3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person looking for a stroller for jogging or need a stroller to use 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 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. Look for features that make life easier including a big bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cups holders, adjustable canopy and more when you are shopping for a new stroller. It's important to determine which features are essential for you and your family, and which you can do without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It is loaded with useful features that will keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different sizes, and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade that we tested, with a 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 in the road did not bother him.
This jogging stroller also has a hand brake to help you control slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a compact, slim package that takes up little space in your trunk. It is also possible to convert it to an entire travel system by buying an adapter.
3 wheeler pushchair works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrains, solid tires are a must-have for strollers of any kind. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're great to navigate potholes and bumps with ease.
The jogging stroller folds in just two easy steps. It locks into place when folded, and it's compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as easy as some of our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver and the locking mechanism is somewhat difficult to understand. It's as simple as pressing an arrow near the foot area at the front of stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a significant factor to consider. A stroller that is heavier tends to be more stable than one that is lighter and may offer superior performance in rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is easier to maneuver, and more suitable for day-to-day use.
The type and size of the wheels is an important aspect. Some strollers, such as those that run on jogging, have larger wheels that will provide a more comfortable ride for baby. The larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it harder to fold, transport and store.
Some models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide a safe, comfortable ride for your child on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening, and you have to replace them. If you plan to take your stroller with you a lot, we recommend you purchase a model with solid wheels. These tires are able to withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for getting around stairs and escalators in a safe manner. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent accidents involving strollers, and can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the stairs or escalator while using your stroller, we advise using it only when the child is securely strapped in the seat and hold them close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers are a travel system which includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. These products are often more expensive and commodious than their stand-alone counterparts and could not last in the long term. Many parents regret purchasing a bundle product because it may not have all the features they want or be incompatible with their car or child's seat. If you are planning to upgrade your product in the future we suggest that you purchase a stroller separately from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The top 3 wheel compact strollers fold quickly and easily to make storage and transportation easy. Some even lock into place automatically when you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families who frequently use public transportation or drive to walk.
Three-wheeled strollers can be pushed effortlessly in tight spaces, like grocery store aisles or other areas that are crowded. They are often equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride, which is particularly useful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're seeking a jogging stroller that won't weigh you down, the Guava Roam Crossover is a good option. It's 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 are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into position after opening.
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, but it's worth the cost if you love to travel or reside in an urban area. This lightweight stroller can be folded down to a compact 20 17x7 inch size.
3 wheeler pushchair comes with five-point, non-rethread, cushioned harness. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants and young toddlers with an infant car seat adapter.
While the Babyzen offers some great features, including the spacious recline and the extra storage, some parents have been disappointed with its performance. The seat doesn't lay flat when it reclines and there are no cupholders or snack trays for kids. The brakes can be difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for many mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as is possible without skimping on the comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of amazing features like a huge basket and a single-handed fold. The only downside is that the brakes could be difficult to engage and don't stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should assist in keeping your child safe during use. Some of the top-scoring products in our review have five-point harnesses with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a customized fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to safeguard your child's head should they fall out of the seat or fall off. Some strollers have safety brakes that lock two wheels, which is especially important for strollers that run jogging because it prevents them from slipping when they're going up or down stairs or escalators, which can be particularly risky for children.
In our tests, we rated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: a product's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps its ability to maneuver when laden with a child and its capability to traverse rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust the backrest, handlebar height, operate the brakes, and 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. That's why we recommend choosing one with a hand brake that helps you slow down and stop without as much exertion than using your body alone. However, the majority of best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't offer this feature and only one of our top fixed-wheel models does.
You should also consider how often you'll be required to use your stroller for going up and down escalators or stairs, and if it's safe to do it. Stairs and escalators pose more of a hazard because they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, like an elevator, if you can or have a person else carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers are able to be taken onto an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator with their safety brake engaged and locked, but it's always safer to be not be.