3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast looking for a jogging stroller or just need a stroller for use in everyday life There's a three-wheel compact stroller out there for you. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor of Sentry tested these models to the test on both road surfaces and off-road ones. They also tested the seating comfort for children.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that make traveling with your child a lot easier. Look for features that simplify life, such as a large bin for storage, a tray for parents with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more, when shopping for a new stroller. It's important to know what features are important to you and your family, and which you can do without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with plenty of convenient features that will keep moms and dads content and comfortable. The handlebar adjusts to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of all sizes, and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away while you're jogging. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade in our testing group and has a large, clear window up top to let kids look out while they're relaxing. Jenni's 3-year old found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, which means bumps on the road won't cause him to shake.
This jogging stoller comes with an automatic handbrake that helps you keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It folds down to a slim, compact package that takes up very little space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel system using certain infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you plan on tackling rough terrain, sturdy tires are a must for strollers of any kind. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires, but they're perfect for navigating bumps and potholes.
This jogging stroller comes with a fold that only requires two steps. It locks when folded, and it's small enough to fit in most elevators. However it's not as easy to maneuver as some of our other 4-wheel strollers and the lock mechanism is a bit difficult to understand. It's as simple as pressing a button near the foot area on the front of the stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd like to see a more simple system where it just clicks into the position or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the entire unit is an important consideration. A heavier stroller 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 everyday use.
Another important aspect of a stroller is its wheel size and type. Some strollers have larger wheels, such as jogging ones, which makes the ride easier for your baby. However, larger wheels also add to the overall weight of the stroller which can make it difficult to fold or transport and store.
Some models in our selection have air-filled tires that are designed to provide a comfortable and stable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you are planning to travel a lot with your stroller, we recommend the use of tires that can withstand regular contact with different surfaces and last for a longer time.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are ideal for getting around stairs and escalators in a safe manner. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we suggest using it only when the child is securely strapped in the seat. Keep them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers are sold as an entire travel system in which the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. While these products often boast attractive prices and offer convenience by reducing shopping time, they are generally more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and might not perform as well in the long run. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase bundle products because they may not come with all the features they would like or be incompatible with their car or child's seat. If you plan to upgrade in the near future, we recommend that you purchase a stroller separately from a capsule or car seat.
Stroller Folding
The top 3 wheel compact strollers fold quickly and easily to make storage and transportation a breeze. Some even lock into position automatically when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who regularly use public transportation or take a car to walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to move through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. They also have suspension systems that give a more comfortable stroll for your child, which can be especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller for jogging. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel system, with the car seat adapters for Nuna, Maxi-Cosi and Cybex infant carseats as well as the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller board sold separately). The stroller comes with simple two-step fold, and locks into place once it is opened.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is a little more expensive than our top picks, but is worth it if frequently or live in a city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a compact 20 17x7 inches size. It comes with five-point, no-rethread padded harness. It can be used as a stroller for infants or toddlers who are young, with an infant car seat adapter.
The Babyzen is a quality product that has some great features. It offers a large recline, and also comes with storage space. However some parents are disappointed with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there are no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes can also be a little difficult to engage and the handlebars are a bit high for certain moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that is designed to be as light as possible without skimping on comfort or ease of use. It's equipped with a lengthy list of impressive features including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only drawback is that the brakes could be a bit difficult to engage and do not stay locked when the stroller is folded.
3 wheeled pushchair should assist in keeping your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness that has adjustable, padded crotch straps. This allows for a custom fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to safeguard your child's head should they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers are equipped with the safety lock that locks both wheels. This is especially important for walkers who jog, as it prevents them from tumbling over when going up and down escalators or stairs.
In our tests, we evaluated the maneuverability of strollers 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 capacity to travel over rough surfaces. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting its backrest and handlebar height as well as operating the brakes as well as attaching and removing car seats (if applicable).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were easier to maneuver however the advantages diminished as baby weight increased. We suggest choosing the model that has hand brakes. It will allow you to slow down or stop without putting in as much effort as using your body alone. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not have this option. Only one of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
It is also important to consider how often you'll be required to use your stroller to go up or down stairs or escalators, and if it is safe to do this. Elevators and stairs are more hazardous because they have moving mechanical parts which make it difficult to control your stroller. If you can use an elevator or having another adult assist you in carrying the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers may be carried up a set or stairs with the safety brake activated. But it's better to be safe rather than sorry.