Budget Double Pushchairs for Newborn Twins
How to Choose Cheap Double Strollers (Buggies) for Babies
Mar 12, 2009
Very young babies must be able to lie completely flat in their pushchair or pram, therefore, many of the tandem pushchairs and the cheapest strollers are unsuitable. Nevertheless there are budget pushchairs that are good enough for twin babies.
Typical Features of Budget Twin Strollers:
- are not parent facing
- are not three wheelers
- do not have adjustable handle heights
- can be surprisingly heavy
- usually have small wheels
- can be difficult to steer, but not always
- babies are side by side
Will a Cheap Double Pushchair Do?
A budget stroller could be a false economy or a really good purchase depending on what your buggy requirements:
- How much use will it have, how often and how far?
- What type of terrain will you be travelling?
- Must it fit easily into a car? If so consider the weight.
- Is it a second stroller for occasional use when on vacation?
Cheap Twin Buggies Which are Good Value for Money
When on tight budget, it is important to look for good value for money. Consider whether the following are essential and whether they are included in the price as they can be expensive when purchased as extra items:
- rain covers
- foot muffs also called cosy toes
- sun parasol
- shopping basket and storage pockets
Brands of Budget Double Buggies in Price Range £149-£200
The lowest you can expect to pay for a new buggy suitable for twin babies is around £150 (in the U.K.). At this price you should consider one of these side-by-side pushchairs, all of which have small wheels.
Chicco CT0.5 Twin (weight 13.9kg), a side-by-side which includes shopping basket and is sold with raincover & apron. Dimensions: Width 79cm, folded size 32 x 39 x106cm.
Graco Duo Sport (10.2kg) with good suspension and swivel wheels at the front. Both seats have independent multi-position recline mechanisms. Can fold with one hand and stand on its own when folded. Dimensions: width 76cm, folded 30 x 100cm.
Maclaren Twin Triumph (10.6kg) Compact umbrella fold Removable washable seat, includes shopping basket and rain cover. Dimensions: width 73cm, folded 109 x 56 x 40cm.
Cosatto make a number of side by side budget buggies including the Twin Lunar (11.3kg), Astro and Twin Swift (both 13.5kg). They also make the You 2 (11.3kg) stroller which comes in a variety of colours to suit any combination of twins. You 2 retails for around £200. Extras include rain cover, foot muffs, head supports, chest pads and a bottle bag.
Why Not Buy a Bargain, Cheap Stroller?
A higher price can mean extra features included in the package such as rain cover, foot muffs, head rest, etc. It could also reflect improvements in the design and manufacture of the pushchair:
- Lighter weight -important for loading in cars or carry up stairs
- Better suspension
- Improved steering
- More robust to withstand greater use
Even when looking for a budget twin stroller it may be worth considering paying a little more for a different model. For a little over £200 there are strollers which are almost half the weight of those detailed here, at approximately 8kg, such as the Japanese Combi we2 and Mamas and Papas Twin Aria. At £300+ you can get bouncy suspension which is ideal for lots of walking. In this price range there are 3 wheeled buggies and at around £400 there are parent facing models.
Notes:
Prices are for guidance only based on purchase in the UK.
Measurements are in cm, to convert to inches simply multiply by 0.394.
Sources:
Graco, Maclaren, parenting forums, online reviews and online stores including Argos and Boots.
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