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3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for anyone, whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or an all-purpose stroller to use every day. Wendy Schmitz, Senior Review Writer and Managing Editor at Sentry, put these models to the test on road surfaces and off-road ones. They also tested the comfort of the seats for children.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your child more convenient. Whether you're shopping for a new 3-wheel or a 4-wheel stroller, look for features that are convenient, such as a large storage basket and a tray for parents with cup holders, adjustable canopy and much more. The trick is determining which features are essential to you and your family and which ones you're able to live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It comes with a variety of practical features that keep parents happy and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different heights, and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested, and a glass opening at the top that allows children to see out when they're resting. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable cushion, so bumps in the road didn't bother him.
This jogging stoller has the handbrake to help keep your grip on slippery surfaces. It can fold into a slim, compact package that takes up a small space in your car's trunk. It is also possible to convert it to an entire travel system by buying an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are a must for strollers used on rough terrains. Although they don't offer the same level of comfort as foam-filled or air-filled tires, they're ideal for navigating potholes and bumps with ease.
This stroller for jogging has an easy-to-use fold that only requires two steps. It locks in place when folded and is compact enough to fit in most elevators. However it's not as easy to maneuver as some of our other 4-wheel strollers and the mechanism to lock it is a bit difficult to understand. It involves clicking a button on the front of the stroller, opening a flap that is located near the foot area, and lifting a handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is an important consideration. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and will perform better on uneven terrain. Many parents find a lighter stroller more maneuverable, and more suitable for everyday use.
Another important aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and the type. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, like jogging ones which makes the ride easier for your baby. Larger wheels can add weight to the stroller, making it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Some models in our selection include air-filled tires that are designed to offer an enjoyable and stable ride for your child, even over rough terrain. Air-filled tires are more prone to flattening, and you will need to replace them. If you are planning to take your stroller on the road frequently, we recommend that you select a model with solid wheels. These tires are able to withstand contact with different surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers that have swivel wheels at the front are great to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common accidents that occur due to strollers and are especially dangerous for infants. If you are unable to avoid taking the stairs or escalator in your stroller, we advise using it only if the child is safely strapped into the seat and is close to you when walking 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 less convenient than their separate counterparts and they may not be as effective in the long run. Additionally, many parents later regret buying a bundled product as it might not have all of the features they desire, or it could prove to not be compatible with their vehicle or child's seat. We suggest that you purchase a stroller that is purchased separately from a capsule or car seat in case you wish to upgrade to a more advanced model in the near future.
Stroller Folding
The most 3-wheel strollers that are compact are easy to fold and store. Some lock automatically into place when you open them. This feature can be especially beneficial for families that frequently use public transport or drive prior to going for a walks.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver easily in tight spaces such as grocery store aisles or other areas with a lot of people. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems for an easier ride. This is particularly useful on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're looking for a jogging stroller that won't weigh you down Guava Roam Crossover is an excellent alternative. It's a stylish stroller that can be used as a travel set-up with the matching car seat adapters for Nuna Maxi-Cosi and Cybex infant carseats, as well as the Uppababy bassinet (car seats and stroller board are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks in place once opened.
The Babyzen Yoyo 2 is another stylish 3-wheeled jogging stroller that looks nice. It's a bit more expensive than some of our top picks, however it's worth the investment If you're a lover of travel or live in an urban area. 3 wheeled pushchair can be folded down to a small 20 17x7 inches size. It comes with five-point, non-rethread, padded harness. It can be used as a pram for infants or young toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a quality product with a few nice features. It offers a large recline and comes with storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it is reclining and there aren't cup holders or snack tray for children. The brakes can also be a little difficult to engage and the handlebars are a bit high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as it can without sacrificing the comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of features that are impressive including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only issue is that the brakes could be a bit difficult to engage and do not stay locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
A stroller's safety features will help to keep your child secure during use. Some of the top-scoring products in our review feature a five-point harness with adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customised fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child's head should they fall off or roll out of their seat. Some strollers have safety brakes that lock two wheels. This is particularly important for jogging strollers since it prevents them from slipping when they're going up or down stairs or escalators, where they can be especially risky for children.
In our tests the maneuverability of strollers was assessed in three different ways. We scored it based on the capability to turn and bounce when bumps and dips are encountered and its comfort with a child in it and its ability to travel over rough terrain. 3 wheeled pushchair evaluated the ease of being able to open and close the safety harness, fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest the height of the handlebar, operate the brakes, and attach and take off car seats (if applicable).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than 4-wheel options however this benefit diminishes as baby gets heavier. We recommend selecting a model with a hand brake. It will help you slow down or stop without exerting the same effort as your body by itself. A majority of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not come with this option. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers comes with it.
It is important to think about how often you'll need to utilize your stroller to go up or down escalators or stairs, and if it's safe to do it. Escalators and stairs present more dangers due to the fact that they move mechanical parts which make it difficult to control the motion of the stroller. We recommend looking for alternatives to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you can, or having another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the best-rated strollers can be taken up a set of stairs or a set with their safety brake engaged. However, it's safer to be secure rather than regretting.