Having a family is a big commitment; having more than one child even more so. However, there are more families of two children or more in the UK than there are single-child households, despite the average household containing 2.4 people. Many people tend to have a couple of children close together, which means parents must double up on the amount of kit they need to look after their brood.
We all know what that means; big choices around the accessories you must have. For instance, do you have bunk beds if children have to share rooms, or do they each get a bed? These are the sort of choices not facing an only-child family but that those with two (or more) kids have to address.
Another choice, especially for those who have families close together, is whether to have twin buggies or tandem pushchairs. If you have twins or two children just close in age, you will need to be as mobile as possible, but which option is best? Should you look for a twin buggy or tandem pushchair.
Here’s our handy guide:
Twin Buggies vs Tandem Pushchairs: What is the Difference?
Whilst both solutions allow for two young children to be transported, there are subtle differences that you should be aware of. Twin buggies are side-by-side pushchairs, which can be configured to either both face the parent or both face away. A tandem pushchair allows for a different configuration, stacked rather than side-by-side.
There are benefits and drawbacks to each, and which you choose will depend very much on your situation.
Why Tandem Pushchairs?
A tandem pushchair usually has seats with one behind the other, stacked. These can be configured differently, but they ensure the width remains the same as a single pushchair. As the double pushchairs on iCandy demonstrate, they can also be configured to have one seat facing you and the other looking away. Finally, they can also be used as a single pushchair, with one seat removed and left out altogether.
The obvious benefit is the width of the pushchair; they’re easier to navigate down narrow aisles of a shop, for instance. They might be better on buses and trains and are certainly better for traveling the London Underground, as they take up less room. Finally, if there is a gap in the age of your children, one which means you need a double solution for a short period but then would need to downsize to a single pushchair, a tandem would allow you to do so without making another purchase.
Why Twin Buggies?
A twin buggy might be better for someone with two children of the same age, as they’re a better way of ensuring your children have equal visibility. That might be in parent-facing mode, so both can see you, or giving them a better view of the world when they’re facing out. Obviously, a twin buggy is more sizeable, meaning it is difficult to navigate around tight spaces, but they do afford more storage space underneath, which is handy for parents of two children.
Some products, such as the side-by-side Bugaboo baby strollers, allow for adjustments to turn your twin buggy into a single stroller. Not all models will, so if you’re leaning towards a twin buggy, you’ll have to do your research to find a suitable model. At the higher end of available specifications, you can also have one seat facing you and the other away if that is how your children prefer.
Twin Buggies vs Tandem Pushchairs summed up
Both are a solid solution for families with two young children, and both have benefits. A twin buggy might suit a family that makes fewer journeys on public transport, whilst a tandem pushchair is ideal for city living and families that often head to shops or other places with narrow aisles.
Hopefully, this article has provided you with some context around each, allowing you to make the right decision for your young ones.
If you found this comparison article helpful, you might also enjoy our piece titled ‘What’s the Difference Between a Baby Crib and a Bassinet?’
Sandra McNeil, PhD.
Sandra has over 13 years of experience as a child psychologist, both as a practitioner and researcher. She has a Bachelor's in child psychology from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor and then she did her master's in Psychology in Education (focused on Children & Families) at Columbia University, NY. She has been writing for health and child-related publications for over 5 years now.
