3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person 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 out there for you. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces, aswell as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your child easier. Look for features that make life easier for you, like a large bin for storage, a tray for parents with cup holders, a movable canopy, and so on when looking for the latest stroller. The key is determining what features are non-negotiable for you and your family, and which ones you're able to do without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with plenty of convenient features to keep moms and dads content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap keeps the stroller from slipping while you jog. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested, and a large, clear opening at the top that allows children to see out when they're resting. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have a comfortable padding, so bumps in the road didn't cause any discomfort for him.
This jogging stroller also has a hand brake to help you control slippery surfaces. It folds to the size of a compact, slim package that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your car, and it can be converted into a travel set-up with select infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrains, solid tires are essential for any stroller. three wheel pushchair are not as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires, but they're perfect for navigating bumps and potholes.
The stroller folds up in just two easy steps. It locks when folded and is compact enough to fit in most elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as some of our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism for locking is a bit difficult to understand. It requires pressing a button on the front of the stroller, opening a flap on the foot area, and then lifting the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is an important consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for daily use.
The shape and size of the wheels is another important feature. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as jogging ones, which can make the ride smoother for your baby. However, bigger wheels add to the overall weight of the stroller which can make it harder to fold, transport, and store.
Certain models we offer include air-filled tires that are designed to provide a comfortable and stable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are susceptible to flattening, and you must replace them. 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 for a longer time.
Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for getting around stairs and escalators in a safe manner. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we recommend using it only if the child is securely strapped into the seat and is close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as complete travel systems that includes the car seat and stroller are sold as a single unit. These types of products are usually more expensive and less convenient than their stand-alone counterparts and may not perform well in the long term. Additionally many parents end up regretting buying a bundled product as it may not include all of the features they desire, or it could prove to be incompatible with their vehicle or child seat. We suggest that you purchase a stroller that is purchased separately from the capsule or car seat if you want to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The top 3 wheel compact strollers fold quickly and easily to make storage and transportation effortless. Some of them lock automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families who regularly use public transportation or take a car to walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. Many are equipped with suspension systems to provide a smoother ride, which is especially beneficial on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller that can be used for jogging. The stroller is a stylish stroller that can be used as a part of a travel system with adapters for car seats to fit Nuna MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into position when it is opened.
Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is a little more expensive than our top picks but worth it if you travel frequently or live in the city. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a compact 20 17x7 inches size. It comes with five-point, no-rethread cushioned harness. It can also be used as a pram for newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a good product with some nice features. It is spacious in its recline and has extra storage. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied by its performance. three wheel pushchair doesn't lie flat when it reclines and there aren't cup holders or snack tray for children. The brakes can also be difficult to engage and the handlebars can be too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as possible without sacrificing the comfort or convenience. It has a long list of amazing features including a large basket and a one handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to engage, and they're not locking when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller will keep your child safe while using it. Some of the top-scoring products in our review have 5-point harnesses that are adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customised fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to shield your child's head should they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers are equipped with a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is particularly important for walkers who jog, as it prevents them from tumbling over while going up or down escalators or stairs.
In our tests, we evaluated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: the product's ability to turn and bounce over bumps and dips, its ability to maneuver when loaded with a child and its capability to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also looked at how easy it was to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest the height of the handlebar and brakes and then attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes as your baby grows heavier. This is why we recommend the model with a hand brake that helps you slow down and stop without as much effort as relying on body power alone. However, many of the top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not have this option and only one of our top fixed-wheel models has it.
It's also important to think about the frequency you'll require to transport your stroller down an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator and whether or not it's safe to do it with the stroller in place. Elevators and stairs pose more of a hazard because they move mechanical components, making it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives 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 taken up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake engaged. However, it's safer to be safe rather than regretting.