3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person looking for a stroller for jogging or looking for an all-purpose stroller for everyday use There's a three-wheel compact stroller out there for you. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces as well as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The most effective strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child a lot easier. If you're looking for a new 3-wheel or 4-wheel stroller, look for features that are convenient, such as an ample storage basket as well as a tray for the parent with cup holders, adjustable canopy and much more. The key is determining what features are not negotiable for you and your family and which ones you're able to be content with.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It has many practical features that keep parents happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap keeps the stroller from slipping when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade in our testing group and has a large, clear window up top to let kids observe the world while they rest. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable cushion, so bumps on the road didn't cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stoller has an automatic handbrake that helps you keep control on slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a slim, compact package that takes only a tiny space in the trunk of your car. You can also convert it into a travel system by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you're planning to tackle rough terrains, solid 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 bumps and potholes.
This stroller is a jogging model and comes with a fold that requires just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and it's compact enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as simple as some of our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism can be a little confusing. It's as simple as pressing a button near the foot area at the front of stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight of a stroller is an important factor to consider. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. However, many parents find that strollers with lighter weights are more maneuverable and more suitable for use in everyday situations.
Another crucial aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Some strollers come with larger wheels, like jogging ones, which can make the ride smoother for your baby. 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 wheels, which provide an enjoyable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can quickly become flat and require you to swap them out. If you intend to travel frequently with your stroller, we suggest an option with sturdy tires that can stand up to frequent contact with various surfaces and last longer.
Strollers that have swivel wheels on the front are ideal for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller injuries. They can be especially hazardous for infants. If you cannot avoid the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we advise 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 which includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. While these products often boast attractive prices and offer convenience in terms of the time spent shopping but they are usually more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and may not function as well over the long term. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase bundle products because they might not include all the features they would like or may not be compatible with their car or child's seat. We recommend you choose a stroller that is purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you'd like to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel strollers with a compact size fold easily and store. Some even lock in position automatically when you open them. This feature can be especially beneficial for families who regularly use public transport or drive before going on walks.
Three-wheeled strollers can be pushed easily in tight spaces such as grocery store aisles or other crowded areas. They are often equipped with suspension systems for a smoother ride, which is particularly useful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a light stroller for jogging. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel set-up with the car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller board are sold separately). The stroller has a simple two-step fold and locks in place when opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another attractive 3-wheeled jogging stroller with a nice design. It's a bit pricier than some of our top picks, however it's worth the cost for those who love to travel or live in a city. The lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has padding, a detachable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and an ample basket. It can even be used as a pram for newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a good product with a few nice features. It offers a large recline, and it also has storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied in its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when reclined and there aren't any cup holders or a tray to serve snacks to kids. The brakes are also a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for many short moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as is possible without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of amazing features like a huge basket and a single-handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to engage, and they don't lock after the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should assist in keeping your child safe while using it. The top-scoring strollers in our review have a five-point safety harness with adjustable and padding straps for the crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to safeguard your child's head should they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers come with a safety lock that locks both wheels. This is crucial for jogging walkers, as it stops them from falling over while going up or down stairs and escalators.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was rated in three different ways. We scored it on the basis of a stroller's ability to turn and bounce when bumps or dips are encountered and its comfort with a child in it and its ability to navigate over rough terrain. We also evaluated how easy it is to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest, handlebar height and brakes, and attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than four-wheel models however this benefit diminishes as your baby grows heavier. This is why we suggest choosing the model with a hand brake that allows you to slow down and stop without as much effort as using body power alone. However, a lot of the best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't come with this feature and only one of our top fixed-wheel models does.
It's important to consider the frequency that you will have to take your stroller on the stairs or an escalator, and if or not it's safe to do so with the stroller still in position. Elevators and stairs pose more dangers due to the fact that they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. More Help recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you can or have a person else take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers may be carried up a set of stairs or a set with their safety brake engaged. It's always better to be safe rather than regretting.