs a ride sometimes.
- Rear seat converts to a bench or standing platform
- 5-point harness on both seats
- One-hand fold with an extra-large storage basket
- Parent console with cup holders and phone storage
Keep in mind: Bulkier to maneuver than a simple two-seat tandem, and the standing platform isn't safe for a child too young to hold on reliably.
Contours Element Side-by-Side Single-to-Double Stroller
Best for: True side-by-side seating that still fits standard doorways
A side-by-side stroller engineered around a common complaint with that layout — it's built to fit through most standard doorways with both seats attached, and converts between one and two seats as your family changes.
- Side-by-side seating designed to fit standard doorways
- Converts from single to double as needed
- Compatible with 25+ infant car seat models via adapter
- Removable 20-lb-capacity storage tote
Keep in mind: Still wider overall than a tandem stroller — 'fits most doorways' isn't the same as 'as narrow as a tandem,' so measure your specific doorways rather than assuming.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I actually need a double stroller, or can I babywear one child?
Plenty of families with two young kids get by without ever buying a double stroller, by babywearing the younger child and using a single stroller or letting an older toddler walk or ride a stroller board. A double stroller is a convenience for longer outings and errands, not a strict requirement, especially if your kids are more than a couple of years apart.
Will a double stroller fit through a standard doorway?
It depends on the model and layout, not just whether it's a tandem or side-by-side. Tandem strollers are built about as wide as a single stroller, so they generally clear standard doorways. Side-by-side models vary widely in width — some, like the Contours Element, are specifically designed to fit standard doorways, but many others are not, so check the manufacturer's stated width against your own doorway before buying.
Can a double stroller hold two infant car seats?
Some can, but not all — check the specific model rather than assuming. The Graco DuoGlider, for example, accepts two Graco infant car seats. If you have twins or two children close in age both needing an infant seat, confirm compatibility for the specific car seat brand you own before buying.
Is a used double stroller a reasonable option?
Often, yes, as long as it hasn't been in a crash and isn't past its manufacturer's expiration date (usually printed on a sticker under the seat), since strollers don't have the same crash-safety concerns as car seats. Check that all the folding and locking mechanisms still work smoothly and that no recalls apply to the specific model and manufacture date.
Sources & Further Reading
- Car Seats and Booster Seats — U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (reviewed 2026-08-12)
- Choosing a Stroller — Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (JPMA) (reviewed 2026-08-12)
Related Guides
Best Strollers of 2026: Everyday, Travel System, and Lightweight Picks
A researched comparison of everyday, travel-system, and lightweight strollers — how to choose between them, safety basics, and four well-reviewed options to start with.
Best Convertible Car Seats of 2026
How to choose a convertible car seat — rear-facing limits, LATCH vs. seatbelt install, three-across fit — plus four well-reviewed options to start with.
Flying With a Baby or Toddler: A First-Time Parent's Guide
What to know before you book — lap-infant rules, TSA liquid exemptions for formula and breast milk, what to actually pack in your carry-on, and how to get through takeoff and landing without a meltdown.
Mom's Magazine Editorial Team
Editorial Team
The Mom's Magazine editorial team researches and writes practical, plainly-sourced guidance for parents and families. Guides are reviewed for accuracy and updated as recommendations change. Where a topic calls for professional expertise, we cite reputable organizations and, for health topics, add a qualified reviewer before publishing.
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