Best Sit and Stand Stroller to Give Your Toddler Options
Last Updated on October 7, 2020
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If you have two children, an infant and an active toddler, handling them can be challenging. When you go out, the infant is usually easy to take around in a stroller, but the busy toddler hates being strapped into a seat for a prolonged period of time and usually gets frustrated.
The solution is a stroller with sit and stand options that allow you to carry both kids. The standing option is ideal for the older child, as it will enable them to retain their independence by standing instead of being strapped in the seat. In this article, we help you choose the best sit and stand stroller for your specific needs.
Too busy loving your little one? Here’s our top pick.
Our pick for the best sit and stand stroller is the Baby Trend Sit N Stand Ultra Tandem Stroller. The Ultra Tandem is a versatile stroller that can be used for a baby and toddler or works with two car seats if you have twins.
The stroller is at a good price point and still comes with the features you need like a bench seat, stroller board, parent tray with cup holders, and a suspension system for a smooth ride. The value and functionality you get from this stroller is hard to beat.
If you’re looking for a stroller to fit your specific needs, here are our other favorites.
Our Top Picks
Overall Best Sit and Stand Stroller: Baby Trend Sit N Stand Ultra Tandem Stroller
Best Lightweight Sit and Stand Stroller: Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight Graphite Stroller
Best Sit and Stand Travel System Stroller: Baby Trend Sit N Stand 5-in-1 Shopper Travel System
Best Budget Sit and Stand Stroller: Baby Trend Sit n Stand Sport Stroller
Best Compact Sit and Stand Stroller: Chicco BravoFor2 Standing and Sitting Double Stroller
Reviews of the Best Sit and Stand Strollers
Overall Best Sit and Stand Stroller: Baby Trend Sit N Stand Ultra Tandem Stroller
Baby Trend is a leader in the sit and stand stroller market. Their Sit N Stand Ultra stroller is ideal if you’re looking for something simple and affordable, but offers all the essential features you would want in this type of stroller.
Despite being lightweight, it can accommodate two kids up to 50 pounds each. The kids can both be sitting or one child can sit while the other stands. Both seats have seat belts to keep your kids secure.
The front seat features a five-point harness while the rear seat has a three-point harness. What’s more, the front seat can recline, enhancing the comfort of the younger child. You can also use this stroller with two car seats, making it a great choice if you have twins.
The Sit N Stand Ultra stroller has robust suspension, offering a smooth ride for your little ones. It also provides adequate storage space in the basket for your kids’ belongings. The stroller is easy to fold into a compact size that can fit into any car trunk.
The removable canopy offers protection from the sun and other beneficial features include the parent tray with cup holders and a snack tray for your child.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Versatile design that can accommodate two children and even two infant car seats
- Great suspension to handle bumps in just about all terrains
- Affordable price point with all the important features
- Comes with cup holders and parent tray
- Extra-large storage basket to bring along more family and baby gear
- Fairly lightweight to haul around at 25 pounds
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Limited space in the rear seat when you recline the front seat
- May get squishy when used with car seats
- Not ideal for infants without using a car seat
Best Lightweight Sit and Stand Stroller: Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight Graphite Stroller
As the name suggests, Joovy Caboose Too Ultralight Graphite Stroller is one of the most lightweight sit and stand strollers available on the market. It weighs only 23.5 pounds and features two seats, each accommodating a 45-pound child.
This stroller comes with a car seat adapter, offering space for an infant car seat. When your older child can walk, you may remove the rear seat and leave a bench seat and platform on which your child can rest or ride standing. Each seat has a five-point harness to keep your kids secure.
The stroller seats can recline, allowing your kids to sleep comfortably. The rear seat is a padded bench seat to enhance your child’s comfort. Your child can hold on the ergonomic handles on the frame to keep them more secure as you move around.
This stroller’s wheels feature sealed bearings to ensure your kids have a smooth ride. The wheels also promote more comfortable steering with the robust suspension to ensure comfort on uneven surfaces.
You can engage the parking brake at the back with a foot tap to lock the rear wheels. You can open the sun canopy to shade both seats, and there’s also an extendable canopy if you need more shade.
This stroller’s remarkable feature is the parent organizer with two cup holders and a handy zippered pocket. There’s also a child tray with space for a cup and snacks.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Very lightweight double stroller at 23.5 pounds
- Large storage space on the bottom
- Extendable canopy that provides excellent coverage for your baby
- Comes with parent drink holders for the handlebar
- Comfortable 3-position recline to 143 degrees
- Easy to maneuver with double front wheels and larger rear wheels
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Reduced space in the rear seat when you attach infant seat
- Storage basket damages easily as its near to the ground
- The car seat can only accommodate babies under three months
Best Sit and Stand Travel System Stroller: Baby Trend Sit N Stand 5-in-1 Shopper Travel System
If you’re looking for a versatile sit and stand stroller that allows convenient travel with your little ones, consider the Baby Trend Sit N Stand 5 in 1 Shopper Stroller. This stroller offers five ways for your kids to ride – an infant carrier, a baby seat, or a combination of either an infant carrier or baby seat with the bench seat or the standing platform.
It comes with a car seat adapter, allowing you to attach a car seat for your newborn. The seats on this stroller feature high-quality fabric and are lushly padded, so your kids can travel in style and comfort.
This stroller also has an oversized canopy that protects all your kids from the sun. Each stroller seat has a five-point harness to keep them secure regardless of the reclined angle in which they’re sitting.
Another useful feature of this stroller is the storage basket beneath with a magnetic lid. The basket offers enough room for your kids’ belongings, and you can conveniently access it from the front or the rear. There’s also a parent console with deep cup holders and a multi-directional phone holder to keep your stuff within easy reach.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Removable canopy for washing or if you’ll be inside all day
- Compact fold for easy storage
- Magnetic storage lid prevents stuff from falling out
- Deluxe fabric and padding for ultimate comfort
- Comes in four color options to find a style that works for you
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Handlebar not adjustable for taller parents
- Child seat can’t recline flat if your toddler likes to nap
Best Budget Sit and Stand Stroller: Baby Trend Sit n Stand Sport Stroller
If you’re looking for a stylish and compact stroller for traveling with one or two kids, the Baby Trend Sit N Stand Sport Stroller is an ideal choice.
The front seat has a five-point safety harness and the rear seat is a bench seat that has a three-point harness to keep your children secure. You can replace the infant seat with a child seat as your child grows. The front seat also features a detachable/swing-away tray with a cup holder and a snack tray, convenient for keeping snacks within easy reach.
This stroller comes with a canopy that can extend to protect both riders from the sun’s rays. The canopy has pull-out sun visors on both ends to provide extra protection from the sun. The padded armrests add to your child’s comfort. Another great feature is the oversized storage basket to keep your kids’ stuff.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Bench seat works great to give your toddler a rest
- Easy to fold in a matter of seconds with the quick triggers
- Large canopy with sun visors to keep you baby covered
- Two-parent cupholders to hold your water bottles or other small items
- Compatible with Baby Trend infant car seats to form a travel system
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Can be more difficult to turn in tight areas
- Child seat footrest is relatively short
- You’ll need to buy the car seat separately
Best Compact Sit and Stand Stroller: Chicco BravoFor2 Standing and Sitting Double Stroller
If you’re looking for a sturdy double stroller on which your big child can stand or sit comfortably, consider the Chicco BravoFor2 Standing/Sitting Double Stroller. You can use this stroller as a traditional stroller or a travel system, as it is compatible with Chicco car seats.
This stroller can accommodate two kids weighing up to 40 pounds each. Unlike with most sit and stand strollers, there’s sufficient space for a child to sit in the rear seat with the car seat attached to the front seat.
The rear seat has a three-point harness for enhanced safety. You can fold the seat up and out of the way to allow your older child to comfortably stand on the riding platform. The child can hold on the two handles on either side to keep them more secure.
The front seat features a detachable snack tray and reversible insert suitable for either cold or hot temperatures. It also has a sizable adjustable canopy with a pop-out section to provide shade for the rear rider.
The large wheels with linked parking brakes offer impressive maneuverability. Another remarkable feature is the parent console with two drink holders and a zippered compartment to keep your stuff within reach. The stroller can fold compactly to fit any car trunk.
WHAT WE LOVE
- Compatible with Chicco KeyFit and Fit2 car seat
- Adequate space for two riders
- Plenty of space in the bottom storage basket
- Compact and self-standing fold with carrying handle
- Large wheels with a linked parking brake
WHAT COULD BE BETTER
- Front child seat doesn’t recline
- More difficult to maneuver with two kids on board
- Heavier than some other strollers on our list
What are sit and stand strollers?
They are essentially a double stroller that has both a front seat and board on the rear for your toddler to stand on. Some sit and stands may have a bench seat where a rear seat would typically be on a tandem stroller to give your older child another way to ride.
Sit and stand strollers are perfect for two or more kids since the older child can ride on the back while your youngest rides in the front seat.
3 Reasons to Choose a Sit and Stand Stroller
Upholds the older child’s independence
The primary benefit of sit and stand strollers is that they allow your older child to walk if they want to. When they get tired, they can quickly jump back on the stroller.
Often lighter and more portable
Sit and stand strollers usually have only one full-sized seat, making them more compact and lightweight than double strollers. They’re easier to steer and great for crowded sidewalks and shops.
Car seat compatibility
Most sit and stand strollers have a universal fit for car seat carriers, making it easy to transfer your kid in and out of the car. You won’t need to remove the child from their infant seat to place them in the stroller.
If you’re expecting twins, certain models have two seats that can accommodate two car seats and a sit or stand option, so you can comfortably accommodate three kids. These strollers come with harnesses and confined areas to keep the standing kids in place.
Features to Look for in the Best Sit and Stand Strollers
While there’s a wide selection of sit and stand strollers to choose from, consider the following factors to help you determine which is right for you:
Design: Sit and stand strollers are usually thinner and lighter than double strollers but consider choosing a strong and sturdy stroller despite being lightweight. You might also want to look into a single stroller that converts into a sit and stand stroller, as it allows for more flexibility and portability.
Safety Features: This stroller will be carrying your loved ones, so ensure they’ll always be safe in the stroller. It’s best to choose a unit with a 5-point harness, high-quality materials, and an efficient braking system.
Weight Capacity: The best sit and stand stroller should have a high weight limit to guarantee your kids ride safely. Consider choosing a unit that can carry at least 100 pounds so that it can bear the weight of your kids and any additional luggage you want to bring.
Maneuverability: A good stand and sit stroller should make it easier for you to push two (or three) kids. It can be frustrating when you have to stop often to adjust the wheels or lift the stroller over uneven surfaces.
Before you pick any sit and stand stroller, make sure it is easy to maneuver and steer. It should have features like rubber wheels or 360-degree wheels, allowing for easy steering on various terrains.
Comfort: When your kids are comfortable, they will stay in the stroller for longer periods. The best sit and stand strollers should have adequate room for your child to stand comfortably.
The breathability of the fabric is another essential factor to consider when it comes to comfort. The material used should be breathable enough to prevent your child from sweating, and there should also be sufficient padding for enhanced comfort.
Height: The best height for a stroller ensures your comfort and helps you have a firm grip on the handlebar. Keep in mind that some strollers have adjustable handlebars and others don’t. Most users lean toward models with adjustable handlebars as they’re more flexible.
Ease of Cleaning: Children can be messy, so you want to choose a stroller that can be wiped clean and will dry quickly. If you’ll be leaving your stroller outdoors for prolonged periods, then a stroller with stain-resistant materials would be a great choice.
Infant Compatibility: It is not advised for infants under three months old or who can’t hold their heads up to sit in a stroller. For most stand and sit strollers, the seats don’t fully recline. If you are looking to use the stroller soon after the baby is born, make sure it is infant seat compatible.
Additional Features: Sit and stand strollers with extra features usually allow for more flexibility and make outings easier for the parent than standard features. Some additional features include cup holders, large storage basket, snack trays, peekaboo windows, and footrests.
Keeping these factors in mind, you can choose a suitable unit from our list of top-rated sit and stand strollers.
Conclusion
Having an infant and an older child simultaneously can be daunting, but a sit and stand stroller can make things easier. With the wide selection of strollers available on the market, choosing the right one can be challenging.
You’ll need to consider design, safety features, weight capacity, maneuverability, infant compatibility, storage space, and compactness to find the best sit and stand stroller for your needs.
While all the strollers reviewed here are excellent, we recommend the Baby Trend Sit N Stand Ultra Stroller. This stroller is lightweight, affordable, and offers all the standard features you would want in a sit and stand stroller.
