In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician

Baby Jogger City Select 2 Double Review

Disappointing inline option with too close seating and a fold that is frustrating to fit in a car trunk
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baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $900 List
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Manufacturer:   Baby Jogger
By Wendy Schmitz ⋅ Senior Review Editor  ⋅  May 8, 2023
52
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#15 of 19
  • Ease of Use - 40% 6.3
  • Maneuverability - 25% 4.0
  • Transporting/ Storing - 15% 3.4
  • Quality - 10% 7.0
  • Kid Ride - 10% 4.9

The Skinny

The Baby Jogger City Select 2 Double is an inline stroller with somewhat stadium-style seating, included in our best double stroller review. This stroller offers multiple seating configurations, including two toddler seats in various directions and two car seats with adapters. The Select 2 has good size storage that is easy to access and brakes that are foot-friendly and easy to set and release. Unfortunately, this stroller is long and harder to maneuver, requiring a thoughtful approach and planning ahead. The fold is ridiculously bulky, and if you want to fit it almost anywhere, you'll have to remove the second seat to do it. The most frustrating is how close the toddler seats are to one another. If you use both, the front seat can't recline without hitting the child behind than, and the child behind them can kick the front seat at will. It seems like a design flaw in our minds, and the best strollers do this style better. Overall, the City Select 2 is an okay stroller, but it didn't meet the performance of the competition in our tests.
REASONS TO BUY
Accepts two infant car seats
Easy-to-access storage
One-hand fold
Nice brakes
REASONS TO AVOID
Convoluted & bulky fold
Hard to maneuver because of length
Have to remove the second seat to fit in trunk
Editor's Notes: This City Select 2 Double was created on April 20, 2023, after extensive testing on five new strollers, including this one.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award Editors' Choice Award Best Value Award Best Value Award 
Price $900 List
$727.99 at Amazon
$1,345 List
$1,000 at Amazon
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$400 List
$349.99 at Amazon
$250 List
$224.99 at Amazon
Overall Score Sort Icon
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67
57
Star Rating
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Bottom Line Some design flaws with seating and a bulky fold make this longer inline a poor performer in our testsQuality stroller with versatile seating options for growing familiesAwesome double stroller doing dual jobs as a jogger for toddlersBudget-minded option with versatile seating and features on par with higher-end optionsGreat budget-friendly stroller that works well in small spaces
Rating Categories Baby Jogger City Se... UPPAbaby Vista v2 D... Thule Urban Glide 2... Evenflo Pivot Xpand... Baby Trend Expediti...
Ease of Use (40%)
6.3
9.1
7.9
8.3
5.7
Maneuverability (25%)
4.0
7.8
9.2
6.0
8.2
Transporting/ Storing (15%)
3.4
3.0
3.4
3.4
3.8
Quality (10%)
7.0
8.0
9.0
6.0
4.0
Kid Ride (10%)
4.9
9.8
6.2
7.8
4.4
Specs Baby Jogger City Se... UPPAbaby Vista v2 D... Thule Urban Glide 2... Evenflo Pivot Xpand... Baby Trend Expediti...
Measured Weight 35.5 lbs 35 lbs 32.1 lbs 34.6 lbs 30.6 lbs
Measured Folded Dimensions 24"W x 37.75"H x 27"L 25.8"W x 26.5"H x 37"L 31.1"W x 18.7"H x 35.8"L 26.7"W x 25"H x 32.7"L 32.8"W x 16.5"H x 34"L
Capacity Limits Minimum: 6 mo.
Maximum: 45 lbs/40"/5 yrs
Minimum: From Birth With Infant Snugseat Or Bassinet
3 mo.+ For Toddler Seat
Maximum: 50 lbs/40"
Minimum: Walk Only:
Infant Car Seat: Birth
Stroller Seat: 6 mo.
Jogging & Off-Road: 6 mo.
Maximum: 100 lb Total Capacity Limit
Minimum: Birth
Maximum: 55 lbs/38"
Minimum: 6 mo.
Maximum: 50 lbs/42"
Included Car Seat Compatibility None UPPAbaby
Mesa
None Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax None
Click-in Car Seat Adapters Baby Jogger
City Go 2, City Go Air
Graco
SnugRide Click Connect: 30, 35, 35 LX; SnugRide Snug Lock: 35 Elite, 35 Platinum; All other Click Connect
Britax
B-Safe: 35, Ultra; Endeavours
Chicco
Fit2, Fit2 LE; KeyFit, KeyFit: 30, 30 Zip, Zip Air
Nuna
PIPA, PIPA: Lite LX, RX, Lite, Lite R
UPPAbaby
Mesa
UPPAbaby
Mesa
Chicco
KeyFit 30, KeyFit 30 Zip, KeyFit 30 Zip Air, Fit2, Fit2 LE, Fit2 Air
Maxi-Cosi
Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Mico AP & Micro Max Plus,
Nuna
PIPAâ„¢, PIPA lite, PIPA lite lx, PIPA lite r & PIPA lite rx
Cybex
Aton, Aton 2, Aton Q & Aton M
BeSafe
Izi GO Mod, Izi GO X1
Chicco
KeyFit, KeyFit 30
Cybex
Aton, Aton 2, Aton 4, Aton 5
Maxi-Cosi
CabrioFix, Citi, Mico 30, Mico Max 30, Mico NXT, Pebble, Pebble Plus
Nuna
Pipa
Chicco KeyFit, KeyFit 30
Evenflo SafeMax, LiteMax
Graco SnugRide Click Connect 30, 35, SnugRide SnugLock 30, 35
Peg Perego Primo Viaggio
None
Strap-In Car Seat Adapters None None BOB
Unity
Britax
Affinity Unity, B-Safe, B-Safe 35, B-Safe 35 Elite, Chaperone, Unity, Unity ISOFIX, BabySafe
Chicco
KeyFit, KeyFit Plus, KeyFit 30
Combi
Shuttle 33
EvenFlo
Discovery 5
Graco
Safe Seat, SnugRide Classic Connect, SnugRide Click Connect 30, 35, 35 LX, 40
Maxi-Cosi
CabrioFix, Citi, Pebble
Nuna
Pipa
Peg Perego
Primo Viaggio 4-35, Primo Viaggio SIP 30/30
Safety 1st
onBoard, onBoard Air, Comfy Carry Elite
Safe-n-Sound
Unity, Unity Neos
UPPAbaby
Mesa"
None None
Number of Car Seats Accepted 2 1 1 2 0
Recline Front/Left Seat Shallow Deep Deep Deep Deep
Recline Rear/Right Seat Shallow Deep Deep Deep Deep
Storage Basket Size Medium (Zipped) Very large Medium Extra Large Large
Sun Shade Size Medium Large Medium Medium Small
One-handed Fold No No Yes No No
Locking Fold Auto Auto Manual Auto Manual
Self-standing Fold Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Handlebar Height - Min/Max 41.1"/44" 39.5"/42.5" 30.9"/45.1" 33"/44.7" 40.6"
Sandal-friendly Brake Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Included Accessories None Rain Shield, Bug Shield None None MP3 Speakers
Average Setup Time 20-25 min 5-10 min 5-10 min 10-15 min 10-15 min

Our Analysis and Test Results

From its humble beginnings in 1984, Baby Jogger began with two fathers' goal of jogging with their babies. With no jogging products on the market, the dads created the first stroller designed to jog with. The company offers strollers we include in our best full-size strollers review for activities other than jogging, and in 2015, the Newell Rubbermaid company purchased it.

Performance Comparison



baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - the storage bin on the select requires the side zippers to be...
The storage bin on the Select requires the side zippers to be utilized for better access to the bin.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


The Select earns an ease-of-use score just below the average. It is one of those performances that seems good until you compare it to the competition and realize how amazing some strollers are. Baby Jogger had an opportunity to work out the kinks of previous versions, and we don't see much improvement here.

The folding knobs on the Select are clearly marked.
The folding knobs on the Select are clearly marked.
The City Select has an automatic lock t help keep the stroller...
The City Select has an automatic lock t help keep the stroller closed when you move it.

Fold and Unfold


To initiate the fold, the rear seat needs to have the leg rest twisted all the way back and at its shortest setting. Otherwise, it can't turn down past the front seat. This is a hassle step and one not typically shown in video descriptions since it is already in the best position for folding. The stroller folds in half using marked knobs on either side; our tester felt it was challenging for those with shorter arms. Lifting the entire stroller slightly makes it easier to get the fold to happen. Once folded, it automatically locks, but if the front wheels aren't in the correct position, it won't self-stand.

Folding the Select requires the rear seat to be in a specific position so it can clear the front seat to fold in half.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Unfolding is easier and can be done with one hand after unlocking the auto-lock. We had to use our legs to pry apart the taco'ed stroller as it doesn't pop open very well without assistance. It also feels heavy compared to competitors, making a parent more tired over time depending on how often you need to open and close the stroller each outing.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - the crossbar on the city select 2 inhibits full and open access to...
The crossbar on the City Select 2 inhibits full and open access to the storage bin, which feels like a design flaw given the important of storing supplies.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Storage


The Select has a relatively large storage bin under the seats with a maximum capacity of 15 lbs. The back of the storage bin has zippers on each side to provide slightly better access to the bin for more oversized items. The zippers aren't the easiest to use, and our knuckles rubbed on the frame. The idea that you'll need to utilize them every time you want to get something from the bin is annoying.

The side panels need to be unzipped on the City Select to fit our diaper bag due to the crossbar.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

A crossbar over the storage bin somewhat prohibits bigger items from being easily placed in the bin. The basket would be far easier to use if this bar weren't there. The rear passenger also can impede the use of the bin, depending on their position, as the legs of the seat descend into the basket area.

The back fo the Select seats have elastic and mesh storage pockets...
The back fo the Select seats have elastic and mesh storage pockets with a 4 lb capacity.
We think you will need to use the zipper every time you want to...
We think you will need to use the zipper every time you want to access the bin.

The seats also have mesh pockets on the back and have a maximum weight capacity of 4 lbs each. We suspect that anything of significant weight will cause stretching of the pocket over time.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - the shoulder and hip belts on the city select nest into each other...
The shoulder and hip belts on the City Select nest into each other before you put them into the buckle.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Harness


The harnesses on the Select are 5-point harnesses that require rethreading for height adjustment. The harness straps nest together before you can put them in the buckle, which could be challenging when you have a crying or wiggly child. The belly bar on the seats is pretty close to the child, making using the harness and making adjustments more difficult. It almost feels like there isn't enough room between the child and the belly bar to fit your hand. Tightening the straps is a push toward the back of the seat and is less convenient than those that pull toward the parent to tighten. The buckle is easy enough to release, but again, the nesting of the shoulder and hip straps before you put them in the buckle is more complex than it is on competitors.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - the single-action brakes on the city select 2 are easy to set and...
The single-action brakes on the City Select 2 are easy to set and release with no safety concerns.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Brakes


The Select has single-action brakes with a large pedal in the center of the back of the stroller.

The City Select has single-action brakes.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The pedal is easy to access, set, and release with no safety concerns. Setting the brake is a press of the pedal while releasing using the top of the foot. This process is easy and does not hurt like some competitors.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - the plastic wheels of the city select 2 can swivel.
The plastic wheels of the City Select 2 can swivel.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Maneuverability


The Select is a challenge to maneuver about with lower performance scores than much of the competition. This is in large part due to the longer length this inline offers. It makes the whole package feel heavy and cumbersome, with no ability to make tight turns or get out of the way of anything. All maneuvers take planning ahead and often some jostling of the stroller to get where you want to go, even on flat surfaces.

Maneuverability on the City Select 2 is not great, with the longer footprint and plastic wheels failing to offer much assistance to make things easier.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

You can push this stroller with one hand, but we don't think you can turn it or would want to move very far this way. This stroller put a lot of strain on our tester's hands, and she was happy to be done with it. It is only more challenging if you move off-road to grass or gravel. When you start out, it requires extra initial force and is a workout on the wrist with a curved handlebar that doesn't feel very ergonomic. The handlebar is thin and not round and lacks any kind of wrap we enjoyed on some of the competition. Given the challenging maneuverability, it did turn pretty well on grass, but overall, we suspect parents will avoid taking it off flat surfaces.

Putting the City Select 2 into the trunk of our test sedan proved...
Putting the City Select 2 into the trunk of our test sedan proved impossible with the second seat attached and we had to remove the second seat to get it to fit.
While removing the second seat on the Select to fit it in the trunk...
While removing the second seat on the Select to fit it in the trunk wasn't hard, it is a hassle, and we think a single parent with more than one kid and supplies for two will be frustrated a the extra step.

Transporting and Storing


While the Select 2 has a somewhat compact fold when used as a single-seat stroller, it is significantly larger when folded with the second seat. It's huge! We think you'll need to remove the second seat to fit it inside most vehicles. If you hope to take it on public transportation, it isn't much smaller folded than it is open, and it could be a huge hassle.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - we measure each product using the same tool to ensure an...
We measure each product using the same tool to ensure an apples-to-apples comparison. The folded Select is bulkier than most of the competition.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Weight and Folded Size


The Select is big and heavy, making it one of the hardest to stow or lift. With a weight of 35.5 lbs, only a few strollers weigh more.


When folded with both seats in place, the Select 2 measures 24,462 cubic inches, making it one of the largest behemoths in the group.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - the seats on the select 2 are so close together even our littlest...
The seats on the Select 2 are so close together even our littlest tester can kick the seat in front of him with ease.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Kid Ride


The seats themselves are comfy enough, with multiple adjustment points. Still, the proximity of one seat to another makes most adjustments useless and impossible when transporting two kids in toddler seats.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - the seating arrangement on the select 2 are so close together that...
The seating arrangement on the Select 2 are so close together that neither seat will be able to recline much, if any, and the rear passenger will have ample opportunity to hassle the child riding in the front.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Seat


The two kids' seats on the Select are frames with adjustable leg rests. They are lightly padded sling-style seats that recline and can be attached to the frame in various configurations. While the seats themselves are ok for comfort, they are too close together and cannot recline very far without conflicting or hitting the second seat. The recline adjustment is hard to get to, with the mesh layer from the canopy getting in the way.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - our toddler tester had legs that were far too long for the fully...
Our toddler tester had legs that were far too long for the fully extended leg rest on the Select's seats.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

No matter how you try to arrange these seats, one passenger can hassle the other, and neither can recline very far or have their leg adjustments (length or angle) moved much. It is not ideal for super comfy napping. While you could put your younger/smaller child in the back seat since it has less space, they will have limited legroom as they age.

You can see in this picture of the Baby Jogger City Select that the...
You can see in this picture of the Baby Jogger City Select that the front seat is unable to recline without impinging on the rear passenger's seating space.
The Peek-a-boo cover on the Select 2 have covers with magnet...
The Peek-a-boo cover on the Select 2 have covers with magnet closures that hold them closed and open.

Sunshade


The sunshades pop open easily and are UV 50+. They have nice peek-a-boo mesh windows with magnet closure covers. They cover to about the knee and are on the thicker side for weather protection.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - the city select 2 double has a very bulky fold, and we had to remove...
The City Select 2 Double has a very bulky fold, and we had to remove the second seat to fit it in our sedan trunk.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Quality


The City Select 2 earns its top score in any metric for quality with an above-average performance compared to the competition. The overall fit and finish are better than some of the competition, with no weld points, some internal Allen and Phillips head screws, and rivets. Surprisingly, a product this long did not have significant flex to the frame.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - the overall design of a stroller impacts the quality, and the...
The overall design of a stroller impacts the quality, and the inability for the two seats on the Select to recline in a meaningful way is disappointing.
Credit: Jessica Riconscente

The fabric on the seats and canopy feels sturdy and easy to clean. They fit the frame and other parts well, and the canopy can be pulled taunt without looking rumpled. The fabric connects via buttons which we prefer over Velcro. The magnets are nice and offer secure closure with a silent mechanism.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - the leg rest on the select can adjust for angle and length.
The leg rest on the Select can adjust for angle and length.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

The toddler seats have foam for a comfy ride, and the shoulder straps have comfort padding not found in all of the competition. There is more durable material at the footrest that feels like it is better for dirty feet.

The front and back wheels are plastic, and we didn't experience any wobble during testing. The front wheels are smaller than the back by about 4 inches.

Car Seat Compatibility


The Baby Jogger works with two infant car seats. With the purchase of click-in adapters, the stroller is compatible with seats from Baby Jogger, Graco, Britax, Chicco, Nuna, and UPPAbaby.

Ease of Setup


The manual for the Bbay Jogger setup was average, and it took us about 20 minutes to complete the process.



We struggled with putting the Select together and ended up putting the lap bar on the wrong side, requiring a do-over. It took almost half the time to fix this error. So, we suspect most folks will experience as setup time half of ours.

Twins


The Select accepts two infant car seats simultaneously, making it a viable option for parents of infant twins. Parents have a variety of infant car seats to choose from. The main seats also recline pretty far back, allowing 6-month-old babies to nap and lay flat. The main drawback to this stroller is the already mentioned close seating positions that put one child right behind the other at a distance that could allow for kicking or pestering. The proximity also limits the reclining of either seat, which could cause problems between bored or squabbling siblings. So, while it will work for twins in car seats and later in the standard seat, we have suspicions that frustrations will occur as children get older and interact.

baby jogger city select 2 double double stroller review - the select might have a narrow footprint for ease of moving through...
The Select might have a narrow footprint for ease of moving through doorways, but overall, it isn't a great performer in our tests.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the City Select 2?


Despite the well-known name and our appreciation for other models from Baby Jogger, we've never been big fans of the Select, and this version is no different. This inline stroller is harder to maneuver and requires a thoughtful approach to turn, and more room is required to turn. It also has some seating configuration problems that limit recline and comfort of both passengers. Last, the fold is ridiculously bulky, and we couldn't get it in our test trunk without removing the second seat. Overall, we think there are better options in our lineup, both inline and side-by-side options, that offer more.

What Other Double Stroller Should You Consider?


If you desire an inline stroller to fit in narrow spaces, we prefer the UPPAbaby Vista V2 Double. This high-quality stroller has seat extenders that spread the front and back seats out to avoid conflict and increase comfort. The UPPAbaby also offers bassinets and is compatible with two infant car seats from various manufacturers. The Vista has the largest storage bin with a capacity of up to 30 lbs, and overall the stroller is much easier to push and turn. No matter what you're looking for in a double stroller, the Vista has it in spades over the Select and would be the inline we recommend to a friend.

Manufacturer Video



Wendy Schmitz