3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast looking for an jogging stroller, or simply looking for an all-purpose stroller to use for everyday use There's a three-wheel compact stroller for you. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, aswell test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that allow you to travel with your baby more convenient. Look for features that simplify life, such as a large storage bin, parent tray with cups holders, adjustable canopy, and so on when looking for the latest stroller. The key is determining what features are not negotiable for you and your family and which ones you're able to live without.
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 adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different sizes, and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller won't roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade that we tested, with a clear window at the top to let children peek out while they're resting. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road didn't bother him.
This jogging stroller also has a hand brake that helps you control slippery surfaces. It folds to the size of a compact, slim package that occupies a small space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can convert into a travel system with certain infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are essential for strollers that will be used on rough terrains. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're perfect to navigate potholes and bumps easily.
The jogging stroller folds in just two easy steps. It locks into position when folded and is small enough to fit in most elevators. It's not as easy as some of our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism can be somewhat difficult to understand. It requires pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, a flap on the foot area, and then lifting a handle. We'd prefer a simpler method that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a crucial aspect to consider. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than one that is lighter and may offer better performance in rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and more suitable for day-to-day use.
The size and type of the wheels is another important aspect. Certain strollers, like ones that jog have wheels that are larger and can offer a more comfortable experience for infants. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller and make it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to offer a safe and comfortable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could easily get flat which will require you to swap them out. If you plan to travel a lot with your stroller, we suggest the use of tires that can stand up to frequent contact with various surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheel at the front are great for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common injuries to strollers. They can be especially dangerous for infants. If you cannot avoid using an escalator or stairs with your stroller, we recommend using it if your child is secured in the seat. Also, keep them close to you as you go up or down.
Some strollers are an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat as well as the stroller. While these products often boast attractive price tags and offer convenience in terms of cutting down on shopping time, they are generally more expensive than standalone models and may not perform as well over the long haul. Additionally, many parents later regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not include all the features they want, or it could prove to not be compatible with their car or child seat. If you want to upgrade in the future we recommend you purchase a stroller separately from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers fold easily and store. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families that frequently use public transportation or take a car to go on a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver easily in tight spaces, like grocery store aisles or other areas with a lot of people. They are often equipped with suspension systems that provide an easier ride. This is especially beneficial on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a compact stroller that can be used for jogging. The stroller is a stylish stroller that can also be used as 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 down in two steps and locks into position after opening.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another nice-looking 3-wheeled jogging stroller. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks but is worth it if you travel a lot or live in the city. This lightweight stroller can be folded down to a tiny 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has a five-point, no-rethread, padded harness. It can also be used as a pram for infants or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a good product that has some great features. It is spacious in its recline, and it also has extra storage. However some parents are disappointed by its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there's no cupholders or snack tray for children. The brakes are a bit difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for many moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as is possible without skimping on comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of impressive features like a huge basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to engage, and they don't lock when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the best-scoring strollers in our review have five-point safety harnesses with adjustable, cushioned crotch straps. This allows for a custom fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to shield your child's head in the event that they fall out of the seat or fall off. Some strollers are equipped with a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is especially important for walkers who jog, as it stops them from falling over while walking up and down escalators and stairs.
In 3 wheeled pushchair , we evaluated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: the product's ability to turn and bounce over dips and bumps its ability to maneuver when loaded with a child and its capacity to travel over rough surfaces. We also assessed the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest, handlebar height, operate the brakes, and then attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were easier to maneuver however, the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. We suggest choosing the model that has a hand brake. It can help you slow down or stop without exerting the same amount of effort as your body by itself. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not have this option. Only one of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It is also important to consider how often you'll be required to use your stroller to go up or down escalators or stairs and if it's safe to do so. Stairs and elevators are more hazardous because they have moving mechanical components that make it difficult for you to control your stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these hazards, like an elevator, if possible, or having another adult carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the best-rated strollers can be taken up a set of stairs or a set with the safety brake activated. But it's safer to be secure rather than sorry.