3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic in search of an jogging stroller, or simply seeking a stroller that is all-purpose 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, as well as testing children's comfort in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that make traveling with your baby more convenient. If you're shopping for a new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller look for features that make life easier, such as an ample storage basket, parent tray with cup holders, a movable canopy, and more. It's important to know which features are essential for you and your family and those you can live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with a wide range of features that will keep moms and dads comfortable and happy. The handlebar adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away when you're running. The Wayfinder features the biggest sunshade among the strollers we tested, and a glass opening at the top that allows children to look out when they're resting. Jenni's 3-year old found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, which means bumps on the road won't cause him to shake.
The stroller is equipped with a hand brake to help you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds down to the size of a compact, slim package that takes up very little space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel set-up with the best infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are a must for strollers that are used on terrains that are rough. Solid tires are not as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they're excellent for navigating potholes and bumps.
This stroller is a jogging model and features a fold-up that takes just two steps. It locks into position when folded and is small enough to fit in most elevators. However it's not as easy to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism to lock it is a bit hazy. It requires pressing an arrow near the foot area at the front of stroller and lifting the handle. We'd like to see a more simple system that clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a significant consideration. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and can provide more performance on rough terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller easier to maneuver, and more suitable for day-to-day use.
The size and type of the wheels is another important aspect. Some strollers come with larger wheels, such as jogging ones which makes the ride easier for your baby. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it more difficult to fold and transport, as well as store.
Certain models in our collection have air-filled tires that are designed to offer a safe and comfortable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. Air-filled tires are susceptible to flattening and have to replace them. If you plan to take your stroller with you frequently, we recommend that you select a model with solid wheels. They can withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are perfect to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common stroller-related injuries. They can be especially hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid using the escalator or stairs with your stroller, we recommend using it if your child is secured in the seat. Also, keep them close to you when you walk up and down.
Some strollers are available as an entire travel system that includes the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. These types of products are usually more expensive and less convenient than their stand-alone counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long-term. In addition many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle product because it may not include all of the features they would like, or it could prove to not be compatible with their car or child seat. If you are planning to upgrade in the near future we suggest that you purchase a stroller separately from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The best 3-wheel strollers that are compact fold easily and put away. Some even lock in position automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who regularly take public transport or drive to walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver around tight spaces like aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded with ease. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems to provide a smoother ride, which is especially beneficial on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're seeking a jogging stroller that isn't heavy the Guava Roam Crossover is an excellent alternative. It's a stylish stroller that can be used as a travel set-up with the car seat adapters for Nuna, Maxi-Cosi and Cybex infant carseats as well as the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into position when it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another nice-looking 3-wheeled jogging stroller. The stroller is more expensive than our top picks, but is worth it if you travel a lot or live in the city. The stroller is lightweight and can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has a padded, adjustable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can be used as a pram for infants or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a great product that has some great features. It is spacious in its recline, and also comes with storage space. However, some parents are disappointed in its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when reclined, and there's no cup holders or a snack tray for children. The brakes are difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for many short moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as is possible without skimping on comfort or convenience. It's equipped with a lengthy list of impressive features like a huge basket and a one handed fold. The only issue is that the brakes could be difficult to activate and don't remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features will aid in keeping your child safe during use. The top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness with adjustable and padding straps for crotch. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child's head in the event that they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers have the safety lock that locks both wheels. three wheel pushchair is particularly important for walkers who jog, as it prevents them from tumbling over when going up and down escalators or stairs.
In our tests, strollers' maneuverability was evaluated in three distinct ways. We rated it based on the capability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips occur and its comfort with a child on it, and its ability to traverse rough terrain. We also looked at how easy it is to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest and handlebar height and brakes and attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. We suggest choosing the model that has a hand brake. It will help you slow down or stop without exerting the same amount of effort as your body by itself. However, the majority of best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't offer this feature and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models comes with it.
It's also important to think about the frequency you'll require to take your stroller up a set of stairs or an escalator and whether it's safe to do so while the stroller is in its place. Elevators and stairs pose more of a hazard due to the fact that they move mechanical parts, making it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. If you can choose to, we suggest using an elevator or having a second adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers may be taken up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake engaged. But it's better to be safe rather than regretting.