3 Wheel Compact Stroller Review
There are three-wheel strollers designed for everyone whether you're looking for a jogging stroller or an all-purpose stroller to use every day. The Managing Editor Sentry and Senior Review Writer Wendy Schmitz put these models through the paces on both pavement and off-road surfaces, as well test the comfort of children in the seats.
Stroller Features
The best strollers offer features that make traveling with your child more convenient. Find features that simplify your life for you, like a large bin for storage, a tray for the parent with cup holders, an adjustable canopy, and more when looking for the latest stroller. The key is determining what features are essential to you and your family, and which ones you can live without.
BOB Gear Wayfinder is our top-rated stroller for running. It comes with a variety of useful features that will keep parents comfortable and happy. The handlebar can be adjusted to three different positions to accommodate caregivers of different heights, and the wrist strap can help ensure that the stroller doesn't roll away when you're jogging. The Wayfinder also has the most extensive sunshade we've seen in our test group, with a clear window up top to let kids peek out while they're resting. Jenni's three-year-old son reportedly found the seat to have comfortable padding, which meant bumps in the road did not bother him.
This stroller for jogging also comes with a hand brake to help you maintain control on slick surfaces. It folds to 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 system using select infant car seats from brands including Nuna, Maxi-Cosi, and Cybex using 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 aren't as comfortable as air-filled or spongy-filled tires but they're great for navigating bumps and potholes.
This stroller is a jogging model and comes with a fold that requires just two steps. It locks into position when folded and is small enough to fit into most elevators. However, it's not as easy to maneuver as our other 4-wheel strollers and the mechanism to lock it is a bit hazy. It's as simple as pressing a button near the foot area on the front of the stroller and then lifting the handle. We'd rather have a simpler system that just clicks in place or opens by pulling.
Stroller Weight
The overall weight is a crucial aspect to consider. A heavier stroller is likely to be more stable than one that is lighter and could provide superior performance in rough terrain. However, a lot of parents find that a lighter stroller is easier to maneuver and is more suitable for daily use.
Another crucial aspect of a stroller is the size of its wheels and type. Some strollers come with larger wheels, like jogging ones that can make the ride smoother for your baby. Larger wheels can weigh more on the stroller, making it difficult to fold and store, transport and fold.
Some models in our collection have air-filled wheels that offer a comfortable, stable ride for your child on rough terrain. However, air-filled tires could easily become flat, which will require you to swap them out. If you are planning to take your stroller with you often, we suggest that you select a model with solid wheels. These tires can withstand contact with various surfaces more frequently and last longer.
Strollers with swivel front wheels are great for walking up and down escalators and stairs safely. Falls on escalators or stairs are the most common stroller injuries. They can be particularly dangerous for infants. If you can't avoid taking the stairs or escalator with your stroller, we advise using it only when your child is safely strapped into the seat and hold them close to you as you walk up or down.
Some strollers can be purchased as complete travel systems in which the car seat and stroller are sold together 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. Additionally many parents end up regretting buying a bundled product as it may not come with all of the features they would like or may turn out to not be compatible with their car or child seat. We suggest that you purchase an infant stroller that can be purchased separately from the car seat or capsule if you want to upgrade to a higher-end model in the future.
Stroller Folding
The best 3-wheel strollers that are compact are easy to fold and put away. Some even lock in the position automatically after you open them. This feature can be particularly beneficial for families who regularly use public transport or drive prior to going for a an outing.
Three-wheeled strollers are able to maneuver effortlessly in tight spaces, like grocery store aisles or other crowded areas. They also have suspension systems that give an easier stroll for your child, which can be especially helpful on slippery sidewalks.
If you're looking for a stroller that is jogging-friendly that isn't heavy, the Guava Roam Crossover is a great alternative. It's a stylish stroller that can also be used as 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 are sold separately). The stroller folds down in two steps and locks into position when it is opened.
Another nice-looking 3-wheel jogging stroller is the Babyzen Yoyo 2. The stroller is more expensive than our top picks, but worth it if you travel often or live in a city. This stroller is lightweight and can be folded down to a tiny 20 17x7 inches size. It has five-point, non-rethread, padding on the harness. It can be used as a stroller for newborns and toddlers, if you have an adapter for infant car seats.
While the Babyzen offers some great features, like the spacious recline and the extra storage, some parents are dissatisfied with its performance. The seat doesn't lie flat when reclined and there's no cups or a snack tray for children. The brakes can be a bit difficult to activate and the handlebars are a bit high for some moms.
The Graco Fastaction stroller is designed to be as light as is possible, yet not the comfort or convenience. It has a long list of impressive features like a huge basket and a one-handed fold. The only drawback is that the brakes may be difficult to engage and don't stay locked when the stroller is folded.
visit the next page of a stroller will ensure that your child is safe using it. Some of the top-scoring products in our review have five-point harnesses with padded, adjustable crotch straps that allow for a custom fit. Some strollers come with a padded cushion that shields your child's head in the event that they fall off or roll out of their seat. Some strollers have safety brakes that lock two wheels. This is especially important for jogging strollers because it prevents them from flipping over when they're going up and down stairs or escalators, 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 bounce and turn over bumps and dips, its ability to maneuver when laden with a child and its ability to maneuver 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, handlebar height and brakes, and attach and remove car seats (if appropriate).
We found that strollers with 3 wheels were more maneuverable however the advantages decreased as the weight of the baby increased. We recommend choosing one with a hand brake. It will allow you to slow down or stop without exerting the same amount of effort as your body alone. Many of the top-scoring swivel-wheel strollers do not have this feature. Only one of our top-rated fixed wheel strollers comes with it.
You should also consider how often you'll be required to utilize your stroller to go up and down escalators or stairs and if it is safe to do it. Stairs and elevators are more dangerous because they have moving mechanical parts that make it difficult for you to control your stroller. We recommend finding an alternative to these obstacles, such as an elevator, if you have one or have another adult to carry the stroller up and down with you. Some of the most highly-rated strollers can be taken onto the stairs or an escalator, with their safety brake locked and engaged however it's better to be safer than sorry.