Your guide to choosing the sit and stand stroller perfect for your preschooler and baby.
You’ve got two kids – or one and one on the way – but you really don’t need a double stroller. After all, your baby isn’t really a baby anymore, and you don’t want to be pushing a double stroller so heavily weighted towards one side.
Plus, why would you buy an expensive double stroller if you’ll only use it for a year or less?
Then again, your 2.5- or 3-year-old can’t walk long distances, and still needs to be held sometimes. You really do need a solution.
Enter the concept of sit and stand, where one child sits – either in an infant car seat or a regular stroller seat – and the other child has a dedicated place to stand (and usually a bench to sit on, too).
Luckily, the market isn’t yet overwhelmed by these strollers. But which one should you choose?
In this article, we’ll go through a list of the best sit and stand strollers, as well as common questions, what to look for, and what to watch out for.
Let’s go.
Table of Contents
- Our Top Picks for the Best Sit and Stand Strollers of 2024
- #1. Baby Trend Sit ‘N’ Stand Ultra Tandem Stroller – Best for Budget
- #2. Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite Stroller – Best Overall
- #3. Graco Ready2Grow Click Connect LX Stand N Ride Stroller – Best Value
- #4. Graco RoomFor2 Click Connect Stand and Ride Stroller – Best for Newborns
- #5. Chicco BravoFor2 Standing / Sitting Stroller – Most Roomy
- #6. Austlen Entourage – Most Storage Space
- #7. Baby Jogger City Select LUX With Bench – Most Versatile
- #8. Joovy Caboose Graphite Stand On Tandem Stroller – Most Compact
- How the technical details compare
- How we ranked the strollers
- What else you need to know
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The Bottom Line
Our Top Picks for the Best Sit and Stand Strollers of 2024
#1. Baby Trend Sit ‘N’ Stand Ultra Tandem Stroller – Best for Budget
Baby Trend is the brand that started it all: Sit and stand strollers are their brainchild. Their Ultra stroller can accommodate either two children seated or one child sitting and the other standing. It can also hold a car seat, and the front seat has a tray.
Like other double strollers, this stroller has a large storage basket beneath. And unlike many sit and stand strollers, the Sit ‘N’ Stand Ultra has relatively good suspension and offers a smooth ride.
The good: The Baby Trend Sit ‘N’ Stand Ultra stroller can accommodate two children up to 50 lbs (22 kg) each, so your older child probably won’t need it anymore by the time s/he is too big. Also, this stroller is relatively lightweight and inexpensive, has lots of storage space, and the front seat reclines. The cup holders can be moved, and the canopy removed.
As a bonus, this stroller can be used with two infant car seats – perfect for parents of twins.
The not-so-good: Even though this stroller is easy to fold and folds compactly, it’s not easy to latch or lift.
The best: Parents can choose which child sits where – which is not a given when it comes to sit and stand strollers. Both seats have seat belts: the front seat has a five-point harness, and the rear seat has a 3-point harness.
Is it for you? If you’re looking for a simple, inexpensive stroller with all of the basics, look no further – this is the stroller for you.
Pros:
* lightweight
* affordable
* suspension
* versatile
Cons:
* can get squishy when used with a car seat
* rear seat loses space when front seat is reclined
Best:
* includes five cup holders
#2. Joovy Caboose Ultralight Graphite Stroller – Best Overall
Joovy’s sit and stand Caboose Ultralight Graphite is a compact tandem stroller intended to be lighter and more maneuverable than other sit and stand strollers. Older children can sit or stand, and the large storage basket can be accessed from the center and the rear.
The good: Joovy’s Caboose Ultralight is easy to fold, folds compactly, and its universal adapter – also included – is compatible with most infant car seats. The front seat includes a tray.
The not-so-good: Even though it’s claimed to be 22 lbs, once you add the canopy and other “extras,” it weighs about 25 lbs – not much different than other sit and stand strollers. And while it’s relatively easy to maneuver, it’s still not a single stroller. Also, the stroller seat can only be used from 3 months – you’ll need to use a car seat for babies younger than that.
The best: The Caboose Ultralight has a large canopy which can cover both the front and rear seats – and the canopy’s rear section is removable and fits nicely into the included parent console. Both seats have seat belts – the front seat has a 5-point harness, and the rear seat has a 3-point harness.
Is it for you? If you’re looking for a stroller that offers more than just the basics, and you’re not on a super-tight budget, this is the one for you.
Pros:
* large basket
* large canopy
* can be made lightweight
* comes with a parent console
* 3-position recline
Cons:
* gets cramped when used with car seat
* reclining front seat means less space for rear seat
* higher price tag
* no option to choose who sits where
* can only use a car seat for babies under 3 months
Best:
*good maneuverability
#3. Graco Ready2Grow Click Connect LX Stand N Ride Stroller – Best Value
Get the Graco Ready2Grow Click Connect LX at Walmart
Graco’s Ready2Grow offers a wide range of seating positions for children of different ages. Though the frame can hold two car seats (perfect for twins), the front and back seats are not identical: while the front seat can hold up to 50 lbs, the rear seat can only hold up to 40 lbs.
However, since you can place a car seat in both the front and rear of the stroller, your older child can either sit in the front seat, sit on the bench seat, or stand.
The good: The Ready2Grow has Graco’s trademark one-hand fold, its front wheels are lockable, and the front seat comes with a tray. Also, all of the seating options – except the car seats – are included when you purchase the stroller. Plus, the bench seat lifts up to allow easy access to the storage basket.
The not-so-good: Only the front seat can recline, and it doesn’t recline fully. Also, the basket is difficult to access when both the front and rear seats are in place.
The best: Until the older child reaches 40 lbs, parents can choose where each child sits – and no additional equipment is required.
Is it for you? If you’re looking for a stroller that will accommodate your baby and give your older child options, without breaking the bank, this is the one for you.
Pros:
* car seat can be placed in either front or rear
* large storage basket
* parent tray
* 5-point harness for front and rear seats
Cons:
*lower weight limit for rear seat
* rear seat doesn’t recline
Best:
* older child can sit in the rear seat, front seat, on the bench, or stand
Click here to see today’s price for the Graco Ready2Grow Click Connect LX on Walmart
#4. Graco RoomFor2 Click Connect Stand and Ride Stroller – Best for Newborns
Get the Graco RoomFor2 Click Connect at Walmart
Graco’s RoomFor2 Stand and Ride stroller has a padded jumpseat for your older child as well as a completely reclining seat for your baby. Compatible with both Graco car seats and most others, this stroller offers more options than most, for both children.
The front wheels of the RoomFor2 lock in place and the stroller includes both a tray for the parent and a tray for the child sitting in front. Like other Graco strollers, this stroller has an easy one-hand fold.
The good: Graco’s RoomFor2 is car seat compatible, has harnesses for both seats (including an option to use either 3-points or 5-points for the front harness), and a large storage basket. Plus it has designated handles for your older child to hold onto while standing.
The not-so-good: Like the Joovy Caboose Ultralight, this stroller doesn’t offer parents the option to choose where each child sits. Also, when the front seat reclines, it gets squishy in the rear seat.
The best: Graco’s RoomFor2 has a fully reclining front seat – perfect for a newborn baby – and hand brakes as well as foot brakes.
Is it for you? If you want a quality stroller with a fully reclining seat, a comfortable bench seat, and don’t mind the lack of choice in who sits where, this is the stroller for you.
Pros:
* fully reclining front seat
* padded rear jumpseat
* built-in suspension
* four cup holders
* handholds for standing child
Cons:
* doesn’t offer options for which child sits where
* reclining the front seat means less room in the rear seat
Best:
* hand brakes in addition to foot brakes
* lockable front wheels
Click here to see today’s price for the Graco RoomFor2 Click Connect on Walmart
#5. Chicco BravoFor2 Standing / Sitting Stroller – Most Roomy
Chicco’s BravoFor2 is a high-end sit and stand stroller that maneuvers almost as well as a single stroller. With attention to detail, Chicco solved many of the issues affecting other sit and stand strollers, such as lack of room in the rear seat when a car seat is placed in the front, or the front seat is reclined.
As you’d expect from a higher-end stroller, the BravoFor2 also has a pocket for toys, a parent organizer, cup holders, and a large storage basket.
The good: The bench seat of Chicco’s BravoFor2 folds up when not in use, and the stroller includes harnesses for both seats, plus an extra pocket for toys.
The not-so-good: This stroller isn’t the cheapest, and it’s not compatible with many car seats. It’s also not the most lightweight sit and stand on the market. Worse, this stroller has the lowest weight limit of all – just 40 lbs per seat – and the front seat is relatively small.
The best: The BravoFor2 offers designated handles for the standing child to hold while you stroll, and the rear seat is roomy – no matter how you use the front seat.
Is it for you? If you have a car seat that’s compatible with this stroller, you can afford the higher price, and you don’t mind a low weight limit, you’ll want to splurge on the BravoFor2.
Pros:
* maneuvers almost as well as a single stroller
* bench seat folds when not in use
* 2 harnesses
* parent console included
* extra storage space
Cons:
* only compatible with certain car seats
* expensive
* small front seat
* parents can’t choose where each child sits
* lowest weight limit – 40 lbs per seat
Best:
* roomy even when used with a car seat
#6. Austlen Entourage – Most Storage Space
The Austlen Entourage is a regular stroller which can be used as a single, double, or sit and stand stroller. The flip side? This stroller is heavy. And despite its versatility, the seats can only face one direction each: the front seat faces forwards, and the rear stroller seat faces backwards.
The Entourage’s rear bench seat is padded and comes with a three-point harness, and there’s an option to purchase a glider board as well. Another plus is the enormous amount of storage space, and the option to use the stroller as a single stroller or expand the frame to accommodate either an additional child or additional packages.
The good: Unlike most sit and stand strollers, Austlen’s Entourage drives well on grass and uneven surfaces, even though it doesn’t do well on thick sand and gravel. It’s car seat compatible and also allows parents to choose which seats they want to use and purchase either a second stroller seat or a sit and stand bench seat and a standing platform.
When not in use, the bench seat folds up neatly.
The not-so-good: This stroller can be tough to fold and recline. It’s also relatively heavy and since it’s not made as a sit and stand stroller, you’ll need to purchase the bench seat and glider board separately – adding another expense to an already (very) expensive stroller.
The best: Austlen’s Entourage has an enormous amount of storage space and can hold up to 150 lbs of children and packages combined. And since the stroller is extendable, both seats can fully recline without making anyone claustrophobic.
Is it for you? If you need a stroller that can be used as a double stroller or as a sit and stand, want tons of storage space and to choose your own seating configuration, and don’t mind a heavy stroller or hefty price tag, this is the stroller for you.
Pros:
* versatile
* pops open quickly and easily
* 5-position recline
* easy to use on grass
* easy to maneuver
Cons:
* expensive
* heavy
Best:
* extendable and roomy
#7. Baby Jogger City Select LUX With Bench – Most Versatile
Like Austlen’s Entourage, Baby Jogger’s City Select LUX isn’t a sit and stand stroller in the sense that it was made that way. Instead, it’s a regular stroller which converts to a sit and stand when you switch one of the regular seats for a bench seat.
Another nice feature is that this stroller is car seat compatible, and can be used with pretty much any combination of stroller seats, bench seats, bassinets, or car seats.
The good: One of the best features about the LUX stroller is that it maneuvers super-smoothly (because it’s not designed to be a sit and stand). Plus, you can choose where each child sits – though I wouldn’t suggest placing the bench seat higher up than the regular seat.
The not-so-good: This stroller doesn’t have a one-hand fold (even though it folds compactly), and despite its hefty price tag, it doesn’t come with any kind of parent console or cup holder. Also, even though it includes hand brakes, they can be hard to use.
In addition, each seat can only hold up to 45 lbs – 5 lbs less than many of the other sit and stand strollers – and you’ll need to choose and purchase the seats you want (no, it doesn’t come with two of each type).
Note that Baby Jogger’s instruction manual says not to use the stroller seat for babies under six months of age.
The best: You can use the seats forward-facing or rear-facing, and there’s an option to purchase a glider board to accommodate a third child.
Is it for you? If you’re debating between a double stroller and a sit and stand, want the option to switch between the two easily, and are okay paying a higher price plus more for the additional seats – this is one of the best sit and stand options out there.
Pros:
* good maneuverability
* compact
* versatile
* suspension
* harnesses on all seats
* hand brake
Cons:
* lower weight limit
* higher price
* heavy
* bench seat and accessories must be purchased separately
* babies under 6 months must use car seat
Best:
* good for every age and stage, and very versatile
#8. Joovy Caboose Graphite Stand On Tandem Stroller – Most Compact
The Joovy Caboose is an inexpensive, compact sit and stand stroller offering car seat compatibility and a compact fold. Because of its small size, this is one of the easier strollers to maneuver – but on the other hand, its rear seat is one of the squishiest the moment you add a car seat to the front.
That said, purchasing Joovy’s “Too” seat allows both a car seat in the front and a comfortable ride for the older child in the rear. However, purchasing the Too eliminates the financial advantage of buying the Caboose instead of Baby Trend’s Sit ‘N’ Stand Ultra.
The good: The Joovy Caboose comes with a tray for the front seat, is easy to fold, and folds compactly. Plus, its front seat offers 3 different recline positions.
The not-so-good: When used with a car seat, there is barely any room for the older child to sit. Also, this stroller doesn’t include any kind of tray or cup holder for parents – you’ll have to purchase them separately. There’s also no option to place the infant seat in the rear position.
Unlike many sit and stand strollers, the weight limit for the Caboose is 45 lbs per seat instead of 50. And the stroller seat can only be used from 3 months – before that, you’ll need to use a car seat.
The best: Joovy’s Caboose is compatible with most car seats, and is barely larger than a regular single stroller. Possibly because of this, the Caboose is one of the easiest to maneuver.
Is it for you? If your baby is old enough to use a regular stroller seat, or your older child is old enough to stand the whole time, this is the best choice for you.
Pros:
* includes almost-universal car seat adapter
* 2 cup holders in child tray
* easy to maneuver
* inexpensive
* 3-position recline
Cons:
* no option to choose where each child sits
* rear seat is squishy when the car seat is placed in front
* no cup holders for parent
* low weight limit
* car seat only for babies under 3 months
Best:
* barely larger than a single stroller
How the technical details compare
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How we ranked the strollers
Unlike in previous articles, where we ranked based on quality, in this article, we’ve ranked based on value: The strollers offering the best value are at the top of the list, while those offering less value for the money paid are at the bottom.
Those strollers ranked at the bottom aren’t necessarily low quality – some of them are high-end, high-quality strollers that celebrities would be proud to call their own. They’re simply at the bottom because most of us can’t afford to put out lots of money for a stroller – and unless you have your heart set on a certain company or a certain feature, there’s no real reason to pay more.
What else you need to know
Choose a stroller with two harnesses
Even though it’s a “sit and stand” stroller, your older child may spend quite a bit of time sitting down – and you need to make sure s/he is safe. While a five-point harness is obviously ideal, don’t go for anything less than a three-point harness. All it takes is one misstep and a child perched precariously on a small bench will take a tumble.
Be sure you can lift the stroller easily, at least when it’s folded.
Even if you don’t have a car, you’ll need to lift your stroller at least sometimes (up and down stairs, on and off a bus), and you don’t want to purchase something you can’t handle on your own.
If you do have a car, be sure the stroller you choose will fit neatly in your trunk.
Sit and stand strollers aren’t intended for rough terrain (or jogging).
It’s true that some strollers are more maneuverable than others, but in general, one of the major complaints parents have about sit and stand strollers is the difficulty in maneuvering them on grass, sand, gravel, and other rough surfaces.
To solve this problem, some parents buy a regular stroller and a sit and stand stroller – not a bad idea, since the sit and stand strollers are relatively cheap. If you plan to do a lot of walking on very rough terrain, consider getting an all-terrain stroller instead of a regular one.
Also, no matter how old your children are, never run or jog with a sit and stand stroller. These strollers don’t have the safety features of jogging strollers, and their lighter build means they’re more likely to go flying or tip when used on steep slopes or at high speeds.
Do you need to buy an extra seat?
Some sit and stand strollers offer the option to purchase a second full-size seat separately (Joovy’s Caboose Ultralight, our “best overall,” is one of these; Baby Trend has a double stroller that converts to a sit and stand, and there are others).
But do you need it? That depends on how old your children are. A 4- or 5-year-old may be fine sitting on a bench seat for an hour, but a 3-year-old may need to nap while you’re out walking.
It also depends on how often you plan to use your sit and stand for both children. If you rarely go on long outings with both your children, the extra seat is probably an unnecessary expense. But if you’ll be using the stroller every day for both children, and you tend to walk a lot, the extra seat may be a worthwhile investment.
Is it worth choosing a sit and stand compatible with your car seat?
Since most sit and stand strollers don’t offer fully reclining seats, infant car seat adaptability is important for parents of newborns. After that, however, it’s not such a big deal: As long as your baby can sit on his own, and you’ve chosen a stroller that reclines, you should be fine.
An alternative to a sit and stand compatible with your car seat is to wear your newborn in a sling until he or she is capable of sitting unassisted.
What will your older child hold on to?
Before you purchase a sit and stand stroller, check if there is a designated handle for your older child to hold while standing. While this isn’t a necessity – the child can often hold the sides of the handlebar – you need to make sure that your child has a comfortable handhold that’s easy to reach and that doesn’t bother you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main differences between double strollers and sit and stand strollers?
Double strollers are sturdier, wider, and more expensive. Also, double strollers are much better for uneven terrain than sit and stand strollers, which are often frustrating to use on anything but tile and concrete.
In addition, while it’s relatively easy to find safe, quality double jogging strollers, there’s no such thing as a sit and stand stroller that’s safe to jog with.
In general, double strollers are better for twins and children with a smaller age gap; sit and stand strollers are better for children with a more significant age gap – at least two years apart.
Should I buy a double stroller or a sit and stand?
If you need a jogging stroller, often walk on uneven ground (hills, parks, dirt paths, gravel, mud, etc.), or have two children less than 20 months apart, buy a double stroller (see the top double stroller brands here).
If you live in a city, need the stroller mostly for errands, have an older child who can walk well independently, and your children are over 2 years apart, buy a sit and stand stroller.
Can you put a car seat on a sit and stand stroller?
It depends on the stroller. Some sit and stand strollers will allow you to put a car seat in the front. Some can even be used with 2 car seats.
At what age can children stand and ride?
According to manufacturers, children can stand and ride if they are older than 2.5 years or 30 months.
The Bottom Line
Though there’s no right or wrong sit and stand stroller, there are basic guidelines for how to choose. Do you need a sit and stand, or a double stroller? Do you need the option of an extra seat? Lots of room for a car seat? Will you be using your stroller mostly on sidewalks, or on grass and gravel? How much are you willing to pay?
Parents who want to use their sit and stand for a 2-year-old and a baby, and want their older child to have options down the line should choose Graco’s Ready2Grow: While the baby sits in the car seat, the older child can sit in the rear seat (under 40 lbs) or the front seat (under 50 lbs). Later, the baby can use the front or rear seat, while the older child can use the rear seat or bench seat.
Parents who want to choose who sits where, but also want to save money, would do well to buy Baby Trend’s Sit ‘N’ Stand Ultra stroller – it’s everyone’s favorite classic, has everything you need, and also happens to be one of the most inexpensive sit and stand strollers.
Those parents who want the convenience of a sit and stand, but don’t want to give up the comforts of a regular stroller can choose between Austlen’s Entourage for more storage space, and Baby Jogger’s LUX for added versatility and the option of accommodating a third child.
Have you ever used any of these strollers? What did you think? Know a stroller that should be on this list and isn’t? Let us know in the comments!
This was a well written article. Exactly the kind of informations i was looking for. You’ve made the overwhelming search for a new stroller very easy for me now. Thank you!