3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a health-conscious person looking for a jogging stroller or just looking for an all-purpose stroller for everyday use there's a compact three-wheel stroller out there 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 as testing children's comfort in the seats.
Stroller Features
The most effective strollers have features that make traveling with your child easier. Find features that simplify your life, such as a large storage bin, parent tray with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more when you are shopping for the latest stroller. The most important thing is to determine which features are not negotiable for you and your family and which ones you could live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It has many practical features that keep parents happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap helps keep the stroller from slipping away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade that we tested, with a clear window at the top to let children observe the world while they rest. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have a comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road didn't bother him.
This jogging stroller also has an automatic hand brake that can help you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds to an extremely compact and slim size that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your car, and it can be converted into a travel system using the best infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex by purchasing an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are a must for strollers that are used on rough terrains. Although they don't offer the same level of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're great for navigating potholes and bumps easily.
This jogging stroller comes with a fold that requires just two steps. It locks in place when folded, and is compact enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as simple as some of our other four-wheel strollers, and the locking mechanism can be somewhat difficult to understand. It's as simple as pressing an arrow near the foot area on the front of the 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 entire unit is a crucial aspect to consider. A heavier stroller is more stable and will perform better on uneven terrain. Many parents find that a stroller with a lighter weight is more maneuverable, and more suitable for day-to-day use.
Another important feature of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Certain strollers, such as those that run on jogging with larger wheels can provide a smoother experience for infants. However, bigger wheels increase the overall weight of the stroller, which makes it harder to fold and transport as well as store.
Certain models we offer have air-filled tires that are designed to provide a safe and comfortable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening and have to replace them. If you are planning to travel with your stroller a lot, we recommend that you choose a model with solid wheels. They can be able to withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with front wheels that swivel are ideal for getting around stairs and escalators in a safe manner. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common accidents that occur due to strollers and are particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid using the escalator and stairs while using your stroller, we recommend that you only use it if your child is secured in the seat. Also keep them close to you as you walk up and down.
Some strollers come as a travel system that includes both the car seat and the stroller. Although these strollers often have attractive prices and offer convenience in terms of the time spent shopping but they are usually more expensive than standalone models and might not perform as well over the long run. Additionally many parents end up regretting buying a bundled product as it may not include all of the features they want or may turn out to not be compatible with their vehicle or child's seat. If you are planning to upgrade in the near future we suggest that you purchase a stroller separately from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold up quickly and easily to make storage and transport effortless. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who frequently use public transportation or drive to walk.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver effortlessly in tight spaces, such as grocery store aisles or other areas with a lot of people. Many are equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride. This is especially useful on bumpy sidewalks.
The Guava Roam is a lightweight stroller for jogging. It's a stylish stroller that can be used as a travel system, with the car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards 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 more expensive than our top picks, however it's worth the cost if you love to travel or reside in an urban area. The lightweight stroller can fold down to a smaller size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has a padded, adjustable, five-point no-rethread harness and an ample basket. It can be used as a stroller for newborns and young toddlers with an adapter for infant car seats.
The Babyzen is a great product that has some great features. It is spacious in its recline and comes with storage space. However, some parents are disappointed in its performance. The seat isn't flat when reclined and there aren't cup holders or snack trays for children. The brakes can be difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for many mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as it is possible, but without sacrificing comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of impressive features, such as a large basket and a one handed fold. three wheel pushchair to this stroller is that the brakes are a little difficult to activate, and they're not locking when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller should aid in keeping your child safe while using it. Some of the best-scoring strollers in our review have a five-point safety harness with adjustable, padding straps for the crotch. This allows for a customised fit. Others have a padded seat cushion to protect your child's head should they fall from the seat or fall off. Some strollers feature safety brakes that lock two wheels, which is essential for strollers that jog because it prevents them from slipping when they're going up and down escalators or stairs, where they could be particularly dangerous for children.
In our tests, the maneuverability of strollers was evaluated in three distinct ways. We rated it based on a product's capability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips occur and its comfort with a child in it and its capacity to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, changing its backrest and handlebar height as well as operating the brakes as well as attaching and removing car seats (if appropriate).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were more maneuverable, but the advantage diminished as baby weight increased. We recommend selecting the model that has hand brakes. It can help you slow down or stop without exerting the same amount of effort as your body on its own. However, many of the top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not have this option and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models comes with it.
You should also consider the frequency you'll have to use your stroller to go up and down escalators or stairs, and if it's safe to do this. Elevators and stairs pose greater risk due to the fact that they move mechanical parts that make it difficult to control the movement of the stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these hazards, like an elevator, if you have one or have another adult to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the best-scoring strollers are able to be carried up a set of stairs or an escalator with their security brake engaged and locked, but it's always safer to be safe than sorry.