3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic seeking a stroller for jogging or looking for an all-purpose stroller for use in everyday life, 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 both pavement and off-road surfaces, as well 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 much easier. If you're looking for a new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for features that are convenient, such as large storage baskets as well as a tray for the parent with cup holders, a movable canopy and much more. The most important thing is to determine which features are non-negotiable for you and your family, and which ones you're able to do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It has many practical features that keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap keeps the stroller from slipping away while you jog. The Wayfinder features the biggest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a large, clear window at the top allows children to see out while they rest. Jenni's 3-year-old daughter found the seat to be comfortably padded, so bumps in the road won't cause him to shake.
This jogging stroller also has a hand brake that helps you control slippery surfaces. 3 wheeler pushchair can be folded into a slim, compact package that takes up little 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 on taking on rough terrain, tires are a must-have for strollers of any kind. Solid tires are not as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires, but they're excellent to navigate bumps and potholes.
This jogging stroller comes with a fold that requires just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and it's small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as simple as some of our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism can be somewhat difficult to understand. It requires pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, a flap on the foot area, and then raising the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is an important consideration. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than a stroller that is lighter and can provide superior performance in rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is easier to maneuver and more suitable for everyday use.
Another important feature of a stroller is the size of its wheels and type. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as jogging ones which makes the ride easier for your baby. However, bigger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller, which makes it more difficult to fold, transport, and store.
Certain models in our collection have wheels filled with air that provide a safe, comfortable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could easily get flat which will require you to swap them out. If you are planning to take your stroller on the road a lot, we recommend that you choose one with solid wheels. They can be able to withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most frequent stroller-related injuries. 3 wheel buggy are especially hazardous for infants. If you are unable to avoid the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we recommend using it only if the child is safely strapped into the seat. Keep 3 wheeler pushchair to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers are a travel system that includes both the car seat and the stroller. While these types of products typically boast attractive prices and offer convenience by the time spent shopping, they are generally more expensive than their standalone counterparts and might not perform as well over the long term. Additionally many parents end up regretting purchasing a bundle because it might not have all of the features they desire, or it could prove to not be compatible with their car or child seat. If you want to upgrade in the future we suggest that you purchase a stroller that is separate from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The best 3-wheel strollers that are compact fold easily and store. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature can be particularly useful for families who frequently take public transportation or drive prior to taking a an outing.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver around tight spaces like grocery store aisles and other crowded areas easily. Many are equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride. This is particularly useful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight jogging stroller. The stroller is elegant and can be used as a part of a travel system, with matching 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 into place once opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another nice-looking 3-wheeled jogging stroller. 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 folds down to a compact size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features an adjustable, padded 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 comes with some nice features, including the spacious recline and the extra storage space, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when reclined, and there are no cup holders or a snack tray for children. The brakes are a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars can be too high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as it is possible, but without losing comfort or ease of use. It has a long list of impressive features like a huge basket and a one-handed fold. The only downside is that the brakes may be a bit difficult to engage and do not remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should help to keep your child safe during use. Some of the top-scoring products in our test have five-point harnesses with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a customised fit. Some have a cushioned seat cushion to protect your child's head should they fall out of the seat or roll off. Some strollers have safety brakes that lock two wheels, which is particularly important for strollers that run jogging because it prevents them from rolling over when they're going down escalators or stairs, which can be particularly dangerous for children.
In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: a product's ability to rotate and bounce over dips and bumps its maneuverability when laden with a child and its capability to travel over rough surfaces. We also assessed the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest and handlebar height, operate the brakes, and attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than the 4-wheel models however this benefit diminishes as your baby grows heavier. That's why we recommend choosing a model that has a hand brake that assists you in slowing down and come to a stop without as much exertion than using your body alone. However, many of the most efficient swivel wheel strollers have this option and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models has it.
It's important to consider the frequency that you will require to take your stroller up a set of stairs or an escalator, and if or not it will be safe to do so with the stroller in the same place. Escalators and stairs present more dangers because they move mechanical components which make it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. If you're able to choose to, we suggest using an elevator or having another adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers are able to be carried up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator with their security brake engaged and locked however it's safer to be sorry.