Sit and stand strollers are perfect for parents that have two kids with an age gap of two years or more.
You can have the older and stronger child ride on the back fully upright, while your younger toddler or newborn is strapped into the seat in the traditional stroller position.
The empty space at the back also has a seat to accommodate the older child incorporated into most designs.
They are a clever and modern way to move your family around, and the best part is that they are cheaper than your traditional stroller.
We have conducted detailed research into the best sit and stand strollers on the market and consolidated this information into digestible reviews and comparisons below so you can find the model that best suits your family’s needs.
Feature Comparison
Here are the top three sit and stand strollers on our list with an easy feature comparison. Scroll down to the full reviews for a more detailed comparison of each pushchair.
We will also review the following Sit and Stand Strollers:
- Graco Roomfor2 – Best Reclining Seat
- Baby Trend Sit n Stand Sport – Best for those on a Budget
A Quick Word on Glider Boards
Technically you can turn almost any kind of stroller into a sit and stand by attaching a glider board to the back of your pushchair.
Many of these are universally compatible and are a cheap & easy way of adding an extra child to your stroller capacity.
We have excluded this option from anything included in our list. They are all sit and stand strollers that have been designed for exactly that purpose.
However, if you are interested in the stroller conversion option then check out our full list of stroller boards here.
Best Sit And Stand Stroller in 2024
1. Baby Trend Sit N Stand – Best Overall
The Baby Trend Sit and Stand has one of the most versatile designs and is a cost-effective option for the growing family.
As a single stroller, it works great! Then when your second child comes along you can add a second seat, or just move your older child to the standing platform at the rear. This allows you to only buy what you need and will use!
The frame of the stroller is made from metal and can accommodate two children up to 50 pounds each. This will ensure you get plenty of years of use for your money.
The rear bench seat is cushioned which will allow your child to sit comfortably for an extended period of time. The only downside is that you can only move this seat by an inch or so when adjusting the position.
All Baby Trend car seats are compatible with this pram which gets you the equivalent of a full travel system. You can also use with non-Baby Trend branded car seats but this is hit and miss based on the model so I hesitate to list compatible brands here.
This stroller has cup holders in all the proper places. It has removable cup holders for older children plus two cup holders for parents.
The basket at the base of the stroller is massive and offers plenty of storage space for all those essentials when out with your babies.
Pros
- Excellent value
- Compatible with Baby Trend car seats
- Up to 50lbs per child
- Large storage basket
- Padded back seat
- Cup holders everywhere
Cons
- Limited bench seat adjustment
- Individual wheel locks
2. Joovy Caboose Tandem – Lightest Weight
The updated Joovy Caboose is a high-quality sit and stand stroller but came up short on a couple of measures:
- Price – it is much more expensive!
- Weight Capacity – despite the price it holds less (45lbs per child)
However, it is the lightest sit and stand stroller on our list at just 22lbs (3lbs lighter than the Baby Trend). This can make a huge difference if Mom is the one trying to lift this into the trunk of the car.
You get a very compact fold with the Joovy. once collapsed the stroller is only 10″ thick which minimizes the room it takes up once in the trunk or cupboard.
It is a very smooth ride for both of your kids with the four-wheel suspension system that smooths out all of those small bumps on the pavement and makes it easier for your older kid to hang on!
The included universal car seat adapter is an improvement on the Baby Trend. It is infant car seat compatible with a broad set of brands.
It also has safety features such as parking brakes and a suspension system.
The front part of the pushchair has comfortable seat that can be reclined in three positions making it great for nap time when on the move. You also have an extra-large canopy to block the outside world, plus an extendable sun canopy out the back that connects to the parent console between the handles.
While the organizer is handy, it is stretched pretty thin so you have to squeeze things in there. It is also a bit tricky to access the storage basket underneath under some configurations.
The rear front comes with a padded seat to make it more comfortable to sit on. You also have the option to purchase an extra seat that connects over the rear bench as an extra front-facing and fully reclining seat.
Pros
- Super lightweight!
- Parent organizer included
- Sun visor at rear
- Snack tray included
- Universal car seat adapter
Cons
- More expensive
- Hard to squeeze things into the organizer
- Storage basket hard to access
- Lower weight capacity (45 lbs x 2)
3. Chicco Bravo For2 – Best for Rough Surfaces
The Chicco Bravo is one of the more expensive sit and stand strollers on our list but has some limitations that we didn’t like as much as the strollers higher on our list.
The items driving the higher cost are mostly hidden in the safety features and advanced wheel and suspension systems.
You have ultimate security when using this stroller with your children locked in place with the five-point safety harness in the front seat, and a three-point harness at the back.
Your kids will also experience a smooth ride due to the front-wheel swivel system, and the massive 9″ back wheels. They have rubber tread tires that will last forever!
Unfortunately, we didn’t think this was enough to offset some of the negatives and get it into the top two positions.
The seat only reclines a few inches and nowhere near the flatter positions that can be achieved with the Joovy and Graco. Your kids will never be as comfortable sleeping in the seat. Sleeping time equals quiet time and is a priority in our opinion.
You will also have limited car seat compatibility with only Chicco car seats able to connect to the stroller frame. So you have to pick and stick with Chicco products if you want an all-inclusive travel system.
Pros
- 3 and 5 point safety harness
- Large 9″ back wheels
- Long-lasting tires
- Stroller organizer included
Cons
- Expensive for features included
- Limited seat recline
4. Graco Roomfor2 – Best Reclining Seat
The Graco has the second narrowest frame on our list (behind no. 6), and is also the shortest by 2″-5″. This makes it easy to maneuver but also less suited to taller parents.
Despite this, the Graco is a heavy unit at over 27 pounds and is much heavier than both the Joovy and the Baby Trend models above. It is a sturdy and reliable model but may be better suited to use around the neighborhood rather than in and out of the car.
There are some clever elements in the design such as the pivoting child snack tray that allows a quick and easy entry to the front seat. The seat also lays almost completely flat which makes it comfortable for your child when sleeping without that droopy neck they can fall into when upright.
The seat at the rear part of the frame is also padded which makes it comfortable for the older child to sit on.
Unlike the Joovy with its universal compatibility, this stroller is only compatible with the Graco car seats (SnugRide Classic Connect or the Click Connect are recommended).
And just like most of the sit and stands included on our list, you can fold up quickly and easily with one hand.
You can read more about the Graco range of double strollers here.
Pros
- Narrow and easy to maneuver
- Up to 50lbs per child
- Pivoting child tray
- One-hand folding
Cons
- Much heavier
- Less suitable taller parents
- Less compact when folded
5. Baby Trend Sit n Stand Sport – Best on a Budget
We wanted to include one option in the sub $100 price bracket and Sit n Stand Sport was the best stroller we could find in this range.
While this will not be the longest-lasting pushchair you can buy it performs very well for the cost.
You can still have two kids on the stroller up to 50 lbs each. Which is just as much as no. 1 on our list. plus plenty of accessories thrown in such as the parent organizer, rear sun visor, and a handy swing-away child tray that provides easy front and rear access.
This makes for a user-friendly experience with minimal sacrifices compared to the more expensive Ultra model.
Where you will find some lower-quality elements are in the tire materials, smaller wheels, and no suspension systems.
This makes it suitable for your everyday trips around familiar neighborhoods, or shops, with nice flat surfaces to navigate.
Pros
- Excellent budget option
- 5 point safety harness
- Up to 50lbs per child
- Organizer and removable child tray
- Sun visor at the rear
Cons
- Less sturdy design
- No suspension systems
Why Buy a Sit and Stand Stroller
Sit and stand strollers are very versatile and will accommodate most circumstances you can imagine with one and up to three children. However, other types of prams would offer a better experience if you are not going to use the stand seat.
So let’s start this section by comparing the sit and stand to the most similar form of double stroller available:
Tandem Stroller vs Sit and Stand
Both move 2 kids around at a time, and both have a narrow width when compared to a side-by-side double stroller…. which is twice as wide!
With a sit and stand stroller reliant on at least one child being strong enough to be able to stand up and stabilize themselves it would only be the best choice where there is a sufficient age gap.
However, you always have the option to buy an extra seat and use it in the form of a tandem stroller. But this may defeat the purpose unless you think there is a possibility of a third child in the future.
A tandem stroller may be more suited if you have twins or babies that are closer in age.
Advantages Of The Sit And Stand Stroller
- Almost all models are lightweight and compact compared to standard double strollers.
- It is best for families that have multiple children with an age gap of 18+ months.
- This stroller allows freedom for both children. The older child has enough room to stand and to sit while exploring his or her environment.
- Your older child will feel independent while they are standing high at the rear of the stroller.
- You can use most frames with two infant car seats instead of the stroller seat if you prefer. Handy if you have twins!
Disadvantages Of The Sit And Stand Stroller
- Doesn’t work well on an uneven surface. If you are going into rougher terrain then you will be better off going for an all-terrain double stroller.
- The older child standing at the back is more exposed to sunlight. However, some models have a sun visor that can help if they sit down at the rear stroller seat.
- Varying degrees for how far the front seat reclines depending on the model you buy. A steep decline can also limit the room for the child at the rear. So less flexibility compared to a traditional stroller seat.
Assessment Criteria For the Sit And Stand Stroller
Capacity
All sit and stand strollers included on our list can accommodate 45lbs-50 lbs per child.
For easy reference, we have included the average weight for males and females below from two to five years of age.
As you can see your children would need to be well outside of these averages to risk going over the weight limit specified for each stroller.
Average male weight:
Average female weight:
Security And Safety
Each child needs to have secure straps and harnesses. The traditional stroller needs to have a five-point harness. The standing child needs to have at least a three-point when they sit.
A sit and stand stroller also needs to have a proper parking brake system with a locking mechanism in the rear wheels. Some models will also have lockable front swivel wheels for additional safety.
Aside from that, the older child needs to have secure handrails for support when they stand or while they sit.
It is also necessary for both children to be protected against harmful UV rays. It is a must that strollers have sun shades or canopies.
Ease Of Folding (And Folded Size!)
One-hand folding is a feature of all of the sit n stand strollers that made our shortlist.
As a mom that’s already handling two kids you need a stroller that will fold and unfold in a snap and with minimal attention to operate. This is one of the reasons why we love the simplicity of the sit n stand designs.
The skinnier the folded size the easier it is to store away in your home, or in the trunk of your car. It also makes it easier to move around. The Joovy is a small as 10″ and most of the strollers included would be less than 15″.
Baby Comfort
An older child riding on the step at the back will still only be able to stand for a short amount of time.
Having some cushion on the rear toddler seat allows for your child to alternate seat without getting a sore butt – which would inevitably lead to complaining!
All included stroller has some level of cushioning except for the Chicco.
The other major comfort factor is the recline of the front seat. The Joovy and Graco strollers had the best reclines here. Some were very limited so if your baby is a usual stroller sleeper then you may want to opt for either of these two models.
Flexibility of Design
One of the main selling points of this style of stroller is that they are cheaper than your average stroller and can be expanded through the purchase of extra seats or the use of car seats.
This allows you to invest in your stroller and expand capacity only when you need it.
Removable stroller seats that can be alternated with many infant car seats on the same frame. The Baby Trend and Joovy models are the most flexible here with universal connectors (some work better than others).
You also have a bench seat that easily folds up when collapsing the stroller in all of the models included in our list.
Additional features
We have also only included models that have two or more of the following features as built-in extras:
- Parent tray with cup holders secure enough to hold your coffee or water bottle in place.
- Removable cup holder for the front seat and an accessible one for the rear seat to keep both kids happy.
- A large storage basket is also accessible underneath the frame of the stroller.
Final Word
You will get an interesting dynamic with your kids when using a sit and stand stroller. The older kid will feel like the boss when riding high and might be keen to jump out and check on the younger child upfront.
You can of course strap them in to ensure safety as well.
Our top-rated sit and stand stroller was the original Baby Trend. It offers excellent value and has a versatile design that can suit one, or two children with seating and standing options for both.
You could even fit a third child if you wanted to still utilize the standing platform at the rear.
The option to alternate between a stroller seat or up to two car seats is also a handy option.
The Joovy Caboose also outperformed in some areas with a steeper recline and a lighter weight frame. But it is also more expensive and has a lower weight limit.
All strollers on this list perform well and have different strengths. So we hope this has helped you find the right one for your circumstances.
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