3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers that fit everyone, whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or an all-purpose stroller to use every day. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry, put these models to the test on road surfaces and off-road ones. They also tested the safety of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make traveling with your little one more comfortable. Look for features that simplify your life, such as a large bin for storage, a tray for parents with cup holders, a movable canopy, and more when you are shopping for the latest stroller. It's important to determine the features that are important to you and your family and what you can live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with a wide range of features to keep moms as well as dads comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from slipping away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade in our testing group with a clear view at the top to let children look out while they're relaxing. Jenni's 3-year old found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, which means bumps on the road won't make him feel too shaken.
This jogging stoller comes with an automatic handbrake that helps you maintain control on slippery surfaces. It folds into an extremely compact and slim size that occupies a small space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can convert into a travel system using the best infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must-have for any stroller. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy or air-filled tires, but they're perfect for navigating potholes and bumps.
The stroller folds down in just two easy steps. It locks into position when folded, and is compact enough to fit in the majority of elevators. However it's not as simple to maneuver as some of our other 4-wheel strollers and the mechanism for locking is a bit confusing. It requires pressing the button in the foot area on the front of the stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is an important factor to take into account. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller easier to maneuver, and more suitable for everyday use.
The size and type of the wheels is another important aspect. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as jogging ones, which can make the ride more comfortable for your baby. However, larger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller, which can make it difficult to fold, transport, and store.
Certain models in our collection have wheels filled with air that provide a comfortable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend a model with solid tires that can stand up to frequent contact with different surfaces and last for a longer time.
3 wheel pushchair with swivel front wheels are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common injuries to strollers. They are especially hazardous for infants. If you are unable to avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we suggest using it only when the child is safely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers are sold as a complete travel system where the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. Although these strollers often have attractive prices and offer convenience by cutting down on shopping time but they are usually more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and might not perform in the long run. In addition many parents regret purchasing a bundle because it may not include all the features they would like or could turn out to not be compatible with their vehicle or child seat. If you plan to upgrade in the near future, we recommend that you purchase a stroller that is separate from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers fold easily and quickly to make storage and transport easy. Some even lock into place automatically when you open them. This feature can be particularly useful for families who frequently use public transport or drive before going on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like grocery store aisles and other areas that are crowded with ease. Many are also equipped with suspension systems that give a smoother stroll for your child and can be particularly helpful on slippery sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a compact jogging stroller. It's elegant and can also be used as part of a travel system with adapters for car seats to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller features an easy two-step fold that locks into place once opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. It's a bit pricier than our top picks, however it's worth the investment for those who love to travel or reside in the city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a tiny 20 17x7 inch size. It has a five-point, no-rethread, padding on the harness. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants or toddlers who are young, with an infant car seat adapter.
The Babyzen is a great product with a few nice features. It has a spacious recline, and also has storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied by its performance. The seat isn't completely flat when reclined, and there are no cups or a snack tray for kids. The brakes are difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as it is possible, but without the comfort or convenience. It has a long list of features that are impressive, such as a large basket and a one handed fold. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to activate, and they're not locking when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should help to keep your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring models in our review have a five-point harness with adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customised fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that protects your child's head should they fall off or roll out of their seat. Some strollers feature a safety brake that locks two wheels. This is particularly important for strollers that run jogging as it stops them from slipping when they're going up and down escalators or stairs, which can be particularly risky for children.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was rated in three different ways. We evaluated it based on the ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered as well as its user-friendliness 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, changing its backrest and handlebar height, operating the brakes, as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We found that 3-wheel strollers were more maneuverable however the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. This is why we recommend the model with hand brakes, which helps you slow down and come to a stop without as much exertion as using body power alone. Many of the top-scoring, swivel-wheel strollers do not have this feature. Only one of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.
It is important to consider the frequency that you will need to take your stroller up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, and whether or not it will be safe to do so while the stroller is in its the same place. Stairs and escalators pose more of a hazard due to the fact that they move mechanical parts, making it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, like an elevator, if possible or have a person else to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the best-scoring strollers can be carried up a set of stairs or an escalator with their security brakes engaged and locked but it's always safer to be safe than sorry.