3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers designed for all ages regardless of whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or a stroller for all-purpose use for every day. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, aswell as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that allow you to travel with your child more comfortable. 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 looking for the latest stroller. The trick is determining which features are essential to you and your family, and which ones you're able to be content with.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller with a wide range of features to keep moms and dads content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted 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 when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also comes with the largest sunshade we've seen in our test group and has a large, clear window up top to let kids peek out while they're resting. Jenni's 3-year old found the seat to be comfortable padded, so bumps in the road won't shake him up too much.
This jogging stoller features the handbrake to help keep control on slippery surfaces. It can fold into a slim, compact package that takes up a small space in the trunk of your car. You can also transform it into an entire travel system by buying an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
If you're planning to tackle rough terrain, tires are essential for any stroller. Solid tires aren't as comfortable as spongy-filled or air-filled tires, but they're perfect for navigating bumps and potholes.
This stroller for jogging features a fold-up that only requires two steps. It locks when folded and is small enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However it's not as easy to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers, and the mechanism for locking is a bit confusing. 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 like to see a more simple system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is an important consideration. A heavier stroller is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller more maneuverable, and is more suitable for daily use.
Another important feature of a stroller is its wheel size and the type. Some strollers come with larger wheels, such as jogging ones that makes the ride easier for your baby. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Certain models in our collection include air-filled tires that are designed to offer an enjoyable and stable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening, so you will need to replace them. If you are planning to take your stroller on the road frequently, we recommend that you choose one with solid wheels. They can be able to withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers that have swivel wheels at the front are great to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most common accidents that occur due to strollers and are particularly hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we suggest using it only if the child is securely strapped into the seat and is close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as a complete travel system that includes the car seat and stroller are sold as a unit. While these types of products typically boast attractive price tags and provide convenience by reducing shopping time but they are usually more expensive than standalone models and may not perform in the long run. Many parents regret purchasing bundle products because they may not come with all the features they desire or may not be compatible with their car or child seat. We suggest that you purchase a stroller that is purchased separately from a capsule or car seat if you'd like to upgrade to a higher-end model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The most compact 3 wheel strollers are easy to fold and put away. Some locks automatically lock into place when you open them. This feature can be especially beneficial for families that frequently use public transportation or drive prior to going for a walks.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as aisles in grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. 3 wheeled pushchair are also equipped with suspension systems that give a more comfortable stroll for your child, which can be especially helpful on slippery sidewalks.
If you're seeking a jogging stroller that won't weigh you down, the Guava Roam Crossover is a good alternative. It's a good-looking stroller that can be used as a travel system, with the adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex infant carseats as well as the bassinet Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller folds in two steps and locks into place after opening.
Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. The stroller is more expensive than our top choices, but worth it if you travel a lot or live in the city. The stroller is lightweight and folds down to a compact size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and has a padded, adjustable, five-point no-rethread harness and a large basket. It can be used as a pram for newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
While the Babyzen comes with some nice features, like the spacious recline and the extra storage space, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't fully flat when reclined, and there aren't any cups or a snack tray for kids. The brakes are a bit difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for a lot of mothers who are short.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as it can without skimping on comfort or ease of use. It comes with a long list of amazing features including a large basket and a single-handed fold. The only issue is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to activate and don't stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller must ensure your child's safety while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness that has adjustable and padded crotch straps. This allows for a customised fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that protects your child's head if they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is particularly important for jogging strollers since it prevents them from rolling over when they're going up or down stairs or escalators, where they can be especially risky for children.
In our tests, we evaluated 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 capacity to travel over rough surfaces. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness, folding and unfolding the stroller, adjusting its backrest and handlebar height, operating the brakes, as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than four-wheel models, but this advantage diminishes as baby gets heavier. This is why we suggest choosing the model with hand brakes, which allows you to 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 feature. Only one of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers comes with it.
You should also consider how often you'll need to use your stroller for going up or down escalators or stairs, and if it's safe to do it. Elevators and stairs pose more of a hazard because they move mechanical parts, making it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. If you can use an elevator or having an adult help you carry the stroller. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be carried up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator with their safety brakes engaged and locked however it's better to be safer than to be sorry.