Posted by Eric Nguyen

5 CONVERTIBLE STROLLERS THAT GROW WITH YOUR FAMILY

When you're shopping for your first stroller, you're naturally thinking about your first baby—not necessarily your second.

 

Then, in seemingly no time, Baby #2 is on the way, but Baby #1 still needs the stroller, too. Now what?

 

Many families purchase a double stroller with side-by-side seats, which works well for a period of time (and works great for twins). But when the older child graduates from stroller travel, you’re either back to where you started with the single stroller, or you’re pushing a double stroller with only one kid in it (resulting in unnecessary bulkiness, uneven weight distribution—and a couple of weird looks).

 

The solution? A convertible stroller—one that can be both a single and a double. 

 

A convertible stroller allows you to attach a second stroller seat, infant car seat or, in some cases, a bassinet in order to transform a single stroller into a ride for two. When your older child insists she’s too grown-up for a stroller, you can detach the second seat to convert it back to a single stroller. And when it turns out that she’s not quite grown-up enough for long walks, after all, you can add a glider board so she can ride along.

Another pro: Most convertible strollers offer multiple seat configurations so that your kids can face you, face the world or face each other, helping you attempt to keep two kids happy at the same time.

 

The cons: Given their size and complexity, convertible strollers can be both heavy and expensive. But because it endures for years as your family expands, a high-quality convertible stroller can be a wise investment for new parents.

 

Here’s a look at five, high-quality convertible strollers that grow with your family, listed by ascending price.
    

Baby Jogger City Select

The versatile Baby Jogger City Select offers 16 different seating combinations, using up to two stroller seats, infant car seats and bassinets. Kids in equal-sized seats can face forward, backward or each other.
Baby Jogger City Select

Benefits 

  • Affordability
  • Stroller seats can face each other
  • Both seats accommodate children up to 45 points
  • Compatible with infant car seats from many manufacturers

 

Drawbacks

  • Requires adapters for any infant car seats
  • Stroller seat can’t be used until baby is 6 months old
  • Suspension is front-wheel only
  • Stroller does not include belly bars
  • One-year warranty for parts (lifetime warranty for frame)

 

Configurations

  • Can be used with two infant car seats, two bassinets, two stroller seats, or any combination
  • Both stroller seats can face either direction or face each other
  • Can be used with Baby Jogger glider board

 

How it folds

  1. Remove the second seat.
  2. Remove the second seat adapters.
  3. Lift the triggers on both sides of the stroller for an instant fold.

 

Price

Single price: $529.99
Double price: $699.94 (includes single stroller and second seat kit)
 
    

Stats

  • Single stroller weight: 28 pounds
  • Double stroller weight: 34 pounds
  • Weight limit: 45 pounds per seat

 

UPPAbaby VISTA

The UPPAbaby VISTA comes with plenty of space, between its oversized storage basket and canopy and its room for up to two seats, infant car seats and bassinets. In a rare perk for a convertible stroller, it folds with both stroller seats attached.
Uppababy Vista convertible stroller

Benefits 

  • Comes with ventilated bassinet that’s approved for overnight use
  • Stroller seat can be used from birth with the addition of an Infant SnugSeat
  • UPPAbaby MESA infant car seat attaches directly to frame without adapters and can be released with the press of a button on the handle
  • All-wheel suspension
  • Oversized storage basket accommodates 30 pounds
  • Three-year warranty
  • Folds with both seats attached

 

Drawbacks

  • Secondary RumbleSeat is smaller and can accommodate only 35 pounds
  • Requires additional purchase of brackets to be used with one infant car seat and one stroller seat

 

Configurations

  • Can be used with two infant car seats, two bassinets, two stroller seats, or any combination
  • Both toddler seat and RumbleSeat can face either direction (but cannot face each other)
  • Can be used with UPPAbaby PiggyBack Ride-Along board

 

How it folds

  1. Ensure the foot rest on the top seat is pushed back and both seats are upright with canopies back.
  2. Pull the triggers on both sides of the stroller to fold it with both seats attached.

 

Price

Single: $839.99 and up
Double: $1,009.98 and up (includes single stroller and RumbleSeat)
 

Weight

Single weight: 27.5 pounds
Double weight: 35 pounds
Weight limit: 50 pounds for primary seat; 35 pounds for secondary seat
 

Orbit Baby G3

The Orbit Baby G3 becomes a six-wheeled double stroller with the attachment of the caboose-style Helix Plus. The kit adds a set of wheels and a base for docking an Orbit Baby stroller seat, infant car seat or bassinet—all of which offer 360-degree rotation.
Orbit Baby G3 double convertible stroller
 

Benefits

  • Both stroller seats are equal in size and can accommodate children up to 40 pounds
  • Infant car seats and stroller seats instantly lock into place on Orbit Baby’s patented docking system
  • 360-degree seat rotation makes it easier for kids to get in and out of seats
  • System allows kids to face each other

 

Drawbacks

  • Heavier than most double strollers at 46 pounds; six wheels of system add length and weight
  • Only compatible with Orbit Baby infant car seat
  • Storage bin is smaller than those of other convertible strollers (although panniers can be added)
  • Position of handlebar restricts ability to use sunshade on back seat

 

Configurations

  • Can be used with up to two Orbit Baby stroller seats, infant car seats or bassinets
  • Both stroller seats and infant car seats can rotate 360 degrees
  • Can be used with Orbit Baby Sidekick stroller board

 

How it folds

  1. Remove the second seat.
  2. Remove the Helix system.
  3. Remove primary seat.
  4. Pull up a bar for an instant, one-hand fold, and stack the components for nested storage.

    

Price

Single: $900 (includes stroller base, stroller seat, cargo basket and sunshade)
Double: $1,440 (includes all of the above, plus Helix Plus double stroller upgrade kit and additional stroller seat)

 

Stats

Single stroller weight: 26 pounds
Double stroller weight: 46 pounds
Weight limit: 40 pounds per seat
 

Stokke Crusi

Unlike convertible strollers in which one seat sits behind the other, the sibling seat for the Stokke Crusi is positioned under the main seat—creating a double stroller without adding more length.
 
Stokke Crusi double stroller

Benefits

  • With adapters, sibling seat attaches directly to the chassis without adding length to the stroller
  • Stokke PIPA by Nuna infant car seat attaches directly to the frame without adapters

  

Drawbacks

  • Sibling seat has limited space for child and limits parent access to storage basket
  • In double mode, both seats have to be parent-facing 
  • Sibling seat cannot be reclined
  • Price

    

Configurations

  • Can be used with combination of stroller seat and sibling seat, infant car seat and sibling seat, or bassinet and sibling seat
  • Both seats must be parent-facing

     

How it folds

  1. Remove the sibling seat.
  2. Remove the primary seat.
  3. Pull up on the triggers on both sides of the stroller to fold.

     

Price

Single: $1,249
Double: $1,627.99 (includes sibling seat and sibling adapter kit)
    

Stats

Single stroller weight: 27 pounds
Double stroller weight: 35 pounds
Weight limit: 45 pounds for the primary seat; 33 pounds for the sibling seat
 

Bugaboo Donkey

As a single stroller, the Bugaboo Donkey features a storage basket in the sidecar position. Remove the basket and extend the stroller’s width (by five inches) to add a second seat, creating a side-by-side stroller with 17 different configurations.
Bugaboo Donkey convertible double stroller 

Benefits

  • Side-by-side seating can allow for more even weight distribution and easier push compared to an inline stroller
  • Both stroller seats are equal in size and can accommodate kids up to 37.5 pounds
  • Air-filled tires with all-wheel suspension
  • Seats convert from bassinets to stroller seats and can stand on the ground independently
  • Can go into two-wheel mode for navigating sand and snow
  • Can fold with two stroller seats attached (more compactly without seats)

    

Drawbacks

  • Side-by-side seating can be considered too wide by some
  • Requires adapters for any infant car seats
  • Stroller doesn’t fold compactly with seats attached
  • Price

    

Configurations

  • Can be used with up to two stroller seats, infant car seats or bassinets
  • Stroller seats can face either direction or face each other
  • Can be used with Bugaboo Comfort Wheel Board

 

How it folds

  1. Pull the triggers on both sides of the stroller to fold with both seats attached.
  2. Pull up on the chassis bar to make the stroller more compact.

 

Price

Single: $1,329.90 and up (includes stroller base and tailored fabric set)
Double: $1,899.85 and up (includes second tailored fabric set and duo extension kit)
    

Stats

Single stroller weight: 28.5 pounds
Double stroller weight: 33 pounds
Weight limit: 37.5 pounds per seat
    
To learn more about choosing the right stroller for your family, click here to download our in-depth stroller buying guide!