For sure, you and your partner would have argued about tandem vs. side-by-side strollers. He might have suggested you go with the tandem while you believe side-by-side is the best. Well, the case is critical, yet the answer unfolded.
In this article, we are about to look into both double stroller’s pros and cons. Not only that, below, we have a chart describing each type of stroller for your quick and better understanding. Today, you aren’t leaving without a subtle answer.
Also Read: 8 Tried Ways To Get Mold Out Of Fabric In Stroller
Let’s get started with this hot debate of your parenthood life.
Table of Contents
Tandem Stroller
‘A tandem stroller has stadium-style seats, which means the back seat is always elevated than the front.’ More often than not, these strollers are designed for two children with an age gap.
· Seat Configurations/Maneuver
Tandem strollers are also called in-line strollers. Being in-line, these strollers are easier to push while the turns are mostly sharp. One wonder these strollers have is the seat configurations. Allowing the seat to reverse and alter its face, it allows you to pick convenience all yourself.
· Car Seat Adaptability
The Tandem stroller’s case is quite strong for newborns. 90% of the tandem strollers are car seat adaptable. They ask you for sacrifice in reclining, though. You cannot recline its seat flat, specifically the front one.
· Width Comparison
Compared to the side-by-side stroller, its width is a major plus. Having one seat at the back of the other, they are quite compact with a dimension of 36.4 x 18.6 x 14.4 inches. Well, this dimension is of one of the tandem strollers, ‘Graco DuoGlider Double stroller.’
· Fold/Storage
Gone are the days when tandems were difficult to fold. On this date, these strollers permit a quick and easy fold that you can get done promptly. Storage of these strollers is also short with the problem of access. However, they don’t occupy a large area in your home’s corner, being compact in size.
· Weight/Wheels
These strollers are pretty lightweight. That means you can carry one to your car’s trunk with ease. Know that the wheels of most tandem strollers aren’t made to cope with uneven terrains.
Is Tandem the Best Double Stroller for You?
Getting back to the real topic, if one’s best for you. Well, hands down to these parameters we have mentioned and check out if buying one sits in your frame and is worthy for you.
- Passage: Your foremost concern while buying a tandem stroller should consist of passage. One very special deal with the tandem stroller is that it allows you to move through every door and aisle. So, if you live in a crowded city or cafes are your favorite place, nothing can better help you than tandems.
- Baby Concerns: If you are a parent, who’s always concerned about the most recent activity of your child, look forward to tandem strollers. Most tandem strollers have multiple seat configurations, allowing your child to face you. The highest configuration we have come across in tandem is 22.
- Aged Gap Babies: Tandem strollers can also be a good choice if you are not having twins and a second baby. That’s for two reasons: car seat adaptability and less reclining seat. While your newborn can rest in the back, the toddler can sit in the front seat of this stroller.
- Storing Stroller: Do you live in an apartment? Or, is your home short on space? Give tandem strollers a go, as they are nice and compact after the fold. You can store them even in your car’s trunk.
- Transformation: One bold reason to handpick a tandem stroller is versatility. You can transform a tandem stroller into a single stroller for a better push after the toddler has outgrown it. It can also be transitioned into sit and stand stroller in a few cases.
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Why Should You Avoid Tandem Stroller?
If you keep an eye on why you should have a tandem stroller, you should discern reasons to avoid it. Not much, but there are a few conditions in which you shouldn’t buy a tandem stroller.
- Storage: If all you are expecting from a tandem stroller is a huge storage basket, you should not go for it. That’s because the footrest of the back passenger is in the basket sometimes. In other cases, the access is difficult, making your basket an impractical inclusion.
- Unequal Accessibility to Both Kiddos: Know that, these stroller demands a two-minute stop wherever the front passenger needs his snacks. All because he is at a distance from you, and the direct reach is challenging.
- Jogging: With an active lifestyle, you may not get satisfied with these strollers. They are made for general uses like shopping, small walks in the town. Lacking a suspension system, they make it obvious that you shouldn’t jog with it.
What are the Best Tandem Strollers Out there?
Tandem strollers are sold in a good figure for one reason or another. Parents handpick it to get their convenience. In those strollers, a few are the best tandem strollers. So, here we are ranking each on the basis of their reliability.
- Graco DuoGlider Double Stroller
- Baby Trend Double Sit N Stand Ultra Stroller
- Baby Jogger City Select LUX Double Stroller
Check them out if you really want the best tandem stroller.
Side-By-Side Stroller
As the name implies, ‘Side-by-side strollers have one seat next to the other.’ Their configuration is made in such a way that two of your babies sit together. Let’s head on to an in-depth analysis of these strollers.
· Seat Alignment
Seats in a double stroller are positioned parallel to each other. It gets both of the children equal and clear visibility to the sceneries outside. Besides being properly harnessed, its seats recline flat. So, the kiddos inside can at least sent their back to rest in the long day outdoors.
· Canopy/ Footrest
Unlike the tandem strollers, these double strollers offer each child their personal amenities. Canopy and footrest are prominent in them. Side-by-side strollers always have an extra-large sun canopy and a footrest to hold the baby’s leg.
· Storage Basket
While tandem stroller baskets are large, they are of no use. Compared to that, not only are side-by-side stroller baskets large but easily accessible. In a few cases, they even allow front and back access.
· Suspension System
A great number of side-by-side strollers have a suspension system. Although they are a bit difficult to cross a few doors with 49 x 32 x 40 inches, they have a front swiveling and locking wheel. Their wheels are sturdier than tandems.
· Weight Limit
The weight limit of most side-by-side strollers is equivalent or more than 50 pounds, while tandem strollers boast at least one seat with 35 pounds. For going down the road, side-by-side strollers are more reliable.
Is Side-By-Side the Best double Stroller for You?
To check out if a side-by-side stroller fits in your frame, let’s check your situation. If you have any of these as majors, you know what that means.
- More Amenities: If equality is all that matters to you, get side-by-side strollers. These strollers provide both of your little munchkins with their separate footrest, canopies, and an infinite recline. So, even sitting beside each other, they can enjoy the ride to the core.
- Active Lifestyle: Active lifestyle can be a strong reason to pursue side-by-side strollers. Because most of these strollers are meant for running or jogging. If you’d pick it, you wouldn’t need to give up on this practice you had before your babies.
- Carriage Capacity: Not in a position to buy a double stroller every few months? With side-by-side strollers, you won’t need to. These strollers are made to stay in the long run with the seat having good carriage capacity.
- Storing Extras On-The-Go: Keeping extras on the go is a regular practice of numerous parents. And, if you are one of them, betting on a double stroller won’t be wrong. Providing a roomy basket with access from front and back, it allows you to stash as many items as you want.
- Quick-Fold: Folding a side-by-side stroller is easy compared to many tandem strollers. All you require is one hand pull up, and it’s all done. So, if collapsing appears as a pain to you, perhaps your opinions are about to change.
Why Should You Avoid Side-By-Side Stroller?
Where people just look at why one should buy a stroller, they overlook the reasons to avoid one. However, we know how things turn out a hassle when you realize it later on. That’s why we have positioned a few situations in which having a side-by-side stroller may not be suitable.
- Newborn twins: While side-by-side strollers are perfect for twins, does anyone told you that they might be a problem with newborn twins? Most side-by-side strollers lack car seat adaptability. No surprise, a newborn can’t sit in a stroller without a car seat until he gets his neck and back control.
- Crowded Cities: Side-by-side strollers are more than a present for picnics, long walks, and so on. For crowded streets or in festivals like Christmas, however, they can be a pain to stroll. The apparent reason is the width.
- Two Boxer Babies: If two of your babies are always tearing and pulling each other, making them sit beside each other can be a risk. Not a regular sibling love fight is it about, but the real boxing. So, make sure of this case before you ship a side-by-side stroller.
What are the Best Side-By-Side Strollers Out there?
Side-by-side strollers exist in a variety. From lightweight to jogging, they come in multiple types. To have you a glimpse of the best side-by-side double strollers, we have positioned a few candidates here:
-
Kolcraft Cloud Plus Lightweight Double Stroller (Lightweight stroller)
-
Summer Infant 3DPac CS+ Double Stroller (Umbrella Stroller)
- BOB Gear Revolution Flex 3.0 (Jogging Stroller)
All 3 of them are reliable and the best in their category. To have a better understanding of these strollers, check them yourself.
Tandem Strollers | Side-By-Side Stroller |
One seat out of two in tandem does ask for sacrifice and not recline completely. It’s the front one particularly. | In side-by-side, the stroller’s seat reclines to an infinite level. They get your baby relaxation whenever they want between the rides. |
The majority of cases of tandem strollers are car seat adaptable. That said, they are perfect for newborns. | Besides a few exceptions, side-by-side strollers don’t really allow you to snap in car seats. |
Definitely one child compromise in terms of sun canopy in the tandem strollers. They have short sun canopies allowing the sun to approach your baby with ease. | Not only are the sun canopies separate in a side-by-side stroller but generous. They shade your baby from every possible angle sun can reach. This way, a private nap room is also what they provide your baby with. |
With multiple configurations, the tandem stroller’s versatile nature consents you to face your baby anywhere you want. Also, the attachment of a bassinet is a plus. | There is no seat movement with this sort of stroller. |
Footrest, in tandem strollers, of the back passenger is insufficient. You’ll even see them in the baskets sometimes. | Both children in side-by-side strollers are given a good yet separate space for their feet. Mostly, they are even adjustable. |
Another plus falls on the tandem’s side with the weight. Ranging between 30-32 pounds, they are easy to carry and transport. | Well, side-by-side strollers are made for jogging, and they are in abundance. Considering them alone, it won’t be wrong to say that side-by-side strollers are heavy. |
Jogging with a tandem stroller may cost you high. Not made for running, these strollers lack certain amenities you require for the purpose. | More often than not, side-by-side strollers are built with a suspension system, front locking and swiveling wheel, and a handbrake. This all makes it perfect for jogging and running. |
Dimension aids in a double stroller’s width comparison. For the tandem stroller, it’s somehow 36.4 x 18.6 x 14.4 inches. | The foremost drawback of a side-by-side stroller is its width, and you’d agree with that. It keeps you from entering a few doors and aisles having a dimension of 49 x 32 x 40 inches. |
Relying on a tandem stroller’s basket might disappoint you. The basket of these strollers may appear large but are of no use. Most of the time, the problem is its access. You can’t really get to the items with the seat reclined, especially. | Side-by side-strollers provide you with a roomy storage basket which is quite essential with two babies. Even its access is convenient. |
Being in-line, tandem strollers facilitates you with smooth push. You can easily take turns with them and cross the crowded areas | Not as much difficult, but the side-by-side strollers are hard to push in a few situations like packed spaces. Otherwise, you can stroll them easily. |
These strollers are easy to store. They are compact after fold so that you can put them anywhere in the home, probably in the basement. | You’d come across most of the side-by-side strollers that are easy to fold with one hand. However, they are bulky, so you need extra space to store them. |
Conclusion
The Tandem vs. side-by-side stroller debate is somehow never-ending. While one type of stroller is favorable to one parent, it becomes a nuisance for others. That’s why checking the double stroller pros and cons is a must.
In that regard, we have sectioned the pointers revealing the situations where one can be valuable for you than the other. Also, it includes the avoiding reasons for tandem and side-by-side strollers. Peeking at them would also be helpful for you.
The best would be to get this guide a read with your spouse and decide with mutual understanding. He/she might also be a first-time parent and equally concerned.
