3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel compact strollers for anyone whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or a stroller that you can use 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 test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The top strollers come with features that allow you to travel with your little one more comfortable. Find features that simplify life, such as a large bin for storage, a tray for parents with cup holders, an adjustable canopy and more when looking for a new stroller. The most important thing is to determine which features are essential to you and your family, and which ones you can do without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with plenty of convenient features to keep moms as well as dads content and comfortable. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different sizes and the wrist strap is designed to ensure that the stroller doesn't slide away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder comes with the largest sunshade among the strollers we tested and a glass window at the top allows children to look out while they rest. Jenni's three-year-old son found the seat to have comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road did not cause any discomfort for him.
The stroller is equipped with a hand brake to help you keep control on slippery surfaces. It folds into an extremely compact and slim size that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your car. Additionally, it can be converted into a travel set-up with the best infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex with the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 Bassinet.
Solid tires are a must for strollers that are used on terrains that are rough. While they don't offer the same level of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're ideal for navigating potholes and bumps easily.
The stroller folds up in just two easy steps. It locks into position when folded and is compact enough to fit into the majority of elevators. It's not as simple than our other four-wheel strollers to maneuver, and the locking mechanism is a bit difficult to understand. It involves pressing the button in the foot area at the front of stroller 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 a significant aspect to take into consideration. A stroller that is heavier is more stable and can perform better on rough terrain. However, many parents find that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and more suitable for daily use.
The size and type of the wheels is another important feature. Certain strollers, such as jogging strollers with larger wheels will provide a more comfortable ride for babies. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it difficult to fold, transport and store.
Some models in our selection come with air-filled tires, which are designed to offer a safe and comfortable ride for your child even on rough terrain. However, tires that are filled with air can quickly become flat and require you to change them out. If you are planning to take your stroller on the road frequently, we recommend that you select a model with solid wheels. These tires can endure contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels on the front are perfect to safely navigate escalators and stairs. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller-related injuries and can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid using the escalator or stairs with your stroller, we recommend that you only use it if your child is safely strapped into the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you while you walk up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as an entire travel system in which the car seat and stroller are sold as a single unit. These types of products are usually more expensive and convenient than their stand-alone counterparts and could not last in the long term. Many parents are disappointed when they purchase bundle products because they may not have all the features they desire or be incompatible with their car or child's seat. We suggest you select an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you wish to upgrade to a more advanced model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3 wheel compact strollers fold easily and quickly to make transport and storage easy. Some even lock into the position automatically after you open them. This feature is particularly useful for families that frequently use public transportation or drive to go on a walk.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to move around tight spaces like aisles of grocery stores and other crowded areas easily. They are often equipped with suspension systems for a smoother ride. This is especially beneficial on sidewalks that are bumpy.
If you're looking for a jogging stroller that isn't heavy Guava Roam Crossover is a great 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, and Cybex infant carseats, as well as the bassinet for the Uppababy (car seats and stroller board are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks in place after opening.
A similar stroller with a nice design is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's more expensive than our top picks, but it's well worth the money for those who love to travel or live in an urban area. The lightweight stroller folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and features a padded, adjustable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and an ample basket. It can even be used as a pram to carry newborns or toddlers (with an infant car seat adapter).
Although the Babyzen has some nice features, like a roomy recline and extra storage, certain parents have been dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't flat when reclined and there are no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes are also a bit difficult to engage, and the handlebar height is too high for many moms who are petite.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as possible without skimping on the comfort or convenience. It's packed with a variety of features, including a spacious basket and a fold that is one-handed. The only issue with this stroller is that the brakes are difficult to activate, and they're not locking when the stroller has been folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller must keep your child safe while using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our test have five-point harnesses with adjustable, padded crotch straps that allow for a customized fit. Some strollers have a padded cushion that shields your child's head in the event that they fall off or roll out of their seat. Some strollers are equipped with a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is especially important for walkers who jog, as they are less likely to fall over while walking up and down stairs and escalators.
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 ability to maneuver when loaded with a child and its capability to travel over rough surfaces. We also evaluated the ease of opening and closing the safety harness folding and unfolding the stroller, changing the backrest and height of the handlebar and operating the brakes as being able to attach and remove car seats (if necessary).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are easier to maneuver than 4-wheel options However, this advantage decreases as baby gets heavier. We recommend selecting the model that has hand brakes. It can help you slow down or stop without putting in the same amount of effort as your body by itself. However, 3 wheeled travel system of best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't offer this feature and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models comes with it.
It's important to consider how often you will require to transport your stroller down an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator and whether or not it's safe to do this with the stroller in place. Stairs and elevators are more risky because they contain moving mechanical components that make it difficult to control your stroller. If you can choose to, we suggest using an elevator or having an adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the top-scoring strollers may be carried up or down a set of stairs with the safety brake engaged. But it's better to be safe than sorry.