Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller Review: The Ultimate Solution for a Growing Family?

I remember the moment vividly. Standing in our hallway, staring at a single stroller that had served our firstborn faithfully, and then looking at my wife’s growing baby bump. The math was simple, but the logistics felt overwhelming. Two kids under three. How were we going to manage trips to the park, the grocery store, or even just a walk around the block? The idea of buying a second stroller seemed absurdly inefficient, and the thought of pushing one while trying to wrangle a toddler felt like a recipe for disaster. This is the precise moment many parents find themselves in—the transition from one to two (or more), where the gear that once felt perfect suddenly becomes a puzzle piece that no longer fits. The search begins for a single, elegant solution: a stroller that can adapt, evolve, and grow right alongside your family, saving you space, money, and sanity.

What to Consider Before Investing in a Convertible Double Stroller

A convertible single-to-double stroller is more than just a piece of baby gear; it’s a key solution for long-term family planning. It addresses the fundamental problem of outgrowing a single stroller when a new baby arrives. Instead of rendering your initial investment obsolete, it allows you to expand its capabilities with a second seat, bassinet, or car seat adapter. The main benefits are profound: you maintain a familiar and trusted piece of equipment, save significant money by not purchasing an entirely new double stroller system, and conserve precious storage space. It’s an investment in flexibility, designed to handle the unpredictable journey of parenthood, from one child to two, and even accommodating a third with accessories like a glider board.

The ideal customer for this type of product is a forward-thinking parent. This includes those expecting their first child but planning for a second soon after, parents who are currently expecting their second child, or even parents of newborn twins. It’s for the family that values modularity and wants a single chassis to serve multiple needs over many years. However, it might not be the best fit for those who are certain they will only have one child, or for families with a very large age gap between children where a simple stroller and a glider board would suffice. Furthermore, if your primary need is an ultra-lightweight travel stroller for frequent flights or a high-performance jogging stroller for daily runs, a dedicated single-purpose model might be a more suitable alternative.

Before investing, consider these crucial points in detail:

• Dimensions & Space: A double stroller, even a tandem one, is larger than a single. Measure your trunk space to ensure the folded dimensions will fit, especially with both seats. Consider the unfolded width; will it navigate your favorite coffee shop doorway or tight supermarket aisles with ease? The genius of the Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller is its in-line design, which keeps the width of a single stroller.
• Capacity/Performance: Check the weight capacity for each seat. As children grow, you need to ensure the stroller can safely support them. Maneuverability is also key; a stroller that glides effortlessly with one child can feel like pushing a tank with two. Look for quality wheels and a solid suspension system to handle the added weight and ensure a smooth ride.
• Materials & Durability: The frame should be robust, typically made from high-grade aluminum, to withstand years of use and the stress of carrying two children. The fabrics, like the polyester used here, should be durable, easy to clean, and resistant to fading. We’ve seen some user feedback about fabric pilling, so it’s a factor to consider in the context of long-term wear.
• Ease of Use & Maintenance: How intuitive is the folding mechanism? Can you do it with your hands full? How simple is it to add or remove the second seat and change configurations? These day-to-day interactions are critical. Long-term care involves cleaning the fabric and ensuring the wheels and frame are free of debris, so removable, machine-washable fabrics are a huge plus.

While the Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller is an excellent choice, it’s always wise to see how it stacks up against the competition. For a broader look at all the top models, we highly recommend checking out our complete, in-depth guide:

Unboxing the City Select: First Impressions and Core Features

Pulling the Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller from its box, the first thing we noticed was the substance. The frame feels solid and reassuringly well-built, without being excessively heavy. Assembly was a breeze; the wheels click into place with a satisfying certainty, and attaching the seats is incredibly intuitive. There’s no fumbling with confusing instructions. The “Jet” color is a deep, sophisticated charcoal grey, though we noted some user feedback that online pictures can be misleading for other colors like “Paloma,” so it’s wise to see its full feature set and user reviews for real-world photos. What immediately stands out is the sheer potential sitting in front of you. With the second seat included right in the box, it’s ready for double duty from day one. It promises over 16 configurations, a number that feels abstract until you start physically clicking the seats into place—facing you, facing the world, facing each other. It’s a veritable playground of seating arrangements that immediately sets it apart from less flexible competitors.

From Sidewalks to Supermarkets: A Deep Dive into the City Select’s Real-World Performance

A stroller’s true worth is only revealed through real-world use—the daily grind of errands, park visits, and navigating crowded spaces. We put the Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller through its paces for several weeks, with a toddler and an infant, to see if its celebrated versatility and design hold up under pressure. From its chameleon-like configurations to its much-lauded fold, we examined every facet of the experience.

The Art of Transformation: Mastering the 24+ Seating Configurations

The headline feature of the Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller is its modularity, and it does not disappoint. The ability to switch between configurations is the core of its genius. The mechanism for adding, removing, and reversing the seats is simple: two large grey buttons on either side of the seat release it from the frame, allowing you to reposition it in seconds. We tested numerous arrangements. With our infant in a car seat adapter (sold separately) close to us in the top position and our toddler facing forward in the lower seat, we could easily attend to the baby while the older child enjoyed an unobstructed view. Another day, we had them face each other, which led to some adorable interactions.

This flexibility is a game-changer for parents of multiple young children. We saw this reflected in user feedback, with one parent of a toddler and infant twins calling the stroller a lifesaver. She praised its ability to accommodate two infant car seats and her toddler on the glider board, or two reclining seats for naptime on the go. The seats themselves offer a deep recline, which is fantastic for naps. This isn’t just a gimmick; it’s a practical tool for managing the ever-changing moods and needs of children. Being able to separate squabbling siblings or give a sleepy baby a quiet, parent-facing ride is an invaluable feature that makes daily outings significantly less stressful. This level of customization is a feature that really sets it apart in the convertible stroller market.

The Fold and The Fit: Portability in a Double Stroller World

The dread of many double stroller owners is the fold. Many are cumbersome, heavy, and require an engineering degree to operate. Baby Jogger’s patented Quick-Fold Technology is a breath of fresh air. To fold the City Select, you simply lift two levers on the sides of the frame, and the entire stroller collapses in on itself smoothly and locks into place. While you do need to remove the second seat to achieve the most compact fold, the process is quick. Once folded, it’s remarkably compact for a stroller of its capability. Baby Jogger claims it folds 25% smaller than its leading competitor (the 2020 UPPAbaby Vista V2), and in our testing, it lived up to its reputation. We had no trouble fitting the frame and both seats into the trunk of a standard sedan, a feat confirmed by a user who noted, “All the pieces fit in the back of my car.”

Despite its robust frame, it doesn’t feel excessively heavy. One user described it as “light weight,” and while it’s certainly heavier than a single umbrella stroller, its weight is well-managed and balanced, making it relatively easy to lift into a car. This combination of a simple, intuitive fold and a compact footprint makes the Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller a highly practical choice for families who are constantly on the go and need a stroller that won’t turn every outing into a wrestling match.

Pushing and Maneuvering: A Smooth Ride or a Bumpy Reality?

On smooth surfaces like mall floors or well-paved sidewalks, the City Select is a dream to push. It glides effortlessly and its turning radius is impressively tight for a tandem stroller. Weaving through store aisles felt no different than using a single stroller, a major advantage of its in-line design over wider side-by-side models. The telescoping handlebar is another fantastic feature, allowing both myself (at 6’1″) and my wife (at 5’5″) to push comfortably without kicking the back of the frame.

However, the experience changes on less-than-perfect terrain. As we navigated cracked sidewalks and bumpy park paths, we encountered the issue mentioned by several users: a distinct rattling from the front wheels. While it didn’t impede our ability to push the stroller, the noise was persistent and created a “cheap sounding” experience that doesn’t align with the stroller’s premium price tag. More importantly, it translated into a bumpier ride for our little passengers. This seems to be the stroller’s Achilles’ heel. It excels in urban and suburban environments with smooth pavement, but it is not an all-terrain vehicle. For families living in areas with rougher roads or who frequently visit parks with gravel paths, this is a significant consideration. The ride is smooth, but only when the ground beneath it cooperates.

Comfort, Durability, and Long-Term Livability

Beyond the primary functions, the small details determine if a stroller is truly livable. The seats are well-padded, and the large, multi-position sun canopies with peek-a-boo windows provide excellent UV protection and airflow. The under-seat storage basket is massive and easily accessible from all sides, a huge plus for carrying a diaper bag, groceries, and the various essentials that come with two kids. However, there are some concerning notes on long-term use. We came across several reports of the fabric pilling after only a few months of use, which is disappointing for a stroller in this price range. More critically, we saw a report of the frame splitting after four years of regular use on imperfect sidewalks, raising questions about its ultimate longevity under stress.

Another common critique we must echo is the seat size. While perfectly adequate for infants and smaller toddlers, the seat back is on the shorter side. We noticed our tall two-year-old was already looking a bit “crammed,” as one user aptly put it. His legs dangled, and it was clear he wouldn’t be comfortable in it for much longer, certainly not for long walks. This means that while the stroller frame may last, you might find yourself needing a glider board for an older toddler sooner than you expected. Lastly, the lack of an included parent console or cupholder is a persistent complaint. At this price, having to purchase such a basic accessory separately feels like an oversight. Potential buyers should check the latest price and available accessories to factor this into their budget.

What Other Parents Are Saying

Across the board, the sentiment from other parents largely mirrors our own findings. The overwhelming praise for the Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller centers on its unparalleled versatility. One user, a mother of three including twins, called it a “lifesaver” due to its myriad configurations that could handle car seats, bassinets, and toddler seats simultaneously. The easy, compact fold is another frequently celebrated feature, making it a practical choice for families with limited trunk space.

However, the criticisms are just as consistent. The most common complaint is the rattling front wheels on any surface that isn’t perfectly smooth, leading to a “bumpy ride” and a sound that undermines its premium feel. Several parents also mentioned that the seats are too small for taller toddlers, forcing an earlier-than-expected transition to a glider board. Other minor but frequent annoyances include the lack of a built-in cup holder and discrepancies between the product photos and the real-life colors, which caused frustration for some buyers. These reviews paint a picture of a brilliantly designed but imperfect stroller, whose major benefits must be weighed against some notable real-world drawbacks.

How Does the Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller Compare?

The Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller excels as a convertible, but it exists in a market with many excellent, more specialized options. Understanding the alternatives is key to making the right choice for your specific needs.

1. Baby Jogger City Mini GT2 All-Terrain Stroller

If you love the Baby Jogger brand but only need a single stroller and prioritize a superior ride, the City Mini GT2 is a fantastic alternative. Its “all-terrain” designation is well-earned; the forever-air rubber tires and all-wheel suspension provide a much smoother experience on cracked sidewalks, grass, and gravel paths where the City Select struggles. It features a true one-hand fold and a hand-operated parking brake, making it incredibly convenient. This is the choice for an active family with one child (or children with a large age gap) who wants a rugged, do-it-all stroller but does not need the option to convert to a double.

2. Graco FastAction Jogger LX Stroller One-Hand Fold

For families on a tighter budget who still want jogging-style functionality, the Graco FastAction Jogger LX is a compelling option. Its primary selling point is value. It includes features often found on more expensive models, such as a one-second, one-hand fold, and it comes with a parent’s tray and child’s tray included—addressing a key complaint about the City Select. While it doesn’t offer the same premium materials or the ability to convert to a double, it provides a solid, reliable experience for one child. It’s best for parents who want a cost-effective, feature-rich single stroller for everyday errands and light jogging.

3. BOB Gear Rambler Jogging Stroller

If your primary activity is jogging or tackling serious off-road trails, the BOB Gear Rambler is in a different league. This is a purpose-built, high-performance jogging stroller. It features a mountain bike-style suspension system that absorbs massive bumps, ensuring an exceptionally smooth ride for your child no matter the terrain. It’s built for stability at speed and durability over thousands of miles. The trade-off is that it’s a dedicated single stroller with a larger footprint and fewer creature comforts for everyday use compared to the City Select. This is the stroller for the serious runner who needs an uncompromising performance machine, not a convertible family hauler.

The Final Verdict: Is the Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller the Right Choice for Your Family?

After extensive testing, our verdict is clear: the Baby Jogger City Select Double Stroller is an outstandingly versatile and intelligently designed solution for growing families navigating urban and suburban life. Its genius lies in its modularity. The ability to effortlessly switch between more than a dozen configurations provides a custom-fit solution for the dynamic needs of life with two or more young children. Combined with a brilliantly simple and compact fold, it solves some of the biggest logistical headaches of parenting multiples. It is the perfect choice for parents who value flexibility and future-proofing above all else.

However, it is not without its flaws. The rattling wheels on uneven terrain and the relatively small seats for older toddlers are significant compromises to consider. It is not an all-terrain stroller, nor is it the best fit for families with particularly tall children. But if your daily life consists of paved sidewalks, shopping malls, and parks, and you need a single stroller that can gracefully transform into a double, its strengths far outweigh its weaknesses. It remains one of the best and most practical investments you can make for your growing family. To see if it’s the right fit for your adventures, we highly recommend you find the best price and explore all the configurations available today.