3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for anyone whether you're seeking a jogging stoller or an all-purpose stroller to use on a daily basis. 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 allow you to travel with your child easier. Look for features that simplify life for you, like a large bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cup holders, a movable canopy, and so on when looking for a new stroller. It's important to determine what features are important to you and your family members and those you can live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with plenty of convenient features to keep moms as well as dads happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap keeps the stroller from slipping away while you are jogging. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a large, clear window on the top lets children to look out while they rest. And Jenni's 3-year-old found the seat to be comfortable cushioned, which means bumps on the road don't make him feel too shaken.
This jogging stoller has a handbrake to help you keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It can fold into a compact, slim package that takes up a small space in your trunk. It is also possible to transform it into an entire travel system by buying an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are essential for strollers that will be used on rough terrains. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're great to navigate potholes and bumps easily.
The jogging stroller folds in just two easy steps. It locks when folded and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. However, it's not as easy to move around as our other strollers with four wheels, and the mechanism for locking is a bit confusing. It involves pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, closing a flap near the foot area, and lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler system that just 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 rough terrain. However, many parents find that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and more suitable for everyday use.
The type and size of the wheels is an important aspect. Certain strollers, like ones that jog with larger wheels can offer a more comfortable ride for baby. However, larger wheels also increase the overall weight of the stroller which can make it difficult to fold, transport, and store.
Certain models in our collection have air-filled tires that are designed to offer an enjoyable and stable ride for your child even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are more prone to flattening, and you have to replace them. If you are planning to travel with your stroller a lot, we recommend that you select a model with solid wheels. These tires can be able to withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheel on the front are perfect for safely navigating escalators and stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents involving strollers, and can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid using an escalator or stairs while using your stroller, we recommend that you only use it if your child is secured in the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you when you go up or down.
Some strollers come as a travel system which includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. These types of products are usually more expensive and convenient than their standalone counterparts, and could not last in the long term. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase a bundle product because it might not include all the features they would like or be incompatible with their car or child seat. If you plan to upgrade in the near future we recommend you purchase a stroller separately from car seats or capsules.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel strollers with a compact size are easy to fold and store. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature can be particularly beneficial for families that frequently use public transportation or drive prior to taking a an outing.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to maneuver around tight spaces like grocery store aisles and other areas that are crowded easily. They are often equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride, which is particularly 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 adapters for car seats for Nuna Maxi-Cosi, Nuna, and Cybex infant carseats and the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller features a simple two-step fold and locks in place when it is opened.
Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks but worth it if you travel frequently or live in the city. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a small 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has a five-point, no-rethread, padding on the harness. It can also be used as a pram for newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a good product that has some great features. It has a spacious recline, and also has storage space. However, some parents are disappointed in its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it is reclining and there are no cupholders or snack tray for children. 3 wheeler pushchair are also difficult to engage and the handlebar's height is too high for many short moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as possible, without the comfort or convenience. It's equipped with a lengthy list of impressive features like a huge basket and a one handed fold. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to engage and they're not locked after the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features should aid in keeping your child secure during use. Some of the best-scoring models in our review feature five-point harnesses with adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customised fit. Others come with a cushioned seat cushion to protect your child's head in the event that they fall out of the seat or fall off. Some strollers come with safety brakes that lock two wheels, which is particularly important for strollers that run jogging since it prevents them from flipping 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: the product's ability to turn and bounce over dips and bumps its ease of maneuvering when laden with a child and its capacity to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness, folding and unfolding the stroller, altering the backrest and height of the handlebar, operating the brakes, as well as attaching and removing car seats (if applicable).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are simpler to maneuver than the 4-wheel models However, this advantage decreases as your baby grows heavier. This is why we suggest choosing one with a hand brake, which helps you slow down and come to a stop with as little effort as using body power alone. However, a lot of the best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't offer this feature, and only one of our top fixed-wheel models does.
It's important to consider the frequency that you will have to transport your stroller down the stairs or an escalator, and if it's safe to do so with the stroller still in position. Stairs and elevators can be more dangerous because they have moving mechanical parts that make it difficult for you to control your stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you can or have a person else carry the stroller up or down with you. Some of the best-rated strollers can be taken up or down a set of stairs with their safety brake engaged. But it's better to be safe rather than regretting.