When a second baby is on the way, many parents look for one pushchair that carries a newborn and a toddler, rather than buying a separate double. Eleven models in our catalogue are listed as converting to a double. This guide sets out how they differ, using the figures in our catalogue, and what to check if you buy one second-hand.
Side-by-side or tandem
Two layouts are common. A side-by-side puts the children next to each other, so it is wider but each child has the same view. A tandem puts one seat behind or above the other, so it keeps close to single width but is longer.
In our catalogue, the Bugaboo Donkey 5 is the side-by-side: it is 60cm wide as a single and 74cm as a double. The Egg 3 takes tandem adaptors for a second seat, and the Silver Cross Wave came with a tandem seat in the Wave 3 box. The iCandy Peach 6 is listed as converting to a double or twin without getting any wider, and the Cosatto Wow XL takes a second seat or carrycot in line, with a ride-on board for an older child too. For the other models, the catalogue records that they convert but not the exact layout, so check the maker's own page for the set-up you want.
Models that convert to a double
All eleven are listed as suitable from birth. Weight is for the chassis and one seat, as recorded in the catalogue, and folded size is length x width x height in cm.
| Model | Status | Weight | Folded (cm) | Carrycot | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Bugaboo Donkey 5 | Current | 15.1kg | 52 x 60 x 90 | Included | | iCandy Peach 7 | Discontinued | 12.9kg | 70 x 61 x 29 | Included | | iCandy Peach 6 | Discontinued | Not published | 70 x 61 x 29 | Included | | iCandy Orange 4 | Current | 12.3kg | 87 x 62 x 28 | Included | | Egg 3 | Current | 15.3kg | 71 x 59 x 32 | Optional | | UPPAbaby Vista V3 | Current | 12.5kg | 41.4 x 65.3 x 85.9 | Included | | UPPAbaby Vista V2 | Discontinued | 12kg | 44 x 65.3 x 83.8 | Included | | UPPAbaby Vista V1 | Discontinued | 12.5kg | 41 x 67 x 84 | Included | | Cybex Gazelle S | Current | 12.9kg | 32 x 56 x 74.5 | Optional | | Silver Cross Wave | Discontinued | 13.5kg | 95 x 60 x 39.5 | Included | | Cosatto Wow XL | Current | 13.4kg | 93 x 49 x 29 | Included |
Three things stand out from the table. These are all heavy pushchairs, between 12kg and 15.3kg before you add a second seat, so think about lifting it into the car. The Vista range is the widest folded at 65.3cm or more, and the Cosatto Wow XL the narrowest at 49cm. And the Egg 3 and Gazelle S list the carrycot as optional, so a newborn needs it added.
Using it with a newborn
A newborn needs to lie flat. Where the carrycot is included, that is covered from day one. Where it is optional, as on the Egg 3, the catalogue notes that the seat alone is from 6 months, so a newborn needs the extra carrycot. The Peach 7, Orange 4, Gazelle S and Silver Cross Wave are listed with a carrycot approved for overnight sleep, and the Vista V3 and V2 with a carrycot usable overnight. Cosatto describes the Wow XL carrycot as suitable for occasional overnight sleeping. Check the maker's own page for the model you are considering before using any carrycot for sleep.
We don't sell car seats, so we haven't compared them here. The catalogue flags which models take a car seat, and each model page shows it.
Weight, width and doorway fit
A wider double only matters if it won't fit through your front door, the lift or the shop doorway. The catalogue gives these widths for the models it records:
- Bugaboo Donkey 5: 60cm as a single and 74cm as a double.
- Cybex Gazelle S: 65cm unfolded, and it is described as harder to steer in double mode.
- UPPAbaby Vista V3: 65.3cm unfolded.
- Egg 3: 59cm unfolded.
- Cosatto Wow XL: 62.5cm unfolded.
Measure your narrowest doorway first, then compare. The catalogue doesn't hold a double width for every model, so for the others check the maker's own page.
Buying a used double
With a convertible, the extra seat and adaptors are what go missing on a used one, and replacing them costs real money. Before you buy:
- Check what is in the box. Ask for the second seat, adaptors, rain covers and carrycot, and check each against the maker's list for that model.
- Check the fold. Fold and unfold it three or four times with each seat on. It should lock without force.
- Check the wheels and brakes. Look for flat spots, cracks and wobble, and make sure the brake holds on a slope.
- Check the fabrics and harness. Look for tears, fading and worn buckles on every seat.
- Know which generation it is. Several models here have older and newer versions in the catalogue, such as the Vista V1, V2 and V3 and the Peach 6 and 7, so check the model before you pay.
The catalogue also lists the watch-outs for each model. For example, the Donkey 5 is bulky to fold and the fold is two-handed, the Peach 7 fold takes practice, and the Wave is no longer listed on Silver Cross UK's own site. Our guide to buying a second-hand pram sets out the full set of checks we use when we refurbish one.
What a used one costs
Used prices move, so we don't print a figure in a guide. The value pages show the current price index and the date it was last updated, for example the Bugaboo Donkey 5, UPPAbaby Vista V3, iCandy Peach 7, iCandy Orange 4, Egg 3 and Cybex Gazelle S. See what we have in stock now in the shop.
Comparing the main models
Our comparison pages put two models side by side using the same catalogue figures:
- iCandy Peach 7 against UPPAbaby Vista V3
- UPPAbaby Vista V3 against Vista V2
- Bugaboo Donkey 5 against Silver Cross Wave
- Cosatto Wow XL against Bugaboo Donkey 5
You can also read the model pages for the Donkey 5, Vista V3, Peach 7, Orange 4 and Gazelle S, and the step-by-step fold guides for the Donkey 5 and Vista V3. If your baby is older, our age guide explains when each stage suits.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best double pushchair for a newborn and a toddler? There isn't one answer, because it depends on your doorways, boot and budget. Use the table above to narrow down by weight and folded size, then compare the shortlist.
Does a convertible double need extra parts? Usually, yes. The catalogue lists the Egg 3 as taking tandem adaptors for a second seat, and the Vista V3 as growing to a double with the RumbleSeat. Check what the maker says is needed for the set-up you want.
Can I buy a second-hand double pushchair? Yes, as long as you check it carefully. See the checklist above, and our second-hand pram guide.
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