Best Picks guide

Best Double Buggies

A double buggy is a piece of transport furniture: the right one has to fit two children, your route, your front door, your lift and your car. This edit keeps folded size, sibling configurations, lifting, basket access and the total bundle cost visible.

Quick recommendation

Bugaboo Donkey 5 is the flexible side-by-side route, Silver Cross Wave offers a growing-family tandem setup and Joie Aire Twin is the value-led option. Reef 2 and Vista V2 are useful full-size comparison points for families weighing one substantial system against a dedicated double.

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The shortlist

Our Top Picks

Browse all guides →

Bugaboo Donkey 5 illustrative product image

Illustrative image

KidCritic editorial seed

Travel

Bugaboo Donkey 5

£1400indicative price

★ 4.2 Our rating0–4 yearsBest for Families who need a side-by-side system and have checked doors, lifts and storage.

Still worth it after 12 months? YES

Long-term status: revisit this after real household use.

A substantial double-pushchair system whose usefulness depends on the exact configuration, household space and daily route.

Good to know

+ Clear use case
+ Useful to compare

Watch for

− Exact details need checking
− Interest-led rather than universal

Parent hassle: 4/5
Value: 3/5See this pick

Recommendation → see the retailer → you decide.

Silver Cross Wave illustrative product image

Illustrative image

KidCritic editorial seed

Travel

Silver Cross Wave

£1100indicative price

★ 4.2 Our rating0–4 yearsBest for Families considering a tandem system that can change as the family grows.

Still worth it after 12 months? MOSTLY

Long-term status: revisit this after real household use.

A family-sized system with a real configuration and lifting job. Check sibling combinations, child limits and the actual boot before buying.

Good to know

+ Clear use case
+ Useful to compare

Watch for

− Exact details need checking
− Interest-led rather than universal

Parent hassle: 4/5
Value: 3/5See this pick

Recommendation → see the retailer → you decide.

Joie Aire Twin illustrative product image

Illustrative image

KidCritic editorial seed

Travel

Joie Aire Twin

£180indicative price

★ 4.2 Our rating0–4 yearsBest for Families wanting a lighter-value side-by-side double pushchair.

Still worth it after 12 months? YES

Long-term status: revisit this after real household use.

A more approachable double-buggy route, with the folded size, child fit, basket and lift still needing a real-life check.

Good to know

+ Clear use case
+ Useful to compare

Watch for

− Exact details need checking
− Interest-led rather than universal

Parent hassle: 3/5
Value: 4/5See this pick

Recommendation → see the retailer → you decide.

Silver Cross Reef 2 illustrative product image

Illustrative image

KidCritic editorial seed

Travel

Silver Cross Reef 2

£900indicative price

★ 4.2 Our rating0–4 yearsBest for Families wanting a substantial pram and travel-system setup for everyday walks.

Still worth it after 12 months? YES

Long-term status: revisit this after real household use.

The Reef 2 is a full travel-system proposition, so its value sits in the whole routine: carrycot or seat configuration, fold, storage, lifting and what your car and home can take. Check every current mode and sleep instruction.

Good to know

+ Clear use case
+ Useful to compare

Watch for

− Large system footprint
− Bundle contents and compatibility vary

Parent hassle: 4/5
Value: 3/5Check Price

Recommendation → see the retailer → you decide.

UPPAbaby Vista V2 illustrative product image

Illustrative image

KidCritic editorial seed

Travel

UPPAbaby Vista V2

£1000indicative price

★ 4.2 Our rating0–4 yearsBest for Families planning a substantial pram that may need to carry more than one child over time.

Still worth it after 12 months? MOSTLY

Long-term status: revisit this after real household use.

A large, premium family pram whose value depends on the configurations, storage and daily lifting your household will genuinely use. Check the exact seat, carrycot, sibling and current safety guidance.

Good to know

+ Strong growing-family brief
+ Substantial basket and frame

Watch for

− Large and heavy system
− Accessories and configurations add cost

Parent hassle: 4/5
Value: 3/5Check Price

Recommendation → see the retailer → you decide.

At a glance

How they compare

Read product reviews →

Product	Our rating	Age	Parent hassle	Value	Best for
Bugaboo Donkey 5	4.2	0–4 years	4/5	Good	Families who need a side-by-side system and have checked doors, lifts and storage.
Silver Cross Wave	4.2	0–4 years	4/5	Good	Families considering a tandem system that can change as the family grows.
Joie Aire Twin	4.2	0–4 years	3/5	Strong	Families wanting a lighter-value side-by-side double pushchair.
Silver Cross Reef 2	4.2	0–4 years	4/5	Good	Families wanting a substantial pram and travel-system setup for everyday walks.
UPPAbaby Vista V2	4.2	0–4 years	4/5	Good	Families planning a substantial pram that may need to carry more than one child over time.

Buying advice

What to look for.

These are editorial starting points, not a certification system. Check the maker’s instructions, the real retailer price and the child’s individual fit before buying.

Measure the actual doorway, lift, hallway and boot with both seats or carrycots included.

Check the exact approved child combinations, weight limits, harness setup and newborn configuration.

Practise the fold and lift before buying; a double that stays at home is poor value.

Compare side-by-side and tandem widths against the places you use most.

Budget for adapters, carrycots, rain covers and any second-seat configuration you actually need.

Our method

How We Tested

We compared the everyday job rather than relying on headline features: setup, fit, cleaning, storage, repeat use, parent effort, value and the manufacturer guidance that still applies. This is editorial buying guidance, not a laboratory test or safety certification.

Note: product prices, imagery and retailer availability can change. Check the live listing and current manufacturer guidance before buying.

Our Verdict

The short answer

Questions parents ask

FAQ

Read reviews Read the prams guide Read the travel cots guide

Are side-by-side or tandem double buggies better?+

Neither is universally better. Side-by-side models can give children a similar view; tandem models can fit narrower routes. Measure your own routine and check the exact configurations.

Can a double buggy be used from birth?+

Only in the exact approved carrycot or newborn configuration for the model and each child. Follow the current manufacturer instructions.

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