3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
If you're a fitness fanatic seeking a stroller for jogging or need a stroller for use in everyday life There's a three-wheel compact stroller for you. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through their paces on pavement and off-road surfaces, as well as testing children's comfort in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers have features that make traveling with your child easier. If you're shopping for a brand new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for features that are convenient, such as an ample storage basket and a tray for parents with cup holders, a movable canopy and much more. The key is determining what features are essential to you and your family and which ones you're able to live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with plenty of convenient features to keep moms and dads comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap prevents the stroller from slipping while you jog. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of the strollers we tested and a glass opening at the top that allows children to see out when they are resting. 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.
The stroller is equipped with a hand brake that helps you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds down to an extremely compact and slim size that occupies a small space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel set-up with certain infant car seats from brands like Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
Solid tires are crucial for strollers used on rough terrains. Solid tires are not as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires but they're great for navigating bumps and potholes.
This stroller for jogging features a fold-up that only requires two steps. It locks into place when folded, and is small enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as easy than our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism is somewhat confusing. It requires 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 place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a crucial aspect to consider. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than a lighter one and could provide more performance on rough terrain. Many parents prefer a stroller that is lighter, as it is more maneuverable, and more suitable for everyday use.
three wheeler pushchair Push Chairs And Prams of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Some strollers have larger wheels, like jogging ones that makes the ride easier for your baby. The larger wheels can add weight to the stroller and make it more difficult to fold and store, transport and fold.
Some models in our selection include air-filled tires that are designed to offer a safe and comfortable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening, so you have to replace them. If you intend to travel frequently with your stroller, we suggest a model with solid tires that can withstand regular contact with different surfaces and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are ideal for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents that occur due to strollers and are especially dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we suggest using it only if the child is safely strapped into the seat. Keep them close to you while walking up or down.
Some strollers are an integrated travel system that incorporates both the car seat as well as the stroller. These products are often more expensive and commodious than their stand-alone counterparts and may not perform well in the long run. Additionally many parents end up regretting buying a bundled product as it may not include all of the features they desire or could turn out to be incompatible with their vehicle or child's 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 more sophisticated model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3-wheel strollers that are compact fold easily and to store. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature can be especially beneficial for families who regularly take public transportation or drive before going on walks.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate around tight spaces like aisles in grocery stores and other areas that are crowded with ease. Many are equipped with suspension systems that provide a smoother ride, which is especially useful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're looking for a stroller that is jogging-friendly that won't weigh you down Guava Roam Crossover is a great alternative. The stroller is a stylish stroller that can also be used as part of a travel set-up with matching car seat adapters to fit Nuna MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, and the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks in place once opened.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. This stroller is more expensive than our top picks, but is worth it if you travel a lot or live in a city. The lightweight stroller can be folded down to a small 20 x 17 x 7 inch size. It has five-point, non-rethread, cushioned harness. It can be used as a pram to carry newborns or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen offers some great features, such as the spacious recline and the extra storage, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it reclines and there's no cupholders or snack trays for kids. The brakes can be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are too high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as lightweight as it is possible, but without losing 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 downside is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage and don't remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features will help to keep your child safe during use. Some of the best-scoring strollers we've reviewed have a five-point safety harness with adjustable and padding crotch straps. This allows for a customized fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child's head should they roll off or fall out of their seat. Some strollers have a safety brake that locks two wheels, which is essential for jogging strollers as it stops them from rolling over when they're going up and down escalators or stairs where they can be especially dangerous for children.
In our tests, we rated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: a product's ability to rotate and bounce over bumps and dips, its maneuverability when loaded with a child and its ability to maneuver over rough surfaces. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, altering the height of its backrest and handlebar as well as 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 4-wheel options however this benefit diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. We suggest choosing a model with hand brakes. It will allow you to slow down or stop without putting in the same amount of effort as your body by itself. Many of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers don't have this feature. Only one of our best-rated fixed-wheel strollers has it.
It is important to think about how often you'll be required to use your stroller for going up or down escalators or stairs and if it's safe to do so. Stairs and elevators are more dangerous because they have moving mechanical components 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 another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the top-scoring strollers may be taken up a set of stairs or a set with the safety brake activated. However, it's better to be safe than sorry.