3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person seeking a stroller for jogging or 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 the paces on pavement and off-road surfaces as well as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make life on the go with your child more comfortable. Whether you're shopping for a brand new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for features that make life easier, such as a large storage basket and a tray for parents with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more. It's important to know which features are essential for you and your family, and what you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It comes with a variety of useful features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested and a clear opening at the top that allows children to look out while they rest. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable padding, so bumps in the road did not cause any discomfort for him.
This stroller for jogging also comes with a hand brake to help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It can fold into a slim, compact package that will take only a tiny space in your trunk. It is also possible to transform it into an e-travel system by purchasing an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are essential for strollers 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.
This jogging stroller comes with a fold that requires just two steps. It locks when folded, and it's small enough to fit in most elevators. It's not as simple as some of our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism is a little difficult to understand. It involves pressing a button on the front of the stroller, closing a flap that is located near the foot area, and then lifting a handle. We'd prefer a simpler method that simply clicks into place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a crucial aspect to consider. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on uneven terrain. However, many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for use in everyday situations.
The type and size of the wheels is an important feature. Some strollers have larger wheels, like jogging ones that can make the ride smoother for your baby. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it harder to fold and store, transport and fold.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide an enjoyable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily become flat, which will require you to swap them out. If you are planning to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend a model with solid tires that can withstand frequent contact with various surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent stroller-related injuries and can be especially dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid taking the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we advise using it only if the child is securely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers are sold as an entire travel system that includes the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. These types of products are usually more expensive and commodious than their separate counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long-term. In addition, many parents later regret purchasing a bundle because it might not have all of the features they would like or could turn out to not be compatible with their car or child seat. We recommend you choose a stroller that is purchased separately from the capsule or car seat if you wish to upgrade to a higher-end model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The most 3-wheel strollers that are compact fold easily and store. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families that frequently use public transportation or take a car to go on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as grocery store aisles and other crowded areas with ease. They are often equipped with suspension systems for an easier ride. This is especially beneficial on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight jogging stroller. The stroller is elegant and can be used as part of a travel system with car seat adapters to fit Nuna MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks in place once 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 worth it if you travel often or live in the city. The lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features an adjustable, padded five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants and toddlers, if you have an adapter for infant car seats.
While the Babyzen comes with some nice features, such as a roomy recline and extra storage space, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there's no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes can also be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars can be too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as is possible without skimping on the comfort or convenience. It comes with a plethora of features, including a spacious basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only downside is that the brakes may be difficult to engage and don't remain locked 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 top-scoring strollers we've reviewed come with a five-point safety harness that has adjustable and cushioned straps for the crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a cushioned cushion that shields your child's head should they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers are equipped with a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is especially important for those who run, since it stops them from falling over while walking up and down escalators and stairs.
In our tests, we evaluated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: a product's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps its ease of maneuvering when loaded with children and its ability to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness, folding and unfolding the stroller, altering the height of its backrest and handlebar and operating the brakes as being able to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We have found that 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than 4-wheel options However, this advantage decreases as your baby grows heavier. 3 wheeler pushchairs is why we suggest choosing one with a hand brake that assists you in slowing down and come to a stop without as much exertion as using body power alone. However, many of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers have this option, and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models comes with it.
It is important to consider the frequency that you will need to transport your stroller down the stairs or an escalator and whether it's safe to do so while the stroller is in its place. Escalators and stairs present more dangers due to the fact that they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these hazards, like an elevator, if you have one or have a person else to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers are able to be taken onto an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator with their security brake locked and engaged but it's always better to be safer than not be.