You’ve just found out you’re having twins, or your toddler is barely walking when number two arrives, and suddenly you need a pushchair that carries two children at once without being wider than a doorway or heavier than a small car. Double pushchairs have come a long way — the best ones are surprisingly manageable, fold to reasonable sizes, and won’t destroy your wrists on long walks. But the choice between side-by-side and tandem designs, plus the sheer range of prices from £100 to £1,500, makes the decision feel overwhelming. Here’s what actually matters.
In This Article
- Best Overall Double Pushchair
- Side-by-Side vs Tandem: Which Layout Is Better?
- Best Side-by-Side Double Pushchairs
- Best Tandem Double Pushchairs
- What to Look for When Buying
- Weight and Folding
- Age and Weight Limits
- Steering and Manoeuvrability
- Storage and Baskets
- Accessories Worth Buying
- When to Stop Using a Double Pushchair
- Where to Buy in the UK
- Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall Double Pushchair
The Bugaboo Donkey 5 Duo is the double pushchair I’d recommend if budget allows. At about £1,200-1,400, it’s not cheap — nobody’s pretending otherwise — but it’s the one that does everything well. Side-by-side layout with individually reclining seats, a massive underseat basket that’s actually accessible, and the ability to convert between single and double mode in seconds. We’ve used one for over a year through supermarket aisles, muddy parks, and packed train stations, and it handles all of them. The steering is the closest thing to a single pushchair I’ve found in a double.
For families who can’t justify the Bugaboo price, the Joie Evalite Duo at about £250-300 is the best value tandem on the market, and the Out’n’About Nipper Double at around £350-400 is the best affordable side-by-side.
Side-by-Side vs Tandem: Which Layout Is Better?
This is the first decision and it shapes everything else.
Side-by-Side
Both children sit next to each other, facing forward. The pushchair is wider but shorter.
- Advantages: Equal views and airflow for both children, easier to interact with both kids, children can see each other, generally recline independently
- Disadvantages: Wider — some doorways, shop aisles, and ticket barriers are tight. Typically 72-76cm wide, though some narrow models hit 65cm
- Best for: Twins, children of similar ages, parks and outdoor use
Tandem
One child sits in front of the other. The pushchair is narrow but longer.
- Advantages: Fits through standard doorways easily (same width as a single), easier in shops and on public transport
- Disadvantages: Rear child often gets a worse view, front seat may not fully recline, longer turning circle, the child behind is essentially staring at the back of a seat
- Best for: Mixed ages (newborn + toddler), urban use, narrow spaces, public transport
Most parents of twins prefer side-by-side. Most parents with an age gap prefer tandem. There are exceptions, but this general rule holds up well.
Best Side-by-Side Double Pushchairs
Bugaboo Donkey 5 Duo — Best Premium Side-by-Side
The Donkey 5 is the one everyone wants and most people baulk at the price of. At £1,200-1,400 depending on configuration, it’s firmly in premium territory. But having pushed one through twelve months of daily use, I understand why people pay it.
The mono-to-duo conversion is clever — you can run it as a single pushchair with a side basket, then clip on the second seat when you need double mode. This means you’re not stuck with a double pushchair on days when only one child comes along. The 10kg underseat basket is enormous and, crucially, accessible from both sides.
- Weight: 13.8kg (duo configuration)
- Width: 74cm (duo) / 60cm (mono)
- Max child weight: 22kg per seat
- Suitable from: Birth (with carrycot) or 6 months (seat unit)
- Price: About £1,200-1,400
- Buy from: John Lewis, Bugaboo direct, Natural Baby Shower
Out’n’About Nipper Double — Best Value Side-by-Side
The Nipper Double has been a UK parent favourite for years, and the current V5 version is the best yet. At about £350-400, it’s robust, handles rough terrain well, and folds surprisingly flat for a side-by-side.
The air-filled tyres make a noticeable difference on grass, gravel, and uneven pavements. I’ve seen parents take these through woodland paths that would defeat most urban pushchairs. The downside is the weight — at 12.8kg, it’s hefty to lift in and out of the car.
- Weight: 12.8kg
- Width: 72cm
- Max child weight: 22kg per seat
- Suitable from: Birth (seats recline fully flat)
- Price: About £350-400
- Buy from: John Lewis, Amazon UK, Kiddies Kingdom
Mountain Buggy Duet — Narrowest Side-by-Side
At just 63cm wide, the Duet fits through standard doorways that defeat other side-by-side models. If you live in a Victorian terrace with narrow hallways or regularly use public transport, this solves the biggest side-by-side problem.
- Weight: 14.3kg
- Width: 63cm
- Max child weight: 20kg per seat
- Suitable from: Birth (with carrycot accessory)
- Price: About £500-600
- Buy from: Natural Baby Shower, Pramworld, Amazon UK
The trade-off for the narrow width is tighter seats. Two larger toddlers can feel a bit squeezed, though most children up to about 2.5-3 years fit comfortably enough.
Best Tandem Double Pushchairs
Joie Evalite Duo — Best Budget Tandem
At about £250-300, the Evalite Duo is the tandem I’d recommend to most families on a budget. Both seats recline independently, the rear seat sits higher so your child isn’t just staring at fabric, and at 10.2kg it’s one of the lightest tandems available.
The fold is compact enough for most car boots, and the aluminium frame feels solid despite the low weight. After testing it alongside pushchairs twice the price, the Evalite holds up remarkably well in everyday use.
- Weight: 10.2kg
- Width: 57cm
- Max child weight: 15kg per seat
- Suitable from: Birth (both seats recline flat)
- Price: About £250-300
- Buy from: Argos, Amazon UK, Smyths Toys
iCandy Peach 7 Double — Best Premium Tandem
The Peach 7 in double mode is beautifully engineered, with the second seat elevating to give both children a good view. The seats face in either direction — both forward, both parent-facing, or one each way. This flexibility is genuinely useful as your children grow and their preferences change.
- Weight: 14.5kg (double configuration)
- Width: 56cm
- Max child weight: 25kg per seat
- Suitable from: Birth (with carrycot)
- Price: About £1,100-1,300 (double configuration)
- Buy from: John Lewis, iCandy direct, Kiddies Kingdom
Silver Cross Wave — Most Versatile Tandem
The Wave converts between single, tandem, twin, and travel system configurations. It’s the Swiss Army knife of double pushchairs — useful for families who want one pushchair that adapts as their family grows.
- Weight: 14.4kg
- Width: 57cm
- Max child weight: 25kg per seat
- Suitable from: Birth (with carrycot)
- Price: About £900-1,100
- Buy from: John Lewis, Silver Cross direct, Mothercare
What to Look for When Buying
Compatibility with Car Seats
If you’re using a car seat system with your pushchair, check that your chosen double accepts car seat adaptors. Most premium tandems offer car seat compatibility on the front or rear position, letting you click a baby car seat straight onto the frame. Side-by-sides typically offer this on one or both sides.
Check the specific adaptor compatibility — not all car seat brands work with all pushchair brands, and the adaptors usually cost £30-60 extra. The NHS has useful guidance on baby and toddler safety including transport safety for young children.
Recline Positions
Both seats should recline independently. Flat recline (or near-flat) on at least one seat is essential if you’re using it from birth without a separate carrycot. Check whether the recline mechanism works smoothly with one hand — you’ll often be adjusting it while holding a child or shopping bag.
Suspension
Suspension makes a real difference on rough UK pavements — cracked concrete, dropped kerbs, tree roots pushing up paving slabs. Air-filled tyres with suspension (like the Out’n’About Nipper) absorb bumps better than hard plastic wheels. Your children sleep better in a smooth ride, and your wrists will thank you on longer walks.
Weight and Folding
How Heavy Is Too Heavy?
Most double pushchairs weigh between 10-15kg empty. Add two children, a changing bag, and whatever shopping you’ve picked up, and you could be pushing 35-40kg total.
The lighter models (under 11kg) are easier to lift into car boots and carry up stairs, but often sacrifice robustness. The heavier models (13-15kg) tend to feel more stable and handle rough ground better. If you’re regularly loading it into a car, weight matters more than if it lives in the hallway and rarely gets lifted.
Fold Size
Measure your car boot before buying. Not after. Side-by-side pushchairs fold wide but thin. Tandems fold narrow but long. Either can be awkward depending on your car.
- Best compact fold (tandem): Joie Evalite Duo — folds to 87 × 57 × 37cm
- Best compact fold (side-by-side): Mountain Buggy Duet — folds to 79 × 63 × 33cm
Some double pushchairs offer a one-hand fold, which sounds like a marketing gimmick until you’re holding a toddler in one arm and trying to collapse the pushchair with the other. Then it becomes essential.
Age and Weight Limits
Using from Birth
Not all double pushchairs are suitable from birth. Check whether:
- The seat reclines to fully flat (required for newborns who can’t support their heads)
- A carrycot attachment is available (preferable for the first 6 months)
- The pushchair meets safety standards for newborn use
For twins, you’ll likely need two carrycots initially, which doubles the upfront cost. For a newborn and toddler combination, one carrycot plus one seat unit is the typical setup.
Weight Limits
Most double pushchairs support 15-25kg per seat. Since children hit these limits at different ages depending on their size, the practical lifespan of a double pushchair varies:
- 15kg limit: Most children reach this around age 3
- 20kg limit: Around age 4-5
- 25kg limit: Around age 5-6
If your children are close in age, a higher weight limit gives you more years of use — which matters when you’re spending £300+.
Steering and Manoeuvrability
One-Hand Steering
The best double pushchairs steer with one hand nearly as easily as a single. The Bugaboo Donkey 5 is the gold standard here — it turns with minimal effort despite its width. Budget models tend to need both hands on the handlebar, especially when loaded.
Turning Circle
Tandems have a longer turning circle than side-by-sides because they’re, well, longer. In tight spaces like café corners or small lifts, a tandem requires more shuffling and reversing. Side-by-sides pivot more easily but need wider paths.
Kerb Mounting
Getting a double pushchair up a kerb requires tipping the front wheels onto the kerb first, then pushing forward. Lighter pushchairs tip more easily. Models with a foot bar on the rear axle make this much simpler — push down with your foot to lift the front, then roll forward.
Storage and Baskets
Underseat Baskets
A double pushchair without a decent basket is a missed opportunity. You’ve got two children generating twice the stuff — nappies, snacks, toys, spare clothes, your sanity — and nowhere to put it if the basket is tiny.
The Bugaboo Donkey 5’s basket is the largest in this roundup at 10kg capacity, accessible from three sides. The Out’n’About Nipper has a large mesh basket but it’s harder to reach when both seats are reclined. Budget tandems often have the smallest baskets because the rear seat sits low, blocking access.
Handlebar Storage
Handlebar-mounted organisers (about £15-25) add cup holders, phone pockets, and small storage compartments. They’re not glamorous but they’re used constantly. Just check the weight limit — overloading the handlebar can make the pushchair tip backwards when you lift a child out.
Accessories Worth Buying
- Rain cover (£15-30): Essential in the UK. Some pushchairs include one; for those that don’t, get a universal double rain cover that fits over the entire width
- Footmuffs (£30-60 each): Cosy sack liners that keep children warm without bulky coats. Worth having for autumn through spring
- Cup holder (£8-15): Because you’ll be holding a coffee more often than not
- Parasol (£15-25): Clips to the frame for sunny days. More useful than you’d think during UK summer heatwaves
- Buggy board (£40-80): Clips to the back for an older child to stand on. Useful when your toddler can walk but gets tired halfway through a trip
When to Stop Using a Double Pushchair
Most families transition out of a double pushchair between ages 2.5 and 4 for the older child, keeping the younger one in a single pushchair while the older child walks. Signs it’s time:
- The older child resists sitting in the pushchair
- You’re rarely using both seats on outings
- The combined weight is approaching the pushchair’s limit
- You’re finding it harder to fit through doors and gates
- Your older child walks confidently for 30+ minutes
When you make the switch, a good single pushchair can feel like a revelation after months with a double — lighter, narrower, and so much easier to fold.
Where to Buy in the UK
- John Lewis — best range of premium brands (Bugaboo, iCandy, Silver Cross), free delivery, and excellent returns policy. Staff are knowledgeable and let you test pushchairs in-store
- Argos — good for budget options like the Joie Evalite Duo. Click and collect means you can check it in-store before committing
- Amazon UK — widest selection and often the best prices, especially on last-season colours
- Mothercare (online) — still operating online after the high street closures, decent range of double pushchairs
- Natural Baby Shower — specialist retailer with expert advice and brands you won’t find at Argos
- Kiddies Kingdom — competitive prices and regular sales
Try before you buy if at all possible. Push it around the shop floor, fold it, lift it, check it fits in your car. A double pushchair is too expensive and too important to buy purely on spec.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a double pushchair fit through a standard UK doorway? Standard UK doors are 76cm wide. Most tandems (55-60cm) fit easily. Side-by-side models vary — the Mountain Buggy Duet at 63cm fits, but wider models at 72-76cm are a tight squeeze. Always check the width before buying.
Is a side-by-side or tandem better for twins? Side-by-side is generally better for twins. Both children get equal views, airflow, and interaction. Tandems put one child behind the other, which can cause arguments and leaves one child with a worse experience. Most twin parents we’ve spoken to prefer side-by-side.
How long will I actually use a double pushchair? Most families use a double pushchair for 1.5 to 3 years, depending on the age gap between children. With twins, you might use it until they’re both around 3-3.5 years old. With a larger age gap, the older child typically starts walking full-time sooner.
Can I take a double pushchair on the bus? Most UK buses accommodate one pushchair in the wheelchair/pushchair bay. A tandem is more likely to fit than a side-by-side, but some bus companies have restrictions on double pushchairs. It’s worth checking your local bus operator’s policy. Trains are generally easier — most UK trains have dedicated luggage areas that fit double pushchairs.
Are second-hand double pushchairs safe to buy? Generally yes, as long as you check for damage to the frame, harness, and brakes. Avoid pushchairs more than 5-6 years old, as safety standards may have changed. Always check for recalls on the specific model. Facebook Marketplace and eBay are full of barely-used double pushchairs from families who only needed them briefly.