3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person in search of a stroller for jogging or need a stroller to use for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller for you. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces as well as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your baby more comfortable. If you're looking for a new 3-wheel stroller or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that make life easier, such as large storage baskets, parent tray with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more. The most important thing is to determine which features are essential to you and your family, and which ones you're able to be content with.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with a wide range of features to keep moms and dads comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different sizes, and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a glass opening at the top that allows children to look out when they're resting. And Jenni's 3-year-old found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, which means bumps on the road don't cause him to shake.
This jogging stoller features the handbrake to help keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds down to an extremely compact and slim size that occupies a small space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can be converted into a travel system with certain infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If 3 wheeled pushchair planning to tackle rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must-have for strollers of any kind. While they don't provide the same level of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're great for navigating potholes and bumps effortlessly.
The stroller folds up in just 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 lock mechanism is a bit hazy. It involves pressing a button on the front of the stroller, a flap on the foot area, and lifting a handle. We'd prefer a simpler method that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is an important factor to consider. A heavier stroller tends to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and may offer better performance in rough terrain. However, many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and more suitable for use in everyday situations.
Another important aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Certain strollers, such as jogging strollers have wheels that are larger and can offer a more comfortable experience for infants. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it harder to fold, transport and store.
Some models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide an enjoyable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are more prone to flattening, and you must replace them. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest a model with solid tires that can withstand regular contact with various surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are ideal for safely navigating escalators and stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent injuries to strollers. They can be especially hazardous for infants. If you cannot avoid using the escalator or stairs while using your stroller, we recommend using it when your child is secured in the seat. Also keep them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers are sold as an entire travel system where the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. These products are often more expensive and convenient than their stand-alone counterparts and could not last in the long-term. Many parents regret buying bundles because they may not come with all the features they would like or be incompatible with their child's car seat or. If you want to upgrade in the future we recommend you buy a stroller separate from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers are easy to fold and store. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature can be especially beneficial for families who regularly use public transportation or drive prior to taking a a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to move through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas with ease. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that give an easier ride for your baby which is especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a light jogging stroller. It's an elegant stroller that can be used as a part of a travel system, with car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into place after opening.
Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit pricier than some of our top picks, but it's worth the investment If you're a lover of travel or reside in the city. The stroller is lightweight and can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features a padded, adjustable, five-point no-rethread harness and an ample basket. It can also be used as a pram for newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen comes with some nice features, such as an ample recline and additional storage space, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when it's reclining, and there's no cups or a tray to serve snacks to children. The brakes are also difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as is possible, yet not the comfort or convenience. It has an impressive list of features, including a large basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only drawback is that the brakes may be difficult to activate and don't remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features will assist in keeping your child safe during use. Some of the best-scoring strollers in our review have a five-point safety harness that has adjustable and padding straps for crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to shield your child's head in the event that they fall out of the seat or fall off. Some strollers have a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is particularly important for jogging strollers as it stops them from flipping over when they're going up or down stairs or escalators, where they could be particularly risky for children.
In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: a stroller's ability to rotate and bounce over bumps and dips, its ability to maneuver when loaded with a child and its ability to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also assessed the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest the height of the handlebar, operate the brakes, and attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were easier to maneuver however the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. This is why we recommend the model with hand brakes, which allows you to slow down and stop with as little effort as using body power alone. However, many of the best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't offer this feature, and only one of our top fixed-wheel models does.
It is important to think about how often you'll need to utilize your stroller to go up and down stairs or escalators, and if it is safe to do so. Elevators and stairs pose more of a hazard because they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you can or have a person else carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the best-scoring strollers are able to be pushed up a set of stairs or an escalator with their safety brake engaged and locked but it's always safer to be to be sorry.