3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person looking for a jogging stroller or just need a stroller for everyday use There's a three-wheel compact stroller out there for you. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, as well test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that make traveling with your child more enjoyable. Find features that simplify your life including a big bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and so on, when shopping for a new stroller. It's important to determine what features are important to you and your family members and what you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It comes with a variety of useful features that will keep parents happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all heights, and the wrist strap helps ensure that the stroller won't roll away when you're running. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested, and a glass 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 comfortable padding, so bumps on the road didn't bother him.
The stroller is equipped with an automatic hand brake that can help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds to the size of a compact, slim package that occupies a small space in the trunk of your car, and it can convert into a travel system using select infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning to tackle rough terrains, solid tires are a must-have for strollers of any kind. Although they don't offer the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're great for navigating potholes and bumps easily.
This jogging stroller has an easy-to-use fold that only requires two steps. It locks in place when folded, and it's small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However it's not as simple to move around as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the lock mechanism is a bit confusing. It involves pressing the button in the foot area on the front of stroller, and then lifting the handle. We'd like to see a simpler system that clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a significant aspect to take into consideration. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on uneven terrain. However, a lot of parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is more maneuverable and more suitable for use in everyday situations.
Another important feature of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as those for jogging which can make the ride smoother for your baby. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Certain models in our collection come with air-filled wheels, which provide an enjoyable, stable ride to your child even on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can quickly become flat and require you to swap them out. If you are planning to travel with your stroller often, we suggest that you choose a model with solid wheels. They can withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid using the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we advise using it only when the child is safely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers are a travel system which includes both the car seat and the stroller. While these types of products typically boast attractive price tags and offer convenience in terms of the time spent shopping, they are generally more expensive than their standalone counterparts and might not perform in the long term. Many parents regret buying bundles because they may not have all the features they desire or may not be compatible with their car or child seat. We suggest that you purchase a stroller that can be purchased separately from a capsule or car seat in case you'd like to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best compact 3 wheel strollers are easy to fold and store. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is particularly beneficial for families who frequently use public transportation or take a car to take a walk.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver effortlessly in tight spaces, like grocery store aisles or other areas with a lot of people. Many also come equipped with suspension systems that offer a smoother ride for your little one, which can be especially helpful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're looking for a stroller that is jogging-friendly that doesn't weigh you down, the Guava Roam Crossover is a great option. The stroller is elegant and can be used as part of a travel system with car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller comes with an easy two-step fold that locks into place once opened.
A similar stroller with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit more expensive than some of our top picks, but it's worth the cost if you love to travel 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 five-point harness with no-rethread straps and an ample basket. It can also be used as a pram for infants or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
3 wheeled pushchair is a quality product that has some great features. It offers a large recline and comes with storage space. However some parents are disappointed in its performance. The seat doesn't lay flat when reclined and there's no cupholders or snack trays for kids. The brakes are difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.
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 spacious basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage and they don't lock when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should ensure your child's safety while using it. Some of the best-scoring models in our review have five-point harnesses with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a customised fit. Some have a cushioned seat cushion to safeguard your child's head should they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers feature a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is particularly important for strollers that run jogging as it stops them from rolling over when they're going down escalators or stairs where they can be especially risky for children.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was assessed in three different ways. We evaluated it based on the ability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips occur as well as its user-friendliness with a child on it, and its ability to travel over rough terrain. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting the backrest and height of the handlebar as well as operating the brakes as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We discovered that some 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than 4-wheel options, but this advantage diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. This is why we suggest choosing the model with a hand brake that helps you slow down and stop without as much effort than using your body alone. Many of the top-scoring, swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It is important to consider the frequency that you will require to take your stroller on an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator, and whether or not it will be safe to do it while the stroller is in its position. Elevators and stairs are more risky because they contain moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. If you are able use an elevator or having another adult help you carry the stroller. Some of the most highly-rated strollers are able to be carried up the stairs or an escalator with their security brake engaged and locked but it's always safer to be sorry.