3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast in search of a jogging stroller or just seeking a stroller that is all-purpose for use in everyday life there's a compact three-wheel 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 test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that make life on the go with your baby more convenient. If you're looking for a new 3-wheel stroller 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, a movable canopy, and more. 3 wheeled pushchair to know the features that are important to you and your family and which you can do without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with plenty of convenient features to keep moms as well as dads content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap helps keep the stroller from rolling away while you jog. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade we've seen in our test group and has a large, clear window on top that lets kids peek out while they're resting. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have a comfortable cushion, so bumps on the road did not bother him.
The stroller is equipped with a hand brake that helps you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds down 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 system using select infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex using the purchase of an adapter. It can also be used with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are crucial for strollers that will be used on terrains that are rough. They're not as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires but they're great to navigate bumps and potholes.
The stroller folds down in just two easy steps. It locks in place when folded and is compact enough to fit in most elevators. However it's not as simple to maneuver as our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism for locking is a bit hazy. It involves clicking an icon on the front of the stroller, closing a flap on the foot area, and lifting a handle. We'd like to see a simpler system that clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a crucial aspect to consider. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on rough terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is more maneuverable, and more suitable for everyday use.
Another important feature of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Some strollers, such as those that run on jogging have wheels that are larger and will provide a more comfortable experience for infants. However, larger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller, which makes it more difficult to fold and transport as well as store.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to provide an enjoyable and stable ride for your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are susceptible to flattening, so you must replace them. If you are planning to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend a model with solid tires that can stand up to frequent contact with different surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller-related injuries and can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we suggest using it only when your child is securely strapped into the seat. Keep them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers are an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat and the stroller. These types of products are usually more expensive and less convenient than their standalone counterparts, and may not perform well in the long term. Many parents regret purchasing a bundle product because it might not include all the features they would like or be incompatible with their child's car seat or. If you want to upgrade in the future we suggest that you purchase a stroller that is separate from a capsule or car seat.
Stroller Folding
The best compact 3 wheel strollers fold easily and to store. Some even lock into place automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families that frequently take public transport or drive to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver through tight spaces such as aisles of grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. They are often equipped with suspension systems to provide a smoother ride. This is especially useful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're seeking a jogging stroller that doesn't weigh you down, the Guava Roam Crossover is a great alternative. The stroller is a stylish stroller that can be used as part of a travel set-up 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 sold separately). The stroller comes with simple two-step fold, and locks in place when it is opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another nice-looking 3-wheeled jogging stroller. It's more expensive than some of our top picks, but it's well worth the money If you're a lover of travel or live in the city. The lightweight stroller can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has a padded, adjustable 5-point harness that is no-rethread and a large basket. It can be used as a stroller for infants and young toddlers with an infant car seat adapter.
While the Babyzen has some nice features, like a roomy recline and extra storage, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat doesn't lay flat when it is reclining and there aren't cup holders or snack trays for children. The brakes can also be difficult to engage and the handlebars are too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as possible, without losing comfort or ease of use. It has an impressive list of features, including a large basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage and they're not locking 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 with adjustable, padding crotch straps. This allows for a customised fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that protects your child's head in the event that 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 jogging walkers, as it prevents them from tumbling over while going up or down escalators and stairs.
In our tests strollers' maneuverability was assessed in three different ways. We scored it based on a product's capability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips occur and its comfort with a child loaded and its ability to navigate over rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting its backrest and handlebar height, operating the brakes, as being able to attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were easier to maneuver however the advantages decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend selecting one with hand brakes. It will help you slow down or stop without exerting the same effort as your body by itself. However, many 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 need to transport your stroller down the stairs or an escalator, and if or not it's safe to do it with the stroller in the same place. Stairs and elevators can be more hazardous because they have moving mechanical parts which make it difficult to control your stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you can or have another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers can be taken up a set of stairs or a set with the safety brake activated. It's always better to be safe rather than regretting.