3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers designed for all ages regardless of whether you're looking for a jogging stoller or a stroller that you can use on a daily basis. 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 best strollers have features that allow you to travel with your child much easier. Look for features that make life easier including a big bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cups holders, adjustable canopy, and more when you are shopping for a new stroller. It's important to determine the features that are important to you and your family, and those you can live without.
The BOB Gear Wayfinder, our top-rated jogging stroller, comes with a variety of useful 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 when you're jogging. The Wayfinder has the largest sunshade of all 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 son found the seat to have a comfortable cushion, so bumps in the road didn't bother him.
The stroller is equipped with an automatic hand brake that can help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds to the size of a compact, slim package that takes up a tiny space in the trunk of your vehicle, and it can convert into a travel set-up with select infant car seats from brands such as Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex using the purchase of an adapter. It is also compatible with the Uppababy Mesa V2 bassinet.
If you're planning on taking on rough terrains, solid tires are a must-have for strollers of all kinds. While they don't offer the same degree of comfort as air-filled or foam-filled tires, they're great for navigating bumps and potholes effortlessly.
The stroller folds down in just two simple steps. It locks when folded, and it's compact enough to fit into most elevators. It's not as simple as our other four-wheel strollers, and the locking mechanism is somewhat confusing. It involves pressing an arrow near the foot area on the front of stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd prefer a simpler method that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The weight of the overall stroller is a crucial factor to take into account. A heavier stroller tends to be more stable than a lighter one and can provide superior performance in rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and more suitable for daily use.
The type and size of the wheels is an important aspect. Certain strollers have bigger wheels, such as jogging ones, which makes the ride easier for your baby. However, bigger wheels add to the overall weight of the stroller which makes it more difficult to fold or transport and store.
Certain models in our collection include air-filled tires that are designed to provide a comfortable and stable ride for your child, even on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires can easily become flat, which will need to be changed out. If three wheel pushchair intend to take your stroller on the road often, we suggest you purchase a model with solid wheels. These tires are able to be able to withstand contact with different surfaces more often and last longer.
Strollers with swivel wheels at the front are great for safely navigating escalators as well as stairs. Falls on stairs or escalators are the most frequent stroller injuries. They can be particularly hazardous for infants. If you can't avoid using an escalator or stairs with your stroller we suggest that you only use it when the child is secured in the seat. Also ensure that they are close to you as you walk up and down.
Some strollers are a travel system which includes both the car seat as well as the stroller. While these types of products typically boast attractive prices and offer convenience in terms of reducing shopping time, they are generally more expensive than standalone models and might not perform in the long run. Many parents regret buying bundles because they might not include all the features they desire or may not be compatible with their car or child seat. If you plan to upgrade your product in the future we recommend you purchase a stroller separately from a capsule or car seat.
Stroller Folding
The best compact 3 wheel strollers are easy to fold and to store. Some even lock in place automatically when you open them. This feature can be especially beneficial for families who regularly use public transport or drive before going on an outing.
Three-wheel strollers are designed to navigate through tight spaces such as grocery store aisles and other crowded areas with ease. A lot of them are equipped with suspension systems to provide an easier ride. This is especially beneficial on bumpy sidewalks.
If you're looking for a jogging stroller that isn't heavy Guava Roam Crossover is a good alternative. The stroller is a stylish stroller that can be used as a part of a travel system, with matching car seat adapters to fit Nuna, MaxiCosi, Cybex, and Nuna infant carseats, as well as the Uppababy Bassinet. (Car seats and stroller boards are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into position once opened.
Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. It's a bit more expensive than some of our top picks, but it's worth the investment for those who love to travel or reside in an urban area. The stroller is lightweight and folds down to a small size (20.5 x 17.3 x 7.1) and comes with a padded, adjustable five-point harness with no-rethread straps and a large basket. It can be used as a stroller suitable for infants or toddlers who are young, with an infant car seat adapter.
The Babyzen is a great product that has some great features. It offers a large recline and has storage space. However there are some parents who are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat isn't flat when it is reclining and there are no cupholders or snack trays for children. The brakes can also be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are a bit high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction is another stroller that's designed to be as light as is possible without sacrificing the comfort or convenience. It comes with a long list of amazing features including a large basket and a one-handed fold. The only downside is that the brakes can be a bit difficult to engage and do not remain locked when the stroller is folded.
Stroller Safety
The safety features of a stroller will ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the top-scoring strollers in our review have a five-point harness with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a customised fit. Some strollers come with a cushioned cushion that shields your child's head should they fall or roll out of their seat. Some strollers come with a safety lock that secures both wheels. This is particularly important for walkers who jog, as it stops them from falling over while walking up and down stairs and escalators.
In our tests, we rated the maneuverability of strollers in three different ways: a product's ability to bounce and turn over bumps and dips, its ability to maneuver when laden with a child and its capacity to travel over rough surfaces. We also looked at how easy it was to open and close the safety harness fold and unfold the stroller, adjust its backrest the height of the handlebar and brakes, and then attach and remove car seats (if applicable).
We found that some 3-wheel strollers are more easy to maneuver than four-wheel models however this benefit diminishes when your baby becomes heavier. We recommend choosing 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 alone. However, a lot of the best-scoring swivel wheel strollers don't come with this feature and only one of our top-rated fixed-wheel models comes with it.
It is important to think about how often you'll be required to use your stroller to go up or down escalators or stairs and if it's safe to do so. Stairs and elevators are more hazardous because they have moving mechanical parts which make it difficult to control your stroller. If you can, we recommend using an elevator or having an adult assist you with the stroller. Some of the most highly-rated strollers are able to be carried up an escalator or a set of stairs. an escalator with their security brake locked and engaged, but it's always safer to be safe than sorry.