3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
Whether you're a fitness enthusiast looking for a jogging stroller or just looking for an all-purpose stroller to use for everyday use, there's a three-wheel compact stroller that is suitable for you. Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces, as well as assessing the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make traveling with your baby more comfortable. Whether you're shopping for a new 3-wheel stroller or 4-wheel stroller, look for features that make life easier, such as an ample storage basket, parent tray with cup holders, adjustable canopy and much more. The most important thing is to determine which features are non-negotiable for you and your family and which ones you're able to be content with.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for jogging. It has many useful features that will keep parents content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different heights to accommodate caregivers. A wrist strap keeps the stroller from slipping while you are jogging. The Wayfinder also features the biggest sunshade in our testing group, with a clear window on top that lets kids observe the world while they rest. Jenni's 3-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road didn't bother him.
This stroller for jogging also comes with a hand brake that helps you control slippery surfaces. It can be folded into a compact, slim package that takes up a small space in your trunk. 3 wheel double buggy can also convert it into an entire travel system by buying an adapter. It also works with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrains, solid tires are essential for strollers of all kinds. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're perfect to navigate potholes and bumps easily.
The jogging stroller folds in just two simple steps. It locks into place when folded, and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as simple as some of our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism is a bit confusing. It requires pressing an icon on the front of the stroller, opening a flap near the foot area, and lifting the handle. We'd like to see a simpler system that simply clicks into place or opens when pulled.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is an important factor to take into account. 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 is more suitable for daily use.
The shape and size of the wheels is another important feature. Certain strollers, like ones that jog with larger wheels can offer a more comfortable ride for babies. However, larger wheels also increase the overall weight of the stroller, which can make it harder to fold and transport as well as store.
Certain models in our collection include air-filled tires that are designed to offer a comfortable and stable ride for your child even over rough terrain. Air-filled tires are prone to flattening and will need to replace them. If you intend to travel with your stroller a lot, we recommend that you choose one with solid wheels. These tires are able to endure contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for navigating stairs and escalators safely. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent stroller-related injuries. They are especially hazardous for infants. If you cannot avoid taking the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we advise using it only when the child is safely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you when walking up or down.
Some strollers are available as an entire travel system in which the car seat and stroller are sold together as a unit. While these products often boast attractive price tags and offer convenience by cutting down on shopping time but they are usually more expensive than their stand-alone counterparts and might not perform as well over the long term. Many parents regret purchasing bundles because they may not have all the features they want or may not be compatible with their child's car seat or. If you want to upgrade in the near future we suggest that you purchase a stroller that is separate from the car seat or capsule.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel strollers with a compact size are easy to fold and put away. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is especially useful for families who regularly use public transportation or take a car to take a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as grocery store aisles and other areas that are crowded easily. Many are also equipped with suspension systems that offer a smoother ride for your little one, which can be especially useful on sidewalks that are bumpy.
The Guava Roam is a compact jogging stroller. It's elegant and can be used as a part of a travel set-up with car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards sold separately). The stroller has an easy two-step fold that can be locked once it is it is opened.
Another stylish 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's more expensive than our top choices, but it's worth the investment for those who love to travel or reside in the city. This lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and comes with padding, a detachable 5-point harness that is no-rethread and a large basket. It can be used as a pram for newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
The Babyzen is a quality product with some nice features. It offers a large recline, and also has storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied in its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when it is reclining and there's no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes can be 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 skimping on comfort or ease of use. It comes with a long list of features that are impressive, such as a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only downside to this stroller is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage, and they don't lock 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 models in our test have 5-point harnesses that are adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customised fit. Some have a cushioned seat cushion to safeguard your child's head in the event that they fall out of the seat or roll off. Some strollers come with a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is particularly important for those who run, since it stops them from falling over while going up or down escalators and stairs.
In our tests, we rated the strollers' maneuverability in three different ways: the product's ability to bounce and turn over dips and bumps, its maneuverability when loaded with children and its capacity to traverse rough terrain. We also assessed the ease of opening and closing the safety harness as well as folding and unfolding the stroller, changing the backrest and height of the handlebar, operating the brakes, as also the ability to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We discovered that strollers with three wheels were easier to maneuver however, the advantages decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend choosing the model that has hand brakes. It can help you slow down or stop without exerting as much effort as using your body by itself. However, the majority of top-scoring swivel wheel strollers do not come with this feature, and only one of our top fixed-wheel models has it.
It is also important to consider how often you'll need to use your stroller for going up or down escalators or stairs and if it is safe to do it. Escalators and stairs present more dangers because they move mechanical parts that make it difficult to control the movements of the stroller. We suggest finding a solution to these obstacles, like an elevator, if possible, or having another adult take the stroller up and down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be pushed up a set of stairs or an escalator with their safety brake locked and engaged but it's always safer to be safe than sorry.