3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person looking for an jogging stroller, or simply seeking a stroller that is all-purpose for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller that is suitable for you. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, aswell as testing children's comfort in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make life on the go with your child more enjoyable. If you're shopping for a new 3-wheel stroller or a 4-wheel stroller look for convenience features like large storage baskets, parent tray with cup holders, a movable canopy and more. It's important to determine what features are important to you and your family, and what you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It is loaded with practical features that keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights, and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller won't roll away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested and a glass window on the top lets children to see out when they are resting. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road did not cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stroller also has a hand brake that helps you maintain control on slick surfaces. It can fold into a compact, slim package that takes only a tiny space in the trunk of your car. You can also transform it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrains, solid tires are a must for strollers of all kinds. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're great to navigate potholes and bumps easily.
This stroller is a jogging model and features a fold-up that only requires two steps. It locks into position when folded and is small enough to fit in most elevators. However it's not as easy to maneuver as our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit difficult to understand. It requires pressing a button on the front of the stroller, closing a flap that is located near the foot area, and then raising the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a crucial factor to consider. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller more maneuverable, and more suitable for day-to-day use.
The size and type of the wheels is an important aspect. Some strollers have larger wheels, such as those for jogging, which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. However, larger wheels also increase the overall weight of the stroller which can make it more difficult to fold, transport, and store.
Certain models in our collection have air-filled tires that are designed to offer a comfortable and stable ride for your child even over rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily become flat, which will require you to swap them out. If you intend to travel with your stroller a lot, we recommend that you select one with solid wheels. These tires can endure contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common stroller-related injuries. They can be especially dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we recommend using it only when the child is securely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers are a travel system that includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. These products are often more expensive and less convenient than their stand-alone counterparts and could not last in the long-term. Many parents regret buying bundle products because they may not have all the features they desire or be incompatible with their car or child's seat. We suggest you select a stroller that is purchased separately from the capsule or car seat if you wish to upgrade to a more advanced model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The most 3 wheel strollers with a compact size fold easily and store. Some even lock into place automatically when you open them. This feature can be especially useful for families who frequently use public transport or drive prior to going for a walks.
3 wheeled pushchair -wheeled strollers are able to maneuver effortlessly in tight spaces, such as grocery store aisles or other areas with a lot of people. Many are also equipped with suspension systems that provide a more comfortable ride for your baby, which can be especially helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a compact jogging stroller. It's a stylish stroller that can be used as a part of a travel set-up with car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller has simple two-step fold, and locks in place when it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks but is worth it if you travel frequently or live in a city. This lightweight stroller can be folded down to a small 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has five-point, no-rethread cushioned harness. It can be used as a stroller for infants and young toddlers with an adapter for infant car seats.
The Babyzen is a quality product with a few nice features. It is spacious in its recline, and it also has extra storage. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there are no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes can be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as it can without skimping on comfort or convenience. It's packed with a variety of features, including a large basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only drawback is that the brakes may be a bit difficult to activate and don't remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should help to keep your child safe while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our review have a five-point safety harness with adjustable, cushioned straps for the crotch. This allows for a custom fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to protect your child's head should they fall out of the seat or roll off. Some strollers have a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is crucial for those who run, since they are less likely to fall over when going up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was evaluated in three distinct ways. We scored it on the basis of a stroller's ability to turn and bounce when bumps or dips are encountered, its ease of use with a child loaded and its capacity to navigate over rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting its backrest and handlebar height as well as operating the brakes as well as attaching and removing car seats (if appropriate).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were easier to maneuver however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. We recommend selecting one with hand brakes. It will help you slow down or stop without having to exert the same effort as your body on its own. However, many of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers offer this feature, and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models has it.
You should also consider how often you'll need to use your stroller to go up or down escalators or stairs and if it's safe to do this. Elevators and stairs are more hazardous because they have moving mechanical parts which make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, like an elevator, if possible or have a person else carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the best-scoring strollers are able to be carried up the stairs or an escalator with their safety brake locked and engaged but it's always safer to be not be.